SUNY Canton Names Outstanding Associate and Baccalaureate Graduates for 2013

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Megan M. Mydosh from Warwick received the SUNY Canton Outstanding Associate Graduate Award.

CANTON, NY (05/02/2013)(readMedia)-- The 2013 SUNY Canton Outstanding Graduate Awards have been presented to two students for their academic achievements and contributions to the College.

They were presented with the awards at the Nancy R. Auster Honors Convocation held May 1 and will be among other honorees and award recipients recognized during the College's Commencement at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 18, at the Convocation, Athletic and Recreation Center, nicknamed Roos House.

Outstanding Associate Graduate Award

Megan M. Mydosh, a Business Administration major from Warwick, was the recipient of the annual Outstanding Associate Graduate Award, which recognizes students enrolled in two-year programs who have excelled in their academics and other areas of campus life.

Mydosh was named each semester to the President's List, the College's highest level of achievement that honors full-time students who earn a semester grade point average (GPA) of 3.75 or higher on a 4.0 scale. She is also a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and was captain of the women's cross-country team for two years.

In addition to being an outstanding student, her peers, professors and coaches describe her as a dedicated leader who excels at motivating others.

"Megan stands out as one of the most hardworking and motivated young women I have had the pleasure of knowing," said SUNY Canton's Women's Cross Country Head Coach Kathryn Kennedy. "She is a true leader who expects hard work and commitment from her teammates and models the same behavior on a regular basis."

Mydosh plans to continue her studies at SUNY Canton and earn a bachelor's degree in Management.

"I'm so thankful to have been chosen to receive the Outstanding Graduate Award," said Mydosh. "SUNY Canton gives everyone the opportunity to do their best, and I'm happy that I have been able to take advantage of all the resources the College offers to students."

Outstanding Baccalaureate Graduate Award

There are a select few students who can add overseas missionary work and business ownership to their college resume. Zachary J. Smith, an Industrial Technology major from Lisbon, designed, engineered, managed and led the construction of a $60,000 primary school and training facility in South Sudan.

"My adviser thought the project would fit well with my academic pursuits," Smith said. "So I dropped my scheduled Spring 2012 classes and worked in Central Africa."

Smith was selected as the College's Outstanding Baccalaureate Graduate, in partial acknowledgement of his outstanding missionary work. He was also the vice president of the Campus Ministries club and received a certificate of appreciation for his volunteer work from the Christian Fellowship Center in Madrid.

"Zach's phenomenal mind gave him the extraordinary power to love and serve more people than most normally would," said Yu Chin Cheng, an assistant professor and Smith's adviser. "He is intelligent, diligent and honest. He always has a smile on his face. It has been an honor to be his academic adviser."

He started college with the goal of graduating with a triple major. He has earned two associate degrees, one in Construction Technology Management and another in Business Administration. He will graduate with a bachelor's degree in Industrial Technology Management. Smith has accomplished this remarkable achievement while maintaining a 3.77 GPA.

After earning his Construction Technology Management degree, he started his own construction and contracting business. He attributes his ability to start Z&S Construction directly back to the skills he learned in the degree. "It has been my primary means of income since I started the business in 2011," he said.

SUNY Canton offers a variety of career-driven bachelor's degrees in addition to its associate and certificate programs. In the past year, the College added two new bachelor's degrees and expanded its facilities with a new athletic center, nicknamed Roos House, and the Grasse River Suites Residence Hall. The College's faculty members are noted for their professional real-world experience in addition to their academic credentials. SUNY Canton OnLine offers flexible and convenient online courses and programs. The College's 14 athletic teams compete as provisional members of the NCAA Division III as well as the USCAA.

-www.canton.edu-