Samantha Pelinger Receives Academic Achievement Award

2017 May 25

Samantha Pelinger of Chappaqua, NY, was one of 54 outstanding SUNY Oneonta students selected to receive a 2017 Academic Achievement Award this spring. Each academic department or program selected one to three outstanding seniors to receive the award.

Pelinger received the Human Ecology Department award.

To be considered for the award, a student must have a minimum grade-point average of 3.5 in his or her major and must demonstrate exceptional academic improvement over four semesters, as well as excellence in research; leadership and involvement in department, campus and community activities; and/or participation in academic and/or professional situation outside the college.

Pelinger was inducted into the Phi Upsilon Omicron human ecology honor society and the Sinai Scholars Society. She served as a peer tutor, president of the Disability Awareness Club, secretary of the Ski and Snowboard Club, and web and social chair of Hillel. In fall 2016, she completed an internship with Springbrook Kids Unlimited Preschool, an agency that provides early childhood education for children with disabilities. This past semester, she was a teaching assistant for Dr. Theresa Russo’s Marriage and Family Relationships course. Upon graduation, Samantha received her Certified Family Life Educator (CFLE) credential through the National Council on Family Relations, and she will be attending Fordham University to pursue a master’s in social work.