NEW PALTZ – The School of Business (SOB) at the State University of New York at New Paltz will recognize two college employees for their contributions to the SOB and the college community. David Farbaniec, director of purchasing, and Daniel Sistarenik, director of financial aid, will be inducted as honorary members into the New Paltz chapter of Sigma Beta Delta, an international honor society in business, management and administration. The induction ceremony will take place during the School’s Award & Graduation Ceremony at 5 p.m. on Friday, May 4, in the Julien J. Studley Theatre on campus.
Hadi Salavitabar, dean of the School of Business, praised the two honorary members. “Mr. Farbaniec and Mr. Sistarenik are excellent, dedicated, and effective members of our campus community. Our students, the School of Business, and the college have significantly benefited from their leadership and commitment to our educational activities and students’ educational experiences at New Paltz.”
Farbaniec has held his position as director of purchasing since 2007. Previously, he served as the assistant director of purchasing for two years. The Purchasing Department, comprised of seven full-time staff, annually purchases approximately $11-$16 million worth of commodities, services, IT products and services, consulting services, and travel, on behalf of the entire campus. The department also manages the procurement/contracting functions for a portion of the campus’s construction and construction-related consulting projects.
In addition to his supervisory responsibilities, Farbaniec has handled the procurement and contracting functions for a number of major campus projects, including the Student Union Building renovation project. This building now serves as the campus gateway and centerpiece for students, visitors, and employees alike. He has also conducted procurements for a wide range of goods and services. Farbaniec currently serves on the SUNY Procurement Procedures Committee, a statewide SUNY committee comprised of seven members and chaired by the SUNY director of procurement.
Sistarenik, the current director of financial aid, has provided 25 years of service to students. He is responsible for managing over $60 million in aid awarded each year, and he and his staff package financial aid for over 6,000 students annually. Each year, Sistarenik also meets with federal and state legislators to discuss issues affecting New Paltz students and financial aid. In addition, he assists students and families who are confronted with drastic financial changes or crises; provides support to academic departments via work-study and student employees; and assists with special projects or events that enhance student wellbeing.
Sistarenik has indirectly been involved in marketing the college via numerous media interviews, discussions and presentations on higher education funding. He has been influential in the development of new financing initiatives, as well as the preservation of current programs. He was instrumental in establishing a chapter of the national grassroots “Dollars for Scholars” program. Additionally, he helped to advocate for additional local and institutional funding via the successful “College Council Retention Fund”, the Campus Auxiliary Services (CAS) Economic Emergency Fund and various SUNY New Paltz Foundation awards for needy students. His peers and colleagues have also recognized him for his service to the financial aid profession.
Membership in Sigma Beta Delta is the highest recognition a business student can receive at a college or university with a Sigma Beta Delta chapter. The purpose of Sigma Beta Delta is to recognize scholarship and achievement among students of business, management and administration. In addition, it also encourages professional development and a life distinguished by honorable service.
The purposes of Sigma Beta Delta are to encourage and recognize scholarship and achievement among students of business, management and administration, and to encourage and promote personal and professional improvement and a life distinguished by honorable service to humankind. For more information about Sigma Beta Delta, visit www.sigmabetadelta.org.
For more information about the New Paltz School of Business, call 845-257-2930 or visit www.newpaltz.edu/schoolofbusiness/.
