Fresno State Honors Humanities Chair, Book Editor At Convocation - Chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities received President's Medal of Distinction.

From Fresno State: Fresno State President Joseph I. Castro honored Jon Parish Peede, chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities, with the President's Medal of Distinction at the 2019 convocation for the College of Arts and Humanities Friday at the Save Mart Center.

Established in 1993, the President's Medal of Distinction is the highest non-degree award presented by Fresno State. It is given to citizens of the region, state or nation whose contributions in the area of professional achievements or public service are of national or international significance.

Peede previously served as the publisher of the Virginia Quarterly Review at the University of Virginia and held multiple positions at the National Endowment for the Arts.

Peede spoke to the 2019 graduates of the College of Arts and Humanities, many of whom are first-generation college students, about the doors that a college education opened for his parents, who were first-generation graduates.

"I am sure that they had their educational struggles," Peede said, "but they focused instead on the opportunities that came because of their degrees. Two generations later, my family still venerates a college education as the best way to ensure a fulfilling career — and the best way 'to know thyself.'"