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The Spark is the official blog of Alfred University, created to illuminate the dynamic experiences, creative achievements, and unique perspectives of our student community. The Spark captures the essence of what it means to be a Saxon. Whether you're a prospective student dreaming of your next chapter, or a current Saxon shaping your journey, let The Spark guide you.

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Meet The Alfred Seniors Recognized with SUNY's Highest Honor

Posted By Alfred University

Jun 11, 2026 | Art & Design Ceramics Current Students Engineering General Blogs Parents & Families

What does it mean to stand out in college? For two Alfred University seniors, it means being recognized among the best students across all SUNY campuses. Matthew Bittel and Summer Aquino were recently named recipients of the 2026 SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence, the highest honor awarded to SUNY students.

Selected from more than 200 awardees across 64 campuses, both students represent what’s possible when academic achievement, leadership, and creativity come together.

For prospective students, their stories offer a closer look at how opportunity, initiative, and support can shape a college experience.

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Experience Built On More Than Academics

The Chancellor’s Award recognizes students who excel not only in the classroom, but across multiple areas—leadership, research, service, and creative work.

At Alfred, Matthew and Summer have built exactly that kind of well-rounded experience.

Their journeys reflect a key part of the college search process: finding a place where you can pursue your interests while also discovering new ones, and where growth happens both inside and outside the classroom.

Matthew Bittel

Engineering Leadership In Action

Matthew Bittel, a ceramic engineering major with a business administration minor, has made the most of every opportunity available to him.

A consistent Dean’s List student, he has gone beyond academics to build something of his own: founding the Mug Drop Club, an organization focused on professional development and competition in materials science. He helped grow the group from just an idea into a thriving organization with nearly 100 members.

His experience also includes:

Competing at national engineering conferences
Conducting research tied to NASA-related materials projects
Interning with Lockheed Martin
Launching a startup idea through a regional business competition

Alongside all of this, he remained active as a varsity tennis player, balancing athletics with academics and leadership.

For students considering engineering or STEM fields, Matthew's story shows how technical learning can expand into leadership, entrepreneurship, and real-world experience.

Summer Aquino

Where Art, Science, and Research Intersect

Summer Aquino brings a different but equally powerful perspective to her work.

An artist and researcher, she works at the intersection of ceramics, science, and social inquiry. Her projects explore everything from identity and belonging to sustainability and technology.

One of her most notable initiatives, Moon Dust, translates data from lunar research into ceramic materials—blending artistic practice with scientific experimentation.

Her experience includes:

Undergraduate research with the NYSCC Space Materials Institute
National recognition from the ceramic arts community
Competitive research grants and fellowships
Leadership in collaborative art spaces and community exhibitions

Her journey—from the Philippines to community college in Texas to Alfred University—reflects resilience, adaptability, and a commitment to growth.

For prospective students interested in creative fields, Summer's work highlights how art can extend beyond the studio into research, innovation, and global conversations.

Why It Matters

Choosing a college is about more than selecting a major. It’s about finding an environment where you can develop as a whole person.

The experiences of Matthew and Summer show what that can look like:

Opportunities to lead and create
Access to research and real-world applications
Support for interdisciplinary exploration
Recognition for achievements that extend beyond grades

At Alfred, student success isn’t defined by one path. It’s shaped by how students engage, experiment, and push themselves forward.

Looking Ahead

Matthew and Summer graduated this spring, and as they prepare for what comes next, their stories leave behind something valuable for future students: a model of what’s possible.

Whether your interests lie in engineering, art, science, or something in between, your college experience can be more than a degree.

It can be a foundation for recognition, impact, and meaningful work. And at Alfred, that journey is already underway for students who are ready to take it.

This post was inspired by an article in Alfred University News.