CANTON – SUNY Canton has named the 2011 SUNY Canton honors program for a former Canino School of Engineering Technology dean who helped instill the college's career-driven educational values.

The Arthur G. Hurlbut Honors Convocation will be held at 4:15 p.m. Wednesday, May 4, in the Miller Campus Center's Intramural Gym.

More than 125 students will be honored for academic success and outstanding achievement at the event. Hurlbut will also be a guest speaker at the Scholarly Activities Celebration, with presentations beginning at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 5, in the Kingston Theater, and a poster and artwork presentation beginning at 10 a.m. Friday, May 6, in the Southworth Library. All events are free and open to the public.

"Art helped students launch their careers straight out of college as both a professor and a dean," noted Interim Provost Linda D. Pellett. "He assisted with or helped create several of the college's four-year degrees, including the popular alternative and renewable energy systems program."

Hurlbut is a 1965 Alumnus of SUNY Canton. He continued his education at Clarkson University earning his bachelor's degree in 1969, master's degree in mechanical engineering in 1970, and his Ph.D. in engineering science in 1985. He was hired by the late Distinguished Professor Emeritus Harry E. King to work in the air conditioning engineering technology program in 1973.

"Art was one of the most dedicated well-liked faculty members in our school," noted Michael J. Newtown, director of the alternative and renewable energy systems program. "He was always available to assist his students outside of class. Over the years he developed many industrial contacts to ensure excellent job placement for students after graduation."

His educational philosophy was to make sure his students understood both the theory and the practical application of the subject matter. He emphasized open communications and teamwork while students created their professional projects. "As I was teaching, I was always learning," Hurlbut said. "I learned a lot from my professional colleagues, the college's administrators, and the students. I'm humbled to be recognized alongside the students at Honors Convocation."

Hurlbut received the SUNY Canton Distinguished Faculty Award in 2002, and the E.K. Campbell Award of Merit from American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers, Inc., (ASHRAE) in 2006.

He also advised SUNY Canton's ASHRAE student chapter and the heating and air conditioning club. He co-advised the Beta Mu Chapter of the Tau Alpha Pi Engineering Technology National Honor Society.

Hurlbut's shared his expertise as a consultant with many local architects and has volunteered design work for SUNY Canton, the Canton Pavilion, Canton Central School, the Canton Library, Cooperative Extension Learning Center, and 4-H Camp Overlook. He designed and installed the air conditioning system in the college's Alumni House.

Hurlbut lives in Canton with his wife, Diane. They have three grown children, Andrew, David, and Kimberly Trombly, and one newborn grandson, Noah Trombly. Hurlbut enjoys maple sugaring, piloting his own plane, snowmobiling, hunting, and camping.