California State University, Fresno
John D. Welty,
president of the California State University, Fresno, has been a pro-active
and innovative leader in alcohol prevention efforts within the Fresno State
campus, in the state of California and on a national level. President Welty
chaired CSU’s Alcohol Policies and Prevention Programs Committee, a
group that gained national recognition by proposing the most comprehensive
alcohol policy of any university system. On the Fresno State campus, Welty
exhibited strong initiative in his establishment of a 16-member Alcohol Advisory
Council. Under his leadership, this group develops and recommends policies
and programs to reduce alcohol and other drug abuse on campus. One of Welty’s
goals for the group is to give substance abuse prevention a much higher profile
on college campuses and in the media. He has also been outspoken about addressing
the mixed messages within the collegiate athletic community and the alcohol
advertisement industry. In addition to his visibility and involvement locally
and on a state level, Welty delivered powerful testimony to the United States
Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs on the topic of "Under the Influence:
The Binge Drinking Epidemic on College Campuses" in the spring of 2002.
President Welty is an invaluable asset to Fresno State and the Presidents
Leadership Group.