SUNY Orange
SUNY Orange has touched the lives of countless numbers of the county’s 350,000 residents through its credit programs, non-credit programming and cultural events. As the needs of the community grow, the college continues to play a significant role in the county’s endeavor to face the challenges and to profit from the opportunities that await it.
SUNY Orange was founded in 1950 as the first county-sponsored community college in the State University of New York system.
Morrison Hall was donated to Orange County by Mrs. Christine Morrison as part of the College’s formation. Morrison Hall was originally built for the family of Webb Horton, a retired industrialist.
The college has earned its reputation as a pioneer and innovator in meeting the needs of its students and the area it primarily serves. SUNY Orange was the first two-year college in the nation to offer the associate degree nursing program and studies in electron microscopy; and in 1982, the college was the first community college to plan and co-sponsor with local chambers of commerce a business institute.
Accredited by Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, academic credits can be earned through full- or part-time study in the day, evening, or both. The college offers three degrees—the Associate in Arts, Associate in Science, and Associate in Applied Science. The college also offers extensive technical programs in career fields (with transfer options) and one-year certificates.
Public and private four-year colleges actively seek our graduates for transfer into baccalaureate programs as third-year students. In cooperation with other educational agencies, the college also presents programs for academically gifted high school seniors, for business and professional people, and by special arrangement with nearby universities for graduate students.
More than 420,000 people have enrolled in a wide range of credit and non-credit classes at the Middletown campus, the Newburgh Campus and satellite locations across Orange County.
Consistent with its mission to meet the higher education needs of students, the college is noted for its commitment to ensuring student success. With the support of our caring faculty and staff, each of our students has the ability to achieve their academic and career goals. Advising, counseling, and career guidance and exploration are available to all students as well as several co-curricular and leadership opportunities that serve to complement the academic experience.
In addition to offering formal instruction to students in both the day and evening, the college engages in a variety of other activities. It sponsors a series of cultural events, lectures and artistic performances for students, staff and faculty, and to which the public is invited.
Two statistics about the College that our faculty and staff often reference are:
- Among the 34 New York community colleges, Orange County Community College graduates rank first in their academic success and persistence rates as they continue their education at senior colleges and universities.
- Among all 64 campuses in the State University of New York, Orange County Community College is ranked last in grade inflation. That is the college administers fewer A’s and B’s than any of our sister campuses within the University.
It is our belief that these two points are closely related to each other and are further evidence that Orange County Community College alumni should take great pride in their education.
To learn more about SUNY Orange and their impact on Orange County please visit www.sunyorange.edu