Besnilian Leadership Scholarship
Scholar: Diane Ajiatas
Year Awarded: 2021
Working towards degree: Bachelor of Science in Family and Consumer Sciences (Nutrition and Dietetics)
About scholarship recipient: Diane was born and raised in the San Fernando Valley and still lives there today. She is an only child with a single immigrant mother. Her family is from Guatemala and she loves connecting the culture by listening to music, watching YouTube videos and cooking traditional foods. During her free time, she enjoys watching television and movies, especially classic horror movies. Diane is part of CSUN's program called Bridge to the Future!, is studying nutrition and dietetics, and minoring in human lactation. Receiving this scholarship helped her financial situation that became difficult due to the pandemic. She thanks Dr. Besnilian and says she will always appreciate the scholarship. In the future, she aspires to become a registered dietician and work with children and mothers. Diane would also like to give back to her community, especially in the black and Hispanic communities by educating the importance of health and nutrition.
About the Scholarship: For over 27 years, Dr. Annette Besnilian has considered CSUN a second home for her and her family. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS), from the Nutrition, Dietetics and Food Science program in 1994. She is currently the Executive Director of the Marilyn Magaram Center for Food Science, Nutrition and Dietetics and a faculty member in the Nutrition and Dietetics program in the FCS Department. This scholarship will be given annually to an undergraduate or graduate student enrolled in the FCS Department and will support and provide leadership opportunities for those students who intend to apply to local or national conferences and/or annual professional symposia to present their research.
Christine H. Smith Scholarship
Scholar: Gabriela Brocca
Year Awarded: 2021
Working towards degree: Bachelor of Science in Family and Consumer Sciences (Nutrition and Dietetics)
Scholar: Je Young Lee
Year Awarded: 2021
Working towards degree: Bachelor of Science Family and Consumer Sciences (Food Science)
About scholarship recipient: Je Lee grew up in Los Angeles and began at CSUN in 2019. He said it has not been an easy journey being a first-generation, working student and having to navigate resources and support that he never knew about. CSUN’s food science program has helped him acquire knowledge and skills needed for his future career path. The scholarship boosted Je Lee’s confidence and his belief that hard work can be recognized and rewarded. In the future he would like to work with the research and development department of a beverage company to create new flavors and products for customers.
Scholar: Lori Minaskanian
Year Awarded: 2021
Working towards degree: Bachelor of Science in Family and Consumer Sciences (Nutrition and Dietetics)
About scholarship recipient: Born and raised in Southern California, Lori Minaskanian has always been passionate about topics relating to an individual’s health. At an early age, she knew she wanted to approach health holistically by combining her education of proper nutrition and physical activities to help people achieve their health and fitness goals. She obtained her Certification in personal Training through the National Academy of Sports Medicine, while also holding positions of Fundraising Chair for the Student Dietetic and Food Science Association, as well as the Social Director/Events Coordinator for the Armenian Students Association. Lori was cross-trained through the Marilyn Magaram Center for the Child Nutrition and Health Assessment Internships. She worked with the children attending the Lab School by preparing them a snack menu with consideration to dietary restrictions. At the Fueling Stations on campus, Lori worked with the CSUN athletic teams to ensure proper athletic performance and recovery. After completing her Bachelor of Science degree, Lori plans to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. She is honored and grateful to be the recipient of the Christine H. Smith Scholarship and is excited to expand her horizons and benefit her greater community.
About the Scholarship: The late Dr.Christine “Chris” Smith was a beloved professor in the Family and Consumer Sciences Department for almost 30 years. She was a co-advisor for the department’s Student Dietetic and Food Science Association for over 20 years and served as the director of the Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD). Chris was instrumental in guiding students into becoming registered dietitians and she remained a large part of the DPD program after her retirement. Chris and her husband, Owen ’65 (Theatre), M.A. ’67 (Drama) met at CSUN, had a fairytale romance, and both were influential members of the CSUN community. In 2013, they passed away just 81 days apart — Owen after battling cancer and Chris after an accident at her home. Prior to their passing, the Smiths decided to leave a gift from their estate to CSUN, their second home. In their will, the Smiths directed funds in the form of a planned gift to five different areas at CSUN, including this endowed scholarship for a student in the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences with an emphasis in Nutrition, Dietetics and Food Science.
Rosalie Hilger Achievement Scholarship
Scholar: Citlaly Padilla
Year Awarded: 2021
Working towards degree: Bachelor of Science in Family and Consumer Sciences (Family Studies)
Scholar: Sahar Tamari
Year Awarded: 2021
Working towards degree: Master of Science in Family and Consumer Sciences (Nutrition and Dietetics)
About the Scholarship: This scholarship was made possible by a generous gift from Ernest Hilger, on behalf of the Hilger Family Trust, and in honor of Ernest’s most beloved wife, Rosalie Hilger. Ernest established this scholarship to carry on Rosalie’s legacy, her caring and gentle spirit, and to benefit future generations of students, something that Rosalie was passionate about.
Rosalie Hilger was an alumna of CSUN’s Family and Consumer Sciences program and served as an adjunct professor at East Los Angeles Community College and Los Angeles Mission College. This scholarship is awarded to students who have demonstrated a positive life path for themselves and their family and who utilize their own positive energy and education as a way to help them succeed in their chosen profession.
The Nancy J. and Joseph N. Owens Kappa Omicron Nu Scholarship
Scholar: Alondra Valdez
Year Awarded: 2021
Working towards degree: Bachelor of Science Family and Consumer Sciences (Nutrition and Dietetics)
About scholarship recipient: Alondra grew up in Wasco, California where she currently lives. She is majoring in nutrition and dietetics and chose to transfer to CSU Northridge because of the relatively close geographical location to family and the positive experiences she heard about the school from a number of community college professors. To Alondra, this scholarship is an opportunity--it means she can focus more of her time on extracurricular activities and academic achievements. She is forever grateful to Nancy and Joseph Owens, who have generously provided this scholarship opportunity to Kappa Omicron Nu Honor Society members. She plans to obtain a master's degree and complete a dietetic internship to become a registered dietitian with a focus on working with patients suffering from eating disorders.
Scholar: Sahar Tamari
Year Awarded: 2021
Working towards degree: Master of Science in Family and Consumer Sciences (Nutrition and Dietetics)
About the Scholarship: Nancy Owens taught in the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences for 36 years, specializing in apparel design and merchandising. She was highly involved at CSUN and has continued volunteering at the university since her retirement. Nancy served as the university’s chapter advisor for Kappa Omicron Nu, the leading honor society for students in the human sciences. Nancy and her husband Joe have continued to support the society by creating this scholarship for an undergraduate and/or graduate student in the department who meets the academic requirements for membership in Kappa Omicron Nu.
The Nancy J. and Joseph N. Owens Scholarship in Apparel Design and Merchandising
Scholar: Lauryn Haines
Year Awarded: 2021
Working towards degree: Bachelor of Science in Family and Consumer Sciences (Apparel Merchandising)
About scholarship recipient: Lauryn was born and raised in Oakland, California. She decided on attending CSUN because of the awesome fashion program. She is majoring in apparel merchandising and minoring in marketing. Receiving this scholarship means a lot to Lauryn because she has worked hard applying for scholarships and was proud to be awarded this scholarship opportunity. She is thankful to Nancy J. and Joseph N. Owens and the Family and Consumer Sciences Department. In the future, she aspires to have her dream career of becoming a celebrity wardrobe stylist, styling in a variety of settings such as for movies, music videos, photo shoots and more.
Scholar: Erik Talavera
Year Awarded: 2021
Working towards degree: Bachelor of Science in Family and Consumer Sciences (Apparel Merchandising/Production)
About the Scholarship: Nancy Owens taught in the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences for 36 years, specializing in apparel design and merchandising. She was highly involved at CSUN and has continued volunteering at the university since her retirement. Nancy and her husband Joe continue to support the university through their scholarship endowments that help students achieve their academic and career goals. This scholarship provides support to a student in the apparel design and merchandising program.
The Tom Chen Scholarship
Scholar: Gabriela Brocca
Year Awarded: 2021
Working towards degree: Bachelor of Science in Family and Consumer Sciences (Nutrition and Dietetics)
About the Scholarship: Dr. Tungshan “Tom” Chen was a professor in the Family and Consumer Sciences Department and the founding director of the Marilyn Magaram Center for Food Science, Nutrition and Dietetics. Marilyn Magaram met Dr. Chen while she was a master’s student and considered him a great mentor and friend. Unfortunately, Marilyn’s life was cut too short. As a tribute to her, Philip Magaram, Marilyn’s husband, and his family dedicated the Center as an honor to her memory. Tom was a large influence in seeing the Center transform from a concept to a reality after it opened in 1991. This scholarship is awarded to a full-time student and member of the Student Dietetic and Food Science Association (SDFSA) who is actively involved in programs and services hosted by the Center.
