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Chico State

Five First-Time Freshmen Named CSU, Chico President’s Scholars

A drone photograph shows a late-spring sunset shining through Trinity Hall.
Jason Halley / University Photographer

Trinity Hall is seen from the air on Sunday, June 3, 2018 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/University Photographer/CSU Chico)

Selected from a pool of nearly 160 outstanding and high-achieving applicants, five students from as many North State high schools have been recognized as California State University, Chico Presidential Scholars for the 2019–20 academic year.

Masha Elson (Pleasant Valley High School); Allison Lee (John F. Kennedy High School in Sacramento); Payton Fuller (West Valley High School in Cottonwood); and Katlyn Lakey (Fall River Junior-Senior High School in McArthur) have each received a $30,000 scholarship, to be paid over four years.

California Iota Chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon President Scholarship recipient Kate Minderhound
Kate Minderhound

Kate Minderhound, from Paradise High School, is the recipient of the California Iota Chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon President Scholarship. Minderhound will receive a $20,000 scholarship, to be paid over the course of four years.

To be considered for CSU, Chico’s Presidential Scholarships, incoming, first-time freshmen must meet a set of minimum requirements, including:

  • A high school grade point average of at least 3.5
  • Scoring a 1200 or greater on the SAT I Reasoning Test (includes verbal plus mathematics), or a 27 ACT score or greater
  • Submission of the University online scholarship application (including at least one letter of recommendation)

Additionally, scholarship recipients must also maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.3 for continued eligibility.

Nearly 1,000 students applied for the President’s Scholarship, and approximately 160 met the basic criteria. University President Gayle Hutchinson acknowledges that choosing a college or university after high school can be a life-transforming decision—and she’s thrilled she’s able to support students from the North State who have achieved remarkable academic success.

“The President’s Scholars Program allows Chico State to attract high-performing, highly talented individuals who have more than one option when it comes to their college education,” said President Hutchinson. “And if we can help get these students started in the right direction at Chico State by alleviating their financial concerns, they’ll be able to perform at a higher level in the classroom and will be better prepared once they enter the workforce.”

The President’s Scholarship is awarded annually to first-time freshmen and is open to all majors. Since 1995, the President’s Scholarship has been an important part of CSU, Chico’s commitment to the recruitment of highly qualified high school seniors, particularly from the North State.