MIDDLETOWN, N.Y. – The SUNY Orange Board of Trustees administered the Oath of Office to newly appointed Trustee Wilbur Higgins on Wednesday (Feb. 19) after Higgins was appointed to the Board by Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus and approved by the Orange County Legislature.

A resident of Newburgh, Higgins was administered the Oath of Office by Board Chair Tom Weddell. Higgins’ appointment runs through June 30, 2026.

For more than 50 years, Higgins has served in official and volunteer capacities in and around the City of Newburgh, supporting the operation of youth recreation programs, developing and beautifying open spaces in the City, and renovating community facilities to be used by residents of all ages.

He twice served in the City of Newburgh’s Recreation Department, providing 30 years of leadership as recreation leader and recreation director. In 1980, he created the Newburgh Youth Bureau and served as its director for six years, also overseeing the rehabilitation of the former Montgomery Ward Catalog Store on Broadway into space for the Youth Bureau. He also was involved in rehabilitation of the Stanwick Coil Building on Lander Street for use as a youth center, and participated in construction of the Hasbrouck Street playground, Xavier Lunan Park and Mayor Audrey Carey Family Park.

Higgins partnered in the creation of the Frank Masterson Memorial Fishing Facility for senior citizens, veterans and those with handicaps. He coordinated construction of the Activity Center at Delano-Hitch Park, as well as upgrades to the Delano-Hitch baseball complex, the Anne Delano-Hitch Aquatic Center and the Delano-Hitch Park soccer facility. He was also actively involved in the development of the Newburgh Landing and the Washington Street Boat Launch.

Higgins serves on the boards of the Newburgh Armory Unity Center, Anne F. Bourne Memorial Fund, Meals on Wheels of Greater Newburgh and the Greater Newburgh Parks Conservancy. He is a past member of the New York State Parks and Recreation Association, Newburgh Optimist Club and the St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital Board of Directors.