Former Cayuga Community College trustee John Klink has received the Marvin A. Rapp Award for Distinguished Trustee Service, one of the top honors presented by the New York Community College Trustees.
The statewide organization gives the award to trustees who have served at least five years and made outstanding contributions of time, effort and ideas to their college communities. Cayuga announced Klink's recognition Friday.
Klink served on Cayuga's Board of Trustees for 11 years, from 2012 through 2023, and spent nine years on the Cayuga County Community College Foundation Board of Directors. His board work included committees overseeing facilities, finances, personnel and planning.
He also co-chaired a presidential search committee and supported the college's expansion in Oswego County. Klink said the development of Cayuga's Fulton campus expanded access to two-year higher education in that county.
“Thank you to Cayuga Community College for all it has afforded me as a student, educator, public servant and trustee,” Klink said. “Accepting the Marvin A. Rapp Award has been the honor of a lifetime.”
Klink's connection to the college began as a student. He earned an associate degree from Cayuga in 1966 before completing bachelor's and master's degrees at SUNY Brockport.
He later spent nearly 40 years teaching social studies, including 35 years in the Southern Cayuga Central School District. His public service also included 28 years as an Owasco town councilman and four years as town supervisor.
Klink served as co-president of the Owasco Lake Watershed Management Council and held roles on the Owasco Lake Standing Committee and the Cayuga County Water Quality Management Agency.
Cayuga President Brian Durant said Klink consistently focused on education and opportunities for students. Board Chair Marian Brown said he listened to differing views while keeping the board's attention on students and the college community.
The New York Community College Trustees established the Rapp Award in 1986.
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