SUNY Honors Student Excellence

Two Alfred State College graduating seniors were named State University of New York (SUNY) 2010 Chancellor's Award for Student Excellence winners. SUNY Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher honored 228 college students from SUNY campuses throughout the state with the 2010 Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence, a rigorous three-part process that begins at the campus and evaluates each student’s performance not only in the classroom, but also in the athletic arena, the art studio, and the community, to determine the winners. This year’s recipients of the Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence are among the most gifted and talented students in the entire SUNY system.

“The 228 students we honor today have excelled academically and taken advantage of what SUNY has to offer outside the classroom,” said Chancellor Zimpher. “These students are proven leaders, athletes, artists, community servants, and much more.”

Elizabeth Brutsch and Nicholas Juhasz were honored at a reception in Albany where they received commemorative certificates and medallions suitable to be worn at commencement and other special events.

Brutsch, who will earn a bachelor of science degree in Alfred State’s interior design, holds and maintains a grade point average (GPA) of 3.92 (out of a possible 4.0). She was also elected to be the student speaker at commencement in May.

During her time at ASC, Brutsch has been involved in the Architecture Club where, for the past two years, she has served as president. Additionally, Brutsch has served as president of the Alfred State College American Institute of Architecture Students. She is a student leader and lector at St. Jude’s Chapel and Student Center on campus; member of the Alfred State College Equestrian Club, where she has served as treasurer; member of WINS (Women in Nontraditional Studies) Club; editor-in-chief of the ASC yearbook, The Statonian; and a member of the Hornell Sportrifle Competition Team.

Brutsch, a familiar name on ASC’s Dean’s List, also received an honorable mention for Interior Design Excellence from the College.

Brutsch, a 2006 graduate of New Lebanon Junior-Senior High School, is the daughter of Michael and Dawn Brutsch, East Chatham.

Juhasz, also a graduating senior in the baccalaureate-level architectural technology program, boasts a 3.03 GPA. He was named to the Dean’s List for spring 2009.

During his time at Alfred State College, Juhasz has served his residence halls as a community assistant, resident assistant, and head resident assistant, where the degree of leadership and responsibility increased with each title change. He is the president and treasurer of Pioneer Taekwondo, is a member of the National Residence Hall Honorary, Alfred State College chapter; and serves on the committee for staff recruitment, development, and training.

The 2006 graduate of Eden Junior-Senior High School is the son of Jeffrey and JoAnn Juhasz, Eden.

The Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence was created 13 years ago to recognize students who have best demonstrated, and been recognized for, the integration of academic excellence with accomplishments in the areas of leadership, athletics, community service, creative and performing arts, or career achievement. The average Grade Point Average (GPA) for all recipients this year is 3.8.

Each year, campus presidents establish a selection committee, which reviews exemplary members of their college communities who are graduating. 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 Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence.