IN THIS ISSUE:

• A message to the Class of 2020 from NY Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul
• Commencement Countdown: Got your swag yet?
• Biology team's research points to new possibilities for protecting freshwater ecosystems
• A fond farewell to Martha Tait-Watkins, retiring after 20 years of exemplary service
• VIDEO: Art Education senior taking each day "Ten Seconds at a Time"
• Remembering Richard Hathaway, long-time professor of English
• Tonight: Biology faculty talks viruses on Rosendale Theatre-hosted panel
• Community Pandemic Blog: A poem and reflection for educators
• Online fitness community, let your voice be heard: Survey on summer wellness programs
• Coronavirus updates
• The latest from media

News from around campus

VIDEO: A message to the Class of 2020 from Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul
"Use your newly acquired education and your passion to be a catalyst, to shape our post-pandemic society into one that promotes generosity, love and kindness"

Virtual Commencement is Friday! Did you get your swag yet?
Click above for templates and instructions for a DIY Mortarboard, a SUNY New Paltz Commencement Pennant, campus photo backgrounds and more!

Biology team's research points to new possibilities for keeping freshwater ecosystems healthy
Faculty-student collaboration leads to publication in peer-reviewed journal

Martha Tait-Watkins retiring after 20 years of exemplary service
Current immigration information coordinator has supported students in roles at the Career Resource Center and Schools of Education and Business

Obituary: Dr. Richard Hathaway, former professor of English
Remembering a scholar and activist who passed away earlier this year

Community Pandemic Blog

Embracing and Avoiding the Void in the Time of COVID-19
By Jack Candido ’21g (Adolescence Education: English)

A poem and reflective advice for educators in times of global crisis and pandemic

Use this link to read more about this project and submit.

Resources for teaching, learning and living

Viruses: What they are and how they spread
Today, May 19, at 7 p.m. on Facebook Live
Maureen Morrow, professor of biology, joins a panel event hosted by the Rosendale Theatre, to be paired with a home viewing of the 2011 film "Contagion"

The semester may be over, but virtual fitness classes are still going strong!
Offerings Monday and Friday mornings through May 29

Would you like to see online fitness continue in June? Fill this quick survey to let us know
Class leaders are planning summer schedules now, and looking for input from virtual exercisers in our community

Professional development and training opportunities

Onboarding sessions begin today: Get ready to build a blended learning course in Blackboard
Instructional Technology staff will walk faculty through the training syllabus and objectives
Today, May 19, and Thursday, May 21, from 12 - 1 p.m.

Webinar: National Endowment for the Humanities Summer Stipends program, May 20 at 2 p.m.
NEH awards support advanced research for a period of two consecutive months

Call for proposals: SUNY Faculty Development Conference, Oct. 19 & 20
Conference theme is "Teaching and Learning for Student Success"; submit by May 20

Coronavirus updates

May 19 report on confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the campus community
No new cases to report as of 4 p.m. yesterday

The latest from media

Local officials across NY state see federal aid as priority, Benjamin Center survey finds
Elected leaders express concerns about municipal revenue losses
Daily Freeman, 5/16/20

LETTER: SUNY needs federal help to recover from economic crisis
A call to aid institutions that provide needed services and employment
Daily Freeman, 5/14/20

From our community

Daily Digest readers: We want to hear from you! 

• Have important news to share with the SUNY New Paltz community?
• Developed an innovative solution to improve remote teaching and learning?
• Figured out a lifehack to help yourself stay positive?
• Want to share a photograph with friends and colleagues?