In August of 2007, Jan and Bud Richter pledged to provide $3.5 million to establish the Jan and Bud Richter Center for Community Engagement and Service-Learning. Dr. And Mrs. Richter based their generous donation on the belief that the center will, in Dr. Richter's words, "instill in students a life-long character trait of giving to the community."  Their donation is also tied to the motto, which they have tried to live their lives by, "Do unto others as you would have done unto you." These concepts are aligned with the long-standing values of this program. The endowment will allow us to continue addressing these important tenets for decades to come.

Honoring the Legacy of Jan and Dr. Elmer "Bud" Richter

In January 2021, Dr. Elmer “Bud” Richter passed away. On June 10, 2025, his beloved wife and high school sweetheart, Jan Richter, also passed. Together, Jan and Bud were true partners in life, guided by the Christian principle: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

With Jan’s unwavering support, Bud joined the family business, Pepsi-Cola Bottling Co., after graduating. Through his leadership, the company expanded significantly, earning a commanding share of the beverage market in the Central Valley. As their business success grew, so did their deep commitment to giving back.

“Jan, with Bud, left an incredible legacy at Fresno State and throughout our Valley community. They represent the best of the human — and the Bulldog — spirit through their servant leadership,” said Fresno State President Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval. “With the Richter Center, Bud and Jan positioned Fresno State as a national leader in community engagement and service learning. Thanks to their vision, our students, faculty, and staff now contribute over 1 million hours of service annually — making a lasting impact on our region.”

The influence Jan and Bud had on Fresno and Fresno State is immeasurable. Through their generosity and vision, they touched countless lives and helped transform both our community and campus. Their legacy of kindness, service, and stewardship will be cherished and remembered for generations to come.