California State University, Stanislaus

Stanislaus State will celebrate its Class of 2023 during the University's Commencement ceremonies in the University Amphitheater Thursday, May 25, and Friday, May 26.

Colin Bethishou, of Turlock, is one of 23 students selected by the California State University (CSU) to receive the 2023 CSU Trustees' Award for Outstanding Achievement. Bethishou and his peers -one from each CSU- will be honored during a ceremony as part of the CSU Board of Trustees meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 12. The CSU Trustees' Award for Outstanding Achievement, which is the highest student distinction within the university, grants students scholarships based on academic achievements, financial need, excellence in community service and personal hardship. "The life stories of these extraordinary students who have triumphed over personal hardships to stand among the university system's most distinguished scholars are a testament to the transformative power of public higher education," said CSU Interim Chancellor Jolene Koester. "Through donor support, the CSU is able to provide students who have faced educational barriers the opportunity to pursue a college degree and apply their life experiences and classroom knowledge to elevate their communities and our great state."

The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi-the nation's oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines- has recognized Stanislaus State's chapter as a Circle of Excellence Gold Chapter, the second-highest commendation a chapter can receive from the organization. The award is given to chapters that exceed expectations in chapter operations and that demonstrate sustainability and vitality. Since Stanislaus State Chapter 282 was chartered in 1999, it has inducted more than 1,800 members. "We're so grateful the Society recognizes the dedication of this chapter's members and honors the labor of the leadership team," said chapter president and Professor of English Scott Davis. "We intend to use this award directly to support student success at Stanislaus State."

Five Earn Alumni Association Scholarships of $1,000 Each.

Aspiring teachers, artists and other professionals have been selected as the 2022 Mary Stuart Rogers Scholars. The awards, in their 32nd year, honor upper-division students and credential candidates who have overcome challenges to achieve success and demonstrate hope for the future.

Two Stanislaus State nursing students are among five Central Valley recipients of the Golden Valley Health Center Foundation's annual Flora R. Martinez Nursing Scholarship.

Phi Kappa Phi members nationwide have been selected to serve as officers for their local chapters.

Over 500 Stan State students have been inducted to the national honor society, Tri-Alpha. The purpose of this organization is to recognize academic excellence and provide opportunities for personal growth, leadership development, and campus and community service for first-generation college students.

Second-year graduate student Lisamarie Raimondo is the Stanislaus State recipient of California State University's 2022 Trustees' Award for Outstanding Achievement, the CSU's highest recognition of student achievement.

On June 16th, Golden Valley Health Centers Foundation presented a total of $25,000 in scholarships to five deserving college students pursuing degrees in nursing and health care.

The CSU Research Competition featured 21 categories for undergraduate and graduate students, with students having first presented at their own campus.

For the 2021-22 academic year, Stanislaus State recognized 3,130 graduates and 306 credential recipients. The ceremonies, which were live-streamed on Facebook and YouTube, were the largest in-person events to take place at Stan State since 2019. The University postponed Commencement in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

As a top performing student, agriculture major Samuel Johnson of Escalon received the department's Outstanding Student Award at its 2022 Graduation Dinner. Three local businesses were also recognized for their ongoing contributions to the ag department and its students during the years of 2020, 2021 and 2022, despite the COVID-19 pandemic. Called the Roots Awards to symbolize steadfast and essential support, the honors went to Duarte Nursery, Inc. for 2020, Frantz Wholesale Nursery, LLC for 2021 and Yosemite Farm Credit for 2022.

Jimena Mojica-Camarena is one of four Stan State students to receive a President's Central Valley First-Generation Scholarship from the University for the 2021-22 academic year. The $12,500 award covers tuition, fees and other expenses for a year and includes a new laptop computer.

Karen Garcia was homesick after two weeks in Monterey during the introductory phase for Panetta Institute Congressional Interns. By the time she returned home two months later, Garcia, who expects to graduate this month, was pondering international studies.

Stan State communication studies major James Lane never expected his three-episode podcast Central Valley Trash Talk to win a national award. In fact, once he completed the time-consuming project focused on illegal roadside dumping, its causes and the cleanup efforts underway, he stopped thinking about it and started enjoying the extra downtime in his schedule.

Bethany Saint-Smith had her poetry published in Scribendi, a magazine that features creative work from undergraduate honors students. Her poem "Church Dress" depicts Black childhood and mental health stigmas through the conversation of two Black girls. Saint-Smith was one of 18 poets selected from a pool of nearly 400 submissions. Her piece can be found in the 2022 edition of Scribendi. Saint-Smith is also a McNair Scholar and a member of Tri-Alpha, a national honor society for first-generation college students.

We are pleased to announce two STEM Ambassadors have been selected to receive STEM Scholarships for their work in our Science in the Community Program. Under the leadership of Mark Grobner, professor of Biological Sciences, our Science in the Community Steering Committee, the Office of Service Learning and the CSU STEM VISTA leadership team at the Chancellor's Office, students, Cecilia Alvarez and Kassandra Garcia have received scholarships of $250 each. The scholarship was open to STEM Ambassadors who are part of the Science in Our Community program. We are more than proud of Ms. Alvarez and Ms. Garcia and the work they have done in our local community. Cecilia Alvarez is a third-year biology major at Stan State. She enjoys teaching and helping students through the STEM Ambassador program and Learning Commons. Cecilia joined the STEM Ambassador program in 2019. She has volunteered for numerous activities and has led multiple Junior Scientist activities where she taught fourth graders at local Turlock schools about science. Her goal is to attend graduate school and teach biology either in high school or college. Kassandra Garcia is also a third-year biology major. Kassandra joined the STEM Ambassador program during the fall 2021 semester and has shown her support by volunteering for Junior Scientist activities and helping students learn the importance of science education. After getting her bachelor's degree, she plans to attend physician assistant school with a focus on family medicine and make a change in her community. Without the support of our Stan State STEM Ambassadors and student volunteers, we would not be able to provide activities for underserved and underrepresented K-12 students in the surrounding campus community. We are greatly appreciative and thankful for their drive to make a difference and volunteer their time and passion for science, education and working with students.

The following people recently were initiated into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation's oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines.

MacKenzie-Childs has selected Stan State student, Kayla Crawford as one of four winners of the second annual MacKenzie-Childs Black Lives Matter Scholarship for Design.

Raina Chelise, an Ed. D. student in the Educational Leadership Program, and Tawinderjit Kaur from the Master of Social Work Program are the Stan State finalists in the California State University Grad Slam, a fast-paced event in which graduate students present their research, scholarship and creativity in just three minutes or less-with just one image! Graduate students from across the California State University system will compete in the Second annual CSU Grad Slam on May 6, 2022 at CSU Bakersfield.

Stanislaus State congratulates Hardip Singh who was named to the Spring 2021 Dean's List.

Stanislaus State congratulates more than 3,000 students who were named to the Fall 2021 Dean's List.

Stan State Student June Sidlauskas Among Student Veterans of America's Top-10 Student Vets

The Warriors were going for gold at the CCAA Cross Country Championships in San Marcos as they took first overall out of 11 schools

Working parents, immigrants and first-generation college students are among the members of the 30th class of Mary Stuart Rogers Scholars honored Oct. 15, during a virtual ceremony. Seventeen students in all were recognized with 13 receiving the Rogers Scholars ring presented to first-year recipients.

Students of the Warriors Chemistry Club has been awarded by the American Chemical Society with an "Outstanding Chapter Award" for their hard work during the 2020-2021 academic year.

On Monday, Sept. 13, the California State University Office of the Chancellor announced Tonya Hensley as the 2021 Trustee Emeritus Ali C. Razi Scholar Award winner.

Stan State welcomes more than 3,000 new Warriors for the fall 2021 semester. New students include first-time and transfer students who are enrolled in full-time and part-time undergraduate and graduate programs.

Cynthia Mejia, Alum of Stan State, has been selected by the CCAA as one of its two nominees for the NCAA Woman of the Year award.