2023 SUNY Potsdam Commencement Ceremony Remarks
Dr. Suzanne Smith, SUNY Potsdam President May 20, 2023
Office of the President
Suzanne Smith, Ph.D.Dr. Suzanne Smith is SUNY Potsdam's 18th president, and joined the campus in April 2023.
Service Learning
Take a class and combine your learning with volunteer work in the local community! Students can find Service Learning courses in the Class Schedule by searching for the Attribute "service learning" - they're all coded so you can find them!
Fresh Air. Open Minds.
Take a deep breath. Your future is in your hands, and it looks pretty bright to us. There is no better place to find your calling right now than SUNY Potsdam. Here, you can get the traditional liberal arts experience in a small creative campus community—for a public university price. All in a tightknit and supportive environment, in the shadow of the Adirondacks. And yes, we offer transfer scholarships of $3,000 to $5,000.
Minor in Wilderness Education
Take the expedition approach to higher education! The Wilderness Education Minor is specialized preparation for motivated individuals to become tomorrow's leaders.
Protecting the Majestic Grey Crowned Cranes
Taking flight like the endangered birds she studies, Dr. Bridget Amulike launched an inspiring career as a conservation biologist, educator, and researcher—traveling back and forth between the U.S. and Tanzania to explore the relationship between humans and grey crowned cranes.
Talented & Committed Faculty
Talented & Committed Faculty:Our voice faculty is comprised of professionals who have attended prestigious music programs and performed in many of the major venues of the world:
Natalia Anapolis ’20
With a tank of air on her back and fins on her feet, Natalia Anapolis ’20 stepped into the Coral Sea off the coast of Australia. Suspended in an underwater world with creatures she had never seen before, Anapolis explored the Great Barrier Reef and marveled at the rays of light refracting throughout the water. The scuba diving adventure was a completely new experience for her—foreshadowing her work in Australia over the next few weeks as she stepped into a classroom for her first time as a student teacher.
New Ways to Think About Success
Dr. Tasia White ’12 has a newly minted Ed.D. and passion for transforming how people view their own professional success. She wants them to be fulfilled by their work, and that part is trickier than some think.
Topical Areas
The Task Force will be looking at data from a variety of sources in five main topical areas. In addition to written statements from key stakeholders, we will also be conducting informational interviews.