Claude Laval photo contributed

An icon of Fresno’s business community was recognized with an honorary doctorate as part of the commencement ceremony for Fresno State.

Entrepreneur and water technology expert Claude C. Laval, III, received the honorary doctor of science and was recognized during the commencement ceremony for the Lyles College of Engineering.

Honorary doctorates are awarded on behalf of the California State University system and Fresno State in recognition of excellence and extraordinary achievement in significant areas of human endeavor that embody the objectives and ideals of the CSU system, according to a news release.

Laval’s storied life began in Fresno, where he was born and attended public schools. He graduated from Fresno High, where he served as student body president. He went on to Stanford University, earning a degree in public administration in 1957.

He returned to Fresno after graduation and embarked on an entrepreneurial path. He built successful companies in such diverse fields as teaching machines, borehole inspection devices, public works/pipelining, educational hardware and software, water treatment, and a liquid filtration business  called Lakos. After 40-plus years of growing Lakos into an international success, Laveal sold Lakos in 2013.

He continues to be a major shareholder in Laval Underground Surveys, one of Fresno’s oldest businesses. His business involvement stretched from the Central Valley to span the globe. Beside his own companies, he served as a director for several public companies including International Forest Products (now Interfor Corp) and Waterman Industries, as well as the president of the International Irrigation Association.

Laval turned his focus to Fresno State, and as a recognized expert on water usage and irrigation, he championed the establishment of the Water Energy Technology (WET) laboratory on the university campus, which was named in his honor. In 2003, he established the Entrepreneurship Mentor Program (EMP), connecting business leaders with Fresno State students to expose scholars to the “entrepreneurial mindset.”

For the past 21 years, he has provided his leadership, plus all the financial support to fund the program.

In 2018 he co-founded The Launchpad, providing coworking space, mentoring, and business assistance to 22 startups. He continues to invest in start-up businesses through Laval Partners LLC.

He has received numerous honors, including the U.S. Commerce Department Export Executive of the Year, the Leon S. Peters Award, the 1997 Excellence in Business Award from McClatchy Newspapers, and the San Joaquin Valley Outstanding Philanthropist Award.