2025 Commencement Special Recognitions Announced
Fresno City College is pleased to announce the 2025 Dean’s Medallion of Excellence Award recipients. This year, eight graduating students chosen by their division dean will receive the award. The students will receive their medallions at a ceremony on Thursday, May 15, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. in the Old Administration Building, Room 251.
The award is bestowed each year to Fresno City College students whose academic achievements, service to the community, and general excellence have brought honor to the College and distinction among their peers.
Each recipient will receive a $500 scholarship. One of the students will also receive the Tony Cantú President’s Medallion and an additional $500 scholarship. This honor is named for former FCC President Tony Cantú who passed away in 2015, FCC interim President Dr. Kim Armstrong makes the selection from the group of recipients.
2025 Dean’s Medallion Winners
Allied Health, Physical Education and Athletics Division
Ms. Janessa Guzman
of Fresno
Medical Assisting (AS)
Applied Technology Division
Ms. Angelina Brown
of Kerman
Electrical Systems Technology (AS)
Business Education Division
Mr. Vincent Nobles
of Fresno
Business Administration for Transfer (AA-T)
Counseling and Guidance Division
Mr. Angel Felix Gomez
of Fresno
Music (AA)
Fine, Performing and Communication Arts Division
Mr. Israel Cardona Hernandez
of Fresno
Journalism for Transfer (AA-T)
Humanities Division
Ms. Olivia Rose Peterson
of Fresno
English for Transfer (AA-T)
Math, Science and Engineering Division
Ms. Hee Won (Ann) Jang
of Fresno
Human Biology (AS)
Social Sciences Division
Ms. Srishti Saini
of Fresno
Psychology, (AA-T)
2025 Distinguished Alumnus
Commencement Ceremony
Friday, May 23, 2025, 6:30 pm
Save Mart Center 2650 E. Shaw, Fresno
This year’s Commencement Distinguished Alumnus Award recipient is Zack Darrah, the Chief Executive Officer of the Poverello House. He earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Fresno Pacific University in 2007 and in 2013 a Master of Arts in Theological Studies from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary, in Lynchburg, VA . After graduating from San Joaquin Memorial High School, he started his college journey at FCC attending from Fall 2001 through Summer 2002. He attended Reedley College in Spring 2004 and then returned to FCC in Spring 2005 to Fresno Pacific University.
Zack has over 18 years of experience working with non-profits and vulnerable populations. As CEO of Poverello House, he has expanded critical social services while keeping the founder, Mike McGarvin's philosophy intact. He has successfully led several renovations at Poverello House including shower and laundry facilities, client restrooms, Naomi's House, Hope Pointe, Family Hope Shelter and the Village of Hope. Because of his leadership, Poverello House will continue to expand its emergency shelter services and bridge housing.
His commitment demonstrates his ability to bring services to the most vulnerable populations in the Fresno community. Among the many volunteers and employees at the Poverello House who believe Zack is up to the challenge is Papa Mike’s widow, “Mama Mary” McGarvin. She and her husband were the Poverello House’s co-founder, and she believes he’s up to the task of overseeing the legacy she built with her husband of nearly 47 years. In 2019, the Poverello House had a staff of 28 and a $2 million budget, to date there are now over 200 employees with an operating budget of approximately $19.5 million.
Darrah has a passion for helping others and has dedicated his life to serve and be a source of hope and care for those who are most vulnerable. His work experience includes Encourage Tomorrow, where he served as the general manager and oversaw 25 enrichment programs including community-based services for youth, school-based programs, literacy programs and parent education that focused on low-income children and families.
