The honors luncheon, hosted by Humboldt State University President Rollin Richmond, recognized each winner and members of the Smullin Foundation and family.
Recipients for 2007-08 are Hollie Baptista, a Chico High School graduate and a sophomore in chemistry; Jonathan Barrett, a Fall River High School graduate and sophomore in English and religious studies; Lauren Bryie, an Arcata High School graduate and sophomore in liberal studies-elementary education; Wade Dexter, a Fortuna High School graduate and sophomore in computer science; Tyler Hunt, a McKinleyville High School graduate and junior in applied mathematics; Jake Pantel, a Mt. Shasta High School graduate and sophomore in chemistry; Cory Suttell, an Arcata High School graduate and sophomore in business administration; and Rachel Wiltrout, an Arcata High School graduate and sophomore in environmental science.
Commenting on their embrace of the free enterprise system, which is one criterion of scholarship eligibility, each student shared a different perspective. In Hollie Baptista’s words, “My understanding has increased. I feel that if the system were no longer working, we wouldn’t live by it. The free enterprise system is about the freedom to own a business, big or small.”
Observed Jonathan Barrett, “The more I look, the more I have come to believe that any flaw with the free enterprise system, or indeed any economic system, is rooted in the flaws of humans. People are tempted to take advantage of one another.”
“There are so many people involved in the free enterprise system who work together to create a way of life for so many people,” said Lauren Bryie. “They wanted to start their own business, to be independent and be able to be creative.”
Wade Dexter added, “As an American, I enjoy many freedoms, like the freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of the press and freedom of economics. I can voluntarily cooperate with others while pursuing my own interests. These freedoms…must be protected.”
Cory Suttell, a contestant in the Economic Fuel competition—Humboldt County’s student business plan competition—noted, “Without the free enterprise system, my business idea would be impossible; there would be too many regulations on all businesses and entrepreneurs.”
Established in 1988 by radio and television pioneer William Smullin and his wife, Patricia “Rusty,” the Smullin Scholarship supports Humboldt State students from high schools in California’s nine northernmost counties. It is awarded to eight students each year. Eligible students must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 and must believe in and support the free enterprise philosophy, which enabled Smullin to build his broadcasting business from one small radio station on the North Coast into California Oregon Broadcasting, Inc. COBi is based in Medford, Oregon and is now run by the Smullins’ daughter, owner and president, Patricia C. “Patsy” Smullin.
Headed by executive director Carol Anne Smullin Brown, the Smullin Foundation has given a total of $885,000 to the scholarship fund over the years, making it the University’s largest scholarship endowment, from which just the investment earnings are used to fund the annual scholarships. The endowment is held within the Humboldt State University Advancement Foundation. Each recipient received an amount sufficient to cover the cost of the university’s fees, $3,845 for the academic year.
President Richmond underscored the importance of the CSU, calling it “California’s economic engine—vital to building a strong California for the future and strengthening its economy by graduating 90,000 students to the state’s workforce each year. The growing importance of private support to the university cannot be overstated. We are deeply grateful to the Smullin Foundation for its commitment to Humboldt State University and hope that each student in the room will carry forward into their personal lives and career a sense of achievement that has been reached, in part, due to this generosity.”