Alumni Gift Benefits SUNY Plattsburgh Student from Same High School

June 23, 2011

A psychology major who has just transferred from SUNY Adirondack to SUNY Plattsburgh’s Branch Campus in Queensbury has been named one of the latest recipients of the Paula and Michael Freed Scholarship.

Kaeli Entrup, who will start her first year at the branch campus as a junior, was surprised when she learned about the award.

“I didn’t know it existed. I was really happy,” she said. “It will definitely make an impact. Obviously, it will be helpful financially, but I will also remember that I received it and likely give in the future.”

A gift from Granville and SUNY Plattsburgh alumni Michael and Paula Freed to the Plattsburgh College Foundation made the scholarship possible. Their endowment awards a total of $10,000 annually to Granville alumni who are attending their college alma mater. To qualify, students must demonstrate financial need and academic merit.

Entrup is one of seven to benefit from the scholarship this year. The others are Stephanie Bates, Alyssa Martel, James Park, Amanda Perry, Samuel Rathbun and Anna Rogoza — all graduates of Granville Central Junior/Senior High School who have gone on to attend SUNY Plattsburgh.

“Given the economy, we just felt that this was the best way we could continue to reinvest in our hometown and, at the same time, help to make education affordable at a school that we believe in,” said Michael, who is now the chief financial officer of Spectrum Health. Both he and Paula earned degrees at SUNY Plattsburgh after graduating from Granville Central Junior/Senior High School in 1976.

In giving the scholarship, Michael and Paula hope to encourage other SUNY Plattsburgh/Granville graduates to consider doing likewise and to remind young recipients that they’ll be expected to give back someday.