General

Dave Tucci has had his share of the limelight through his hot rod business, having been featured on national television shows like TNN's Trucks, ESPN, Street Rodder and the popular Monster Garage. This week, Tucci, the owner of Tucci Hot Rods in Marcy, a leader in the industry for its creative, innovative and customized designs, was at the Morrisville State campus teaching automotive instructors the tricks of his trade.

Two Morrisville State students were recently awarded the Bridget Kate Publicover Scholarship. The scholarship, based on academic achievement and campus involvement, is awarded annually by the Morrisville College Foundation to an equine major(s). Publicover died in a campus accident in 2004. The award honors the equine student's spirit and enthusiasm which reached beyond horses on the Morrisville State campus where she was also team manager of the men's hockey team. Receiving the award were:

Morrisville State will host more than 1,100 high school junior boys and staff at this year’s Boys State government camp, sponsored by the American Legion, June 23-28. Classified as a Leadership Action Program, Boys State accepts young men with outstanding qualifications in leadership, character, service and citizenship who reflect on the image of the youth of America.

Deng Kiir was 10 years old when he fled the violence of his country. He walked two months from Sudan to Ethiopia in hopes of a better life. Today, Kiir, one of the Lost Boys of Sudan who were forced to flee their homes and families, shared one of the greatest journeys in his life—graduating from college. Kiir was among students who graduated during Morrisville State College's 102nd commencement exercises held today. He earned a bachelor's degree in business administration.

Five Morrisville State College faculty/staff members were recently honored by the State University of New York and SUNY Chancellor Nancy Zimpher. Receiving the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching are: Dr. Kurt Reymers, of Poolville Dr. Clare Armstrong-Seward, of Smyrna  The SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching recognizes professors who show outstanding skill in the classroom, scholarship and professional growth, commitment to students and high academic standards.

Gilroy Alvarez's dorm room is decorated with some of his most-prized possessions. There's a championship soccer medallion hanging in a window, a poster of Jesus Christ, a Morrisville sweatshirt, award and leadership certificates, a soccer ball, and a majestic sky blue and white-trimmed flag representing his Guatemalan heritage. Soon he will add college diploma to his treasures.

Morrisville State College faculty member Lisa Rusch, of Hamilton, has received the Morrisville State College Distinguished Faculty Award. The award is presented annually to a faculty member who displays professional growth, personal and professional achievement, and has provided outstanding service to the college. She will be recognized during the college's 102nd commencement ceremony on May 18 at 1 p.m. in the recreation center.

A team of Morrisville State College students took second place in the prestigious Bistro Challenge at the International Food Service Executives Association (IFSEA) Conference 2013 held in Dallas, Texas April 11-14.

Two teams of entrepreneurs from Morrisville State College won top spots in the Mohawk Valley Qualifier of the New York State Business Plan Competition held recently at SUNYIT. The wins advanced the teams, AutoPrice Negotiators LLC, and Miracles on Lice, to the 2013 New York Business Plan Competition (NYBPC), which will be held at the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering in Albany on April 26. They were among 23 teams that competed in the Mohawk Valley Qualifier, in which the top six teams move on to the statewide contest.

A team of Morrisville State College students brought home a fourth-place finish from the 12th Annual North American Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge (NAIDC) held in Fort Wayne, Ind. April 4-6. Three Morrisville State College students also participated in the Dairy Academy, which was held in conjunction with the dairy challenge competition.