MIDDLETOWN – SUNY Orange embarked upon its Commencement-week festivities on Tuesday evening (May 21) by distributing its most prized academic achievement awards, scholarships to graduating students, and club and organizational awards during its 65th annual Awards Convocation at Middletown’s Paramount Theatre.
More than 500 students, family members, friends, College employees and community members were on hand. Under the supervision of President Dr. Kristine Young and in collaboration with the SUNY Orange Foundation, the College presented 33 scholarships to graduating students while issuing 177 academic and co-curricular awards.
Recent SUNY Orange graduate Djean Nikitov exuberantly delivered his address. He shared his appreciation for the opportunities provided by the College academically and collegially with sincerity. “I love this event. It celebrates those who go above and beyond to make this Community College a community college. Looking at all of you, I see stories. Stories of hope, resilience, passion for what you do and dreams to be fulfilled,” Nikitov shared.
With appreciation, he concluded, “I would not be the person I am standing in front of you without every single one of you.”
Before issuing its own awards, the College recognized two winners of the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence: Nikitov (Middletown) and Lucia Vanella (Washingtonville). Earlier this Spring, Christina Weygant (Wallkill) received the Norman R. McConney, Jr. Award from SUNY for Educational Opportunity Program excellence, and Phi Theta Kappa Academic All-State Honors were awarded to Kayla Bruestle (Pine Bush), Craig Lofaro (Newburgh), Gabriella Miyoshi (Maybrook) and Oriana Dorfman.