SUNY Canton Fall Semester Opens with Opportunity, Possibilities and Enthusiasm

Students embark on new learning experiences and begin to engage with the vibrant campus community.

A buzz of activity and the shared sense of beginning a new chapter made for a memorable first week at SUNY Canton.

New students began moving onto campus and arrived on Monday with the assistance of their families, friends and campus volunteers. They shared a fresh sense of possibility and enthusiasm.

On Tuesday, SUNY Canton President Zvi Szafran spoke with the college’s faculty and staff during the annual state-of-the-campus address. Szafran noted that the summer flew by in the blink of an eye and expressed his excitement for the upcoming semester.

“We look forward to some great things that will be happening during the fall semester,” he said. “We are joining the SUNYAC, which presents tremendous new opportunities for our student-athletes and reflects the overall growth of our athletic program. We have further expanded opportunities for paid student internships, and we are continuing to increase our workforce development opportunities.”

Szafran said the college has 15 active partnerships with school districts in St. Lawrence County, providing dual-enrollment courses for college credit with a projected enrollment of more than 1,000 students in 2024-2025. It also offers 15 new credit-bearing microcredentials.

“We are continuing our work with the village and town to develop a downtown entrepreneurship center and are working to obtain the remaining necessary funding for an on-campus childcare facility that will serve the entire community,” Szafran added.

The excitement of moving onto campus hit a high level as returning students made their way back to the residence halls on Wednesday. Students, faculty and staff members interacted during a campus-wide luncheon at Chaney Dining Center, where the College Association offered some of its signature dishes for free.

Thursday marked the first day of classes for the fall 2024 semester. Both on-campus and online classes were filled with students meeting their professors, studying their syllabi and preparing for their studies. Some classes began with hands-on labs and other activities designed around real-world objectives.

"The first day of classes at SUNY Canton is always filled with a unique blend of excitement and promise," said SUNY Canton Provost Peggy A. De Cooke. "It's inspiring to see our students return to campus, ready to engage in new challenges and opportunities. Our faculty are eager to share their expertise and passion, setting the stage for another transformative academic year."

The college is welcoming seven new faculty members in several of the college’s essential programs, including Electrical Engineering Technology, Computer Information Services, Applied Psychology, Nursing, Business, and HVAC Trades. Athletics is hiring four new coaches for the women’s volleyball, women’s soccer, baseball and softball teams.

Several vital projects reached completion over the summer months. French Hall has reopened following a multi-year renovation. Offices, including Administrative Affairs, Admissions, Alumni and Foundation, Business, and Human Resources, have all resumed occupancy in the building. The Small Business Development Center will be moving back to its location in the future and is currently operating out of Payson Hall.

The project included the addition of three wind turbines and geothermal heat pumps located in an adjacent parking lot to help offset energy usage and meet the State’s energy guidelines.

The green space between French Hall and the Roselle Academic Plaza has been completely transformed with new lighted pathways and an outdoor amphitheater, which will be used for outdoor classes, musical concerts, and gatherings. Chaney Dining Center gained a new covered entranceway that includes outdoor dining areas. The addition provided a facelift for the historic structure.

Construction is ongoing on two new covered walkways connecting the residence halls to the academic areas of campus. The new enclosed concrete stairways will replace steep sloping asphalt paths in front of Heritage and Rushton Halls and are designed to expand year-round pedestrian access.

"We're thrilled to see the campus evolve with these new additions," said SUNY Canton Vice President for Administration Shawn K. Miller. "From the renovated French Hall to the sustainable energy initiatives and the enhanced outdoor spaces, each project reflects our commitment to providing a state-of-the-art campus. These upgrades not only enhance the student experience but also align with our goals for sustainability and accessibility across campus."