Left to right: Dr. Virginia S. Horvath and Dr. David Fountaine, ’79, ‘89
Dear Alumni and Friends,
Though the cold, snowy weather has returned to Fredonia, we are excited to report that the activity on campus continues to sizzle.
It was a whirlwind fall semester, with Dr. Horvath beginning as Fredonia’s 13th president last July, and Dr. Fountaine beginning his new, three-year term as Fredonia Alumni Association President on Jan. 1. The campus also reached several key milestones – encompassing academic, brick-and-mortar, and administrative projects – that clearly show this dynamic institution is on course to an even brighter future.
The new Science Center, which the construction team began to “tent” in early December to facilitate interior construction during these winter months, is on schedule to meet its 2014 completion target. The formal opening of this 92,000-square-foot facility will be a transformative event for scientific study, research, and teacher preparation at SUNY Fredonia.
The Williams Center re-opened to rave reviews in August, following a two-phase renovation (see p. 22). A warm, welcoming atmosphere now greets visitors at the facility where valuable extra-curricular learning and social activities occur every day. Our state-of-the-art Fitness Center, to further enhance the quality of student life and health, will also open early this semester in Dods Hall.
A new chapter at the Rockefeller Arts Center will begin this January when bids are opened for a 40,000-square-foot addition. This new space will feature the learning spaces that are behind the scenes of the works you see on stage and in the gallery: dance studios, ceramics and sculpture studios, rehearsal spaces, administrative offices, and renovated areas for computer-assisted design.
Construction of student townhouses along Ring Road, anticipated to start this spring, will bring apartment-style living to the campus. Arranged in a cluster, six residence buildings plus a common building for group activities will accommodate 196 students and help satisfy the growing need for independent living on campus, beginning in Fall 2014.
We are also delighted to report that Maytum Hall’s long-awaited re-opening has arrived. New windows are the major outward change, but its interior has been redesigned and equipped with new electrical, air handling, safety and technology systems. Administrators and their staffs who were relocated to other facilities will undoubtedly agree that the three-year renovation was well worth it. And current students–who have seen only the
exterior due to the construction–are looking forward to the views from the upper floors.
Some major leadership changes are underway as well. Stephen Schillo joined us in January as the new Vice President for Finance and Administration. In addition, Dr. Terry Brown was selected as the new Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs and will begin on July 1. You can read more about these two new Cabinet members on the facing page.
Fredonia also welcomes more than 40 new South Korean students this semester as we continue a 1+3 program with Hankuk University of Foreign Studies. International enrollment continues to be a priority, as roughly 200 international students currently contribute to Fredonia’s total student body – a figure we hope to see double in the next few years.
With progress on implementing the Power of Fredonia strategic plan, exploring new programs, and engaging students in an array of campus and community activities, SUNY Fredonia is clearly an exciting place to be this semester! We hope you’ll take time to enjoy this issue, visit campus when you can, and let us know how we can help you stay connected.
Sincerely,
Dr. Virginia S. Horvath; President, SUNY Fredonia
Dr. David Fountaine, ’79, ‘89; President, Fredonia Alumni Association
