[Important Information for Employees] Reflections and Updates from the President's Welcome Event

[Office of the President]

Dear Campus Community,

This morning, we gathered in the Warren Ballrooms for our Spring 2025
Welcome Event to reflect on our shared mission, celebrate our community,
and look forward to the semester ahead.

Below is the full text of my remarks from the event, shared to ensure
everyone has access to the updates, recognitions, and reflections that set
the tone for this semester.

Wishing you all a productive and successful spring 2025!

Thank you.

Dr. Alexander Enyedi
President

********************************************************************************************************

President’s Welcome Event
January 24, 2025
Warren Ballrooms
8:30 a.m.

Good morning, Cardinals.

Welcome to the start of the Spring semester here in Plattsburgh, in
Queensbury, and online!

I am Dr. Alexander Enyedi, president of SUNY Plattsburgh.

It is my honor to welcome each of you this morning. Thank you for taking
the time to join us today. I hope you had a chance to enjoy some breakfast
and the wonderful jazz music that I hope set a tone of connection and
energy for this event.

So….today is our mid-year check-in and an opportunity to celebrate together.

As we begin this new semester together, I want to take time to reflect on
the importance of the work we all do here at SUNY Plattsburgh and provide
updates on where 2025 will take us.

This morning, we will celebrate the incredible people who make our
university great—dedicated individuals who ensure we achieve our mission of
supporting the success of every student’s educational journey.

As we reflect, celebrate, and look forward, we will recognize many of our
fellow Cardinals with awards, highlighting the wonderful work they have
done at this university for our students.

Let me begin by saying each semester represents a fresh opportunity to
build on what we have achieved, to address new challenges with focus, and
to pursue our goals with purpose. Each of you plays an essential role in
making this campus a place of growth,

At SUNY Plattsburgh, our core commitments guide and shape every aspect of
our work. Student-centered education, academic excellence, diverse people,
experiences, and ideas, building an inclusive community, and civic
engagement are more than aspirations—they are the very foundation of our
community and the principles we hold ourselves accountable to every day.
This is our North Star.

We are dedicated to fostering a campus environment where all students,
faculty, and staff feel welcomed, valued, supported, and empowered to
thrive. This means promoting critical inquiry, integrity, civility, and
collegiality in all that we do, ensuring every individual has the
opportunity to contribute their unique voice and talents.

Our commitment to the freedom to speak, to think, and write ensures that
SUNY Plattsburgh is a place where ideas flourish and perspectives are
celebrated. Most importantly, there is a place for everyone at our
university to grow, succeed, and feel at home.

Thank you for being part of this community. Let us make this semester one
of continued achievement and progress.

Land Acknowledgement

As we move into the program, I would like to acknowledge that, as a
community deeply committed to inclusion and respect, we acknowledge that
our campus resides on the ancestral lands of the Iroquois, Western Abenaki,
Mohican, and Mohawk peoples. These lands, and the body of water now known
as Lake Champlain, were cared for and nurtured by Indigenous peoples for
thousands of years.

We honor the original caretakers of this land and offer our respect to the
Haudenosaunee (hoh-den-uh-SHOH-nee), who remain an integral part of this
region’s cultural and historical fabric.

This acknowledgment is not merely a formality but a commitment. It is a
commitment to recognize the history of this land, to respect its enduring
legacy, and to ensure that our actions today and in the future reflect the
values of stewardship, equity, and justice. Let this acknowledgment serve
as a call to action—to educate ourselves, to engage meaningfully with our
Indigenous neighbors, and to contribute to the ongoing work of
reconciliation and respect.

Leadership Introductions

First, with us today are members of the University Council – please stand
as I call your name so we can recognize you:

   -

   Heidi Kelly, Acting Council Chair
   -

   Michael Cashman
   -

   Christina Ubl

The 10-member University Council serves as an advisory body to the
president and senior administration of SUNY Plattsburgh. Thank you Council
members for being here today. And thank you for your important advocacy on
behalf of our university. It is appreciated!

I would also like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the President’s
Cabinet:

   -

   Dr. Marcus Tye, Provost and Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs
   -

   Allison Heard, Vice President for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
   -

   Anne Hansen, Vice President for Institutional Advancement and Executive
   Director, Plattsburgh College Foundation
   -

   Magen Renadette, Vice President for Administration & Finance
   -

   Karen McGrath, Vice President for Enrollment and Student Success
   -

   Heather Haskins, Executive Director of Strategic Communications and
   Marketing

I would also like to thank the following individuals for their leadership
across campus:

   -

   Bridget Haina: Chair, Faculty Senate
   -

   Kristie Stanton: President, CSEA Local 612
   -

   Michelle Toth: President, Plattsburgh UUP Chapter

This year marks a notable milestone for this leadership team. With the
recent appointment of Magen Renadette as the permanent Vice President for
Administration and Finance, for the first time in over three years, we have
no interim Cabinet members.

As we gather in this space, I want to acknowledge the dedication,
resilience, and talent that each of you brings to our shared mission. Our
work as educators, mentors, and supporters extends far beyond individual
roles; it is a collective effort that transforms lives, builds futures, and
strengthens our community.

This morning marks more than just the start of a new semester. It is an
opportunity to reflect on who we are as a university and what we are
working toward. Each of you plays a vital part in creating an environment
where students can thrive, ideas can flourish, and the future takes shape.
The energy, collaboration, and care that you bring to our university makes
SUNY Plattsburgh not just a place to learn but a place to grow and succeed.
Put differently - SUNY Plattsburgh is a truly special place because of your
contributions and dedicated work.

Thank you for your unwavering commitment to our students, our mission, and
each other. As we begin this semester, let us embrace the opportunities
ahead with a renewed sense of purpose and a shared determination to make a
meaningful impact.

It is deeply inspiring to reflect on our recent Winter Commencement, where
we celebrated the achievements of our graduates as they reached a pivotal
milestone in their lives. Watching them cross the stage, filled with pride
and hope for what lies ahead, is a powerful reminder of why we do what we
do. Each handshake, each cheer from family and friends in the audience,
symbolizes the collective impact of our efforts as a campus community.

Graduation is not just the culmination of academic success; it is a
reflection of the resilience, growth, and transformation our students
experience during their time here. These moments remind us of our shared
purpose: to inspire, guide, and prepare students to meet the challenges of
the future with confidence and skill. Every late-night study session, every
one-on-one meeting, every support service provided—all of it plays a role
in these remarkable outcomes.

As we carry the momentum of that celebration into this new semester, let us
not forget the profound influence we have on shaping lives. The work we
do—whether teaching in classrooms, mentoring in offices, or supporting
behind the scenes—creates opportunities for students to discover their
individual potential and take transformative steps toward their goals. It
is both a responsibility and a privilege, one that requires us to remain
committed to excellence and compassion in all we do.

As I stand before you today, I am deeply honored to celebrate a personal
milestone: this marks my five-year anniversary as president of SUNY
Plattsburgh. Reflecting on these past 5 years, I am reminded of the
extraordinary resilience, adaptability, and collaboration that define this
campus community. I am also reminded of how much we have been through
together.

When I began this journey in January 2020, along with Andrea Enyedi,
neither of us could have foreseen the challenges that lay ahead. Just one
month into my presidency, the world faced an unprecedented crisis with the
onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Overnight, our campus transformed. And that
is not an exaggeration.

We shifted to remote instruction and work, reimagined how we teach and
support our students, and leaned on each other in ways that redefined what
it means to be a community. It was a trial by fire for all of us, but it
also revealed the strength and dedication that make SUNY Plattsburgh
extraordinary. Most importantly, it revealed to me the true character and
resilience of Cardinals - as a community we came together to ensure we
stayed true to our mission.

In the years since, we have accomplished so much together. We have
navigated the complexities of higher education in a post-pandemic world,
shifted to address the approaching enrollment cliff, enhanced our academic
offerings and strengthened our student support systems like EOP, SSS, and
the ACE programs and we created the beautiful ARO facility.

>From launching new initiatives that prioritize diversity, equity, and
inclusion to expanding internships and experiential learning opportunities,
our collective work has ensured that SUNY Plattsburgh continues to be the
place where students not only succeed academically but also grow as
individuals.

We have celebrated milestones like surpassing enrollment targets and
achieving national recognition for the achievements of our students and
faculty. We have witnessed profound SUNY investment in our campus,
including upgrades to facilities and new resources that enhance the student
experience and prepare us for the future. Most importantly, we have stayed
true to our mission of fostering a community where every individual feels
valued, supported, and inspired to reach their full potential.

These past five years have been marked by both challenges and triumphs, but
through it all, what has stood out to me is the unwavering commitment of
our faculty, staff, and students. It is your creativity, your
determination, and your care that make this institution not just a
university, but a home—a place where we face adversity together and
celebrate our successes as one. Thank you for welcoming us into your home.

This new year, 2025, brings special significance as a bridge year in our
Plattsburgh Next journey. With the completion of our current strategic plan
on the horizon and the development of the next iteration set to begin this
semester, we find ourselves at a pivotal moment— both reflecting on our
accomplishments and envisioning our future. A strong past. A proud future.

Launched in 2022, Plattsburgh Next has guided our efforts to grow student
enrollment, enhance student success, prioritize equity and inclusion, and
strengthen ties with the North Country.

Highlights of our progress include new targeted recruitment strategies
aided by innovative marketing, new online degree programs to support
enrollment growth, first-year course enhancements including the Cardinal
Core, new student spaces to support success, initiatives like the Equity
Advocate Program to foster inclusivity, and expanded local community
partnerships in education and healthcare delivery.

As we prepare to shape the next version of Plattsburgh Next, under the
co-leadership of Provost Tye and Faculty Senate Chair Haina, we have the
opportunity to build upon these successes. Guided by our core values—we
will continue to create a campus where both students and ideas thrive.

As our planning begins, let us move forward with pride in all we’ve
accomplished and excitement for what’s to come.

Enrollment Update

Thanks to the incredibly hard work of our admissions and enrollment teams,
we experienced increases in both undergraduate and graduate student
enrollments this past fall.

   -

   Given the intensity of the marketplace and the FAFSA problems, this
   accomplishment was no small feat. Relationship building, intentional
   communication and outreach, increased visitation options (both in-person
   and virtual) and greater digital on-line presence were all elements in our
   success.
   -

   At SUNY Plattsburgh, we surpassed nearly 4550 students this fall which
   was far above our budget target, and the highest total enrollment we have
   seen since 2021. This is a reflection of our commitment as a campus to
   providing students a quality experience both inside and outside the
   classroom with true wrap-around services and support. I am very pleased
   that we now recognize and embrace that student recruitment and retention is
   a shared responsibility of our entire campus, and your dedication to this
   truly shone through this past year.

I am confident that with all of our efforts, SUNY Plattsburgh will build on
this enrollment momentum success as we move toward Fall 2025.

Mid-Year Budget Update

Revenue Performance Update
Turning to our current fiscal year’s revenue performance, I am happy to
report that our budget remains strong and and revenue in two areas is
exceeding budgeted targets set last summer:

   - Tuition Revenue: First, billed tuition revenue has exceeded budget
   target by $219,252.
   - Room Rent Revenue: Second, billed room rent revenue has exceeded our
   budgeted target by $371,068. These additional room revenues support our
   on-campus DIFR expenses.
   - Mid-Year Budget Check-Ins
      - The VP of Administration & Finance, along with the Budget and
      Financial Reporting Office, has initiated mid-year budget check-ins with
      all account managers. These check-ins are a critical component
of ensuring
      fiscal responsibility and transparency. They offer departments a
      comprehensive overview of all their accounts, highlighting areas of
      opportunity and addressing potential concerns at this midway point in the
      fiscal year.
   - Looking Ahead to Fiscal Year 2025-2026: The timeline for developing
   the fiscal year 2025-2026 budget has been finalized, and it will closely
   mirror the process used last year. The fiscal year 2025-2026 budget will be
   due to SUNY Central mid-August 2025.

As we move through the spring semester and beyond, our budgetary focus
remains on maintaining fiscal responsibility, identifying additional
opportunities to strengthen our revenue streams, and continue to support
the needs of our students and campus community. Your work and commitment to
these goals is what ensures our ongoing success and soundness of our budget
– and I thank you for your efforts.

Clinton Community College Update

At last year’s Spring 2024 welcome, I announced SUNY's plan to co-locate
CCC onto our campus. And, we subsequently learned last April that CCC would
occupy Redcay Hall and 133 Court Street to deliver their curriculum and
programming to North Country students.

For the past nine months, a team of individuals - faculty, staff,
administrators - from Academic Affairs, Enrollment and Student Success,
Administration and Finance, Information Technology, Marketing and
Communications, and representatives from CCC, have undertaken an incredible
amount of planning, meetings, listening sessions and thoughtful work to
support this co-location, including the movement of SUNY Plattsburgh
employees and their offices. Today is Jan 24, 2025- Based on the tremendous
progress to date, we can expect the “grand re-opening” of CCC in less than
seven months.

Here is update on activities and progress over the past 6 weeks:

   -

   All departments have been moved back into Kehoe (Phase I and II are
   complete)
   -

      Includes:
      -

         Kehoe 1st Floor:  Undergraduate Admissions and Student Financial
         Services
         -

         Kehoe 2nd Floor:  Global Education Office and Sponsored Research
         -

         Kehoe 3rd Floor:  Registrar and Institutional Effectiveness
         -

         Kehoe 4th Floor:  ITS and Student Financial Services
         -

         Kehoe 10th Floor:  Undergraduate Admissions
         -

         In addition, Expeditionary Studies has now moved to Beaumont 2nd
         Floor
         -

   Phase III will include moving Anthropology to Beaumont 3rd Floor,
   Sociology to Beaumont 4th Floor, Criminology to Ward 2nd Floor, and
   Canadian Studies to 102 Broad Street.  Phase III is scheduled to take place
   between March 17, 2025 and April 4, 2025.
   -

   SUCF and ITS will begin work in Redcay in early February.

Additional Division Updates

Academic Affairs

Our academic programs continue to grow and innovate, with several key
developments this year:

   -

   The Master of Social Work (MSW) program has launched, with accreditation
   review scheduled for February.
   -

   New offerings include a Stock Market Analyst Certificate, a B.S. in
   Human Development & Family Relations at our Queensbury Campus, and a
   Cannabis Chemistry certificate program.
   -

   Updates to existing programs include revised concentrations for the
   English major and enhancements to both the Biology B.A. and the Natural
   Resources and Ecology M.S.
   -

   The School of Education, Health, and Human Services (EHHS) has
   introduced initiatives like a Pre-Apprenticeship Program for Teaching
   Assistants and has been awarded prestigious grants to expand teacher
   residency models and leadership programs.
   -

   Efforts to support dual-admission partnerships, prior learning credits,
   and internships have been expanded, thanks to temporary SUNY system funding.

These accomplishments highlight our ongoing commitment to academic
excellence and meeting the evolving needs of our students and communities.
Information Technology Services
Information Technology Services (ITS) completed updates to over 1,000
customized programs by the end of the fall semester. This spring and fall,
they will undertake several critical projects:

   - Upgrading telephone systems to new ZOOM technology
   - Addressing the impending end-of-product-life for the Banner Info
   system and the campus portal
   - Supporting Clinton Community College with specific IT services funded
   by Clinton.
   - In addition to these many projects, ITS continues to ensure our campus
   remains connected, secure, and technologically equipped to support
   important academic and administrative functions.

Research and Grants

   -

   Our faculty and researchers achieved remarkable milestones in securing
   funding for impactful work. These accomplishments not only advance
   knowledge in key fields but also enhance our institution’s reputation as a
   hub of innovation and discovery.
   -

   The Lake Champlain Research Institute (LCRI) secured $490,000 from the
   Great Lakes Fishery Commission for Deep Lake Limnology Research. During the
   2024 calendar year, LCRI received over $1.3 million in new funding.
   -

   Several Center for Earth and Environmental Science (CEES) faculty were
   awarded grants from the Lake Champlain Basin Program:
   -

      Drs. Garneau and Mihuc secured $265,000 for their study of
      microplastics in Lake Champlain;
      -

      Dr. Colin Fuss received $106,896 to research nutrient loading in
      headwater streams; and
      -

      Dr. Nancy Price was awarded $34,885 to investigate saltwater
      intrusion in the Champlain Basin.
      -

   From the Chemistry Department, Drs. Ckless and Sunasee received a
   $468,731 National Science Foundation (NSF) grant to explore
   immunomodulation mechanisms using functionalized cellulose nanomaterials.

Student Success Initiatives in ESSImprovement of Retention and Return Rates

I am pleased to share some encouraging data about our student retention
efforts for Fall 2024.

   -

   First, an overall win: The retention rate for full-time matriculated
   undergraduate students has increased to 82.4%, up from 81.8% last year.
   This upward trend reflects the collective dedication of faculty and staff
   to fostering an environment where students can thrive. And it aligns with
   the Plattsburgh Next goal
   -

   Juniors are excelling: Among class levels, our juniors demonstrated the
   highest retention rate at an impressive 91.6%. This result highlights the
   effectiveness of the engagement and support provided to students during
   this pivotal stage of their academic journey.
   -

   Our global community is thriving: International students achieved a
   remarkable retention rate of 87.1%, underscoring the strength of our global
   engagement and the welcoming environment we have created
   -

   Strong connections within New York State: Students from Long Island and
   the Capital District are showing high retention rates, at 87.0% and 83.6%,
   respectively. These numbers reflect the importance of the deep connections
   we have built in these regions and the engagement strategies we have
   employed to support their success..

Each of these achievements is a testament to the hard work and dedication
of everyone in this room. Together, we are building a stronger SUNY
Plattsburgh, one student at a time.

Launch of new ACE Program

   -

   This year, we proudly launched the Advancing Completion through
   Engagement (ACE) program, an innovative academic support and retention
   initiative to help students complete their bachelor’s degrees in four
   years. This program is an integral part of our commitment to the student
   success pillar, and it currently serves 210 students.
   -

   The ACE program is designed to support students holistically, addressing
   academic, personal, and financial barriers to success. Each participant is
   paired with a dedicated ACE advisor who provides personalized guidance
   throughout their college journey, ensuring that students remain on track to
   achieve their academic goals.
   -

   Beyond financial and academic support, ACE also prioritizes career and
   graduate school readiness. Students have access to career counseling and
   workshops, preparation for graduate school, and personal counseling to help
   them build a strong foundation for life after graduation.

Cardinal Athletics

   -

   Cardinal pride shone brightly this past semester, with our
   student-athletes excelling on and off the field. They achieved a remarkable
   3.2 GPA, embodying the true spirit of student-athlete-leaders.
   -

   Our teams demonstrated resilience and dedication, with highlights
   including both cross country teams placing 5th at the SUNYAC Championships,
   Women’s Tennis and Men’s Soccer advancing to playoffs, and numerous
   athletes earning regional and SUNYAC recognition.
   -

   We also celebrated milestones: Director of Athletic Communications Caleb
   Philips was named to the NCAA Division III Emerging Elite Program; we
   honored 50 years of Women’s Basketball at SUNY Plattsburgh; Men’s Hockey
   Coach Steve Moffatt reached his 100th career win; and Women’s Hockey Coach
   Kevin Houle achieved an extraordinary 500th career win. Congratulations to
   all!

DEI & Campus Community

   -

   Our commitment to building an inclusive and engaged community remains
   steadfast on campus and is evident through events such as the National Day
   of Racial Healing which was hosted this past Tuesday. The theme for the
   event was #HowWeHeal, and brought campus and community partners together to
   discuss topics that can often be difficult to talk about such as trauma and
   healing. These gatherings provide continuous and meaningful opportunities
   for connection, dialogue, growth, and action, reinforcing our campus values
   of diversity and belonging.These events also reinforce our commitment to
   equity and inclusion as an intricate part of all pillars of the Plattsburgh
   Next Strategic Plan and sends a strong message that we will not go backward.
   -

   I am particularly pleased to report that during a recent CDO (Chief
   Diversity Officer) convening in Albany last week,  Chancellor John King
   personally highlighted SUNY Plattsburgh as one of five campuses in the
   entire system, and lifted our campus up as a proud example of inclusive
   excellence.
   -

   I am proud to announce that the Clinton County MLK Committee will be
   partnering with our Office of DEI to host the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
   Celebration on Sunday, February 2 2025 at 1:30 pm in the Warren Ballrooms.
   This will be the first time that this celebration will be hosted
   collaboratively with SUNY Plattsburgh, and will be a wonderful opportunity
   to bring campus, the broader community, and local legislators together to
   reaffirm our commitment to Dr. King’s Dream.

Back in late August, enhancing student well-being, engagement and building
a sense of belonging were key goals.

   - With the new red Adirondack chairs and firepits,
   - Changes to both Orientation and Homecoming/Family Weekend,
   - The launch of the Empire State Service Corps, Americorps, OASIS and
   ATLAS programs
   - The new K-9 unit in University Police
   - Expansion of funding for student internships, and
   - Enhanced campus programming on all 8 dimensions of well-being, there
   was truly a strong feeling of connection and relationship building for our
   students.  It is the cumulative effect of all we do as a campus that
   enhances the SUNY Plattsburgh experience and this will lead to greater
   persistence to graduation.

And … as we strive to enhance our campus community and student experience,
I am so happy to share exciting news about The Nest, formerly known as the
Sundowner. This beloved eatery in the Angell College Center has been
transformed through an extensive renovation and reimagining - and it
officially open this Sunday evening!

This new dining facility reflects our commitment to creating spaces where
students can connect, recharge, and thrive.

Advancement: Alumni and Community Engagement

SUNY Plattsburgh is more than a campus; it is a cornerstone of the North
Country and beyond. This past year highlighted our deep connections with
alumni, families, and the community through a series of impactful
initiatives.

On the alumni engagement front, the fall introduced a new combined
Homecoming & Family Weekend program, which was a resounding success. With
over 1,000 attendees showcasing their Cardinal Pride, the event fostered a
vibrant sense of connection among students, alumni, families, and staff.

Another exciting initiative launched last year was the North Country
Celebration program, which brought together parents, students, alumni,
faculty, staff, and community members to honor the North Country Scholars
and the recipients of the North Country Impact Award. These awards
highlight the extraordinary achievements of alumni selected by academic
committees, embodying SUNY Plattsburgh’s mission. The celebration
demonstrated the lifelong connection between the college and the region,
inspiring future leaders among our North Country Scholars.

On the fundraising front, the Game On for Giving Challenge is set for
February 7–14, 2025. Last year, this collaboration between Institutional
Advancement and Cardinal Athletics raised over $80,000 from 1,124 fans,
including 557 alumni. This year’s goal is to surpass $100,000 with the
support of a special challenge gift.

Institutional Advancement is celebrating a strong start to the year with
$3.8 million in new gifts and pledges already secured as of January 17,
2025—a figure exceeding last year’s total annual amount. Among the recent
achievements are two new $50,000 endowed scholarship programs for the
Geology program. So thank you to all of our donors for their generous
support of our students.

Wow. That is an incredible array of initiatives, activities, innovations,
programming and actions. Please join me in congratulating everyone on this
campus for an incredibly successful Fall semester.

Years of Service - New and Long Term Employees

Now, I want to transition from the highlights to YOU.

The work of this campus, of supporting our students,  and making a
difference in our community is only possible because of those in this room
and your colleagues across campus.

I first want to recognize the newest members of our Cardinal community. On
your tables are two sheets of paper with names.

The first lists the names of 26 new Cardinals, individuals who have
accepted positions here since our Fall Welcome. If you are among the newest
employees, please stand, if able, to be recognized.

Please take a sheet back with you and greet those on the list, welcoming
them personally to our community. If there are not enough, don’t worry, a
copy will be included in an email going out from my office later today.

Next, is a second sheet at your table with many more names. It totals 148.
These are employees with 20 or more years of consecutive, unbroken service
to SUNY Plattsburgh.

As you examine that, I want to highlight the ten employees with the longest
unbroken tenure. These are:

   -

   Dr. Harvey Schantz, Professor of Political Science: 45 years of service
   -

   Gordon Muir, Collection Development Librarian: 42 years of service
   -

   Dr. George Flynn, Professor of Physics : 39 years of service
   -

   Dr. Mohamed Gaber, Distinguished Service Professor of Accounting: 39
   years of service
   -

   Robert Richter, Lead Media Services Tech : 38 years of service
   -

   Dr. Anna Battigelli, Professor of English: 37 years of service
   -

   Lise Heroux, SUNY Distinguished Service Professor in Marketing &
   Entrepreneurship : 37 years of service
   -

   Bernard Grabczewski, Assistant CIO, Network & Telecommunications
   Coordinator: 36 years of service
   -

   Dr. El-Sayed Kandiel, Associate Professor of Accounting: 35 years of
   service
   -

   Dr. Robert Keever, Associate Professor of Mathematics: 35 years of
   service

Those employees in attendance this morning with 20 years of consecutive
service, would you please stand to be recognized?

I would also like to take a moment to acknowledge an important event held
earlier this week. On January 22, I had the privilege to witness the
honoring of 90 members of CSEA at a special luncheon for their remarkable
longevity of service to SUNY Plattsburgh.

This event was a celebration of the dedication, loyalty, and unwavering
commitment that CSEA members bring to our campus every day. Their
contributions have touched every corner of our institution, ensuring that
SUNY Plattsburgh is not just a workplace but a thriving community.

These individuals have invested years—decades, in many cases—into making
our campus a better place for everyone. From ensuring that our offices and
facilities run smoothly to creating a welcoming and supportive environment
for students, staff, and faculty, CSEA members truly embody the spirit of
service and reflect a shared belief in the importance of SUNY Plattsburgh’s
mission and values. It is this long-term dedication that sustains our
institution and inspires us all.

Please join me in once again recognizing and thanking all of our CSEA
members for their incredible contributions. Their work is an enduring gift
to this campus and to all of us who call it home.

Thanks to each of you for your service and decades of dedication.

*Special Recognitions* Next, today I want to recognize two campus
areas/units with the President’s Campus Service Award.  It is important
that we take a moment to honor the exceptional contributions of individuals
and teams who exemplify the values and mission of SUNY Plattsburgh. Their
dedication, innovation, and commitment to our students and campus community
inspire us all.

These awards celebrate the extraordinary efforts of our campus offices
whose collective work has a transformative impact on the lives of our
students.

Allow me to share the inscription on the award plaque:

'The President’s Campus Service Award honors a SUNY Plattsburgh office
whose collective efforts demonstrate exceptional dedication to educating,
supporting, and caring for our students.'

Our first award this year recognizes the combined efforts of the Office of
Undergraduate Admissions, Graduate Admissions and Student Financial
Services. These teams have gone above and beyond to ensure that prospective
and current students are welcomed, supported, and guided at every step of
their educational journey. From offering personalized guidance during the
admissions process to providing essential financial resources and support,
these offices work tirelessly to remove barriers and help students achieve
their dreams. Their collaboration exemplifies the spirit of service and the
shared commitment that makes SUNY Plattsburgh such a special place.

At this time, I would like to invite Karen McGrath, Vice President for
Enrollment and Student Success, to share her reflections and remarks.

Our second award recipient is the University Police Department. This team’s
dedication to fostering a safe, welcoming, and supportive environment
ensures that our students can thrive both academically and personally.
Whether through their proactive safety initiatives, their engagement with
the campus community, or their dedicated professionalism, University Police
plays a critical role in creating an atmosphere of trust and security.
Their work goes beyond policing—it’s about building relationships, showing
care, and being an integral part of our students’ success stories.

Once again, I invite Karen McGrath to offer remarks about this year’s
second honoree.

Please join me in giving a round of applause to these incredible teams for
their exemplary service and unwavering commitment to our campus community.

In addition to these awards, we continue to celebrate the legacy of Dr.
Michele Carpentier with the Michele Carpentier Award for Student Advocacy.

This award honors an individual whose investment in the lives of Cardinal
students demonstrates an exceptional level of care, compassion, and
dedication—qualities that Dr. Carpentier embodied throughout her
extraordinary career at SUNY Plattsburgh.

This year’s recipient is Bruce Carlin, TV Studios Manager/Engineer &
Adjunct Lecturer in the Communication Studies Department.

Bruce exemplifies these values through his unwavering commitment to student
success. Whether through his personalized support, his ability to listen
and guide, or his dedication to ensuring that students feel valued and
heard, Bruce has gone above and beyond in every sense. His efforts remind
us of the profound impact that one individual can have on the lives of so
many.

At this time, I would like to invite Dr. Kirsten Isgro, Chair and Professor
of Communication Studies, to share her reflections and remarks.

Please join me in honoring Bruce Carlin for his remarkable contributions to
our students and campus community. His work inspires us all to continue
striving for excellence in student advocacy and support.

Recognitions like these remind us of the incredible talent and dedication
within our community. Thank you to all who make SUNY Plattsburgh a place of
opportunity, growth, and success. Let us continue to celebrate and support
one another as we work toward our shared goals.

*Looking Ahead and Closing Call to Action* As we prepare to embark on the
Spring 2025 semester, we find ourselves at a moment brimming with promise
and opportunity. Together, we face the critical work of ensuring that SUNY
Plattsburgh continues to be a leader in providing transformative
educational experiences while meeting the evolving needs of our students,
the North Country community, and the state.

Our shared priorities—academic excellence, financial sustainability,
diversity, equity & inclusion and community engagement—will guide us as we
move forward. These principles remind us of who we are and where we are
headed.

Thank you for everything you do to make SUNY Plattsburgh a place where
students thrive, communities prosper, and opportunities abound. Here’s to a
successful and truly meaningful Spring 2025 semester!

As we conclude today’s Spring Welcome, I invite you to stay, connect with
colleagues, and continue the conversations we have started here. Enjoy the
refreshments and take this time to engage with one another—our shared work
and camaraderie make SUNY Plattsburgh the vibrant community it is.

Finally, thank you for being here this morning and for all that you do for
our students and each other. It matters!

Have a wonderful day and a successful semester ahead!

And please remember - every day is a great day to be a Cardinal!


- Office of the President
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