Exemplary Student Award finalists

The 2010 Binghamton University Alumni Association Exemplary Student Award honors outstanding Binghamton University students. Applicants were judged on a number of criteria including involvement on and off campus, University knowledge, personality and communication, academic strength, honors and awards, and overall impression.

Five finalists were chosen and each will receive special financial awards to be used at the campus bookstore (Barnes & Noble) during the Spring 2011 semester, with the exception of the Grand Prize-winner who will receive a full-tuition reimbursement for one semester: Grand Prize-winner: $2,175; 2nd-place finalist: $750; 3rd-place finalist: $350; 4th-place finalist: $200; 5th-place finalist: $100.

The finalists are:

Michele Aronson

Michele Aronson, a senior from Holbrook, N.Y., is a political science and philosophy, politics and law major with a minor in global studies. She received the President’s Award for Undergraduate Student Excellence in the spring, and is a nominee for the Harry S. Truman Scholarship (one of only four from Binghamton University). She is a member of Phi Kappa Phi and participated in the University’s Scholars Program in fall 2007. She is a member of Phil Alpha Delta (law fraternity international) and has served as president, vice president and chair of its philanthropy committee. She sits on the Student Conduct Board, participates in the Binghamton University choral ensembles and Hillel, and has participated in intramural soccer. Aronson is co-founder and co-chair of Sukkah Survivor, a campus-wide sleep-out fundraiser for a local homeless shelter.


Aaron Axelson

Aaron Axelson is a senior from Oceanside, N.Y., majoring in English and history. He is member of both the Phi Beta Kappa and Phi Alpha Theta honor societies and the University Scholars Program, and has been on the Harpur College Dean’s List every semester. He is a Binghamton University tutor, assistant news editor at Pipe Dream, a member of the University’s Ultimate Frisbee Club and has participated in the University’s Wind Symphony. In addition, he has been a peer advisor for Harpur Academic Advising and is an admissions tour guide.


Kristen R. Grennan

Kristen Grennan is a history major from Massapequa, N.Y., and has been on the Dean’s List each semester she has been enrolled in Harpur College.  The senior is a University Scholar, Rosefsky Scholar, Faculty-Student Scholar and member of Phi Alpha Theta (international history honor society) and Phi Sigma Iota (international foreign language honor society). She studied abroad at the Sorbonne in fall 2009, completing 16 credits of French courses. Her University involvements include serving as president and public relations advisor for Oxfam America at Binghamton University and a participant in French Table and the Running Club. She is a Financial Council representative for College-in-the-Woods, a participant in co-ed intramural competitive soccer and an admissions tour guide. She was previously involved with Wind Ensemble, Orchestra and the Ski Team.


Sumeet Kalantry

Sumeet Kalantry, a senior from Forest Hills in Queens, is a political science major who has received numerous residential life awards for his work as a resident assistant. He is the recipient of a New York Lottery Leaders of Tomorrow Scholarship. He is a member of the National Residence Hall Honorary, serving as vice president in 2009-10 and president this year. He is the student-elected representative to the Binghamton University Council and was a member of the Junior Class Council and President of Dickinson Community in 2008-09. He has participated in Pipe Dream and as a member of Dickinson Town Council.
 

Jared Kirschenbaum

Jared Kirschenbaum, a senior political science major from Nesconset, N.Y., is president of the Student Association (SA) and has also served as executive vice president, interim vice president for finance and as assembly representative for Newing College. As SA President, he oversees a $3 million budget, serves as CEO of Off Campus College Transport, manages the efforts of the executive board and serves as a liaison to Binghamton city officials, the University administration and students. He was a member of a Student Leadership Task Force, is involved with Harpur College Council and served on the President’s Task Force for Campus Climate Commitment. Also, he is a member of Hillel and has held several positions with this organization including executive vice president. Kirschenbaum was a student representative on the University’s Convocations Committee and Strategic Planning Council.