SUNY Ulster Faculty and Staff have been awarded the 2023 Chancellor’s Awards for Excellence

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Chancellor's Award Medal

June 5, 2023 – Stone Ridge, NY – SUNY Ulster is proud to announce four members of the faculty and staff have been awarded the 2023 Chancellor’s Awards for Excellence. These members include; Penny Rifenburgh, Patrick J. McGuire, Suzanne DeWitt, and Virginia “Ginny” Lukasavage.

The Chancellor’s Awards for Excellence are system-level honors conferred to acknowledge and provide system-wide recognition for consistently superior professional achievement and to encourage the ongoing pursuit of excellence. These programs underscore SUNY’s commitment to sustaining intellectual vibrancy, advancing the boundaries of knowledge, providing the highest quality of instruction, and serving the public good. Through these awards, SUNY publicly proclaims its pride in the accomplishment and personal dedication of its instructional faculty, professional and classified staff across its campuses.

 Penny Rifenburgh portrait  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. McGuirePatrick 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 portraitSuzanne 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 portraitVirginia “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.”

Individuals selected for this tribute are the SUNY community’s role models in their respective areas. In acknowledgment of their selection, recipients will be given recognition for the particular award received in the college catalog, a letter, certificate, and a Chancellor’s Award for Excellence Medallion are also bestowed to commemorate selection. Each individual has long lists of impressive professional achievements in addition to their remarkable comradery with the campus community. SUNY Ulster applauds their hard work and effort in going above and beyond for both their colleagues and students.

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SUNY Ulster Hosts Annual “Future Voices” Art Exhibit Showcasing Local High School Talent

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SUNY Ulster Press Release

May 30, 2023 – Stone Ridge, NY – Ulster County high school students will be showcased in an exhibit of their artwork with “Future Voices 2023: High School Art from Ulster County,” opening June 9 and running through June 23, at the Muroff Kotler Visual Arts Gallery on the Stone Ridge campus. The opening reception is on Friday June 9, from 4 – 6:00 p.m.

This annual exhibition features artwork from high school students throughout Ulster County. Participating schools include Saugerties, Onteora, Rondout Valley, Kingston, Ulster BOCES, New Paltz, Ellenville, Marlboro, Highland, Wallkill, and Woodstock Day School. The show will include a wide variety of media including painting, drawing, photography, ceramics, sculpture, digital media, and more.

The Ulster Community College Foundation, Inc. is offering prizes to the artists with the three best pieces in the show. There will be one $100 best-in-show award and two honorable mentions, worth $50 each.

The exhibition is being curated by Allison Constant, owner and founder of Art Bar in Kingston. Ms. Constant is a SUNY Ulster fine art program alumna. In addition to her work at Art Bar, she has curated exhibits for the Woodstock Artists Association and Museum and Woodstock Jewish Congregation. She has also exhibited her own work at The Farber Center in New York City, Samuel Dorsky Museum at SUNY New Paltz, and The Shirt Factory in Kingston, among others.

The Muroff Kotler Visual Arts Gallery is open Monday through Friday 11 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and by appointment. It is closed on college holidays and weekends. The show and opening reception are free and open to the public. For more information please contact Gallery@sunyulster.edu or call 845-687-5113.

Students in an art Gallery

SUNY Ulster Student, Marissa Dawson Takes First Place at Business Plan Competition

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SUNY Ulster Press Release

SUNY Ulster Student, Marissa Dawson Takes First Place in Services and Software Category at New York State Annual Business Plan Competition

Dawson outpaces tough competitors from undergraduate and graduate students of four-year universities to secure funding for her new business.

May 25, 2023 – Stone Ridge, NY – The New York Business Plan Competition (NYBPC) announces 2023 prizewinners at Venture, NY, and the marquee event for early-stage companies, investors, and innovators hosted by the Upstate Capital Association of New York. SUNY Ulster’s very own Marissa Dawson of New Paltz, a Business & Entrepreneurial Studies student placed first in the Services and Software category.

Since March, Student competitors have been competing at the semi-final competitions hosted by partner colleges and universities held in all 10 regions of New York State. Top teams from each region advanced to the statewide finals. In all, a total of 75 teams placed in the top of their tracks during regional competitions and advanced to the NYBPC Finals. SUNY Ulster was one of only two community colleges to compete in the NYBPC finals.

On April 27, 2023, The NYBPC culminated with student competitors pitching live to judges at the OnCenter in Syracuse, New York. Over the course of the competition, over 150 judges volunteered, setting aside time from their work as venture capitalists, angel investors, investment bankers, experienced entrepreneurs, and leaders from the business community to share their input on these student-led ventures.

Marissa presented her business, Sage’s Sudzee Dudz, which provides horse blanket cleaning. Business Professor, Daniel Boice, was her coach with support from Adjunct Professor, Pat Phelan and the entire SUNY Ulster Business Club. Daniel Boice said SUNY Ulster was the
“only community college represented at the Regional” level. The ten state finalist teams in the Services and Software category included teams from Cornell University, Binghamton University, Wagner College, and many more. Each first place category winner, including Marissa, received not only a once in a lifetime opportunity to gain feedback from industry leaders but also a cash prize.

Marissa said, “Thanks to SUNY Ulster I was given the opportunity to learn about business and entrepreneurship. The bonus launch of my own small business has been a rollercoaster, but it is well worth it.”

Upstate Capital Association President and CEO, Noa Conger Simons said, “This program helps cultivate investable early-stage companies, provides a launch pad for all kinds of new ventures, and develops skills and mindsets that all competitors take forward with them in their careers. Since its inception in 2010, the NYBPC has impacted more than 6,000 students with more than $150 million of economic impact that can be attributed to student-led ventures that have gone through the program and hundreds of innovations that have led to commercialization over the past decade.”

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Marissa Dawson

SUNY Ulster Summer Arts Academy for High School Students

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SUNY Ulster Press Release

May 24, 2023 – Stone Ridge, NY – SUNY Ulster announces registration for its Summer Arts Academy is now open. We are offering six workshops in a variety of media taught by practicing artists in the field. All workshops will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

  • Digital Drawing + Painting will be held from July 17 – July 20.
    Learn the basics of digital drawing and rendering, how to translate traditional art to screen by utilizing various digital brushes and textures, quick tips and tricks that can simplify the drawing process, as well as what goes into marketing your work to an audience online.

Instructor: Kat Farrell

  • Printmaking will run from July 17 – July 19.
    The Printmaking workshop will introduce you to the three basic types of printmaking: Relief, Intaglio, and Planographic by exploring the techniques of Linocut, Collagraph, and Monotype. This is a hands-on class in which you will use new tools to create and print multiple images while learning the basics of working in a printmaking studio. No previous printmaking experience required.

Instructor: Joan Ffolliott

  • Sculpture: Creating Art in 3 Dimensions will run from July 24 – July 27.
    Together we will investigate the question: “How do you make a sculpture?” You will have the opportunity to experiment with a variety of materials as we explore how art concepts apply to creating in 3 dimensions.

Instructor: Sam Goldberg

  • Digital Photography & Image Editing will run from July 24 – July 27.
    This intensive photography workshop will provide everything for the aspiring photographer. We will take advantage of the extended time together to photograph inside and outside using our cameras to full effect. Learn all about camera functions, camera usage, studio lighting, and printing photographs as well as introductions to photographics artists and how they can teach us how to make powerful images.

Instructor: Seth Rubin

  • Developing Personal Narrative in Drawing runs from July 31 – August 3.
    In this workshop you will learn to use your own objects, photographs, and memories combined with landscapes and text to create more personal story – telling drawings. Classes will center on learning positive and negative drawing techniques in charcoal and graphite.

Instructor: Kristin Flynn

  • Animation 101 also runs from July 31 – August 3.
    In this intro level class, you will learn the basic principles of animation. Using these principles, you will be able to see your animated projects come to life using both traditional and digital techniques. We will then work through various animation exercises to create a demo reel showcasing your animation skills.

Instructor: Cassiopeia Ottulich

To register for any of these courses, a parent or guardian must first complete our online Pre-Registration form. After the form is complete you will receive a registration link to pay for the course(s). For more information, contact Continuing Education at cereg@sunyulster.edu or 845-339-2025, or Christopher Seubert, Fine Arts Visual Arts Department Program Coordinator at seubertc@sunyulster.edu or 845-687-5134.

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Registration Opens for SUNY Ulster’s Newest Microcredential: Pet Sitting, Training, and Grooming 

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SUNY Ulster Press Release

May 17, 2023 – Stone Ridge, NY – For anyone who loves working with animals, SUNY Ulster introduces a new microcredential, Pet Sitting, Training, and Grooming. In this microcredential, students will learn key skills and knowledge needed for pet sitting, training, and grooming services. Students will also learn how to successfully start a business to offer these services and the business skills they will need.

Microcredentials are short programs that provide relevant skills needed in today’s marketplace. They take less time to earn than a degree or certificate, achievable in one year or less. Once the requirements of a microcredential are achieved, you are awarded proof in the form of a digital badge that can be added to your resume or LinkedIn.

This microcredential is composed of four to five classes totaling between 9 and 12 credits. After the completion of this microcredential, students will be able to analyze strategies for dealing with pet behavioral issues, identify grooming tools and demonstrate understanding of their uses, and create a business plan for a pet business including start-up costs as well as the ongoing costs of running a pet business.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “About 80,900 openings for animal care and service workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade”. In addition, animal care and service worker employment is projected to increase by 29% from 2021 to 2031.  As the number of pets in households rise, and travel becomes more accessible, there is an increasing need for animal caretakers.

To learn more about the Pet Sitting, Training, and Grooming Microcredential visit SUNY Ulster’s website or contact Admissions at admissions@sunyulster.edu or 845-687-5022.

 

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Photo by John Halpern

Student with dog

SUNY Ulster Holds 59th Commencement on May 20, 2023

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SUNY Ulster Graduate holding up diploma

May 11, 2023 – Stone Ridge, NY – SUNY Ulster’s seventh President, Alison Buckley, Ed.D. will preside over the College’s 59th Commencement on Saturday, May 20, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. on the SUNY Ulster Soccer Field/Louis Berger Athletic Fields on the Stone Ridge campus. President Buckley will present 130 students with a degree or certificate at the Commencement ceremony.

Graduates marching in academic regalia will receive four tickets each for guests to attend the commencement. The Soccer Field will be open for guest seating at 8:30 a.m., and the ceremony starts at 10:00 a.m. In the event of light to moderate rain, a decision for the outdoor ceremony to be moved inside will be made and communicated to graduates as soon as possible.

The event will be video streamed live for guests without tickets and can be viewed from any remote location as the ceremony occurs from our website at sunyulster.edu/graduation or from our YouTube channel . The graduating class consists of 429 students. Three hundred twenty-nine (329) will receive associate degrees and 100 will receive certificates. The youngest graduate is 17, and the oldest is 64. Of the class, 73 are graduating with highest honors, 145 are graduating with honors, 3 students are graduating with the Honors Studies program distinction, 7 students are being recognized with the President’s Medal of Highest Honor for earning a 4.0 GPA, and 57 are members of the national honor society Phi Theta Kappa. There are also 21 students graduating as nurses.

Tim Guinee, actor and environmental activist will give the keynote address. 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.

Other speakers include Grand Marshal Kari Mack, Director of library studies, Faculty Marshal Kevin R. Stoner, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty; Deborah Briggs, Board of Trustees Chair; The Honorable Patrick K. Ryan, United States Congressman; The Honorable Michelle Hinchey, New York State Senator; The Honorable Sarahana Shrestha, New York State Assemblymember; The Honorable Jen Metzger, Ulster County Executive; The Honorable Tracey A. Bartels, Ulster County Legislature Chair; Christopher Mikesh, Esq., Ulster Community College Foundation, Inc., Secretary; and Matthew Goodell, Assistant Professor of Mathematics, & Academic Senate Chair.

SUNY Ulster held an inaugural student speaker competition and Logan Erlwein was selected to deliver remarks to his fellow classmates and serve as student marshal.

The Reverend Allison Moore, Ph.D., of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, New Paltz, will deliver the invocation and benediction. Music will be performed by members of the College Choral Ensemble directed by Janet Gehres, and Old Capital Brass directed by Victor Izzo, Jr.

The security policy does not permit large bags and backpacks. Large purses and diaper bags will be checked. Guests will be asked to leave their strollers in a designated area on the soccer field.

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Rosendale Theatre hosts Public Screening of SUNY Ulster Student Work on May 18, 2023

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SUNY Ulster Press Release

May 8, 2023 – Stone Ridge, NY – The Fine & Visual Arts Program at SUNY Ulster announces the Rosendale Theatre will host a public screening of “We all have something to say” on Thursday, May 18 from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. This screening is a collection of SUNY Ulster student work created in the Digital Visual Narrative course, which places emphasis on time-based art and storytelling.

Professor Sean Nixon will introduce his students and the selection of short stories that include, Simple Actions, Public Service Announcements, and Interviews including AI technology with a Q&A session to follow. Local filmmakers and professionals will attend to share their feedback.

Participating Students:

  • Ben Ambrosini
  • Hannah Bouck
  • Kaitlin Olivera
  • Kareena White-Dixon
  • Sierena Zeko

Professor Sean Nixon welcomes the community, “come view the stories, meet the students and enjoy your neighbors. What better place to tell a story than a theater. It’s where it happens.”

This event is free and open to the public; parking is in the back of the theater.

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SUNY Ulster Faculty Association Awards Six Students with Scholarships

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SUNY Ulster Press Release

May 4, 2023 – Stone Ridge, NY – SUNY Ulster Faculty Association (SUFA) awarded six students with the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Scholarship at a ceremony on Wednesday, April 12, 2023. SUFA President Dr. Nichola Harris, SUFA Vice President Chris Seubert, and Dr. Mkajuma Mbogho, Professor of Biology, were among some of the faculty who presented these awards. Kevin Stoner, Vice President of Academic Affairs gave congratulatory remarks and reflection. Candice Van Dyke, Associate Professor and Chief Diversity Officer closed out the third annual SUFA scholarship ceremony.

The following students were awarded scholarships:

Penelope Rose – “If I’m Not Human, What Am I?” – Poem

Roaa Aboueida – “Under This Roof In America” – Poem

Tandy St.Hill – “D.I.E.” – Poem

Ethan King – “My name Is Ethan and I am Christian” – Poem

Arianna Moore – “Transforming the Ancient Myth of Hades and Persephone” – Painting  

Ivy Quintero – “Jamaica, Queens: A Cultural Diversity Love Letter” – Poem

The Faculty Association is the collective bargaining unit for all faculty at Ulster County Community College. The Association negotiates the faculty contract and ensures that the contract is followed by both the faculty and the administration of the College.

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SUNY Ulster Faculty Association with students getting awardsPhoto caption: Faculty and student scholarship recipients at SUFA presentation

Two SUNY Ulster Students Receive 2023 SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence

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SUNY Ulster Press Release

April 26, 2023 – Stone Ridge, NY – SUNY Ulster is proud to announce Mark LaBorde and Arianna Moore, both of New Paltz, NY as the recipients of the 2023 State University of New York Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence. This award recognizes students who have demonstrated academic excellence along with significant campus, community, or career accomplishments. A ceremony took place on Monday, April 24 at the Albany Capital Center in Downtown Albany, NY.

Mark LaBorde is a Music Major with a concentration in Voice and is President of the SUNY Ulster Music Club as well as a member of the Environmental Club. Mark is also a member of the Alpha Rho Delta chapter of Phi Theta Kappa and currently holds a 3.6 grade point average and was named on our 2021 Dean’s list for both semesters and President’s list for fall 2022. After graduation this May, Mark plans to attend SUNY New Paltz.

Arianna Moore is a Fine Arts Major and is an active member of the SUNY Ulster community. Arianna is a member of the Student Government Organization as well as a member of the Alpha Rho Delta chapter of Phi Theta Kappa. In addition to her extracurricular activities, Arianna maintains a 3.9 grade point average and her artwork has been accepted and displayed in the Chancellor’s Gallery. Currently Arianna is a student aide for both the Community Relations Department and the Fine Arts Department at SUNY Ulster. Due to her commitment and dedication to her academics as well as her community, Arianna has been recognized on the college’s past three President’s Lists, has been awarded the College Scholars Award, and the SUFA: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Award for both 2022 and 2023.

“SUNY Ulster’s award recipients are a tremendous source of inspiration,” said Alison Buckley, Ed.D., President. “Both Arianna and Mark, our 2023 SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence honorees, serve as leaders within our institution, are engaged in student life, prioritize their academic coursework, and serve our community. Congratulations on your contributions to SUNY Ulster as you Start Here and Go Far!”

The Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence was created in 1997 to recognize students who have best demonstrated, and have been recognized for, the integration of academic excellence with accomplishments in the areas of leadership, athletics, community service, creative and performing arts, campus involvement, or career achievement. Each year, SUNY campus presidents establish a selection committee, which reviews the accomplishments of exemplary students. Nominees are then forwarded to the Chancellor’s Office for a second round of review. Finalists are then recommended to the Chancellor to become recipients of the award.

“There is a place at SUNY for every New Yorker, and each of the students recognized today is an example of our extraordinary student body and their rich and diverse ‘SUNY stories,’” said Chancellor King. “Student success is at the core of everything we do, and I am honored to celebrate students from 63 SUNY campuses who are receiving this year’s Chancellor’s Awards for Student Excellence. Every student can find their community at SUNY, and I congratulate each of the CASE winners for making the most out of their college experience.”

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SUNY Ulster Holds May Fine Art and Fashion Design Student Exhibitions 

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SUNY Ulster Press Release

April 25, 2023 – Stone Ridge, NY – Students from the Fine Art: Visual Art and Fashion Design programs of SUNY Ulster will hold exhibitions of their work on the Stone Ridge campus. The Fine Art/Visual Art will be held on Friday, May 5 in the Muroff-Kotler Visual Arts Gallery from 4 – 6 p.m. and the Fashion Design Annual Exhibition and Runway Show will be held in the College Lounge Friday, May 12 from 5 – 7 p.m.

The Fine Art/Visual Art Exhibition will feature work from various art courses including Drawing and Composition II, Painting, Printmaking, Watercolor, Intro to Drawing, Photography, Intro to Design Foundations, Dimensional Design, and Digital Visual Narrative.

The Fashion Design exhibition will feature work from both freshman and sophomore students and include a runway segment. The runway segment will run from 5:30 to 6 p.m. and will display shirts, skirts, and other garments. In addition to the show, our student designers; Sarah Connolly, Anna Thomas, Mikyla Hough, Sophie McCarthy, Vera Hrab, and Monserrat Medina will be available to talk about their pieces and portfolios.

SUNY Ulster’s art programs provide students with foundation courses and career skills, taught by faculty who are working professionals in their fields. Students learn artistic, technical, and theoretical skills in addition to general education courses that prepare them for transfer to complete their four-year degree or enter the job market. Many of SUNY Ulster’s art graduates transfer to top art colleges such as Fashion Institute of Technology, School of Visual arts, SUNY New Paltz, and more.

Both events are free and open to the public. For more information on the Student Art Exhibition, contact Chris Seubert at seubertc@sunyulster.edu. For more information on the Fashion Exhibition, contact Kristin Flynn at flynnk@sunyulster.edu. Refreshments will be available at the Fashion Exhibition.

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Art Photo

Title: Music; Artist: Margaret (Maggie) Melanson; Medium: Gouache, Ink, Oil Pastel on paper
Fashion Photo: Sophomore students – Sarah Connolly, Anna Thomas, Mikyla Hough, Sophie McCarthy, Vera Hrab, and Monserrat Medina