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Persevering Through the Pandemic

The past year will go down in history as one of the most challenging times of our lives. From weekly pooled saliva testing, to major shifts in the way classes have operated—The global pandemic has affected the entire SUNY Potsdam community!

With the Spring 2021 semester in the books, we take a look back at the moments that showcased our strength, unity and perseverance during the global pandemic.

Morgan Gregg '20 returns a turtle to its habitat in SUNY Potsdam's Stowell Hall during the Spring 2020 semester. Gregg was on hand to make sure that dozen of creatures in an otherwise empty building at SUNY Potsdam were alive, fed and even snuggled during the pause in campus activities due to COVID-19. 

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Assistant Professor of Geology Page Quinton speaks with her students remotely from her home after all classes were moved online during the Spring 2020 semester.

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Shortly after COVID-19 moved classes online in the Spring 2020 semester, Dr. Lily Li, an associate professor of physics, was busy making face shields and mask strap holders with 3D printers in her office in Timerman Hall .

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Stretching skyward from the tiny studio at the back of her Potsdam home, Rivka Rocchio, an assistant professor of theatre, uses her phone to record yoga techniques for her students. Her routine—like with every other professor and student at SUNY Potsdam—shifted inward in the wake of the COVID-19, and the social distancing that followed.

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SUNY Potsdam President Kristin Esterberg, right, delivers balloons to graduating senior Logan Barkley at her home in Madrid, N.Y. Esterberg visited the homes of graduating seniors in Canton, Madrid, Potsdam and Norwood before the College's 2020 virtual Commencement ceremony.

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Krista LaVack, the director of international education and programs at SUNY Potsdam, helps to distribute food through the USDA Coronavirus Farmers to Families Food Box Programa partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to offer meal boxes for any household within the Potsdam community.

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As Assistant Professor of Geology Page Quinton was gearing up for the Fall 2020 semester, she made a visit to the North Country Children’s Museum where she spoke with children about rocks and fossils, and showed them a replica of a T. Rex skull (1/4 size) from SUNY Potsdam’s Geology Museum.

At the beginning of the Fall 2020 semester, Liam O’ Neil ‘24, a freshman on the men’s lacrosse team, carries a bag of mulch as part of a volunteer project to make improvements in downtown Potsdam.

Amidst the pandemic, the Black Lives Matter movement brought together SUNY Potsdam students, faculty and staff for a series of rallies in downtown Potsdam. Pictured: Mal Brewster ’23, a student at SUNY Potsdam’s Crane School of Music, helped to lead one protest through downtown Potsdam.

At the beginning of the Fall 2020 semester, the men’s and women’s volleyball teams moved their practice from Maxcy Hall to the outdoor volleyball court.

Lydia von Hof '23, a sophomore pursuing a degree in music business, moves into her dorm with the help of her father, Gary von Hof, at the beginning of the Fall 2020 semester.

Although computer science students worked remotely during the Fall 2020 semester, Ciara Herrera ’21 made a special appearance in the computer science lab to help produce a video to promote the computer science program.

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 Riley Notarthomas ’23, right, joins other students in the Wilderness education program for a backpacking trip in the White Hill Forest. Fall 2020 semester

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Abbie Yaeger '23, a double major in music education and music performance at SUNY Potsdam's Crane School of Music, drums on stage at Hosmer Hall with The Crane Latin Ensemble. Spring 2021 semester.

Vincenzo Bonaiuto '23, left, a double major in biology and environmental studies, and Haley Harris ‘23, a double major in biology and adolescent education, harvest honey from the hive during their sustainable agriculture class in SUNY Potsdam's WISER Greenhouse. Fall 2020 semester

Anastasia Ivanova ’22 enjoys the 70-degree weather while slacklining on campus during the Fall 2020 semester. Ivanova is pursuing a double major in geology and environmental studies with minors in GIS and wilderness education.

Liv Gonia ’22, a studio art major at SUNY Potsdam, gets a beverage from the new Starbucks at 'Dacks in the Barrington Student Union as the Spring 2020 Semester gone underway.

Karina Schaupp '23, right, who is pursuing a degree in music education, works in the Academic Quad with her friend Gillian Julien '23, a double major in music business and music performance.

Sports resumed during the Spring 2021 semester, but with no fans. In this photo, Alec Miller '22 moves the ball up the field during the Potsdam Bears' 13-6 win over Plattsburgh.

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Allison Dubbioso '23, uses a microscope in her biological concepts class during the Spring 2021 semester.

Photos by Jason Hunter