SUNY Canton News

RENEWAL HOUSE DONATION – SUNY Canton’s Lambda Eta Chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society members recently made a donation to the St. Lawrence Valley Renewal House as part of their Project Graduation. Through Project Graduation, Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) chapters all over the United States and Canada collect donations of canned goods and children’s books for area service organizations during their commencement activities. Pictured are (l to r) back row, Jacob Neely, PTK President and an air conditioning engineering technology major from Syracuse; Kelly Forsyth, counselor and women’s group facilitator at Renewal House; Amy Robinson, legal advocate at Renewal House; Ilene Burke, director of Renewal House; Brad VanPatten, PTK senator and an air conditioning engineering technology major from Madrid; Brandon Baldwin, PTK advisor and assistant professor of automotive technology; front row, Michaela Young, PTK advisor and secretary in the president’s office; Linda Akatsu, PTK secretary and veterinary science technology major from Brooklyn; and Cassandra Hamilton, PTK vice president for leadership and a veterinary science technology major from Hannawa Falls.

SUNY Canton offers a wide variety of career-driven bachelor’s, associate, and certificate programs, as well as three master’s degrees in conjunction with SUNYIT, Utica. Most of SUNY Canton’s new four-year programs are designed so students can take them on-campus, online, or both. SUNY Canton OnLine features more than 100 courses online each semester. The college’s athletic teams belong to the NAIA’s Sunrise Conference, enabling students to compete in their respective sports for four years.

Media inquiries should be directed to Gregory Kie, Media Relations Coordinator, or call 315/386-7528.

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CHECK PRESENTATION – The SUNY Canton First Year Experience (FYE) program raised more than $4,800 for the Canton Volunteer Fire Department during their eight-hour relay on Sept. 27. The college has hosted the student-staffed relay fundraiser for four years and has annually contributed all donations to charitable life-saving organizations. Pictured are Chris Marquart, Men’s Cross Country Coach and Assistant Director of Residence Life presenting a check from donations received from the event to Canton Volunteer Firefighter Michael Morgan while First Year Experience students applaud.

SUNY Canton offers a wide variety of career-driven bachelor’s, associate, and certificate programs, as well as three master’s degrees in conjunction with SUNYIT, Utica. Most of SUNY Canton’s new four-year programs are designed so students can take them on-campus, online, or both. SUNY Canton OnLine features more than 100 courses online each semester. The college’s athletic teams belong to the NAIA’s Sunrise Conference, enabling students to compete in their respective sports for four years.

Media inquiries should be directed to Gregory Kie, Media Relations Coordinator, or call 315/386-7528.

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THE SERGI FAMILY – Pictured are (l to r) Pat Sergi, Sam, Lisa, Mike, and Frank. The family owns Sergi’s Pizza in Canton and pledged $100,000 to name the Maria Sergi Early Childhood Teacher Center.

SUNY Canton is honoring a well-known community member whose four children all attended the College. President Joseph L. Kennedy announced that the College will name the Early Childhood Teacher Center in Cook Hall in memory of Maria Sergi, who passed away in 2006.

“She would like this,” Sam Sergi said. “For our family, and for Maria, this is the right thing to do.”

The Sergi family has made an initial gift commitment of $100,000 to honor Maria, forever linking her name to the place where students learn to become Early Childhood professionals. The Sergi family gift will be used to help purchase equipment and resources that will greatly benefit the Early Childhood program.

“We viewed this as a way to honor my mother and support the college in their efforts to educate and train the people that would be taking care of children,” said Lisa (Sergi) Vecchio `87.

SUNY Canton has always played a big role in the life of the Sergi family. All four of Maria and Sam’s children attended the College: Pat graduated in 1986, Frank and Lisa in 1987, and Mike in 2000. “It’s not only where we went to school, it’s also been a big part of the success of our family business and the community we love,” said Pat Sergi.

The Sergi family has always been active in the North Country, and they openheartedly devote their time, support community groups, and often provide pizza for fundraising efforts. “This is a nice way to have our mother’s name and our family’s name on campus,” Mike Sergi said.

“The Sergi’s gift is extremely generous and will greatly impact our Early Childhood program and its students,” said Early Childhood Program Director Maureen Maiocco. “This is a wonderful tribute to Mrs. Sergi.” Community members and alumni can help the Sergi Family reach their $100,000 goal. The second annual Maria Sergi Walk/Run is slated for July 26 in Canton and there are other upcoming opportunities to get involved. For more information contact the Canton College Foundation at 386-7127 or www.canton.edu/alumni.

Media inquiries should be directed to Gregory Kie, Media Relations Coordinator, or call 315/386-7528.

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BLEVINS DONATION – The Blevins family has created a $25,000 scholarship endowment at SUNY Canton in honor of Leland Blevins. Pictured are (l to r) Assistant Director of Alumni Relations Elizabeth Irvine, Mike Blevins, Dave Blevins, Alumni and Development Associate John Wilson Jr., and Lynn Blevins.

A successful family of highly-respected North Country car dealers have created a scholarship that will honor their father and help generations of SUNY Canton Automotive Technology students.

“We are dually honored because the Blevins are a true North- Country family and are closely intertwined with the college,” said SUNY Canton President Joseph L. Kennedy.

The Blevins family donated $25,000 for the Leland Blevins Scholarship Endowment. Each year an incoming automotive student will be awarded a scholarship in Leland’s name.

“Dad gave us our start in the automotive business, so it made sense for us to honor him by presenting others with an opportunity to enter the industry,” said Dave Blevins, who is a 1972 graduate of SUNY Canton.

Dave, and his brothers, Paul, Duanne, Lynn (class of 1979); three sisters, Sherry, Connie, and Beth; decided that the endowment would be a wonderful tribute to their father, who passed away last spring.

“I know Mom (Rita Blevins) is pleased that we’ve created this scholarship in Dad’s name,” Lynn said. “Over the years our businesses have benefited greatly from the hands-on training the college has provided our employees. I know all of the dealerships in the area appreciate the fact that it’s done here locally.”

Leland started the first Blevins dealership in Potsdam in 1969. He sold it to sons Paul and Duane in 1980. Dave and Lynn started the Ogdensburg Blevins Brothers in 1983. Blevins Ford in Gouverneur was added in 1990, and Team Blevins of Gouverneur was unveiled in 2006. The Potsdam dealership is run by Paul’s son, John.

Leland’s grandson Mike also graduated from SUNY Canton in 1999. Like his father Dave, he was an Engineering Technology major. He is now the sales manager for Team Blevins in Gouverneur.

Lynn’s daughter Leanne is a Nursing major at SUNY Canton and is expected to graduate in 2009.

SUNY Canton offers a wide variety of career-driven bachelor’s, associate, and certificate programs, as well as three master’s degrees in conjunction with SUNYIT, Utica. Most of SUNY Canton’s new four-year programs are designed so students can take them on-campus, online, or both. SUNY Canton OnLine features more than 65 courses online each semester. The college’s athletic teams have joined the NAIA’s Sunrise Conference, enabling students to compete in their respective sports for four years.

Media inquiries should be directed to Gregory Kie, Media Relations Coordinator, or call 315/386-7528.

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WARMING DONATION - Pictured are Matthew Flynn, AREA Instructional Support Associate, and Greg LaPoint, Rental Program Manager for Enbridge Services in Massena.

Enbridge Services recently donated two hot water heaters to the Alternative and Renewable Energy Applications (AREA) program. Students will be using the two hot water heaters to design, install, and research a system that uses solar preheating as a way to decrease energy usage. Adding a solar thermal system to a conventional gas or electric hot water heater is one of the most cost effective renewable energy measures that a homeowner can utilize, according to Michael Newtown, AREA Program Director. AREA is one of the largest Bachelor’s degree programs at the college and is the largest in the Canino School of Engineering Technology.

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Pepsi-Cola Ogdensburg, Inc. has purchased two custom-made outdoor scoreboards for SUNY Canton’s new all-weather, lighted synthetic turf soccer field and new baseball field.

Construction on the new fields and the installation of the scoreboards are expected to be completed early this fall.

“The scoreboards will be one of the most prominent additions to our new fields,” said SUNY Canton President Joseph L. Kennedy. “We certainly can’t thank Pepsi-Cola Ogdensburg enough for their generosity and commitment to our college and athletic teams.”

The Baseball Scoreboard will be approximately 18 feet long by 6 feet high with 14 and 18 inch light emitting diode (LED) displays and the soccer scoreboard is 18 feet by 9 feet with similar highly-visible red LED digits. Each scoreboard will include panels featuring Pepsi-Cola, or Pepsi products.

“The scoreboards will be the latest addition to our growing athletic department,” said Diane Para, Director of Athletics and Assistant Dean of Students. “During the past year, we have begun upgrading our athletic fields, adopted the Kangaroos as our team name, added men’s and women’s cross-country teams and switched to a four-year athletic conference.”

The college will also soon be constructing an $18 million Athletic and Convocation Center.

“Pepsi-Cola Ogdensburg has been a long-time supporter of SUNY Canton,” said Director of Alumni and Development Peggy S. Levato. “We appreciate their contributions toward the scoreboards and the Centennial Campaign. Current and future athletes, students, and fans will benefit from the generosity of Pepsi-Cola Ogdensburg.”

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Canton-Potsdam Hospital has donated $25,000 towards the SUNY Canton Nursing program as part of the Maresca Family Challenge. The announcement was made at a press conference on Friday, July 20, at the hospital.

Canton-Potsdam Hospital's Chief of Staff and Chief of Radiology Dr. Michael Maresca, SUNY Canton President Joseph L. Kennedy, and Canton Hospital President and CEO David B. Acker hold a $25,000 hospital donation check to the SUNY Canton Foundation as part of the Maresca Challenge.

“We are here for a much larger purpose than a check presentation,” said Canton-Potsdam Hospital President and CEO David B. Acker. “We are brought together by a common concern regarding the critical shortage of nurses in this country and our community. Canton-Potsdam Hospital wants to be an exception in America and have a steady pool of local nurses.”

The Maresca Family Challenge was announced on May 14 by Canton-Potsdam Hospital’s Chief of Staff and Chief of Radiology, Dr. Michael Maresca, and his wife Barbara. The Marescas committed to making a minimum gift of $100,000 to SUNY Canton Foundation to establish the Dr. Michael and Barbara Maresca Family Endowment for Nursing Education.

The Maresca Challenge is designed to create a circle of giving and inspire others to do the same. When Dr. and Mrs. Maresca announced their gift in May, they challenged college alumni, local businesses, community members, and friends to join them in further supporting the educational needs of future nursing students at the college.

“Canton-Potsdam Hospital is the first group to step up and respond to the Maresca Family Challenge,” said SUNY Canton President Dr. Joseph L. Kennedy. “We are deeply grateful for the leadership role they have taken, and I’d like to thank them on behalf of all of our current and future nursing students.”

The Maresca Family Challenge is part of the SUNY Canton Centennial Campaign with hopes to raise a total of $400,000 in support of the Nursing program. In addition to their endowment, the Maresca Family has donated four $1,000 scholarships to nursing students for the 2007-2008 academic year.

“We understand the importance of nurses and are dedicated to investing in students who desire an education,” said Dr. Maresca. “We believe that a nursing career has a tremendous impact on the students, their families, and the overall health of our own community.”

According to Acker, more than half of Canton-Potsdam Hospital’s nurses are SUNY Canton alumni.

Dr. Michael and Barbara Maresca:

Dr. Maresca grew up in Elkton, Md., and attended West Virginia University and then the University of Maryland, School of Medicine. He continued his studies for Diagnostic Radiology at SUNY Health Science Center in Syracuse.

Dr. Maresca is also affiliated with the following New York hospitals: Massena Memorial Hospital, E.J. Noble Hospital, Clifton-Fine Hospital, Cortland Memorial Hospital, Clifton Springs Hospital and Clinic, Olean General Hospital, and the Bradford Regional Medical Center in Pennsylvania.

The Marescas moved to Potsdam in 1991. They have two children, Margaret and Michael.

“The Maresca Family Endowment will enable worthy students to attend regardless of their financial background, and it will also assist us in meeting the growing technology needs of our nursing education.” said John Conklin, the Director of SUNY Canton’s Nursing program.

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Police officers from the North Country and beyond recently benefited from a donation provided by the Institute for Ethical Behavior, Inc.

The David Sullivan/St. Lawrence County Law Enforcement Academy hosted an ethics instructors training course to law enforcement officers. Among the course topics were the historical and philosophical significance of ethics coupled with the modern consequences for officers.

“The Ethics course was made possible by a $1,000 donation from the Institute for Ethical Behavior,” said University Police Deputy Chief and academy director Steven L. Livernois. “Their funding helps the academy bring in guest instructors for police officers who will benefit from their expertise.”

Livernois explained that each officer will, in turn, be headed back to their home police agency to teach similar courses on ethics.

The Institute for Ethical Behavior also created an endowed scholarship in 2000 as a memorial tribute to its founder, Harold K. Hughes. The scholarship is awarded annually to a Criminal Justice student who will promote awareness of the importance of individual character and ethical behavior.

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Canton-Potsdam Hospital’s Chief of Radiology and Chief of Staff announced a $100,000 donation to the SUNY Canton Nursing program today and challenged other alumni and friends to join them in further supporting the educational needs of future nursing students at the college.

The Maresca Family Challenge is designed to create a circle of giving and inspire others to do the same. The Marescas committed to making a minimum gift of $100,000 to establish the Dr. Michael and Barbara Maresca Family Endowment for Nursing Education.

They have also challenged SUNY Canton’s Advancement Division, the Development Office, alumni, and friends to raise a matching $100,000 for the nursing program. The Maresca Family Challenge is part of the SUNY Canton Centennial Campaign, and it is hoped to raise a total of $400,000 in support of the Nursing program.

“The generosity of the Maresca family is truly inspiring,” said SUNY Canton President Joseph L. Kennedy. “This donation and challenge will not only dramatically affect the quality of education we’re able to provide our nursing students, it will also have a long-term positive effect on the quality of healthcare throughout the North Country.”

In addition to their endowment, the Maresca Family is donating four $1,000 scholarships to nursing students for the 2007-2008 academic year.

“We understand the importance of nurses and are dedicated to investing in students who desire an education,” said Dr. Maresca. “We believe that a nursing career has a tremendous impact on the students, their families, and the overall health of our own community, thus creating a full circle of giving and receiving.”

Dr. Maresca grew up in Elkton, Md., and attended West Virginia University and then the University of Maryland, School of Medicine. He continued his studies for Diagnostic Radiology at SUNY Health Science Center in Syracuse.

Dr. Maresca is also affiliated with the following New York hospitals: Massena Memorial Hospital, E.J. Noble Hospital, Clifton-Fine Hospital, Cortland Memorial Hospital, Clifton Springs Hospital and Clinic, Olean General Hospital, and the Bradford Regional Medical Center in Pennsylvania. He is also owner of Watertown Breast Imaging.

Dr. Maresca met his wife Barbara while in medical school in Maryland and moved to Potsdam in 1991. He and Barbara do many “behind the scenes” things for numerous community organizations. They are well known for their generosity.

“The Maresca Family Endowment will enable worthy students to attend regardless of their financial background, and it will also assist us in meeting the growing technology needs of our nursing education.” said John Conklin, the Director of SUNY Canton’s Nursing program. ”

Dr. Maresca was introduced at the event by former New York State Assemblywoman and SUNY Canton College Council member Chloe Ann O’Neil. O’Neil, who also serves as a member of the Canton College Foundation Board of Directors and Co-Chair of the SUNY Canton Centennial Campaign’s Major Gift Committee, was credited with introducing the SUNY Canton Advancement Team to the Maresca family.

Several nursing students and community members were also on hand for the announcement, including two students that will receive the inaugural Maresca scholarships next year.

“Thank you for helping these students make their dreams a reality,” said Vice President for Advancement David M. Gerlach. “Your support is a tremendous endorsement of our program and its influence on our community.”

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IN KIND AUTO DONATION – Shown are (l to r) DaimlerChrysler Training Center Supervisor Dean Magnuson of Henrietta and Automotive Technology Instructional Support Associate Dennis Tuper with the newly donated PT Cruiser.

SUNY Canton Automotive Technology students now have a PT Cruiser to hone their skills, courtesy of DaimlerChrysler.

Automotive Technology Instructional Support Associate Dennis Tuper worked with DaimlerChrysler Training Center Supervisor Dean Magnuson of Henrietta to arrange the donation of the 2003 vehicle. Tuper recently designed a transmission holder to use during trainings by the automobile company.

“We designed and constructed 26 transmission holding fixtures for all of the DaimlerChrysler training centers in the United States,” Tuper said. “As a thank you, Dean gave us the PT Cruiser as an in-kind donation.”

Tuper said students helped him create the transmission fixtures as part of their classwork. “I had some help from local businesses to make the transmission mounts,” Tuper said. “The Materials were provided by Jeffords Steel and Engineering of Potsdam and Fockler Industries of Norfolk. I also relied on the Mechanical Engineering Technology department for their high-tech machine tools.”

The automobile will be used as a learning tool. Faculty members will use the test vehicle to create problem-solving exercises, which the students will have to diagnose and repair. Most often, students will be looking for electrical problems with the car.

Magnuson also presented Tuper with a Mopar coat and two framed letters of appreciation for creating the transmission parts. “Dennis really went the extra mile,” Magnuson said.

In the past, DaimlerChrysler has donated a High Output Cummins Turbo Diesel engine. “DaimlerChrysler also donated motor oils, lubricants, cleaners, and solvents eliminating the expense of purchasing frequently used products,” Tuper said.

DaimlerChrysler often works with the college to offer professional training sessions for North Country car dealerships and technicians.

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