Earl Smittcamp, a prominent agribusiness leader, graduated from California State University, Fresno in 1939. Along with his wife, Muriel, they co-founded Smittcamp Family Businesses and in 1997, donated $1 million dollars to California State University, Fresno, setting the foundation for the Honors College. Earl Smittcamp and his family demonstrate leadership excellence, innovative thinking, and personal caring with their longstanding commitment to support education in Fresno County. The Smittcamps exemplify their belief in the principles that education is really dependent upon what one makes of it and that “excellence” is never accepting less than the best from yourself.