More than 100 students will be awarded for their exemplary academics and civic involvement at this year’s SUNY Canton Harriet A. Beggs Honors Convocation.

This convocation is a wonderful opportunity for faculty, staff, and students to join in celebration of students’ accomplishments and recognize the contributions of faculty and staff.

Honors convocation is part of a week-long cross campus academic recognition that starts with the Scholarly Activities Celebration held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 25, in the Southworth Library.

The Harriett A. Beggs Honors Convocation Ceremony will begin at 4:15 p.m. on Wednesday, April 29, in the Richard W. Miller Campus Center Intramural Gymnasium.

Both events are free and open to the public.

The 2009 Harriett Beggs Honors Convocation will be held at 4:15 p.m. Wednesday, April 29, in the Richard W. Miller Campus Center Intramural Gymnasium.

Students receiving awards at the Harriet A. Beggs Honors Convocation include:

• Sindy Afriat, a SUNY Canton student from Chase Mills majoring in Criminal Investigation.
• Eric Agne, a SUNY Canton student from Herkimer majoring in Industrial Technology Management.
• Courtney N. Bach, a SUNY Canton student from Fayetteville majoring in Early Childhood.
• Ryan P. Barry, a SUNY Canton student from Geneva majoring in Alternative & Renewable Energy System.
• Brandon S. Baxter, a SUNY Canton student from Fayetteville majoring in Air Conditioning Engineering Technology.
• Kimberley J. Berg, a SUNY Canton student from Ogdensburg majoring in Nursing.
• Diane F. Berwick, a SUNY Canton student from Ava majoring in Dental Hygiene.
• Rebecca R. Blackmer, a SUNY Canton student from Colton majoring in Accounting.
• Adam J. Blair, a SUNY Canton student from Adams Center majoring in Law Enforcement Leadership.
• Emily M. Bouret, a SUNY Canton student from Woodhaven majoring in Veterinary Services Management.
• Albert J. Breault, a SUNY Canton student from Chestertown majoring in Criminal Justice.
• Cortney L. Brunet, a SUNY Canton student from Hermon majoring in Office Technology.
• Chad M. Buckingham, a SUNY Canton student from Croghan majoring in Legal Studies.
• Jim L. Buckley, a SUNY Canton student from Potsdam majoring in Electrical Construction & Maintenance.
• Karah C. Burns, a SUNY Canton student from Spencerport majoring in Veterinary Science Technology.
• Emily E. Bush, a SUNY Canton student from Ogdensburg majoring in Business Administration AAS.
• Cassandra N. Carabello, a SUNY Canton student from North Syracuse majoring in Criminal Investigation.
• Mary E. Case, a SUNY Canton student from Massena majoring in Nursing.
• Jonathan A. Daniels, a SUNY Canton student from Potsdam majoring in Building Construction.
• Megan Daniels, a SUNY Canton student from Potsdam majoring in Air Conditioning Engineering Technology.
• Joseph L. Danza, a SUNY Canton student from Watertown majoring in Management of Technology.
• Meshell Delgado, a SUNY Canton student from Montgomery majoring in Information Technology – Web Development.
• Avery R. Denney, a SUNY Canton student from Potsdam majoring in Facilities Operation.
• Amy R. Dufore, a SUNY Canton student from Norfolk majoring in Criminal Investigation.
• Jolene D. Dulsrud, a SUNY Canton student from Ogdensburg majoring in General Admission – School of Science, Health & Public Service.
• Bradley E. Elliott, a SUNY Canton student from Morristown majoring in Facilities Operation.
• David W. Fortune, a SUNY Canton student from Ogdensburg majoring in Computer-Aided Drafting.
• Zachary J. Fuller, a SUNY Canton student from Norwood majoring in Construction Technology: Management.
• Corbin J. Gates-Shult, a SUNY Canton student from Parishville majoring in Law Enforcement Leadership.
• April L. Griffin, a SUNY Canton student from Queensbury majoring in Emergency Management.
• Erin R. Hatch, a SUNY Canton student from Watertown majoring in Industrial Technology Management.
• Jay M. Hebert, a SUNY Canton student from Heuvelton majoring in Information Technology – Web Development.
• Loretta L. House, a SUNY Canton student from Canton majoring in Legal Studies.
• Nate S. Jacobs, a SUNY Canton student from Greene, Maine, majoring in Business Administration AS.
• Nicole L. Jayson, a SUNY Canton student from Gouverneur majoring in Liberal Arts-General Studies.
• Evan Johnson, a SUNY Canton student from Cooperstown majoring in General Admission – Canino School of Engineering Technology.
• Jerian O. Kampnich, a SUNY Canton student from Croghan majoring in Dental Hygiene.
• Julie A. Kreider, a SUNY Canton student from Gouverneur majoring in Nursing.
• Felicia A. Lawrence, a SUNY Canton student from Brooklyn majoring in Individual Studies – Health.
• John M. Liverio, a SUNY Canton student from Amsterdam majoring in Law Enforcement Leadership.
• Jill M. Lizak, a SUNY Canton student from Hamburg majoring in Dental Hygiene.
• Sally E. MacDonald, a SUNY Canton student from Richville majoring in Management of Technology.
• Josephene M. Mailu, a SUNY Canton student from Potsdam majoring in Health Science Career Studies.
• Benjamin P. Maki, a SUNY Canton student from Heuvelton majoring in Alternative & Renewable Energy System.
• Jessica L. Marashian, a SUNY Canton student from Massena majoring in Legal Studies.
• Joseph P. Marcellino, a SUNY Canton student from Amsterdam majoring in Financial Services.
• George W. Martin, a SUNY Canton student from Madrid majoring in Mechanical Engineering Technology.
• John H. Martin, a SUNY Canton student from Madrid majoring in Mechanical Engineering Technology.
• Peter F. Martin, a SUNY Canton student from Canton majoring in Civil Engineering Technology.
• Nicole V. Mattoon, a SUNY Canton student from Albany majoring in Business Administration AAS.
• Scott N. McAdoo, a SUNY Canton student from Hermon majoring in Engineering Science.
• Ethan C. McCrea, a SUNY Canton student from Gouverneur majoring in Alternative & Renewable Energy System.
• Alison E. McGinn, a SUNY Canton student from Potsdam majoring in Physical Therapist Assistant.
• Mario P. Mercaldi, a SUNY Canton student from Champlain majoring in Information Technology – Web Development.
• Eric W. Moody, a SUNY Canton student from Saranac Lake majoring in Alternative & Renewable Energy System.
• Matthew J. Mulkin, a SUNY Canton student from Norwood majoring in Graphic and Multimedia Design.
• Diana R. Norman, a SUNY Canton student from Canton majoring in Graphic and Multimedia Design.
• Brett A. Nortz, a SUNY Canton student from Watertown majoring in Engineering Science.
• Nathaniel R. Pietropaolo, a SUNY Canton student from Rochester majoring in Criminal Investigation.
• Kevin B. Pilus, a SUNY Canton student from Walden majoring in Management of Technology.
• Brian T. Pinkerton, a SUNY Canton student from Ogdensburg majoring in Electrical Engineering Technology.
• Lauren B. Pitman, a SUNY Canton student from Amsterdam majoring in Veterinary Science Technology.
• Christin Powers, a SUNY Canton student from Canton majoring in Physical Therapist Assistant.
• Emily N. Ramos, a SUNY Canton student from Lyons Falls majoring in Early Childhood.
• James W. Redmond, a SUNY Canton student from Gouverneur majoring in Health Care Management.
• Adam J. Roach, a SUNY Canton student from Ogdensburg majoring in Civil Engineering Technology.
• Erik L. Robinson, a SUNY Canton student from Lisbon majoring in Computer Information Systems.
• Lillian M. Roy, a SUNY Canton student from Norfolk majoring in Financial Services.
• Darcy A. Santimaw, a SUNY Canton student from Canton majoring in Health Care Management.
• Ashley M. Savino, a SUNY Canton student from Auburn majoring in Criminal Investigation.
• Michael P. Schaff, a SUNY Canton student from Parishville majoring in Veterinary Science Technology.
• Jessie J. Scott, a SUNY Canton student from Dekalb Junction majoring in General Admission – School of Business and Liberal Arts.
• Laura Seidman, a SUNY Canton student from Webster majoring in Legal Studies.
• Nicholas J. Serio, a SUNY Canton student from Ogdensburg majoring in Motorsports Performance & Repair.
• Jennifer L. Smith, a SUNY Canton student from Potsdam majoring in Nursing.
• Blake S. Spilman, a SUNY Canton student from Gouverneur majoring in Forest Technology.
• Thomas J. Stafford, a SUNY Canton student from Malone majoring in Criminal Investigation.
• Benjamin N. Sultzer, a SUNY Canton student from Norwood majoring in Accounting.
• Tyler J. Terry, a SUNY Canton student from Lowville majoring in Mortuary Science.
• Michael S. Thorpe, a SUNY Canton student from Ogdensburg majoring in General Admission – Canino School of Engineering Technology.
• Thomas P. Titherington, a SUNY Canton student from Plattsburgh majoring in Electrical Engineering Technology.
• Andrew O. Toyo, a SUNY Canton student from Gouveneur majoring in Liberal Arts-General Studies.
• Natasha M. Trefry, a SUNY Canton student from Redwood majoring in Office Technology.
• Ralph L. Trerise, a SUNY Canton student from West Stockholm majoring in Industrial Technology Management.
• Andrew P. Trumble, a SUNY Canton student from Fulton majoring in Criminal Justice.
• Kristina M. Tucker, a SUNY Canton student from Ilion majoring in Veterinary Science Technology.
• Kyle A. Tuper, a SUNY Canton student from Fort Covington majoring in Individual Studies – Trades.
• Heather M. Vanalstine, a SUNY Canton student from Chittenango majoring in Veterinary Science Technology.
• Daniel J. Vanderlinden, a SUNY Canton student from Tenafly, New Jersey, majoring in Automotive Technology.
• Brian Warner, a SUNY Canton student from Phoenix majoring in Automotive Technology.
• Bridget A. Webber, a SUNY Canton student from Massena majoring in Graphic and Multimedia Design.
• Michael J. Weller, a SUNY Canton student from Brasher Falls majoring in Business Administration AS.
• Mathew A. Wells, a SUNY Canton student from Madrid majoring in Heating & Plumbing Service.
• Robin A. Westcott, a SUNY Canton student from Brockport majoring in Veterinary Services Management.
• Kari L. Williams, a SUNY Canton student from Hastings majoring in Veterinary Science Technology.
• Jennifer L. Wright, a SUNY Canton student from Madrid majoring in Nursing.
• Greg H. Yurgartis, a SUNY Canton student from Potsdam majoring in Individual Studies – Trades.
• Nicholas A. Zirn, a SUNY Canton student from Potsdam majoring in Financial Services.

Recipients of Special Recognition

· Canino Prize for Academic Excellence . . . . . Ryan P. Barry, Adam J. Blair, Emily M. Bouret, Chad M. Buckingham, Avery R. Denney, Amy R. Dufore, Erin R. Hatch, Jerian O. Kampnich, John M. Liverio, Sally E. MacDonald, Jessica L. Marashian, Joseph P. Marcellino, Ethan C. McCrea, Mario P. Mercaldi, Matthew J. Mulkin, Kevin B. Pilus, Lillian M. Roy, Ashley M. Savino, Laura Seidman, Ralph L. Trerise

· Canino Scholar Awards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Amanda K. Eschmann

· Canino Achievement Awards . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Kimberley J. Berg, Diane F. Berwick, Rebecca R. Blackmer, Cortney L. Brunet, Jim Buckley, Megan Daniels, Jonathan A. Daniels, David W. Fortune, Zachary J. Fuller, Cassandra K. Hamilton, Josephene M. Mailu, Peter F. Martin, Nicole V. Mattoon, Scott N. McAdoo, Brian T. Pinkerton, Christin Powers, Emily N. Ramos, Nicholas J. Serio, Tyler J. Terry, Andrew O. Toyo, Andrew P. Trumble, Kyle A. Tuper, Brian Warner, Mathew A. Wells

· The Outstanding Graduate Award-Baccalaureate . . . Heather M. Biamonte

· The Outstanding Graduate Award-Associate . . . Kristina M. Kaiser

· The David R. Maynard Student Activities Award . . . MacKenzie O. Belden

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.

CANTON – Accepted students at SUNY Canton now have a chance to fast-track into math courses offered by the Canino School of Engineering Technology.

Students will be able to take extra courses prior to entering college to help them get a jump-start on college-level math courses, according to David Wells, Dean of the Canino School of Engineering Technology.

“We sometimes see very motivated students who need a little more background before entering in science, engineering and technology programs,” Wells said. “We don’t want to see a student miss an education and a career in the engineering fields simply because they lack a prerequisite course.”

The fast-track courses are part of the One-Third Better program, which is funded through a Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act grant. Courses are scheduled to begin during the summer months, and will consist of online components and face-to-face mentoring sessions. “After undergoing the fast-track program, students can opt to take supplemental sections of the courses to further their goals and understanding,” Wells said. “They can get up to two additional class hours a week to further prepare them for success once the regular semester begins.”

The initiative will be overseen by Alice Reed, Assistant Professor of Mathematics, Linda Crowner, Math Lab Coordinator and Adjunct Math Instructor, and Richard Gilchrist, a College Math Tutor. “We have a dedicated team of math department faculty,” Wells noted. “The One-Third Better program will help better prepare students for their first year of college and give them the knowledge and confidence to succeed.”

The school’s efforts to accelerate students’ skills are also augmented by an upcoming set of standards that will ensure every student is a proficient computer user upon graduation.  “Although more students than ever come to college as well-established computer users, some require assistance in attaining the next-level of computing that their future careers will demand,” noted William Mein, Associate Dean of the Canino School of Engineering Technology.

The core competencies will ensure that every SUNY Canton graduate has the ability to use spreadsheets and develop custom presentations in addition to the more common word processing and Internet usage skills associated with higher education. “Students learn to use a tool best when they need it to complete a task,” Computer Information Systems Instructor Robert J. Randall explained. “We have found that if we can offer online resources or face-to-face support exactly when a student needs it, they will succeed at a given project quicker and with greater overall individual growth.”

Students are encouraged to use the core-competency resources to develop their skills at a self-directed pace. Ultimately these skills will lead to a more successful education and greater employability upon graduation.

Both the core computer competencies program and the One-Third Better program are scheduled to be implemented this summer. “Our school has seen a 50 percent increase in the number of applications from this time last year,” Wells said. “These programs will help our newest students accomplish more and be an asset to the workforce upon graduation.”

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.

McGraw Hill recently published “Introduction to Linear Algebra with Applications” by Daniel J. Gagliardi, assistant professor of mathematics at SUNY Canton and James DeFranza, professor of mathematics, computer science, and statistics at St. Lawrence University. Their motivation was to create an engaging text that students could read on their own to learn the fundamental ideas of linear algebra.

James DeFranza & Daniel Gagliardi

“Jim and I took a student-centered approach when we were writing this book,” Gagliardi said. “Our aim was to strike a balance between a rigorous development of linear algebra and building intuition.”

The two number-crunchers put their heads together to create their book that would be a perfect fit to the learning curve of college students who take the course, according to DeFranza. “We imagined ourselves in class with our students where we use accessible examples to motivate abstract concepts,” he said. “Teaching at Saint Lawrence University has given me the opportunity to work closely with mathematics students. This experience has helped in shaping this book and other texts I have written.”

“Linear algebra is one of the first courses in the mathematics curriculum where students are exposed to abstraction at a much higher level,” Gagliardi said. “They are required to write proofs of theorems and solve problems in higher dimensional spaces. Our book provides a gentle introduction where students can develop the necessary skills needed to achieve a greater understanding of the subject matter and its numerous applications.”

Over the last few decades the applications of linear algebra have mushroomed, according to the authors. Recent advances have allowed for the development of high powered search engines to scan and rank web pages at lightning speed. Linear algebra is also used extensively to manipulate graphical information in fields as diverse as aeronautical engineering, medical imaging, and even video game development. In their textbook, professors Defranza and Gagliardi show how linear algebra can be used to solve problems in Chemistry, Engineering, Economics, Telecommunications, Urban Planning and Nutrition.

Dr. Gagliardi joined the faculty of SUNY Canton in 2006. He began his technical career at IBM as a software engineer and received his Ph.D. from North Carolina State University in pure mathematics. His principle area of research is lie algebra and symmetric spaces. He also does work in graph theory and has collaboratively authored multiple scholarly articles in these fields.

Dr. DeFranza conducts research in functional analysis, sequence spaces, and classical summability theory. This is the fourth textbook he has authored. He is a 25-year St. Lawrence University faculty member and earned his bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, and Ph.D. from Kent State University. He is a frequent mentor and advisor to St. Lawrence students conducting independent research.

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.

“Our students performed exceptionally well,” said Jiayuan Lin, assistant professor of Mathematics, who coordinated the college’s efforts in the competition. “All of our students demonstrated a deep understanding of math concepts and problem solving abilities.”

The competition is very challenging, according to Lin. The test consisted of 20 questions, and each question had to be solved using precise and innovative thinking. After the students completed the challenges, Lin submitted the results of the top students at the college for the overall competition. Several of SUNY Canton’s visiting Chinese students were among the state’s top finishers.

Among all students from 20 universities colleges competing in the NYMATYC Math League, Guanghui Zhang (Ken) took 7th place, Xiaolin Liu (Nick) took 13th place, Ding Yong is (Rein) placed in the top third, and Miao Zheng is (Mia) placed in the top third. Three of the participants are also volunteer tutors in the college’s Math Lab and all of the students are enrolled in the Canino School of Engineering Technology.

The New York State Math League’s goals are to provide a challenge and inspire interest in mathematics as well as provide friendly competition among colleges in the state.

SUNY Canton is one of 22 State University of New York Colleges to take in a total of 150 students displaced by Earthquakes in the city of Chengdu in the Sichuan Province of western China. SUNY Campuses are offering this one-year opportunity to create a team of young leaders. When they complete their studies in May 2009, they will engage in a period of national service in Sichuan to aid in the rebuilding efforts.

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.