SUNY chancellor and New Paltz president engage alumni during outreach event

New Paltz alumni gathered with President Donald P. Christian and SUNY Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher for a dinner and conversation about the College and SUNY System on March 9. The dinner was planned in an effort to understand alumni interest in the College and to explore opportunities for collaboration on new ideas.

“It is exciting and reassuring to see Chancellor Zimpher and President Christian engage in this high level of active listening and thoughtful outreach to seek formative input from alumni, as they draw on past experience while looking forward to shape current and future SUNY plans and policies,” said Glenn Hoagland ’82 (Geography), executive director of Mohonk Preserve. “Their initiative will make a great institution even better for all.”

Attendees of the alumni dinner, members of graduate classes ranging from 1960 to 2014, fielded questions from Chancellor Zimpher about why they chose to attend SUNY New Paltz, what aspects of their education enabled them to succeed after graduation, and what aspects they feel could be improved.

“We are using the voices of students and alumni to compel the state legislature to invest in SUNY, so more students graduate and enter the New York workforce,” Zimpher said. “This is an irresistible bargain for the students, their families and for New York State.”

For President Christian, the opportunity to speak with and listen to the New Paltz community was a privilege. “Though our alumni and our current students find themselves in different phases of their lifetime education, each group has a vested interest in the success of the College,” he said. “I view these conversations as opportunities to collaborate on the new ideas and programs that will enable us to better serve future generations of alumni and students.”