A freshman government major has been named as the second recipient of the Joe Serna Jr. Memorial Scholarship.

Jordan Aquino, 19, won the award, which was established to honor the memory of the former mayor and Sacramento State professor Joe Serna Jr.

The $2,500 scholarship covers fees and books for two years.The Sacramento chapter of National Electrical Contractors Association, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers local union 340 and the plumbers and pipe fitters local union 447 fund the scholarship, said Debbie Wilson, development director of the college of social sciences and interdisciplinary studies.

The award is open to freshmen who are taking at least 12 units and who have declared a major in government, electrical and mechanical engineering or construction management.

To qualify for the two-year scholarship, a student must have a 3.3 GPA, but to renew it, the requirement is a minimum 2.5 GPA.

“This allows the student to have some leeway in keeping their grades up between the first and second years,” Wilson said.

A panel that draws from both the government department and the College of Engineering reviews the application. The chair of the government department serves as chair of the panel.

Aquino and last year?s recipient, Carlos Reyes, were honored at the April 9 Kings game during halftime.

“They gave us Kings tickets and we got to sit in the VIP lounge to watch the game. During halftime, they brought us to center court and gave us our awards. It was cool,” Aquino said.

Aquino waited for some time to hear from the scholarship committee, but he wasn?t worried.

“I didn?t think that too many people had heard of this scholarship so I thought I had a good chance. Turns out I was right,” Aquino said.

Aquino plans to attend law school and become an attorney before going into politics.

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