On Monday, May 19th, the Office of Honors and Scholarships held a reception to honor this year’s winners of the Linakis Leaders Scholarship. The scholarship honors the exceptional community service work of John S. and Yorka C. Linakis, long-time residents and avid supporters of the Borough of Queens. They were active in a multitude of community, civic, and interfaith organizations. Their philanthropic endeavors include a legacy of scholarships to be granted to worthy Queens College students based on merit, financial need, and a keen interest in the betterment of their communities. This year’s 18 winners are drawn from a wide range of majors and demonstrate outstanding records of both service and academic performance. Each is receiving an award in the amount of $2,000 in recognition of their exceptional achievements.
Olga Zaferatos Karras, the executor of the Linakis Leaders Scholarship Fund, regretted that she was unable to attend but sent inspiring greetings to the students, which were read by Joann Acquista, of the Office for Institutional Advancement. Ms. Karras described her godparents, John and Yorka Linakis, as the children of Greek immigrants who overcame many obstacles to achieve advanced degrees and successful careers as an insurance and real estate executive and a justice of the Supreme Court of New York. Beginning her law career in 1945, Yorka Linakis was a pioneer in overcoming the bias women faced for entering a “Gentleman’s Business”. “Regardless of their achievements, accomplished with hard work and perseverance,” Ms. Karras said, “John and Yorka Linakis never forgot their humble beginnings. Above all else, it was their humanity that reached deep and stretched far.” Ms. Karras congratulated the winners on their achievements and wished them much success in their future endeavors. “I hope that the goals you visualize will indeed be realized. Hard work, perseverance, honesty, and dignity. These are your tools to achieve your version of the American dream.”
In awarding the scholarships, members of the selection committee read impressive biographies of each student and demonstrated the integral connection between service and membership in the Queens College community. César Oyervides-Cisneros, manager of the CUNY Service Corps at Queens College, described the program as a CUNY-wide initiative engaging “hundreds of students from all academic disciplines and backgrounds, to commit to a year of public service, and to make New York City a Better Educated City, A Healthier City, an Economically Stronger City, and A Greener and More Resilient City.” Mr. Oyervides-Cisneros went on to identify traits shared by people committed to public service, such as the Linakis Scholarship winners. These qualities include critical thinking about societal issues; the belief that individuals can bring about positive change; leadership and initiative in working with others to “make the world a better place”; and a commitment to help others without concern for personal reward. He thanked and congratulated the awardees and the Linakis family “by sharing the following quote attributed to the New York born nature-essayist, John Burroughs: ’The smallest deed is better than the greatest intention.’ Thank you for your great public service deeds you do every day, and again, congratulations!”
Ross Wheeler, Director of the Office of Honors and Scholarships and the Macaulay Honors College at Queens College, added congratulations and good wishes. In commending the students’ achievement, he noted that this year’s competition was rigorous and expressed the committee’s appreciation for reading such strong applications from students so deeply committed to service. As Eva Fernández, of the Center for Teaching & Learning remarked, the goals of the Linakis Leadership Scholarship are also expressed in the college’s motto, Discimus ut Serviamus (We learn so that we may serve) and in the college’s service learning program, directed by Emanuel Avila, of the Office of Student Affairs.
This year’s winners are:
Marie Angeline Aquino | Sociology Major & Biology Minor
Samantha Behrman | Political Science & Psychology Major
Ana Calderon |Accounting Major
Edward Franco | English Major & Business and Liberal Arts Minor
Marianne Geraci | Sociology Major
Bina Goykadosh |Nutrition & Dietetics Major
Eden Goykadosh |Dietetics Major and Macaulay Honors Scholar
Emily Jennings | English Education (Grades 7-12) Major and Macaulay Honors Scholar
Ellieana Lora | Communication Sciences and Disorders Major & Psychology Minor
Katarina Matic | Political Science & Psychology Major & Business and Liberal Arts Minor
Anik Nath | Urban Studies Major and Biology Minor
John Perricone | Urban Studies Major
Melissa Rambaran | English Major & Business and Liberal Arts Minor
Joanna Rocco | Music Education Major
Nathaniel Schwartz | Chemistry Major and Math Minor
George Titomihelakis | Biology/Biochemistry Major
Nicole Wong | Political Science Major & English Minor
Haizhen Yuan | Graphic Design & Studio Arts Major & Animation and Illustration Minor
If you are interested in further information about the Linakis Leaders Scholarship or are considering applying in the future, please contact me. Remember that winning Queens College scholarships such as this, particularly those which commend several aspects of students’ careers, can position you well to compete for national fellowships.
