Even in elementary school, Ira Fusfeld '70 had a newspaper in his hand.

Today, Fusfeld, who graduated from New Paltz in 1970, is the publisher of The Daily Freeman, a Kingston, N.Y.-based newspaper, and Taconic Press, a weekly newspaper group in Millbrook, N.Y.

"My career path was clear to me long before I arrived at New Paltz," he said. "I always knew I wanted to be a newspaperman."

At New Paltz, his career goals were supported and molded. Fusfeld spent much of his four years at the college newspaper, The Oracle.

The journalism program at New Paltz was quite different in the late 1960’s than it is today, but Fusfeld took whatever journalism courses were offered in addition to public speaking courses. He said professors such as Alan Bogarad and Maude Shapiro played a key role in helping him build confidence. He also learned leadership from his time spent as a resident assistant (RA) in Crispell Hall, which he said taught him "a lot about dealing with people."

He served as the college's first sports information director on a part-time basis while completing his courses for a degree in English, which led to a job as sports editor for The Daily Freeman. There he rose through the ranks, and in 1987 was made publisher. In 2001, he was named Publisher of the Year by the Journal Register Company, which owns the Freeman and Taconic Press.

Fusfeld has remained dedicated to his alma mater having served on the College Council and College Foundation.

School of Business 2006 Alumnus of the Year Award: " I am proud of the fact that I was able to step into the management side of the newspaper and learn how to run a large, successful business. To be recognized by the college for this role is both surprising and humbling."

New Paltz in the late 1960s: "During my four years on campus, the one constant was the sound of jack hammers. The college was always under construction. It's really amazing to see what it's become today."

Why New Paltz?: "I applied to New Paltz because it was inexpensive and close to home. It proved to be one of the luckiest and smartest decisions I ever made."