Stories

Scholarship Stories

OSU Presidential Scholar: Luke Donaldson '25

Natural Resources | Specialized Option: GIS Applications in Ecosystem Management
 

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Growing up in the small town of Coquille on Oregon's southern coast, senior Luke Donaldson developed a love for the natural world from a young age. He remembers looking up at the patches of clear-cut forests on the hills surrounding his town and wondering if there was a better way to manage the forests so they would be preserved for future generations.

When applying to OSU-Cascades, Luke was awarded OSU's Presidential Scholarship due to his exceptional grades and accomplishments. It’s the university's most prestigious and competitive award. "I grew up in a lower-income, single-parent family," he said. "Making sure college was paid for was a big deal to me. The scholarship has made my dreams of a college education come true."

Read Luke's Story

OSU Presidential Scholar: Ana Laura Jacuinde Caballero '27

Business Administration
 

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Ana Laura was a seventh grader in Prineville the first time she thought about attending college. OSU’s Juntos program representatives came to her school to lead information sessions about how to apply for college, scholarships and financial aid. Ana Laura began to visualize her path after high school. “I knew for the kind of career I wanted, I was going to need to get a college degree,” she said.

To prepare for college admission, Ana Laura first focused on grades. She knew excelling in academics would also help her earn scholarships. Her aim did not waver. She would graduate from Crook County High School with a 4.0 GPA. She jumped into extracurricular activities, too — she played on the high school tennis team, was a camp counselor and worked for the county health department.

Her years of hard work paid off. Ana Laura was called down to the school library one afternoon during her senior year. She walked in the door and was surprised to see her friends and family gathered. “Everyone was clapping,” she said. An OSU admissions advisor stepped forward and awarded her the Presidential Scholarship, OSU’s most prestigious and competitive scholarship. “It’s a small percentage of students who receive it,” said Ana Laura. “My mom was so happy. I could see she was so proud.”

Ana Laura is now in her first year at OSU-Cascades, where she studies business administration and is interested in digital marketing. She loves the close-knit community.

“Professors are already letting me know they will help me in any way,” she said. 
 

Isabella Crews '24

Kinesiology
 

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Like many students of her generation, Isabella Crews started college under less-than-ideal circumstances — it was fall 2020 in the middle of the COVID-19 lockdown. Looking for a way to connect and stay healthy, Isabella and other students formed a trail running club. It was a success —getting fresh air while running through the pines helped the club members cope with the isolation they were experiencing. 

Helping people through movement began to resonate with Isabella. She started OSU-Cascades as a biology major, thinking about medical school. But the more she explored kinesiology, the more excited she became. A career helping others move in the way they wanted and needed to for a satisfying life. She was in. 

The Doctor of Physical Therapy program at OSU-Cascades was now on her horizon. But it's competitive, and she knew she would need to excel in her undergraduate studies to gain admission. 

Thanks to scholarships Isabella has received during her time at OSU-Cascades, she's been able to. 

"I feel thankful that others' generosity has allowed me to pursue my academic goals and future career plans,” she said. “My GPA reflects that gratitude." 

Isabella's hard work and dedication paid off when she received the news of her acceptance into the OSU-Cascades' Doctor of Physical Therapy program. This fall, she will embark on her next adventure with a clear vision of her end goal — helping people live better lives through movement.
 

Angel Ruvalcaba '25

Arts, Media and Technology
 

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A lifelong Central Oregonian, freshman Angel Ruvalbaca was born in Madras and grew up in Redmond. College wasn’t always in his plans, but as he excelled in school his parents set college as an expectation. An in-home health care worker originally from Mexico, his mother saw firsthand the difference a bachelor’s degree could make in someone’s life.

Today, Angel is participating in OSU-Cascades’ TRIO program as a first-generation college student and learning about opportunities and services available to him through OSU. He is also participating in OSU-Cascades’ Degree Partnership Program with Central Oregon Community College and has earned additional scholarships and grants that give his family much relief.

“My parents are proud, but they still have high expectations for me,” he said.

Angel is growing personally in courses that help him see his dream of owning his own company in the video gaming industry is in reach. He is about to confirm his major in art, media and technology.

“Video gaming brings together all of the things I love — story writing, art, graphic design, cinematography, music,” said Angel. “I’m excited about the future and learning more about all of these areas.”