Huntington Alum Earns Chancellor's Award for Excellence
SUNY Chancellor Nancy Zimpher awarded Huntington High School Class of 2009 member Joe Brown, a current SUNY Maritime College midshipman, with the Chancellor's Award for Excellence medal during a ceremony held in Albany this month at the Empire State Plaza Convention Center.
The Chancellor's Award for Student Excellence was created in 1997 to recognize students who have best demonstrated, and have been recognized for, the integration of academic excellence with accomplishments in the areas of leadership, athletics, community service, creative and performing arts, campus involvement, or career achievement.
Mr. Brown was joined by fellow Maritime College midshipman Daniel McDonald at the recent ceremony along with 298 other SUNY students from campuses across the state. SUNY Maritime College President Rear Admiral Wendi B. Carpenter, USN (Ret.) joined Ms. Zimpher at the ceremony.
"The students we honor today have strong records of achievement as student leaders, scholar athletes, aspiring artists, and community volunteers," Chancellor Zimpher said. "By exhibiting excellence in class, on campus, and in their local communities, these students truly represent the power of SUNY and we honor them with great pride."
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.
Mr. Brown, who played on the Maritime College football team, will be commissioned as an ensign in the U.S. Navy on May 9. He has been accepted into the Navy's flight training school in Pensacola, Florida. The Blue Devil alum is set to graduate from college on May 10.
At Huntington, Mr. Brown was a member of the Nathan Hale chapter of the National Honor Society. He played on the football, winter track and lacrosse squads and was the male recipient of the Booster Club's Sportsmanship Award.
"Joe has always been gentle, compassionate and genuinely interested in both his studies in the classroom and on the field," said Ron Wilson, a Huntington athletic coach who worked closely with Mr. Brown during his middle school and high school years. "I have witnessed firsthand Joe Brown's compassionate leadership and how he interacts with both peers and adults. It is no surprise to me when I hear of the wonderful things Joe is doing and the acknowledgements he receives. I'm just so proud of him and the work he's doing. He is representing not only his family, but Huntington High School as well. I'm just glad that I was given an opportunity to work with such a gifted and wonderful young man."
Mr. Brown always "checks-in" with his alma mater whenever he comes home to visit. "He is one that never forgets to call me when he's in town," Mr. Wilson said. Joe, along with his long-time buddies Brian Ruggiero and Dave Acton never fail to take me out to Famous Dave's BBQ when they come home. He is truly an outstanding young man that I've come to love and admire for his breezy nature. He smiles broadly, laughs easily and no matter what the circumstance, he lightens the mood and lessens the stress."