Fifty years of history: panel and reception to honor career of Gerald Sorin

Emeritus Distinguished Professor of History Gerald Sorin joined the SUNY New Paltz faculty in 1965 as a specialist in American society and politics, with particular interest in the abolitionists and abolitionism. More than 50 years later, he has become an internationally recognized authority on American Jewish history and one of the most decorated members of the New Paltz faculty.

Sorin’s life and work will be the subject of a celebration at the Sojourner Truth Library on May 5, beginning at 5 p.m., featuring a panel discussion including the evening’s guest of honor.

A Fulbright scholar and two-time National Jewish Book Award winner, Sorin is the author of eight books and numerous articles and essays. Over the course of his career at New Paltz, Sorin chaired the Department of History, established and assumed direction of the college’s Jewish Studies Program, and founded the Louis and Mildred Resnick Institute for the Study of Modern Jewish Life.

“Hundreds if not thousands of students’ lives and careers were nurtured and influenced through his teaching and mentoring,” said longtime colleague Gerald Benjamin, director of The Benjamin Center. “Gerald Sorin’s career has proven to be one of the most distinguished in the College’s history.”

Guest speakers at the Sorin Celebration will include:

• Deborah Dash Moore, the Frederick G. L. Huetwell professor of history and director of the Jean and Samuel Frankel Center for Judaic Studies at the University of Michigan;
• Mark Lapping ’67 (History), professor emeritus at the University of Southern Maine; and
• William Strongin, history lecturer at New Paltz and community Rabbi.

Each of these panelists will talk about one aspect of Sorin’s life and career, touching on the contributions he has made to New Paltz students and the broader disciplinary impact his intellectual engagement and service has had on the community and the wider academic world.

These presentations will be followed by an address from Sorin himself, as he reflects on a lifetime of teaching and learning at New Paltz.

This celebration is sponsored by the Department of History, the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences and the Office of Academic Affairs. Those interested in attending are asked to please RSVP to provost@newpaltz.edu.

For more information, contact the History Department at (845) 257-3545.