Around the SUNY Oswego campus

The college’s annual Welcoming Torchlight Ceremony formally welcomes new students into the Oswego family. Toward the ceremony's conclusion on Aug. 23, torchbearer Takeena Strachan (foreground), Student Association president and a senior political science major; college President Deborah F. Stanley; and (at left) Student Master of Ceremonies Xavier Gillard, a senior public justice major, raise their candles along with all those in attendance.

New students take part in the Welcoming Torchlight Ceremony on Aug. 23, which symbolically passes along the torch of learning to the newest members of the Oswego family.

Every year, the Welcome Picnic invites new students to connect with faculty, staff and some returning students, with the food and friendships unfolding Aug. 23 this year on the academic quad.

Students enjoy a sunny start to the semester at the Aug. 23 Welcome Picnic.

Alicia and Michael Arroyo (right), parents of incoming freshman Malen Arroyo (not in photo), talk with Rodmon King, chief diversity and inclusion officer, and Jerri Howland, vice president for students affairs and enrollment management, on Aug. 23 as their daughter moves into Johnson Hall.

With T-shirts emphasizing their readiness to help, student volunteer Red Carpet Crew members head toward their next new community member moving into Johnson Hall on Aug. 23. Many of the crew wore outer space alien antennae headbands to reinforce the festive, welcoming start to the campus semester opening events.

Emma Semmler (right) leads her fellow crew members with a cart full of belongings into Waterbury Hall during new student move-in day on Friday, Aug. 23.

Steve Smith from the Writing Center talks with student Yoo Rim Kim from South Korea during International Student Orientation on Thursday, Aug. 22.

Several faculty and staff members received honors for their outstanding achievements and dedication to the college and its students from President Deborah F. Stanley and other leaders on Aug. 21 during the annual Academic Affairs Retreat. After the ceremony, Provost Scott Furlong congratulated, from left:

• Grace Maxon-Clarke, President’s Award for Excellence in Academic Advisement
• Craig DeLancey, President’s Award for Excellence in Faculty Service
• Poongoodi Geetha-Loganathan, Provost’s Award for Mentoring in Scholarly and Creative Activity
• Jessica Reeher, President’s Award for Teaching Excellence
• Jacqueline Wallace, President’s Award for Excellence in Professional Service
• Scott Steiger, Gold Medal for Excellence in Research and Sponsored Programs
• Paul Leary, Provost’s Award for Scholarly and Creative Activity
• Damian Schofield, President’s Award for Scholarly and Creative Activity

Also honored, but not available to attend, was Yulia Artemenko, who earned a Bronze Medal for Excellence in Research and Sponsored Programs.

SUNY Oswego recently welcomed new faculty from the School of Business and College of Liberal Arts and Sciences including, top row from left, Joshua Plencer from political science; John Lindstedt from computer science; John Spring and Andrea Pagano, both from accounting, finance and law; Paul Agle from atmospheric and geological sciences; Byeon Boseon of computer science; and Tiffany Deater of English and creative writing. Front from left are Yiru Wang from marketing and management; Soma Mei Sheng Frazier from English and creative writing; Jeffrey Slye from mathematics; Gilian Tenbergen from psychology; Kathleen Locklear from accounting, finance and law; Zoe Misiewicz from mathematics; and Courtney Doucette from history.

SUNY Oswego recently welcomed new faculty from the Penfield Library, School of Education and the School of Communication, Media and the Arts including, top row from left, Jessica Harris from health promotion and wellness; Andrea Vickery and Mixon Ware, both from human development; Minhao Dai and David Crider, both from communication studies; and Erin Kovalsky from Penfield Library. Front from left are Najah Zaaeed from health promotion and wellness; Jeffrey Huard from technology education; Ryan Scott Yuille from theatre; Michelle Storie from counseling and psychological services; and Joan Gujarati from curriculum and instruction.

SUNY Oswego recently welcomed new professional staff including, top from left, Associate Dean of Students Elizabeth Droz; Dean of the School of Business Prabakar Kothandaraman; Brandon Woolfolk from the Office of Campus Life; Erin Palmitese from the Office of Business and Community Relations; and Kyle Dzintars of the Counseling Services Center. Second row from left are Lisa Sassone from the Office of Student Accounts; Daniela Mosko from the Division of Extended Learning; and Jennifer Cook from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Third row from left are Brittany Pace from the Office of Admissions; Devin Higgins of the Office of Human Resources; Carrie Mocyk from the Division of Extended Learning; Elizabeth Schultz of the Office of Publications; and Kate Percival of Campus Technology Services/Office of Communications and Marketing. Front row from left are Melissa Semione from the Division of Extended Learning; Melissa Miller from the Finance Office; Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Kristin Croyle; Kristen Haynes of Rice Creek Field Station; Taeko Kelly of the Office of Career Services; and Mangala Nanthakumar of Environmental Health and Safety.

SUNY Oswego recently welcomed visiting assistant professors including, top from left, James Soo Lee from philosophy; Michael Mullen from health promotion and wellness; David Cossio-Ruiz from mathematics; and Susan DiBlasi from health promotion and wellness. Middle row from left are Michael Chaness of anthropology; Merve Yanar Grace of marketing and management; Ashlee Moore of psychology; and Michael Cleland of communication studies. Front from left are Amanda Trainham from English and creative writing; Joanna McKinney and Michael Hurley, both from mathematics; Amy Lynn Budd from theatre; and Javod Nosratabadi from economics.

Our Syracuse campus hosted a new student orientation session on Aug. 7 for incoming students like Briana Wrobel (left), thanking Melissa M. Semione, an academic planning coordinator for the Division of Extended Learning. The Syracuse campus, in the Atrium building at 2 Clinton Square, hosts three bachelor’s degree completion programs -- business, human development and criminal justice -- as well as classes for graduate degrees and certificate programs.

With renovations ongoing for Mary Walker Health Center, students can find the health center and Counseling Services Center on the second floor of Hewitt. Cara Plasencia (left), a senior counselor at the Counseling Services Center, talks in her new office with colleague Kyle R. Dzintars, outreach coordinator and senior counselor.

In the current home for health services in Hewitt, Nykky Bivens (left), Walker Health Center staff graphic designer, gets her blood pressure read from a newly installed and calibrated device in an exam room on the second floor of Hewitt by Angie Brown, director of Mary Walker Health Center. Renovations of Mary Walker Health Center are expected to be complete in 2020.

The 41st Sheldon Institute for Barbara Shineman Scholars, an educational enrichment program which has served generations of students, took place July 22 to Aug. 2, 2019, on campus. This skit on getting to know their community by the Novice group (those entering second and third grades) was among the performances in a showcase event that annually wraps up the summer program.

Yavuz Damkaci, of the Sheldon Institute senior division, tries out virtual reality goggles for a virtual roller coaster ride during World Virtual Reality class in the Shineman Center VR Lab. Assisting is Khairunisa Sharif, Sheldon Institute staff instructor and a human-computer interaction graduate student.

Students in the Sheldon Institute for Barbara Shineman Scholars, entering grades two through 10, have hands-on activities in four different age divisions. Intermediate art students, from left, Louisa Huff, Victoria Gul and Gracyn Cantine, show off their "Shineman Park" amusement park construction made out of everyday items complete with rides, ticket booth and bathrooms.

Patrick DeWine, executive director for the United Way of Greater Oswego County and campus Stuff A Bus coordinator Cathy Johnston of the Provost’s Office show off some of the donations from the SUNY Oswego community that will support hundreds of local families through the Stuff A Bus program. Stuff A Bus collects materials for students in elementary, middle and high schools throughout Oswego County who might not otherwise be able to afford these supplies.

Fancy color-changing lights and an industrial aesthetic welcome visitors to The Space, a new multi-purpose facility on the the lower level of Swetman Gym that will accommodate both formal and informal student gatherings and events such as club meetings, film screenings, small concerts, dance events, award ceremonies, open-mic nights and more. Students are invited to an open house from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. today (Aug. 28) to tour The Space, which includes a large event area, greenrooms for performers, a catering prep area, gender-neutral restrooms, audio-visual equipment and other amenities.

The idea of Coach Ed Gosek's late wife Mary, supported by four years of continuous fundraising, the Oswego men's hockey team toured Europe earlier this month, playing games and learning more about the culture. They swept all three games against European teams.