SUNY Canton Graduates to Reunite for Alumni Weekend

CANTON, NY (05/29/2015)(readMedia)-- SUNY Canton will welcome back graduates to reconnect with classmates, celebrate the contributions of two past presidents and honor those who have made a lasting impact on the college during Alumni Weekend June 5-7.

The event kicks off at 10 a.m. Friday, June 5, with a dedication ceremony to rename the Faculty Office Building in honor Earl W. MacArthur, Ph.D., who served as president from 1972 to 1992. His many accomplishments include creating the Canton College Foundation and the Office of Sponsored Research.

"Dr. MacArthur achieved record-setting enrollment during his tenure and ensured a bright future for SUNY Canton," said Vice President for Advancement and Canton College Foundation Executive Director David M. Gerlach. "It's fitting that we recognize his achievements by naming one of the most prominent buildings on our campus after him."

At 3 p.m. Friday the college will host a second ceremony to rename the Grasse River Suites in honor of Joseph L. Kennedy, Ph.D., who was president from 1993 to 2012. He oversaw the construction of several new buildings on campus during his presidency, including Grasse River Suites, which was completed in 2011.

"Dr. Kennedy completely transformed the college's landscape and moved SUNY Canton from a two-year to a four-year baccalaureate-granting institution," Gerlach added. "His innovative leadership will have a lasting impact on our students, their families and our community."

Five individuals who have made significant contributions to the college will be inducted into SUNY Canton's Hall of Fame at 5 p.m. Friday in the Richard W. Miller Campus Center's Woodcock Conference Suites. The 2015 inductees are:

• Sylvia M. Kingston, class of 1978, is the proprietor of both Josie's Little Pizzeria and Sylvia's Lounge and Eatery in Canton. She established The Lloyd J. and Josephine F. Kingston Scholarship as a tribute to her parents in 1997, and has been a member of the Canton College Foundation Board of Directors since 2000.
• Marti King MacArthur, class of 1974 and 1978, served as committee chair for the SUNY Canton Centennial Gala Auction fundraiser in 2006 and raised $40,000 for an unrestricted endowment. Marti was also a member of the SUNY Canton Alumni Board from 2003 until 2014 and has been a member of the Canton College Foundation Board since 2009.
• Michael M. Peebles, class of 1964, retired from SUNY Canton in 2010 after serving as a faculty member in the Science Department for 42 years. In 1997 he received the Distinguished Faculty Award, SUNY Canton's highest honor for teaching professionals. His contributions to the community include serving as a sanitarian for the New York State Association of Milk and Food, as well as a member of the Canton Club and the Canton Pee Wee Association.
• New York State Senator Patty A. Ritchie was elected to the State Senate in 2010 and serves as chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee. In 2015 she was named deputy majority leader for Senate and Assembly Relations, a position that strengthens her ability to represent her Central and Northern New York constituents, as well as lead on issues that are important to all New Yorkers. Patty is a strong advocate for SUNY Canton and has assisted the college with a number of achievements during the past several years.
• Glenn C. Werlau, class of 1957, is the founder and president of Werlatone Inc. A longtime supporter of the college, he has shared his knowledge of the radio frequency component industry with SUNY Canton students and has funded several electrical engineering field trips for those majoring in Electrical Engineering Technology.

Among the events open to the public during the weekend is AlumFest's "Bands, Brews & BBQs," which will be held from 3 to 9 p.m. Saturday at the Roos House Convocation, Athletic and Recreation Center. Tickets are $40 per person, and the event will feature live music; food, beer, craft and wine vendors; and fireworks.

For more information about the weekend's events, visit www.canton.edu/alumni or contact the Office of Alumni Affairs at (315) 386-7127 or (800) 811-6727.

About SUNY Canton

SUNY Canton is Northern New York's premier college for career-driven bachelor's degrees, associate degrees and certificate programs. The college delivers quality hands-on programs in engineering technology, health, management and public service. Faculty members are noted for their professional real-world experience in addition to outstanding academic credentials. SUNY Canton OnLine offers hundreds of flexible and convenient courses, as well as ten exclusively online bachelor's degrees. The college's 14 athletic teams compete as provisional members of the NCAA Division III and the USCAA.

-www.canton.edu-