\\ The Presidency of Donald P. Christian \\
Leading SUNY New Paltz Forward, 2010-2022
Engagement and investment in the College and its students
![Hot Chocolate with the President](/media/president/images/hot-chocolate.jpg)
Established the popular “Hot Chocolate with the President” conversation series as a way to engage with students and respond to their questions, often in residence halls or other student settings. Also established the “President’s Roundtable” series as a way of bringing successful alumni and other leaders together with current students to discuss career and life choices.
![Campaign for SUNY New Paltz celebration](/media/president/images/campaign.jpg)
Supported the College’s first-ever fund-raising campaign, Soaring Higher: The Campaign for SUNY New Paltz, which to date has raised millions to provide opportunities, educational access and expanded possibilities for New Paltz students.
![President Christian at Convocation ceremony](/media/president/images/convocation.jpg)
Oversaw a reimagining of the annual Convocation tradition, adding a more celebratory, student-centered approach to our exercises welcoming new students to the campus community.
![NCAA Division III championship](/media/president/images/basketball-championship.jpg)
Led the College during one of the most successful sustained runs in Athletics history, including 20 conference championships and two NCAA Division III championships during his tenure.
![Alumni Council](/media/president/images/alumni-council.jpg)
Supported and guided a task force and made key decisions to expand outreach and better engage alumni across the country and around the world. Actions included forming a new Alumni Association and Alumni Council and heightened protection of College trademarks and branding identity.
![President Christian at Memorial Day Wreath Laying Ceremony](/media/president/images/veterans-ceremony.jpg)
Initiated expanded services and support for veteran, dependent and active military students, including the 2014 creation of the Office of Veteran & Military Services and hiring of the College’s first coordinator of veteran services. Enrollment of military-affiliated students at New Paltz has risen from about 75 students to more than 400 since that office was created, and new traditions honoring members of military communities – including our annual Memorial Day Wreath Laying Ceremony and our Veterans Day Dining In – have been established.
![President Christian and his wife](/media/president/images/scholarship.jpg)
With Sandra Christian, established President Donald P. and Sandra K. Christian Research Scholarship Endowment Fund to support student research.
![Student Art display](/media/president/images/student-art.jpg)
Established practice of selecting and displaying student art in public areas of the President’s Residence