Guardian Scholars

Former Wards of the Court Succeed at CSUF

Guardian Scholars Program offers support to students

March 1, 2007

By Gail Matsunaga


They have faced some of life’s most daunting challenges — endangerment, estrangement and abandonment — before the age of 18. But through it all, they’ve demonstrated the motivation and determination to better their lives, and in many cases, the lives of others.

They’re Guardian Scholars, typically former wards of the court, striving to earn a college degree.

Launched in 1998, in collaboration with Orangewood Children’s Foundation and supported by contributions — from alumnus Ronald V. Davis, chairman of Davis Capital and retired chairman of The Perrier Group of America, and an anonymous donor — the Guardian Scholars program provides financial assistance, on-campus housing, employment opportunities, counseling, mentoring programs, health insurance and leadership development for college and beyond.

Since its inception, 89 students have been accepted as Guardian Scholars; 27 have graduated, many continuing their studies in graduate programs.

The program offers personal enrichment activities, including mentoring, leadership training and advocacy. Scholars travel to Sacramento to talk to legislators about some of the laws that impact foster youth, donate their time as mentors to foster children, serve in leadership positions for campus organizations and make presentations at conferences on behalf of foster care issues.

Their talents and accomplishments have been recognized as well. Alumnus Jason McBeath was a winner of the Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship during the 2003 regional Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival. Alumni Gina Vong, who earned her bachelor degree with a double major in criminal justice and human services last year, and current scholar Torhon Barnes, were honored with the John R. Wooden Spirit of Giving Award — in 2005 and 2006, respectively — for their contributions as outstanding volunteers. And, junior criminal justice major Tarae Graves received the 2006 National Wilma Rudolph Student Athlete Achievement Award, which honors student-athletes.

A group of scholars recently returned from Berkeley, where they participated in a Digital Storytelling workshop. During the intensive, four-day workshop, scholars developed personal three-to-five-minute digital stories.

“Not only did students have an opportunity to learn new technical skills in creating a digital story, but were able to delve into past experiences of their childhood and begin the healing process,” said Grace Johnson, interim director of the program.