Fresno Latino community memorializes Joseph I. Castro as ‘exceptional’ leader
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- Joseph I. Castro prioritized student success during leadership at Fresno State and CSU.
- Castro launched programs boosting graduation and access for Latino and first-gen students.
- Central Valley leaders remembered Castro’s legacy of empathy, equity and outreach.
Leaders of the Central Valley’s Latino community say Joseph I. Castro, former Fresno State president and CSU chancellor who died this week after battling cancer, was an “exceptional education leader” who helped raise student success for Latino students throughout his decades-long career.
Hugo Morales, co-executive director and founder of Radio Bilingue, recounted his last interactions with Castro, including a phone call conversation a few days prior to his death.
“We talked, but we agreed that we would meet on the other side,” Morales said of the phone call with Castro.
Morales said he had seen Castro in person about five or six weeks ago at Stanford University, Castro’s alma mater. Their sons’ love for the arts and music took them to Stanford’s summer jazz experience program. Both of their children enrolled at the same time.
”He was in good spirits,” Morales said of Castro.
Morales called Castro on the phone after hearing from other former CSU Trustees as well as other statewide Chicano leaders that Castro was not doing well.
“I was fortunate enough to talk to him last week, and I didn’t know that it was in his last days but had the honor to do that and to tell him what an exceptional person he was, an exceptional education leader,” Morales said.
Morales said he told Castro that his focus on students showed many Valley students, regardless of their background, that they could graduate from college like he did.
“I was really proud to have been a trustee at the time that he was president (of Fresno State) and also part of the board of trustees that voted him to be our chancellor,” Morales said. “He made history, both as the first Chicano to lead Fresno State and CSU.”
“His focus on students really paid off,” Morales said. “He took that message (of seeing themselves in college) to a lot of kids in our Valley. Changed the Valley and changed Fresno State for the better in terms of opportunities for our students at Fresno State and all CSU. Demonstrated what can be done at the CSU.”
Venancio Gaona, a longtime community advocate for Latino education, said Castro brought positive changes to Fresno State.
“We were extremely proud of how he helped Latino students, first generation students,” said Gaona. “He created programs that helped Mexican American students and other Latinos succeed.”
Gaona said Castro cared about students who didn’t have access to food, launching Fresno State’s Student Cupboard as part of the university’s food security project.
“He did a lot of little things like that that kept students afloat, that kept them in school,” Gaona said. “He just helps students. He made it more successful to be retained and successful in completing their education.”
Gaona said Castro set an example for students that higher education was possible even for those with humble beginnings like him, a native of the San Joaquin Valley.
“He lent a hand. He extended a hand,” Gaona said of Castro, who was known for his “Be Bold” motto.
Fresno City Council member Miguel Arias said Castro was “one of those unique leaders that everybody tries to be.”
“(He led) in an authentic and real way, and made every single interaction that he had with people feel like Fresno State was part of their home and that they too, are welcome,” Arias said.
Arias said Castro was “the biggest cheerleader for Fresno that we’ve had in quite some time.”
“He was a good friend and great advocate for the education of our communities,” said Lalo Alcaraz.
Before becoming CSU chancellor, Alcaraz said Castro “had helped my college-aged kids with advice, phone calls, leads and connections.”
“Yeah, Joe was connected and helpful to a fault,” Alcaraz said.
The American cartoonist most known for being the author of the first nationally syndicated politically themed Latino daily comic strip La Cucaracha, paid tribute of his gratitude and friendship to Castro in CaloNews. Alcaraz created an illustration of Castro as the president of Fresno State , titled “The Power of Joe,” that Castro got to see before his death.
In July, Alcaraz presented Castro and his family with the illustration at an intimate gathering celebrating Castro.
Latino leaders across the state expressed their condolences on social media.
Manuel Olgín Jr., president of Fresno State Chicano Alumni Club said Castro was not only a steadfast supporter of the club, but inspired students, staff, faculty, alumi and community members alike.
“He left behind a legacy that continues to resonate deeply within our community,” Olgín said on Facebook. “He didn’t just walk among us; he reached into our lives and lifted us up.”
With his “Be Bold” motto, Olgín said Castro “gave us the courage to engage, to act, and to take risks in pursuit of something greater.”
“He dedicated much of his professional life to expanding access to higher education,” said Fresno State President Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval.
According to his family Castro’s final resting place will be in Santa Barbara, where services will be held with family and close friends.
