SUNY Delhi Graduates Honored by Chancellor

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Patricia Eberhard

DELHI, NY (04/02/2015)(readMedia)-- Two SUNY Delhi students have been named 2015 recipients of the Chancellor's Award for Student Excellence.

Patricia Eberhard, a Veterinary Science Technology major from Delhi, and John Nolis, a Mechatronics Design major from Nichols, are among an elite group of students to be honored by the State University of New York on April 2 at the Empire State Plaza Convention Center in Albany.

"I am tremendously proud of Patricia and John. They are SUNY Delhi's best and brightest," said President Candace S. Vancko. "They are exceptional student leaders who have made a commitment to academic excellence while serving the SUNY Delhi community and beyond."

Patricia Eberhard's extensive history volunteering at shelters and with animal rescue and rehabilitation led her to pursue a career as a vet tech. As an adult learner, she has made her mark as an exceptional student who gives freely of her time while excelling academically. Eberhard has an undeniable dedication to animals, which has led her to regularly voluntarily assisting in the college's small animal care and nursing laboratory, very often working nights and weekends. She has also developed an extensive enrichment program for the college's cat colony.

Eberhard also gives freely of her time to her fellow students, serving as a lead peer mentor and activities coordinator, mentoring first-year students in the Veterinary Science Technology program, serving as a solid role model within her program, and assisting her fellow classmates with their academic studies. Last summer, she completed her preceptorship with two facilities although her major only required one.

Eberhard has earned several scholarships based on her leadership, academic achievement and community engagement, including the Merrill Family Scholarship and the Warren O. Hill Second Chance Scholarship, which is awarded to deserving, non-traditional students for a second chance at a college education. She has completed over 165 volunteer hours during her studies as SUNY Delhi and serves as a member of the New York State Association of Veterinary Technicians and the National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association.

John Nolis is a student who has excelled in the classroom, maintaining a 3.93 G.P.A. while serving as captain of the college's Cross Country, and Indoor and Outdoor Track teams. He has earned numerous awards as a scholar-athlete, including the NJCAA Academic All-American Award, the USCAA National All-Academic Team, the NJCAA Team Scholar Athlete Award, and the college's Student Scholar Athlete Award and Coaches Award. He consistently achieves the honors list and previously graduated from SUNY Delhi with an associate degree in HVAC and Controls, Summa Cum Laude.

Nolis is a proven student leader who holds several positions on campus. He is the president of Tri-Atelier Fraternity, a fraternal organization at SUNY Delhi focused on construction, architecture and trades. He co-founded the college's Health and Fitness Club of which he currently serves as president and senator. Nolis is also a member of the college's Society of Manufacturing Engineers and a Bronze Leader Level 3 who has completed over 50 hours of community service during his time at SUNY Delhi.

Highly motivated in his career, Nolis has pursued national certifications to show that he possesses the knowledge and skills he needs to be a successful professional. He is Heat Pump Certified by the Refrigeration Service Engineers Society (RSES), R-410A Refrigerant Certified by the AC&R Safety Coalition, and Universal Refrigerant Certified by the ESCO Institute.