Gerry Aust dedicated his life to education, service, and community engagement, leaving an indelible mark on the Tustin Unified School District and beyond. Over his 37-year career, he served as a teacher, activities director, and school principal, shaping the lives of countless students. He began as a teacher at Hewes Middle School before becoming its Activities Director and Assistant Principal. He later served as principal at Arroyo and Marjorie Veeh Elementary Schools, as well as Columbus Tustin and Utt Middle Schools. At Columbus Tustin Middle School Gerry participated in creating the Magnet Program.

Though he officially retired in 2000, Gerry never truly stopped working. He continued to serve as an Interim Principal or Assistant Principal at many Tustin Unified schools, including Barbara Benson, Hicks Canyon, Peters Canyon, and Jeanne Thorman Elementary Schools, as well as Columbus Tustin, Currie, and Pioneer Middle Schools, and both Foothill and Tustin High Schools. In 2004, he also played an instrumental role in opening Hicks Canyon Elementary School.

Beyond education, Gerry was deeply involved in the community. For 22 years, he and his wife, Diane, led more than 2,500 middle school students on educational trips to Washington, D.C. He was a member of the Rotary Club of Tustin-Santa Ana for over 14 years, serving as President and coordinating the Club’s high school scholarship program, now named in honor of Gerry.

He also served on the boards of the Tustin Area Council for Fine Arts, the Assessment and Treatment Services Center, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Tustin, and the Tustin Public Schools Foundation, where he and Diane co-chaired the Dinosaur Dash for two years. His service extended to local events such as the Tustin Chili Cook-Off and Tustin Tiller Days, and he was an active member of Red Hill Lutheran Church.

Gerry’s lifelong dedication to education and service earned him several accolades, including Tustin Area Man of the Year in 2005, the Tustin School Management Association’s Community Service Award in 2000 and 2009, and Orange County Retired Administrator of the Year in 2012. His commitment to students, schools, and the broader community made him a beloved figure in Tustin. Gerry Aust was more than an educator, he was a mentor, a leader, and a true icon whose legacy will continue to inspire generations to come. He passed away in 2017, leaving behind a lasting impact.

Application Instructions

Applications are open now, and must be submitted no later than Friday, March 28^th at 5:00pm.

Qualifications

1. Applicants attend high school with the Tustin Unified School District.
2. Applicant is graduating this year and will be entering a (two or four year)
   University, College, or a Vocational School.
3. Applicants’ grade point average is 3.0 or better.
4. Applicants have previous community service and/or philanthropic work.
5. Applicants need financial assistance.

Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted for consideration.

What happens after I submit my application?

1. You may be contacted to participate in an interview on Zoom with several members of the Rotary Club of Tustin-Santa Ana.
2. The interview panel are members of the Rotary Club of Tustin-Santa Ana and are often joined by Gerrys’ sons, Eric and Brian.
3. Interviews will be held in April followed by notification of the recipients selected.
4. On Thursday, May 8, Scholarship Recipients will be recognized and receive their scholarships at the Rotary Club of Tustin-Santa Ana’s luncheon meeting at 12 noon. The meeting takes place at the Santa Ana Elks Lodge in Santa Ana.

QUESTIONS? Please call Laurie Abelove at 949-400-5150 or email Rotaryclubtsafundraiser@gmail.com