The Montclarion
May 21, 2004
By Bruce Gerstman

When David Lloyd arrives at Cal state Hayward next fall, rather than concentrating on student loans, he can focus on studying criminal justice.

“I like the idea behind law enforcement,” said the senior at the Arts Far West School in Rockridge, as he waited to receive a scholarship. “I just want to go in that direction.”

Lloyd is one of 10 students who received four-year scholarships from the East Bay College Fund this year, the second time the group has honored Oakland teens with Great Expectations Awards.

Officials from the fund - most of whom live in Piedmont and the Oakland hills - presented the awards Tuesday night at Mills College.

The awards honor B to B+ high school seniors in Oakland who have successfully tackled difficult situations. Each student receives $16,000 over four years, as well as college and career mentoring support.

“You see the immediate impact it has on these kids’ immediate lives and their families’ lives,” said college fund board President Andy Fremder, a Piedmont resident.

Fremder said he helped launch the awards after donating to the San Francisco-based Meritus College Fund, which runs a similar program. Getting to know the students has been much more gratifying than writing a check to an unseen cause, he said.

The students all have stories that compelled the organization to select them, fund organizers say.

Lloyd’s mother left his family unannounced a few years ago.

Jameil Butler, who will attend Cal State University in Fresno, recovered from gunshot wounds to his stomach last year. College football coaches had seen him as a promising football player.

“I turned it into a positive thing,” Butler said. He intends to continue with sports, as an agent or broadcaster.

“These students face challenges that other adolescents don’t have to deal with in high school,” said Susan Erickson Keiter, the fund’s managing consultant.

Fremder said the fund needs another $200,000 for next year’s awards. To donate, call the office at 510-594-4004 or see www.eastbaycollegefund.org.