Paul Smith’s College celebrating 75 years
The 75th anniversary of Paul Smith’s College is underway this week as the “college of the Adirondacks” celebrates its position as one of the iconic educational institutions in Northern New York.
Phelps Smith, son of (Apollos) Paul Smith who passed in 1937, founded the college through his bequest. It was his father Paul who built the Paul Smith’s Hotel in 1859, one of the first resorts in the Adirondacks.
The college’s first class matriculated in 1946. Two and four-year degrees are offered in environmental sciences, hospitality, forestry, business, and a new Master’s degree in natural resource management rounds out the academic offerings. Most recently, it has committed to a sport and education initiative whereby PSC has developed official working relationships with USA Nordic and US Biathlon. Student/athletes in those sports can attend PSC, train right outside their dorm rooms, and simultaneously pursue an education.
Paul Smith’s College has an international impact as some 14,000 graduates live in all 50 American states and abroad. The school is active in recruiting youth to their Adirondack campus, and retaining some of them as productive members of the North Country community. In this endeavor, the college contributes over $67 million to the regional economy.
“The 75th anniversary of Paul Smith’s College is a wonderful milestone celebrating its many educational, cultural and social contributions to the Adirondack Region,” said Senator Dan Stec. “The visionary founder whose generosity led to the college’s creation, and many others who through the years have supported and expanded the college’s mission in countless ways, is a tremendous legacy that will be built on in the decades ahead. I am honored to represent this incredible college and to advocate on its behalf in our State Capitol.”
Senator Stec officially proclaimed July 18-25 as Paul Smith’s College 75th Anniversary Celebration. In conjunction, PSC Alumni Reunion Weekend, canceled in 2020 due to the pandemic, takes place July 23-25. It tees off with a golf tournament Friday morning at Saranac Inn Golf Club. Many activities include an ice cream social Friday evening, alumni association meeting Saturday morning, a campus tour, woodsmen’s competition, silent auction and live music. Sunday’s wind-down features a gathering of the Phelps Smith Society, an alumni Board of Directors meeting, and concludes at 1:00 with a tour of the Hotel Saranac or the site of the future “Hoyt Peroni Memorial Forest”.
“I look forward to celebrating this milestone, and would like to thank our entire campus community, from our current students, faculty and staff to our alumni and staunch supporters, who have helped to shape Paul Smith’s College into the experiential education leader it is today,” said President Scott Dalrymple. “We have big plans for the next 75 years.”
To mark the occasion, Paul Smith’s College has created a beautiful, 36-page commemorative publication to be distributed this week in the Adirondack Daily Enterprise, Lake Placid News, Plattsburgh Press-Republican and Tupper Lake Free Press. PSC alums will receive this document in digital format.
At Paul Smith’s College, it’s about the experience. As the only four-year institution of higher education located in the Adirondack Park in upstate New York, Paul Smith’s provides real-world, hands-on learning in fields such as business and hospitality, culinary management, forestry, environmental sciences and natural resources. We are able to draw on industries and resources available in our own backyard while preparing students for successful careers anywhere. Our community of resourceful, enterprising, supportive and adventurous individuals collectively provide experiential education, student support in the classroom and beyond, and meaningful opportunities for our alumni. We pride ourselves on research and advocacy on issues that improve our planet and the lives of the people who inhabit it. Learn more at paulsmiths.edu »
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