SUNY Plattsburgh

Today we officially christened SUNY Plattsburgh's newest research vessel, the R/V Leptodora! 🚢🌊

Named after an endangered native planktonic predator found in Lake Champlain, the 36-foot, state-of-the-art vessel replaces the Lake Champlain Research Institute's 30-year-old R/V Gruendling. The $850,000 research boat will serve as a floating classroom and cutting-edge research platform, helping students and faculty study the biological and environmental systems of Lake Champlain.

Equipped with advanced technology and designed specifically for LCRI's research needs, the R/V Leptodora will expand opportunities for hands-on learning, environmental monitoring, and student-led research for years to come.

Congratulations to the Center for Earth and Environmental Science and the Lake Champlain Research Institute on this incredible addition to Cardinal Country! ❤️

More than 1,000 SUNY Plattsburgh masters and bachelor’s degree students are eligible to cross the stage at the university’s spring 2026 commencement being held Saturday, May 16 at the field house with President Alexander Enyedi presiding and conferring degrees.

Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Marcus Tye will present students earning their masters and bachelors’ degrees who are graduating from the schools of arts and sciences, business and economics, and education, health and human services at 9 a.m., noon and 3 p.m., respectively.

And as is custom, student speakers representing each of the three schools will address their classmates before being welcomed into the Alumni Association as new SUNY Plattsburgh graduates. This year’s student speakers are Amanuel Adefris, finance and economics major from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Eden McFarren, a social work major from South Glens Falls, N.Y.; and Olivia Powers, computer security major from Ticonderoga, N.Y.

3 days until Commencement 🎓❤️

The countdown is officially on, Cardinals. Caps are ready, gowns are pressed, and the finish line is in sight. Let’s celebrate the late nights, big wins, lifelong friendships, and everything that brought you here.

We can’t wait to cheer you across that stage.