Fall 2023 marks the silver jubilee for the Smittcamp Family Honors College (SFHC), one of Fresno State’s most prestigious scholarship programs.

The 25-year milestone for the program noted in a university press release outlines its significant success since its existence.

“In the years since it began, close to 1,100 high-achieving students have graduated, many going on to distinguished careers in business, law, education, medicine, engineering, and other professional fields,” the press release noted.

SFHC started in 1998 with a generous $1 million gift from Earl and Murial Smittcamp and family, enrolling the first students in 1999.

This year’s cohort gives a big nod to the College of Science and Mathematics (CSM). Almost half of this year’s Smittcamp Family scholars have chosen a major offered under the CSM.

Out of the 50 new scholars, 23 joined CSM. A deeper look inside the numbers shows biology was the most popular major, with 9 students choosing that path, followed by biochemistry, the second most popular major, with 5 Smittcamp scholars opting for the major.

Computer science came in third, with 4 students choosing the major, while mathematics, environmental sciences, and Psychology attracted one student each.

All the students chosen came from high schools around the Valley.

A total of 13 students came from Fresno and Clovis high schools, and three students hail from Visalia. Madera, Kerman, Porterville, Dinuba, and Fowler sent one student each into the program through CSM.

SFHC uses a competitive process in choosing candidates every year. According to the Fresno State press release, 50 top high school graduates from a pool of more than 500 are admitted annually. The press release stated that once accepted to Fresno State, the students take a series of specially designed honors courses, perform community service, and interact in educational and social activities.

The Smittamp students join over 4,000 CSM students to become part of the largest college in Fresno State.