The Annual Honors and Awards Ceremony (April 22) and Student Leadership Awards Ceremony (April 25) recognized a number of graduating seniors for their outstanding achievements at SUNY Brockport. Matthew Too, Zachary Scott Ayers, Tanajah (Tee) Malachi, Hunter Czajkowski, and Rhonda-Lee Forbes received the college’s highest honors.
The Class of 2022 will continue its celebrations at in-person commencement ceremonies including Graduate Commencement on Thursday, May 12 at 5 pm and Undergraduate Commencement on Friday, May 13 at 9 am (School of Arts & Sciences) and 2 pm (School of Business & Management and School of Education, Health & Human Services).
President’s Citation Award
The college’s highest award recognizes a graduating senior who has demonstrated outstanding scholastic merit (a GPA of at least 3.75), a strong record of co-curricular activities, significant contributions to the college and community, and evidence of professional promise.
Matthew Too
Matthew Too with President Heidi Macpherson
Matthew Too is completing a double major in Biochemistry and Mathematics with a concentration in statistics, and a double minor in Psychology and Pre-Professional Health, with a 4.0 GPA. A member of the Honors College, he received his Honors in Chemistry after completion of his Honor’s Thesis through the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. He has received numerous scholarships, including the Charles W. Baden, Tae Kwon Do, Elizabeth More Bretton, and Edmund and Tina Hundt scholarships. He was also awarded the NYS Scholarship for Academic Excellence in 2018. His awards include the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence, Honors Scholar Award, American Institute of Chemists’ 2022 Baccalaureate Student Award, Eastern Analytical Symposium Student Research Award (2021), 2021 Analytical Chemistry Award, and the 2018-2019 ACS Organic Chemistry Award. He was awarded the Morris Fellowship for Summer Research in Chemistry to conduct research in Darmstadt, Germany for six weeks during the summer of 2019.
Too has tutored at the college for the entirety of his undergraduate career and worked as an EOP Peer Tutor for Math, as an ASC math tutor for 15 different math courses, and as an ASC Organic Chemistry I and II tutor. He also has volunteered both on and off-campus, including service as a volunteer tutor for a high school student in pre-calculus and AP Chemistry, helping with COVID-19 pool testing, and volunteering at Crossroads House Hospice Care.
Future Plans
Too is applying to medical schools and hopes to get accepted into either an MD or an MD-Ph.D. program. His career goal is to become a physician/researcher and specialize in diagnostic radiology.
SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence
The Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence acknowledges students who have achieved excellence. We seek nominations of students who have best demonstrated and been recognized for their integration of academic excellence with other aspects of their lives, which may include: leadership, community service, arts (creative or performing), athletics, and/or career achievement. It is the highest honor bestowed upon a student by the college.
Hunter Cjazkowski (center) at the Honors and Awards Ceremony
Hunter Czajkowski & Matthew Too
Hunter Czajkowski is completing a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry with a 4.0 GPA. She is also a member of the Honors College, the President of the Rotaract Club, Treasurer of the Pre-Professional Health Club, and a member of the gymnastics/track team. Her hard work and determination resulted in her being on the President’s List (Fall 2019-Fall 2020) and on the Dean’s list with Honors (Fall 2020 and Spring 2021). She has worked as a research assistant with an Orthopedic surgeon at a local hospital for over four years.
Using her leadership and athletic skills, Czajkowski coordinated the Junior Eagles Extension Program, offering disabled individuals an opportunity to participate in a gymnastic program that improves their strength and coordination. She also took the initiative to reestablish the Rotaract Club. Through her efforts, they have hosted blood drives, canned food drives to benefit local food banks, reading at the local children’s center, and a pen pal program for residents at a local nursing home.
Future Plans
Czajkowski plans to pursue a Master of Science in Community Health Education. She aspires to attend medical school and become an orthopedic surgeon that works with military veterans.