At a glance
“We are excited to bring our community together for this once in a lifetime event. An event like this will not occur this close to Alfred again in our lifetime. Our hope is that students and staff get to safely experience this and enjoy the afternoon with our college community.”
Vice President for Student and Employee Affairs Greg Sammons
Alfred State students and staff are invited to join Big Blue on April 8 to experience the rare solar eclipse. At Big Blue’s Solar Sizzle: A Totality Awesome Party attendees will be able to experience the eclipse along with music, lawn games, and themed snacks.
Festivities, held in the Student Leadership Center green space, begin at 2 p.m. and will run until 4:30 p.m. Alfred State is along the very edge of the path of totality and the moon will briefly blot out 99.7% of the sun at 3:21 p.m. The Hinkle Belltower will play tunes about the sun and moon throughout the day.
Alfred State encourages all attendees to have proper protective viewing glasses. The college has ordered 1,000 pairs of glasses which will be given out in the Office of Student Engagement (second floor of the Student Leadership Center) while supplies last. More information on the event and where to find additional protective glasses is available on the dedicated Allegany County website: (2024 TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE IS COMING!! – Western NY Wilds (wnywilds.com).
“We are excited to bring our community together for this once in a lifetime event,” commented Vice President for Student and Employee Affairs Greg Sammons, EdD. “An event like this will not occur this close to Alfred again in our lifetime. Our hope is that students and staff get to safely experience this and enjoy the afternoon with our college community.”
Classes and other college activities will operate on a regular schedule on April 8, but faculty and directors are encouraged to use their discretion to allow students and staff to attend and enjoy the celebration.