Higher Education Institutions that thrive—indeed, survive—in the future will be those which operate in a culture of innovation. The people within these thriving institutions and the systems they create to deliver high quality academic offerings will demonstrate entrepreneurialism and a willingness to overcome challenges on multiple fronts. Stated quite simply, successful public higher education institutions will and must embody a can-do spirit.
The Presidential Fund for Innovation in Public Higher Education has been launched in honor of 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 for SUNY New Paltz. The Fund will provide financial awards recognizing individuals and/or teams at SUNY New Paltz who have demonstrated these qualities in academic offerings, institutional operations, programming and/or community engagement.
Awardees will be sought from campus annually. Administered by the Office of the Provost, a panel of faculty, students and staff will select the awardees each year.
The goal is to raise a minimum of $250,000, which will be expended over a number of years. The amount of the award may vary, based on funds available in the account. Awards will be given to the awardee’s department or program area for use at the awardee’s recommendation.
In addition to the financial award, those honored/selected will be recognized as innovators through:
Please join us in fostering innovation and entrepreneurialism by making a generous gift today. Investments we make in the people who make up the SUNY New Paltz community will have an enduring impact on our beloved institution and its ability to remain a vibrant community of bold innovative thinkers and doers.
Give here or contact the Vice President Erica Marks in the Office of Development & Alumni Relations at markse@newpaltz.edu or 845-257-3238 to make a multi-year pledge and/or tailor your giving to fit your needs.
Note: a small portion of each gift will support honoree recognition opportunities and celebrations.
Innovation and entrepreneurialism may be found among our dedicated and caring teaching faculty, who bring to their work new ways of thinking about research and scholarly education, community engagement, and creative projects. These qualities may be found in staff members who spur social change and improve the way we live and work. They are found in the visual and performing arts, humanities, social justice, business, the STEM professions, and many more.
