MORRISVILLE, NY— George Blankson has big plans with the residential construction degree he earned from Morrisville State College today. The Ghana native plans to return to his homeland to build an orphanage.
His hope is to give children what he found at Morrisville State College. “Opportunity. There is a lot of opportunity at this college and with all I have learned, I hope to make things better for other children so they don’t have to struggle like I did.”
Blankson came to MSC barely able to speak English. Today he graduated with an associate degree, numerous accolades under his belt, and a job lined up with a construction company in Syracuse.
Giving was a common theme throughout Morrisville State College’s colorful graduation ceremony, as graduates celebrated alongside family and friends amid a stage adorned with a lavish display of flowers, grown by students in the college’s horticulture program and arranged by graduating seniors from the program.
MSC President David E. Rogers was joined by Provost Michael Cappeto, school deans and members of the college council in presiding over the ceremony, which began with a Scottish bagpipe band leading graduates into the formal commencement exercises.
Student Government Organization (SGO) president Danielle Gauthier addressed fellow classmates during the ceremony, citing experiential learning and volunteering as an important parts of her Morrisville experience.
“At Morrisville, we learned by doing the job we dream of having,” said Gauthier. “Our education goes beyond preparing for a career. We learn to take care of our community too.”
That spirit was also evident in the college’s awarding of its first President’s Medal of Distinction Award.
During the commencement, President of the CenterState Corporation for Economic Opportunity (CEO) Robert M. Simpson, was presented the President’s Medal of Distinction Award. The medal is a new recognition award presented to citizens of the region, state, or nation for their significant service, leadership, and professional achievements. It is the highest non-degree honor awarded by the college.
A supporter of Morrisville State College, Simpson is a member of the Morrisville President’s Advisory Council and has been a guest lecturer for the Pyramid Brokerage Lecture Series on the campus.
“Robert Simpson is a visionary for our community,” said MSC President David Rogers. “He has led the region to unparalleled heights of economic development and secured funding from the state of New York in his role as co-Chair of the CNY Regional Economic Development Council.”
“His exemplary service and dedication to the students, faculty and staff at Morrisville State College has created a more positive and engaging community, both for our campus and our entire region. Rob’s continued leadership in Central New York ensures a promising path forward for us all,” Rogers added.
“For this award that is based on community service, it’s my parents who are responsible for instilling me with values and raising me in a home that believed in public service and service to others,” Simpson said about his giving roots.
“On behalf of my staff and all of our partners and members throughout this great region who work with us, I accept this award with humility and gratitude,” Simpson said. “Yet in doing so, I would remind you that the greatest gift Morrisville State College gives you is opportunity and purpose. For you it is the opportunity to go forward in life with better skills and talents to make an impact for you. And for me it has been a privilege to work alongside an institution like this and provide service to our region.”
“As you close out your collegiate career and look forward to a long life for which you are now exceptionally well prepared, I challenge you Class of 2016 to find your North Star,” Simpson said. “Find your compass that is bigger and more important than yourselves—as a volunteer, as a parent, as a missionary to a cause that you believe in, or as a teacher, a professor or a mentor. No matter what direction your life may take, never lose sight of that True North. Do that and your life will always be more full, and more rich than any job or bank account.”
Other awards noted during the ceremony were:
- Sheila A. Marshman, Ph.D., of Oxford, a native of Groton, Vt., associate professor of agricultural business, received the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Faculty Service.
- Wyatt J. Galusky, Ph.D., of Clinton, associate professor, humanities, received the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching.
- Rita D. Goyette, of Erieville, a native of St. Johnsbury, Vt., director of student activities, received the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Professional Service.
- Rachel H. Netzband, of Syracuse, adjunct instructor of mathematics, received the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Adjunct Teaching.
- Nicole Wright, a Dryden native and NYS University Police Officer, received the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Classified Service.
- Walid H. Shayya, of Manlius, received the Morrisville State College Distinguished Faculty Award.
- Graduating students Cheyenne Beach, of Waterville, and Erin Marchefka, of Herkimer were recognized for winning the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence.
Morrisville State’s curricula are enriched with applied learning and pave the way for opportunity at both the Morrisville and Norwich campuses. An action-oriented, interactive learning lab, the college is a national leader in technology and has been lauded for its exemplary, innovative and effective community service programs.