SUNY Plaza Building to be Lit in Blue, White, and Red Following the Notre Dame Cathedral Fire
April 16, 2019
Albany – Chancellor Kristina M. Johnson announced today that following Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s lead in the wake of the Notre Dame Cathedral fire, The State University of New York’s historic building in downtown Albany will be lit in the colors of the French flag.
"The Notre Dame Cathedral is a world treasure, and yesterday’s fire and the resulting damage caused immeasurable loss to us all," said SUNY Chancellor Johnson. "I had the honor of visiting this historic and religious site, and was immediately moved by its universal significance. And, as someone passionate about design, I was amazed by its structural innovation and gothic architecture."
"Our building will light tonight in blue, white, and red to support the people of France and the Catholic community. We are thankful that Notre Dame still stands today, and we are filled with hope that one day soon it will rise again to its full glory," she said.
About SUNY Plaza
The SUNY System Administration building, formerly occupied by Delaware & Hudson Railroad, was completed between 1915 and 1917, replacing a large railroad yard, trains, and bridge with the more attractive plaza and surrounding buildings that exist today. SUNY moved into the main building in 1978 and into what is known as the Federal Building in 1980.
About the State University of New York
The State University of New York is the largest comprehensive system of higher education in the United States, and more than 95 percent of all New Yorkers live within 30 miles of any one of SUNY’s 64 colleges and universities. Across the system, SUNY has four academic health centers, five hospitals, four medical schools, two dental schools, a law school, the country’s oldest school of maritime, the state’s only college of optometry, and manages one US Department of Energy National Laboratory. In total, SUNY serves about 1.4 million students amongst its entire portfolio of credit- and non-credit-bearing courses and programs, continuing education, and community outreach programs. SUNY oversees nearly a quarter of academic research in New York. Research expenditures system-wide are nearly $1.1 billion in fiscal year 2023, including significant contributions from students and faculty. There are more than three million SUNY alumni worldwide, and one in three New Yorkers with a college degree is a SUNY alum. To learn more about how SUNY creates opportunities, visit suny.edu.
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Holly Liapis
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