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SUNY Potsdam Officially Opens College's New Carson Commons

SUNY Potsdam Dedicates Carson Commons with Student Networking Event Featuring Successful Alumni and Donors

Potsdam, NY (10/22/2024) — SUNY Potsdam officially opened the campus's newest space with a ribboncutting ceremony for the new Carson Commons on Friday, Oct. 18.

The completely renovated space in Carson Hall will now serve as a campus collaborative/co-working space, allowing students or campus groups to reserve one of the rooms easily online for discussions, group work, study sessions, meetings or presentations.

"We stand in one of SUNY Potsdam's most historic buildings, Carson Hall. Carson is a pretty active passageway for our campus community, and one of the first stops on our tours when we have potential students. So, we were certainly excited about the opportunity to reimagine this space," said President Dr. Suzanne R. Smith. "We intended for Carson Commons to be a student-centered place. We wanted it to be responsive to the needs of our students that we see today. They want places to hang out. They want places to engage. They want places to meet with each other, to meet with faculty and staff. I think that this space does all of that."

The space was finalized as part of a major multi-year renovation of Carson Hall, the oldest building on the Pierrepont Avenue campus. The project added elevators for improved accessibility, and updated classrooms and common study areas, as well as making upgrades to the building infrastructure systems to be more modern and energy efficient.

"My program is fully online. I could stay home to continue my studies, but I choose to travel to campus three days a week -- after four years spent on campus, what's a few more? Although my classes are online, I believe that the environment in which we study plays a crucial role in our success. That's why it's important for me to find a space on campus that can mimic the dynamics of a traditional classroom setting. When I came across Carson Commons, I was excited to see a new space for students to study. The atmosphere is so cozy and inviting, making it the ideal environment for focusing on assignments," said Netta Terrance '24 & '26 of Hogansburg, N.Y., a recent graduate who is currently completing her master's degree in public health.

"Having a space that has not only an academic vibe, but one that promotes a social bonding environment, helps you to feel less pressured," said business administration major Emily Taylor '27. "Sometimes, you just want to sit down, have a coffee, chat with some friends and get work done with a coalition and a group around you, rather than in a really strict environment. The Carson Commons is a really wonderful place to do that."

In keeping with the collaborative theme of the new space, the campus held a networking event for students, featuring successful alumni and business partners, to cap off the celebration. Following the official ribboncutting, guests filtered into the new Carson Commons space for a speed networking event led by staff from the Lougheed Center for Applied Learning. Members of the Potsdam College Foundation Board of Trustees and SUNY Potsdam Alumni Association were both on hand to speak with students and help connect them with ideas and opportunities to advance their futures.

To learn more about academics at SUNY Potsdam, visit www.potsdam.edu/academics.

About SUNY Potsdam:

Founded in 1816, The State University of New York at Potsdam is one of America's first 50 colleges -- and the oldest institution within SUNY. Now in its third century, SUNY Potsdam is distinguished by a legacy of pioneering programs and educational excellence. The College currently enrolls approximately 2,500 undergraduate and graduate students. Home to the world-renowned Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam is known for its challenging liberal arts and sciences core, distinction in teacher training and culture of creativity. To learn more, visit www.potsdam.edu.

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Media Attachments

SUNY Potsdam dedicated the newly renovated Carson Commons in Carson Hall with a ribboncutting ceremony followed by a networking event (pictured) on Friday, Oct. 18.

From left, SUNY Potsdam Associate Facilities Program Coordinator Roy Smith, Potsdam College Foundation Board President Amy Kellogg '99, graduate student Netta Terrance '24 & '26, President Dr. Suzanne Smith, student Emily Taylor '27, project Architect Jacob West of Mach Architecture, and Site Representative David Kingsley pose at the ribboncutting for Carson Commons.

Frankie Beshears '24 speaks with alumni, faculty and staff at a networking event held at the official opening for Carson Commons at SUNY Potsdam.

SUNY Potsdam alumni, faculty, staff and students took part in a networking event following the ribboncutting ceremony for the new Carson Commons.

SUNY Potsdam student Vania Castro Munoz (center) speaks with alumni during a networking event held following the opening of the Carson Commons in Carson Hall.

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