NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release – June 2, 2015

Local Resident and NCC Student Receives Student Athlete Award From State University of New York

Garden City, NY – Joe Russ, a resident of Smithtown and a student at Nassau Community College, is the recipient of a 2014-15 Scholar Athlete Award. The award, given by the State University of New York (SUNY), recognizes outstanding academic excellence and athletic achievement."By keeping his mind focused and his athletic skills sharp, Joe has not only maximized his potential for his own benefit, he has also made the entire NCC campus proud as it shares in his achievements from the sidelines," said Dr. Kenneth Saunders, Acting President of Nassau Community College.According to Dr. Nancy L. Zimpher, SUNY Chancellor, "The SUNY scholar athletes are some of our most exemplary students, having achieved the highest levels of success not only in class but in their respective sports." Russ, a member of the wrestling team at NCC, was one of three Nassau students chosen to receive the award.In order to be considered for a Scholar Athlete Award, student-athletes were nominated by their campus athletic director. Nominees' academic credentials and athletic accomplishments were then reviewed by a panel of athletic directors from across the SUNY system and members of the SUNY provost's office.

Media ContactAlicia Steger 516.572.9634alicia.steger@ncc.eduncc.edu/newsreleases

Ref: 1827c.6/2/15/6About Nassau Community College Nassau Community College, part of the State University of New York, is an institution where nearly 22,000 full- and part-time students and approximately 10,000 continuing and professional students start and continue their successful journey through higher education. More than 70 fields of study are offered on a 225-acre campus located in the center of Long Island. As the largest single-campus two-year college in New York State, Nassau Community College maintains a national reputation for excellence.