Padres’ First Basemen Personally Fielded the Interviews

    Adrian Gonzalez has awarded six scholarships from his fund at The San Diego Foundation. Awardees will receive $8,000 over four years providing they maintain a 3.0 GPA and a record of good citizenship. Adrian and his wife, Betsy, participated in the candidate interviews between game days. Personal involvement in the selection process was important to them both.

    In 2009, the Adrian Gonzalez Scholarship Fund was established through The San Diego Foundation. The fund is available to public high school seniors who plan to attend an accredited four-year university in California with a history of active involvement in athletics, extracurricular activities, community service or work experience. Students must demonstrate financial need and have a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale. The scholarship funds may be applied to tuition, books, fees, room and board.

    “We are so pleased to work with The San Diego Foundation to provide an opportunity to these kids who may otherwise be unable to attend college. The Foundation, unlike other scholarship programs, allows donor involvement in the selection process. I enjoy hearing from the students about their goals and dreams,” said Adrian.

    The recipients embody the Gonzalez’s spirit of community service and engagement. Heaven Haile, scholarship recipient, says, “My favorite Ethiopian adage translates to don’t only do for yourself; do for others.” As a result of her scholarship grant, she is the first in her family to be able to attend college. Maricela Leon commented, “I selected kinesiology as my major after witnessing the extensive therapy my uncle required after his excavating accident. This scholarship encourages me to make my dreams happen thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Adrian Gonzalez.”

    In addition to their scholarship fund, The Foundation also manages the Adrian and Betsy Gonzalez Foundation which is focused on empowering underprivileged youth in the areas of athletics, education and health, which the Gonzalez’ feel are essential in the development of any child’s future. For more information or to support their cause, visit www.adriangonzalezfoundation.org.

    As the region’s largest one-stop resource for college scholarships, The Foundation has awarded millions in financial assistance to thousands of students. Each year, The Foundation averages 600 scholarship grants in excess of $3 million in financial assistance.

    “Investing in the leaders of tomorrow is in line with our overall mission and purpose to make San Diego a better place in which to live, work and play.  We’re hopeful that our scholarship recipients will return to San Diego and lead emerging industries and give back to the next generation of leaders,” said Bob Kelly, President and CEO.

    Students are considered for all scholarships by submitting a Common Scholarship Application which grants to high school seniors, current college students, graduate students, adult reentry students and trade/vocational students. Applications are available in the fall. For more information and to apply, visit www.sdfoundation.org/scholarships/.