Valley Streamer receives top SUNY honor

A Valley Stream resident received the State University of New York’s highest honor for students after graduating earlier this year.

Yuvraj Singh, a graduate of SUNY Old Westbury, was honored with the 2015 Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence. He was one of only 256 students from the 64 SUNY college and university campuses to receive the distinction.

He majored in biological science at Old Westbury, studying as a member of the school’s honor college program, assisting with research in the department and frequently making the Dean’s List. He became vice president and public relations officer for the science club, and a mentor at the honors college.

He also founded and served as vice president of the Old Westbury chapter of Volunteers Around the World. As part of his service, he traveled with 16 other students to the Dominican Republic for six days, assisting doctors at a medical center that treated more than 700 patients during their time there.

“It is my highest honor to recognize the achievements of SUNY students who have excelled not only academically but as leaders on their campuses and in their communities,” said Nancy L. Zimpher, chancellor of SUNY. “Students receiving this award are to be commended for their excellence as role models, artists, scholar athletes, and civic volunteers. Their leadership can serve as an inspiration to all SUNY students and a tremendous point of pride for the entire SUNY family.”

The award, created to recognize students who have best demonstrated the integration of academic excellence with accomplishments in the areas of leadership, athletics, community service, creative and performing arts, or career achievements, is given at the close of each academic year.