Article

Student of the Year balances work and play

The annual award, traditionally given to a student on the night of the Midnight Madness pep rally, constitutes a $1,700 scholarship and a $500 scholarship for books
Scott Lipnick - Staff Writer

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Sylvain Ruest

He’s a Canadian tennis star with a perfect grade point average and he’s knee deep in fiber optics. And now Sylvain Ruest is also Binghamton University’s Student of the Year for the 2001-2002 academic year.

The annual award, traditionally given to a student on the night of the Midnight Madness pep rally, constitutes a $1,700 scholarship and a $500 scholarship for books.

Having lived much of his life in the small town of Edmuston, New Brunswick,

Sylvain is not accustomed to city life. “I came from a small town of 14,000 people,” Sylvain said. “There is a great difference in this area. Binghamton is a much bigger city.”

Whether in a small village or bustling metropolis, Sylvain has accomplished a great deal of success. A junior at Watson, Sylvain has maintained a 4.0 GPA as a mechanical engineering major. He is also currently involved in a Fiber Optics Electronics Curriculum Development research project.

In addition to succeeding in academics, Sylvain is also an accomplished tennis player.

“I started playing competitive tennis when I was fifteen, before that it was just for fun,” said Sylvain. His tough play was recognized and rewarded with opportunity.

In his senior year of high school, Sylvain attended a sports and study program at Cardinal-Roy that challenged both his mind and his game.

“We had really short classes in the morning and then spent afternoons playing tennis. It was really tough academically. It was there that I learned how to work real hard.”

Sylvain’s resolve paid off. He was granted a scholarship to Lamar University in Texas. Sylvain was ready to tackle the courts and the books, but was not satisfied.

He then discovered Binghamton University. “I found it while searching on the Intemet, Sylvain said. “It’s a better academic school. Sometimes my major will not be recognized in my country. My major here will definitely be recognized.”

There are more people Sylvain said he would like to thank than he could possibly mention. “So many people have helped me along the way, and I don’t want to feel like I left someone out.”