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SUNY New Paltz welcomes first Kyncl Scholarship recipients to campus

Christina Williams
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The Robert Kyncl ’95 and Luz Avila Kyncl ’96 STEM Scholarship Fund, a new gift designed to offset tuition costs for students entering New Paltz to study Computer Science or Computer Engineering, was awarded to five deserving transfer students this fall.

The scholarship is given to students from groups underrepresented in computer science and engineering. Priority is also given to transfer students from regional community colleges.

Fall 2018 Recipients:

  • Amanpreet Kaur Bassi ’20 (Computer Science), SUNY Orange County Community College
  • Caroline Kucher ’20 (Electrical Engineering), SUNY Orange County Community College
  • Crystal Marshall ’20 (Computer Science), SUNY Dutchess Community College
  • Olga Nenaydenko ’20 (Computer Science), SUNY Westchester Community College
  • Stephanie Venuto ’20 (Computer Science), SUNY Dutchess Community College

The award was made possible thanks to a generous gift from its namesakes, alumni Robert Kyncl and Luz Avila Kyncl, who have seen first-hand the shortage of computer scientists and engineers from underrepresented backgrounds in technology fields.

“I think it’s incredible to see how much they still care about the College and current students,” said Nenaydenko. “I moved here from Israel three years ago to be with my family. This scholarship has been such a bonus and is going to make my time here a lot easier financially.”

For Bassi, the scholarship will help bring her closer to her degree and also allow her to fulfill her dream of doing something important for her family and community.

“I want to give back to the people who have helped me,” said Bassi. “I am interested in the local youth and those who are struggling. I want the knowledge that a degree affords while also growing into a compassionate human being. Knowing that this scholarship came from New Paltz alumni shows what kind of college this is. We are all connected.”

The Kyncls’ gift also establishes the Robert Kyncl ’95 and Luz Avila Kyncl ’96 STEM Experiential Learning Fund, which will create once-in-a-lifetime experiential learning opportunities for students in computer science and computer engineering, including undergraduate research, study abroad and industry internships.

Learn more online about the SUNY New Paltz Computer Science program and the Division of Engineering Programs.

For more information about the SUNY New Paltz Foundation, please visit http://www.newpaltz.edu/give/.