On September 24, close to 30 of Cal Poly's top students received the prestigious President's Council Scholarship.
Now in its 25th year, the scholarship program awards a group of students each year who exemplify high academic standing and co-curricular excellence.
The presentation is held at the beginning of each fall quarter and both President Michael Ortiz and Associate Dean Dale Turner were present this year to award each student.
"My favorite part about the scholarship was the council's indirect encouragement to continue my efforts in the community, which really renewed my energy and enthusiasm," said Cassandra Pruett, recipient of the James H. Jones President's Council Scholarship for the College of Environmental Design.
Since 1983, the President's Council members fund the program through private contributions and students receive $2,500 each. It is a merit scholarship open to any student of junior or senior standing, including teacher credential students with an overall GPA of 3.5 or better.
Graduate students in the College of Letters, Arts, & Social Sciences and College of Engineering with an overall GPA of 3.7 or better are also eligible to receive a scholarship.
"I just submitted my vet school application, and if I get accepted I will be attending vet school at UC Davis in fall 2009," said Amanda Dolinski, a fourth-year pre-vet student and beneficiary of the Albert Zoraster President's Council scholarship for the College of Agriculture.
"Receiving this scholarship is another stepping stone that will help cross the river from Cal Poly Pomona to vet school at UC Davis," she said.
The scholarship is based on merit only and students must make significant contributions to the university as well as in the community.
In order to apply for a scholarship, students must submit a completed application form, two faculty recommendations, and depending on the scholarship, a current resume and essay may be required.
"The process was simple. You had to fill out a form with all the necessary information and attach a copy of your resume with two recommendations from faculty," said Ramsey Ayass, who received the Bridgette Cheeks President's Council Scholarship at large. "It was a dream come true for me because I never thought that I could be the recipient of a scholarship that required the highest of academic caliber."
The scholarships are awarded to students from each of the eight academic colleges and two at large scholarships are awarded as well.
The selection process is overseen by a selection committee, which consists of university administrators and members of the President's Council.
According to the MHR Department's database, "The President's Council is a group of business and community leaders who excel in their professional fields and demonstrate a record of public service.
The council serves as the major support group for the president and brings university concerns to the attention of civic government, and business leaders throughout the region and state."
Once the committee reviews all of the application materials, finalists are selected and interviewed during the spring quarter. "I truly thought it was one of the worst interviews of my life.
I was very intimidated, but the panel was nonetheless friendly," said Brandon Ecks, a fourth-year music education and English student and the recipient of the Lowell Overton President's Council Scholarship for CLASS.
Recommendations are then given to President Ortiz for final review and preference.
"Upon receiving this award, I was inundated with pride and contented with the exhilaration of it all," said Beth Winchell, receiver of the Mark Aldrich President's Council Scholarship for the College of Business Administration.
"To receive this scholarship is to know exuberance, admiration, and to a certain extent, wonder."
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