Dr. Peter G. Mehas was a Fresno native whose years of service made him a trailblazer for Fresno County schools. Dr. Mehas received his bachelor's degree from California State University, Fresno in 1962, his master's degree from University of California, Los Angeles in 1967 and his doctorate in education from the University of Southern California in 1979. He was an All American, All Conference center at Fresno City College and played on Fresno State's undefeated 1961 Mercy Bowl team. Dr. Mehas began his professional career as an instructor at Fresno's Roosevelt High School in 1963. In June 1990, Dr. Mehas was elected Fresno County Superintendent of Schools and was re-elected for three more terms. In all four elections, he had the unanimous endorsement of Democratic and Republican legislators from the Fresno area. A man devoted to education, particularly as a stepping stone out of poverty, he is remembered in Fresno County as an academic hero.