POTSDAM -- Preparations for SUNY Potsdam's Reunion Weekend are in high gear, with the gathering drawing alumni, families and friends back to campus from July 10 to 13. Registration is free through June 30. All SUNY Potsdam alumni and friends are invited to join in the festivities.

The celebrations will include a concert in honor of Crane School of Music Professor Emeritus Art Frackenpohl, who turned 90 this year. Another highlight will be a special weeklong reunion for Department of Theatre and Dance alumni, culminating in performances at the new Performing Arts Center. In addition, for the first time, SUNY Potsdam will host a Student Affairs Symposium for alumni and friends who have gone on to higher education careers in student affairs.

Mini-reunions this year include:

• Delta Lambda Nu Sorority: 20th anniversary

• Phi Kappa Pi Alumnae Association: 20th anniversary

• Men's basketball team trip to the NCAA Final Four: 35th anniversary

• Women's basketball team SUNYAC Championship: 20th anniversary

• Crane Institute for Music Business Program mini-reunion

With a daily line-up of events, concerts, faculty-led seminars and meals, the 2014 Reunion Weekend has something for everyone's taste.

All are welcome to become students again through the brand-new Potsdam Academy. The daylong session kicks off Reunion Weekend with art and science classes led by SUNY Potsdam faculty, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on July 10. For the full line-up of classes and registration information, contact the Office of Alumni Affairs at 267-2120 or go to www.potsdam.edu/alumni/reunion/academy.

The Potsdam Academy concludes with a "graduation" ceremony at the Early Bird Gathering, which officially opens the weekend. The gathering will be 4 to 6 p.m. in Becky's Place at Pratt Commons, adjacent to the Raymond Hall lobby.

Also on July 10, alumni from the Department of Theatre and Dance will present a dance performance at 7 p.m., and a theatre production at 8:15 p.m., both in the Performing Arts Center.

On July 11, the campus will host its first Student Affairs Symposium. It will run from 10 a.m. to noon, and from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Lunch is included. Sessions will cover Greek life, storytelling, involvement in national professional organizations, preparing for doctoral programs, learning assessments and more. The College will welcome back Dean of Students Emeritus Dan Hurley and Chris Strong, vice president for student affairs emerita. To register, go to www.potsdam.edu/alumni/reunion.

The highlights for Friday, July 11 include the annual "Cupid Breakfast" for all SUNY Potsdam-Clarkson University couples at 8:30 a.m. There will be walking tours of campus, the new Performing Arts Center, the Mary E. English Commons, Maxcy Hall and The Crane School of Music throughout the day. Alumni will lead a hike up Mount Arab, leaving from campus at 8:45 a.m. There will be a planetarium show at 11:30 a.m. SUNY Potsdam faculty will offer presentations on music education, Native American history, the legacies of Julia Crane and Helen Hosmer, the geology of Shenandoah National Park, earthquakes in New York state and more. Tom French will speak about his book, "A History of the Thousand Islands in 3D." A family barbecue picnic will be offered from 6 to 8 p.m. in the townhouse courtyard.

On July 12, reunion attendees will not want to miss starting off their day with the Bear Walk/Run at 8:30 a.m. There will be a walking tour of Bayside Cemetery from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Campus tours will be offered throughout the day. Alumni and staff will present sessions on self-motivation, motivating students, estate planning and the Start-Up NY program. Guests can also participate in kayaking, canoeing and other family-friendly activities at Lehman Park from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Also on Saturday, alumni and friends will be on hand for the Sports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at 11:30 a.m. in the Knowles Hall Multi-Purpose Room. This year's inductees are Ryan Hanretty (lacrosse), Thomas Hutchinson (basketball) and Jodi Ziemba (soccer). A choral reading for Crane alumni will feature the Fauré "Requiem" at 1:15 p.m.

Later in the evening, a gala reception and silent auction will be in the Barrington Student Union at 5 p.m. The class dinner will follow the reception and this year's Alumni Association award recipients will be honored and recognized.

This year's award recipients include:

• Linda Pape, Minerva Award

• David E. Johnson, Distinguished Service Award

• Kaitlyn Beachner, Rising Star Award

• Zachariah Galatis, Rising Star Award

• Ann Gatta Beaucage, Helen M. Hosmer Excellence in Music Teaching Award

• Linda Beaupre, Helen M. Hosmer Excellence in Music Teaching Award

• William H. Flynn, St. Lawrence Academy Medal

• Rob Zolner, honorary lifetime membership

• Alex Vangellow, honorary lifetime membership

• G. Michael and Barbara Maresca, honorary lifetime memberships

Following the class dinner and award ceremony, The Crane School of Music will host a concert to honor Professor Emeritus Dr. Art Frackenpohl, who celebrated his 90th birthday earlier this year. The performance will feature Crane alumni, faculty and students, and will be at 8:15 p.m. in the Sara M. Snell Music Theater. The event is free, and the public is welcome.

The college will offer a farewell breakfast on July 13 from 9 to 11 a.m., followed by the annual Alumni Association meeting.

The public may attend Reunion Weekend events. For more information or to register for the weekend, please call Laura Stevenson at (315) 267-2120 or visit www.potsdam.edu/alumni.

Registration headquarters will be located in the Raymond Hall lobby throughout the weekend for walk-in guests.