Travis Melton

For Travis Melton, the honor of being a Verna Mae Brooks Scholar has eased his college finance concerns and broadened his horizons.

Melton, who is  an animal science major, explains that the scholarship is paying for all his tuition and other expenses during his years at the university. The Brooks scholarship program provides the largest nonathletic awards at Fresno State. This has allowed an appreciative Melton -- who's working toward a management or marketing career in the poultry industry -- to average 18-20 units per semester. And it's also helped introduce him to people beyond his field.

"I've been able to take heavier loads every semester and focus more on school," Melton says. "And, it's given me an opportunity to meet other people in different areas around the college. It's given me more opportunity to branch out and get more involved with the school."