Dina Pearlman

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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Student Government Hosts Blood Drive for Breast Cancer Awareness Month Monday, October 27

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SUNY Ulster Press Release

October 20, 2025 – Stone Ridge, NY – In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, SUNY Ulster’s Student Government Organization (SGO) is partnering with the New York Blood Center to host a community blood drive on Monday, October 27, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The event will take place in the Student Life Dining Hall in Vanderlyn Hall on SUNY Ulster’s Stone Ridge campus.

The blood drive is open to students, faculty, staff, and members of the public.
While appointments are encouraged and can be made at https://donate.nybc.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/333542, walk-ins are also welcome.

Participants are asked to:

  • Bring a valid student or government-issued photo ID
  • Eat well and hydrate before donating
  • Be free of any cold or flu symptoms

Donating blood is one of the most direct ways to support patients in need. Whether it’s for cancer treatment, surgery, or emergencies, every donation has the potential to save lives.

The blood drive highlights the ongoing need for blood donations, especially during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, as many cancer patients require transfusions as part of their treatment.

This event is free and open to the public.

For more information, contact:
Samm Chambers
Student Activities Coordinator
Email: chambers@sunyulster.edu
Phone: 845-687-1560

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SUNY Ulster and Ulster Community College Foundation, Inc. to Hold Annual  Homecoming Reunion on October 18

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Press Release

October 14, 2025 – Stone Ridge, NY – SUNY Ulster and Ulster Community College Foundation, Inc. will host its annual Homecoming Reunion on Saturday, October 18 from 1-5 p.m. on the Stone Ridge campus.

Get ready to walk down memory lane as the SUNY Ulster Alumni society welcomes alumni, families, and friends back to campus. Whether you graduated last year or decades ago, Homecoming 2025 is the perfect opportunity to reconnect with classmates, relive favorite moments, and see how our campus has flourished. The afternoon will be packed with activities for all ages, combining food, fun, and celebration in a display of true SUNY Ulster spirit.

Event highlights include:

  • Men’s Basketball Showcase
  • Art Exhibition
  • Lawn Games & Family Activities
  • Crafts, Music, and more

“We are thrilled to welcome alumni and their families back home to SUNY Ulster,” said John DeGasperis, Esq. ‘02 Ulster Community College Foundation, Inc. Board Chair. “This is a wonderful opportunity to reconnect and celebrate the vibrant SUNY Ulster community as well as network among peers.”

SUNY Ulster president, Alison Buckley, Ed.D., shared, “Homecoming is always a special time to celebrate the heart of who we are as a college – our students, alumni, employees, and community.  Homecoming is a celebration of connection: to each other, to our community, and to the impact SUNY Ulster has had on so many lives.  We are proud to welcome our alumni back to where their journey began and to celebrate the same pride and purpose that unite us all.  It’s a moment to reflect on our shared history and to look ahead with pride and optimism on the future we are building together.”

Admission is free, but registration is encouraged. To RSVP and learn more, visit SUNYUlsterHomecoming.com

About the SUNY Ulster Alumni Society

The SUNY Ulster Alumni Society fosters lifelong relationships between the College and its alumni through events, mentorship, and engagement. Homecoming is one of the Society’s signature events, celebrating the impact of SUNY Ulster and the memories that bring us back together. If you attended SUNY Ulster at any point in your academic journey, we encourage you to join the Alumni Society.

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SUNY Ulster Presents “time Again” an Exhibit of Drawings, Paintings, and Sculpture by Marie Mastronardo and B. Robert Johnson at the Muroff Kotler Visual Arts Gallery

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SUNY Ulster Press Release

October 7, 2025 – Stone Ridge, NY – The Muroff Kotler Visual Arts Gallery at SUNY Ulster is proud to present “time Again”, a two-person exhibition featuring the diverse works of Marie Mastronardo and B. Robert Johnson. The exhibit runs from October 16 through December 4, with an opening reception on October 16 from 4-6 p.m. This exhibition is sponsored by the Ulster Community College Foundation, Inc.

“time Again” brings together selected works of Johnson and Mastronardo on the 50th anniversary of their first exhibition together at the Muroff Kotler Visual Arts Gallery in 1975.

“time Again” images by Marie Mastronardo and B. Robert Johnson

Marie Mastronardo is showing sculptures, sculpted in clay, coil built, and some done in plaster reliefs. Voluminous, yet fragile, her pieces take shape one thin coil at a time from the ground up and evolve into free-flowing figurative vessels and sculptures. Ms. Mastronardo holds a B.A. in art from Hunter College followed by a year’s travel in Europe, a decade long association with the Art Students” League, studying drawing with Marshall Glasier, painting with Julian Levi, and sculpture with John Hovannes. She has participated in both solo and group shows in New York City and upstate New York.

Robert Johnson is a multidisciplinary artist who describes his paintings and drawings as geometric landscapes and interpretations of the natural world, balancing realism and abstraction to represent the essence of beauty that nature possesses. Mr. Johnson holds a B.F.A. from Pratt Institute and is the Director of Graphic & Printing Services at SUNY Ulster, designing award-winning visual communication publications for the promotion of the College. In addition, he serves on the Exhibition Committee for the Muroff Kotler Visual Arts Gallery, was a past board member of the Art Society of Kingston, curated the city-wide outdoor Sculpture Biennial in 2011, and has been making art cars for the Kingston Artists Soapbox Derby since 1999.

“time Again” reflects both artists’ life-long commitment to art making and the way art invites the viewer to return, reconsider, and see their work anew.

For more information, please contact Chris Seubert at seubertc@sunyulster.edu.

About the Muroff Kotler Visual Arts Gallery

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.

About the Ulster Community College Foundation, Inc.

Since 1976, the Ulster Community College Foundation has been committed to advancing student success, academic excellence, and community impact at SUNY Ulster. Rooted in a mission to bridge opportunity with action, the Foundation has awarded over $8.5 million in scholarships to more than 8,700 students. Each year, the Foundation offers almost $1 million in scholarships, enabling students to pursue degrees across disciplines ranging from Nursing and STEM to Business and the Arts. The Ulster Community College Foundation’s impact extends far beyond scholarships. The organization invests in cultural enrichment, academic innovation, teaching technologies, and student-centered programming. The Foundation also plays a pivotal role in alumni engagement, donor cultivation, and positioning SUNY Ulster as a hub of innovation and opportunity in the Hudson Valley.

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Ulster Community College Foundation to Hold Soiree for SUNY Ulster October 9, 2025

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SUNY Ulster Press Release

September 25, 2025 – Stone Ridge, NY – Ulster Community College Foundation will host its annual fundraising event on Thursday, October 9, 2025, at Diamond Mills Resort & Spa in Saugerties at 5:30 p.m. This event is open to the public with tickets available at www.sunyulster.edu/soiree.

The fundraiser and recognition event honors individuals, organizations, and businesses in support of student success. Bringing together community leaders, alumni, donors, and friends of SUNY Ulster, this event is a celebration of the power of higher education as it raises funds for student scholarships and programs.

This year’s soiree will feature an awards presentation honoring those whose contributions embody SUNY Ulster’s spirit of community and service and include:

  • Your Promise – Their Future Award: Eli Basch, Esq. & Susan Raymond Basch ‘74 (posthumously) — recognizing donors whose substantial gifts are transformative.
  • #BeLikeAnita Award: Bill Calderara — recognizing community members who lead by example and dedicate personal time to bettering others.
  • Outstanding Graduate of the Last Decade (G.O.L.D.): Alejandro Duran-Sanchez ‘19 — honoring a recent graduate who has distinguished themselves through volunteerism, professional growth, and philanthropic values.
  • Caring for the Community Award: Tony Marmo — for exceptional dedication to the well-being of the community.
  • Anne R. Donovan Award for Faculty & Staff: Dr. Mark Stewart, PhD — for members of the campus community who go above and beyond in their service to SUNY Ulster’s mission.

“Our Soirée is more than a fundraising event — it’s a celebration of the people whose vision, generosity, and commitment make SUNY Ulster what it is,” said John DeGasperis, Esq. ‘02 Ulster Community College Foundation, Inc. Board Chair. “We’re thrilled to honor this year’s remarkable individuals, and to continue supporting our students through their generosity.”

SUNY Ulster president, Alison Buckley, ED.D. shared, “The Soiree is a meaningful evening that shines a light on the incredible generosity of our community, the commitment of our honorees, and, most importantly, the life-changing opportunities that our Foundation provides for our students. Together, we are investing in futures, building pathways to success, and strengthening the Hudson Valley through education.”

The evening will include a cocktail reception, fine dining, live music, auctions, and presentations from individuals whose lives have been shaped by SUNY Ulster and the Ulster Community College Foundation. Early reservations are encouraged as seating is limited.

For more information, please contact the Foundation office at foundation@sunyulster.edu or 845-687-5283.

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