The President’s Scholarship Awards and Benefit
April 27, 2007

Annually, the University awards scholarships to high achieving and deserving students. The premier scholarship, the Presidential Scholarship, is a full-fee award to graduating high school students, which can be renewed throughout their undergraduate education. The scholarship is also awarded to community college transfer students and can be renewed for one additional year. Each year, the President’s Scholarship Benefit Dinner is held to augment the scholarship fund and to increase the number of scholars receiving this prestigious award as well as other scholarships.

This year's President’s Scholarship Benefit broke all fundraising records, raising $207,000. In addition to surpassing the $146,000 raised last year, the Office of Development reduced the budget for producing the event by $25,000. As a result, we will be able to provide approximately $156,000 toward student scholarships. The evening began with a silent auction and cocktail reception, followed by dinner and a brief program. The event was held for the first time in its eight year history in the university’s new Loker Student Union ballroom and included these highlights:

Remarks by Interim President Boice Bowman and Tribute to Dr. James E. Lyons, Sr.
Interim CSUDH President Boice Bowman opened the event by welcoming the CSU Dominguez Hills community and acknowledging the planning committee. During the program, a tribute was paid to former CSUDH President James E. Lyons, Sr. and Mrs. Lyons, who attended the event. Lyons, who is now serving as the secretary of higher education for the state of Maryland, has established an endowed scholarship with his wife, The Jocelyn and James E. Lyons Endowed Scholarship.

Mistress of Ceremonies
Janine Haydel, CSUDH alumna and radio personality, served as the emcee for the benefit program. As a radio hostess, Janine has met and interviewed entertainment industry giants, political and religious leaders, community activists, and prominent authors. Currently, she can be heard on KJLH’s popular “Music & Mysteries” segment from 3-7 pm.

2007 Katherine B. Loker Friend of Education Award
Each year an individual or corporation is honored who has extended their leadership and assistance in support of the University. This year’s award was presented posthumously to Congresswoman Juanita Millender-McDonald (CA-37) who passed away shortly before the event. The award was accepted at the event by her husband and two daughters. Congresswoman McDonald was a long time supporter of CSUDH and the Carson community and this award celebrated a long-term relationship that included many areas of support.

In 2006, the congresswoman secured a $444,000 appropriation to help establish an Institute of Entrepreneurship, Small Business Development and Global Logistics, in the university’s College of Business Administration and Public Policy. Working with a bipartisan coalition of members in both the House and Senate, Congresswoman Millender-McDonald helped secure $575,000 in 2004 for the expansion of the CSUDH Orthotics and Prosthetics programs.

This award was named in honor of CSUDH’s long time supporter and donor, Mrs. Katherine B. Loker. Mrs. Loker’s philanthropic commitment to education, and specifically CSUDH, is extraordinary and can be traced back to the University’s beginnings. Mrs. Loker’s recent gift of $4 million was instrumental in the expansion and renovation of the Loker Student Union that opened in January 2007.

2007 Corporate Partner of the Year Award
Northrop Grumman Corporation, the recipient of this year’s Corporate Partner of Education Award, was recognized for its partnership with the Department of Computer Science in the College of Natural and Behavioral Science. Along with providing instructors from the industry and avenues of employment to CSUDH graduates, the $30 billion global defense and technology company has also lent its support to the Office of Student Development, augmenting the campus’s career counseling and other services.

Scholarships
Several CSUDH scholars were featured throughout the evening to focus attention on the variety of scholarship opportunities available to students, including the McNair Scholars Program, Athletic Scholarships, the Dominguez Brand Scholarship, and the Honors Scholarships. For stories about the students, click here.

For more information about the President’s Scholarships, call the Office of Development at (310) 243-2182 or email giving@csudh.edu.