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SUNY CHANCELLOR JOHN R. RYAN TO SPEAK AT SUNY DELHI’S 89TH COMMENCEMENT
Charlotte Bishop Hill to be Honored with Doctorate

Mrs. Hill is an active community leader as well. Since 1997, she has served as a trustee for O’Connor Hospital, a resource that is indispensable to SUNY Delhi and its students. The O’Connor Foundation recently provided a $1.5 million matching grant to support a major renovation at the hospital. A Girl Scout for 30 years, Mrs. Hill has been actively involved in fundraising for the Indian Hills Girl Scout Council, and those efforts were supported by two O’Connor Foundation matching grants. She also participated in the Angel of Delaware County fundraiser, which raised $6,075 to help with a budget deficit for girls in Delaware County service programs. Mrs. Hill served as a leader for the Delhi Bridge Committee, a grassroots effort that raised funds to facilitate local transportation needs.

Named the 2004 Delhi Business and Professional Women’s “Woman of the Year,” Mrs. Hill is a member of the Hanford Mills Museum Board of Directors, the Executive Council of the Hartwick College Citizens Board, and the Foothills Performing Arts Center Board of Directors. She is treasurer of Catskill Theatre Works and is a former vice president of Habitat for Humanity of Delaware County.

Former U.S. Navy Vice Admiral John R. Ryan was named Chancellor of the largest comprehensive system of higher education in the nation by the State University of New York Board of Trustees on December 19, 2005. Prior to his permanent appointment, he served as acting Chancellor.

Prior to becoming acting Chancellor, Ryan served effectively for seven years as president of three different institutions of higher education. Ryan was named the 32nd president of the State University of New York Maritime College in 2002. As president of Maritime, Ryan nearly doubled the number of students in just three years, resulting in the highest enrollment in Maritime’s 131-year history.

Ryan assumed additional responsibilities in February 2004 when the SUNY Board of Trustees unanimously voted to name him as interim president of the University at Albany. While leading Albany, Ryan worked closely with elected officials to significantly increase the capital budget. He also enhanced administration, athletics, and academic excellence and solicited the single, largest private gift in University at Albany history. Working closely with various faculty governance committees, he established the first College of Nanoscale Science and Technology in the United States. Widely respected by both faculty and students, he simultaneously led both campuses until February 2005, when a new permanent president was appointed for Albany.

SUNY Delhi’s Class of 2006 includes approximately 750 candidates for baccalaureate degrees, associate degrees and certificates. Joshua A. Imperato, an electrical construction major from Pultneyville, will speak as this year’s Associate Degree Student of the Year. Also speaking will be Kimberly A. Crossgrove, a veterinary technology management major from Trumansburg, who will be honored as Baccalaureate Degree Student of the Year. Following Students of the Year will be Student Senate President Alwyn Cargill, who will offer his remarks.

A new addition to SUNY Delhi’s commencement exercises is the Recognition of Community Service Honors. Prior to the conferring of degrees and certificates, President Vancko will honor students who have served as exemplary volunteer leaders. Those who will be honored include four bachelor’s degree candidates who have completed 200-300 hours of service: Ashley N. Fuller, a Restaurant and Foodservice major from Smyrna; Cheryl F. Carey, a hotel and resort management major from Montego Bay, Jamaica; Shirlette Livingston, a hotel and resort managment major from St. Mary, Jamaica, and Kimberly A. Crossgorve. President Vancko will also honor associate degree candidates who have competed 100-200 hours of service. They include: Kenneth J. Cassavant, a carpentry and building trades major from Spencer, Mass.; Justin W. Gaffney, a welding technology major from Hopatcong, N.J.; Margery K. Lee, a liberal arts major from Walton; Laura M. Lovely, a veterinary technology management major from Cazenovia; Kevin M. Pawlowski, a computer-aided drafting major from Hunt; Brianne L. Roach, a veterinary science technology major from Castleton; Matthew J. Santoro, a hotel and resort management major from Wappingers Falls; Stephen C. Scala, a culinary arts major from Hartwick; Jaclyn L. Silverman, a restaurant and foodservice management major from Cicero; Michael B. Sloat, a veterinary science technology major from New Windsor; and Joshua Imperato.

In addition, President Vancko will recognize four SUNY Delhi faculty and staff members who have been named 2006 recipients of the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence, the most prestigious honor given by the State University. Award recipients include: Barbara Sturdevant, professor of business; Richard L. Golding, assistant professor of hospitality management; Michael J. Petrillose, associate professor of hospitality management; and Lynda Preiser, student health services director.

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