The first class of 25 Shineman Oswego Scholars started this fall at SUNY Oswego, with these local students receiving support from the Richard S. Shineman Foundation.
For fall 2024, the Shineman Oswego Scholars program awarded 25 scholarships to local students for $2,500 per year for up to four years. Starting in fall 2025, the program will provide 10 $1,250 renewable scholarships across the county.
Each of the county’s nine school districts had at least two recipients, with another seven awards distributed in open competition throughout the county.
The first Shineman Oswego Scholars are:
From Altmar-Parish-Williamstown Central School District:
- Jordan Korzeniewski, theatre
- Emma Michaud, business administration
From Central Square Central School District:
- Conner Houghmaster, marketing
- Faith Pickett, English
- Jarred Westcott, audio recording and production
From Fulton City School District:
- Kyle Hood, criminal justice
- Jenna Sitar, human development
- Rylee Spencer, studio art
From Hannibal Central School District:
- Mandy Allen, adolescence education-mathematics
- Allison Hallinan, childhood education-mathematics
- Noah Melita, business administration
From Mexico Academy and Central School District:
- Hayden Combs, adolescence education-social studies
- Makayla Green-Ward, psychology
- Chloe McDermott, liberal arts
From Oswego City School District:
- Clayton Andrews, biology
- Kaitlyn Donoghue, business administration
- Sydny Frantz, music
From Phoenix Central School District:
- Caitlin Dean, childhood education-English
- Savannah Felix, political science
- Matthew Froio, geology
From Pulaski Academy and Central School District:
- Candace Lewis, illustration
- Addison McCullough, studio art
- Laura Winfield, criminal justice
From Sandy Creek Central School District:
- Trevor McDougal, audio recording and production
- Rylee McNitt, biology
As part of this notable new program, the Shineman Oswego Scholars were invited to take part in President Peter O. Nwosu’s inauguration ceremony on Sept. 27, serving as student representatives in the opening procession.
“We see many talented students from Oswego County attending already, but we wanted to provide an additional incentive for students who might be interested in staying close to home with our friendly campus and proven value,” said Cory Bezek, SUNY Oswego’s vice president for enrollment management. “We are so thankful to the Shineman Foundation for helping us with this goal.”
The scholarship does not have any academic requirements, and Bezek said Oswego welcomes recommendations on a need-based basis.
“Since they would already live nearby, there is no requirement to live on campus for this award,” Bezek noted.
For more information about SUNY Oswego’s admissions, visit oswego.edu/admissions.
About the Richard S. Shineman Foundation
As a leading philanthropic organization, the Richard S. Shineman Foundation is a transformative catalyst for change creating a vibrant community life for the Oswego County region.
For SUNY Oswego, the partnership began with the 2012 major gift from the Foundation and Dr. Barbara Palmer Shineman. The $5 million gift created the Richard S. Shineman Center for Science, Innovation and Engineering, an endowed chemistry chair and discretionary funds to be used to impact access and opportunity. The Shineman Oswego Scholars is the program that will meet that goal and provide access and opportunity to Oswego County students.
Since that first gift, the Shineman Foundation has been an ongoing generous and impactful partner to the institution as well as to faculty conducting research and developing programs, making students and the campus community grateful for their partnership and support.