Ambrose R. Nichols Jr. Scholarship
Established in 1976, this scholarship is named for Ambrose R. Nichols, Jr., the founding president of Sonoma State University. The Nichols scholarship is awarded annually by the Alumni Association for outstanding contributions to the campus community. It is intended to encourage the recipient's continuing intellectual development and advanced academic instruction. The Nichols Scholarship is provided through funds generated by our Life Members.
All Life Membership dues are placed in a permanently endowed fund from which the interest, not the principal, is used to provide this annual scholarship of $3000.
2009 Recipient
Brianne Nelson
BA, English '01
School of Arts and Humanities
BA, Spanish '08
School Of Arts and Humanities
Brianne Nelson has been selected as this year's recipient of the Ambrose R. Nichols, Jr. Scholarship by the SSU Alumni Association's Selection Committee. Ms. Nelson is a graduate student at Sonoma State working towards her master’s degree in Spanish through the School of Extended Education. After completing her bachelor’s degrees in both English and Spanish, along with a minor in Linguistics at Sonoma State University, Brianne knew she wanted to further her education and make a difference in the lives of others.
Brianne’s interest in languages began as a child, learning sign language at age seven. She has traveled to fourteen countries and worked for a variety of non-profits in education. She learned to speak Spanish through her travels, and decided to study it formally at SSU. She is also studying Japanese.
Always one to enjoy a challenge, Brianne applied for a year-long study abroad program in central Mexico. On top of attending a prestigious university taught in another language, Brianne sought out more challenges while abroad. She auditioned for the musical theatre on campus – and was accepted, as well as volunteered at a community home for abused and neglected children - where she was expected to teach the students how to read, write, and speak fluent English.
Now back in the United States Brianne is ready to tackle her newest challenge, a master’s degree in Spanish while working full time as a bilingual emergency dispatcher. She hopes to apply her linguistic interests within her community by getting involved in education and promoting language learning to bridge certain cultural and communication gaps. Brianne’s ultimate goal is to help those in need through her passion for bilingual and cultural education.
Past recipients of the Nichols Scholarship are:
Catherine Hare, Brittany Anne Spars, Nadir Vissanjy, Noam Lemish, Amy Pitchforth, Jamie McCleary, Brooke Dummit, Stacey Nugent, Christina Yebra, Jennifer Hazzard, Joe Latulippe, Carl Oblad, Pamela Rasada, Jane Beal, Michelle Allendorf, Shaun Skolaski, Benet Johnson, Dylan Bennett, William Baker, Steven Stratford, Lisa McShane, Myrna Goodman, Penny Caudle, Kory White, Judith Eisen, Daniel Bronfman, Gary Sandy, Nancy Shour, Mary Silber, Mary Catherine Ferguson and Norman Cordon.
The Ronald O. Logsdon III Alumni Freshman Scholarship
Ron Logsdon was a truly unique and giving individual who gave much of his life to Sonoma State University. He received a B.A. in History in 1968, and after teaching Social Studies in Santa Rosa, worked as an aide to Barry Keene, Majority Leader of the California State Senate. In 1971, Ron enlisted and served in the Army and received the Bronze Star and the Vietnam Service Medal for his bravery in Vietnam.
Ron returned to Sonoma County in 1973 to pursue an M.A. in Counseling at SSU. He was hired as the Executive Director of the SSU Student Union, and served in that capacity for one year. He was then hired as a program developer in the Career Center, and spent the next 18 years in that position.
He was instrumental in developing programs in career planning, student employment, and internships. He also helped create the Job Location and Development Program and was a mentor to the numerous students who worked in the Center.
Ron was elected to the Alumni Association Board of Directors in 1973 and gave an enormous amount of time and energy to assist with the Association's operations. He became the Board president in 1998 and helped strengthen the connection between the Association and the University. Ron passed away in December 1999 after a four-year battle with HIV AIDS. His humor, spirit and enthusiasm for life will always be remembered.
Outstanding Student Athlete of the Year Scholarship
Each year the SSU Alumni Association sponsors two scholarships specifically honoring SSU student-athletes for the school year. Three years ago, the SSU Alumni Association Board of Directors established these scholarships and athletic scholarships for two deserving student-athletes, one male and one female.
Each student-athlete that is selected for the scholarship receives a framed certificate and a $1,000 athletic scholarship provided by the SSU Alumni Association to be awarded for the following academic year. Please note that the scholarship recipient must be enrolled as a full-time student for the Fall semester to be eligible to receive the $1,000 scholarship award.
To be considered for this scholarship and the accompanying $1,000 athletic scholarship, a student-athlete must submit a one to two page essay describing his or her outstanding achievements relative to intercollegiate competition, academics and community service.
The SSU Alumni Association Board of Directors select a male student-athlete scholarship recipient and a female student-athlete scholarship recipient. The scholarships are presented at the Annual SSU Sports Awards Night. This year's recipients are Lindsay Brown, Women's Volleyball, and Morgan Rodriguez, Men's Baseball.
2009-10 Outstanding Student Athlete Scholarship Recipients
Morgan Rodriguez
Major: Communications
Sport: Baseball
Position: Pitcher
Honors: Second Team All-CCAA (2009).
Lindsay Brown
Major: Sociology
Sport: Volleyball
Position: Setter
Honors: Second Team All-CCAA (2008), SSU's all-time leader in assists.
Past Winners of the Outstanding Student Athlete Scholarships are:
Danae Wellander, Andrew Bailey, Christina Maher, Danielle McDavid, and Nestor Bernabe.