It’s time to meet this year’s cohort of Campanella Scholars! On Jan. 31, CSUN’s College of Health and Human Development hosted a luncheon at the Orchard Conference Center to celebrate 10 physical therapy students who’ve earned scholarships from the Roy and Roxie Campanella Foundation and the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation. In April, the recipients also will be honored at Dodger Stadium, a treasured tradition.
The scholarship luncheon included dignitaries from both foundations, CSUN President Erika D. Beck, and faculty and staff.
“Thank you for choosing us, and thank you for representing us well,” said Mechelle Best, dean of the College of Health and Human Development, addressing the scholarship recipients.
Joni Campanella, daughter of Roy and Roxie Campanella, expressed her ongoing support and gratitude to CSUN and its physical therapy program. “It’s through you that my parents’ dream continues to live,” she said.
This year’s scholarship recipients are: Angel Avina, Jesus “Chuy” Gomez, Christopher Huerta, Merle Lopez, Andrew Morales, Jesus Peña, Isabella Roxas, Eduardo Teran, Stephanie Vargas and Robin Varghese.
“Physical therapy had always been my dream … and to be able to pursue that here at CSUN with the help of the Dodgers Foundation and the Campanella family is something I will be extremely grateful for,” Huerta said.
Roxas, who shared her path to physical therapy as a former softball player, spoke candidly about the challenges of independently financing her education.
“As much as this scholarship will bring a decrease of financial burden, the most important thing is that it’s reignited my passion for why I started physical therapy in the first place,” she said.
For more than a decade, the Campanella and Dodgers Foundations have partnered to provide financial support to CSUN physical therapy students who demonstrate exceptional clinical potential. CSUN’s three-year Doctor of Physical Therapy program prepares students with the skills, techniques and hands-on experience necessary to positively impact the lives of their future patients.
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