POTSDAM — The SUNY Potsdam Alumni Association recently honored longtime supporter Richard F. Stradling Jr. of Cincinnati with an Honorary Lifetime Membership.

Honorary Lifetime Membership is presented to non-alums who have made exceptional contributions to the SUNY Potsdam Alumni Association or the college. Stradling was recognized for his visionary generosity to SUNY Potsdam, according to a press release from the college.

Stradling Jr. (St. Lawrence University Class of 1964) and his wife, Gail (Haynes) Stradling '64, have transformed how audiences experience performances at her alma mater, SUNY Potsdam, the college said.

In 2013, the Stradlings donated the funds to outfit both the Helen M. Hosmer Concert Hall and the Sara M. Snell Music Theater at The Crane School of Music with state-of-the-art live video capture and streaming equipment. They also established a $300,000 endowment to perpetuate the lifecycle of the equipment and the intended purpose of their gift. Their visionary gift makes watching Crane School of Music performances and presentations possible for anyone in the world with an internet connection.

Over the past five years, thousands of individuals have taken advantage of what the Stradlings' gift has made possible. Without their desire to ensure others can experience the wonderful performances and presentations at Potsdam, the College simply would not have the funds to make streaming possible.

The live videostream and archived recordings have become important recruiting tools for prospective students and faculty, SUNY Potsdam said.

The streaming also provides internship experiences and hands-on training for students working with Douglas McKinnie, the audio and video streaming engineer for The Crane School of Music.

This experience allows students to be trained to broadcast concerts online; work directly with the director, conductors and musicians to discuss how best to capture their movement and performance, and coordinate score reading and transitions between the multiple video cameras in each hall.

For more info about the SUNY Potsdam Alumni Association, visit www.potsdam.edu/alumni.