James Gill
Whether it’s business or math, martial arts or civic engagement, James Gill and Orion Barber are proud Hornets — and role models at SUNY Broome.
Both are actively involved in the college’s chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, and were recently selected for the international honor society’s prestigious All-USA Scholarship.
The All-USA Academic Team recognizes high achieving two-year college students who demonstrate academic excellence and intellectual rigor combined with leadership and service that extends their education beyond the classroom to benefit society. Twenty team members are named annually, with each receiving a $5,000 scholarship.
James Gill
James, who was technically homeschooled, began taking classes at SUNY Broome in 2015 when he was still considered a high school student. The sophomore Business Administration major, who will graduate this May, plans to attend Binghamton University’s School of Management in 2018. His ultimate goal: Earn an MBA and pursue a rewarding career in supply chain management.
Professor Steven Ohl encouraged James, prompting his interest in supply chain management. “It’s a really interesting field and really important in this age of globalization,” James explained.
Currently vice president of media relations for PTK, James is also an accomplished martial artist. He has studied the Korean art of Tae-Kwon-Do for the last seven years and currently holds a blue belt, the third highest rank in the art. He’s currently training for his brown belt, one rank below the coveted black.
His father works part-time at Greater Binghamton Airport, which has given James and his family the opportunity to travel the world. So far, James has been to Italy, Germany, Austria, Japan and the United Kingdom.
“It’s a really good starting place for students like myself. It’s very local, so I’ve been able to stay in touch with my community here,” James said of his SUNY Broome experience. “I’ve met so many wonderful professors here. Many of them had experience outside of academia, which is really important.”
Orion Barber
When it comes to campus life, Orion Barber is a bit like his namesake constellation: bright and highly visible.
Orion is deeply involved in campus life as president both of the college’s chapter of Phi Theta Kappa and president of the Women’s Discussion Group (he was the only member from the previous year). As the student representative on the college’s Board of Trustees, he takes part in a decision-making process that affects the college as a whole, serving alongside community leaders and the college’s president.
He has a passion for civic engagement and has participated in variety of progressive causes off-campus, including volunteer work for political campaigns and marshalling marches for Citizen Action. He’s also been recently invited to the International Scholar Laureate Program, and is a Congressionally Commended Eagle Scout.
Orion is currently working toward two degrees: an A.S. in Mathematics and an A.A.S. in Paralegal Studies, a testament to his passion for numbers and for civic engagement. Ultimately, he hopes to pursue mathematics as a field, although he’s open to his career options: professor, researcher and big data scientist, to name a few.
“One of the things I love about math is it’s such a broad topic that I’m comfortable not knowing exactly where my career path will be,” Orion reflected.
His ultimate transfer school is the University of Oxford in Great Britain, the oldest university in the entire English-speaking world. He has a deep appreciation for British culture as well as its healthcare system, fostered during an applied learning trip he took to Cornwall in the summer of 2016. Another long-term dream: return to France, where he did a brief exchange student program in Union-Endicott High School.
Tags: Business and Professional Studies Division, Business: Business Administration AS, Student Profile
