Edison grants La Sierra second $25k STEM award for students

RIVERSIDE, Calif. -- Just before Christmas, La Sierra University’s students received a sizeable present from one of the nation’s largest electric power generators, a gift that will keep on giving in the form of future science and technology careers. 

For the second consecutive year, the university received $25,000 from Edison International’s Edison Scholars Scholarship program which supports students aiming for careers in science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM. 

Following a winter quarter application process, funds will be awarded this spring to 12 eligible STEM majors at La Sierra in the amount of $2,083 each. Eligibility is determined in part on grade point average, financial need, and campus involvement.

“We are very pleased to be able to continue the Edison Scholars program at La Sierra University,” said Marvin Payne, chair of La Sierra’s chemistry and biochemistry department. “Edison International is providing assistance to students majoring in areas that can have long-term effects by increasing the numbers of trained professionals in STEM disciplines critical to the infrastructure of the United States. The $25,000 award will all go toward scholarships that will give our students assistance toward reaching their academic goals and the designation as an Edison Scholar as a recognition of their commitment to a critical STEM discipline.”

La Sierra University majors that qualify for the Edison scholarships include mathematics, computer science, information systems, environmental science, chemistry, and physics. The funds are intended to help fill occupations in fields the United States would like to bolster in its pursuit of innovation.

According to the U.S. Department of Education, STEM-related occupations are expected to increase 14 percent overall through 2020, with the greatest increase predicted in biomedical engineering at 62 percent. The field for medical scientists is expected to grow 36 percent, for systems software developers by 32 percent, computer systems analysts by 22 percent, and mathematics jobs by 16 percent.

Edison International, a generator and distributor of electric power, is the parent holding company of Southern California Edison and other subsidiaries. Edison International’s philanthropic arm in 2015 awarded $3.9 million in scholarships and $11.8 million in education grants.

The university last year received a $25,000 scholarship grant from Edison of which $5,000 was designated to pay for math and science tutors in the Center for Student Academic Success.

Such awards have a significant impact on students’ lives.

“Thanks to the Edison scholarship I was able to cut down my work hours in order to focus more on school work,” said senior mathematics major Edgar Padilla who received an Edison scholarship last year.

Computer science major Mason Channer, also among last school year’s Edison awardees, said his scholarship helped relieve some of his financial stress. “Working two jobs gives little time to study and do side projects,” he said. “It is a constant battle between working to attend school and finding time between work to study to stay in school. I will always be grateful to Edison for choosing me and giving me time to do more interesting things, rather than stocking shelves.”

The Edison scholarships are the latest tuition funding opportunities for La Sierra students. The university last year provided $17.9 million through a variety of scholarships including 17 different institutional programs of which approximately 11 are renewable awards. University scholarships include awards and earnings match programs for Seventh-day Adventist church members, SDA summer camp student employees, and student literature evangelists. The university also offers an SDA membership discount to students who are members of an SDA church, or to non-SDA students who graduated from an Adventist academy.

Additionally, the university handed out nearly $500,000 in endowed scholarships last year which are provided through individual and family donations to help eligible students achieve academic success and their career goals.