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Joshua Goodwin, a sophomore at SUNY Corning Community College, received the prestigious Norman R. McConney, Jr. Award for Student Excellence from the State University of New York (SUNY). The award, now celebrating its fourth class of awardees, recognizes outstanding EOP (Educational Opportunity Program) students for their academic merit and perseverance.

The honor is named in memory of Norman R. McConney, Jr. (1946–2016), a graduate of the University at Albany and former assistant dean for special programs at SUNY. McConney, alongside former Assembly Deputy Speaker Arthur O. Eve, helped create the EOP as a statewide program.

A total of 46 students received the award, and of the awardees, Goodwin was selected as the student speaker at the awards ceremony held in Albany, New York, on April 17. In his speech, Goodwin stated "Never, ever, ever give up on your deepest dreams because someday they will come true, and there is always someone there to help you see it through."

Goodwin, a Bath Haverling High School graduate, is the president of CCC’s Student Association Government Assembly (SAGA), a two-time Dean’s List recipient, winner of the Jack Lisi Youth Award, and a member of the CCC men’s basketball and cross country teams.  

Goodwin is majoring in Liberal Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences at CCC. Upon graduation, he plans to transfer to a four-year institution to pursue a degree in political science. Goodwin seeks to build a career focused on developing policies and programs aimed to reduce poverty and bring equity to diverse, underrepresented communities.

“When SUNY was founded 75 years ago, the mission was to create an educational environment where all are welcome. For over 50 years, SUNY’s Educational Opportunity Program has worked to make that a reality by helping students, many of whom are the first in their family to go to college, access higher education and see their degrees to completion," said SUNY Chancellor John B. King, Jr. “When I visit our campuses, I am continuously awed and inspired by the dedicated, hardworking EOP students I meet. EOP is a ticket to upward mobility for New York students, which is why I am honored to recognize these students who stand as role models demonstrating what is possible. With the financial support of New York State, and the resources provided at SUNY campuses, New Yorkers have an opportunity to further their education.”