(SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – March 10, 2013) Events have been scheduled by SUNY Empire State College to mark Women’s History Month. Activities associated with the celebratory events will include fine arts appreciation, history and culture.

“Empire State College’s Women’s History Month celebrations provide the opportunity for all of us to gain a greater appreciation of the contributions so many women, including the women of the college community, have made and continue to make for the benefit of us all,” said Merodie A. Hancock, who will be inaugurated as the first woman president of the college later this month.

“Prima materia” Opening Reception - Manhattan

The college will host "Prima materia,” a group art exhibition featuring the work of women students, alumni, faculty mentors and adjunct faculty.

According to curator Grace Mateo, a student with the college, the exhibition focuses on "the celebration of women who can be lauded for their connection to nature, for their knowledge and wisdom...in response to contemporary issues ranging from beauty standards to emotional intelligence to human rights."

The opening reception for the exhibit is set for 4 p.m., Thursday, March 13, 325 Hudson Street, at the college’s office in Manhattan. The exhibit runs through Thursday, May 15.

Honoring and Discovering Our Cultures – Saratoga Springs and Live Online

The college is hosting a cultural event in honor of Women’s history month, which is designed to inspire and bring awareness to the contributions women have made throughout history.

The event includes relevant readings by members of the college community and a display of art and media. The event takes place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Tuesday, March 18, 113 West Ave., Saratoga Springs.

For those unable to attend in person, the event also will be streamed live over the Internet on ESC-TV: www.esc.edu/esc-tv.

About SUNY Empire State College

Established in 1971 as the nontraditional, open college of the SUNY system, Empire State College educates many of its students online, as well as face to face and through a blend of both at the associate, bachelor’s and master’s levels.

In addition to awarding credit for prior college-level learning, the college pairs each undergraduate student with a faculty mentor who supports that student throughout his or her college career.

Working with their mentors, students design an individual degree program and engage in guided independent study and course work onsite, online or through a combination of both, which provides the flexibility for students to choose where, when and how to learn.

The college serves more than 20,000 students worldwide at nine international sites, more than 35 locations in the state of New York and online. Its 70,000 alumni are active in their communities as entrepreneurs, politicians, business professionals, artists, nonprofit agency employees, teachers, veterans and active military, union members and more. More information about the college is available here: www.esc.edu.

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Media contact: David Henahan, director of communications

518-587-2100, ext. 2918

David.Henahan@esc.edu

518-321-7038 (after hours and on weekends)