Reybrouck selected for Lanford Presidential Prize

Fredonia, N.Y. — April 10, 2008 — Christopher P. Reybrouck, whose career at SUNY Fredonia encompassed leadership positions, wide-ranging service and many individual honors, will receive the 2008 Lanford Presidential Prize from the Oscar and Esther Lanford Endowment at the college’s morning Commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 17.

A resident of Palmyra, N.Y., Mr. Reybrouck will graduate with a degree in English – Adolescence Education, with a minor in Leadership Studies.

The Lanford Presidential Prize, funded by the Oscar and Esther Lanford Endowment of the Fredonia College Foundation, recognizes a graduating senior who has exhibited balanced achievement and exemplified Fredonia’s ideals. A high degree of personal honesty and integrity, substantial intellectual growth and exemplary service to SUNY Fredonia, including participation in more than one aspect of university life, are among the criteria for the honor, created and endowed by the late President Emeritus Oscar E. Lanford and his wife.

Individual honors bestowed upon Mr. Reybrouck at SUNY Fredonia included: the David E. Manly Scholarship, the Undergraduate Alumni Council Award, the Marc Cowen Award and Homecoming King in 2007. He was also inducted into the Alma Mater Society (the highest non-academic honor awarded to a student displaying outstanding character and leadership), and was named Most Spirited Resident Assistant.

Mr. Reybrouck was co-chair of the Senior Challenge Committee (Classes of 2007 and 2008), served as the Student Association Representative for the Senior Class and was a house manager at the Rockefeller Arts Center. He has also been a member of the SUNY Fredonia Judicial Board, Foundations of Excellence – Transition Committee, English Education Club and S.T.E.P.S. (Students Teaching Equals Positive Sexuality). He participated in the Leadership Development and Advanced Leadership Development programs as well.

Active in residence life, Mr. Reybrouck served as a resident assistant and was a member of the Resident Assistant Advisory Board and Chautauqua Hall Council. He has also held the positions of college ambassador, admissions tour guide and campus host, and summer orientation leader and student coordinator. He served internships within the Residence Life and Admissions-Peer Recruitment offices as well.

Upon graduation, Mr. Reybrouck will pursue a degree in higher education with a concentration in Student Affairs.

Other nominees who also made significant contributions to the campus and community included:

Ashley Bergman, English and philosophy, minor in American studies, Ithaca; Zachary Brown, physics and sound recording technology, minor in applied mathematics, East Bethany; Lindsay Bryde, English and theater, minor in American studies and film studies, Commack; Edward Fourcell, music business, minor in business administration, New York; Kevin Freese, economics and applied mathematics, minor in jazz, Webster; Kaitlyn Gang, communication-public relations, minor in public health, Medina; Scott Horsington, music education/music performance, Rochester; Kathryn Kornacki, English, minor in communication, East Aurora; Ashley Lenz, childhood inclusive education/middle school extension in social studies, Lima; Patrick Newell, social studies education and history, Williamsville; Eric Rubinstein, music education, minor in dance, Lily Dale; and Jessica Suraf, speech pathology, Perrysburg.