Friends and colleagues of the late Dr. Joseph I. Castro joined his family in a Celebration of Life Tribute and Reception at the Harris Ranch near Coalinga Oct. 5.
Reflecting Dr. Castro’s belief in the power of education
to transform lives and his legacy of hope and opportunity
Services were held Oct. 3 and 4 for the late Dr. Joseph I. Castro, the former chancellor of California State University, former president of Fresno State (a Central Valley Higher Education Consortium-member) and former CVHEC board chair, followed by a Celebration of Life Oct. 5 at the Harris Ranch in Coalinga.
President Joseph I. Castro and First Lady Mary Castro served Fresno State from 2013-2020.
For those who wish to honor his legacy, his family has established two endowment accounts that reflect Dr. Castro’s lifelong belief in the power of education to transform lives and carry forward his legacy of hope and opportunity for future generations.
- The Castro & Borges Family Basic Needs Endowment Fund at Fresno State
- The Castro Family Community Leaders Endowment Fund at UC Berkeley
The Fresno State Castro and Borges Family Basic Needs Endowment Fund was established in 2020 to support Fresno State students by helping meet their essential needs such as food, clothing, housing, financial assistance and safety. Created in honor of Dr. Joseph I. Castro and Mary Castro’s dedicated service to California State University, Fresno, the fund reflects their deep commitment to student well-being as a vital foundation for academic success.
The UC Berkeley Community Leaders Endowment Fund provides sustained support for initiatives that foster leadership excellence and reflect the mission of the Chicanx Latinx Student Development Office at UC Berkeley where Dr. Castro was a two-time alumnus.
“It empowers students who are deeply committed to their community, helping them grow as leaders and achieve lasting impact,” Mrs. Castro said.
Their son Isaac said, “My Dad understood the importance of access to a quality education, and the impact it had on our family. He wanted others to have the same opportunities. Join us in contributing to the next generation of leaders, just as my Dad did every day of his life.”
The Castro family posing last October on the field at Cal (UC Berkeley). Dr. Castro started his higher education path in the University of California system where he was hired for his first professional job, served at five campuses and ended with his hospice care in a UC teaching hospital.
See:
- Joseph I. Castro Memorial Website
- Remembering President Joseph I. Castro – Fresno State
- Dr. Joseph I. Castro, former CSU chancellor, Fresno State president and CVHEC board chair
- IN MEMORIAM: DR. JOSEPH I. CASTRO (CVHEC Executive Director Benjamín Durán statement)
- Fresno State President Saul Jimenez Sandoval statement
- Remembered in the News
- Fresno State presents 10th Feria de Educación Oct. 11; boxer Jose Ramirez to deliver opening
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