December Grads ‘Freeze The Moment’ Dec. 2

NEW PALTZ — NOTE TO EDITORS: Media are invited to cover the commencement ceremony. The ceremony begins at 11 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 2. Contact Ken Ross at (845)-3245 for additional details.

Under the theme “Freeze the Moment,” SUNY New Paltz graduates finishing their requirements in December now have their own ceremony to commemorate their achievement. In the past, students finishing their studies before spring either left without a ceremony or returned five months later to “walk” with the May graduates.

University officials expect about 240 of the 700 December graduates to participate in the Dec. 2 commencement ceremony at the campus’ Elting Gym.

While planners are organizing an event that largely parallels the May ceremony, the indoor venue will lead to distinct differences.

“Elting Gym is obviously smaller than our outdoor location, and will give us a more intimate ceremony,” said Judy Costa, coordinator of marketing and special events. “We also have the opportunity to present a more formal event that will give it an identity of its own.”

The guest speaker for the ceremony is Maxine Greene, director of the Teachers College Center for Social Imagination, the Arts and Education at Columbia University’s Center for Educational Outreach and Innovation. She is a well known philosopher on education, with a strong interest in aesthetic education.

Valedictorian Lyn-Marie Kiefer of Wappingers Falls will receive a bachelor’s of science degree in engineering.

Salutatorian Erica Peterson of Hyde Park is receiving her bachelor’s of science in art education and ran varsity cross country all four years.