Pictured are, from left, back row, Pat Carroll, President Milton A. Gordon and James Mettler; center row, scholars Badi Eghterafi, Javier Serna and Scholar Aaron Thomas; from left, front row, Catherine Halliday, scholars Jennifer Fujikawa, Jean Fiddler, Katherine Vander Veen and Mia Arterberry. Scholar Jennifer Romano is not pictured. Photo by Patrick O'Donnell

Top of the Class

Academically Accomplished President's Scholars Earn Degrees

May 22, 2009 :: No. 209

Graduating senior and honors student Aaron Thomas credits the Cal State Fullerton President’s Scholars Program for giving him the chance to achieve his academic goals.

“None of what I have accomplished could have been possible without the support and opportunities presented to me as a President’s Scholar,” said Thomas, who is graduating cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in business administration.

Thomas and seven other graduating President’s Scholars — students who are among Cal State Fullerton’s best and brightest — are being recognized at this weekend’s commencement ceremonies.

Selection to the prestigious program, established in 1979, is based on a student’s excellence in academic work, leadership skills and community service. President’s Scholars receive benefits, including a four-year scholarship that covers enrollment fees, stipend for books and supplies, as well as a laptop computer to use while in the program.

Members of the 2009 graduating class of President’s Scholars are:

Mia N. Arterberry, Fullerton

Arterberry is graduating summa cum laude with a bachelor of arts in mathematics. She is the recipient of the President’s Associates Scholastic Award, the university’s top award in recognition of scholastic achievement, leadership and community service. Arterberry has been active with campus clubs and committees, including the Honors Student Advisory Committee, Resident Student Association, Camp Titan and the President’s Scholars Screening Committee. She is a member of Golden Key International Honor Society and the Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society. After graduation, she will begin a two-year commitment with Teach For America, teaching mathematics to at-risk high school students in Las Vegas. She also plans to enroll in the teaching credential program at University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and then pursue a master’s degree in mathematics education.

Badi Eghterafi, Cerritos

Eghterafi will graduate magna cum laude with a bachelor of science in biological science with a concentration in cell and developmental biology. He plans to take a year off to travel before beginning medical school. Eghterafi has been an integral member of a research projects and has served as president of the Cal State Fullerton Bahá’í Club, which promotes the unity and fellowship of all mankind. He has volunteered at Santa Monica-UCLA Medical Center and Orthopaedic Hospital and has committed to shadowing an osteopathic doctor. Eghterafi has won various awards, including the Boeing Scholarship for Biological Sciences and the Associated Students Incorporated Research Grant.

Jean Fiddler, Downey

Fiddler is graduating summa cum laude with a bachelor of arts in history and is pursuing a career as a middle school history teacher. She is currently enrolled in Cal State Fullerton’s teacher credential program and is student teaching at a middle school in Downey. Fiddler participated in the University Honors Program, was a member of Phi Alpha Theta History Honor Society and served as a tutor in the Writing Center. She has been published in the university’s history journal, The Welebeathan, and has presented papers on Abraham Lincoln at several conferences, including the California State University Honors Conference. Fiddler also presented at the CSU Research Competition, where she won first prize.

Jennifer Fujikawa, Fullerton

Fujikawa will graduate magna cum laude with a bachelor of fine arts in art, concentration in entertainment art/animation. She has worked with of a variety of artistic media, adding significant skills and knowledge to her portfolio and has landed internships at the Cartoon Network and Zoic Studios. Fujikawa’s work with Zoic Studios was featured on ABC’s “Eli Stone.” A successful freelancer, Fujikawa is continuing to build business relationships in this industry.

Jennifer Romano, Fullerton

Romano will graduate summa cum laude with a bachelor of arts in theatre arts. Throughout her academic career she has performed in numerous musicals and plays on campus and in community and professional theaters while maintaining a 3.90 GPA. She is a member of the Cal State Fullerton chapter of the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest and most selective all-discipline honors society.

Javier Serna, Bloomington

Serna will graduate magna cum laude with a bachelor of arts in business administration with a concentration in finance. He has participated in business and university honors programs and is a member of CSUF Finance Association, CSUF Student Managed Investment Fund and INROADS, a nonprofit organization that trains and develops talented minority youth for professional careers in business and industry. Serna has served as an equities analyst and chief economic adviser for SMIF. He presented his one-year economic forecast and helped present the SMIF team’s request for funds proposal to the CFA Society of Orange County. Serna has completed several internships, including one as a credit analyst with Bank of the West and as a client associate with Merrill Lynch. He is pursuing a career in institutional investment management.

Aaron Thomas, Fullerton

Thomas will graduate cum laude with a bachelor of arts in business administration with a concentration in marketing. He has been an active member of the university and business honors programs and co-authored an article on supply-chain management with a professor. Thomas is currently a partner in the development of a Web-based carpool system and serves as a consultant for a team of students developing a marketing plan for the Fox Fullerton Theatre. He recently landed an internship as a marketer and assistant to the president and general manager of the Orange County Flyers professional baseball team. He plans to return to Cal State Fullerton in the fall to pursue an M.B.A.

Katherine Vander Veen, Helendale (San Bernardino County)

Vander Veen will graduate summa cum laude with a bachelor of arts in business administration with a concentration in accounting. She participated in the business honors program and was on the Dean’s Honors List every semester at Cal State Fullerton. She is a member of the Accounting Society and participated in the campus chapter of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program. Following graduation, she will join the accounting firm of Soren McAdam Christenson LLP in Redlands as a staff accountant. While working in her new position, she intends to pursue a C.P.A. license.

Media Contacts:
James Mettler, director of the President's Scholars Program, 657-278-7418 or jmettler@fullerton.edu
Debra Cano Ramos, Public Affairs, 657-278-4027; 657-278-2414 or dcanoramos@fullerton.edu

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