Honors Convocation will be held at 4:15 p.m. Wednesday, May 1, in the SUNY Canton Convocation Athletic and Recreation Center, nicknamed Roos House. Students and faculty members will be receiving awards denoting their various successes during their respective careers at SUNY Canton

SUNY Canton Distinguished Professor Emerita Nancy R. Auster

“I am very pleased that Professor Auster was recommended unanimously by the recognition and awards committee,” said Karen M. Spellacy, Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. “Professor Auster was a pioneer for women in the entire SUNY System throughout her career. She was also an outstanding educator of the highest integrity.”

The 2013 Honors Convocation namesake was the first faculty member at SUNY Canton to win the Distinguished Faculty Award. She also helped another faculty member, Distinguished Professor Emeritus John R. Pope, create the College’s system of governance now known as Faculty Assembly. She was then elected as a Senator in the statewide SUNY Faculty Senate, the governing body that oversees the entire SUNY System.

Two years later, Auster was elected as the first woman and the first faculty member from a two-year college to become the President of the SUNY Faculty Senate.

Auster taught Economics in the Social Science Department for more than 25 years. She served in numerous leadership positions, including department chair for Social Sciences. She was also on the Affirmative Action Committee and active with United University Professions, the union representing members of SUNY Canton’s faculty and professional staff.

Among her numerous accolades, she was awarded the Distinguished Service Professorship award form the SUNY Board of Trustees and was honored with the United University Professions Excellence Award. Most recently, Auster was inducted into the SUNY Canton Hall of Fame.

Beyond her academic achievements, Auster, who is 86, is known in St. Lawrence County as a triathlete, duathlete and avid runner. She has completed more than 500 races and won U.S. Track and Field Women’s 5K titles for women in the age ranges of 80-85 and 85-90.

She is a 1948 Alumnus of Barnard University with a bachelor’s in American Studies. She was one of the first women to receive a Master’s of Business Administration from Indiana University in 1954. She moved to Canton in 1957 and taught at St. Lawrence University in addition to her career at SUNY Canton.

Auster resides in Canton with her husband, Donald R., who kept her company while she ran for many years. They have two daughters, Carol, who lives in Lancaster, Pa., and Ellen who lives in Toronto, Ont. Both followed in their parents’ footsteps and are professors. The couple has four granddaughters, Lauren, Lisa, Lindsey and Shannon.

About Honors Convocation

Honors Convocation is an annual formal ceremony recognizing students’ academic, civic, and overall achievement. More than 100 students receive awards and are presented scholarships at the event. The College’s distinguished faculty award is bestowed, as are the Outstanding Graduate awards for the year. Each year the ceremony is named after the most dedicated and revered faculty members of the College’s history.

The ceremony was held today, Saturday, May 19^th in the Convocation Athletic and Recreation Center, nicknamed Roos House.

“This is my 21st and final commencement at SUNY Canton,” Kennedy said. “I’m very proud of today’s graduates and I’m honored to spend the day with them and their families. I look forward to further growth and development in the College’s academic programs, with the end result of seeing even more students enroll, graduate and launch successful careers in the future.”

The President is scheduled to retire on August 31. He said he is keenly interested in future commencement ceremonies as an indicator of the College’s ongoing success. “I will always feel a sense of accomplishment when I see SUNY Canton students complete their educations,” Kennedy said.

The top five bachelor’s degrees awarded, listed in order of popularity, were: management, criminal investigation, health care management, legal studies, and graphic and multimedia design.

The top five associate degrees with the most graduates were nursing, liberal arts, criminal justice, veterinary science technology, and business administration.

Notable honoraries at ceremony included:

• Karen M. Spellacy, professor of economics, received the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in College Service. Spellacy was awarded for providing dynamic education in her business and economics courses, in addition to her inspirational leadership in a variety of roles. Based on her tremendous service, Spellacy will assume the role of Interim Provost on Sept. 1.
• John F. Conklin, associate professor of nursing, received the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching. Faculty members and students have said Conklin demonstrates a deep and genuine concern for his students and helps them to succeed in any way that he can. He also was instrumental in the development of the college’s practical nursing certificate program, as well as the online Bachelor of Science in Nursing program.
• SUNY Canton Student Government Association President Daynelle N. Richards, a health care management major from Ozone Park delivered the address on behalf of her fellow graduates. Richards was selected as the recipient of the 2012 David R. Maynard Student Activities Award.
• Kristen B. Roberts, the College’s associate director of residence life and residence director of the new Grasse River Suites was honored with the Northstar award. This award is completely determined by the student body to recognize a faculty or staff member. Roberts was selected for making a positive impression on students and their parents with her positive, can-do attitude. She’s been a role model for many students and is involved with many student-run organizations. The student government association president presented the award to Roberts.
• State Senator Patricia A. Ritchie was presented with the Honorary Alumna Award from the SUNY Canton Alumni Association for continually supporting and promoting SUNY Canton. She recently backed the College’s newest educational options to benefit of both students and the greater North Country Community, and has demonstrated a remarkable interest in the ongoing success of the College and its graduates.

During the week prior to Commencement, the David Sullivan-St. Lawrence Law Enforcement Academy held a special ceremony for more than 20 graduates of the semester-long intensive course. Many of the Academy graduates were sworn in as new officers in area police departments.

Additionally, nearly 90 graduates of SUNY Canton’s Nursing program were recognized at a special ceremonial pinning ceremony. Registered Nurses are in high demand, and many of the graduates will immediately start their employment at area hospitals and health-care facilities.

Media inquiries should be directed to Gregory Kie, Media Relations Manager, or call 315/386-7527.