President’s 2015 State of the College address

On Aug. 21, President Donald P. Christian spoke before faculty, staff and administrators on topics including the many recent successes of students and alumni, the challenges posed in higher education by changing external conditions and SUNY New Paltz’s strong regional and national reputation in his State of the College address for the 2015-16 academic year.

“Communities coalesce around traditions and shared values,” Christian said. “Today, we continue our tradition of launching a new year by welcoming new community members, celebrating our accomplishments, reinforcing our values and forecasting the year to come.”

In the address Christian welcomed the many new faces who will be joining the faculty this fall and acknowledged the vital and diverse contributions made by the faculty to the climate, character and performance of the College.

“The high caliber of our faculty is reflected in an array of scholarly, creative, artistic, and service achievements and in your remarkable contributions to the learning and intellectual development of our students,” Christian said.

He congratulated staff who will be stepping into new leadership roles: Stella Deen, interim provost and vice president for Academic Affairs; Lee Bernstein, interim associate provost for Undergraduate Studies; Jennifer Mokren, dean of the School of Fine & Performing Arts; Robin Cohen-La Valle, dean of students; Maureen Lohan-Bremer, director of Financial Aid; and Laura Schultz, registrar.

The address went on to highlight the importance of remaining engaged with New Paltz graduates.

“I meet many alumni on campus and across the country, and I hear about their love for New Paltz and the faculty and staff who touched their lives,” Christian said. “Alumni contribute to our fund-raising, foster connections between the College and the broader community, educate and inspire our students and help find internships and employment for our students and graduates.”

Above all, Christian spoke to the imperative that the College continue in its commitment to creating positive student experiences and outcomes, and paid particular attention to the need for inclusion of all student constituencies, including transfer students, students of underrepresented socioeconomic backgrounds, international students and any who may struggle to find acceptance of their identities and personalities.

“As a top-tier public university, we must make excellence inclusive,” Christian said. “That means being better at translating our stated values of equity and inclusion into individual and institutional action. Such work will improve the student, faculty and staff experience and prepare our graduates to make an imperfect world better.”

Additional topics treated in President Christian’s 2015 State of the College address included campus construction projects, the College’s longstanding commitment to the liberal arts education, the development of new academic programs and administrative processes, financial constraints and lingering impacts of the recession and recent enrollment and admissions efforts.

The full address and accompanying slideshow can be viewed here.