Lucerito Salgado was one of nine graduating seniors who were named Dean’s
Medalist recipients. The President’s Medalist will be announced on May 19.
Esteban Cortez / The Collegian

Nine top graduating seniors have been named Undergraduate Dean’s Medalists for the Class of 2012 at Fresno State.

The medalists are chosen as the outstanding students in each of the university’s eight schools and colleges of academic discipline and the Division of Student Affairs.

The dean of each college and school selects an undergraduate and graduate medalist based on academic excellence, community involvement and other achievements.

Mass communication and journalism student Lucerito Salgado was chosen as the Dean’s Medalist recipient for the College of Arts and Humanities.

“It was a big surprise,” Salgado said about receiving the award. “I was so honored to be chosen as the Dean’s Medalist recipient for the College of Arts and Humanities, which I love.”

Salgado completed a bachelor’s degree in mass communication and journalism, with emphases in broadcast journalism and public relations. A first-generation Latina student, she is fluent in Spanish and served in various leadership roles on and off campus. She cites her passion, dedication and commitment to help others as her drives toward academic excellence, and she says those traits helped her become the Dean’s Medalist recipient.

“I was so humbled to receive this recognition,” she added.

The other eight Dean’s Medalist recipients were Tarilee Frigulti from the Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology; Theresa Voecking from the Craig School of Business; Patricia Sandoval from the Kremen School of Education and Human Development; Christopher McComb from the Lyles College of Engineering; Nancy Lopez from the College of Health and Human Services; Katherine Urabe of the College of Science and Mathematics; Samantha Peel from the College of Social Science; and Selena Farnesi from the Division of Student Affairs.

Farnesi, who also served as ASI president during the past year, was the lead researcher for a textbook study that advised the campus technology committees on how the university should proceed in adopting electronic textbooks.

One of the medalists will be named the President’s Medalist, the top academic honor, at the 2012 commencement ceremony scheduled for May 19 at the Save Mart Center.