Thursday, April 25, 2024 | St. Lawrence County, NY
CANTON -- SUNY Canton is giving out symbolic challenge coins to inspire student success during each year of their education. When Zvi Szafran first started his presidency at SUNY Canton, he wanted to …
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CANTON -- SUNY Canton is giving out symbolic challenge coins to inspire student success during each year of their education.
When Zvi Szafran first started his presidency at SUNY Canton, he wanted to find a way to reward students for successfully completing each fall semester. At about the same time, the college's Veteran's Association presented him with their monogramed challenge coin for assuming SUNY Canton's presidency. Szafran was so impressed with this token that he decided to give every student a coin when they successfully transitioned between semesters.
"I wanted to present students with something they could hold and want to keep," Szafran said. "Beyond grades, honors and awards, the coins serve as a reminder that we are proud of their accomplishments and that we are dedicated to seeing them through their entire education."
Challenge coins have significance in the U.S. armed forces as a traditional symbol of a job well done and are often used to build camaraderie. The symbolic presentation of the tokens has carried over into civilian life. At SUNY Canton the coins serve as a positive incentive for students to complete their degrees on time, according to Szafran.
Starting in the spring 2015 semester, all freshmen and transfer students who completed their first semester were presented with a challenge coin. The college presents differently color-coded coins between students' third, fifth and seventh semesters, meaning a student can earn as many as four coins corresponding with their degree. The fourth and final coin, gold in color, will be presented for the first time in spring 2018.
More than 300 coins recently were presented in the Spring 2017 semester, and more will be mailed out to online students.
Dylan F. Spicer, an applied psychology major from Massena, was one of several students surprised by the recognition. "I took five years off from school," he said. "Now I know I have to keep it up."
In addition to the coins, the SUNY Canton Alumni Association presents a special medallion to each graduating student at commencement.
