Fresno State alumnus and former U.S. Ambassador wins fraternity award

By Catherine Ragsdale
The Collegian

Phillip Sanchez, alumnus and former U.S. ambassador to Honduras and Columbia, founded the Fresno State chapter of Sigma Chi fraternity back in 1950, and hasn’t let time, job positions or locations keep him from continually contributing to the fraternity.

“Phillip Sanchez is very concerned with the undergraduates,” said Rob Bell, Fresno Alumni Chapter board member of the Sigma Chi alumni chapter. “He is very good at everything he does.”

Earlier this year Sigma Chi Fraternity awarded Sanchez, 77, with the Order of Constantine.

According to Sigma Chi’s official Web site, the Order of Constantine is the highest honor in the fraternity. The award was created in 1948, and given to members “who demonstrated commitment to their [fraternity] brothers through service to Sigma Chi.”

Sanchez started Fresno State’s chapter of Sigma Chi back in 1950, and served as the first president.

This past summer, Sanchez and other alumni chapter board members renovated the Sigma Chi residential house for the undergraduates. “Quite a bit of money was put into the residence,” said Bell.

Besides being president of Sigma Chi, Sanchez was involved in many clubs, fraternities and publications at Fresno State.

“College was the best years of my life,” Sanchez said. Sanchez received his bachelor’s degree from Fresno State in 1952 with a degree in political science. Sanchez also earned a master’s degree in public administration 1975.

Sanchez was vice president of the student body, president of the Bluekey Men’s Honor Fraternity and president of Sigma Tau Fraternity, which was Fresno State’s oldest continuously active fraternity at the time.

Along with the bureaucratic positions, Sanchez was a part-time writer for The Collegian and editor of the Student Christian Association News. This journalistic experience gave him the idea that he liked to write, which parlayed into publishing positions with the New York City Tribune and Tiempos del Mundo. He also published the Noticias Del Mundo in New York City for 18 years.

Sanchez wasn’t always about business though. He was involved in intramural activities, and held the title of intramural lightweight boxing champion at Fresno State.

In 1977, Sanchez received the Distinguished Alumnus Award from Fresno State. This award is the highest honor at Fresno State, and is based on scholarship, leadership and service to Fresno State, the San Joaquin Valley and the state of California.

Sanchez succeeded Donald Rumsfeld as the director of the U.S. Office of Economic Opportunity.

According to Sanchez, this position was a great contributor to the Distinguished Alumnus award.

“[Sanchez] is legendary,” Bell said. “He is utterly inspiring and so humble.”

Bell said if you met Sanchez, you would never know the man in front of you had all the credentials and experience he has. Other people hype themselves up. He is so approachable and down to earth.

Sanchez is currently living in Fresno again. Besides his continuing involvement with the Sigma Chi Fraternity, Sanchez is teaching English as a foreign language to help immigrants attain U.S. citizenship.

Sanchez is currently on the International Board of Visitors for Fresno State. He attained this position by appointment through President Welty.

Sanchez is also on the Campaign Committee at Fresno State.

Although Sanchez has experienced so much in his lifetime, college life at Fresno State stays vivid in his mind as the best years of his life.

Sanchez said back in those days, minorities didn’t seem to be accepted at universities, clubs and fraternities. “It was my pleasant surprise at how open the faculty and student body were to minorities.

Try to do your best and many things come your way.”

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