ALBANY, N.Y. (May 1, 2019) – SUNY Delhi women's cross country student-athlete Elise McIntyre (Red Creek, NY / Red Creek) received the State University of New York's (SUNY) highest honor for a student with the Chancellor's Award for Student Excellence. McIntyre and fellow recipient Ryan Ali were chosen by SUNY Delhi as students who have best demonstrated their integration of academic excellence with other aspects of their lives, such as leadership, campus involvement, athletics, career achievement, community service, or creative and performing arts. The two were recognized at a SUNY ceremony in Albany on April 24 by SUNY Chancellor Kristina M. Johnson and SUNY Delhi President Michael Laliberte.
"Elise and Ryan exemplify the very best of our student body," said President Laliberte. "They have fully embraced what Delhi has to offer and, combined with their talents and interests, used it as an opportunity to grow into remarkable young professionals. I'm extremely proud of their accomplishments and thrilled to see their efforts honored with Chancellor's Awards."
McIntyre, a senior, is soon to graduate from Delhi with a BT in Architectural Design and Building. Despite the demanding nature of her major, McIntyre remained committed to head coach Robb Munro and the women's cross country team all four years. She was a freshman on Coach Munro's first team following the institution's transition to four-year athletics in 2015, becoming team captain by her junior year. That season also saw her earn the United States Collegiate Athletic Association's (USCAA) 2017 National Women's Cross Country Student-Athlete of the Year award for outstanding service to her campus and community.
"I've watched Elise grow as a student, athlete, and person through her years at Delhi, and her willingness to work hard is an example of what all young students and athletes should aspire to," said head coach Robb Munro.
Originally from Red Creek, NY and now Wilmington, NC, McIntyre continued to push herself and her fellow Broncos to a highly-competitive level as the college made the successful transition to NCAA Division III. The women posted their best season at the four-year level this past fall, winning their first NCAA conference title at the American Collegiate Athletic Association (ACAA) Championships in October, followed by earning their highest-ever placement at the USCAA National Championships two weeks later, finishing third. McIntyre was Delhi's fourth finisher at ACAA's, placing 11th for second team all-conference to give the Broncos the clutch points down the stretch to beat out Alfred State by one point.
McIntyre currently holds a 3.88 GPA. She was selected to the 2018 CoSIDA Academic All-District Team, as well as being a three-time USCAA National All-Academic recipient. McIntyre is also highly involved on campus and the Delhi community, serving in the move-in crew for new freshmen, participating in an anti-bullying fair at the elementary school, and teaching dance classes at the local dance studio. McIntyre plans to continue her education by pursuing a Master's in Civil Engineering at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Her goal is to have a career in structural engineering, designing large-scale commercial buildings and bridges.
