The El Granada Building was originally designed and built in 1905 by our Grandfather, Patrick O'Brien, and has remained in our family since its construction. Our grandfather was a self taught man. Through reading, world-wide travel, and practical experience he became a very successful mining engineer and businessman. His one regret was that he was unable to attend a university. During his lifetime he assisted many young men and women achieve what he was unable to acquire: a university degree.
Our mother, Erma O'Brien Munger, continued this tradition through sponsorship of young people with a focused goal. "Erm" was a UC Berkeley Graduate whose "first love" was architecture. In those days, women did not work in an outdoor environment. She ultimately received her degree in Education but took every architectural course available. As times changed, she challenged and supported young people to go after their dream regardless of what society felt about the appropriateness of the particular vocation.
Since "the boys" purchased the property in 1982, we have tried to continue the tradition through an informal program of financial support to students in need. To continue the process, it is our belief that residential tenants and occupants in our building should be the beneficiary of this program.
In 1997, we introduced this scholarship program. As you will see in the detail which follows, we are not focused on academic excellence, but wish to examine the whole person: the Applicant's commitment not only to school, but to demonstrated leadership in their community, church, athletics, part time job, or other activities in which the Applicant participates. So, as you review this document and prepare an application, remember this is not a typical scholarship application. We want to know about you, your goals, ambitions, and activities.
To the best of our knowledge, no other property owner in Berkeley offers a scholarship program such as this. We encourage the residents of our building to take advantage of this program.
Purpose
To provide one $1,000.00 scholarship to an eligible tenant or authorized occupant selected by the Review Committee (hereinafter "Committee") who resides in the El Granada Building (hereinafter "Building"), 2510 Bancroft Way, Berkeley, California, in general support of their undergraduate or graduate degree endeavors.
Eligibility
Any "Tenant of Record" or listed "Authorized Occupant" under lease and residing in the El Granada Building is eligible (hereinafter "Applicant"). The Applicant must have resided in the Building for a minimum of one (1) semester prior to the award date and must continue residency during the semester of award. Employees of Munger Properties, LLC, Maynard Munger or Edward Munger, or relatives of the Munger family are not eligible. Applicant must be a registered full-time student, as defined by the institution, in an accredited university or college. Proof of registration and academic load will be required prior to the disbursement of the award. All tenants and authorized occupants, as defined above, are eligible to apply even if they have received an earlier award.
Selection
Munger Properties, LLC (hereinafter "Owner") will have sole authority in the selection of the Review Committee. Members of the Committee and their proceedings will remain confidential and the selection decision made by the Committee final. The Owner will have the sole and absolute right to accept or reject any or all Applications submitted.
Scholarship Award
Separate $1,000.00 scholarships will be awarded for the Fall and Spring academic semesters. This program may be discontinued at any time at the sole discretion of the Owner. The Owner reserves the right, at their sole election and discretion to award no scholarship, one scholarship, or more than one scholarship.
Application Forms
Application Forms are available from the Building Manager, the Fresno leasing office, or may be downloaded (Adobe PDF Format) and printed locally using the link at the bottom of this page.
Application Deadline Dates
Applications for the Fall Semester scholarship must be received no later than 3:00 p.m. September 15th. Applications for the Spring Semester scholarship must be received no later than 3:00 p.m. December 1st preceding the start of the academic semester.
Where to Submit Application
Applications must be submitted in a sealed envelope, addressed to: El Granada Building Scholarship, and delivered to the Building Manager, 2510 Bancroft Way, Berkeley, CA 94704.
Use of Submitted Essay
Essay information contained in the Application will become the property of the Owner, and may be used by the Owner in any manner to include promotional use. All other information enclosed with the Application will be considered confidential and will not be released to any third person without the prior written consent of the Applicant.
Use of Funds
Scholarship funds disbursed by the Owner may be used for any purpose by the recipient. An IRS Form 1099 will be filed in the recipient's name at the end of the calendar year of award.
Application Requirements
An official Application Form must be completed in its entirety and signed by the Applicant. A copy of the Applicant's most recent transcript must be attached thereto. Although an Applicant's GPA will play a part in the selection process, it is not the primary focus of the selection criteria. Greatest weight will be based on the essay content.
The short subject essay detailed below will be of major importance. The Applicant must prepare and submit with the application a short essay which addresses each of the following topics:
- Financial Need. Applicant should outline their financial need for this scholarship and how the Applicant intends to use the funds. As stated above, there are no restrictions on the use of funds, so be direct. The funds may be used for any purpose whatsoever. We are looking for honesty and candor.
- Career Goal(s). Outline your career goal(s) and your plan to achieve these goals. We are looking for what thought and planning you have made or are making for the first five years after leaving college.
- Major. If you have declared your major, tell us what it is and why you have selected that particular endeavor. If you have not declared your major, briefly outline what interests you and/or what frustrates you in your decision making process.
- Tell us about yourself. What do you feel you have accomplished in high school or during the past five years. What awards or recognitions have you received, if any, from your school, your church, for community, military or government service, sports, Scouting, etc.. Tell us what you have done or are doing in terms of extra curricular activities, athletics, part time work, church or community service.
- Leadership. Tell us what you believe makes a good leader. Include, if you wish, an example of a leader you have known and what leadership traits impressed you. Tell us what leadership positions you have held, if any, and what leadership characteristics you have.
- Life in the United States. Finally, tell us what you believe is the most serious problem or issue facing us in the United States, California, or in the Berkeley community, and what steps you would take to correct or alleviate the problem. Our intent is to have you state one issue or problem and focus on what you believe can be done to correct it.
The complete essay may be of any length but should not exceed ten (10) typed pages. If typed, line spacing should be 1.5, not single spaced. If hand written, standard lined paper is acceptable.
Interview
In the event the Committee finds competition to be close, it may elect to have an interview with the Applicant(s). The interview will be arranged by the Building Manager at a mutually agreeable time, and will be held in the El Granada Building.
Questions
Questions regarding this program may be addressed to: Tamsen Munger, Munger Properties, LLC, at the Fresno, California Leasing Office, 5588 North Palm Avenue, Fresno, California 93704, toll free telephone (888) 432-4905 or Facsimile (559) 432-8571. Please do not contact the Building Manager or management team regarding this program as they will be unable to answer your questions.
Go here for our online scholarship form.
© 1997-Present, Munger Properties, LLC, Edward Munger & Maynard Munger
All Rights Reserved - Revised September 29, 2002
