SUNY Potsdam Names Susan L. Morrison an Honorary Alumna

Longtime Supporter Susan L. Morrison is Given Honorary Lifetime Membership in SUNY Potsdam Alumni Association

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Honorary alumna Susan L. Morrison speaks at the awards ceremony during SUNY Potsdam’s Bicentennial Reunion Weekend.

POTSDAM, NY (07/21/2016)(readMedia)-- The SUNY Potsdam Alumni Association recently honored Susan L. Morrison with Honorary Lifetime Membership during the College's Bicentennial Reunion Weekend.

Honorary Lifetime Membership is presented to non-alums who have made exceptional contributions to the SUNY Potsdam Alumni Association and/or the College. Morrison was recognized for her commitment to SUNY Potsdam, her generous support of students and her strong belief in the promise of a Potsdam education.

Along with her partner, Anna Ashwood Collins '67, Morris has had a tremendous impact upon SUNY Potsdam and its students. A loyal donor and supporter of Potsdam for more than 25 years, her affinity for the College has grown steadily. In 2009, Morrison and Collins re-engaged with the College in meaningful ways, attending regional alumni gatherings and taking visits from the College in New York City. Despite being a graduate of St. Lawrence University, Canton, Morrison's appreciation for SUNY Potsdam was evident, as was her mutual desire to explore how she and Collins could positively impact the College and student experiences.

In 2010, the couple established the Anna Ashwood Collins '67 and Susan L. Morrison Scholarship to provide a significant scholarship to students with financial need. Their gift has already had a meaningful impact upon its recipients. The delight derived from witnessing the impact of their generosity is what resonates most with Morrison, so much so that she and Collins make it a point to do their very best to return to Potsdam each year to attend the annual Scholarship Luncheon. Here, they have the opportunity to meet and visit with student recipients and their families.

Fortified by their experiences with their recipients and confident in the promise of their gift's impact, the couple notified the College of their intention to enhance their scholarship through a bequest. Once realized, this planned gift will fund eight significant student scholarships in perpetuity at the College. This generous gift, one of the largest in SUNY Potsdam's 200-year history, was also responsible for taking the College over its fundraising goal of $32 million for Take the Lead: The Campaign for Potsdam.

To learn more about the successful Take the Lead Campaign, visit www.potsdam.edu/campaign.

For more information about the SUNY Potsdam Alumni Association, visit www.potsdam.edu/alumni.

Founded in 1816, The State University of New York at Potsdam is one of America's first 50 colleges -- and the oldest institution within SUNY. As the College marks its bicentennial in 2016, SUNY Potsdam will celebrate a 200-year legacy of pioneering programs and educational excellence. The College currently enrolls approximately 4,100 undergraduate and graduate students. Home to the world-renowned Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam is known for its challenging liberal arts and sciences core, distinction in teacher training and leadership in the arts. Empowered by a culture of creativity, the campus community is nearing the completion of Take the Lead: The Campaign for Potsdam, which has raised $33.5 million for scholarships and programs.

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