Newsletter Edition: Fall 2019
Contributed by Gina Flores
One of our very favorite events of the year is the annual awarding of scholarships to dedicated student employees on our team. It is a rewarding experience that we hold close to our hearts, and we look forward to this event each year. Through generous donor support, a $1,000 scholarship is a valuable boost to offset the cost of higher education for students in need. At the student employee scholarship reception this past March, featured awardee Julio Zapien, Jr. gave a powerful testimonial on the impact of receiving financial support. He also shared an inspiring message about the influence of Oviatt Library on his life, and on the lives of all CSUN students.
“I think in today’s society, we all need to be surrounded by people who are just genuine, and people who just know how to express that love. And I feel like the library does that for us. Collectively, the impact that we put onto this university is, I think, something that … sometimes we tend to overlook because when people are struggling for finals, where are they going to go to get their research paper done? The library. When people don’t know where to meet for a group project, where are they going to go? The library. When people just need a time to sit down and relax because they got a lot going on? They’re going to go to the library.”
In his last semester pursuing a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential, Julio’s scholarship was awarded through the Dr. Karin J. Duran Scholarship, funded by Rick Nupoll. Karin was a Librarian at the Oviatt Library for 37 years and director of the Teacher Curriculum Center. Karin cared deeply about students, especially students who were the first in their family to attend college. As a student teacher, Julio’s students are the most important thing to him, as he believes they need someone to look up to. Working in the Teacher Curriculum Center/Music & Media department, Julio goes above the call of duty with ambition, drive, and a selfless attitude. With this scholarship, he will have the opportunity to focus more on his students.
We are deeply grateful to our Library donors, who range from single donors and organizations to combined scholarships, such as the Library Employee Scholarship, which is donated by staff, faculty and administration of the Oviatt Library. While some donors are retired from the Library’s team and others are loyal friends, what they all recognize is that our student employees are essential to the Oviatt Library’s operation.
This year, generous funding awarded 25 scholarships to hardworking library student assistants to apply to their continuing studies at CSUN.
Here is a list of our talented Library Student Assistants awarded a scholarship this year.
| Scholarship Awarded | Recipient(s) |
|---|---|
| Mary Flenniken Memorial Scholarship | Samantha Ceja |
| Dr. Karin J. Duran Scholarship (sponsored by Rick Nupoll) | Valentina Sanchez and Julio Zapien, Jr |
| Virginia Elwood Scholarship | Ruby Antosh |
| Friends of the Library Scholarship | Cyrus Paul Ghazizadeh |
| Mary and James Cleary International Scholarship (Sponsored by the University Women’s Club) | Francesca Perticarini |
| Lois and Ralph Prator Scholarship (Sponsored by the University Women’s Club) | Ashley Frazier, Spencer Jackson, and Sarah Termini |
| Marianne Afifi Scholarship | Francesca Perticarini |
| Gus and Erika Manders Scholarship | Marissa Duran, Debbie Salazar, and Devon Williams |
| Dr. Bonita J. Campbell WISE Scholarship | Michelle Castaneda |
| Library Employee Scholarship | Maryann Erilim, Antony Khalil, and Rheana Laguardia |
| Ann and David Perkins Scholarship | Ruby Antosh, Belinda Figueroa, Ashley Frazier, Sarah Termini, Andrea Vega, and Tabea Wurst |
| Ronald C. and Elizabeth-ann Purcell IGRA Scholarship | Brenton Contreras |
| Bernice & Leonard Haber Scholarship | Lauren Burdzinski |
Are you feeling inspired to share the love by pledging a gift to support a student scholarship? Your donation, in any amount, makes a world of difference.
In the Online Giving Form, select Oviatt Library Scholarship Fund under “Designation.”