SUNY Morrisville graduates Laura Bedell, of New Hartford, and Vidya Jawahir, of Oxford, have been recognized with the prestigious Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence (CASE), the highest honor bestowed by the State University of New York (SUNY).
The award celebrates students who have successfully integrated academic excellence with leadership, campus involvement, athletics, community service, the arts, or career achievement.
Bedell, who earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration, was a four-year member of the SUNY Morrisville women’s soccer team and part of the team that won the division championship. She served as team captain during her senior year.
Beyond athletics, Bedell was an active member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, participating in community-focused events, including leaf cleanups, Fun Fridays with the local elementary school students and annual drives collecting food, clothing and school supplies to benefit the campus and local communities.
She excelled academically, earning Dean’s List and President’s List honors, was named a two-time Scholar-Athlete by the United East Conference and a Scholar-Athlete by the North Atlantic Conference. She was also an honoree to the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team for women’s soccer and was inducted into the National Student-Athlete Honor Society, Chi Alpha Sigma.
Bedell is the daughter of Janice and Robert Bedell, of New Hartford.
Jawahir, a nursing student at the Norwich Campus, is an active member of the Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program (CSTEP), where she has played a pivotal role in mentoring fellow students, leading study groups and advocating for enhancements in the program.
Balancing her responsibilities as an adult learner, mother of two young children and managing a family farm, Jawahir is engaged in campus life, actively participating in CSTEP workshops, alumni events and mentorship panels.
Her involvement has helped elevate the visibility of CSTEP at Morrisville’s Norwich Campus, encouraging more students to take advantage of its valuable resources.
As a member of the Student Nurses Association, she helps coordinate blood drives and other initiatives that reflect her passion for community service and public health.
Her academic achievements include earning consistent recognition on the Dean’s List and President’s List.
