SUNY New Paltz is honored to welcome distinguished alumnus Ed Carroll ’85 (Communication & Media), a recognized leader in the television and entertainment industry and a long-time friend and supporter of the College, to celebrate with our newest graduates at the Saturday Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony on May 21.
Carroll will receive an honorary doctorate of humane letters degree, the highest form of recognition offered by the State University of New York and will also serve as one of the Saturday Commencement Speakers.
“It is both gratifying and humbling to be recognized by President Christian and SUNY for this honor,” Carroll said. “What seemed like a random decision three decades ago to attend SUNY New Paltz (Stony Brook was too close, Albany too far…) in retrospect was a truly pivotal decision in my life. And now many roads for me and Gina seem to be leading back to this very special university and town.”
Carroll served for more than 30 years with AMC Networks before stepping down from his role as chief operating officer in 2021. He enjoyed an incredibly successful tenure at AMC, playing a central role in introducing original shows including “Breaking Bad,” “Better Call Saul,” “Mad Men,” “Killing Eve,” and “The Walking Dead.”
Carroll is among the most engaged alumni in the SUNY New Paltz community, a SUNY New Paltz Foundation Board Director who has supported students and the institution for many years. He has returned to campus frequently to lend his expertise and speak with students in the Communication and Digital Media & Journalism programs, and has also hosted alumni engagement events in his home, helped establish an advisory council for the Digital Media & Journalism program, and was a featured speaker for the College’s Distinguished Speaker Series.
He and his wife, Gina O’Brien-Carroll ’86 (Communication Studies), herself a screenwriter and director, met while undergrads at the College. Among their many contributions to their alma mater is the Edward A. Carroll and Gina O’Brien-Carroll Experiential Scholarship, which supports honors students pursuing engaged learning activities outside the classroom.
Carroll was also a valued participant in the College’s virtual Commencement ceremonies in 2020, shortly after the initial disruption brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. He graciously provided a greeting for the undergraduate event, offering valuable life lessons with the right mix of good humor for an uncertain time.
Currently, Ed and Gina are back in New Paltz working on their newest venture: The Lemon Squeeze, a casual dining restaurant and piano bar opening soon in a historic building on Main Street and named for one of their favorite local hikes.
About Commencement 2022 at SUNY New Paltz
This year’s Undergraduate Commencement Ceremonies will be held on Saturday, May 21, and Sunday, May 22, 2022, on the Old Main Quad on the SUNY New Paltz campus. Both ceremonies will begin at 10 a.m.
The Saturday Ceremony honors graduates of the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, and the Sunday Ceremony honors graduates of the School of Business, School of Education, School of Fine & Performing Arts and School of Science & Engineering.
The Graduate Commencement Ceremony will take place on Friday, May 20, at 6 p.m., also on the Old Main Quad.
More information at https://www.newpaltz.edu/commencement/.
