Scholar: Gerard Haywood
Working towards degree: Master of Science in Tourism, Hospitality, and Recreation Management (Recreational Sports Management emphasis)
Year Awarded: 2017
About Gerard: Gerard was born in Manila, Philippines and came to the United States at the age of two. He grew up in the San Fernando Valley and currently works for the City of Los Angeles, Aquatics Division as an administrative assistant. Gerard was a Kinesiology undergrad and decided to focus on recreational sports management for his graduate degree at CSUN because of his love of the outdoors and his desire to pursue the same degree as his father. In the future, he would like to work in the recreational management field at a state park, school or other similar private institution. Gerard is grateful to the Recreation and Tourism Management Department, the professors, his family, and friends for helping him in his studies and to obtain this scholarship. Receiving the scholarship was a symbol of individual hard work, but also as a symbol of collective hard work. He credits his colleagues, friends, and family with helping him to graduate and pursue a career in recreation management.
About this Scholarship: This scholarship is awarded to a graduate student in the Department of Recreation and Tourism Management who can show evidence of involvement in activities of professional concern. The student must possess academic areas of achievement and be involved in professional and/or community service organizations. The student must also have worked either in a paid or voluntary role in the profession of recreation
Scholar: Anthony Mattern
Working towards degree: Bachelor of Science in Tourism, Hospitality, and Recreation Management
Year Awarded: 2017
About Anthony: Anthony was born and raised in Japan in the small town of Zama. His father was in the U.S. Navy and traveled every two to three years. When Anthony was 20 years old, he moved to Oxnard, California to continue his studies in the field of hospitality and to improve his English. He graduated from Ventura College and then began his studies at CSUN. As a child who traveled all over Japan, he saw many different types of hotels. This is where his interest in hospitality came from. Anthony hopes to own a large hotel in the future and plans to pursue a job in hotel management once he graduates from CSUN. He is grateful and honored to have been awarded this scholarship. It helps him financially in the pursuit of his academic and career goals.
About the Scholarship: The late Dr. Byrne Fernelius was a founding faculty member of the department and held the position of Department Chair for Recreation and Leisure Studies (now Recreation and Tourism Management) for approximately 20 years. He always encouraged students in the recreation profession and community service area to be exemplary scholars. This scholarship is awarded to students who can show evidence of involvement in activities of professional concern and/or community service and has worked in the recreation field either as a volunteer or in a paid role.
Scholar: Allison Justice
Working towards degree: Bachelor of Science in Tourism, Hospitality, and Recreation Management
Year Awarded: 2017
About the Scholarship: Dr. Lola Sadlo was a founding faculty member in the Recreation and Tourism Management Department who was interested in crafts and dance. She wanted students to get creatively involved in the community and have high academic standards in academics. This award is given to one student for proven creativity in a RTM program and/or project, on or off the CSUN campus.
Scholar: Jenna Heim
Working towards degree: Bachelor of Science in Tourism, Hospitality, and Recreation Management
Year Awarded: 2017
About Jenna: Jenna studied recreation therapy for two years at Brigham Young University in Utah before she decided to move back to her home state of California, where the weather permits for outdoor recreation year-round. In the future, she would like to run camps for children with cancer and/or other medical conditions. She grew up attending Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times, a camp for children with cancer and their siblings. It was that camp that shaped her into who she is today. Jenna has a desire to give back and share the hope and empowerment that she experienced growing up and to make an impact on others.
About the Scholarship: This award is dedicated to the late professor of leisure studies and recreation, Dr. John "Jack" Foley. Dr. Foley graduated from California State University, Long Beach with a degree in Recreation Administration and later earned a doctorate from Brigham Young University. He worked for the City of Culver City and later became a professor at CSUN where he worked for over two decades. He was a beloved mentor to students and a devoted contributor to the CSUN baseball team. He had a tremendous desire to give back to his community. He led the charge for a renovated Matador field and some of his hard work paid off when the Matador clubhouse was constructed in 2002. More recently, a significant donation was made to help bring Dr. Foley's vision for a redesigned Matador Field to fruition. The gift supports the renovating of the entrance and is the first of multiple projects. The Jack Foley Award is given to a student in the Department of Recreation and Tourism Management in honor of Dr. Foley's dedication to CSUN.
Scholar: Jaqueline Spitzack
Working towards degree: Master of Science in Tourism, Hospitality, and Recreation Management
Year Awarded: 2017
About Jacqueline: Jacqueline grew up in Minnesota and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and Women’s/Gender Studies from DePaul University in Chicago. She enjoyed working on-campus and helping students so she worked in various departments within Student Affairs after graduating. In 2015, she decided she wanted to live in a new region of the country and applied for a job at CSUN’s Student Housing. Jacqueline is currently pursuing a master’s degree at CSUN in Recreation and Tourism Management. She is hoping that after she graduates, she will find a career that involves her love for travel, exploring new places and the outdoors. One day, she would like to be a National Park Ranger and a travel writer or journalist. Receiving the Tal Morash Scholarship makes her feel like an honored part of the CSUN Recreation and Tourism Management community. Although she is unsure of exactly what she will pursue after graduation, being awarded the scholarship made her feel that she is on the right path—even if that path is still undefined. Jacqueline is grateful to her professors for acknowledging her hard work and for always challenging her to become a better student and to be more involved in the Matador community.
About the Scholarship: Tal Morash was a faculty member in the Recreation and Leisure Studies Department for many years (now Recreation and Tourism Management). He also founded the Outdoor Adventures program in the department. This scholarship is awarded to an undergraduate student who can show evidence of involvement in activities of professional concern in outdoor recreation. The student must also have volunteered or worked in the field and can show evidence of involvement with community service organizations.
