Two Indian-Americans are among 14 Stony Brook University students who received the 2012 Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence. State University of New York Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher presented the awards April 6 at a reception held at the Empire State Plaza Convention Center in Albany.

Henna Kochar and Priya Misra are among the students who received the university’s highest honor that is given to those who have best demonstrated academic excellence along with accomplishments in leadership, athletics, community service, creative and performing arts, campus involvement or career achievement. Stony Brook had the second most honorees among the 257 students from all 64 SUNY campuses, a press release on the university website said.
Kochar of Lake Grove, N.Y., is a biology major and is enrolled in the Honors College/Scholars for Medicine combined B.A./M.D. program.

She is a member of the National Collegiate Scholars, Phi Beta Kappa, Sigma Beta, Alpha Epsilon Delta Pre-Health and Golden Key International Honour Society and has conducted research in the departments of molecular genetics and microbiology, Asian and Asian-American studies and engineering, her bio data on the university website said. S
he also served as a member of the National Residence Hall honorary program, a liaison for the International Academic Program, a mentor for the Big Sibling Program and as vice president of the Sikh Student Association.

Misra, of Shrewsbury, Mass., is a chemistry major and is also enrolled in the Honors College/Scholars for Medicine combined B.A./M.D. program.

She served as the vice president for planning in the National Society of Collegiate Scholars and is a member of the Sigma Beta and the Golden Key International Honour Society. 

According to information on the university website, she served as a tutor for the writing center, a teaching assistant in the chemistry department and a mentor in the BRIDGES Program. She also served as secretary and speech coordinator for the Speech and Debate Society and as a member of the belly dancing club.