SUNY Awards Mineola Resident Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Teaching

Approximately 1,400 Farmingdale State College students will earn their diplomas during Saturday’s commencement ceremonies.

Over 1,500 students will receive bachelor's degrees, 192 will receive associate’s degree and 12 will earn certificates. About 479 of these students will graduate with exceptional academic achievement, as reflected by Latin Honors.

Two ceremonies at Nold Hall will be held to accommodate the graduates in a building on campus.

Starting at 10 a.m., students will graduate with degrees from the Schools of Business and Health Sciences and at 3 p.m., students will graduate from Schools of Arts & Sciences and Engineering Technology.

A live video stream will be held for the two ceremonies, per the request of families of Farmingdale’s increasing diverse student population.

Several students and staff will receive various honors during the ceremonies.

Four graduating students have received SUNY’s Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence:

• Kristin Bonura, nursing, Smithtown
• Kinza Nadeem Kasher, visual communications, Commack
• Kimberly Gleason, applied psychology, Holbrook
• Alexa Toyas, professional communications/winter commencement valedictorian, Massapequa Park

One graduating student won the Chancellor’s Scholar-Athlete Award:

• Samuel Riva, soccer and golf, sport management, Farmingdale

Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr., Executive Director of the Alzheimer’s Foundation and former State Legislator, will receive an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters and 10 members of the faculty and staff have also been honored by SUNY:

Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching

• Dr. Kathleen Walsh, Nursing, Mineola
• Prof. George Fernandez, Visual Communications, Ridge

Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Faculty Service

• Dr. Matilde Fava, Modern Languages, Mt. Vernon

Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Scholarship and Creative Activities

• Dr. Robert Saunders, International Education, and History, Politics and Geography, Sea Girt, NJ

Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Librarianship

• Ms Theresa Zahor, Huntington Station

Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Professional Service

• Ms Carol McNamara, Dental Hygiene
• Mr. Daniel T. Arcieri, Biology

Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Adjunct Teaching

• Prof. Amanda Lavery, Biology
• Prof. Joseph Rossi, Criminal Justice

Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Classified Service

• Ms Vanda Bordies, Urban Horticulture and Design, West Babylon