SUNY, CUNY Community College Students Honored in 2015 Phi Theta Kappa Awards Ceremony
March 9, 2015
Albany – State University of New York Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher, SUNY Broome President Kevin Drumm, and City University of New York Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Dr. Frank Sanchez today joined Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society CEO Dr. Rod Risley to present the 2015 PTK All-New York Academic Awards to community college students from across the state.
Phi Theta Kappa is the largest honor society in higher education, serving nearly 1300 colleges in all fifty united states and nine sovereign nations. Members of the All-New York Academic Team are recognized for the academic achievements, leadership accomplishments, and engagement in community service.
Dr. Risley said, “These students we recognize today come from diverse backgrounds, vary widely in age and experience, but share in common the discipline and determination necessary to succeed in college. While doing so, these scholars volunteered thousands of hours to improve the quality of life in their communities. In addition to the scholarships many received today, another $40 million in scholarships are designated exclusively for All-State Academic Team members. Phi Theta Kappa is proud to honor these students"
Chancellor Zimpher said, “Phi Theta Kappa is a noble and historic institution that recognizes the soaring value of a community college education and the tremendous impact that our students have on their campuses, in their communities, and on the economy. Congratulations to all of the students we honor today for their remarkable leadership and achievement.”
CUNY Chancellor James B. Milliken said, "For almost a century, Phi Theta Kappa has encouraged and represented excellence in community college education across our country and beyond. Nowhere is that clearer than in the students whom we honor today for their academic achievements, leadership abilities and service to their institutions. All of us at CUNY salute today’s honorees from across New York State. They have accomplished a great deal and clearly have a great deal more to give to make our city, our state and our country better places for everyone.
A listing of the 2015 PTK recipients is available online.
Additionally, the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation sponsors a Coca-Cola Community College Academic Team each year, and recognizes the New Century Scholars, which are the highest scoring students from each of the 50 states, Canada, and each of the six sovereign nations where PTK chapters exist. These students make up the All-USA Community College Academic Team.
New York’s 2015 New Century Scholar is Anastassiya Neznanova from LaGuardia Community College. The state’s Coca Cola Scholars are Steven Curcio and Emily Rooney, SUNY Suffolk; Erika Pelletier, Hudson Valley Community College; Heather Polgrean, Dutchess Community College; Daysi Proano and Silvia Salamone, Queensborough Community College; and Rebecca Venturelli, Jefferson Community College.
New York Community College Trustees President Tina Good conducted today’s ceremony, which was sponsored by NYCCT, the New York Community College Association of Presidents, Community College Business Officers Association, and the Faculty Council of Community Colleges.
About The City University of New York
The City University of New York is the nation’s leading urban public university. Founded in New York City in 1847, the University comprises 24 institutions: 11 senior colleges, seven community colleges, the William E. Macaulay Honors College at CUNY, the CUNY Graduate School and University Center, the CUNY Graduate School of Journalism, the CUNY School of Law, the CUNY School of Professional Studies and the CUNY School of Public Health. The University serves more than 270,000 degree-credit students and 218,083 adult, continuing and professional education students. College Now, the University’s academic enrichment program, is offered at CUNY campuses and more than 300 high schools throughout the five boroughs of New York City. The University offers online baccalaureate degrees through the School of Professional Studies and an individualized baccalaureate through the CUNY Baccalaureate Degree. Nearly 3 million unique visitors and 10 million page views are served each month via www.cuny.edu, the University’s website.
About the State University of New York
The State University of New York is the largest comprehensive system of higher education in the United States, and more than 95 percent of all New Yorkers live within 30 miles of any one of SUNY’s 64 colleges and universities. Across the system, SUNY has four academic health centers, five hospitals, four medical schools, two dental schools, a law school, the country’s oldest school of maritime, the state’s only college of optometry, and manages one US Department of Energy National Laboratory. In total, SUNY serves about 1.4 million students amongst its entire portfolio of credit- and non-credit-bearing courses and programs, continuing education, and community outreach programs. SUNY oversees nearly a quarter of academic research in New York. Research expenditures system-wide are nearly $1.1 billion in fiscal year 2023, including significant contributions from students and faculty. There are more than three million SUNY alumni worldwide, and one in three New Yorkers with a college degree is a SUNY alum. To learn more about how SUNY creates opportunities, visit suny.edu.
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