SFSU Public Affairs Press Release Published by the Public Affairs Office at San Francisco State University, Diag Center.

#076; Media Advisory
Contact: Ted DeAdwyler 415/338-1665
e-mail: pubcom@sfsu.edu

Special awards ceremony May 6 for disadvantaged youths now headed to college

WHAT: Fifteen under-represented minority high school seniors in San Francisco State University’s innovative Step to College Program receive scholarships from the San Francisco business community at a special awards ceremony and luncheon.

WHEN AND WHERE: Thursday, May 6 at 11 a.m. the University Club, 800 Powell Street at California Street on Nob Hill in San Francisco. The students will receive their scholarships and meet the businessmen and women responsible for the scholarships. Family members will be on hand for a ceremony which has been a very emotional occasion in previous years.

BACKGROUND: As concerns mount over decreased minority college admissions in California following implementation of Prop. 209, SFSU’s Step to College has proven to be a valuable incentive for Latino, Filipino, African American and other under-represented minorities to stay in school and go on to college. Step to College’s mix of after-school, college-level classes taught by S.F. State faculty along with encouragement, mentoring, tutoring and support has helped scores of minority high school students make that vital "step" to college. More than 85% of the students go on to college.

Before beginning the Step to College Program, these young people didn’t think of themselves as college material. Some of the students are the sons and daughters of immigrants and the first in their families to go to college. Others have had to work long hours to help support their families. In his or her own way, each student has persevered to overcome circumstances and now heads to college with a scholarship and a chance at a better life. Open to all students, the Step to College Program was founded by S.F. State Dean of Education Jake Perea and is in about a dozen Bay Area high schools.

Now the San Francisco business community has given its financial support to the Step to College Program, raising about $100,000 for scholarships over the last five years. Contributors this year include Ampco Parking, Bill Grahman Presents, State Farm Insurance, Shirtique, Inc., Union Bank of California, Pier 39 Restaurant Group, and Larry and Joyce Stupski.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact Ted DeAdwyler of the S.F. State Public Affairs Office at (415) 338-7110.

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