Cerritos College Foundation-News

Photo of Stephen Monteros, foundation secretary, and Christine Brink NORWALK, Calif. - April 15, 2009 - The Cerritos College Foundation awarded 16 student scholarships totaling $7,000 during the annual Cerritos College Academic Excellence Awards ceremony on Tuesday, March 24.

Cerritos College student Liliana Martinez, of Compton, was presented the Richard McGrath Administration of Justice Scholarship. Martinez has maintained a GPA of 3.85 while working on her associate degree in administration of justice and plans on transferring to Cal State Dominguez Hills to pursue her bachelor’s degree. Created in memory of longtime Administration of Justice Professor Richard McGrath, this scholarship is awarded to an outstanding student enrolled in the administration of justice program who is actively involved in school activities and/or community involvement related to law enforcement.

The Foundation presented the Dr. Jack Hoekzema Medical Assisting Scholarship to Cristina Caddell, of Lakewood. Caddellhas a passion for helping others and is pursuing her degree in medical assisting. This scholarship was established in memory of Dr. Jack Hoekzema, a physician from Bellflower who was a dedicated and generous supporter of Cerritos College and the medical assisting program.

Students Micael Barnum, Jr., of South Gate; Timothy Chen, of Cerritos; and Krystiana Ruddle, of Cerritos, were each presented the Dr. Keith Allen Hinrichsen Scholarship. Upon graduating from Cerritos, Barnum will be transferring to Cal State Fullerton. He intends on completing his bachelor’s degree in history and obtaining his teaching credential. Chen plans on transferring to USC or Cal State Fullerton majoring in either business, economics, or accounting. Ruddle plans to pursue her bachelor’s degree in Political Science with a focus on international relations at either UCLA or UCSB. Established by Dr. Keith Allen Hinrichsen who retired from Cerritos College in 2002, this scholarship is awarded to outstanding students in the areas of history, economics and political science.

The Foundation presented the English Department Scholarship to Daisy Garcia, of Lakewood, and Christopher Gutierrez, of Norwalk. Garcia, who founded and currently serves as the president of the Writers Anonymous Club, will be transferring to a four year university as an English major. Maintaining a GPA of 3.9, Gutierrez will be transferring to either UCLA or UC Berkeley next fall as an English major. The scholarship is awarded to English majors based on their above average understanding and passion for literature and writing.

Geography students Diane Sheridan, of Norwalk; Lillian Garcia, of South Gate; and Christine Brink, of Bellflower, were selected by the geography faculty to receive the Dr. Joan Licari Earth Science Scholarship, in honor of earth science professor Joan Licari. Sheridan is completing her last semester at Cerritos and will be transferring to Cal State Fullerton in the fall with a major in geography. While maintaining a GPA of 3.7, Garcia is making plans to transfer to San Diego State University to pursue her bachelor’s degree in geography. Brink has maintained a GPA of 3.95 and will be transferring to Cal State Fullerton in the fall.

Student Diana Yanez, of Norwalk, received the John Boyle Scholarship, which was established in honor of biology professor John Boyle by his colleagues. This scholarship recognizes outstanding biology students. Yanez is currently working on completing her biology and pre-med pre-requisites while maintaining a GPA of 3.97. She is planning on transferring to UCLA, UCI, or UCSD.

The Foundation presented the U.S.S. Pelias Scholarship to Parth Desai, of Cerritos. Desai is studying mechanical engineering and plans on transferring to UC Berkeley, UCLA or Cal Poly Pomona to pursue his bachelor’s degree. Desai has maintained a GPA of 3.8. The U.S.S. Pelias Scholarship is awarded to an outstanding student graduating from the engineering or physics program.

Photo of Stephen Monteros, foundation secretary, and Noe Navarro Student Tanakorn Chaivasin, of Downey, was presented the Newton Werner Chemistry Scholarship. While maintaining a GPA of 3.85, Chaivasin regularly volunteers his time to several organizations. He hopes to become a medical officer in the United States Navy. This scholarship was established in memory of Professor of Chemistry Dr. Newton Werner to recognize outstanding students in organic chemistry.

The Foundation also presented the Glorya Welch Mathematics Scholarship to Moonchan Ji, of Norwalk. Upon completing his studies at Cerritos, Ji plans to transfer to UCLA, UC Berkeley or USC as a double major in business and mathematics. The Glorya Welch Mathematics Scholarship was created in recognition of former Cerritos College Math and Chemistry Professor Glorya Welch. This award honors an outstanding math student.

Biology students Jeff Dai, of La Palma, and Noe Navarro, of Downey, each received the Paige “Scholar” Scholarship. Dai is planning on transferring to Cal State Long Beach in the fall to pursue his bachelor’s degree in biochemistry. Maintaining a GPA of 3.84, Navarro plans on transferring to UCLA or UC Berkeley to earn his bachelor’s degree in civil or electrical engineering. The Paige “Scholar” Scholarship was established by Professor Emeritus of Biology and former Instructional Dean of Science, Engineering and Math Dean Paige who established this scholarship in appreciation of the several thousand students who endured his class over the years.

“It’s a great pleasure to present these scholarships to students who are committed to their education,” said Steve Richardson, the Cerritos College Foundation executive director. “Tonight’s event is a showcase of these outstanding students achieving academic excellence at Cerritos College.”

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. Visit the Foundation online at www.cerritos.edu/ccf.

Cerritos College serves as a comprehensive community college for southeastern Los Angeles County. Communities within the college’s district include Artesia, Bellflower, Cerritos, Downey, Hawaiian Gardens, La Mirada, Norwalk, and portions of Bell Gardens, Lakewood, Long Beach, Santa Fe Springs and South Gate. Cerritos College offers degrees and certificates in more than 180 areas of study in nine divisions. Annually, more than 1,200 students successfully complete their course of studies, and enrollment currently surpasses 26,000 students. Visit Cerritos College online at www.cerritos.edu.

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