Building community on campus with a new student union

Few spots on any college campus are as popular as the student union. Building on their longtime support for the Fresno State campus, the Resnicks pledged $10 million for the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of a new student union. This gift represents the largest investment ever in a student life initiative at the university.

Now completed, the Lynda and Stewart Resnick Student Union serves as a central hub for students on campus, fostering a sense of community and belonging. The 84,000-square-foot facility includes dynamic and interchangeable meeting spaces, dedicated areas for student organizations, and a relaxing outdoor terrace that can be used year-round. It also incorporates core elements of sustainable design, including solar panels, and achieved LEED Gold-equivalent certification. 

A portion of the Resnick's investment was also used to create the Wonderful Scholar Center, a dedicated space within the student union where the nearly 300 Wonderful Scholars who attend Fresno State will receive tutoring and counseling from college success coaches, meet with peer mentors, and gather with friends.    

The Resnicks were also among Fresno State’s four honorary doctorate recipients for the 2021 commencement season in recognition of their steadfast dedication and contributions to education, philanthropy, and agriculture in California’s Central Valley. Lynda Resnick received a Doctor of Humane Letters in Philanthropy, and Stewart Resnick was awarded a Doctor of Science in Agriculture.