Hearst/CSU Trustees’ Award Honors Psychology Graduate
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 30, 2004
Kathleen McPartland
530-898-4260
Hearst/CSU Trustees’ Award Honors Psychology Graduate
A recent California State University, Chico graduate with a B.A. in psychology, Elizabeth Coudright, has received the prestigious 2004 William R. Hearst/CSU Trustees’ Award for Outstanding Achievement.
Coudright is the eighth CSU, Chico student to receive the award since 1993. For the first time this year, the number of awards increased from six to 13 in the state. She will be honored at a ceremony in Long Beach on July 13.
The Trustees’ Award provides financial support to students who show superior academic performance, community service and personal accomplishments in the face of personal hardship and challenges. Each student honored will receive $3,000.
Coudright, now 41, returned to school to fulfill her goal of finishing her college education. She chose psychology as a field because of her interest in helping others accomplish their goals by providing support and tools. She will continue at the university as a graduate student in social work and marriage and family therapy in fall 2004.
Her single parent Filipino mother who had been a teenager when the Japanese invaded the Philippines raised Coudright, a first generation American. She believes that the trauma of that time continued to affect their home life. As a result, she grew up with a childhood of “doubt, fear, danger, and loneliness.”
After a marriage at 16 and then a divorce followed by years of an abusive relationship, Coudright was ready to turn her life around. “I’d had enough and I was willing to make a commitment to my life. I wanted something better, so I went to my local college and signed up.”
She thrived in the academic environment. With support and counseling, she grew to appreciate her experiences as providing a unique perspective on life that may help others.
Coudright actively supports her community, especially services that benefit women. Over the past fours years she has acted in and co-directed “The Vagina Monologues,” an award-winning theatrical performance which gives voice to women’s sexuality and experiences. In alliance with other campuses around the country, the proceeds from the play are donated to nonprofit organizations that work to end violence against women, such as Rape Crisis and Catalyst.
“I was astounded when I got the call that I had won the award,” said Coudright. “You do what you do without thought of outside recognition. So, I was stunned and humbled and filled with gratitude. Receiving this award has exceeded all of my expectations. Maybe it will help others dream big when they see what I’ve done.”
The previous awardees from CSU, Chico are Ben Seigler (2003), Dijana Fazlic (2002), Patty Cotter (2001), Aimee Webb (2000), Lynn Wirt (1996), Kelly Baylor (1995) and David Ware (1993).
###