-
The founding of the School for Teaching of Classics
The State University of New York at New Paltz, known as SUNY New Paltz for short, is a public university in New Paltz, New York. It was founded in 1828 as the School for Teaching of Classics. -
Period: to
Time Span
-
1st Principal: Rev. Mr. Qua
-
New Paltz Academy established
-
2nd Principal: Eliphaz Fay
-
3rd Principal: William Parker
-
4th Principal: Eliphaz Fay
-
18th Principal: Henry A. Balcom, PhD.
-
5th Principal: Mr. Munsell
-
6th President: Rev. Calvin Butler, A.M.
-
7th Principal: John B. Steel, A.M.
-
8th President: Rev. J. H. Sinclair, A.M.
-
9th Principal: Frederick R. Brace, A.M.
-
10th Principal: John H. Post, A.B.
-
11th Principal: M. McN Walsh, A.M.
-
12th Principal: David M. Dewitt, A.M.
-
13th Principal: Charles H. Haywood
-
14th Principal: Henry Gallup, A.M.
-
15th Principal:Jared Hasbrouck, A.M.
-
16th Principal: H. M. Bauscher, PhD.
-
17th Principal: Frederick E. Partington, A.B.
-
18th Principal: Henry A. Balcom, PhD.
-
State Normal School is opened
A normal school was a school created to train high school graduates to be teachers. Its purpose was to establish teaching standards or norms, hence its name. Most such schools are now called teachers' colleges; however, in some places, the term normal school is still used. -
18th Principal
Eugene Bouton - Principal 1886-1888
A.B. Yale; PhD Syracuse, 1885. Deputy superintendent of public instruction, New York State, 1885-86; principal, State Normal School, New Paltz, N.Y., 1886-88; superintendent of schools, Bridgeport, C.T.; Pittsfield, M.A.; Glen Ridge, N.J. -
19th Pincipal
Frank S. Capen - Principal 1888-1899
A.B. Brockport Collegiate Institute; PhD Colgate, 1887. Teacher, vice principal, Cortland Normal School; superintendent of schools and Academy principal of Norwich, N.Y.; principal, State Normal School, New Paltz, N.Y., 1888-99. -
20th Principal
Myron T. Scudder - Principal 1899-1908
A.B. Rutgers, 1882, A.M. 1886. Teacher, Fort Plain public schools, 1882-83; principal, Fort Plain schools, 1884-88; Rome Free Academy, 1888-90; teacher - classics, Plattsburg State Normal School, 1890-92; inspector, Regents Schools, N.Y. state, 1892-97; principal, Hillhouse high school, New Haven, C.T., 1897-99; principal, State Normal School, New Paltz, N.Y., 1899-1908; professor of education, Rutgers, 1908-12. -
21st Principal
John C. Bliss - Principal 1908-1923
A.B. Cornell University, 1889; hon. PhD, State College for Teachers , Albany, N.Y., 1908. Teacher, Fairfield N.Y. Seminary 1889; inspector, State Education Department, Albany, N.Y., 1900-1904; in charge of teachers' examinations and certifications, 1904-08; principal, State Normal School, New Paltz, N.Y., 1908-1923. -
22nd Principal: Assumed Presidency in 1943
Lawrence H. van den Berg - Principal 1923-1943 1898; M.A. Columbia, 1913; honorary PhD, State College for Teachers, Albany, N.Y., 1925. High school principal, Grand Haven, M.I., 1898-1904, Owosso, M.I., 1904-07; superintendent of schools, Grand Haven, 1907-1912; director of training, State Normal School, Mount Pleasant, M.I., 1912-16; State Normal School, Oswego, N.Y., 1916-21; superintendent of schools, Grand Haven, 1921-23. -
1st President
William J. Haggerty - President 1944-1966
A.B.University of Minnesota 1930; A.M. University of Chicago, 1938, PhD 1943. Researcher, National Resources Planning Board, 1935; researcher, President's Commission on Administration Management, 1936; director of student personnel, University of Conneticut, 1940-44; president, State University College, New Paltz, 1944-66; chairman, Conference of World Affairs, Inc., 1967-75. -
Interim President
John J. Neumaier 1968-1972
Completed the college's transformation from a teachers college into a center for liberal arts and graduate studies. Enrollment increases were accompanied by pioneering initiatives to provide greater educational opportunities for African-Americans and other minorities. Expanded international education by establishing more than a dozen centers of overseas learning. -
2nd President
Stanley K. Coffman - President 1972-1979
Led the institution through its most severe budgetary circumstances. Recognized need to assure continued institutional vitality through the diversification of programs and private fundraising. In response to regional needs, created first professional programs beyond teacher education, including business, nursing, and computer science. -
3rd President
Alice Chandler - President 1980-1996
Raised admissions standards and academic profile of the student body, making New Paltz among the most selective in SUNY, while increasing enrollment and preserving institutional commitments to diversity. Improved quality of student residential life. Strengthened the liberal arts and sciences through more comprehensive general education requirements, new undergraduate and graduate majors, and a renewed emphasis on international studies. -
4th President
Roger W. Bowen - President 1996-2001
Advanced reputation for selectivity, further improved academic profile of the student body, and increased student retention. Transformed campus appearance. Led development of first strategic plan, with its articulation of a student-centered mission. Expanded international education opportunities. Achieved major increases in fund-raising, including gifts for the first endowed chair, the Dorsky Museum, and scholarships. -
5th President
Steven G. Poskanzer - President 2001-2010
Dramatically improved the College’s academic profile and bolstered its public image both statewide and nationally. Increased the number of full-time faculty and dramatically drove down the College’s reliance on part-time faculty. Student retention rates and graduation rates increased significantly during Poskanzer’s presidency; he also forged partnerships with business and political leaders that helped garner for the College an extra $94 million. -
Who's Next?
