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Longtime SUNY Canton patron makes 'significant donation' to the school

Posted 5/12/15

CANTON -- A longtime SUNY Canton patron gave what college officials are describing as a “significant donation to the college and challenging other alumni and friends to do the same.” The school …

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Longtime SUNY Canton patron makes 'significant donation' to the school

Posted

CANTON -- A longtime SUNY Canton patron gave what college officials are describing as a “significant donation to the college and challenging other alumni and friends to do the same.”

The school would not say how much John L. Halford Sr. of Gouverneur contributed to the SUNY Canton College Foundation in honor of President Zvi Szafran’s recent inauguration.

Halford is a 1949 alumnus who the school says has developed a friendship with the college’s new president and his family.

“Mr. Halford has really been a magnificent benefactor to SUNY Canton,” said Szafran. “His donation comes at such an exciting time for the college. To have people like him supporting us makes our growth and evolution especially meaningful.”

Before presenting his latest gift, Halford encouraged his friends and fellow donors to give money. He has promised to match all new gifts from up to 200 donors.

“I wanted to show my support for Dr. Szafran as he continues SUNY Canton’s growth,” Halford said. “I hope that others who share the same connection that I do will come forward to contribute to the college.”

Halford also visited the college to accept an award from students in the SUNY Canton Veteran’s Association. In October, he made a donation to help the students create an endowed scholarship benefiting either a veteran or their spouse as they attend college. Halford is a World War II veteran who served in the U.S. Marine Corps.

By continually donating to the college, Halford has the most physical places named after him on campus. The Halford Lobby sits at the base of the college’s Faculty Office Building, the Halford Alumni Suite overlooks the ice arena and Halford Hall houses the college’s Career Ready Education and Success Training Center, the school said.