Dix Hills' Chris Petrosino Receives SUNY's Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence

Dix Hills' Chris Petrosino, a nursing student from Suffolk County Community College’s Michael J. Grant Campus, recently received a 2013 Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence from the State University of New York and was elected to the Phi Theta Kappa All-New York Academic First Team.

The awards were presented during a ceremony held at the Empire State Plaza Convention Center in Albany. In all, more than 300 students from SUNY campuses throughout the state were honored.

Mr. Petrosino plans to transfer to Long Island University/Brentwood to nursing after his graduation in May. 

“The students we honor today have strong records of achievement as student leaders, scholar athletes, aspiring artists, and community volunteers,” said SUNY Chancellor Nancy Zimpher. “By exhibiting excellence in class, on campus, and in their local communities, these students truly represent the power of SUNY and we honor them with great pride.”

The Chancellor’s 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.

Each year, campus presidents establish a selection committee, which reviews exemplary students. Nominees are then forwarded to the Chancellor’s Office and are subject to a second round of review. Finalists are then recommended to the Chancellor to become recipients of the award. Each recipient receives a framed certificate and medallion, which is traditionally worn at commencement.

The Phi Theta Kappa Award recognizes outstanding community college students throughout the state. The ceremony is sponsored annually by New York Community College Trustees, the New York Community College Association of Presidents, and the Faculty Council of Community Colleges.Phi Theta Kappa is an honor society that recognizes and encourages scholarship among two-year college students.

In addition to academic achievement, recipients of the award are also evaluated on their leadership and community service involvement, and are named members of the All New York Community College Academic Team. This year, 65 SUNY and 8 CUNY students are being honored.

Mr. Petrosino is also one of Suffolk County Community College’s Get There from Here Scholars.  The Get There From Here scholarship program promotes academic excellence and provides an opportunity for outstanding residents of Suffolk County to attain their educational goals.  Scholarship recipients can receive up to $5,000 annually and the funds can be used to cover tuition and fees, books and supplies.