The Inauguration of SUNY
New Paltz’s Ninth President

Dr. Darrell P. Wheeler

OUR UNIVERSITY, OUR FUTURE
April 19-21, 2023

A celebration of the history, the mission, and the limitless potential of SUNY New Paltz and our community of students, scholars, leaders, educators, alumni and friends of the University

Official Investiture of President Darrell P. Wheeler, April 20 at 11 a.m. Athletic & Wellness Center, SUNY New Paltz campus

 

 

 

 

 

“It is an honor and a privilege to be named New Paltz’s ninth president and to join a campus community I have already come to respect and admire. I look forward to working together with students and colleagues at New Paltz to advocate for the value of a liberal education tailored to 21st century needs and build upon the institution’s core values of access, integrity, inclusion, social justice, leadership and excellence.”

- President Darrell P. Wheeler

President Darrell P. Wheeler

“It is an honor and a privilege to be named New Paltz’s ninth president and to join a campus community I have already come to respect and admire. I look forward to working together with students and colleagues at New Paltz to advocate for the value of a liberal education tailored to 21st century needs and build upon the institution’s core values of access, integrity, inclusion, social justice, leadership and excellence.”

- President Darrell P. Wheeler

3 Days of Celebration & Conversation

Wednesday, April 19

Our University, our Future: Celebrating the transformative power of Public Higher Education

Join us in celebrating our students and our educational mission to prepare them for lifelong success. Wednesday’s activities include a panel discussion about student/faculty research collaborations moderated by President Wheeler and a showcase of student-centered activities. Read more.
Livestream link: Student-Faculty Collaborative Forum

Thursday, April 20

INVESTITURE DAY

The investiture marks the ceremonial installation of President Darrell P. Wheeler as the University’s ninth president and will bring together the campus community, higher education dignitaries, elected representatives, alumni and neighbors to celebrate the past, present and future of the University. Festivities begin with an academic processional and the ceremony will be immediately followed by a community reception. All members of the SUNY New Paltz community are invited to attend. Read more.
Livestream link: Investiture Ceremony

Friday, April 21

Our University, Our Future: The Impact of SUNY New Paltz in the Region and Beyond

A panel discussion, led by President Wheeler and titled “The Impact of SUNY New Paltz in the Region and Beyond,” will focus on the University’s ties to our community partners and the ways in which our students, faculty, staff and alumni serve the local, regional, and often global community in various ways. The panel will be followed by a brunch. Campus tours will also be available. Read more.
Livestream link: Community Impact Panel

OUR UNIVERSITY, OUR FUTURE

OUR UNIVERSITY has the unique privilege to provide students with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to contribute as productive members of their communities and professions and active citizens in a democratic nation and a global society.

OUR FUTURE depends on our individual and collective ability to actively address problems, needs and solutions of importance to the local community, region, state, nation and world – not just through what we say, think and write, but what we do.

History of the Campus

The SUNY New Paltz campus stands on land that is the traditional territory of people of the Munsee, Esopus and Lenape tribes.

The origins of SUNY New Paltz date to 1828, when the New Paltz Classical School opened its doors with courses on Greek, Latin, reading, writing, and arithmetic. The academy educated local children until a fire in 1884 compelled it to rebuild and shift its mission, becoming a state normal school that trained teachers for New York State public schools. After another fire in 1906, the school was relocated to a hillside plot with a new building constructed in 1909. That building still stands today as Old Main, home to our School of Education and Department of Black Studies.

By 1948, New Paltz was offering bachelor’s degrees and graduate programs in education. That year it became one of the original campuses to join the newly established State University of New York system. 

In the 75 years since, the University has grown in both its physical footprint and its suite of educational programs. Today, SUNY New Paltz is home to five academic schools, more than 100 undergraduate programs and more than 50 graduate and professional programs, supported by world-class faculty and staff and modern facilities, with a mission and a commitment to helping every student from every background learn, thrive, and fully be a part of our community.

The Presidential Fund for Innovation in Public Higher Education

The Presidential Fund for Innovation in Public Higher Education has been launched in honor of SUNY New Paltz’s ninth president, Dr. Darrell P. Wheeler, to recognize sustained creative commitment and innovative thinking and activities in public higher education, and specifically at SUNY New Paltz. The Fund will provide financial awards to individuals or teams at the University who have demonstrated these qualities in academic offerings, institutional operations, programming and/or community engagement.

Thank you for including the Presidential Fund for Innovation in Public Higher Education in your charitable giving plans. We can accept your gift through our secure server with MasterCard, Visa, Discover or American Express. All information is encrypted to protect your confidentiality. To make a gift, please fill out the form below and click the “Continue” button. Your gift will be processed on the day that it is made.

Aerial View of Suny New Paltz Campus