Around the SUNY Oswego campus

Lakers and guests adorned in Oswego colors took part in a very special 2021 Green and Gold Day photo during Founder's Weekend on Friday, Oct. 1, in front of the newly named Deborah F. Stanley Arena and Convocation Hall.

An Oct. 1 groundbreaking celebrated the $80 million Hewitt Hall renovation, planned to transform the former student union into a state-of-the-art facility for broadcasting, cinema and screen studies and graphic design programs. Speakers during the event featured SUNY Chancellor Jim Malatras; President Deborah F. Stanley; New York State Assemblyman William A. Barclay; New York State Assemblyman, 1982 alumnus and Alumni Association Board member Harry Bronson; Julie Pretzat, dean for the School of Communication, Media and the Arts; and two SUNY Oswego students in Alexa Cox, a dual major in broadcasting and mass communication and in political science, and Alex Brooks, a broadcasting and mass communication major.

College President Deborah F. Stanley speaks Oct. 1 at a Founder’s Weekend luncheon during an event officially dedicating the Deborah. F. Stanley Arena and Convocation Hall in Marano Campus Center. SUNY Oswego donors raised $2.4 million to name the facility and establish an endowed fund that will be used to keep the facility equipped with the latest technology and amenities.

SUNY Chancellor Jim Malatras speaks Oct. 1 during SUNY Oswego’s Founder’s Weekend luncheon officially announcing the Deborah. F. Stanley Arena and Convocation Hall in Marano Campus Center. Praising President Stanley's many innovative achievements were Malatras; College Foundation Board Chair and 1981 alumna Rose Cardamone Crane (pictured at right); Justin Dobrow, 2017 alumnus and master of ceremonies; bestselling author and 1963 Oswego alumnus Ken Auletta; Today show co-anchor Al Roker, class of 1976; and Oswego Mayor Billy Barlow. Barlow presented an official city proclamation honoring President Stanley, declaring Oct. 1, 2021 “Deborah F. Stanley Day” in the city of Oswego. Mayor Barlow also bestowed President Stanley with the City of Oswego Lifetime Achievement Award for outstanding contributions and leadership at SUNY Oswego.

A panel of distinguished alumni discussed "Building Communities Through Entrepreneurship" for the School of Business Alumni Symposium during Founder's Weekend. Panelists for the Sept. 30 event in the Park Hall auditorium included, from left, 2007 alumnus Jeff Knauss, co-founder of the Digital Hyve marketing agency; 1985 alumnus Bob Moritz, global chairman of PwC; and 1976/2001 alumna Phyllis Moore Holloway, a business owner, longtime educator and non-profit leader. Pamela Caraccioli, SUNY Oswego's deputy to the president for external partnerships, moderated the presentation. School of Business faculty member Sarah Bonzo served as host for the event.

More than 200 students, faculty and alumni benefactors gathered on Oct. 2 for the seventh annual Scholars Brunch, an event that recognizes student scholars and the benefactors who established privately funded scholarships for Oswego students. This year’s event was held in conjunction with Founder’s Weekend, which celebrated 160 years of higher learning since the college’s founding in 1861 and also recognized the contributions of President Deborah F. Stanley, who will retire in December after 26 years as president and 44 years of service to the college. Pictured with President Stanley and Mark Baum ’81 -- Oswego College Foundation board member, scholarship benefactor and who served as MC for the event -- are from left, two student speakers in senior chemistry major and Possibility Scholar Taylor Coiner and Michael Jean, a senior broadcasting and mass communication major and the recipient of the Tom Winiarski ’91 Scholarship; program speakers Oswego Alumni Association President Dana Segall Murphy ’99 and Aunrée Houston ’00.

The Scholars Brunch held Oct. 2 announced a special recognition for Michael J. Stanley. During remarks by President Deborah F. Stanley, she recognized her husband and announced that she established an endowed scholarship in his name. Oswego Alumni Association President Dana Segall Murphy ’99, with Oswego College Foundation Chair Rose Cardamone Crane ’81, dedicated a bench and tree to be placed overlooking the Lake Ontario shore to Michael J. Stanley. “Michael has been an integral part of our SUNY Oswego family for over 26 years,” Murphy said. “He has met with Oswego alumni across the country at formal and informal events to provide college updates, and learn about the alumni experience. He has always been the resident expert on the history of Shady Shore and all of its occupants. He always wants to assist with our endeavors.” Pictured at the bench, which features an engraved plaque in Michael Stanley’s honor, are the Stanley family. 

The Fall Open House hosted Oct. 11 by the Admissions Office gave visitors the opportunity to participate in a variety of tours; visit an information fair with college offices and faculty from each major; and attend presentations on admissions, financial aid, housing and more. Student tour guide Danny Hernandez, a broadcasting and mass communication major, helps a group enjoy the view from the Shineman Center's Innovation Wing Observation Deck during one of the well-attended tours. The next Fall Open House is slated for Nov. 11.

Thanks to a charitable grant by National Grid to Oswego KidsTech, more schoolchildren will have access to engaging, hands-on learning experiences in STEM curriculum, and SUNY Oswego technology education students will learn how to deliver this content in person and remotely. Officials from National Grid came to SUNY Oswego to present a check for $19,800 to support the KidsTech programs, developed and administered by Mark Springston and Karin Dykeman, faculty members in SUNY Oswego’s department of technology.

This year's annual Humphrey Fellows Speed Meeting event on Oct. 12 in Sheldon Ballroom allowed students to meet 11 professionals from around the world during seven-minutes speed interview sessions. Pictured meeting with Oswego students is Dramane Bouko from Benin. Bouko is a junior associate lecturer at the University of Abomey-Calavi and the University of Parakou with areas of interest in leadership development, managerial skills, NGOs, peacemaking and preventive diplomacy. SUNY Oswego via its Institute for Global Engagement is an official partner in the Humphrey Fellows Program at Syracuse University's Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, where participants spend seven months partaking in graduate study, professional development and cultural exchange.

With September as National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, and in honor of late employee Mary Gosek, the SUNY Oswego SEFA (State Employees Federated Appeal) campaign regularly hosts a Totally Teal campaign for fundraising and awareness. On Sept. 28, a large number of students, faculty and staff sported teal and walked in support of those fighting or who have fought the disease, and to raise money for Peaceful Remedies -- a local organization founded by Gosek and which aims to holistically improve the healing experiences of those with life-altering illnesses.

University Police Chief Kevin Velzy (center) offers his congratulations to Officer Benjamin Freeman (left) and Officer Christina Bedard, who both graduated from the Alfred State Police Academy on Friday, Oct. 22. “They are currently completing field training, and we are happy to add them to our ranks,” Velzy noted.

The annual Pink Day organized by the SEFA (State Employees Federated Appeal) campaign to raise funds for and awareness about breast cancer was held Oct. 22 in Marano Campus Center food and activities court. Participants wore pink apparel and gathered for a group photo followed by a memorial walk through the quad. All proceeds from this event will remain local and benefit Oswego County Opportunities Cancer Services.