Born in Panjab, India, Dr. Sudarshan Kapoor learned the value of non-violence from his spiritual mentor, Gandhi. Dr. Kapoor came to the United States in 1963 and to the Valley in 1967 when he joined the Department
(then School) of Social Work Education at California State University. Fresno. Since
1967, he has served as professor of Social Work. Community Development and Peace Studies
at the University. He has sought, fought, and taught about peace and justice through
nonviolence. His commitment to Gandhi's vision, life, and teachings has been demonstrated
in his leadership and achievements on both the California State University, Fresno
campus and in the community. Dr. Kapoor was the founder and first director of the Peace and Conflict Studies. Program. He
established and coordinated the "Stop the Hate and Build the Culture of Peace Week"
at Fresno State and in the community. He is the founder of Peace Garden project that
currently honors Gandhi, Cesar E. Chavez, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Jane Addams.
Dr. Kapoor has served on several boards and commissions locally and nationally. He served for
12 years (including 4 years as chair) as a member of the City of Fresno's Human Relations
Commission to which he was first appointed in 1992 by then Mayor Karen Humphrey. He
is a founding member of the Board of Directors of the Fresno Center for Nonviolence
and has served on the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Unity Committee City of Fresno since
its inception in 1984.
Dr. Kapoor co-chaired Consortium on Peace Research, Education and Development (now Peace and
Justice Studies Association) and served as Co-Executive Edition of "Peace and Change"
a noted Journal of Peace Research in the United States. He also served on the Board
of International Peace Research Association and also on the board of International
Peace Research Foundation.
Dr. Kapoor has received numerous honors and awards. Some of these are:
Temple Beth Israel's Prestigious Social Action Award • Fresno Center for Nonviolence
"Way of Peace" Award
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Unity Committee, City of Fresno, "Community Service Award"
Distinguished Service Award by Fresno's Human Relations Commission "Life Time Achievement
Award" by Consortium on Peace Research and Education USA
(COPRED) .N.A.A.C.P. "Image Award" (Fresno Chapter)
Provosts Excellence in Teaching Award for Community Service at C.S.U. Fresno • Fresno
Metro Ministry's Annual Community Service Award
"Portrait of Success Award" by KSEE Channel 24 • "Freedom of Speech Award" by Fresno
Free College Foundation/KFCF 88.1 FM
"The Spirit of Abraham Award" from the Islamic Cultural Center of Fresno "Humanitarian
Award" from Soka Gakkai International-USA
"Lifetime Peace Building Award" from Cultural Integration Fellowship, San Francisco
Dr. Kapoor was recognized by Fresno Bee as one of the 75 most influential persons within the
Valley during Bee's 75th Anniversary. He has received several legislative and congressional
citations in recognition of his work at Fresno State and in the community.
- Life and works of Mahatma Gandhi, Dr. Martin Luther King Junior, and Cesar Chavez
- Peace and conflict studies
- Community Development and Organization
- International Social work
- Social Movements and issues
- Interfaith studies and relations
