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SUNY Canton College Council Selects Distinguished Citizen Award Recipients

by Lorette Murray

Canton, NY (06/11/2025) — The SUNY Canton College Council has announced two 2025 Distinguished Citizen Award recipients who have made an impact on the college and the community.

The late Distinguished Professor Emerita of Nursing Linda L. Fay and Judith A. Chase were recognized at a college-wide ceremony in May.

Since 1976, the council has given this prestigious award in recognition of distinguished service.

Linda L. Fay

Honored posthumously, Fay was a nursing faculty member and began her career at SUNY Canton in 1972. Among her many contributions was assisting with the development of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. She said one of her greatest joys was watching the college's nursing alumni provide outstanding patient care, including at Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center, where she was a board member.

She was inducted into the College Hall of Fame, became a Canton College Foundation donor, sponsored several scholarships, and was the 2010 SUNY Canton Honors Convocation namesake. It was because of her efforts that the school's nursing laboratory was named in honor of the program's founder, Virginia M. McAllister.

Her accolades include a SUNY Canton College Council Distinguished Faculty Award and a SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Teaching. The Linda Lahey Fay Nursing Award was established in her honor by her colleagues, students and family.

"She was generous of her time, energy and resources, and along with her husband, Professor Emeritus Daniel Fay, was incredibly philanthropic to SUNY Canton and the community," said College Council Chair Ronald M. O'Neill. "She has left an enduring legacy."

Daniel Fay and their daughter, Kelley F. Glasgow, accepted the award. Daniel retired from the college after 50 years of service. Glasgow is the recipient of the 2015 SUNY Canton College Council Distinguished Citizen Award.

Judith A. Chase

The council selected Chase for her efforts to make living in the North Country better through her charitable endeavors.

Her most impactful work was as president of Canton-Potsdam Hospital's E.J. Noble Guild, during which time she led fundraising campaigns to purchase medical equipment that improved patient care.

Chase and the Guild have also supported SUNY Canton by establishing multiple scholarships to assist nursing students from St. Lawrence County. In total, the Guild gave more than $50,000 to SUNY Canton during her tenure as president. She attended many of the Canton College Foundation's scholarship luncheons to meet and talk with students and lend a word of encouragement.

Chase is currently a member of the Canton-Potsdam Hospital's executive committee board, strategic planning committee board, and, most notably, the board of directors, where she has served for 22 years.

Her volunteerism extends beyond the healthcare realm to roles on the Head Start advisory board, participation with the Grasse River Heritage Foundation, and involvement with the Canton Community Center Interest Group, which seeks to create the town's first community center. She also played a pivotal role in enhancing local recreational spaces by raising funds to improve the Remington Trail.

"She continually seeks to improve her surroundings through service and embodies the spirit of this award," O'Neill said. "On behalf of the entire College Council, I'd like to express our gratitude for her contributions."

Media Attachments

SUNY Canton Distinguished Professor Emerita of Nursing Linda L. Fay, pictured in 2014, was honored posthumously with The SUNY Canton College Council's 2025 Distinguished Citizen Award.

Judith A. Chase was also selected by the SUNY Canton Canton College Council to receive the 2025 Distinguished Citizen Award. Also pictured are College Council Chair Ronald M. O’Neill, right, and SUNY Canton President Zvi Szafran.

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