SUNY Oneonta

During the fall 2025 semester, the SUNY Oneonta Career Planning and Networking Center awarded a total of $91,800 to 64 students from Incremental Funds issued to the university by the State University of New York system. Students received funding for credit-bearing, unpaid internships to help offset the costs associated with completing unpaid internships on and off campus. The Career Planning and Networking Center on campus offers career counseling and helps students find and secure internships in their fields of study. To help with the application and registration process, the Career Planning and Networking Center hired Internship Facilitators in 2024 to assist students, faculty and staff. SUNY Oneonta is committed to helping students pursue experiential learning opportunities that allow them to explore their field of interest while gaining valuable experience to prepare for life after graduation. Internships are among the many real-world learning opportunities students can secure through the university's Experiential Learning Center. In addition to providing financial support to students pursuing internships, SUNY Oneonta awards more than $100,000 annually in student grants for research and travel to professional conferences and has 23 different scholarships for students who study abroad or participate in faculty-led trips.

Calvin Conti, of Schenectady, NY, received a scholarship from the Association of Mathematics Teachers of New York State (AMTNYS) at a conference. Conti is majoring in Adolescence Education: Mathematics and Mathematics at SUNY Oneonta and is a member of the class of 2026. The AMTNYS scholarship is a $2,000 scholarship awarded to four students per year enrolled in a Teacher Education Program in New York State who have completed at least 18 credit hours in Mathematics. Students must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25. Awards are based on a committee evaluation of each student's achievement throughout their academic program and their involvement with and contributions to their school and the mathematics community. Conti was encouraged to apply for the AMTNYS scholarship by Dr. Toke Knudsen, professor of mathematics at SUNY Oneonta, who wrote a letter of support for Conti.

SUNY Oneonta senior Elisabeth "Ellie" Vogl, a Biology major specializing in pre-veterinary medicine, was recognized with the Association of Council Members and College Trustees (ACT) of the State University of New York for Excellence and Student Initiative Scholarship during the annual ACT Conference on Oct. 18 in the King Street Ballroom at the Marriott in Albany, N.Y. Each year, ACT honors two students from each SUNY sector, University Centers and Doctoral Degree Institutions, University Colleges and Technology and Community Colleges, who demonstrate exceptional academic achievement, leadership and service to their campus and community. In addition to receiving a scholarship, each honoree selects a charitable organization to receive a donation on their behalf. Vogl, who transferred to SUNY Oneonta in fall 2024, has maintained a 4.0 GPA, earning a place on the Provost's List for both the fall 2024 and Spring 2025 semesters. In addition to her academic excellence, she has shown outstanding commitment to campus and community engagement. She serves as a student ambassador for the 1889 Society, a giving society that supports SUNY Oneonta programs and scholarships, and is an active member of the Oneonta Future Alumni Network (OFAN), Pre-Health Club and Pre-Health Honor Society. Her leadership roles include President of Hulbert A Hall Government, President of Hippies for Hope and member of the Empire State Service Corps Civic Engagement Branch, through which she partnered with the League of Women Voters to increase voter registration and preparedness on campus. Vogl also volunteers at Club Odyssey, a local drug-free young adult clubhouse that provides social and support services for area youth. In summer 2025, Vogl participated in SUNY Oneonta's Water and the Environment of Guatemala study abroad program, conducting advanced field and laboratory research on water quality and watershed sustainability in the Lake Atitlan region. Her faculty mentors describe her as "ambitious, open-minded, compassionate and always willing to go the extra mile." Vogl's commitment to service extends beyond campus through her work with Super Heroes Humane Society, where she interned during the fall 2024 and spring 2025 semesters, contributing 15-20 hours weekly to support animal care and adoption efforts. As part of the ACT Scholarship, she designated her $250 donation to Super Heroes in recognition of its vital role in the community. There, she gained hands-on experience that will strengthen her preparation for veterinary school, assisting with adoptions, intakes, medicating, feeding, socializing and spay/neuter clinics, work that aligns with her goal of pursuing veterinary medicine to serve communities in need. "Super Heroes is a crucial resource for the Oneonta and surrounding community," said Vogl. "They have a strong emphasis on TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return), making a meaningful impact on cat colonies, which are prevalent in the community and surrounding area. Aside from surrenders and adoptions, Super Heroes also offers a low-cost Spay/Neuter clinic, Emergency Boarding and a Pet Food Pantry, which are essential to low-income pet owners, allowing them to provide care for their animals. Many of the animals, especially those from TNRs or who are picked up as strays, are sick and require constant socialization before being adopted. Additionally, foster volunteers are necessary to provide around-the-clock care for the many kittens Super Heroes receives throughout the year. Because of this, Super Heroes is dependent on support from volunteers and donations."

SUNY Oneonta student Jhesenia Ayora of Peekskill, NY, received the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship for her upcoming study abroad program in Spain during the fall 2025 semester. Ayora is a dual major in Sociology and Spanish and will graduate in December 2025. The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program is a prestigious and competitive U.S. State Department-funded initiative designed to expand American undergraduate students' access to international study and internship opportunities. Named after the late Congressman Benjamin A. Gilman of New York, the program aims to support students seeking to study abroad, helping them develop the critical language skills, global perspectives and intercultural competencies necessary to thrive in an increasingly interconnected world.

Five SUNY Oneonta students received scholarships and awards from the Department of Physics and Astronomy this semester. The Douglas and Dorothy Scott Fielder Scholarship is awarded to full- or part-time undergraduate students who are Sophomores, Juniors or Seniors (accrued 25 credits or more) majoring in Physics or Adolescent Education Physics (PHYS, AEPH), who demonstrate academic achievement and financial need. This scholarship is renewable with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better while continuing to meet eligibility requirements for up to eight consecutive terms. Thomas Passannante received the Douglas and Dorothy Scott Fielder Scholarship award. The Michael P. Merilan Scholarship was established in memory of Dr. Michael Merilan, the long-time Dean of the Division of Arts and Sciences and SUNY Oneonta astronomer. In his 25 years of service to SUNY Oneonta, Dr. Merilan was tireless in his efforts to share his love of astronomy with members of SUNY Oneonta and local communities. This scholarship is awarded to Physics majors pursuing the minor in Astronomy (PHYS-PHYA, PHYS-PHYB) who have at least a 3.5 cumulative GPA and financial need. This scholarship can be renewed if a student maintains a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 or better and continues to meet original eligibility requirements, subject to a maximum of eight consecutive terms/awards in total. Julia Busemeyer received the Michael P. Merilan Scholarship award. Established in honor of Dr. Charles T. P. Wang's memory, the Wang Scholarship is awarded to a freshman physics major whose first-semester academic work shows exceptional promise. Additional awards are given to upperclassmen based on exceptional academic work. Alexander Ashmall-Liversidge, Jack Millen and Jacson Wolfe were recipients of the Wang Scholarship Award.

Nine SUNY Oneonta students received awards and scholarships this spring from the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, the American Institute of Chemists and the American Chemical Society. The American Chemical Society is one of the world's largest scientific societies. SUNY Oneonta is one of four institutions in the ACS Binghamton Local Section. One senior from each institution is recognized at the annual awards ceremony at SUNY Binghamton. Each year, faculty members nominate students who have demonstrated excellence in the traditional divisions of chemistry. Gianna Vitti received the American Chemical Society Award in Analytical Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, Physical Chemistry and the Local Section Outstanding Chemistry Senior award. Ethan Hadley received the Department Award in Biochemistry. One outstanding student is recognized each year to receive an award from the American Institute of Chemists for a demonstrated record in leadership ability, character, scholastic achievement and advancement potential in the chemical professions. Elber Lopez-Hernandez received the American Institute of Chemists Award. The Dr. John C. Kotz Fund for Innovations in the Sciences is awarded to full-time students who have demonstrated exceptional promise in chemistry, related sciences and the liberal arts, and who have also been good citizens of the university. Gabrielle Ragozzine received the Dr. John C. Kotz Fund for Innovations in the Sciences award. Avery Capuano, Madison Klotzko, Jessica Murphy, Rhianna Smith and Emma Butler were recipients of the Chemistry & Biochemistry Department Scholarship.

During the fall 2024 semester, the SUNY Oneonta Career Planning and Networking Center awarded a total of $97,500 to 67 students from Incremental Funds issued to the university by the State University of New York system. Students received funding for credit-bearing, unpaid internships to help offset the costs associated with completing unpaid internships on and off campus. The Career Planning and Networking Center on campus helps provide career counseling and helps students find and secure internships in their fields of study. To help with the application and registration process, the Career Planning and Networking Center hired Internship Facilitators to assist students, faculty and staff. SUNY Oneonta is committed to helping students pursue experiential learning opportunities to explore their field of interest while gaining experience to prepare them for life after graduation. Internships are one of many real-world learning opportunities students can secure through the university's Experiential Learning Center. In addition to providing financial support to students pursuing internships, SUNY Oneonta awards more than $100,000 annually in student grants for research and travel to professional conferences and has 23 different scholarships for students who study abroad or participate in faculty-led trips. As part of the Drive for 135 initiative, the SUNY Oneonta Alumni Association and the Career Planning and Networking Center invite alumni to submit internship opportunities that will allow current and future students to gain critical real-world experiences. Through this initiative, SUNY Oneonta hopes alumni will help secure 135 new or recommitted internship opportunities for students. Alumni can support this initiative by offering internship opportunities within their organizations or networks. While we cannot guarantee student applications for every position, your contributions are vital to their success. Hosting organizations will have the responsibility of reviewing applications, conducting interviews and selecting interns from the pool of eligible students.

Katrina Blais, of Ferndale, NY, received a scholarship from the Association of Mathematics Teachers of New York State (AMTNYS) at a conference. Blais is majoring in Adolescence Education: Mathematics and Mathematics at SUNY Oneonta and is a member of the class of 2026. The AMTNYS scholarship is a $2,000 scholarship awarded to four students per year enrolled in a Teacher Education Program in New York State who have completed at least 18 credit hours in Mathematics. Students must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25. Awards are based on a committee evaluation of each student's achievement throughout their academic program and their involvement with and contributions to their school and the mathematics community. Blais was encouraged to apply for the AMTNYS scholarship by Dr. Toke Knudsen, professor of mathematics at SUNY Oneonta, who wrote a letter of support for Blais.

Jessica Davis, of Oceanside, NY, was one of four students attending a NY university to receive an Association of Mathematics Teachers of New York State (AMTNYS) scholarship in the 2023-24 academic year. The AMTNYS awards are presented to outstanding undergraduates enrolled in a Teacher Education Program in New York state and who have completed at least 18 credit hours of Mathematics. The cumulative GPA must be at least 3.25 and applicants can be in their senior year. AMTNYS began the scholarship program in 1987, and the money is primarily raised by donations given by members and friends to the AMTNYS Scholarship Fund. Davis, who is studying Adolescence Education: Mathematics and Mathematics, is a member of the class of 2026, is one of seven SUNY Oneonta students to receive the AMTNYS scholarship since 1988. Awards are based on a committee evaluation of each student's academic achievement, and their involvement and contributions to their school and the mathematics community. Davis was encouraged to apply by Professor of Mathematics Dr. Toke Knudsen, who also wrote a letter of support for her application.

Alyssa Carbone of New City, N.Y., has been selected to receive a State University of New York Association of Council Members and College Trustees scholarship. Alyssa is a recipient of the Excellence and Student Initiative Scholarship, awarded by the State University of New York Association of Council Members and College Trustees (ACT). She graduated from SUNY Oneonta in December 2021 as a Spanish major with many achievements and has enrolled at the University of Buffalo School of Law. This scholarship recognizes Alyssa for her outstanding academic performance and commitment to her campus community. Excellence and Student Initiative Scholarship applicants must have achieved a dean's list GPA as of the last reporting period and they must demonstrate that they identified a need in their campus community and provided or service or solution to address it. Three letters of recommendation are also required. The scholarship will provide Alyssa with $1000 and a $250 donation to the charity of her choice. Only five nominees receive this scholarship each year: two from university colleges, two from university centers and doctoral degree institutions, and one from technical colleges. All recipients were invited to an awards luncheon on Saturday, Oct. 15, at the Turning Stone Casino & Resort in Verona. "In my application for the scholarship, I noted my experience in various executive diversity-related board positions in my work helping to give marginalized students a voice and promoting diversity-related events," said Alyssa. "In addition to diversity and equity work, I sought to assist domestic and international students with their transition to on-campus life, serving as an Office Assistant for the Office of Global Education and an international student mentor." While she attended college at SUNY Oneonta, Alyssa served as secretary for Vice-Presidential Affairs for the SUNY-wide Student Assembly and on numerous campus councils, committees and task forces. She was the vice president of the Hispanic Organization for Learning Advancement club and a volunteer tutor with the Multicultural Community Center. Alyssa was also the student coordinator for the Students of Color Coalition and The Luminous Letter Project, a letter-writing advocacy project for LGBTQIA+ people in federal and state prisons and Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention centers. She has widely presented her research on climate change and how it affects Latinx communities in the United States, most notably as a Refugee Representation Intern at Human Rights First in NYC. "I also sought to keep students engaged with the many opportunities SUNY Oneonta has to offer," said Alyssa. "I served as a founding board member of The Nebula Society, a Resident Advisor and served as Senator and later Attorney General on the Student Association, representing the voices and concerns of students across campus."

SUNY Oneonta student Skyler Reed has been selected to receive a national scholarship for students interested in pursuing careers in astronomy, specifically the planetarium field. Skyler, a member of the Class of 2024, received the Hamilton Planetarium Scholarship in recognition of his work at the SUNY Oneonta planetarium. A Communications Studies major, Skyler is also president of the student-run Nebula Society. The Nebula Society is composed of students from a variety of majors interested in learning how to conduct planetarium shows on campus, exploring the connections between storytelling, graphic design, music, coding and science. Using the Digistar 6 software, the Nebula Society works with other campus organizations to host music nights and open mic presentations in the planetarium. Skyler has produced and facilitated shows using the SUNY Oneonta Digistar planetarium system since 2020. He has completed multiple astronomy courses and plans to explore his options in the planetarium field after graduation. "Skyler is an excellent planetarium presenter and is very skilled at using our Digistar planetarium system," said Assistant Professor of Physics and Astronomy Dr. Valerie Rapson. "He has spent countless hours presenting planetarium shows to the campus community and teaching other students how to use the planetarium. Through partnerships with student clubs, local bands and academic departments across campus, Skyler has helped increase awareness of the planetarium and all it has to offer. He will make a great astronomy educator and planetarium director in the future." The Hamilton Planetarium Scholarship ranges in value from $500 to $5,000 and may be renewed on an annual basis. Grantees also receive a free one-year membership in the International Planetarium Society and their local regional planetarium association. Only a handful of students have received the scholarship each year over the past decade, with as few as one student a year and as many as three. Applicants for the Hamilton Planetarium Scholarship must meet the criteria by answering six questions regarding planetarium experience, talents of value in the profession, non-traditional experiences, and how they would explain a controversial astronomy topic to their audience. Additionally, they must share their other experiences in the astronomy field at large, as well as why they want to pursue a planetarium career.

More than 800 students have been awarded scholarships at SUNY Oneonta. The college's scholarship funds total over $60 million and are the result of contributions from donors, corporations and foundations. It is the largest endowment among SUNY comprehensive four-year colleges.

More than 600 students have been awarded scholarships at SUNY Oneonta. The college's scholarship funds total over $60 million and are the result of contributions from donors, corporations and foundations. It is the largest endowment among SUNY comprehensive four-year colleges.

Three SUNY Oneonta students received Dr. Gary Holway Scientific Achievement Awards to help fund their summer research projects. In addition to project funding, each student awardee received a $100 fellowship/prize as an award recipient.

More than 700 students have been awarded scholarships at SUNY Oneonta. The college's scholarship funds total over $60 million and are the result of contributions from donors, corporations and foundations. It is the largest endowment among SUNY comprehensive four-year colleges.

SUNY Oneonta student Savannah Compere received the prestigious Diversity Abroad Honors Scholarship from the SUNY Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion this summer. The scholarship helped Compere travel to Ecuador during a faculty-led trip at the end of May. SUNY's Diversity Abroad Honors Scholarship Program (DAHSP) supports opportunities that recognize the transformative experience of studying abroad as students prepare for future careers in increasingly global environments. The scholarship is very competitive and each SUNY campus can only nominate one student per term to enter. Compere was chosen among students from all SUNY campuses. She received $1,000 from SUNY, with a full match from SUNY Oneonta's Global Engagement Fund. While in Ecuador, Compere and 17 other SUNY Oneonta students completed service projects and worked with impoverished youth and families in Quito and Mindo, Ecuador as part of an upper-division Human Development and Family Studies course. The students were involved in three service work projects - building a greenhouse for an elder-care facility; working with a preschool program developing activities and refurbishing a room into an activity room for future use; and working with the mayor in Mindo on a beautification project in a high-poverty district.

More than 700 students have been awarded scholarships at the annual scholarship dinner held on April 4. SUNY Oneonta's scholarship funds total over $60 million and are the result of contributions from donors, corporations and foundations. It is the largest endowment among SUNY comprehensive four-year colleges.

Two music industry students from SUNY Oneonta were selected to receive the NAMM Foundation's President's Innovation Award, which provided them with a stipend to attend the world's largest music products trade show, The NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) Show, from Jan. 16-19 in Anaheim, Calif. They were two of just 103 college students across the country who received the President's Innovation Award. The NAMM Show is an annual event that brings together leaders of the music products, pro audio and event technology industries for four days of product introductions, business opportunities, networking and inspiration. The 40 SUNY Oneonta students who attended got to preview and test new products from more than 7,000 brands; enjoyed special events, live music and celebrity appearances; and attended dozens of educational sessions tied to today's trends. Students also got to hear interviews with the music world's top innovators, artists and professionals, including musician/producer Finneas O'Connell, who took home Grammys for record of the year, album of the year, song of the year, non-classical engineered album and non-classical producer of the year at the 62nd Grammy Awards in Los Angeles on Sunday, Jan. 26. O'Connell is superstar Billie Eilish's brother. NAMM gave SUNY Oneonta students a first-hand look at how music retail and music business go hand-in-hand. They were able to test out the latest products, see lots of live performances, and attend cutting-edge demonstrations as well as panel discussions about upcoming technologies and marketing techniques. A group of students also got to volunteer at NAMM's She Rocks Awards show, which pays tribute to women in the music industry. The NAMM trip is a long-running SUNY Oneonta tradition. Music Department faculty have been taking students to the event for more than 25 years. Lecturer Nancy Tarr, who has accompanied Oneonta students on the trip for the past five years, said it's a wonderful opportunity for students to meet and learn from people who have been in their shoes. It shows students that they, too, can be successful someday.

Seven students were selected by the faculty of SUNY Oneonta's Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences to be the recipients of Scholarship Awards this year. Scholarships were awarded as part of the department's 42nd Annual Majors' Night in the Student Commons area of the Perna Science building.

Three SUNY Oneonta students have been awarded scholarships to travel to Thailand and intern with Sodexo thanks to funding provided by SUNY Oneonta Auxiliary Services.

Sixteen SUNY Oneonta students have received Fellowships for Internship Support, so that they may be paid while completing invaluable immersive learning experiences this summer.

SUNY Oneonta recognized six students for academic excellence at the Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences' annual Majors' Night in October. Now in its 41st year, Majors' Night offers the department's undergraduates the opportunity to network with alumni who return to campus for the event, where they share their experiences and offer advice to current students.

Eleven new international freshman and transfer students have been awarded merit scholarships to attend SUNY Oneonta beginning in the fall 2017 semester. The award amounts range from $6,000 to $8,000 per year.

More than 300 new freshman and transfer students have been awarded merit scholarships to attend SUNY Oneonta beginning in the fall 2017 semester. The award amounts range from $1,000 to $8,000 per year.

SUNY Oneonta senior Matt Beitscher attended the 97th American Meteorological Society (AMS) Annual Meeting in Seattle from Jan. 22-26, 2017. More than 4,400 scientists, educators, students and other professionals from across the weather, water and climate community came together to share, learn and collaborate.

Enterprise Rent-A-Car has selected SUNY Oneonta student Allison Ravit to receive its Enterprise Scholarship Award. Ravit, who is majoring in business economics at SUNY Oneonta, was a management trainee intern this past summer at Enterprise.

The SUNY Oneonta Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences awarded six students scholarships at its annual Majors' Night in October. Now in its 40th year, Majors' Night offers the department's undergraduates the opportunity to network with alumni who return to campus for the event, where they share their experiences and offer advice to current students.

More than 200 new freshman, transfer and international students have been awarded merit scholarships to attend SUNY Oneonta beginning in the fall 2016 semester. The award amounts range from $1,000 to full in-state tuition scholarships of $6,470 per year.

Ten SUNY Oneonta students have been awarded scholarships to study abroad during the fall 2015 semester.

SUNY Oneonta recognized four students for academic excellence at the Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences' annual Majors' Night. Now in its 39th year, Majors' Night offers the department's undergraduates the opportunity to network with alumni who return to campus for the event, where they share their experiences and offer advice to current students.