Three SUNY Oneonta students have been named 2024 recipients of the prestigious SUNY Chancellor's Award for Student Excellence.
Dasia Harrigan, Graham Wooden and Olivia Schuler were among a select group of State University of New York students recognized by SUNY Chancellor John B. King, Jr. during a reception in their honor in Albany on Thursday, April 11.
All three students are seniors and will graduate in May.
“Graham, Dasia and Olivia are stellar student leaders and role models for their peers, and the entire university community is very proud of them,” said SUNY Oneonta President Alberto Cardelle. “I know their exemplary achievements and service here is only the beginning of their story, and I look forward to seeing the wonderful things they go on to do beyond SUNY Oneonta.”
The Chancellor's Award for Student Excellence, or CASE, 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, campus involvement, community service and the arts.
Dasia Harrigan
Bronx, NY
Economics, Africana and Latinx Studies
Dasia is a standout student whose academic accomplishments, leadership, campus involvement and community service are impressive. She is a member, and president, of the Omicron Delta Epsilon international economics honor society and the recipient of five different scholarships, including the Richard Siegfried Student Award for Excellent GPA. Dasia was selected to represent Oneonta in the College Fed Challenge, showcasing her exceptional research and presentation skills. Even while juggling the responsibilities of three on-campus jobs, including Residential Advisor and Building Manager for two buildings, she prioritizes service, giving back as a dedicated peer mentor for first-year students.
Dasia shines as a leader, as president of the Black Engaged Enlightened Feminist (BEEF) Club and the Economics Club, where she spearheads initiatives like the widely acclaimed "Life After Graduation" Series. Her advocacy for cultural diversity is invaluable, as demonstrated through her involvement with the Center for Racial Justice and Inclusive Excellence (CRJIE) and BEEF, where she collaborates with faculty and students from diverse backgrounds to bring about positive change. This spring, Dasia has played a pivotal role in the newly developed Sustainable Development Goals Speaker Series, managing events and promoting sustainability initiatives.
Graham Wooden
Oneonta, NY
Exercise Science
Graham is a stellar student and leader who excels in academics, campus leadership and compassionate service to the broader community. He consistently earns academic honors including the Susan Sutton Smith Award and the Richard Siegfried Student Award for Excellent GPA. As captain of the men’s basketball team, Graham leads by example, both on the court and off, serving as a member of the Student Athletic Advisory Council and mentor for younger athletes. In his job as Conference Manager at the Morris Conference Center on campus, Graham helps coordinate logistics for conferences, camps and many other events.
Graham's compassionate leadership and dedication to service is evident in his volunteer work with community youth sports programs and the development of his own youth basketball camp, “Hoopminds.” He was recently awarded the Carol Henning Donovan Memorial Scholarship for community service and, last spring, was named to the National Association of Basketball Coaches’ NABC Honors Court. Graham recently celebrated the launch of his own personal training business, Wooden Performance.
Olivia Schuler
Warwick, NY
Psychology, Women’s and Gender Studies
Olivia is a hardworking student leader whose passion for mental health and social justice is commendable. She is a member of the national women and gender studies honor society, Triota, and the National Residence Hall Honorary organization, and has earned numerous academic awards. Olivia has served as a Residential Advisor as well as a night host in her residence halls, is the public relations chair for the College Democrats organization, a member of the Environmental Science Club, a Study Abroad Assistant with the Office of Global Education, and student director of the Alumni Association Board.
Olivia is a proud member and president of the university’s chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) which, under her leadership, earned the Student Association’s award for Best Awareness and Activism club. Service and social justice are of the utmost importance to Olivia. She advocates for student mental health awareness both on campus and at the state level and was selected to serve as a student representative on the university’s Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access (IDEA) Taskforce, as well as on the Mental Health Advisory Committee. In 2022, she was awarded the Outstanding Leadership Pin.
