POTSDAM -- Two outstanding SUNY Potsdam seniors were recently among those honored with the 2024 Chancellor's Award for Student Excellence.

Chancellor John B. King, Jr., recognized the recipients in a ceremony in Albany on April 11.

The SUNY Potsdam recipients included Frances Irene Beshers '24 and Grace Romer '24.

Frances "Frankie" Irene Beshers '24 of Oakland Gardens, N.Y., is graduating with a major in history and minor in dance. She chose SUNY Potsdam to further her academic success and foster her love for the arts. Beshers is a ballet dancer who became interested in different choreography, composition and technique classes. She has worked to make dance more accessible for all students. Beshers loves finding the humanity in history, looking beyond mere dates to what life looked like for historically oppressed populations, and exploring how that can better us today. Her interest in history is passionately intertwined with her work in social justice issues. In addition to her hard work in the classroom, Beshers helped to revitalize the History Students Association and served as chief justice for the Student Government Association.

"Working as a student leader has truly helped me understand what it means to be a part of a community and devoting myself to something other than myself," Beshers said. "Being a dancer and being a part of multiple concerts over the years has given me an exceptional sense of self and direction. The biggest challenge this semester has been being a choreographer, but with the support of the department and dancers, as well as my friends and faculty support, I have persevered through and believe this is my greatest creative and academic achievement thus far."

An environmental studies major from Garrison, N.Y., Grace Romer '24 originally planned on studying photojournalism, but she developed an interest in environmental advocacy while studying film and audio production and decided to pursue environmental law and policy instead. She is also graduating with minors in wilderness education and sustainability to round out her degree. This diverse range of interests helped her to develop independence and find encouragement to pursue her own path, engage in leadership positions and use her voice. A thoroughly passionate individual, Romer uses her voice to advocate tirelessly for environmental justice and issues in diversity, equity and inclusion. Along with serving as president of the Environmental Club, serving as a certified backpacking leader, and joining the campus Political Science Association, Romer completed the SUNY Washington, D.C. Program, allowing her to intern at the nation's Capitol for a year, working as a paid intern for the Environmental Law Institute.

"My personal career goals are to work in the environmental law and policy field for a couple of years to obtain more experience, and then take the LSAT to pursue law school. After completing law school, I desire to continue working in the public and/or governmental sector with a concentrated focus on environmental justice, climate resiliency, and international affairs," Romer said. "My experiences and accomplishments would have not been possible without the knowledge, guidance and support from faculty and staff curating SUNY Potsdam's interdisciplinary programs."

This year's keynote speaker for the CASE ceremony was SUNY Potsdam alumnus Saad Hajidin '88, the founder and creative director of inPhorm, an international designer, active, and lifestyle brand dedicated to sustainable production and empowering responsible consumers to choose products that are eco-forward.

"I'm incredibly honored to be a part of this celebration of excellence at SUNY, an institution that has transformed the lives of nearly three million graduates across its 64 campuses," Hajidin said. "From pioneers like Jef Raskin, who revolutionized technology with the Macintosh project, to artistic icons like Renee Fleming, SUNY fosters a remarkable range of talent. Today's Chancellor's Awards recipients are joining a legacy of innovators, leaders, and changemakers who have left their mark on every field imaginable -- scientists, doctors, authors, astronauts, journalists, and even Hollywood stars. SUNY's commitment to exceptional education empowers its graduates to achieve greatness, and I'm thrilled to be here to recognize their outstanding accomplishments."

The Chancellor's Award for Student Excellence was created in 1997 to honor students who excel academically and show involvement in leadership roles, athletics, community service, creative and performing arts, campus involvement, or career achievement. Each year, campus presidents establish a selection committee, which reviews exemplary students. Nominees are then forwarded to the Chancellor's Office and are subject to a second round of review. Finalists are then recommended to the Chancellor to become recipients of the award.

Each recipient receives a framed certificate and medallion, which is traditionally worn at Commencement. SUNY Potsdam will honor the two Chancellor's Award recipients and the other graduates of the Class of 2024 in ceremonies on Saturday, May 18. For more information, visit www.potsdam.edu/commencement.