New Paltz President Promotes Eaton to Vice President

NEW PALTZ — Roger W. Bowen, president of the State University of New York at New Paltz, has announced the promotion of L. David Eaton to vice president for enrollment management. The promotion is effective immediately.

Eaton has reported directly to Bowen since the president’s arrival in the summer of 1996, first as interim dean of admissions and later, in spring 1997, as dean for enrollment management.

Eaton, a graduate of Northern Michigan University (Marquette), earned his bachelor’s degree in philosophy and his master’s in public administration. He has done post-graduate study in public administration at Nelson A. Rockefeller School of Public Policy (Albany).

The new vice president has served in various capacities since his first appointment as director of residence life in 1981. In 1985, he was appointed dean of student life and later, associate vice president for student affairs, a position which he held from 1990 to 1995. Eaton also served as acting vice president of student affairs between February and September, 1990.

President Bowen said he was pleased to appoint Eaton to this newly created position. “During my two years at New Paltz,” said Bowen, “David has demonstrated his abilities as an effective and experienced leader. Under his leadership, his staff has developed sound strategic and marketing planning documents which will be invaluable as we move into an era of largely enrollment-driven budget allocations.”

Bowen characterized the responsibilities of enrollment management as those which ensure direct connections between student admissions, enrollment, retention, course scheduling, registration and the awarding of scholarships.

Eaton said he was honored to accept the position of vice president. He pointed out that the role of admissions has changed significantly over the last decade. “Now institutions compete intensely to enroll a generation of students savvy to the ways of the market, and determined to find a college experience that will satisfy their educational and existential aspirations, yet, which won’t break the bank,” stated Eaton. “New Paltz is fortunate to be able to a offer a first-rate curriculum, taught by an excellent faculty, in an idyllic setting– both rural and suburban–yet close enough to New York City to enable our students to take advantage of all its cultural and intellectual resources. And, as a public university, New Paltz offers an outstanding education without having to mortgage your future.

“These factors have put New Paltz in the elite,” noted Eaton. “Numerous publications, including the latest college ranking by US News and World Report, place SUNY New Paltz among the most selective schools in the Northeast.

“My successes at New Paltz, in many respects, may be attributed to the fine professionals with which I have worked–in admissions, student affairs, and the academic divisions, ” stated the new vice president. “The admissions staff has been on the front line of recruiting new students; however, all of us play an integral role in assisting and motivating our students to succeed in and out of the classroom,” he added. “Continuing to improve student success in terms of retention and progress to graduation is our challenge,” said Eaton. “At a university, meeting enrollment targets is everybody’s job.”