Derek and David Carr: Measure E is a great way to support Fresno State and the Valley | Opinion

Former Bulldog Coach Pat Hill’s “Anyone, anywhere, anytime” is a phrase that has personified the value of Fresno State to the region and the country. We both see the value of the lifelong lessons Fresno State taught us, both on the field and in the classroom.

On the field, Fresno State has made its reputation for doing more with less, consistently proving that we should never be underestimated. For as much as Fresno State has accomplished with the valued resources it does have, imagine how this university could elevate the entire San Joaquin Valley with proper funding in the academic realm. The time is now.

Measure E is the opportunity for Fresno County residents to take matters into their own hands and ensure that Fresno State has the proper resources to build and maintain the facilities and academic programs that will serve the region for decades to come, elevating the university to never-before-seen heights — and in doing so, elevating the Valley in a spectacular way.

Fresno State is a microcosm for the entire Valley. Young people growing up in the Central Valley don’t have to leave for schools in Los Angeles or the Bay Area or anywhere else to fulfill their dreams. We can develop our own proud and focused leaders who are in tune with the real needs of our community.

We both have roots in Fresno and Bakersfield, and we both chose to stay home to become Bulldogs. We both wanted to prove we could accomplish our goals at Fresno State, and while our great victories manifested the power of our team, they called attention to the tremendous strength of Fresno State to change lives for athletes, students, and their families.

Measure E embodies a vision for the collective future of our Valley. Fresno State is present in all areas of our Valley, producing health-care professionals, entrepreneurs that promote our economy, teachers who empower their students to follow big dreams, and so much more.

Measure E focuses 85% its funding to academics because the 80% of graduates who stay in the Valley are vital to our economic future. This vision elevates programs that are essential to our economic future, like agriculture and engineering, and to the health of our society, like nursing. What’s best, it’s projected to produce $5 billion in economic activity and create jobs for our people that will stimulate the economy.

Fresno State is rising in the national rankings for academics, and we have talented young people who can compete with anyone in the nation. Doing that takes proper resources, and that’s what voters can deliver for the students who choose to pursue their dreams while representing their hometown university.

We are in support of Measure E, which is on Tuesday’s ballot, because when Fresno State is strong, the entire Valley wins.

This story was originally published March 1, 2024 at 11:07 AM.