CANTON -- SUNY Canton will honor State Senator Patricia Ritchie with its Honorary Alumna Award at its 104th Commencement Ceremony.

Commencement will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 19 in the field house portion of the Convocation Athletic and Recreation Center, nicknamed Roos House.

The senator will be honored alongside the more than 900 students eligible to participate in the ceremony.

"Senator Ritchie has promoted SUNY Canton and the mission to provide career-driven educational options to the benefit of both its students and the greater North Country Community," said Vice President for Advancement David M. Gerlach. "Her involvement and support will aid in our overall success and future growth."

Last year, Ritchie assisted SUNY Canton by backing its newest four-year program in the School of Business and Liberal Arts, a bachelor of science in applied psychology.

Ritchie, a lifelong resident of upstate, was raised in DePeyster, graduated from Heuvelton Central School, Mater Dei College, and SUNY Potsdam.

She served as county clerk for more than a decade and was elected to the State Senate in 2010.