Matthew Henderson, of Cazenovia, has been named a 2016 Merrill Presidential Scholar by Cornell University.
Merrill Presidential Scholars are graduating seniors who have demonstrated outstanding scholastic achievement, strong leadership ability and potential for contributing to society. Each spring semester, student scholars representing approximately one percent of the graduating class are named to receive this honor by the deans of each of Cornell’s seven undergraduate colleges. The Merrill scholars, in turn, recognize a high school teacher who most inspired their scholastic development, as well as a Cornell faculty member who most significantly contributed to their college education and experience. This year’s 33 Merrill scholars and their educators were recognized by Provost Michael Kotlikoff at a luncheon on May 25.
Henderson honored Kurt Wheeler of Cazenovia Central School and Richard Geddes in Cornell’s Department of Policy Analysis and Management.
Cornell also honors the high school teachers with Special Teachers Are Recognized, or STAR, scholarships — a one-time $4,000 scholarship in each teacher’s name for a financially needy Cornell student from the teacher’s high school or geographical area. STAR scholarships were established in 1989 by the late Donald Berens and his wife, Margi Berens, both Class of 1947.
