Several representatives from SUNY Potsdam visited Albany on Tuesday as Senator Joseph Griffo's resolution commemorating the 200th anniversary of SUNY Potsdam was passed in the New York State Senate. Pictured from left: Shawn Ramos, Melisa Baena, Kareem Attia, SUNY Potsdam President Kristin Esterberg, Sen. Joseph Griffo, Alexandra Jacobs Wilke, Tawnia Provost and Michael Oyelola.

State Senator Joseph Griffo R-Rome says a resolution he sponsored to commemorated the 200th anniversary of SUNY Potsdam was passed on Tuesday.

The Senate unanimously passed a resolution sponsored by Griffo, to celebrate SUNY Potsdam’s enduring legacy over the past 200 years. From its humble beginnings in a one-room schoolhouse, SUNY Potsdam has grown to become a leader in creativity, applied learning and educational excellence, Senator Griffo’s resolution stated.

Griffo represents the 47th Senate District. It includes a swath running through the middle of St. Lawrence County, from Massena to Fine, including Potsdam.

Griffo then took a moment to address SUNY Potsdam’s current president, Kristin Esterberg, who was present in the Senate chamber along with several representatives from the college.

A video of Senator Griffo’s remarks from the Senate chamber can be viewed here

“Since its founding 200 years ago, SUNY Potsdam has played a significant role in economic growth and development throughout the North Country,” Griffo said. “The college is an outstanding college, with an outstanding mission, and it has produced many outstanding scholars, athletes and musicians over the years. Today, we honor SUNY Potsdam for all they have done to create such an esteemed institution of academic excellence.”

Senator Griffo’s resolution commemorating SUNY Potsdam’s bicentennial was read in full in the Senate today, and the following is an excerpt:

“Through the years, SUNY Potsdam has always strived to be an innovator, pioneering new curricula in teaching, music education, mathematics and computer science; the school has a proud history of educating New York's and the Nation's future teachers and exceptional musicians. Today, SUNY Potsdam continues to thrive on its founding spirit of perseverance and community engagement which has persisted since its founding 200 years ago; under the visionary guidance of President Kristin Esterberg, Ph.D., SUNY Potsdam stands proud and prominent, always looking to the future and the needs of those it serves.”

SUNY Potsdam is one of America’s first 50 colleges, and the oldest institution within SUNY. Originally founded as the St. Lawrence Academy in 1816, the College later lobbied to join the Normal School system, officially becoming Potsdam Normal School in 1867. The Crane Normal Institute of Music, which later became The Crane School of Music, was founded in 1886.

By 1942, the institution became Potsdam State Teachers College, and then finally, in 1948, the State University of New York was established, and the campus would come to be known as SUNY Potsdam.

SUNY Potsdam now serves as home to 4,000 undergraduate and graduate students studying for degrees ranging from science education to music business and international studies.

SUNY Potsdam educates many Northern New York residents, with 36 percent of the student body hailing from the North Country, and 18 percent coming from St. Lawrence County. There are also currently 10,200 SUNY Potsdam alumni living and working in the North Country.