The Julia Morgan Memorial Endowed Scholarship in Health and the Environment honors the life and legacy of Julie Morgan who was passionate about nature and environmental health and worked as a registered nurse for over 15 years. Julie was diagnosed with hormone-positive invasive ductal breast cancer on Oct 10, 2011 and passed away in 2021. She marked her one-year anniversary post-mastectomy by joining the Board of Directors of the nonprofit Breast Cancer Action. This endowed scholarship was established for people who have had their lives touched by cancer, understand the environmental concerns at play in our health, and are dedicated to helping solve these problems. Hopefully, one day soon, we can lessen the grief and heartache of others by helping to fund the next generation of health care workers addressing human-caused environmental influences of cancer. Students in public health, environmental studies and nursing are eligible for this award. When the scholarship application process opens, an announcement will be sent out to all eligible students.
John Blake West received an MPH from SF State posthumously in 2001. He was devoted to the public health needs of LGBTQIA+ individuals and communities, and upon his death, bequeathed a portion of his estate to SF State’s then Department of Health Education (now Department of Public Health) to create ongoing scholarships for MPH students who demonstrate a commitment to LGBTQIA+ health issues. Also, his wish was to have the SF State Department of Public Health MPH program offer instruction in LGBTQI public health. The scholarship will be awarded to an MPH student to provide financial assistance for the awardee’s MPH study. When the application process opens, an announcement will be sent out to all eligible students.