SUNY Chancellor Zimpher last week honored more than 300 college students from campuses throughout the state at the Empire State Plaza Convention Center. 243 SUNY students were presented with the 2013 Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence, and 70 more SUNY and City University of New York (CUNY) students were recognized for receiving awards from Phi Theta Kappa, a national honor society.
The Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence was created in 1997 to recognize students who have best demonstrated, and have been recognized for, the integration of academic excellence with accomplishments in the areas of leadership, athletics, community service, creative and performing arts, campus involvement, or career achievement.
Each year, campus presidents establish a selection committee which reviews exemplary students. Nominees are then forwarded to the Chancellor’s Office and are subject to a second round of review. Finalists are then recommended to the Chancellor to become recipients of the award. Each recipient receives a framed certificate and medallion, which is traditionally worn at commencement.
“The students we honor today have strong records of achievement as student leaders, scholar athletes, aspiring artists, and community volunteers,” said Chancellor Zimpher. “By exhibiting excellence in class, on campus, and in their local communities, these students truly represent the Power of SUNY and we honor them with great pride. Congratulations to all the students being recognized today.”
The Phi Theta Kappa Award Ceremony recognizes outstanding community college students throughout the state. The ceremony is sponsored annually by New York Community College Trustees, the New York Community College Association of Presidents, and the Faculty Council of Community Colleges.
Phi Theta Kappa is an honor society that recognizes and encourages scholarship among two-year college students. In addition to academic achievement, recipients of the award are also evaluated on their leadership and community service involvement, and are named members of the All New York Community College Academic Team. This year, 65 SUNY and 8 CUNY students are being honored.
At this year’s awards ceremony, award winners were asked to complete the statement “SUNY makes college worth it because…”. See their answers in the video below. You can also visit our Facebook page to see photos of all awards recipients in attendance.
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