SUNY Canton Nursing Student Receives Statewide EOP Award

An elite-level work ethic has led a SUNY Canton student to receive statewide recognition.

Madison Parker of Lisbon recently received the Norman R. McConney, Jr. Award for Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) Student Excellence during a statewide ceremony held March 9 in Albany. Parker is graduating from the Nursing program in May 2026 and plans to continue in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing with a minor in Applied Psychology.

“Over nearly 60 years, SUNY’s EOP has supported tens of thousands of students and empowered them to achieve their full potential,” SUNY Chancellor John B. King said. “I am honored to recognize this year's recipients of the Norman R. McConney Jr. Award for Student Excellence. Our McConney award winners’ hard work as they move forward on their path to academic excellence and upward mobility makes them an inspiration for all of our students, faculty, staff, and administrators.”

Parker said an extended hospital stay during childhood influenced her decision to pursue nursing.

“I remember spending a Thanksgiving in a pediatric care unit,” Parker said. “The nurses there did everything they could to make me and my family comfortable. They tried everything and surrounded us with kindness.”

She said she seeks to provide the same level of care during her clinical rotations, when she interacts with patients in Malone, Syracuse, Potsdam, and Ogdensburg.

Her deep commitment to learning and growth is well known within Canton’s EOP office. Program Director Matthew McCluskey noted that Parker had earned the respect of the counselors and professional staff.

“I have seen firsthand how hard she works, how committed she is to her future profession as a nurse, and how compassionate she is in all of her interactions,” McCluskey said. “The McConney Award seeks to recognize students with deep resilience, grit, and commitment. Nominating Madison was an easy choice.”

Parker has earned either President’s or Dean’s List academic honors throughout her time in the academically intensive Nursing program. She has also worked with her peers in the EOP program as a tutor for several nursing classes. Outside of college, she’s a certified nurse aide in Canton-Potsdam Hospital’s medical-surgical unit. Previously, she worked as a direct support professional with United Helpers in Rensselaer Falls and as a manager at Maple Ridge Kennels.