SUNY Canton President Honors Meritorious Award Recipients

Three SUNY Canton employees were recognized by President Zvi Szafran for their professional achievements at a college-wide awards event in May.

Szafran selected Nicodeme F. Auguste, Kenneth M. Erickson, DVM, and Maria “Tess” Murphy to receive the 2025 President’s Meritorious Service Award, one of the college’s highest honors.

Nicodeme Auguste

Auguste is an alumnus who worked as a student resident assistant and was subsequently hired as a residence hall director upon graduating in 2016. He progressed to associate director of residence life and took on additional duties related to the Educational Opportunity and Jumpstart programs.

His colleagues and supervisor praised his dedication to providing outstanding student support and his ability to create an atmosphere of warmth and camaraderie among his residents and peers.

Auguste’s commitment was most clearly demonstrated during the pandemic, when he showed exceptional care in ensuring students had the best possible environment to live and learn.

In recent years, he has overseen the college’s Title IX efforts in addition to his residence life duties, which required him to train colleagues, investigate reports and consult with legal representatives.

His ability to balance multiple responsibilities while fostering a collaborative, positive environment has been an asset to the college.

Kenneth Erickson, DVM

Erickson joined the college in 1997 as a faculty member and has since served in a multitude of academic roles: tenured professor, advisor, curriculum coordinator, interim dean, dean and interim provost.

His college service record is also extensive, serving as faculty presiding officer, faculty affairs committee chair, mission review team chair, and faculty representative to the college council and president’s council.

A veterinarian, Erickson taught biology and chaired the science department before being promoted to dean of the School of Science, Health and Criminal Justice (SHCJ), a position he held for 11 years. Under his leadership, the school added numerous academic degrees, including Crime Analysis, Forensic Criminology, Homeland Security and Sports Management. The college also launched the Center for Criminal Justice, Intelligence and Cybersecurity, housed within SHCJ, during his tenure. Erickson was instrumental in the creation and accreditation of the four-year Funeral Services Administration degree, which replaced the former two-year Mortuary Science program.

His outstanding performance as an educator earned him the SUNY Canton College Council’s 2004 Distinguished Faculty Award. He earned his bachelor of science in zoology from Eastern Illinois University, his master of arts in biology from SUNY Geneseo, and his doctor of veterinary medicine from the University of Illinois.

Tess Murphy

Murphy has worked for the college for 22 years, and her contributions to the information services department have been significant.

As an administrative information systems manager, she works to ensure the campus’ technological resources are updated, functional and efficient. She has led large-scale software migrations, implementations and upgrades that are essential to day-to-day college operations.

Her deep knowledge of programming and attention to detail have earned her the respect of colleagues internally and externally. She was selected to receive the statewide Student Information and Campus Administrative Systems (SICAS) Bette Frisino Award, which recognizes innovation.

Nominators noted her collaborative approach to projects, listening to stakeholders and ensuring all users’ needs are met. Her willingness to educate junior employees and peers have improved processes and kept SUNY Canton business running smoothly for more than two decades.