Five Stanislaus State students who have received Alumni Association Academic Achievement Scholarships plan to put their awards to good use by giving back to the community that has given them an opportunity to succeed.
Ava McCullough, Malina Duran, Colin Bethishou, Alexa Diaz and Dominic Loretelli each received an academic scholarship from the Stanislaus State Alumni Association, awarded to students who demonstrate the spirit of University through their participation in campus activities and professional achievement.
The scholarships are supported by donations from alumni and other University supporters through Alumni Association fundraising efforts conducted throughout the year, including the Alumni Association’s annual event, Vines .
“Alumni remember their own experiences, and by supporting these scholarships they become part of the journey for future students, creating a legacy of support and success,” said Tiffany Davis, Stan State’s director of alumni engagement. “Each scholarship strengthens the bond between alumni and their alma mater, building a community where past, present and future students lift each other up.”
Scholarship recipient Ava McCullough, a child development major, expects to graduate in fall 2025. The Alumni Scholarship is serving as a steppingstone toward her next goal to becoming an elementary school teacher.
“With me nearing graduation and planning to enroll in the teaching credential program, I will need to take time off work to focus on my schooling and commit myself to teaching,” McCullough said. “I am very appreciative of that.”
She chose Stan State because of the multiple-subject credential program as well as the diverse theatre program the University offers. McCullough is minoring in theatre but plans on focusing her studies on middle childhood.
McCullough is in the Theater Club at Stan State and has performed in three shows with the department. She starred as Kathy in the musical “Vanities” in spring 2023, played Janet in “Richard O'Brien's The Rocky Horror Show” in spring 2024 and just recently portrayed Cora Hoover Hooper in “Anyone Can Whistle” in fall 2024.
“The theatre program has given me such a purpose in my time at Stan State,” McCullough said. “I was given the opportunity to relight my passion for theatre while surrounded by such amazing and supportive people.”
She said the programs at Stan State deserve praise and recognition because the professors care so much about their students. She added that her instructors encourage students to succeed and grow as individuals.
“I cannot thank my professors enough for allowing me to step out of my comfort zone and stay connected to my passion,” McCullough said.
Student Malina Duran agrees with the importance of making the most of her time Stan State.
She worked at Chartwells/Warrior Eats for two semesters and was a marketing assistant intern in the Office of Strategic Communications and Marketing during fall 2024. She has also been involved as a reporter for the campus student-run newspaper for two semesters and plans to return to the Signal as an editor in spring 2025.
Duran suggests not only joining clubs and pursuing volunteer opportunities but also making connections with faculty by participating in class.
“You will excel academically and professionally by making the most of your college experience. Be consistent about pursuing what you love and never stop talking about it,” Duran said.
Duran said that for several months, she had talks with her mom about the logistics of living in student housing for another year. Commuting from her hometown in Los Banos to Turlock would add an extra burden for the undergraduate creative media major.
“Receiving the Alumni Association Scholarship makes living in Stanislaus State student housing financially possible for me,” Duran said. “Because I do not have to commute, I feel more prepared and confident to take on more responsibilities and a heavier course workload that will prepare me for my prospective career.”
Another scholarship recipient who is dedicated to his studies is Colin Bethishou. He wants to give back to the community where he grew up. The Turlock resident is currently majoring in business administration with a concentration in computer information systems (CIS).
He anticipates graduating in spring 2025, and now, with his recent Betty Stokes Johnson Alumni Scholarship for Excellence, named in honor of the first president of the Alumni Association, his goal will become a reality. Created in 1986, the scholarship is awarded to an incoming first-year or transfer student with a minimum 3.50 GPA.
Bethishou enjoys helping others and said since CIS-related careers tend to have more human interactions, he chose that major over other computer-related fields.
“My background as a restaurant server and help-desk intern has shown me that I enjoy helping others,” Bethishou said.
According to him, the scholarship will help him redirect his time that would have been spent working so he can spend more time studying and interning.
“These scholarships are a massive help when it comes to focusing on your studies, and often, the donors seem to be happier than you when you meet them because they love supporting the students,” Bethishou said.
He said he was surprised to get this scholarship because last year, he was awarded the California State University Trustees’ Award for Outstanding Achievement, but he didn’t think he would get another.
“Each and every scholarship like this is a bigger help to students than donors might realize, so I applaud them for the opportunities and help that they are providing,” Bethishou said.
The advice he shares with others is to pay attention to when the scholarship application period opens and look through every scholarship and apply.
Additional recipients of this year’s Alumni Association Scholarships included Alexa Diaz and Dominic Loretelli.
Loretelli said he decided to attend Stan State because it is not only close to his home in Modesto but it also has one of the top nursing programs in the state.
“This scholarship will help me pursue my career in nursing by providing funding for me to obtain the education I need,” Loretelli said.
