From L to R: GWC students Katherine Cormier, Thomas deMartino II, Salvador Cerda Rodriguez, Madrid Ruiz, Nuran Alteir, Joseph Nielsen and Jenna Hirao. [Photo credit: Greg Parks]
Rustler pride was in the air at the annual GWC Scholarships and Awards Ceremony on Tuesday, May 8, 2018. A total of 283 students received 422 scholarships, totaling over $250,000! The annual ceremony recognizes students and donors for their commitment to academic achievement, as well as educational involvement.
GWC President, Wes Bryan, welcomed students, donors, and guests at the top of the ceremony, and led students in the annual tradition of taking a selfie with their family and friends in the background. Vice Presidents Dr. Claudia Lee and Dr. Greg Peterson announced each scholarship and recipient, welcoming students to accept their certificates in front of the packed auditorium. A reception followed the ceremony, where students celebrated with family, friends, and donors.
R. Dudley Boyce Outstanding Student Award recipients Javier Venegas and Vanessa Hardin. [Photo credit: Greg Parks]
For the first time in its history, two students received this year’s R. Dudley Boyce Outstanding Student Award: Vanessa Hardin and Javier Venegas. The GWC Student Council established this award in memory of Dr. Boyce, to recognize a student (or students) who best exemplifies the quality of leadership. Vanessa and Javier will each deliver a student address at the commencement ceremony on May 24.
GWC student Ngoc La. [Photo credit: Greg Parks]
GWC student Ngoc La received six scholarships for her academic achievements, including the prestigious Karr Lowell Scholarship for Chemistry. While attending Golden West, Ngoc has had two internships at Cal Tech and CSU Fullerton. She’ll begin her third internship this summer at Stanford University, and in the fall, Ngoc will study at M.I.T. to complete her bachelor’s degree.
Additional award highlights include GWC student Michelle McGowan, who received three scholarships including the Steve Barnes Scholarship. Arelia Bouronich, GWC student and a member of the National Nurses Student Association and Alpha Gamma Honor Society, received the ENCORE: Students Preparing for 2nd Career Scholarship and the Pete and Helen Shaffer Memorial Scholarship, in addition to others. Mahmoud Awad, a student in GWC’s Automotive Technology program, was awarded the Mailing Pros Inc. Scholarship, new to the college this year.
The Patrons’ Chefs for Scholarships fundraising event increased the number of scholarships given to GWC students this year, adding a total of five new awards.
Golden West College extends special thanks to all of this year’s fantastic donors. Their generous contributions help students achieve their academic goals.
A full gallery of photos from the event can be found at our GWC Gallery.
