SUNY Potsdam Prepares to Welcome Back Students for its Bicentennial Year

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SUNY Potsdam will celebrate its bicentennial this academic year. For more information, visit potsdam.edu/200.

POTSDAM, NY (08/17/2015)(readMedia)-- SUNY Potsdam is approaching a milestone year in the history of the College, as the institution embarks on its bicentennial celebrations in 2015-16.

Founded in 1816 as the St. Lawrence Academy, The State University of New York at Potsdam is one of America's first 50 colleges and the oldest institution in the SUNY system. From its humble beginnings in a one-room schoolhouse, the College has grown to become a leader in creativity, applied learning and educational excellence.

SUNY Potsdam will kick off its bicentennial celebration this fall, beginning a year of events, including a 200th birthday celebration in March 2016, highlighting the signing of the charter of St. Lawrence Academy. All are invited to visit campus for this yearlong birthday celebration highlighting the pioneering spirit of SUNY Potsdam, throughout the two centuries of the College's leadership in the North Country, New York State and beyond. For more information, visit www.potsdam.edu/200.

SUNY Potsdam will greet new and returning students with a special historically themed Welcome Weekend, from Aug. 27 to 31. New incoming students from the Class of 2019 will arrive during the high-energy move-in day on Thursday, Aug. 27. The freshman class will be greeted by faculty and staff during the First-Year Funnel at 4 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 28. Campus community members will cheer on the long line of new students, as they walk to the Academic Quad for their class tree planting ceremony.

The Class of 2019 is also making history, as the most diverse incoming first-year class at SUNY Potsdam yet. More than 40 percent of freshmen have self-identified as students of color, bringing with them a wide array of backgrounds, passions and interests.

In keeping with the historic year, SUNY Potsdam President Dr. Kristin G. Esterberg has also directed the campus to begin preparations for the creation of a new strategic plan. The College is asking stakeholders on campus and in the community to think about what the next century will hold for education at the institution.

"As SUNY Potsdam prepares to celebrate the 200th anniversary of its founding, we must also consider what the College's third century of excellence will look like," said President Kristin G. Esterberg. "I invite all of our alumni, students, employees and neighbors -- past and present -- to tell us your hopes and dreams for our future, through this important first phase of our strategic planning process."

The Looking to the Future Project continues to seek input from students, faculty, staff, alumni, emeriti, parents and community members. To share your hopes and dreams for the campus, visit www.potsdam.edu/lookingforward.

This also marks the final full academic year of Take the Lead: The Campaign for Potsdam, which aims to raise $32 million by the close of the bicentennial. The Take the Lead Campaign has already garnered more than $30 million in donations and commitments for scholarships, programs and strategic priorities at the College. Its final phase, the Third Century Challenge, raised the overall campaign goal and challenged the campus to gain 2,016 new donors, as well as increasing unrestricted giving. The Take the Lead Campaign will officially culminate in Fall 2016, as the College celebrates its entry into its third century of excellence. For more information, visit www.potsdam.edu/campaign.

For more information about all of the exciting things going on at SUNY Potsdam this year, visit www.potsdam.edu.

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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