Above, some of the scholarship recipients with officials from the college and credit union. Photo by Emily Nienburg, Suffolk Credit Union
Suffolk Credit Union presented college scholarships totaling $37,500 to nine local students attending Suffolk County Community College this fall. The award ceremony was held on August 16 at the credit union’s Medford branch.
Suffolk Credit Union Achievement Scholarships ranging from $2,150-$6,275 were awarded to Robert Cronin (Aquebogue), Hannah Walsh (Dix Hills), Arshiyan Khan (Selden), Alicia Anthony (Dix Hills), Cristal Lainez-Pixtum (Wyandanch), Amy Boos (Brentwood) and Sun Ji Lee (Commack).
“These scholarships are a result of an ongoing partnership between our credit union and the Suffolk Community College Foundation to help people throughout our communities achieve their educational and career goals,” said Michele Dean, CEO & President, Suffolk Credit Union. “By alleviating the cost of college for these hardworking students and their families, we position them for financial stability and empower their future success.”
Two Suffolk County Community College Board of Trustees members will be recognized with prestigious New York Community College Trustees (NYCCT)awards for their service, leadership and dedication to improving access to education, providing opportunities for students and helping the college achieve its mission, it was announced by the NYCCT, a voluntary nonprofit community college trustee’s consortium established to strengthen trustee’s effectiveness in the development and implementation of public policy impacting community colleges. NYCCT represents the appointed board members who govern the 30 community colleges in the State University of New York (SUNY) system.
Belinda Pagdanganan will receive the NYCCT 2023 Donald M. Mawhinney Jr. Trustee Leadership Award and former Trustee Jim Morgo the NYCCT 2023 Marvin A. Rapp Award for Distinguished Trustee Service. Morgo’s term on the board expired on June 30.
Suffolk County Community College President Dr. Edward Bonahue, center, congratulates scholarship winners Amay Mata, at left and Emily Luca, right.
Suffolk County Community College’s Amy Mata and Emily Lucana have been named 2022 Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Scholars and will each receive a $1,000 scholarship. The pair are among 207 Phi Theta Kappa members selected nationwide from more than 1,300 applications.
The Suffolk pair were selected based on scholastic achievement, community service, and leadership potential.
The Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Scholarship Program helps new Phi Theta Kappa members defray educational costs while enrolled in associate degree programs and encourages the students to assume leadership roles by participating in Honor Society programs.
Suffolk Federal Credit Union Achievement Scholarships
Suffolk Federal Credit Union awarded nine scholarships totaling $37,500 to local students who are attending Suffolk County Community College this fall at an August 31 award ceremony.
“Since partnering with the college three years ago, we are proud to have sponsored 23 scholarships totaling $93,000,” said Michele Dean, CEO & President, Suffolk Federal Credit Union. “By easing the financial burden of college costs, we help families in our communities as well as students—freeing up resources for other important goals.”
Suffolk Federal Credit Union Achievement Scholarships ranging from $2,150-$6,275 were awarded to Christina Boles (Brentwood), Kristin Squire (Islip), Rachel Lee (Middle Island), Alyssia Furchert (Blue Point), Leslie Bardales Vera (Selden), Ian Fischer (Stony Brook) and Jonathan Mata (Riverhead).
The scholarships are a result of an ongoing partnership between Suffolk Federal and the Suffolk Community College Foundation to help people throughout our communities achieve their dreams. Award recipients were selected based on their academic achievements, extracurricular activities, community involvement and essays.
“This scholarship program reflects Suffolk Federal Credit Union’s deep commitment to helping young people and families throughout Long Island. The recipients clearly have demonstrated the drive and discipline to succeed,” said Dr. Edward Bonahue, president of Suffolk County Community College.
According to Sylvia A. Diaz, PhD, LMSW, Executive Director, Suffolk Community College Foundation, “It is an honor to continue this partnership with Suffolk Federal, which has a long-standing reputation as a community-focused credit union. The scholarships are a meaningful way to acknowledge these deserving students’ academic achievements and community service.”
#BecauseWeWill Student Voices Campaign College Promise continues to uplift student voices through the #BecauseWeWill Campaign. Thanks to the generous support of partners like Phi Theta Kappa this month, two students received $1,000 educational awards by sharing their powerful stories. The next deadline for the submissions is September 10, 2022.
#BecauseWeWill is our interactive student voice social media campaign designed to give learners like Eberardo an opportunity to share personal stories and build a sense of community, support, and belonging with other learners across the country. #BecauseWeWill is now accepting student submissions to be considered for monthly $1,000 awards. We invite you to share this opportunity with your networks and the learners in your lives. Students can post a video or written stories of perseverance on their journeys to, through, or beyond college, career-technical school, or other postsecondary education for a chance to win.
Learners who submit their stories by September 10, 2022, at 11:59 pm EST will be considered for the next round of awards. Share this opportunity with a student in your life!
Suffolk County Community College honors student Noah Fields, 19 of Holtsville has been awarded a $10,000 scholarship by the Episcopal Diocese of Long Island. Fields was awarded the academic scholarship by the Diocese as part of an inaugural eight-member class of students who are descendants of African slaves as part of the celebration of Juneteenth.
“Suffolk has far exceeded my expectations,” Fields, who is entering his second year at Suffolk this fall, said. Fields said he plans on attending Stony Brook University when he graduates, but also has dreams of studying at New York University where he’d like to major in business.
“The professors and staff at Suffolk were the ones that pushed me to apply for this scholarship and supported me the entire way through,” Fields said. “The network of amazing individuals at Suffolk always try to guide students to their fullest potential and I cannot thank them enough. I am proud to call Suffolk County Community College my school.”
“Noah is an outstanding student and a class leader. He consistently demands the best of himself, and, in his commitment to his education, he inspires those around him as well. The Diocese could not have made a better choice for this award,” said Academic Chair and English Professor Douglas Howard, Ph.D.
Honors Program Counselor and Associate Professor Matthew J. Zisel, Ph.D. wrote in his scholarship reference letter: “Noah was elected as our Honors Club vice-president and was instrumental in building a community of students who worked together on charity, volunteer, and fundraising events. As fate would have it, Noah came along when our program most needed a leader; without him, I am not sure that we would have built the community of students we did coming off the virtual year.”
The Barbara C. Harris Scholars Program’s goal is to promote equity in education by providing financial assistance to Blacks, African Americans and Caribbean-Americans, who are African Descendants of Slavery in the United States. At the 155th Convention of the Diocese of Long Island, the Reparations Committee announced that the Episcopal Diocese of Long Island will officially celebrate Juneteenth at the Cathedral of the Incarnation on June 19, 2022.
This scholarship program is named in honor of the life, legacy, and ordained ministry of the Right Reverend Barbara C. Harris, the first woman of African-American descent to be consecrated as a bishop in the Anglican Communion.
Suffolk County Community College has been recognized by the Phi Theta Kappa National Honor Society (PTK) with a REACH (Recognizing Excellence in Acceptance and Completion with Honors) Reward, the fifth consecutive year the College has been recognized for its ability to enroll eligible students in the prestigious group. Suffolk was among 464 PTK chapters recognized for their membership growth.
“For five consecutive years, Suffolk’s PTK Chapter has distinguished itself as one of the region’s most decorated thanks to the enthusiasm and support of our outstanding students and advisors,” said Suffolk County Community College President Dr. Edward Bonahue.
In 2021, 328 students accepted membership in Suffolk’s Alpha Zeta Nu chapter of PTK.
REACH Reward chapters receive special recognition in the form of Phi Theta Kappa graduation stoles – Suffolk garnered 11 in total – that are worn by graduates to signify their membership in PTK.
A full 91 percent of Phi Theta Kappa members will complete an associate degree or transfer to a four-year college, compared to just 31 percent of students nationally, according to PTK, and members have access to millions of dollars in scholarships — $1million in competitive scholarships through the Phi Theta Kappa Foundation and more than $246 million in transfer scholarships to over 850 four-year colleges.
Leeanna Rutigliano, a Suffolk County Community College Child Study Education major from Medford, is among fifteen national scholars selected from more than 4,000 nationally to be awarded Phi Theta Kappa’s (PTK) second highest scholarship that includes $5,000 for future studies.
Rutigliano was named a PTK 2021 Guistwhite Scholar based upon academic excellence, leadership accomplishments, and engagement in Phi Theta Kappa programs. In addition to the scholarship, she will also be presented with a commemorative medallion. The scholarship is named in honor of the late Margaret and Dr. Jack Guistwhite, who established the first transfer scholarship designated exclusively for Phi Theta Kappa members to Florida Atlantic University in 1975.
Leeanna has a 4.0 grade point average and has earned Dean’s List recognition every semester for the last two years; serves as President of Phi Theta Kappa’s Alpha Zeta Nu Chapter; is a Division 1 Finalist Oberndorf Scholar, and member of Suffolk’s College Choir.
“Leeanna’s academic excellence and community commitment makes her a role model for other students and everyone at Suffolk County Community College,” said interim College President Louis Petrizzo. “All of us at the college are extremely proud of her.”
“Suffolk County Community College honors students each semester with Phi Theta Kappa recognition. Our participation in this national organization not only celebrates student scholarship, but assists them in taking their next steps in college transfer and career readiness. Leeanna is a wonderful example of how that comes to fruition here and I am confident that she will be a model for the elementary school children who she will eventually teach,” concluded Dr. Paul Beaudin, vice president for academic and student affairs.
Earlier this year Rutigliano was named a 2021 Coca-Cola Academic Team Scholar based upon scores she earned in the All-USA Academic Team competition. More than 2,000 students competed for the coveted title and award. The Coca-Cola Academic Team recognizes high achieving college students who demonstrate academic excellence and intellectual rigor combined with leadership and service that extends their education beyond the classroom to benefit society.
Later this month, Rutigliano will be awarded the prestigious State University of New York (SUNY) Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence. The SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence recognizes students for outstanding achievements and who best demonstrate the integration of SUNY excellence within many aspects of their lives, which must include three of the following: academics, leadership, campus involvement, community service, or the arts.
Phi Theta Kappa is the premier honor society recognizing the academic achievement of students at associate degree-granting colleges and helping them to grow as scholars and leaders. The Society is made up of more than 3.5 million members and nearly 1,300 chapters in 11 nations, with approximately 240,000 active members in the nation’s colleges. Learn more at ptk.org.
Leeanna Rutigliano, Gabriella Hassildine and Amrita Deonanan are recipients of the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence.
Three outstanding Suffolk County Community College students will be awarded the prestigious State University of New York (SUNY) Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence at an April virtual ceremony.
The SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence recognizes students for outstanding achievements and who best demonstrate the integration of SUNY excellence within many aspects of their lives, which must include three of the following areas: academics, leadership, campus involvement, community service, or the arts (creative performing).
“We are extremely proud and celebrate these exceptional students,” said Suffolk County Community College Interim President Louis Petrizzo. “Our students’ outstanding academic achievements, leadership and service, exemplify the very best our college has to offer.”
Suffolk County Community College’s SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence recipients are:
Leeanna Rutigliano A Child Study Education major from Medford, Leeanna has a 4.0 grade point average and has earned Dean’s List recognition every semester for the last two years. Leeanna serves as President of Phi Theta Kappa’s Alpha Zeta Nu Chapter; is a Division 1 Finalist Oberndorf Scholar, and member of Suffolk’s College Choir.
Gabriella Hassildine A Liberal Arts General Studies major from Mattituck, Gabriella has a 4.0 grade point average and has earned Dean’s List recognition every semester for the last two years. Gabriella has served as president of the Music Club, president of the Honors Club, and as an Orientation Leader.
Amrita Deonanan A Business Administration major from Brentwood, Amrita has a 4.0 grade point average and has earned Dean’s List recognition every semester for the last two years. Amrita serves as a Peer Mentor, chief financial officer of the Student Government Association, and assistant editor of the Western Student Press.
Phi Theta Kappa, Alpha Eta Gamma Alumni Chapter 