Whitesboro, NYPublished •Verified 2026-11-13
On Point for College's 2026 Utica Celebration in Whitesboro: Who Was Honored
Why it matters here
On Point helps Utica-area students, many from refugee families, get into and through college or job training, and this year's honorees include the partners behind the Cornhill revitalization work.
More than 200 people attended On Point for College's 2026 Utica Celebration on Thursday, Nov. 12, at Hart's Hill Inn in Whitesboro, the Utica Phoenix reported. Two alumni told their stories: Dr. Ayuong Arop, a New Hartford dentist whose family came to Utica from Sudan, and Dr. Nan Han, a physician who came here from Myanmar.
2026 honorees:
| Award | Honoree |
|---|---|
| Dream Maker | Rossana Rosado, NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services commissioner |
| Foundation of Hope | Cornhill Revitalization Project partners: Community Foundation of Herkimer & Oneida Counties, People First, Mid Utica Neighborhood Preservation Corp., The Collective Impact Network |
| Community Leader | Frank Giotto (Fiber Instrument Sales); Lindsay Weichert (Community Bank) |
| On Point for Careers | Ross Berntson and Indium Corporation |
| Make a Difference | Steven Bulger (ICAN); Rachel Daughtry (Utica City School District); Dr. Tolga Hayali (Science Academies of New York) |
| Campus Angel | Kenny Morrison (MVCC) |
Founder Ginny Donohue also received the DAR's national education medal. More on that honor.
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Coming up
- Rome· Shopping $5; opening gala $30 ($25 each for two or more); Ladies Night $15Holiday House 2026 at the Carpenter Center in Rome, Nov. 13–22: Gala, Ladies Night & Weekend Shopping
- Utica· FreeVictorian Groove-tide: Munson's '60s Holiday Show at Fountain Elms in Utica, Nov. 13–Jan. 3
- Herkimer· Not published; tickets sold on EventbriteHerkimer Originals 2026–27 Home Games at DNA Evolution, East Herkimer: Next Up Sat., Nov. 14, 3 p.m.