San Diego State University Student Among Winners
Of Hearst/CSU Award for Outstanding Achievement

Contact: Jason Foster
SDSU Marketing & Communications
Tel: (619) 594-2585/ Cell: (619) 992-0772
foster@mail.sdsu.edu

SAN DIEGO Monday, Sept. 26, 2005 -- Emilie Hanlon, a biology major at San Diego State University, is among 12 California State University system students awarded the 2005/2006 William R. Hearst/CSU Trustees' Award for Outstanding Achievement.

The awards provide $3,000 scholarships to financially needy students who have overcome profound personal challenges to achieve academic success and a superior track record in community service, according to the California State University. The awards were presented last week at a CSU Board of Trustees meeting in Long Beach.

Hanlon, who is studying microbiology with the goal of entering a doctoral program in pharmacy, was described as having grown up "in a community enriched by cultural and economic diversity, but also plagued by increasing violence and the fear created by gang activities." Hanlon, who became a mother at 17 and later a single parent, plans to become a clinical pharmacist.

"We are delighted that one of our outstanding students was honored with this prestigious award," said Terrence Frey, chair of the Department of Biology at San Diego State. "Ms. Hanlon is a role model for single parents who can overcome adversity to excel in higher education, and we applaud her plan to pursue a Ph.D."

The other 11 winners are:

Shannon M. Pooser, Cal State Bakersfield, is an exemplary student in the Master of Science Program in Counseling Psychology. She is currently a volunteer facilitator of a community grief support group for parents who have suffered the tragedy of losing a child. Shannon wants to continue her volunteer work and has as her long-term goal being a marriage and family therapist in the Bakersfield community.

Deidre D. Knighten, Cal State Dominguez Hills, is a public administration major. A former alcoholic and now a mother of four, she is the Service Coordinator at U.S. Vets-Compton, which is working to reintegrate homeless veterans into society through job training, substance abuse treatment, and other services. She sees her mission as helping others recover from substance abuse and providing a safe haven for such efforts.

Kamar O'Guinn, CSU East Bay, is pursuing a special major in Democracy, Arts and Cultural Studies. In addition to his leadership on campus, including work with at-risk students in the university's Summer Bridge Program, he has served as a mentor and tutor at his local middle school. His future aspirations include attending graduate or law school and continuing to help improve his community.

Micah Ornelas, Cal State Fullerton, is a double major in business administration and psychology. He is president of the Mesa Cooperative, the umbrella group for all Latino student clubs, and is currently an instructor for Credit Smart En Espanol, which helps students and their families for whom English is a second language to learn how to build and preserve good credit.

Deborah O'Banks, CSU Humboldt, entered the credential program after earning her bachelor's in liberal studies/elementary education. A mother of four with a perfect attendance record, she is building a home in an isolated mountain region without electricity or phones lines where winter storms can drop six feet of snow on the roads. She has long been active in community service to children, including classroom work in special education.

Daniel De La Cruz, CSU Monterey Bay, is an information technology major. Orphaned at 12, he dropped out of school and later was diagnosed with the same disorder that claimed his mother's life. Not giving up, he enrolled in computer courses and used the Internet to locate a research geneticist who provided him with experimental, lifesaving therapy. His goal is to use information technology to help others overcome barriers in society.

Valentino Ifeacho, Cal State San Bernardino, is a biology major. Born and raised in Nigeria, he came to America when he was only 16 years old. Despite the difficulties of adapting to a new culture and a hard struggle with cancer, he graduated from high school and went directly to the university as the first in his family to do so. His dream is to become a medical doctor.

Robert Swart, San Jose State, an English major with a minor in history, is now seeking a MFA in Creative Writing. His childhood was marked by divorce, death, and separation, leading to long-standing depression and short-lived jobs until therapy and success at a community college helped him refocus his life. He hopes to write a book of poetry, teach at the community college or university level, and eventually earn his Ph.D.

Lindsay M. Johnson, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, is an architecture major. Originally a student at another CSU campus, she was forced to withdraw due to injuries she suffered after a brutal physical assault. A talented designer, she hopes to become a licensed architect. She is a community volunteer at a battered women's shelter and at a program to build homes for the poor in Northern Mexico.

Alfredo Coria, Sonoma State, is a communications major with a minor in Spanish. Born in Mexico, he grew up in California and experienced social and academic challenges because English was his second language. An exceptionally active club member, service volunteer, and organizational leader, he has been involved in academic outreach to high school students as well as teaching English to day laborers.

Pamela L. McElhaney, CSU Stanislaus, is a liberal studies major. She returned to college when she received a kidney transplant after 10 years of kidney dialysis. She has been involved in a prison outreach program for over 20 years, providing encouragement and educational services to prisoners, and will be seeking a teaching credential and work as an elementary school teacher.

The awards are funded by personal contributions from the CSU Board of Trustees and an endowment created by the William Randolph Hearst Foundation. Since its inception in 1974, the award has honored 120 students. For more information about the students, please contact the public affairs offices at the campuses.

San Diego State University is the oldest and largest higher education institution in the San Diego region. Since it was founded in 1897, the university has grown to offer bachelor’s degrees in 81 areas, master’s degrees in 72 areas and doctorates in 16 areas. SDSU’s nearly 33,000 students participate in an academic curriculum distinguished by direct faculty contact and an increasing international emphasis that prepares students for a global future. For more information, visit www.sdsu.edu.

The California State University is the largest system of senior higher education in the country, with 23 campuses, 400,000 students and 42,000 faculty and staff. Since the system was created in 1961, it has awarded more than 2 million degrees (more than 82,000 last year). For more information, visit www.calstate.edu.

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