SUNY Potsdam's Bicentennial Reunion Weekend Set to be a Celebration for the History Books

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SUNY Potsdam’s Bicentennial Reunion Weekend is just around the corner, from July 14 to 17.

• SUNY Potsdam alumni from all class years are invited to attend the College's Bicentennial Reunion Weekend. Seen here is a group of friends gathered at last year's celebration.

POTSDAM, NY (06/24/2016)(readMedia)-- SUNY Potsdam is already breaking records with the College's Bicentennial Reunion Weekend. More than 800 alumni and friends of the College have already registered to attend the 2016 celebration, making this the biggest Reunion the campus has ever held -- just in time for its 200th anniversary.

The 2016 Bicentennial Reunion Weekend at SUNY Potsdam will be held from Thursday, July 14 to Sunday, July 17. With a jam-packed schedule of events, plenty of opportunities to catch up with classmates and meet alumni from all class years, plus an array of family-friendly activities, Reunion Weekend 2016 has something for everyone.

This is one Reunion you won't want to miss! It's not too late to register to join in the fun. All alumni and friends are invited to join in the festivities. To find out more, call (315) 267-2120 or visit www.potsdam.edu/alumni.

Reunion Weekend will kick off with the Early Bird Gathering on Thursday, July 14, from 4 to 6:30 p.m., in Becky's Place at Pratt Commons, located adjacent to the Raymond Hall lobby. Entertainment will be provided by Alex Vangellow, Hon. '14, sponsored by Jane Morale '80 and Glen Zagorski '87.

SUNY Potsdam faculty and alumni will lead an array of sessions for the Bicentennial Academy during Reunion on both Friday and Saturday, July 15 and 16. The Bicentennial Academy sessions will cover everything from yoga to music technology to campus history. Attendees who complete three or more Bicentennial Academy classes will receive a certificate.

The highlights for Friday, July 15 include walking tours of campus, the Performing Arts Center, Maxcy Hall, The Crane School of Music and the Helen M. Hosmer Concert Hall, plus an open house at the Center for Applied Learning. Alumni and friends are invited to visit with some of their favorite retired professors at the annual Emeriti Luncheon from noon to 1:30 p.m., in Thatcher Hall.

On Friday night, there will be a welcome reception for all alumni and friends. The event will highlight 200 years of athletic achievement, and will take place from 4:30 to 6 p.m., in the Jerry Welsh Gymnasium in Maxcy Hall. Entertainment will be provided by Sam Whitesell.

A backyard barbecue picnic will be offered from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Townhouse Courtyard, featuring a traditional picnic menu, à la carte items and a make-your-own sundae bar. Entertainment will be provided by Andy VanDuyne '75 and Michael Welch, sponsored by Potsdam Auxiliary and College Educational Services.

On Saturday, July 16, attendees can start off their day at the annual Bear Walk/Fun, or join in a walking tour of Bayside Cemetery. The Campus Learning Center alumni reception will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Merritt Hall.

There will be a Bicentennial Block Party from 12:15 to 1:45 p.m., behind the Barrington Student Union. All alumni and friends are invited to attend this celebration, which will include a lunch buffet, live entertainment, games and activities. Local band KTX will be performing at this event. The entertainment is sponsored by the Omega Delta Phi Sorority and alumni of the Sig Tau Fraternity.

There will be a Bears Men's Basketball Alumni Game from 1 to 2:30 p.m. in Maxcy Hall. The annual choral reading for Crane alumni will feature eight octavos and a major work, conducted by Dale Zurbrick '68 and Dr. Peter Bagley '57. The choral reading will be held from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. in the Ralph Wakefield Recital Hall.

At 2 p.m., the SUNY Potsdam Alumni Association will mark this milestone in College history by dedicating and burying a Bicentennial Time Capsule, with items selected and donated by alumni. To join the celebration, meet at the park benches in front of Satterlee Hall, facing Pierrepont Avenue.

Later in the afternoon, a gala reception, donor recognition ceremony and silent auction will be held in the Bowman Commons from 4 to 6 p.m. The class dinner and alumni award presentations will be held immediately following, in the Barrington Student Union Multi-Purpose Room.

This year's Alumni Association award recipients will all be honored and recognized as follows:

• Minerva Award: Robert E. Margevich '79
• Distinguished Service Award: Amy J. Kellogg '99, Donald L. Lougheed (Hon. '54) and Kathryn Kofoed Lougheed '54
• Rising Star Award: Laura L. Mooney '06
• Honorary Lifetime Membership: Susan L. Morrison and Vicki L. Templeton-Cornell
• St. Lawrence Academy Medal: Jean Lemieux Pottle '68
• Helen M. Hosmer Excellence in Music Teaching Award: Cynthia Anderson Ripley '73

Following the class dinner and award ceremony, The Crane School of Music will host the Crane Alumni Band concert, hosted by Director of Bands Dr. Brian Doyle, with special guest conductor Dr. Anthony Maiello. The performance will begin at 8:30 p.m. in the Helen M. Hosmer Concert Hall. This event is free, and the public is invited to attend.

Also following the dinner, there will be a wrestling, lacrosse and athletics alumni gathering in the Fireside Lounge of the Barrington Student Union, from 8:30 to 10:30 p.m.

The College will offer a farewell breakfast on Sunday, July 17, from 8:30 to 11 a.m. in Thatcher Hall.

To view the full schedule of events for SUNY Potsdam's Bicentennial Reunion Weekend, visit www.potsdam.edu/alumni/reunion/schedule.

SUNY Potsdam's Reunion Weekend is held in conjunction with Clarkson University's Reunion Weekend and the Village of Potsdam's Summer Festival.

This year, in honor of SUNY Potsdam's bicentennial, the College is a proud sponsor of the 2016 Potsdam Summer Festival Main Stage in downtown Potsdam, hosting performances throughout the weekend. Both SUNY Potsdam and The Crane School of Music have also sponsored the annual Potsdam Community Band performance in Ives Park.

The public is invited to attend Reunion Weekend events. For more information or to register for the weekend, please call (315) 267-2120 or visit www.potsdam.edu/alumni.

Registration headquarters will be located in the Raymond Hall lobby throughout the weekend for walk-in guests. Registration is required for all guests.

For more information about the fun-filled events in store for SUNY Potsdam's Bicentennial Reunion Weekend, visit www.potsdam.edu/alumni/reunion.

Founded in 1816, The State University of New York at Potsdam is one of America's first 50 colleges-and the oldest institution within SUNY. As the College marks its bicentennial in 2016, SUNY Potsdam will celebrate a 200-year legacy of pioneering programs and educational excellence. The College currently enrolls approximately 4,100 undergraduate and graduate students. Home to the world-renowned Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam is known for its challenging liberal arts and sciences core, distinction in teacher training and leadership in the arts. Empowered by a culture of creativity, the campus community is nearing the completion of Take the Lead: The Campaign for Potsdam, which has already raised $33 million for scholarships and programs.

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