Golfing for Scholarships

Annual fundraiser provides help to low-income students

December 10, 2007

By Mimi Ko Cruz

Twenty Cal State Fullerton freshmen have received funds that support their educational endeavors thanks to a fundraising event established through the efforts of a university department and an alumna.

Cal State Fullerton awarded $1,000 Future Scholars Program scholarships this year, thanks to the annual Hispanic Scholarship Golf Tournament.

This year’s scholarship recipients by cities of residence:

Anaheim: Mario Gonzalez and Sicera Guzman
Bell Gardens: Felipe Orozco Jr.
Compton: Marcela Lopez
Harbor City: Yulianna Huerta
Huntington Park: Arlene Hurtado
La Habra: Jessica Baez, Rosalia Pantaleon and Juan Pulido
La Puente: Oscar Monrreal
Norwalk: Melissa Garcia and Tanisha De La Vega
Oceanside: Veronica Herrera
Paramount: Janeth Guerrero
Pomona: Jessie Arriaga
Riverside: Briseida Garcia and Nancy Garcia
Santa Ana: Pamela Ortega
Torrance: Lissete Jimenez
Whittier: Yanelle Ceniceros

Silas H. Abrego, associate vice president of student affairs, credits alumna Rosalina Bravo-Davis, a former Education Opportunity Program (EOP) staff member and owner of Tlaquepaque Restaurant in Placentia, for recommending the golf tournament as the fundraiser.

“There was some trepidation about getting involved in a fundraising activity in which neither of the principals’ had any experience,” Abrego said. “The EOP staff had never been on a golf course, did not know the difference between a green and a tee… but, the staff was not deterred. Securing the support of sponsors Tlaquepaque, American Golf Inc. and Tecate, the first tournament was a success.”

The first tournament raised $12,000. Today, the original sponsors continue to support the tournament, along with Coca Cola and Southern California Edison. Other donors include Disneyland, Cobra USA, Mercado Davis, Diverse Staffing Solutions, Empire Maintenance Co. Inc., Chevron, Honda Motor Co. Inc. and Teresa’s Jewelers.

More than 400 students have received the scholarships that are available to any qualified student who is “educationally, economically and environmentally disadvantaged,” said Abrego

This year's tournament is set for April 18.

“Paying for a college education continues to be challenging, and in many instances, more so today than in 1986,” Abrego said. “Most recently, the cost of higher education has increased rapidly, but the family median income has not kept pace with this rate. And, affordability still is a concern for low-income students. The golf tournament is one way we support these students.”

To sign up for the next golf tournament, call Diana L. Avendaño of student affairs at 657-278-2486 or send an e-mail to davendano@fullerton.edu.