SUNY New Paltz to celebrate the Inauguration of its new president

NEW PALTZ – The State University of New York at New Paltz will be celebrating the inauguration of President Donald P. Christian with a host of special events to mark the occasion. Dr. Christian, who was appointed by the State University of New York (SUNY) Board of Trustees in June 2011, is the eighth president in the college’s 184-year history.

The inauguration ceremony takes place on Friday, April 13, in the newly renovated Studley Theatre located in the Old Main Building, the oldest building on the New Paltz campus. The Inauguration Ceremony is by invitation only. A webcast of the event will be held in Lecture Center 100 and is open to the public.

The ceremony begins with a procession of the college’s senior administrators, deans from the various academic disciplines, members of the SUNY New Paltz College Council and the SUNY New Paltz Foundation, the faculty and students, and alumni; SUNY administration; state officials; and delegates from local and national colleges and universities.

SUNY Chancellor Nancy Zimpher will preside over the Ceremony of Investiture where Dr. Christian will be presented with the President’s chain. He will then deliver his inauguration speech focusing on the future of the college and its mission as a leading, liberal arts college, focused on teaching and learning, and a vital partner within the community.

In addition to the inauguration, there are several other events planned. On Thursday, April 12, New Paltz will welcome Dr. Debra Humphreys to its Distinguished Speaker Series. Humphreys, the vice president for communications and public affairs at the Association of American Colleges and Universities (AACU), will deliver a presentation entitled “Liberal Education and the 21st Century Global Economy.” Prior to the lecture, several students will take part in the New Paltz Showcase, which highlights the research and creative activity of these students and their faculty mentors. Immediately following the lecture, a faculty panel will discuss three modes of teaching and learning that have long-lasting, beneficial effects on student knowledge and engagement. The events begin at 6:00 p.m. in the Lecture Center. Admission is free. For information, visit www.newpaltz.edu/speakerseries/ or call 845-257-3972.

On Saturday, April 14, Vladimir Feltsman, founder and artistic director of the Piano Summer Institute and Festival at New Paltz, will perform a benefit concert in honor of the president. Feltsman is regarded as one of the most versatile and constantly interesting musicians of our time. His repertoire encompasses music from the Baroque to 20th-century composers. The program for the benefit will include Schubert’s “Impromptus in A flat major Op. 90” and Liszt’s “Harmonies du Soir.” It will also include Mussorgsky’s “Pictures at the Exhibition,” inspired by the works of artist Victor Hartmann.

The concert will begin at 4 p.m. in the Studley Theatre. A reception for patrons will follow at 6 p.m. Tickets for the concert are $40. Patron tickets plus reception are $80. Tickets can be purchased online at http://www.newpaltz.edu/inauguration/feltsman.html or at the Parker Theatre Box Office, open March 26 – April 13, from 11:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. The Will Call window in Studley Theatre is open one hour prior to the concert. For additional information, call 845-257-3880.

Proceeds from the concert and reception will support music, theatre, artistic, and other cultural events and activities that enrich the experience of New Paltz students.

Prior to the concert, Feltsman will appear on WAMC Radio on Thursday, April 12 at 11:35 a.m.

On the day of the inauguration ceremony, the Samuel Dorsky Museum of Art will be open starting at 9 a.m. through 5 p.m. to accommodate visitors to the campus.

The Sojourner Truth Library will also feature a special exhibit, “The History of the Office of the President,” featuring a historical timeline of the college. The exhibit runs from April 7 through April 15. For library hours, visit http://library.newpaltz.edu.

For further information about the Presidential Inauguration and the schedule of events, please visit www.newpaltz.edu/inauguration.