Cal State San Bernardino’s Palm Desert Campus (PDC) held its annual Rogers Scholarship reception on September 30, honoring the 2025-26 class of Rogers Scholars. The event brought together scholarship recipients and members of the Rogers family, who have supported PDC students since 1994.
Adolfo Velazquez, director of community relations and philanthropy at the Palm Desert Campus, welcomed attendees and introduced the Rogers family. Velazquez said, “The Rogers Scholarship is more than a financial award—it is a promise. It is a promise that our students’ hard work and potential will be nurtured and supported. Today we celebrate not only their accomplishments, but also the future leaders, educators and professionals they will become.”
Zachary Tucker, associate vice president for the Office of Philanthropic Giving, thanked the Rogers family for their ongoing support and encouraged the new scholars.
Each scholar received a commemorative ring during the celebration and gave brief remarks to thank the Mary Stuart Rogers Foundation and those who have supported them.
This year’s Rogers Scholars are Alexis Agbayani (Nursing), Shekaila Alvez (Nursing), Nicole Corona (Nursing), Sydney Durana (Nursing and Psychology), Stephanie Grantell (Psychology), Duaa Jamaleddin (English Literature), Karen Orozco (Nursing), Andrea Pass (Nursing), Valerie Perez (English), Crystal Romero (Psychology and Spanish), and Nathen Velasco (Nursing).
The Mary Stuart Rogers Scholarship Fund awards merit-based scholarships to undergraduate and graduate students at PDC based on academic achievement, leadership potential, and commitment to serving peers and communities. Since its creation, over $2 million in scholarships have been distributed to empower students who later contribute in various fields.
The CSUSB Palm Desert Campus provides undergraduate and graduate programs with an emphasis on academic excellence and community engagement in the Coachella Valley region.
