POTSDAM – A North Country couple was recently honored with the 2015 Distinguished Service Award by the SUNY Potsdam Alumni Association.

Lance M. Evans and Cheryl A. Cummings Evans, both members of the class of 1983, are long time members of the Alumni Association Board of Trustees. Lance also serves as the executive officer of the St. Lawrence County Board of Realtors.

Lance and Cheryl bring a unique perspective to the board, having begun their service as students in 1982, according to a press release. The couple has continuously served on the board for more than three decades.

As a student, Lance majored in mathematics and secondary education. He participated in varsity swimming, Campus Guides, Student Senate (serving as president pro tempore in 1982-83), Intervarsity Christian Fellowship and the Parent's Weekend Committee. He also a dorm representative.

After graduating from SUNY Potsdam, Lance received his master of arts degree in business and policy studies from SUNY Empire State College in 1995. In addition to serving on the St. Lawrence County Board of Realtors, he is also an executive officer on the Jefferson-Lewis Board of Realtors.

Cheryl majored in history and elementary education, graduating with a bachelor's degree in 1982 and receiving a master of science in education the following year. She actively participated in Kappa Delta Pi, Campus Guides, the Intervarsity Christian Fellowship and was the chair of the Parent's Weekend Committee, as well as serving as a student representative for the Alumni Board of Trustees and Star Lake Camp Board, and as an orientation leader.

Cheryl is a kindergarten teacher at Mannsville Elementary School in the South Jefferson Central School District, where she has taught since 1986.

The Evans have both been active members of the Alumni Board of Trustees since they were undergraduates at SUNY Potsdam.

In 2004, they endowed the Evans-Cummings Scholarship, presented annually to both an undergraduate and graduate student majoring in education.

The couple returns to SUNY Potsdam frequently to attend reunion weekend, and they have both served as class chairs. The Evans also assist in operations for the Annual Fund for Potsdam, and participate in the annual Student Leadership Conference.

The Distinguished Service Award is presented to alumni who have made exceptional contributions to the Alumni Association and/or the college.