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2024 Student Excellence Awards
It is my distinct honor to welcome our honorees and their family and friends to this page where we showcase the accomplishments of members of our campus community. The Student Excellence Awards began more than 10 years ago to showcase the amazing service, commitment, teamwork, persistence, grit, and campus involvement our students possess. Many of these students have overcome great obstacles in the path to earning their degree, and have shown tremendous perseverance and determination in continuing to pursue advanced learning. I am incredibly proud of each and every student featured below and their accomplishments. They wholeheartedly embody what’s best about SUNY Canton.
Among the students recognized here are trailblazers, philanthropists, leaders, and scholars of the highest order. These students have received glowing nominations from their peers, their faculty, and administrative staff who have recognized the excellent work they have done on our campus and in their communities.
I’d like to also thank the Student Excellence Awards Committee: a tireless group of individuals from across campus who reviewed, analyzed, and debated on hundreds of applications for these awards, and were able to come to a consensus on the honorees. I wouldn’t be able to honor all of these amazing students without your collaborative work.
I extend my most sincere congratulations to our award recipients on their tremendous achievements and look forward to all they accomplish as they complete their education at SUNY Canton and beyond.
Courtney Battista Bish
Vice President for Student Affairs & Dean of Students
SUNY Chancellors Award for Student Excellence
The Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence honors State University of New York students who have best demonstrated their integration of academic excellence with other aspects of their lives, which may include leadership, campus involvement, athletics, career achievement, community service or creative and performing arts. View previous recipients.
Sebastien Paquette
![Sebastien Paquette](https://www.canton.edu/media/specialty/sebastienpaquette.jpg)
Construction Technology: Management &
Civil & Environmental Engineering Technology
Samuel Dieubeni Diffo Tchuenkam
![Samuel Dieubeni Diffo Tchuenkam](https://www.canton.edu/media/specialty/samueldiffo.jpg)
Finance
Outstanding Graduate - Baccalaureate
Each year, SUNY Canton honors an outstanding graduate in a Baccalaureate degree program. Nominees for this award are judged on scholarship, personality, and contribution to the community. Students presented with this award have a GPA of 3.50 or higher, have been at SUNY Canton for at least one year, and are eligible to graduate with their baccalaureate degree. View previous recipients.
Cadin C. Taggart
Sports Management
Outstanding Graduate - Associate
Each year, SUNY Canton honors an outstanding graduate in an Associate degree program. Nominees for this award are judged on scholarship, personality, and contribution to the community. Students presented with this award have a GPA of 3.50 or higher, have been at SUNY Canton for at least one year, and are eligible to graduate with their associates degree. View previous recipients.
Tylan P. Emch
![Tylan P. Emch](https://www.canton.edu/media/specialty/tylanemch.jpg)
Veterinary Science Technology
Excellence In Student Life Award
The Excellence in Student Life Award is given out annually to individuals whose actions have positively and forever impacted and inspired Student Life at SUNY Canton through their campus involvement, commitment to excellence, mentorship, guidance, and leadership. Each year, at least one student and one campus employee is recognized by this prestigious honor. View previous recipients.
Paige Euson
![Paige Euson](https://www.canton.edu/media/specialty/paigeeuson.jpg)
Health & Fitness Promotion
Guyenna Jumelle
![Guyenna Jumelle](https://www.canton.edu/media/specialty/guyennajumelle.jpg)
Applied Psychology
Nichole Fullerton
![Nichole Fullerton](https://www.canton.edu/media/specialty/fullertonnichole.jpg)
Catering & Dining Specialist
Umesh Kumar
![Umesh Kumar](https://www.canton.edu/media/specialty/umeshkumar.jpg)
Professor - Tech Mgmt: Financial Services
David R. Maynard Award
Each year we present a student with the David R. Maynard Student Activities Award, an award given to a student who has contributed significantly to the campus community and student activities. David was a member of the class of 1986 who died in a motorcycle accident shortly after graduation. David was highly involved on campus in clubs, Greek Life, and intramurals, and was revered for his skill as a student leader. This award is given in his honor, and as a testament to his truly influential presence at SUNY Canton. The recipient of the award must demonstrate superior citizenship and outstanding leadership, as well generously devote their time to student activities. View previous recipients.
Alondra Jalyn E. Maranda
![Alondra Jalyn E. Maranda](https://www.canton.edu/media/specialty/jalynmaranda.jpg)
Criminal Investigation
Northstar Award
A student-given award to an employee of SUNY Canton who has gone above and beyond to assist students in reaching their full potential. All SUNY Canton employees (faculty, professional staff, administration, secretarial staff, maintenance, College Association staff, food service staff) who have been employed for at least one semester during the current academic year are eligible for nomination. View previous recipients.
Chelsea A. DeGroat
![Chelsea DeGroat](https://www.canton.edu/media/specialty/chelseadegroat.jpg)
Assistant Director of Student Engagement & Greek Affairs
Humanitarian Award
These awards are given in recognition of students with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50 who have demonstrated a documentable act of humanitarianism worthy of campus recognition. View previous recipients.
Denise Maslin
![Denise Maslin](https://www.canton.edu/media/specialty/denisemaslin.jpg)
Nursing
Leaders of Tomorrow Award
These students are leaders of a team, group, or organization; students who give their time and expertise to promote teamwork and accomplishment, while maintaining a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50. View previous recipients.
Hope Aniceto
![Hope Aniceto](https://www.canton.edu/media/specialty/hopeaniceto.jpg)
Sports Management
Taylor Cady
![Taylor Cady](https://www.canton.edu/media/specialty/taylorcady.jpg)
Veterinary Technology
Justine Louise Cora
![Justine Louise Cora](https://www.canton.edu/media/specialty/justinecora.jpg)
Homeland Security
Gracyn Emmerton
![Gracyn Emmerton](https://www.canton.edu/media/specialty/gracynemmerton.jpg)
Health & Fitness Promotion
Leo Golden
![Leo Golden](https://www.canton.edu/media/specialty/leogolden.jpg)
Civil & Env Engineering Tech
Mathew Greene
![Mathew Greene](https://www.canton.edu/media/specialty/noimage.jpg)
Civil & Env Engineering Tech
Steven House
![Steven House](https://www.canton.edu/media/specialty/stevenhouse.jpg)
Mechatronics Technology
Muzamil Kaila
![Muzamil Kaila](https://www.canton.edu/media/specialty/muzamilkaila.jpg)
Automotive Technology
Allison Paige Lashway
![Allison Paige Lashway](https://www.canton.edu/media/specialty/allisonlashway2.jpg)
Criminal Investigation
October Lukach
![October Lukach](https://www.canton.edu/media/specialty/noimage.jpg)
Funeral Services Admin
Alondra Jalyn E. Maranda
![Alondra Jalyn E. Maranda](https://www.canton.edu/media/specialty/jalynmaranda.jpg)
Criminal Investigation
Kelley McDougal
![Kelley McDougal](https://www.canton.edu/media/specialty/kelleymcdougal.jpg)
Health Care Management
Aaron Mejia
![Aaron Mejia](https://www.canton.edu/media/specialty/noimage.jpg)
Electrical Engineering Tech
Jorge Meraz
![Jorge Meraz](https://www.canton.edu/media/specialty/noimage.jpg)
Electrical Engineering Tech
Samantha L Munson
![Samantha L Munson](https://www.canton.edu/media/specialty/samanthamunson.jpg)
Nursing
Calvin Reid
![Calvin Reid](https://www.canton.edu/media/specialty/calvinreid.jpg)
Cybersecurity
Mayella Rubin
![Mayella Rubin](https://www.canton.edu/media/specialty/mayellarubin.jpg)
Physical Therapist Assistant
Daniel Sewdat
![Daniel Sewdat](https://www.canton.edu/media/specialty/danielsewdat.jpg)
Health Care Management
Evan Velasquez
![Evan Velasquez](https://www.canton.edu/media/specialty/evanvelasquez.jpg)
Game Design and Development
Chastity Wardell
![Chastity Wardell](https://www.canton.edu/media/specialty/chastitywardell.jpg)
Applied Psychology
Phoenix Award
A phoenix is a mythical bird with a colorful plumage and a tail of gold and scarlet. It has a 500- to 1000-year life cycle, near the end of which it builds itself a nest of twigs – which then ignite; both nest and bird are burned, reduced to ashes, only to arise and be reborn again. This award is given in recognition of those students who have either transformed themselves or persisted through some difficult odds to succeed as students at SUNY Canton. View previous recipients.
Diana Dara Albright
![Diana Dara Albright](https://www.canton.edu/media/specialty/dianaalbright.jpg)
Health Care Management
Hayleigh Armstrong
![Hayleigh Armstrong](https://www.canton.edu/media/specialty/hayleigharmstrong.jpg)
Physical Therapist Assistant
Natalie Bartle
![Natalie Bartle](https://www.canton.edu/media/specialty/noimage.jpg)
Health & Fitness Promotion
Elizabeth James
![Elizabeth James](https://www.canton.edu/media/specialty/noimage.jpg)
Management
Alexas Marshall
![Alexas Marshall](https://www.canton.edu/media/specialty/alexasmarshall.jpg)
Finance
Jayda Pina
![Jayda Pina](https://www.canton.edu/media/specialty/jaydapina.jpeg)
Early Childhood Care & Mgt
Kevin Strader
![Kevin Strader](https://www.canton.edu/media/specialty/kevinstrader.jpg)
Liberal Arts-General Studies
Gwendolyn Werth
![Gwendolyn Werth](https://www.canton.edu/media/specialty/gwendolynwerth.jpeg)
Applied Psychology
Carlena Wright
![Carlena Wright](https://www.canton.edu/media/specialty/carlenawright.jpeg)
Applied Psychology
Pillars of Character Award
Nominees for this award exemplify the pillars of good character in our Campus Creed (honesty, respectfulness, responsibility, fairness, citizenship, caring). View previous recipients.
Ismail Abdelmegied
![Ismail Abdelmegied](https://www.canton.edu/media/specialty/ismailabdelmegied.jpg)
Game Design and Development
Zarif Hanif
![Zarif Hanif](https://www.canton.edu/media/specialty/zarifhanif.jpg)
Emergency Management
Guyenna Jumelle
![Guyenna Jumelle](https://www.canton.edu/media/specialty/guyennajumelle.jpg)
Applied Psychology
Richard Lebel
![Richard Lebel](https://www.canton.edu/media/specialty/noimage.jpg)
Construction Tech: Management
Alondra Jalyn E. Maranda
![Alondra Jalyn E. Maranda](https://www.canton.edu/media/specialty/jalynmaranda.jpg)
Criminal Investigation
Dorothy Moffitt
![Dorothy Moffitt](https://www.canton.edu/media/specialty/dorothymoffitt.jpg)
Veterinary Technology
Jane Pancoe
![Jane Pancoe](https://www.canton.edu/media/specialty/janepancoe.jpg)
Nursing
Viktoria Lovelyne Pierre
![Viktoria Lovelyne Pierre](https://www.canton.edu/media/specialty/viktoriapierre.jpg)
Veterinary Technology
Alexis Teri Pitts
![Alexis Teri Pitts](https://www.canton.edu/media/specialty/noimage.jpg)
Criminal Investigation
Jakob VanDerMeere
![Jakob VanDerMeere](https://www.canton.edu/media/specialty/jakobvandermeere.jpg)
Game Design and Development
Dylan Vanderpool
![Dylan Vanderpool](https://www.canton.edu/media/specialty/dylanvanderpool.jpg)
Cybersecurity
Spirit of Success Award
These awards are given in recognition of students who maintained a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.20 and have demonstrated active citizenship in the college community. View previous recipients.
Cassidy Antwi
![Cassidy Antwi](https://www.canton.edu/media/specialty/cassidyantwi.jpg)
Early Childhood
Benjamin A. Boyd
![Benjamin Boyd](https://www.canton.edu/media/specialty/noimage.jpeg)
Applied Psychology
Steven House
![Steven House](https://www.canton.edu/media/specialty/stevenhouse.jpg)
Mechatronics Technology
Hui Fang Hu
![Hui Fang Hu](https://www.canton.edu/media/specialty/kellyhu.jpg)
Graphic and Multimedia Design
Sister Bethany Fitzgerald, S.S.J., Sustainability Award
Sister Bethany, a lifelong resident of the North Country and a member of the religious Sisters of St. Joseph out of Watertown, NY, served as a campus minister for both SUNY Canton and St. Thomas More Newman Center. As an ardent supporter of a sustainable lifestyle, she endlessly labored to raise awareness of sustainability in the community, stressing all that we need to be good stewards of our planet Earth. This award is an extension of those efforts and recognizes student who have maintained a minimum GPA of 2.50 and have demonstrated, by action, the importance of being good stewards of the Earth. View previous recipients.
Kenneth Arquette
![Kenneth Arquette](https://www.canton.edu/media/specialty/kennetharquette.jpg)
Nursing