Alumni Magazine - Winter 2026
The Age of AI
Emma Diehl, a sophomore in the Sports Management program from Bolton, Conn., said she uses Microsoft Copilot, a generative AI, to help organize her thoughts before writing papers in some of her classes. Her usage matches the best practices outlined in the Human Approaches to Artificial Intelligence article on page 13. Diehl is a student-athlete who plays guard on the women’s basketball team. She finished the 2024-25 season with 17 points, 20 rebounds, and 10 assists.
From the President
Artificial intelligence (AI) is a rapidly developing area that is all over the news. Businesses have invested billions of dollars
to create AI centers and create AI products with the hope that they will improve efficiency and productivity, leading to higher profits. Others see AI as just the latest tech bubble that will eventually burst, causing companies that over invest to collapse.
Workers are concerned that AI will cause job loss in computer science-related areas, and there is some evidence that this is happening. A recent headline in the New York Times read “Goodbye, $165,000 Tech Jobs. Student Coders Seek Work at Chipotle.” Of course, it wasn’t so long ago that multiple high-tech companies were promoting getting a computer coding certificate as a better answer for high school students than going to college. There’s always some innovation popping up that gets a lot of hype and is supposed to change everything. To be sure, a few innovations do work out that way, but most don’t.
As it has always been, the new technology (in this case, AI) has the promise of making the user’s life easier. If students use AI to get answers without having to think or understand if the answer makes any sense, their learning will obviously suffer. If students use AI to gather more complete amounts of information quickly to test whether their ideas are correct or worth pursuing, AI can enhance their learning. In our cover story, we explain how we’re teaching students to use AI responsibly–to reach farther and to understand more–while also pointing out the risk of using it as a tool to avoid learning the fundamental skills necessary for their futures.
We already offer an AI-focused Data Science and Analytics degree, which you can read more about on the next page. Others are under development, and all our academic programs are looking at both how they can use AI to enhance learning, and how to teach students where over-relying on it will be harmful. We’ve been through this many times in our history, as every new technological innovation came along. That’s the beauty of being what we are: a premier college of technology.
Best Regards,
Zvi Szafran
VanderWoude Appointed Vice President for Advancement
Following the retirement of Tracey Thompson-Hastings, Geoffrey C.S. VanderWoude was appointed as Vice President for Advancement and Executive Director of the Canton College Foundation in June.
VanderWoude began his career as a Gift Officer and rose to Senior Director of Development. In this role, he has raised more than $6 million for the college, including $3 million in planned gifts and secured more than 30 new student scholarships. He said he looks forward to working with his colleagues to move the Foundation’s fundraising efforts to the next level of success.
“The Foundation is poised to accomplish great things in the years ahead. We have a dedicated team guided by a solid Board of Directors, who are all committed to our faculty, staff, and students. SUNY Canton also has a great story to tell. Putting it all together means we will be able to meet our future fundraising goals to support the college and ensure our students’ continuing success.”
Among other goals, VanderWoude will focus on creating student programs for all four years of their education, like the recent expansion in funding for senior-level capstone projects. “I aim to increase support for students throughout their entire college experience while continuing to create scholarships,” he said.
News
Plaza Progress
Crews from Norwood-based TJ Fiacco Construction are working on a complete renovation of SUNY Canton’s Roselle Academic Plaza, which includes replacing the college’s walkway with
Greek Reunion Returns to Campus
The SUNY Canton Alumni Association welcomed Greeks back to campus for the June 2025 Greek Reunion. Nearly 75 alumni and guests attended, representing fraternities Alpha
Leading the Way in Data Science and Analytics
Building on the popularity of the four-year Cybersecurity degree, the College has developed a new Bachelor of Science in Data Science and Analytics program, which
Prestigious Cyber Service Academy Partnership Offers Scholarships and Jobs
The College is among a select group of schools to qualify for a national program that allows students who study in cybersecurity-related fields the opportunity
A Library of Arts: Framing Creativity in the Learning Commons
The Learning Commons Classroom at the heart of Southworth Library has become a gallery space for the College, featuring a rotating series of artists. Arihhonni
Now Showing
Peter Russom, a retired SUNY Plattsburgh Professor, is currently exhibiting a survey of 18 painted works in the same space. “This exhibition aims to display
A Look Inside the Toolbox
Your Canton Fund Dollars at Work
New Federal Funding Supports Childcare Center Plan
The Northern Border Region Commission (NBRC) has funded a $1 million federal grant to help create an on-campus childcare center. The new funding follows a
College Honors Revered Nursing Professor Emerita with Lab Naming
Generations of faculty and staff have paid tribute to a foremother of the College’s nursing program. The Canton College Foundation championed an effort to rededicate
Remembering Dave Gerlach '83
The College community was saddened to learn of the passing of Canton’s former Vice President for Advancement Dr. David M. Gerlach ’83 in April. He is survived by wife, Lisa ’83 & ’06, and their children, Josh ’09 and ’11 and Kayla.
His 30-year career at the College began as a student worker in Chaney Dining Center. He then became a student assistant, Residence Hall Director, and later Director of Residence Life. His next promotion was to Dean of Enrollment Management, and he then became Vice President, where he oversaw the
Canton College Foundation, Alumni and Development, Admissions, Public Relations, Career Services, and later Athletics, among other departments. Upon completing his Ph.D., he left SUNY Canton in 2015 to fulfill his lifelong dream of becoming a college President at Lincoln College in Illinois.
After retiring from his academic career, he moved to Texas with his wife, Lisa, who was also a SUNY Canton graduate. Lisa earned her Liberal Arts degree in 1983 and a Nursing degree in 2006. Their son, Josh, also graduated from Canton with a two-year degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology in 2009
and a Bachelor of Business Administration in 2011.
During his time as Vice President, Gerlach oversaw the Centennial Campaign, which was the College’s most extensive fundraising effort ever. It generated more than $11.3 million, exceeding its $10 million goal. Most of the fundraising efforts were used directly for scholarships, helping to fulfill the need for student support.
He was one of the founders responsible for the creation of the College Hall of Fame, to which he was inducted in 2022. He also received the Alumni Association’s Distinguished Alumnus award alongside his lifelong friend and colleague, Anne C. Williams ’78, Chair of the Canton College Foundation Board. Each time he was recognized, he’d return to SUNY Canton to reconnect with his friends
and hear updates about his alma mater.
“Dave was a great friend and colleague,” said Williams. “He truly believed in SUNY Canton and the education it provided. I believe his dedication and hard work helped to make SUNY Canton a better place.”
Fay Family Leaves Lasting Legacy
Two esteemed members of the College and Canton communities passed in 2024 and 2025, leaving an indelible legacy through their dedication as Canton educators, as well as through their charitable endeavors.
Distinguished Professor Emerita of Nursing Linda L. Fay passed in October 2024, and her husband, Professor Emeritus Daniel G. Fay, passed in September 2025. The couple had nearly 100 years of combined service to the College and influenced generations of students.
Dan and Linda began their careers at Canton in 1968 and 1972, respectively. Dan had a 50-year career as an accounting professor, and Linda, a nursing professor, helped develop the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program.
Together, they were among the most important benefactors in recent College history. They gave generously to initiatives and scholarships that were focused on student success. Most recently, Linda helped spearhead the initiative to rename the College’s Nursing Laboratory in honor of the program’s founder, Virginia M. McAllister.
In the community, their impact was immeasurable. The Fays were avid supporters of youth sports. In addition to owning a local business, Dan was a Canton town councilmember, a St. Lawrence County Legislator, a member of the Canton Highway, Audit, and Recreation Committees, and a member of the
Knights of Columbus, among numerous other service-oriented positions.
Linda was a volunteer with the Grasse River Heritage organization and was involved with the Canton Housing Authority and the Remington Arts Festival. As a board member at Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center, she said one of her greatest joys was watching the College’s nursing alumni provide outstanding
patient care.
Dan recently celebrated 35 years as a member of the Canton College Foundation Board of Directors. Linda was posthumously recognized with the SUNY Canton College Council’s 2025 Distinguished Citizen Award.
Athletics
Ice Arena Named for College Icon Terry Martin
A poignant moment in Canton history happened when a legendary men’s ice hockey coach was honored for his contributions to college athletics. The ice arena
Roos Make Strong Start in SUNYAC
Upon making the leap from the North Atlantic Conference to the SUNYAC in Fall 2024, women’s basketball and women’s and men’s ice hockey were the
Feature Story: Human Approaches to Artificial Intelligence
Canton College Foundation News Donor Stories
Doug and Carol Hoffman: Adirondack Roots, Lifelong Impact
Doug and Carol Hoffman’s lives are a powerful reflection of Adirondack values–hard work, service, and an unwavering belief in the power of opportunity. Together, they’ve
Memorial Scholarship Pays Tribute to Delta Sigma Tau Sister and Patients’ Rights Advocate
For the first 68 years of SUNY Canton’s history, greek life included a small number of fraternities and sororities, but it wasn’t until 1974 that
Giving Societies
Giving Tuesday 2025 Tops $100k in Donations
The Canton College Foundation raised more than $100,000 from 225 donors during its “The Power of Us!” 2025 Giving Tuesday campaign. All donations directly support
Scholarship Celebrations Unite Donors and Students
The Canton College Foundation’s signature event each year is the annual Scholarship Celebration. In fall 2024, more than 300 students received approximately $730,000 in scholarship
Alumni and Friends
A Match Made in Manufacturing Class
Jessica Fischer ’18 and Nathan Christy ’14, ’18 were married on October 12, 2024, in Auburn, N.Y.—and in a meaningful twist, they invited their former
Welcoming New Leaders to the Alumni Association Board
The Alumni Association Board of Directors is proud to welcome three new members: Nichole Besaw ‘05, Ornessa Brown ‘21, and Joshua Whitmarsh ‘14. They join
Canton Connections
During college, friends called Mark Filardi ’75, left, and Mike Chrys ’75 “Heckel and Jeckel” because they were always together. Fifty years later, you can
2025 Hall of Fame and Alumni Awards
The Canton College Foundation and the SUNY Canton Alumni Association are proud to announce the 2025 Hall of Fame inductees and alumni award honorees. Each of these remarkable individuals exemplifies the excellence, leadership, and dedication that define our community.
Distinguished Alumni Award
Nancy Pinckney ’13
Outstanding Young Alumni Award
Yahnique Richards-Lawrence ’15
Hall of Fame Inductees
Michael Berman
Day & Nite / All Service
Dale Major ’70
Laura Rozell ’69
We congratulate this year’s recipients for their exceptional achievements and lasting impact on
SUNY Canton and beyond.
To learn more about each honoree, please visit http://sunyalumni.canton.edu/page/awards.
Reconnect. Engage. Make and Impact!
The SUNY Canton Alumni Association is excited to introduce two incredible ways to stay connected and make a difference!
Reconnect and Network: Our new online alumni directory makes it easy to search for classmates, reconnect with old friends, and build new connections—all while keeping the SUNY Canton spirit alive.
Give Back as a Mentor: Looking for an even deeper way to engage? Join our Mentorship Program! Share your real-world experience, guide students through career decisions, and help shape the next generation of SUNY Canton graduates.
Get Started Today: Visit https://sunyalumni.canton.edu click Login at the top of the page, and follow the instructions to complete your registration. Your network—and your impact—starts here
In Memory
View the list of those alumni and friends we lost in 2025.
Alumni Weekend 2026
Mark your calendars! Alumni Weekend is coming June 12–14, 2026, and we can’t wait to welcome you back to campus. Reconnect with friends, relive your favorite memories, and celebrate the SUNY Canton spirit – don’t miss this unforgettable weekend!