A community reception at SUNY Oswego’s Syracuse Campus on Sept. 24 featured proclamations and conversations recognizing SUNY Oswego’s contributions to Syracuse and Central New York while celebrating the Sept. 27 inauguration of the institution’s 11th President Peter O. Nwosu.

New York State Senator John Mannion and Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh both presented respective proclamations related to President Nwosu’s inauguration and spoke on SUNY Oswego’s contribution to the city and region.

Mannion, a 1998 master’s graduate of SUNY Oswego, discussed how much he appreciates the role the university plays in the lives of students, alumni and the Central New York region.

“In the short time that I’ve got to know President Nwosu, I feel what all of you feel, which is that this man is determined to make this region, this university, this community the best it can be and not just the best academically but the best when it comes to community and goodness and foresight and love,” Mannion said in presenting the New York State Senate Proclamation.

Walsh expressed thanks for SUNY Oswego’s investment in Syracuse with its campus at the Atrium on Clinton Square providing leadership to institutions across the region.

“I was immediately impressed with his energy and his passion, not just the passion for the institution of SUNY Oswego but the passion for this community, and that community includes the city of Syracuse,” Walsh said in presenting the city’s proclamation. “Meeting with President Nwosu, he immediately reiterated his commitment to the city of Syracuse, and I am grateful for that.”

Noting the importance of education to the region’s economic development and ongoing revival, leaders applauded President Nwosu’s Vision 4040 plan to double the number of degrees and quality credentials provided by SUNY Oswego from 20,000 for the last decade to 40,000 by the year 2040. 

For the community reception, the Syracuse Campus filled with more than 100 alumni, friends and partners of the university, as well as New York State Assembly Rep. Bill Magnarelli, who gathered together to shine a light on SUNY Oswego’s Syracuse Campus and their shared appreciation for the university and excitement for its future. 

Ron Klein, senior area retail leader of KeyBank and a 1990 SUNY Oswego graduate, provided a business perspective and noted how frequently he met SUNY Oswego alumni in his company and how much his bank enjoyed working with the institution.

“We are all excited by your enthusiasm and experience,” Klein said. “You’re already doing amazing things and we can’t wait to see the great work you’ll do at this institution. We know that the work that you’re doing and the partnerships you’re fostering will have a long-lasting relationship.”

“The proclamations from Senator Mannion and Mayor Walsh underscore the longstanding collaboration between our university, the city and the legislature,” President Nwosu said. “For more than 160 years, our university has been a bedrock of this region, making substantial contributions to its cultural, social and economic growth.”

President Nwosu noted that SUNY Oswego planned to expand its offerings at its Syracuse Campus, where it has been since 2008, particularly focusing on graduate and professional education.

The efforts align with Vision 4040’s goals, as “that vision represents our commitment to a more educated region,” President Nwosu said. “We have to expand that opportunity for educational attainment in ways that allow us to power the engine of growth in our region.”

This recognition followed Oswego Mayor Robert Corradino issuing a proclamation at Monday night's Common Council meeting celebrating President Nwosu's inauguration and the strong connection between the campus and the city of Oswego.