Around the SUNY Oswego campus

Students, faculty and staff enjoyed the natural surroundings of Rice Creek Field Station Feb. 28 for some indoor or outdoor time in nature, recreational opportunities, mindfulness activities and creative offerings. The "Fresh Air, Fresh Start" provided the welcome chance to explore many of the 8 dimensions of wellness while taking some time for self-love, health and wellbeing. Pictured coming off one of the trails with snowshoes are, from front to back: seniors Noah LaFountain and Jacob Campo, and graduate student Kate Luick.

Students, faculty and staff took part in the "Fresh Air, Fresh Start" event at Rice Creek Field Station, including this group enjoying some s’mores and a campfire near the pavilion.

Among those taking part in “Fresh Air, Fresh Start” were Office of Sustainability interns Josephine Ragland (left), a junior mathematics major, and Barnaby Hurst (right), a senior biology major, displaying some maple tree tapping tools used to gather sap for making maple syrup.

Student skiers and snowboard enthusiasts enjoyed the annual on-campus winter event at Rail Jam held in the quad near Mahar Hall on Feb. 28, presented by the Ski and Snowboard Club. Pictured is Logan Davis, a junior electrical and computer engineering major, sliding along a rail.

The university's 36th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration took place on Feb. 8 in Waterman Theatre with a ceremony, student performances, recitations and the keynote speaker. This year's event, themed "Communities in Action: Empowering The Dream," featured a keynote address by performer, author and educator Arthur Flowers (pictured), who presented "A Praise Song for the King."

The university's 36th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. celebration on Feb. 8 included student Sydney Barreto singing "Lift Every Voice and Sing," also referred to as the Black National Anthem.

The university's 36th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. celebration included student performances such as the classic jazz piece "In Walked Bud" by Thelonious Monk, performed by Kyle Greg Billy on bass, Trey Woolwinep on trumpet and Tim Altbacker on guitar.

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service is a partnership to benefit Rise Against Hunger. The third annual campus event took place on February 8 in Swetman Gym, attended by volunteers from a mix of student organizations and athletic team members.

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service also included the 2025 SUNY Oswego Tree of Life painting. Students make their mark on the canvas with their handprints using a color with a value that is most important to them. Pictured is the men's tennis team participating. The theme for this year's events was “Communities in Action: Empowering The Dream.”

Several faculty members were recently promoted to the rank of full professor recently during a recognition ceremony on Feb. 27. Provost Scott Furlong (at left) and President Peter O. Nwosu (at right), stand with honorees, from left: Uyilawa Usuanlele, history; Jonel Langenfeld, theatre; Murat Yasar, history (also recently appointed deputy to the president for strategy, planning and special projects); James Early, computer science; and Laura Donnelly, English and creative writing. Also promoted to full professor, but not in the photo, are Neelika Jayawardane, English and creative writing, and Kenneth Marshall, history.

New incoming international students from around the globe gathered for their orientation sessions presented by the offices of International Education and Programs and International Student and Scholar Services. The event took place Jan. 24 in Shineman Center.

International new student orientation included campus services staff including Counseling Services, Health Services, Student Association, Experiential Learning and more.

New incoming international students officially joined the Laker family, networked and learned more about campus during their orientation session on Jan. 24.

Snow was plentiful on campus greeting students during the first week of classes in the spring semester, which began January 27. This year's first few months have seen unusually high snowfall, compared to previous winters.

Students found a variety of excellent opportunities to connect directly with successful industry professionals in the fields of communication, media and the arts, and network with employers and learn about career and internship opportunities at their organization. The Feb. 11 event in Tyler Hall lobby was hosted by Career Services and Experiential Learning with the School of Communication, Media and the Arts. 

The popular Spring Student Involvement Fair, this year on Jan. 29 in Swetman Gym, allowed students to meet with representatives from the great number of clubs and organizations to learn about ways to get involved on campus. Pictured is a group involved in student media, WTOP-10 TV.

The Spring Study Abroad Fair, Feb. 12 on the Marano Campus Center concourse, offered information to students about studying abroad and cultures around the world. Several partners and other SUNY schools are also in attendance to represent their programs and opportunities. Pictured, William Croft (left), a senior criminal justice major, talks with SUNY Oswego Associate Director of Education Abroad Lizette Alvarado, and Ally Hefner, a senior broadcasting major and minor in business administration. Croft is a recent participant in the Study Abroad program who spent three weeks in January in Australia for his health promotion and wellness studies.

Hewitt Hall renovation will turn the former student union into a state-of-the-art visual communication center for the School of Communication, Media and the Arts when it reopens in fall 2025. Pictured is a look in mid-February at the Collaborative Core central interior area, which spans the first and second floors.

A look inside Hewitt Hall renovations includes this mid-February view of a second floor meeting space and offices area with an inspiring message.

The Hewitt ballroom, one of the most recognizable spaces for alumni who knew it as the Hewitt Union, is starting to round into shape, as seen in this mid-February snapshot. Hewitt Hall will reopen to welcome broadcasting, graphic design and cinema and screen studies coursework and labs in fall 2025.

Oswego lived up to some of its past winters with plenty of snow from late January into February. But temperatures warmed up into the 40s and 50s this week, a reminder spring is not far away.