POTSDAM -- SUNY Potsdam has named former assemblywoman and Dierdre Scozzafava, and now Deputy Secretary for Local Government in the Department of State, as the recipient of the Roger B. Linden Distinguished Service Award, the highest award given by the college.

The annual recognition is bestowed upon an individual who has demonstrated steadfast support for SUNY Potsdam and the region through their leadership, advocacy, stewardship and service.

Dede Scozzafava was raised in the village of Gouverneur and attended Gouverneur High School before earning a bachelor's degree from Boston University School of Management and a master's of business administration from Clarkson University. In her business career, she has worked as a stockbroker and investment advisor, including 20 years with Tucker Anthony. She also served as vice president of Seaway Capital Partners.

She launched her career in public office by serving for four years as a village of Gouverneur trustee, and then as mayor from 1993 through 1998. She was elected to serve the 112th New York State Assembly district in 1999, serving for more than a decade. In the state Assembly, she became the first woman to serve as minority leader pro tempore for the Republican Conference. In that role, she was responsible for leading debates and pushing the agenda of the conference.

While in office, Scozzafava focused on constituent service and took a bipartisan approach to governing, fighting for the North Country's diverse interests -- manufacturing, agriculture, hunting and fishing, labor, tourism, environment, the Seaway, Fort Drum and higher education. She has been a leader in protecting the rights of women, children and crime victims. Her chairmanship of a task force to protect women and children from domestic abuse and sexual violence raised awareness of the problems and resulted in legislation.

In 2010, she opted not to run for re-election in the Assembly. That came after she stepped out of the 2009 race for the 23rd Congressional District seat, which drew national attention. In the three-way race against Conservative Party candidate Douglas L. Hoffman, Saranac Lake, and William L. Owens, a Plattsburgh Democrat, Scozzafava came under fire for her moderate views. Three days before the election, after heated criticism from tea party activists, she dropped out of the race and endorsed Owens, the eventual winner.

In January 2011, Governor Andrew Cuomo tapped Scozzafava to serve as Deputy Secretary for Local Government in the Department of State, where she works to help streamline municipal government across New York.

Scozzafava will be honored for her contributions to the North Country during SUNY Potsdam's 177th Commencement celebrations this weekend.

She will be recognized during the Bachelor's Commencement Ceremony on at 10:15 a.m. on Sunday, May 22 in the Academic Quad. 652 graduates are expected to turn their tassels and earn bachelor's degrees that day.