News and Announcements
AWC/NAU Students already seeing benefits of National Science Foundation Scholarships
YUMA, Ariz.(Nov. 3, 2009) —Seventeen students from Northern Arizona University-Yuma (NAU) and 16 Arizona Western College (AWC) students were awarded scholarships this past spring from the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) grant to begin study this fall semester.
The two $600,000 grants were awarded to NAU-Yuma and AWC by the National Science Foundation this past February to provide scholarships to two groups of 15-25 incoming science students for both AWC and NAU-Yuma. The 33 recipients of the 2-year scholarships received financial aid worth up to $8,695 for the AWC students and $10,000 for the NAU-Yuma students.
Students in both groups are majoring in either biology or environmental science, have demonstrated academic talent and qualified for financial aid.
In addition to scholarships, the grant also covers financial expenses for educational field trips. NAU students recently visited Brown Canyon to observe more than 50 species of pollinators and learn more about the natural history of Arizona. AWC students also made a trip to Brown Canyon and are involved in weekend hikes where they shadow scientists working in the field and become introduced to the Southwest environment.
STEM grant funding also included hiring Patricia T. Garcia as cohort coordinator to provide on-site tutoring and advising, coordinate field trips and manage student files.
Halfway into their first semester, students have already noticed benefits.
“The STEM program has been a great help financially as well as academically. It has provided me with a means to attend school debt free, and build a circle of students who have similar academic goals. Because we have most of our classes together, we can easily form study groups to help each other out,” said Michal Dominguez, NAU student.
“The support of this program goes beyond the much needed financial aspect. The science-specific assistance we get from tutoring and encouragements we get from each other have been excellent resources,” said NAU student, Madeline Olszewski
Soon, both groups of students will have the opportunity to share their interests in science.
In February, the NAU students will be presenting at the National Meeting for the Association of Science in San Diego, Calif. AWC students will be producing educational clips on native animals of the Southwest, which will be aired on the local cable station.
NAU Alumni Association Golf Tournament Raises Money for Scholarships
YUMA, Ariz. (Oct. 28, 2009) —The Yuma Chapter of the Northern Arizona University (NAU) Alumni Association will host its 17th Annual Golf Classic on Saturday, Nov. 21 at the Desert Hills Golf Course.
All proceeds benefit the NAU Alumni Association-Yuma Chapter Scholarship Funds.
The tournament is a four person, two drive scramble with a shotgun start at 8 a.m. Registration options range from player or sponsor registration to family or corporate foursome registration. Player registration includes 18 holes of golf, lunch, gift bags and dinner at the Alumni Dinner held Friday, Nov. 20 from 4:30-6:30 p.m., at the Desert Hills Golf Course and Putter Inn.
Prizes will be awarded to contest winners and top finishers. Winner of the Hole-in-One contest will receive a 2010 vehicle from Karl Moedl Automotive Group.
The annual tournament raises money for NAU scholarships awarded to Yuma-area students. Last year, 27 scholarships were awarded to Yuma students as a result of proceeds from the 2008 NAU Golf Classic.
“With the help of our major sponsor, AEA Federal Credit Union, and other large donors such as Harold and Marion Elliott and the Caballeros de Yuma, and, of course, our corporate sponsors and golfers, we have earned more than $250,000 that has been earmarked for scholarships for Yuma County students to attend Northern Arizona University,” said Harry Hengl, co-chair of the golf tournament. “This tournament is a great way for residents to enjoy a round of golf while supporting the future education of our students.”
All entries must be received by Wednesday, Nov. 18. Entries received by Nov. 6, will be entered in a special Early Bird Drawing.
For further information or to register, contact Tom Kelly at (928) 376-0794 or Harry Hengl at (928) 343-2400.
Yuma resident honored by Northern Arizona University
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (Oct. 19, 2009)—Harry D. Hengl of Yuma will receive the Joe and Marie Rolle Spirit of NAU award from the Northern Arizona University Alumni Association this weekend as part of the university’s Homecoming celebration.
Hengl is being recognized for his “extraordinary dedication and support of NAU by changing the lives of students every day through numerous philanthropic endeavors and a true spirit of service to the Yuma community,” said Neil Goodell, director of the NAU Office of Alumni Relations.
As a master's degree candidate at the university, Hengl was a member of Phi Kappa Phi and was later recognized for excellence in teaching with a 1997 Centennial Year of Education award. He is currently vice chair of the NAU Foundation Board as well as a member of the College of Education Leadership Council; he rounds out his frequent student advocacy by participating in the Volunteer Alumni Network. A past president of the NAU Alumni Association Board of Directors, Hengl was honored with the 1996 Alumni Service award for building the NAU Alumni Association Yuma Chapter into a model grassroots organization.
Hengl has co-chaired the Yuma Chapter’s annual golf tournament (now in its 17th year) since its inception, resulting in hundreds of thousands of dollars for the NAU Alumni-Yuma Chapter Scholarship. This manifestation of his stewardship—in addition to the Hengl Family Scholarship, which encourages students from Yuma to pursue a college degree at NAU—demonstrates an unshakeable confidence in NAU.
In keeping with cherished tradition, the Rolles personally singled out Hengl to receive this most heartfelt honor. He says, "To be recognized with any award is humbling, but to be recognized with an award named after Joe and Marie Rolle is an experience that I shall cherish always. Joe and Marie are two of the reasons why NAU is such a great institution.”
The award is named for Dr. Joseph and Marie Rolle, whose lifelong dedication to Northern Arizona University has manifested itself in alumni scholarships and athletics, campus buildings and a legacy of outstanding spirit.
The Northern Arizona University Alumni Awards are a longstanding NAU tradition. Information is available at http://alumni.nau.edu/AlumniEvents/AlumniAwards.aspx, or call (928) 523-3757.
PRISE Grant Informational Session for Future Educators
YUMA, Ariz. —Sept. 10, 2009—The Yuma Branch Campus of Northern Arizona University (NAU) will hold an informational session on the Preparing Rural Inclusive Special Educators (PRISE) grant program at Arizona Western College’s Entrepreneurial Center (room 159) on Thursday, Oct. 15, from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m.
Anyone interested in becoming an elementary or special education teacher is invited to attend.
PRISE is a unique opportunity for future educators interested in serving the needs of multi-cultural and bilingual students with disabilities. The program is a six-semester, federally-funded grant for students ready to enter their junior year of college with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education and a dual major in Elementary Education and Special Education.
Students in the grant program will have tuition and book costs paid for, as well as complete all the required coursework for the English as a Second Language endorsement.
To qualify for the grant, you must:
1) be employed as a Instructional Aide by January 2011 in one of the consortium school districts in Yuma or La Paz Counties;
2) complete all General Education coursework by Dec. 2010, along with prerequisite coursework finished for acceptance into NAU’s College of Education; and
3) qualify for in-state tuition.
For more information, contact Nancy Blitz at 344-7677 or at nancy.blitz@nau.edu. The AWC Entrepreneurial Center is located at 1351 Redondo Center Drive.
Free Counseling Sessions offered at NAU-Yuma this Fall.
YUMA, Ariz. —Sept. 1, 2009—Free personal and career counseling sessions are being offered by the master’s-level counseling students at the Yuma Branch Campus of Northern Arizona University (NAU) from September through November.
Services are provided to individuals or families from the community. Clients will have the opportunity to address various concerns including stress management, career focusing, coping skills, relationship skills and more. Referrals are made to other local, licensed clinicians when needed.
Participants can receive up to ten, 60-minute sessions. As the students providing the services are not yet licensed to work independently, they receive direct supervision from a licensed mental health professional.
For more information, or to arrange an appointment, call 317-6427 between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Sessions are held in the Academic Complex building located on the NAU-Yuma and Arizona Western College campus.