B INNEKILL Vol. XXXI No. 1
a monthly publication for students, faculty, staff and friends
March 20, 2014
Students chosen for statewide awards Four SCCC students were recently chosen from among nominees from institutions across New York state for prestigious awards. They will be recognized at events in Albany next month. Sara Pierce and Deborah Todd were named to the All-USA Community College Academic Team. Sara was named to the first academic team and Deborah to the second. They were chosen based on the following criteria: academic excellence and intellectual rigor, leadership and service Sara is a Liberal Arts: Humanities and Social Sciences major with a 4.0 grade point average. She plans to transfer to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education and become a teacher. Sara’s passion for working with children blossomed after volunteering at her local library in the summer reading program, ultimately being hired by the library because of her outstanding contributions while leading children in activities and reading to them. She has also spent three summers as a Junior Staff Member at Camp Pattersonville children’s camp and she currently teaches a monthly class for young children at her church. Sara has been a member of the Spanish Club and Phi Theta Kappa and is a scholarship recipient. Deborah has always looked for ways to help others, whether it was collecting and sorting food donations at the Galway Food Pantry or assisting students as a substitute teacher in the Galway Central School District. As part of a course in the Chemical Dependency Counseling major, Deborah and her classmates transformed an unorganized facility, part of a local community church, into a freshly painted and orderly area with racks and shelves of donated clothes for those in need. She is a single mother of three adult children and remains very active in their lives. While working, going to school and volunteering, Deborah maintains at 3.92 grade point average. She already holds a B.A. degree in biology and chemistry from Potsdam State University and plans to obtain her master’s degree and pursue her career goal of becoming a Substance Abuse Counselor.
Thomas Dalton Bambury and Elisabeth Smith earned the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence given to students who have integrated academic excellence with other aspects of their lives. Thomas, who is majoring in both Chemical Dependency Counseling and Human Services, is in his second term as the College’s Student Trustee. He has been an energetic member of several College committees, including the ADA Transition Services Advisory Committee and Pilot Program Committee for the College Success Program for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Thomas has also served as the Secretary on the Executive Board of the Faculty Student Association and was chosen to represent SCCC at the SUNY Student Assembly for two years, receiving certificates in leadership, diversity, and professional development. He has been named to the President’s and Dean’s Lists and received various scholarships. In addition, Thomas has been a community volunteer and advocate with the City Mission of Schenectady, the AIDS Walk, Pancreatic Cancer Action Network and local theater troupes. Elisabeth is a Teacher Education Transfer major and has a long list of campus activities. After being named to the President’s and Dean’s List at the College, Beth was inducted into the College’s chapter of Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) International Honor Society. The following year she became a PTK officer, helping to develop induction ceremonies. She has demonstrated strong leadership skills as the Vice President of the Student Government Association and Secretary of the Education Club. Upon the recommendation of an SCCC staff member, Beth was a member of the Faculty Student Association Board of Directors and the Community and Cultural Events Committee, sharing her perspective with faculty and staff on both committees.
Have you applied for a scholarship? The SCCC Foundation offers a variety of scholarships for full-time and part-time students based on academic performance, degree program and/or financial need. Students returning for the Fall 2014 semester are encouraged to apply for the 2014-2015 scholarships. There are also some scholarships available for students graduating this May. For a listing of the 2014-2015 scholarships, please visit http://www.sunysccc.edu/adm-fin/finschol.htm. Scholarship applications are due by Friday, March 28, 2014 at 4 p.m. For questions or information, please contact: scccfoundation@sunysccc.edu/phone: (518) 381-1324.