Senator Recognized for her Commitment to College 

In recognition of her longstanding support of SUNY Canton, State Senator Patty Ritchie was recently inducted into the college’s “Hall of Fame.”

“SUNY Canton is one of New York’s outstanding institutions of higher learning—and a shining gem of the state’s system of public higher education,” said Senator Ritchie.

“I am truly humbled to be included among the select group of men and women who make up this year’s inductees, and am honored to be a part of SUNY Canton’s family, history and tradition.”

Senator Ritchie was one of five individuals who was inducted into the Hall of Fame, which was created in 2011 to celebrate the past, present and future of the college by recognizing those who have made significant contributions to SUNY Canton and supported its continued growth and success.

In recent years, Senator Ritchie has been a strong advocate for SUNY Canton, leading the effort in 2012 to help SUNY Canton and SUNY Potsdam  maintain their independence when it was proposed that the two colleges merge presidents.  During that time, Senator Ritchie introduced legislation that would require a president at each SUNY campus and encouraged leadership to find ways to share services and cut administrative costs without sacrificing the identities of the two universities.

Senator Ritchie has also worked in recent years to help SUNY Canton grow and expand its offerings; working to help the college gain approval for a new four-year Applied Psychology degree program and just this year delivering $1.5 million in state budget funding to allow the college to make upgrades to its dining center and expand its nursing program. 

In addition to be inducted into SUNY Canton’s Hall of Fame, Senator Ritchie in 2012 was recognized by the college with its Honorary Alumna Award.