State University of New York at Potsdam
 |
|
| Motto | "To Learn - To Search - To Serve" |
|---|---|
| Type | Public |
| Established | 1816 |
| Endowment | $22.2 million |
| President | Dr. Kristin Esterberg |
|
Academic staff
|
304 |
| Undergraduates | 3,902 |
| Postgraduates | 511 |
| Location | Potsdam, New York, United States |
| Campus | Rural, 240 acres (0.97 km2) maintained |
| Colors |
Maroon and Gray |
| Athletics | NCAA Division III – SUNYAC |
| Nickname | Bears |
| Mascot | Bear |
| Affiliations | State University of New York |
| Website | http://www.potsdam.edu |
The State University of New York at Potsdam, also known as SUNY Potsdam, or, colloquially, Potsdam, is a public college located in the village of Potsdam in St. Lawrence County, in the U.S. state of New York. Founded in 1816, it is among the 50 oldest colleges in the United States. It is composed of the College of Arts & Sciences, the School of Education and Professional Studies, and the Crane School of Music.
Potsdam was founded by Benjamin Raymond in 1816 as the St. Lawrence Academy. In 1834, the academy was chosen by the New York State Legislature to exclusively offer a teacher education program for its senatorial district. With funds from the state, and from support by preceptor Reverend Asa Brainerd, the first diploma in teaching was given in 1836, thus beginning the academy's and eventually the college's longstanding tradition of excellence in the field of teacher education.
In 1866, the State Legislature ended its funding of teacher education departments in private academies, and began establishing several normal schools throughout the state. The Village of Potsdam was thus named as one of four locations for new normal schools, and in 1867, the St. Lawrence Academy became the Potsdam Normal School.
By 1886, the Potsdam Normal School had become the first institution in the United States to offer a normal training course for public school music teachers in the United States. Founded by Julia E. Crane, the Crane Normal Institute of Music continues today as the world-renowned Crane School of Music as a leader in the field of music education.
The State University of New York was founded in 1948, and Potsdam became one its founding members, and was thus renamed New York State Teachers College at Potsdam. In 1964, the college's mission changed to providing multiple programs, and the university adopted its current name.
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