Alumni Invited to Return to SUNY Potsdam for Fun-Filled Reunion Weekend from July 11 to 14
SUNY Potsdam is preparing for another Reunion Weekend filled with milestones and memories. Alumni from all class years are invited to return for this year’s festivities, which will be held from Thursday, July 11 to Sunday, July 14.
Reunion Weekend 2019 will feature several special celebrations, including the 50th anniversaries of the departments of politics and computer science, as well as the College’s Educational Opportunity Program (EOP). Potsdam Bears Athletics will host a special celebration in honor of Dr. Neil Johnson (Hon. ’01), on Friday afternoon in Maxcy Hall. Crane Chorus alumni also will be returning and performing in a special alumni concert on Saturday night.
SUNY Potsdam will also host several special reunions for Greek organizations. This year, four SUNY Potsdam sororities and four fraternities will mark milestone years, including: Agonian Sorority (91 years), Delta Kappa Theta Fraternity (73 years), Delta Lamba Nu Sorority (49 years), Omega Delta Phi Sorority (58 years), Phi Kappa Pi Sorority (113 years), Prometheus Fraternity (51 years) and Psi Phi Delta Fraternity (71 years).
With a jam-packed schedule of events, plenty of opportunities to catch up with classmates and meet alumni from all class years, plus an array of family-friendly activities, Reunion Weekend at SUNY Potsdam has something for everyone. It’s not too late to register to join in the fun. All alumni and friends are invited to join in the festivities. To find out more, call (315) 267-2120 or visit www.potsdam.edu/alumni/reunion.
Reunion Weekend will kick off with the Early Bird Gathering on Thursday, July 11, from 4 to 6:30 p.m., in Becky’s Place at Pratt Commons, located adjacent to the Raymond Hall lobby. Entertainment will be provided by Alex Vangellow (Hon. ’14), sponsored by the Omega Delta Phi and Sigma Tau Psi alumni. Immediately following, there will be a gathering for all Greek alumni and friends in the Townhouse courtyard.
The highlights for Friday, July 12 include zumba and drumming classes, and walking tours of campus, the Gibson Gallery, Maxcy Hall, The Crane School of Music, the WISER Greenhouse and the Lougheed Center for Applied Learning. There will also be presentations on historic photos of the Thousand Islands and St. Lawrence River by Alan Goldstein ’68, on historic Crane performances by Audio Engineer Emeritus Gary Galo ’73, and the 50th anniversary receptions for the departments of computer science, politics and the EOP program.
Alumni are invited to visit with some of their favorite retired professors at the annual Emeriti Luncheon from noon to 1:30 p.m. TRiO and geology alumni will gather in the afternoon. On Friday night, there will be a welcome reception in the Kellas Hall lobby for all alumni and friends from 4:30 to 6 p.m., followed by a food truck-style backyard barbecue dinner from 6 to 8 p.m. Live music will be provided by Andy VanDuyne ’75 and Michael Welch, sponsored by PACES Dining Services.
On Saturday, July 13, attendees can start off their day at the annual Bear Walk/Run, or join in a walking tour of Bayside Cemetery.
Guests won’t want to miss the Campus Block Party, returning again this year from 12:30 to 2 p.m., at Bowman Commons. All alumni and friends are invited to attend this celebration, which will include a lunch and live music by Wells and the Gathering, sponsored by Jane Morale ’80 and Glen Zagorski ’87.
Later in the afternoon, a gala reception, donor recognition ceremony and silent auction will be held in the Knowles Conference Center Lobby from 4 to 6 p.m. The class dinner and alumni award presentations will be held immediately following, in the Knowles Conference Center Multi-Purpose Room.
This year’s Alumni Association award recipients will all be honored and recognized as follows:
- Minerva Award: Scott Goodman ’79
- Distinguished Service Award: Nancy Griffin (Hon. ’08)
- Rising Star Award: Kathryn Gigliotti ’09 & Jesse Millek ’12
- Honorary Lifetime Membership: Joseph DiGiovanna, Teresa Fishbeck, Steven Marqusee and Richard Stradling
- St. Lawrence Academy Medal: Mark Manske ’82 & ’87
- Helen M. Hosmer Excellence in Music Teaching Award: Michael Struzik ’88
Following the class dinner and award ceremony, The Crane School of Music will host a Crane Choral Alumni concert, hosted by Associate Professor Dr. Jeffrey Francom. The performance will begin at 8:30 p.m. in the Helen M. Hosmer Concert Hall. This event is free, and the public is invited to attend.
The College will offer a farewell breakfast on Sunday, July 14, from 8:30 to 11 a.m. in Thatcher Hall.
This year, Reunion attendees will be encouraged to donate non-perishable goods or make cash donations to support the Campus Food Pantry, which is open to all SUNY Potsdam students who may be experiencing food insecurity. The Order of Prometheus (Theta Omega Phi) is sponsoring this year’s food drive to benefit the pantry, which is run by the College’s Department of Public Health and Human Performance.
SUNY Potsdam’s Reunion Weekend is held in conjunction with Clarkson University’s Reunion Weekend and the Village of Potsdam’s Summer Festival. To view the full schedule of events for SUNY Potsdam’s Reunion Weekend 2019, visit www.potsdam.edu/alumni/reunion.
Registration headquarters will be located in the Raymond Hall lobby throughout the weekend for walk-in guests. The public is invited to attend Reunion Weekend events, but must register. For more information or to register for the weekend, please call (315) 267-2120 or visit www.potsdam.edu/alumni.
About SUNY Potsdam:
Founded in 1816, The State University of New York at Potsdam is one of America’s first 50 colleges—and the oldest institution within SUNY. Now in its third century, SUNY Potsdam is distinguished by a legacy of pioneering programs and educational excellence. The College currently enrolls approximately 3,600 undergraduate and graduate students. Home to the world-renowned Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam is known for its challenging liberal arts and sciences core, distinction in teacher training and culture of creativity. To learn more, visit www.potsdam.edu.
