February 26, 2024 – Stone Ridge, NY – SUNY Ulster is pleased to announce the hiring of Coach Ryan Snair as Baseball Coach. Ryan brings 20 years of coaching experience to Ulster, having spent the last 14 years at SUNY Sullivan as Coordinator of Field House Operations & Equipment and then Head Men’s Baseball Coach.
Ryan graduated from SUNY Ulster in 1996. A pitcher for Ulster’s baseball team while studying here, he was awarded 1st Team All-Region and 1st Team All-American Honors. He then attended Hofstra University on a full athletic scholarship and St. Mary’s University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. He then returned to SUNY Ulster, where he started his coaching career as Assistant Men’s Baseball Coach. While at SUNY Ulster, Snair coached the team to the College World Series in 2004.
“Ryan’s coaching experience and ability are significant, and we are excited about the future of our baseball team with him at the helm,” said SUNY Ulster President, Alison Buckley, Ed. D. “His record, both at SUNY Ulster and SUNY Sullivan is exceptional, and we look forward to his leadership.”
“I am happy and honored to return to SUNY Ulster as Baseball Coach and am excited about the opportunity to foster the growth of the student-athletes here both on the field and in their academic pursuits,” stated Ryan Snair.
SUNY Ulster Introduces From Farms to Incubators a Presentation
on Women Driving the AgTech Boom by Award-Winning Journalist Amy Wu
February 22, 2024 – Stone Ridge, NY – SUNY Ulster is excited to welcome Amy Wu, award-winning journalist, filmmaker, and the founder of From Farms to Incubators. This multimedia platform tells the stories of women founders in AgTech. This event takes place on March 7, 2024, from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. in the College Lounge, Vanderlyn Hall of the Stone Ridge Campus, and is free and open to the public.
The presentation includes a documentary screened at SXSW and information from a newly published book of nearly 30 portraits of women entrepreneurs in the fast-growing sector of AgTech, each of whom presents inspirational solutions to the many growing issues affecting our food production.
Ms. Wu will discuss how women are driving the current AgTech boom and why the initiative is crucial to the future of farming and climate change. While sharing more about the evolution of From Farms to Incubators, Ms. Wu will discuss how she overcame skepticism, outdated traditions, and adversity to achieve her calling as a journalist and entrepreneur.
The talk follows with a film screening and book reading/signing. Copies of the book will be available for purchase. For more information, contact Jennifer Guiher at guiherj@sunyulster.edu.
Visiting Artist James E. Ransome Exhibition at the SUNY Ulster Muroff Kotler Visual Arts Gallery February 23 – March 8
February 21, 2024 – Stone Ridge, NY – The SUNY Ulster Visiting Artist Series brings the work of local artist James E. Ransome to the Muroff Kotler Visual Arts Gallery on the Stone Ridge campus from February 23 to March 8. An opening reception will be held on Friday, February 23, from 4 – 6 p.m. This event is free and open to the public.
The exhibit, A View from My Window, is a retrospective spanning Ransome’s 34-year career as an acclaimed illustrator of more than 70 notable and award-winning children’s books. With mediums ranging from oils, acrylics, watercolors, and collages, his work has taken on many forms, from books and posters to paintings and murals.
James E. Ransome earned his BFA from Pratt Institute and a Master’s from Lesley University in Massachusetts. He has been honored with the 2023 Children’s Literature Legacy Award by the American Library Association, the Coretta Scott King Award, a Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor, ALA Notables, a Jane Addams Award, and NAACP Image Award.
James E. Ransome’s journey in art began in the rural South, devoid of direct exposure to art galleries or museums, yet fueled by a deep-seated passion for storytelling and illustration. His career is a testament to the power of perseverance and talent.
The Muroff-Kotler Visual Arts Gallery at SUNY Ulster serves as a center for creative activity at the College and within the community. It also functions as an environment for teaching, performing, and exhibiting.
February 20, 2024 – Stone Ridge, NY – On Wednesday, February 28, at 7:30 p.m. the music ensembles of SUNY Ulster will perform a concert to honor the memory of Lee Herrington. Herrington was a dedicated musician and mentor, the former band director at SUNY Ulster, a longtime Rondout Valley music teacher, and the former director of the Kingston local American Federation of Musicians Concert Band. The event will be held in the Quimby Theater, Vanderlyn Hall on the Stone Ridge campus.
This annual memorial concert will have multiple performances with groups that include current SUNY Ulster and New Paltz students, area High School students, faculty, staff, and community members. Musical groups include the College Chorus, directed by Janet Gehres with accompanist Edward Leavitt; the College/Community Band, directed by Vic Izzo; and the African Music Ensemble directed by Paul Chambers.
This event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Janet Gehres at gehresj@sunyulster.edu. A snow date is scheduled for Wednesday, March 6, 2024.
February 12, 2024 – Stone Ridge, NY — SUNY Ulster invites the Ulster community to join the College community in a showcase of “My Black History” by coming to the Macdonald DeWitt Library (DEW 101B) on Tuesday, February 20 or Thursday, February 22 between 10 and 11:30 am to record your story.
Your story can be communicated in one of two ways:
The Communications COM 131 Digital Storytelling class will record your story with an audio or video recording device.
A StoryCorps-Inspired Recording Booth will be available for recording stories with the assistance of a COM131 student.
All stories will be made into one-minute audio-video portraits to be shared on SUNY Ulster’s social media and the SUNY Ulster Blog.
For more information or questions, please contact Meg Sheeley, Dean of Enrollment Management & Student Affairs and Adjunct of Digital Storytelling at sheeleym@sunyulster.edu.
Created by and for SUNY Ulster students, the now defunct Slate Art & Literature Magazine was a platform for students to showcase their developing creative skills on their own terms, outside the limitations of traditional classroom assignments. Each piece published in it was, by nature, distinctly individual; however, as a whole Slate represented the voice of the entire student body – a voice that has been noticeably absent since the publication was retired.
Old issues of SUNY Ulster’s Slate Art & Literature Magazine
But now SUNY Ulster students have decided it’s time to reclaim that voice with a new art & literary magazine. No longer called Slate, the name of the new publication will be chosen from suggestions submitted by students. It will showcase a wide range of art forms, from prose and poetry to photography, sculpture, fashion design, and more. The mission of the publication is to showcase the best creative efforts the student body has to offer, and to reflect the diversity and talent of the SUNY Ulster student community.
Art pieces formerly featured in SUNY Ulster’s Slate Art & Literature Magazine
Student contributions are now being accepted across a wide range of creative disciplines, with a submission deadline of March 1st set. The selection process will be spearheaded by a committee which will determine which submissions are to be featured in the magazine.
This opportunity is exclusive to current students, who are encouraged to submit their work, as well as their ideas for the title of this new publication. Title suggestions can be submitted via Google Form or at stations located outside the Student Life Dining Hall, inside CAPS, and in the Library lobby. The selected title will earn the submitter a $25 Amazon gift card, the same prize that will be awarded to the artist of the magazine cover, which will also be chosen by the selection committee.
Interested in sharing your work? From now until March 1st, submit your work via Google Form.
February 7, 2024 – Stone Ridge, NY – What better way to get to know SUNY Ulster and the programs offered than to take advantage of one of the many information sessions and campus tours held throughout this winter and spring?
At Information Sessions, prospective students and parents will get detailed information on programs, support services, campus life, and more while also learning about our admissions process.
Tours are led by current students who will take you through academic buildings, dining areas, the library, bookstore, gymnasium, and more. Meet with an Admissions Representative following the tour.
Admissions Information Sessions
4-5 p.m.
Wednesday, February 21 (Zoom)
Wednesday, March 27 (on campus)
Wednesday, April 17 (on campus)
February 6, 2024 – Stone Ridge, NY – SUNY Ulster has scheduled multiple virtual financial aid workshops to be held via Zoom to help students and parents file their 2024-2025 FAFSA. During the workshops, a SUNY Ulster Financial Aid Counselor will walk participants through the entire process.
Virtual Workshops via Zoom will be held from 2 – 3 pm on the following Fridays:
March 8
April 12
May 10
June 7
July 12
SUNY Financial Aid Day will be held on February 17 from 9 am to noon. This is an in-person workshop taking place in Hasbrouck Hall on the Stone Ridge campus. Registration is required.
February 5, 2024 – SUNY Ulster’s Live Music Convocation Series is returning this spring, beginning with a showcase dedicated to the music of Black composers. The first event of the series will take place on Wednesday, February 14, at 1 p.m. in the Quimby Theater on the Stone Ridge campus.
This special concert will feature an array of performances by SUNY Ulster’s talented music faculty and friends. The afternoon’s program is designed to pay homage to the rich and diverse contributions of Black composers to the history and culture of American music. The performances will include compositions by Florence Price, Duke Ellington, Joe W. Moore, Justin Holland, and various Spirituals.
Featured performers include Edward Leavitt on piano, Greg Dinger on guitar, Paul Chambers on percussion, Valentina Shatalova on piano, Anastasia Solberg on viola, Marka Young on violin, and baritone vocalist, Jason Rober.
SUNY Ulster will offer these Wednesdays @ 1:00 Live Music Convocation Series throughout the spring semester. These events are free and open to the public. Students, faculty, and community members are all welcome and encouraged to attend.
This February marks America’s 48th official Black History Month. Though many of us may feel like it’s a tradition that’s been around our entire lives, in reality, Black History Month is younger than nearly 40% of Americans. This shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone well-versed in black history and the many years it took to gain recognition of black Americans’ basic human rights, let alone the lengthy struggle it took to gain them. In recognition of this struggle, let’s take a walk through the history of Black History Month.
What Is Black History Month
Black History Month is an annual celebration in February that recognizes and honors the achievements and contributions of Black Americans throughout history. It sheds light on accomplishments and struggles that have traditionally been overlooked and marginalized. Black History Month is officially recognized in two countries, including the United States, with observances occurring worldwide; however, despite its widespread recognition today, it wasn’t always so popular, or so well known.
1915: Laying The Foundations
Carter G Woodson in 1923
In 1915, the foundation for Black History Month was laid with the establishment of theAssociation for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASALH). This organization, established in Chicago by historian Carter G. Woodson, aimed to promote the study of black history and provide a platform for exploring Black American experiences. The social climate of the time could not have been less receptive. America was in the throes of The Great Migration and racial tensions were high. This was a time of widespread, normalized racism and violence. The same year that ASALH was established, the infamously hateful film The Birth of A Nation was released, becoming the first film shown in the White House and prompting outbreaks of anti-black violence across the country. It was the same year the Klu Klux Klan was officially recognized as a fraternal organization. It was during this sensitive and dangerous time that ASALH began releasing research and publications on black history, steadily gaining public recognition and paving the way for future achievements.
1926: A Major Milestone
In 1926, at the height of the Segregation Era, ASALH established “Negro History Week,” a dedicated time to promote the study of black history. This came on the tail end of a years-long struggle by Woodson to gain recognition of black history from the public. Woodson, along with his colleagues, faced mixed reactions from contemporaries. Some applauded the initiative and recognized the importance of documenting and preserving black history. However, others viewed it as unnecessary or even threatening to the prevailing narrative of white supremacy. Despite these challenges, Woodson persevered, laying the foundation for future generations to study and celebrate the achievements and contributions of Black Americans.
1976: Official Recognition
President Ford at the 1976 Bicentennial
Despite his efforts, Woodson did not live long enough to see black history achieve widespread interest and acceptance. It wasn’t until 1969, 19 years after Woodson’s death, that Kent State University (KSU) students proposed the idea of designating February ‘Black History Month’. The first observance occurred at KSU the following year, and over the following years, the idea gained popularity, spreading to educational institutions and community centers across the country.
Official recognition came in the late 1970s. The president at the time was Gerald Ford, a former congressman who had voted in favor of numerous Civil Rights bills, the 24th Amendment, and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which helped make fair voting conditions more accessible to Black Americans across the country. Finally, in 1976, during the United States Bicentennial, President Ford declared Black History Month an official annual observance, urging Americans to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.” By then, America was a (mostly) changed country, and the announcement was met with enthusiasm from many whose families might have sneered just 20 years earlier.
2024: Looking Back & Moving Forward
Black History Month Rally in Tallahassee, FL in 2023
Since then, Black History Month has served as a platform to educate, inspire, and empower individuals of all backgrounds, fostering a deeper understanding of the contributions of Black Americans to American history and culture. Today, Black History Month continues to evolve, with increased awareness and recognition of the accomplishments and struggles of black people. As we reflect on the journey of Black History Month since its inception, we can appreciate the progress made, while also recognizing the ongoing work needed to achieve true equality and justice for all.
