Dina Pearlman

CALL FOR ART: Black Excellence: A Legacy in Color February

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Opening Reception: February 4, 2O26

Wednesday, 12:30-2:00 pm

(for a flyer of the following, download pdf)

SUNY Ulster’s Black Student Union and the Muroff Kotler Visual Arts Gallery invite the SUNY Ulster campus community and the public to submit artwork for inclusion in their February 2026 exhibition, Black Excellence: A Legacy in Color, a collective celebration of Black artistry across media. Works exhibited will showcase campus and community voices exploring the diversity of Black creative expression and experience, past and present. 

Submissions may include up to 3 works reflecting the vibrant spectrum of Black history, creativity, and identity. All media accepted.

Submission Deadline: Monday, December 29, 11:59 pm 

*Entry to this exhibition implies agreement on the part of the sender to the conditions set forth in this prospectus.

Eligibility:

  • Open to all members of the SUNY Ulster campus community and to the public.
  • Open to artworks in all media, including but not limited to 2-dimensional, 3-dimensional, digital, video/sound-based, fashion/textile, poetry, prose, and new or unconventional media.

Submission Specifications:

  • To submit work for consideration, please email: gallery@sunyulster.edu.
  • In the email subject include your last name and the words “Black Excellence” (Ex. Lastname_Black_Excellence).
  • In the body of the email include a brief statement introducing yourself and reflecting on what motivated your submission. Also include the media and dimensions of the works being submitted and any important information about how they should be handled or displayed.
  • Attach one file for each artwork you are submitting. Name files using the format: Lastname_Firstname_Titleofwork.jpg. Use only the following file types: .jpg (images), .mp4 (video), .mp3 (audio), .pdf (text).
  • 3-dimensional works may be submitted along with up to 3 additional detailed images.For video/sound-based works longer than 5 minutes please submit a short representative clip (<3 min).For written works over 1000 words please submit a representative sample of the text (<500 words).
  • *Submissions that do not follow the guidelines above may be overlooked or disqualified.

Acceptance and Delivery of Work:

Artists whose work is selected for exhibition will be notified by Monday, January 12. Exhibiting artists are invited to provide their contact details, social media @, website url, or other relevant promotional information for display alongside their work.

The gallery will accept in-person delivery of work from Tuesday, January 20 to Friday, January 23.

Artists are responsible for ensuring that their work is properly prepared for hanging/display when it arrives at the gallery. If your artwork requires special handling or hanging/display considerations, or you have questions about preparing your work, please contact the gallery prior to Tuesday, January 20. Work may also be shipped to the gallery at the artist’s expense.

Packaging must be suitable for return shipping.

Send artwork to:

SUNY ULSTER
Muroff Kotler Visual Arts Gallery
491 Cottekill Rd.
Stone Ridge, NY 12484

Important Dates:

  • SUBMISSION DEADLINE: December 29, 11:59pm (Monday)
  • ARTISTS NOTIFIED OF SELECTION: January 12 (Monday)
  • ARTISTS DROP-OFF WORK AT THE GALLERY:  January 20-23 (Tuesday-Friday)
  • SHOW OPENING RECEPTION: February 4, 12:30-2:00pm (Wednesday)
  • ARTISTS PICK-UP WORK FROM THE GALLERY: February 23-27 (Monday-Friday)

Info Session on Free Associate Degree Program for Adults

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Press Release

Tuition, Fees, Books, and Supplies Covered for Adults Ages 25–55 without a Prior Degree with SUNY Reconnect

December 4, 2025 – Stone Ridge, NY – SUNY Ulster invites adults interested in starting or returning to college to attend an info session on SUNY Reconnect, a program designed to help adults without degrees complete an Associate Degree for free. The session will take place on December 15 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Kingston Center of SUNY Ulster.

For adults who never had the opportunity to attend college or for those who didn’t finish, SUNY Reconnect offers the opportunity to earn a degree leading to a career in one of many in-demand fields within our region.

During the information session, attendees will learn about:

  • How SUNY Reconnect works and who is eligible
  • Degree and certificate programs covered by SUNY Reconnect
  • Flexible course formats and times designed to fit work and family commitments
  • Step-by-step admissions support to make returning to school simple and manageable

Participants will also have the opportunity to speak with SUNY Ulster admissions counselors, ask questions, and receive individualized next steps tailored to their goals.

The event is free, but registration is required.

REGISTER NOW!

For more information, visit sunyulster.edu/freeCC or email admissions@sunyulster.edu.

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Governor Kathy Hochul Reappoints Robert R. Jacobsen, Esq. and Appoints Dennis M. Doyle to the SUNY Ulster Board of Trustees

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December 3, 2025 – Stone Ridge, NY – Gov. Kathy Hochul has reappointed Robert R. Jacobsen, Esq., of Kingston, and appointed Dennis M. Doyle, of Tillson, to the College’s Board of Trustees.

A distinguished SUNY Ulster alumnus, Trustee Jacobsen was first appointed by Governor Hochul in December 2023 and has been reappointed through June 30, 2031. A practicing real estate attorney based in Kingston, he represents clients across the Hudson Valley. He is a graduate of John A. Coleman High School, earned his Associate in Science in Business Administration from SUNY Ulster in 1998, followed by a B.S. in Accounting from SUNY New Paltz and a J.D. from Western New England University School of Law.

Trustee Jacobsen brings a strong record of civic engagement, including 15 years on the City of Kingston Planning Board and active membership in the New York State and Ulster County Bar Associations. He has served on the Ulster Community College Foundation Board since 2019, is a 2019 SUNY Ulster Distinguished Alumni Award recipient, and was inducted into the SUNY Ulster Alumni Hall of Fame in 2020.

At the November 18, 2025, annual meeting, the SUNY Ulster Board of Trustees voted unanimously to accept the slate of officers for the 2025-2026 academic year, including the appointment of Robert R. Jacobsen, Esq., as Chair; Timothy Sweeney, as Vice Chair; and Victoria St. John-Gilligan, as Secretary.

Trustee Jacobsen stated, “It is a privilege to serve as a Trustee of SUNY Ulster, and a great honor to do so as an alum of this institution, which has played such an important role in my life and in the lives of so many in our region. I am equally proud to serve as Board Chair and to support the important work of this College.”

Appointed through June 30, 2026, Trustee Doyle brings more than four decades of planning and community development expertise. Since joining Ulster County Planning in 1974 and becoming Director in 2004, he has led significant efforts in transportation systems, land use planning, and environmental stewardship. He also directs the Ulster County Transportation Council.

Born and raised in Ulster County, Trustee Doyle holds a degree in Geology from SUNY Cortland and has extensive training in environmental science, site design, and demographics. His service extends to numerous boards, including Arc Mid-Hudson, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster County, the Hudson Valley AgriBusiness Development Corporation, and the Ulster County Housing Development Corporation. He is also a member of the Hudson Valley Regional Council, a past president of RUPCO, and an active volunteer with American Legion Post 1219.

“I grew up within a mile of SUNY Ulster and remember the enthusiasm as classes began at the new campus. That positive community response to the College continues today.  I want to thank Governor Hochul for the appointment and the opportunity to give back to the community.  I look forward to working with the administration and my colleagues on the Board to support the College’s mission and the students we serve,” said Trustee Doyle.

SUNY Ulster President, Alison Buckley, Ed.D., stated, “We are fortunate to have the support from Governor Kathy Hochul in appointing our newest Trustees to serve our SUNY Ulster students and community of learners. Governor Hochul’s steadfast advocacy and support of our Trustees in their service as community stewards, safeguarding our collective commitment to accessible and affordable higher education, has been truly paramount. We look forward to partnering with Trustees Jacobsen and Doyle as we continue shaping the future of the College and remain committed to meeting the needs of our students, meeting them where they are, and serving the residents of Ulster County.”

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Photo: Robert R. Jacobsen, Esq. Dennis M. Doyle
from left Robert R. Jacobsen, Esq., Dennis M. Doyle

SUNY Ulster Continuing and Professional Education Hosts Information Sessions and Open House with Release of Spring 2026 Brochure

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Robotics

December 3, 2025– Kingston, NY – SUNY Ulster recently released the Spring 2026 brochure highlighting both credit and non-credit courses offered starting as early as January 2026. To give the community a chance to find out more about these programs, two Open Houses are planned:

  • December 15 from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Kingston Center
  • January 8 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Kingston Center

At the Open Houses, instructors, program coordinators, and enrollment specialists will be on hand to discuss details on courses as well as provide information on scholarships that fund many of these courses. Participants will be able to register for classes with the help of staff.

Staff will also be available to talk about SUNY Reconnect, a new program that allows adults with no prior degree, aged 25 to 55 to attain an Associate degree for free in high demand fields. These fields include advanced manufacturing, computer science, engineering, environmental studies, and green building, among others.

SUNY Ulster is making a shift to more evening classes in Kingston to address the growing adult population that is returning to school to finish a degree or earn a career certification. Programs featured include advanced manufacturing, energy auditor, CNC, business, CASAC, clinical medical, bookkeeping, Excel, and business, and more. Many of these courses stack into a microcredential which can be completed in a semester or two. Those completing the microcredential are awarded a digital badge to recognize their achievement.

Spring classes start the week of January 20, 2026, and registration is currently in progress. Registration for info sessions is suggested. Please choose from our  complete list of info sessions. Specific info sessions include Advanced Manufacturing, Building Science, CASAC, and Certified Clinical Medical Assistant.

          For a complete listing of available courses, please visit our website.

          For more information, visit www.sunyulster.edu/ce or call 845-339-2025.

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SUNY Ulster and Darlings Roadhouse Partner to Provide Thanksgiving Dinners for Students in Need

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press release thanksgiving food

November 20, 2025 – Stone Ridge, NY — SUNY Ulster students will head into the Thanksgiving holiday with full hearts and full plates, thanks to an extraordinary gift from Darlings Roadhouse, a beloved Tillson restaurant known for its warm atmosphere, soulful cooking, and community support.

Darlings is providing 100 fully prepared Thanksgiving dinners; each serving will feed a family of four. The restaurant will distribute meals to students in SUNY Ulster’s Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) and New Start program, and then to Pell-eligible students on a first-come, first-served basis. Meals will be available for pickup on Monday, November 24, at both the Stone Ridge campus and Kingston Center SUNY Ulster (KCSU).

“We are incredibly thankful to Darlings for this act of generosity,” said SUNY Ulster President Alison Buckley, Ed.D. “This partnership reflects the best of Ulster County — a community that looks after one another and ensures that no student feels overlooked or alone during the holidays. It is one more way we show our students: you matter, and you belong.”

Each meal includes traditional Thanksgiving favorites ready to heat, enjoy, and share with family and loved ones. For students balancing academics, employment, family obligations, and financial pressures, this gift provides meaningful relief and the reassurance that their college and community is committed to their well-being.

“We saw that our community was hurting, and we wanted to help in the way we know best – by feeding people,” said John Embree, Head Chef at Darlings Roadhouse. “We are grateful for the chance to partner with SUNY Ulster and to make sure students and their families feel supported and cared for this Thanksgiving.”

This initiative highlights the growing partnerships between SUNY Ulster and local businesses committed to equity, access, and student welfare. Together, they are helping ensure that every student feels supported, nourished, and connected during the holiday season.

Thanksgiving Meal Pickup/Distribution

Monday, November 24, 2025
2–5 p.m.

  • Location 1: SUNY Ulster, Stone Ridge Campus, Lobby of George Clinton Hall, 491 Cottekill Road, Stone Ridge, NY 12484
  • Location 2: KCSU Lobby, 94 Mary’s Avenue, Kingston, NY 12401

Availability: First-come, first-served (100 meals total). Students will be notified through targeted communications and can reserve meals through an online form provided by the college.

For media inquiries or to schedule an interview on the Stone Ridge Campus, please contact Deborah Kaufman at 845-687-5261 or kaufmand@sunyulster.edu.

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About SUNY Ulster

SUNY Ulster is a vibrant community college in New York’s Hudson Valley offering accessible, high-quality education that empowers students to achieve their academic, career, and personal goals.

About Darlings Roadhouse

Located in the heart of Tillson on Route 32, Darlings is known for its scratch-made comfort food, signature cocktails, and deep community commitment.

2025 Fall Music Concert Series December 3 and 4 

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Press Release with tuba photo representing music

The SUNY Ulster Music Department Presents the 2025 Fall Concert Series
December 3 and 4

 

The Annual Tuba Christmas Concert is back on December 6

November 19, 2025 – Stone Ridge, NY – SUNY Ulster will host its second and third concerts of our annual fall concert series beginning Wednesday, December 3, with the College/Community Band performance and the Percussion Ensemble. On Thursday, December 4 the College Chorus, African Music Ensemble, and Best of the “Weds@1:00” LIVE Music Recital Series will perform. On Saturday, December 6, after a few years hiatus, the annual Tuba Christmas concert is back.

SUNY Ulster’s ensemble members consist of SUNY Ulster students, faculty, and staff members, area high school students, community members, and area music educators. The December 3 and December 4 concerts will be held in Quimby Theater in Vanderlyn Hall on the Stone Ridge Campus beginning at 7:30 p.m. The concerts are free and open to the public. Donations are greatly appreciated.

Wednesday, December 3 – College/Community Band & Percussion Ensemble

Directed by Carla Newsome, the College/Community Band will perform a diverse program including The Old Boatman by Florence Price, Frenzy by Andrew Boysen, Jr. (conducted by guest conductor Randolph Loder), Sleep by Eric Whitacre, Arabesque by Samuel Hazo (conducted by guest conductor Vic Izzo), Of Our New Day Begun by Omar Thomas, and selections from The Polar Express.

The Percussion Ensemble, under the direction of Paul Chambers, will perform works by Wes Stephens, Alex Stopa, Béla Bartók, and Alan Keown, featuring an array of instruments such as marimba, vibraphone, glockenspiel, toms, conga, and bongo.

Thursday, December 4 – College Chorus, Best of the “Weds@1:00” Recitals, & African Music Ensemble

The College Chorus, directed by Janet Gehres with Edward Leavitt accompanying, presents an eclectic program centered around themes of Unity, Peace, Joy, Celebration, Praise, and Change. The evening includes a Mozart opera chorus, a patriotic hymn, seasonal and folk selections, and multicultural music featuring Paul Chambers on djembe.

The evening will also feature top student performers selected from the “Weds@1:00” Recital Series, highlighting applied music and community music school lesson students.

The African Music Ensemble, directed by Paul Chambers, will perform drumming rhythms of the Malinke and Ga peoples from Guinea, Mali, and Ghana, using authentic African instruments such as the djembe, dundun, kenkeni, and sangoan.

Saturday, December 6 – Annual Tuba Christmas Concert

After a few years’ hiatus, the cherished Tuba Christmas Concert returns to the Quimby Theater. Musicians of all ages are invited to bring their tuba or baritone, don festive attire, decorate their instruments, and join in the holiday music-making.

  • Registration: 10:30 a.m. ($15, includes commemorative button)
  • Rehearsal: 11:30 a.m.
  • Concert: 12:30 p.m.

 This event is free and open to the public.

For more information, contact Janet Gehres at gehresj@sunyulster.edu.

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music concerts of different genres

SUNY Ulster Announces Preview Day for Prospective Students and Families on Saturday, December 6

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Press Release

November 18, 2025 – Stone Ridge, NY – SUNY Ulster will host Preview Day, an admissions event designed to give prospective students and their families an inside look at the student experience. This event is taking place on Saturday, December 6 from 9 a.m. to noon on the Stone Ridge Campus. Doors open at 8:30 a.m. for check-in in the College Lounge in Vanderlyn Hall.

Participants will begin with a Welcome message during the general information session. Included in the day’s activities is an overview of the admissions process, a campus life showcase featuring student opportunities, resources, support clubs, organizations, athletics, and more.

To help students explore potential academic interests, attendees will choose one of four Academic Pathways Sessions that introduce the following programs, career opportunities, and the hands-on learning experiences available at SUNY Ulster:

 Campus Tours are available, led by Enrollment & Success Counselors. All participants will receive complimentary tickets to SUNY Ulster’s Annual Tuba Christmas which takes place on campus right after the event at 12:30 in Quimby Theater. Tuba Christmas is a SUNY Ulster tradition where musicians of all ages bring their tuba or baritone, don festive attire, decorate their instruments, and join in on holiday music-making.

Registration for Preview Day is required and can be found For more information,email admissions@sunyulster.edu.

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SUNY Ulster GED Graduates Celebrate Milestone and Pursuit of Bright Futures

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November 14, 2025 – Kingston, NY – SUNY Ulster celebrated the graduation of 17 students who earned their General Equivalency Diploma. Ten graduates participated in the ceremony that took place at the Kingston Center of SUNY Ulster on November 7.

Dressed in caps and gowns and attended by families, President Alison Buckley, Ed.D. and Vice President for Workforce, Economic Development, and Community Partnerships, Christopher Marx Ed.D., presented each graduate. Deborah Briggs, Chair of the Board of Trustees, also participated in the presentation of the graduates. Curtis Turner, GED Coordinator was the Master of Ceremony, Alana Keneally sang the Star-Spangled Banner, and Professor of Geology/Earth Science and Chair of the STEM Department, Steven H. Schimmrich was the keynote speaker. The invocation and benediction were performed by the Reverend Gia Lynn Hall, Pastor of St. James Methodist Church in Kingston. Student reflections were given by graduates Athena Lasonde Middleton and Jon Marshall Jr.

“It takes courage to go back and finish. Many faced obstacles yet all of the students achieved their goal of attaining their GED. And, achieving this goal means opportunities lie ahead for these graduates in terms of continuing their education and gaining better jobs with higher salaries,” said Curtis Turner, GED Coordinator.

Of the 17 graduates, one is currently enrolled in the fall semester and another student will be enrolled in the spring 2026 semester. Approximately 5 students are starting the SUNY Ulster application process. The remaining graduates are working with SUNY Ulster for employment and career support.

“The achievements celebrated at the recent GED ceremony speak to the determination and promise of our graduates. We are honored to share in this milestone with them and eager to witness the bright futures they are building through their continued goals and aspirations,” Alison Buckley, Ed.D., President, SUNY Ulster.

The next two GED sessions run from January 6 through February 12 and February 24 through April 2. To learn more, email Mr. Turner at turnercu@sunyulster.edu or call 845- 339-2025.

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Welcome Graduates banner with graduates holding diplomas.

SUNY Ulster Dedicates Memorial Bench Honoring Founding Trustee Emeritus Kenneth Davenport

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Davenport memrial plaque

October 31, 2025 – Stone Ridge, NY – SUNY Ulster has honored the legacy of Trustee Emeritus Kenneth Davenport with the dedication of a handcrafted stone bench on the Vanderlyn Quad at the College’s Stone Ridge campus. The memorial bench, complete with an engraved plaque, commemorates Davenport’s enduring contributions to the institution and the community it serves.

Davenport was appointed to the inaugural Board of Trustees in April 1962 by the Ulster County Board of Supervisors (now the Ulster County Legislature) and was later elected as the Board’s first permanent Chairman. A key figure in the founding of Ulster County Community College, he served through August 1968 and was later named Trustee Emeritus in recognition of his exceptional leadership and steadfast dedication.

His commitment extended beyond governance. In 1965, SUNY Ulster broke ground on its Stone Ridge campus—165 acres of farmland donated in part by the Davenport, Leggett, and Van Winkle families. Davenport’s role in this milestone reflects both his personal and professional commitment to expanding access to education in Ulster County.

 “Our father, Trustee Emeritus Kenneth Davenport, was the first permanent, unanimously elected Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Ulster County Community College,” shared the Davenport family—Bill and Tildy Davenport, Barbara Brinig, and Andrea and Mark Skwarek. “Together, we remember his profound commitment to education, exemplified through his dedicated service as a founding Trustee. We are honored to commemorate his lasting legacy with this bench on the Stone Ridge campus.”

SUNY Ulster President Alison Buckley, Ed.D., reflected on Davenport’s legacy:

“Here at SUNY Ulster, we believe every student deserves access, support and opportunity. Trustee Emeritus Kenneth Davenport’s foresight laid a foundation of community, commitment and care that still serves our students today. This bench stands as a tangible symbol of that legacy—reminding us of our heritage, inspiring our present, and guiding our future.”

For more information, please contact Deborah Kaufman (845) 687-5261.

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Board of Trustees Chair Deborah Briggs Appointed to National Association of Community College Trustees Board of Directors

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SUNY Ulster Press Release

Deborah BriggsOctober 29, 2025 – Stone Ridge, NY- SUNY Ulster proudly announces that Deborah Briggs, Chair of the SUNY Ulster Board of Trustees, has been elected to the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) Board of Directors as a Northeast Regional Director. Her three-year term was confirmed at the 56th Annual ACCT Leadership Congress, Reimagining Community College: Innovation for a Changing World, held in New Orleans, LA.

ACCT is a nonprofit educational organization representing more than 6,500 elected and appointed trustees serving on over 500 community, technical, and junior college governing boards across the United States and beyond. Its 26-member Board of Directors is elected by member boards to represent the voice of community college governance nationwide.

Briggs has served on the SUNY Ulster Board of Trustees since 2018, and as Board Chair since 2022, leading the College’s Presidential Search Committee in 2022.  She has previously served with distinction on ACCTs 2024 Finance and Audit Committee and, for 2025, is serving on ACCTs Public Policy and Advocacy Committee.

“Chair Briggs brings a powerful, place-based perspective to the national stage,” said Alison Buckley, Ed.D., President of SUNY Ulster. “She understands firsthand the transformative power of community colleges and is committed to expanding opportunity, advancing equity, and driving student success and institutional innovation—especially for those too often left out of the conversation. Our institution has benefited greatly from her engagement with trustees across the country, and we are proud to see her continue advancing ACCT’s mission as a member of its Board of Directors.”

“The SUNY Ulster Board of Trustees affirms that ACCT will benefit from Chair Briggs’ active and passionate advocacy,” said Tim Sweeney, Vice Chair of the SUNY Ulster Board of Trustees. “She has been a steadfast voice for the community college sector, and we know she will continue to represent our students and institutions with distinction.”

Reflecting on her appointment, Briggs said, “I believe the strength of America’s community colleges lies in their diversity. As a first-generation graduate and trustee, I am committed to ensuring that all colleges—and the students they serve—are fully represented, supported, and empowered through national policy, advocacy, and leadership. Representing SUNY Ulster and our Board of Trustees on the ACCT Board of Directors is an honor and privilege.”

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