Reunion welcomes hundreds of alumni back to campus for weekend celebration
Alumni Reunion is the pinnacle event for reconnecting with classmates and the College. This year, the celebration welcomed back more than 400 SUNY New Paltz alumni and guests for a series of weekend events Oct. 14-16.
“The excitement and New Paltz pride were palpable across every decade of alumni that returned,” said Director of Alumni Relations Shana Circe ’02 (Art Education) ’08g (Visual Arts Education). “This was the most diverse Reunion the College has seen. Fifty-five different class years were represented, from the class of 1954 to the class of 2016.”
The weekend consisted of an Early Arrival Reception on Friday evening hosted by the Alumni Council and various campus activities on Saturday. Guests took advantage of campus and residence hall tours, a 3D printing workshop, planetarium shows and several department specific talks and receptions. The All-Class Fall Harvest Lunch was served BBQ style on the Student Union Concourse and included family friendly activities and a student performance by Absolut A Cappella.
The Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) honored Cheyenne Vancooten ’07, (Sociology), manager of professional services for National Organization on Disability and Harry Bonsu ’90 (Political Science), senior vice president at Independent Care System, with EOP Alumni Recognition awards at their afternoon reception.
Educator and student advocate, Camille Jacobs ’91 (Communication Media) moderated the First World Alumni Panel and Networking event that welcomed 47 registrants and featured three alumni panelists; Alicia Hyndman ’93 (Communication Media and Black Studies) New York State assemblywoman, Larry Scott Blackmon ’96 (Black Studies) vice president of public affairs at Fresh Direct, and Crystal (Brown) Bonds ’91 (Business Administration) master principal and founder of CLASS Coalition.
Saturday events concluded at the Lantern Ceremony and All-Class Awards Dinner. The College presented its Heritage and Alumni Awards and recognized 60 graduates of the class of 1966 as they were inducted into the Lantern Society for their 50th anniversary year.
“Forever orange and blue, forever New Paltz, was the theme for the toast and the sentiment to all that transpired over the weekend as memories were shared and reconnections were made,” said Circe.
The celebration concluded on Sunday with breakfast and activities off-campus, including a hike to Mohonk Preserve and apple picking at Dressel Farms.
Visit the social media hub and view our photo galleries to relive the excitement.