MIDDLETOWN, N.Y. – In celebration of its historic 75th anniversary, SUNY Orange announces three distinct headline events that will take place on the weekend of May 16-18: an alumni and friends of the College reunion at the Middletown campus on May 16, a formal gala at West Hills Country Club on May 17 and an anniversary breakfast with tours on the Newburgh campus on May 18, each highlighting the profound impact the institution has had on the community and its students.

Founded on June 9, 1950, SUNY Orange has transformed the lives of thousands by providing accessible opportunities for enrichment, exceptional academic programs, and pathways to meaningful employment while fostering lifelong learning.

“In this year of celebrating our 75^th anniversary, where we’ve held a variety of events primarily for our College community and alumni, the weekend of May 16-18 is where we bring everything and everyone together in tribute to our long history of transforming lives,” said SUNY Orange president Dr. Kristine Young. “We’ll welcome alumni, retirees and friends to a reunion on Friday, join with our broader community partners and supporters for a grand gala on Saturday night, and celebrate the history and future of our Newburgh campus on Sunday morning.

“I want to thank our 75^th Anniversary Planning Committee for the work it has already done, and the work it will continue to do as we approach both the weekend in May and our actual 75th birthday in June. Also, we greatly appreciate the support of the staff and board members of SUNY Orange Foundation and Alumni Relations who have been strengthening connections to our alumni this past year and are assuring that these three upcoming signature events will appropriately honor SUNY Orange’s past.”

The Friday evening reunion will highlight the many ground-breaking achievements of SUNY Orange and will be held across several buildings on the Middletown campus from 5 to 8 p.m. Each location will be themed to highlight a specific era of its three-quarter century timeline and include exhibits of period memorabilia. This occasion will include live presentations while promoting the chance to reconnect and reminisce.

The festivities continue on Saturday, May 17, with a gala held from 6 to 10 p.m. at the West Hills Country Club. Guests will enjoy an exciting array of entertainment, dining, and guest speakers. A short video will be presented--created from messages provided by alumni, current and retired staff members, students, and esteemed supporters. The evening will culminate with music and dancing.

The Newburgh campus will host a brunch from 10 a.m. to noon in Kaplan Hall on Sunday, May 18. Attendees are welcome to participate in a guided tour to learn more about the key role that Newburgh will play in the future of Orange County Community College and the community.

The SUNY Orange 75th Anniversary Committee is overseeing the College’s yearlong celebrations, led by Executive Director for Communications Mike Albright and Education Professor Elizabeth Tarvin as co-chairs. The committee includes a dedicated team of volunteers from various departments and the SUNY Orange Foundation. The College is inviting the community to participate and support this historic occasion with their attendance, by sharing experiences or making donations. Donors will be contributing to physical and technological improvements ensuring the legacy of SUNY Orange continues to inspire future generations.

To emphasize the anniversary theme of “Transforming Lives for 75 Years,” opportunities to commemorate this significant moment include creating and sharing personal video messages of how SUNY Orange transformed your life using Tribute or Kudoboard. Prompts and recording instructions are available on the SUNY Orange Foundation website (https://www.sunyorangefoundation.org/75th-anniversary-gala). These stories will be available to view individually, and some will be included in the abovementioned short-length video shown at the anniversary celebrations and archived.

For those who would like to make a one-time or recurring financial contribution that will help ensure the success and growth of future Orange County Community College alumni, please visit www.sunyorangefoundation.org/75th-anniversary or contact SUNY Orange Foundation Executive Director Dawn Ansbro by email at dawnansbro@sunyorange.edu or by phone at (845) 341-4337.