MCC Daily Tribune

MCC Student Among 45 SUNY EOP Scholars to Receive Award for Excellence

State University of New York announced Thursday the achievements of 45 students in SUNY’s Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) — including Camilio Ocasio from Monroe Community College — who are honored with the Norman R. McConney, Jr. Award for Student Excellence. The award, now celebrating its third class of awardees, recognizes outstanding EOP students for their academic merit and strength in overcoming significant personal obstacles throughout their lives.

Camilio is a mathematics/independent studies major.

The honor is named in memory of Norman R. McConney, Jr. (1946–2016), a graduate of the University at Albany and former assistant dean for special programs at SUNY. McConney, alongside former Assembly Deputy Speaker Arthur O. Eve, helped create the EOP as a statewide program.

“The students we celebrate today have their own story on how they got to SUNY, but they are unified by their incredible perseverance in pursuit of their academic dreams,” said SUNY Interim Chancellor Deborah F. Stanley. “Despite personal hardships, these individuals are driving forward to change the world. My congratulations to this year’s awardees and their families both on and off campus.”

Since its inception in 1967, the EOP has provided access, academic support, and supplemental financial assistance to students from disadvantaged backgrounds, many of whom are the first in their families to attend college.

In the current academic year, SUNY has nearly 8,000 EOP students on 50 SUNY campuses. EOP students often outperform their peers, with 74 percent of them graduating with a baccalaureate degree within six years.

The full news release is available on SUNY's website.

Hency Yuen-Eng
Government and Community Relations
04/15/2022