SUNY Delhi Students Honored By Chancellor

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Courtney Ketz

DELHI, NY (03/11/2011)(readMedia)-- Two SUNY Delhi seniors have been named 2011 recipients of the Chancellor's Award for Student Excellence.

Kara Haraden, a Veterinary Science Technology major from Malta, and Courtney Ketz, a Veterinary Technology Management major from Cohoes, are among an elite group of students to be honored by the State University of New York on April 5 at the Empire State Plaza Convention Center in Albany.

"We are thrilled that Chancellor Zimpher has recognized Kara and Courtney with this honor," said SUNY Delhi President Candace S. Vancko. "They are proven leaders and exceptional role models for their peers. They deserve to be recognized among the shining stars of the State University system."

Kara Haraden has achieved a 3.94 GPA as a Delhi student and mother of five. As a stellar student, she earned the college's Merrill Family Foundation Scholarship, which recognizes students for demonstrating significant community service commitment and involvement while at SUNY Delhi. As part of her Delhi experience, Haraden has served as an intern at the Animal Protective Foundation in Scotia where she has gained real-world experience in all aspects of animal shelter care and medicine. Haraden's academic acumen and superb work ethic has made her a role model for other students.

Haraden is actively involved in her local community as well. She has achieved a Silver Leader Level for community service at Delhi, completing over 350 volunteer hours.

Haraden serves as a board member of the Schenectady Swim Club and a board member of the Friends of Saratoga County Animal Shelter. At the Saratoga shelter, she was instrumental in initiating a feline foster program.

Courtney Ketz is an extraordinary student who excels academically while remaining highly engaged in extracurricular activities on the Delhi campus. Ketz has earned a number of awards and scholarships including the Merrill Family Scholarship and a College Association Scholarship for three consecutive years each and a Hope Eddy Scholarship for two consecutive years. She was named Delhi's 2009 Associate Degree Student of the Year and is a member of the Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society and the New York Association of Veterinary Technicians.

Ketz's contributions to the Delhi campus are numerous, serving as a Middle States Steering Committee member, Student Senate Vice President, Student Programming Board Vice President and Treasurer, an orientation leader, a peer mentor, and a student ambassador for the college. She received a Student Life Leadership Award in 2009, which recognizes students who stand out as leaders among their peers. In addition to her service to the college, Ketz is committed to serving her community, earning a Bronze Leader Level status by completing nearly 150 volunteer hours.

SUNY Delhi is a member of the State University of New York, the largest public higher education system in the U.S. Delhi's seamless approach to education includes over 60 academic programs, which allow students to obtain one-year certificates and two-year associate degrees. Students may also pursue a four-year degree in select programs at Delhi. For more information about SUNY Delhi, call toll-free 1-800-96-DELHI or visit Delhi's web site at www.delhi.edu.