President’s Competition Brings Top Students to CSU, Chico
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 14, 2000
Kathleen McPartland
530-898-4260
President’s Competition Brings Top Students to CSU, Chico
The fifth annual President’s Scholars Competition Day will be held Saturday, Feb. 19 on the CSU, Chico campus. One hundred seventy-seven high achieving seniors from throughout California will compete for over $130,000 in scholarship money.
President Manuel A. Esteban initiated the competition in 1996 to encourage top high school students to choose CSU, Chico as their university. The scholarships have grown from two $5000 scholarships in the first year, to ten by 1999, and then to the ten four-year, $12,000 scholarships being offered this year. In addition to the $12,000 scholarships, there will be twenty-five $500 scholarships offered to the competitors.
The students are bringing over 280 family and friends to the competition day. While the students are taking tests, their family and friends tour the campus and attend presentations by various programs and colleges. One of the most popular presentations has been a glass-blowing demonstration with President Esteban in the glass-blowing studio. Esteban, once an apprentice glass-blower, will be joining Robert Herhusky, art glass instructor.
President Esteban said of the competition, “I’m extremely pleased at the growth of the scholarships. Many people have seen the importance of this program and have supported me in my efforts to expand it. It is a tangible commitment to the future academic quality of CSU, Chico.”
Planning for this year’s competition and the 450 visitors was complicated by the construction of the new addition to the BMU and the moving of food services which is underway. Carol Berg, executive assistant to the president and chair of the President’s Scholars Committee, said, “We’ve moved the registration, lunch, and reception to Shurmer Gym. Now all we need is sunshine!” Heavy rain has accompanied the last two years’ competition days, Berg said.
The President’s Scholars day allows the fall 2000 freshmen, who have been accepted to CSU, Chico, to see the campus and meet deans in their fields. They are introduced to programs, such as Honors and General Studies Thematic, which are especially geared to high achieving students. They also have an opportunity to talk with staff, faculty, and the president, about CSU, Chico, their concerns and their expectations.
###