July 8, 2005

Stony Brook, N.Y. - Sara Cerrone, a rising sophomore on the softball team, has been named the recipient of the 2005 Sujishi Award, which is given to the top freshman out of nearly 1,200 who are enrolled in chemistry courses at Stony Brook University.

The award is presented annually in memory of Sei Sujishi, a member of the Stony Brook faculty from 1959 until his retirement in 1991. He chaired the chemistry department from 1972-75, and then served as Dean of Physical Sciences/Mathematics from 1975-85. When he passed away soon after his retirement, his friends from several departments contributed to the endowment that makes this annual award possible. The winner, who is chosen by the faculty who teach introductory courses, is honored as the freshman student best exemplifying Professor Sujishi's qualities of ability, perseverance, integrity and magnanimity.

Cerrone was the top freshman student in honors chemistry I and II and honors chemistry lab I and II. In honors chemistry II, she earned score of 623 out of 710, which was 51 points higher then the next best score. Cerrone, who maintained a perfect 4.0 grade point through her first two semesters at Stony Brook, was named to the America East Commissioner's Honor Roll and is a two-time member of the Stony Brook Society of Distinguished Scholar-Athletes and the Dean's List.

Cerrone, an outfielder from Floral Park, N.Y., saw action in 24 games, earning 18 starts last season. Her freshman campaign was cut short as she suffered a season-ending leg injury.