LATEST CAYUGA NEWS

After more than a decade of dedication and service, former Cayuga Community College trustee John Klink ’66 received one of the highest honors awarded by the New York Community College Trustees (NYCCT) on Friday.

Klink, an 11-year Cayuga trustee who also served on the Cayuga County Community College Foundation Board of Directors, received the Marvin A. Rapp Award for Distinguished Trustee Service. The award recognizes trustees who serve at least five years and demonstrate outstanding contributions in time, effort and ideas that create opportunities for the college community.

“Thank you to Cayuga Community College for all it has afforded me as a student, educator, public servant and trustee,” said Klink. “Accepting the Marvin A. Rapp Award has been the honor of a lifetime.”

Klink was named a trustee in 2012 and served until 2023, and also spent nine years on the Foundation Board of Directors. But his connection with Cayuga started as a student. He graduated from Cayuga in 1966 with an Associate of Arts before earning his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science from SUNY Brockport.

He joined Cayuga’s Board of Trustees during a time of transition for the college, immediately stepping in as a calm, collaborative leader. Klink helped guide the college toward long-term stability through his cooperative approach, commitment to respectful dialogue and steadfast dedication to Cayuga’s mission.

“In my 11 years leading Cayuga, I’ve never met someone more dedicated to the College and our students than John,” said Cayuga Community College President Dr. Brian Durant. “He believes in education and the impact it has on our students and our community. He’s dedicated his entire career to furthering the possibilities that are open to students, in his classroom as a teacher and as a trustee with Cayuga. I can’t think of a more deserving recipient of this award than John.”

“John was the epitome of what everyone wants in a fellow trustee and leader,” said Cayuga Board of Trustees Chair Marian Brown. “He’s an ethical, humble person who listens to others, even when their opinions are different from his own. He never lost focus of why we’re on the board: to support students and the best interests of our Cayuga community.”

Klink served on Board of Trustee committees overseeing facilities, finances, personnel and planning, and co-chaired a successful presidential search committee. He was also an invaluable voice in Cayuga’s expansion to Oswego County, seeing it as an essential step in expanding access to higher education across Central New York.

“Realizing and acting upon the need for a two-year facility in Oswego County saw the birth and subsequent expansion and success of Cayuga’s Fulton Campus,” said Klink. “President Durant and all the distinguished members of the Board of Trustees worked collaboratively to see this come to fruition.”

Klink’s community service extends far beyond Cayuga. He spent almost 40 years as a social studies teacher, including 35 years in the Southern Cayuga Central School District. He was a Councilman in the Town of Owasco for 28 years and Town Supervisor for four years.

He was also the Co-President of the Owasco Lake Watershed Management Council and served on the Owasco Lake Standing Committee and the Cayuga County Water Quality Management Agency.

The Rapp Award was founded in 1986. For more details on the NYCCT, visit https://www.nycctrustees.org/.

After more than a decade of dedication and service, former Cayuga Community College trustee John Klink ’66 received one of the highest honors awarded by the New York Community College Trustees (NYCCT) on Friday.

Klink, an 11-year Cayuga trustee who also served on the Cayuga County Community College Foundation Board of Directors, received the Marvin A. Rapp Award for Distinguished Trustee Service. The award recognizes trustees who serve at least five years and demonstrate outstanding contributions in time, effort and ideas that create opportunities for the college community.

“Thank you to Cayuga Community College for all it has afforded me as a student, educator, public servant and trustee,” said Klink. “Accepting the Marvin A. Rapp Award has been the honor of a lifetime.”

Klink was named a trustee in 2012 and served until 2023, and also spent nine years on the Foundation Board of Directors. But his connection with Cayuga started as a student. He graduated from Cayuga in 1966 with an Associate of Arts before earning his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science from SUNY Brockport.

He joined Cayuga’s Board of Trustees during a time of transition for the college, immediately stepping in as a calm, collaborative leader. Klink helped guide the college toward long-term stability through his cooperative approach, commitment to respectful dialogue and steadfast dedication to Cayuga’s mission.

“In my 11 years leading Cayuga, I’ve never met someone more dedicated to the College and our students than John,” said Cayuga Community College President Dr. Brian Durant. “He believes in education and the impact it has on our students and our community. He’s dedicated his entire career to furthering the possibilities that are open to students, in his classroom as a teacher and as a trustee with Cayuga. I can’t think of a more deserving recipient of this award than John.”

“John was the epitome of what everyone wants in a fellow trustee and leader,” said Cayuga Board of Trustees Chair Marian Brown. “He’s an ethical, humble person who listens to others, even when their opinions are different from his own. He never lost focus of why we’re on the board: to support students and the best interests of our Cayuga community.”

Klink served on Board of Trustee committees overseeing facilities, finances, personnel and planning, and co-chaired a successful presidential search committee. He was also an invaluable voice in Cayuga’s expansion to Oswego County, seeing it as an essential step in expanding access to higher education across Central New York.

“Realizing and acting upon the need for a two-year facility in Oswego County saw the birth and subsequent expansion and success of Cayuga’s Fulton Campus,” said Klink. “President Durant and all the distinguished members of the Board of Trustees worked collaboratively to see this come to fruition.”

Klink’s community service extends far beyond Cayuga. He spent almost 40 years as a social studies teacher, including 35 years in the Southern Cayuga Central School District. He was a Councilman in the Town of Owasco for 28 years and Town Supervisor for four years.

He was also the Co-President of the Owasco Lake Watershed Management Council and served on the Owasco Lake Standing Committee and the Cayuga County Water Quality Management Agency.

The Rapp Award was founded in 1986. For more details on the NYCCT, visit https://www.nycctrustees.org/.