Greenfield Center resident receives SUNY
STONY BROOK, N.Y. >> Stony Brook University physics and astronomy major, Abigail Bishop of Greenfield Center was awarded the 2019 Chancellor’s Award for Excellence by State University of New York Chancellor Kristina M. Johnson.
“Today’s award recipients emerged from their campuses this year as the top scholars, athletes, performers, and achievers, as well as a tremendous source of inspiration,” said Chancellor Johnson, according to a press release. “The students being recognized today made the choice to become leaders on their campuses, prioritize their studies, and serve their communities. Congratulations to this year’s awardees, and I applaud you for pursuing excellence in all that you do.”
Bishop, who graduates this spring, traveled to Albany to receive her award.
Bishop intends to pursue a Ph.D. and a career in research and education. She is a leader in the Women in Science and Engineering honors program, Sigma Pi Sigma honors society, Special Olympics club, marching band, and the on-campus technology support office. She has been engaged in astronomy and physics research on campus since May 2016. During summer 2018, she worked at CERN, the European organization for nuclear research and home of the world’s largest particle accelerator. Bishop has given back to her college community by training in peer harassment, binge alcohol use, and suicide prevention. In addition to thriving with a tremendous school workload and extracurricular activity schedule, she managed to be voted “Most Positive Band Member” of the Stony Brook Marching Band as section leader of the Color Guard, proving hard work can also be great fun.
“Being selected as a CASE Re
cipient has been both eyeopening and encouraging. Attending the ceremony showed me of the power of SUNY and the incredible impact it has on students from all backgrounds,” Bishop said in the release. “The diversity of people in the SUNY system is one of the most amazing aspects of the organization and something I’m so grateful to have been a part of. Personally, the award feels like a physical representation of years of late nights, early mornings, and finding a balance between school, research, work, self-care, and extracurricular activities. It is a great reminder that, as I go forward in my life studying astrophysics, nothing can hold me back. No matter what, using what I have learned from my mentors, friends, and family during my time at Stony Brook, I am absolutely positive that my future will be stellar.”
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 the second round of review. Finalists are then recommended to the Chancellor to become recipients of the award.