SUNY Empire State College Inaugurates New College President

SARATOGA SPRINGS— The inauguration of Merodie Hancock, Ph.D., as the fourth president in the 42-year history of SUNY Empire State College commenced on Thursday. The theme of the inaugural celebration was “re-emergence,” which highlighted Hancock’s career of advocacy for the re-emergence of nontraditional students. Further, the inauguration event was part of the re-emergence of the college as the exemplar of open, public and innovative education. Hancock assumed the role in July 2013 with unanimous support from the State University of New York Board of Trustees and Chancellor Nancy Zimpher. The chancellor cited Hancock’s leadership experience in higher learning in the delivery of online programs across campuses and international boarders as key in her appointment to the position. Led by bagpipers and dressed in full academic regalia, members of the SUNY and Empire State College communities, as well as guests from across the country and around the world, processed from the robing area at Saratoga Springs City Hall, down Broadway, to The Saratoga Hilton for the investiture ceremony and installation of the new president.