Five SUNY New Paltz students receive Chancellor’s Awards

NEW PALTZ — Five students from the State University of New York at New Paltz received the 2006 Chancellor’s Awards for Student Excellence at a ceremony held on April 10 in Albany.

The outstanding New Paltz students honored were Fitzarnaz Drummond (Stuyvesant), Mary Ezenwa (New Paltz), Nicole Potestivo (Staten Island), Bette Sloane (Dix Hills) and Brandon Waterman (Sand Lake). State University of New York Chancellor John R. Ryan presented each student with a framed certificate and a medallion that is traditionally worn at commencement.

“Recipients of this year’s awards have excelled academically and, in many cases, far exceeded even their own expectations in their pursuit of higher education and community involvement,” said Chancellor Ryan. “The Chancellor’s Award for Excellence is given to the best and the brightest students across the SUNY system.”

The New Paltz students were among 270 college students, representing 62 campuses within the SUNY system, presented with the annual award. Students must earn a grade point average (GPA) of 3.78 or higher and record a significant contribution to their campus or local community to be considered for the honor.