SUNY New Paltz | Reunion 2018

Alumni Reunion 2018

Over 450 SUNY New Paltz alumni and their families were welcomed back to campus for a series of weekend events
Oct. 12-14.

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“The whole weekend was filled with this electric sense of New Paltz pride and excitement, and really just joy to be back and reconnecting with this place that we all love, and with the people that made each of their New Paltz experiences so rich.”

- Director of Alumni Relations Shana Circe ’02 (Art Education) ’08g (Visual Arts Education).

“I truly felt privileged to be present in such an extraordinary year for alumni reunion weekend. The level of engagement from our alumni, in so many diverse ways, was quite astounding to see and be a part of. The whole weekend was filled with this electric sense of New Paltz pride and excitement, and really just joy to be back and reconnecting with this place that we all love, and with the people that made each of their New Paltz experiences so rich. I truly think our New Paltz alumni community is just getting warmed up, and I am buzzing with a sense of pride and eager anticipation for what is to come next.”

All-Class Dinner and Lantern Ceremony

The College presented its Heritage and Alumni Awards at the All-Class Awards Dinner and Lantern Ceremony on Saturday. The event honored Bruce Orenstein ’68 (Secondary Education 7-12; Social Studies) and Sandra (Schwartz) Orenstein ’67 (Elementary Education K-6; Psychology), Everton H. Henriques ’78 ’83g (Chemistry) and Jeannie Irvine ’78 (Mathematics), Giancarlo Traverso, professor emeritus, Gail Gallerie, former Executive Assistant to the President 1969 - 2003, Marc Warren ’68 (Elementary Education; Psychology) and Dennis Rinsler ’68 (Elementary Education; Psychology), and Patricia (Gisin) King ’60 (Elementary Education; Political Science) and Rosemarie (Mainberger) McBride ’60 (Elementary Education; Biology) ’68g (Secondary Education; Biology).

Alumni Reunion Heritage and Alumni Awards

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Seventy graduates of the class of 1968 were inducted into the Lantern Society for their 50^th anniversary year. The class also came together to raise over $85,000 to create the Class of 1968 and Friends Endowment to provide scholarships for future students. Their commitment to philanthropy was also apparent when the class won the “Alumni Reunion Class Year Challenge,” which invited guests to make a gift in honor of their class. The anniversary class year with the greatest number of alumni donors (not dollars) will have a brick added to the Walk of Honor to commemorate its generosity. The class of 1968 came out on top, inching out the class of 1973 by only four donors.

Going back into Bouton Hall with the same 13 guys who lived together on the 2nd floor 50 years ago was very emotional.

“Going back into Bouton Hall with the same 13 guys who lived together on the 2nd floor 50 years ago was very emotional. We were called ‘The Zoo Wing’ back then. Just standing there laughing and telling stories outside our old rooms made us feel 18 again. Such great memories! New Paltz forever!”

- Dennis Rinsler ’68 (Elementary Education; Psychology), Alumni Professional Achievement Award Winner

Close-up of the bricks on the walk of honor

Affinity Groups Reconnect

New Paltz saw the largest number of affinity groups return to campus for various events and celebrations. These included Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) and Study Abroad, both celebrating their 50^th anniversaries, two fraternities, Phi Eta Sigma and Tau Omicron Pi (Toppers), three sororities, Arethusa Sisters, the Agnonian Association and the Clinonian Sisters, a panel of distinguished theatre alumni, and former student athletes who honored inductees into the Athletics Hall of Fame.

EOP Gathering

Study Abroad Reception

Phi Eta Sigma Luncheon

“After five decades of Study Abroad, we all have so many stories to share. Reunion provided us with a great opportunity to rekindle old friendships and to hear what others have to say about their experiences traveling the world.”

- Professor Emeritus Dr. Louis Saraceno, the first study abroad faculty director

Campus Tour

3D Facilities Tour

Harvest Luncheon

"It was one thing to look through the yearbooks, but to have alumni personally tell me the stories behind each photograph in the archives and historical buildings here on campus was such a privilege. Hearing about everyone’s experience at SUNY New Paltz throughout the decades really instilled a feeling in me that my time here is special and historic."

- Kimberly Robinson ’21 (Psychology), student volunteer

Save the Date

Reunion 2019 will be held on campus Oct. 18-20.