Helping Students Succeed With Your Support

The OCC Foundation is conducting a year-end appeal, raising money for student success. Here are a few Onondaga Community College students who have benefitted from your support:

Hannah Durand

• Hannah came to OCC from Marcellus High School and worked toward her Mathematics & Science degree as a member of the Lillian Slutzker Honors College.
• During her sophomore year she was the Student Trustee on the Board of Trustees.
• Hannah received the SUNY Chancellor's Award for Student Excellence.
• As a member of the Women's Basketball team she led the Lazers to two consecutive NJCAA National Tournaments and was named an Honorable Mention All-American.
• She now attends the Rochester Institute of Technology where she is pursuing degrees in Architecture & Design and Marketing & Design.

Shayne Turo

• Shayne enrolled at OCC 19 years after graduating from Syracuse's Corcoran High School.
• He fully embraced the student experience as Co-Chair of the Unity Day Committee, a member of the Diversity Equity Inclusion & Belonging Council and the Extraordinary Men of Distinction Advisory Board, and he was a member of the first group of Meg O'Connell Social Justice Scholars.
• Shayne earned membership in the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and was selected to be the Student Speaker at Commencement in May 2023.
• He now attends Syracuse University. His daughter, who graduated from OCC one year before him, attends SUNY Fredonia.

Brandon Phelps

• Brandon came to OCC from Lowville High School and earned a 4.0 grade point average.
• He started in the Music degree program and added a second major in Adolescent Education, working toward his goal of becoming a Music teacher.
• He was an RA in the residence hall and was one of just 9 students on campus to win a Pinnacle Award in 2022.

If you are able to support students between now and the end of the year, you can do so by clicking on this link. We'll continue to highlight stories of students who have been impacted by your support.