From left: SUNY Geneseo President Christopher C. Dahl, Elaine Pettinella, Ed Pettinella, scholarship recipients Bryan Fritz and Mary Distasio, Dean of the Jones School of Business Mary Ellen Zuckerman.

Photo by Ron Pretzer

 

Rochester Native Kara Ann Noto Receives 2004 Legal Studies Award

Kara Ann Noto of Rochester is a recipient of the Political Science Department’s Alumni Senior Award in Legal Studies for 2004.
A graduating senior, Noto’s award includes a $1,000 grant toward freshman year law school expenses and a certificate of recognition for academic achievement and participation in the pre-law program, including internships, research and community involvement.

Noto is a graduate of Bishop Kearney High School in Rochester where she was a superior student. Her parents are Paul and Mary Ann, and a sister, Kristi, has just completed her master’s in special education at Nazareth College.

Noto was encouraged to prepare for a career in law at Geneseo by Dr. Joseph Fornieri, her high school history teacher and a graduate of Geneseo.

Over her four years at Geneseo, Noto maintained a cumulative 3.87 grade-point average, earning a baccalaureate degree, summa cum laude, Dean’s List recognition every semester, and membership in Phi Beta Kappa. She was admitted to three other honor societies while at Geneseo.
Her extracurricular activities included participation in the Legal Affairs Club, Orchesis Dance Ensemble, and in Rochester she was a volunteer in the Art Walk project. She also participated in an internship at the United States Supreme Court.

Noto said the training she received at Geneseo has prepared her for the rigors of law school and has given her the confidence to succeed. She has been accepted at American and Villanova, but has not yet selected a law school.

Canandaigua’s David Knapp Receives 2004 Legal Studies Award

David Michael Knapp of Canandaigua is a recipient of the Political Science Department’s Alumni Senior Award in Legal Studies for 2004.

A graduating senior, Knapp’s award includes a $1,000 grant toward freshman year law school expenses and a certificate of recognition for academic achievement and participation in the pre-law program, including internships, research and community involvement.

Knapp is a graduate of Canandaigua Academy where he was a superior student and a good athlete. His parents are Thomas and Lori, and he has a brother, Andrew.

Knapp acquired an interest in a career in the law at Geneseo since it supported his interest in public service.

"I feel strongly about the need for social justice in our society," he said, "I believe the law will offer me the best avenue to pursue that goal."

During his four years at Geneseo, Knapp maintained a cumulative 3.77 grade-point average, earned admittance to three academic honor societies, and achieved Dean’s List recognition every semester. In fall 2003 he attained President’s List honors, which recognizes students with a 4.0 GPA for the semester.

His extracurricular activities included participation in the Legal Affairs Club, where he was president in 2003-2004, and four years as a goalie on the varsity lacrosse team.

Cynthia M. Olin Receives Mary Judith Smith Scholarship

SUNY Geneseo freshman Cynthia M. Olin, the daughter of Charles and Nancy Olin of Horseheads, N.Y., is the fourth recipient of the Mary Judith Smith Scholarship for Horseheads High School Seniors who enroll at the College. Olin was presented with the $1,000 scholarship and Certificate of Achievement in recognition of her educational, leadership and volunteer activities at the high school’s awards dinner in June.

Olin ranked in the top 15 percent of her graduating class with a cumulative grade-point average of 92.81. She excelled in all curricular areas, including Advanced Placement and college-level courses. She attended the National Young Leaders Conference in Summer 2002, was an exchange student to Bato-Machi, Japan, for a week in April 2001, and was nominated for the Presidential Classroom and Global Young Leaders Conference.

Olin was also a member of the National Honor Society, a scholar athlete for four years on the Girls’ Varsity Swim Team, where she was the team manager in her senior year, and scorekeeper for the Boys’ JV and Varsity Lacrosse Teams. Her exceptional communication skills were put to use in the community where she volunteered as a Law Guardian and Judge on Youth Court, and as a mentor for the Pupil Assisted Learning Program.

Along with her extensive school activities, Olin worked as a swimming instructor and lifeguard throughout high school and performed secretarial work during the summers. She was a member of 4-H for three years and served as president of her local chapter during her freshman year. She received the Citizenship Award from the Chemung County 4-H in the fall of 2000.

Olin is in this fall’s incoming freshman class, and plans to major in sociology.

Former State Senator William and Dorothy Nowak Smith established the annual scholarship four years ago as a memorial to their daughter, Mary Judith Smith Keleman, who was killed in an auto accident caused by a drunk driver. Mary Judith graduated from Horseheads High School and attended SUNY Geneseo, her mother’s alma mater.

KeyBank Offers Scholarships to Geneseo Students

KeyBank has pledged a gift of $4,000 toward student scholarships to reward students whose well-rounded records portray achievements and contributions to their schools and their communities. Student recipients are John Disarro, Stephen Kold, Waleed Mahmood and Jessica Powell, all of Rochester. Each received a $1,000 scholarship.