Fund: William O'Connor Endowed Scholarship Fund for Academic Excellence Department: Undergrad Student Financial Aid D02089 Purpose: Undergraduate Student Support Background: Mr. William "Bill" O'Connor has been a strong and passionate advocate of quality education for over 40 years with a particular passion for the value of a public education. He received his associate's degree from Riverside City College in 1966, bachelor's degree from UC Riverside in 1968, and master's degree in education from the University of San Diego in 1977. His commitment to engendering academic excellence in public education has been evident in his 30 plus years as a teacher in the Poway Unified School District, and board member and president for the Fallbrook Union High School District Board of Trustees from 2006-2013. As a further reflection of his values, and to continue advancing the academic quality, excellence and benefits of public education, Mr. O'Connor wishes to establish an endowed student award in support of community college transfer students to UC Riverside with the provisions outlined below. General Purpose: This Fund shall be used to provide financial assistance to community college transfer students who are accepted to UC Riverside in any academic subject. Criterian and Selection Process: The Financial Aid Office at UC Riverside will select the scholarship recipient(s) annually. It is the Donor’s preference that the Fund be used initially as a recruitment scholarship for incoming transfer students, and that selected students will continue to receive funding in subsequent years provided they continue to be academically eligible. In years when there is no candidate who meets the criteria, awards will be held until the following year. Eff. 06/03/22 fund name changed from: William O'Connor Endowed Student Award for Academic Excellence. Request for Information: Contact the Financial Aid Office at finaid@ucr.edu or by clicking onto the link below.