News from SUNY Cortland

For more information contact: Jean Palmer, 607-753-2232

SUNY Cortland Staff, Students Receive Regional Residence Hall Awards

CORTLAND, NY (02/07/2008; 1007)(readMedia)-- For the first time ever, one SUNY Cortland staff member and three students are recipients of regional “Of the Month” (OTM) awards for October 2007 from the Northeast College and University Residence Halls (NEACURH).

These awards are given monthly in several categories to students and staff connected to residence life. Each of the winners received a certificate acknowledging their contribution to residence life at the College.

On campus, SUNY Cortland students who make up the National Residence Hall Honorary (NRHH), a nationally recognized organization, vote each month on which nominees are submitted to be judged at the regional NEACURH level.

“OTMs are an opportunity to recognize individuals or groups that have gone above and beyond to make their residence hall a better place,” said Sara Gingrich, assistant to the director of residential services. “It’s very exciting that SUNY Cortland was finally recognized with not one, but four regional awards.”

Cheri Skipworth, Cheney Hall residence director, received the “Advisor of the Month” award. She was nominated by Amanda Anderson, Clark Hall residence director.

“Cheri’s dedication to Cheney Hall is unparalleled,” Anderson said. “She is the hardest working woman I know and is devoted and dedicated to making all events a success.”

Mark Morrell, a junior adolescent education biology major from Farmington, N.Y., was awarded “Student of the Month.” He was nominated by Ashley Hudson, a junior childhood education major from Victor, N.Y.

Morrell recently started an environmental club on campus, is a peer tutor, a member of the NRHH and Biology Club and works 14 office hours per week as a staff member working as an administrative assistant.

“Mark does all of that and is still dedicated to his academics, receiving the highest test grades in his physics and organic chemistry classes,” writes Hudson. “Mark’s positive attitude never falters. He is seen as a high-energy, optimistic person whose energy and attitude is contagious. He is an excellent role model on our SUNY Cortland campus.”

Ashley Ordonez, a freshman adolescent education Spanish major from Yorktown Heights, N.Y., was awarded “First Year Student of the Month.”

“Ashley has proven to be an outstanding first year student this semester at SUNY Cortland,” writes Hudson, who nominated this candidate as well as Morrell. “Many go through a transition period where they learn about how much they have to study in college and the importance of getting involved. Ashley picked up on all of this as soon as she got to campus. You wouldn’t even know that she is a first year student.”

The Cortland Running Club was given the “Organization of the Month” award. The club was nominated by Timothy Rodriguez, a junior outdoor recreation major from Poland, N.Y.

“During the month of October, the Cortland Running Club raised money for children in Mozambique, whose parents died of AIDS, to go to school,” Rodriguez said. “The nine club members decided to run from Cortland to Utica, N.Y., and back in one continuous relay. They completed the run in 25 hours, raising more than $500 and getting their message out on Utica’s News Channel 2 as they made the 150-mile trek. There aren’t any clubs that I can think of who are willing, motivated or confident enough to put themselves through such a difficult task to help others.”

For more information, contact the SUNY Cortland Residence Life Office at (607) 753-4724.

-30-