The 2023-24 fiscal year began with the announcement of a new president, Dr. Peter O. Nwosu, and his Vision 4040 plan to make a SUNY Oswego education available to more students, especially in the Central New York region. The Laker community rallied behind their new leader by donating their time, talents and financial resources for the advancement of the university.
Thanks to the generosity of the Laker community, University Advancement raised more than $11 million in gifts, pledges and revocable planned gifts -– which is among the largest amount raised by the university in a single fiscal year.
Included in that figure is $6.4 million that supports the Transforming Lives Scholarship program, an initiative to mark the historic inauguration of SUNY Oswego’s 11th president by raising funds to support student scholarships.
This year, the university awarded 30 new scholarships, bringing the total privately awarded scholarships during fiscal year 2024 to 881 scholarships.
Additionally, as of June 30, 2024, the Oswego University Foundation’s endowment reached an all-time high of $71.78 million –- a 15.87-percentage point increase over last year’s $62 million. The Oswego endowment continued to outperform the returns of peer schools, according to the latest NACUBO report, which translates into more money being returned to campus in the form of scholarships, academic and program support, and deans, departmental and other funds.
Career Services reported a record-high number of attendees from all populations at the fall and spring fairs, including 1,440 students, 104 alumni, 221 organizations and 423 representatives. Plus, the staff members initiated several new and enhanced programs, including the first-ever Women’s Empowerment Summit, Health Care Careers Mixer, SCMA Showcase, audition workshops and long-term service opportunities, in addition to many annual programs such as the Engineering Showcase, Syracuse Campus Week, Mock Interview Palooza, Headshot Extravaganza and many others.
Career Services also completed a highly successful two-year pilot program designed to explore the strategic infusion of career education and readiness into the academic curriculum, and its success is leading to the expansion of this approach throughout the university.
One of University Advancement's most important roles within the university is bridging the skills, talents and resources of 95,000 alumni back to campus and particularly to benefit students. In 2023-24, more than 1,100 alumni volunteered their time and expertise to serve on boards, host virtual and in-person events, present webinars, speak in classes and on panels, recruit new students, select award recipients and donate their service in many other ways.
SUNY Oswego saw more than 310 alumni connect with students in classroom presentations, with 90 students and recent grads connecting with an alumni mentor for one-on-one conversation and guidance through the Alumni Sharing Knowledge program.
The university also leveraged alumni in its efforts to recruit a diverse and engaged incoming class. In University Advancement's efforts to engage and provide mentorship, they worked with eight student ambassadors to the Oswego University Foundation committees and decided to add a permanent voting member seat for a current student to the board, as the Oswego Alumni Association has had for years.
Throughout the year, the Alumni Engagement team, in partnership with campus colleagues, hosted many pride-building events, including Welcoming Torchlight for new students; Founder’s Weekend with the signature Scholars Brunch, Educational Opportunity Program Alumni Reunion, Communication Studies Alumni Dinner, Green and Gold Day Campus Family Photo and 200th birthday activities for Edward Austin Sheldon; December Commencement Eve Reception; New York City Career Connections program; Commencement Eve Torchlight Reception and Ceremony; as well as Reunion Weekend. They recognized the exceptional accomplishments of six Lakers who received Oswego Alumni Association awards. Through various communications and programs, University Advancement deepened the engagement level of alumni throughout their lives.
“This year, University Advancement made great strides in connecting SUNY Oswego’s rich past to its vibrant present and its even more promising future,” said Mary Gibbons Canale '81, vice president for University Advancement. “We were bridge builders that enabled all parts of the campus to connect to each other, strengthening the whole. We are so grateful for the partnership of our dedicated alumni who amplify what SUNY Oswego is able to accomplish every year. Thank you!”
-- Submitted by University Advancement