When she first received the email last year encouraging her to apply, then-junior psychology major Ague Mae Manongsong did not feel her academics-only background qualified her for the Faculty Endowment for Student scholarship. By the time she was given the opportunity to apply again, she was not only excelling in her classes, but also teaching one of her own.

As one of four recipients of this year’s scholarship, Manongsong said her background in teaching beginning psychology courses and maintaining high grades played a major role in her being selected for the scholarship. The other three recipients are graduate history student David Schrumpf, senior geology major Megan Drinnan and senior biological sciences major Manveer Garcha.

The Faculty Endowment scholarships are awarded each year during the spring semester and are funded by annual contributions from faculty. Despite a 2005 bequest by the estate of philosophy professor Jean Faurot and his wife Louise, the endowment still fell victim to the economic downturn.

George Paganelis, chair of the Faculty Senate Scholarship Committee, said the scholarships are awarded to students based on academic achievement and the promise of continued academic success, service and contributions to their department, college, the university and community. He said the faculty is proud to be able to offer the scholarhips, which have awarded more than $100,000 to students since 1994.

“It is a point of pride for the faculty to be able to recognize our most outstanding students who demonstrate not only high academic commitment but also service commitment to the university and community,” Paganelis said.

Schrumpf, the sole graduate recipient of the scholarship, said his interests in history seemed like a natural fit. While studying at UC Davis, he changed majors several times before settling on philosophy and carrying a minor in history. He started thinking about graduate school, but was not sure where to go because not many schools offered graduate philosophy programs. His interest in history, however, was growing.

“You start doing a couple of research avenues, all of a sudden that becomes your focus without much intention,” he said. “I really have tended to focus on what interests me at the moment.”

Sac State was the only school on his list for graduate school because he wanted to stay local, Schrumpf said.

Schrumpf taught history at John Paul II Elementary School near Oak Park for a year, but soon realized he did not like working with junior high students. After graduating, he hopes to teach history at a community college or a university.

Drinnan was unavailable for comment, but said in an e-mail she worked hard through college from the beginning.

“I am very grateful to the Faculty Senate, and especially to the contributors of the endowment for student scholarships,” she wrote. “I am a very hardworking student and I need all the financial assistance, scholarships and opportunities I can get.”

Garcha said he’s studying biological sciences with the hopes of practicing medicine one day. “I always knew I wanted to go into medicine, I love to help people and I have a passion for learning and teaching,” Garcha said. “Given that medicine is ever-changing and requires a lifelong commitment to study, I feel it’s a perfect match for me.”In addition to his achievements in the classroom, he is a member of the American Medical Student Association on campus, and he also volunteers for two local organizations dealing with children. He volunteers at the Sacramento Pipeworks, an indoor rock-climbing facility, and works as a volunteer for Project R.I.D.E, a therapeutic riding center for special needs children in Elk Grove. He will graduate with a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences in May and will go to medical school.

“If I wasn’t going into medicine, my second choice would be to become a professor,” he said. “But as it stands, I think medicine is something that fulfills my true potential.”

Audrey Manongsong, graduate psychology student and Ague’s sister, said she takes note of the importance and effectiveness of caring for others. Since the scholarship Ague won is about people helping others, Audrey said her sister deserves it because of her hard work and her efforts to help Sac State students succeed.”I like to see that “light-bulb moment’ when students actually get it,” Ague Manongsong said. “It’s motivation for them to work harder and it tells me I did my job.”

Benjamin Schilter can be reached at [email protected].