The Dr. Neil Milliken ’75 Memorial Scholarship at SUNY Corning Community College Established

Dr. Neil Milliken ’75

The Dr. Neil Milliken ’75 Memorial Scholarship has been established as a permanently restricted (endowed) fund for the Corning Community College Development Foundation, Inc. to manage. Investment income earned by the fund will provide, in perpetuity, at least one annual scholarship award in the amount of at least $1,000. 

Student recipients will be selected based on full-time enrollment — at least 12 credit hours — and a GPA of 2.0 – 3.0. Preference will be given to students who did not participate in the Accelerated College Education program and who balance their dedicated pursuit of higher education with other life factors, such as employment, raising a family, social/economic challenges, or long-standing service to the community.

Born in Elmira, NY in 1954, Cornelius James “Neil” Milliken III (1954-2021) attended Corning Community College and the University of Scranton. After graduating Georgetown University School of Dentistry in 1982, he returned to Elmira and opened his dental practice in 1985. In 2012, he was appointed to fulfill his father’s term on the Chemung County Legislature and was subsequently elected as a legislator serving the 7th District. At the time of his death, he had been elected to, and was serving as, the Town of Elmira Board Supervisor.

Dr. Milliken was a from 1999 to 2019, alum, and community ambassador for SUNY CCC. Attending Corning was a “family thing” for Dr. Milliken. Many members of his family attended SUNY CCC. Being a part of this community was a family affair and giving back was so important to all of them. He was an admired and well-respected member of our community. To date, approximately $30,000 has been raised for an endowed scholarship in his name.

To learn more about the Corning Community College Development Foundation and scholarship opportunities, please call 607-962-9458 or visit corning-cc.edu/foundation. Click on the “Give” button to make a memorial contribution and support the Dr. Neil Milliken ’75 Memorial Scholarship.

Dr. Barbara Canfield Joins SUNY Corning Community College as Its New Provost

Interim Provost Fred Herbst and Provost Dr. Barbara Canfield. Photo by Jeff Macharyas

SUNY Corning Community College, in Corning, New York, is proud to announce that Dr. Barbara Canfield has joined the College as its new Provost, effective July 1, 2021. She assumes the position previously held by Interim Provost, Fred Herbst, who will remain at the College and return to the faculty, where he teaches ceramics and the arts.

Dr. Canfield comes to Corning from Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA), in Annandale, Virginia, where she held the position of Dean of Math, Science, Technology and Business. Prior to that, she was an Assistant Dean at Northampton Community College in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

Dr. Canfield’s focus will be on Academic Affairs and Students Affairs. “At CCC, we have the opportunity to transform lives and become a force in the community, helping people achieve their goals,” Dr. Canfield says, “And, I am proud to join CCC, where we can serve our community as a partner.”

Dr. Canfield earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s in Environmental Science from Rutgers University, and her EdD in Educational Leadership and Management from Drexel University.

“I am excited to be in the area,” Dr. Canfield continues, “because I love the outdoors and look forward to exploring, biking and kayaking in all the region has to offer.”

“I look forward to building upon the strengths of the people who work at CCC, and being an ambassador for the good work that Corning already does. Sometimes, people don’t always recognize what they have in their own ‘backyard,’ and together, we will continue to grow and enhance the College and the community,” Dr. Canfield explains.

To learn more about SUNY Corning Community College, visit corning-cc.edu or call 607-962-9151.

Outstanding Instructional Program Award

SUNY Corning Community College’s A.S. in Community and Public Health Education (CPHE) was awarded the Outstanding Instructional Program Award by the Community Colleges of Appalachia (CCA). The award was presented on May 12, 2021 by the CCA’s award committee — during the CCA’s virtual Annual Conference — Dr. Brian Swords, Dr. Kevin Boys and Dr. Anne McNutt, executive director. The Community Colleges of Appalachia boasts nearly 100 community college members from New York to Alabama.

“This award is truly a distinct honor. Professors Elaine Corwin and Rosemary Anthony have dedicated the past six years to creating and developing this necessary and important program, and national recognition of their efforts is much appreciated,” say Dr. William Mullaney, president, SUNY Corning Community College.

The Community and Public Health Education program is designed to provide the specialized knowledge and skills students need to address current and emerging public and community health issues.  Offering distinct tracks to meet student interests and academic pathways (i.e. allied health/nursing, health sciences/education and community and public health), the program allows students to transition into the workforce or transfer into a B.S. program in related fields.  CPHE features capstone projects and opportunities for interdisciplinary training, certifications, and micro-credentials that are aligned with course objectives and program outcomes.

In 2019, the Program was recognized by the Center for Innovation in Higher Education as one of the top 25 Community College Public Health Initiatives and is currently pursuing national accreditation as one of the first Associate degree programs in public health. “Most notably, to date, 100% of our CPHE graduates have successfully transferred to continue their education or are employed in the field with their A.S. degrees,” Dr. Mullaney adds.

SUNY Corning Community College will have the honor of hosting CCA’s fall conference, October 27-29, 2021.

62^nd Commencement at SUNY Corning Community College

SUNY Corning Community College graduated 537 students – who ranged in age from 17 to 64 – including 11 veterans of the armed forces, under sunny skies on May 15, 2021, in Corning, New York.

This was a unique event, as Commencement exercises had to meet strict SUNY COVID-19 guidelines for commencement ceremonies. To maintain proper social distancing and to provide an in-person event, SUNY CCC’s Commencement was a “drive-in ceremony” in which the graduates and their guest remained in their vehicles while the presentations were made.

The commencement greeting was from Regional Board of Trustees Chair, Nancy Wightman; followed by Mace Bearer, chemistry faculty member, Ruth Wenner. The ceremony was called to order by Faculty Assembly Chair, English faculty member, Marie Hannan-Mandel, and the invocation was given by Rev. Gary McCaslin. SUNY CCC President, Dr. William Mullaney, presented opening remarks.

Dr. Mullaney had the honor of bestowing an Honorary Doctoral Degree on Charles R. Craig. Craig has been a force in the Southern Tier since 1974, when he was hired as a senior chemist at Corning, Incorporated, where he has served in a variety of technology management positions. Since 1990 he assumed administration and operations management responsibilities in support of the company’s chief technology officer (CTO), has held the chief of staff responsibilities for five successive CTOs, and for several years was responsible for the company’s world-renowned Innovation Process Practice. This is only the third time in its history that an honorary doctoral degree has been conferred at SUNY CCC.

SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence recipients, Madison Cunningham, Student Trustee, Liberal Arts and Sciences: Mathematics and Science A.S., and Kristo Nasto, Engineering Science A.S., each addressed the audience.

“The idea of being your own advocate can reach further than just your education. Take this to your job, your relationships, your friendships, and wherever you may end up after CCC. Being your own advocate is so incredibly important especially if you ever find yourself in the situation where you do not have anyone to advocate for you,” Madison Cunningham suggested.

Kristo Nasto, an international student from the Republic of Albania, added on overcoming adversity, “I know we all have to go through failures and that they are what define our characters. Where we become stronger, because it does not matter how many times you fall, all you’ve got to do is just get up one time more than falling down.”

Upon completion of the degree and certification conferment, the graduates drove past the campus Commons Building, where they were cheered by SUNY CCC faculty and staff and greeted by college president, Dr. William Mullaney, and Interim Provost Fred Herbst, who presented the graduates with their diploma covers and a single white rose.