POTSDAM – SUNY Potsdam recently recognized the Stewart's Foundation with the 2025 Leadership Through Service Award, one of the College's highest honors, during Commencement. Accepting the award on the foundation's behalf was Chuck Marshall '01, director of real estate for Stewart's Shops, who urged graduates to stay the course and not be deterred by all that life would throw at them.

"The Stewart's Foundation exemplifies what it means to lead through service," said SUNY Potsdam President Dr. Suzanne R. Smith. "Their unwavering commitment to giving back to the communities they serve has made a lasting impact across the North Country and beyond. We are proud to honor their legacy, and to celebrate their generosity in helping our campus and the broader community thrive."

SUNY Potsdam established the Leadership Through Service Award to honor those outstanding individuals and organizations that have demonstrated a commitment of service to the Potsdam community. Each year, recipients are acknowledged for demonstrating a special commitment to the betterment of the North Country through dedicated service.

"Thank you very much. This is particularly special for me as a 2001 graduate, and someone with his two children here with him today," Marshall said. "It's your journey -- just keep advancing the ball."

To learn more about community giving by Stewart's Shops and the Dake family, visit www.stewartsshops.com/community-giving.