SUNY Canton Commencement Celebrates More Than 800 Students on Saturday

Canton, NY (05/10/2023) — SUNY Canton's 115th Commencement Ceremony will begin at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 13, in Roos House Convocation, Athletic and Recreation Center.

"At this year's graduation, we will confer more than 835 degrees," said SUNY Canton President Zvi Szafran. "Twenty-five of our students are graduating with two degrees, and two will be graduating with three degrees. In addition to graduates from St. Lawrence County, our 2023 class represents nine nations and 17 states. We are all exceptionally proud of our student's accomplishments and celebrate with their families and friends."

Student speakers will include the year's Outstanding Graduate Award Recipients. Muhammad Shabbir of Kingston will receive the Outstanding Baccalaureate Degree Award. Shabbir is graduating from the four-year Civil and Environmental Engineering Technology program. He is President of the college's American Society of Civil Engineers student chapter. Gracyn Emmerton of Oro-Medonte, Ontario, will receive the Outstanding Associate Degree award. Emmerton is graduating from the Physical Therapist Assistant program and is a forward on the Kangaroos women's ice hockey team.

SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor Maureen P. Maiocco, Ed.D., who teaches in the college's Early Childhood program, will also address the class.

"Whether faculty, staff, coach, tutor, parent, or student, we all share our knowledge, experiences, and gifts," Maiocco said. "Each exchange is an opportunity for a teachable moment and often profoundly affects an individual's personal and professional growth and learning."

The event will be live streamed for those who cannot attend. Details about the ceremony are updated on the college's commencement page.

Before commencement, about 80 graduates of the Nursing programs will be recognized at special pinning ceremonies. The one-year Licensed Practical Nursing ceremony will begin at 4 p.m. Thursday, May 11, the two-year Registered Nursing ceremony will follow at 5 p.m. the same day. Both events are in Roos House.

The week following, the college will recognize employees and other award recipients at the Faculty and Community Awards dinner. The invite-only event will be held at 5 p.m. Wednesday, May 17, in the Richard W. Miller Campus Center.

Recognition Day concludes the academic year. It begins at 11 a.m. Friday, May 19, in the Roos House. The event celebrates employees' milestone anniversaries, College Council awards, and the President's Meritorious Service awards.