The year of 2019 marks the 50th year anniversary of the Asian Studies Department which entailed two days of events. On Friday, October 18th, Ron Knapp (Professor Emeritus, Geography and Asian Studies) gave a special lecture in the Science Hall. On Saturday October 19th, there was a panel discussion by Asian Studies students alumni who discussed the past and future of  Asian Studies at SUNY New Paltz . Following the panel discussion was a reception sake tasting by Kuramoto US, hosted by alumnus Peter Hottum ’15. On both days there were poster presentations of both Asian Studies students and alumni from the class of 2020 and all the way back to the class of 1969. The event also fell on Alumni weekend, welcoming Asian studies faculty, alumni, and friends to come together to celebrate.