Pooja Aiyar, a Finance major from Hicksville, New York, has been awarded the 2024 President’s Medal for Scholarship, the highest student honor bestowed by SUNY Old Westbury.
Aiyar is the first student from a program within the University's School of Business to ever win the President's Medal.
"According to her professors, Ms. Aiyar has an extraordinary ability to maintain focus in the face of difficult circumstances, a willingness to help others, and a high level of self-awareness which together contribute to her many achievements," said President Dr. Timothy E. Sams. “It is my honor to bestow the Presidential Medal for Scholarship to someone that demonstrates the spirit of this award."
Aiyar will graduate in May with a degree from the University's School of Business with a cumulative 3.9 grade point average. A member of the Dean's List every semester during her time at Old Westbury, Aiyar also serves as the vice president of the campus' Business and Computer Club, and as a member of the Green Committee.
She is a member of the Tau Sigma National Honor Society recognizing academic excellence for transfer students and was the only undergraduate student selected to present at the 2022 Eastern Economic Association Conference. She displayed her intellect and drive as a participant in SUNY Long Island's Pitch Fest. Off-campus, Aiyar volunteered at Nassau County Medical Center, while working 20 hours or more at her family’s business.
The Old Westbury President’s Medal was created in 1986 to honor outstanding academic achievement among its graduating students. To be eligible, a student must be a senior, have completed a minimum of 24 credits at SUNY Old Westbury, and have earned a cumulative grade point average of 3.75 or greater.