CANTON -- Lennelle "Lennie" Dougherty McKinnon of Canton recently received an Alumni Citation from St. Lawrence University during Reunion Weekend.

Celebrating her 55th Reunion, McKinnon received the award in front of most of the more than 700 Laurentians who attended the weekend's events.

Described by her peers as "an ambassador of St. Lawrence," McKinnon has been a leader among her classmates since she was a student. She graduated with highest honors in English and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa.

One nominator wrote "Lennie has touched generations of Laurentians. She has been a supporter, friend and surrogate parent to many."

McKinnon has served St. Lawrence in several capacities, including leadership roles during class reunions, fundraising initiatives and other events, as class reporter and as a member of St. Lawrence's Alumni Executive Council for six years.

In addition, she has been an integral member of the leadership for the Tri Delta Beta Chapter at St. Lawrence, where she has served in numerous capacities and worked with current members.

McKinnon's service extends beyond St. Lawrence. She was a teacher for more than three decades in Canton and was recognized with an Outstanding Educator Award by Kappa Delta Pi. She has been a member of the Edward John Noble Guild of Directors for 25 years and served as president twice, in addition to being a member of the Board of Directors Advisory Board.

For the last 18 years McKinnon has chaired the committee for the Canton-Potsdam Hospital Guild’s golf tournament, which has raised almost a quarter of a million dollars for the hospital.

Alumni Citations, a tradition at St. Lawrence since 1949, are awarded annually to graduates for long-term and exemplary service to the university or for exemplary professional accomplishment or community volunteer activities.

All graduates of the university are eligible, though university employees are not.