L to R: Catherine Grossman '22, Morgan Michalski '22, and Luis Yanez Zamora '22 (photos provided).
Three SUNY Geneseo students have received the 2022 Chancellor's Awards for Student Excellence. SUNY Chancellor Deborah F. Stanley presented the awards to Catherine Grossman '22, Morgan Michalski '22, and Luis Yanez Zamora '22.
Grossman is a psychology major from Samar, Philippines, who is involved on campus in Gospel Choir and the Jewish Foundation for Education of Women (JFEW). As a Dean's List regular, she is also a member of Psi Chi and an AOP scholar. Grossman's post-graduation plans this May are to travel back to the Philippines to visit her family and explore opportunities and travel to either Los Angeles or New York City. Grossman says that her favorite moments at Geneseo include GREAT Day and the holiday Jubilee.
Michalski, a communication major from Cheektowaga, NY, has had three SUNYAC championship appearances for women's volleyball. Michalski has served as a student orientation coordinator, student-athlete mentor, and head office manager. She recently won the Fred Bright Contribution and Leadership Award. Post-graduation, Michalski plans to explore her career options in higher education administration.
Yanez is a physics and mathematics double major from East Hampton, NY. As a first-generation student, he is a McNair Scholar and a Presidential Scholar, and he serves as the vice-chair of the Student Association Academic Affairs Committee. Yanez tutors math and physics students while engaging in campus governance and other organizations. His academic interests involve research on black holes, the production of gravitational waves, and general relativity. Yanez's post-graduation plans are to pursue a PhD in theoretical astrophysics.
Grossman, Michalski, and Yanez were among 180 SUNY students from across the state to receive the Chancellor's Award. They convened in Saratoga Springs with their families, campus presidents, senior staff, and faculty on April 26 for their ceremony.
"To this year's awardees, congratulations on receiving this well-deserved accolade; the entirety of the SUNY community, including and especially myself, is endlessly proud of your work and commitment to turning your dreams into reality," said Chancellor Stanley. "No matter what challenges you face or the obstacles placed in your way, you remain determined to succeed. I applaud you for all that you've accomplished, and I can't wait to see what you do next."
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 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 forwarded to the Chancellor's Office for additional review and selection.
—Grace Tinklepaugh '22