Four Students are Recipients of SUNY Chancellor’s Award

April 25, 2019

Four members of the Hudson Valley Community College student body were named recipients of the State University of New York Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence, one of the highest student honors awarded by the SUNY system.

The recipients are Christopher Calicchia, an Engineering Science student from Loudonville; Sayema Matin of Waterford, a Biological Sciences student; Deborah Brannan of Catskill, a Liberal Arts student, and Jamison Jarosz of Schaghticoke, an Engineering Science student.

Christopher Calicchia
Christopher Calicchia

Calicchia has a 3.8 grade point average, is a member of Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society and was named to the 2018 NJCAA Academic All-American Third Team as a member of the men’s lacrosse team. He also is a member of the Engineering Science Club and is a student worker for the college’s Athletics Department.

Sayema Matin
Sayema Matin

Matin ultimately plans to attend medical school. She has a 3.8 GPA and has been actively involved on campus, as treasurer/secretary of the college’s chapter of Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society, vice president of the Foreign Language and Culture Club, and as a member of the Public Speaking Club. Matin also served as a freshman and senior class senator of the Student Senate.

Deborah Brannan
Deborah Brannan

Brannan has maintained a 4.0 GPA and is a member of the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society. She received the Excellence in Theatre Arts Award, is a member of Theater Club and participated in the art exhibit “Postcards from the Trail” in her community.

Jamison Jarosz
Jamison Jarosz

Jarosz currently serves as Student Senate President, as a board member on the college’s Faculty Student Association and as the student representative on the college’s Strategic Planning Committee. He is also a student athlete in track and field and is the current president of the Investment Club on campus.

The students were invited to attend the 2019 Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence ceremony and reception, Wednesday, April 24, 2019 from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Albany Capital Center.

“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,” SUNY Chancellor Kristina M. Johnson said at the ceremony. “The students being recognized today made the choice to be 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 was created 22 years ago to recognize students from across the State University’s 64 college and universities who have best demonstrated, and been recognized for, the integration of academic excellence with accomplishments in the areas of leadership, athletics, community service, creative and performing arts or career achievement.

Each year, campus presidents establish a selection committee, which reviews exemplary members of their college communities who are graduating. 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 Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence.

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