SUNY Brockport inaugurates sixth president

Wearing the insignia of his office, Dr. John R. Halstead posed for photographs following the inauguration on April 7 and then proceeded to the welcoming reception in his honor.

SUNY Brockport inaugurates sixth president

There was incessant rain outside on the village campus, but the official beginning of a new chapter at the State University of New York at Brockport were not dampened by the weather but began with full regalia and festive spirits inside Tuttle North gymnasium as Dr. John R. Halstead was inaugurated as the college’s sixth president Friday afternoon, April 7.

Dr. Halstead has been serving in the capacity of president since last August, but the official ceremony provided the forum for the college leader to present to the public the learning institution’s core mission: Celebrating Student Success.

Several hundred attendees, including students, faculty, alumni, political officials, family and many friends witnessed a program of congratulatory speeches, music provided by the Brockport College-Community Chorus and the Brockport Gospel Choir and dance provided by the undergraduate and graduate students of the college’s reknowned Department of Dance.

After the investiture by SUNY Chancellor John R. Ryan, Dr. Halstead spoke about the six initiatives he believes are crucial to achieving the college’s mission. As part of emblems of quality focus, the college will pursue accreditation in all disciplines for which it is eligible and will study the creation of the first-ever endowed professorships. Halstead spoke of establishing a priority funding process to “buy back” faculty positions cut in recent years. In addition, the college leader talked about support for the Lake Ontario Resource Center at the Port of Rochester and ramping up of the public information campaign in the area to continue to build SUNY Brockport’s reputation.

Some comments from his speech include: “It is a time of renewal for this college and me. … My message is student success. … I’ve been doing a lot of observing and listening. Our first priority is student success. … Always strive for continuous improvement. As president, I need to walk the walk; I need your help in that. … Diversity is everyone’s business; diversity is everyone’s business (repeated for emphasis). Diversity and excellence go hand-in-hand.”

In his comments, Brockport Student Government President James A. Bruce brought a ripple of laughter from the crowd when he adapted an advertising slogan for use in the moment: “You are in good hands with Halstead!”