PRESS RELEASE
California State University in Fresno
Contact: Tom Uribes (559) 278-5366 or 246-1717
Oct. 21, 2004
Fresno State Honors Save Mart Center Contributor with ‘Matoian Way’
Save Mart Center supporter Mathias “Matty” Matoian was honored by
California State University, Fresno today when a campus street was
renamed and dedicated in his family’s name — “Matoian Way.”
Matoian Way is the main road that provides access to the Save Mart
Center from either Woodrow or Chestnut Avenues.
The first portion of Matoian Way, formerly Scott Avenue, begins at
Chestnut and runs along the north side of the year-old center that was
privately financed by such donations and gifts as Matoian’s.
After crossing Woodrow Ave., Matoian Way winds southwest around to the
front of the Smittcamp Alumni House and ends at Maple Avenue where it
resumes as Keats Avenue.
Matoian and his family and friends were on hand today as Fresno State
President John D. Welty, accompanied by university and community
dignitaries, ceremoniously unveiled the new street sign just before
noon at the corner of Woodrow and the new Matoian Way at the western
end of the North Lot.
“We are pleased to recognize and honor Matty Matoian and his family
for their generous contribution to the Save Mart Center project,”
Welty said. “Their contribution demonstrated the spirit of support our
community has for our university and was a catalyst in encouraging
others to follow suit. It is appropriate that the main road that
provides access to the Save Mart Center be known to all as Matoian
Way.”
A longtime supporter of the university, Matoian had expressed his
desire for “the university to accelerate its leadership role in
bringing top-level sports, entertainment and cultural events to
Central California.”
Matoian, who is a 1965 graduate from the School of Business at Fresno
State, is the president and chief executive officer of OK Produce, a
company started in 1950 by his father, the late Charles Matoian.
At age 12 (1955), Matty began his employment at OK Produce by fixing
lettuce boxes and sweeping floors. By age 18, he was making
deliveries, pitching watermelons, loading trucks, and assembling
orders.
During his college years at Fresno State, he spent his summers making
deliveries in the morning and working in the receiving department
during the evenings.
Matoian became president of OK Produce in 1979 and has built it into a
leading wholesale distributor to major supermarkets and restaurants
throughout the entire Central Valley.
His two sons Brady and Chad also work at OK Produce following the
family tradition.
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