College will celebrate the life of Heinz Meng on Nov. 2
SUNY New Paltz will honor the memory of professor emeritus Heinz Meng with a plaque dedication ceremony, film screening and special lecture on Thursday, Nov. 2 beginning at 4:30 in the Coykendall Science Building on the New Paltz campus.
The event is free and open to the public, though guests are asked to register in advance, as a capacity crowd is expected. Please use this link to register.
The evening’s program includes:
- 4:30 p.m.: Reception and gallery display of Meng’s paintings
- 5:15 p.m.: Welcome remarks and plaque unveiling by President Donald P. Christian
- 5:30 p.m.: Screening of “The Legacy of Heinz Meng,” a short film created by Paul Spaulding ’17 (Digital Media Production) and Abby Shaffer ’17 (Digital Media Production)
- 5:45 p.m.: Special guest lecture by alumna and Central Park Zoo Animal Curator Susan Cardillo ’94 (Biology).
Meng was a beloved New Paltz faculty member from his appointment in 1951 until his retirement in 2001. He is widely credited with helping save the peregrine falcon from extinction in the eastern United States in the latter half of the 20th century.
He was also a dedicated scholar, artist, mentor and educator who touched the lives of hundreds of New Paltz students over more than 50 years on campus.
Among those impacted by Meng’s knowledge and character was Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., who offered words of tribute to Meng during his Distinguished Speaker address to the New Paltz community on March 13, 2017.
Heinz Meng passed away on Aug. 13, 2016.
For more information about this event, please use this link or contact the School of Science & Engineering Dean’s Office at lavaller@newpaltz.edu or call 845-257-3784.
Click here to learn more about the legacy of Heinz Meng.