 Students receive Brooks award
Two Fresno State students from neighboring eastern Fresno County communities received the 2008 Verna Mae Brooks Scholars awards, the largest nonathletic awards offered by the university.
The recipients are Christopher Zumwalt, a graduate of Hallmark Charter School in Sanger who is a freshman studying geomatics engineering, and Sinthia Esquivel, a second-year social work student from Parlier High School.
Zumwalt draws his career aspirations from his family, saying, “From my grandfather to my father to my older brother, I have been surrounded by engineers and scientists.”
Esquivel’s career plans revolve around making a difference in the lives of people in need.
The Verna Mae Brooks scholarship, which covers all fees and campus housing for four years, was established and endowed by Dr. Wayne Brooks, a professor emeritus of business, and named in memory of his wife. The awards are based on academic achievement, community involvement and financial need.
Nursing program receives $100,000 in scholarships
The Department of Nursing was recently awarded $100,000 from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation New Careers in Nursing Scholarship Program. The funds will provide $10,000 scholarships to 10 students to help increase the number enrolled in Fresno State’s accelerated baccalaureate nursing program. Scholarships will be distributed nationally to 706 entry-level nursing students in accelerated programs during the 2008-09 academic year. Award preference is given to students from groups underrepresented in nursing or from disadvantaged backgrounds. For more information, contact Barakzai at 451-3428 or click here.
Renaissance Scholars program launched Sept. 29
Fresno State is a university of opportunity for many young people throughout the “New California.” This is especially true for emancipated foster youth as they transition into adulthood without traditional family support or resources.
One-third of foster youth will be on public assistance as adults and a quarter will be jailed within two years after leaving the system. With research showing that former foster children often face economic and personal hardships once they reach adulthood, California State University, Fresno is making a difference by steering promising students to college through the Renaissance Scholarship Program.
The Renaissance Scholars Program was launched at University House on Sept. 29 and some of the program’s first participants were introduced. With support from the Walter S. Johnson Foundation and California Wellness Foundation, the program supports ambitious, college-bound individuals formerly in foster care to pursue their undergraduate degrees.
The effort reaches out to foster youth still enrolled in high school, offering individual counseling, encouragement and guidance through the college enrollment process. Once admitted to Fresno State, Renaissance Scholars participate in a summer program to prepare them for college life. Scholars continue to meet with counselors and take part in academic and extracurricular activities. The university gives them a place where they belong.
The Renaissance Scholars Program monitors and helps students through every step of their college career – from health care to academic and career advising. Without family or others to turn to for support, government-based financial aid and private scholarships are critical to their success.
Additional funding is necessary to provide food, shelter, personal and academic needs year-round for Renaissance Scholars. This is essential, because without additional support, many of the emancipated foster youth would become homeless when school is out.
The program is overseen by Kizzy Lopez who can be reached at 278-5055. To contribute to the program, contact Paul DeRuosi at 278-5052.
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