For most incoming freshman, the first days on campus are a mad rush of meeting counselors, adding classes and buying books. But for 31 students who are members of the newly-inaugurated Presidential Scholars program at SF State, the pressure may also involve meeting some lofty expectations.
The program, started by President Robert A. Corrigan in the spring of 1995, was designed to attract California's top high school students to the SF State campus. They're expected to be top college students as well.
Tonia Tabucchi was one of the first to be selected, out of 200 candidates for the program. A freshman from El Camino High School in South San Francisco, she applied to SF State with a 3.8 grade point average. She had no idea she would be selected as a "scholar."
"I applied to both SF State and San Jose State, but I knew the commute (to San Jose) would be too much," Tabucchi said. "All of a sudden, I got a letter saying that I was a scholar -- I was ecstatic."
Each scholar receives a total of $1,982 to cover the cost of full-time tuition and student activity fees, according to Ligeia Polidora, SF State Public Affairs Officer.
The scholarships were funded by a recent donation of $500,000 by Helene Z. Rogers, a 1931 SF State graduate, Polidora said.
According to Sheila McClear, special assistant to the president, Corrigan got the idea for the Presidential Scholars when the donation was made. He formed an advisory panel to decide guidelines for admission to the program. Each student must:
McClear said the president is eager to see the program succeed.
"It's a natural outgrowth of our pride in what we do here (at SF State.)," McClear said. "The hope is that the program becomes a magnet for (academically) strong students to attend."
While Corrigan takes an active interest in the program, it is the advisory panel that designs the events in which scholars participate, said Gail Whittaker, associate vice president for Academic Development.
The panel worked hard to make the transition from high school to college easier for the scholars.
"We had a panel of people from campus address them to let them know the array of services available," Whittaker said.
The panel included representatives from financial aid, psychological services, academic counseling and student services, said Whittaker. Both Whittaker and McClear said they see this as an important function of the program -- helping the scholars get a strong start.
They were quick to add that the program was still in its infant stage and more changes would likely be made to improve it.
In addition to their regular studies, scholars are taking special English and history classes designed to provide a strong start in their studies.
Denise Hum, a recent graduate of Oakland High School and a member of the Presidential Scholars, said she is pleased with the support she received.
Hum was previously accepted into UC Davis and UC Santa Cruz but opted for SF State in part because of the Presidential Scholars program.
"I intended to go to Davis," Hum said. "But State is really helping us -- going to advisors and having resources made available to us."
While the ethnic make-up of the 31 scholars is diverse, there are twice as many women as men in the program.
McClear says the ratio is not unusual. "They reflect what we see in American universities -- more women than men," McClear said. Tabucchi is pleased with her fellow students, and said communication is important among the scholars. "We've already started forming study groups," she said.
"The only thing that's worrying us is the 3.75 (GPA requirement) because it puts a lot of pressure on the scholars. But we were all able to do it in high school, so I think we can do it here -- even though it's a step higher."
[ Golden Gater Online October 5, 1995 ]
[ back to top ]
© All Rights Reserved
HTMLized by Steve Thoemke (sthoemke@nermal.santarosa.edu)