Annual Gala
The Foundation’s Annual Gala is a fundraiser and recognition event honoring outstanding individuals, organizations, businesses, and friends of SUNY Ulster. Through the generosity of our many contributors, and with the energy and vision of our leadership, the Foundation carries its mission forward for the benefit of our amazing SUNY Ulster students.
This year’s Gala will take place on Thursday, September 26, 2024 at 5:30 p.m. Wiltwyck Golf Club
We will be celebrating:
Our Students. Our Commitment.
Honoring:
Cathy & George Sifre • New Paltz Rotary Club
Donate
Your Promise – Their Future Award
The Your Promise – Their Future Award recognizes donors who, by substantial planned gifts or generous contributions, provide funding deemed to be transformative. This year’s awardee is:
Glenn Sutherland & Cynthia Lowe
#BeLikeAnita Award
The #BeLikeAnita Award recognizes members of the community who work tirelessly on behalf of others, lead by example, dedicate personal time to make the world a better place, and live in a manner worthy of notice. This year’s recipient is:
Dan Whalen
Anne R. Donovan Award
The Anne R. Donovan Award for Faculty & Staff is given to members of the campus community who demonstrate extraordinary dedication to SUNY Ulster by undertaking initiatives above and beyond the scope of their work in support of the mission of the College.
Dr. Crystal Schachter & Debra Silverman
About George and Cathy Sifre
George and Cathy live in New Paltz and have two grown sons, Jason and Christopher. George, and his brother Rick, created Seakill Custom Home Builders over 40 years ago. They grew their company and became one of the premier builders in the Hudson Valley. George and Rick built several multi-family rental apartment complexes which they own and manage with their sister Debbie Flynn. George is on the New Paltz Community Foundation, Historic Preservation Commission, The Design Review Board, and Historic Huguenot Business Advisory Committee. Cathy is a Jersey girl. She started her career on Madison Ave., working in Advertising for over 20 years. After marrying George, she moved to New Paltz to raise a family. Cathy is a Wish Granter and Board Director for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Hudson Valley, serves on the Board for Carve for a Cause, and is a member of the New Paltz Rotary, having just served as President for the last year.
About the Rotary of New Paltz
Our mission
We provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through our fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders.
Vision statement
Together, we see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change — across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
As a global network that strives to build a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change, Rotary values diversity and celebrates the contributions of people of all backgrounds, regardless of their age, ethnicity, race, color, abilities, religion, socioeconomic status, culture, sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity.
About Dan Whalen
SUNY Ulster alumnus, Dan Whalen, epitomizes the College’s motto of Start Here. Go Far. through his actions to support youth in Ulster County. As the Executive Director of the Boys and Girls Club of Ulster County, he is an advocate fostering their mission of inspiring and enabling all youth to lead better lives by providing positive opportunities to develop the qualities needed to become responsible citizens and adults. Working tirelessly on behalf of others, Dan joined the club in 2018 as Assistant Director and commenced his role as Executive Director in 2019.
Leading by example, has dedicated his career to serving you, previously serving as a physical education teacher at the Children’s Home of Kingston, a teacher at the Children's Home of Wyoming Conference and as the Director of Health, Physical Recreation and Education for the Jewish Community Center in Binghamton.
Since 1946, the Boys & Girls Clubs have proudly served the youth in the Ulster County communities of Kingston, and Saugerties. Living in a manner worthy of notice, this past November NoVo in Kingston and the Boys and Girls Club of Ulster County celebrated the opening of the Greenkill House, a new resource for Midtown youth ages 16-24+, aimed at continuing services for young adults so there isn’t a gap in support and connections to our community.
Dan contributes greatly to making the world a better place by giving youth the skills needed and champions being “The Positive Place for Kids.”
