Scholar: Yiyi Ge
Working towards degree: Master of Science in Tourism, Hospitality, and Recreation Management
Year Awarded: 2018
About Yiyi: Yiyi is an international student from China. She moved to Los Angeles six years ago to attend CSUN where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing. She then decided to continue on and pursue a Master of Science degree in Tourism, Hospitality, and Recreation Management. She said that CSUN had provided her with many opportunities as an undergraduate student and that is why she wanted to continue studying at the university. Yiyi has been working really hard for the past six years and said that receiving the scholarship was a great honor that motivated her to work even harder. In the future, she would like to get a Ph.D. in the area of business and tourism before she starts working full-time in the field. She plans to apply to Ph.D. programs that have an emphasis in hospitality and tourism management because she is fascinated by how business professionals apply their knowledge in tourism settings.
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: Matthew Petrie
Working towards degree: Bachelor of Science in Tourism, Hospitality, and Recreation
Year Awarded: 2018
About Matthew: Matthew has lived in Los Angeles for most of his life. Both Matthew’s mother and brother were born with hearing impairment, so as a child he learned American Sign Language. In school, he was part of the Tripod Program, a program that had classrooms with both deaf and hearing students. Looking back, he remembers the program as an amazing experience because it gave him the ability to interact with a diverse community that taught him acceptance, patience, and unity at a very young age.
When he was in middle school, Matthew’s parents divorced and he moved to Northern California with his mother to a small town close to Reno and the border of Oregon, called Susanville. At the time, the town had a population of about 18,000, half of which resided in the prison that operated outside of town. Living in Susanville was very different to that of LA for Matthew, and it was there that he gained his appreciation for the outdoors; an appreciation he doesn’t think he would have developed had he not left LA. He would go hiking with friends almost every day after school, swim in the river or lake, and have bonfires on the weekends. After high school, he moved back to LA and went to community college and graduated with an Associate’s Degree in Music and one in French. He had taken the French classes on a whim, but had a professor that made him very interested in the French culture and the value of learning another language. After community college, he entered the work force and has held different positions such as, AAA locksmith technician, yard supervisor for a studio production rental company, and ATV tour guide conducting tours in Gorman, Santa Barbra, and Lake Arrowhead. A few years ago, Matthew got his Class A driver’s license and he is currently working as a driver for Belmont Village in Burbank, an assisted living facility.
Matthew said that one day he realized that he should go back to school and get his bachelor’s degree. He was nervous having been out of school for a while, but after getting back into it and finding the Recreation and Tourism Management (RTM) Department he knew he had found a great fit with a broad range of opportunities. Receiving this scholarship was huge for Matthew. He said that working and going to school full-time have been a challenge, but the scholarship is an inspiration to be recognized for all of his effort. He is grateful to the College of Health and Human Development and the RTM Department for seeing potential in him and for creating such a wonderful environment for him to come back to school in.
Matthew would like to start and master’s program after he graduates. He hopes to find a position that allows him to help people while learning something new. He would like to have a career that does not feel like a chore and allows him to travel and experience other cultures and languages. He loves working outdoors and hopes he is fortunate enough to be able to combine aspects of outdoors and traveling into his career.
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: Nada Elauri
Working towards degree: Master of Science in Tourism, Hospitality, and Recreation Management
Year Awarded: 2018
About Nada: Nada completed her undergraduate degree at CSUN in communication studies in 2017. She chose a graduate program in recreation and tourism management because she is an event planner and wanted to further her education in a related field. At CSUN, she has planned several events, including Matador Nights, Matafest, and We <3 Our Veterans Week through employment at that University Student Union. She loves doing events for the students on-campus and seeing the impact that they have on the student body and the campus.
After Nada graduated high school, she went on to get her bachelor’s degree because she knew it was the right choice for her, but she didn’t have the desire to go on to a master’s program. However, after a few years in college, she knew education was more than just getting a degree, it’s a chance to continue learning. She is very happy to be continuing her education in tourism and hospitality. Receiving the award has made her feel proud and honored.
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: Vivian Epitacio
Working towards degree: Bachelor of Science in Tourism, Hospitality, and Recreation Management
Year Awarded: 2018
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: Karin Tarpinian
Worki ng towards degree: Bachelor of Science in Tourism, Hospitality, and Recreation Management
Year Awarded: 2018
About Karin: Karin transferred to CSUN from Pierce Community College. She has always enjoyed the outdoors and knew she wanted to pursue a career in the field. She has worked for several outdoor groups, including serving as part of the horse staff for the Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles at Camp Osito Rancho in Big Bear Lake. This summer is her fourth year working with them and she is now the horse director for the program. Karin has also worked for Rancho Simi Parks and Recreation and served as the trip supervisor and leader for CSUN’s Outdoor Adventure. She starts graduate school in fall 2018 at CSUN in the Recreation and Tourism Management (RTM) department. Karin would like to express her gratitude to the RTM department, the College of Health and Human Development, and CSUN for acknowledging her accomplishments. She is especially thankful to Tal Morash for all he has done for the field.
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.
