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ORANGE COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION AND CAL STATE FULLERTON PARTNER FOR SUCCESSFUL BLACK STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP FUND
CSUF Announces 16 recipients for the first year of the scholarship program.
Orange County, Calif. (June 27, 2022) — The Orange County Community Foundation (OCCF) is proud to host the CSUF Black Student Scholarship Fund supporting self-identified Black or African American Students at Cal State University Fullerton. In its inaugural year, the CSUF Black Student Scholarship Fund has awarded a total of $24,000 to 16 CSUF students, which includes three incoming Highschool Seniors and 13 returning Titans.
CSUF advocates and believes welcoming, supporting and recognizing the dignity of Black students is paramount. As CSUF prioritizes the recruitment and retention of a more diverse student body, they believe one of the most effective ways to achieve this goal is to offer scholarships to specific student groups. With the partnership of OCCF, this fund provides scholarship awards to deserving students based on objective criteria through the support of a diverse array of donors, funders, and the broader community. With over 40 students engaged and interested in this competitive scholarship, CSUF is honored to support their diverse student body with scholarships of $1,500 each.
President Fram Virjee commented, “CSUF is proud to partner with the OCCF on the CSUF Black Student Scholarship Fund and we thank the many investors who contributed to this important fund. These inaugural scholarships recognize the promise, potential and excellence of our Black Titans and will advance educational success and upward mobility of talented incoming and current students. Coupled with our award-winning, evidence-based programs and support services, these scholarships will help Black Titans to flourish and thrive at CSUF.”
“Not only is it amazing to see a scholarship like this for Black students at CSUF, but I am also grateful to say that I am an inaugural recipient of such an award. I am very appreciative of all of the support Black students like myself receive from the BSU, AARC and Black staff and faculty. Without them, opportunities like this would be hard to come by. Thank you to everyone who had a role in bringing this scholarship to CSUF. I plan to further express my gratitude by continuing to excel wherever I can and representing our university well” said Cal State Fullerton student Jeremiah Riggins.
“We are excited to see this program begin with such a robust group of students,” said Tammy Tumbling, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Orange County Community Foundation. “Supporting students to excel in the education, particularly people of color and those facing financial barriers, advances our commitment to social justice and equity and will have a lasting impact in our community and beyond.”
“Supporting students as they excel in their education, particularly people of color and those facing financial barriers, advances our commitment to social justice and equity, and will have a lasting impact in our community and beyond,” added President Fram Virjee.
CSUF advocates and believes that welcoming, supporting, and recognizing prospective and current Black students are paramount. As CSUF prioritizes the recruitment and retention of a more diverse student body, they believe one of the most effective ways to achieve this goal is to offer scholarships to specific student groups. This fund provides scholarship awards to deserving students based on objective criteria thanks to the partnership of OCCF and support from a diverse array of donors, funders, and the broader community. CSUF is honored to support its diverse student body with scholarships of $1,500 each.
The CSUF Black Student Scholarship Fund was created with a $25,000 lead gift and has grown significantly with contributions from donors committed to supporting Black students through their education at CSUF. If you are interested in supporting the CSUF Black Student Scholarship Fund online please click here.
About Orange County Community Foundation : Founded in 1989, the Orange County Community Foundation (OCCF) works with donors, strengthens the local nonprofit sector, and works to find solutions to community needs. Since its inception, OCCF has awarded more than $870 million in grants and scholarships, ranking the organization as the third most active grantmaker among all U.S. community foundations. For more information, visit oc-cf.org or call 949-553-4202. View OCCF’s 2021 annual report here.
About Cal State Fullerton: The largest university in the CSU and the only campus in Orange County, Cal State Fullerton offers 110 degree programs, and Division 1 athletics. Recognized as a national model for supporting student success, CSUF excels with innovative, high-impact educational practices, including faculty-student collaborative research, study abroad and competitive internships. Our vibrant and diverse campus is a primary driver of workforce and economic development in the region. CSUF is a top public university known for its success in supporting first-generation and underrepresented students and preparing all students to become leaders in the global marketplace. Our It Takes a Titan campaign, a five-year $250 million comprehensive fundraising initiative, prioritizes investments in academic innovation, student empowerment, campus transformation and community enrichment. Visit fullerton.edu.
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