HCCC Board of Trustees Chairman Honored with Marvin A. Rapp Award 
March 15, 2010
Herkimer County Community College Board of Trustees Chairman Donald Snyder of West Winfield recently received the Marvin A. Rapp Award for Distinguished Trustee Service. Given by the New York Community College Trustees, Inc. (NYCCT), the award recognizes community college trustees with dedicated and effective service over an extended period of time.
Snyder was appointed to the HCCC Board of Trustees in 1991, and has served as Chairman since 2000. His contributions to the college community include assisting during the growth of the campus and the construction of the Technology Building, Wehrum Stadium, Reservoir Run, and the renovation of the Robert McLaughlin College Center and the Ronald F. Williams Library. He was also instrumental in organizing, implementing and successfully completing the search process for the third president of the college.
Snyder represents HCCC at community functions and regularly attends college events. As chairman, he has an active role at events such as convocation, commencement, dedications and award ceremonies.
HCCC President Ann Marie Murray said “With almost two decades of dedicated service to Herkimer County Community College, this is a most fitting award for Mr. Snyder. We are grateful for his commitment, leadership and ongoing support of the College.”
Snyder is a semi-retired attorney providing counsel to the firm of Cosentino, Snyder & Quinn and serves as a defense attorney for numerous insurance carriers as counsel to the law firm of Gitto and Neifer. He was a partner with Cosentino, Snyder & Snyder from 1966 to 1998. He served as assistant District Attorney, in traffic matters, for Herkimer County from 1966 to 1978. Mr. Snyder served as Senior Court Attorney for Judge Henry LaRaia of the Herkimer Family Court from 1991 to 2002. He was also attorney for the Town of Winfield (1970-1998), Village of West Winfield (1966-1978) and Mount Markham Central School (1971-1998).
Snyder was honorably discharged as a Captain from the United State Army Infantry. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Siena College and Juris Doctor and L.L.B. degrees from Albany Law School. Upon his retirement, he enrolled at HCCC and earned an Associate in Arts degree in Fine Arts.
Snyder has been a member of the Herkimer County, Oneida County, New York State and American Bar Associations since 1966 and served as President of the Herkimer County Bar Association from 1995-1997. He serves as Vice-Chairman of the Herkimer County Planning Board. He is a member of the board of directors of the Herkimer County College Foundation, the Legal Aid Society of Mid-New York and Mohawk Valley Estate Planning Council. He is the Lead Counsel for Our Lady of Lourdes Charitable Trust (2003 to present) and has served as Parish Council President, Finance Chairman and Building Committee Chairman. He has held numerous offices and memberships in a variety of community organizations.
Snyder was presented with the award on Friday, March 12 during the 2010 NYCCT Awards Banquet as part of the 56th Annual NYCCT Conference at the Gideon Putnam Hotel in Saratoga Springs, NY.