Cerritos College News Releases

Photo of Stephen Monteros, Foundation board member, Karan Dhunghana, Uttam Paudel, and Steve Richardson NORWALK, Calif. – April 1, 2008 – The Cerritos College Foundation awarded the U.S.S. Pelias scholarship to Cerritos College students Karan Dhunghana and Uttam Paudel, on Tuesday, March 25, 2008 during the college’s annual Academic Excellence Awards ceremony.

Karan Dhunghana, of Artesia, is studying mechanical engineering and plans on transferring to UC Berkeley to pursue his bachelor’s degree. With a keen interest in aerodynamics, he hopes to pursue his master’s degree in that field. Dhunghana is quite active on campus serving as the president of the International Student Association, treasurer of the Scholars Honors Club and as a senator in student government. His career goals include working for NASA and eventually would like to help the country of Nepal develop and promote global justice.

Uttam Paudel, also of Artesia, is studying both physics and math and with plans to transfer to UC Berkeley next year. After he earns his bachelor’s degree he would like to pursue his graduate and doctorate degrees in theoretical physics. Paudel is interested in the study of gravity, metaphysics, and cosmology, and plans on dedicating his life to research in the field of quantum mechanics and general relativity.

“We are proud to honor the crew of the U.S.S. Pelias by providing scholarships to well-deserving students,” said Steve Richardson, Cerritos College Foundation executive director. “We wish them the best in their educational goals and future careers.”

Established in 1984 by the crew of the U.S.S. Pelias, a submarine tender, which survived the attack on Pearl Harbor, the Pelias scholarship has been awarded to two outstanding students graduating from the engineering or physics program. Recipients are selected each year by faculty in the Cerritos College science, engineering and math (SEM) division. The original ship’s bell is on display in the college’s administrative quad.

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