Glenn W. Arnett Scholarship Award for Graduate Studies in Physical Education
Scholar: Fra
nces Werner
Year Awarded: 2017
Major: Kinesiology
About the Scholarship: The Glenn W. Arnett Scholarship was made possible due to a generous contribution from Mr. and Mrs. Elwood C. Davis in honor of Dr. Glenn Arnett, who was a faculty member and department chair in kinesiology. He served as CSUN’s first athletic director in 1958 and taught at CSUN until his retirement. The purpose of the scholarship is to provide support to a student in the kinesiology program who aspires to have a career in the area of kinesiology and physical activity.
Laurence and Ethel Young Scholarship in Kinesiology
Scholar: Julie Haake
Year Awarded: 2017
Major: Kinesiology (Exercise Science Emphasis)
About Julie: Julie grew up in a suburb near Dallas, Texas and chose to attend CSUN because of the volleyball team and the strong Kinesiology program. She is currently living in Kansas City attending the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at the University of Saint Mary. Receiving the Laurence and Ethel Young Scholarship allowed her to see that her hard work at CSUN paid off and helped her financially to pursue her doctorate. If she could thank the Youngs, she would tell them that their generosity is greatly appreciated. Julie plans to travel after she completes her doctorate and work with athletes in the future.
About the Scholarship: The late Dr. Laurence Young was a professor of Kinesiology in the physical education option at CSUN for many years. He and his wife Ethel established a planned gift that will enable many students in the future, to be rewarded for their time, leadership and the hard work they put into their academic major.
Leslie and Terry Cutler Kinesiology Scholarship
Scholar: Travis Watkins
Year Awarded: 2017
Major: Kinesiology (Exercise Science Emphasis)
About Travis: Travis grew up in Granada Hills playing sports and other active games. Being born with a rare genetic disorder, Travis has always had the heart for helping others. He graduated in the spring and decided to pursue a Master of Science degree in Adapted Physical Activity because of his desire to help others. He currently works at CSUN’s Center of Achievement and sees adaptive physical activity as the ideal to learning how to facilitate natural healing and wellness in individuals. He hopes to combine his passions for fitness, music and church ministry in the future and influence each of these fields in a multifaceted way. Travis is grateful to the Cutlers and the scholarship that helped him in his pursuit of achieving his goals. The encouragement of the scholarship inspires him to work harder and be even more excited for what is yet to come.
About the Scholarship: Leslie “Les” and Terry Cutler are long time contributors to CSUN and this scholarship expands their giving to the university in their area of interest in healthcare. Les attended CSUN in 1963, although he did not graduate from the university, he went on to become a dentist, receive a PhD and become the Chancellor and Provost of Health Affairs at the University of Connecticut. It is the intention of the donors that this scholarship be awarded to Kinesiology students with outstanding potential to become a leader in the field of health, fitness and rehabilitation as they proceed through the adapted physical activity graduate program. The student must also be working in the Center of Achievement.
Marian Cutler and Lucille Grubman Outstanding Graduate Research Award in Kinesiology
Scholar: Takuto Fujii
Year Awarded: 2017
Major: Adapted Physical Activity (Kinesiology)
About Takuto: Growing up, Takuto played soccer and ran track and field. Playing sports intrigued him to study human movement, which led to a major in Kinesiology. During his undergrad at CSUN, he took a class at the Center of Achievement where he was introduced to Adapted Physical Activity. It was at the Center that he was able to assist individuals with physical disabilities in exercise and physical activity. After Takuto graduated, he decided on Adapted Physical Activity for his master's degree because he wanted to learn more about the neural mechanisms of exercise and the effects of exercise on these mechanisms in individuals with disabilities. He would like to thank Leslie and Terry Cutler for giving him the opportunity to continue his education and research. He said he had the chance to meet them and they are such nice people. He was inspired by the genuine interest they had in him and the other Cutler scholars. The scholarship has given Takuto the boost of confidence to challenge himself in future endeavors. He hopes to one day assist in the process of normalizing adapted fitness programs around the world. He would like people with disabilities to feel/experience happiness and a sense of accomplishment through exercise more easily.
About the Scholarship: Leslie “Les” and Terry Cutler are long time contributors to CSUN. This award expands their giving to the university and it is in their area of interest, healthcare. Les attended CSUN in 1963, although he did not graduate from the university, he went on to become a dentist, receive a PhD and become the chancellor and provost of health affairs at the University of Connecticut. Les and Terry created this outstanding graduate research award in honor of their mothers, Marian Cutler and Lucille Grubman. It is the intention of the donors that this award be given to Kinesiology students with outstanding clinical potential as they proceed through the adapted physical activity program. The student must also be working in the Center of Achievement through Adapted Physical Activity.
Norman Cutler Outstanding Graduate Leadership Award
Scholar: Danica Tolentino
Year Awarded: 2017
Major: Adapted Physical Activity (Kinesiology)
About Danica: Danica grew-up and still currently lives in San Fernando Valley. As an undergraduate at CSUN, she changed her major four times before finding her fit in the Kinesiology program. When she entered the program she immediately looked for clubs and organizations that would help her to find a solid group of friends in her major. She joined 100 Citizens and the Kinesiology Majors Club (KMC) and took on leadership positions in both, as program director for 100 Citizens and president in KMC. She also interned at the Center of Achievement as an undergrad. It was at the Center that she found what she is really passionate about -- helping people and being part of something bigger. Currently, Danica is a graduate student in Kinesiology, with an emphasis in Adapted Physical Activity. She chose the program because she wanted to see what the Center had to offer on a bigger scale. As a clinical supervisor there, overseeing numerous sessions, she has had the opportunity to see the scale in which the Center runs and what it takes to keep everything going. She aspires to be a supervisor or coordinator at a facility similar to the Center in the future. Danica is grateful to Leslie and Terry Cutler for giving her the opportunity to keep doing what she loves by receiving this scholarship. She hopes to one day be able to give back to the community the same way they have.
About the Scholarship: Leslie “Les” and Terry Cutler are long time contributors to CSUN and this award expands their giving to the university. This gift is in their area of interest, healthcare. Les attended CSUN in 1963, although he did not graduate from the university, he went on to become a dentist, receive a PhD and become the chancellor and provost of health affairs at the University of Connecticut. Les and Terry created this outstanding graduate leadership award in honor of Les’ father Norman Cutler, who was a champion of excellence and showed a strong commitment to helping others achieve greatness in their career and calling.
The Susan and Raymond Tartakoff Scholarship
Scholar: D
aniel Azurdia
Year Awarded: 2017
Major: Adapted Physical Activity (Kinesiology)
About Daniel: Daniel grew up in Northridge and has always enjoyed outdoor activities and sports. This enjoyment for physical activity led him to CSUN’s Kinesiology major. After completing his Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology, he decided to continue his education. Daniel just completed his first year in the Adapted Physical Activity graduate program. He said he decided on CSUN’s program because of the uniqueness and excellent clinical experience. Currently, Daniel works at the Center of Achievement and is a coach for a high school soccer and cross-country team. In the future, he hopes to develop an adaptive exercise program that directly helps veterans with disabilities. He would also like to open his own adaptive exercise gym that would provide treatment in an underrepresented area. Daniel thanks Susan and Raymond Tartakoff for their generosity and kindness. He is honored to have received this scholarship and it gives him the confidence and encouragement to work even harder in his studies and his clinical work at the Center of Achievement.
About the Scholarship: Susan Tartakoff ‘71 and her husband, Raymond, are members of the community with a long-history and devotion to CSUN. Susan is an alum and has been a client and volunteer at the Center of Achievement for over 15 years. She became a client at the Center after she was involved in a horrific car accident that left her paralyzed from the chest down. When Susan started using the Center, only the land-based programs existed. She helped raise funds for the Brown Center for Adaptive Aquatic Therapeutic Exercise through the volunteer group, “FOCAS” (Friends of the Center of Achievement and Sponsors). Susan and Raymond created this scholarship to further their support of the Center. The scholarship is for Kinesiology graduate students that work in the Center and aspire to have a career in adapted physical activity or physical rehabilitation.
