Adams Receives Academic Achievement Award
(April 2015) Laura Adams of Kirkville was one of 50 outstanding SUNY Oneonta seniors selected to receive a 2015 Academic Achievement Award this spring. Each academic department or program selected one to three outstanding seniors to receive awards.
Adams received the Environmental Science Program award.
To be considered for the award, a student must be a senior with a minimum grade-point average of 3.5 in his or her major and must demonstrate exceptional academic improvement over four semesters, as well as excellence in research; leadership and involvement in department, campus and community activities; and/or participation in an academic and/or professional situation outside the college.
Adams was a teaching assistant for introductory environmental science and biology labs and received two grants through the Grant Development Office and Office of Sustainability to construct a solar-heated greenhouse on campus that would produce sustainable crops for consumption. For two years, she worked in the Academic Advisement Office as an Academic Team Member. She has also been a Very Influential Peer for the New Student Services Office. This year, she works at Seasons Cafén Fitzelle Hall, which promotes and sells local, organic food. She spent three weeks in Peru on a faculty-led study abroad program, exploring the various ecosystems in the region. She also traveled to Walpole, Maine, to study marine biology.
She has been involved with numerous clubs and organizations, including serving as president and treasurer of the women’s rugby team and a member of the Biology Club, Korean Cultural Club and Habitat for Humanity. She was also inducted into the National Residence Hall Honorary her sophomore year.
This past summer, Adams completed an internship at her hometown wastewater treatment plant and clean water research facility. She focused her research project on ammonia levels in aquaponic systems. After completing the internship, she was offered a full-time job as an operator after she graduates in May. However, she hopes to continue with her education and will attend graduate school in the fall to study sustainable agriculture.
Local Residents Inducted into Phi Kappa Phi
The following local residents recently were initiated into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines.
Ann DuChene of Canastota was initiated at Ithaca College
Jenelle Yeoman of Oneida was initiated at State University of New York at Potsdam
These residents are among approximately 32,000 students, faculty, professional staff and alumni to be initiated into Phi Kappa Phi each year. Membership is by invitation and requires nomination and approval by a chapter. Only the top 10 percent of seniors and 7.5 percent of juniors, having at least 72 semester hours, are eligible for membership. Graduate students in the top 10 percent of the number of candidates for graduate degrees may also qualify, as do faculty, professional staff, and alumni who have achieved scholarly distinction.
Jarett Interns through SUNY Oswego
More than 120 SUNY Oswego students took part in off-campus internships in spring 2015 through the college’s Center for Experiential Learning.
The area resident with internship site and its location in parentheses is:
Jessica R. Jarett of Oxbow Road in Cazenovia, a senior information science major (AXA US, Syracuse)
Christensen Elected to Phi Beta Kappa
Faculty members at the State University of New York at Geneseo have elected a new group of students to the college’s chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, the nation’s oldest and most widely known academic honor society. Students from the junior and senior classes are selected each spring for membership into the organization.
New inductee from this area is Todd Christensen of Cazenovia.
Students Receive Susan Sutton Smith Award
A total of 131 students received the SUNY Oneonta 2014-2015 Susan Sutton Smith Award for academic excellence. To be eligible for the award, a student must be a freshman, sophomore or junior with a grade-point average of 3.9 or higher.
Student award winners receive a certificate, a gift card to the campus bookstore, and an invitation to attend the annual Susan Sutton Smith Lecture and reception.
The following area students received the 2014-2015 Susan Sutton Smith Award for academic excellence:
Maggie Burlison of Sherburne whose major is Fashion and Textiles
Kayla Belush of Earlville whose major is Spanish;
Babcock Inducted into National Mathematics Honor Society
Alisa Babcock, a Hamilton native and senior mathematics-physics major in the School of Humanities and Sciences at Ithaca College, was inducted into the New York Upsilon chapter of Pi Mu Epsilon, the national mathematics honor society.
Babcock was among 20 new members added to the chapter membership during the induction ceremony held on March 25 at Ithaca College.
Undergraduate students majoring in mathematical sciences who have completed at least two semesters of calculus and two additional courses in mathematics at or above the calculus level, are eligible to be elected to membership by their chapter. Additionally, students must maintain a grade point average of 3.0.
Downes in Emerson Stage Production
Kelly Downes of Oneida, whose majoring in BA Theatre Studies: Acting at Emerson College, participated in Emerson Stage’s production of X Dance and NewFest New Works Festival as Actor: On My Honor. This was a month-long celebration of the creativity of Emerson students.