Jan. 8, 1998
Contact: Mayerene Barker,
(818) 677-2130
mbarker@exec.csun.edu
Fifteen of the 16 academically gifted students, in their freshman year of a four-year CSUN scholarship program, will participate in the trip, which will include meetings with legislators and a representative of the California State University system.
On Monday, Jan. 12, the day before the trip, students will participate in a seminar led by political science professor Matthew Cahn, director of the CSUN Center for Southern California Studies. Cahn also is the author of "California-An Owner's Manual," a guide to state government.
"This isn't just a field trip. This is a learning experience," said Dorena Knepper, CSUN's director of governmental and community relations who arranged the seminar and Tuesday's schedule. Among other things, the students will get a first-hand look at how the CSU interacts with state government, Knepper said.
The students' first appointment will be with a representative of the CSU Office of Governmental Affairs, who will brief the delegation on pending legislative issues of importance to the university system, including proposals to raise standards to prepare teachers for the classroom and how to keep the CSU up to date with technology.
The CSUN delegation will meet with Assembly Members Robert Hertzberg (D-Van Nuys), Sheila Kuehl (D-Santa Monica), Tom McClintock (R-Northridge) and Tony Cardenas (D-Panorama City), as well as with State Sen. Cathie Wright (R-Simi Valley.)
The Sacramento trip is part of a CSUN effort to arrange a variety of educational opportunities for Presidential Scholars. Tom Piernik, director of student development and international programs, will accompany the students to the state capital, along with Wilson, Knepper and Cahn.
CSUN's first Presidential Scholars were chosen from 80 applicants who typically ranked in the top 5% of their high school graduating class and achieved either a combined SAT score of 1300 or higher, or a composite ACT score of 30 or higher.
Students who demonstrated special talent in such areas as the arts, writing, math/science or athletics were also eligible to apply if their high school grades placed them in the top 10% of their class and they met the SAT or ACT requirements.
Presidential Scholars receive a scholarship covering the university fee of $1,584 per academic year, a partial book allowance and free on-campus parking; a mentorship program offering work experience with a faculty member or administrator and opportunities for continuing contact with the university president and for attendance at cultural and educational events both on and off campus.
Once at Northridge, the students must earn a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.25 and receive positive evaluations on their mentorship to receive the scholarship for the second year. Second- and third-year students must earn a GPA of at least 3.50 and receive favorable mentorship evaluations to continue receiving the scholarship.
Presidential scholars are Camila Dizon of North Hills; Nicholas Hamlin of San Diego; Rhonda Higgins, Gardena; Kyle Houston, Seatac, Wash.; Mandy Kuntz, Saugus; Sara Lawless, Santa Maria; Teodora Manolova, Los Angeles; Megan McLeod, Glendale; Joshua Midtlyng, Granada Hills; Jennifer Nelson, Saugus; Cindy Puckett, Newhall; Mollyanna Simison, Castaic; Edit Tanahan, Glendale; Timothy Tresierras, Oxnard; Arwen Vidal, Northridge, and Michael Vogel, Simi Valley. All but Houston will make the Sacramento trip.
California State University Chancellor's Office Press Releases
Return to the top of the page
