Dr. Kristin G. Esterberg Inaugurated as President of SUNY Potsdam

POTSDAM, NY (04/24/2015)(readMedia)-- Marking a historic moment in the long legacy of The State University of New York at Potsdam, Dr. Kristin G. Esterberg was installed as the College's sixteenth president today. She is the first woman to lead SUNY Potsdam in its nearly 200-year history.

"Today, I am asking you to go on a journey with me," Esterberg said. "Standing at the cusp of our bicentennial year, we have the opportunity to remake ourselves as SUNY's preeminent creativity campus. SUNY Potsdam has evolved and grown and thrived for nearly 200 years. But for too long, SUNY Potsdam has been a hidden gem. We have been keeping this gorgeous campus, tucked between the foothills of the Adirondacks and the Canadian border, a secret. We must be secret no longer."

Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher oversaw the inauguration ceremony, held in the Helen M. Hosmer Concert Hall at SUNY Potsdam's Crane School of Music. She told the audience that the entire SUNY system was keeping a close eye on SUNY Potsdam, as it will be the first campus to celebrate a bicentennial within the system, and is also taking the lead with philanthropic giving.

"SUNY Potsdam will become known across the system for putting the 'A' in STEM. As you know, we are chasing more graduates in STEM fields, and just by the mere insertion of the arts, we will show this country and the world how integrated the arts and humanities are to science, technology, engineering and mathematics," Zimpher said.

The Chancellor also urged the College to become SUNY's preeminent creativity campus, and set the example for diversity within the system.

In her inaugural address, Esterberg asked the audience to imagine a campus where every person, no matter his or her background or beliefs, could feel at home. She challenged the College to embrace diversity in all of its forms, and take the lead within SUNY for making applied learning opportunities available to every student. With the College's long history of excellence in the visual and performing arts, she also asked the community to envision bringing creativity to the fore of every discipline -- harnessing the arts to drive innovation in all fields.

"Imagine a campus where every student has the ability to apply what they are learning outside the classroom. Imagine a campus where every student has access to a creative makerspace, where they can create and build things that we cannot imagine today. Imagine a campus that is richly diverse -- where every student, every person is valued," Esterberg said. "Imagine what SUNY Potsdam can become in our next 200 years."

Representatives from the faculty, the student body, the Potsdam College Foundation, alumni and the community offered greetings to the president. SUNY Potsdam College Council Chair June O'Neill, Hon. '91, presided over the ceremony. Her address included a smattering of song lyrics, sung from the podium.

"As chair of both the College Council and the Presidential Search Committee, I know I am biased -- but I think we all did a great job of finding exactly the right person to lead our College into its third century," O'Neill said.

The inauguration processional served as a testament to the tight-knit campus community and the College's leadership in creativity, education and the liberal arts. From the formal regalia of all stripes worn by university delegates and members of the faculty, to the sea of T-shirts and sweatshirts bearing the names of student clubs and organizations, the processional showcased the vibrant Potsdam community.

Leading the way were students bearing brightly colored gonfalons, representing the qualities enshrined in the Potsdam Pledge. The Voices of Victory gospel choir opened the ceremony with an inspirational a cappella rendition of "I Will Live."

Esterberg's spouse, Dr. Sue Bergmeier, and their daughters, Katie and Qiong Qiong, were joined in the audience by relatives and family friends. Speakers welcomed them all as they collectively joined the SUNY Potsdam family.

University of Massachusetts Lowell Professor John Wooding introduced Esterberg.

"Kristin believes deeply that a university is a place that should nurture creativity and embrace diversity," Wooding said. "Diversity for Dr. Esterberg is not something to be encouraged because it is the right thing or because it is politically correct, but because diversity is the taproot of creativity, innovation and knowledge -- without it, we cannot function as a university or a civilized society."

Professor of Modern Languages Dr. Oscar Sarmiento offered a moving commemorative reading of two of his poems, "Regalia" and "Walking Outside."

In addition, the Frackenpohl Honors Brass Quintet performed three world premieres of new works which were composed for the occasion. The pieces included "Progression," by Assistant Professor of Music Theory Timothy Sullivan, "A Moment to Reflect" by Professor of Music Theory David Heinick and "'16" by Crane School of Music Associate Dean David Heuser.

Other speakers included Potsdam College Foundation Board of Trustees Chair Lynne Boles '74, Alumni Association President Amy Kellogg '99, Student Government Association President Marcus Frisbee '15, Potsdam Town Supervisor Marie Regan '77 and Village of Potsdam Mayor Steven Yurgartis.

"I am supremely confident that the Potsdam I leave in 2015 will be surpassed by the Potsdam I return to for alumni events, personal visits to see faculty and friends, and the eventual move-in day for my firstborn child. I am confident in this because of the commitment of the student body, and the leadership of Dr. Esterberg," Frisbee said.

"We are positive that Dr. Esterberg will use her strength, wit, compassion, wisdom, decisiveness and energy as she successfully leads The State University at Potsdam into its third century, so it may continue to be a beacon in Northern New York," Regan said. "Dr. Esterberg, your inauguration today is an impetus for new endeavors. Every citizen of Potsdam wishes you great success as you accept this mantle of leadership."

State Assemblymember Addie Jenne Russell and State Senators Joseph Griffo and Patricia Ritchie '91 attended the ceremony. In addition, representatives from the offices of U.S. Representative Elise Stefanik and New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo were also present.

"As we prepare the enter our third century at Potsdam, with our first female president, a female provost, the Chancellor, and I might add female presidents of both the Alumni and Foundation Boards, I have no doubt that Dr. Esterberg will not only help the alumni achieve our mission, but we will all shape history at Potsdam and beyond," Kellogg said.

To conclude the ceremony, the Hosmer Choir surrounded the audience to sing "It Takes a Village," conducted by Dr. Jeffrey Francom, and accompanied only by two drums. The recessional began with a new piece for organ composed by Crane School of Music Dean Dr. Michael Sitton, performed by Michelle Martin-Atwood.

Immediately following the ceremony, guests streamed into the new Performing Arts Center, which is home to the College's Department of Theatre and Dance, for a reception.

The inaugural events serve as the kick-off to the fourth Lougheed-Kofoed Festival of the Arts at SUNY Potsdam, which begins with several performances tonight. For a full schedule, visit www.potsdam.edu/loko.

At 9 p.m., Esterberg and her family will join the campus community for a dessert and dance party, with music by KTX, in the Knowles Hall Multi-Purpose Room. There will be a firework display at 9:45 p.m.

For more information about the inauguration, visit www.potsdam.edu/inauguration.

About the President:

Dr. Kristin G. Esterberg brings a passion for creativity and a dedication to diversity to her leadership at The State University of New York at Potsdam, where she was appointed president on April 30, 2014. Trained as a sociologist, Esterberg received her Ph.D. and M.A. degrees in sociology at Cornell University. She earned her bachelor's degree in philosophy and political science from Boston University. Prior to her appointment as president of SUNY Potsdam, Esterberg served as Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Salem State University in Salem, Mass. Previously, she held positions as the Associate Provost and Deputy Provost and chaired the sociology department at the University of Massachusetts Lowell, and was a tenured member of the faculty and director of women's studies at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Esterberg is the author of three books, and numerous articles and publications on qualitative research methodology, gender and sexuality. Her most recent book (with co-author John Wooding) is "Divided Conversations: Identity, Leadership and Change in Public Higher Education," published by Vanderbilt University Press in 2013. Esterberg is excited and honored to be part of the SUNY Potsdam community of students, faculty and staff, and leading the College into its bicentennial year and beyond. She is joined in Potsdam by her spouse, Dr. Sue Bergmeier and their two daughters, Katherine and Lin (Qiong Qiong).

Esterberg has requested that all gifts received in her honor go to support the Third Century Fund, an endowed fund that provides resources to meet SUNY Potsdam's greatest needs and opportunities. To donate, visit www.potsdam.edu/give.

For more information about the inauguration activities at SUNY Potsdam, please visit www.potsdam.edu/inauguration.

Founded in 1816, and located on the outskirts of the beautiful Adirondack Park, The State University of New York at Potsdam is one of America's first 50 colleges. SUNY Potsdam currently enrolls approximately 4,300 undergraduate and graduate students. Home to the world-renowned Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam is known for its handcrafted education, challenging liberal arts and sciences core, excellence in teacher training and leadership in the performing and visual arts. Empowered by a culture of creativity, the campus community recently launched Take the Lead: The Campaign for Potsdam, which aims to raise $32 million by the College's bicentennial in 2016.

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Posted Friday April 24, 2015 at 05:06 pm by SUNY Potsdam
Last Updated Monday April 27, 2015 at 01:36 pm