News, sights & sounds from UAlbany, July 2026

JULY 2026

LANDMARK STATE FUNDING BOOSTS NEW YORK STATE MESONET

(Above) Gov. Kathy Hochul visited the NYS Mesonet Operations Center in UAlbany's ETEC building when wildfire smoke from Canada repeatedly blanketed New York in June 2023, causing unhealthy conditions that persisted for days. Photo by Patrick Dodson

The 2026-27 state budget includes $2 million to support New York State Mesonet operations at the University at Albany. With 127 standard sites from Long Island to Buffalo and many more specialized high-tech instruments in between, the Mesonet is the most advanced early warning weather network in the United States and is used daily by state and local authorities to help predict and respond to dangers like flash flooding, icy roads, wildfire risk and to track unhealthy air. The funding marks the first time the state has earmarked operating support for the network, which was built for New York State by UAlbany using federal disaster aid following Superstorm Sandy. Since then, the University has operated and maintained the network on the state’s behalf.

Thank you to Gov. Hochul, Sen. Pat Fahy and assemblymembers Gabriella Romero and John T. McDonald III for their support for this historic and essential funding for UAlbany’s New York State Mesonet, a critical tool for protecting the state’s residents from dangerous weather.

(Above) Sen. Pat Fahy, a legislative champion for the NYS Mesonet, visits with UAlbany student legislative interns at the NYS Capitol, April 1. Photo by Patrick Dodson

(Below) Assemblymember Gabriella Romero, a leading advocate for the NYS Mesonet and a key member of UAlbany’s local delegation who helped secure its first dedicated state operating funding, visits the Mesonet Operations Center in UAlbany's ETEC building. (From left) UAlbany Provost Carol Kim, Assemblymember Romero, Mesonet Director Junhong (June) Wang, UAlbany VP for Government and Community Relations Sheila Seery, and UAlbany Chief of Staff Claudia Hernández.

(Above, from left) Dr. Chris Thorncroft, executive director of the NYS Mesonet; Taylor Watts, quality assurance and integrity specialist; Assemblymember Gabriella Romero; Assemblymember John T. McDonald III; Nathan Bain, Albany operations manager and software engineer; and Dr. June Wang, director of the NYS Mesonet

ANNOUNCING THE 2O26 CITIZEN LAUREATES

(Above, from left) Donna and Yono Purnomo , Tom Putnam and Paul Grondahl have been named the 2026 Citizen Laureates by the University at Albany Foundation.

IN THE NEWS

UAlbany Visit to India Marks New Milestone with Ramaiah Institute of Science and Management

UAlbany Receives $1.3M NSF Award to Establish Advanced Wireless Testbed

Rockefeller Alum Named President of Emory University

WE'RE HITTING THE ROAD THIS SUMMER

UAlbany's Summer Bus Tour Aims to Introduce the University's Offerings to the Region

UNIVERSITY-COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS IN ACTION

CTG UAlbany, CDTA Explore AI Tools for Bus Shelter Maintenance

Connecting Visitors with History at Albany Rural Cemetery

UALBANY PODCASTS

The power of possibility: President Havidán Rodríguez on how higher ed can make its case for good

Keeping "PaCE" with the Educational Needs of Today’s Workforce and Lifelong Learners

SNAPSHOTS

Celebrating freedom and community... Congressman Paul Tonko visits with UAlbany Office of Government and Community Relations student interns (from left) Queen, David, Nazar, and Rebecca during the Juneteenth Celebration at the Alice Moore Black Arts & Cultural Center in Albany on Saturday, June 20.

A vibrant tradition… UAlbany representatives joined community members from across the Capital Region at the Spring Festival of India, a celebration of Indian culture, traditions, music, and dance. The festival, organized by the TriCity India Association (TRICIA), was held at the Empire State Plaza Convention Center on June 6. (Above, from left) Elangovan Raman, TRICIA president; Sridhar Pentyala, long-standing board member and past president of TRICIA; Dr. Sridar Chittur; Sheila Seery; Namita Modasra; Fardin Sanai; and John Pomeroy.

Science on the move … South Colonie students received a unique science lesson this past May when the University at Albany’s air quality lab on wheels rolled into Lisha Kill Middle School .

Capital Pride... Faculty, students, staff, family and friends from UAlbany and SUNY took part in the annual Capital Pride Festival and Parade on Sunday, June 14. The event, with an annual attendance of over 25,000, is the largest Pride celebration in the Northeast outside of New York City and Boston.

Securing the grid... UAlbany faculty and students discuss issues related to power grid security, supply chains, and energy policy with a visiting delegation from India on Tuesday, June 9 at ETEC. The discussion was part of UAlbany’s ongoing partnership with the International Center of the Capital Region that brings international scholars to campus for conversations with the UAlbany community.