Business News

The Presidents of the Orange County Chamber of Commerce and SUNY Orange today announced an innovative new Chamber membership program for business students enrolled in SUNY Orange at both the Middletown and Newburgh campuses. SUNY Orange President Dr. William Richards and OCCC President Dr. John D’Ambrosio made the announcement at a press conference held at the college’s Newburgh campus. They were joined by members of Business Clubs from each of the College’s two campuses.

The intent of the program is to help students become more familiar with how businesses really work to better prepare them for their careers after graduation. “It’s always a win-win situation when you mix students with employers,” said Dr. D’Ambrosio, explaining that the new program will enable the students to participate fully in all Orange County Chamber events and programs. The SUNY Orange Business Club at both the Newburgh and Middletown campuses will join the Chamber for an annual fee of $125. This will allow every member of the club to attend seminars, workshops, breakfasts, mixers, committee meetings and any other event that the Chamber hosts.

“As educators, we strive to find creative and effective ways to connect the classroom and the workplace so that our students and graduates are prepared to succeed in today’s highly competitive job market,” said Dr. Richards. “We are happy to partner with the Chamber on this creative program that will allow our students to immerse themselves in the local business community in a most beneficial way.”

SUNY Orange’s two business clubs have already completed the paperwork to officially join the Orange County Chamber for one full year. Any student who is or becomes a member of either of the clubs automatically becomes a member of the Chamber. It is the Chamber’s intent to offer the student memberships to other colleges in the Hudson Valley, including Mt. St. Mary College and SUNY New Paltz.