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Bagley Family Adds $150,000

to SUNY Canton Scholarship

The family of SUNY Canton alumnus Leon E. Bagley, class of 1948, has added an additional $150,000 to the Leon and Rachael Bagley Endowed Scholarship.

The Bagleys originally established a $220,000 scholarship in 2002 through a donation and matching funds from General Electric (GE). The Bagley family's most recent donation of $75,000 was also matched by GE.

"SUNY Canton is truly a family affair for the Bagleys," said Director of Alumni Affairs Peggy S. Levato. "With three generations of successful graduates and a history of wonderful generosity to the college, they are a perfect example of the lifelong relationships that can form between alumni and their alma mater."

While growing up on a farm in the North Country, Mr. Bagley wrote a paper in high school about one day going to college and getting a $10,000-a-year job. His teacher told him both were impossible.

He and his family were tenant farmers and never owned their own home. As a youngster he fantasized about a job using his mind instead of his hands and one day owning his own house.

Following high school, Mr. Bagley enlisted in the U.S. Navy 40th Construction Battalion during World War II and spent a tour of duty in the South Pacific. Upon returning home, he enrolled at Canton ATI under the GI Bill and graduated with an engineering technology degree.

He proved his high school teacher wrong when he began work for GE as a facilities engineer. He also fell in love and married Rachael McFerran from Edwards.

Mr. Bagley lived in Pennsylvania and Mississippi, but he always returned to the North Country for August fishing on the Grasse River and October deer hunting in Edwards. He retired from GE in 1982 after 35 years.

He was instrumental in creating his sister-in-law Alice Bagley's scholarship in 1997. At the time, it was the largest in the history of the college.

Mr. Bagley passed away in May at the age of 84. He is survived by his wife, five children and five grandchildren. The Bagley Scholarship provides funds for graduates of Edwards-Knox and Madrid-Waddington High Schools.

Mr. Bagley wasn't the only member of his family to receive his education at SUNY Canton. His son Timothy graduated in 1985 and his grandson Alexander graduated in 2005.

Despite being told he would not, Mr. Bagley lived out his dreams of a successful career, owning his own home, and raising a loving family. Through his generosity and that of his family, he now enables others to attend SUNY Canton and pursue their dreams.

SUNY Canton is celebrating its 100-year anniversary this year and is in the midst of its highly successful SUNY Canton Centennial Campaign: Cultivating the Minds of Tomorrow. In addition to 22 associate degree programs, SUNY Canton currently offers 12 four-year degrees with plans to announce several other new programs during the next academic year. SUNY Canton also offers three unique master's degrees in conjunction with SUNYIT, Utica.

October 26, 2006

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

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