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SUNY Potsdam to Honor David E. Fluhr with Honorary Doctorate

SUNY Potsdam and Crane School of Music to Award Honorary Doctorate to Disney Sound Innovator David E. Fluhr

Potsdam, NY (01/06/2026) — SUNY Potsdam and its renowned Crane School of Music will present an Honorary Doctor of Music degree to acclaimed sound mixer David E. Fluhr during a private ceremony at Walt Disney Animation Studios in Burbank, Calif., on Jan. 21, 2026.

Fluhr will be honored for his creative accomplishments bringing sound and music to screen, in an invitation-only ceremony held in Disney Animation's Burny Mattinson Theater. He is an honorary member of the SUNY Potsdam Class of 1979.

"David Fluhr has transformed the art of sound mixing for animated films, creating immersive experiences that captivate audiences around the globe," said SUNY Potsdam President Dr. Suzanne R. Smith. "His innovative work with Disney Animation has set new standards in cinematic sound and music, and his dedication to excellence reflects the very spirit of creativity and artistry that we celebrate at The Crane School of Music. We are deeply honored to recognize David's extraordinary contributions to the industry and his enduring connection to SUNY Potsdam."

Fluhr is the supervising rerecording mixer for Walt Disney Animation Studios, where he mixes the sound of an animated film from versions in development through the final film release, including those in international languages. Fluhr has mixed most all genres of television, film and music during his career, and has been mixing for Disney Animation since 2004's "Chicken Little." Fluhr developed and implemented Disney's proprietary Dolby Atmos post-production workflows, and the custom worldwide foreign language dubbing workflow.

Fluhr is a former two-term Governor of the Sound Branch of the Television Academy, a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Sound Branch, and a former two-term president of the Cinema Audio Society, for which he has been a board member since 1986. He has earned multiple Emmys and Cinema Audio Society awards, amongst dozens more nominations and other sound recognitions.

Raised in Floral Park, N.Y., Fluhr attended The Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam, studying electronic music composition.

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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David Fluhr will be honored with an Honorary Doctor of Music degree from the State University of New York, presented by SUNY Potsdam and its Crane School of Music, on Jan. 21, 2026.

David Fluhr is the supervising rerecording mixer for Walt Disney Animation Studios. An honorary member of the SUNY Potsdam Class of 1979, he will be presented with an honorary Doctor of Music degree from the State University of New York in a special ceremony on Jan. 21, 2026.

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