Campus News

Ryan Honors Undergraduate Leaders

by Greta Petry

From left to right, Katelynn Murphy, Akintokunbo Akinbajo, Interim President John Ryan, Timothy Quill, Jr., and Tania Petrina.

Interim President John R. Ryan presented the President�s Undergraduate Leadership Awards at a ceremony March 14 in the Campus Center Ballroom.

�I am honored to be here and to share in this special celebration. In the short time I have been on this campus, I have had the pleasure of witnessing firsthand the excellence of this University�s faculty, staff and students. It is exciting to be part of this annual tradition of recognizing outstanding leaders,� he said.

The President�s Awards for Undergraduate Leadership program was established to recognize those who have shown exceptional leadership and in so doing have enhanced both the campus community and the larger Albany community. Ryan said, �As you will soon discover, these students have made a tremendous impact on their peers, in the life of the University and beyond. One prime example is Tania Petrina, a senior Presidential Scholar and accounting major with a 3.70 cumulative grade point average from Yonkers, New York. An extremely active member of the UAlbany community, she has held several leadership positions in Presidential Honors Society, Pi Sigma Epsilon Co-ed National Professional Business Fraternity, and recently founded the Accounting Club. Under her leadership, these organizations account for over 7,000 community service hours per year. Tania was recently selected Leader of the Year by the UAlbany Circle of Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Honor Society and has been nominated for the Chancellor�s Award, the highest honor for students in the SUNY system.

Tania Petrina, Class of 2004, is just one example of the many extraordinary accomplishments of our student leaders and reminds us that the strength of our future is right here with us today. These students are truly our pride and joy.�

Ryan continued, �To our award recipients, each of you has demonstrated a commitment to the highest standards of engaged citizenship. Each of you has dedicated your time, enthusiasm, and creativity to make truly significant contributions to our community.

�This ideal of public service is a cornerstone of our educational mission, and it is because of your many contributions that we celebrate and reaffirm this core institutional value today. In devoting yourself to campus leadership and service, you have also received important personal benefits. You have had valuable opportunities to strengthen skills that will be critical to your future success.

�The kinds of activities you have participated in as student leaders will assist you as you take your place in the world beyond the campus. You have knowledge and talents that have enhanced not only the University at Albany community but also the professions and communities you will join in the future.

�The many alumni of this great institution have already discovered that in addition to the outstanding education they received in the classroom here at Albany, they also derived both tremendous satisfaction and yes, education from their co-curricular endeavors as well.

I know all of you that we honor today have also gained valuable lessons from your involvement, and that you have benefited from your service to others and leadership activities as much as you have enriched our University.�

He concluded, �I extend my warmest congratulations to all of you ... and to your family members and friends who have encouraged and admired your efforts. We celebrate today the positive difference you have made at our University and in the Albany community.

All of us are so very proud of you. You have our gratitude...and our best wishes for continuing success in your exciting future. Thank you.�