C-GCC STUDENTS EARN CHANCELLOR'S, PTK HONORS
Columbia-Greene Community College graduates Mariah Szlachetka, of Oak Hill, and Mercury Mason, Chatham, received the 2017 Chancellor's Award for Student Excellence from State University of New York Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher, college President James Campion announced at Saturday’s May 13 commencement ceremonies.
This year, Zimpher honored 256 students from across the university system.
Szlachetka will pursue a bachelor's degree in fine arts and an M.F.A., with plans to become an elementary school art teacher. She worked in the Student Activities Office and was a student senator.
Last year, she designed a cat sculpture for a juried art show, "Cat'n Around Catskill," and is currently creating another for this year's show.
Mason will pursue his bachelor's and M.D., and upon completion he hopes to become a psychiatrist. This year, he served as the student trustee on the college’s Board of Trustees.
He was a student representative on the Student Senate, vice president of the Psychology Club and was a member of the men's baseball team. In his spare time, Mason enjoyed his role as a peer tutor for students and teammates.
A complete listing of student recipients is available online at http://www.suny.edu/media/suny/content-assets/documents/university-life/CASE -Program-2017.pdf.
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, 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. Each recipient receives a framed certificate and medallion, which is traditionally worn at commencement.