John Christian ’87, president and chief executive officer of CAPA International Education and CAPA have pledged nearly $200,000 over three years to foster international education at SUNY Oswego.

“Through this extremely generous gift, John Christian and CAPA pass on to future students the transformative cultural experience he enjoyed through his education at Oswego. We are profoundly grateful,” said President Deborah F. Stanley.

Christian shared his own story including humble roots in Troy and a life-changing experience at Oswego.

“Study abroad doesn’t just have an impact, but can truly transform lives,” Christian said. His experiences both as a study abroad student and his work with Oswego’s International Education Program under Dr. José Ramon Pérez would inform his life’s work.

Christian praised

Oswego’s global engagement and dedication to making it a prominent part of the academic experience. “I’ve been in this field for 23 years and I’ve worked with a multitude of institutions that are looking to do similar things,” he said. “The global thinker is on all of our agendas, the global doer is the Oswego agenda.”

A gift of $100,000 over three years will support the Presidents’ International Initiatives, creating opportunities for Oswego students, faculty and staff to infuse a global dimension into the teaching, learning and service mission of the college.

A separate gift will fund the José Ramon Pérez International Scholarship, to provide full need-based scholarships for Oswego studentsto CAPA’s London Program and Beijing semester program for three years.

Jack James ’62 hoists the Reunion Giving Participation Cup in celebration. The 50th anniversary class posted 48 percent participation in giving.

The 50th anniversary Class of 1962 broke the participation record for 50-year classes, and the 25-year Class of 1987 and the 10-year anniversary Class of 2002 both broke the previous records for total dollars raised for their anniversary years.

“Reunion gifts are a special opportunity for our alumni to stretch their giving level in honor of Oswego and the role it has played in shaping their lives today,” said Joy Westerberg Knopp ’92, director of annual giving. “It has been a tremendous honor working with these Reunion classes and our wonderful alumni volunteers this past year.  They should all be proud of their accomplishments.”

The 50th anniversary Class of 1962 won the Participation Cup for the highest percentage of donors, with 147 donors or 48.5 percent of the class chipping in to raise $37,620.23.

The Class of 1962 not only exceeded their first class goal of $30,000, but also their original participation goal of 35 percent.

Jack James ’62 and Ed Heinrich ’62 chaired the class’s giving effort, beginning in October 2011 with a committee of a half-dozen classmates. Both chairmen led by example, with Heinrich and his wife, Janet Albreght Heinrich ’63, endowing a scholarship and James establishing a charitable gift annuity as leader of the Sheldon Legacy Society, those who have remembered Oswego in their estate plans.

“The success we had was nothing more than persistence, follow up emails, phone calls and note writing,” said
Heinrich.

James explained the importance of supporting the college in honor of an anniversary year, saying, “Reunion giving makes a statement that alumni do participate in reunions, not just to gather back on campus to have fun, but also to make a worthwhile statement of our loyalty to our class and the institution.”

The Class of 1987 presented a check for the record-setting class gift to President Deborah F. Stanley, far left. Representing the class are reunion giving committee members, from left, Henry Seymour ’87, Kimberly Morella ’87, Kimberly Cockayne Brooke ’87, Elizabeth Gocs ’87, Lisa Marceau Schnorr ’87 and Keith Chamberlain ’87.

The Class of 1987, under the leadership of Reunion Giving Chair Lisa Marceau Schnorr ’87, skyrocketed past their $25,000 goal, raising $126,396, to break the $108,000 mark set by the Class of 1982 for their 25th Reunion.

The gift was boosted by a generous donation from a class member to establish a fund supporting international scholarships and initiatives at the college.

The Class of 1987 also carries the distinction of being the class which raised the largest senior class gift as students.

In addition, the 10th anniversary Class of 2002, under the leadership of Christopher Hockey ’02, surpassed their goal of $7,500 and broke a record by raising $13,162.64. The Class of 1998 set the previous record of $10,191.

Also successful in their fundraising efforts, garnering a total of $73,667.75 were the 20th anniversary classes, led by Fred Hinrichsen ’91 and Bob Hickey ’91, co-chairing the effort for the Class of 1991; Bill Schreiner ’92, leading the Class of 1992’s giving drive, and Nancy Smith Salisbury ’93 heading up the reunion giving effort for the Class of 1993.

“Gifts of all sizes truly do add up to make a difference for our students and these classes set a fine example for future classes celebrating their own Reunions,” said Knopp. “Their generosity will impact our students for years to come.”

Reunion 2013 is set for June 6 to 9, and Reunion Giving years are 1963, 1988, 2003, the 35th anniversary classes of 1977, 1978 and 1979, and the 15th anniversary classes of 1997, 1998 and 1999. To become involved in Reunion giving efforts, contact the Office of University Development at 315-312-3003 or develop@oswego.edu, and to help plan Reunion events and encourage classmates to attend, contact the Office of Alumni Relations at 315-312-5559 or email reunion@oswego.edu.

“It was Oswego that gave me the confidence and the skills to succeed in the real world, where you’re all headed Monday,” Levy told more than 750 graduating seniors, their families and friends May 13.

Steve Levy ’87, second from right, was the emcee of the Sesquicentennial Torchlight Ceremony in May. Also leading the festivities were from left, Mistress of Ceremonies Jacquelyn Costello ’11, Torchbearer Tyler Hilliard ’11, President Deborah F. Stanley, Levy, and Student Speaker Meghan Milewski ’11.

“This is your shot right now. This is your time to go out and do something you love, something you are passionate about,” Levy said at the Commencement Eve Dinner, which precedes the Torchlight Ceremony. “If you love something that you’re doing, chances are you’re going to be great at it.”

Levy got his start sportscasting at WTOP-TV and WOCR-AM as a communication studies major at Oswego. He joined ESPN and became an anchor on the network’s flagship SportsCenter program in 1993.

“I know all of you will make us, the alumni, very proud,” he said. “So I leave you with this: Get out of here. Go be great at whatever you’re great at and achieve your happiness.”