$29 Million Dollar Donations To Fresno State Ag Dept. | ABC30 Fresno

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By ABC30

Friday, April 24, 2009

Fresno, CA The stunning donation left educators weak in the knees.

But it is a testament to a lasting friendship formed on some very long road trips.

The cows on campus could sense the commotion. Dee Jordan of Hayward presented the college of agricultural sciences and technology a check for $29,442,516 dollars

Dee Jordan and her husband Hanabul, or Bud, met retired Fresno State professor Bob Glim and his wife in the 80's after Bob retired.

At an RV rally Glim talked up Fresno State's hands-on ag program, in which students grow crops, make wine and raise livestock.

The Jordan's loved how Fresno State's farm market sold fruits and vegetables grown on campus.

Since 1995 the Jordan family has sponsored students through Fresno State's Ag One Foundation.

Bud Jordan and his brother Lowell were cattle ranchers in Dublin, in the east bay, Dee sold the Dublin Ranch after Bud passed away in 2002 and his brother Lowell died in 2005.

That ranch was worth $29-million dollars. Dee said the decision to donate was an easy one.

Ag department dean Charles Boyer said the donation will fund research projects and facility upgrades.

Fresno state ag students were stunned by the Jordan's generosity.

Dr. Welty said Fresno State's ag department will soon be known as the Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences And Technology.