Facing the Storm: SUNY Potsdam Hosts Discussion and Webinar on Severe Weather

POTSDAM, NY (04/10/2015)(readMedia)-- SUNY Potsdam will host an upcoming live screening of a webinar and a local panel discussion about the severe weather challenges confronting both New York State and the North Country in the 21st century.

Called "Facing the Storm," the event will be offered on Thursday, April 23 from 9:30 a.m. to noon in the Dunn Hall Theater at SUNY Potsdam. This event is free, and the public is encouraged to attend.

Today, severe weather is a new reality that is impacting the daily lives of businesses, governments and the communities they serve. This program is designed to focus on severe weather events of the past year, and consider what lessons they hold for the future.

The event will kick off with a live webinar screening from the Rockefeller Institute of Government at the University at Albany, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.

Panelists participating in the webinar include:

• Lance Bosart, a distinguished professor in UAlbany's Department of Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences,
• Jerry Brotzge, project director for NYS Mesonet, UAlbany,
• Paul Caiano, meteorologist, WNYT-TV (Albany),
• Christopher Thorncroft, chair of UAlbany's Department of Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences,
• David Vallee, hydrologist for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Northeast River Forecast Center, and
• Kevin E. Wisely, deputy commissioner of emergency services, New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services.

Following the webinar screening, a panel of local experts will expand upon the discussion and talk about the long-term environmental ramifications of severe weather events in the North Country.

The local panel discussion will be held from 10:30 a.m. to noon, also in Dunn Theater. Dr. Phillip Neisser, a professor of politics and the coordinator of environmental studies at SUNY Potsdam, will moderate the discussion.

Local expert panelists include:

• Stephen Bird, associate professor of political science, Clarkson University,
• Ray Bowdish, instructional specialist, SUNY Potsdam Department of Biology, and proprietor of Never Tire Farm in Lisbon, N.Y.,
• Paul Hetzler, horticulture and natural resources educator, Cornell Cooperative Extension of St. Lawrence County,
• Gary McCullouch, regional spill and emergency response coordinator, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation,
• William Morris, dean of students and co-chair of the Emergency Response Resource Group at SUNY Potsdam, and
• John Tenbusch, planner, St. Lawrence County Planning Office.

"Facing the Storm: Severe Weather Challenges Confronting New York State in the 21st Century" is co-sponsored by SUNY Potsdam, the Rockefeller Institute of Government, the University at Albany Department of Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the New York State Emergency Management Association.

Parking is available in Lots 1 and 2; no parking permit is necessary for this event.

For more information, please contact the Office of the Provost, at (315) 267-2108, or visit www.rockinst.org/forumsandevents/upcoming.

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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