Herkimer College Student-Athletes Receive Chancellor’s Scholar Athlete Award

Three Herkimer College student athletes have received the 2015 SUNY Chancellor’s Scholar Athlete Award recognizing a combination of outstanding academic excellence and superior athletic achievement. The three Herkimer College students were among 80 recipients statewide this year.

John J. Boland, from Rhinebeck, a 2015 graduate with a degree in Early Childhood was a member of the baseball team. As a freshman, John was named First Team All-Region, All Mountain Valley Conference, All-Tournament Team World Series and All-Tournament Team Regionals. As a senior, he was named First Team All-Region and All Mountain Valley Conference.

Victoria K. Campanian from Glenfield, majoring in Liberal Arts & Sciences: General Studies, is a member of the women’s cross country and track and field teams. For cross country, Campanian won Mountain Valley Conference, regional and national championships. She was named a member of the All Mountain Valley Conference Team, All Region Team, First Team All-American, and was the NJCAA Region III Athlete of the Week three times. As a member of the track and field team, Campanian won national championships in the 10K and 3000m Steeplechase, and she came in second in the 5k.

Benjamin D. Polk, from the United Kingdom, a 2015 graduate with a degree in Liberal Arts & Sciences: General Studies, was a member of the men’s soccer team. Polk led the nation this past season with 33 goals, three goals short of breaking Herkimer College’s all-time scoring record. Polk’s awards include All Mountain Valley Conference Team, Mountain Valley Player of the Year, First Team All-Region, Region III Player of the Year, NJCAA First Team All-American, NSCAA First Team All-East, NSCAA First Team All-American, Most Valuable Player of the Region III Championship, NJCAA All National Tournament Team and Herkimer College Male Athlete of the Year. Polk graduated with highest honors.

“The Herkimer College Athletic Department is honored to have three of our finest recognized for this prestigious award. Victoria, Ben and John are well deserving of this award and role models for other students across the state and country. They are truly scholar athletes and we were lucky to have them come to Herkimer and represent our athletic program” said Donald Dutcher, Director of Athletics.

“The SUNY scholar athletes are some of our most exemplary students, having achieved the highest levels of success not only in class but in their respective sports,” said SUNY Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher. “Congratulations to each of the students recognized for these achievements over the past year, and thank you to the many professors, coaches, and staff across SUNY who support them.”

To be considered for this award, student-athletes had to be nominated by their athletic directors. Their academic credentials and athletic accomplishments were then reviewed by athletic directors from across the State University System.