Two students receive Chancellor’s Award

May 2016

Two students from SUNY Polytechnic Institute in Utica – Shannon Kern of Whitesboro and Kyle Waldeck of Sauquoit – were recently chosen to receive this year’s Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence.

Shannon Kern of Whitesboro

Shannon Kern of Whitesboro

The award honors SUNY students who have best demonstrated and been recognized for their integration of academic leadership, athletics, career achievement, community service and creative and performing arts. Kern and Waldeck were honored at an April 5 ceremony at the Empire State Convention Center in Albany which recognized Chancellor’s Award recipients from across the state.

“SUNY Poly encourages its students to be well rounded individuals who display the same level of passion and dedication for both their studies and their extra-curricular interests and activities. Shannon and Kyle have emerged as leaders in both the classroom and the community and we are extremely proud of them,” said Dr. Alain Kaloyeros, President and CEO of SUNY Polytechnic Institute. “Congratulations to Shannon and Kyle on being chosen for the Chancellor’s Award.  Their recognition is well-deserved and SUNY Poly is honored to have them as members of its community.”

“These students are being honored not only for what they have accomplished in the classroom, but for the impression they have made on everyone here at SUNY Poly as well as the greater Utica community,” said Dr. Robert Geer, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. “Shannon and Kyle both truly embody the essence of SUNY Poly.”

Kyle Waldeck of Sauquoit

Kyle Waldeck of Sauquoit

“Shannon and Kyle are great examples of the terrific students that make SUNY Poly special – creative, intelligent, dedicated, and compassionate,” said Dr. William Durgin, SUNY Poly Provost. “Classroom learning is one thing, but applying that knowledge by putting it to use for the good of others is the mark of innovation and success, as these two Chancellor’s Award winners so aptly show.”

Kern, an undergraduate student pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology, is an active member of the Student Veterans Club, as well as a mother of three and wife and caretaker of a combat veteran. While maintaining academic excellence, Kern has assisted the Veterans Club in charity fundraising and clothing drives for those in need and recently attended the national Student Veterans Club conference in Orlando, Florida. Chosen for a competitive research assistantship position, Kern also participated in a research project investigating violent apocalyptic cults.

Waldeck, an undergraduate student pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering, helped develop a radio bridge system for the Oswego County E-911 Center.  The project, part of an internship with the Air Force Research Lab, enabled more efficient communication between Oswego County Sheriff’s Deputies and New York State Police Officers. While maintaining academic excellence, Waldeck served as a student member of the Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) Industrial Advisory Board and helped guide curriculum and accreditation with the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology.  He also helped develop more efficient office organization methods as a Student Assistant in the Department of Arts and Sciences.

The Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence was created in 1997. 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.