Chuck Sant’Agata (56-S) is the 22nd Fresno State Sigma Chi alumnus to be named Top Dog. He was nominated by the School of Arts and Humanities. Currently Sigma Chis account for 6.7% of all Top Dog awards! Chuck is a Fresno native with Italian roots who, in 1957, became the first in his family to graduate from college. The Top Dog Gala was held in the Save Mart Center on September 20, 2019.
Chuck’s undergraduate career began in 1953 at Fresno State’s original campus where he performed in the school’s last and the new campus’s first theater productions. As a student, Chuck left his mark on the campus helping plan the first Peach Blossom Festival and leading the Speech Arts Guild and Western Speech Association.
After graduation from Fresno State, Chuck earned his Masters Degree at UCLA then joined the 144th Fighter Group of the California Air National Guard as its Information Specialist for six years. After leaving the military, he went on to have a successful career in Public Relations, serving as Public Relations Director for Community Health Systems in Fresno for thirteen years, opening his own firm, Charles Sant’Agata Public Relations in 1983 and serving as President and CEO of the American Lung Association for eight years. He was also President of several local, state and national public relations professional organizations, and he was the Founding President of the Central California Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America.
Even as an alumnus, Chuck’s fingerprints have continued to mold Fresno State. From 1971 to to 1973 he served as Board President of the Fresno State Alumni Association. He has also returned to campus as a guest lecturer in Public Relations and continues to serve on the Peach Blossom Festival Committee.
Chuck was co-rush chairman with Leo Wilson in 1957 when Epsilon Eta pledged 33, the largest pledge class in the chapter’s history at the time. Brother Sant’Agata has contributed to our alumni chapter in many roles including as Sigma Chi Alumni Chapter president and chairing fundraising efforts for several renovations to the Chapter House. He served as Grand Praetor for the West Coast and he is a member of the Order of Constantine.
Several Sigma Chi alumni were able to join Chuck in the festivities at the Save Mart Center, and so were Dorothy Heinrichs (Steve 65-F) and Pam Colgate (Bill 65-S). Both Steve and Bill served as Consuls while undergraduates. We all know that the recognition received on September 20 was long overdue. Congratulations Brother Chuck!
Jon “Goose” Gallinetti – Major General, USMC (Ret)
