Cerritos College News Releases

NORWALK, Calif. – April 1, 2008 – The Cerritos College Foundation awarded 11 student scholarships totaling more than $7,600 during the annual Cerritos College Academic Excellence Awards ceremony on Tuesday, March 25.

Cerritos College student Michael Sanchez, of Bellflower, was presented the Richard McGrath Administration of Justice Scholarship. Sanchez is working on his associate’s degree in administration of justice with plans to transfer to Cal State L.A. with a major in criminal justice. 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 Jin Hyang Kim, of Norwalk, who is an international student from South Korea. 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 Mark Meredith, of La Palma, and Rose Fuentes, of Downey, were each presented the Dr. Keith Allen Hinrichsen Scholarship. Meredith, a history major, intends on completing his bachelor’s degree in history and obtaining his teaching credential from Cal State Fullerton. Fuentes, an economics major plans to pursue her bachelor’s degree in business economics at Cal State Fullerton. Jonathan Cheng, of Corona who was not able to attend the ceremony also received the scholarship. He is a political science major who is pursuing his bachelor’s degree in political science and maintains a GPA of 3.68. Established in honor of 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 Bryan Rowe, of Downey, Jin Young Choi, of Cerritos, Vanessa Deleon, of Downey, and Merica Teng, of La Mirada. Bryan Rowe, who plans to transfer to a UC, has excelled in his classes and was active on campus as a member of the Scholars Honors Program and in volunteering. Jin Young Choi plans to transfer and earn his B.A. and pursue a law degree. Vanessa Deleon plans to transfer to a UC and earn her B.A. in English and then apply to medical school. Merica Teng is planning on transferring to UCLA this fall to complete her B.A. in English and earn her master’s degree in creative writing. The scholarship is awarded to English majors based on their above average understanding and passion for literature and writing.

Geography student Berenice Gallardo, of Downey, was selected by the geography faculty to receive the Dr. Joan Licari Earth Science Scholarship, in honor of earth science professor Joan Licari. Gallardo has already completed her studies at Cerritos and has transferred to Cal State Long Beach, with a major in geography. Once she completes her bachelor’s degree, she plans to obtain her credential and become a high school geography teacher.

Student Steven Bolivar, of Pico Rivera, received the Jules Crane Scholarship, which was established in memory of biology professor, Dr. Jules Crane, by his colleagues and former students. This scholarship recognizes outstanding biology students. Bolivar, who maintains a 3.7 GPA, is currently studying biology and plans on transferring to Cal State Long Beach to earn his bachelor’s degree in biology.

The Foundation presented the U.S.S. Pelias Scholarship to Karan Dhunghana, of Artesia, and Uttam Paudel, of Artesia. Dhunghana is studying mechanical engineering and plans on transferring to UC Berkeley to pursue his bachelor’s degree. Paudel is studying both physics and math with plans to transfer to UC Berkeley next year. The U.S.S. Pelias Scholarship is awarded to two outstanding students graduating from the engineering or physics program.

Student Fadi Almachraki, of Anaheim, was presented the Newton Werner Chemistry Scholarship. Almachraki is currently enrolled at Cerritos College and is planning to transfer to UC Berkeley in order to obtain his bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering. Almachraki is a member of the Cerritos College forensics team as well as the Scholars Honors Program. This scholarship was established in memory of Professor of Chemistry, Dr. Newton Werner, in order to recognize outstanding students in organic chemistry.

The Foundation presented the Glorya Welch Mathematics Scholarship to Harsh Shah, of Bellflower. Upon completing his studies at Cerritos, Harsh plans to transfer to either UC Berkeley or UCLA to study Electrical Engineering. Harsh maintains a 4.0 GPA and serves as Vice President of the Engineering Club, and as a senator in student government. Glorya Welch Mathematics Scholarship was created in recognition of the former Cerritos College Math and Chemistry Professor Glorya Welch. This award honors an outstanding math student.

Biology students Joseph Hsu and Kannica Tang received the Paige “Scholar” Scholarship. Hsu plans on becoming a physician’s assistant. He has been accepted to Western University and will begin classes in August. Tang has almost completed her studies at Cerritos College with a 3.8 GPA and will soon be transferring to Cal Poly Pomona where she plans on earning her bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering. The Paige “Scholar” Scholarship was established in honor of 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.

The Cerritos College Foundation also awarded the Edward Bloomfield Philosophy Scholarship to Martin Corona, of Whittier, who was not able to attend the presentation. This scholarship was established to celebrate Dr. Bloomfield’s distinguished 35 years of teaching philosophy at Cerritos College and is awarded to a student who exemplified outstanding scholarly qualities in the study of philosophy.

“It’s an honor to present these scholarships to outstanding students,” said Steve Richardson, the Cerritos College Foundation Executive Director. “They are great examples of students achieving academic excellence.”

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 200 areas of study in nine divisions. Annually, more than 1,200 students successfully complete their course of studies, and enrollment currently nears 20,000 students. Visit Cerritos College online at www.cerritos.edu.

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Cerritos College

Releases 2008