Cerritos College Foundation Recognizes Automotive Students

Jeannie M.T. Yang Scholarship Recipients Are Promising Auto Technicians

The Cerritos College Foundation presented the Jeannie M.T. Yang Automotive Scholarship to two students during its meeting on Thursday, March 9. Ramon Lozano and Sean Washington, students in Cerritos College’s Automotive Technology program, each were honored with $500 scholarships for their outstanding progress in the vocational auto tech courses.

Lozano, of South Gate, said he inherited his love for working on cars from his father and credits his dad with inspiring his love for cars. Currently, Lozano is employed with Penske Toyota in Downey. He plans to continue his education with the goal of becoming a master automotive technician and hopes to one day pass his knowledge of automobiles on to other students interested in the automotive field.

“I realize I can accomplish these goals, but it will come through hard work and dedication,” Lozano said as he accepted the award.
Washington, of Santa Fe Springs, discovered his passion for automobiles as a high school senior while enrolled in an auto shop course. During the class, he decided that he would like to pursue a career in the automotive industry. While attending Cerritos College, Washington has worked in the industry, serving as a service technician at Browning Mazda, in Cerritos.

“My educational goal is to obtain a bachelor’s degree through the new partnership between Cerritos College and Northwood University in automotive business,” Washington explained as he accepted the award.

“This will help me fulfill my career goal of becoming a general manager or a district manager for BMW.”

The Jeannie M. T. Yang Scholarship awards a total of $2,000 each year to four promising students in the automotive department at Cerritos College. Dr. Jeannie M.T. Yang, was a community college professor originally from mainland China who had a great love for education. The award was established in 2004 by Peter Leutheuser, Yang’s longtime friend and executor of her estate. Leutheuser is also the brother of Todd Leutheuser, executive director of the Southland Motor Car Dealers Association and foundation board member.

“We are pleased to see such promising students enter into the auto industry, and hope these scholarships will help them in reaching their dreams," explained Todd Leutheuser, who presented certificates to the students at the foundation meeting.

The Cerritos College Foundation, a non-profit organization, serves as a charitable vehicle for the community, individuals and alumni, to assist with financial support of Cerritos College beyond that which state funding supports. Visit the Foundation online at www.cerritos.edu/ccf.  

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KH

 The Campus Connection Online, March 20, 2006