Cornell honors Oceanside student and teacher

Rebeka Tannenbaum was named a 2016 Merrill Presidential Scholar. The Merrill scholars, in turn, recognize a high school teacher who most inspired their scholastic development, as well as a Cornell faculty member who most significantly contributed to their college education and experience. Provost Michael Kotlikoff recognized this year’s 33 Merrill scholars and their favorite educators at a luncheon on May 25.

Tannenbaum honored Claire Grogan, an English teacher at Oceanside High School, and Louis Hyman in Cornell’s Department of Labor Relations, Law, and History.

Merrill Presidential Scholars are graduating seniors who have demonstrated outstanding scholastic achievement, strong leadership ability and potential for contributing to society. Each spring semester, student scholars representing approximately one percent of the graduating class are named to receive this honor by the deans of each of Cornell's seven undergraduate colleges.

Cornell also honors the high school teachers with Special Teachers Are Recognized, or STAR, scholarships — a one-time $4,000 scholarship in each teacher's name for a financially needy Cornell student from the teacher’s high school or geographical area. The late Donald Berens and his wife, Margi Berens, both from the Class of 1947, established STAR scholarships in 1989. The Merrill Presidential Scholars Program is made possible by funding from Philip Merrill, Cornell Class of 1955.