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.

Commencement will be held at 10 a.m. tomorrow (Saturday, May 19) in the field house portion of the Convocation Athletic and Recreation Center, nicknamed Roos House. The Senator will be honored alongside the more than 900 students eligible to participate in the ceremony.

“Senator Ritchie has promoted SUNY Canton and the mission to provide career-driven educational options to the benefit of both its students and the greater North Country Community,” said Vice President for Advancement David M. Gerlach. “Her involvement and support will aid in our overall success and future growth.”

She received bipartisan endorsement from those who nominated her for the award.

Last year, Ritchie assisted SUNY Canton by backing its newest four-year program in the School of Business and Liberal Arts. The much-anticipated Bachelor of Science in Applied Psychology will help provide qualified graduates for high-needs positions in local human services related careers.

Senator Ritchie, a lifelong resident of Upstate New York, was raised in DePeyster, graduated from Heuvelton Central School, Mater Dei College, and SUNY Potsdam.

She was elected to the State Senate in 2010, following a campaign that focused on the need to strengthen Central and Northern New York economies, create jobs, lower taxes and decrease overregulation. Prior to her election, she served as County Clerk for more than a decade. During her time in that position, she rallied her fellow Clerks to halt a plan requiring new license plates for every vehicle in New York, successfully saving area families more than $7 million.

Senator Ritchie lives in the Town of Oswegatchie with her husband, Tom. The couple 
has three adult children, and in 2010, welcomed their first grandchild.

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

The luncheon will feature a keynote from St. Lawrence County Clerk Patricia Ritchie.

St. Lawrence County Clerk Patricia Ritchie will be the keynote speaker at the Small Business Development Center’s Women’s Business Bootcamp and Resource Expo.

The Women’s Business Bootcamp will run from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, March 4, in the SUNY Canton Richard W. Miller Campus Center. Ritchie will be addressing the conference during the luncheon and will be discussing how positive leadership can impact businesses of all sizes.

“This event is a valuable resource for north country women in business,” says Dale A. Rice, SBDC Director. “It provides both educational opportunities and extremely valuable networking experiences that have proven value for our area entrepreneurs.”

Other conference presentations include a marketing through social networking section by Jeff Yette of Slic Network Solutions and a commercial financing presentation with Charles Beach of Key Bank One “We will also be hosting a panel of women business owners who will share their best practices and personal experiences as entrepreneurs,” Rice added.

The Women’s Resource Expo portion features area businesses and organizations and showcases their products and services.

The Women’s Business Bootcamp is $45 per person. Registration as a Resource Expo exhibitor is $30 and includes lunch and the keynote lecture. Registration for both the Bootcamp and exhibit in the Expo is $65.

For further information, or to register, contact the SUNY Canton SBDC at (315) 386-7312.