Fresno City College Mourns Loss of President

It was a somber day for Fresno City College. Students returning from spring break came back to campus to find out their president passed away unexpectedly over the weekend.

President Tony Cantu has been with the college for 23 years and has been president since April 2012.

President Cantu was only 63 years old. He called in sick last Monday and took the rest of spring break off, but otherwise seemed to be in good health. Faculty and staff members said they never saw this coming.

"When they said that president Cantu had passed away, I thought you know can you tell me again? I just thought it was just unreal," Dean of Student Services & Couseling Monica Cuevas said.

Cuevas has worked with President Cantu for 18 years, and says the news of his passing came without warning.

"If he had an illness, then that wouldn’t be something that we’d be surprised, but this is just a shocker that he is no longer with us any more, so it’s going to be a big void," Cuevas said.

And that void is not just hitting staff. Sophomore Garret Hale says he worked with president Cantu on several occasions.

"He was just a really good guy, and it’s unfortunate because he was a good leader and seemed to run the college really well," Hale said.

Cuevas says Cantu has done great things for the campus.

"A lot of influences, advocating for more faculty positions, advocating to serve more students. Also, he’s been really inclusive in working with Fresno Unified School District," Cuevas said.

She said he always puts the students first.

"His demeanor is he always wanted what’s best for students," Cuevas said.

Cantu was not married and didn’t have children. He is survived by his mother and siblings.

As for his position, the college says they will probably hire an interim president until a permanent one is found.

Fresno City College says they plan to hold a wreath laying ceremony Tuesday at noon in the auditorium.