Willie N. Verastegui, a recent graduate at SUNY Old Westbury and a resident of Massapequa Park, New York, has been selected for the highest student honor earned at SUNY Old Westbury, the President's Medal for Scholarship.
"This honor can only be earned through outstanding efforts throughout an academic career here at Old Westbury, but beyond that, a demonstration of drive, determination and dedication to go far and succeed in living out the College’s mission,” said President Dr. Timothy E. Sams.
Verastegui completed his studies in December 2022 with a degree in Health & Society after having earned a 3.97 grade point average at Old Westbury. He is committed to supporting current and future underrepresented minority medical students, having served as the National Minority Association of Pre-Medical Students (MAPS) chapter leader of the Student National Medical Association (SNMA). In pursuit of his own medical goals, he volunteered at the NYU Langone Health surgical ICU.
The father of two young children, Verastegui volunteers at a food pantry in the Bronx, and during his time there, created a class project on healthy food accessibility in low-income communities.
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 Old Westbury, and have earned a cumulative grade point average of 3.75 or greater.