Canton's Dan Fay Wins SUNY Chancellor's Top Faculty Award

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SUNY Canton Accounting Professor and 2011 Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Faculty Service recipient Daniel G. Fay at the College's recent Honors Convocation celebration.

CANTON, NY (05/16/2011)(readMedia)-- A faculty member with more than four decades of service to SUNY Canton and numerous ties to the Town and Village of Canton will receive one of the highest recognitions possible from the State University of New York.

Accounting Professor Daniel G. Fay will be recognized as a recipient of Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher's Award for Excellence in Faculty Service at SUNY Canton's 103rd Commencement Ceremony to be held 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 21, in the College's brand-new athletic center, nicknamed Roos House.

"Professor Fay has an indelible love for accounting and business education," SUNY Canton President Joseph L. Kennedy said. "Within the SUNY Canton Community, he's embraced and helped shape our College as it stands today, and his commitment will be recognized for years to come. I'm proud SUNY has chosen to bestow this award for his unwavering support and service to our College."

As a faculty member, Fay has influenced generations of students who have become among the most prominent alumni at the College. He is well known and highly regarded as an outstanding educator and community leader. According to letters of support from faculty members and students, he strives to provide every opportunity to increase scholarship, diversity and positive relationships. His unwavering dedication has been described as "amazing" and "unsurpassed."

"Professor Fay offers a high level of excellence in his professional knowledge and in the high standards he maintains in his teaching," said Assistant Professor of Finance Umesh Kumar, Fay's professional colleague. "He is simply an outstanding individual. I especially appreciate his ability to be a caring, proactive and effective educator."

Fay has been an active board member of the SUNY Canton College Foundation for more than 20 years. He has helped create student scholarships through the Eileen and George Fay Endowment and the Linda Fay Endowment. Additionally, he's helped create the SUNY Canton Investment Club, which analyzes and recommends investments for the College Foundation.

"We can learn a lot from Dan beyond his keen business sense and accounting abilities," said Julie A. Parkman, Associate Director for Advancement. "He teaches his students and peers alike that they can accomplish anything by working hard, being confident and courteous, while remembering to help others."

Fay is a Town of Canton Councilman, an area business owner, and an active member of the Knights of Columbus. He's served as a St. Lawrence County Legislator and a member of the Canton Highway, Audit, and Recreation Committees.

Sports have played a large role in his life. Included in Fay's athletic accomplishments are his intercollegiate wrestling career and his participation on the U.S. Bobsled team during the 1971 Winter Games. He has coached lacrosse for second-grade students and was an assistant varsity lacrosse coach at Canton's Hugh C. Williams High School for numerous years. His excellent record has led him to be inducted into Clarkson University's Hall of Fame and Massena Central High School's Hall of Fame. He was also inducted into the Hugh C. Williams High School Hall of Fame as an outstanding supporter of local athletics.

After the recent retirement of Biology Professor Michael M. Peebles, Fay became the senior-most faculty member at the College. Peebles passed on his duties to Fay at SUNY Canton's Honors Convocation, which included carrying the College's ceremonial mace at formal events. Fay will lead the procession of faculty for the first time at this year's Commencement - the very same day he will receive public recognition for this prestigious award.

Dan is married to SUNY Canton Distinguished Professor Emeritus Linda L. Fay, who was recognized last year when the College chose to name Honors Convocation in her honor. They have three children, Mrs. Steven (Kelley) Glasgow, Edward, and John, and two grandchildren, Garret and Paige.

He is also closely associated with Anywar Ricky Richard, a former childhood soldier and the founder of Friends of Orphans, an organization that supports former child soldiers in Uganda, Africa. The Fays brought Richard to SUNY Canton as a guest speaker. His speech is widely remembered as one of the most poignant and informative lectures at the College.

SUNY Canton offers a wide variety of career-driven bachelor's, associate, and certificate programs. Most of SUNY Canton's new four-year programs are designed so students can take them on-campus, online, or both. SUNY Canton OnLine features more than 150 courses online each semester. The College's athletic teams belong to the NAIA's Sunrise Conference, enabling students to compete in their respective sports for four years. Construction of the College's new Convocation, Athletic, and Recreation Center nicknamed Roos House is nearing completion, while the new apartment-style residence hall, featuring single-occupancy rooms, is under construction and will open in August 2011.

-www.canton.edu-