SUNY Cobleskill President Marion Terenzio has announced a new scholarship endowment in honor of Clifford and Elizabeth Hay and their contributions to Schoharie County.
The annual scholarship will benefit a student majoring in Dairy Science at SUNY Cobleskill who has been active in the FFA.
"Cliff and Betty Hay are the kind of people who form the backbone of a community," Dr. Terenzio said.
"From business to education to work with the county's youth, the Hays have given tremendously to Schoharie County and its residents. We are proud to announce this new endowment in their names."
Throughout his life, Mr. Hay has been a pillar of the county's business community.
After serving in the Marines for three years, he came home to Schoharie County in 1956 to run the first farm in the county to milk 100 cows and the first to use a 100-horse power tractor.
Over the years, he diversified.
He founded Clifford C Hay, Inc. in 1972, then the Cobleskill Car Wash in 1984, and Handy Rental and Mobil Express in 1989.
As an FFA advisor in the Knox school district, Mr. Hay helped guide young people to success and leadership in agriculture. Cliff currently serves as the chair of the Schoharie County Democratic Committee.
Ms. Hay got her start at SUNY Cobleskill, earning a two-year business degree that she put to use keeping the books for Clifford C Hay, Inc.
After earning a master's degree from the University at Albany, she began a teaching career in the Cobleskill School District that lasted 20 years.
The Hays raised three children together.
The first recipient of the Cliff and Betty Hay Scholarship was Dairy Science major Katarina Thomas.