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SUNY Potsdam celebrates 200 years, bicentennial bash set for March 25

Posted 3/21/16

POTSDAM -- SUNY Potsdam, the oldest institution within SUNY, is approaching the 200th anniversary of the college’s founding and will mark the occasion with a bicentennial bash Friday, March 25. On …

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SUNY Potsdam celebrates 200 years, bicentennial bash set for March 25

Posted

POTSDAM -- SUNY Potsdam, the oldest institution within SUNY, is approaching the 200th anniversary of the college’s founding and will mark the occasion with a bicentennial bash Friday, March 25.

On March 25, 1816, an otherwise unremarkable Monday, the New York State Board of Regents signed the document that established the St. Lawrence Academy in Potsdam.

Two centuries later, the institution has traced a path through every system of higher education in New York State -- first joining the ranks of the Normal Schools and then the State Teachers Colleges, before finally joining the State University of New York upon its founding in 1948.

SUNY Potsdam’s celebration will include live music, displays, the unveiling a newly created historic replica of the St. Lawrence Academy charter, and more.

The celebration wraps up with a commemorative 3D sculpted cake and the singing of “Happy Birthday.”

The college has endured nearly 200 winters since its’ founding. Alumni shared their winter “snow stories,” which is a point of pride and badge of honor.

SUNY Potsdam released the first volume of its bicentennial oral history project, dedicated to tales of Potsdam through the seasons.

200 Years of History

SUNY Potsdam is one of America’s first 50 colleges, and the oldest institution within SUNY.

SUNY Potsdam will honor its bicentennial with a Charter Day Birthday Bash March 25, at 1 p.m. in the Barrington Student Union. All are welcome to attend the free celebration.

The St. Lawrence Academy opened its doors for the first time on Sept. 30, 1816. The Academy was later chosen to become part of the new 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.

The Racquette Student Newspaper was founded in 1927.

In 1942, the institution became Potsdam State Teachers College, along with all other Normal Schools. Finally, in 1948, the State University of New York was established, and the campus would come to be known as SUNY Potsdam.

The college began construction for its new Pierrepont Avenue campus in 1950, and by 1954, Potsdam passed its former downtown building on to neighboring Clarkson University and relocated to its new campus.

Today, the college enrolls approximately 4,200 undergraduate and graduate students. Home to the world-renowned Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam is known for its liberal arts and sciences core, distinction in teacher training and leadership in the arts.

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 currently 10,200 SUNY Potsdam alumni living and working in the North Country.

Students come to SUNY Potsdam from every corner of the Empire State, including 18 percent from New York City. Others come from across the country, including from as far afield as California and Alaska. A large contingent of Canadian students study at SUNY Potsdam, along with international students from China, Brazil, and Italy, just to name a few origin countries.

The college has 850 employees, and an additional 180 people work on campus through Potsdam Auxiliary College and Educational Services.

The Take the Lead: The Campaign for Potsdam has raised $32 million for scholarships and programs. The original goal was to raise $27 million.

Charter Day Birthday Bash

Attendees showing their Potsdam Pride by wearing SUNY Potsdam gear have the chance to win a bundle of bicentennial goodies from the college store.

The party will display a live social media feed showcasing bicentennial best wishes from alumni around the world. Can’t make it in person? Share bicentennial best wishes on social media using the hashtag #sunypotsdam200, to have a birthday message shown live at the party. There will be prizes for the best posts, from far or near.

There will be live music by the Caramelo Trio, featuring Dr. Oscar Sarmiento, professor of modern languages. Guests can get in on the fun and get to know college history through a series of photo booths with historic campus images and props. There will be DIY stations, to make bicentennial felt pennants and commemorative buttons.

Student groups will set up tables in the Barrington Student Union lobby, displaying information about the history of their clubs and organizations. There will also be historic photo banners on display, with images from the past two centuries. Organizers have created an exhibit to showcase stories behind the namesakes for every campus building. There will be a timeline display circling the celebration, with milestones from each decade specially marked by student volunteers.

SUNY Potsdam officials will unveil a newly created historic replica of the St. Lawrence Academy charter at the party. The Potsdam Public Museum and the SUNY Potsdam College Archives and Special Collections recently partnered to have the original charter (a document too delicate for display) specially restored by a historic preservation firm, as well as creating exact reconstructions that can be viewed and enjoyed by the public.

No birthday party would be complete without dessert. PACES Dining Services is creating a large commemorative 3D sculpted cake in the shape of Satterlee Hall, the college’s landmark clock tower building.

In addition, Rebecca Weld, otherwise known as the “Cookie Architect,” has been asked to create special cookies celebrating the architecture of the college throughout the years. There will also be a sweets station with cupcakes and candy bars in college colors.

The bash culminates in the singing of “Happy Birthday” and the college’s “Alma Mater.” Participants can pop confetti canons to ring in SUNY Potsdam’s 200th year.

Alumni Share Experiences

Titled “Baby, It’s Cold Outside: Remembering the Seasons in the North Country,” the free online album includes recordings of interviews with 10 SUNY Potsdam alumni, as they share their memories and stories from their student days. This is the first volume in a series of recordings that will be released throughout the bicentennial year.

“Baby, It’s Cold Outside” is now available to stream or download for free, at sunypotsdam.bandcamp.com.

Copies will also be available on CD and vinyl recording at Reunion 2016.

SUNY Potsdam will mark the 200th anniversary of the signing of the St. Lawrence Academy charter on March 25, with a celebration for campus and community at 1 p.m. in the Barrington Student Union.

Assembly Commemorates College

The New York State Assembly passed a resolution sponsored by Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell, D-Theresa, commemorating the 200th anniversary of The State University of New York at Potsdam.

"SUNY Potsdam has served a valuable role in the region for the past two centuries. I was pleased to bring this resolution to the floor. It is a good time to reflect on the impact the college and its graduates have had on the North Country, the state and the nation," Assemblywoman Russell said.

Russell represents the 116th Assembly District. It includes all St. Lawrence County communities along the St. Lawrence River.

"SUNY Potsdam is also a major employer in the North Country, and its employees strengthen our communities. The region continues to benefit from SUNY Potsdam alumni - some native Northern New Yorkers and others that have come from outside the region - that have continued to call this region home. Quite simply, these alums bring skills to our communities that help make the North Country a better place to live," Assemblywoman Russell said.