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.

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