LOCH SHELDRAKE – Retired professor of 37 years, Arthur Riegal, achieved Emeritus status at the SUNY Sullivan Board of Trustees regular meeting on September 15.

Riegal began his career at the college in 1985 and officially retired from teaching on August 31 of this year.

During his time at SUNY Sullivan, Riegal served as the Bursar, respective Faculties and Facilities Coordinator in the Culinary Arts Department, Department Chair and professor.

“I’ve learned a lot from our students. I have been honored to teach my own boomer generation when I was younger,” Riegal said before the Board. “Gen X, Gen Y, Gen Z…we might not understand the next generation… but that does not mean they’re not right. Learn from one another.” 

Riegal received a framed copy of the resolution passed by the Board in which his Emeritus status was approved and finalized.

Progressing on into the meeting after a round of applause for Riegal, Vice-Chair Dr. Terry Hamlin gave the Chairman’s Report. 

In addition to welcoming the newest Faculty Council Representative before the Board, Assistant Professor Chana Epstein, Dr. Hamlin acknowledged with gratitude for Speaker of the NY State Assembly Carl Heastie and Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther’s previously announced support in $700,000 for the SUNY Sullivan Nursing programs.

Dr. Hamlin also gave praise to the Director of the Nursing Programs, Dr. Chyrise Taylor, saying she, Dr. Hackett, and other Trustees were “very proud of Dr. Taylor and her team” and that “she [Dr. Taylor] is very much committed to the program.”

According to Dr. Hamlin, the Nursing Programs are sitting on the idea of expanding the simulation lab and updating medical practice mannequins with the newly acquired funds.

Following Dr. Hamlin was SUNY Sullivan President Jay Quaintance with the President’s Report.

Quaintance gave updates on various points regarding the college, including enrollment rate goals and the Promise Scholarship.

Quaintance told the Board that the college was “not complete” in their enrollment process, and they are still waiting for the high school and the Hudson Link program enrollment data. Quaintance stated that the college is currently at 70 percent of their enrollment goal.

“We are still expecting to see growth and we are pretty optimistic that we are going to come very, very close, if not exceed our goal for the fall,” Quaintance said.

Regarding the Promise Scholarship, the college has received 146 applicants.

The Promise Scholarship provides Sullivan County residents who earned a high school diploma or GED in 2022 an opportunity to receive free tuition and fees at the college.

Before adjourning the meting, the Board entered into executive session to discuss a “legal issue.”