The Bugle May 1
On the Campus
Jacquelyn Rainville, of Akron was among, more than 200 SUNY Canton students who received awards for earning top marks in their programs of study during the 2025 Barry W. Walch Honors Convocation.
The annual celebration is named in honor of an emeritus faculty member who taught at the college. “Today, we are assembled to honor our gifted students and distinguished faculty and staff and our honors convocation namesake,” said Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Peggy A. De Cooke. “This year, Honors Convocation is named for a retired faculty member who developed a great camaraderie with his coworkers both in the School of Science, Health and Criminal Justice and college-wide.”
Walch retired from a 32-year career in the Funeral Services Administration program in 2021. He is noted for his work developing and updating the two-year Mortuary Science associate degree and transforming it into a four-year bachelor’s degree offering.
“If history can predict the future, I anticipate each of you will earn a few more of these awards as time goes on,” Walch said to students. “The famous quote is ‘success breeds success,’ and nowhere could be a better example of succeeding than in this venue. You’ve made extra effort, and you’ve ended up with remarkable results.”
Walch also charged students to pay it forward and use the knowledge they’ve gained through their education for societal betterment. “You are the resource the rest of us are looking toward to do the things that keep culture and civilization progressing,” he said. “You are the ones who, like it or not, are the best hopes for the future we need and the future we share.”
The college’s three deans presented students with a white honors cord, which is traditionally worn with their academic regalia at graduation. Students also received a certificate from the provost denoting their success.
Among the students who received awards for the highest GPA for their class years in their respective majors was: Jacquelyn Rainville, a second semester freshman in SUNY Canton’s Bachelor of Science Forensic Criminology program from Akron, New York.
Discover SUNY Canton, where innovation meets opportunity. The college’s career-focused educational programs emphasize hands-on and applied learning opportunities in digital design, engineering technology, health, information technology, management, public service, and veterinary technology. Faculty members bring real-world experience and exceptional academic expertise to the classroom. As a leader in online education, SUNY Canton offers unmatched flexibility with hundreds of courses and 25 comprehensive degree programs offered completely online. The SUNY Canton Kangaroos compete at the NCAA Division III level and are members of the SUNYAC. In addition to its 15 traditional teams, SUNY Canton offers coed varsity esports and cheerleading.
On the Campus
Kaitlyn Panek, of Alden, New York, was one of 10 students inducted into the Sigma Tau Delta honor society on Saturday, April 12, at College Camp. Panek is studying Adolescence Education: English and English and is part of the class of 2028.
Sigma Tau Delta is the International English Honor Society. A member of the Association of College Honor Societies, it was founded in 1924 at Dakota Wesleyan University. To be inducted into Sigma Tau Delta, students must have a 3.5 GPA in the English major and a 3.0 GPA overall.
The honor society strives to confer distinction for high achievement in English language and literature in undergraduate, graduate and professional studies; provide, through its local chapters, cultural stimulation on college campuses and promote interest in literature and the English language in surrounding communities; foster all aspects of the discipline of English, including literature, language and writing; promote exemplary character and good fellowship among its members; exhibit high standards of academic excellence; and serve society by fostering literacy.
Sigma Tau Delta is the proud sponsor of the National English Honor Society (NEHS). NEHS serves students and faculty in high schools throughout the country and provides outreach to thousands of students and faculty who share a commitment to excellence in English language arts. The honor society is a member of the Association of College Honor Societies (ACHS), the nation’s only certifying agency for college and university honor societies.
With more than 750 active chapters located in Europe, the Caribbean and the United States, there are more than 1,000 faculty sponsors, and approximately 8,500 members inducted annually.
SUNY Oneonta is a public, four-year university in Central New York, enrolling about 5,300 students in a wide variety of bachelor’s degree programs and more than a dozen graduate certificate and degree programs. Celebrating its 135th anniversary, the university is known as both an exemplary residential campus that values inclusion, service and sustainability, and a nurturing community where students grow intellectually, thrive socially and live purposefully. Learn more at https://suny.oneonta.edu