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SUNY chancellor to deliver keynote address at SUNY Potsdam’s 200th Anniversary Commencement May 21

Posted 5/12/16

POTSDAM -- SUNY Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher will deliver the keynote address to the graduating class as SUNY Potsdam marks its 200th anniversary with a commencement celebration Saturday, May 21. The …

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SUNY chancellor to deliver keynote address at SUNY Potsdam’s 200th Anniversary Commencement May 21

Posted

POTSDAM -- SUNY Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher will deliver the keynote address to the graduating class as SUNY Potsdam marks its 200th anniversary with a commencement celebration Saturday, May 21.

The college will honor the Class of 2016 as hundreds of students are awarded their undergraduate and graduate degrees during the college's bicentennial commencement ceremony.

Founded in 1816, SUNY Potsdam is the oldest institution in the State University of New York system.

"It is truly an honor to welcome Chancellor Zimpher for commencement, to address our bicentennial graduates of the SUNY Potsdam Class of 2016,” said SUNY Potsdam President Kristin G. Esterberg in a press release.

“As the college marks our 200th year, we are proud to honor the alumni and emeriti who have gone before, and celebrate the graduating seniors who represent our future,” Esterberg said. “We look forward to a truly unforgettable commencement celebration.”

This year, all bachelor's and master's graduates will cross the stage in one momentous ceremony. In honor of the college's anniversary celebrations, graduates will have special gowns with embroidered SUNY Potsdam logos to mark their status as members of the bicentennial class.

SUNY Potsdam has organized a few surprises for this year's celebration, including an aerial flyover with a special message for the graduates before the ceremony, and new banners in the college colors hanging from the backdrop of the clocktower building, Satterlee Hall.

In keeping with the North Country region's heritage as being in traditional Mohawk territory, there will be a new greeting to open the ceremony this year as well. The Ohen:ton Karikwatekhwen ("The words before all else") will be recited in the Mohawk language and English translation by Chelsea Sunday of this year’s graduating class.

The ceremony begins at 10:15 a.m. Saturday, May 21. in the Academic Quad. More than 850 undergraduates and graduate students are expected to turn their tassels and receive their degrees.

For family and friends around the world, SUNY Potsdam will stream the ceremony live on the college's YouTube channel again this year. The link for the live stream, which begins at 10 a.m. on May 21, is available at www.potsdam.edu/commencement.

During commencement, SUNY Potsdam recognizes the more than 1,000 students who have either completed their degrees or were eligible to graduate between December 2015 and December 2016. Of those, about 870 are scheduled to participate in Saturday’s ceremony.

There will be an option for guests who are uncomfortable with weather conditions to watch the ceremony live on a large screen in the Barrington Student Union Multi-Purpose Room.

In the case of extreme conditions like lightning or freezing temperatures, an emergency plan provides for two ceremonies, held back-to-back in the Maxcy Hall Ice Arena.

Ceremony A would be held at 10:15 a.m., and would recognize all master's graduates, as well as bachelor's graduates earning degrees in art, business administration, community health, music, theatre and dance. All other graduating students would attend Ceremony B, at 3 p.m, in the Maxcy Hall Ice Arena. Each graduate has been given five tickets for the emergency plan; all other guests are welcome to view the ceremonies via live video in the Maxcy Hall Jerry Welsh Gymnasium.

During commencement, the college will recognize Michael Galane of the Class of 1974, a vice president for the Hewlett-Packard Company and national co-chair of the college’s Take the Lead Campaign, who will be honored with the 2016 Roger B. Linden Distinguished Service Award, the college’s most prestigious honor.

Judge Eugene Nicandri, the vice chair of the New York Power Authority Board of Trustees, will receive the 2016 Leadership Through Service Award.

To learn more about Commencement at SUNY Potsdam, visit www.potsdam.edu/commencement.