Two Tompkins Cortland Community College students have been recognized with the 2025 Chancellor's Award for Student Excellence by the State University of New York. Kylie Golden-Appleton and Haichuan Gu were among the students honored at a reception in Albany on April 29. 

A total of 193 students from 63 campuses were awarded SUNY's highest honor for academic excellence and leadership. Students were chosen for outstanding achievements throughout their SUNY experience in areas including academics, leadership, campus involvement, community service, and the arts. 

“SUNY represents academic excellence, and our students have worked tirelessly to not only excel in their academic studies, but also stepped up as community leaders,” said SUNY Chancellor John B. King, Jr. “Congratulations to this year’s CASE awardees who’ve distinguished themselves amongst their peers through their work ethic, determination, and commitment to their fields of study.”

Golden-Appleton earned her Liberal Arts and Science: Social Sciences degree from TC3 in December 2024, graduating with a 3.96 cumulative GPA while balancing countless student leadership roles. She served as the President of the Student Government Association, Vice President of the Faculty Student Association, and a Resident Assistant. She won the New Student of the Year Award for 2023-24 and served as the student speaker at New Student Orientation and December Graduation. In addition to those leadership roles, Golden-Appleton planned and facilitated a campus-wide blood drive, served on the Campus Voting Coalition, and hosted an Earth Week series of events with Sustainability and Fashion Clubs. (photo above, with SUNY Chancellor King and Tompkins Cortland Community College President Amy Kremenek)

Gu will graduate this semester with a Liberal Arts and Sciences: General Studies degree. He has maintained a 4.0 GPA, earned the 2024 President’s Citation, and has been consistently on Dean’s List. He was the top-scoring individual in New York State for the 2023-24 NYSMATYC Math League contest. In addition to serving as a Resident Assistant and a Peer Tutor for math and science, Gu volunteers at the Panther Pantry and is involved with several campus clubs and organizations, including Active Minds, Global Initiatives and the Student Government Association. (photo above, with SUNY Chancellor King and Tompkins Cortland Community College President Amy Kremenek)

The Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence was created in 1997 to recognize students who have best demonstrated, and have been recognized for, the integration of academic excellence with accomplishments in the areas of leadership, athletics, community service, creative and performing arts, campus involvement, or career achievement. It is the highest honor SUNY bestows upon students.