Six Suffolk County Community College students will be honored by The SUNY Chancellor
as recipients of the Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) ALL-New York Academic Award at the New
York State Museum in Albany on Thursday, March 2.
“These outstanding students are representative of the scholarship and achievement
opportunities afforded by our college,” said Suffolk County Community College President
Dr. Shaun L. McKay. "I congratulate all of the students on this achievement."
The Phi Theta Kappa Award Ceremony recognizes outstanding community college students
throughout the state. The ceremony is sponsored by New York Community College Trustees,
the New York Community College Association of Presidents, Community College Business
Officers Association, and the Faculty Council of Community Colleges.
Suffolk County Community College was recognized just last week by PTK for excellence
in the area of membership development with a PTK REACH Reward.
Phi Theta Kappa is the largest honor society in higher education, serving nearly 1,300
colleges in all 50 states and nine sovereign nations. Members of the All-New York
Academic Team are recognized for the academic achievements, leadership accomplishments,
and engagement in community service.
Leonard Giambalvo, an Accounting Major from Islip Terrace, with a 3.7 grade point average. He has earned
Dean’s List recognition every semester during the last two years and serves as Executive
Financial Chair of the Campus Activities Board, an Orientation Leader and a Get There
From Here Scholar. He was recently selected as Phi Theta Kappa All-State and is a
Coca-Cola Scholarship competition nominee. Leonard plans to study Accounting at St.
Joseph’s College or St. John’s University.
Jaclyn Kletchka is a Liberal Arts Major from East Islip with a 3.8 grade point average has earned
Dean’s List recognition every semester during the last two years. Jaclyn serves as
President of the Alpha Zeta Nu Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, a Get There From Here Scholar
and a member of Suffolk County Community College’s Honors Program. She was selected
for Phi Theta Kappa All-State and is Coca-Cola Scholarship competition nominee. Jaclyn
plans to major in Child Study at St. Joseph’s College.
Sean Deery is a Business Administration Major from Hampton Bays, with a 4.0 grade point average
who has earned Dean’s List recognition every semester during the last two years. Sean
serves as President of Phi Theta Kappa, student representative for Tree Campus USA
and a Back Yard Garden Group member. He was recently selected as a Phi Theta Kappa
All-State and is a Coca-Cola Scholarship competition nominee. Sean’s goal is to attend
Cornell University or St. John's University double majoring in Business and Environmental
Studies.
Cassidy Whelan, a Liberal Arts major from Center Moriches with a 3.9 grade point average who has
earned Deans List Recognition every semester for the last two years. Cassidy serves
as student representative for the concierge desk at the Eastern Campus, a Get There
From Here Scholar and is a regular volunteer for the Kent Animal Shelter. Cassidy
plans to study Diagnostic Medical Sonography at LIU Brooklyn.
Lauren Bury, a Liberal Arts major from Babylon with a 3.7 grade point average who has earned
Dean’s List recognition every semester during the last two years. Lauren serves as
President of the Honors Club, Regional Vice President of Phi Theta Kappa’s Alpha Delta
Gamma Chapter, and is a recipient of the Fishers Scholarship. She volunteers regularly
as a Sunday School Teacher. Lauren plans to attend Adelphi University to major in
Business Marketing and Economics.
Anthony Mercurio, a Chemical Dependency Counseling Major, from Holtsville, with a 4.0 grade point
average who has earned Dean’s List Recognition every semester for the last two years.
Anthony serves as President of Phi Theta Kappa, Student Advisory Board member of the
CTEA Local Advisory Council and is a Get There From Here Scholar. Anthony plans to
study Nursing at Stony Brook University.