David Jon Vaca Memorial Undergraduate Scholarship
The $500 David Jon Vaca Memorial Undergraduate Scholarship in American Studies, which is based on scholastic achievement and financial need, is awarded each semester. The scholarship is named in honor of David Vaca, an outstanding American Studies B.A. and graduate student who was killed in January 1986 when the car he was driving was hit while stopped at a traffic light by a driver fleeing narcotics agents. Generous donations from the Vaca family, American Studies alumni, and faculty have supported this scholarship for many years.
Who may apply: Any American Studies major who has earned 60 units overall, including at least 9 units in American Studies courses, and who has maintained at least a 3.5 GPA in American Studies courses. Previous applicants are eligible to reapply.
Application procedures: To apply you need to obtain an application form, which is available in the department office (GH-313) and below. In addition to filling out the form, you are asked to submit a letter explaining why and how you would benefit from the scholarship. Letters should be addressed to the American Studies Department. Applications with letters attached should be turned in to the Department Office (GH-313) or emailed to Sandra Medina. It is perfectly appropriate to contact faculty members for advice on composing your application letter. If you meet the eligibility requirements, you should seriously consider applying; this scholarship is a distinct honor. And $500 can always come in handy.
Due Dates:
Fall Semester: October 15
Spring Semester: March 1
Year Awarded |
Recipient |
|---|---|
| Fall 2023 | Emily Barajas |
| Spring 2023 | Gabriella Pulasky |
| Fall 2022 | Raelene Reyes |
| Spring 2022 | Kathleen Loreto |
| Fall 2021 | Viviane Garcia |
| Spring 2021 | Eun Soon Lee (Joseph) |
| Fall 2020 | Alicia Barajas-Ritchie |
| Spring 2020 | Brandon Ruiz |
| Fall 2019 | Samantha Montalvo |
| Spring 2019 | Maria Segundo |
| Fall 2018 | Kelsey Blue Vargas |
| Spring 2018 | Rachelle Shumard |
| Fall 2017 | Evan Dang |
| Spring 2017 | Sara Roberts |
| Fall 2016 | Ashely Ongalibang |
| Spring 2016 | Michelle Viorato |
| Fall 2015 | Yamillet Brizuela |
| Spring 2015 | Elizabeth Plett |
| Fall 2014 | Victoria MacDonald |
| Spring 2014 | Vanessa Mendoza |
| Fall 2013 | Paulina Torres |
| Spring 2013 | Nicole Rehnberg |
| Fall 2012 | Judson Barber |
| Spring 2012 | Daisy Gutierrez |
| Fall 2011 | Austin Krie |
| Spring 2011 | Michael Perales |
| Fall 2010 | Aissa Canchola |
| Spring 2010 | Narine Nehrabian |
| Fall 2009 | Greg Moore |
| Spring 2009 | Eduardo Garcia |
| Fall 2008 | Heather Brown |
| Spring 2008 | Tony Joseph Ingoglio and Raisa Orleans |
| Fall 2007 | Kira Banos, Andy Diaz, and Steven Ngo |
| Spring 2007 | Maria Cortes |
| Fall 2006 | Samuel Sousa |
| Spring 2006 | Adriana Ruvalcaba |
| Fall 2005 | Karen Alonzo |
| Spring 2005 | Kim Martin |
| Fall 2004 | Kristin Miyagishima |
| Spring 2004 | Timothy Peter Schneider |
| Fall 2003 | Susan Lee |
| Spring 2003 | Melissa Leigh Chavez |
| Fall 2002 | Jennifer Sasai |
| Fall 2001 | Mary Jo Cooke |
| Spring 2001 | Roseanne Garcia |
| Fall 2000 | Dakota Cornell |
| Spring 2000 | Laura Barrios |
| Fall 1999 | John McCarthy |
| Spring 1999 | Laurie Dieppa |
| Fall 1998 | Jonathan Menjivar |
| Spring 1998 | Monique Soltani |
| Fall 1997 | Justine Pas |
| Spring 1997 | Gregg Schlappy |
| Fall 1996 | Jeff Savage |
| Spring 1996 | Lisa D. McFarland |
| Fall 1995 | Ann M. Campbell |
| Spring 1995 | Heather Yarnell |
| Fall 1994 | Wendy Barker |
| Spring 1994 | Andrea L. Schwartz |
| Fall 1993 | Carolyn Thomas and Melana Abramowicz |
| Fall 1992 | Laura K. Vaughn |
| Spring 1992 | Christopher Ramsey |
| Fall 1991 | Julia M. Cheung |
| Spring 1991 | Noelle Lee Dickenson |
| Fall 1990 | Shannon Philipp |
| Spring 1990 | Sandra V. Smith |
| Fall 1989 | Lisa Cleveland |
| Spring 1989 | Susan Flinkingshelt |
| Fall 1988 | Tracy A. Smith |
| Spring 1988 | Eric Taylor |
| Fall 1987 | Sandi Patton |
| Spring 1987 | David L. Crawford |
| Spring 1986 | Kelly R. Jennings |
| Fall 1985 | Shannon Pohlhammer |
| Spring 1985 | Anne-Marie Scholz |
| Spring 1984 | Enrico Gnaulati |
Vaca Award winners (above): Roseanne Garcia; Jennifer Sasai; Melissa Chavez; Kristin Miyagishima; Kim Martin. Karen Alonzo; Adriana Ruvalcaba; Samuel Sousa; Maria Cortes; Kira Banos; Andy Diaz; Steven Ngo; Tony Joseph Ingoglio; Raisa Orleans; Heather Brown; Greg Moore; Narine Mehrabian; Aissa Canchola; Michael Perales; Austin Krie; Daisy Gutierrez; Vanessa Mendoza; Elizabeth Plett; Yamillet Brizuela; Michelle Viorato; Ashely Ongalibang; Sarah Roberts; Evan Dang; Maria Segundo; Brandon Ruiz; Alicia Barajas-Ritchie; Raelene Reyes, Gabriella Pulasky
