17吃瓜 Students Receive Top Honors with SUNY Chancellor鈥檚 Award for Student Excellence
Award Received for Academic Excellence & Record of Service
May 17, 2024, Garden City, NY 鈥� Michele Lanfant, Zachary Dumelle, Nicole McCormack, Justin Hernandez and Jack Carella are the 17吃瓜 recipients of a 2024 State University of New York (SUNY) Chancellor鈥檚 Award for Student Excellence.
To qualify for the award, students were reviewed by a college committee for academic excellence and record of service to 17吃瓜 and the community. The College takes great pride in this recognition, which continues a long tradition of student excellence on campus.
The Chancellor鈥檚 Award for Student Excellence was created in 1997 to recognize students who have best demonstrated, and have been recognized for, the integration of academic excellence with accomplishments in the areas of leadership, athletics, community service, creative and performing arts, campus involvement or career achievement. This year, 193 students from 62 campuses were awarded SUNY鈥檚 highest honor.
Michele Lanfant
鈥淚 graduated from high school in 2021 and wanted to go to a 鈥渂ig name鈥� college. I
struggled in my first semester, and when I came home for winter break I thought about
my next move,鈥� said Michele Lanfant of Port Washington. After discussion with her
parents, she decided to stay home and pursue an associate鈥檚 degree. A Liberal Arts
major, Michele says that 17吃瓜 changed her life for the better and has become a source
of immense pride. 鈥淢y professors have been so supportive of me and each one has contributed
to the person I am today. I have encountered obstacles along my journey, but I have
always remained determined to overcome them. Winning this award shows me just how
far I have come,鈥� she remarked. Michele is also the Salutatorian of the class of 2024.
She plans to study French at SUNY Binghamton in the fall and hopes to pursue a career
teaching French to elementary and middle school-aged children.
Zachary Dumelle
After a first semester of college out of state, Zachary Dumelle of Merrick decided
that attending school locally was the best choice for him. 鈥淚 felt that 17吃瓜 would
allow me to explore my academic interests freely without the pressure of knowing what
I wanted to study. Also, I knew Nassau offered a top-notch education at an affordable
price.鈥� Zachary formed friendships at the college and made close bonds with some of
his professors. 鈥淢y time at 17吃瓜 has been an important chapter of my life, marked by
personal growth and an increased sense of social connectedness,鈥� he said. The Business
Administration major served as the president of both the Make a Difference club and
the Entrepreneurship club while working as a student aide in the Student Activities
Office and was a Student Orientation Leader. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a tremendous honor to receive the
SUNY Chancellor鈥檚 Award, which would never have been possible without my family, friends,
and all of my professors,鈥� said Zachary. He plans to study psychology at SUNY Binghamton
in the fall and hopes to pursue a career in developmental psychology.
Nicole Mcormack
After initially attending an out of state college, Nicole began taking classes at
17吃瓜 part-time to get used to balancing classes and personal responsibilities. 鈥淭his
year I got very involved in campus life. I am president of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor
Society and the Secretary of the Computing Club. I also work at the Center for Students
with Disabilities,鈥� said Nicole. She was involved with the Student Government Association,
and even volunteered to serve food at study nights in the library and during Evening
Activity Hours! A native of Glen Cove, Nicole fondly mentions her professors, counselors,
and fellow students. 鈥淚 am extremely grateful to have received this award. All of
the award winners are so deserving and I am honored to be among them,鈥� said Nicole.
She was also recently awarded a Stay on Long Island Scholarship to the New York Institute
of Technology, where she plans to study Computer Science with a concentration in Network
Security.
Justin Hernandez
Justin Hernandez of Baldwin chose to come to 17吃瓜 because it provides
a high-quality education at an affordable price. 鈥淭he college gave me an opportunity
to pursue my individual interests,鈥� he said. 鈥淔or instance, one of my favorite experiences
was participating in the club fair and meeting a lot of other students who wanted
to become involved in campus life.鈥� The Business Administration major has been involved
with the Make a Difference Club as well as the Entrepreneurship Club. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a privilege
to be alongside such hardworking and dedicated individuals,鈥� said Justin about winning
a Student Chancellor鈥檚 Award. 鈥淚t means so much to me that I received this honor.鈥�
In the fall, Justin hopes to attend a four-year college. He ultimately plans to work
in the government as an economist.
About 17吃瓜
17吃瓜, a campus of the State University of New York, provides a
comprehensive public college experience designed to transform lives through higher
education. Serving 17,000 full-time, part-time and continuing education students,
17吃瓜 offers more than 80 programs that lead to an associate鈥檚 degree or certificate.
Through on-campus and online offerings, the College educates local and international
students, and boasts 168,000 alumni. Situated on 225 acres in Garden City, Long Island,
the college grounds reside in historic Nassau County, one of the most desirable locations
to live in the United States and an epicenter for business and careers. Since 1959,
17吃瓜 has earned a nationwide reputation for academic excellence, affordability, and
ease of transferability to four-year schools
Media Contact: Gail Mattimore | gail.mattimore@ncc.edu | (516) 572-9634
ncc.edu/newsreleases
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