Chancellor Drake Honors Guardian Scholars

Chancellor Michael Drake attended an annual reception May 27 honoring participants in UC Irvine’s Guardian Scholars Program, which provides foster youth with comprehensive assistance packages that include financial aid, housing support, academic mentors and extracurricular activities. The program is a seven-year-old partnership between UCI and the Orangewood Children’s Foundation, a group that helps prevent child abuse and cares for Orange County foster children.

Addressing an audience of about 50 campus and community guests, Chancellor Drake thanked foundation supporters and congratulated the Guardian Scholars for their academic achievements at UCI. Several scholars spoke on the program’s benefits and presented gifts to Susan Samueli, philanthropist and key program supporter; and Gene Howard, Orangewood Children’s Foundation Academy CEO.

Chancellor Drake greets current Guardian Scholars and guests. From left: Phyllis Farnsworth, art history; Cristian Martinez, political science; Cecelia Brody, English; Ana Ramirez, social ecology; Drake; Susan Samueli; Manuel Gómez, vice chancellor for student affairs; Kimberly Snodgrass, social science; Julie Rico, informatics; Patrick Burns, drama; and Lizbeth Lopez-Diaz, criminology, law & society.

Photo by Carlos Puma
Guardian Scholars Program
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