Colleague Alumni Magazine | Graduate School of Education and Psychology | Pepperdine University

Recognizing Student Scholarship: Recipients and Donors

By Vanessa Jahn

Preparing students for lives of purpose, service, and leadership is the Graduate School of Education and Psychology's (GSEP) mission. Those values have inspired the creation of a new event, the Scholarship Recognition Dinner. Expanding from the former Donor Dinner, where donors and administration gathered to honor those who have contributed to the GSEP scholarship funds, the Scholarship Recognition Dinner now includes the student recipients of each fund. This new platform allows for true appreciation between scholarship donor and recipient.

In September 2005, GSEP administration, scholarship fund donors, students, and their guests gathered at the Westside Radisson Hotel to recognize the 2005-2006 student recipients of the Associated Women for Pepperdine Scholarship, Chiang Kai-shek Scholarship, GSEP Diversity Scholarship, Earl V. Pullias Endowed Scholarship, Glen and Gloria Holden GSEP Scholarship, J. McDonald and Judy Williams GSEP Scholarship, Mattie Chissell Memorial Scholarship, Michael Y. F. Chau Scholarship, Olaf H. Tegner Endowed Scholarship, and the Psy.D. Contribution to Diversity Scholarship. Each of these scholarships is awarded based on a variety of criteria, including academic merit, financial need, and promotion of cultural diversity.

Dr. Edward Shafranske, professor of psychology, opened the event by commending the scholarship recipients for their commitment to intellectual development and the pursuit of knowledge. He also recognized the fields of study in which the scholarship recipients endeavor and applauded their choice to affect the world with purpose and leadership. The evening afforded the opportunity for three scholarship recipients, Lea Didion, psychology doctoral candidate; Jeanette Francis, psychology doctoral candidate; and Terri McCaskill, education doctoral candidate, to share their experiences as students at GSEP as well as their goals for serving the community once they obtain their degrees. Following the three student reflections, each of the 55 scholarship recipients were called to the stage to receive a certificate in recognition of their academic excellence, meaningful service, and personal fulfillment.

Gesenia Sloan-Pena, psychology doctoral candidate and recipient of the Diversity Scholarship, commented, "It was a great opportunity to be recognized and, more importantly, to thank those involved in providing my scholarship award. I was also able to thank those who were a part of choosing me to receive the Diversity Scholarship and share with them how grateful I am and how much this award will help me succeed as a future psychologist."

The evening was a wonderful occasion to reflect on and celebrate the efforts of GSEP's student scholars and community. Dr. Mesha Ellis, assistant professor of psychology, closed the event by encouraging the attendees to follow the example set by the scholarship recipients and rise to their own highest potential in service and leadership.