Who's News

August 19, 2008 04:00 am

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State University College at Oneonta Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs F. Daniel Larkin recently announced the promotion of Kay Benjamin to the rank of associate librarian.

Benjamin began working at the college's Milne Library in 1990 as an assistant librarian. She has held positions at the college as a librarian specializing in government documents, reference and instruction, electronic services and distance learning.

Benjamin holds a master's degree in library science from the State University at Albany, a bachelor's in English from the University of Northern Colorado at Greeley, and a bachelor's in painting and drawing from Alfred University.

The Oneonta Branch of the American Association of University Women presented two scholarships of $500 each at its spring banquet at Bella Michael's. The organization has been presenting scholarships to high schools students since 1953. The scholarships are given in honor of past members. This year's winners were Rachel Sason and Hannah Zimmerman.

One of the scholarships is given in memory of Jessie Magee Francis. She was a president of the organization in the early 1940s and active with the establishment of the scholarships. A scholarship in the memory of Liz Downing was also given. Downing was very active in AAUW for several years. She was a counselor in the schools and was dedicated to making a child's life better, presenters said.

The chapter's two winners and their mothers were invited to the banquet, and this year the mothers introduced their daughters.

Kathryn Sason Dailey introduced her daughter, Rachel. Sason was active in student council and the service club. She was the editor of The Echo. She also participated in basketball, soccer and tennis. Sason will travel to Chile next year as a Rotary Exchange Student. When she returns she plans to attend the University of Vermont. Her goal is to become a teacher.

Hannah Zimmerman was introduced by her mother, Sara Zimmerman. Zimmerman participants in student council, Service Club and school newspaper. She also tutored in math and chemistry and helped at Kid's Day. Zimmerman spent many hours and years in dance. She performed in many productions in the community and also did regional competition.

Zimmerman plans to attend State University College at Geneseo in the fall to become a math teacher.

The United States Achievement Academy announced that Jillian Collins of Jefferson has been recognized for academic achievement as a United States National Honor Student Award winner.

Collins, who attends Jefferson Central School, will appear in the United States Achievement Academy's Official Yearbook which is published nationally.

Collins is the daughter of Barbara Palmer and Rod Collins of Jefferson. Her grandmother is Ruth Moore of Jefferson.

The Martha Chapter of the Order of Eastern Star announced that Kevin Rowe, son of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Rowe, won the Heiple Award, awarded to the student who has shown the most progress.

Rowe said his favorite subject is physics with a concentration in technology courses. He plans to enter Broome Community College in general studies this fall with an ultimate goal in engineering. His special hobby is working on cars.

His summer employment is the grounds crew for the city of Oneonta.

Joseph A. Simmons, son of Dolores and Stanley Smith of Oneonta, received three scholarships and has enrolled for fall admission at the Rochester Institute of Technology.

Simmons received the RIT Merit Scholarship, Potter Foundation Scholarship and Oneonta Alumni Association Scholarship. He plans to major in psychology in RIT's College of Liberal Arts and is a June graduate of Oneonta High School.

Jessica Wexler of Davenport Center, was inducted into Sigma Theta Tau International, the Honor Society of Nursing. Wexler, a 2004 graduate of Oneonta High School, graduated cum laude with a bachelor's degree in nursing and a minor in Spanish from Quinnipiac University in May.

Having received her National Council Licensure Examination certification, Wexler is employed by Waterbury Hospital in Connecticut as a registered nurse in the emergency department.

The following students from this area received scholarships from the Free and Accepted Masons of the State of New York:

Spencer and Trevor Crandell of Oneonta, Megan Cantwell of Delhi, Caitlin Carrington of Oneonta, Erin and Megan Francisco of West Oneonta, Theresa Kabat of Oneonta, Travis Lowe of Oneonta, Patrick Mallon of Maryland, Joseph Nelson IV of Worcester, Holli Oberacker of Schenevus, Michael Robbins of West Oneonta, Heidi and Peter Schmidt of Mount Upton and Emily Schmitt of Oneonta.

The New York Masonic Education Assistance Program provides scholarships for children, grandchildren and widows of Masons. This year, the Grand Lodge and Trustees provided 674 scholarships, amounting to some half million dollars, to worthy students. Grants totaling more than $7 million have been awarded to more than 8,000 students since the program began 12 years ago, presenters said.