Two Herkimer College Students Selected for SUNY Chancellor Awards for Student Excellence

Herkimer College seniors Korey Bunal (Rome) and Rhiannon Steele (Little Falls) have been selected for the 2015 SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence. The Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence recognizes 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, 256 recipients were selected from 64 SUNY campuses. The honorees were recognized at a ceremony on Thursday, April 2 at the Empire State Plaza in Albany.

Bunal is a Liberal Arts and Sciences: General Studies major. She is a member of Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society, the women’s basketball team and captain of the softball team. Bunal is a volunteer for Meals on Wheels and has participated in the Gramm Lorraine Adopt a Child for Christmas program.

Steele is a Travel and Tourism: Hospitality & Events Management major who served as president of the Travel Club and was the student representative on the Presidential Search Committee. She is a student ambassador and member of Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society, Fashion Club and the women’s swimming and diving team. Steele completed an internship as an event coordinator at the Utica Zoo and has also has served as a volunteer there.

Dean of Students Dr. Matthew Hawes said, “I am extremely proud of these students who have excelled academically and have served as leaders on campus and in our community. They exemplify student excellence and commitment to community and are very deserving of this prestigious honor.”

Chancellor Nancy Zimpher said “It is my highest honor to recognize the achievements of SUNY students who have excelled not only academically but as leaders on their campuses and in their communities. Students receiving this award are to be commended for their excellence as role models, artists, scholar athletes and civic volunteers. Their leadership can serve as an inspiration to all SUNY students and a tremendous point of pride for the entire SUNY family. Congratulations to all of the students receiving the 2015 award.”