Seniors Estelle Kotlowicz and Paisley Nudd have been honored with 2026 Chancellor’s Awards for Student Excellence (CASE) as part of SUNY’s annual student recognition showcase. CASE is the highest honor awarded to SUNY students who have best demonstrated academic excellence and leadership.
Kotlowicz is an Animal Science major with a Chemistry minor pursuing Honors requirements while maintaining a 3.57 GPA. She serves as President-Elect of Tri-Beta Biological Honor Society, Treasurer of Sigma Alpha Professional Sorority, and Vice President of the Pre-Vet Club, roles through which she has organized meaningful experiential learning opportunities for her peers. Her commitment to hands-on education extended to South Africa, where she participated in the “Vets in the Wild” study abroad program with the Hoedspruit Animal Outreach Program. She also presented original research on Flemish Giant Rabbit breeding at the SUNY Undergraduate Research Conference.
Nudd maintains a 3.99 GPA while pursuing dual degrees in Agricultural Communications and Agricultural Business. She serves as president of both the Agricultural Business Club and the National Agri-Marketing Association, and as a Resident Assistant supporting students living on campus. A competitive internship with Farm Credit East, a social media internship with the Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge, and the prestigious American FFA Degree — earned in 2024 — reflect the depth of her industry engagement. As a Student Assistant in the College’s Communications and Marketing office during its rebranding effort, Nudd consistently delivered work exceeding undergraduate expectations while building connections throughout New York’s agricultural industry.
“SUNY students are New York’s future, and the outstanding individuals I am proud to recognize with the Chancellor’s Awards for Student Excellence embody the very best of our state university system,” said SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. “The students who have earned this recognition have inspired their classmates, their educators, their campuses, and me with their inspiring work, tenacious drive, and dedication to their academic success. I commend each of the awardees and thank them for being examples for others to follow.”
“Estelle and Paisley represent exactly what a Cobleskill Ag & Tech education is designed to cultivate — students who carry their learning and leadership into their communities, their industries, and the world beyond our campus,” said Dr. Marion Terenzio, the College’s President. “Watching Estelle travel to South Africa to put her passion for Animal Science into practice, and seeing Paisley’s contributions to our rebranding effort while maintaining a near-perfect GPA, reminds me of why this institution’s hands-on approach to learning matters. We are enormously proud of them both.”
Systemwide, 205 students from all 64 SUNY campuses were honored. Nominations are submitted by campus officials to the SUNY CASE Selection Committee every spring. While there is no minimum GPA requirement, candidates are expected to have demonstrated exceptional academic performance and leadership.
