The Hearst award is among the highest forms of recognition for student achievement in the CSU. Scholars must demonstrate superior academic achievements, community service, financial need and the ability to overcome adversity. Many of the students have prevailed in the face of disability, language and cultural barriers, intense personal loss, substance abuse, homelessness, and abusive or absentee guardians.
Humboldt State’s recipient, Nguyen, is a native of Vietnam and immigrated with his family to the United States at the age of 19. Today he is studying both cellular biology and Chinese studies at HSU, while being involved with a number of volunteer organizations. After graduation, Nguyen hopes to attend medical school and return to Vietnam as a doctor.
"I take great pride in the fact that these extraordinary people have chosen to attend and excel at a CSU campus," said Ali C. Razi, CSU trustee emeritus. "It is a testament to their strength, and to the CSU mission, that these scholars will soon be our graduates."
The William Randolph Hearst Foundation originally established an endowed scholarship fund in 1984 to honor its namesake, founder of the Hearst newspaper chain. In 1999, the William Randolph Hearst Foundation partnered with the CSU Board of Trustees to supplement the endowment with contributions from CSU Trustees and private donors. Each recipient is awarded $3,000.
Ali C. Razi, trustee emeritus of the CSU Board of Trustees, later endowed a scholarship fund to recognize the top scoring Hearst/Trustees’ award recipients. This year, there are two Trustee Ali C. Razi Scholarships for $10,000. Araciel Juarez, from California State University, Los Angeles, was also named an Ali. C. Razi Scholar.