SUNY New Paltz welcomes college’s seventh president

NEW PALTZ — More than 400 special guests, including members of the Governor’s Office, State Senate, State Legislature and 55 representatives from colleges and universities from across the nation, will attend the Inauguration Ceremony for Steven G. Poskanzer, the seventh president of The State University of New York at New Paltz, beginning at 2 p.m. tomorrow in Studley Theatre.

“Friday is going to be a very special day for the campus, combining celebration with pomp and circumstance formality,” said Director of Development Sally Cross, who organized the inauguration. “I think that the day captures so much of what makes New Paltz great.”

The ceremony will begin with a procession that features 55 delegates, 15 of which are past or current presidents, marching in full academic costume in the order of the age of their institution — with the oldest universities heading the lineup.

The assembly will be greeted by a select group of special guests, including John Bellucci of the Governor’s Office, Robert L. King, chancellor of The State University of New York, State Sen. John Bonacic, State Assemblyman Joel Miller and New Paltz College Council Chairman Harry Scherr.

Following the greetings, King and Hugo Sonnenschein, president emeritus, University of Chicago, will present the Presidential Chain of Office to Poskanzer, after which Poskanzer will give his inaugural address.

“The students, faculty and staff of the College at New Paltz need and deserve superb leadership and they have it in Steve Poskanzer,” said King. “I am very proud to be attending the inauguration of President Steve Poskanzer.”

The Inauguration Ceremony is a ticketed event, due to limited seating.

Note to editors: A photograph of Steven G. Poskanzer is available on the SUNY New Paltz Web site at www.newpaltz.edu/news/photos/poskanzer.html