The Oneida Daily Dispatch (Oneida, NY)
Cazenovia native earns top SUNY honor
Byron Evans given SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence
With his eyes set on a May bachelor’s degree in automotive management, one Cazenovia native just received the highest honor offered by the State University of New York.
Byron Evans has been honored with the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence.
The prestigious award is based on outstanding academic and career achievement, as well as service and leadership. It is the highest honor bestowed upon a student by SUNY.
“It is my honor to celebrate the achievements of students who have surpassed SUNY’s highest standards of academic excellence and leadership both on and off campus,” said SUNY Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher. “Every student we recognize today has demonstrated a strong commitment to their degree
program, home campus, greater community, and much more. Congratulations to all of the students receiving this year’s award.”
Evans, an automotive management student, became the most decorated runner in MSC history as a four-year member and two-year captain of the men’s cross country team. Evans was named the 2016 North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC) Runner of the Year and claimed the individual title at the conference championships last fall, becoming the first runner in program history to accomplish either feat.
He also became the program’s first- ever all-region honoree after posting a team-record finish time during the 2015 NCAA Mideast Regional Championships.
Evans also landed on the NEAC All-Conference First Team for the second straight year in 2016, while being an all-conference selection during all four of his seasons and a five-time recipient of the NEAC Runner of the Week award.
Academically, Evans was a four-time NEAC ScholarAthlete honoree while becoming the college’s first selection to the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association AllAcademic Team in 2016. A Phi Theta Kappa honors student, Evans has been named to Morrisville’s Dean’s List every semester since the fall of 2013.
Active on campus and within the community, Evans served as an MSC admissions ambassador for three years, leading campus tours and assisting with open house events and Ac- cepted Student Days. Evans is also a member of the college’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and the student organization BASIC (Brothers and Sisters in Christ), serving as the public relations representative for the latter in 2015. He also volunteers as a sound technician at Cazenovia Village Baptist Church and attained the rank of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America.
Evans earned an associate degree with honors in automotive technology— Ford ASSET option in 2015 and will graduate in May with a bachelor’s degree in automotive management. He is currently completing a 15-week internship as an auto appraiser with The Hartford Insurance Company and plans to pursue a managerial role in the auto industry following graduation.
Evans, who received home education, is the son of James and Merry Evans, of Cazenovia.
Joseph Hulber t , of Duanesburg, also received the award.
Hulbert is currently employed as an assistant for MSC career services, where he also completed an administrative internship from May-December 2016. Hulbert also filled an internship with the Oneida Indian Nation Police Department last semester, prior to graduating in December with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.
On campus, Hulbert served roles as both president and secretary/treasurer of the Mu Beta chapter of Alpha Phi Sigma, the National Criminal Justice Honor Society.
He coordinated the chapter’s first ever Fed Night in February 2016, bringing representatives from five federal agencies to cam- pus to meet with students for career exploration and networking. He also hosted the chapter’s induction ceremony last May.
Hulber t ’ s academic achievements also include Dean’s List honors, as he was selected in each semester of attendance since transferring to Morrisville from SUNY New Paltz in the fall of 2014.
A two-year member of the men’s basketball team, Hulbert served as teamcaptain during both seasons. The sharpshooting guard completed his playing career holding top-five marks in numerous single-season and career categories, in addition to earning a NEAC Player of the Week selection in December 2015. His play helped the Mustangs to a NEAC Runner-Up title during the 2015-16 season.
Hulbert also put his basketball skills to use in the community, refereeing weekly games for area high school students through the varsity summer basketball league held at MSC. He is also a certified referee for youth and high school basketball through the Central New York International Association of Approved Basketball Officials, Inc., Board 38.
Hulbert’s athletics background also helped him assist career services with the compilation of the Morrisville State College Student-Athlete Career Guide, which is designed to assist student-athletes with career development and direction.
Hulbert, who also served as a member of the MSC criminal justice simulator team, plans to pursue an MBA this fall.
A 2011 graduate of Duanesburg High, Hulbert is the son of Melanie and Leland Hulbert, of Duanesburg.