Four SUNY Oneonta students are among 210 State University of New York students chosen to receive the 2019 SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence. SUNY Chancellor Kristina M. Johnson presented the awards to the students during a reception in their honor today in Albany.
“Today’s award recipients emerged from their campuses this year as the top scholars, athletes, performers, and achievers, as well as a tremendous source of inspiration,” said Chancellor Johnson. “The students being recognized today made the choice to become leaders on their campuses, prioritize their studies, and serve their communities. Congratulations to this year’s awardees, and I applaud you for pursuing excellence in all that you do.”
The Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence is the highest honor that SUNY bestows upon students. It is presented annually to SUNY students who demonstrate academic excellence and integrate it with accomplishments in other areas, such as leadership, career achievement, campus involvement, athletics, community service, or creative and performing arts.
Each year, SUNY campus presidents establish a selection committee, which reviews the accomplishments of exemplary students. Nominees are then forwarded to the Chancellor’s Office for a second round of review. Finalists are then recommended to the Chancellor to become recipients of the award.
Since the Chancellor’s Award program was implemented, 92 SUNY Oneonta students have received the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence.
The four SUNY Oneonta students selected to receive the 2019 SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence are:
James Bethel
Saugerties, NY
Communication Studies
James Bethel is a four-time NCAA All-American wrestler, has represented SUNY Oneonta at several NCAA conventions, and has twice been named SUNY Oneonta Male Athlete of the Year. He is a member of three national honor societies, serves as president of the Student Athletic Advisory Committee, and has performed hundreds of community service hours. James’ research on the prevalence of motion sickness among student-athletes while traveling has been accepted for a national presentation this May.
Madeline Frank
Syracuse, NY
Biology
Madeline Frank’s stellar GPA has consistently landed her on the Provost’s List and earned her membership in three national honor societies. As a basketball player, Maddy was a Third Team All-SUNYAC conference player and made the SUNYAC All-Academic Team and the SUNYAC Commissioner’s Academic Honor Roll. She also was named SUNYAC Scholar Athlete of the Year for women’s basketball. She is tireless in her pursuit to become a physician assistant and has racked up more than 450 service hours volunteering at area hospitals and serving as an EMT.
Rosario Rodriguez
Greenport, NY
Mass Communications
Rosario Rodriguez is an exceptionally driven student whose outstanding grades have consistently earned her a spot on the Dean’s and/or Provost’s lists. She is deeply involved in coordinating events and fundraisers for two national honor societies and her multicultural sorority, Mu Sigma Upsilon, Sorority Incorporated. Rosario is passionate about serving others, volunteering her time as a peer mentor and host to prospective students. With several impressive internships under her belt, Rosario hopes to go into the film industry.
Karly Schuhart
Penfield, NY
Child and Family Studies
Karly Schuhart’s excellent GPA earned her a consistent spot on the Dean’s/Provost’s list, won her two scholarships and gained her entrance into a national honor society. She excelled in multiple leadership positions, including resident adviser, teaching assistant and peer facilitator. Karly’s continual fundraising and volunteering have benefited multiple schools and organizations in her hometown and in Oneonta. After graduating in December, she was hired as a Registered Behavioral Therapist at the Center for Autism and Related Disorders.