Donation to Support STEM Scholarships and Model United Nations
(Orange, CA) - The Santiago Canyon College (SCC) Foundation has once again received a $25,000 donation from Edison International. This is the fourth annual grant that the college has received from Edison International. Fifteen thousand dollars of this charitable gift will support scholarships for students enrolled in the college’s STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) programs and $10,000 will sponsor SCC’s Model United Nations Program (MUN). Thirty $500 Edison STEM scholarships are awarded annually to SCC students in the following majors: management information systems, computer and information services, engineering technology, mathematics, and physical sciences.
“Santiago Canyon College is deeply grateful to Edison International for their continued generosity and partnership,” said John Weispfenning, Ph.D., SCC president. “Over four years, Edison has donated $100,000 to help our students fulfill their dreams. By doing so, they have made our community a better place to live and work by helping to increase the number of SCC graduates in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Edison’s support of our Model United Nations Program has boosted our students’ knowledge of diplomacy, international relations, and global solutions.”
SCC currently benefits from two Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) STEM grants with the goal of increasing the number of STEM graduates in underrepresented populations. These two grants, along with the support of the Edison International grants, have increased the number of students successfully completing STEM academic programs with the goal of transferring to a four-year institution. Last year, 86 percent of students receiving Edison STEM scholarships had completed more than half of their transfer requirements by the end of summer 2015.
“The scholarship monies help SCC improve educational opportunities for STEM students. By allowing students to focus more on their academics, retention and persistence rates have increased,” said Weispfenning.
Founded more than 50 years ago, Model UN is a simulation of the UN General Assembly, UN Security Council, or other multilateral body, which projects students into the world of diplomacy and negotiation. While at SCC, MUN students research and formulate political positions based on the actual policies of the countries they represent. MUN conferences address vital issues including regional conflicts, peacekeeping, human rights, women and children, economic and social development, and climate changes. Forced to go dark during the recession due to state funding cuts, the SCC MUN team was reactivated in February 2014 as a direct result of the support from Edison.
“The Edison International grant has been instrumental in maintaining the MUN momentum which allowed students to attend regional MUN conferences, including the UC Berkeley conference. In 2015, SCC students won 28 awards in MUN competitions. Without the Edison grant, the students would have not been able to attend,” said Weispfenning.
“At Edison, we fund STEM education because one of our priorities is helping to nurture scholars and science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) professionals of tomorrow,” said Tammy Tumbling, director of Philanthropy and Community Investment at Southern California Edison. “We place special emphasis on partnering with schools like Santiago Canyon College and awarding scholarships to underserved students pursuing careers in the STEM fields because scholarships provide the underserved the opportunity to attend college where they otherwise may not have had the opportunity to do so.”
Edison International’s support of charitable causes is entirely funded by shareholders. Southern California Edison customers do not pay for donations in their utility bills.
For more information about the SCC Foundation, contact Karen Bustamante at (714) 628-4888.
About Santiago Canyon College
Santiago Canyon College (SCC) serves about 14,000 students each semester. The college prepares students for transfer to four-year institutions and careers, and provides courses for personal and professional development, as well as customized training for business and industry. The college is recognized for its adult education program which keeps the working adult—and senior—in mind by offering flexible schedules, and community locations. Serving the residents of Anaheim Hills, Orange, Tustin, and Villa Park, SCC is one of two comprehensive colleges under the auspices of the Rancho Santiago Community College District. Visit http://www.sccollege.edu to learn more.
# # #
