CIM Student Honored with 2016 Rawlins Merit Award

Nineteen students with major achievements in the classroom and in the community were honored in a special ceremony on November 7 as recipients of the 35th annual Lieutenant Robert Merton Rawlins Merit Award.

The award—one of the largest and most prestigious at CSU, Chico—celebrates scholarship, extracurricular activities, and outstanding academic and professional accomplishments. Awards are also based on evidence of a student’s sincere intent to complete their education, to increase their personal knowledge, and to achieve success in every aspect of life.

The Rawlins merit scholarships are named in honor of Lt. Robert Merton Rawlins, who died piloting a B-29 bomber over Tokyo Bay during World War II. Wishing to leave a legacy in the name of her son, Mrs. Fern Rawlins established the Lt. Robert Merton Rawlins Merit Award endowment in 1981.

Since the program’s inception, more than $1 million in scholarships has been awarded to more than 800 deserving CSU, Chico students.

Joanne O'Hara

Joanne is a senior completing a degree in concrete industry management, with a minor in business administration. She is cofounder of the Women in the Concrete Industry Club. Joanne has worked for the CSU, Chico Research Foundation as a laboratory assistant, conducting research on various concrete properties, and as a student ambassador, attending college and career fairs as an advocate for the concrete industry management program. As a presenter at the 30th Annual CSU Student Research Competition, she was selected as one of the top 10 presenters statewide. As Feraidon Ataie wrote in his nomination letter, “what Joanne has accomplished so far at Chico State is beyond outstanding in every aspect.”

Click to read about all 19 recipients.(opens in new window)