2025 Fall Music Concert Series December 3 and 4 

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

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.

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

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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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

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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SUNY Ulster Director of New Start, Arie Drewes Named SUNY Basic Needs Champion

SUNY Ulster Press Release

October 3, 2025 – Stone Ridge, NY – SUNY Ulster is proud to announce that Arie Drewes, Director of New Start, has been named a SUNY Basic Needs Champion, one of only five honorees selected from across SUNY campuses statewide. The recognition was announced on September 18, 2025, by SUNY Chancellor Dr. John B. King, Jr. during the SUNY Basic Needs Summit in Albany.

The Basic Needs Champion award honors faculty and staff who demonstrate extraordinary dedication to removing barriers to student success by advancing holistic support services. Honorees are recognized not only as advocates, but also as leaders who help foster a culture of care and equity across the SUNY system.

Drewes joined SUNY Ulster in April 2021 and has served in various academic administration and program development roles. Since June 2023, she has led New Start, an opportunity program designed to promote academic success and economic mobility for adult and parenting students. She brings a strong academic and professional background, holding advanced degrees and credentials from studies spanning Boston University, Trinity College Dublin, Berklee College of Music, New York University, and Dutchess Community College. Drewes is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Adult Learning at Empire State University.

“For students to succeed, their basic needs—housing, food, childcare, and transportation—must be met. I am deeply grateful to my colleagues in our community, at SUNY Ulster, and across the SUNY system, who are committed to making this possible and work with me to connect students with essential resources. This recognition is truly a testament to that collective effort,” said Arie Drewes.

“Arie’s work reflects the very best of SUNY Ulster—putting students at the heart of everything we do,” said Alison Buckley, Ed.D., president of SUNY Ulster.  “She is relentless in removing barriers, amplifying student voices, and ensuring that every learner has the resources to thrive. This recognition affirms the impact of her leadership and the culture of care she is helping to build at our college.”

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Arie Drewes portrait

 

Four Students Recognized by SUNY, Phi Theta Kappa, & EOP for Academic Achievements

Phi Theta Kapa

 May 27, 2025 – Stone Ridge, NY – SUNY Ulster celebrates its students recognized for their academic achievements. Each of these individuals are pursuing careers in different fields and are on a successful path toward realizing their collegiate and personal goals.

The SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence recognizes students for outstanding academic achievements, leadership, campus involvement, community service, and the arts. This award is the highest honor bestowed upon a student by the State University of New York. The 2025 Chancellor’s Awards go to Gia Pfleger and Deli Smith.

Gia Pfleger graduated with an Associate in Arts degree in Adolescence Education 7-12 with a concentration in social studies. Committed to academic excellence, Gia has been on the President’s List for multiple semesters and is graduating with a 3.8 GPA. Gia plans to pursue a double major in Education and Political Science when she transfers to SUNY New Paltz. Her hope is to use her degrees by mentoring students and making a difference in society through teaching.

Deli Smith graduated with an Associate in Science in Individual Studies. Taking pride in their academic portfolio, has maintained a 4.0 GPA. Deli will be attending SUNY Oneonta in the fall to major in Media Studies with the plan of obtaining a Master’s degree in Communication and work in the music industry. Deli is a member of Phi Theta Kappa, has maintained a place on the President’s List, and has contributed as a Student Trustee for the 2024-2025 academic year. Deli also is a member of SUNY Ulster’s Student Government Organization and Student Engagement Board where they work with fellow students on club activities and special events.

The Phi Theta Kappa All-New York Academic Team recognizes high achieving college students who demonstrate academic excellence and intellectual rigor combined with leadership and service that extends their education beyond the classroom to benefit society.  Gabriella Acosta is the 2025 Recipient of the Phi Theta Kappa – All New York Academic Team.

Gabriella Acosta of Highland, NY, started her journey at SUNY Ulster as a L.A. Humanities and Social Sciences major who graduated this semester. She aspires to transfer to earn her bachelor’s and master’s degrees with a career goal of becoming a school psychologist.  A member of Phi Theta Kappa, Gabriella is committed to academic excellence and leadership in her community, as a passionate advocate for her town and its residents.

SUNY’s Norman R. McConney, Jr. Award for Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) Student Excellence is awarded to Princess Giselle Burden-Green. Now celebrating its sixth class of honorees, the award recognizes outstanding EOP students for their academic merit and perseverance.

Princess Giselle Burden-Green’s goal is to become a therapist, social worker, and business owner. Over the course of her time at SUNY Ulster Princess has been a dedicated, responsible EOP student proactively improving her academic standing. She has been accepted to SUNY New Paltz where she will attend in the fall and major in psychology. Princess volunteered to speak to EOP students about her college experience and convey tips for new EOP students during our pre-college summer program this year. Princess works for a youth organization focused on developing leadership skills for underserved youth. She holds the position of Girls Lead Counselor.

SUNY Ulster President Alison Buckley, Ed.D. said, “I am proud of our students’ individual and collective commitment to academics, service, and excellence as they reach their educational goals by starting here at SUNY Ulster and Going Far!”

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SUNY Ulster’s 61st Commencement on Saturday, May 24, 2025

2025 Commencement

May 20, 2025 – Stone Ridge, NY – SUNY Ulster will proudly celebrate its 61st Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, May 24, 2025, at 10 a.m. in the Senate Gymnasium on the Stone Ridge campus. Presiding over the event will be President Alison Buckley, Ed.D., who will confer degrees and certificates upon 143 graduates during the ceremony.

The Class of 2025 comprises 340 students in total. Of those, 288 will receive associate degrees, and 81 will be awarded certificates. The graduating class spans generations—its youngest members are three 17-year-olds, and its oldest is 65.

Of the class, 51 students will graduate with highest honors, and 112 with honors, 8 students will receive the President’s Medal of Highest Honor for maintaining a perfect 4.0 GPA, 52 graduates are members of Phi Theta Kappa, the national honor society, 15 students are recipients of the President’s Challenge Scholarship, who will receive the Darlene L. Pfeiffer Medallion of Excellence, and 6 are recognized as College Scholars.  14 nursing students will receive their pins as part of the ceremony.

Each participating graduate will receive six guest tickets, and the Senate Gymnasium will open for seating at 9:00 a.m. For friends and family unable to attend in person, the event will be livestreamed and available on the college’s website  and on the SUNY Ulster YouTube channelr.

The keynote address will be delivered by Elliott Auerbach, former New York State Deputy Comptroller and current Director of the Ulster Community College Foundation, Inc. A dedicated steward of education and opportunity, Mr. Auerbach has devoted nearly five years to advancing the Foundation’s mission, championing scholarship initiatives that have profoundly enriched the lives and futures of our students.

Representing the student body, Deli Smith, this year’s Student Trustee, will serve as the student speaker. Smith is graduating with an Associate Degree with High Honors, is a member of Phi Theta Kappa, and was recently honored with the 2025 Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence. They plan to continue their education at SUNY Oneonta.

Introductions will be made by Jenn Zell, Chief of Staff & Secretary to the Board and Alison Buckley, Ed.D., President. Other participants include Grand Marshal James Hobbs, Professor of Psychology; Faculty Marshal Candice Van Dyke, Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs & Dean of Faculty; Deborah Briggs, Board of Trustees Chair; The Honorable Peter Oberacker, NYS Senator; The Honorable Peter Criswell, Ulster County Legislative Chair; Dr. Mark Stewart, Assistant Professor of Engineering & Academic Senate Chair, Rebecca Mercado, ESC Counselor & Staff Assembly Co-Chair, and John DeGasperis, Esq., Ulster Community College Foundation, Inc. Chair.

The invocation and benediction will be offered by The Rev. Gregory Simpson, Ph.D., SUNY Ulster Trustee and Pastor of Nauraushaun Presbyterian Church.

Musical performances will feature the College Chorus, under the direction of Janet Gehres, and the Old Capital Brass, directed by Victor Izzo, Jr.

Security Notice: Guests are advised that large bags and backpacks are not permitted. Large purses and diaper bags will be subject to inspection, and strollers must be left in designated areas.

SUNY Ulster looks forward to honoring the achievements of its graduates with family, friends, and the community in attendance.

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Meet Michelle Moore

image of floral fabric designed by michelle moore

Michelle Moore is a SUNY Ulster alumnus and now an adjunct faculty member at SUNY Ulster. Here is her recent interview with Bold Journey Magazine:

Michelle, appreciate you making time for us and sharing your wisdom with the community. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others overcame obstacles can be helpful. One of those struggles is keeping creativity alive despite all the stresses, challenges and problems we might be dealing with. How do you keep your creativity alive?

Creativity like all things in life needs nurturing and care. There will be periods of high activity and periods of dormancy. I have learned that when I am in either state that I have to be mindful that it will not last forever.

The creative mind needs rest in order to come up with new ideas and be to be inspired. The only way to keep it thriving is to listen, and give it what it needs when it needs it.

On the other side of that is when the “creative spark” hits, I know I have to act on it, and move the idea forward in order to keep my advancing my work.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

Hi! I am an Artist, Surface Designer and Art Educator located in the Hudson Valley region of New York State.

I am currently focused on the use of natural dyes using homegrown flowers and botanicals for textiles and artwork. I spent the last ten(ish) years experimenting with this craft and have honed in on the specific area of hammered flowers and leaves on cloth and paper. Over that time I have worked with major retail brands to bring naturally dyed goods to the commercial market. I have designed natural dye kits that have been sold across the US, and have taught many workshops to share this art form with others.

Over the last few years I have been writing a book about my hammered flower process that is due to publish at the end of the year. Keep an eye out!

I also teach art courses at my Alma Mater – SUNY Ulster. I teach courses in drawing, 2D Design, graphic design foundation.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

  1. Digital design. I decided early on in my artistic journey that it was as important if not more to learn how to Floral wall hanging use CAD programs, as well as create my own website in order to showcase my artwork. We live in the world of tiny screens and limited attention spans. You need to grab your viewers attention quick, and the best way is through great photos and presentation of the work your invested so much time creating.
  2. Stop comparing yourself. This is indeed a learned “skill”. It doesn’t matter what everyone else around you is doing. Just keep focused on what you are doing and it will in time evolve organically the way it i supposed to. Everything good takes time, energy, and consistency. Keep chipping away.
  3. Don’t focus on what you “don’t know”. I think the biggest challenge sometimes is getting started. We often think we don’t know enough to make progress. The truth is that you need to start somewhere. Be curious, make mistakes, lean into the process. The more experiments you do, the more knowledge you will gain.Keep at it. It gets easier.Continuing to show up for yourself is best quality you can have.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?

Yes, I’m always looking for new ways to share my work with the world!

I’d love to do collaborations with my hammered flower art specifically.I’d love to work with an eco friendly stationery or home goods brand to bring these designs into the retail market in small batches. I also would love to work with a fashion designer to create a really beautiful hammered flower garment for something special.

I’m also looking to exhibit more of my original artwork this year.

More flowers on everything!

Contact Info:

Poet and Activist, Kyle “Guante” Tran Myhre will read at 2025 Poetry Forum

Press Release Kyle Tran Guante and book cover

SUNY Ulster Presents Poet and Activist, Kyle “Guante” Tran Myhre

2025 Ellen Robbins Poetry Forum

April 8, 2025 – Stone Ridge, NY – SUNY Ulster presents the 2025 Ellen Robbins Poetry Forum with poet and activist Kyle “Guante” Tran Myhre along with student and faculty presenters on Thursday, April 17, at 1:15 p.m. in the College Lounge in Vanderlyn Hall on the Stone Ridge campus.

Kyle Tran Myhre (aka Guante) is a poet and activist whose work explores the relationships between narrative, power, and resistance. He’s performed at the United Nations, been featured on a Grammy-winning album, been a member of two National Poetry Slam championship teams, and visited countless colleges, conferences, and festivals, using spoken word and storytelling as doorways into critical dialogue. His most recent book is “Not a Lot of Reasons to Sing, But Enough.” Learn more about Guante.

Whether writing about men’s roles in ending gender-based violence, challenging dominant narratives related to race and racism, or just telling stories about the different jobs he’s had, Tran Myhre strives to cultivate a deeper engagement with social justice issues, one based in both empathy and agency. An educator as well as a performing artist, Tran Myhre completed his Masters studies at the University of Minnesota with a focus on spoken word, critical pedagogy, and social justice education, and regularly facilitates workshops and residencies. He currently lives in Minneapolis.

Sponsored by the Ulster Community College Foundation, The Poetry Forum is an annual event that brings well-known and award-winning poets to SUNY Ulster. In 2007, the program was renamed the Ellen Robbins Poetry Forum to honor the memory of Ellen Robbins (1952-2006) who was on the faculty at SUNY Ulster from 1994 until 2006, and Chair of the English department from 2002-2006.

This event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Kari Mack at mackk@sunyulster.edu or 845-687-5214.

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