Smittcamp Family Honors College

Explore your potential.
Challenge your limits.
Honor your future.

The Smittcamp Family Honors College, recognized as one of the top programs of its kind in the western United States, was established in 1998 with a generous $1 million gift from the late Earl and Muriel Smittcamp, founders of a prominent Central Valley agribusiness and longtime supporters of Fresno State. The Honors College, which admitted its first cohort of President’s Honors Scholars in August 1999, is unique in the 23-campus California State University system.

Each year we accept 50 incoming freshman, who are rewarded with the President's Honors Scholarship and receive honors recognition upon graduation. These students are known as President's Scholars -- or more colloquially, "Smitties" -- and they are recognized as the university's leading learners. They study together in small honors courses for four years and receive personalized attention from faculty and administration. Thank you for supporting our scholars!