SUNY Launches Dolores Wharton Lecture Series

Albany – The State University of New York today announced a new lecture series named in honor of Mrs. Dolores Wharton, whose generous gift supports the series.  Mrs. Wharton is the wife of Dr. Clifton R. Wharton, who served as SUNY chancellor from 1978-87.  The Dolores Wharton Lecture Series will cover a variety of topics related to higher education policy and is administered by the Office of the SUNY Provost.    

“Helping to advance policy discussions on higher education is extremely important given the economic crisis,” said Mrs. Wharton.  “The goal of the series is to spark debate and scholarly inquiry into critical issues confronting SUNY and the state.”

Dr. Gerald Benjamin, Distinguished Professor and Associate Vice President for Regional Engagement and Director of the Center for Research, Regional Education and Outreach (CRREO) at SUNY New Paltz, will give the first lecture.

“Thanks to the generous gift of Dolores Wharton, we are able to present an informative and insightful lecture series on higher education policy,” said SUNY Vice Chancellor and Officer-in-Charge John J. O’Connor. “Having a scholar of the stature and accomplishments of SUNY New Paltz Distinguished Professor Gerald Benjamin provide the inaugural lecture is most appropriate and we look forward to his insights.” 

“This lecture series, thanks to the support of Dolores Wharton, further emphasizes the critical role SUNY plays as a leading institution of public higher education," said SUNY Provost Risa I. Palm.  "Encouraging intellectual inquiry and informed discussion is at the core of the University's mission.”

Dr. Benjamin’s lecture will address how applied regional research and SUNY can be mutually supportive.

“SUNY already makes extraordinary contributions to New York State and its communities, and -- acting in an integrated manner as a system -- is situated to be even more effective,” said Professor Benjamin. “It is especially gratifying to be asked to initiate a series conceived by and named for Dolores Wharton, whom I knew during her years in Albany.”

About the Center for Research, Regional Education and Outreach

Independently and in collaboration with local governments, business and not-for-profits in the Hudson Valley, the Center for Research, Regional Education and Outreach’s (CRREO) research mission is to: conduct studies on topics of regional interest; bring visibility and focus to these matters; foster communities working together to better serve citizenry; and advance the public interest in our region. 

This new center can serve as a model for other SUNY campuses and for SUNY System Administration in addressing longstanding issues on how to best support regional governance and development needs while, at the same time, doing so within the context of the University’s mission. What resources are needed? What outcomes can we expect?  Can SUNY coordinate a statewide network of similar centers? How do we measure success?

About Professor Benjamin

Benjamin, who joined the New Paltz faculty as an Assistant Professor of Political Science in 1968, achieved the University's highest rank in 2002 when he was appointed Distinguished Professor by the SUNY Board of Trustees. He served as Chair of the Department of Political Science, Presiding Officer of the faculty and (for twelve years beginning in 1996) Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is the largest, most complex academic unit at SUNY New Paltz. During Benjamin's time as dean, the faculty of the College grew in numbers and diversity and underwent extensive renewal. Additionally, the College was placed on sound organizational and financial footing, and numerous major and minor programs were added and/or revitalized. Among the most notable was the interdisciplinary major in Asian Studies.

Associate Vice President Benjamin earned a B.A. with distinction from St. Lawrence University. His Masters (1967) and Doctoral (1970) degrees in Political Science are from Columbia University.

About the State University of New York

The State University of New York is the largest comprehensive university system in the United States, educating nearly 440,000 students in 7,669 degree and certificate programs on 64 campuses. To learn more about how SUNY creates opportunity, visit www.suny.edu 

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Event details:

Date:    Tuesday, March 17

Time:    Noon- 1 PM

Place:   Boardroom, SUNY Plaza, SUNY System Administration, Albany NY

The lecture is open to the public and free of charge.