Veterans' Appreciation Night

Veterans' Appreciation Night (VAN) is an evening set aside to honor CSUF veterans, celebrating graduating veterans, and recognizing deploying service members. Two returning veteran students are presented with the Veterans' Scholarship for Success scholarships. The free event is a full night of food, recognition, and celebration.

The Veterans' Scholarship for Success was initiated by CSUF alumni veterans, and supported by campus and community donors. This year, two $1,000 Veteran Scholarship for Success awardees were named: Deanne Locker, who served in the Army, and Maria Lucia Aguirre, Navy

In addressing the students and their families, Bobby McDonald '75 (B.S. physical education), shared some of the highlights of his education. A Vietnam vet, McDonald serves as third district representative chair of the Orange County Veteran Advisory Council and as president and executive director of the Black Chamber of Commerce of Orange County.

"To our veterans: we are the leaders our boot camp drill sergeants, company commanders and officers made us out to be," he said. "Your military service has taught you to be sharp, disciplined, on time, forward-moving and dedicated to getting the job done. Your education provides opportunities to continue to grow. You meet new people and build relationships. These are critical skills as you graduate and move on to the next phase of your lives."

This year's graduates, their majors, cities or residence and branch of service, are:

• Eric Arce – business administration, Irvine, Marines

• Thanh Bui – English, El Monte, Marines

• Karina Cortes – psychology, Laguna Hills, Navy

• David Flores – criminal justice, Whittier, Marines

• Tristan Foust – psychology, Fullerton, Marines

• Luise Gautam – criminal justice, Fullerton, Marines

• Wayne Hansen – human services, Long Beach, Navy

• Jessica Harvey – business administration-marketing, Long Beach, Navy

• Amber Hoang – Human Services, Long Beach

• Esmeralda Isordia – criminal justice, La Puente, Navy

• Hidy Lopez – health science, Fullerton, Marines

• Ricardo Lopez – criminal justice, Anaheim

• Tabatha Maddox – human services, Fullerton, Army

• Yareli Mendoza – political science, Santa Ana, Air Force

• Jesus Navarro – nursing, Tustin, Marines

• Juan José Salas – Spanish, Pomona, Marines

• Ana Santillan – history, Santa Ana

• David Tibbs – history, Lake Forest

• Masterking Todd – business administration-finance, Placentia

• Rina Weaver – communications, Fullerton, Air Force

• Theo Young – business administraiton-finance, Chino, Air Force

• Martin Zapien – political science, Santa Ana

• Steve Zappa – English, Fullerton, Marines

Source: CSUF News Service

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