Frank A. Mesplé

This undergraduate scholarship fund was established during the 1980-81 academic year in memory of Frank Mesplé by friends, family, and fellow active participants in California political life. During the 1970s Frank frequently taught a highly acclaimed UCD course on California politics. Members of the Steering Committee to establish the Scholarship Fund included the Honorary Chairman, The Honorable Edmund G. (Pat) Brown, Chairman Jackson R. Gualco, Secretary/Treasurer Jackie Habecker, Harold Boel, B.T. Collins, The Honorable Dick Floyd, Ralph J. McGill, John R. Quimby, Sr., and Paul Ward; a second fundraising event included sponsors such as Senator Kenneth L. Maddy, Senator Ralph Dills, Senator Robert Beverly, Assemblywoman Teresa Hughes, and Assemblyman John Thurman. The scholarship was endowed with funds from the First Annual Figpluckers Luncheon. Frank was respected and well-liked, not only at UC Davis, but also in the California Legislature and among his lobbyist cronies. Recipients are outstanding Political Science Department majors who share Frank's zeal for involvement in California state and local government. Jackson Gualco continues to be an active steward of the fund and currently hosts an annual black tie dinner for lobbyists, clients, and other notables as a fundraiser for the scholarship.

Over the past 25+ years between two and seven scholarships have been awarded per year, for a total of more than 75 scholarships awarded to students in Political Science.