Eight scholars have been honored for their scholastic achievements, university accomplishments and community service with scholarships from the Emeriti of Cal State Fullerton.
This year’s awards include six funded from the Russell V. and Betty L. Benson Emeriti Scholarship Endowment Fund.
Recipients of the Emeriti Memorial Scholarships are:
Christopher Chacon of La Habra, a graduate student majoring in history program. The CSUF alumnus earned his bachelor degree in anthropology, history and religious studies magna cum laude in 2013 and plans to obtain his doctorate in south Asia history studying nationalism and modernity.
Natalie R. Graham of Santa Ana, a senior majoring in human services. Her goal is a career that helps seniors live enriched lives. Graham has volunteered in a memory care program at Autumn Years and interned at Age Well Adult Day Services.
Recipients of the inaugural Benson Emeriti awards are:
Jamie L. Butts of Corona, a senior majoring in political science and women’s studies, is a member of the campus honors program. As a member of the University’s moot court team, Butts recently won first place respondent at the national level. Butts is working toward a career in law.
Todd D. Callahan of Anaheim, a junior, is working on earning his undergraduate degree in public administration while working full-time with the Long Beach Fire Department. He plans on pursuing graduate degrees in public administration and law, and eventually teach.
Julia Harrison of Fullerton, is working toward an M.S. in counseling. She has worked with 100 Black College Women of UC Irvine, Helping Hearts for the Homeless, and as a C.O.R.E. Campus Organizations and Resource Center consultant. She has conducted research on black political leadership in the Haitian revolution and traditional African American healing and holistic therapy.
Kyle N. Hess of Fullerton, a biological science major, is studying health and disease at the molecular and cellular level. He would like to eventually study factors that contribute to metabolically-related diseases, particularly those that affect the nervous system, while working on a doctorate.
Jose G. Ramirez of Garden Grove is a senior studying health science. The son of immigrants has earned a 4.0 GPA average while working full-time and mentoring other transfer students. He volunteers for Kid Works in Santa Ana as a mentor/tutor and for Hermanos Unidos organizing community service events.
Summer B. Schulze ’14 (B.A. communicative disorders) of Brea, has returned to her alma mater to earn her master’s degree as part of her goal of becoming a speech-language pathologist working with older adults in nursing homes and/or hospital settings.
The Emeriti Scholarship Fund, initiated in 1987 by the late Gertrude Reith, professor emeritus of geography, is underwritten by voluntary member contributions, as well as association contributions in honor of its deceased members. The association also contributes to the University’s Guardian Scholarship Program and to the Pollak Library.