SUNY Potsdam Welcomes New and Returning Students with Carnival, Upgrades and New Programs

SUNY Potsdam Celebrates the Incoming Class of 2029 & Greets Returning Students for Fall Semester

Potsdam, NY (08/15/2025) — SUNY Potsdam is proud to welcome its 209th class of new students, as the Class of 2029 is set to settle in on campus and hundreds of students get ready to return for the fall semester.

"As we open the doors to a new academic year at SUNY Potsdam, I'm thrilled to welcome back our returning students and greet the Class of 2029. We just love to see everyone's excitement and enthusiasm as campus springs to life each fall -- and we are equally excited to see what our students will accomplish next," said President Dr. Suzanne R. Smith.

New academic opportunities

As students return, they can choose from new and updated academic programs:

• The new Bachelor of Science degree in biomedical sciences combines rigorous academic preparation and the flexibility to customize courses for several post-graduate health programs, leading to careers as physician assistants, medical doctors, dentists, audiologists, optometrists and veterinarians, among others.
• The Crane School of Music is now offering a non-audition Bachelor of Science degree track for its longstanding music business program as well, opening up the field to students with backgrounds in non-traditional instruments and genres.
• The College's Bachelor of Science degree program in public health is now transitioning to a 100 percent online format, starting this semester, providing greater flexibility for learners across the country, while still offering robust internship and applied learning opportunities.

SUNY Potsdam also launched its first series of microcredentials over the past year, which allow students to add an area of focus in a targeted set of skills to their undergraduate experience -- or non-traditional learners to gain those same skills on a part-time basis, without the need to enroll in a full degree program. The new microcredentials include:

• Band instrument repair technology basics
• Basic investment portfolio analysis
• Financial statement analysis
• Humanities for thoughtful leadership
• Local government: Grant writing
• Public health: Grant writing
• Spatial data analysis with GIS

The College is proud to now host a New York Army National Guard office on its campus, which supports local recruits and also helps prospective or current students who are interested in the guaranteed acceptance program, allowing participants to complete their degree and join the Guard at the same time. Guard members attend tuition-free, and receive additional benefits, including G.I. Bill support, priority registration and access to exclusive campus resources.

Campus enhancements

Renovations in the Maxcy Hall Athletic Complex are continuing to make big strides. New bleachers and a four-sided color LED scoreboard are now in place in the Jerry Welsh Gymnasium. Additionally, a full rehabilitation of the second floor will include new flooring, ceilings and lighting. All main-floor restrooms will be upgraded to meet accessibility standards. Meanwhile, major improvements are underway in the Maxcy Hall Fieldhouse, with the installation of new flooring and an elevator, improving access between the two floors, while integrating the College's brand identity. Construction will continue in Maxcy Hall throughout the 2025-26 academic year.

New wayfinding and directional signage is being installed across campus. Following the demolition of Dunn Hall, SUNY Potsdam has begun planning and preparation to create a student-focused plaza space in its place. New and returning students will be greeted by the fully restored Satterlee Hall clocktower, which was completely refurbished over the past academic year. Among other campus improvement projects, new labs with up-to-date technologies have been completed in Timerman Hall, Morey Hall and in the Performing Arts Center.

Welcome Weekend

Welcome Weekend will take place from Thursday, Aug. 21 to Sunday, Aug. 24. The incoming Class of 2029 will arrive on Thursday, Aug. 21. First-year students and their families will be buzzing around campus and the village on move-in day.

That evening, the campus will host an event featuring s'mores and outdoor games in the Marshall Park Bandshell, beginning at 9 p.m. Please note that fireworks that were originally planned have now been canceled, due to the county burn ban which remains in effect.

New students will be greeted by faculty, staff and upperclassmen during the New Student Funnel the following morning, on Friday, Aug. 22 at 8:30 a.m., in Minerva Plaza. Campus community members will cheer on the long line of new students, as they walk to Orientation in the Academic Quad.

President Smith will continue a new challenge coin tradition, presenting all incoming students with a special silver challenge coin. The coins are meant for each student to keep throughout their journey at SUNY Potsdam, as a reminder of the importance of finding a support system and considering the important role that others play in our personal success. As students approach Commencement, they will be invited to give their coin to someone who made a difference in their education and in their life -- whether it be a professor, a staff mentor, a family member or friend. In return, all new graduates will receive a special maroon challenge coin of their own to keep at Commencement -- symbolizing the journey and those who helped along the way.

The celebrations will continue on Sunday, Aug. 24, with a Welcome Weekend Carnival open to students, faculty, staff and families, from 1 to 5 p.m., in the Maxcy Hall Athletic Complex. The carnival will feature games, activities, food, open skate and open swim sessions to kick off the academic year.

The Fall 2025 semester kicks off on Monday, Aug. 25, with classes commencing in the morning.

To find out more about what's going on at SUNY Potsdam this fall, explore www.potsdam.edu.

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