Honda Supports Outstanding Latino Students Of Abrego Future Scholars Program
Since 2005, American Honda Motor Company, Inc. has been the presenting sponsor of California State University, Fullerton’s (CSUF) Hispanic Scholarship Golf Tournament to support the Abrego Future Scholars Program, which aids high-achieving, first-generation Hispanic students at the university during their critical first year of studies. Over the past 30 years, the tournament has raised more than $1 million dollars, impacting more than 800 students; last year’s tournament raised more than $200,000.
CSUF established the Abrego Future Scholars Program to ensure that first-generation Latino students demonstrating strong academic skills and achievements, a commitment to service within their community and strength of character have access to the academic, personal, social and financial support needed to succeed in college. The Abrego Future Scholars Program is named after Silas Abrego, former CSUF vice president for Student Affairs and trustee, who also helped to establish the Hispanic Scholarship Golf Tournament in 1987. Dr. Abrego brought together leaders in the community because he saw a need to raise scholarship funds for underrepresented Hispanic students. This decision led to the first tournament headed by a group of committed volunteers. With only 79 players in attendance, they were able to raise $24,000. The committee has grown to include additional enthusiastic members and individuals, from small local businesses to large international corporations that share in their passion for education and commitment to raising scholarship funds for the Abrego Future Scholars.
“Honda’s longstanding partnership with the Hispanic Scholarship Golf Tournament is based on our commitment to education and inclusion,” said Charles Harmon, senior manager, Administration Division, American Honda Motor Co., Inc. “We join Cal State Fullerton in celebrating academic excellence, and remain dedicated to fostering opportunities for Abrego Scholars to pursue their dreams—both in and outside of the classroom.”
In addition to financial assistance, the Abrego Future Scholars Program provides students with support services to ensure their success at CSUF, including academic counseling, student life activities, mentoring and campus-wide connections.
Honda Scholar Honorees
Each year, two students among the Abrego Future Scholars are also recognized as Honda Scholars. The 2017 Honda Scholars are Albert Bustamante, a senior with plans to pursue a Master’s Degree in Business Management, and Alejandro Murillo, a sophomore with aspirations to graduate with a double degree in International Business and Spanish. Both students were selected due to their academic achievements, community and leadership service and interest in pursuing a business-related career.
Jacqueline Terrones, a sophomore business major with entrepreneurial dreams, was the 2016 Honda Scholar. Grateful for the support she received during her freshman year, Terrones serves as a peer mentor for incoming Abrego Scholars.
“The Abrego Future Scholars Program has created a family for me at Cal State Fullerton,” said Terrones. “Being able to support other students has been a rewarding experience. If I can help my mentees get one step closer to graduation, then I’ve done my job.”
This year, Honda hopes to raise more than $200,000, again, at the tournament, which will be held at the Hacienda Golf Club on Monday, April 2, 2018.
To learn more about the ways Honda supports educational initiatives, visit http://csr.honda.com/community/education/.