OSWEGO -- Two traditions -- one dating back to 1936
and the other a new revival of an old favorite -- will combine Friday,
May 14, when the college celebrates the annual Commencement Eve.
The Torchlight Ceremony, which welcomes graduating
seniors into the Oswego Alumni Association by passing the torch of
learning, is one of the longest standing traditions at Oswego and is
the centerpiece of Commencement Eve celebrations.
This year, organizers of the event have revived the
old tradition of the Senior Sing -- where the graduating class, led by
the State Singers, will sing favorite songs from their years at
Oswego.
Seniors voted for their favorites on a Web site. A rehearsal will be
held at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday in Room 41 of Tyler Hall. The Senior Sing
will be at 8:30 p.m. outside Hewitt Union, with the Torchlight Ceremony
to follow at 9 p.m.
The emcee for the Torchlight Ceremony will be
Tomasina Boyd Boone, a 1993 graduate of Oswego and associate publisher
of Today's Black Woman and Hype Hair Magazine.
Boone began her career at Johnson Publishing, which
produces one of the oldest African-American publications, Jet magazine,
and earlier at The Nation, a 100-year-old liberal magazine, as
assistant advertising manager. A native of Harlem, Boone received her
master's in graphic communication from New York University. She has
been involved in her community as a volunteer teaching English, working
at a women's homeless shelter and mentoring teen-age girls.
She has also been involved at her alma mater as a
volunteer with the Return to Oz II reunion for alumni of color and as a
member of the Oswego Alumni Association board of directors. She is one
of the founders of the Reach Scholarship to support students of color.
Commencement Eve activities will include dinner in
the ballroom for graduating seniors and their guests. Reservations are
required for the dinner. All other Commencement Eve activities will be
free and open to faculty, staff, seniors, their friends and their
families.
Alumni who wish to participate in the Torchlight
Ceremony as members of the inner circle may call 312-2258 to volunteer.