For Kathryn Grizzle, growing up could be called a nightmare. As a toddler through her early teens, she experienced parental neglect, sexual abuse, poverty and homelessness.
But her courage and determination for an education led to a 4.0 GPA as a math major at Cal State San Bernardino in her goal to become a teacher and ultimately a school counselor.
Grizzle’s academic success, along with service to the community, was recognized when she was named the top recipient of the 2016 California State University’s Trustee Award for Outstanding Achievement, the system’s highest recognition for students.
'A lot of people didn't think I would make it this far, and I always wanted to prove them wrong,” Grizzle said. “Now, I realize I didn't do any of this for them. I did it for myself, and for the millions of kids who deal with the same thing everyday.'
“If I didn’t have my education, I wouldn’t have anything,” said Grizzle said during a video interview.
Grizzle, of Corona, who was named the Trustee Emeritus Ali C. Razi Scholar and will receive a $12,000 scholarship, is one of 24 CSU students to receive the awards, which provide scholarships of $6,000 to $12,000, who demonstrate superior academic performance, personal accomplishments, community service and financial need.
The trustees also announced the Trustee Emeritus Lou Monville Scholar award recipient, CSUSB student Maria Ceja of Fontana, who has overcome many obstacles in her journey to education, including migrating to the U.S. from Mexico, learning English in elementary school, dealing with the trials and tribulations of an alcoholic parent, and becoming a single mother in high school.
As a first-generation college student, Ceja was driven to achieve her goals and set a good example for her children. After receiving her associate degree at Chaffey College, Maria transferred to CSUSB to pursue a bachelor’s degree in social work.
Ceja, who will receive a $6,000 scholarship, works as an advocate for Project Sister Family Services, helping survivors of any type of abuse and sexual assault. Her ultimate goal is to earn a graduate degree in social work and continue to make a meaningful impact in the lives of others.
The CSU Board of Trustees, CSU Foundation Board of Governors, faculty, students and staff will publicly recognize the scholars during the CSU Board of Trustees meeting in Long Beach on Tuesday, Sept. 20. The scholars include one student from each of the CSU’s 23 campuses, along with the top-scoring scholar.
“The accomplishments of these determined, bright and compassionate students are remarkable,” said CSU Chancellor Timothy P. White. “These scholarships will help them go on to accomplish even greater things in their campuses, communities and California’s future.”
Without the CSU and scholarship programs such as the Trustees’ Award, many of these students would not have the opportunity to attend college. Since the program’s creation in 1984, more than 340 CSU students have been honored with this award.
Raised in an atmosphere where she was neglected, emotionally battered and later sexually abused by her stepfather, Grizzle grew up in poverty – angry, abandoned and resentful. She was surrounded by poor role models, and except for her teachers, every adult she knew lacked an education, had a criminal record or a substance abuse problem.
School for Grizzle was a reprieve from her home life, a way of escaping the unfathomable abuse and cycle of addiction in her home life and surroundings. It was also the driving force in her unwavering determination to get an education.
That drive led her to excel in school and receive outstanding grades, even during times when she and her family were homeless and forced to sleep in cars. That will to succeed continued when she moved to California to live with her grandparents.
When Grizzle entered Mount San Jacinto College she worked full time, yet was often forced to choose between paying for food, books, gas or toiletries. When she ultimately transferred to CSUSB after attending several other community colleges, she brought with her a 4.0 GPA in her major – mathematics.
Grizzle’s experiences growing up have strengthened her resolve to help others. She has worked with an AVID program at a Ysmael Villegas Middle School in Riverside, has been involved with helping women in a number of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) programs, and volunteers with RAINN (Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network) helping to raise awareness of sexual abuse.
Having received tremendous support and encouragement from many of her teachers along the way, Grizzle wants to become a teacher so that she can help students in need, and help instill confidence in other young people to not only dream of attending college, but also help them realize that with hard work and determination, it is within their reach using the challenges.
The scholarship program was originally established by the William Randolph Hearst Foundation as an endowed scholarship fund to honor William Randolph Hearst, founder of the Hearst newspaper chain. In 1999, the William Randolph Hearst Foundation partnered with the CSU Board of Trustees to supplement the endowment with contributions from CSU Trustees and private donors. Today, more than 120 donors have supported the program.
This year’s Trustees’ Award program welcomes six new named scholarships, including the Ralph M. Parsons Foundation, Trustee Emeritus Ralph R. and Eva Pesqueira, Sante Health Systems and Advantek Benefit Administrators, Trustee Emeritus Lou Monville, Trustee Emerita Margaret Fortune and Mona C. Simpson and Thomas Curtin.
The 2016 named awards also include Cisco, Trustee Emerita Claudia H. Hampton, Ronald R. and Mitzi Barhorst, Trustee Emeritus Murray L. Galinson, Trustee Rebecca D. Eisen, Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation, TELACU, Wells Fargo, Trustee Emeritus William Hauck, Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, Michael and Debe Lucki, Trustee Emeritus Peter and Coralyn Taylor, Chancellor Emeritus Charles B. Reed and Trustee Emeritus Peter Mehas. Additionally, the William Randolph Hearst Foundation will honor two outstanding scholars each with a $6,000 scholarship. This year’s total sum of $155,000 in scholarships is the highest amount in the history of the program.
The CSU Board of Trustees meeting will be held at the CSU Chancellor’s Office, 401 Golden Shore in Long Beach. For bios on all 24 scholars as well as donor information, visit CSU Trustees’ Award for Outstanding Achievement website.
For more information contact the university’s Office of Strategic Communication at (909) 537-5007 and visit news.csusb.edu.