Jessica Cornell of Henderson recently received $1,000 scholarship from the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation. She also received a $4,350 Allan P. and Catherine Barnett Newell Endowed Scholarship and a $1,000 North Country Scholarship. Combined, the three scholarships have paid for her final year in the Veterinary Science Technology program.

“Jessica is a great example of the success of the SUNY Canton Foundation,” said SUNY Canton President Joseph L. Kennedy. “I am quite confident that this support will benefit her far beyond her college studies.”

Cornell said it has been hard coming up with the money to attend college. The 26-year-old animal lover had already earned a four-year degree when she decided to follow her dreams. “I’m working toward my second degree and I really want to become a veterinarian,” Cornell said. “It was a good decision to go back.”

She is a member of Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society, lauding students for high-academic achievement while promoting leadership and community service.

The SUNY Canton Foundation recommended Cornell for the Coca-Cola scholarship, and she wrote an essay last semester during finals week. The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation contributes $400,000 annually for students like Cornell, who demonstrated both academic success and participated in community service and outreach initiatives.

The SUNY Canton Foundation also linked Cornell with the Allan P. and Catherine Barnett Newell Endowed Scholarship, which is given annually to a second-year North Country student from the area who demonstrates financial need. Allan and Kate Newell were selected as dual recipients of SUNY Canton’s distinguished citizen awards at SUNY Canton’s 99th Commencement Ceremony for their noted philanthropy.

The Newells also made a significant gift to the college in 2003 through the Sweetgrass Foundation, which helped construct the Newell Veterinary Technology Center, where Cornell attends the majority of her classes.