Briarcliffe College Awards Two Long Island Students with 2009 Hispanic Scholarship

June 11, 2009

Woodbury resident and Syosset H.S. senior awarded $5,000; E. Hampton senior awarded $10,000

(Bethpage, NY…June 11, 2009) Two Long Island high school seniors are recipients of the 2009 Briarcliffe College Hispanic Scholarship awards. Karina Albarracin of East Hampton was awarded $10,000 and Daniel Zucker of Woodbury, $5,000.

“The Briarcliffe College Scholarship Committee reviewed the applications of qualifying students and those of Ms. Albarracin and Mr. Zucker stood out,” said Briarcliffe College President Dr. George Santiago, Jr. “Briarcliffe is proud to award these students based upon their past performance and to support them in their goal of higher education.”

A resident of East Hampton, Karina Albarracin is of Ecuadorian descent. Teachers at East Hampton High School recommended her for the scholarship because of her “academic achievements and demonstrated commitment to the community.” Ms. Albarracin is a member of numerous clubs and organizations at her high school, but has also donated significant time to Quilts of Valor — a group that sews quilts for returning American soldiers as a thank you for service to their country. She is known to stay until midnight on a Friday to meet a deadline for delivering a quilt.

“It is very exciting to be named a recipient for this award and I thank Briarcliffe College for supporting me as I begin my studies there in Business Administration,” said Albarracin.

Syosset High School senior and Woodbury resident Daniel Zucker, originally of Mexico, plans to study Graphic Design at Briarcliffe College. A hardworking student, Mr. Zucker is also a dedicated volunteer in the Syosset Fire Department. He first became a Member in ninth grade through the Explorer program and is currently a junior fireman, waiting for the opportunity to apply for membership as a full-time volunteer fireman.

“Briarcliffe College felt like home the moment I walked through the doors and this scholarship will be of great help to my success as a student,” said Zucker.

The Briarcliffe College Hispanic Scholarship program was introduced in 2008 and to date, there have been three recipients. Winning students may be enrolled at any of the Briarcliffe College sites: Queens, Patchogue or Bethpage. Scholarship funds may only be applied to education costs and scholarship winners must be continuously enrolled full-time and maintain a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA throughout the scholarship award period.

According to Dr. Santiago, “Briarcliffe College recognizes that the Hispanic population is rapidly growing in the metropolitan area, and that help is needed to afford a higher education.”

About Briarcliffe College: A proprietary institution with campuses in Bethpage, Patchogue and Queens, and a combined student body of 1700, Briarcliffe College is a four-year career education college offering degree programs in Criminal Justice, Graphic Design, Business Administration and Information Technology.