Morrisville State College students receive top award from SUNY

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MORRISVILLE, NY—Morrisville State College students, Shannon L. Greene, of Sauquoit, and Gilroy Alvarez, of the Bronx, were recently honored with the SUNY Chancellor’s Awards for Student Excellence.

The prestigious award is based on outstanding academic and career achievement, as well as service and leadership. 

“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,” said Chancellor Nancy Zimpher. “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.”

Greene, a horticulture greenhouse production associate degree major, was part of a student team that designed and propagated the college’s living green wall, a hydroponic display of tropical plants and ferns. 

Her extensive campus involvement includes assisting the MSC Horticulture Club with various annual sales, serving on numerous committees, and participating in on-campus tree pruning and plant inventory efforts. She was selected as a teaching assistant for the college’s Plant Propagation course and to participate in a campus panel on genetically modified organisms. She also excelled in the classroom being named to the President’s List, the Dean’s List, and Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. 

Greene’s dedication to the industry is further evidenced in her community work, which includes starting and organizing the Sauquoit Valley Youth Community Garden, serving as an AYSO coach and as chairperson of the Alano Club of Utica. Additionally, she is certified as a New York State Pesticide Technician. 

A 1995 graduate of Niagara-Wheatfield Senior High School in Sanborn, Greene is the daughter of Steven A. Greene, of Barker, and Sue and Gene Tantillo, of Niagara Falls. 

A native of Guatemala, Alvarez, a business administration bachelor degree major, received an associate degree from Morrisville State College in individual studies in 2013. He shined as a student athlete serving as two-time captain, two-time NEAC All-Conference Selection for men’s soccer, and was a member of the team that captured the 2012 NEAC tournament championship. He also participated in numerous volunteer and fundraising efforts as a member of the men’s soccer team. 

In addition to his dedication on the field, Alvarez emerged as a campus leader, serving as tutor and mentor for the college’s Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) and as a college ambassador at the Great New York State Fair. 

He participated in numerous campus activities including the Childcare Center Read Across America Program, is a member of the Brother’s and Sister’s in Christ Club, and was selected twice to participate in The New York Model Senate Project, an annual leadership development program. His academic kudos include being named to the Dean’s List and receiving an Academic Achievement Award in Individual Studies. 

Alvarez is the son of Edna Alvarez, of the Bronx. 

Morrisville State College’s curricula are enriched with applied learning and pave the way for opportunity at both the Morrisville and Norwich campuses. An action-oriented, interactive learning lab, the college is a national leader in technology and has been lauded for its exemplary, innovative and effective community service programs. 

In addition to being named to the 2014 President’s Higher Community Education Service Honor Roll, the college was recognized by U.S. News and World Report as an institution in the top tier of the Best Regional Colleges list and ranked second among regional colleges nationwide for outperforming its anticipated graduation rate.