SUNY New Paltz welcomes summer and celebrates dedicated employees with Faculty & Staff Appreciation BBQ
Hundreds of SUNY New Paltz colleagues gathered under the sun on May 20 in Parker Quad to enjoy good food and good company at the annual Faculty & Staff Appreciation BBQ.
The event is a much-deserved celebration thanking the campus employees who work tirelessly to ensure a successful and enriching experience for students.
“You should congratulate yourselves and your colleagues today,” said President Darrell P. Wheeler. “Around the space, we’ve got team members from every segment of the campus community. Thank you all for making this a phenomenal day.”
In addition to offering a few hours for lunch, music and conversation, the BBQ also includes the presentation of the annual Presidential Recognition Awards, where colleagues nominate exemplary Classified Staff for their significant contributions to campus life and dedication to serving the New Paltz community.
Each honoree receives a certificate, a gift bag of New Paltz memorabilia and a $500 stipend.
The 2025 Presidential Recognition Awardees are:
Joan Laudicina, library assistant 1, Sojourner Truth Library.
Through more than 25 years of dedicated service at the Library, Laudicina has exemplified exceptional care and professionalism in her interactions with colleagues, student employees and library users. She has played a crucial role in ensuring uninterrupted library services by voluntarily opening the building in emergencies and covering the front desk through staffing shortages. Laudicina was instrumental in the reshelving of more than 30,000 books following a major mold remediation project, allowing the Library’s ground floor to reopen on time for students and faculty.
Sonya Morgan, office assistant 1, Office of Communication & Marketing.
Known for her tireless energy and positive attitude in Mail Services, Morgan has gone above and beyond to assist students, faculty and staff with their mailing needs for 20 years. She has personally assisted students in locating misplaced packages, often searching through hundreds of items until they were found. Morgan has also volunteered to deliver large shipments to various departments, ensuring smooth operations and easing the workload for others.
Donna Prestia, administrative assistant 1, Department of Art.
Prestia has demonstrated more than three decades of outstanding service and transformative impact on New Paltz’s Department of Art. With a deep understanding of campus through extensive experience across multiple departments, Prestia has significantly enhanced the efficiency of her area’s daily operations.
During the department’s transition to a new admissions process, she played a pivotal role in developing clear and student-friendly language for the website, enabling potential students and their families to navigate the updated process seamlessly. She excels in managing diverse responsibilities, such as coordinating expenditures for multiple accounts, ensuring timely approvals and crafting accessible communication materials.
Tony Prestia, trades generalist, Facilities Operations.
Through more than 30 years of service, Prestia has consistently demonstrated pride in his work, ensuring that tasks are completed efficiently and to the highest standards.
His contributions are often behind the scenes, yet they are essential to keeping the campus running smoothly. Prestia is known for his reliability, ability to troubleshoot problems, commitment to maintaining campus operations and willingness to assist with complex projects, often taking the time to teach others and share his expertise.
The All-Faculty and Staff Appreciation Picnic & BBQ is sponsored by the Office of the President.