FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 7th, 2024
Contact: Dr. Armond Aghakhanian , Director
aghakha@elac.edu
MONTEREY PARK, CA – East Los Angeles College Foundation proudly announces a groundbreaking milestone with its record-breaking scholarship event, showcasing an extraordinary commitment to education and empowering the next generation of leaders. The event, held on May 20, 2024, shattered the previous year's record amount of $199.867, underscoring the organization's dedication to providing transformative educational opportunities. East Los Angeles College (ELAC) awarded 225 scholars, with a total of $216,600 in scholarships for Spring 2024, with four brand new scholarships, making this the most awarded scholarships in the history of ELAC.
"I am very proud of all the students who were awarded scholarships and am excited to see new scholarship opportunities for all students. This year was especially personal to me and my family since this marks the first year of the establishment of the Javier Roman Memorial Scholarship, established after my beloved father, who passed recently. I am certain he would have been proud of the 2024 recipients Gabrielle Adobo Angel and Fuyan Shan, “said ELAC President Dr. Alberto J. Roman.
" ELAC and our Foundation proudly affirm its commitment to academic excellence and financial support for our students as we achieve record-breaking scholarship awards this year. These unprecedented scholarships not only recognize the hard work and dedication of our scholars but also underscore our mission to make higher education accessible to all. This remarkable milestone reflects our continued investment in the future of our students and the transformative power of education." said Marissa Castro-Salvati, President of the ELAC Foundation.
The 2024 new scholarships are:
The Idik Aghakhanian Memorial Scholarship
Named after ELAC Foundation’s Director father, Idik Aghakhanian will be remembered as a loving and devoted husband, brother, father, grandfather, and friend. His legacy lives on in the hearts of all fortunate enough to be touched by his love. His unwavering love for friends, family, and community inspires us to cherish our relationships and hold our loved ones close, just as he did throughout his remarkable life. Idik was the first in his family to finish college and earn a degree in accounting. His encyclopedic knowledge wasn't just about facts and figures; it reflected his deep love for understanding the world. Whether it was business, science, literature, history, or any other subject, Idik approached each topic with a sense of wonder and a desire to explore its nuances. His intellectual pursuits enriched not only his life but also the lives of those fortunate enough to engage in discussions with him.
This scholarship has been established to assist East Los Angeles College (ELAC) students enrolled in and studying business administration.
CPL. Guy Gabaldon VFW Post 1013 Memorial Scholarship
Named after ELAC Alumni, World War II hero, and Silver Star recipient CPL. Guy Gabaldon, the scholarship is designed to support a current full- or part-time ELAC veteran student who has completed at least 12 units or more and has a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or better for all coursework. The recipient must be a US Veteran and a member of the ELAC Veterans Club.
Arthur Forcier Jr. Memorial Scholarship
Arthur Forcier Jr. will be remembered as a long-time professor of Political Science, political activist, loveable colleague, generous and spirited friend, and irreplaceable member of the East Los Angeles college family. He always made it a point to befriend and mentor new instructors in the Social Science department. So many of us who were blessed to work with him compose our syllabi with his advice always in mind.
About East Los Angeles College: ELAC is the largest of nine two-year community colleges within the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) and has the largest student headcount of any Community College in California. More information about ELAC is available online at www.elac.edu. Follow ELAC on social media, Instagram @ELACHuskies, X @EastLACollege, and Facebook @Eastlacollege.
About East Los Angeles College Foundation (ELACF) is an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The East Los Angeles College Foundation is dedicated to the philanthropic support of the East Los Angeles College Community and empowering the communities we serve through our commitment to student success. Through our enduring efforts, the Foundation is Transforming Lives by investing in the next generation of leaders. To learn more about the Scholarship and to donate, please visit www.elacfoundtion.com.