SUNY Canton Welcomes New Hall of Fame Members

SUNY Canton welcomed five new members and one North Country business into its college-wide Hall of Fame.

Inductees were presented their awards at the recent SUNY Canton Alumni and Friends Awards Ceremony, held by the college’s Advancement Office, with representatives from the Canton College Foundation, Inc. and the SUNY Canton Alumni Association.

“We have been exceptionally fortunate to have so many people who have given so much and dramatically influenced our path as a college,” said Vice President for Advancement Tracey L. Thompson at the celebration. “Our honorees have made a difference to us and to what SUNY Canton has become.”

Among the newest Hall of Fame Members were:

• Paul J. and Debra M. Backus, Ph.D., have demonstrated lifelong dedication to SUNY Canton and their community, emphasizing the importance of supporting students. Paul, a 1975 graduate of the Automotive Technology program, has been an adjunct instructor and Automotive Advisory Board member for more than 25 years, donating vehicles to the program from Mort Backus & Sons. Debra is an emeritus Nursing Professor who played a pivotal role in achieving national accreditation for college programs and developed the 3+1 Nursing program. She also served as Vice President for Academics for Canton’s chapter of United University Professions. Debra also taught Kaplan exam prep courses nationwide. She served as a peer reviewer for the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing. Both have served extensively on local boards.
• Ronald J. Blanchard, class of 1968, of Camden and currenting residing in Coconut Grove, Fla. Blanchard was the first in his family to attend college and enrolled in the Hotel Technology program. During his studies, he honed his leadership skills, serving as President of the Zeta Alpha Phi fraternity and Vice President of the Student Association. After graduation, he worked with prominent companies, including Howard Johnson, Ground Round, Marriott, Windows on the World, and Interstate Hotels and Resorts. A staunch advocate for higher education, he established the Ronald J. Blanchard ’68 Student Leadership Endowed Scholarship to support first-generation college students who demonstrate leadership on campus.
• Professor Emeritus Bruce E. Dartt, a Bainbridge native who resides in Canton, joined the college in 1964 as an Instructor in the Department of Public Works and was promoted to Assistant Professor in 1965. A Clarkson University alumnus with both a Bachelor's and Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering, Dartt founded and led the successful Engineering Science A.A.S. until his retirement in 2000. This program, a cornerstone of the Canino School of Engineering Technology, educated and mentored many alumni who have become industry leaders. Numerous graduates credit Dartt for their success at the college. In recognition of his contributions, a classroom in Nevaldine Hall was named in Dartt’s honor following a donation by fellow Hall of Fame member Edward W. Bedell, class of 1969.
• John Sarnicola, class of 1963, hails from Scipio and studied Mechanical Engineering Technology at the college. As the first in his family to attend college, he went on to earn his Bachelor's, Master's, and Ph.D. After working in the industry in Binghamton, he was hired by Binghamton University to establish its Engineering Technology program. Later, he founded Sarnicola Simulation Systems, which designed motion platforms for major companies like Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Chrysler, and General Motors. Upon retirement, Sarnicola donated significant equipment to SUNY Canton, aiding the Mechatronics program and upgrading the Mechanical Engineering Technology program, leaving a lasting impact on the college and its future students.
• Grace E. Vesper, class of 1988, has dedicated much of her life to SUNY Canton and her community. As a non-traditional student, she graduated and began a career in the clerical field, eventually working for the Village of Canton for 20 years in various roles. Her community involvement includes active participation in the United Church of Madrid and the Norfolk United Methodist Church, as well as significant contributions to the Canton-Potsdam Hospital Guild. Vesper has been a devoted volunteer and donor to the college since she graduated. She joined the Alumni Association Board in 1994 and the Canton College Foundation Board in 2014. Her consistent support includes establishing and endowing a scholarship for business students. Vesper was also selected as the recipient of the Alumni Association’s Distinguished Alumni Award.
• St. Lawrence Federal Credit Union, founded in 1954 for St. Lawrence State Hospital employees, has expanded to serve the entire north country with six branches and over 60 employees. For 22 years, the credit union has been a strong corporate advocate for SUNY Canton, led by alumni Todd R. Mashaw, class of 1988, and Amber Taylor, class of 2016. Their continuous support includes contributions to golf tournaments, the athletics booster, the student emergency fund, the esports program, and scholarship initiatives. In 2015, they made a significant gift to establish the SUNY Canton Financial Literacy Center, which offered personal finance education and free tax preparation through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program. In 2018, they established an annual scholarship for St. Lawrence County students.

Awardees were recognized from the 13th and 14th Hall of Fame classes. Each member was selected for this distinguished honor during 2023 or 2024.