Former Foster Youth Attending
UC San Diego Awarded
Technology Packages from Sony, Intel

January 26, 2010

By Jade Griffin

Ya Hui “Evy” Lin.

Ya Hui “Evy” Lin is working toward a Master’s degree at the University of California, San Diego, with the goal of someday developing pharmaceutical drugs to help others.  Last year, she finished her undergraduate degree from UC San Diego in human biology.  The cards have not always been stacked in Lin’s favor, though.  Lin grew up in California’s foster system. She also battled—and overcame—thyroid cancer as a teenager in high school. 

Today, Sony Electronics, with the support of Intel, awarded Lin and four other UC San Diego students who are former foster youth with top-of-the-line technology packages. The gifts are designed to support the students’ studies in a time when technology plays a key role in academic success.

In addition to Lin, award recipients include:

Samantha Alvarez

• Samantha Marie Alvarez, a recent transfer student studying psychology with the goal of becoming an advocate for current and former foster youth;

• Eden Haven, a recent transfer student studying linguistics.  She plans on becoming a Spanish teacher and would like to work with foster youth after graduation;

• Adam Radtke, a third year undergraduate majoring in political science.  Having interned with a state assemblyman and Governor Schwarzenegger’s office, Radke plans to pursue a graduate degree in law or political science; and

• Victoria Velasquez, a junior majoring in political science. Velasquez plans to apply for law school upon graduation, with the goal of going into law and politics.

Eden Haven

The five students will each receive a Sony VAIO notebook with an Intel Centrino 2 Processor, Webbie high-definition camera with 16-gigabyte memory card and Walkman® MP3 player, which can be used to listen to electronically recorded lectures.

“We are very grateful that Sony and Intel have collaborated to give five of our students generous computer packages,” said Chancellor Marye Anne Fox. “The packages will provide our students with the latest technology and help them with their educational goals, both in and out of the classroom.”

Adam Radtke

The technology packages are part of a nationwide scholarship program established by Sony, with Intel’s collaboration, to give students the tools they need to continue to achieve academic excellence.  UC San Diego was one of 30 universities and community colleges around the country selected to participate in the program.

“Technology is a huge part of the learning process today,” said Mike Abary, senior vice president of Sony Electronics. “We understand the added pressures students and faculty have during these tough economic times, and want to help outstanding individuals focus on what’s really important – education.”

Victoria Velasquez

“Intel is pleased to join Sony in designing and supporting this program, which provides notebook computers to deserving students at a time when both family and state education budgets are under pressure,” said Anne Gregory, Intel’s state and local education program manager. “Having a fast, light and up-to-date notebook computer can help these students keep up with their studies and gives them a boost besides.”

Coordinating the gifts of technology packages is UC San Diego’s Guardian Scholars Program, which is committed to supporting former foster youth in their efforts to gain a college education. In addition to providing assistance with scholarship applications and financial aid, the program helps these students orient themselves to university life, gives them year-round access to campus housing, and assists with career planning and job opportunities.

To learn more about the UC San Diego Guardian Scholars Program and how you can help former foster youth achieve their dreams of a UCSD education, please call (858) 822-1536. 

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Giving to UC San Diego
Founded in 1960, the University of California, San Diego is ranked the 7th best public university in the nation by U.S. News and World Report, and has been named the “hottest” institution to study science by Newsweek. But with higher education’s share of state revenue declining each year, UC San Diego must increasingly rely on financial support from private sources to pursue groundbreaking research and cutting-edge technologies. With the support of generous alumni, parents, faculty, staff, students and friends, our campus can continue to provide local impact, national influence and global reach as one of the world’s leading education and research institutions.  For more information, call 858-534-1610 or visit www.giving.ucsd.edu.

Media Contacts:
Jade Griffin at jadegriffin@ucsd.edu or 858-822-5309
Ana Reyes at ana.reyes@am.sony.com or 858-942-2793