Newsmakers for the week of December 17, 2001
Newsmakers for the week of
December 17, 2001

Two local residents were scheduled to complete their baccalaureate studies in December at SUNY Oswego. Erin K. Cosgrove of Bergen (an elementary education major) and Matthew J. Wermuth of Baker Street in Churchville (a technology education major, cum laude) were eligible to participate in the graduation ceremony.

Lillian Y. Zhu has joined the SUNY Brockport administrative staff as director of institutional research.

Zhu was previously associate for institutional research at Buffalo State College, where she had worked since 1998. Prior to joining Buffalo State, Zhu was an analyst/consultant with M&T Bank and HSBC Bank in Buffalo. Zhu holds a Master of Science in Consumer Economics from the University of Georgia and a BS in International Business Management from Shanghai Institute of Foreign Trade.

Zhu's responsibilities as SUNY Brockport's institutional research director include: supporting strategic planning initiatives; analyzing recruitment and marketing efforts, student retention, and assessment of learning outcomes; developing peer comparisons and performance measures; coordinating campus survey efforts; developing and analyzing institutional research databases; and designing and providing analytic support of assessment projects in academic departments; and supervising the work of two full-time research associates.

Valerie Ann Collins of Ridge Road in Holley has been named a 2002 Faculty Scholar at SUNY College at Brockport for her academic achievement at the community-college level. Each Faculty Scholar must have a grade point average of 3.75 (on a 4.0 scale) and third-year (junior) status. She will receive a $1,000 scholarship to Brockport for her first year of undergraduate study at the college (renewable for a second year).

Nicole Becker, of Rochester, was a member of the women's soccer team at Houghton College during the fall 2001 season.

Becker (Churchville-Chili High School), a senior defender, was a key member of the Highlanders, who finished the season with an 18-2-2 record. They captured their second region title and made their third national tournament appearance in the past four years, losing to eventual national champion Westmont College in the first round.

Jessica Underwood of Clarkson Hamlin Town Line Road, Hamlin, has been selected for membership in the St. Lawrence University chapter of Sigma Delta Pi, the national Spanish honorary society. To be eligible for membership, a student must have completed six Spanish courses at the 200 level or above and have a 3.4 average (based on a perfect 4.0 scale) in those courses and a 3.2 overall cumulative average.

Eric Clark is pursuing his dreams as an actor in Los Angeles, California. Clark left home January 14 and drove alone across the country in search of his dream of becoming a star. Within three months of his arrival, Eric was signed by Innovative Artists, an agency for young actors. He has been sent out for auditions for roles in "Port Charles," "All My Children" and recently for the new Men In Black movie. Although he says he is still waiting for his big break, he has been in several music videos, and was given an opportunity to be Enrique Inglesias' body double in the new music video, Hero.

When Eric is not working on his acting techniques, or going to auditions, he can be seen at the world famous restaurant Miyagi's on Sunset Strip where he is assistant manager. He recently appeared in an episode of the reality show "Elimidate," which aired December 11.

Elizabeth Karras, of Keith Terrace, North Chili, has been named to the dean's list for the fall quarter at Rochester Institute of Technology. A first-year student in the College of Liberal Arts, she is studying professional and technical communication. Karras is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Petros Karras of North Chili and a 2001 graduate of Churchville-Chili High School.

Melissa Waddell, of Brockport, has been named to the dean's list for the fall quarter at Rochester Institute of Technology. A first-year student in the School of Film and Animation, Waddell is studying animation. She is the daughter of Jerry and Marilee Waddell and a 2001 graduate of Aquinas High School.