Award Winning Students

Awards, Scholarships, Sponsors

Recreation majors have been recipients of 

  • College and University Awards
  • CSULB Distinguished Alumni Award
  • CSULB Outstanding Graduate Award
  • Scholarships Awarded by
  • California Foundation for Parks and Recreation (state wide scholarships)
  • California Professional Associations (regional scholarships) including
  • California Parks and Recreation Society District 10 Scholarships and Awards
  • Women in Leisure Services Gamma Chapter Scholarships and Awards
  • Recreation and Leisure Studies Alumni Association Scholarships
  • National Scholarships
  • Women in Philanthropy

Each year CSULB recognizes one alumnus from each of the seven colleges in the university. 

  • Dr. Steven Molina, 2013
  • Nancy Beard, 2011
  • Oliver Cagel
  • Bill Wood

Each year CSULB recognizes one outstanding undergraduate student from each of the seven colleges in the university.  :

  • Victoria Storberg, 2007
  • April Arrozal, 2006

Every year California Foundation for Parks and Recreation (CFPR) serves as the selection committee for scholarship generously sponsored by individuals and associations affiliated with California Parks and Recreation Society (CPRS).  Undergraduates and graduates students living and working through the state can apply for these scholarships, which are awarded annually in conjunction with the annual CPRS conference.  Below is a short summary of scholarship awarded by CFPR and CSULB recipients of those scholarships:

Ann Arge Nathan Spirit Award

The family of therapeutic recreation professor Ann Arge Nathan awards as many as four scholarships each year her memory. This scholarship recognizes an undergraduate student with an emphasis in Therapeutic Recreation.  Recipients of this award include:

  • Rebecca Kopczack, 2013
  • Erin Hipsman, 2012
  • Christina Theobold, 2012
  • S. Vanessa Prado, 2011
  • Erin Peyton, 2009
  • Candice Doung, 2006
  • Vicki Storberg, 2006

Parks and Recreation Commissioners and Board Members throughout the state support scholarship recognizing outstanding students dedicated to pursuing careers in public parks and recreation.  Recipients of this award include:

  • Kelly Teeter (graduate student), 2013
  • Roya Sorooshian, 2006

The Parks and Recreation Commissioners and Board Members and the Teague family sponsor this scholarship recognizing outstanding students dedicated to pursuing careers in public parks and recreation.  Recipients of this award include:

  • DJ Albarian, 2013
  • Kelley Reetz, 2006

Dr. Fred A. Brooks was a professor of recreation who teaching and scholarship address park maintenance and operations.  Many members of the CPRS Park Operators Section studied with and/or worked with Dr. Brooks.  This scholarship recognizes an undergraduate student with an emphasis in Outdoor Recreation.  Recipients of this award include:

  • Josh Lainfiesta, 2013
  • Ashley Turcotte, 2012

Member of the CPRS Ethnic Minority Section sponsor a scholarship that recognizes an outstanding minority student working in the field of recreation.  Recipients of this award include:

  • Cynthia Navarette, 2006

The California Parks and Recreation Society Therapeutic Recreation Section sponsors a scholarship recognizing an outstanding student with an emphasis in Therapeutic Recreation.  Recipients of this award include:

  • Phillip Salmon, 2011

The California Parks and Recreation Society Administrators Section sponsors a scholarship recognizing an outstanding student majoring in Recreation.  Recipients of this award include:

  • Marina Rabinovich, 2009

In addition to sponsoring scholarships within the district, District 10 of the California Parks and Recreation Society (CPRS) sponsors scholarships awarded by CFPR.  This scholarship recognizes outstanding undergraduate students who are qualified to be members of District 10 by working in recreation, studying recreation, or living within District 10 (Southern Los Angeles and Orange County).  Recipients of this award include:

  • Lance Evans, 2013
  • Brian Corderio, 2012
  • Wynndi Dahlin, 2012
  • Phillip Salmon, 2011
  • Marina Rabinovich, 2009

In addition to sponsoring scholarships awarded by their local chapters, Women in Leisure Services sponsors scholarships awarded by CFPR.  This scholarship recognizes outstanding women majoring in Recreation.  Recipients of this award include:

  • Marina Rabinovich, 2009
  • Christina Raygoza, 2006

Awarded in memory of Melissa Z. Kannas, this scholarship recognizes a minority woman who is an outstanding undergraduate student of hospitality and tourism.   Recipients of this award include:

  • Mandy Zeigler, 2012

Jonathan Korfhage sponsors this scholarship to support an outstanding undergraduate student majoring in recreation.  Recipients of this award include:

  • Ashley Wysocki, 2006

The family of Jose Nonaca sponsor a scholarship awarded in honor of his memory.  Recipients of this award include:

  • Wynndi Dahlin, 2012

This scholarship is awarded in honor of Dr. Robert E. Meyers, Jr.  Recipients of this award include:

  • Brandy Bandaruk, 2009

District 10 of the California Parks and Recreation Society (CPRS) sponsors scholarships for students working in recreation within the district.  Multiple scholarships are awarded each year.  These include scholarship sponsored by specific committees or sections within District 10, and district scholarship for which the award level is analogous to the value of specific precious metals.

Platinum Scholarship

  • Cecily Renteria, 2012 (alum who is a graduate student in Public Policy & Administration)
  • Brandy Bandaruk, 2009
  • Dominique Flores, 2008
  • Christina Flores, 2007
  • Kristen Hara, 2007
  • Kelley Reetz, 2006

Gold Scholarship

  • Veronica Luna, 2013
  • DJ Albarian, 2013
  • McKenzie Ricks, 2012
  • Nicholette Davis, 2009
  • Dominique Flores, 2009
  • Nancy Reyes, 2009
  • Barbara Ortiz, 2008
  • Chris Ponce, 2007
  • Amanda Stemen (Graduate Student), 2007
  • Rene Camarena, 2006
  • Laura Buchanan (Graduate Student), 2006

Silver Scholarship

  • Rebecca Kopczak, 2013
  • Elise Rodriguez, 2013
  • Erin Peyton, 2012
  • DJ Albarian, 2009
  • Karen Gaspar, 2009
  • Robert Hernandez, 2009
  • Julio Palacios, 2009
  • Heather Stephenson, 2008
  • Allison Carpenter, 2007
  • Roni Fox, 2007
  • Francie Vander Lugt, 2007
  • Edward Moreno, 2007
  • Candice Doung, 2006
  • Adrianna Wilson (Graduate Student), 2006

Bronze Scholarship

  • Josh Lainfiesta, 2013
  • Erin Hipsman, 2012
  • Wynndi Dahlin, 2012
  • Heather Barlow, 2006

Consortium Scholarship

  • Chris Ponce, 2008

Corporate Sponsored Scholarship

Erin Peyton, 2012

Gamma Scholarship

  • Elsie Rodriguez, 2013
  • Yukyeong (Katie) Byeon, 2013
  • Candice Doung, 2006

District 9 of the California Parks and Recreation Society (CPRS) sponsors scholarships for students working in recreation within the district. 

  • Michelle Lynch, 2009

Women in Leisure Services (WILS) is a professional sorority that sponsors scholarships for students working in recreation.  Multiple scholarships are awarded each year.  

Dolores Thompson Scholarship

Names in honor of the founder of Women in Leisure Services, the Dolores Thompson Scholarship is the most prestigious scholarship awarded by WILS. 

  • Veronica Luna, 2013
  • Stephanie Martinez (Graduate Student in Public Policy who is a REC Department Alum), 2006

Awarded to recreation professionals in recognition of service to WILS.  

  • Valarie Frost, 2013
  • Kristina Freeman (CSULB alumni), 2012
  • Kristen Reid (CSULB alumni), 2012

The President’s Awards are determined by the District President in recognition for outstanding contribution to the district. 

  • Kelley Reetz, 2006, in recognition of her work initiating career development workshops in which students majoring in recreation gain feedback on their resumes and job applications from recreation professionals.

Past President Scholarship

  • Keya Allen, 2008

The Southern California Municipal Athletic Federation (SCMAF) is a professional association of those working in youth and adult athletic programs in municipal recreation.  Scholarships are awarded to students interesting in careers in youth and adult athletic programs in municipal recreation.  

  • Marc Silverberg, 2006

Health Net awards a scholarship each year to a student pursuing a career in a health profession.  

  • Saori “Sunny” Yoshimura, 2006

Department alumni support and award scholarships honoring several department faculty.

  • Marilyn Jensen Graduate Student Award
  • Dr. Marilyn Jensen, emeriti professor, who is known for her commitment to graduate education in the Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies. The 2012 Marilyn Jensen Graduate Student Award recipient is:
  • Athena Yea, 2013
  • McKenzie Rick, 2012
  • Jaeyon Choe, 2006
  • Laurel Richmond, Marilyn Jensen Award of Merit, 2006
  • Adrianna Wilson, Marilyn Jensen Award of Merit, 2006

Professor Jack Minar established the Outdoor Recreation Program and taught the Recreation in the Ocean Environment Class, taking groups of students to Santa Barbara Island in Channel Islands National Park for over 20 years. Jack Minar Channel Islands Scholarship recipients are:

  • Kelly Harp Gage, 2012
  • Roya Sorooshian, 2006

Named in honor of the Department founder and first Department Chair, this award recognizes an outstanding student leader who exemplifies the values of the recreation profession.

  • Jillian Koehring, 2006

Scholarships are available on a competitive basis to community college, four-year college, and graduate students of Hispanic Heritage.

  • Christina Raygoza, 2006

CeEtta Crayton Scholarship

Professor CeEtta Crayton founded the Therapeutic Recreation Program at CSULB and was a founding member of the Ethnic Minority Section of CPRS.  This scholarship honors her memory by recognizing undergraduate students who demonstrate professional and career promise by volunteering or working in the recreation field to foster individual and/or community development with underserved populations while maintaining a strong academic record,. CeEtta Crayton Scholarship recipients are:

  • Rebecca Kopczak, 2013
  • Rebecca Kopczak, 2012
  • Tiffany Prior, 2006

Gladdes Neff Soroptimist Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded to an outstanding California State University Long Beach student in the last year of a degree in a health care field.  

  • Vicki Storberg, 2006

Women in Philanthropy Scholarships

Scholarships are awarded to re-entry students.

  • Robert Schallert, 2013

ATRA Peg Connelly Scholarship

Scholarships are by the American Therapeutic Recreation Society (ATRA) to students pursuing a degree in Therapeutic Recreation/Recreation Therapy.

  • Daniel Huss, 2006

SPRE Future Scholars

Scholarships are awarded by the Society of Parks and Recreation Educators (SPRE) to promising graduate students interested in an academic career.

  • Heather Carter, 2006

Randy Andersen Leadership Award

Randy Anderson taught the Recreation Leadership courses for over 15 years. This memorial scholarship honors her by recognizing students who exemplify the characteristics of leadership and who has been an inspirational leader to their peers throughout their collegiate careers. Randy Andersen Scholarship recipients are:

  • Wynndi Dahlin, 2012
  • Vicki Storberg, 2006

CSULB’s Community Service Award

Each year California State University Long Beach recognizes a student for outstanding contributions in community service.

  • April Arrozal, 2006