Continuing a tradition of support for California State University, Northridge that goes back more than 25 years, the Encino Woman’s Club has donated $21,000 to the university for scholarships.

The gift was presented to university officials and six student scholarship recipients during a special tea at the club in June.

Lili Vidal, CSUN’s director of financial aid and scholarships, called the donation “transformative” for the students who received the scholarships.

“I’ve had the opportunity to meet with a few of the representatives from the organization to thank them for supporting our students through scholarships over the years,” Vidal said. “But it’s been more than years — it’s been decades — that these women, many now in their 90s, have supported our students.

“The students have expressed how much this support means to them, not just financially, but in the knowledge that there are people behind them and who are interested in their success.”

For more than three decades, the club’s members have donated money to support CSUN students, funding more than 100 individual scholarships during that time.

“There aren’t very many of us, but we get together every Thursday,” said Mary Pritzlaff, who has been a member of the Encino Woman’s Club for 41 years and is chair of the club’s welfare and philanthropy committee. “You have a very fine university, and we like to give locally. You generate some amazing young people, and we hope that we can continue to give. Most of us are in our 90s, but we’ll carry on as long as we can.”

The club’s donations go to support high-achieving students majoring in science, math, engineering, computer science or education.

This year’s recipients are Katherine Peal, Edna Martinez, Bailey Hooper, Carolyn Smith, Porche Carter and Kelsey Almendral. Each received a $3,500 scholarship.

Scholarships