Campus Life

SUNY Ulster Students Bring Awareness to Fashion Sustainability Options

by
SUNY Ulster students looking at the flip book for reuse reduce recycle they made.

After learning the harsh realities of the fashion industry from their professor Kristin Flynn, four first year students at SUNY Ulster sought to bring attention to the harmful impact of ‘fast-fashion’ and the steps we can all take to limit our footprint.

Rosa Onderdonk-Knaus, Jackson Zavala, Arden Johnson, and Izzy Vicari note a few issues with the industry:

  • 8% of global Carbon emissions are due to the fashion industry
  • 10% of microplastics in our oceans originate from textiles
  • 85% of all textiles end up in landfills yearly 

The Fashion industry’s global emissions are expected to double by the end of the decade. “We want to empower people to make choices that help lessen the impact” Vicari said during an interview with Blue Stone Press reporter, Anne Pyburn Craig. The foursome is promoting the old adage, “Reuse, Reduce, Recycle”. 

The students agree that a cultural transition from fast-fashion to sustainable fashion will be a tough but necessary shift. The average person in the United States discards 81 pounds of clothing each year. To put that in perspective, that’s about the weight of a twelve year old child. Instead of tossing clothing into the trash over a rip or missing button Vitari suggests learning some “simple mending”, in fact events like Repair Cafe in Kingston are a wonderful resource to learn these skills. All the students encourage people to recycle properly using Fab Scrap which picks up leftover materials or The Blue Jeans Go Green program that collects denim (made from cotton) so that it can be recycled back to its original fiber state and transformed into something new.

 In addition to reducing our closets turning door, we can all be conscientious when we buy. Pre-loved and gently used clothing from Peoples Place, Lovefield Consignment, and Rock Candy Vintage always have beautiful clothing that you can feel good about purchasing. Finally, turn those old threads into funky new items to give them a new life! 

After learning about the environmental impact of the fashion industry these students are still passionate about the field they’ve chosen, and seem to have valuable ideas and information to share about the future of the fashion industry. Cavala admits she’s “absolutely getting a solid and excellent foundation” here at SUNY Ulster.

Reuse, reduce, recycle flip book

This week’s #MadeitMonday goes out to Dina Peone!

by
Dina peone looking at camera

Liberal Arts: Humanities & Social Sciences and Creative Writing: Dina Peone ‘13

Since graduating with an Associate degree in Liberal Arts in 2013 Dina Peone has gone on to share her writing talents with others! Currently a lecturer at the University of Chicago,  Peone has committed herself to helping others with their writing by designing and teaching unique nonfiction writing courses.

Six years before Peone enrolled at SUNY Ulster, she sustained a severe burn injury that nearly took her life and ability to write. During her time at SUNY Ulster, she recovered some of the confidence she would need to continue pursuing her goals. “SUNY Ulster is where I discovered a structured, community-supported environment in which I could safely begin writing about the fire.”   She adds that the College allowed her to “recognize that the fire had not destroyed [her] potential”. 

With unwavering spirit, Peone continued striving for excellence. After completing her degree at SUNY Ulster Dina Peone was accepted to her top school, Sarah Lawrence where she attained a Bachelor’s degree, and swears SUNY Ulster played a pivotal role in that success, “SUNY Ulster’s consistent recognition of my efforts is one reason I got accepted by seven out of eight four-year colleges”. Once enrolled at Sarah Lawrence College, Peone’s love for writing continued to flourish and enabled her to be a co-founder of a literary journal titled Cliffhanger, where she served as editor-in-chief.  

Dina went on to earn her MFA in nonfiction at the prestigious University of Iowa (’18) and then joined the Iowa faculty as a Visiting Assistant Professor and taught the Nonfiction Writing Program’s first-ever online course.

Today, Peone is teaching her own thesis workshop as well as being a thesis adviser to undergraduate students at U. Chi. Reflecting on her trials and tribulations Peone was ecstatic to share the passion SUNY Ulster had ignited in her and the tremendous gratitude she had for the college. “To my great delight, I am continuously learning what I am capable of. I now fully believe that, at any given time, I am capable of achieving far more than I can imagine.” – Dina Peone

 

Fighting Hunger One Bag at a Time

by
Peanut butter and Jelly on a rack in the Pantry

The Pantry at SUNY Ulster is proud to announce that it has been selected as January’s nonprofit for the West Hurley Hannaford Fight Hunger Program. Each month, the Hannaford Fight Hunger Bag Program selects a remarkable nonprofit local to each store to benefit from the purchase of every Fight Hunger Bag.

During the month of January, for every $2.50 spent on Fight Hunger Bags, $1.00 will be awarded to The Pantry at SUNY Ulster. The Pantry at SUNY Ulster provides students, faculty, and staff who may be experiencing food insecurity, with food and select personal care items, in a stigma-free environment. The more bags that are purchased, the more needs can be filled!

Add fighting hunger to your New Year’s Resolutions! Purchase your Fight Hunger Bags at  Hannaford 295 State Route 375, West Hurley NY.

The Pantry at SUNY Ulster is located on the Stone Ridge Campus in Vanderlyn Hall, Room 155, around the corner from the Senators Store Bookstore.

Phi Theta Kappa Hosted its 2022 Induction Ceremony

by
Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society

December 21, 2022 – Stone Ridge – The Alpha Rho Delta Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa hosted its 2022 Induction Ceremony in the Quimby Theater at 6 p.m. on Monday, December 19, 2022. SUNY Ulster’s Alpha Rho Delta Chapter is the international honor society for community college students. Membership is lifelong and offers numerous benefits including scholarships, letters of recommendation, and recognition of academic prestige. SUNY Ulster would like to congratulate all newly inducted members listed below.

Accord:  Celeste Atkins, Daniel Milov, Daniel Palladino.

Bloomington:  Maya Todd.

Connelly:  Colton Arenella.

Ellenville:  Sameea Khan, Janeliz Pellot-Hilerio.

Gardiner:  Cassidy Thacker.

High Falls:  Hiroshi Sawka Hamaguchi.

Highland:  Alexander Papazov.

Highland Mills:  Alice Rodriguez.

Hopewell Junction:  Jennifer Elie.

Hurley:  Hannah Bear, Thomasina Citron, Christina Osterhoudt.

Hyde Park:  Mary Phillips.

Kerhonkson:  Danny Fallaha, Catarina Lutin, Amber Shamson.

Kingston:  Autumn-Lynne Aarons, Lea Avery, Jeffrey Belardo, Moira Cleary-Dwyer, Cheyanne Corbin, Iad Elmassalemah, Trinity Wilson.

Lake Katrine:  Robert Stoutenburg.

Marlboro:  Jozef Lisiecki.

Middletown:  Devon Pelton.

Napanoch:  Michelle Cruz, Megan McGovern.

New Paltz:   Ivelisse Cabrera, Bryce Casamento, Mark LaBorde, Julia Whitworth.

Newburgh:  Dakota Wolff.

Port Ewen:  Chase Deising.

Rochester:  John Jones.

Rosendale:  Aurora Gill.

Saugerties:  Tiffany Appollonia, Joann Bathrick, Adam DiVenere, Ethan Montfort, Gordon Vought, Derek White.

Shokan:  Hannah Gritman, Catherine Stafford.

South Richmond Hill:  Ayesha Ilyas, Maryam Ilyas.

Tillson:  Devon Lanman.

Tivoli:  Aliana Pegelow.

Ulster Park:  Georgia Johns, Rileigh O’Brien.

Wallkill:  Sabrina Hickey, Penelope Rose, Yulissa Rosello, Joleah Russell.

West Park: Lilyanna Palumbo.

Woodridge: Sierra Barbiani.

# # #

Phi Theta Kappa group photograph

SUNY Ulster is Helping the Community During the Holidays and You Can Too!

by
Suny ulster campus building with holiday lights

The season for giving is upon us here at SUNY Ulster and our clubs are busy at work helping our community. 

The Human Services Club plans on sponsoring a family this Christmas season through Christmas Wishes Ulster County. Christmas Wishes Ulster County is a non-profit organization founded in 2014 in hopes of helping families during the Christmas season. With help from generous donors and volunteers, they are now able to help families all year long! If you’re interested in sponsoring  a family or child you’re invited to do so!

The Veterans Club has been collecting bottles to donate to the Catskills Animal sanctuary. Catskill Animal Sanctuary is a 150-acre refuge in New York’s Hudson Valley for 11 species of farmed animals rescued from cruelty, neglect and abandonment. Although the holiday drive has concluded at SUNY Ulster you can still donate or sponsor an animal. Your gift gives love and support to animals needing sanctuary, heals our ailing planet, and helps create a harmonious world for all living beings.

The Nursing Club is helping seniors create holiday greeting cards at Ten Broeck Commons in Lake Katrine to help promote the coziness, security and enhanced quality of life Ten Broeck is known for. All donations of craft supplies for the event are appreciated and can be dropped off on the SUNY Ulster campus at Hardenburgh Hall, Room 130-C until December 15.

This is the time of year for giving but these groups appreciate and accept donations all year round. Remember to spread cheer throughout the year!

SUNY Ulster Environmental Studies Program Presents a Lecture on Climate 

by
SUNY Ulster Press Release

SUNY Ulster Environmental Studies Program Presents a Lecture on Climate
with Tim Guinee & Samrat Pathania on December 13 at 7 p.m.

December 2, 2022 – Stone Ridge, NY – SUNY Ulster welcomes Tim Guinee, Chapter Chairman for the Climate Reality Project, and Samrat Pathania, Wallkill High School STEM teacher for an evening discussion on climate issues and how to get involved in climate activism. This event takes place on December 13 from 7-9 p.m. in the College Lounge, Vanderlyn Hall of the Stone Ridge Campus, and is free and open to the public.

Tim Guinee is the President of Climate Action Now and a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences Commission on Accelerating Climate Solutions. As a leader in former Vice-President Al Gore’s Climate Reality Project, he has given presentations on the climate emergency all over the U.S., Canada, and North Africa. He is also the founder of The Climate Actors and serves on the Leadership Council of Riverkeeper, the board of the Ashokan Center, and the board of Green Product Placement. He is the official climate change liaison for the town of Marbletown, NY with the Climate Mayors, and serves as the New York legislative-action director for the New York Climate Reality Chapters Coalition. Mr. Guinee
earns his living as an actor and has performed in hundreds of films, plays, and episodes
of television.

Samrat Pathania is a former software engineer who currently teaches mathematics, physics, and computer science at Wallkill High School in Wallkill, NY. He is a New York State Master Teacher Emeritus and co-founder of the Educator Collective for Environmental Justice. Samrat is a passionate advocate for inquiry-based and climate solutions-centered STEM education, inside and outside the classroom. He is a Climate Reality Leader and has presented many talks and workshops on practical climate solutions. He lives in New Paltz, NY with his family in a net-zero home.

For more information, contact Jennifer Guiher at guiherj@sunyulster.edu. Registration is required. Please visit http://bit.ly/3UwNiI9 to register to attend.

#      #      #

SamratPathaniaTim Guinee

Approaching the finish line: Discussion on self care around finals

by
pitcher of water pouring into glass

By Ashley Brown, LCSW-R

Crisis Counselor at SUNY Ulster

April 7, 2022

For everyone on campus, we are approaching the finish line of the semester. Some are also approaching the culmination of their time at SUNY Ulster, graduating and are venturing further into their “start here, go far” journey.

If we think about marathons, the message tends to be to pace ourselves. Don’t rush, find balance, take water and snack breaks to keep ourselves going and maintain stamina. The same can apply to the course of the semester. The final stretch often requires us to pace ourselves leading up to it to support our highest potential. Here are some tips that many have found helpful to support success and overall wellness:

Routines: plan to go to sleep and wake up at the same times everyday. Be mindful of how much caffeine you are drinking and avoid this and sugar later in the day so you can rest.

Eat well: instead of captain crunch for breakfast, consider something more sustaining such as eggs, oatmeal (being mindful of sugars) keep snacks handy for your day that support brain health and energy (nuts, berries, bananas, yogurt, leafy greens).

Hydrate: water, water, water. Many experts believe that anything other than water is not hydrating. Water is like the WD40 for our skin, muscles, joints etc

Take breaks: stand up, stretch, take a walk, look outside your window, give your eyes and being a break from the computer. Even if you don’t have a lot of time, take a walk to your mailbox, around your house, if you are on campus…walk to the furthest restroom or go talk with someone face to face rather than sending an email. The change of perspective for both body and mind can really make a positive difference.

For any questions or other tips, please feel free to contact me at brownas@sunyulster.edu. Better yet, come on by to my office in Van 128. As always, consult with your doctors about what plans and food best suit you.

SUNY Ulster faculty and staff are here to support you to “start here and go far.” Best of luck on finals and all of your endeavors!

SUNY Ulster Hosts Veterans Day Tribute on Thursday, November 10, 2022

by
SUNY Ulster Press Release

SUNY Ulster Hosts Veterans Day Tribute on Thursday, November 10, 2022

November 7, 2022 – Stone Ridge, NY – SUNY Ulster will honor veterans on Thursday, November 10 at 10 a.m. in Clinton Hall on the Stone Ridge campus. Hosted by SUNY Ulster’s Student Government and the SUNY Ulster Military Affiliated Club, the event will include speakers, student reflections, and musical performances. This event is free and open to the public.

SUNY Ulster President, Dr. Alison Buckley will provide remarks. Manny Torres, Director of Military-Affiliated students and a student from the SUNY Ulster Student Government will speak. Students will share reflections and thoughts.

In addition, America (My Country Tis of Thee) will be performed by SUNY Ulster students, Hannah Irwin, Penelope Rose, Mark LaBorde, and Daniel Palladino. Danny Boy will be performed by Mark LaBorde.

SUNY Ulster has, for over a decade, been designated as a Top Military-Friendly School and has earned a Gold designation for the College’s commitment to veterans and veteran dependents. Manny Torres, Director of Military-Affiliated students states, “SUNY Ulster veteran students and their dependents benefit from a broad array of College-wide support as they work toward a degree including a Battle Buddy Center on campus which provides a quiet place for veterans and veteran family students to connect and work, and a Military Affiliated Community (MAC) Club.”

 ###

New York Times Bestselling Author Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah to Read at SUNY Ulster Stone Ridge Campus Tuesday, November 8, 2022

by
Portrait Photograph of Nana Kwame Adjei Brenyah

New York Times Bestselling Author Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah to Read at SUNY Ulster Stone Ridge Campus Tuesday, November 8, 2022

Herbert H. & Sofia P. Reuner Library Writers Series

October 25, 2022 – Stone Ridge, NY – Join us on Tuesday, November 8 at 1:15 p.m. in the Quimby Theater for the Herbert H. & Sofia P. Reuner Library Writers Series event with author, Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah.

A discussion and interview will be moderated by Dr. Ivan Godfrey, Associate Professor in the Criminal Justice & Human Services department. Adjei-Brenyah will read from some of his works, and participate in a Q&A session with the audience. A book signing will follow and books will be available for sale.

Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah is the New York Times-bestselling author of Friday Black (Mariner Books, 2018). His debut novel, Chain-Gang All-Stars, is forthcoming in 2023 with Penguin Random House.

Adjei-Brenyah’s books are described by award-winning author, George Saunders as “a wonder: strange, crazed, urgent and funny, yet classical.” And, BuzzFeed writes,

“Reading Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah is like being shaken awake. Adjei-Brenyah skewers the ways we brush past racism and injustice, making the absurdity of the rhetoric around both impossible to ignore.” 

Adjei-Brenyah was selected by Colson Whitehead as one of the National Book Foundation’s “5 Under 35” honorees, the winner of the PEN/Jean Stein Book Award, and a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle’s John Leonard Award for Best First Book and the Aspen Words Literary Prize. His work has appeared or is forthcoming from numerous publications, including the New York Times Book Review, Esquire, Literary Hub, the Paris Review, Guernica, and Longreads.

The SUNY Ulster Herbert H. & Sofia P. Reuner Library Writers Series is a special program sponsored by The Ulster Community College Foundation, begun in 1998, that brings renowned writers to campus every fall. This is a truly unique opportunity for SUNY Ulster students and community members to hear award winning authors read from their work.

This event is free and open to the public. Registration is required. Register Now.

#        #        #

SUNY Ulster Senators Spirit & Community Day

by
Basketball player holds basketball on the court

September 8, 2022 – Stone Ridge, NY – SUNY Ulster invites prospective students, current students, and community members to join the campus community in a collaborative interactive day with Admissions and Athletics on September 15 from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m.

Register to participate in an Ulster Student Leadership Showcase with information about athletics, student engagement opportunities, and activities that can build your resume of co-curricular activities. Then stay for a SUNY Ulster Women’s Volleyball game vs. SUNY Dutchess in the Senate Gym at 7:00 p.m.

  • Wear SUNY Ulster gear or your favorite sports team with the (MAC) Military Affiliated Club!
  • Take a campus tour!

Register to attend