SUNY Orange, or Orange County Community College, is a two-year college in the State University of New York (SUNY) system offering almost 40 associate degrees and certificate programs. As SUNY Orange is a part of the SUNY system, students from SUNY Orange may "seamlessly transfer" their credits to any other SUNY institution to continue towards other degrees, including Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science and master's degrees. SUNY Orange also has many articulation agreements with four-year institutions outside of the SUNY system. The college has two campuses in Middletown, New York and in Newburgh, New York. The college also offers additional courses at satellite campuses in Warwick, Port Jervis, and Central Valley.
The college is one of the top ten two-year nursing colleges in the SUNY system. SUNY Orange is accredited by Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. The College employs an open enrollment policy in which any student who applies for admittance to the College is accepted.
SUNY Orange also provides a wide array of non-credit classes for community members seeking personal enrichment, career advancement, technical or professional certifications or additional training. SUNY Orange has been certified as a Military Friendly school since 2012.
History
In 1945 Orange County did not have a college. Except for the military academy at West Point and what would become SUNY New Paltz, there was no college on the west side of the Hudson River from New York City to the state capital at Albany. The research for a permanent college began after World War II in 1948, and a site needed to be chosen for the college.
The Webb Horton House and property, now the 'mansion' at the Middletown campus, was chosen for founding the college. Built by Webb Horton, the mansion was left to his cousin, John H. Morrison, upon his death. His wife Mrs. Christine Morrison, lived there alone after the death of her husband in 1946. In 1950, she donated the mansion and property as the home of Orange County Community College.
The College was founded in 1950, opening its doors to 160 students as the first county-sponsored community college in the SUNY system. It was the first community college in the nation to offer a two-year nursing degree program.
When it opened, the College consisted of Morrison Hall and Horton Hall, on 14 acres. Today, it has 12 buildings at the Middletown campus, and two buildings at the Newburgh campus.
Campuses
SUNY Orange comprises two campuses: the main one in city of Middletown, New York and the Newburgh campus, situated on the banks of the Hudson River. SUNY Orange also offers classes at three satellite locations: Monroe-Woodbury High School, Port Jervis High School, and Warwick Valley High School.
Organization and administration
President: Dr. Kristine M. Young
Vice President for Academic Affairs: Erika Hackman
Vice President for Student Services: Gerianne Brusati
Vice President for Institutional Advancement: Vinnie Cazzetta
Vice President for Administration and Finance: Linda Dauer
Academic profile
SUNY Orange offers a total of 39 associate degrees and certificate programs. The college currently enrolls approximately 7,000 students annually. The college has matriculation agreements with more than 30 four-year institutions, allowing for easy transfer for SUNY Orange students graduating with an associate degree who want to complete 4-year degrees.
Student life
The college's student activities office arranges entertainment, sporting events and trips each semester at both campuses. The college also has an Alumni Relations office which holds events specifically for alumni throughout the year. The college also has a chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, the international honors society for two-year colleges.
The Middletown campus offers a dental clinic, fitness studios, swimming pool, soccer and softball fields, computer and tutorial labs, child-care facilities, theatre, gymnasium, art gallery, gaming rooms and cafeteria on-campus. The Newburgh campus has its own child-care facilities, fitness room, cyber cafe, art gallery, and gaming room.
Community programs and events
SUNY Orange offers a wide variety of programs and events to the local community. The colleges Continuing and Professional Education department offers G.E.D. programs, industry certifications and personal enrichments programs. The ENCORE program offers classes for lifelong learners over 50. The college allows free auditing of classes for community members 60 or above. The college's Cultural Affairs department has a variety of exhibits, lectures, master classes, theater performances and concerts each semester which are open to the public.
See also
- Webb Horton House
References
External links
- Official website
- Events at SUNY Orange
- Arts and Cultural Affairs Events at SUNY Orange