Fresno State’s College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (CAST) has recently received the largest cash gift ever given to Fresno State—or any university in the California State University system.

On behalf of the Jordan family, a family from the East Bay who has been supporting the Ag department since 2002, recently donated over $29 million to the flourishing agriculture department.

The Jordan family (Bud Jordan, his wife Dee and his brother Lowell) began supporting CAST in November 1995 with an initial donation of $20,000.

Since then, the Jordan family has donated approximately $130,000 to the Ag-One-Lowell A. Jordan and Jordan Family Endowment, a fund that gives $1,000 scholarships to six or seven promising students each year.

“The incredible gift will fund projects that the college had only just dreamed of,” Welty said.

“We know we have outstanding, world-class agriculture programs and this gift will definitely establish Fresno State as the university of choice for top agriculture students.”

Dr. Charles Boyer, dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, said, “We are blessed and honored to receive this generous gift from the Jordan family. This is a landmark moment for the college — one that will change our college forever and have a positive impact on generations of students.”

Although Bud passed away in early 2002 and his brother in mid 2005, Bud’s wife Dee has visited the campus numerous times.

The large gift was a result of the sale of the Jordan’s Dublin ranch.

In the coming months, Boyer and his colleagues will work with faculty and university administration to determine precisely how the funds will be used in the college.

A naming ceremony for the college, in honor of the Jordan family, will be held May 14.