The Leon S. Peters Foundation Honors Scholarships for Undergraduate and Graduate Students assist Central Valley students attending FPU who have a record of academic excellence and a desire to help their community.
The first graduate scholarship recipients are Ser Cha, Fresno, M.A. in education/school counseling and school psychology; Lee Herr, Fresno, global MBA; Amanda Hickingbottom, Fresno, M.A. in education/special education; Susan Ruiz, Fresno, M.A. in education/administrative services; and Maria Lourdes Sanchez, Fresno, M.A. in education/multiple subject teacher education.
Undergraduate recipients are Emily Akina, Fresno, English secondary education major; Samantha Domingo, Fresno, psychology major;Max McDougal, Fresno, liberal studies major; Landin Mello, Laton, history major; and Michaelynn Whitsitt, Fresno, history/classics major.
Leon S. Peters was valedictorian of his Fowler High School graduating class. The eldest of five children, he worked on his father's ranch and helped raise his siblings after his mother's death when he was 17. Peters took a job at Valley Foundry and Machine Works and eventually purchased the company. Peters and his wife, Alice, were active in the community, and he headed at least 12 of Fresno's major organizations.
Each of the 10 annual scholarships—five graduate and five undergraduate—is $5,000. Awards are administered by the FPU Office of Student Financial Services and funds are managed by the university.