Three Receive Chancellor’s Awards for Student Excellence

GENESEO, N.Y.— Three Geneseo students have received 2018 Chancellor’s Awards for Student Excellence. SUNY Chancellor Kristina M. Johnson presented the awards to the following Geneseo students, all seniors:

   Jeffrey Doser from Penfield, N.Y.
   Justen Geddes from Dryden, N.Y.
   Kaitlin Pfundstein from Wantagh, N.Y.

“I am immensely proud of these students, who have demonstrated academic excellence and dedication to enriching their campuses and communities,” said Chancellor Johnson. “From research publications in industry journals to volunteering in hospitals and local clinics to holding leadership roles at their institutions, I am inspired by each student we recognize today. Congratulations to all of the students receiving this year’s award.”

Doser, Geddes and Pfundstein were among 249 SUNY students from across the state to receive the award. They convened in the Albany Capital Center with their families April 10 for the presentation.

Doser is a double-major in biology and mathematics, a member of the Edgar Scholars Honors Program and a champion swimmer for the Geneseo men’s swimming and diving team. He has excelled in both the classroom and the pool, having received a prestigious Goldwater Scholarship and earning membership to Phi Beta Kappa. He also has presented at the North American Ornithological Conference and is a nine-time SUNY Athletic Conference individual champion.

Geddes is a mathematics major with a minor in anthropology. He is a Presidential Scholar and holds membership in Phi Eta Sigma, Golden Key and Pi Mu Epsilon. Geddes also is a math tutor and teaching assistant and has conducted mathematical research on cancer protein-protein interaction networks. Publication of his research is expected soon. He also is an emergency medical technician and crew chief and chief of operations for Geneseo First Response, the primary emergency medical response agency for the campus.

Pfundstein is an English major with certification in adolescent education, and a psychology minor. She is a member of Phi Eta Sigma and Sigma Tau Delta. She has two terms on the Student Association Executive Committee, first as the director of inter-residence affairs and now as president, advocating for student on campus and SUNY-wide. Pfundstein was a resident assistant for two years in a first-year living/learning community.

The Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence was created in 1997 to recognize students who have best demonstrated, and have been recognized for, the integration of academic excellence with accomplishments in the areas of leadership, athletics, community service, creative and performing arts, campus involvement, or career achievement.

Each year, SUNY campus presidents establish a selection committee, which reviews the accomplishments of exemplary students. Nominees are then forwarded to the Chancellor’s Office for a second round of review. Finalists are then recommended to the Chancellor to become recipients of the award.