Class of 2021
Inducted June 16, 2022
Stacey L. Basford '07, '08
Stacey Basford, Class of 2007, served as Executive Assistant to President Emeritus Joseph Kennedy, beginning in 2002. She began her career at SUNY Canton in 1994 as a Keyboard Specialist. As part of her duties, Stacey was also a critical link to the College Council Chair, SUNY System Administration, and elected representatives. She also held temporary or interim positions as the college’s Director of Public Relations, Director of Government Relations, Compliance Officer, and Affirmative Action Officer and Title IX Coordinator. Stacey was always successful in whatever tasks she was given and helped establish an environment where her direct reports could both thrive and be successful.
Dr. David M. Gerlach '83
David Gerlach started his 30-year career at SUNY Canton as a student worker in Chaney Dining Center. He became a resident assistant, and then was hired as a residence hall director, and later director of residence life. He became the dean of enrollment management and then secured his final position of vice president for advancement, which oversaw the Canton College Foundation, Alumni and Development, Admissions, Public Relations, Athletics, and Career Services. Each of these areas thrived under Dave’s leadership, mirroring a continuing era of success at the college.
Dave also oversaw the Centennial Campaign, which was the largest fundraising effort in the College history. The college was able to finance and build Kennedy Hall through Foundation financing. Dave helped guide and set every enrollment record, fundraising record and growth record the college has ever had.
Michael J. Perry
Michael Perry was originally hired as the Director of the Campus Store in 1976. He assumed the role of Director of the Student Union Auxiliary Services, and oversaw the Campus Store, food operations, and the pub in 1978. In 1982, he was promoted to Operations Director of the College Association. A year later, he became to Executive Director of the College Association. Mike helped encourage and create student leaders. He held several interim or temporary roles at the College, including overseeing Student Activities, where he helped bring concerts to the campus and the community.
Widely known as the College’s go-to person for new projects, he was instrumental in the creation of the Kennedy Suites Residence Hall as part of his involvement with Residence Life. He was a board member of the Canton College Foundation and helped create scholarships and enrollment opportunities.
Dr. Kahan Sablo
Dr. Sablo was the founding director of three campus multicultural centers and served as a senior diversity officer for two additional institutions. In addition, he has had an extensive career in student affairs, culminating as the Vice President for Student Affairs.
In addition to his passion for higher education, Dr. Sablo has over 30 years of experience in Emergency Medical Services (EMS), which includes volunteer work as a certified paramedic. Furthermore, he is the National Facilitator and President of Adodi, an African American same gender-loving men’s spiritual organization, and a member of the leadership team of the International Black/African Heritage Constituency Caucus. Also, he is a proud brother of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., the nation’s first collegiate fraternity for African American men.
Carson and Gleneva Smith
Carson Smith was a trailblazer. His career includes Several “Firsts” as an African American in Kentucky: Governor’s Office for Policy and Management; Coordinator for Financial Planning, Council on Public Higher Education; Assistant Budget Director at the University of Kentucky and University of Missouri; and Vice President for Finance and Administration here at SUNY Canton.
At SUNY Canton, Gleneva combined her Christian upbringing, natural leadership skills and vocal music background to provide a spiritual “home away from home” for students. One of her greatest legacies at SUNY Canton is the Gospel Choir, which she formed and advised. Her rehearsals were so full of energy that often students passing by would pause to listen. Gleneva opened her heart, life, and home to the students of SUNY Canton and continues relationships with many to this day.
Anne C. Williams '78
Anne C. Williams began her nearly 40-year career with SUNY Canton in the Word Processing Center. She then became a program aid in the Office of Admissions, where she first began working with David M. Gerlach, who served as the Dean of Enrollment Management. She later became the Assistant to the Vice President for Advancement, and served as the glue that held the division together.
Anne received the College Council’s Employee Recognition Award in 2002. Together, the Williams-Gerlach team helped drive the most ambitiously successful years at the college. Both Anne and Dave received the SUNY Canton Alumni Association’s Distinguished Alumni Award in 2018. Anne is one of the driving forces behind the SUNY Canton Hall of Fame and is currently the chair of the Canton College Foundation Board of Directors, remaining actively engaged in many Foundation endeavors.