November 16, 2023 – Stone Ridge, NY – SUNY Ulster will host its second and third concerts of our annual fall concert series beginning Wednesday, November 29. SUNY Ulster students, SUNY New Paltz students, advanced HS students from Kingston, Rondout, Wallkill, and New Paltz, Music Educators from the area, as well as SUNY Ulster faculty and staff members will perform at the November 29 concert. The December 6 concert is made up of SUNY Ulster students, faculty, and staff members. Both concerts will be in the Quimby Theater in Vanderlyn Hall on the Stone Ridge Campus. The concerts are free and open to the public. Donations are greatly appreciated.
The November 29 concert will begin with a concert prelude by the Saugerties Woodwind Quintet at 7:15 p.m., and include the music pieces Ava Maria and Estrellita. At 7:30 p.m. the College/Community Band directed by Vic Izzo will feature holiday favorites with songs including Incantation and Dance, Menorah Medley, O Magnum Mysterium, and Russian Christmas Music. In addition, SUNY Ulster is thrilled to welcome Guest Conductor, Carla Newsome who will be conducting the College/Community Band in their performance of Ancient Carol Variants.
The holiday spirit continues with the second half of the SUNY Ulster Music Department Fall Concert Series on December 6 at 7:30 p.m. The College Chorus, directed by Janet Gehres and accompanied by Edward Leavitt, will perform Gloria in Excelsis, Now Winter Nights Enlarge, Dance of the Sugar-Plum Fairy, The Seal Lullaby, Autumn Gives Her Hand to Winter, and Shule Aroon. The African Drumming Ensemble, directed by Paul Chambers will be performing music from Ghana, Guinea, and Nigeria. The evening concludes with the best of the semester performances chosen from the Live Music Convocation Series.
For more information, contact Janet Gehres at gehresj@sunyulster.edu.
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Penny Rifenburgh, an Assistant Professor of English and Department Chair of English, Language, and Philosophy received the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching. A peer commented, “Since arriving on campus, Penny has been a magnet for students. Penny is warm, welcoming, and generous with the students. Her office is always full of students who simply stop by to say hello. The discussions are often related to classwork; however, Penny always takes time to check in with students on a personal level”. In addition to being a pleasure to work alongside, Penny’s students can agree “She is a passionate professor who is caring and puts in her time for her students.”
Patrick J. McGuire, an Adjunct Faculty member in the Social Sciences, History and Education department received the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Adjunct Teaching. A peer commented, “In the classroom, Pat is humorous, approachable, and informal in a way that puts students at ease and engenders a positive learning experience. He can be relied upon to give his best efforts in all circumstances…”. Students who have experienced his teaching comment, “I am very grateful to have had professor McGuire for this course. He made the material more enjoyable and kept the content very entertaining to keep the attention of the students. I think his methods should be used for all classes!”
Suzanne DeWitt is an Instructional Assistant for the Biological Sciences department and received the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Professional Service. “Suzanne has always gone above and beyond for the biology faculty and the college… from preparing reagents and setting up labs to purchasing… She’s the best!” In her peers’ opinions, she is “a super-intelligent, dedicated professional who keeps the Biological Sciences department running smoothly…”
Virginia “Ginny” Lukasavage is an administrative assistant in the Arts and English, Language, and Philosophy departments and received the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Classified Service. When her colleagues were asked for a comment on “Ginny” they had nothing but wonderful things to say. One peer commented “Ginny is sunshine on a cloudy day. She is caring, professional, and an awesome person to work with always.” Another said “Ginny helps improve any situation she sees on campus with active participation, positivity, and genuine kindness. She is an asset to us all.”
