Kenna will be among those honored at SUNY Canton's 98th Commencement Ceremony held 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 20, in Alumni Gymnasium at Dana Athletic Center.

"Bruce is a true asset to the college and to the community," noted Coordinator of Tutoring and Accommodative Services Veigh Mehan Lee. "He is devoted to helping people understand themselves and bring forth their best."

Kenna has been a part of SUNY Canton since 1984. Criminal Justice Professor Emeritus David V. Guccione remembers his arrival and said he had found a kindred spirit in Kenna. "Bruce requires students to stretch their mental muscles," Guccione said. "He also makes himself easily accessible outside of the classroom for academic and personal counseling. Many students have told me that he has helped them cope with problems in their lives with his sage advice."

Numerous other faculty members have recognized Kenna's dedication and selfless giving of personal time devoted to students. "I have spoken with students in his classes," said Assistant Professor of Biology Cheryl E. Francis. "Bruce makes his classes interesting by bringing his personality and his remarkable sense of humor into the classroom."

Kenna provided research during the creation of Early Childhood Education Program, according to Kenna's colleague and past Distinguished Professor of Psychology John T. Nixon. "His contributions in establishing the Early Childhood program have been fantastic," Nixon said.

Kenna is also active within the community, providing his knowledge of psychology and human development to local human services agencies. He has been a board member for Renewal House, a local domestic violence advocacy organization. He has further distinguished himself and the college by working with the St. Lawrence County Community Development Program Inc., Head Start.

Kenna graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in 1974 from SUNY Potsdam and a Master of Science in Psychology in 1977 from Rennsselear Polytechnic Institute. He received an additional Master of Education in 2005 from St. Lawrence University.

"The accomplishment I am most proud of is my daughter, Ashley, who is completing her Master's degree at St. Lawrence University this spring," Kenna said.

Kenna credits his mother, Sophie Kenna, and his aunt, Rita Leszczynski, both of Amsterdam, for their inspiration and guidance.

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 25 associate degree programs, SUNY Canton currently offers 10 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. The College has recently embarked upon articulation+ agreements with Lomonosov Moscow State University and Osaka College of Foreign Languages and International Business in Japan, allowing international scholars the ability to obtain a SUNY Canton degree locally or abroad.

May 17, 2006

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

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