Scholar: Ashl
ey Peña
Year Awarded: 2015
Major: Physical Therapy (first year recipient)
Ashley Says: “I am sincerely honored and grateful to be chosen by the Dee Lilly Scholarship Foundation for this award. I am excited to continue furthering my knowledge and will continue to strive for academic excellence. I am truly thankful for the financial support to help make this possible.”
Career Aspiration: Ashely wants to be a physical therapist who can use her skills to improve each patient’s quality of life. Ashley has learned a lot about the importance of maintaining a positive attitude because of her mother’s struggles with Multiple Sclerosis and her sister’s battle with cancer. She continually seeks to make those with injuries or impairments feel “normal” when others may treat them differently.
Scholar: Felix Perez
Year Awarded: 2015
Major: Physical Therapy (second year recipient)
Felix Says: “I am honored to receive the Dee Lilly Scholarship. This award has been professionally inspiring and encouraging. I am determined more than ever to challenge and dedicate myself to becoming a great clinician. For the remainder of my academic career at CSUN, I will continue to devote myself to my studies and dedicate my time to giving back to my community to the best of my abilities.”
Career Aspiration: Before Felix began the physical therapy program at CSUN, he worked for a physical therapist who serves people that are under-insured or do not have insurance. At the facility, clients often expressed their gratitude for receiving the care and that gratitude reinforced Felix’s desire to become a physical therapist. After Felix graduates he would like to become a physical therapist specializing in providing highly skilled care to people of lower socioeconomic backgrounds who would typically not be able to afford such care.
About the Scholarship: Dee Lilly, now retired from CSUN, was a valued faculty member throughout the 1980’s. She taught anatomy and physiology and was known for instilling a yearning for knowledge and a motivation to help others in students studying physical therapy. This scholarship was made possible by a generous contribution from physical therapy alum, George Erb. George said that Dee Lilly was instrumental in encouraging him to complete his physical therapy degree at CSUN. He created the Dee Lilly Scholarship in 2009 to honor his influential professor; the scholarship has since been enhanced by long-time physical therapy program supporter and alum, Jeff Vargo. The scholarship is awarded to students who have demonstrated an exceptional commitment to professional growth and service, outstanding leadership, a positive and professional attitude and who have shown outstanding clinical potential.
Schol
ar: Mary Grace Garcia-Casas
Year Awarded: 2015
Major: Physical Therapy (Class 59)
Mary Grace Says: “I would like to thank the Campanella Foundation, the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation and CSUN’s Physical Therapy department for this scholarship. [It] is proof that perseverance during adversity is essential for achieving goals. Having previously been an undocumented student until my junior year of college, I feared that I would not be able to become a physical therapist. [However], I continued to work hard and push through. It is because of scholarships such as these, which recognize students’ dedication and community involvement, that I am where I am today, pursuing a Doctor of Physical therapy degree.”
Career Aspiration: Mary Grace was born in the Philippines and moved to the United States when she was 11 years old. She works with CSUN’s University Student Union and also spent time working at the CSUN Center of Achievement through Adapted Physical Activity during her last year as a kinesiology undergraduate student. At the Center she participated in both the land and aquatic therapeutic exercise programs. Mary Grace learned a lot about the field of physical therapy growing up because her sister is a physical therapist, however, her passion came after she volunteered at a pediatric physical therapy clinic.
Scholar: Nermin Gradascevic
Major: Physical Therapy (Class 59)
Year Awarded: 2015
Nermin Says: “It is a tremendous honor to be a recipient of the Campanella scholarship award. I would like to thank the Campanella family and the [Los Angeles] Dodgers for their involvement with the CSUN Physical Therapy department.”
Career Aspiration: Nermin was born in France and raised in Bosnia (formerly Yugoslavia). In 2008 he moved with his family to the United States and changed his career path from finance to physical therapy. He developed a passion for physical therapy after suffering from an ankle injury while playing basketball. Nermin majored in kinesiology as an undergraduate student at CSUN and spent time at the Center of Achievement through Adapted Physical Activity as well as assisted coaches of youth sports teams in his spare time.
Scholar: J
ustine Gutierrez
Major: Physical Therapy (Class 58)
Year Awarded: 2015
Justine Says: “I am incredibly grateful [to the Campanella and the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundations] not only for this financial assistance, but for the inspiration to become the best physical therapist I can be.”
Career Aspiration: Justine studied biology at University of California, Irvine and it was there that her passion for physical therapy began. As an undergraduate student she learned about holistic medicine and the idea that the body is self-healing. She was a physical therapy volunteer at Koh Physical Therapy in Irvine and Hoag Presbyterian Hospital in Newport Beach. At these facilities, Justine was given an unforgettable experience in helping others which solidified her decision to become a physical therapist.
Scholar: 
Jeffrey (Jeff) Kunze
Major: Physical Therapy (Class 57)
Year Awarded: 2015
Jeff Says: “I would like to thank the Campanella Foundation and the Los Angeles Dodgers from the bottom of my heart. This scholarship truly helps relieve some of the financial burden associated with receiving higher education. I promise to continue to work hard and give back to this community that has offered so much support to me throughout my endeavors.”
Career Aspiration: Jeff attended CSU, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH) on a soccer scholarship and unfortunately tore his ACL and lateral/medial meniscus during his time there. In his rehabilitation from those injuries he had his first exposure to physical therapy. He graduated with a degree in business and decided to pursue his MBA and help coach the CSUDH girls’ soccer team. Jeff finished his MBA and explored various professions, however, he learned from his own injuries his passion was in physical therapy. He then went back to school to become a physical therapist. During his time at CSUN he has volunteered for several physical therapy program related events. Jeff also volunteers at the annual Special Olympics Plane Pull Fundraiser.
Scholar
: Glenn Lallave
Major: Physical Therapy (Class 57)
Year Awarded: 2015
Glenn Says: “I want to thank the Campanella family and the [Los Angeles] Dodgers Foundation for their generosity and their support for this profession as well as the CSUN Physical Therapy Department for providing us with this wonderful opportunity. I am truly humbled to receive this award. This scholarship reminds me of how special our profession really is and I am inspired to continue working hard in hopes of one day becoming a great physical therapist.”
Career Aspiration: Glenn is a first generation Filipino-American and the first in his family to attend graduate school. As an undergraduate student in kinesiology at California State University, Long Beach he knew he wanted to become a physical therapist to help treat and educate people to improve their quality of life. During his time at CSUN, he has been involved with the outreach programs for local high schools and has participated in a number of volunteer activities.
Scholar: He
nry Li
Major: Physical Therapy (Class 58)
Year Awarded: 2015
Henry Says: “This scholarship gives me the strength and confidence to continue my journey to become a physical therapist. Thank you to the Campanella Foundation, the Los Angeles Dodgers and the CSUN Physical Therapy Department for giving my classmates and me this opportunity to be recognized for our hard work and commitment.”
Career Aspiration: Henry is a first-generation Chinese-American and the first member of his family to attend a graduate program. He has participated in several research groups and workshops as a student in the program. Henry’s interest in becoming a physical therapist started after his grandfather went through open heart surgery and then made a full recovery with the help of physical therapy.
Schola
r: Mae Murakami
Major: Physical Therapy (Class 58)
Year Awarded: 2015
Mae Says: “Thank you to the Campanella Foundation and the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation for your generosity. This is a wonderful opportunity for my classmates and myself and I am honored to be among those chosen to receive this award. I am grateful for the support and recognition on my journey to becoming a physical therapist.”
Career Aspiration: Mae is a big supporter of fitness as a way of bringing people together. She has been a member of the Los Angeles Chinatown Firecracker Run committee for several years and is also certified in Pilates. She discovered her interest in physical therapy because of enduring multiple injuries as a soccer player. Mae has served as vice-president of her DPT class and is always excited to participate in physical therapy events on and off-campus.
Scho
lar: Myra Schodlbauer
Major: Physical Therapy (Class 58)
Year Awarded: 2015
Myra Says: “The Campanella Scholarship [makes me confident] in my career choice and makes me proud to be a member of a career that helps make positive change in people’s lives. I would like to thank the Campanella Foundation and the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation for this great honor and recognition.”
Career Aspiration: Myra changed her career path after her grandmother suffered from a stroke and was rehabilitated by physical therapy. Prior to her decision to confidently pursue physical therapy, she was a gymnast and a coach and graduated from University of Southern Mississippi with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in theater performance, a minor in dance and a teaching certificate for K-12. She then moved to Los Angles to be an actress and is Screen Actors Guild eligible, however, her grandmother’s stroke changed all of that. She is passionate about a career is physical therapy, the president of her DPT class, has volunteered in organizing the first year orientation and has taught Pilates to visiting Japanese students.
Scholar
: Anastasia (Ana) Peck
Major: Physical Therapy (Class 58)
Year Awarded: 2015
Ana Says: “I am extremely honored and grateful to receive this scholarship. The timing is perfect as my financial needs will be less of a burden on my family and I can better focus on learning. This scholarship further motivates me to give back to others as the effects of generous acts can be far-reaching.”
Career Aspiration: Ana moved from Guam to California to attend college and pursue a career as a physical therapist, an occupation she has admired since successfully recovering from injuries sustained playing rugby. While a student in the physical therapy program, Ana has assisted with volunteer efforts that include participating in demonstrations for visiting local high school students and students visiting from Japan. She has also volunteered with the geriatric population by delivering gifts to home-bound seniors and organizing a health and balance screening booth.
Schola
r: Jared Sinn
Major: Physical Therapy (Class 57)
Year Awarded: 2015
Jared Says: “Thank you for recognizing me for this scholarship. I appreciate the support that the faculty and my classmates have provided me over the years. To have the support of the Roy and Roxie Campanella Foundation and the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation is truly a blessing.”
Career Aspiration: Jared has participated in numerous sports programs, physical therapy clinics and rehabilitation programs throughout Southern California. He has seen many individuals sustain sports injuries, from minor to career ending, who were able to make a comeback with rehabilitation. He hopes to serve individuals by treating and preventing injury or disease as well as promote general wellness to those who seek assistance. Jared has been the president of CSUN’s DPT class 57 for the entirety of their program. He makes an effort to participate in all of the program’s events.
About the Scholarship: Roy “Campy” Campanella was a catcher for the Brooklyn Dodgers and one of the first African Americans to play Major League Baseball; he was also a three-time National League MVP. In 1958, he was involved in a car accident that left him paralyzed from the neck down, ending his baseball career. He started physical therapy which helped him gain enough mobility to become a guest instructor at the Dodgers’ spring training camp, offering lectures to young catchers. Roy passed away in 1993, a year later his wife Roxie began donating money to physical therapy programs and she continued to do so until her passing in 2004.
The scholarships at CSUN are made possible due to a generous contribution from the Campanella Family. In 2005, the Roy and Roxie Campanella Foundation and the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation partnered to dedicate scholarships to CSUN physical therapy students. Roy and Roxie’s daughter, Joni Campanella-Roan, has enhanced the partnership with the Los Angeles Dodgers and continues to be actively involved with the College. Read more about the honoring of this year’s recipients before a Los Angeles Dodgers game from CSUN Today here.
