Glenn W. Arnett Scholarship Award for Graduate Studies in Physical Education
Scholar: Christopher Lee
Year Awarded: 2019
Working towards degree: Master of Science in Kinesiology, Exercise Science
About Scholarship Recipient: Christopher is a first-generation Korean American, born and raised in Los Angeles. He is a United States Army Combat Veteran and served overseas in Iraq and Afghanistan. After serving for six years, he came to CSUN and began a Bachelor of Science degree. Christopher said he studies exercise science because during his time in the military there was a lack of basic science in terms of movement. He said that the majority of soldiers, including himself, fell victim to a spectrum of preventable injuries and overtraining syndrome. He said that learning the basics of combat lifesaver and first aid also peaked his interest in human anatomy and physiology. Receiving the award means a lot to Christopher because it was the first time his application was accepted and it felt amazing to be considered by the greatest faculty and staff in the department. He said he is grateful to many people, especially his wife, Jessica, for always being there for him and serving as a light when times are dark. Christopher hopes to achieve his Ph.D. in exercise physiology and become a professor that inspires the next generation of kinesiologists. He also hopes to get involved in research that focuses on cancer, exercise, and strength and conditioning.
About the Scholarship: The Glenn W. Arnett Scholarship was made possible due to a generous contribution from Mr. and Mrs. Elwood C. Davis in honor of Dr. Glenn Arnett, who was a faculty member and department chair in kinesiology. He served as CSUN’s first athletic director in 1958 and taught at CSUN until his retirement. The purpose of the scholarship is to provide support to a student in the kinesiology program who aspires to have a career in the area of kinesiology and physical activity.
Laurence and Ethel Young Scholarship in Kinesiology
Scholar: Brian Andrews
Year Awarded: 2019
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology, Exercise Science (Spring 2019)
Working towards degree: Doctorate of Physical Therapy (Starts Fall 2019)
About Scholarship Recipient: Brian was born and raised in Ventura, California. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology, Exercise Science and will begin the Doctorate of Physical Therapy program at CSUN in fall 2019. He chose CSUN because of the array of courses offered that embrace human movement and exercise research. After completing his doctorate, he plans to pursue a sports residency. Brian said that if he had the chance to speak with the Youngs, he would thank them for their support and generosity towards his education. Receiving the scholarship has inspired him to helps students in the future achieve their academic goals.
About the Scholarship: The late Dr. Laurence Young was a professor of Kinesiology in the physical education option at CSUN for many years. He and his wife Ethel established a planned gift that will enable many students in the future, to be rewarded for their time, leadership and the hard work they put into their academic major.
Leslie and Terry Cutler Kinesiology Scholarship
Scholar: Elizaveta Nosenko
Year Awarded: 2019
Working towards degree: Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology
About the Scholarship: Leslie “Les” and Terry Cutler are long time contributors to CSUN and this scholarship expands their giving to the university in their area of interest in healthcare. Les attended CSUN in 1963, although he did not graduate from the university, he went on to become a dentist, receive a PhD and become the Chancellor and Provost of Health Affairs at the University of Connecticut. It is the intention of the donors that this scholarship be awarded to Kinesiology students with outstanding potential to become a leader in the field of health, fitness and rehabilitation as they proceed through the adapted physical activity graduate program. The student must also be working in the Center of Achievement.
Marian Cutler and Lucille Grubman Outstanding Graduate Research Award in Kinesiology
Scholar: Donald Brolsma
Year Awarded: 2019
Working towards degree: Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology
About the Scholarship: Leslie “Les” and Terry Cutler are long time contributors to CSUN. This award expands their giving to the university and it is in their area of interest, healthcare. Les attended CSUN in 1963, although he did not graduate from the university, he went on to become a dentist, receive a PhD and become the chancellor and provost of health affairs at the University of Connecticut. Les and Terry created this outstanding graduate research award in honor of their mothers, Marian Cutler and Lucille Grubman. It is the intention of the donors that this award be given to kinesiology students with outstanding clinical potential as they proceed through the adapted physical activity program. The student must also be working in the Center of Achievement through Adapted Physical Activity.
Norman Cutler Outstanding Graduate Leadership Award
Scholar: Stephan Acuna
Year Awarded: 2019
Degree: Master of Science in Kinesiology
About the Scholarship: Leslie “Les” and Terry Cutler are long time contributors to CSUN and this award expands their giving to the university. This gift is in their area of interest, healthcare. Les attended CSUN in 1963, although he did not graduate from the university, he went on to become a dentist, receive a PhD and become the chancellor and provost of health affairs at the University of Connecticut. Les and Terry created this outstanding graduate leadership award in honor of Les’ father Norman Cutler, who was a champion of excellence and showed a strong commitment to helping others achieve greatness in their career and calling.
The Ruth Shiffrar Scholarship in Physical Education
Scholar: Bordin Endinjok
Year Awarded: 2019
Working towards degree: Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology, Physical Education
About Scholarship Recipient: Bordin grew up in the San Fernando Valley participating in an outdoor sports after-school program called, Youth Services. He spent countless hours there perfecting his sport techniques and, because of this dedication, was later selected to participate in the Van Nuys High School's basketball and swim teams. After graduating high school, he worked as a coach and program supervisor for a Los Angeles after-school program; a job that provided an outlet for him to give back to an after-school program like the one that brought him so much to joy during his childhood. As Bordin's passion for fitness grew, he decided to pursue a career in personal training. For several years, he has helped individuals reach their fitness goals and regain body confidence. Additionally, he proudly serves a part of the United States Navy Reserves, and in the service has served as the assistant command fitness leader to help others reach their fitness goals and pass required tests. After Bordin returned from his overseas deployment, he settled in with his wife and son in the North Hills area and enrolled in CSUN. From his background in personal training to now working with children in physical education, he is dedicated to helping others find joy through health and physical activity. Receiving this scholarship instilled the belief in Bordin that he is capable of becoming a quality educator for children. He strives to make a positive impact on their lives and influence smart choices in fitness and health; he is very thankful to Maggie Shiffrar for this scholarship. Recently, he was selected into the Accelerated Collaborative Teacher credential program at CSUN. Once he completes the program, he hopes to secure a position working with underprivileged students to provide them with quality physical education that is enjoyable.
About the Scholarship: This scholarship was made possible by a generous gift from Dr. Margaret Shiffrar, a professor of psychology and the former assistant vice president of graduate studies at CSUN, in memory of her mother, Ruth Shiffrar. Ruth was a CSU graduate and champion of physical education for school children. She was a proud fourth generation Californian whose childhood was happily spent playing in the outdoors of the Central Coast. Ruth was a high school physical education teacher in Northern California for many years. When California public schools began to systematically de-fund physical education courses, her concern for the future health of Californians grew. The goal of this scholarship is to help right the health related wrongs that resulted from de-funding programs by supporting a CSUN student with outstanding potential to become a leader in the field of physical education.
The Susan and Raymond Tartakoff Scholarship
Scholar: Kara Miller
Year Awarded: 2019
Working towards degree: Master of Science in Kinesiology
About Scholarship Recipient: Kara grew up in Minneapolis, Minnesota in the land of 10,000 lakes. She spent the summers in the lakes with her twin sister and older brother. In college, she received her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from St. Cloud University, where she continued her passion for water as a lifeguard and swim instructor. After college, Kara spent some time teaching in England and found herself working and surfing in Hawaii for the following eight years. She then met her husband, relocated to California, welcomed their first child, all while pursuing her long-time desire to attend graduate school. She decided to combine her passion for water and serving others, in the pursuit of an advanced degree in adapted physical activity. Kara said that after 10 years of vetting, she is thrilled to have found a program that fits her interests perfectly and in a program like no other. She looks forward to expanding her knowledge and providing a more equal opportunity for physical activity to those with disabilities. Receiving the scholarship has shown Kara that she is not embarking on this adventure alone. Others have so generously provided her aid to help alleviate the monetary obligations required to achieve her goal. She said it is an honor to have the support of the Tartakoffs and would like to sincerely offer her thanks.
About the Scholarship: Susan Tartakoff ‘71 and her husband, Raymond, are members of the community with a long-history and devotion to CSUN. Susan is an alum and has been a client and volunteer at the Center of Achievement for over 15 years. She became a client at the Center after she was involved in a horrific car accident that left her paralyzed from the chest down. When Susan started using the Center, only the land-based programs existed. She helped raise funds for the Brown Center for Adaptive Aquatic Therapeutic Exercise through the volunteer group, “FOCAS” (Friends of the Center of Achievement and Sponsors). Susan and Raymond created this scholarship to further their support of the Center. The scholarship is for Kinesiology graduate students that work in the Center and aspire to have a career in adapted physical activity or physical rehabilitation.
