By Elisabeth Costanzo Stewart
Enrollment Management teams across the nation become weather enthusiasts in the weeks leading up to their respective Open House weekends. If the weather is too beautiful, prospective students will opt to do other things. If the weather is too gloomy, anticipated visitors stay home. We all hope for exactly the weather that we had on Saturday, November 5, 2022… temperate, overcast, and just inviting enough that over 350 people elected to spend their Saturday morning experiencing all that SUNY Broome has to offer.
After successfully piloting a new Open House format last fall, the Open House Committee, which is comprised of staff members from Admissions, Enrollment Management, and Marketing & Communications, duplicated the logistics for 2022. They placed student support services and campus life tabling in the Baldwin Gym and encouraged attendees to truly explore SUNY Broome’s campus through division-based tabling in all of the major academic buildings. The Student Financial Services offices hosted a presentation on paying for college with a time for questions and answers. Campus tours departed every half hour, with specialized tours of the Student Village and the Culinary and Event Center. Guests were treated to light refreshments pre and post-tour and were invited to have lunch in the Dining Hall or grab a meal to-go.
The Grimsey’s traveled over 3 hours to learn more about SUNY Broome! Photo Credit: Matt Ebbers
Ella Grimsey of Lowville, NY was the first to arrive in the Baldwin Gym. Ella, her mother, and her sister traveled over three hours to learn more about SUNY Broome’s Dental Hygiene: A.A.S.program. “The dentist that I see has already offered me a job. I just need to be admitted to the program, earn my degree, and pass the board exam. Visiting SUNY Broome is the first step to accomplishing those goals,” said Grimsey.
The Cavanaugh family came to Open House to learn more about the Computer Science program. Photo Credit: Sara Forbes
For Aidan Cavanaugh and his mother, the commute to Open House was not nearly as lengthy as that of the Grimsey’s. The Chenango Valley senior lives just a few blocks from the College. As a cross country runner, Cavanaugh plans to incorporate his runs to and from his Computer Science: A.S. classes into his daily training routine.
Richard Alcott (ET ’67) loved exploring his alma mater! Photo Credit: Sara Forbes
Not all Fall Open House guests are prospective students. The event is open to the community at large and often draws SUNY Broome alumni who wish to tour the grounds, visit favorite spots, and marvel at the campus’ upgrades and expansions. For Richard Alcott (ET ’67), a late morning stroll around campus was equally nostalgic and full of exciting new facilities to explore. “When I was a student, there were only six or seven buildings on campus. I’m in awe at all of the wonderful changes that students today can take advantage of,” said Alcott.
Marty Guzzi and Dr. Drumm enjoying Fall Open House. Photo Credit: Sara Forbes
For SUNY Broome’s President, Dr. Kevin E. Drumm, the Fall 2022 Open House was bittersweet. “This is my last Fall Open House. I’ve never seen North College Drive so busy for this event. It’s great! I changed my major five times as a student, so I am all for academic exploration, and that starts at Open House. This is the best time to meet with academic departments, learn about our programs, and ask questions.”
SUNY Broome’s application for both the spring and fall semesters are available on our website! You can apply online now! The application is FREE and takes about 10 minutes to complete. If you have any questions about the application, a program of study, or about visiting SUNY Broome for a campus tour, please contact the Admissions Office at +1 (607) 778-5001. Learn about SUNY Broome’s Admission process!
View the Fall Open House 2022 slideshow:
