South Gate Resident Awarded Edison Scholarship

ROSEMEAD (CNS) - Edison International announced on Tuesday a $1 million scholarship endowment for the Honors College at Cal State Los Angeles. Yulan Lin, 17, of Arcadia, and Francisco Sepulveda, 18, of South Gate, are the first two recipients of the Edison-funded scholarships.

"At Edison International, we recognize that higher education is a transformative tool,'' said CEO Ted Craver.

"For people of all cultures, education changes lives. Education empowers communities and fuels the future. I am deeply honored that Edison International is able to play a small but impactful role in the success of Edison Scholars Yulan and Francisco, two bright and driven students.''

Edison International places special emphasis on awarding scholarships to underrepresented and underserved students pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering and math, according to Craver.

In 2012, the Rosemead-based parent company of Southern California Edison donated $19.2 million in philanthropic support, including $10.8 million to educational programs.

The Edison Scholars endowment will provide a stable base and support for Honors College students in perpetuity and has helped the university raise an additional $1 million in gifts and pledges, according to CSULA.

"Through Edison's support, gifted CSULA Honors College students, like our first Edison Scholars Yulan and Francisco, will have the opportunity to become better leaders within their chosen STEM fields,'' said CSULA President James M. Rosser. "These segments of the workforce are not only on the frontline of the strengthening economy, but also enable other industries to function at the high technological level today's workforce demands.''

Lin, who began college at 13, is a chemistry major in her fourth year at CSULA. Sepulveda, the first to attend college in his family, is a freshman biology major. Both students belong to CSULA's Honors College, a competitive interdisciplinary program for students who expect to pursue advanced degrees.

With support from Edison International and the Honors College, the two will each be awarded scholarship support annually through graduation.

"It makes me feel really good to know that other people who I respect look up and notice what I'm doing,'' Lin said. "In my remaining time at CSULA and in the Honors College, I will continue to explore where I want to make a difference in the world.''

Sepulveda, a 2012 graduate of Bell Gardens High School, plans to pursue a master's degree in forensic science. He called the Honors College and the Edison Scholars experience "amazing.''

"When I read the email notifying me of the scholarship, it made my entire year,'' he said.

From City News Service

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