President Christian at Dutchess Chamber of Commerce breakfast
President Donald Christian spoke to a packed house at the Poughkeepsie Grand Hotel as the keynote speaker for the Dutchess County Chamber of Commerce’s April Contact Breakfast on April 18.
He spoke about the importance of public education and the University’s role in the Hudson Valley. “Public colleges and universities must play a regional role, supporting citizens, communities, and organizations in our midst. It is important that we do that without losing sight of the primary reason that society supports us – educating students.  This part of our mission is reflected in both the College mission and Chancellor Zimpher’s Power of SUNY strategic plan, which focuses on linking SUNY campuses to our communities and their social, cultural, and economic welfare,” he said.
He reiterated several vision points for the College that he had discussed at his inauguration earlier in the month. “New Paltz must continue to improve the quality and affordability of our educational offerings if students are to be prepared to thrive in and contribute to a very different world – a diverse and global society and an economy that is volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous…As I stated in my inaugural speech, we must strive to make practical education liberal and liberal education practical,” he said.