Richard and Lea Hayden Memorial Scholarship

Richard D. Hayden was an educator and a politician. As an educator, he passionately taught political science and California History at West Valley College. He was elected to the State Assembly in 1970 for the 22nd District in Santa Clara County and served for ten years. As an Assemblyman, he was instrumental in helping the West Valley-Mission College District acquire the land to build Mission College. When he retired from the State Legislature, he returned to Mission College to teach and later became president of the college. Lea Hayden was very active within the community, donating hundreds of hours to the Assistance League, American Heart Association, Salvation Army, and American Cancer Society. This scholarship continues their legacy of public service.