Success. Influence.
Giving Back.

More than 20,000 alumni were eligible. Finalists were chosen from a group of 139 nominees who found success in various fields, including education, the arts, science, technology, medicine, media and government. The chosen 40 alumni under the age of 40 earned an undergraduate, graduate or certificate of advanced study degree from the College and were honored at a June event at Novella's in New Paltz.

“40 Under Forty reminded our alumni that we are interested in what they are doing beyond graduation and we are aware of the difference they are making in the world,” said alumna and Director of Alumni Relations Shana Circe ’02 ’08g. “While we hope our recognized alumni find fulfillment in their ongoing relationship with the College, we know that our students are the ones who will benefit most as they look to them for inspiration, mentorship and support.”

While many of the honorees are doing precisely the kinds of things one might predict from their major, from biology majors who became medical doctors, to international relations majors who work in the foreign service, it is no secret that students will end up doing things in their lives and careers that they never imagined based on the content knowledge of their major. This speaks to the broad and immense potential of a strong liberal arts education embodied by many of the 40 Under Forty honorees, such as: the 2000 philosophy major who is now a senior economic development official in county government; another philosophy major who is now a senior software engineer with Microsoft; a 2012 graduate with an English major who is now a gender equity coordinator for the New York City Department of Education; and a 2000 Black Studies major who is now a defense products liability attorney.

In addition to a strong liberal arts core, there is a longstanding commitment at New Paltz to social equity, environmental justice, and other causes bigger than the students themselves. There is a common focus on leaving the world better than they found it on local, regional, national or global scales. It comes as no surprise that many of the College’s alumni honorees demonstrate these commitments in their careers, such as: the fourth-year medical student who taught community health workers and farmers how to utilize computers in South Africa, and serves as a mentor for an organization created to increase diversity among U.S. physicians; a clinical psychologist at the Army Public Health Center and director of the Center for Trauma, Stress and Anxiety; and the director of the Teacher Advocacy Center at a major public university.

These are just a few examples of the diverse pathways, impressive contributions, and good work that made the 40 Under Forty honorees exceptional nominees.

See the complete list of honorees below and visit www.newpaltz.edu/40underforty to read more about all 40 of the College's distinguished alumni.

For more photos from the event, please visit the online gallery.