California State University, Fresno
Antonio Petrosino was born in Coperchia, Italy, in 1933 and came to Clovis, California, in 1947 with his family. He graduated from California State University, Fresno in 1953 and earned his teaching and counseling credential a year later. Mr. Petrosino worked as an educator in the Fresno Unified School District for 40 years.
Throughout his life, Mr. Petrosino and his wife, Louise, have embodied the value of serving others. They have supported organizations such as Valley Children’s Healthcare, Clovis Unified School District and Fresno State.
In 1964 Mr. Petrosino, along with other Fresno State Newman Club alumni, established the St. Paul Newman Center to serve Fresno State’s Catholic community. In the mid-1960s, he started Fresno State’s first Italian language courses and taught the language for seven years. He recently helped found the Italian Studies committee whose goal is to establish, sustain and grow the program through philanthropic giving.
After his wife’s death in 2004, Mr. Petrosino set out to honor her memory by continuing her legacy of service. He dedicated more time to Fresno State by volunteering in the College of Arts and Humanities, the Kremen School of Education and Human Development, the Fresno State Alumni Association and the Bulldog Foundation. He received the Arthur Safstrom Service Award in 2019 for his distinguished record of service to Fresno State.
In 2021, Mr. Petrosino established the Antonio and Louise Petrosino Family Italian Studies endowment and the Antonio and Louise Petrosino Family Italian Studies Endowed Scholarship. His commitment to Fresno State has positively impacted the lives of countless students who he hopes will carry on his wife’s philanthropic spirit while embracing the opportunities of higher education. In addition, Mr. Petrosino is a loyal and ardent supporter of Fresno State student-athletes.
In recognition of his contributions to educational initiatives in Fresno and his philanthropic leadership at Fresno State, the Board of Trustees of the California State University and California State University, Fresno are proud to confer upon Antonio Petrosino the honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters.