Joy Marie Hallare / The Collegian
Jason Ferreira, an agriculture education major, received the National Outstanding Officer of the Year award from his fraternity Alpha Zeta for his work as a Sgt-at-Arms Officer.
The honor is decided by nominations from the chapter level to the national Alpha Zeta Fraternity level. Then a committee of national officers reviews nominations and selects the winner. Ferreira topped this list and was bestowed the title in New Jersey this April.
“I was extremely surprised and excited when they had announced my name as the winner,” Ferreira said. “It is an honor that not everyone has the opportunity to receive.”
A Sgt-at-Arms’ duties, according to Ferreira, include conducting business for all chapters, creating member activities, fundraising at the chapter level and keeping all the members together as a unified chapter.
Ferreira, a Tulare native, made the choice to join the agriculture fraternity because of what it offered.
“Alpha Zeta is the honorary professional agriculture fraternity at Fresno State and it provides the members with an opportunity to develop leadership, scholarship, fellowship and character,” Ferreira said.
Agriculture has been a presence in Ferreira’s life ever since he was a little boy on the farm and that drove his decision to pledge Alpha Zeta as well.
“Agriculture has been an important part of my life because it is the sole source of livelihood for my family when I was growing up,” Ferreira said. “Raising livestock for shows, visiting my grandfather’s farm and advocating for the largest industry in America is something I have held with me since I was a little boy.”
Ferreira took the steps to get more involved with Alpha Zeta rather than just being a member because of his passion for the success of the whole fraternity.
“I saw so much potential in the members and the organization helped me realize this was something special,” Ferreira said. “My passion and pride flows rapidly through whatever I become involved with and this organization gave me an opportunity to show how much pride and passion I can have for something and what we had to offer for each other.”
Ferreira sees his award as only a beginning to his success and an eye-opening experience to what he can accomplish.
“Winning the award has only challenged me to realize my potential further,” Ferreira said. “I have always worked hard and given 100 percent at whatever I do, but I now realize there is always an opportunity for us to go above and beyond the call of duty. Whether recognized or not, putting forth the effort to go that extra mile will pay off greatly down the road.”
Agriculture communications major Chelsea Cushing believes that Ferreira deserved to win this award for all of his hard work.
“He shows exemplary conduct as an officer and he shows us qualities that we can look up to,” Cushing said. “He handled everything for our trip to New Jersey including fundraising, setting up travel and handling hotels. He absolutely deserves to be recognized.”
Ferreira plans on teaching agriculture classes at the high school level after he graduates from Fresno State.
Agriculture education professor Steven Rocca thinks that Jason is going to make a great teacher.
“Jason is going to succeed at being an agriculture teacher and I believe he will make a great one,” Rocca said. “I am not surprised that he has been recognized for his great work because he has always been involved, taken that leadership role and been one of this department’s most active students.”