SUNY Canton Mourns the Passing of Linda L. Fay
SUNY Canton has received notification that Linda L. Fay has passed away. Mrs. Fay was a Distinguished Professor Emerita of Nursing, a member of the College-wide Hall of Fame, a Canton College Foundation donor, a sponsor of multiple endowed scholarships, and the namesake of the 2010 Honors Convocation, among numerous other official and unofficial decorations.
“We’ve lost a true friend,” said SUNY Canton President Zvi Szafran. “In a place where many former faculty members provide influence, wisdom, insight, and support, Linda stands as one of the greatest benefactors in our College’s recent history.”
Mrs. Fay began her career at SUNY Canton in 1972. She helped develop the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program and served on numerous committees. She said one of her greatest joys was watching the College’s nursing alumni provide outstanding care to patients at area hospitals, including Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center, where she served as a board member.
“Our hearts go out to Linda’s husband, Daniel Fay, and all their family members,” said Vice President for Advancement Tracey Thompson Hastings. “Together, Danny and Linda were incredibly philanthropic, giving to many initiatives aimed at ensuring student success and supporting the needs of SUNY Canton as well as the greater Canton community. They are the exemplification of ‘commitment’ and serve as an inspiration to us all.”
Mrs. Fay received the SUNY Canton College Council’s Distinguished Faculty Award in 1995 and SUNY’s Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching in 1996. The Linda Lahey Fay Nursing Award was established in 2003 by her colleagues, students, and family to recognize her outstanding service by giving of herself tirelessly and promoting the nursing program to the highest level of excellence. Not only was she an outstanding teacher, but she also served as a role model for faculty and staff during her career and throughout retirement.
Honorary Canton College Foundation board member and area entrepreneur Sylvia M. Kingston ’78 said in a 2013 interview, “The Fays care very deeply about SUNY Canton and the North Country. They truly treat everyone, including myself, like family. We are incredibly lucky to have Dan and Linda in our community.”
Most recently, Mrs. Fay helped spearhead the initiative to rename the College’s Nursing Laboratory in honor of the program’s founder, Virginia M. McAllister. This project had been started a number of years ago, but Linda and a group of her colleagues brought it to the forefront a little over a year ago, and it is now nearing completion. The Canton College Foundation is planning an official naming ceremony to be held on Nov. 13.
Discover SUNY Canton, where innovation meets opportunity. The college’s career-focused educational programs emphasize hands-on and applied learning opportunities in digital design, engineering technology, health, information technology, management, public service, and veterinary technology. Faculty members bring real-world experience and exceptional academic expertise to the classroom. As a leader in online education, SUNY Canton offers unmatched flexibility with hundreds of courses and 22 comprehensive degree programs offered completely online. The SUNY Canton Kangaroos compete at the NCAA Division III level and are members of the SUNYAC. In addition to its 15 traditional teams, SUNY Canton offers coed varsity esports and cheerleading.