The SUNY Board of Trustees adopted a resolution at their Oct. 25, 2022, meeting appointing former SUNY New Paltz President Donald P. Christian to the title of President Emeritus.
Christian was appointed as New Paltz’s eighth president in 2011 after serving as interim president in 2010-11. He retired in 2022.
More information about Christian’s 12 years leading the College can be found at this link.
The SUNY Board of Trustees resolution appointing him President Emeritus can be accessed here and is copied below in full.
M E M O R A N D U M
October 25, 2022
TO: Members of the Board of Trustees
FROM: Deborah F. Stanley, Interim Chancellor
SUBJECT: Designation of Dr. Donald P. Christian, President Emeritus, SUNY New Paltz
Action Requested
The proposed resolution appoints Dr. Donald P. Christian to the title of President Emeritus, SUNY New Paltz.
Resolution
I recommend that the Board of Trustees adopt the following resolution:
Whereas President Christian served successfully for 12 years in his role and a year as Interim President, and has contributed a total of 13 years of his career to the improvement of New Paltz and 45 years of his career to the service of higher education; and
Whereas Under President Christian’s leadership, the College’s reputation as a top-tier public institution grew both statewide and nationally and has been recognized for high retention and graduation of students from historically underrepresented groups as well as first-generation and low-income students, with rates well above state and national averages for both public and private institutions.
Whereas President Christian has been a strong advocate for the value of a liberal education tailored to 21s century needs, for study abroad, student research, and supported the rapid growth of STEM enrollments and the development of additive manufacturing and 3D printing at the College, including securing millions in state and private funding to provide equipment and build a new Engineering Innovation Hub on campus.
Whereas President Christian expanded the Educational Opportunity Program by 100 students (a 20% growth), a program serving students who show promise and potential for college success with additional academic and financial assistance.
Whereas President Christian restructured Human Resources and Diversity and Inclusion into an integrated unit focused on human development and institutional learning, as well as appointed the College’s first Chief Diversity Officer, both reporting to the President.
Whereas President Christian oversaw the establishment of the Office of Veteran & Military Services, which succeeded in increasing New Paltz’ military-affiliated student population from 60 students in 2014 to many hundreds of students today, earning New Paltz national recognition as a Military Friendly Top 20 School.
Whereas President Christian initiated a review led by the Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Council with broad community and shared governance involvement leading to the renaming of the Hasbrouck Building Complex; creating space to honor the contributions of indigenous people, the Africans and the Huguenot settlers who lived there.
Whereas Under President Christian, New Paltz had the first-ever fund-raising campaign Soaring Higher: The Campaign for SUNY New Paltz, which exceeded its goal of $23M by raising $24.7M. During the past decade, the value of the New Paltz endowment has grown to $36M from $14M.
Whereas President Christian oversaw the most significant capital investment, renovations and building expansion in the College since the 1960s-70s, including seven major renovations and three new buildings.
Whereas President Christian led the campus during a period of significant energy use reduction and expanded energy resilience, highlighted by installing a state-of-the-art solar energy system (completed in 2018) featuring highly advanced power converters and battery storage system, and expansive photovoltaic arrays on the roofs of the Elting Gym and Sojourner Truth Library.
Whereas President Christian was appointed by Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul in 2016 to serve on the Mid-Hudson Regional Economic Development Council and was named co-chair of the Council in 2018. The Mid-Hudson Region has been a top performer among the state’s 10 economic development regions multiple times and has been awarded more than $713 million since the program’s inception.
Resolved that Dr. Donald P. Christian be designated President Emeritus of the State University of New Paltz in recognition of his past service effective October 25, 2022.
