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HSU Celebrates 30 Years of the Patricia D. & William B. Smullin Scholarship

September 27, 2018—Since 1988, the Patricia D. & William B. Smullin Scholarship has supported talented HSU students from North Coast high schools who embody a creative and innovative spirit.

The scholarship was established with a gift of $100,000 from William Smullin. During the past three decades, it has provided almost $650,000 to HSU students. The scholarship has given 206 awards to 110 students, thirty-two of whom have received support for all four years. Ten scholarships are awarded annually at an average of $5,000 per student—a significant boost for talented scholars pursuing their dreams.

In celebration of the Smullin Scholarship’s 30th anniversary, current and former recipients shared their thoughts on how it has shaped their careers and plans for the future.


Dr. Trish Barsanti (‘03, Biology and Chemistry)

The Smullin scholarship allowed me to pay for so many of the necessary expenses that come with gaining a higher education. I studied hard, got a degree in cellular and molecular biology with a minor in chemistry. I continued my education at the UCLA School of Dentistry and graduated at the top of my class. I came back to Arcata, and now own one of the largest dental practices in the county. If it hadn’t been for the Smullin scholarship, I wouldn’t be where I am today—thank you so much!


Brian Hodge (‘14, Botany and Biology)

The scholarship has played an important part in getting me to where I am now. It helped me focus on my classes at HSU. I’m currently pursuing a Ph.D. at Ohio State University. I hope to run a research program studying viral diseases that impact important global crops, thus helping to increase food security in the U.S. and other countries.


Corabelle Esmailian (‘19, Liberal Studies and Mathematics)

Thank you for awarding me the Smullin scholarship. I am beyond grateful for your extreme generosity. I am entering my fourth year at HSU and am double majoring in elementary education and mathematics. I am going to become a teacher because of my pure love of learning and helping others. I cannot wait for the day when I have a classroom of my own, filled with students of my own. The Smullin scholarship helps make this possible for me.


Kayla Davenport (‘18, Economics)

I am very grateful to the Smullin Family for believing in me, my future, and my education. The next step for me is earning my master’s in finance from UC Irvine. Once I refine my skills, I plan to return to Humboldt County to offer financial advising to our close-knit community.


Irene Gonzalez-Herrera (‘16, Psychology)

I am sincerely grateful for having been a recipient of the Smullin scholarship. I obtained a bachelor’s degree in Psychology in 2016 and graduated this May with a master’s degree in psychology (developmental psychopathology emphasis) from Humboldt State University. As a low-income, first-generation college student the scholarship helped immensely with the financial burden of higher education.


Johali Lopez (‘19, Business Administration)

Thank you, Smullin Family for making it possible for me to attend college. Your scholarship has been one of the highest honors I have ever received and I’m so thankful for you. With your help, I have been able to study the major of my dreams, business administration, with an emphasis in management - something I’m truly passionate about. I would not be where I stand today if it wasn’t for you.


Andrew Kime (‘17, Computer Science)

Graduating college has been a dream of mine ever since I was little. The Smullin Scholarship has allowed me to earn a college degree in Computer Science and a minor in applied mathematics at Humboldt State University. I am truly thankful for the Smullin family and their support in my schooling at Humboldt State.

The Patricia D. & William B. Smullin Foundation, which has been in operation since 1990, seeks to help educate the people of Northern California and Southern Oregon through gifts to higher education and to contribute to their health through gifts to service providers of food, housing, and other health related needs. In addition to the Smullin Scholarship, the foundation gave $400,000 to the HSU School of Business in 2012 to develop 150 paid internships for business majors.

If you have questions about the Smullin Scholarship, or if you would like to learn about other ways to support HSU students, you can visit loyalty.humboldt.edu, email the Office of Philanthropy at giving@humboldt.edu, or call 707.826.5200.

 

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