Meet SUNY Plattsburgh Presidential Scholars

Meet Our Presidential Scholars for 2012-2013

SUNY Plattsburgh awards over $4 million in merit-based scholarships each year, but only one percent of all applicants will be nominated for the prestigious, full-tuition Presidential Scholarship. Last year, five of our best incoming students were selected to receive this award; let’s hear a few of their stories:

Adam Saccardi

• Hometown: East Setauket, Long Island, NY
• High School: Ward Melville High School
• Major: History BA/MST Adolescence Education

List five words that describe your personality: Hardworking, Straightforward, Organized, Deep, and Thoughtful.

Why did you choose SUNY Plattsburgh? I chose Plattsburgh because it was just a really good fit for me. I felt like I could acquiesce to the campus with ease in comparison to the other colleges I visited. I was also impressed with the breadth of programs offered at SUNY Plattsburgh, including the five year History BA/MST Adolescence Education program in which I am currently enrolled. The surrounding area is also a good combination of city and wilderness. There are shops and a town within walking distance, but with just a short drive you can be hiking and checking out fantastic views.

Name one favorite or memorable academic experience you have already had during your first semester on campus: My favorite academic experience thus far is undoubtedly my Honors Seminar, “Lives and Leadership of American Presidents” taught by Dr. Moran. The seminar has been a fantastic experience facilitating interesting discussion about our country, our place in the world, and the future. Dr. Moran is truly enlightening!

What clubs, organizations, and/or activities are you involved in at SUNY Plattsburgh? What has been your favorite experience in these activities to date? I am involved in the Honors Student Association (HSA) and the Model U.N club, both of which I have had a great time in so far! However, my favorite experience has got to be the “Fall Hike” we did with the HSA. The hike was just a lot of fun - the view was like nothing this Long Islander had ever seen before and the camaraderie among all of the students was wonderful. Now, I am looking forward to the Penn State Model U.N conference this winter which will add to my list of great experiences.

Describe how the Honors Program is positively shaping your academic experience and what you are enjoying most about being in the program: The program has had a major impact on me and I've only taken one seminar! It is really just an inspiration to perform to the best of my academic abilities. My current Honors Program professor has been a tremendous motivator, because he exudes a desire to learn, makes me want to learn more, and gives me the time and space to discuss what I have learned in an intelligent manner.

Name the person/people who have been most influential in your life and the impact they have had on who you are today: My father and mother have undoubtedly been the biggest impact on who I am today. They have taught me all that I know about being responsible and the value of hard work. My mother fostered my sense of responsible behavior, while my father gave me my moral compass and sense of right from wrong. I cannot thank them enough for how well they have raised me!

What are your career aspirations after college? Right now, I am aiming to be a teacher in my home district on Long Island. But, I am considering changing my major to one more directed at a career on Wall Street. Who knows where my future will take me!

What is the one item you are thankful you brought with you to school this year and couldn’t imagine living without? Surprisingly enough, a vacuum cleaner! I didn't want it at first, but my mom convinced me to bring one and I am so thankful!  Our room gets very messy and so the vacuum helps to keep it semi-presentable!

Savannah Davis

• Hometown: Glens Falls, NY
• High School: Glens Falls High School
• Intended Major: Nursing

List five words that describe your personality: Optimistic, Ambitious, Considerate, Goal Oriented, Sincere.

Why did you choose SUNY Plattsburgh? I chose SUNY Plattsburgh for its reputable Nursing Program and because the community reminds me so much of my home town.  There is always something fun going on and there are so many ways to be involved!

Name one favorite or memorable academic experience you have already had during your first semester on campus: The most memorable academic experience I have had so far was in my honors seminar with Dr. Moran. This professor is a captivating storyteller and one day he took the time out of his lesson plan to reflect on what true learning really means.  He fascinated me with his accounts of personal experiences that had impacted his perception of learning and his pursuit of knowledge.

What clubs, organizations, and/or activities are you involved in at SUNY Plattsburgh? What has been your favorite experience in these activities to date? I am secretary of Whiteface Hall Council, a member of the Honors Student Association executive board, and a pole-vaulter on SUNY Plattsburgh’s track and field team.

Describe how the Honors Program is positively shaping your academic experience and what you are enjoying most about being in the program: I am currently taking an honors seminar on American presidents and am shocked by how much I enjoy the class. U.S. history has never been a favorite subject of mine, though I love the discussion-based format of the class and I have learned so much from hearing my classmates’ opinions and interpretations of the assigned readings.  The interesting conversations have sparked my interest in studying American presidents and American history, and it is the class I most look forward to attending!

Name the person/people who have been most influential in your life and the impact they have had on who you are today: My parents and my twin sister have been the most influential people in my life. My mom and dad have instilled in me their values of compassion and work ethic. I appreciate that they have pushed me with high expectations while also being supportive and understanding. My sister, Jade, has also greatly impacted my life. She is a free spirit and a constant reminder to live life passionately and with optimism.

What are your career aspirations after college? I would like to join the Peace Corps in either Public Health Education or Health Extension after college. From there, I am uncertain of my career path as a nurse. I remain confident, however, that experiences in the field from clinical rotations and the Peace Corps will assist in these decisions when the time comes.

What is the one item you are thankful you brought with you to school this year and couldn't imagine living without? Surprisingly, the one item I am thankful to have brought is a mini vacuum.  I can’t believe how dirty my room gets sometimes and people on my floor are always asking to borrow it!

Kevin Clayton

• Hometown: Manorville, NY
• High School: Home schooled
• Majors: Entrepreneurship

List five words that describe your personality: Intellectual, Curious, Quirky, Adventurous, Quick-Witted.

Why did you choose SUNY Plattsburgh? I've always wanted to start my own business and SUNY Plattsburgh is the only four year SUNY school that offers an Entrepreneurship major.

Name one favorite or memorable academic experience you have already had during your first semester on campus: The most memorable academic experience I've experienced so far was in one my Honors Seminar. The professor couldn't make due to a conference, but asked that we meet anyway. The entire class showed up, even though there was no professor to mark us absent or facilitate discussion, and we discussed the material as usual. The fact that a class full of students were devoted enough to that class to show up is really inspirational and a testament to how academically dedicated the students are.

What clubs, organizations, and/or activities are you involved in at SUNY Plattsburgh? What has been your favorite experience in these activities to date? Since I've arrived I've become involved with the HSA and Model UN, neither of which I'd been involved with before coming here. They have been new, but worthwhile experiences for me!

Describe how the Honors Program is positively shaping your academic experience and what you are enjoying most about being in the program: The Honors Class I'm taking has quickly become my favorite class. It has challenged me to improve my skills and makes me think about class material even outside of class.

Name the person/people who have been most influential in your life and the impact they have had on who you are today: The most influential people in my life are my parents. My dad has always listened to my insane ideas and shared my passions and my mother is the person who inspired me to go into business.

What are your career aspirations after college? I hope to start my own business after graduation. It's been a lifelong dream that I know my SUNY Plattsburgh education will help me achieve.

What is the one item you are thankful you brought with you to school this year and couldn't imagine living without? My spare pair of glasses. I've learned to accept that misplacing things is a part of dorm life, so the extra pair comes in handy!

Leda Brittenham

• Hometown: Spafford, NY
• High School: Marcellus High School
• Major: Art

List five words that describe your personality: Curious, Creative, Open-minded, Adventurous, Passionate.

Why did you choose SUNY Plattsburgh? I chose Plattsburgh because I love the area and proximity to places like the Adirondack Mountains, Lake Placid, Montreal and Burlington. The art program was also a deciding factor.

Name one favorite or memorable academic experience you have already had during your first semester on campus: I've really enjoyed getting to know the students and professors involved in my major. It is really exciting to meet and work with people who are passionate about the arts.

What clubs, organizations, and/or activities are you involved in at SUNY Plattsburgh? Food Group, Outing Club and Plattsburgh Association of Visual Arts.

What has been your favorite experience in these activities to date? I really like taking trips around the local area and meeting new people.

Describe how the Honors Program is positively shaping your academic experience and what you are enjoying most about being in the program: I like the small classroom setting and being able to discuss in depth subjects that I wouldn't normally be exposed to. It is another good way to get to know students with similar interests.

Name the person/people who have been most influential in your life and the impact they have had on who you are today: My high school art teacher, Donna Nicholas, had a huge impact on my education and who I have become. She was extremely supportive and helped me through the stressful experience of completing the AP art portfolio my senior year. She was there with me for countless hours in the art room and often stayed at the school until almost midnight to offer advice, wisdom, and encouragement. She also did a lot of advocating for art education and got me involved in working to preserve the art program in my school.

What are your career aspirations after college? I plan on attending graduate school and doing a lot of traveling. I also want to work with humanitarian organizations and possibly pursue a teaching career.

What is the one item you are thankful you brought with you to school this year and couldn’t imagine living without? A warm coat and mittens!

Joel Wood

• Hometown: West Chazy, NY
• High School: Beekmantown High School
• Major: Economics

List five words that describe your personality: Driven, Eclectic, Inquisitive, Personable, and Outspoken.

Why did you choose SUNY Plattsburgh? I wasn’t really considering SUNY Plattsburgh in my college search process at first because I’ve lived nearby campus my whole life and never really thought about it.  But, once I came for an official visit, I truly realized how friendly, helpful, and welcoming all of the faculty/staff are and I just knew that this was the right decision.

Name one favorite or memorable academic experience you have already had during your first semester on campus: By far, the most memorable academic experience on campus occurred only a few weeks into my first semester. The professor in my Honors Seminar asked me to swing by his office so I could turn in my paper before he left for the day. Expecting to only turn in my paper and leave, I left my dorm room an extra five minutes before my next class to drop off my paper. Surprisingly, I ended up being 15 minutes late to my next class because my professor didn’t just want me to drop off my paper – he wanted to chat about how my first semester on campus was going so far and see how I was liking everything. It was really touching to know that the professors care so deeply about the students!

What clubs, organizations, and/or activities are you involved in at SUNY Plattsburgh? What has been your favorite experience in these activities to date? So far I am both the acting Public Relations officer in the Model UN club and the Parliamentarian in SUNY Plattsburgh’s Student Association. I plan to join and participate in even more next semester! I would have to say that planning, advertising, and participating in our own campus wide debate for Model UN was the best activity thus far.

Describe how the Honors Program is positively shaping your academic experience and what you are enjoying most about being in the program: The Honors Program has academically enhanced me in a variety of ways during my first semester on campus. It has provided me with a unique Socratic Method style environment where there is an opportunity to voice my own opinions.  The Honors Center is open 24/7 to Honors students for studying or relaxing and all of the students are incredibly welcoming.

Name the person/people who have been most influential in your life and the impact they have had on who you are today: While it may sound cliché, the most influential people in my life by far are my family members. Being the youngest in my large, extended family, I am constantly pushed and supported by my many aunts, uncles, cousins, and relatives to do well and finish college.

What are your career aspirations after college? While I’m still not entirely sure what direction I want to go in after college. I know that I hope to one day become a campaign organizer or public relations official for a political advocate.

What is the one item you are thankful you brought with you to school this year and couldn’t imagine living without? While there are many items I’m thankful I brought to school with me this year, I would have to say that I’m most thankful for my camera. It has allowed me to capture moments that I don’t want to forget and has aided me in the clubs I’m involved with.

Contact Information

The Admissions Office is located on the 10th floor of the Kehoe Building.

Phone: (518) 564-2040
Toll-free: (888) 673-0012
Fax: (518) 564-2045
Email: admissions@plattsburgh.edu

Mailing Address:
Admissions
SUNY Plattsburgh
101 Broad Street
Plattsburgh, NY 12901