Memorial and Plaque Dedication Service to honor Sam Draper

Professor Sam Draper left a remarkable legacy at Rockland Community College. On September 25, a memorial service and plaque dedication ceremony will take place to honor his memory. The memorial service will be held in the Academic Quad of Rockland Community College and will include musical performances, poetry and other tributes, and will take place in the Academic Quad, followed by a High Tea in the Student Union, Room 3214.

The event is free and open to all. Please RSVP to the President’s Office at 845-574-4214.  

Professor Sam Draper (1925 – 2009), was the co-founder of RCC’s nationally recognized Mentored/Talented Students (M/TS) Honors Program. Prior to joining the College in 1968 as Professor of English, Draper studied European literature at Columbia University and spent several years in France and Belgium on a Fulbright fellowship. A true Renaissance man, Professor Draper shared his interest in opera by founding RCC’s Youth for Opera Club.

Draper’s commitment to the College extended even beyond the classroom. He provided generous financial support to enable students to participate in many cultural and educational programs. He received the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching and the 2007 New York Community College Trustees (NYCCT) Benefactor Vision for Tomorrow Award. Draper passed away in October 2009 at the age of 84. The Sam Draper Honors Scholarship has been established in his memory.