Class of 2022
Inducted October 15, 2022
Alson Caswell '61
Alson’s roots in farming and general agriculture began as a child, as he grew up on a farm in Canton, where he also attended high school. He earned an associate degree in General Agriculture from what was then known as Canton ATI in 1961.
While Alson continued his career as a farmer, his expertise expanded in various farming-related capacities throughout the years. He was a New York State Safety Officer and Health Inspector for the Department of Labor, a Farm Manager of the SUNY Canton College Farm, a Milk Inspector for Northern Bulk, and served farmers and farm workers in the unemployment office.
Alson’s connection to SUNY Canton continued through his wife, Mary Ann, who taught at SUNY Canton for many years. He honored Mary Ann’s commitment to nursing students and the nursing profession by providing a large gift to the College to secure naming rights for the Dr. Mary Ann Caswell Nursing Simulation Hospital in 2020.
Mary Ann Caswell
During her 45-year career, Mary Ann worked at Claxton Hepburn Medical Center, primarily in the Intensive Care Unit, and later as a professor at SUNY Canton until she retired.
At SUNY Canton, Mary Ann was the clinical instructor students desired for their hospital clinical rotations. She was "the hardest clinical instructor" with the "highest of expectations" and "provision of critical thinking skills" all of which influenced the quality of care that students provided to patients under her tutelage.
In November 2003, Mary Ann began researching and seeking funding for the Laerdal SIM Hospital for the Registered Nursing Program. Mary Ann and her husband Alson traveled to Texas to work with Laerdal Medical and in fall 2016, the SIM Hospital opened.
In November 2018, Mary Ann sadly passed away. Alson and the rest of her family established the Dr. Mary Ann Caswell Nursing Simulation Hospital in 2020.
JoAnne M. Fassinger
JoAnne, a Syracuse native, graduated from SUNY Morrisville in 1972 with an AAS degree in Medical Laboratory Technology. While residing in Tucson, AZ she attended the University of Arizona and graduated in 1982 with a BS degree in Business Administration.
While at SUNY Canton, she was the Grants Coordinator. JoAnne worked closely with faculty and staff to procure funding in various areas, sat on a number of committees and was the Advisor for the SUNY Canton student chapter of Habitat for Humanity. She was also engaged in the Canton community as President of the Canton Free Library, Board member and officer of Raquette Valley Habitat for Humanity and a communicant/Trustee at St. Mary’s.
Since retirement, JoAnne has volunteered with the National Park and US Fish and Wildlife Services in California, New Mexico, and North Carolina. She currently resides in Canandaigua, NY and continues her volunteer activities.
William J. Fassinger
Dr. Fassinger, a Syracuse native, is a 20 plus year veteran of the United States Army Military Police Corps and culminated his career as a First Sergeant when stationed at the 10th Mountain Division (LI) assigned to the 511th Military Police Company. He has performed varied Military Police duties in Germany, Colorado Springs, Colorado, Honolulu, Hawaii, and Fort Drum, New York. His deployments include Somalia [Operation Restore Hope, 1993], Panama [Operation Promote Liberty,1994], and Haiti [Operation Uphold Democracy, 1994].
While at the SUNY Canton, he instructed in the Criminal Justice and Criminal Investigation degree programs. Dr. Fassinger performed numerous duties and was also an instructor at the David L. Sullivan Police Academy. He was the primary advisor for the Criminal Justice Student Association, the Student Veterans Association and assisted with the student chapter of Habitat for Humanity.
Donald F. Garrett '72
Don, a Carthage native and Civil Engineering Technology alumnus, graduated with an Associate of Applied Sciences degree in 1972. In 1977, he relocated to Naples, Fla., and in 1981, went on to launch D. Garrett Construction, Inc., The company specializes in all aspects of construction for private golf and country clubs.
Don and his wife Jamie made a substantial pledge to the Canton College Foundation which will help future generations of students in the Canino School of Engineering Technology. In 2021 as a result of a charitable gift, the space commonly referred to as the "concrete lab" was renamed the Don ’72 and Jamie Garrett Civil Engineering Technology Laboratory.
In addition, Don’s construction company pledged an additional sum, to support the college’s student steel bridge team.