Four Chosen for Top Awards
at CSUF Commencement Four graduating
Cal State Fullerton students will be honored this week with President’s
Associates awards in recognition of their scholastic excellence, as
well as dedication to the university and community.
May 24, 2005 :: No. 217
Four graduating Cal State Fullerton students
will be honored this week with President’s Associates awards
in recognition of their scholastic excellence, as well as dedication
to the university and community.
This year’s recipients are Sarah Jay and April
Ulloa, both of Fullerton; Samanaz Kapadia of Downey; and Dominick
Sturz of Placentia.
Each honoree will receive a $1,000 cash award, sponsored
by the President’s Associates university support group, and
a commemorative plaque. The awards will be presented Friday, May
27, at the annual Honors Convocation, which is held on the eve of
commencement.
Sarah Jay
Sarah Jay, a history major with a minor in Christian studies, is
receiving one of two President’s Associates Scholastic awards.
With a 3.94 GPA out of a possible 4.0, she plans to attend Wheaton
College in Illinois following her graduation.
“History has always been a subject I loved,”
she said. “Cal State Fullerton has a wonderful history faculty,
and they’ve been so helpful. My goal is to earn a Ph.D.”
Jay’s area of interest is American religious
history — an area that she finds fascinating.
“It’s interesting to see how Americans’
religious beliefs impact history,” she said. “Often
religion provides the motivation behind actions. I was not even
aware that there was such a field of study until one of my history
professors, Ronald Rietveld, discussed it with me. I was looking
for something that would combine my love of history and religion,
and this is perfect.”
Originally, Jay considered becoming a high school
history teacher but now has her sights set on becoming a university
professor.
In addition to her studies, Jay served on the editorial
staff and review board of the History Department’s award-winning
journal, Welebaethan, and was active in Phi Alpha Theta, the history
honor society. She also served as vice president of the CSUF President’s
Scholars Student Organization and is an active member of her church.
Although Jay is excited about her future, she will
miss her friends and the faculty at Cal State Fullerton.
“The support I received at Fullerton was incredible,”
she said. “My professors were very encouraging and supportive,
and the other students in the President’s Scholars program
are my closest friends. Cal State Fullerton is truly a stepping
stone to greater things.”
April Ulloa
The recipient of the second President’s Associates Scholastic
Award is April Ulloa, an English major with a 4.0 GPA. Upon her
graduation, Ulloa will enter the teacher credential program at Cal
State Fullerton and hopes to teach high school English.
“Actually, attending Cal State Fullerton is
a family tradition,” she laughed. “My mother and sister
both graduated from the university.”
Although Ulloa was familiar with the campus, she
was initially surprised at how rigorous the education was.
“The faculty is great — they really make
you stretch your abilities,” she said. “And then there
are the intangible benefits here — the good friends I’ve
made as a President’s Scholar, working with staff and community
leaders, receiving such incredible support and benefits.”
While taking a class with instructor Sherri Sawicki,
Ulloa fell in love with grammar.
“I know it sounds crazy, but I just love it,”
she said. “I had no idea I’d enjoy it as much as I do.
When I first came to this campus, I was a biology major; then I
switched to journalism. But after taking several English classes,
I knew this is where I wanted to be.”
Ulloa also enjoyed participating in a summer program
in Italy while she studied at the university. “It was an amazing
experience,” she said. “I have always loved Italy, and
to be able to study there for a summer was perfect.”
After she receives her teaching credential, Ulloa
hopes to pursue a master’s degree in either English or linguistics.
Samanaz Kapadia
Samanaz Kapadia, a business major with concentrations in management
and marketing, will receive the President’s Associates University
Service Award. While attending Cal State Fullerton, where she earned
a 3.55 GPA, Kapadia served on the boards of directors for Associated
Students Inc., the Honors Student Advisory Committee and the National
Leadership Honors Society, and was involved on the University Planning
Committee. In addition, she played an active role in the College
of Business and Economics Honors Program, the American Marketing
Association, Beta Gamma Sigma and the Society for the Advancement
of Management.
For a university honors senior project, Kapadia
wrote a book, “Tomorrow’s Leaders: A Guide to Being
a Student Leader.”
Upon her graduation, Kapadia will travel during the
summer and hopes to find work in the fall. After several years of
work experience, she would like to pursue an M.B.A. at Northwestern
University in Chicago.
“My dream, ever since I was a little girl,
was to run Disney,” she said. “Actually, that’s
still my dream.”
She chose to attend Cal State Fullerton because it
allowed her to live at home and because “my dad liked the
baseball team, and my mother liked the honors program.”
“Cal State Fullerton has provided me with a
wonderful education,” she said. “I especially appreciate
economics professor Jane Hall, who has influenced a lot of my thinking,
and management professor Elliot Kushell, another phenomenal instructor.
“I know I’ll miss all my friends and
professors at Cal State Fullerton when I graduate,” she said.
“Already, some of my friends are making plans for the fall
semester, and it seems strange not to be planning for my next classes.”
Dominick Sturz
Dominick Sturz, who will receive his master of public health degree
(M.P.H.), is the recipient of the President’s Associates Outstanding
Graduate Student Award. Sturz is the first student graduating with
an M.P.H. from Cal State Fullerton. (The university launched the
program last fall, and Sturz was able to apply transferable units
from other campuses to help meet the new degree requirements.) With
a GPA of 4.0, he not only has served as a member of several honor
societies, but has been active in the community as well. Sturz has
been involved with the Special Olympics, Campfire for Boys and Girls
Special Sitters (a organization that provides sitters for disabled
children so that their parents can have a few hours of respite)
and Camp Titan, an Associated Students program that provides a camp
experience for underprivileged children. He is also a member of
the Associated Students Health Advisory Committee.
In addition, Sturz served as senior captain of the
university’s track and field team, was vice president of his
fraternity and worked part time while studying for his bachelor’s
degree.
“Cal State Fullerton has provided me with so
much,” he said. “I have an intense loyalty and sense
of pride in this institution. I believe in the educational standards
and practices, and my experience as a grad student has helped prepare
me for continued research in this field. There are several faculty
members who have been especially helpful.”
One faculty member, Coaching Assistant Ron Kamaka
was more than a track coach to Sturz — he was also a mentor
and friend.
“Coach Kamaka spoke to everyone in a manner
that was so humble and respectful,” Sturz said. “He
held me accountable for ‘walking right,’ on and off
the field. He has truly been a blessing in my life.”
Sturz also had kind words for Shari McMahan, professor
of kinesiology and health science, who helped guide him through
the M.P.H. program and challenged his academic abilities.
Upon graduation, Sturz will continue to work full
time as a cardiovascular specialty representative for Merck Laboratories,
and he hopes to pursue a doctorate in the area of immunology and
infectious diseases, with the ultimate goal of becoming a professor
in the area of health promotion and disease prevention.
Media Contact: |
Valerie Orleans, Public Affairs at 657-278-4540 or vorleans@fullerton.edu
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