Alumni Reunion 2024
SUNY New Paltz is proud of the traditions it has created, and Alumni Reunion is one the entire campus looks forward to each year. This year's festivities will include a blend of cherished traditions and exciting new additions, catering to our diverse generations of alumni. All are invited to celebrate, reminisce, and reflect on their time and experiences at the University.
October 17-20
Reminisce with photos from Alumni Reunion Weekend 2023 using the links below:
50th Anniversary Celebration & Lantern Society Induction CeremonyAll-Class Reunion Dinner and Awards CeremonyVarious Saturday Events
Hotel Accommodations
Click here for information on local hotels, motels, bed-and-breakfasts, and other lodging businesses.
Alumni Award Winners
The Heritage and Alumni Awards are presented yearly at the Heritage and Alumni Awards Ceremony & Dinner during Alumni Reunion. They recognize alumni and friends of the Alumni Association who have achieved distinction and made exceptional contributions to the life of the University.
Alumni Professional Achievement Award
Dr. Kelly Cassano '86 (Communication Studies)
Alumni Professional Achievement Award
Christine DeBiase '90 (Communication Studies)
Alumni Professional Achievement Award
Michael Allen '98 (Black Studies)
Alumni Professional Achievement Award
Yolanda Mims-Johnson '90 (Psychology)
Distinguished Alumni Service Award
Virginia Apuzzo '63 (Adolescence Education: Social Studies)
Distinguished Alumni Service Award
Niza Cardona '04g (Humanistic-Multicultural Education)
Heritage Award
Maureen Lohan-Bremer '86 '92g (Photography, Educational Administration)
Heritage Award
Dr. Laurel Garrick Duhaney
Heritage Award
Dr. Devon Duhaney
Friends of the Alumni Association
Dr. Nancy Campos
Schedule of Events
Below is a list of the scheduled activities.
We are continuously adding events and event details. Please check back periodically for updates.
Activities are subject to change without notice.
Thursday, October 17
5:00 - 8:00 pm
Heritage and Alumni Awards Ceremony & Dinner
The Heritage and Alumni Awards are presented yearly at the Heritage and Alumni Awards Ceremony & Dinner during Alumni Reunion.
Tickets: $125
Location: Novella's New Paltz
Friday, October 18
1:30 - 5:30 pm
Check-in
Tickets for all Alumni Relations hosted events can be picked up at check-in. Alumni are invited to stop by for general information, maps, free alumni giveaways, snacks and refreshments.
Location: Student Union Building
2:00 - 3:00 pm
A Walk Down Memory Lane
Join Beth King '95 '16g on a guided walk around campus. Alumni are welcome to share stories and fond memories as we reminisce about our own campus experiences in various buildings and outdoor spaces. The walk will be at a gentle pace.
For more information, contact Beth King at kingb@newpaltz.edu
2:00 - 3:00 pm
Dorsky Museum Tour
Meet the Dorsky Museum's Director, Anna Conlan, and tour the current exhibitions with the Museum's Educator, Zachary Bowman.
For more information, visit https://www.newpaltz.edu/museum/
3:00 - 4:00 pm
50th Anniversary Toast
Join us for a celebratory toast before the 50th Anniversary Celebration and Lantern Society Induction Ceremony program. Members of the class of 1974 and their guests are welcome.
Location: Science Hall Lobby
3:30 - 5:30 pm
Liberal Arts & Sciences Alumni Panel & Reception
The College of Liberal Arts & Sciences invites you to attend a panel discussion where alumni will share their career experiences and how their education at the University helped them in their professional lives. A reception will follow the discussion. Alumni from the Departments of Communication Disorders, History and Philosophy will be in attendance.
For information on the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, visit https://www.newpaltz.edu/collegelas/
4:00 - 5:00 pm
50th Anniversary Celebration
The Office of Alumni Relations invites members of the class of 1974 to celebrate their 50th Anniversary at the Lantern Society Induction Ceremony, a highlight of the Alumni Reunion Weekend 2024. This event is also open to alumni who graduated before 1974 and have not participated yet.
Location: Science Hall Room 181
5:00 - 7:30 pm
Alumni Reunion Kickoff Dinner
All alumni and guests are welcome to attend this kickoff dinner and party. Join us in celebrating the anniversary class years ending in 4 or 9.
Tickets: $35
Location: Science Hall
7:00 pm
Alumni Dinner in the Sukkah
The Jewish Studies Department invites alumni to celebrate the Jewish Holiday of Sukkot and connect with current students.
Location: Chabad of New Paltz
For more information, contact Rabbi Plotkin at rabbi@newpaltz.edu
8:00 pm
Questionable Authorities: Faculty/Staff Musical Talent Show
Join the all-faculty rock band Questionable Authorities for a faculty/staff musical talent show.
Stick around after the event to enjoy the soulful tunes of the blues-rock band Good Time Honey.
Location: Bacchus
SATURday, October 19
9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Check-in
Tickets for all Alumni Relations hosted events can be picked up at this time. Alumni are invited to stop by for general information, maps, free alumni giveaways, snacks and refreshments, and photos with Hugo the Hawk.
Location: Student Union Building
9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Peregrine Hall Brunch Buffet
Enjoy a delicious buffet at your convenience in our student dining hall.
Accessible with a meal ticket.
9:30 - 10:45 am
Panel Discussion: The Rise of China and the Rapid Development of Asia
Led by alumnus Denis Simon' 74
Location: TBD
11:00 am - 12:00 pm
President’s Talk
Join President Darrell Wheeler for an engaging open forum where you'll gain valuable insights into the latest campus happenings. Don't miss out on this opportunity to stay up-to-date and informed!
Location: Science Hall Room 181
1:00 pm
Heinz Alymeher Jr. Men's Soccer Game vs. Buffalo State
1:00 pm
Walk of Honor led by Jackie LaFalce
Meet at the Walk of Honor
Created by the SUNY New Paltz Foundation, the Walk of Honor consists of brick pavers engraved with a personal message surrounding the sculpture Large Hybrid, created by the late renowned artist Richard Hunt and given to New Paltz by The Dorsky Gallery Curatorial Programs in 2002.
1:00 - 4:30 pm
3rd Annual Music Therapy Alumni Showcase
Join SUNY New Paltz Music Therapy Alumni for a presentation on music therapy practices.
For more information, contact Jingwen Zhang at zhangj@newpaltz.edu
Location: Shepard Hall
1:30 - 3:00 pm
Dressing Like a God(dess): Clothing and Identity in Ancient Greece
In this interactive lecture, attendees will discover the importance of textiles and clothing that were worn in Ancient Greece, and how they have influenced modern fashion. The lecture will feature current students modeling various types of ancient garments, and attendees will have the opportunity to try on replica garments and have their pictures taken in them.
For more information, contact Keely Heuer at heuerk@newpaltz.edu
Location: TBD
2:00 - 4:00 pm
Tea & Conversation with the Office of Campus Sustainability
Join us for tea and conversation with student Sustainability Ambassadors, Sustainability Faculty Fellows, and Campus Sustainability Coordinator Lisa Mitten. Learn about our momentum and progress since 2013 to embed sustainability into how we live, learn, work, and play at SUNY New Paltz. Hear about how we embed sustainability into everyday decisions and actions from individual choices to institutional decisions and capital investments. Come with your questions! Bring your sustainability-related stories from your time as a student at New Paltz! Let's have a sustainability discussion and dialogue together!
For more information, contact Lisa Mitten at mittenl@newpaltz.edu
Location: TBD
2:00 pm
Honors Program Alumni Gathering
Alumni and students of the Honors Program are invited to a gathering to connect and network.
For more information, contact Alicia Ivan at ivana@newpaltz.edu
Location: TBD
2:00 pm
From the Crescent City to the Hudson Valley: A Literary Journey with Arthur Pfister '87
Arthur Pfister, a SUNY New Paltz alumnus, is a renowned poet, fiction writer, and spoken word artist. During his time at New Paltz, he served as Editor-in-Chief of the FAHARI newspaper, showcasing his passion for writing and social justice. Arthur Pfister, also celebrated as Professor ARTURO, is a trailblazer whose powerful literary voice has resonated since the revolutionary 1960s. As an original Broadside poet, his work has captivated audiences with its bold social commentary and unapologetic celebration of African American culture.
Professor ARTURO's tenure as Editor-in-Chief of the FAHARI and The North Star at SUNY New Paltz is a testament to his commitment to amplifying marginalized voices and shedding light on crucial issues facing the Black community.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the unwavering support of his SUNY New Paltz alumni comrades eased his transition to Stamford, CT. His written legacy includes the seminal 'My Name is New Orleans: 40 Years of Poetry and Other Jazz,' a poignant exploration of Black identity intertwined with the soulful rhythms of jazz. This collection, complete with an audio CD, immerses readers in the raw energy of his performance poetry, echoing the spirit of Black empowerment and resilience. Professor ARTURO's impactful oeuvre also encompasses 'Jazz Stories: From Katrina to Connecticut and the soul-stirring 'A Love Supreme,' delving into the depths of the Black experience with profound insight and unwavering passion.
Location: TBD
3:00 pm
Book Talk with Eric Gray '74
Backyards to Ballparks - Eric Gray's books are collections of personal memories from around the world that relate to baseball in some way. The stories focus more on human interest rather than the actual gameplay, but there are still elements of that. Whether or not you like baseball, these stories will make you laugh, bring you to tears, and possibly remind you of your memories.
Location: TBD
3:00 - 4:30 pm
40 Under Forty Honoree Gathering
Attention to all 40 Under Forty honorees from 2017, 2019, 2022, and 2024! You and your guests are cordially invited to this exclusive and intimate gathering.
Location: TBD
4:00 - 9:00 pm
Peregrine Hall Dinner Buffet
Enjoy a delicious buffet at your convenience in our student dining hall.
Accessible with a meal ticket.
7:30 pm
Residence Life Alumni Mixer
Residence life alumni are invited to meet and greet with other alumni. Play trivia and win prizes!
For more information, contact Mandy Maldonado '16 '18g at maldonaa@newpaltz.edu
Location: TBD
8:00 - 9:00 pm
Sip 'N Stars
Join Director Raj Pandya for a campus Planetarium presentation followed by a reception featuring an open bar and live DJ.
Location: Planetarium in Coykendall Science Building
Alumni Affinity Events
12:00 pm
Delphic Fraternity (Sigma Tau Gamma) Gathering
For more information, contact Phil Velez '91 at delphicfraternity1871@gmail.com
Location: Science Hall 272
12:00 - 3:00 pm
Theta Phi Gamma Alumnae Luncheon
For more information, contact Laurie Spiegel '75 at theta.alum.new.paltz@gmail.com
Location: Garvan's Restaurant, New Paltz
12:00 - 3:00 pm
Clionian Sorority Alumnae Luncheon
For more information, contact Patty Champman Fuller '73 at sandpfuller@hotmail.com
Location: Cafe Hugo, Student Union Building
3:00 - 9:00 pm
First World New Paltz Day Party Fundraiser for Dr. Margaret Wade Lewis Endowment
More details to come.
Location: College Terrace
5:00 - 10:00 pm
Agonian Centennial Gala
To register, visit https://www.kappaagoalumnae.com/centennialgala
For more information, contact Elaine Alden '99 at agonian.kappa@gmail.com
Location: Novella's New Paltz
Sunday, October 20
9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Peregrine Hall Brunch Buffet
Enjoy a delicious buffet at your convenience in our student dining hall.
Accessible with a meal ticket.
10:00 am - 2:30 pm
Alumni Hike
This ticket includes transportation, snacks, and participation in one of two hikes: the Long House Hike (novice) and the Bonticou Scramble (intermediate). Hike leader: Shana Circe ’02 '08g, James DeArce '00, and Dr. Glenn Geher.
If you have questions or if you have accessibility needs that require accommodations to fully participate, reach us at:
alumni@newpaltz.edu
(845) 257-3230
Continue Connecting Between Now and Reunion 2024
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