DRYDEN, NY (607NewsNow) — A recent graduate of Tompkins Cortland Community College is celebrating an award.

Earlier this month, Lexie Loveless, of Groton, received the Norman R. McConney, Jr. Award for Student Excellence. School officials say the award recognizes ‘outstanding Educational Opportunity Program students for their academic merit and perseverance.’

“Over nearly 60 years, SUNY’s EOP has supported tens of thousands of students and empowered them to achieve their full potential,” SUNY Chancellor John King, Jr. said. “I am honored to recognize this year’s recipients of the Norman R. McConney, Jr. Award for Student Excellence. Our McConney award winners’ hard work as they move forward on their path to academic excellence and upward mobility makes them an inspiration for all of our students, faculty, staff, and administrators.” 

Loveless, who graduated in December, is only the second TC3 student to receive the award since the program’s inception in 1967.