OSULA Names Pasadena’s Christopher Owen as 2015-16 Scholarship Recipient

LOS ANGELES (August 26, 2015) — As the 2015 fall semester begins in Columbus this week, The Ohio State University Alumni Club of Los Angeles (OSULA) is pleased to announce that one of those incoming freshmen is coming from Southern California with a scholarship from OSULA.

Christopher Owen, 2015-16 OSULA Scholarship Recipient

Christopher Owen, 2015-16 OSULA Scholarship Recipient

The club, serving OSU alumni in Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, Santa Barbara and Ventura counties in the Greater Los Angeles area, has awarded a $5,000 scholarship to Christopher Owen, a Pasadena native and 2015 graduate of John Marshall Fundamental High School.

“OSULA is thrilled to award Christopher Owen this scholarship to assist his him with his transition to what we know will be an exciting and rewarding collegiate career as a Buckeye,” says Shaun Swiger, OSULA Scholarship Committee chair. “We had a terrific number of qualified applicants and Chris’ outstanding achievements in and out of the classroom, and sincere desire to attend Ohio State, make him a very deserving OSULA Scholarship recipient.”

A member of the marching and jazz bands as a saxophonist, Owen was a four-year Honor Roll and National Honor Society selection at John Marshall, focusing on the most rigorous classes offered in mathematics and fostering a passion for chemistry and physics. He also gained teaching skills in his off hours, volunteering as a teacher’s aide for two Pasadena Educational Foundation’s summer school enrichment programs where he taught elementary and junior high students how to play a variety of musical instruments.

Owen says after growing up in SoCal, he’s ready for a new chapter where he can pursue his life and career goals in an environment tailored to his own style of learning and where he can experience four seasons for the first time.

“As a Los Angeles resident for 18 years now, I have lived in a place where it is always 80 degrees and up without any real distinction between seasons,” reflects Owen. “I look forward to attending Ohio State where I can get a change in scenery and weather, and maybe even get to see a real winter for once.”

A new wardrobe of Nike National Champion Scarlet and Gray sweaters, coats, gloves and caps will no doubt help him with his move to the climate in Columbus.

OSULA is committed to providing students from Southern California the opportunity to sing the praises of Ohio State. Its student recruitment committee visits thousands of young students each year in an effort to attract top students to Ohio State. Most importantly, OSULA awards scholarships each year and several years ago established an endowed scholarship in the club’s name. OSULA accepts tax-deductible contributions to the OSULA Scholarship Fund, and anyone interested may send a check (made payable to The Ohio State University) to OSULA, 2040 Hermosa Ave., Hermosa Beach, CA 90254. Thank you for supporting The Ohio State University and OSULA.

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For a recap of Christopher Owen’s first week on the Ohio State campus – in his own words – please click on his blog submission at the following link: http://alumnigroups.osu.edu/osula/2015/08/2015-16-osula-scholarship-recipient-pasadenas-christopher-owen-reflects-on-first-week-as-a-buckeye/