Farmingdale State College

A Letter from President Nader

This is our fourth edition of FSCNow. When we first decided to create an annual campus magazine, I had no idea how it would be received. The response has been overwhelmingly positive. FSCNow is a source of pride for our alumni, faculty, and staff. It’s proven an ideal way to celebrate our achievements and outline the College’s road ahead. Last year it served as a vehicle to recognize members of our campus community who did so much to assist local hospitals and community organizations in their efforts to combat COVID in its early days.

When I arrived at Farmingdale, I pledged to be the College’s storyteller in chief. This issue includes stories, both serious and amusing, that underscore Farmingdale’s mission and success. There are over a dozen interesting stories that help us appreciate some of the people who help make Farmingdale a special place. Some spotlight our faculty; others feature notable alumni. As you would expect, many articles are focused on our students.

Students are at the heart of all we do, and it shows. The College continues to thrive, even in a challenging environment. Our enrollment remains strong, and we celebrate a student body that is highly diverse. The success of our graduates is remarkable: their earnings rank among the very highest of recent SUNY alums. In addition, Farmingdale’s recent alums are stemming the region’s brain drain. Over 90 percent of graduates are employed or in graduate programs within six months of graduation. Three-quarters of those employed are working on Long Island. In 2020, the Carnegie Foundation named Farmingdale State College as one of a select group of colleges and universities to receive the Carnegie Community Engagement Classification.

Our position as one of the very best values in higher education is nearly unrivaled. Farmingdale remains a true engine of opportunity for our students.

Our vision remains consistent: new academic programs that build on our success, enhancing student engagement, supporting faculty achievement, upgrading our buildings and grounds, and a more ambitious fundraising program that matches the needs of our students and our aspirational goals.

I know that you will enjoy this newest edition of FSCNow. The magazine has proven to be a great way to annually profile the achievements of a college that is selective, inclusive, and thriving. Happy reading!

John S. Nader, PhD
President, Farmingdale State College