John Martin Shaffer
California State University, Dominguez Hills
Recipient, William Randolph Hearst/CSU Trustees' Award for Outstanding Achievement
After a troubled marriage and divorce, John Martin Shaffer and his two children were only able to afford to rent a one-bedroom apartment with kitchen privileges. He has had sole custody of his children since 2002. In spite of the hardships, John is a dedicated father, student, son, brother, friend, volunteer and employee. He graduated with honors from Golden West College in spring 2005 and has maintained a 4.0 GPA since enrolling at CSU Dominguez Hills in fall 2005. Despite his commitments as a single-parent, full-time student and part-time employee, he continues to serve his community as a parent volunteer in both of his children's classrooms and is active in the PTA and the Committee for Class-Size Reduction. John is grateful for the opportunity to become the first in his family to graduate from a university, and for the example he is able to set for his children.
