Celebrating Excellence: The 2024 Friend of CUNY Saluting Our Scholars Event
On December 10, 2024, friends, family, and colleagues gathered at John Jay College of Criminal Justice to celebrate the outstanding achievements of the 2024 scholars and honor the influential leaders who championed their success at the Belle Zeller Scholarship Trust Fund’s Friend of CUNY: Saluting Our Scholars event. This annual gathering recognized individuals whose contributions had a lasting impact on the lives of CUNY students, their colleagues, and the broader academic community.
The evening began with a reception at 6:00 PM, where guests connected over their shared commitment to public higher education. The awards ceremony followed at 7:00 PM, featuring welcoming remarks from University Chancellor Felix Matos Rodriguez, Professional Staff Congress (PSC) President James Davis, and John Jay College President Karol V. Mason. Their words underscored the vital role of CUNY in transforming lives and the importance of supporting students in their academic and professional journeys.
The Friend of CUNY Award was presented to The Honorable Thomas P. DiNapoli, New York State Comptroller, and The Honorable Robert Jackson, New York State Senator, in recognition of their enduring support of the CUNY system and dedication to public service.
The Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Dr. Chinweike Ukomadu, a distinguished alum of Lehman College and recipient of the Belle Zeller Award in 1984. Dr. Ukomadu, known as Chinwe, is a physician-scientist whose extraordinary career spans academia, clinical care, and industry. His dedication to advancing medicine and supporting student success embodied the values of the Belle Zeller Scholarship Trust Fund.
The Belle Zeller Award was awarded to Dr. Sharon Persinger, Associate Professor of Mathematics and Computer Science at Bronx Community College, for her impactful contributions to education and student development.
In addition to recognizing these distinguished honorees, the event celebrated the achievements of outstanding CUNY students who were awarded scholarships in recognition of their academic excellence and leadership:
- Belle Zeller Scholarship Awardees
- Abhinandan Gaba, Queens College
- Amir Rasulov, John Jay College for Criminal Justice
- Janice K. Rateshwar, City College of New York
- Barbara Bowen Award
- Sarah E. Schrading, CUNY Law School
- Irwin Polishook Award
- Mariel M. Acosta, The CUNY Graduate Center
- Helga Feder Award
- Samantha Ruiz-Correa, Guttman Community College / Hunter College
A special recognition was given to Helga Feder, a dedicated librarian at CUNY whose generosity and commitment to higher education left a lasting legacy. Through her generous bequest to the Belle Zeller Scholarship Trust Fund, the Helga Feder Memorial Scholarship was established, ensuring continued support for deserving CUNY students. Helga’s lifelong dedication to learning and student success embodied the spirit of public education, and her legacy will continue to inspire future scholars.
The event not only celebrated the accomplishments of this year’s scholars but also recognized the unwavering support of those who made their success possible. It was an inspiring evening filled with heartfelt reflections, networking, and a shared commitment to empowering future generations of CUNY students.