SUNY Chancellor King Visits the Great New York State Fair
August 27, 2026
Visit Highlights Participating SUNY Campuses and Free Admission for SUNY Students on Student Youth Day
Albany, NY – State University of New York Chancellor John B. King Jr. today visited the Great New York State Fair on Student Youth Day. For the first time, current SUNY students with a valid student ID card or incoming SUNY students with an admission letter are receiving free admission on Student Youth Day. SUNY campuses are also showcasing agriculture, battery technologies, healthcare, and more.
"It is a pleasure to see so many SUNY students and campuses taking part this year to celebrate our great state,” said SUNY Chancellor King. "The State Fair gives communities throughout the state opportunities to have fun in the sun and to learn about New York's agricultural leadership and history. SUNY is proud to continue to partner with the Great New York State Fair and have our campuses participate and support this program."
The SUNY Board of Trustees said, "SUNY is proud to join The Great New York State Fair to bring together people from all over New York for an opportunity to celebrate and learn about our state. We thank Governor Hochul for providing opportunities for SUNY students to attend The Great New York State Fair for free and learn more about what New York has to offer."
Since 1841, the New York State Fair has been a celebration of agricultural heritage and community, filled with performances, exhibits, competitions, food, and family friendly fun. SUNY has a long-standing connection with the Great New York State Fair, with campuses regularly participating with booths, farm animals and equipment, cutting edge research projects, and chances to learn more about opportunities on campus.
During his visit, Chancellor King highlighted SUNY campuses participating in the 2026 Great New York State Fair including:
- The State University of New York at Binghamton is hosting a booth showcasing the work of the National Science Foundation Energy Storage Engine to advance the development of battery technologies.
- SUNY Cobleskill Ag & Tech is hosting an Agriculture Career Day, featuring an electrical circuit building activity, and tractors to promote the JD Tech program. SUNY Cobleskill Ag & Tech is also hosting a daily display in the Future Farmers of America Tent with program literature and machinery components.
- SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) is hosting hands-on STEM activities from August 26 through September 4 on topics including engineering, chemistry, invasive species, and the American chestnut tree restoration project.
- SUNY College of Optometry, in partnership with SUNY Upstate Medical University, will conduct vision screenings on Sept. 2, to highlight the new SUNY Optometry extension campus at SUNY Upstate, which opens in 2027.
- SUNY Upstate Medical University's Mobile Mammography Van will provide screenings at the fair on Sept. 2 and 3 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. SUNY Upstate's She Matters breast cancer screening support program will also be meeting at the same times, as well as its Pathway (Promoting Access to Training in Healthcare) program that will highlight ways the campus can help prepare individuals for careers in medicine. The campus will also be staffing the infirmary at the fair.
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, 12 Educational Opportunity Centers, over 30 ATTAIN digital literacy labs, and manages one US Department of Energy National Laboratory. In total, SUNY serves about 1.7 million students across its 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 $1.5 billion in fiscal year 2025, including significant contributions from students and faculty. There are more than three million SUNY alumni worldwide, and annually one in three New Yorkers who earn 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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