---

ALBANY, N.Y. -- Elizabeth Kelley (Elmira Heights, NY – Thomas A. Edison), a freshman 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 fifth 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.

Kelley is in the Liberal Arts & Sciences: Humanities/Social Sciences A.S. program at SUNY CCC, serves as an EOP Peer Coach, EOP Activity Coordinator, and works on campus with the College’s dining service.

“This award means that no matter how much a person goes through or where the person comes from, their story doesn't always stay the same - it changes,” said Kelley. “If a person wants to grow and change to better themselves, they can, and this award just shows the power that you have.”

A total of 52 students from around the SUNY system were honored with the Norman R. McConney, Jr. Award for Student Excellence.

“We celebrate the resilience and success of our SUNY EOP students,” said SUNY Chancellor John B. King, Jr. “Each student we celebrate has shown strength time and time again in pursuit of an education that will open the doors of opportunity and upward mobility.”