Immerse yourself in a campus culture that's as eclectic as you are.
Hockey with a Heart
SUNY Potsdam women’s hockey player Elise Clifford ’26 is making a difference in the North Country—reading to local elementary students, hosting community skating events, and showing young learners what it means to be a good human. Discover how Potsdam student-athletes are giving back to the community.
A 13-year partnership between SUNY Potsdam and the New York State DEC has helped return endangered spruce grouse to the Adirondacks—strengthening ecosystems, launching careers, and leaving a lasting legacy of research, mentorship and applied learning. Dr. Glenn Johnson and alumna Angie Ross ’02 have completed the Spruce Grouse Translocation Program, a landmark effort to increase population numbers and improve genetic diversity by relocating birds from remote regions of Ontario and Maine to New York’s boreal forests.
SUNY Potsdam alumnus Fire Captain William F. Burke Jr. ’77 is remembered not only for his heroism on Sept. 11, 2001, but for a life rooted in compassion, learning, and community. From the friendships he formed at Potsdam to the scholarship created in his name, Billy’s impact continues to shape lives.
From milestone celebrations to everyday moments, join us for a look back at some of our favorite photos from 2025! Read more
Her Big Break
Crane School of Music alumna Emma Marhefka ’21 took center stage at the Metropolitan Opera, winning the Laffont Competition and experiencing a full-circle moment shaped by talent, perseverance, and powerful Crane connections.
From lifelong friends to moms and entrepreneurs, Murphy (Newman) Liggio ’17 and McKaylee (Boak) Knight ’19—former members of the College’s women’s lacrosse team—have launched Harvest House, a new juice and smoothie shop in Canton, N.Y.
From classroom to career, SUNY Potsdam geology grads hit the ground running. Ty Paddock ’25 and Jesse Bullock ’25 used the hands-on training and mentorship of Dr. Mike Rygel to pass the NY State Fundamentals of Geology exam—and landed jobs right out of school in the North Country.
Brandon Phelps ’26 is turning his Presidential Scholars Project into a resource for schools everywhere—developing a step-by-step mallet-making “cookbook” that empowers K–12 students and teachers to create and repair their own percussion equipment.
Kiara Burgess, Clad Sanon, Luis Tito and Tyler Gould have transformed SUNY Potsdam’s Clothes Closet into a fully functioning, student-centered resource this semester—diverting tons of clothing from the landfill and building a culture of reuse on campus.
From studying abroad in Cuba to completing two psychology internships, Gaby Ames ’25 has built her SUNY Potsdam experience around purpose, growth, and helping others.
Transfer student. Mentor. Researcher. Leader. See how Annabel Ubeda ’25 built her path in anthropology while making the most of every opportunity at SUNY Potsdam.
What does it take to paddle 90 miles through the heart of the Adirondacks? For SUNY Potsdam students, it’s more than a race—it’s an immersive learning experience in leadership, endurance, and community. Joined by alumni and staff, this year’s crew took on the Adirondack Canoe Classic with grit, teamwork, and support from a dedicated student-led Pit Crew.
