Success & Service: Stanislaus State’s Rogers Scholars lauded

California State University, Stanislaus, recognized 42 Mary Stuart Rogers Scholarship recipients for their strong academic performances and commitments to personal growth and a desire to serve others.

Known as Rogers Scholars, more than 500 students have received the scholarship since its inception in 1991. The program awards scholarships of $3,000 to undergraduates and $3,500 to students in teaching credential programs at Stanislaus State. Donor John Rogers and his daughter, Janet, attended the presentation.

This year’s group includes:

▪ Michael Khoshaba, who grew up in war-torn Iraq and moved with his family to the United States at the age of 11. He excelled in high school, graduating with a year’s worth of college credits, and he plans to go on to a career as a human resources specialist in the public sector.

▪ Evelyn Miramontes, who survived major health issues and a fire that destroyed her family’s home, then graduated magna cum laude with a liberal studies degree from Stanislaus State in 2013. She hopes to become a special education teacher or a resource specialist working with at-risk students.

▪ Qiaomin Mai, who graduated from college in China, then moved to the U.S. in 2001 and is now nearing her bachelor’s degree in accounting at Stanislaus State.

This year’s undergraduate recipients are: Haider Al-Kaabi, Ceres; Gerardo Alva Chavez, Coachella; Claudia Anguiano, Manteca; Rachel Barfield, Oakdale; Ashlee Bryant, Modesto; Bradley Bucknell, Modesto; Ashley Cole, Turlock; Pamela Cuneo, Sonora; Daniel De La Cruz, Stockton; Jennifer Egenberger, Modesto; Luis Garcia, Modesto; Shaun Gephart, Modesto; Lindsie Hartwick, Menifee (Riverside County); Lucia Jaime-Duran, Turlock; Keyomi Jones, Merced; James Kelleher, Turlock; Michael Khoshaba, Modesto; Jenny Lee, Merced; Venus Lopez, Modesto; Qiaomin Mai, Mountain House; James Moak, Modesto; Laura Palomera-Gomez, Modesto; Chris Robertson, Atwater; Mayra Rojas, Escalon; Brandi Ta’amai, Merced; Cristal Tadeo, Woodlake (Tulare County); Jeannie Tran, Stockton; Christine Valenti, Turlock; Cheng Vang, Stockton; Riana Von Gunten, Delhi; Spencer Voss, Denair; and Florinda Yurivilca, Modesto.

Recipients from the teaching credential program are: Vanessa Brazil, Merced; Brandon Diniz, Atwater; Miriam Espinosa Orozco, Atwater; Bertha Garibay-Hernandez, Atwater; Ashli Hall, Modesto; Lisa Maldonado, Turlock; Bonnie McLafferty, Ceres; Evelyn Miramontes, Stockton; Ileana Treyes, Atwater; and Beth Wheeler, Tracy.

Philanthropists to be honored

The Yosemite Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals will honor its National Philanthropy Day award winners Nov. 5 at the California State University, Stanislaus, Event Center. Honorees will include:

Matt and Maria Swanson, outstanding philanthropists; Sheila Carroll, outstanding volunteer fundraiser; Katelyn Reza, outstanding youth philanthropist; Monica Ojcius, outstanding fundraising professional; Wells Fargo Bank, outstanding corporate/small-business donor in philanthropy; and the Cardoza Family Foundation, outstanding philanthropic foundation. A lifetime achievement award will be presented to Jane Johnston posthumously.

Colleagues, friends and family are invited to join in celebrating these people who give of their time and talents. Luncheon reservations can be made by contacting Amber Flores at (209) 338-5032 or afpyosemite@gmail.com. Reservations are $45 per person, and tables of 10 with signage are available for $500.

Andrew Watt, president and CEO of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, will be the keynote speaker.

Grant to help veterans

Catholic Charities Diocese of Stockton has received a $519,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs to expand services to veterans and their families in Tuolumne, Mono, Alpine, Calaveras and Stanislaus counties. The grant assists needy veteran families who have a documented housing crisis by providing limited financial support in areas such as security and utility deposits, moving costs, utilities arrears, child care and emergency supplies. Catholic Charities has actively provided social services to these communities for more than 70 years through offices in Stockton, Modesto and Sonora. This will be the first veteran-specific housing program offered through Catholic Charities within these counties.

This story was originally published October 25, 2014 at 8:22 PM with the headline "Success & Service: Stanislaus State’s Rogers Scholars lauded."