On Tuesday, May 14, 2024, high schoolers with exceptional abilities in math and science were awarded the prestigious Frank G. Paul Medal of Excellence in Math and Science. SUNY Broome President Dr. Tony D. Hawkins, Interim Dean of STEM Dr. Christine Martey-Ochola, and the daughter of Francis and Lillian Paul, Rebecca Komorowski (RN ‘76), hung the heavy gold-colored medals around the young students’ necks, handed out certificates and posed with the recipients for the photographer.
View photos of the award ceremony.
The top-scoring male and female students in math and science from area high schools — or “the best the region has to offer when it comes to math and science” — listened as Dr. Hawkins encouraged them to “become ambassadors and champions for science, technology, and critical thinking.” He added, “The astrophysicist Carl Sagan once observed, ‘We live in a society exquisitely dependent on science and technology, in which hardly anyone knows anything about science and technology.’ If we want to walk boldly into the future, this needs to change – and you are the ones who will change it.”
Following Dr. Hawkins’ remarks, Dr. Martey-Ochola spoke briefly, noting, “Since the inception of this program in 1999, the Foundation has awarded just over 750 medals to the area’s highest achieving high school seniors. This recognition helps to showcase the talent of our local students with exemplary math and science abilities.”
This year, 36 high school students were honored. The recognition includes a medal and a cash award for the top-scoring male and female students in math and science from area schools.
Additionally, medal recipients planning to attend SUNY Broome are considered for the Francis and Lillian Paul Scholarship for SUNY Broome’s STEM majors. The merit scholarships are worth $1,000 per year at SUNY Broome, and recipients may also be eligible for a $1,000 transfer scholarship to complete their bachelor’s degree if the criteria are met. This year’s scholarship recipients are Grace Frost, Benjamin Jobmann, Jacob Quail, and Tyler Williams.
The program is made possible with generous financial support from Frank and Lillian Paul and their family. The Medal of Excellence’s namesake, Frank G. Paul, spent over four decades as an IBM engineer and believed in math, science, and education. He also served as a SUNY Broome trustee and president of the Foundation, which provides scholarships to many students.
During the ceremony, Rebecca Komorowski recalled her father’s intelligence and dedication to accessible education. “Dad really, really believed in higher education. He was a huge believer in education for anyone and everyone, even those without the ability to afford it,” she said.
Rebecca, who became a nurse instead of directly following her father’s footsteps, noted she has spoken at this event for 25 years. “So I’m going to borrow from a speech my daughter, a nursing major, put together. She found these points from a graduation speech from Oprah Winfrey.” Rebecca quickly outlined three points — Knowing who you are; You must find a way to serve; Always do the right thing. She added that she agreed with Winfrey that while the memory of famous people will eventually fade, “if you give great service to people, you will be remembered. I have found that to be true in my nursing career and volunteer work.”
Finally, she asked the students to wear their medals during their high school commencement ceremonies. “Wear it for your graduation and be proud because… you have done excellently in math and science and you are proving what excellence is,” Rebecca encouraged with a big grin.
This year’s medal recipients, listed by high school, are:
Afton High School
Ryan Dawson
Rylee Noone
Binghamton High School
Jackson Nguyen
Hannah Vy
Chenango Forks High School
Michael Rullo
Gabriella Dietzman
Chenango Valley High School
James Stento
Grace Frost
Deposit High School
Abigail Russell
Greene High School
Austin deHaan
Tatianna Wells
Harpursville High School
Jacob Wolbert
Aliyah Campbell
Johnson City High School
Robert Kroplewski
Delaney Gaughan
Maine-Endwell High School
Salvatore Caforio
Madison Cartie
Newark Valley High School
Daniel Pirger
Mikayla Lawrence
Owego Free Academy
Chris Porter
Emma Hooker
Ross Corners Christian Academy
Matthew Outman
Seton Catholic Central
Brody Howard
Gabrielle Brocious
Susquehanna Valley High School
Zackary Merrin
Syria Frank
Tioga Central High School
Tyler Roe
Sadie Parker
Union-Endicott High School
Benjamin Jobmann
Serenity Pearson
Vestal High School
Tyler Williams
Michelle Secord
Whitney Point High School
Jacob Quail
Elizabeth Czebiniak
Windsor High School
Nicholas Pisano
Sophia Chen
Congratulations to all of our recipients!
View Fox 40’s coverage of this event.
If you would like to learn more about SUNY Broome scholarships or how to create a legacy of generosity to assist SUNY Broome students, please get in touch with the Foundation at 607-778-5182 or foundation@sunybroome.edu
Submitted by: SUNY Broome Foundation
