Eight SUNY Cobleskill Students Honored With SUNY Empire State Diversity Scholarship

Eight SUNY Cobleskill students were honored with SUNY Empire State Diversity Honors Scholarship. Each year the scholarship provides direct aid to undergraduate students who have demonstrated high academic achievement and have overcome a disadvantage or contributed to the diversity of the student body. This includes a physical disability, first generation college student, non-English speaking background, as well as representing an ethnic group in their degree program.

The students were each awarded $775 to contribute to their higher education.
In application essays students depicted their hardships, ranging from being a female in a male dominated program to being a first generation college student to growing up in foster care.
Alicia Marie Kloczko of Schoharie spoke of her financial difficulties and of being an adult student. Kloczko is working toward her bachelor’s degree in wildlife management.
Michael Matonis of Howes Cave, overcame the trials of being bounced from one foster home to another and has spent countless hours researching new media technologies. He is a freshman studying computer information and network administration.

Jenny Murtaugh of Schenectady shared her experience as one of few females in her degree program. Murtaugh is working on her bachelor’s in wildlife management.
Erin Myhre of Greenville spoke of a personal injury that helped her realize her strong leadership skills and desire to work toward a degree in agricultural business management. Myhre is a freshman at SUNY Cobleskill.

David Porter of Canajoharie is one of the first members of his family to attend college and helps support himself with a part time job. Porter is studying liberal arts and social sciences.
Richard Stanton Jr. of Yorkshire is also a first generation college student and has experienced financial constraints along the way. He is working toward a degree in wildlife management.
Nixida Hernandez of the Bronx has experienced a long road with English as her second language and a lifetime of health problems. She is studying liberal arts and sciences and dreams of being a physician.

Ioni Reyes of Cobleskill, grew up in a predominantly white town with little diversity. Being born part Puerto Rican and part Caucasian, Reyes has had the opportunity to truly appreciate people for who they are. She is studying liberal arts and sciences and is working toward attending SUNY Oneonta.