SUNY Orange planning 75th anniversary celebration
Middletown. The anniversary theme will be “Transforming Lives for 75 Years.”
| 11 Jun 2024 | 10:27
Founded in 1950 as the first county-sponsored community college in New York, Orange County Community College (SUNY Orange) turns 75 years old next June and the college has announced it will spend the 2024-25 academic year celebrating its 75th anniversary.
Having influenced and educated countless residents since its early days, the college has selected “Transforming Lives for 75 Years” as its diamond anniversary theme, with an accompanying blue-and-orange-branded logo displaying that phrase.
“What a special privilege that we have here in 2024 and 2025 to shine a light on the wisdom, foresight, and commitment that our community leaders had in the late 1940s to embrace a new educational approach: the community college,” said SUNY Orange President Dr. Kristine Young. “They wanted to bring education to Orange County, and they did it, aided by the wonderful generosity of Christine Morrison who donated her estate to make it happen. In their wildest dreams, I wonder if they thought we’d be here nearly 75 years later carrying the torch that they lit.”
Among the celebratory events in development is a 75th Anniversary Gala, tentatively scheduled for May 17, 2025, on the Alumni Green at the Middletown campus. During the fall semester’s “Week of Welcome” activities in late August, SUNY Orange will blend in related “Welcome to Our 75th Year” events and messaging to generate excitement about the anniversary. An alumni gathering is scheduled for Sept. 27 in Orange Hall Gallery on the Middletown campus and a more casual spring semester anniversary event is being planned. There will also be celebration on June 9, 2025, and other events will be announced as they become finalized.
The SUNY Orange Foundation will jointly conduct a year-long “Transforming Lives, Transforming Spaces” fundraising campaign to support the anniversary celebrations. An array of giving opportunities are being developed, with funds intended to support updates and refurbishing of classrooms, laboratories, study spaces and more.