Edison International again gives boost to STEM students

 

RIVERSIDE, Calif. – For the ninth consecutive year, energy conglomerate Edison International has provided grants to La Sierra University students, giving a critical financial boost to their academic careers in STEM fields.

<p> Computer code displayed on a monitor. </p>

Computer code displayed on a monitor.

<p> La Sierra University student and Edison Scholar Diane Marikit Tio, at her computer. (Photo courtesy of Diane Marikit Tio) </p>

La Sierra University student and Edison Scholar Diane Marikit Tio, at her computer. (Photo courtesy of Diane Marikit Tio)

<p> An image of a computer keyboard. </p>

An image of a computer keyboard.

Eight students in physics, chemistry, and computer science each received $2,500 in Edison scholarship grants toward the end of last school year that will help fund their tuition going forward. Altogether, the energy company’s philanthropic arm has awarded $155,000 to La Sierra students since the 2014-15 school year.

Diane Marikit Tio, a sophomore computer science student, recalled the moment she discovered that she was among this year’s Edison scholarship recipients. It was during a computer science department awards assembly in May and her name appeared on a presentation slide as an awardee. 

“There is a real incentive to push me to learn." -- Diane Marikit Tio, Edison Scholar, computer science major

“I honestly didn't completely process that I had won the award until I texted my family group chat about it right after receiving it,” Tio said. “My mom, my sister, and my brother almost immediately responded with acclamations, and it made me happy to know that I have accomplished something to make them proud. I'm very grateful for this award because it has not only allowed me the opportunity to complete my education, it has also inspired me to work harder in my academics.”

Tio has yet to fine-tune her career focus, but knows that she wants “to contribute to the betterment of the world through technology,” she said, whether through smart technology, cybersecurity, or other pathways. Meanwhile, the scholarship grant is motivating her to push forward academically this coming school year.

“My drive to continue to learn and achieve has increased because I want to live up to the standards of receiving this award, and because it comes with requirements,” she said. “There is a real incentive to push me to learn, which I very much appreciate.”

Edison International, one of the nation’s largest electric utility holding companies, in 2022 distributed $8.2 million via 240 education grants to more than three million students in STEM fields, according to its  2022 Community & Economic Impact Report . The amount represented 40% of $20 million in philanthropic funding donated by Edison during fiscal 2022. Grants were also distributed in environment, public safety, and civic engagement arenas.

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