College Life: Spring 2024

Spring 2025

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college life OswegoCollegeLife.com

WOMEN’S ICE HOCKEY

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All about the stars

Retired prof returns to the Rice Creek Field Station’s observatory to lead free public telescope observation sessions

SA PRESIDENT DISCUSSES HIS ROLE AS LEADER OF STUDENT BODY One of his concerns is with parking on campus, accessibility

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PENFIELD’S RARE BOOK COLLECTION SPANS CENTURIES

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JOB MARKET WARMING UP AGAIN FOR GRADUATES

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GRADUATING THIS SEMESTER? TRY THESE TIPS FOR GETTING YOUR FIRST JOB Player McGrath celebrates a goal.

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Paid internships in Oswego available for the spring and fall semesters. Email inquiries to editor@cnybusinessmag.com or call 315-342-8020.

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P.O. Box 276, Oswego, NY 13126 • 315-342-8020 • editor@cnybusinessmag.com • Editor & Publisher: Wagner Dotto • Writers: Deborah Jeanne Sergeant, Stefan Yablonski • Advertising: Peggy Kain, Rob Elia • Design: Angel Campos-Toro Office Manager: AnnMarie Cliff • Copyright © 2025 Local News, Inc. All rights reserved.

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college life • Spring 2025

ALL ABOUT THE STARS John Zielinski, a retired visiting assistant professor at SUNY Oswego, returns to the Rice Creek Field Station’s observatory February and March to lead free public telescope observation sessions Q: Can you share with our readers what those free public telescope observation sessions are going to cover?

A: We pick a weekend

near the first quarter moon; it’s the right-hand side of the moon that’s illuminated. That gives us a big bright object to look at. We usually have one or two bright planets available, like Jupiter. You can see the surface of Jupiter, we can see at least four of its big moons. We like to look at Saturn, you can see the rings and some of its moons. There are clusters of stars, there are glowing clouds of gases. So, we usually look at about six different celestial objects, but the moon, the bright planets and the galaxies and star clusters. Every once in a while, a really bright satellite will fly over, and we’ll look at that, but with our naked eyes.

Q: What is it that fascinates you about the skies?

A: Its beauty. The sky is so beautiful. There are all these different types of landscapes in nature. People go out to look at the mountains and the Grand Canyon. People view ocean sunsets. They’ll even takes safaris to Africa to see wildlife in their natural setting. The night skies are another one of these natural landscapes. And it’s free, and it’s there every day, and it costs nothing to look at. It’s beautiful, intriguing. And you can appreciate all these landscapes, including the night sky without any knowledge of the underlying science. You don’t have to know anything about physics or chemistry or geology to be fascinated by images of the moon or the planets or the stars. Now

if you do know something about the underlying science, it then even becomes more interesting.

Q: What can we learn from viewing the skies?

A: All right, three things come to mind. The night sky and observations of the moon, the planets and the stars have formed, through history, the basis for time keeping and the calendar. They can be used for celestial navigation and, in modern times, with the observational equipment we have, the objects that we look at are essentially laboratories where we can study. Various theories of physics, chemistry and geology that you just can’t create in a laboratory. The conditions of temperature and pressure and density are just so extreme, we don’t know how to do that on Earth. But

these conditions are readily available in the stars, or readily available from information that we can get from the light from these celestial objects.

Q: Why do you think that the skies capture the imaginations of so many people?

A: They find the sky to be beautiful. For the first time in

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human existence, we live in an era of active space exploration. There’s also this cultural aspect that our entertainment often involves space, and we have these active research programs.

Q: You worked for SUNY Oswego from 2012 to 2021. You’ve been gone for four or five years. What brings you back to do these programs?

A: Running that observatory on those weekends is one of the most fulfilling things I’ve ever done in my life. The adults are just so interested.

And some sometimes, with families, the mothers and fathers are interested and so are the children. It’s just so rewarding.

The two free public telescope observation sessions are scheduled for Feb. 21-23 and May 2-4. For more information on these programs or the Pi Day Total Lunar Eclipse Telescope Session that Zielinski is involved in presenting in March, visit ww1.oswego.edu/ rice-creek.

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Graduating This Semester? Try These Tips for Getting Your First Job

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By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

ntering the job market this spring may seem daunting; however, with the right planning, you can be on your way to your first paycheck.

“As a recent grad, it is important that you use your resume as the ticket in the door versus a chance to tell your whole life story,” said Stephanie M. Vavonese, founder and CEO of SMV Recruiting, LLC & Brew Recruit in Syracuse. “Try to keep it short, but detailed.”

She advises keeping your education with bullet points underneath to highlight if you were in any organizations, clubs, sports, study abroad programs or honors.

Underneath that, list your experience, with the most recent one first.

“If you have internships — which are always recommended — create a separate section for that, and if you have volunteer experience create another section for that,” Vavonese said.

List any high school jobs, especially if they were in sales or a customer service role, which Vavonese said can show you can work with people and change gears quickly.

Vavonese also advises allowing the job worksites help you find a position.

“Be sure to post your resume on Indeed, check the box on LinkedIn to let folks know you are looking for a new opportunity, and create search notifications for jobs that match your search criteria,” she said.

It’s also OK to submit a resume to a company you’d like to work for in a position for which you’re qualified. Most

hiring agents would rather select a candidate from a pool of people truly interested in the company than from people using the “machine gun” approach, where they apply to dozens of companies blindly.

“If you find a job opening, don’t over-think the application,” Vavonese said. “The sooner you apply, the more likely your resume is to be reviewed.”

Always focus on the value you bring to the company and how you can meet the company’s needs.

“Also, if you can use LinkedIn to find the hiring manager, send them an invite, but always send a message letting them know why are reaching out,” Vavones said.

“It’s all about standing out and making a connection.”

Garry Morris, director of Career Services at SUNY Oswego, encourages soon-to-be graduates to “be proactive and don’t wait to start the process.

Your Career Services office can assist with a realistic timeline and action items to ensure success upon or before graduation.”

The college also has other means of helping you find work. Morris mentioned career fairs and networking events on campus.

“Build, maintain, and evolve your network online and off,” he added. “Pay close attention to your LinkedIn profile, and follow up with connections through classes, events, and programs.”

Join any in-person and online industry organizations.

Many members of these are happy to help young people connect to others in their field.

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college life • Spring 2025 ample, a percentage goes to our programming board, a percentage goes to paying our staff; right now we have three employees,” he said.

Due to a decline in enrollment recently, funds had to be cut.

“It’s been a difficult situation. Through the budget process we do our best to ensure that everyone can be helped,” he explained.

SA has two separate bodies.

“There is the cabinet and then we have our senators; more or less the legislative part. So right now we have about 13 senators. They write the resolutions and vote on things,” he said.

If students want to become more invested, the best thing to do is become a senator.

“They can also show up at our meetings to know what’s happening on campus. We also started a newsletter that will be published on Laker Life which is our official platform,” he added.

He began his college career in the fall of 2021.

“I enjoy the snow. I was home like two weeks ago and I did miss it,” he said. “What I do appreciate about Oswego — I’ve been here like all year round — I appreciate experiencing the four seasons.”

Students Selected as SUNY Disability Ambassadors

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wo SUNY Oswego students, Luiz Perez-Rivera and Elizabeth Mulle, were selected to serve as representatives in the new SUNY Disability Ambassador program, an initiative aimed at promoting accessibility and inclusivity across SUNY campuses.

Students with disabilities from across the SUNY system have been selected to participate, hoping to provide a wide range of assistance for those who need it. Perez-Rivera and Mulle meet monthly with this network of students to discuss accessibility points, and what campus support can be provided.

Students were able to choose an initiative they felt was in alignment with their interests and expertise.

Perez-Rivera, a sophomore majoring in human resource management, is passionate about diversity, equity and inclusion. Over the fall 2024 semester, he worked with the Counseling Services Center; the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion; and the currently forming Disability Pride group.

Mulle, a global and international studies major, was inspired by a spring break course in Italy during her freshman year to help students with disabilities participate in study abroad programs. She now works within the Office of International Education and Programs, holding weekly office hours to answer questions students with disabilities may have about these opportunities and to offer advice.

SA President Discusses His Role as Leader of Student Body One of his concerns is with parking on campus, accessibility

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By Stefan Yablonski

he Student Association is the student government on campus.

Aiden R. Wilson is the current president. He is a finance and marketing major with a minor in health science. Born and raised in Nassau, in The Bahamas, he will graduate in May of 2025 and hopes to enter the public health sector.

“Here on campus I have a lot of different roles,” he said.

“Besides being president of SA, I am also a resident assistant, a Laker Leader, S.T.A.R.T. peer mentor, student representative for the Oswego University Foundation and intern in The Office of Admissions.”

As SA president, he is responsible for signing contracts with their partners.

“We have a partnership with Oswego County Opportunities. We also do some work with Campus Recreation and a few others,” he said. “I negotiate for the upcoming budget season. Also meet with students whenever they have concerns.”

One of his goals is to cultivate a campus culture that encourages learning and engagement beyond the classroom.

Student concerns “Speaking for this semester, we have had a huge con-

cern with parking on campus — especially for our commuter students.

Things have become a bit better. There is a parking committee,” he said. “We have also had concerns about accessibility on the campus.

Some students face challenges because they use a wheelchair. It is difficult navigating in the snow.”

SA acts as the voice of the students.

It also distributes $1.4 million, funded by the students, to various organizations, clubs, departments and off-campus services.

“Our funds are delegated to various causes — clubs and organizations. For ex-

How to Join SA To join the Student Association and stay up to date with current related events, go to: lakerlife.oswego.edu/ organization/SA. Students who have a question, comment or concern may email the current president at sa.president@oswego. edu — or stop into The Point.

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Job Market Warming Up Again for Graduates

Director of Career Services highlights the importance of internship in the job search

By Stefan Yablonski

G

ary Morris brings 30 years of public and private higher education career services experience to his position as director of Career Services at SUNY Oswego.

He recently discussed the job market and how it’s getting better for those who are graduating in May. “Although the job market for recent college graduates has seen a bit of ‘cooling’ in the past year, that trend is reversing and it is still really positive, especially for those who are motivated to succeed and take proactive steps,” he said. “Nationally, hiring is up over 7% for the class of 2024 and, in fact, employers report that they will be increasing salaries for bachelor degree graduates, which is great news!”

Morris likes the rule of three. Here are his top three:

1. Career Center Soon-to-be graduates should visit their campus Career Services office. They will have the staff, tools and connections to help students through every single aspect of a successful job search.

2. Values Articulation The biggest gap between students who are successful and those who are not is the ability to articulate their value within the context of what their future requires.

Determine what their target career field needs in terms of experience, education, skills, etc., and describe their value within these terms. This is applied throughout their branding ecosystem (resume, cover letter, LinkedIn profile, elevator pitch, etc.) General data to keep in mind: • 90% of employers responding to NACE’s Job Outlook 2025 survey indicated they are seeking evidence of a student’s ability to solve problems.

• 80% are seeking candidates who have strong teamwork skills.

• Written communication skills, initiative, strong work ethic and technical skills are important to at least 70% of responding employers.

• In addition, more than two-thirds seek verbal com-

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“Nationally, hiring is up over 7% for the class of 2024 and, in fact, employers report that they will be increasing salaries for bachelor degree graduates, which is great news!”

munication skills, flexibility/ adaptability and analytical/ quantitative skills in the candidates they recruit.

3. Connections The Career Services office can assist students in building professional connections with alumni, employers and more.

Students should attend career fairs, leverage the power of LinkedIn and attend as many in-person events as possible as they approach graduation.”

He sums up his advice for upcoming seniors in one word — Internship.

“Nationally, 53% of interns are converted to fulltime status, making this one of the most effective ways to secure full-time employment in their field,” he said.

Gaining experience in a chosen field is the single most impactful activity in support of making connections, getting experience, building skills and securing positive references, he added.

“Start with the Career Services office,” Morris said.

“They can help you determine and then map out a strategy for success with a tangible timeline of activities that will help students reach their professional goals.”

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college life • Spring 2025 Darrell Pfiffner and his wife Natasha Glynn are opening the first cannabis store in Oswego, the FlynnStoned Cannabis Company.

Beating Burnout

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

B

urnout — that lethargic mood akin to depression — faces most students eventually.

It’s typical to face burnout in the second semester.

It’s hard to feel motivated to do anything. But instead of letting burnout tank your grades, you can fight back against burnout and beat it.

“The easiest way to manage burnout is to try to balance your days and weeks between your work and responsibilities, and your times for self-care,” said Lynn Braun, licensed mental health counselor, director of Counseling Services at SUNY Oswego and president of the Association for University and College Counseling Center Directors.

This means regularly taking some time daily and weekly to do things that lower your stress. Braun added that this should include adequate and restful sleep, eating regularly and well, and engaging in some regular movement or exercise.

“Students who struggle to do these three things often struggle to manage stress and burnout,” Braun said.

It may feel like slacking off or being lazy; however, adequate self-care can ensure you are your best, most productive self while studying and completing projects.

Beating burnout also has to do with making a reasonable number of commitments.

Do not compare yourself to someone else who appears to do it all: working a job, leading groups, participating in clubs,

volunteering, keeping up with friends and maintaining a relationship, all while receiving top grades.

That person may possess a greater capacity for managing all of these commitments than you. And that’s OK. “There are many great activities and organizations to get involved with on campus, but it’s important that these activities get balanced with their regular classwork, any employment they have, and their self-care needs,” Braun said.

If you still feel frazzled from the first semester, take heart. You completed the fall semester just fine, and you’ll do the same thing this semester. Use that experience as a roadmap.

“I think it’s important for students to reflect on their fall semester and think about the things they did that made it a success and figuring out how to continue those things in the upcoming semester,” Braun said. “Also, they should reflect on things that they might like to change or do differently that could have things go even better or easier for them.

“They’ve gotten through first semester and hopefully had a long and rejuvenating winter break, so they should use what motivates them to be sure that they start second semester well. Being determined to start the beginning of the semester strong and motivated helps ensure that they won’t have the stress of having to try to recover, or make up ground later in the semester, which can increase stress.”

FlynnStoned Cannabis Opens in Oswego

Business is the first of its type to open in the city.

Owners expect over $3 million a year in sales

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lynnStoned Cannabis Company, a store that opened in downtown Syracuse’s Armory Square in 2023, is opening a new store in Oswego. It is located on George Street, across the street from the Price Chopper plaza and next door to the Lake Effect Car Wash.

“Me and my wife are both owners of this store,” said Darrell Pfiffner, who co-owns the location with his wife Natasha Glynn.

“He [Mike Flynn] owns the FlynnStoned brand. We own this store individually.

We partner with him.”

“It has been quite an expense to get everything going,” he added. “I have several hundred thousand dollars invested in this.”

The city was good to work with, he said.

“We had to go and get a special use permit. They were amicable; they just wanted to know that we were going to be in compliance, licensed and all that stuff — which we are.

So they’re for it,” he said.

The George Street site will be a licensed retail dispensary. According to a story in The

By Stefan Yablonski (Oswego) Palladium-Times in February, the couple said they expect sales of over $3 million a year.

“We will be selling a variety of cannabis products — flower to edibles, drinks, vapes, concentrates, edibles, drinks, tinctures, topicals and concentrates,” said Pfiffner during an interview at the end of November, before the store’s opening. “We’ll have probably 500 to 600 different products on display from a variety of farms and manufacturers.”

“There is definitely a market for it. The goal is to offer safe, lab-tested cannabis.

We’re bringing in tax revenue; but most importantly, we have a safe product. People know what they are getting. They know what they’re getting here that’s the main thing.”

‘Budtenders’ will be available to assist customers. Customers will be ID’d — they need to be at least 21.

“We started construction here back in May or June.

We are just about complete.

Security will be finished in about a week. We are almost at the point where we are just waiting on the state to give us

the OK,” he said. “Once you get everything done — we have our license, but you have to submit to the state and wait for their approval, final approval to open. We’re hoping before Christmas.”

The Oswego store will have a staff of probably 10 to 15 employees, he estimated.

“Me and my wife, we have a real estate business on our own. But as far as this goes; partnering with FlynnStoned, we have been able to learn a lot from them by going to the Syracuse store and learning how their operation is run,” he said. “They are very experienced, very successful. They have a great brand.”

FlynnStoned is expanding all over New York state. There are 17 other stores currently under construction in places like North Syracuse, Buffalo, Rochester, several in New York City and Binghamton.

“The goal is to have upwards of 30 of these locations by sometime in 2025,” he said.

“We will be open seven days a week, probably be similar to what Syracuse is to start.

Ten to 9 and then Saturday 10 to 10 and Sunday 10 to 8.”

OswegoCollegeLife.com • college life

Shelf in an archives and special collections storage room at Penfield Library.

The smallest book in the Penfield Library collection, “The Child’s Bible,” published by Fisher & Brother, Philadelphia, 1834.

Penfield’s Rare Book Collection Spans Centuries Some of the book are from the year 1588

Close up of rare books on a shelf at Penfield Library.

Some of the books were published in 1588

By Stefan Yablonski

M

arissa Caico, a digital collections librarian at Penfield Library, works in the archives and special collections unit of Penfield Library.

“I have been taking care of the rare books collection.

It is an area I’ve been working to try to introduce to students and make more use of. But I still have quite a bit of work to do,” Caico said. “To be totally honest — not all of the books we have in our collection would be considered ‘rare.’

Many may just be old.”

She said she works in conjunction with Zachary Vickery, the university archivist librarian.

When talking about rare books, it speaks of books that have a limited supply. First editions tend to be considered “rare” as a generality because the first printing of a book represents only a small number of the total number of copies that are printed.

The rare books collection in Penfield spans from 1588 into the 20th century, Caico explained.

They are all cataloged and are discoverable online. The

bulk of the collection is from the 19th century and 20th century with a smaller sprinkling of earlier examples, she added.

There are examples of artists’ books, first editions, self-published works, children’s books, bibles, etc.

“But a large portion of the collection is comprised of education books from the19th century, reflecting our start as a training school for teachers,” she said. “While many of the books have come from within the library itself, there are still many questions regarding provenance that we can’t answer.

“As for users, mostly the collection has been used in library instruction sessions where students are able to have hands-on experience with these materials. This past semester, two English courses came to the library for an introduction to archives and special collections and to rare books. These students learned about what a rare book is and some characteristics they might observe that might result in a book being considered rare. Then they participated in an activity where they got to interact with some books and make an

Is it Just an Old Book or a Rare Book?

Marissa Caico is a digital collections librarian at Penfield Library who works with the library’s rare books.

argument as to whether they would consider the book rare or not. These have been great exercises for students who might use materials like this in their own research or are interested in rare books.”

She said she is still expanding her knowledge in this area.

“I love working with the collection and sharing it with students,” she said.

From a book collector’s point of view, a rare book has to be one that they want badly. If it is generally regarded as desirable and, even better, hard to find, then you’re well on the way to having a valuable book.

But is it a rare book?

Different booksellers use different criteria and the terms “rare,” “antique” and “old” are not clearly defined.

Here are a few factors to consider when looking at a special book and its value and rarity.

Just because it’s old doesn’t mean that it’s rare.

In general, books printed in the hand press era (from the 1450s invention of the printing press to until the mechanism of printing in the early 19th century) are recognized as rare.

Yet many books print-

ed in the 19th century can be classified as rare due to the poorer quality of paper and so may be more fragile than older books. Eighteenth century editions of the Bible survive in such numbers that few are considered valuable or rare.

Condition is often everything.

A damaged or incomplete book will significantly affect the value and desirability of a book. Badly repaired books will also negatively influence the price of a book.

The condition of any dust jacket is also a factor to consider. There is a wider spread view in the trade that dust jackets that have been repaired, even if professionally to a high standard, are not a sought after as those left in their original state.

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college life • Spring 2025

The SUNY Oswego’s Veterans Lounge and Battle Buddy Center in Sheldon Hall has been a valuable resource, offering a quiet and welcoming space with free amenities for military-affiliated students.

SUNY Oswego: Great Fit for Military Members

Army National Guard Sergeant Victoria Schmidtbonacker is on track to graduate this May.

ANG sergeant on SUNY Oswego: ‘I Would Highly Recommend it to Other Military Members

By Stefan Yablonski

V

ictoria Schmidtbonacker is a sergeant in the Army National Guard.

“I have been serving since 2017.

In 2023, I was de-

ployed for 11 months to Poland with the 222nd Military Police Company based in Rochester,” she said.

After completing basic training, she initially attended Onondaga Community

College.

“However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, I was activated by the Army National Guard to assist with New York state operations in New York City,” she said.

“This activation lasted for one and a half years, requiring me to take a break from my education. During my state activation, I decided to transfer my credits to SUNY Oswego to continue pursuing my higher education.”

She is currently a senior at SUNY Oswego, working toward a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a minor in accounting.

“I’m proud to say I’m on track to graduate this May,” she said. “With my recent deployment to Poland I had to take another break in my studies. But when I returned in 2024, SUNY Oswego made my transition back to campus seamless.”

Ken Cisson, SUNY Oswego’s veterans and military services coordinator, was instrumental in helping with her return.

The veterans lounge on campus has been a valuable resource, offering a quiet and welcoming space with free amenities for military-affiliated students.

“It has been especially helpful for students like me who prefer a less-crowded environment,” Schmidtbonacker said. “Sharing a space with other veterans also adds another level of comfort.

“I’m incredibly grateful for the support and guidance I’ve received from SUNY Oswego’s staff, particularly from Ken. Their dedication to serving veterans and military members has made my experience as a student not only manageable, but enjoyable.

“SUNY Oswego is an ever-growing veteran-friendly school and I would highly recommend it to other military members pursuing their education.”

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P

enfield Library offers more than just book.

The Harmony Room is a place where students can go for a little “me

time.”

The special collections area has books about the region.

Using the library’s website students can search the collections and discover what’s included in each online collection. They include the Millard Fillmore papers, information on Safe Haven and much more.

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The Special Collections are primarily focused on Oswego, Oswego County, and surrounding areas. However, they also have some other unique items.

• Selected Millard Fillmore papers.

Most of the papers consist of correspondence that Fillmore received between 1817 and 1876. The correspondence relates to his law practice in Buffalo and his political career both in New York and at the federal level.

Some, but not all, of these letters have been digitized.

• Safe Haven In the special collections, there is a wide variety of media about the Fort Ontario emergency refugee shelter (Safe Haven), including books, newspaper clippings and interviews.

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Physical Collections

Online Collections

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The majority of the collections are physical, but the online finding aids can help you get an idea of what can be found in those collections.

Click on the name of the collection, then click the contents tab to see what items are included in that collection.

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Harmony Room The Harmony Room at Penfield Library is now open.

Located on the second floor and equipped with bean bag chairs, soft lighting, yoga mats, a sound-light machine and a TV preloaded with meditation videos, the Harmony Room gives you a space to meditate, pray or destress.

Stop by the check out and reserves desk on the first floor to borrow the room key.

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college life • Spring 2025

International Students Make a Difference

M

ore than 270 international students from more than 35 different countries are currently enrolled at SUNY Oswego.

Three of them share the experiences that brought

Clarissa Karki

From Kathmandu, Nepal ‘Avid news consumer’ embraces the SUNY Oswego experience

By Stefan Yablonski

C

larissa Karki is an international student from Kathmandu, Nepal. She came to SUNY Oswego because of its broadcast journalism program.

“I was an avid news consumer from a young age as my parents often had CNN, BBC and other global networks playing in the background of my home,” she said. “This exposure to world events inspired me from a young age and ignited a passion for storytelling. I wanted to pursue journalism to uncover stories and connect people across distances.”

While she was looking into journalism programs in the United States, SUNY Oswego’s international enrollment manager at the time, during her visit to Karki’s high school in Kathmandu, told her about SUNY Oswego’s handson broadcasting curriculum and opportunities at the stu-

dent-run TV station, WTOP. “After more conversations with her and the presidential scholarship I was offered, I decided to come to SUNY Oswego,” Karki said.

However, her journey was not without challenges, she added.

“Soon after I received the offer letter from SUNY Oswego, COVID-19 pandemic hit,” she said. “That delayed my travel to the U.S. by a year due to travel restrictions in both Nepal and the United States.

“During that time, I stayed determined, acquiring additional skills. When I finally arrived in Oswego in fall 2021, I made a commitment to fully embrace every experience.

My experience at SUNY Oswego has been nothing short of transformative. From being the executive producer and a reporter at WTOP to being a resident assistant (RA), Oswego has allowed me to grow as a journalist and as an individual.”

The opportunities that she has gotten at SUNY Oswego made a significant difference in her career, she said.

“In my sophomore year, I took a class with Al Roker along with professor Michael Riecke called ‘Building an On-Air Career’ where I polished my on-air presentation skills and built confidence during live reporting and ad-libbing,” she said. “I also collaborated with professor Riecke and three colleagues on an independent project that produced the podcast ‘Energizing CNY, ‘which explored renewable energy initiatives in Central New York. “ This podcast, which aired on WRVO Public Media, took me to a Nine Mile Point nuclear station where I interviewed engineers and toured the nuclear waste storage facility and the country’s first hydrogen production initiative in a nuclear power plant.

That’s somewhere I never thought I’d have access to as

them to Oswego.

One was enticed by things like the university’s broadcast journalism program.

Another said leaving home and changing to a new life was difficult — but well worth it. He will be finishing his Master of Business Administration in 2025. “Compared

to my home, the School of Business at SUNY Oswego is full of wonders,” he said.

A third chose Oswego because of its scholarship opportunities and science programs. Studying physics gives him good flexibility in the career path that he can take, he said.

a student journalist!”

The podcast also won first place at the Syracuse Press Club award for Radio/ Podcast’s Special Program Category. “ The classes at SUNY Oswego prepared me for professional newsrooms. In every class, professors simulate real-world newsroom environments, treating us like professional multimedia journalists, producers and photographers,” she said.

“I’ve covered hard news such as President Biden’s visit to Syracuse, to longer feature stories like the staging of a long-lost operetta written by the first Jewish refugees to arrive in the U.S. during World War II — a piece that won Best in Show at a national competition. If you asked me to pick a favorite class, I wouldn’t be able to pick one.”

“Oswego’s support extends beyond academics. My professors and the school’s career services office were also incredibly helpful when I was applying to internships, offering me advice on resumes, cover letters and preparing me for interviews,” she continued. “This collaborative effort, combined with the skills and experience I gained at SUNY Oswego, paved the way for an incredible opportunity at CNN International as a planning unit intern. At CNN, I was at the heart of global breaking news — first as an intern and later as a

freelance planning producer for a year. I chased sources, booked guests for interviews and contributed to CNN’s coverage of the Israel-Hamas war (which won an Emmy for outstanding breaking news coverage), Russia-Ukraine war, Hurricane Beryl, the Republican and Democratic National Conventions and CNN’s 2024 Presidential debate. I also wrote several packages that were voiced by CNN anchors, further honing my storytelling skills.”

This last semester, she brought those experiences back to SUNY Oswego, covering the House race for the 24th Congressional District as a live reporter from incumbent Representative Claudia Tenney’s election night celebration at GS Steamers in Oswego.

“Experiences like this have solidified my passion for journalism and storytelling.

Through it all, SUNY Oswego has been more than a school to me. As an international student from Nepal wanting to be a journalist in the US, my journey to Oswego almost felt like exploring uncharted waters — it still does as I navigate finding work after graduation with a student visa,” she said.

“But I’m confident that the education and experiences I’ve gained at SUNY Oswego and during my college career will continue to guide me as I chart my course toward a career in broadcast journalism.”

OswegoCollegeLife.com • college life

Dee Sheng Lee (Eason) works on his computer at Riverwalk Bagel in downtown Oswego.

Among other things, he was instrumental in the creation of Rich ‘N’ Pour Cafe, a studentled, student-run cafe that opened on campus in 2023.

Dee Sheng Lee (Eason) From Malaysia

SUNY Oswego ‘is more than just a classroom’ — he will lead the first TEDx at SUNY Oswego this spring

By Stefan Yablonski

F

rom Malaysia, Dee Sheng Lee (Eason) traveled 10,000 miles and a 30-hour flight to New York — and then made his way to SUNY Oswego.

“Leaving home and changing to a new life was difficult — but well needed and well worth it,” he said.

After he arrived at SUNY Oswego, he finished his bachelor’s degree in human resources management in 2023.

“And I will be finishing [my] Master of Business Administration this year [2025].

I chose these programs to enhance my people skills and to enable my silent dream,” he explained. “Compared to my home, the School of Business at SUNY Oswego is full of wonders. It has the most welcoming community, highly skilled professionals and endless hands-on opportunities.”

The oppor tunity that stood out for him is his being

on the first board of directors at Rich ‘N’ Pour Cafe, a student-led, student-run cafe that opened on campus in 2023.

“We get to learn and oversee the employees, finance, business model and the marketing strategy of our café,” he said. “As a result, we successfully launched our first-ever 100% student-run business on campus in spring 2023 and it quickly became the central pillar of our business school

Shaheen Chowdhury From Bangladesh

to this day!”

“My realization is that SUNY Oswego is more than just a classroom,” he added.

“There are limitless opportunities outside of the academic world such as my opportunity to host the first-ever real estate conference at SUNY Oswego, be featured on TV three times, become a student leader on campus and help international students with admissions and scholarships.”

Lee also got to share his story in the L.E.A.D. conference — “which dazzled the room and received standing ovations with teary eyes,” he said.

L.E.A.D. stands for Leadership Enrichment and Development conference. It is an annual event during the residence student staff training and it is held by the residence life and housing department.

With a 50-minute time block, student leaders can share learning opportunities with current RSS members and professional staff members.

“I shared my topic vulnerably and genuinely on ‘Failure Is the Journey to Success.’ It was my first brave step on my journey to be a keynote speaker. In the upcoming January 2025, I will again be a presenter for this year’s L.E.A.D. conference,” he said.

“I had my first motivational speaking session last year on my birthday. Now, I have my own podcast called ‘Your Story Helps!’ where we share esteemed guests’ stories to inspire others,” he added.

“It has been three uneasy years since I was home with my family, but not a single regret,” he added. “I realized my dream now — it is to be

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a candle that ignites others’ candles and be the light that helps others rise! This is thanks to SUNY Oswego for the adventurous journey, honorable mentors and countless love from the community.

There is more that awaits in my beautiful journey and I look forward to it as a lifelong learner!”

TEDx SUNY Oswego After months of trials and one rejection, TEDx SUNY Oswego was approved, Lee said on Jan. 24. “ Up o n re c e iv i n g t h e license approval, I will be the organizer of TEDx SUNY Oswego leading a team of like-minded individuals,” he said. “A TEDx event is an independently organized event that’s similar to a TED conference. As part of the standard rules of TEDx, we as a firsttime organizer have a limitation of having up to 100 people in the audience. It will then be posted online on TEDx social media including YouTube.

“Our inaugural event will be three hours long with a lineup of six TEDx speakers.

With the theme of progress, our vision is to create one of the biggest events at SUNY Oswego during the spring 2025 semester to spread positive ideas.”

“Being on a TED stage has been a dream for me since I was 15 years old. And now shockingly, I am the organizer of the inaugural TEDx SUNY Oswego — it’s truly been a dream come true! Our journey to inspire minds and spark conversations is about to begin!”

Shaheen Chowdhury during one of his trips in the U.S. Photo shows him in Baltimore with the Baltimore National Aquarium in the background.

Oswego has ‘amazing opportunities and programs’

By Stefan Yablonski

S

haheen Chowdhury is an international student from Bangladesh, pursuing an undergraduate degree at SUNY Oswego.

“I major in physics and minor in electrical engineering and astronomy,” he said.

“Currently, I am in my junior year. I came to Oswego during the fall 2022 semester as a first-year student.”

He heard about SUNY Oswego through his high school adviser who recommended him to Oswego.

“I chose Oswego because of its amazing scholarship opportunities and science programs. I liked studying

STEM courses back in high school, which gave me a good understanding of why things in nature behave the way they do,” he explained. “This encouraged me to pursue higher education in physics to learn about the universe’s beginning, the concepts of classical and quantum physics, fundamental forces, etc.”

Studying physics also gave him good flexibility in the career path that he can take, he added.

“I can go into any scientific or engineering field with smooth transitions as most of these aspects involve the use of physics knowledge,” he said. “I also got to participate in many research projects

including the Nationwide Eclipse Ballooning Project (NEBP) which is funded by NASA. “Through this project, I got the chance to study how the atmosphere changes during a solar eclipse.

We went to New Mexico to launch weather balloons to the stratosphere during the 2024 annular solar eclipse, one of the awesome projects I have participated in.”

Through the physics department, he also got to work in the school labs over the summer to work on projects like Electromagnetically Induced Transparency (EIT) and Neutron Stars.

“EIT has great potential

in quantum computing and studying neutron stars helps with a better understanding of gravitational waves,” he said.

“Working on these projects

opened up many research possibilities and I hope to pursue a P.h.D. in a field related to some of my projects.”

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college life • Spring 2025

6 Things MBA Students Should Know About the Business World

By CollegeNews.Com

T

he business world is fast-paced, competitive and ever-changing.

While an MBA equips students with theoretical knowledge, case studies and frameworks, success in the real world demands more than just college learning.

Understanding how businesses operate, how leaders make decisions and how markets evolve is crucial for any aspiring professional.

In today’s global economy, MBA graduates must think beyond textbooks. They must become strategic thinkers, adaptable professionals and confident leaders. Whether you’re pursuing a career in finance, marketing or an MBA in business analytics, knowing what to expect in the business world can make a significant difference in your professional journey.

This article explores six essential lessons that every MBA student should know about the business world to prepare for real-world challenges and opportunities.

Adaptability is Key to Success The business environment is constantly evolving.

New technologies emerge, market trends shift, and global events can disrupt entire industries overnight. As an MBA student, you must understand that adaptability is one of the most valuable skills you can cultivate.

Businesses value professionals who can quickly adjust to changes, whether it’s adopting new technolo-

gies, rethinking strategies, or responding to unexpected crises. Being adaptable isn’t just about survival—it’s about thriving in challenging situations.

During your MBA, focus on developing a mindset that welcomes change. Participate in diverse projects, explore different industries, and remain open to unconventional solutions. Adaptability will set you apart as a valuable asset in any organization.

Data-Driven Decisions Are the Future In today’s business landscape, decisions aren’t made based on gut feelings—they’re driven by data. Companies across all industries rely on data analytics to identify trends, predict outcomes, and optimize performance.

If you’re pursuing an MBA in business analytics, you’re already ahead of the curve.

Data literacy is becoming a non-negotiable skill for managers and executives. Understanding how to interpret data, extract insights, and make informed decisions is a must-have in the modern workplace.

Even if analytics isn’t your specialization, make an effort to build a strong foundation in data interpretation. Familiarize yourself with tools like Excel, Tableau, and SQL, and learn how data impacts business outcomes.

Networking is More Important Than You Think In the business world, opportunities often arise from

connections, not just job applications. Building a strong professional network is one of the most impactful things you can do during your MBA program.

Networking isn’t just about attending events or collecting LinkedIn connections. It’s about building genuine relationships based on trust, mutual respect, and shared goals. Whether it’s through classmates, professors, alumni networks, or industry events, every interaction is a chance to expand your professional circle.

Start networking early in your MBA journey. Don’t underestimate the power of a simple conversation—it might lead to your next job, a mentorship opportunity, or valuable career advice.

Communication Skills Are Non-Negotiable In business, communication isn’t just about speaking— it’s about being understood.

Whether you’re presenting a business plan, negotiating a deal, or leading a team, clear and effective communication is essential.

Good communication goes beyond speaking confidently. It includes active listening, understanding non-verbal cues, and adapting your message to suit different audiences. Written communication is equally important, especially in emails, reports, and presentations.

During your MBA, take every opportunity to refine your communication skills.

Participate in presentations, group discussions, and public speaking workshops. Being a

strong communicator will set you apart in any role.

Understanding Financial Basics Is Crucial Finance isn’t just for CFOs or finance specialists—every professional in the business world must understand financial fundamentals. Whether you’re managing a team budget, analyzing project costs, or evaluating a company’s performance, financial literacy is essential.

Key financial skills include understanding balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow reports. These documents provide insights into a company’s health, profitability, and operational efficiency. Even if finance isn’t your area of expertise, knowing how to interpret financial data will help you make informed decisions and contribute meaningfully to strategic discussions.

During your MBA, make an effort to grasp financial principles, even if they seem outside your focus area. Attend finance workshops, ask questions during finance classes, and practice analyzing real-world financial reports. These skills will serve you well, regardless of your role or industry.

Company Culture Matters Company culture isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a crucial factor in job satisfaction, productivity, and long-term career success. Culture affects everything from leadership styles and communication

norms to work-life balance and employee engagement.

Before accepting a job offer, take the time to understand a company’s culture.

Research its values, mission statement, and employee reviews. Pay attention during interviews to how teams collaborate and how leaders interact with employees.

Finding a cultural fit isn’t just about landing a job; it’s about thriving in your role.

A strong alignment between your values and your employer’s culture creates a positive work environment where you can grow and contribute effectively.

An MBA offers valuable tools, knowledge, and insights, but the real test comes when you step into the business world. From adaptability and financial literacy to effective communication and networking, these six lessons provide a roadmap for professional success.

The business world rewards those who are proactive, resilient, and willing to grow. Your MBA education is a launchpad, but how you apply these lessons will define your career.

Stay adaptable, communicate effectively, build genuine connections, and lead with integrity. Remember, success isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about being prepared to tackle challenges with confidence and creativity.

The journey doesn’t end with your degree—it’s just the beginning. Keep learning, stay curious, and embrace every opportunity the business world offers.

OswegoCollegeLife.com • college life

Why You Should Consider Summer School

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

P

erhaps signing up for more classes is the last thing you want to think about right now. (“He-llo, summer vacation!”)

Or maybe you need to work full time this summer to pay for tuition for next year.

You also might have big plans with your family.

But if you can possibly manage going to summer school, here’s how it can help your academic career.

• Make next school year easier. If you knock out a few classes this summer, you can

lighten your academic load this fall. That can provide a real advantage for students facing a few tough upcoming courses and those who want to engage in more extracurricular activities and work during the school year.

• Focus on a difficult class sooner. You could complete a difficult class during summer school when the smaller class sizes can help you get more one-on-one attention from your professors. Since you won’t be taking a full academic load, you can hone in on that challenging class and really shine.

Back For Spring?

Try These Tips Time to prepare for your career or a summer job

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

J

oining the school year midstream can feel odd. Disorienting. You weren’t here for the fall semester but now you’re back.

Or perhaps this is your first semester ever. It’s like you’re picking up a show on the fourth episode and everyone else is “in” on the storyline.

Gary Morris, director of Career Services for SUNY Oswego, offered a few tips on how to get back into the swing of things in the spring semester.

Usually, this is the semester during which most people are preparing for summer, whether for their career or a summer job. In either case, it’s vital to lay the groundwork for success in finding work by

the time graduation is over.

But this task isn’t a sprint. It’s a marathon for which you need to pace yourself.

“Set realistic goals related to your career readiness, like how and when to build your network,” he said. “Hone your documents like resumes and cover letters, conduct outreach to alumni and employers, attend critical events like career fairs, and more. When you hit these milestones, celebrate.”

It may seem like everyone else is miles ahead of you in preparing for graduation, but they’re not. Plus, it is easier to catch up to any perceived shortfalls than you think if you work at it.

“Dedicate time each week to this process,” Morris said.

“Don’t let the urgent outweigh the truly important, which

• Stay in the mode. Sticking around for summer school keeps you in that academic groove so you can buckle down and get things done, as long as you’re not burned out.

• Bring up your grades. It’s not that summer school classes are easier but taking fewer classes at a time can mean you focus more on those classes and that can bring up your GPA. • Retake a class you failed.

Summer school can represent the perfect time to hit the “redo” button. Talk with your professor about strategies that can help you do better this time.

• Finish sooner. Sufficient summer school classes can help you complete your education sooner—maybe even by a semester or two—and launch your career.

• Stay flexible. Oswego’s 3 to 12-week sessions mean you can choose to take a more abbreviated block class to still have some time off or a longer session, depending on your studying style. Some classes are available online for maximum flexibility.

• Better afford your textbooks. Since summer school classes are smaller, there’s lower demand for used textbooks, which can save you money.

If you’re interested in summer school, ask your academic adviser about it so you can sign up for the classes you want while openings are still available and get the best deals on textbooks.

tends to happen a lot in the fast-paced world of a college student.”

The same holds true for your projects and tests. Work and study each day, even if your test or project due date is weeks away. It’s not fun, but it’s necessary so you can make the material a part of you.

(Isn’t learning and preparing for your career what you’re here for anyway?)

“Persevere,” Morris said.

“Have grit and tenacity. College is hard, and working on your career at the same time is harder. Embrace the challenge and recognize that the work will all pay off in the end in the form of an amazing career that supports an amazing life.”

Reach out to your professors if you feel like you are struggling to get back into the mode of being a student.

Your teachers want to help you succeed and can help you find resources that will assist you.

Take a little time to socialize and de stress with hobbies you enjoy. If you put too much pressure on yourself, it’s not good for your mental health.

Talk with a trusted friend or a professional if you feel anxious or depressed. The sooner you can seek help, the sooner you can begin feeling better.

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Build a Professional Wardrobe

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

I

f you plan to work in a professional field after graduation, the time to start building your wardrobe is now. Ironically, it’s also when school loan debt and the cost of living as a newly minted adult smack you with a one-two punch.

“As a recent college graduate, I know that the affordability of building a professional wardrobe can be challenging,” said Julianna Pastella, owner of Pastel Makeup and Style in Syracuse.

She advises starting your wardrobe with basic black pieces, as they go with everything. (They also hide dirt and wear better than light-colored clothing.) It’s tough to go wrong with a fitted blazer and tailored dress pants or modest dress.

Buying quality core items means these pieces will stand up over time. That can mean a higher price tag, but “thrifting is always a great option,” Pastella said. “Some designer companies, such as Zara, are committed to a sustainable model and donate items to thrift stores, making professional wear attainable for everyone.”

You could also ask older relatives if you could go through their things from when they were working professionals. Nan and Pop might surprise you—and feel honored you would want their things.

A tailor’s alteration can do wonders to make thrifted, inherited or off-the-rack items look great. Many dry-cleaning shops also offer alterations.

“As for the interview, suites and ties are out,” said Stephanie M. Vavonese, founder and CEO of SMV Recruiting, LLC & Brew Recruit in Syracuse. “I would dress business casual. If the men

have a blazer, I would wear it, and a nice dress for women, or pants and a sweater this time of year is nice.

“I suggest plain, dark colors. And when you start, always dress business casual your first day, then take notice of what people are wearing, and adjust your attire from there.”

Avoid: • Clothing that is too tight, oversized, see-through, ripped, stained, or thin.

• Clothing that is too revealing. Tip: if your clothing distracts people from looking at your face, it’s probably too revealing.

• Broken seams and zippers. Check for lost buttons, too.

• Wearing a dress shirt without a camisole or undershirt.

• Anything that might be misconstrued as racy, like unbuttoning a shirt too low or wearing fishnet stockings.

• Flipflops, foam footwear, athletic shoes or other very casual footwear.

• Hairstyles or accessories that constantly need adjusting.

• Logos or slogans on shirts.

• Any visible undergarments.

• Cargo shorts, leggings as pants, athletic pants or other casual clothing.

Vavonese advised, “dress for the job you want and not the one you have. I find the better dressed I am, the more confident I feel and as a recent grad, the more respect you will get.”

It doesn’t hurt to stash in your desk a stain removal pen, mini lint roller, safety pins and a mini sewing kit for wardrobe emergencies.

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college life • Spring 2025

Women’s Ice Hockey Having a Stellar Season at Oswego Coach sees more success in the future

By Stefan Yablonski

T

he future for the SUNY Oswego women’s ice hockey team looks bright for the remainder of this season and for seasons to come, according to Mark Digby, head coach of the program.

“We’ve been playing good hockey. It was nice to get the win on senior night,” he said following a dominant win over the Manhattanville Valiants on Jan. 24.

He said he hoped to keep the momentum going when the two squads faced off again the next day (senior day).

“Right now we sit in first place in the SUNYAC and so we are looking pretty good for conference play and the post season. And then overall nationally we sit eighth in the national poll, statistical poll,” he added. “I think if we should continue to get the wins that we should get we will at least

be in the mix at the end of the year. Hopefully make the program’s first appearance in the NCAA tournament.”

It will be all back-to-back SUNYAC games to close out the regular season. The Lakers have two with Buffalo State, two with Canton, two with Morrisville and two with Cortland to wrap up the regular season.

There’s a lot of checking in the men’s game, especially in the way that they call it now, he said, adding there is a lot of body contact in the women’s game also.

“It’s been fun with the development of the new women’s professional hockey league. I think it’s nearing the way things are called now in terms of the physical contact and everything that goes into it,” he said. “It’s been fun even though I’ve only been on this side of the game now, it’s my sixth year, it’s been fun to

watch the development happen over six years — to see the trickle down of how the development has been from the professional league all the way down to the college level.”

Building on success “The more that we continue to have success, I think we are earning our own place in the community. When the program first started I think it was as with any new program, you have to kind of earn your way in,” he said. “I think coach Dillon, Diane Dillon, was doing a terrific job — an exceptional job really – building the foundation of the program … community service, academics that would help always in the forefront that would help recruit players.

“We’ve done everything we can to maintain that emphasis while also finding players that can come in and help stabilize our performance on the ice. This current senior class, this is the class that we recruited through COVID and they’re like our first full recruiting class that we had.

It is nice to see the vision come to fruition this year. And knowing what we are capable of, I think it’s an exciting time for our program. The seniors have really helped us build the program up and it will be nice to finish their college careers on a positive note. It’ll be a tremendous honor if we can get it done the right way.

“We hope that every year we can keep moving forward a little bit. Obviously when you have a year like we are having this year it’s harder to build on, harder to be better than now because it’s been so successful a season.”

Attendance grows Attendance has continued to rise. There are a lot of different things that have been done — youth hockey days, girl’s hockey days … “we did an education day the other day which was really cool with not only Oswego City School District but Mexico and Hannibal. They bused the kids in on a field trip. We played our game at 11, which allowed the students to attend. There were 500 kids here; it made it really exciting for our players,” he said. “I think when you have that kind of momentum and that kind of support from the community and administration, it’s easy to really behind that.”

They do the Teal Game and Teddy Bear Toss. “We do

all that as well. Our Teal Game we always pair up with the men’s team. They are always paired up pretty close together. It’s been great. The players love doing those things and being involved with the community,” he said.

“It’s been really good and this year we graduate 12 seniors. They will be tough to replace,” he added. “But because of the success that we have had it has helped us attract a really high-quality group for next year. We will be young. We will probably take some lumps early on but hope to figure it out pretty quick and get us right back to where we are. As young as we will be next year, but talented, I am optimistic as to what the next four or five years will hold for us.”

You very rarely recruit someone here just to play hockey, he said.

“You recruit them more based on personality. Good players, good students that is all great — but you’ve got to fit in with our community and

OswegoCollegeLife.com • college life

with our team and the culture and all those things,” he said.

“As soon as somebody gets on campus and gets a chance to meet the players face to face and talk with them and meet the families that we have, it’s pretty easy for them to understand how special this community really is and what not just the college but the town has to offer. I think we have had some really good growth in the program and people that represent our community in the right way.”

Having the science center right next to the arena has been great as many of the players are in the science program.

“That’s one of those things that the players light up when they see it. ‘This is really cool.

We can just walk to practice,’” he said

hockey program at Oswego State in 2021. He was the associate head coach for the team during the 2019-20 season.

Prior to Oswego, Digby was an assistant men’s ice hockey coach at his alma mater, SUNY Brockport (2006-10) where he earned his B.S. in physical education (2005) and M.S. in recreation management (2008).

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Coaching at Oswego since 2010 Digby was hired as the assistant men’s ice hockey coach at Oswego in August 2010. During his time as the assistant men’s ice hockey coach, the team reached six NCAA tournaments, four Frozen Four appearances and competed for the national championship twice.

He has been named head coach of the women’s ice

Free 204 South Second St., Fulton, NY

Mark Digby has been coaching hockey at SUNY Oswego since 2010. He was hired as the assistant men’s ice hockey coach at Oswego in August 2010 and was named head coach of the women’s ice hockey program in 2021.

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college life • Spring 2025

Lavish Dorm Rooms The power of a leveled-up design for mental wellness

By CollegeNews.Com

College is often regarded as a stressful experience for many, as only 9% of students report “no stress” or “less than average stress,” according to the American Institute of Stress.

While college dorm rooms have historically signified freedom, they can become unpleasant pretty quickly — especially when you’re greeted with dated dorm furniture right from the start. A room transformation can not only make for a more comfortable space, but can benefit mental health in unique ways as well — even if

it isn’t necessarily a luxurious retreat.

Hidden Advantages of a Well-Designed Room Seventy percent of students report having struggled with mental health since starting college, highlights an U.S. News/Generation Lab report of 3,649 students in 2024.

While many may experience difficulty with academic pressure, anxiety or making new friends, many others may find the adjustment to a new living space to be a challenge itself. As such, the difficulties

of student life can place a renewed sense of importance on a safe space.

While students might not have a say as to who their roommate is, dorm decor can make a significant difference in the creation of not only a space that is comfortable, but is conducive to happiness.

A survey by HGTV and Open Mind Strategy, for instance, discovered that decor impacts the perception of student happiness (82%), and how successful students will be in their studies (76%). The Detroit News article goes on to highlight insight from Jillian St. Charles, senior vice president at HGTV and the Travel Channel that was featured in a press release. “The dorm room is one of the first ways students will get to express themselves when they get to college,” St. Charles stated.

Luxury Dorm Decor — a Justified Trend?

From furniture to color palette, posters and beyond, there are more than a few ways to decorate a dorm room.

Some students, however, are taking things a step beyond a few posters on the wall in order to transform their rooms into a true-to-life sanctuary.

One Times article highlights the fact that “a wave of undergraduates — especially in the southern states — are hiring interior designers to completely make over their dorm rooms at a cost of thou-

sands of dollars per room.”

The New York Times post goes on to detail what a professional dorm room redesign may involve, from coffee tables to luxury light fixtures and even handmade murals.

“They bring their own desks, they have their own makeup tables, wallpaper on the walls, beautiful rugs — everything you could think of,” said Kerry Davis, who moved her daughter into a shared room at the University of Tennessee.

W h i l e m a ny m ay go overboard when it comes to luxury enhancements of a shoebox-sized space, even a few familiar or aesthetic elements can go a long way to help many feel a bit more comfortable and at home. For example, new students may coordinate with their roommate to create a room where both sides match for a project that can turn into a shared goal by strangers who then become friends. As a result, what may be seen as over-thetop decorating can become a way to ease the transition of college life.

Custom Solutions Can Simplify Dorm Decor On TikTok, #DormTok has proven to be a catalyst for leveled-up rooms and proves just how much one can do with what is often a small space.

While some are more elaborate than others, even the simplest of DIY decorations can make a dorm room feel like home.

However you choose to do it, dorm decor can serve as a space for creativity.

“When we feel more at home, we’re more likely to be productive, more likely to get good sleep,” psychotherapist Stephanie Sarkis points out.

These benefits are crucial to college life, and can transfer into academic success. With that in mind, you don’t necessarily have to have an eye for design in order to achieve put-together results.

Custom solutions can be the ideal way to inject unique personality into a drab dorm room, especially for students who have an itch for the creature comforts of home. One great element of a practical dorm is seating — beyond a desk chair, however, it’s often not provided by the school.

A small sofa with a timeless design is often the perfect solution, and can even be chosen and ordered online. With a variety of patterns and styles to choose from, college students can explore an array of options in order to determine which couch will work best.

Whether a small sectional or a simple chair (or two), there is no shortage of styles and colors to suit any aesthetic.

Dorm decor can seem like a trivial aspect of the college move-in experience, though the significance can run deeper than the aesthetic appeal. Due to the stress that college students experience, a well-designed dorm room can serve as a safe space that represents creative expression.

Oswego Professor Serves as Editor-in-Chief of Upstate NY Feminist Journal

By Stefan Yablonski

A

my Shore is a professor of cinema and screen studies at SUNY Oswego.

She is also the interim editor-in-chief of “Gatherings: An interdisciplinary and intersectional feminist journal.”

The original editor had to step down because she had a family commitment, Shore explained.

“The reason I joined was because I really related to all of those elements of the mission. I was attracted to the idea because they were interested in engaging with being a feminist journal,” she said. “That has a political aspect to it and I think that it’s important now, maybe more than ever, to be very clear with your political commitments.”

The journal’s first issue came out in August (2024).

“We started working on it about a year and a half before that. I was brought on to be a managing editor at the time. We now have a call out for submissions for our second issue,” she said. “We just completed rounding out membership for our editorial board and soon we will be working on getting the call out for our third issue.”

The journal was inspired by the region’s significance to the feminist movement.

“A couple years ago a bunch of feminists, primarily in the Rochester area, were thinking about the role of Central New York … various women’s rights movements … you know Seneca Falls, 1848,” she said. “They had a meeting to kind of re-start that kind of collective work. I was not a part of any of that.

“Out of that, the idea for

this journal slowly emerged.

The goal, originally and still, is borrow from the works of artists, scholars and activists who have been working in contemporary women’s’ rights issues and create a new journal digital. We are able to encompass everything from traditional scholarly articles to essays and other creative materials. And also highlight the work of community activists. So this isn’t going to be like your old stodgy journal.”

As they started to evolve, they refined the mission.

“Our mission is kind of in the sub title — “Gatherings: An interdisciplinary and intersectional feminist journal,” she said.

The dominant histories that came out of the early women’s movement were really by white women, she added.

Amy Shore and Roberta (Rosie) Hurtado, a member of the editorial board, stand in front of the website for “Gatherings: An interdisciplinary and intersectional feminist journal.”

“Women of color were a critical part of the suffrage movement. Now we talk about being intersectional — working at the intersection of things like racial identity, sexual identity, class. All of these things,” she said. “We wanted to create a journal that

was representative of the full range of women — and men — working in women’s rights.

So we have a very diverse editorial board.”

“We have folks from all across Central New York

continued next page

OswegoCollegeLife.com • college life

continued from previous page and beyond,” she continued.

“Since we put out the call for the second issue, we are drawing submissions from literally all over the world, places like Germany, Italy and South America. We realized we are going to have to expand.”

They had the first meeting in Seneca Falls in 1848 and the movement didn’t stay there, right? she asked rhetorically.

“We’re seeing the same thing. So we now have members of our editorial board that come from Oklahoma, California … and they will probably continue to grow that way,” she said.

It started at St. John Fisher University in the Rochester area.

“They house the journal digitally — but it’s not like it’s their journal,” she said. “Anybody can access it.”

Feminist placemaking was the topic for the first issue. It’s a methodology; a way of being self-reflective; a look at women in the contemporary era, how they are experiencing various things.

“Our title is ‘Gatherings,’ so we are thinking about collectives,” Shore said.

The second issue is about the campus movement for Palestine; a lot of groups on campuses have been very involved in that.

“We made a call for submissions and we are getting submissions from all over the world — from undergraduate students right through deans of colleges. We have another issue that is in the works that is going to be about gatekeeping in academia,” she said.

“What we are trying to do is solicit topics from our editorial board and other members of the community.”

It’s going to evolve over time according to what are the salient topics and issues.

“Our goal is to be able to come out at least two times a year. We are brand new; our first edition was in August (2024), our second issue will probably come out in August 2025,” she said. “This is a year of building. We are recruiting members to the editorial board, figuring out who is doing what and how. We’re like a start-up, you know what I mean?”

They have more than 20 people on the board. There are around eight articles, things like poems, video interviews, digital art and more in each issue; and they hope to have larger issues as they continue to grow.

“It’s not just for academics. It’s for anybody who has an interest in these topics,” she said.

Those who would like to view the journal can do so at https://fisherpub.sjf.edu/ gatherings/.

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They Came for College … Stayed for Life

E

llen (Stengle) Wahl (’73 ’74) and Mark Wahl (’74) have made a life for themselves in the Port City following graduation from SUNY Oswego.

“We both got five years of college — Ellen got two degrees. We both were art students and we both got into stage and lighting,” Mark said.

“We were both theater majors as well. I took about every art course I could and wound up designing stage sets and lighting.”

He is a singer-songwriter, guitarist and luthier.

He star ted designing restaurant interiors and concepts. It just kept going and he wound up designing more stuff and getting involved in restorations.

He had the opportunity to work in a lutherie shop while he was still in contracting.

Since then, he’s directed his energy into his music, the Oswego Music Hall and his home lutherie workshop where he hand-makes guitars and repairs and restores acoustic instruments — it’s “more of an art than a hobby, he said.

“Both Mark and I work with director Mike Huynh at the Hall Newman Center and both of us maintain relations with numerous SUNY alumni,” Ellen said.

“We had an apartment here; what we called Studio 21. It was above Port City Optical, which used to be between First and Second streets on the north side of Bridge Street. We were there for five years,” he said. “I was taking carpentry jobs around to make some bucks while I was still doing some art work.

I was invited to help design Buddy Broadwell’s restaurant, the Captain’s Lounge.”

While he was in college, he designed and built the college tavern back in ‘71 — ’72.

“That’s when the drinking age back then was 18. That is kinda where I got my start working on restaurants,” he said. “I hired students to help.

We ran about a mile of wires and conduits, light fixtures and whatever; used wood from an old barn to build the bar.”

One of the students he hired was Ellen.

“He hired me as a carpenter. I fell right into a trap, because I didn’t know he was attracted to me. I wanted a job — female liberation was coming out at that time,” she said. “I remember when I asked him if he would hire me as a carpenter and he went to talk to the building supervisor and he gave his consent.”

The college tavern used

By Stefan Yablonski

Ellen Whal and her husband Mark Wahl came to SUNY Oswego in early ‘70s. They made Oswego their community.

to be the old post office, it was the original college post office, Ellen added.

“We actually had some theater performances down there. It was a great time,” Mark said. “From there, that is kind of how it evolved into me doing construction.”

“I always wondered why he would go into construction in this area — back then winters were fierce,” Ellen said. “Mark is from Kentucky originally. I’m thinking why not go down there and build things where it’s warmer?”

“Stayed in Oswego because it is an attractive place.

It is a fairly educated community. And there is water,” Mark said. “I found it a great place to hang out; it was fun to be a middle-sized fish in a small pond.”

“Mark was here, that’s part of the reason I stayed.

But as soon as I came up here, I loved it so much more than where I came from. I was born in New York City,” Ellen said.

“My childhood was very rural and gradually got filled in with

suburbia and I missed that where it was at the beginning all woods and trees — now it’s cars and traffic. I absolutely loved Oswego.

She said, “I went to Suffolk Community College my first semester; so I came here in January 1970 — a turbulent time — but I actually loved it up here. You get to know your neighbors.”

“There was always this awareness of the senior population leaving as soon as they retired from the job, going south,” she added.

Ellen was the director of RSVP from 1981 to 2015. RSVP is part of the National Senior Service Corps., a network of federally sponsored programs that help Americans aged 55 and older find opportunities to address community needs through service.

“I had this desire in my career to help make Oswego the kind of community that seniors would want to stay. I have noticed with all the improvements made on the city level that Oswego has become

the kind of place where people want to live and stay and have that quality of life. You can feel the impact of what you have accomplished.”

“You have a feeling of accomplishment,” Mark agreed.

They both continue to work with the college on behalf of Ontario Center for Performing Arts.

Mark is the SUNY internship liaison and works directly with two broadcasting interns every semester.

Ellen is the president of Ontario Center for Performing Arts and in November was asked to serve on a SUNY arts committee.

“As president my intent is to further town-gown relations with SUNY,” she said.

“In the Ontario Center for Performing Arts lobby is a poster I am most proud of — ‘One City, One Campus, One Community.’ It’s a project completed by SUNY photo journalism students and unveiled at a reception in City Hall last May.”

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college life • Spring 2025

P L A C E S

St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Parish & Shrine FOR MORE INFORMATION SCAN HERE WEBSITE

FACEBOOK

103 West 7th St, Oswego, NY 13126 • (315)-343-3953

OF W O R S H I P editor@cnybusinessmag.com

Pastor John Parkhurst 7682 State Route 104 • Oswego, NY 13126 SouthwestOswegoBaptist.org • 315.343.9066 “ A H A R B O R o f H O P E • A H AV E N f o r H E L P ” SERVICE TIMES

Sunday School - 10 AM Sunday Morning - 11 AM Sunday Evening - 5 PM We d n e s d a y E v e n i n g - 7 P M

Join us for vibrant, life-giving worship and programs—everyone is welcome!

Please join us for Sunday Mass - 6:30pm

36 New Street • hallnewmancenter.org • (315) 312-7222 WWW.HALLNEWMANCENTER.ORG

OswegoCollegeLife.com • college life

19

Faaiitthh U Unniitteedd C Chhuurrcchh F

Presbyterian Church (USA) & United Church of Christ Presbyterian Church (USA) & United Church of Christ (Congregational) (Congregational)

“No matter who you are, no matter where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome at Faith United Church.”

Faith United is a multi-denominational (PCUSA and UCC) community in Oswego, New York, dedicated to serving the lake shore area. Our mission is to strengthen community by teaching and embodying the love God shared with all creation through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We collaborate with and support area food pantries, mental health services, addiction rehabilitation programs, and social activities to promote a healthy mind, body, and spirit. Recognized as an Open and Affirming community, and our building is fully accessible.

315 343-3480 | 12 Mark Fitzgibbons Drive Oswego, NY 13126 www.faithunitedoswego.org

Christ the Good Shepherd CATHOLIC COMMUNITY OF OSWEGO, NY

Rev. John W. Canorro, Pastor 315-343-2333

Email: ctgs@syrdio.org www.christthegoodshepherd.org Facebook.com/ChristTheGoodShepherdOswegoNY 134 East Fifth Street, Oswego

Saturday Vigil 4:30pm Sunday Mass 8:00am & 10:30am Sunday Mass 6:30pm @ Newman Center Air conditioned and handicap accessible.

All masses are livestreamed.

SUNY Oswego student Sheila Sicilia performs research on a coral reef during a study-abroad trip to Honduras. (Photo courtesy of Sheila Sicilia)

Trip to Honduras Allows Students to Gain Experiences, Memories

R

oatan, an island in Honduras, is just one of the many locations students can travel to through the studyabroad programs offered at SUNY Oswego.

This opportunity allowed students to learn more about ways to address an ecological challenge while acquiring new skills.

Students who went to Honduras in summer 2024 were able to gain first-hand research on coral reef destruction and help plan ways for these crucial ecosystems to be restored. In the past, the trip would focus their research on dolphins with the Roatan Institute for Marine Sciences. However, due to climate change, the focus has now shifted.

This specific program is faculty-led by Elizabeth A. Balko, who teaches for SUNY Oswego’s Biological Sciences Department. Balko has led students to Honduras for the past 15 years through the courses of International Study in Biology (BIO 394) and Global Cities (GLS 100). The courses are cross-listed and there are no prerequisites or major requirements to be met to register for them.

Before traveling, students were required to complete the asynchronous course in the

spring semester. Their assignments, message boards and communication with Balko would prepare them for their research.

Becoming scuba certified was also a requirement before attending the trip, but some students were able to do so through SUNY Oswego’s Underwater Diving (PED 225) course previously offered in the fall and spring semesters.

Along with their preparation, this year’s group would receive additional funding during their time through another SUNY institution, the University at Buffalo.

The funds are in exchange for sharing the research collected over this trip through their Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Project Challenge, and allow SUNY Oswego students to have their own research boat; something that in years past was not affordable.

Students interested in traveling to Honduras in 2025 with Balko should check back on the Faculty-Led Programs Study Abroad page under quarter four in the coming months. However, there are many other programs students can currently look into ranging from different countries, research, and experiences on SUNY Oswego’s Education Abroad page, oswego. edu/international.

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college life • Spring 2025

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