June Shannon

June Shannon created the Harold K. Shannon Memorial Scholarship in memory of her late second husband Harold Shannon who passed away April 24, 1998. Harold was an Army veteran and used his GI Bill to attend Syracuse University, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in chemistry and later a Master’s degree. He was a science and math teacher at Hammond High School in Hammond, NY. Later he worked as a clinical chemist in the laboratory at Mercy Hospital in Watertown, NY.

Harold was one of the first professors to teach at the newly opened JCC. He taught from 1963-1986. While teaching at JCC, he went back to Syracuse University and earned his PhD in science education. He was involved with many committees at JCC as well as the curriculum development. He was very dedicated to students. Nancy Abbott, his daughter, stated, “He would take any calls from any students at any time of the day or night. If they had problems or questions, he would go out of his way to help them.” Harold was one of 55 professionals from 32 SUNY campuses chosen to receive the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching.

In January 2021, June Shannon’s step-son Jeff Shannon, passed away. Jeff was a well-known on-air radio and television personality. In Jeff’s memory, his wife Donna and the Shannon family renamed this scholarship to become the Harold K. & Jeffrey T. Shannon Scholarship.