Senior honor student Travis J. Tubandt, a criminology major at California State University, Fresno, will receive a William Randolph Hearst/California State University Trustees Award for Outstanding Achievement.
One student at each of the CSU’s 23 campuses receives the annual award, which includes a $3,000 scholarship. Hearst/Trustees awards recognize students with financial need who have experienced personal hardships and demonstrated “superior academic performance, exemplary community service and significant personal achievements.”
Growing up in Modesto, he was inspired by his older brother’s example to excel in athletics and academics. However, Tubandt became overweight and then developed severe food allergies, presenting significant physical challenges and limitations.
He lost weight and learned how to eat around the allergies, but then also had to overcome two shoulder surgeries related to athletic activities. He stayed focused on academic achievement and community service-related activities.
At Fresno State, he said, “My greatest educational success has been maintaining a perfect 4.00 GPA all through college.” He also is a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity and Golden Key International Honour Society.
Tubandt hasn’t let his community service slip, either. He is co-executive director of Fresno State’s Up ’Til Dawn program, raising money for the Saint Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn., which is dedicated to helping children with cancer and other catastrophic illnesses.
Under Tubandt’s leadership, $6,880 was raised at this year’s Up ’Til Dawn campus event – more than three times the total in 2008.
After graduating from Fresno State in May 2010, Tubandt plans in pursuing his long-time goal of an FBI career. He chose it “because it entails all my positive points in life: my physical success and need to be active; my educational excellence and use of rational thought; and my drive to shape my community in a positive way.”
“I don’t want to have an average life,” Tubandt added. “I do everything to my full potential and feel this is the best way to help my community and make use of my life.”
For more information about the Hearst/CSU Trustees awards program, visit www.calstate.edu/foundation/hearst.
