Letter From
the president FA l l 2012
A
t graduation here at Potsdam, I like to close my remarks with the following wish: “Do well, and do good.” Of course, what I mean is that I want our graduates to not simply succeed, but to also do good things in the world. Wellness, in all of its many forms, has become a focal point in our culture. Just Google the word “wellness” and you will get about 476 million results. We seem to be consumed by the challenge of living well-intentioned, well-mannered, well-balanced… well, you get the point! Regardless of the media hype or the vagaries of popular culture, here at SUNY Potsdam we take student wellness seriously, as we pursue our ultimate mission: student success. But when one thinks about it, success is probably just as “well” defined and diverse as wellness. However, in higher education, there are very tangible outcomes associated with living well. Increasingly, we are assessing student learning outcomes related to academic careers in order to know how well we are doing; that is: Are we having success at imparting essential learning to our students? Academic achievement is most certainly affected by a student’s overall wellness. Optimal health, both physical and mental, is a critical ingredient to staying on course, passing classes, and getting the most out of education. Student support services offer another critical ingredient, and in this SUNY Potsdam excels, not only in the classroom and by enriching the student life experience, but also because of the alumni that make up the Potsdam family.
Vol. 7 | No. 1
Potsdam People Staff and Contributors EditorS Deborah Dudley, Director of Marketing and Communications Mona Ouimet Vroman ’85, Director of Alumni Relations WriterS Alexandra Jacobs, Communications & Government Relations Sarah Carr ‘08, Public Affairs Assistant Web Manager Mindy Thompson, Director of Web Communications Contributors David T. Britt ‘74, Director of Business Planning and Analysis Dan Bronson ‘03, Sports Information Director Christa Carroll, Director of Annual Giving
Wellness begins with welcoming the new freshmen. President John F. Schwaller assists students and parents carry the load during Move In Day.
As I think about our Potsdam family and the many ways in which it continues to give back to benefit the next generation, several extraordinary alumni and friends come to mind… One regularly gives in honor of a loved one, too soon departed, to provide student access to crisis mental health services right here on campus. One serves as a mentor to current students, providing personal encouragement as they navigate life away from home for the first time. One is a faithful supporter of the Annual Fund for Potsdam, knowing that this will allow the College to provide the handcrafted educational opportunities vital to a well-rounded academic experience. One keeps in touch with her scholarship recipient who has now since graduated, offering valuable advice as he starts a new career. It is the Potsdam family itself that is the greatest ingredient in the recipe of wellness for our students. And for that we are grateful.
Nancy Griffin (Hon. ‘08), Development Officer Emily Hutchison, Director of Development Jason Ladouceur ’94, Director of Planned Giving Ellen Nesbitt, Assistant Director of Annual Giving Donna Planty, Project Manager/Production Artist Sherry Allen Paradis ’00, Director of Donor Relations Laura Stevenson (Hon. ’07), Alumni & Donor Relations Vicki Templeton-Cornell, Vice President for College Advancement Design & Art Direction
And so, as I offer to our graduating students, I also challenge you: “Do good, and do well.” Remember, you are a member of the Potsdam family.
J. P. Manke, Graphic Designer/Production Artist PHOTOGRAPHY Kathryn Deuel, Principal Photographer
John F. Schwaller President
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