Fall 2025 Oswego Alumni Magazine

OSWEGO ALUMNI ASSOCIATION OF THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK AT OSWEGO n VOL. 51, NO. 2 n FALL 2025

The Transformation Issue

ON OUR CAMPUS

At night, the newly renovated Hewitt Hall glows with creative energy, its light spilling across campus and inviting all who pass to step inside and be part of the vibrant storytelling unfolding within. Hewitt and the adjacent Tyler Hall make up the home for the College of Communication, Media, and the Arts. Read more about Hewitt’s re-opening on page 20.

Photo by Rose Gosselin Throop ’95 M’24. Submit your own campus photo to: alumni@oswego.edu.

OSWEGO

Alumni Magazine Fall 2025: Vol. 51, No. 2 Publisher Laura Pavlus Kelly ’09

Photographer Jim Russell ’83

Editor Margaret D. Spillett

Class Notes/ In Memoriam Compiler Emily Cole ’17

Designer Jennifer Broderick

Contributing Writers Office of Communication and Marketing Sarah Lanager Fedele ’01 Contributing Photographers Amelia Beamish (43) ESPN (23) Jim Gemza '70 (29) Madison Square Garden (40) Dee McGowan Perkins ’85 (22) Office of Communication and Marketing Illustrations Adobe Stock Images Interns Niko Antoniou ’26 Antonia Cantu ’25 Gabriella Misciagna ’26 Jose Vazquez Nava ’27 Emily Sosa ’26 Jasmine Storer ’25

9 5

CAMPUS CURRENTS

6 Eight Receive 2025 Alumni Awards 7

May 2025 Commencement Coverage

8 Seven Earn SUNY Recognition for Excellence 9 Three Individuals, One Team Inducted into Athletics Hall of Fame 10

University Renames Four Colleges

14 TEDxSUNY Oswego Debuts as an International Success

Office of University Advancement King Alumni Hall, Oswego, N.Y. 13126 Phone: 315-312-3003 Email: alumni@oswego.edu Website: alumni.oswego.edu

On the cover: With natural light spilling in from above and from the sides, the newly renovated Hewitt Hall’s Collaborative Core is quickly becoming a gathering place for students.

While the $80 million upgrade to Hewitt was finished in time for the opening of the fall semester in August, the campus celebrated an official ribbon-cutting event in late October during the College of Communication, Media, and the Arts Alumni Reunion Weekend.

— Photo by Rose Gosselin Throop '95 M’24

2

OSW EG O l Fa l l 2025

f facebook.com/oswegoalumni I @oswegoalumni @oswegoalumni OSWEGO is published two times a year by the Oswego Alumni Association Inc., King Alumni Hall, State University of New York at Oswego, Oswego, N.Y. 13126. It is distributed free of charge to alumni, friends, faculty, staff, and families of current students, with support from The Fund for Oswego. Printed December 2025.

OSWEGO Alumni Magazine is printed on recycled paper with inks that are non-toxic, contain no heavy metals, and are composed of bio-derived renewable resources ranging from 25-40% (as a percentage of total ink weight).

22

40

18 FEATURES

29

18

30 A Queen’s Return: Claire Andersen Putman ‘50

Strategic Transformation: The New Five-Year Strategic Plan ‘Transforms Lives, Ignites Possibilities’

20 Building Transformation: A Renovated Hewitt Hall Opens to Rave Reviews from University Community 26

Lifesaving Transformation: When One Laker Needed a Miracle, Another Answered with a Kidney

31

CLASS NOTES

otal Eclipse of the Heart: T John Worster ’67 and Wendy Peck Oliver ‘68 M’73

40 A Defining Moment: Castelli Laflotte ’13 42

Snapshots from Reunion 2025

44

Weddings

46 In Memoriam Back Cover

Have news to share?

Send us your news! We want to hear about your new job, promotion, marriage, babies, visits with Oswego alumni, or even just a change in your address.

Faculty Hall of Fame: Frank “Fritz” Messere ’71 M’76

Check out OSWEGO Alumni Magazine online: alumni.oswego.edu/magonline

Submissions received between Jan. 1-June 30 will run in our fall/winter issue, and between July 1-Dec. 31 in our spring/ summer issue.

To submit your class note, email alumni@oswego.edu, call 315-312-3003, or complete the class note form online at alumni.oswego.edu. You can also mail submissions to the OSWEGO Alumni Magazine, King Alumni Hall, Oswego, N.Y. 13126.

Please note: Class notes included in the magazine come from a variety of sources, such as alumni submissions, news releases, social media posts, and news media reports.

You'll find exclusive online extras like additional photos, extended versions and multimedia pieces, as well as a digital flipbook, shareable links to stories, and printable PDF pages.

OSW EG O l Fa l l 2025

3

From the President Dear Members of the Laker community, As the calendar year draws to a close, we pause to reflect on the milestones that have shaped our journey so far and the momentum carrying us forward.

Earlier this year, we launched our new five-year strategic plan, Transforming Lives, Igniting Possibilities, which puts into action our ambitious Vision 4040 — to double the number of degrees and credentials we award by 2040 to meet the needs of the Central New York region. Oswego County is the only Central New York county that has seen population growth since 2020; yet, only 20 percent of residents aged 25 or older hold a bachelor’s degree or higher — compared to 31 percent across Central New York and 37 percent statewide.

SUNY Oswego is determined to change that, and we’re calling on our entire Laker community to help us realize this goal. Learn more about how you can advance the strategic plan on pages 18–19.

This issue also offers a glimpse into how that vision is already coming to life. The newly renovated Hewitt Hall is transforming our students’ experiences. Championing sustainability, expanding global engagement, and fostering a culture of belonging and creativity, Hewitt Hall stands as a living example of our Vision 4040 — a place where technology, artistry, and human connection come together to create experiences that will define the decades ahead. With renovations to Hewitt and Tyler halls completed, the College of Communication, Media, and the Arts have facilities worthy of our talented students and of our hometown university with global impact.

You’ll also read an extraordinary story that reflects SUNY Oswego’s enduring spirit of connection and compassion. When one alumnus donated a kidney to another, their act of friendship embodied the very essence of an Oswego education — transformative experiences that create lifelong bonds and a deep sense of community.

As we celebrate what we’ve accomplished together, we also recognize the community that gives this place its enduring strength. Our progress is built through the commitment of students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends who believe in SUNY Oswego’s mission and spirit. This year’s end offers both closure and continuity — a moment to honor our achievements and recommit to the aspirations that lie ahead.

Remain well, Peter O. Nwosu, Ph.D. President

STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK AT OSWEGO LEADERSHIP TEAM Peter O. Nwosu, President Rick Buck ’05 M’10, Interim Vice President for Enrollment Management Kendra N. Cadogan, Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer Jamal Coleman, Director of Operations, Office of the President Karen Crowe, Vice President for Communication and Marketing Kristi Eck, Assistant Vice President for Workforce Innovation and External Relations Scott R. Furlong, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Vicki Cafalone Furlong ’08 M’10, Vice President for Administration and Finance Kathleen Kerr, Vice President for Student Affairs Heath Wood, Vice President for University Advancement Murat Yaşar, Deputy to the President for Strategy, Planning and Special Projects

OSWEGO ALUMNI ASSOCIATION INC. BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Justin Dobrow ’17, President Justin Brantley '15 M'16, First Vice President Paul Austin '92, Second Vice President Phillip Grome ’89*, Immediate Past President Laura Pavlus Kelly ’09, Executive Director Marc Beck ’93* Brad Bernstein ’89 Harry Bronson ’82 Austin Byrd ’10 Michael Byrne ’79* Shoy Colbourne ’09 Michael Demas ’65 Nicole Knapp Ey '02 Chelsea Giovo ’13 Adam Glaser ’00 Thaina Gonzalez ’92* Jennifer Warner Janes ’91* Rufaro Matombo ’12 Steve Messina ’91* Dana Segall Murphy ’99*

OSW EG O l Fa l l 2025

* At large

** Ex officio

OSWEGO UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION, INC. BOARD OF DIRECTORS Doreen Mochrie ’85, Chair Mark Baum ’81, Vice Chair Vicki Cafalone Furlong ’08 M’10, Treasurer James Triandiflou ’88, Secretary Heath Wood, President Peter O. Nwosu, Vice President Kathy Bower ’85 Bill Burns ’83 Pamela D. Caraccioli Jennifer Carey ’85 ’92 Joseph F. Coughlin ’82 Rose Cardamone Crane ’81 Dianora De Marco ’14 M’15 James A. Dowd ’89 Bob Garrett ’83 Kendis Gibson ’94 Janette Hausler ’89 Aunrée Houston ’00 Matt Jenal ’78 Marcus McFee-Walters ’17

4

Peter O. Nwosu** Hannah O’Brien ’17 M’19 Dresden Engle Olcott ’88 Meet Patel '26 (Student Representative) Dee McGowan Perkins ’85 Kenny Roffo '17 Aziz Sarimsakov ’24 Carolyn Settzo ’77 Tucker Sholtes ’15 Yvonne Spicer ’84 M’85 Hank Volpe ’73 Sheneya Wilson ’15 M’16 Heath Wood**

Robert Moritz ’85 Colleen Murphy ’77 Jeff Ragovin ’00 Holly Reitmeier ’17 M’18 Al Roker ’76 Susannah Melchior Schaefer ’90 Jennifer Shropshire ’86 William Spinelli ’84 Janayah Tolbert ’26 (Student Board Member) Joe Yacura ’74 Tom Yates ’89

Campus Currents

Oswego Endowment Earns Exceptional Returns, Outpacing Peers for Two Decades Last year, SUNY Oswego’s endowment, managed by the Oswego University Foundation, Inc. (OUF), outperformed our peers, our aspirational peers, and the top 5% of all 685 U.S. colleges and universities who participated in the 2024 National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO) annual endowment survey.

“I’m thrilled to report a strong 16% oneyear return on our investments, but even more pleased with our 10-year gains, which ensure consistent support and sustained growth,” said OUF President and Vice President for University Advancement Heath Wood. “This long-term success allows us to award more funds annually and adjust for inflation and rising costs.”

Thanks to the strong investment returns over the past 10 years, the foundation board voted to increase the spending award rate from 4% to 4.5% for 202425, unlocking higher levels of funding for scholarship, faculty support, and campus programming. Last year, through both endowed and unendowed funds, the foundation provided campus a total of $4.5 million in support. For perspective, this amount exceeds the total assets of the foundation in the year 2000.

“These results reassure donors that their gifts are carefully invested and maximized for impact at SUNY Oswego,” Wood added. “This success is due to the dedication of our foundation’s Investment Committee, whose expertise helps navigate market fluctuations and drive strong returns.”

On a one-year, three-year, five-year, and ten-year basis, Oswego continued its historic run of better-than-average performance. The university’s endowment has outperformed the NACUBO survey average for 20 of the 24 years since 2001,

NACUBO Survey Results Comparison of Rates of Return by Time and Endowment Size June 30, 2024 16 16% __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 14.5 14% __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 12.6 11.8 12% __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 11.2 10.1 9.7 9.8 10% __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 9.1 9.1 8.3 8.3 8.3 8.2 8% __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 7.5 7.4 6.8 6.4 5.9 6% __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 5.3 4.3 4% __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 3.4 3.4 2.4 __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 2% 0% __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Oswego

NACUBO Average

1-year

$50 Million to $100 Million peer group

3-year

the first year the university participated in the survey.

Specifically, the most recent survey results (June 30, 2024) compared to the survey average were as follows: • Top 5% for the one-year • Top 5% for the three-year period • Top 25% for the five-year period (only .4% from top 10%) • Top 25% for the ten-year period (only .1% away from the top 10%) Over the past quarter century, Oswego’s alumni and other donors have generously contributed to our university’s students and programs, enabling the foundation board to invest those funds and generate industry-leading results that match those of the largest private U.S. universities.

Record-Breaking Athletics Giving Week The 2025 campaign set new records for participation and impact, as alumni, parents, and fans rallied together — including a generous matching gift from Shane Facteau ’95 — to strengthen Laker athletics.

Participating Teams: 22 Total Donors: 548

$100 Million to $250 Million

$1 Billion to $5 Billion

Over $5 Billion aspirational group

5-year

10-year

The GOLDen Difference

Congratulations to Counseling Services, which garnered the most gifts from Graduates Of the Last Decade (GOLD) during the March Matchness challenge.

Since more than 250 SUNY Oswego alumni from the classes of 2015 to 2024 stepped up and made a gift to The Fund for Oswego in March, Counseling Services received a matching gift from Lynne ’85 and Bob Moritz ’85.

GIFT BREAKDOWN BY STUDENT CAUSES: Counseling Services Center Providing mental health support to students

83 gifts

Student Emergency Fund Helping students navigate unexpected financial hardships gifts

39

SUNY Oswego Food Pantry Assisting students who are facing food insecurities gifts

48

Teams with most donors: Men’s and women’s swimming and diving

Transforming Lives Scholarship Creating opportunities for Lakers through financial support gifts

Teams who raised the most money: Men's wrestling and men’s and women’s swimming and diving

Other Funds gifts

Total Dollars: $110,000+

31

26

O S W E G O l FA L L 2 0 2 5

5

Eight Alumni Receive 2025 Alumni Awards

ALUMNI Awards ★ PROGRAM The Oswego Alumni Association (OAA) is proud to announce the eight 2025 Alumni Awards recipients, who were recognized for outstanding professional achievements in their fields, for service to the university and our students, and for exemplary service in their local, national, or global communities.

“The achievements of this year’s winners not only showcase personal and professional excellence but also demonstrate a deep commitment to their alma mater, their communities, and society as a whole,” said Laura Pavlus Kelly ’09, OAA executive director and senior director of alumni engagement. “The Oswego Alumni Association is proud to celebrate their contributions, which reflect the lasting impact of our 96,000 alumni worldwide.”

The eight winners this year were selected from a strong pool of nominees, representing a range of class years, majors, careers, and contributions. Those recognized this year were: Justin Brantley ’15 M’16, Graduates Of the Last Decade (GOLD) Award Brantley, vice president at Alpine Grove Partners LLP overseeing financial management and investment operations, received the GOLD Award for his impressive career in finance in addition to his commitment to his alma mater, including his active participation in alumni events, keynote addresses at leadership conferences, and service on the Oswego Alumni Association Board of Directors.

Vincent Cioci ’15, GOLD Award Cioci, CEO of Luck Grove, a telecommunications company that was dubbed the fastest-growing company in Syra-

6

O S W E G O l FA L L 2 0 2 5

cuse in 2024 by Inc. 5000 and one of the top 10 fastest-growing in telecommunications nationally, received the GOLD award for exemplifying the qualities of leadership, community service, and professional excellence.

Dr. Antoine Dufour ’05, Distinguished Alumnus Award An associate professor in the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology at the University of Calgary, Dr. Dufour was recognized with the Distinguished Alumnus Award for his scientific contributions relating to the body’s immune responses in inflammatory diseases and cancer and his international expertise in translating basic discoveries in the lab into direct strategies to improve people’s health and quality of life.

David Haas ’09, Community Service Award Haas received the Community Service Award for his work as the executive director of Sarah’s Guest House, a nonprofit that provides lodging, transportation, meals, and support for patients and families receiving medical care in Syracuse, N.Y.; his commitment to revitalizing the Greater Syracuse Land Bank, an organization for the reclamation of abandoned properties; and his advocacy for and involvement in the International Stuttering Association.

Richard Knoeppel ’87 M’88, Lifetime Award of Merit A distinguished educator and innovative leader, 2019 Nevada Teacher of the Year, and National Teachers Hall of Fame inductee, Knoeppel has spent over three decades advancing education, particularly in Career and Technical Education and STEM, earning him the prestigious Lifetime Award of Merit.

Dr. Jerry Oberst ’77, Alumni Impact Award The Alumni Impact Award was presented to Dr. Oberst, who for 44 years recruited eager students to his alma mater in his roles with the Admissions Office; mentored generations of student and professional staff members, emphasizing the importance of personal connections; and helped shape the recruitment strategies that maintained steady enrollment for generations at Oswego.

Patricia Maloney-Titland ’80, Lifetime Award of Merit A professional actor/director and a two-time recipient of the SUNY Chancellor’s Award and Arts Council of Rockland Award for Arts Educator, SUNY Distinguished Professor Maloney-Titland was honored with the Lifetime Award of Merit for her visionary contributions as an educator, arts advocate, and inspirational leader.

Lawrence Watson ’74, Lifetime Award of Merit A distinguished international performer and professor emeritus at Berklee College of Music, Watson received the Lifetime Award of Merit for combining music with social activism and making a small difference in the lives of everyone he encountered — from Nelson Mandela to the inmates he taught at Auburn Correctional Facility to the students and employees at Berklee and SUNY Oswego.

To read more about this year’s winners or to nominate yourself or another worthy Laker, visit alumni.oswego. edu/alumniawards.

Campus Currents

Two Alumnae, New Graduates Recognized During May 2025 Commencement SUNY Oswego celebrated the achievements of more than 1,400 graduates in a trio of commencement ceremonies on May 17 in the Deborah F. Stanley Arena and Convocation Hall.

The ceremonies honored not only the accomplishments of the Class of 2025, but also the extraordinary contributions of two alumnae trailblazers — Linda Cohn ’81 and Constance Schwartz-Morini ’90 — who were awarded honorary doctor of humane letters degrees. A third keynote, Ambassador Erastus Ekitela Lokaale, permanent representative of the Republic of Kenya to the United Nations, delivered a message of global citizenship and resilience during the morning ceremony.

At the College of Business and Entrepreneurship ceremony, Schwartz-Morini captivated the audience with a high-energy,

At the College of Communication, Media, and the Arts and the College of Education, Health, and Human Services ceremony, ESPN legend Cohn brought humor, humility, and heartfelt encouragement. One of the longest-tenured SportsCenter anchors in ESPN history, Cohn credited SUNY Oswego with transforming her life. deeply personal address that mixed grit, gratitude, and humor. Now the co-founder and CEO of SMAC Entertainment, Schwartz-Morini shared stories from her early days navigating New York City with nothing but a pencil and the classified ads.

“I had no safety net,” she recalled. “But what I did have was faith in myself, grit, determination, and the will to win, and a mantra that would carry me throughout my life, which is: ‘hustle like you're broke.’”

“I went from a person who loved being invisible to wanting to be the center of attention,” Cohn said. “One of my favorite sayings of all time is, ‘Faith is believing when common sense tells you not to.’ …

You have a choice right now. You can use this passion, this energy that you have to worry about things. Or you can use this passion and excitement to believe in yourself, your abilities, to get where you want to go, and to never settle, but to seize every moment.”

Bahamas Native Wins 2025 Outstanding Senior Award

Oswego Welcomes Its Newest Alumni During Timeless Torchlight Tradition The Commencement Eve Torchlight Ceremony on May 16 opened with performances by the State Singers and Oswego State Jazz Ensemble. Then the university's trumpeters heralded the start of the formal ceremony with a flourish and signaling the arrival of the Platform Party led by Torchbearer Shaun Lin ’25.

Master of Ceremonies Eason Lee ’23 M’25 welcomed attendees and introduced Denise J. Grillo ’84, who delivered stirring remarks on behalf of the alumni family.

Drawing parallels between life and a wellworn suitcase, Grillo shared how her time at Oswego opened her worldview and shaped a career that led her to Broadway as a respected production props supervisor. Her message to graduates: pack well, travel far, and never forget where you started.

President Peter O. Nwosu followed with words of encouragement and purpose, telling students to “be the spark that motivates others, the person who turns good ideas into action.”

Clarissa Karki ’25 shared her personal story of growth and transformation during her time at Oswego — from aspiring journalist to future business analytics graduate student — reminding peers that changing paths can be part of discovering purpose.

“I’m heading for a master’s in business analytics: something I never would have imagined when I first arrived on this campus,” she said. “And that, for me, is the beauty of a university education. It gives us the space to discover who we are. Without this time, this place, and this education, I don’t know if I would’ve taken that chance or found a new direction.”

Aiden Wilson ’25, a finance and marketing double major from Nassau, Bahamas, received the Oswego Alumni Association’s 2025 Outstanding Senior Award during the Commencement Eve Torchlight Reception. Graduating with a 3.92 GPA, Wilson distinguished himself through academic excellence, leadership, and service.

An international student who overcame homesickness early in his college journey, Wilson went on to immerse himself in campus life — serving as Student Association president, University Foundation Board ambassador, residence advisor, and intern with Admissions.

He also contributed to organizations, including the International Student Association, Caribbean Student Association, and Student Investment Club. He also made history as the only student speaker selected for the campus's inaugural TEDxSUNY Oswego event in spring 2025.

O S W E G O l FA L L 2 0 2 5

7

Seven Lakers Earn Recognition from SUNY for Excellence Three students and four employees have earned the 2025 SUNY Chancellor’s Award, the highest honor presented to students and employees by the SUNY system.

Earning Chancellor’s Awards for Student Excellence (CASE) were: Halle Collins ’25, Cinema and Screen Studies, Creative Writing Collins, who transferred to SUNY Oswego as a junior, has shown exceptional leadership in civic engagement and the arts. She held key Student Association roles, interned with the Urban Institute and Vote Oswego — earning a White House panel invitation — and led arts groups, including Women in Entertainment, The Great Lake Review, and The Oswegonian.

Layla Sprague ’25, Biology, Physics A first-generation transfer student, Sprague thrived academically while conducting research in both biology and physics. She earned five scholarships and two research grants, and presented her work multiple times.

Her community commitment included service with the Red Cross, YMCA, and STEAM programs, as well as work as a nursing assistant at Oswego Hospital.

Sky Minkoff ’25, Linguistics A nontraditional student, Minkoff excelled academically while championing diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice. Drawing on their experience as a neurodivergent student, they founded Hack Your Brain, a peer-led academic support program.

Minkoff also tutored, served as a teaching assistant, and researched Onondaga Eel Clan language preservation through an independent study.

8

O S W E G O l FA L L 2 0 2 5

Grace Maxon-Clarke ’11 M’14, Associate Dean of Students

Faculty and staff 2025 Chancellor Award winners were: Richard Bush ’92 M’97, Professor and Chair of Technology Education Bush earned the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Faculty Service for decades of leadership, mentoring, and community engagement.

A proud Oswego alumnus, Bush is known for shaping generations of technology educators through both classroom teaching and tireless extracurricular support, from leading the award-winning Technology Student Association to co-creating Oswego’s annual Iron Pour event.

John-Jay Grass, Office Assistant in Student Accounts Office Grass received the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Classified Service for nearly three decades of dedication to student accounts and financial systems. A campus leader in implementing Banner and the Excelsior Scholarship, he is known for his technical expertise, collaborative spirit, and commitment to serving both colleagues and community.

Oswego native and two-time alumna Maxon-Clarke earned the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Professional Service for her steadfast commitment to student well-being. She oversees essential programs like the Student Emergency Fund and SHOP food pantry, ensuring students in need find support. Compassionate and equity-driven, she also serves the YMCA, Oswego Harborfest, and local mental health and environmental initiatives.

Jacqueline (Jackie) Campbell Wallace ’02 M’04, Associate Director of Career Services Two-time Oswego business alumna Wallace earned the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Professional Service for her innovative career programs, including Job-A-Rama, Sophomore Success Conference, and Major Exploration Week that empower students to thrive. Known for her energy, empathy, and collaboration, she’s lauded as “the ultimate career coach” who helps students unlock their futures. She is active in the community, including her work with Leadership Oswego County and the Zonta Club.

Find the Founder!

In the Winter 2025 issue, the Sheldon statue can be found on the hood of the car in the upper left photo on page 8. Grand prize winner of some Oswego swag and a Sheldon Hall print is Marcia Cunningham Schwartz ’70. Winning Sheldon Hall prints are Courtney Stow Cline ’98, Kristen Didier ’89, Samson Dikeman ’11, Michelle McKinney ’55, and Adam Obstein ’04.

A tiny replica of the Sheldon statue, pictured here, is hidden somewhere in this issue. Find the Founder and send us a letter or email with the location and page number, your name, class year, and address.

We will draw one entry at random from all the correct answers and the winner will receive an Oswego-branded prize and a print of Sheldon Hall, and the next five winning entries will receive the Sheldon Hall print. Send your entry by March 1, 2026, to Find the Founder, Sheldon Hall, 301 Washington Blvd., Oswego, N.Y., 13126, or email to findthefounder@oswego.edu.

Campus Currents Director Appointed to New Center for Business Excellence and Transformation Maureen Melville M’17 has been named the inaugural director of SUNY Oswego’s new Center for Business Excellence and Transformation (CBET) in the College of Business and Entrepreneurship.

An accomplished educator, business leader, and innovator, Melville brings extensive academic and corporate experience to the role. CBET will serve as a hub for collaboration among students, faculty, and industry partners, advancing business excellence through innovative learning, partnerships, and programming supported by the National Science Foundation, Empire State Development, and alumni donors.

Since joining SUNY Oswego in 2018, Melville has served as visiting assistant professor, faculty career mentor, and Dean’s Leadership Fellow, helping launch the Sales Triathlon and sales minor, now the college’s largest. She earned her MBA from SUNY Oswego and a bachelor’s in business administration from RIT.

John Kane Earns SUNY’s Distinguished Service Title

Economics professor and longtime director of the Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching (CELT), John Kane was promoted to the rank of SUNY Distinguished Service Professor, one of the system’s highest honors.

Interim Dean for College of Business and Entrepreneurship Announced Kristen Campbell Eichhorn, dean of graduate studies, assumed an additional leadership role as interim dean of the College of Business and Entrepreneurship, effective July 1, 2025. Eichhorn is expected to serve in this role for one year as the university embarks on a search to replace former Dean Prabakar Kothandaraman.

Kane has transformed CELT into a hub of professional development, offering hundreds of workshops annually and co-hosting the widely acclaimed Tea for Teaching podcast, downloaded thousands of times worldwide. He is celebrated for his ability to blend research-based practices with practical faculty support, especially during the COVID-19 transition to remote learning.

Eichhorn brings to this position a distinguished record of leadership, scholarship, and service. As dean of graduate studies, she has significantly enhanced SUNY Oswego’s graduate portfolio, successfully launching more than 10 new master’s programs, graduate certificates, and microcredentials. Under her stewardship, graduate enrollment has increased by 22%, and by an impressive 68% within the business school.

Beyond campus, Kane has shaped SUNYwide teaching initiatives and contributed significantly to the Oswego community, including youth sports leadership and facilities development.

She earned a bachelor's degree from Canisius College, a master’s degree from West Virginia University, and a doctorate from the University of Miami.

Three Individuals, One Team Inducted into Class of 2025 Athletics Hall of Fame The Oswego State Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2025 were formally inducted on Oct. 4, 2025, in the Sheldon Hall Ballroom.

This year's honorees included the 1965 Men's Wrestling Team, the first team in Laker history to be inducted. From left are: members of the 1965 Wrestling team Tom Gustainis ’66, Robert “Bob” Williams ’67, and Dick Shiel ’67; William Orlando '77, Men's Cross Country and Track and Field; Kellie Winters McCaffery '03 M'05, Women's Swimming & Diving; and Bridget Smith '15, Women's Ice Hockey.

View the full list of Oswego State Athletics Hall of Fame inductees or nominate a Laker athlete or coach for the honor at oswegolakers.com/honors/oswego-state-athletics-hall-of-fame.

O S W E G O l FA L L 2 0 2 5

9

University Renames Four Colleges, Focusing on Areas of Growth This college, housed in Hewitt and Tyler halls, will continue to prepare students for leadership in fields such as media production, art and graphic design, music and theatre performance, cinema and screen studies, and communication studies.

SUNY Oswego officially renamed its four colleges on July 1, 2025 — elevating three former schools to college status and positioning all four for future growth, evolving industry needs, and expanded student opportunities.

“This change aligns with our recent attainment of university status, highlights our commitment to Vision 4040 for a more educated region, and responds to the increasing breadth and depth of our academic offerings and the national trends in higher education,” President Peter O. Nwosu said in announcing the new names.

Renaming and Expansion The biggest change also involves its largest academic unit, as what was previously the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) becomes the College of Liberal Arts, Sciences, and Engineering (CLASE) — with three schools within it.

These new schools within CLASE will be the: • School of Humanities, • School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, and the • School of Engineering and Natural Sciences.

10

Integrating engineering into the name aims to increase the visibility of these programs, enhance interdisciplinary opportunities, and better serve students pursuing careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics). This change is a step toward greater external recognition for SUNY Oswego’s quality of education and research.

The three schools being renamed as colleges are: • School of Education becomes College of Education, Health, and Human Services This expanded name reflects the broad scope of this signature area, as it encompasses teacher preparation, school leadership, mental health counseling, health promotion, and helping professions. This change paves the way for future growth in critical areas, including technology management, nursing and social work, among others, to meet emerging workforce demands while honoring its long history as a leader in educator preparation.

Each of the schools will be led by a director reporting to the CLASE dean. The directors will work with internal and external stakeholders to provide strategic direction in furtherance of opportunities that enhance academic excellence, support curricular innovation and enrollment growth, and advance workforce needs and regional economic development.

• School of Business becomes College of Business and Entrepreneurship This renaming preserves the identity of well-regarded and AACSB-accredited business programs, known for strong alignment with industry needs, global perspectives, and a focus on preparing students for leadership roles. This re-envisioning also acknowledges a commitment to innovation and enterprise, as entrepreneurship becomes an increasingly important part of a nimble and responsive economic ecosystem.

“The renaming of our largest academic unit emphasizes our deep commitment to the liberal arts while highlighting the growing significance of engineering and applied sciences in our curriculum,” President Nwosu said.

• School of Communication, Media, and the Arts becomes College of Communication, Media, and the Arts The new name emphasizes its vibrant role in fostering creativity, critical thinking, and technological innovation.

O S W E G O l FA L L 2 0 2 5

“This change is not just about nomenclature; it reflects SUNY Oswego’s ongoing journey of growth and transformation,” President Nwosu said. “To ensure the success of this transition, we will be working closely with faculty, staff, and students to engage our stakeholders through marketing and outreach efforts to reinforce the values of our schools and programs, as well as the strengths of our outstanding faculty and students.”

Additional Benefits The new names and emphases provide a framework for developing opportunities for degree programs, interdisciplinary initiatives, and professional credentials.

For example, President Nwosu said it can set the stage for the College of Education, Health, and Human Services to expand into high-demand fields like nursing and social work, while the College of Liberal Arts, Sciences, and Engineering offers opportunities to further integrate STEM with humanities and social sciences. The project also recognizes and affirms the quality academic work happening within classrooms and beyond borders, a rightful point of pride for past, present, and future leaders, the president said.

“This change aligns SUNY Oswego with peer institutions nationally and internationally, elevating the stature of our academic units,” President Nwosu said. “It allows prospective students, families, and external partners to immediately recognize the depth and quality of our offerings.”

Interdisciplinary collaboration, an established strength of the university, remains emphasized across units while preparing students for careers that demand cross-disciplinary knowledge and skills.

The renaming improves the university’s ability to attract grants, research funding, and partnerships with employers and community organizations, as well as fundraising opportunities to promote initiatives that resonate with successful and engaged alumni. It also signals SUNY Oswego’s readiness to lead in addressing regional and global challenges through innovative programming.

Campus Currents

Oswego Launches Real Estate Minor

SUNY Oswego Delivers Exceptional Graduate Outcomes Building on the university’s long-term, multifaceted commitment to student success, the Class of 2024 reported exceptional outcomes that not only confirm Oswego’s value but also highlight the enduring strength of our institution.

> 97%

employed and/or continuing education

SUNY Oswego has introduced a real estate minor open to all students, becoming one of the first SUNY campuses to offer the program.

“Many students across campus have an interest in real estate. After I started the Real Estate Club, interest grew,” said Graig Arcuri, faculty member in the College of Business and Entrepreneurship's finance program.

Courses such as Real Estate Principles, Real Estate Finance, and Real Estate Law

provide a strong foundation, supported by additional business and interdisciplinary classes.

“The minor is the next step in giving students the tools to succeed in real estate,” Arcuri said. “You don’t need money or an Ivy League degree to be successful — just opportunity and preparation.”

The Real Estate Club, meeting weekly in Rich Hall, complements coursework through practical discussions on leases, housing, and investment strategies.

> 93%

working where they want to work

The Class of 2024 graduates report 97% are employed and/or continuing education within one year of graduation. Even more impressive, 93% of them are working where they want to work — in their field of choice.

Breakdown by colleges: 98% College of Business and Entrepreneurship 99% College of Communication, Media, and the Arts 99% College of Education, Health, and Human Services 96% College of Liberal Arts, Sciences, and Engineering

SUNY Oswego Achieves Significant Rise in U.S. News Rankings Oswego was the second-highest ranked SUNY in this category.

The university also climbed 11 spots to No. 43 in Best Value Schools, highlighting the strength of its academics and affordability of SUNY tuition. Oswego’s dedication to serving veterans and active military members earned it further praise, moving up three places to No. 11 in Best for Veterans. Oswego again ranked second among SUNY campuses in this category.

SUNY Oswego maintains its upward trend, climbing nine spots to #28 in U.S. News & World Report’s “2026 Best Regional Universities in the North.”

The latest rankings highlight Oswego’s strong performance in several areas, including social mobility, value, and veteran support, while also strengthening its growing national reputation for academic excellence.

“Our students are remarkable — driven, talented, and full of potential,” said SUNY Oswego President Peter O. Nwosu. “These rankings reflect not only

their achievements, but also the dedication of our extraordinary Laker family — faculty, staff, alumni, and partners — who inspire and empower them every step of the way.”

Among regional public colleges, Oswego rose to #12, standing out among top institutions across New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, and Delaware. In the category of social mobility, Oswego ranked #13 in the North, a recognition that highlights the university’s mission of transforming lives and providing access to opportunities for students of all backgrounds.

On the national stage, Oswego received recognition in U.S. News categories for Top Undergraduate Engineering Programs (non-doctorate), Top Computer Science Schools, Top Undergraduate Business Program, and Top Psychology Programs.

Overall, U.S. News evaluated over 1,700 bachelor’s degree institutions based on up to 17 measures of academic quality, student outcomes, and value. SUNY Oswego’s ongoing progress across multiple categories shows the momentum of a university dedicated to excellence, innovation, and student achievement.

O S W E G O l FA L L 2 0 2 5

11

Top 10 Take-Aways from the Etiquette Dinner It’s a simple way to show grace and awareness of others.

7 Small Bites, Big Impressions

Taking small bites helps you chew quietly, keeps conversation flowing, and avoids any unintended food flinging. No one wants to see what you're chewing.

8 Napkin Know-How

Place your napkin on your lap as soon as you're seated. Use it to dab (not wipe) your mouth, and return it to your lap between uses. At the end of the meal, place it neatly to the left of your plate — not crumpled on top like a flag of surrender.

On April 2, about 100 SUNY Oswego students attended “Table Talk: Dining with Confidence,” an etiquette dinner hosted by Career Services.

Led by Heather Kolakowski, senior lecturer in food and beverage management at Cornell’s Nolan School of Hotel Administration and executive director of the Cornell Institute for Healthy Futures, the event guided students through each course while demonstrating professional dining skills — from navigating table settings to handling tricky mealtime moments with ease.

Students also dined with professional guests, including alumni, employers, and university staff who encouraged conversation, modeled professional confidence, and offered tips for building connections over a meal.

Below are some helpful lessons to remember the next time you’re invited to a work dinner:

1 Follow the Leader (a.k.a. Your Host)

When in doubt, mirror your host.

Don’t dive into your meal until they’ve started, and try to match their pace. It’s not just polite — it helps you blend in and avoid standing out for being too fussy or too fast.

2 B/D = Bread/Drink (Not Breakfast/ Dinner) Struggling to remember which bread plate is yours? Make a lowercase “b” and “d” with your thumbs and forefingers (subtly under the table, of course). Your left hand makes a "b" for bread, right a "d" for drink.

Or you can remember that "drink" and "right" both have five letters and "food" and "left" have four letters.

Voilà — no more awkward grabs!

12

O S W E G O l FA L L 2 0 2 5

3 Season with Sense

Always taste your food before reaching for the salt or pepper. It shows respect to the chef — and yes, salt and pepper are a pair. Pass them together, even if someone asks for just one.

4 Bread, Broken (Not Butchered)

No need to saw into a roll like it’s firewood. Break off a small piece, butter it individually, and enjoy — one bite at a time.

5 Cell Phones and Elbows:

Off the Table This one’s a classic. Keep your phone out of sight and your elbows off the table. Your company — not your notifications — deserves your full attention.

6 Pass It On

Whether it’s the sugar, creamer, or bread basket, offer it to your neighbor before helping yourself.

Career Fair Draws Record Number of Organizations SUNY Oswego’s “Dream Big! Career, Internship, and Graduate School Fair” on Oct. 7 brought nearly 700 students face-to-face with 250 representatives, including more than 40 proud Laker alumni, from 148 organizations.

The event, which set a new record for organization participation, also featured pre-fair mixers that fostered mentoring and networking among student leaders, employers, graduate schools, and alumni.

9 Plan Ahead —

And Maybe Eat Ahead If it’s a business dinner, review the menu beforehand. You might also want to eat a small snack before you arrive so you’re not starving. That way, you can focus on the conversation, not just the cuisine.

10 Silverware Strategy 101

Outside-in is the name of the game.

Use utensils starting from the outermost and work your way in. The ones above your plate? Dessert awaits. For soup, spoon away from you — then bring it gently back to your mouth (not your face to the bowl).

Bonus Tip: Watch the Glassware Multiple glasses? The large one above your knife is for water; the smaller one is typically for wine. If you're not drinking alcohol, a polite “no, thank you” is always acceptable.

Campus Currents

Micron Partnership Powers Hands-On Robotics Training

The week before SUNY Oswego launched its fall semester, Park Hall buzzed with energy as 10 middle and high school technology teachers from across New York gathered to dive into advanced robotics training. Thanks to support from Micron Technology, the three-day workshop gave educators hands-on experience with VEX IQ robotics kits — an opportunity that filled within hours of being announced.

“This is something that a lot of people are interested in, as the excitement of the 10 who made it in shows,” said Richard Bush ’92 M’97, chair of technology education and event coordinator. “It took 2 hours and 43 minutes to fill the class, and by the second day, I had 34 people inquire.”

natural transition for kids that are excited about it and want to keep going.”

Parsons said that robotics provides an especially engaging way to foster teamwork and problem-solving.

“Every unit ends with a game,” he said.

“What you’re seeing here is exactly what the kids do when they’re done with their projects. We run it like a tournament. The kids have a lot of fun with it. And if they’re having fun, whether they realize it or not, they’re learning.”

Through the robotics lessons, students are learning about everything from sensor technology and basic programming to mechanical engineering and gaming strategy, Parsons said.

For many of the teachers in attendance — many themselves Oswego alumni — the workshop offered new ways to expand classroom learning. Leah Parker Wooster ’20 M’22, who teaches at Letchworth Central School District, said the training opened doors to making robotics more accessible and the new kits seemed easier to work with than the metal VEX VR sets her district uses.

Two SUNY Oswego alumni now teaching in the Liverpool Central School District — Alex Parsons ’15 and Matt Starke ’10 — led much of the training. Their partnership reflects how technology education builds continuity between middle and high school classrooms.

“Alex teaches middle school tech ed and I teach high school tech ed,” Starke said.

“What’s cool is Alex actually does this with his students already. I teach the high school version, so Alex gets them ready, and then I continue to build on that. It’s a

“I love building and competing,” Woods said. “It’s very interactive. You get to travel, compete, and meet people — and it’s fun.

That’s what I want to bring to my students someday.”

For SUNY Oswego, the training is one piece of the newly launched Regional Center for STEM Excellence, part of its growing partnership with Micron.

“Connecting technology educators with the tools and insights that translate to hands-on learning for students is essential,” said Rosita Najmi, Micron’s global head of social impact and community engagement.

Dean of the College of Education, Health, and Human Services Laura Spenceley emphasized the broader vision.

“Micron has provided not only foundational support, but has been part of the development of our priority areas, helping us think through the unmet needs in the semiconductor industry,” she said.

“This, so far, seems like it would be a lot easier for some of the younger students to put together and make quick models with,” she said. “And I’m happy to be back on campus. I love it here.”

The training also resonated with current student Jennifer Woods ’28, who assisted during the program and who first encountered VEX robotics in high school and is now active in SUNY Oswego’s Technology Student Association and robotics competitions.

O S W E G O l FA L L 2 0 2 5

13

Inaugural TEDxSUNY Oswego an International Success

Two Oswego County Bank Leaders Join University Foundation Board A not-for-profit organization that raises and manages private support to advance SUNY Oswego, the Oswego University Foundation appointed two new members for three-year terms, effective Sept. 4, 2025.

New members are: Pamela D. Caraccioli, president and chief executive officer of Fulton Savings Bank; and James A. Dowd ’89, president and chief executive officer of Pathfinder Bank.

The inaugural TEDxSUNY Oswego, held April 11, 2025, fulfilled a lifelong dream for organizer Eason Lee ’23 M’25 and put SUNY Oswego on a global stage.

“When I was 15, I decided I wanted to give a TEDx talk to spread inspiration on the big stage,” said Lee, who grew up in Penang, Malaysia. “That dream started moving toward reality when I came to SUNY Oswego.”

The sold-out event drew 100 attendees, while a livestream and subsequent posting to the TEDx Talks YouTube channel — home to more than 43 million subscribers — extended Oswego’s reach worldwide.

Nearly 40 students, faculty, and staff from seven countries collaborated on the production, reflecting the university’s global community.

The event’s theme, “Ideas Move People,” came to life through six diverse talks: • Aunrée Jacques Laurent Houston ’00, marketing operations executive at Netflix and life enrichment coach, “The Ingredients of Purpose” • Yonggang Wang, meteorologist, climatologist, and associate professor of meteorology, “Chasing the Snow: Exploring the Science and Adventure of Lake Effect Snow” • Christopher Stein ’03 M’06, assistant professor of technology, landscape designer, and artist, “Surviving Technology — Tools for Life” • Natalia Lewandowska, assistant professor of physics and astronomy, director

14

O S W E G O l FA L L 2 0 2 5

of the Shineman Planetarium, “The Timekeepers of the Universe” • Aiden R.J. Wilson ’25, then Student Association president and international student from the Bahamas, “Sowing Seeds and Reaping Opportunities” • Robert Simmons III, vice president of U.S. social impact and community engagement at National Grid and executive director of the National Grid Foundation, “Creating Dreams for Progress.”

The livestream drew more than 1,000 viewers and 258 hours of total watch time, attracting more than 845 first-time visitors to SUNY Oswego’s YouTube channel.

The international flavor extended to leadership and creative roles. Meet Patel ’26 of Anand, India, served as vice president for the 2025 event and will lead the 2026 TEDxSUNY Oswego. Creative direction came from Mohammad Hammad M’24 of Chennai, India, and Andjela Djapa ’21 M’23 of Belgrade, Serbia, marketing and web coordinator for Auxiliary Services.

Lee also credited the many campus partners and sponsors who helped launch the inaugural event.

“This huge undertaking doesn’t take one person — it takes an entire village,” Lee said. “We’re so proud to have created something that will continue to put Oswego on the map.”

The second annual TEDxSUNY Oswego is being held in Spring 2026. More details will be announced soon.

Before joining Fulton Savings Bank, Caraccioli served as SUNY Oswego’s deputy to the president for external partnerships and economic development, a faculty member in the College of Communication, Media, and the Arts, and deputy director of Operation Oswego County. She holds a bachelor’s degree in law and society from the University of California at Santa Barbara, and a Master of Public Administration from Syracuse University. She has chaired and served on numerous regional boards, and she was named a 2017 NYS Woman of Distinction.

A certified public accountant, Dowd joined Pathfinder Bank in 1994 as controller and advanced to chief financial officer in 1999, chief operating officer in 2017, and chief executive officer in 2022. He has been instrumental in the bank’s expansion into Onondaga County, deposit growth, and elevated brand recognition. He earned a bachelor’s in accounting from SUNY Oswego. Dowd serves on the Oswego County Land Bank Board and was vice president of the Riverside Cemetery Board. He previously held leadership roles with Oswego Harbor Festivals and Arts and Culture for Oswego County.

The following individuals stepped down from their roles on the board: Michael Durney ’83, Jeff Knauss ’07, James Holland ’82, and Thomas Schneider.

Campus Currents

Three Dynamic Lakers Join the Oswego Alumni Association Board of Directors An award-winning elementary teacher, a NASA-scientist-turned-data-software engineer, and a police sergeant will bring their unique perspectives and experiences to the 32-member Oswego Alumni Association (OAA) Board of Directors. The new members began their three-year terms on July 1, 2025.

The board elected the following individuals to the board during its June meeting: •N icole Knapp Ey ’02 of Middletown, N.Y., childhood education major; •C helsea Giovo ’13 of Oswego, N.Y., public justice major; and •K enneth Roffo ’17 of Fulton, N.Y., computer science, physics, and mathematics majors.

The recipient of the 2022 New York State Elementary Principal of the Year Award and National Association of Elementary School Principals’ National Distinguished Principal Award, Ey currently serves as principal of Ellenville (N.Y.) Elementary School. At Oswego, she became a sister of Alpha Delta Eta sorority and was involved in the Student Association.

Giovo joined the Oswego Police Department in June 2015 and was promoted to investigator in March 2022 and sergeant in October 2025. A highly engaged resident in the broader Oswego community, she has returned to campus through the Alumni Sharing Knowledge (ASK) program, has served as an internship host, supervising SUNY Oswego students, and is involved in many civic, social, and charitable organizations in the City of Oswego.

Roffo is a software engineering team lead at Fermata Discovery, and was featured as the cover story of the Summer 2021 issue of the OSWEGO Alumni Magazine when he worked at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and its InSight Mars Lander. As a student, he took advantage of many opportunities as a student, including serving as a tutor and president of the Math Club and earning several prestigious summer internships. As an alumnus, he has volunteered

as an Alumni Admissions ambassador and through the ASK program.

During the board’s June meeting, they also elected the following members to new roles: Justin Dobrow ’17, president; Justin Brantley ’15 M’16, first vice president; and Paul Austin ’92, second vice president.

They will serve in these roles for a twoyear term.

Tucker Sholtes ’15 of Charleston, S.C., chief executive officer at Infonancial Solutions, was elected to another three-year term.

Phil Grome ’89 completed his tenure as president and will remain on the board as immediate past president and an at-large member. Paul Austin ’89, Thaina Gonzalez ’92, and Jennifer Warner Janes ’91 also completed their terms, and Gonzalez and Janes will remain on the board as at-large members.

OAA Executive Director Laura Pavlus Kelly ’09 recognized outgoing members for their dedicated service to their alma mater, and added a special shout-out to Grome for his skillful and congenial leadership as president.

Storm-Chasing Students Study Twisters Across Tornado Alley Students practiced real-world forecasting, launched weather balloons, and documented their findings on x.com/oswegochasers.

“Feeling the inflow of a storm — the air rushing in — is so powerful it can knock you off your feet,” said Zoe Bush ’25, who served as a teaching assistant before beginning graduate studies at Texas A&M University.

SUNY Oswego meteorology students turned the Great Plains into their classroom this summer during the university’s storm-chasing course, witnessing multiple tornadoes across Tornado Alley.

lights included a rare double tornado near Morton, Texas, on June 5 — featuring a massive EF-2 wedge tornado nearly a mile wide — and several others near Ropesville, Texas, and Tucumcari, New Mexico.

Led by meteorology professor Scott Steiger ’99, the Oswego Chasers team of 12 students and four instructors traveled from May 27 to June 10, forecasting, tracking, and safely observing severe storms. High-

“Even when we don’t see tornadoes, it’s a great learning experience,” said Steiger, who founded the program in 2007. “But this was very impressive. We saw a lot of different phenomena.”

For Sarah Gryskewicz ’26, the experience was both thrilling and humbling. “Seeing five or six tornadoes exceeded my expectations,” she said. “Witnessing the damage reminded me why I want to study atmospheric research — to save lives.”

Steiger said the greatest reward was watching students grow: “To hear students say this encouraged them to stay in the field of meteorology or to go to graduate school to do research — that to a teacher is the golden ticket.”

O S W E G O l FA L L 2 0 2 5

15

Laker Pride Celebrated During Founder’s Weekend

Several hundred members of the Laker community came together for a wide variety of events throughout 2025 Founder’s Weekend, showcasing their school pride, connection, and commitment to SUNY Oswego.

Psi Phi Gamma, the oldest fraternity at SUNY Oswego, celebrated its centennial with a weekend of events that drew more than 280 registered alumni and guests, far surpassing the original target of 150.

Events included a formal dinner, a golf tournament, a brewery tour, a memorabilia auction, a dockside group meeting and photo, and a barbecue at Breitbeck Park that swelled to over 300 attendees, including alumni, sorority sisters, neighbors, and friends.

“Our past biggest reunion was 115 people,” said Jim Chiarello ’87, one of the organizers of the celebration. “We set a goal of 150 — so to have nearly double that was incredible.”

A highlight of the weekend for Chiarello was connecting with the new owners of the fraternity’s original house lot at 30 W. Fifth St. The fraternity’s original house burned down on Dec. 30, 1991.

Chiarello said the fraternity invited the current owners and their family to the BBQ at Breitbeck and presented them with a painting of the original house as a keepsake. The weekend celebration symbolized not just 100 years of brotherhood, but also the fraternity’s resilience and renewal, as it has survived suspensions, rebuilt its reputation, and forged strong ties with both the university and community.

“We knocked on the door of the family living on our old house lot,” Chiarello said.

“Inside, they had a picture of our house framed with our Greek letters in wood on their wall. It gave us goosebumps. It felt like something spiritual, like that land will always connect us.”

“My responsibility for the weekend was in organizing activities in advance and getting people there, so during the weekend, I could just soak it all in,” Chiarello said. “I felt happy that I had a large part in helping the fraternity make it to 100 years, and that we’re doing better than ever. Brothers came up to me all weekend saying, ‘thank you for all you’ve done.’ It was beyond gratifying.”

16

O S W E G O l FA L L 2 0 2 5

Campus Currents

Friday morning, members of the Laker community learned more about university founder, Edward Austin Sheldon, during an engaging presentation by historian and teacher Don Little ’91 M’94 M’15.

Laker pride was on full display during the annual Green and Gold Day family photo, which was held this year in Sheldon Park, with the renovated Hewitt Hall providing a dramatic background. In keeping with the theme, Auxiliary Services debuted a new green-and-gold cookie that was distributed to the first 200 people.

Alumni from across the country shared their own Green and Gold Day spirit by submitting photos of themselves (and even their pets!) donning their favorite Laker gear.

On Saturday morning, approximately 275 student scholarship recipients, their benefactors, and university faculty and administrators attended the 11th annual Scholars Brunch in the Deborah F. Stanley Arena and Convocation Hall. Guests heard remarks that highlighted the impact of philanthropy on the university campus and particularly on the lives of students.

Meanwhile at Laker stadium, current and former members of the men’s lacrosse team squared off for a friendly match on the turf. Following the game, the alumni shared stories over lunch at Cheap Seats Sports Bar and Grille. Alumni also had the opportunity to grab a coffee with Coach Andrew Daly on Sunday morning to hear the latest about the team.

Founder’s Weekend concluded with over 100 alumni and their families meeting up at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo at Burnet Park in Syracuse on Sunday afternoon.

Highlights included an animal encounter, time to explore the zoo, fun giveaways and coloring opportunities for children, and an ice cream sundae bar to wrap up a wonderful alumni event.

Friday afternoon, members of the Oswego Alumni Association Board of Directors connected with student leaders from the African, Latino, Asian, and Native American (ALANA) organizations during an informal networking event in the Chu Atrium.

Alumni shared career insights, personal journeys, and valuable advice as students asked thoughtful questions and built meaningful professional connections. This energizing evening was part of the 2025 ALANA Leadership Conference, held Sept.

20–27, continuing a proud tradition of empowering future leaders.

O S W E G O l FA L L 2 0 2 5

17

Strategic Transformation Ask any Laker alum what they remember most about their Oswego experience, and chances are they’ll mention some kind of transformation — the friendships that became family, the professors who saw potential, the moments that changed everything.

That same spirit of transformation now guides the university’s new strategic plan, a living vision designed to ensure that future generations experience the same growth, connection, and opportunity that shaped so many Lakers. For alumni, it’s both an invitation and a promise: the university that shaped you continues to evolve, ensuring the value of your degree and the strength of our shared legacy grow with every passing year.

Oswego,” Yaşar said. “The university and broader community are going to benefit immensely from the expected growth.

“Specifically, for our alumni, our reputation as a university impacts their reputation,” he said. “As our ranking and reputation rise, and as SUNY Oswego's national and global connections expand, their degrees will hold greater significance for our alumni. Plus, if we graduate more students, their Laker network also expands and strengthens.”

Here’s what you need to know about the plan and how you can help advance the vision.

In February, President Peter O. Nwosu announced the university’s new five-year strategic plan, Transforming Lives, Igniting Possibilities. It’s available online at transform.oswego.edu.

“This plan builds on our proud history and reflects our shared vision for a more educated region,” he said. “Rooted in the aspirations of Vision 4040, it strengthens SUNY Oswego's role as a catalyst for social mobility and economic development, preparing every student for a meaningful and impactful life.”

At the heart of this plan are the three strategic drivers: grow, connect, and thrive. These pillars will guide the university as it expands opportunities, strengthens partnerships, and cultivates a thriving campus ecosystem where innovation, diversity, and excellence flourish.

Dr. Murat Yaşar, a history professor and former associate dean of College of Liberal Arts, Sciences, and Engineering, was appointed deputy to the president for strategy, planning, and special projects. He is responsible for implementing the strategic plan and operationalizing Vision 4040, an ambitious plan to double the number of credentials awarded by the university to 4,000 a year by 2040.

“There's an amazing future here, both for our institution and for the people of Oswego County and the city and the town of

GROW This pillar focuses on expanding access to high-quality, affordable education by enhancing Oswego’s programs and resources to empower students to pursue their passions and make a lasting impact.

An Early Success In just the first year of implementing the new strategic plan, SUNY Oswego has already achieved a major milestone: the student retention rate rose from 70.4% to 74.5%, nearly reaching the original five-year goal of 75%. Building on this early success, the university has now raised its sights even higher, setting a new target of 80.5% — a bold step toward advancing Vision 4040 and strengthening student success and degree completion, Yaşar said.

“If we maintain that kind of momentum, I'm pretty sure we are going to be very successful with this goal,” Yaşar said.

How You Can Help Grow > Provide feedback on emerg-

> Supervise an intern and help

> Refer a future Laker. Encour-

> Host a class visit or student

ing workplace needs to help shape curriculum. age prospective students to apply to SUNY Oswego.

> Pursue lifelong learning.

Explore a new subject and earn a credential.

18

O S W E G O l FA L L 2 0 2 5

a student gain real-world experience. group at your workplace.

> Establish a student scholarship to open doors for future Lakers.

CONNECT

THRIVE

SUNY Oswego will deepen its engagement with communities, locally, nationally, and globally. It will forge meaningful partnerships, expand experiential learning, and create opportunities that connect students to real-world challenges and solutions.

We will nurture a campus environment where all members of our community can excel by fostering a culture of well-being, equity, and innovation. SUNY Oswego will remain a place where students, faculty, and staff are supported and inspired to succeed.

An Early Success

An Early Success

SUNY Oswego’s growing reputation is already reflected in significant gains across the U.S. News & World Report rankings.

(See related story on page 11.) The university advanced in every category — from regional standings among Northeast public universities to discipline-specific programs — demonstrating the broad impact of its Connect initiatives. Notably, Oswego’s peer assessment score rose from 2.9 to 3.0, marking strong external recognition of academic quality and moving the institution halfway toward its five-year goal of 3.1. This upward momentum enhances the value of an Oswego degree and strengthens the university’s reputation among peers and employers alike.

SUNY Oswego is leading in sustainability, as shown by our pioneering energy master plan and our distinction as the first SUNY institution to develop three interrelated facilities master plans simultaneously: an academic master plan, a residential master plan, and an energy master plan. SUNY Oswego is one of four SUNY campuses (and the only comprehensive) selected to receive over $30 million from the Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act to construct a geothermal system that will improve operating efficiencies, reduce costs, and cut greenhouse gas emissions, benefiting both our campus and the community. This achievement supports our ambitious Vision 4040 to to stabilize degree attainment of 4,000 awards per year — or 40,000 per decade — by the year 2040.

“This is a great accomplishment and reflects the work of the entire campus community,” Yaşar said.

How You Can Help Connect > Table at the Fall and Spring Career and Internship Fairs.

> Highlight your SUNY Oswego degree and experience on your resume, LinkedIn, online bios, public documents, and presentations.

> Share your story. Your

success elevates our reputation.

> Be an ambassador — for-

mally through Admissions events or informally in your day-to-day activities.

> Hire a SUNY Oswego

> Nominate fellow alumni for

> Amplify our messages. Stay

> Collaborate on a research

graduate.

abreast of SUNY Oswego news and share with friends and colleagues.

awards or recognitions.

or creative project with a faculty member or student.

With the completion of Hewitt Hall, the university will turn its attention next to renovating Mahar, which is expected to receive $68 million in upgrades beginning in fall 2025.

Next up will be an estimated $110 million renovation to Penfield Library and Lanigan, which is slated to become the Student Life building that will house an academic, wellness, and health center. The Phase 1 design is expected to begin in fall 2026 with construction planned for fall 2027.

How You Can Help Thrive > Mentor a student via the

Alumni Sharing Knowledge (ASK) program.

> Share your expertise

through classroom presentations.

> Donate non-perishables

and lightly used professional clothing to the oncampus pantry, SHOP.

> Attend an event and keep the Laker network strong.

> Volunteer for an advisory board.

> Make a gift to The Fund for Oswego.

> Celebrate Lakers — attend athletic, artistic, and academic showcases.

O S W E G O l FA L L 2 0 2 5

19

Building Transformation

20

O S W E G O l FA L L 2 0 2 5

S

ome buildings tell stories of the past.

Hewitt Hall now tells the story of the future.

When alumni from the College of Communication, Media, and the Arts (CMA) streamed back through the doors of Hewitt Hall for its official re-opening Oct. 23-25, they found a place both familiar and completely transformed.

Hewitt Hall Hailed as a Transformative Space Hewitt Hall, which opened for classes in August, has been radically transformed into a central hub of activity, featuring stellar studios, labs, and collaborative classrooms. The reopening was described by President Peter O. Nwosu as truly "an evening to honor creativity and renewal.”

Their beloved former student union, where they once gathered with their student organizations, dined together, refreshed themselves at the Ratskeller, and even bowled, now gleamed with new technology in light-filled spaces. Current CMA students proudly demonstrated what the new tools enabled them to do as alumni eyed the classrooms and labs with a mix of envy, pride, and awe.

“Next to the creation of the college itself, there has never been a more exciting time for CMA,” said CMA Dean Jennifer Knapp.

She also provided some context and history that laid the groundwork for the opening of the new Hewitt Hall.

“In true SUNY Oswego fashion, we were ahead of our time, recognizing that graduates needed to be able to do it all,” Knapp said. “In fact, a 2007 Oswegonian article that featured quotes from Deans Emeritus Fritz Messere and Julie Pretzat explicitly calls out the CMA goal of helping students learn to be, ‘self-producers, knowledgeable about video, audio, design, and performance.’ Today, we call those people content creators, and so kudos to the CMA founders who so accurately predicted the future.”

She thanked the many people who made the project and the Hewitt opening celebration a reality. The university has invested $126 million over the past decade in CMA facilities in Hewitt and Tyler halls, providing best-in-class spaces designed to deliver on the promise of "artistic convergence," Knapp said.

“Once this hall hosted concerts, debates, and moments of self-expression,” President Nwosu said. “Now, it reopens as a place for creativity, a place for storytelling, and a place for innovation. And the spirit that filled this space decades ago endures … It is a place where people develop, where people connect, where people thrive. And this magnificent facility vividly embodies our new strategic plan, Transforming Lives, Igniting Possibilities.

And here in this hall, students will enhance their skills using advanced technology and guidance from exceptional professors.”

One such student, Kenny Girard ’26, WTOP-10 TV general manager and Broadcasting and Mass Communications major, shared a bit about his own SUNY Oswego experience.

“I got to go to a soccer game my first weekend here, and I got what WTOP-10 and Oswego had promised me: hands-on experience as soon as I walked through the door,” Girard said. “Now, if you had told me at that time I would become general manager for two years at WTOP-10, I would have 100% laughed at you, although, this is exactly what this place has done for me. It's opened doors I never thought I'd see open, and I did things way outside of my comfort zone. I learned on the fly, and I grew into a better broadcaster and a better person.”

He added that the renovated Hewitt Hall and the technology now available to students is "out of this world."

"When I walked through the doors of Hewitt Hall for the first time, even my highest expectations were blown away," Girard said.

The renewed facility encourages collaboration between different arts disciplines, a core goal of the CMA, which intentionally "throws everyone into the sandbox, or as we're calling it now, the arts corridor," as Dean Knapp shared.

O S W E G O l FA L L 2 0 2 5

21

Opening Reception Honors Award Recipients During the ribbon-cutting event on Oct. 24 in the Hewitt Hall Ballroom, Justin Dobrow '17, president of the Oswego Alumni Association's Board of Directors, read the citations for two accomplished alumni who received the prestigious Oswego Alumni Association’s Lifetime Award of Merit. SUNY Oswego President Peter O. Nwosu presented the awards with Dobrow to the recipients: Patricia Maloney-Titland ’80 and Lawrence Watson ’74.

Patricia Maloney-Titland ’80, a Distinguished Professor of Visual and Performing Arts at SUNY Rockland Community College, was honored for her decades-long commitment to education and the arts. Maloney-Titland, an actor, director, and educator, reflected on the impact of her SUNY experience.

“The foundation of who I am as an artist and an educator was ignited here, in Oswego, and it will never be extinguished,” she said. She also emphasized the power of higher learning, adding: “Education is the key to empowering success and the realization of one's dreams.”

Lawrence Watson ’74, a distinguished performer, educator, and professor emeritus from the Berklee College of Music, was recognized for his interdisciplinary leadership, activism, and lifelong dedication to social justice.

Watson, who was one of SUNY Oswego’s first Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) students, offered a powerful reflection on the importance of those who came before him.

22

O S W E G O l FA L L 2 0 2 5

“I accept this award on behalf of all those who graduated from Oswego, who were students of color, and those who never did because the war was too difficult to traverse, the whole thing was just too much,” Watson said. “I thank you all for this great honor.”

Watson also introduced a trailer for an Oswego-related documentary, American Fruits with African Roots, that he coordinated and which debuted in Hewitt Hall’s new screening room later that evening and was shown again the following day during the Hewitt Hall Open House.

Alumni Giving and Weekend Activities

The weekend featured several high-profile events, beginning with the 21st Annual Dr. Lewis B. O’Donnell Media Summit on Thursday, which focused on "The Evolution of an Idea: How to Nurture Creativity in the Digital Age."

SUNY OSWEGO

1861 GIVING CHALLENGE A major highlight was the successful completion of the 1861 Giving Challenge. SUNY Oswego surpassed its goal of 861 donors within 1,861 minutes on Friday afternoon, securing a $100,000 challenge gift from ESPN SportsCenter Anchor Steve Levy '87.

Levy directed his gift to the CMA Technology Fund, which will help ensure the new facilities remain equipped with the latest technology.

Other weekend activities included the Second Annual Edward Austin Sheldon Lecture on Leadership and Service, featuring Sally Librera, president of National Grid’s New York business, WNYO/WOCR Alumni Station Takeover, Tyler and Hewitt Hall Open Houses, and a CMA student-alumni Laker trivia and networking event.

CMA Technology Fund

To position Hewitt Hall as a hub of innovation for decades to come, SUNY Oswego seeks to create a robust endowed fund to ensure that the College of Communication, Media, and the Arts is able to provide the tools — equipment, software, and resources — that prepare students for careers in communication, media, broadcasting, film, and design.

An investment in this fund fuels the creativity and education of tomorrow’s storytellers and ensures CMA continues to lead in a fast-moving, ever-evolving industry. Naming opportunities within Hewitt Hall — from the Collaborative Core to high-tech studios — offer a meaningful way to make a lasting impact.

Together, we can shape the future of CMA and inspire generations of creative leaders. Learn more at alumni. oswego.edu/hewitt.

Special Naming Opportunity Longtime Laker supporter Lou Borrelli ’77 issued a challenge to fellow alumni and friends of the College of Communication, Media, and the Arts (CMA): join him in honoring Dean Emeritus Fritz Messere ’71 M’76 by helping name the Dean Suite in the newly renovated Hewitt Hall.

Borrelli, who announced the initiative during the CMA Alumni Dinner, pledged a $150,000 challenge gift toward the $250,000 naming opportunity. The Dean Suite — an epicenter for collaboration and leadership within the college — would permanently bear Messere’s name, recognizing his vision and leadership as CMA’s founding dean. Learn more at alumni.oswego.edu/fritz.

O S W E G O l FA L L 2 0 2 5

23

CMA Alumni Dinner Celebrates History and Future The weekend culminated with the first-ever CMA Alumni Dinner on Saturday, which brought together alumni from across several decades with current students, faculty, and administrators.

During the dinner, four current students shared their Oswego stories with the alumni and Lakers in attendance.

Isabel Mulhern ’27, a Cinema and Screen Studies major, the president of the Women in Entertainment Club and soon to be the founder of the first-ever Hewitt Film Festival, said she is excited to be using the facilities she has watched be built since her tours as a prospective student a few years ago.

“I owe this school for pushing me beyond what I thought I was capable of,” she said. “This building is a major win for us and the past generation's talent that paved the way. I am proud to be a survivor of the Mahar basement, and even prouder to see this space come to life. We've officially upgraded from regular classrooms to a real theater and real studios.”

Tatiana Rodriguez ’25, a Graphic Design major who graduated in December, shared that as a designer, having a space that "bridges digital media and the arts feels so refreshing and inspiring.”

Antonia Cantu ’25, who graduated in December with a BFA in Art with a concentration in Illustration, said she recognized quickly working several jobs to make ends meet that her decision to drop out of college was a mistake.

Hawthorne shared that he began his higher education experience at a private college and was discouraged by the cut-throat, competitive culture he found and by the feedback that his work was never good enough.

He dropped out and enrolled at SUNY Oswego.

“I am learning that the fact you are working towards something is enough,” he said. “That is the goal. By collaborating, by working, by meeting people, by making connections, talking to alumni, that is everything that is the heart of being a student. That is learning, and that is growing. And that's what gave me the hope to try college again … I thought I was done. And the truth is, I haven't even started.”

Cantu shared that through her connections to faculty, she was provided an opportunity to create the Studio H Cafe logo, which she proudly shared is now featured in Hewitt Hall.

Additionally, during the dinner, Louis A. Borrelli Jr. '77, CEO of the National Content and Technology Cooperative and founder of the Media Summit, announced a new $150,000 challenge gift to name the Dean Suite in Hewitt Hall after founding Dean Emeritus Frank “Fritz” Messere ’71 M’76. (See related story on back cover.) Borrelli encouraged fellow alumni to contribute to the technology fund.

“I'm very thankful for all of you, the alumni, for helping support us CMA students, and I'm glad to be a part of this college,” Cantu said. “I'm excited to see what's ahead.”

“It’s our turn to invest again so that those who have followed us and those who follow them and on and on and on are connected to the legacy that we all had a hand in building,” Borrelli said.

“I took an Intro to Ceramics class upon my return in 2022,” she said, “and it has completely changed my life. Ceramics took my love for art to a much deeper level.”

24

Later in the program, a video shown before 21st Media Summit created by a team of students, including lead video editor, Jonah Hawthorne ’26, was replayed for the dinner attendees. After the crowd’s enthusiastic response to the video, Dean Knapp invited Hawthorne to say a few words.

O S W E G O l FA L L 2 0 2 5

Hewitt Hall Features The weekend successfully reinforced the message that CMA has entered a new chapter, encouraging strong alumni engagement.

As Dean Knapp noted, the successful alumni are a vital asset in delivering the message that CMA aims to be a top-10 college for the academic programs it delivers.

“I don’t think there is an alumni base on this planet that is prouder than SUNY Oswego’s,” Dean Knapp said. “So much of what we are celebrating is your doing. After all, it is your successes out in the world that prove a SUNY Oswego education leads to greatness. I’ve been here for 17 years, and I still get overwhelmed by your fierce loyalty and love for this place.

“We honor [Hewitt Hall’s] history, but tonight, Hewitt Hall’s next chapter begins,” Dean Knapp said. “I believe our founder Edward Austin Sheldon would be proud of the College of Communication, Media, and the Arts — after all, ‘learn by doing’ is what CMA is all about. He was our first Laker legend, but look at us now, we’re in a room with scores of Laker legends. You all played a role in the lead-up to this moment. Thank you!”

• 132,285 square feet of innovative teaching spaces, studios, and laboratories • Collaborative Core with center atrium skylights, staircase, and lounge areas for informal interactions • Ballroom/Music Performing Hall with redesigned exterior patio and garden courtyard • Screening Room for watching film and practicing public speaking • 2 Broadcasting Studios and 1 Control Room equipped with the latest technologies • Whitebox Gallery for multimedia design display • Newsroom • Podcast Studio • Virtual Reality Suite • Animation Lab • Prototyping Room • Soundstage • Audio/Video Production and Editing Labs

Check Out Exclusive Online Content > Devin Reese ’12 Ensures Hewitt Transformation Goes Smoothly

> Matt Arnold ’78 Reflects on the Hewitt He Helped Shape

>H ewitt Powered by Geothermal Wells > P lus: Photos and videos of the spaces alumni.oswego.edu/magonline

O S W E G O l FA L L 2 0 2 5

25

“

All I can do is keep talking about Scott. He’s the superhero in this.

And I can’t help but think, too, that God kept us connected across the years and miles. God knew what I needed, and for Scott to step up like that and give me a kidney, this is a divine story — a miracle.

It brings tears to my eyes.

—Jerome “J” Jackson ’78

Lifesaving Transformation For nearly five years, Jerome “J” Jackson ’78 (above right) had been continuing to live his best life. He was managing his latestage kidney failure with an at-home method of filtering waste and fluid from his blood called peritoneal dialysis. He continued to travel with his wife on cruises and to international locales, shipping his medical supplies to wherever he needed them.

Despite being on the kidney transplant waiting list for five years and having plans fall through with five potential donors, Jackson was managing the disease and living life fully.

Then in April 2024, he developed pneumonia. He had his port removed that had enabled him to have the more flexible peritoneal dialysis treatments at home, and started hemodialysis administered at the hospital for four hours, three or four times a week.

With travel to and from the hospital, combined with prep and recovery time, Jackson was spending half of his life, receiving treatments to stay alive. Travel was nearly impossible. The quality of his life was diminishing quickly.

At 68, Jackson realized there were younger people on the kidney transplant list with fewer risk factors who would probably get any available kidney before him. Still, he couldn’t help but hope for that phone call saying a kidney was available.

26

O S W E G O l FA L L 2 0 2 5

”

Of All Places The friendship started with a flash of a SUNY Oswego student ID in a Seattle nightclub in 1979. That ID sparked to life a connection between two alumni, J. Scott Whitmore ’77 and Jackson, more than 3,000 miles from the shores of Lake Ontario.

Whitmore, a proud Delta Kappa Kappa brother, and Jackson, who had worked at the on-campus tavern in Hewitt, didn’t know each other as Oswego students. But that unexpected meeting at Hibble & Hyde’s nightclub in Pioneer Square turned them from strangers into friends, drawn together by shared roots, their sense of humor, and the magnetic pull of their Oswego days.

From that initial meeting, they became fast friends, hanging out at their places in West Seattle, going dancing, meeting girls, and enjoying the West Coast vibe.

Jackson moved back to Oswego in 1981 to finish up one class needed to complete his degree, and Whitmore took a trip that summer and bumped into Jackson again at the Ferris Wheel bar in downtown Oswego.

“We had a good time together hanging out that night, and we exchanged numbers,” Jackson said.

They also took a photo together that summer on campus. The photo depicts the fit young men lifting their shirts to show off their abs — a portentous image that would be recreated on hospital gurneys 44 years later.

A Call That Changed It All Over the decades, their friendship weathered distance and time, sustained by annual holiday cards and the occasional phone call.

But it was in early 2024 that their bond would be tested and redefined in the most extraordinary way.

Whitmore hadn’t heard from Jackson over the holiday season.

That was unusual. Then one day last spring, he finally connected with Jackson by phone.

“I knew J [Jerome] was on the kidney registry list, but he still had been doing his thing — traveling and taking cruises,” Whitmore said. “He sounded different. He was out of breath and said he couldn’t travel. So I asked him, ‘What blood type are you?’”

Jackson had been down that road before with others who said they would donate a kidney.

“I knew he meant well, but I didn’t want to be disappointed,” Jackson said. “‘Scott,’ I said, ‘I appreciate you saying that, but you know, that's a serious thing.’ And he said, ‘No. I'm going to give you a kidney.’”

And that was that. Whitmore made up his mind to see if he could help his friend. He threw himself into researching kidney transplants.

“Within a week, he sent me his blood type,” Jackson said. “We were a match. So, now, it was all in his hands.”

Whitmore started filling out forms online and signing paperwork with the transplant team at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. Then came the medical work-ups and testing over a threemonth period, including an overnight trip to Mount Sinai. Whitmore, who turned 70 in May 2025, had to prove he was healthy enough to donate a kidney — via medical history, bloodwork, kidney function, a cardiac stress test, and even psychiatric and emotional testing.

Transplant Day On Jan. 14, 2025, the transplant took place at Mount Sinai Hospital. In two adjoining rooms, doctors cut into the abdomens to remove Whitmore’s left kidney and transplant it into Jackson’s right side. The surgeries were complete in under four hours and they were moved to their rooms by 5 p.m.

Both had to remain in the area post-surgery in case of complications. Jackson had a longer stay in the hospital, and Whitmore stayed at the Transplant Living Center for two weeks post-transplant.

Whitmore and his wife leaned on his 50-plus-year-old college relationships with his metro-NY DKK fraternity brothers to help him out. Darryl Berger ’78, Jeff Bergen ’78, Ken Cornell ’76, Ron Schulman ’78, and Alan Work ’77 took turns assisting Whitmore during those first two weeks with basic tasks like standing up, putting on his shoes, and building his strength during short walks.

Whitmore, a very active retiree, picked a date that allowed him to recover in time to still go skiing and be ready for golf, kayak, and bike seasons.

Although it breaks federal law, Whitmore joked that he did make Jackson pay him for the kidney.

“Jerome said he owed me, so I said, ‘OK. We will meet in Oswego and you buy me breakfast at Wade’s, lunch at Oswego Sub Shop, and dinner at Rudy’s, and we will call it even,’” Whitmore said.

“He did, so essentially I sold my kidney for about $35 and dined at three of my favorite dining spots in Oswego since my college days a half century ago.”

Jackson emerged from the surgery with a renewed sense of possibility and gratitude. In July, he took a trip to the Bahamas for a week, and returned for a two-week stay in August, then he was onto Seattle in October, a 14-day cruise in November, and then back to Seattle in December.

After each test, Whitmore would call or text Jackson to let him know another hurdle had been cleared.

Jackson’s family, including his wife, Winnie, and sister, Sheila ’83, kept their hopes high and were thrilled to hear the news, calling and writing Whitmore to express their gratitude.

As a volunteer EMT, Whitmore approached the decision with characteristic selflessness and commitment. His wife, Patty, and two adult children, Jeff and Claire, supported Whitmore’s decision to help Jackson.

"If I'm healthy enough, I can help somebody out," he said. "Six weeks of inconvenience for me could be life-changing for him."

Hearing that a work colleague had donated a kidney to save his wife gave Whitmore the idea that he could help Jackson, and he hopes sharing their story could do the same for others.

O S W E G O l FA L L 2 0 2 5

27

“I don’t think of it as brave. It is what you do for a friend,” Whitmore said. “The difference between him and me in this whole process — besides our skin color — is that I would have been telling the world I needed a kidney and he didn’t. He didn’t ask me for a thing.”

As Jackson puts it, “All I can do is keep talking about Scott. He’s the superhero in this. And I can’t help but think, too, that God kept us connected across the years and miles. God knew what I needed, and for Scott to step up like that and give me a kidney, this is a divine story — a miracle. It brings tears to my eyes.”

Consider Becoming an Organ Donor “I am ready for another trip,” he said. “I'm doing as much as I can.

I'm beginning to get back into what I used to do. And the main thing for me is travel, travel, travel.”

Jackson came to Oswego in June for Reunion Weekend, where he and Whitmore met up for the first time since their surgeries.

"Life has changed," Jackson said. "I feel good. I really do."

For Whitmore, the decision to donate wasn’t about heroics.

You can play a lead role in saving someone’s life. The need for organ, eye, and tissue donors continues to grow. There are currently 8,000 patients in New York State on the national organ transplant waitlist. Each year, thousands of people die while waiting for a transplant because no suitable donor can be found for them.

To learn more, visit donatelifenys.org.

Class Ring Comes Full Circle Everybody loves a good mystery, especially one that carries a message about kindness coming full circle.

J. Scott Whitmore ’77, an engaged SUNY Oswego alumnus known for attending reunions and staying in touch with his Delta Kappa Kappa brothers, wasn’t surprised to see another email from his alma mater.

Lately, he’d received extra attention after the university published a story and video about his lifesaving kidney donation to longtime friend Jerome “J” Jackson ’78.

But this email carried a message that stopped him in his tracks.

Let’s rewind to Conway, S.C., in early July 2025. Tina Reese was sorting through the belongings of her late husband, Tyrone — a U.S. Marine and father of four who had passed away June 1. Amid his medals and military keepsakes, Reese discovered a SUNY Oswego class ring engraved with “J. Scott Whitmore,” tucked neatly in a velveteen jewelry bag.

Tina and Tyrone had no known ties to New York, let alone SUNY Oswego. Why did he have the ring? How long had he had it?

And was J. Scott Whitmore even alive?

28

O S W E G O l FA L L 2 0 2 5

Restless one night, Reese turned to the internet. A quick search answered one question: not only was Whitmore alive, but there he was — on video — sharing the story of his kidney donation during Oswego’s Reunion Weekend 2025.

Moved by the coincidence and her own experience working with transplant patients as a pharmacy tech, Reese felt compelled to return the ring.

After connecting with Whitmore, they both marveled at the ring’s strange journey and tried to piece together the puzzle. Had Tyrone and Scott ever crossed paths? Lived in the same states? Served or worked near one another? None of their timelines or locations overlapped.

Whitmore’s fraternity brothers floated theories: poker game? Pawn shop? Left behind at the college bookstore? A girlfriend?

“Every day since I spoke with Tina, I come up with new theories,” Whitmore said.

“But I’m just glad to have it back.”

He is wearing it for now as a tangible reminder of the place and people that shaped his life.

For Reese, returning the ring was about more than solving a mystery. In the midst of grief, it gave her something good to focus on — an act of kindness that lifted

both her spirits and Whitmore’s.

“I don’t know if it’s karma,” Whitmore said, “but I do believe if you help others be successful, your own success and blessings will follow. I try to live by: 'do what you can, while you still can, when you can.'”

Reese shares a similar sentiment.

“This whole story is just funny and beautiful,” Reese said. “I hope it spreads some smiles — and maybe a little bit of faith in the kindness of strangers.”

The ring’s journey remains a mystery.

“But I’m glad it came home,” Whitmore said.

Class Notes From The Archives SUNY Oswego’s Legendary Concert History The Doors, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, Billy Joel, Sly and the Family Stone, Roberta Flack, Simon and Garfunkel, and The Ramones. These are just a few of the artists who performed at SUNY Oswego from the late ’60s through the early ’80s. Some performed on the brink of superstardom, like Pat Benatar, who graced the cover of Rolling Stone shortly thereafter in what some say was the same outfit she wore on the stage at Laker Hall.

To celebrate this golden era of live music, SUNY Oswego’s University Archives put together an exhibition of concert memorabilia in time to be enjoyed by attendees of 2025 Reunion Weekend in June. The exhibition will run through the end of the calendar year.

University Archives will continue to accept donations of SUNY Oswego concert memorabilia, which could include such items as ticket stubs, photos (personal snapshots are welcome), flyers, posters, promotional materials, audio or video recordings, merchandise, and souvenirs.

How to donate: Donations can be mailed or dropped off at Archives & Special Collections, Penfield Library, SUNY Oswego. For more details, or if you have items you’d like to discuss, please contact the archives team at archives@oswego.edu or call 315-312-3537.

Do you have a favorite photo from your college days that you’d like featured in an alumni communication?

Send the photo and a description, along with your name and class year, to alumni@oswego.edu; or King Alumni Hall, Oswego, N.Y. 13126.

O S W E G O l FA L L 2 0 2 5

29

A Queen’s Return

Reginald Marra ’62 (center), Peter Marra ’66 (left) and Donald Marra ’70 (right) from Westchester, N.Y., spent time together this summer. The brothers attended Oswego for 12 straight years. They are all members of Delta Kappa Kappa fraternity.

In January 1946, Claire Andersen Putman ’50 arrived in Oswego by train from Long Island, rubber boots chafing her legs as she trudged through snow to begin her college journey. Nearly 80 years later, she returned to campus for her 75th reunion during Reunion Weekend 2025 — and found much had changed, except for one familiar landmark: Sheldon Hall, where she had taken all her classes.

As her daughter drove her around campus, they discovered Romney Field House and wondered if it honored her favorite professor, Golden “Doc” Romney. A staff member confirmed it did. “Oh, that’s wonderful to hear,” Claire said.

She brought with her a cherished postcard from Doc Romney congratulating her on being named “Snow

SUBMITTING A CLASS NOTE To submit your class note, email alumni@oswego.edu, call 315-3123003, or complete the class note form online at alumni.oswego.edu.

You can also mail submissions to the OSWEGO Alumni Magazine, King Alumni Hall, Oswego, N.Y. 13126.

Editor’s Note: This section contains highlights of some submissions received between July 1, 2024-June 30, 2025. To see all of the Class Notes, visit the online magazine at alumni.oswego.edu/ magonline.

30

O S W E G O l FA L L 2 0 2 5

Queen” in 1949 — a fond memory from a campus life that included roles as Student Council secretary, Clio sorority historian, and member of the Symphonic Choir.

Returning stirred more memories, like a prank involving a hidden shoe in Sheldon’s basement and meals in “Mungeon’s Dungeon.” She became the first in her family to earn a degree and pooled money with her brother to send their younger sister, Elaine Andersen ’60, to Oswego as well. Both sisters went on to teach first grade, and enjoyed their teaching careers.

At Reunion, she attended multiple events and was recognized as the alumna from the earliest class year.

“I’ve been lucky in my life,” she said.

“And I’ve enjoyed being back at Oswego.”

Susan Mikolay Pate ’63 of Greenwich, Conn., is a volunteer tutor for the Hudson Link program at Sing Sing Correctional Facility in Ossining, N.Y. The program provides an opportunity to incarcerated men to obtain a high school diploma and then a college degree.

Peter Fland ’64 of Marshall, N.C., enjoys traveling and maintaining a vegetable garden and vineyard. At Oswego, Peter was a member of the Blackfriars and Alpha Psi Omega. His favorite Oswego memory was receiving a standing ovation after the first performance of Kiss Me Kate.

Gary Case ’66 of Walnut Creek, Calif., has served for over 20 years as an attack carrier pilot, communications office and weapons research and testing for the U.S. Navy. At Oswego, he became a member of Psi Phi Gamma and the Oswegonian.

1960s Frederick Parrow ’60 and Mary Jane Quinn Parrow ’59 have lived in Spring, Texas, for 51 years. Fred is retired from Shell Oil Company. They enjoy golf and travel.

Thomas '62 and Susan Bannister Hodge '62 of Rockville Centre, N.Y., have been married for more than 62 years and have two daughters and two grandkids. Tom enjoys gardening, being a Boy Scout advisor, and working with the Rockville Center Phillips House Museum. Sue enjoys doing puzzles, gardening, and staying active with Tom in the United Church of RVC.

Jayne LaNovara Flynn ’66 (far right) of Danbury, Conn., and Arethusa sisters (from left), Judith Labouur Judge ’66, Donna Doherty Pollio ’66, Regina D'Onofrio Falbo ’66, Ann Williamson Lachenaur ’66, Jane MacEwan Burnham ’66, Suzanne Mangano ’66, and Anne Tapp Shaner ’66 gathered at Myrtle Beach for a week and remembered what it feels like to be 20 again living in the Arethusa House on 5th Street.

Class Notes Thomas Boedicker ’68 M’71 of Fort Pierce, Fla., spent over 40 years in education as a teacher, principal, and superintendent, serving in the latter role for 21 years. He also served as an adjunct professor at Indian River State College in Fort Pierce, Fla.

Pam Sinisi Parsons ’68 (from left), Nancy Marsh Roberts ’68, Barbara Coulon Mercante ’68, Janice Muir Pellegrino ’68, Penelope Sinisi ’68 and Suzanne Brennan Ryan ’68 M’96 M’05 (not pictured) gathered at Riggs Hall, their freshman residence, to celebrate 60 years of friendship and had a great time reminiscing over their days at SUNY Oswego.

Steven Darter ’71 of Medford N.J., recently had his third book, Inside My Mind: Thought-Provoking Poems about Love, Life, People, Aging, Moving On, and God, published by Wipf and Stock.

John Lang ’71 of Syracuse, N.Y., retired after teaching in the Syracuse City School District for 34 years. A proud father of two daughters, he served as a docent in the Everson Museum of Art in Syracuse, N.Y. A member of the Adirondack Mountain Club, he conquered not only the Adirondacks 46 highest summits but all 115 major peaks in the northeast, and has led hikes in the American West and throughout Europe.

Upcoming travels will take him to the Baltic countries and bicycling along the Mosel River in Germany and France. John is an avid fan of SU athletics.

Ronald Margrey ’71 of Syracuse, N.Y., is an adjunct professor in the mathematics department at Syracuse University. He previously taught in the junior high and high schools in the Syracuse City School District for 30 years and Onondaga Community College in Syracuse, N.Y. He lives with his wife of 54 years, Catherine, and their son.

James Pilon ’71 M’72 of Naples, Fla., is an attorney for Bond, Schoeneck, & King, PLLC.

Carl Koenig ’69 of Oxford, N.Y., was inducted into the Upstate New York Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame for his lifetime service to wrestling. He competed for Oswego State from 1965 to 1968 before beginning his coaching career at Oxford High School in 1969 before becoming an official.

1970s

Theodore Rice ’70 of Eagle Bridge, N.Y., is the historian for the Town of White Creek, N.Y. He has three daughters and five grandchildren.

Patricia Griswold Schucker ’70 of Fort Myers, Fla., is retired and spends her winters in Florida. She enjoys traveling, recently to Greece, and spends time with her book club and with her grandkids.

Edward Feuerstein ’72 (second from left) hosted a mini-reunion in Miami Beach, Fla., for Donna Osterhout Davenport ’71 (second from right) and her husband, Jim (right), who came from their home in Norman, Okla. They were joined by Donna’s college roommate of four years, Deborah Osborne ’71 (left) of Margate, Fla. Edward retired after 20 years in cable television business and 15 years with the NYC Department of Education. Donna converted 29 years of customer service experience garnered from her time at New York Telephone-Verizon to her 24-year real estate career as a broker associate in Norman, Okla. She lives there with her husband, their son, and two grandchildren.

Debbie has sung with the Nova Singers since 1977 in such venues as Carnegie Hall and throughout Europe.

Total Eclipse of the Heart On April 8, 2024, as a rare total solar eclipse darkened the skies over Oswego, N.Y., a different kind of light reemerged in Fort Myers, Fla., for John Worster ’67. That day, he received a letter from Wendy Peck Oliver ’68 M’73 — his college sweetheart from SUNY Oswego, whom he hadn’t spoken to in 58 years.

They had met as students in the early 1960s, their romance unfolding through study sessions, lakefront walks, and nightly phone calls. But life pulled them apart: John took a job in New York City; Wendy stayed behind to finish school.

She ended the relationship at 19, unsure of the future.

Decades passed. Wendy married, raised a family, and taught for years. John pursued a career in printing, eventually settling in Florida. Both found themselves single again later in life. Then, Wendy discovered an old alumni directory with John’s name and address. On a whim, she reached out.

The letter arrived the day of the eclipse.

Their first phone call lasted all night.

Within weeks, Wendy drove 850 miles to Fort Myers to see John — their first meeting in nearly six decades. A quiet bookstore date marked the beginning of a new chapter.

Now, they’ve revisited Oswego, rekindled old memories, and found comfort in each other’s company. “It’s like it was always meant to be,” Wendy said. John added simply, “She was my first love. I’m just glad she’s part of my life again.”

O S W E G O l FA L L 2 0 2 5

31

Bruce Johns ’72 of Richland, N.Y., is a professional engineer for CPCCo. Joe Chin ’74 of Baltimore, Md., retired after 49 years as a vocational evaluator and industrial arts teacher, including 48 years teaching the blind and visually impaired at the Maryland School for the Blind. Joe has three children and four grandchildren.

Christie Meagley Angrisano ’75 of Hamburg, N.Y., is lecturer/student teaching supervisor at SUNY Buffalo State University in Buffalo, N.Y. Christie was a teacher for 25 years, then went into school administration. She enjoys spending time with her adult kids and three grandchildren, doing tai chi, singing in the Rock Voices choir, reading, and being politically active.

Michael Blozen ’75 of Forked River, N.J., is happily retired. At Oswego, he enjoyed pinball, music, and the lake in the summer.

Christopher Allis ’76 of Liverpool, N.Y., retired from Anheuser-Busch, Baldwinsville Brewery after over 30 years. He and his wife of 40 years, Cynthia, have a son, Nicholas, who is a medical student at SUNY Upstate.

Lou Borrelli ’77 of Old Saybrook, Conn., was named a 2026 inductee into the Syndeo Institute Cable Hall of Fame. With more than 40 years of experience, he is CEO of the National Content & Technology Cooperative.

Wesley Sweetser ’77 of Greeneville, Tenn., retired after 45 years of developing software and databases, managing projects, and teaching. In retirement, Wesley published three online computer language textbooks, a personal autobiography, and an essay. He and his wife enjoy camping, bike riding, and spending time with family.

Dale Forin Griffin ’78 of Brooklyn, N.Y., works in billing for Dial Car. Valerie Gifford Knoblauch ’78 of Canandaigua, N.Y., retired after more than 40

years as the tourism director for Ontario County, N.Y. She and her husband, Kurt Knoblauch ’78, celebrated their wedding anniversary with a trip to Switzerland.

EVENTS

Walter Trask ’78 of Palm Springs, Calif., is the president of Trask & Regan Associates.

Walt has had a longstanding career in banking, providing consultative services to corporations involved in exporting and importing.

Jan. 20

NYC Career Connections*

Jan. 24

Oswego Alumni Association Board of Directors Meeting

Feb. 18

Oswego University Foundation Board of Directors Meeting

Donald Willis '78 of Rochester, N.Y., retired and published his first poetry book titled, One Page Poetry With Pictures.

Feb. 21

2026 Reunion Engagement and Philanthropy Committee Meeting

March 4

Career and Internship Fair*

TBD

Boston Alumni Reception

April 11

Oswego Alumni Association Board of Directors Meeting

April 18

2026 Reunion Engagement and Philanthropy Committee Meeting

May 7

Oswego University Foundation Board of Directors Meeting

May 15

Commencement Eve Torchlight Ceremony

May 16

Commencement

June 4-7

Reunion Weekend 2026

June 6

Oswego Alumni Association Board of Directors Meeting

Cathleen Carstens M’79 of Branchport, N.Y., retired in 2022 from a 30-plusyear career in libraries. As a technology librarian, she managed computers, and networks, taught people to use computers and provided reference services. Now she enjoys gardening, food preservation, baking bread, planting trees, adopting rescue animals, and reading voraciously. She also enjoys spending time with her husband, Don Smith, their German Shepherd, three cats, Arabian gelding, ducks, and guinea fowl. The couple celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary this year.

Peter Dawson ’79 of Oviedo, Fla., retired two years ago from Dawson Engineering and is loving the extra free time.

Lois Fanning Hamill ’79 of Covington, Ky., retired as head of special collections and university archives and full professor at Northern Kentucky University. A practicing archivist for 25 years, she holds master’s degrees in history/archival methods and library and information science; and earned the Certified Archivist and Digital Archives Specialist certifications. She presented at the first Global Conference on Digital Memories in Salzburg, Austria, spoke at national and regional conferences on diverse archival, history, and library topics, and was a successful grant writer.

ALUMNI BOOKSHELF We celebrate and share the success of Oswego alumni authors, illustrators, and recording artists, who may ask their publisher/distributor to send a copy of the work to the Oswego University Advancement office to be considered for this column and our website, where cover photos of all works in this column will be displayed.

To see all book covers, please visit alumni.oswego.edu/magonline.

32

O S W E G O l FA L L 2 0 2 5

*University Advancement also arranges virtual and in-person “Pizza with Professionals,” “Test Drive Your Career,” and other events that connect students with alumni throughout the semester. For more information and to get involved, contact careerservices@oswego.edu.

alumni.oswego.edu Michael Miskowiec ’79 of Charleston, W.V., retired from the practice of law in December 2024. Michael received his Juris Doctorate from Washington College of Law at American University in Washington, D.C. in 1982. He practiced law with the Legal Services Corporation of Alabama and the West Virginia Legal Services Plan and then maintained a solo practice of law from 1996. He represented the disabled and their dependents before the Social Security Administration and the Department of Veterans Affairs. He resides with his wife, Betty Ann, and has two adult children, Andrew and Abigail.

Peter Sharkey ’79 of Croton-on-Hudson, N.Y., retired as vice president of Kyndryl.

Class Notes Cynthia Murabito Snyder ’79 of Oswego, retired from Baldwinsville (N.Y.) Public Library in October 2022. She works part-time during tax season for a CPA in Oswego, assisting with tax preparation.

Cynthia enjoys traveling, including to Sicily and most recently to Denmark and Sweden. She is also catching up on some artistic endeavors.

media related events worldwide. He is a four-time Emmy Award winner and current board member for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

Reni Blue Spruce-Siefer ’79 of Chicago, Ill., works in accounting for the Onwentsia Club.

1980s

Stephen Cafiero ’80 of Wilton, Conn., retired from a career in technology, finance, and consulting in April of 2024. He then launched a successful executive coaching practice, TideShift Partners, LLC, and joined a non-profit board as a trustee. He’s a proud dad of two grown daughters. Steve and his wife, Kim, stay active by traveling, entertaining, and volunteering.

Elizabeth Meyer Fuller ’80 of Schenectady, N.Y., enjoys volunteering with the Girl Scouts, American Red Cross, soup kitchen, and Camp Little Notch in the Adirondacks.

David Fabiano ’81 and Heidi Singer Fabiano ’81 of Canaan, N.Y., college sweethearts, have been happily married for 42 years. They are both enjoying retirement.

Karl Kieffer ’81 of Salt Lake City, Utah, is the chief credit officer at GE Capital Bank.

After completing its financial management training program, Karl served in various roles in a number of locations with General Electric/GE Capital, including assignments as chief risk officer for two banks headquartered in Budapest, Hungary, and Salt Lake City. He completed an MBA from the University of Chicago in 2001 and retired from the commercial real estate division of US Bank in 2020. Karl has two daughters, currently plays tennis with his wife, Bea, and is a director on the board of the Cottonwood Country Club. Karl gives a shout-out to his old pals from Lonis Hall!

Robert Chartuk ’82 of Center Moriches, N.Y., is a reporter for the South Shore Press.

He won first place for the Best News Story in the New York Press Association’s Better Newspaper Contest. Robert also won the Outstanding Media Award from the Public Relations Professionals of Long Island. He fondly remembers his professors Louis Turco and Donald Masterson for having a great impact on his writing career.

Ronald Kurtz ’82 of Burlington, Mass., works in the Boston area in corporate finance.

Joseph Nagelhout ’82 of Niagara Falls, N.Y., is the director of information technology for American Coradius International.

Jeffrey Reed '82 of Ischua, N.Y., recently retired from the practice of law as the managing attorney of the Olean, N.Y. office of Legal Assistance of Western New York, Inc., where he represented low income clients in state and federal courts in a variety of civil matters including bankruptcy, housing, and public benefits. He now volunteers at the SPCA and spends time birding, hiking, and biking while writing a monthly outdoors column for the Olean Times Herald as he has for 25 years.

Mark Feldman ’83 of Odenton, Md., is the chief financial officer for Acme Paper & Supply Co., Inc. Kenneth Kirsch ’83 of Canastota, N.Y., is the chief financial officer of HC Wainwright & Co., LLC. Mark Wasserman ’83 of Boca Raton, Fla., is field service supervisor for Sharp Business Systems.

Paul “JP” Sciortino ’80 (from left) of Jeffersonville, Vt., gathered with classmates, Gerard Powers ’80, William O'Brien ’81, Peter McDonough, Jeff Campbell ’80, and David Fabiano ’81 at Smuggler's Notch Ski Resort in Jeffersonville, Vt. It was their 4th annual get-together. The group all roomed at Funnelle Hall in the mid-seventies (1977-78).

Brian Walsh ’80 of Baldwinsville, N.Y., retired after 33 years from Altmar-Parish-Williamstown High School in Parish, N.Y. Brian taught 11th-grade American History, coached varsity wrestling and varsity golf, and was an adjunct professor supervising student teachers. He winters in Englewood, Fla.

Members of the classes of 1981 and 1982 reunited in Savannah, Ga., in the spring 2024, enjoying a memorable time with old friends. Pictured below at the Forsyth Park Fountain (from left to right) Laura Malone Kreps ’81, Carolyn McGuire Hampton ’82, Debbie Fanning Conlon ’81, Ann Begley Pomeroy ’81, Lynn Morrissey Zabala ’81, Laura Wilson ’81 and Lisa Jones Stephans ’81.

Larry Rubinstein ’81 of North Bellmore, N.Y., is the engineer in charge for Metrovision. He travels with Governor Hochul doing daily press conferences. Larry is responsible for the production and satellite transmission of concerts, shows, and

Lea-Ann Woodward Berst ’84 of Myrtle Beach, S.C., is a producer at AM Productions, an Emmy-nominated filmmaker, and a global activation professional specializing in maximizing a film’s reach. Her film Pioneers in Skirts, created with her daughter, is available on streaming services. Her career has included roles in tech industry product management, go-to-market execution, and managing both standalone and complex engagement marketing programs.

She lives with her husband, who hails from Buffalo, their daughter, and a very large — yet equally lovable — dog.

O S W E G O l FA L L 2 0 2 5

33

Transforming Community through Education, Arts, Nature An arts advocate at heart, Laurel (left) choreographed more than 30 musicals and operas, performed with Chi Rho Dancers, and championed arts education through community initiatives like the Festival of the Arts. She even choreographed a music video for local artist Cam Caruso ’17.

Her Laker legacy runs deep: her husband, Donald ’87, and one of her two sons, Anthony '14, and many in her extended family are Oswego alumni.

Her family recently established the D'Ambrosio Family Scholarship in honor of their deep ties to the campus.

For Laurel D’Ambrosio Artz ’83 M’87, SUNY Oswego isn’t just her alma mater, it’s been a lifelong anchor. A third-generation Laker and lifelong Oswego resident, Laurel quite literally grew up on campus.

Her late father, Vincent D’Ambrosio ’60 M’64, was a professor emeritus of technology, and her late mother, Joan Fowler D’Ambrosio ’60, was a local teacher and active member of the SUNY Oswego community.

Now retired, Laurel serves as president of Rice Creek Associates, supporting the Rice Creek Field Station — a “hidden gem,” she said — and expanding its outreach and programs.

“I’ve always believed in building community,” she said. “Through teaching, the arts, or nature, I just want to create spaces where people can connect, grow, and be inspired.”

Laurel’s early years at the Campus School shaped her love of learning and the arts.

She entered SUNY Oswego early, immersing herself in psychology, languages, and theater. Though she initially planned to become a school psychologist, she found her true passion in teaching — and for 34 years, she inspired students at Leighton Elementary School.

Paul Cardarelli ’84 of Ilion, N.Y., is vice president of sales for JETNET LLC of Utica, N.Y. Paul recalls great memories with many friends residing then in the "Beige Estates" during his time at Oswego. He now resides in Ilion with his wife, Cynthia.

Pamela Davis Conway ’84 of Leesburg, Va., retired from the Loudoun County School System in Ashburn, Va. Michael DiStasio ’84 of Merrimack, N.H., is a technology risk director for Fidelity Investments.

Brenda Corlis Ferlenda ’84 of Milton, Del., is a paraeducator for autistic students at the Cape Henlopen School District in Lew-

34

O S W E G O l FA L L 2 0 2 5

Daniel Vickery ’84 of Columbia, Tenn., retired after 31 years teaching technology education at Ballston Spa (N.Y.) Middle School.

Mark Whinnery ’84 of Drumright, Okla., is the mayor of Drumright, Okla. He is a retired Air Force colonel and is also a retired Drumright city manager.

Jay Ahuja ’85 of Charlotte, N.C., retired at 61 years old after a successful career in marketing and media. He began at the Charlotte Observer and worked at Charlotte magazine, WFAE (the local NPR affiliate), WTVI (a public TV station), and concluded his career at WDAV, the region’s classical public radio station. Along the way, Jay got married, helped raise two fine young men, wrote two books, and produced a documentary film. He plans to continue writing, traveling, volunteering for North Carolina Outward Bound School, attending concerts domestically and internationally, golfing, and kayaking nearby rivers and lakes.

Don Barr ’85 of Elmira, N.Y., is the general manager of WYDC-TV Big Fox. Stephen Butler ’85 of Syracuse, N.Y., stepped down from his role as executive director of CNY Arts after 16 years. He now serves as a leadership/continuity consultant for the agency and other arts clients. He was awarded a 2024 Bronze international Telly Award for Music, Dance, and Performance in Television as co-executive producer of “The Golden Cage,” with co-producers WCNY and Oswego Opera.

Daryl Dana ’85 of Rochester, N.Y., is the owner and tax preparer at Dana Tax Service. Previously, he worked in software quality assurance for over 20 years, utilizing his degree in programming to write automated test scripts.

es, Del. – a challenging yet rewarding role she loves. She and her husband, Anthony Ferlenda ’84, celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary in 2024 and welcomed their first grandchild in 2025.

Daniel Savercool ’84 of Hazle Township, Pa., is a national service line program manager of water and natural resources for EA Engineering, Science, and Technology, Inc. Caroline Coley Stanistreet ’84 of Camillus, N.Y., is a sales representative for kitchen cabinetry. Caroline continues to write her Sink-or-Swim blog even after “retiring” from television production. She resides with her husband, Dan, and has two children including, Elizabeth Stanistreet ’19.

Peter Forester ’85 of Easton, Pa., is a market manager for The Media Audit. During his time at Oswego he enjoyed playing intramural hockey, spending time at the lake, cross country skiing at Fallbrook, spending time at the Hewitt Union Tavern and in town and meeting his wife, Terri Vazquez Forester. Peter was a member of WOCR during his time at Oswego. He enjoys going to concerts particularly seeing 80s and alternative bands, riding his Triumph Bonneville motorcycle on the two lane blacktop in the beautiful Pa. and N.J. back roads, going to art shows and museums, attending sports games, spending time with their three kids and their partners, practicing their faith, volunteering, supporting nonprofits, and giving back to their communities.

Class Notes Patricia Keyes ’85 of Sebastian, Fla., retired from the Monroe County Sheriff's Office as a deputy sheriff and investigator.

She is loving living on the treasure coast of Florida.

Curt Schultzberg ’87 of Somers, N.Y., is vice president and strategic market manager for Hudson Valley Investment Advisors, Inc. Patrick Lyons ’88 M’94 of Lancaster, S.C., is a technology education teacher for Fort Mill (S.C.) High School.

1990s

Diane Babcock ’90 of Surgoinsville, Tenn., is an administrative assistant for Surgoinsville First United Methodist Church. She has four children, eight grandchildren, and one great-grandson.

A group of WOCR alumni from the 1980s, including (from left): Dee McGowan Perkins ’85, Nancy Berger Fox ’85, Paul MacArthur ’88, Joan Pace Shemit ’87, Dennis Prechtl ’87, Michelle Prechtl, Barry Gliner ’84, Missy Lobel, and Mark Lobel ’85, gather annually, and this year, they traveled to Long Island to enjoy the hospitality of the Lobels.

Andrew Behrend ’86 of Cherry Hill, N.J., is the Eastern U.S. manager for Gealan Window Systems.

Joseph Chemotti ’90 of Camillus, N.Y., is the chief financial officer of Dannible & McKee, LLP. Michele Gambale Dean ’90 of Smithtown, N.Y., is the chief executive officer of Suffolk Credit Union.

Marci Goldman Gower ’90 of Manchester, U.K., retired from freelance marketing and events, and is enjoying life with her husband, Nick, in North West England.

Laurel Thiro Carlson ’91 of New Canaan, Conn., is an adjunct professor at Connecticut State Community College Norwalk.

Jeffrey Dixon ’91 of Kaneohe, Hawaii, is the director of strategy and management for the Research Corporation of the University of Hawaii. He retired from the Navy in 2022 and settled permanently in Hawaii with his wife and two children.

Brian Fite ’91 of Fulton, N.Y., is the director of reporting services for Medical Answering Services. He enjoys participating in triathlons, church, and photography, and watching movies.

Colleen Sullivan Hodge ’91 of Holyoke, Mass., is an attorney and owner of Marien & Hodge, P.C. Joanne O’Toole M’91 of Liverpool, N.Y., is the associate department chair of the curriculum and instruction department, professor, and student teaching coordinator at SUNY Oswego.

Joseph Morotti ’86 of Little Falls, N.Y., is a leadership development specialist for Daneli Partners and is an educational specialist for the State Education Department of New York.

Robert Liput ’87 of Dayton, Ohio, has retired. He is a veteran of the U.S. Army. He welcomed his first grandchild in February 2025.

Lisa Monahan ’87 of Herkimer, N.Y., is the director of the Herkimer County Department of Social Services.

Kimberly Morella ’87 (above left) of Bedford Hills, N.Y., president and owner of Kimorella Consulting attended an event at the White House celebrating Black History Month.

Stephanie Pianka ’87 of Lake Placid, N.Y., is the chief financial officer of Adirondack Foundation.

Michael Howard ’90 (above left) of Oswego, was inducted into the Upstate New York Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame for his lifetime service to wrestling. Mike started his wrestling career at Oswego High School, winning its first Section III title, then continued at the University of Buffalo and Oswego State. He served as the Lakers assistant coach for three seasons before becoming associate head coach and head coach, winning many accolades for himself and his team along the way. His son, Michael Jr. ’10 M’15, presented him with the award.

Kristen Sharpe Hao ’92 M’94 of Manassas, Va., is a second-grade teacher at Westridge Elementary School in Woodbridge, Va. She was named teacher of the year by Prince William County Public Schools.

Laura Hakes Bailey ’91 M’13 of Liverpool, N.Y., is the director of the media and telecommunications program at Cayuga Community College.

Jennifer McGuire Higbee ’93 of Matthews, N.C., is the project manager in the office of the president at Central Piedmont Community College, Charlotte, N.C.

Michele Caleca Bernard ’91 of Verona, N.J., is the regional manager of administration for McKinsey & Company.

Jennifer Flynn Robinson ’93 of Warrenton, Va., is the executive assistant for Inn at Little Washington.

Robin Warren Philips ’92 of Pulaski, N.Y., is the owner and wedding and event florist for Designs of Elegance. Robin was selected to help decorate the White House for Christmas in 2022 and 2023. In 2023, she helped to decorate the West Wing, with primary decorating in the Oval Office. All of the bows on the garlands on the South Side of the White House were tied by her.

O S W E G O l FA L L 2 0 2 5

35

Colleen Fenescey Avis ’94 of McLean, Va., is an integrative life coach, award-winning author, and founder of a wellness brand rooted in the power of subtle shifts.

Renee Abstender Marchak ’94 of Carolina Shores, N.C., is the founder and CEO of Level-Up Career Coaching, with a focus on helping professionals navigate meaningful career transitions.

Donald “Pappy” Raymond ’94 of Orlando, Fla., is mobile service coordinator/director at Sunstate Ford Inc. In 2025, he celebrated 20 years of marriage to his wife, Frances.

Greg Jackson ’95 of Thornton, Colo., is director of business development, sales, and strategic alliances for School Bus Logistics, LLC.

Oswego, he became a member of Alpha Epsilon Pi. Maria Luisa Alonso-Rice ’97 M’00 of Leander, Texas, is a spanish learning specialist for Texas University High School in Austin.

Michael Gannon ’97 of Mt. Pleasant, S.C., is the chief revenue officer for Snowflake, the AI Data Cloud company. Michael is responsible for Snowflake’s revenue and go-to-market teams, helping to lead the company through its next chapter of growth.

Sabrina Rodriguez-Graham ’97 of Gainesville, Va., is a program manager for the U.S. Department of Defense.

oswego.edu Keep Your Oswego Email Active!

Renew by Dec. 31, 2025 To keep your SUNY Oswego alumni email account active and secure, users must renew it by Dec. 31 of each year.

Annual renewal helps protect against cyber attacks and phishing from inactive accounts.

Michael Paul ’95 (center above) of Little Falls, N.Y., won the 2024 Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Commander’s Cup Richard J. Neal Special Recognition - Senior Individual. AFRL is the primary research center for the U.S. Air Force with a workforce of over 12,500 personnel.

Michael’s work at AFRL’s research site in Rome, N.Y., is used operationally throughout the world.

Gregory Woodman ’95 of Poolesville, Md., works for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Alan Goldberg ’96 of Brooklyn, N.Y., is a backlist production manager for W. W. Norton & Company.

Michael Jargo ’96 of Stony Brook, N.Y., is a guidance counselor for Islip (N.Y.) Public Schools. He credits his time at SUNY Oswego to providing him with a great foundation for his role as a high school guidance counselor. At Oswego, he was a member of the men’s club volleyball team and Sigma Chi. Daniel Treinis ’96 of Jericho, Vt., is a design, engineering, and fabrication instructor for the Burlington (Vt.) School District.

After teaching in the Burlington School District for 20 years, he transferred to the Burlington Technical Center in 2022. At

36

O S W E G O l FA L L 2 0 2 5

Nevada Sharpe Sprung ’97 of Manassas, Va., is a first-grade teacher at Marshall Elementary School in Manassas, Va. She was nominated for teacher of the year award for Prince William County Public Schools.

Giovanna Colosi ’98 M’04 of Cicero, N.Y., graduated with a Certificate of Advanced Study in Disability Studies from the School of Education at Syracuse University in May 2024.

Damon Gonzalez ’98 of North Hollywood, Calif., is a SAG-AFTRA actor and writer.

Damon's "real talk" comments on social media have been quoted in the LA Times and news articles all over the world. Damon previously worked as an assistant to Marc Anthony and Jennifer Lopez. He also held positions at Condé Nast, overseeing the layouts of Bon Appétit and Glamour magazines. In 2020, he was part of the start-up team at One Health Labs, located at Sony Studios, one of the first Covid testing labs servicing the entertainment industry, responsible for getting Hollywood back to work during the pandemic.

Carl “Duke” Wallin '98 M’06 of Kill Devil Hills, N.C., is a career counselor and career and technical education coordinator at First Flight High School in Kill Devil Hills, N.C. He earned a doctorate in education from National University in spring 2024.

Reminder: • As of 2024, Google Drive, Photos, and Sites access is no longer available for alumni accounts.

• Gmail storage must be under 15GB for all alumni accounts.

• All alumni account users must review and agree to the Computer & Network Acceptable Use Policy annually during the renewal process.

If You Choose Not to Renew: Please download any files you wish to keep before Dec. 31.

Renew or Learn More: Visit oswego.edu/alumni/renew Questions? Call CTS Help Desk: 315-312-3456 or University Advancement: 315-312-3003

With over 26 years of experience, Carl has held various roles, including classroom teacher, program coordinator, department chair, and student advisor. He serves on the National Career Development Association’s Ethics Committee and the board of directors for the North Carolina Career Development Association, and is a member of the American Association of Adjunct Education, as well as both state and national chapters of the Association for Career Technical Education.

Class Notes

Oswego Matters |

As the fall season comes to a close, I’ve bid a fond “farewell until next year” to my family’s annual Halloween-costume transformation. Pulling my family of four together into a cohesive, often-comical theme is a creative challenge I look forward to annually — and luckily my husband and two boys (who are characters of their own anytime of the year!) have fun going along with my shenanigans.

Perhaps it was my family’s commitment to costumes growing up, or perhaps it’s my attempt at maintaining a bit of theatre in my life … but, whatever the driving force, the joy of seeing my idea fully realized each October is priceless.

Reflecting on the process this year got me thinking about transformation on a larger, green-and-gold scale. In this issue, you’ve read about the amazing physical transformation the university has experienced with the long-awaited opening of the stunning Hewitt Hall.

You’ve also read about the overarching transformation of the university’s Strategic Plan, in line with President Nwosu’s Vision 4040. As the campus landscape prepares for another

Brad Goldowsky ’99 of Orchard Park, N.Y., earned a Doctorate of Business Administration from the City University of Seattle.

He currently works for Verizon and is also a part-time college instructor at Buffalo State University in Buffalo, N.Y. He lives with his wife, Kim, and daughter, Hannah.

Donald Rusert ’99 of El Segundo, Calif., has been teaching English to high school students at Centinela Valley Union High School in the South Bay area of Los Angeles for more than 17 years.

2000s Aunree Houston ’00 of Los Angeles, Calif., the head of marketing operations for scripted series for Netflix was invited to join the leadership panel at the 2024 Circle of Change conference in L.A. Allison Brooker ’01 M’02 of Cicero, N.Y., is an accounting manager for American Granby, Inc.

inevitable transformation — from gorgeous fall hues to, let’s face it, a more white-and-gray palette come winter — there’s no lack of a vibrant energy of change everywhere you look.

It's truly incredible what an impact our alumni community can make on that energy. You, our amazing Lakers, are the secret ingredient when it comes to the transformation of our current and future students’ lives. Each time you volunteer through the Alumni Sharing Knowledge program; serve as a career connection; refer a prospective student; or return to campus for a reunion, you're actively creating opportunities and helping to shape futures. Your philanthropy, whether through donating your time and talents to our programs or through donating your treasure to The Fund for Oswego, is transformative.

SUNY Oswego’s founder, Edward Austin Sheldon, led the way for the transformation of the world of education as he laid the foundation for our beloved alma mater. He knew the impact that experiential learning could have on

lives, communities and, ultimately, the world. 164 years later, that’s still our focus today … and it’s why we need you. Your engagement can help ensure that every Laker gets the full, transformative experience Sheldon envisioned.

So, join us at an event, mentor a student, make a gift. Keep SUNY Oswego top of mind throughout the year. Let's keep “transforming lives and igniting possibilities”… together.

Laura Pavlus Kelly ’09 Executive Director Oswego Alumni Association, Inc.

Lisa-Marie Cappetta Carter ’01 M’03 CAS’09 of Clay, N.Y., is the superintendent of schools for Greene (N.Y.) Central School District.

Sean Mallee ’02 of Delray Beach, Fla., is an environmentalist for Palm Beach County (Fla.) Department of Environmental Resources Management.

Katheryne “Leigh” Wyshosky Petryssyn ’01 of Manlius, N.Y., is the director of ASAP (Advancing Success in Associate Pathways) at Onondaga Community College in Syracuse.

Natasha Johnson Polito ’02 of North Chili, N.Y., is a business development manager at Evolution Marketing in Webster, N.Y.

Robert Taft ’01 of Oswego is a senior full stack software engineer for 4G Clinical.

Kristen Denick ’02 of Oswego is the director of physician/APC recruitment for Oswego Heath.

Deyadira “Betty” Diaz ’02 of New York, N.Y., is the director of programs and operations for Paramount Global.

Corey Fram ’02 of Redwood, N.Y., is the director of the 1000 Islands International Tourism Council.

Sara Coulthart Haag ’03 of Kaiserslautern, Germany, moved across the pond from New York State to Europe with her husband and daughter. She enjoys everything living abroad has to offer, as well as volunteering with the U.S. military community and traveling.

Ira Heimowitz ’04 of South Orange, N.J., is a direct support professional for Eihab Human Services, where he works with developmentally disabled adults. He recently graduated from Seton Hall University with double master's degrees in public administration and diplomacy and international relations.

O S W E G O l FA L L 2 0 2 5

37

Aaron Percy ’04 of Pflugerville, Texas, is the vice president of software engineering for Accruent Inc. Mark Prestopnik ’04 of Pittsburgh, Pa., is the director of online learning and strategy at Duquesne University.

Jeremy Tucker Sallin ’04 of Portland, Ore., is senior director of legal for IDEO LLC, a global design and innovation consultancy.

fr s g n i t e Gre

om

Janet Best ’05 M’08 of Camden, N.Y., earned a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing in 2025 and is pursuing a Ph.D. in English (expected in 2026) at Liberty University in Virginia.

Catherine DeClemente ’05 of Baltimore, Md., is a day trader, and is the president and founder of Elite Chartist, Inc., a business that teaches day trading strategies for various Futures instruments.

Stefania Fusillo ’05 of Gatineau in Quebec, Canada, is an events decorator/coordinator for Avant-Garde Design, top premier event planning company in Ottawa, Ontario. Stefania loves being creative and making the client’s dream become a reality.

Wish you were here — digitally!

The view’s still breathtaking, the snow’s still sparkling … and your inbox might be missing out.

Wherever you are, we hope your Oswego memories warm you through every winter!

Not receiving messages from us?

Share your email address or opt back into receiving emails to hear from SUNY Oswego — no postage required.

With love (and lake-effect snow),

Want to go paper-free? Choose the digital-only magazine and enjoy every story, every snapshot, everywhere.

Your Oswego family P.S. Prefer people over QR codes?

Drop us a line at alumni@oswego.edu or call 315-312-3003.

Update your info online: alumni. oswego.edu/stayconnected2025, or scan the QR Code.

Jason Holder ’05 of Severna Park, Md., spent summer 2024 in Paris, where he served as the deputy venue media manager in Stade de France during the 2024 Olympic Games. In his role, he managed all media operations for press covering rugby and track and field. He also moderated the press conferences for all medalists in those sports. It was his second Olympic Games in this role. Jason is the executive director of Running USA and the owner/CEO of Jay Holder Media LLC, a media consulting company for road races and professional track and field meets. He lives in Maryland with his wife and two children.

Eric Potts ’05 of Glenville, N.Y., is a court officer for the New York State Unified Court System.

38

O S W E G O l FA L L 2 0 2 5

Melanie Doherty McComb ’06 of Franklin, Mass., is a senior genealogist at American Ancestors/New England Historic Genealogical Society. Melanie has been with the organization for over six years. She is putting her science degree to use as she conducts many of the DNA consultations and gives lectures frequently on DNA. Lawrence Nadel ’06 of Bayside, N.Y., was named administrator of the year by the New York State Theatre Education Association. Lawrence is the director of fine and performing arts for the Glen Cove City (N.Y.) School District, where he has worked for the past four years. Before that, he was the arts education liaison, grant writer and a department coordinator for the Queens School of Inquiry in Fresh Meadows, N.Y. He has also been a theater

director at Edward R. Murrow High School in Brooklyn, N.Y., and is involved with organizations, including the New York State School Music Association, New York State Council of Administrators in Music Education, and the Art Supervisors Association of Nassau County.

Brian Potter ’06 of Minoa, N.Y., is the chief operating officer for Dannible & McKee, LLP. He oversees daily operations, office management, external offices, administrative functions, and human resources.

Gregory Salmon ’06 of Henderson, Nev., is the casting director of The Young and the Restless.

Meghan Fraser McGrogan ’07 of Whitesboro, N.Y., is the executive director of the Utica Children’s Museum.

Class Notes Joshua Miller ’07 of Mission, Texas, is Americas manufacturing controller for optical connectivity solutions for Corning Incorporated. Joshua is the winner of the 2024 Corning Finance People Development Award.

2010s Stephanie Emiliani ’10 of North Tonawanda, N.Y., has been a scrum master for Independent Health since February 2024.

Before being hired, she became a certified scrum product owner, and has since become a certified scrum master. Stephanie also serves on the North Tonawanda (N.Y.) City School District Board of Education, where she was reelected to her second term in July 2024.

Joseph Horn ’10 of Ontario, N.Y., is a firefighter for the City of Rochester, N.Y.

Brigid McCarthy Charest ’08 (second from left) of Boston, Mass., gathered with SUNY Oswego alumnae (from left) Abigail Buttacavoli '19, Boni Quatroche '19, Jessica Kisluk '19 and Ceseley Mulligan '19 for the Polish Fest at the Polish American Citizens Club in Boston, Mass.

Ashley Wheeler Schimek ’08 M’10 of Oswego is a math teacher for Altmar-Parish-Williamstown Junior-Senior High School in Parish, N.Y. Jessica Durst Allman ’09 of Syracuse, N.Y., is the assistant director of events for Syracuse University.

Krista Cassel ’09 of Manchester, Mo., is a trainer for Centene Corp., a healthcare enterprise.

Theodore Love CAS’09 of Syracuse, N.Y., is the executive director of planning, development, and technology at the Central Square (N.Y.) Central School District.

Ted recently completed a doctorate in executive leadership from St. John Fisher University in Rochester. His dissertation was a grounded theory study of New York State school superintendent leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic. Ted was recognized with the 2024 Exemplary Performance in Scholarship Award.

Mark Robinson ’09 of Haw River, N.C., is the president & CEO of Hometown Kitchen & Bath.

Danielle Washington Scalice ’09 of New Hartford, N.Y., is a division chief in Civilian Permanent Change of Station at Defense Finance and Accounting Service in Rome.

Jessica Skeldon ’09 of Utica, N.Y., is the associate director of promotion and operations for Hamilton College in Clinton, N.Y.

Even though his current role is based in New York City, he frequently travels back to Israel, where the team is based.

Amanda Belasen ’12 of Albany, N.Y., is a client service specialist for Cogency Global, Inc. John Geekie ’12 of Babylon, N.Y., is a special education teacher for the East Meadow Union Free School District in Westbury, N.Y. Ashley Grimes ’12 of Syracuse, N.Y., is an elementary teacher in the Syracuse City School District.

Sean McNamara ’10 of Broomfield, Colo., is a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner for Amavi Integrative Mental Health.

Asa Stackel ’12 of Reno-Tahoe, Nev., is an associate wealth management advisor at Northwestern Mutual – Tampa and Reisner Financial. Asa recently earned certification as a Certified Financial Planner by the CFA Board of Standards Inc. Asa and his wife welcomed their first daughter to the world in April 2024.

Matthew Slimowicz ’10 M’25 of Vestal, N.Y., works in production control for Lockheed Martin.

Amanda Adami ’13 of Washingtonville, N.Y., is a veterinarian in small animal practice.

Benjamin Sumner ’10 of Cazenovia, N.Y., is the partner-in-charge of assurance services for Dannible & McKee, LLP. Benjamin has over 15 years experience providing auditing, accounting, and consulting services to a wide variety of businesses. He also specializes in providing audits of employee benefit plans.

Ashley Maher Boll ’13 of Arlington, Va., is a research program manager at the George Washington Cancer Center. She earned a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration from Kent State University in 2022. Ashley lives with her husband, Travis, and their rescue dog, Roxie.

James Lalino ’10 of Washington, D.C., is the digital director for U.S. House of Representatives Elise Stefanik (NY-21).

Kaitlin Knickerbocker ’11 of Mechanicville, N.Y., is a director of enrollment and billing for CDPHP, health insurance agency in Albany County.

Sean McCarthy ’11 of Juneau, Alaska, is the director of residence life and dining at the University of Alaska Southeast.

Professionally and personally, Sean has been embracing exciting developments, including a trip with his wife, Katie, to Thailand, Singapore, and Tokyo.

Max Spitalnick ’11 of New York City is the director of customer success for Intelligo Group, leading risk intelligence platform.

After graduation, he moved to Israel and volunteered with Ethiopian immigrants and for a youth movement mentoring students in the Negev desert for two years.

While there, Max helped start the national lacrosse program and traveled with the team competing internationally in Federation of International Lacrosse sanctioned play. He then moved to San Francisco and transitioned from nonprofit to venture-backed SaaS technology companies in San Francisco and in New York City.

Andrew Buchmann ’13 M’16 of Liverpool, N.Y., is a senior academic success advisor for SUNY Oswego.

Stefanie Cornnell Elkins ’13 M’14 of Rochester, N.Y., is 7th-grade science teacher at Twelve Corners Middle School in Rochester, N.Y. She frequently competes in agility competitions with her border collies.

Ashley Harden ’13 of Stanford, Calif., is a resident director for Stanford University.

Angela Janack ’13 M’14 of Syracuse, N.Y., is an audit senior manager for Dannible & McKee, LLP. Angela also serves as the treasurer of the Syracuse Chapter of the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants and the secretary of the Accounting & Financial Women’s Alliance.

She is a member of Beta Alpha Psi (the international honor organization for financial information students and professionals) and volunteers with Syracuse Women for Good.

William Obenauer M’13 of Glenburn, Maine, is an associate professor of management for the University of Maine.

O S W E G O l FA L L 2 0 2 5

39

A Defining Moment

When Castelli Laflotte ’13 sank a halfcourt shot at Madison Square Garden to win a brand-new Kia during a Knicks game, the crowd went wild — but that magical moment was just a highlight in a much bigger story.

A Queens native and SUNY Oswego graduate, Laflotte, also known as “Coach Stelli,” has built a life rooted in purpose, mentorship, and movement.

His love of sports began in childhood, where after-school programs helped build his confidence and friendships.

At Oswego, he found a fresh start and he dove into campus life as a student senator, intramural champion, and community volunteer. He also met the love of his life, Ashley Galvez ’15, while working at Cooper Fitness Center.

40

calling was in coaching youth. From lifeguard to athletics director, his journey led him to launch Momentum Sports, a youth program centered on confidence, fun, and skill-building over competition. Today, he runs the program while serving as athletic director at the Rudolf Steiner School in Manhattan.

Michael Brill ’15 and Bailee Goodon ’16 of Rochester, N.Y., welcomed their son, Callahan, on Feb. 28, 2025. The family watched both the Women’s and Men’s SUNYAC ice hockey game on March 1, 2025, from the hospital and March 7, 2025, from their home in Rochester. At Oswego, Bailee was a member of the women's ice hockey team.

Sports, he says, saved his life, and now he’s paying it forward. “I try to find victories in the process, not just the result,” Coach Stelli said.

Kelly Stacey Migliore ’15 of Union, Maine, is a technical product manager for GE Vernova.

So yes, he won a car in front of thousands. But more importantly, he’s built a life that helps kids believe in themselves — one game, one drill, one smile at a time.

Originally pursuing a career in physical therapy, Coach Stelli realized his true

And his 3-year-old son? Already dunking on a mini hoop. Sounds like a great addition to SUNY Oswego Class of 2044.

Jessica Blodgett Vaughn ’13 M’15 of Porter Corners, N.Y., is a senior investigation specialist for Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc., in Westchester County.

science from the University of MissouriColumbia. Currently, he is working to complete a Ph.D. in atmospheric science with a focus in tropical meteorology.

Candace Tarana Giampaolo ’14 of Bayport, N.Y., is the office manager for Harris Beach Murtha Cullina PLLC.

Danielle Limer-Nies Sa ’14 of Croton-onHudson, N.Y. is a tax specialist for Intuit.

Jordan Rabinowitz ’14 of East Meadow, N.Y., is a meteorologist for the National Weather Service in their Eastern Region headquarters office. After Oswego, Jordan pursued a master's degree in atmospheric

O S W E G O l FA L L 2 0 2 5

Jack Tiebor ’14 of Brewerton, N.Y., is an on-air personality weeknights on 95X (WAQX-FM) and weekends on 93Q (WNTQ-FM). Jack is also in business with his wife, Racheal Morrow ’15. Together, they have a wedding photography and videography company, The Bixby Co. They have recently begun incorporating their skills into helping local businesses with their social media presence and online branding in the Syracuse area.

Justus Stahrr ’14 of Honeoye Falls, N.Y. is a police officer for the Town of Greece (N.Y.) Police Department. He became a police officer from an internship opportunity he was given through the Public Justice Program.

Kelsey Merritt Novosel ’15 of Dryden, N.Y., is a continuous improvement coordinator for CFCU Community Credit Union. She has been in this role for nine years after leaving the corrections field. Kelsey also serves as the lead of the Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Program.

Lorraine Stoddard Pascarella M'15 is the principal at Long Branch Elementary School, within the Liverpool (N.Y.) Central School District.

Demi Siskind ’15 of Rockville, Md., is a senior research scientist for Start Early.

Her work lends to local and federal policymaking and programming, aiming to close the opportunity gap experienced by young children and families from marginalized communities. After Oswego, she earned a doctoral degree in human development and family studies from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Demi lives with her husband and their dog outside of Washington, D.C.

Class Notes Amy Hogan ’16 of Binghamton, N.Y., is a video production teacher for Broome-Tioga (N.Y.) BOCES. She hosts two Harry Potter theme podcasts, “Revelio: A Wizarding World Podcast” and “Expecto Podtronum.” Amy is also the coauthor of two Harry Potter theme books, The Ultimate Wizarding World Guide to Magical Studies and The Ultimate Wizarding World History of Magic.

Emily McDonald Netto ’16 of Watertown, N.Y., is an account manager for Creatacor Exhibits & Displays, Inc. Robert Pagan ’16 of Brooklyn, N.Y., is an associate director for CBS News.

Christopher Evans ’17 of Long Beach, N.Y., is an associate for credit risk for JPMorganChase.

Lindsay Karback ’17 of Macedon, N.Y., is the housing operations manager for University of Rochester. In October 2023, she married J. Dakota Sheehan ’16.

Kodua Boateng ’18 of Hillsboro, Ore., is a system-on-chip (SoC) debug engineer for Intel Corporation.

Jessica Suprise Dorans ’18 M’19 of Greenville, Wis., is a senior associate for Hawkins Ash CPA. Joshua Jasewicz ’18 M’19 of Jordan, N.Y., is a tax manager for Dannible & McKee, LLP, and he is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the NYS Society of Certified Public Accountants, and the National Association of Certified Valuators and Analysts.

Adarsh Kakarania ’18 of Kolkata, India, is the founder and CEO of Shiftzzy, an app designed to help make the transition into international education and relocation seamless and enjoyable.

Medal for early career achievement in automated operations and mission analysis for multiple Earth science missions.

John Archambeault ’19 M’20 of Baldwinsville, N.Y., is an audit manager for Dannible & McKee, LLP, and a member of the NYS Society of Certified Public Accountants.

Jacob Berkowitz ’19 of Brooklyn, N.Y., is an account executive at Rubenstein Public Relations.

Jennifer Ofodile ’19 of Berkeley, Calif., is a Ph.D. candidate in atmospheric chemistry at University of California, Berkeley.

Matthew Seymour ’19 of Watervliet, N.Y., is a research support specialist in the atmospheric science department at the University at Albany.

Alexandra Turoski ’19 of Somerville, Mass., is the creative director and owner of Alex & Brush, an art business.

2020s

Nicholas Schmitt ’21 of Cato, N.Y., is an associate attorney in Bousquet Holstein PLLC’s Syracuse, N.Y., office. He works with the brownfield, corporate, litigation, and real estate practice groups.

Dahlia Nguyen ’23 of Syracuse, N.Y., is a graphic designer for Daneli Partners.

Elaine Talbott Serrano ’23 of Yonkers, N.Y., is a teaching assistant for the Chappaqua (N.Y.) School District. She is excited to start a new chapter in life in the wellness field, where she plans to help others lead energetic, positive, and healthy lives.

Michael Davis ’24 of Weedsport, N.Y., is an audit staff accountant for Dannible & McKee, LLP. Meghan Gonyo ’24 of Cornwall, N.Y., is a multimedia journalist for WACH Fox 57 in Columbia, S.C. As a reporter, she covers a variety of topics from legislation at the South Carolina State House, to crime and justice coverage.

Ziyah J. Myers ’22 M’25 Impact Scholarship

Luke Bennett M’22 of Syracuse, N.Y., is a tax senior accountant for Dannible & McKee, LLP, and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the NYS Society of Certified Public Accountants.

Christopher Brewster ’22 of ChampionsGate, Fla., is a sales development representative for ThreatLocker. After graduating from Oswego, Christopher worked on an ambulance and for a large ice facility, where he was able to surround himself with his love of hockey. He recently moved to Champions Gate, Fla., for the great weather and new opportunities.

Kimathi Witt M’22 of Ronkonkoma, N.Y., is the owner of TopKi Productions, an aerial photography company.

Jordan Mallore ’18 of Syracuse, N.Y., is the manager of corporate accounting for Cadaret, Grant & Co., Inc.

Omar Garbanzo ’23 of Richmond Hill, N.Y., is a solutions developer for Ernst & Young US LLP.

Brianna Muncy ’18 of Henrico, Va., is a senior financial analyst for the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Danielle Marichal ’23 of Albertson, N.Y., is a marine science educator for the WaterFront Center. She created an original scientific illustration that is part of a multi-panel figure in an article that was published in February 2024. Oswego Biological Sciences lecturer Andrew McElwain is one of the coauthors. The illustration

Christopher Wells ’18 of Pasadena, Calif., is a data scientist for NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Christopher recently received a NASA Early Career Achievement

shows the anatomy of a freshwater mussel as a means to guide people when sampling tissues for biological and chemical testing during a mass mortality event.

During Commencement 2025, SUNY Oswego presented a posthumous master's degree in strategic communication to the family of Ziyah J. Myers ’22 M'25 — an instrumental student leader in our Laker family who died unexpectedly in January 2025, a few months before graduation. Her legacy and impact live on through all who knew her and through a scholarship being set up in her honor.

To help carry Ziyah’s light forward and support future students in her name, we invite those who wish to contribute to this meaningful tribute to learn more at alumni.oswego.edu/ ziyahmyers.

O S W E G O l FA L L 2 0 2 5

41

Reunion Weekend 2025: Look Back!

From laughter-filled dinners at Fallbrook to impromptu mini-reunions at Rudy’s and Bev’s, Reunion 2025 was a celebration of friendship, legacy, and lifelong connection.

This year, we’re planning even more ways to make your time on campus meaningful and memorable.

Check out the fun from Reunion 2025, and save the date for this year’s celebration.

42

O S W E G O l FA L L 2 0 2 5

Class Notes

Save the Date and Come Back!

June 4-7, 2026, in Oswego

All class years, Greeks, and groups are always welcome!

Special Milestone Class and Group Reunions Are Planned for: 2001 – 25th 1995, 1996, 1997 – 30th 1986 – 40th 1976 – 50th 1971 – 55th

1966 – 60th 1961 – 65th 1956 – 70th 1951 – 75th

Alpha Epsilon Phi – 40th Anniversary Delta Kappa Kappa – 100th Anniversary Sigma Tau Chi – 80th Anniversary

While planning is still underway, tentative all-alumni events include: • Friday night BBQ and bonfire at Fallbrook • Campus open house and tours • Alumni awards presentation • University Update • Faculty and alumni workshops • We Are Family dance party and social on Saturday evening • Bon Voyage Breakfast on Sunday morning Get all the details at alumni.oswego.edu/reunion.

Registration for events and on-campus housing will open in April.

Email: reunion@oswego.edu f facebook.com/oswegoalumni I @oswegoalumni | @oswegoalumni O S W E G O l FA L L 2 0 2 5

43

Weddings Victoria Carlone and Cody Miller ’13 were married on Oct. 26, 2024, in Sparta, N.J. Lakers in attendance included (from left): Joseph Tracey III, Nathan Donnelly ’10 M’12, Christa Donnelly ’12, Kiera Collins Furey ’13, Kevin Furey, Rebecca Wesley ’13, Abigail Goldberg ’13, Victoria Carlone, Cody Miller ’13, Daniel Bernstein ’13, Kenneth Nussbaum, and Vanessa Meza.

Gabriella Green Bartnik ’17 and Garrett Bartnik ’15 were married on July 20, 2024.

Alumni in attendance included (from left): Marissa Bacon Mason ’13 M’15, Nico Angerosa ’17, Daniel Manou ’17, Hayley Prenatt Kovacs ’17, Robert Jarvis ’17, Kevin Damoah ’18, Sarah Steinbrenner Barnes ’18, Brandon Barnes ’18, Gabby Green Bartnik ’17, Garrett Bartnik ’15, Holly Cohen ’17, Marieke Prien, exchange student from Germany in Fall 2016, and Solene Louis, exchange student from France from Fall 2015 through Spring 2016.

Ashley Trevor ’18 M’23 and Joshua Roys ’18 were married on Sept. 13, 2024, at the Cannery in Vernon, N.Y. Alumni in attendance included (from left): Matthew Trudeau ’17, Shelby Gallero Trudeau ’17, Scott Kesselring ’18, Andrew Clina ’18, Zachary Foster ’18, Griffin Bruce ’18, Joshua Roys ’18, Ashley Trevor ’18, Mackenzie Lynch Scalora ’18, Douglas Woolever ’19, Theresa Personna ’19, James Schaller ’19, Jordyn Robison ’21, Baelin Devall ’21, and Kailey Brown ’21.

44

O S W E G O l FA L L 2 0 2 5

Alicia DiNottia Fravel ’10 and Dale Fravel were married on Nov. 25, 2023, at Pomona at Blue Barn in Rochester, N.Y. Alumni in attendance were (front row, from left): Bridget Gorman Dutcher ’10, Jeannie Richardson Billings ’10, Karen Marcello ’10, Alicia DiNottia Fravel ’10, Julie McCloskey ’10, Terri Southard Dunn ’90, Ruthie Brass Evans ’10, and Liza DiMaria ’96; (back row, from left) Joseph Dunn ’89, and Lindsay Silvanic ’10.

Dillon McDonald ‘18 and Rachel Cronin McDonald '19 were married on Oct. 12, 2024, in North Conway, N.H. Alumni in attendance included (from left): Alysa Urbanczyk ’19, Morgan Meaney ’19, Brian Dawson ’20, Marissa Cole ’19, Dominick Manno ’17, Kaitlyn Jackson Manno ’18, Abigail Shaw Brown ’19, Rachel Cronin McDonald ’19, Dillon McDonald ’18, James Terzian ’18, David Smith ’17, Jon Matros ’18, Shannon Moran ’18, Bridget Dinan Loper ’18, Nick Loper ’19, Taylor VanDyke ’18, and Randy Nguyen ’20.

Steven DiMarzo Perdek '11 M'15 and Zachary Perdek were married on Oct. 19, 2024, at Thacher State Park in Voorheesville, N.Y., followed by a reception in Troy, N.Y. Pictured here are: (from left) Christopher Chandler, Austin Byrd '10, Joy Westerberg Knopp '92, Steven DiMarzo Perdek '11 M'15, Zachary Perdek, Tiffany Burdick Gentile '07 M'10 CAS'10, David DiMarzo '24, and John "Jack" Perdek '22. The couple lives in Albany, N.Y.

Scott Bodnar Kwiatkowski ’20 and Emma Hulsing Kwiatkowski ’20 were married at the Timberlodge in Akron, N.Y. Alumni in attendance included (from left): Sean Rivituso ’20, Sarah Wigger, DeAnna Newman ’19, Scott Bodnar Kwiatkowski, Emma Hulsing Kwiatkowski ’20, John Bald ’20, Olivia Castaneda ’20, and Andrew Nimetz ’20. The best man was Thomas Bodnar Kwiatkowski ’15.

Rachel Hernon ’17 M’19 and Trevor Morgan were married at Vernon Downs, in Vernon, N.Y., on May 31, 2025. Alumni in attendance included (from left): Motti ’18 (formerly known as Emily Motti), Michael Carroll ’14, Miriella Rosenblum ’19, Kelsie Conroy ’18, Justin Wilder ’16, Kristen McCarthy Wilder ’17, Christine Berube, Austin Berube ’15, Courtney Myers ’17, Brittany Bonin ’17, Nick Chiro, Gary Falchi ’17, Christina Falchi, Jami Celeste ’16, Ken Fors, and Sarafina Hernon.

O S W E G O l FA L L 2 0 2 5

45

In Memoriam Nina Livaccari Hastings ’43* of Oswego, Nov. 4, 2024.

John “Jack” MacDonald ’60 of Punta Gorda, Fla., Sept. 26, 2024.

Allen Jenner ’67 of Baldwinsville, N.Y., March 23, 2024.

Patricia Otis Hanley ’44 of Oswego, June 5, 2024.

Thomas Smolinski ’60 of Falls Church, Va., March 22, 2025.

Donald Juckett ’67 of Springfield, Va., Oct. 5, 2024.

Murray Wilkow ’48 of East Meadow, N.Y., Jan. 2, 2025.

Marilynn “Lynn” Nagy Farrar ’61* of Fairport, N.Y., Sept. 20, 2024.

Gary Meltzer ’67 of Flushing, N.Y., April 24, 2025.

Edward Myslivecek ’49 of Venice, Fla., and Babylon. N.Y., Jan. 28, 2025.

Santo Seminatore ’61 of Grand Rapids, Mich., Dec. 31, 2024.

George Trombetta ’67 of Bolivia, N.C., Sept. 18, 2024.

Robert Simon ’61 of Peconic, N.Y., Feb. 22, 2025.

Marguerite Kushla Crowley ’68 of Bellport, N.Y., Sept. 1, 2024.

John Butler ’62 of Stillwater, N.Y., Nov. 26, 2024.

Linda Futterer Diehl ’68 of Pittsfield, Mass., Feb. 8, 2024.

Thomas Filion ’62 of Saratoga Springs, N.Y., March 25, 2025.

Cherryl Gilmore Grant ’68 of Oswego, July 9, 2024.

Peter Vignogna ’62 of Marcellus, N.Y., Aug.19, 2024.

Elizabeth O’Donnell ’68 of Acworth, Ga., Feb. 21, 2024.

Russell Waldron ’62 of Canastota, N.Y., May 16, 2025.

James Decker ’69 of Baldwinsville, N.Y., Sept. 7, 2024.

Stephanie Marsh Waldron ’62 of Canastota, N.Y., Nov. 16, 2025.

Larry Mitchelson ’69 of Lakeland, Fla., June 2, 2024.

Kenneth “Dan” Dayton M’63 of Schenectady, N.Y., Jan. 29, 2025.

Annette Beechler Mrozak ’69 of Canandaigua, N.Y., May 29, 2024.

Charles “Herb” Jerred Jr. ’63 of Fulton, N.Y., Jan. 17, 2025.

Donna McCann Buswell ’70* of Irvine, Calif., March 24, 2025.

Charles Wiltse ’63 of Red Creek, N.Y., April 5, 2025.

Calvin Dorn ’70 of Hannibal, N.Y., June 23, 2024.

Elaine Reap Bond ’55 of Oswego, Oct. 5, 2024.

Robert Friel ’64 of Maynard, Mass., and Tuftonboro, N.H., April 4, 2025.

Richard Galvin ’70 of Rochester, N.Y., Feb. 16, 2025.

Nancy Covell Metcalf ’56 of Oswego, Jan. 29, 2025.

Daniel Maloy ’64 of Rochester, N.Y., June 20, 2024.

Marianne Lewis Schneider ’56 of Lancaster, Pa., Oct. 7, 2024.

Robert McKinstry ’64 of Oswego, Jan. 26, 2025.

William Mayer ’57 of Garnerville, N.Y., Aug.16, 2024.

Roberta Neisch Stoddard ’64 of West Babylon, N.Y., Jan. 7, 2025.

Matthew Zobeck ’57 of Westerville, Ohio, June 22, 2024.

Alan Tougas ’64 of North Chesterfield, Va., Feb. 28, 2025.

Walter Buell ’58 of Kirkville, N.Y., Feb. 13, 2025.

Phyllis Harmer Wright ’64 of Englewood, Fla., Oct. 16, 2024.

Donald Cutton ’58 of Odessa, N.Y., June 24, 2024.

Diane Jacey ’65 of Whiting, N.J., April 7, 2024.

Gary Duell ’58 of Lakeland, Fla., Sept. 1, 2024.

John LaRose ’65* of Syracuse, N.Y., Jan. 19, 2025.

Robert Ferris ’58 of Medford, N.J., May 9, 2024.

Arlene Guzicki Novak ’65 of Churchville, Md., Feb.17, 2024.

Frank Maraviglia ’58* of Jamesville, N.Y., Nov. 19, 2024.

Russell Hinkle ’66 of Broadalbin, N.Y., Dec. 30, 2024.

Jeanette Matott ’58 of Brooksville, Fla., Feb. 10, 2024.

Sheila Lee ’66 of Melrose, Fla., Jan. 20, 2024.

Paul Burroughs ’59 of Queensbury, N.Y., May 8, 2025.

Jeanne Hitchcock Heyen Boise ’67 of Marion, N.Y., May 2, 2024.

Jeannie Kafka Brennan M’60 of Sackets Harbor, N.Y., July 31, 2024.

William Forsythe ’67 of Dansville, N.Y., Jan. 13, 2025.

Leon Lieberman ’60 of Porter Corners, N.Y., Jan. 7, 2025.

Charles Goodwin ’67 M’73* of Endicott, N.Y., May 14, 2025.

Doris Duffy Raudenbush ’50 of Durham, N.H., Nov. 28, 2024.

Marcia Belmar Willock ’50* of Falmouth, Maine, Nov. 1, 2024.

Joseph Boskin ’51 of Lincoln, Mass., Feb. 16, 2025.

Marilyn LeRoy Kindl ’52 of Ballston Spa, N.Y., Nov. 15, 2024.

Carol Walrath Wilson ’52 of Rochester, N.Y., April 6, 2024.

William Toufectis ’53 of Herndon, Va., Feb. 6, 2025.

Donald Brooks ’54 of Saratoga Springs, N.Y., Dec. 12, 2024.

Rosann Histon Jweid ’54 of Scotia, N.Y., Sept. 22, 2024.

Paul Pierce ’54 of Pismo Beach, Calif., Nov. 30, 2024.

46

O S W E G O l FA L L 2 0 2 5

Kurt Hoffmann ’70 of Kingston, N.Y., Aug. 11, 2024.

Donna Lombardi LaFramboise ’70 of Santa Ana, Calif., Nov. 18, 2024.

Robert Maurer ’70 of Sackets Harbor, N.Y., Jan. 4, 2025.

Joy Wheeler Oliver ’70 of Richland, N.Y., Jan. 22, 2025.

Ted Rosen ’70 of Amherst, N.Y., Feb. 3, 2024.

Dwight Bennett ’71 of Midlothian, Va., Dec. 26, 2024.

Bruce Buckingham ’71 of Lowville, N.Y., July 4, 2024.

Pamela McCarthy Finger Delles ’71 of Fairport, N.Y., Oct. 20, 2024.

Robert LaGoe ’71 of Wilmington, N.C., Sept. 5, 2024.

Paul Buske ’72 of Auburn, N.Y., Sept. 2, 2024.

Faith Dashewski ’72 of Richmond, Va., Feb. 18, 2025.

Nancy Koltko ’72 of Latham, N.Y., July 9, 2024.

Edward Maruggi ’72 of Hilton, N.Y., Nov. 3, 2024.

SUBMITTING AN OBITUARY We will share the news of a SUNY Oswego community member’s death when we receive the information from a family member, friend, or another source in the form of a previously published notice, typically from a newspaper or funeral home. Please send such notices to University Advancement c/o In Memoriam, 215 Sheldon Hall, Oswego, N.Y. 13126; or email alumni@oswego.edu.

Elizabeth Gaylord Raynor ’72 of Manorville, N.Y., March 24, 2024.

James Doyen ’77 of Fulton, N.Y., Aug.17, 2024.

Bruce Manwaring ’97 of Oswego, March 6, 2025.

Jonathan Raynor ’72 of Manorville, N.Y., Feb. 6, 2025.

Ginger Pye Sheavly ’77 of Medina, N.Y., Sept. 21, 2024.

John Snyder ’97 of Baldwinsville, N.Y., Feb. 12, 2025.

Peter Tambroni ’72 of Fulton, N.Y., March 13, 2025.

Alan Work ’77 of Mount Kisco, N.Y., Feb. 11, 2025.

Betsy Tubolino ’97 of Mexico, N.Y., Sept. 21, 2024.

Dean Anthony ’73 of Sackets Harbor, N.Y., Sept. 10, 2024.

Philip Dagosto ’78 of Elmont, N.Y., Feb. 11, 2025.

Shane Munn ’98 of Goshen, N.Y., May 31, 2025.

Philip Benoit M’73, Professor Emeritus of Communication Studies, of Lancaster, Pa., Nov. 2, 2024.

David Koss ’78 of Kalamazoo, Mich., Nov. 10, 2024.

Melinda Fiore Gilbert M’99 of Auburn, N.Y., Feb. 4, 2025.

Thomas Koes ’79 of Marcellus, N.Y., Oct. 3, 2024.

Barbara Moffett Owen ’99 M’01 of Ocala, Fla., June 15, 2025.

William Pinkel ’79 of Baldwinsville, N.Y., Dec. 3, 2024.

Matthew Soboloski ’00 M’04 of Rome, N.Y., April 2, 2025.

Margaret Spector ’80* of Oswego, June 3, 2025.

Mia Puzo ’02 M’07 of Amherst, N.H., June 22, 2024.

Patricia Lester M’81 CAS’81 of Oswego, Dec. 6, 2024.

Troy Pierce ’03 of Fulton, N.Y., Jan. 14, 2025.

Alan Rainbow ’81 of Macedon, N.Y., April 18, 2025.

Dara Girsch Sommerfeldt ’09 of Anderson, S.C., Aug. 14, 2024.

Nathan Tuchrello ’81 of Fairfax, Va., Feb. 8, 2025.

Jessica “Jesse” Arguinzoni Olsen ’10 of Monroe, N.Y., Oct. 28, 2024.

Cynthia Hoetzer ’82 of Clifton Park, N.Y., April 10, 2025.

Ziyah Myers ’22 M’25* of Brooklyn, N.Y., Jan. 17, 2025.

Jeffrey Luhrs ’84 of Northampton, Pa., Feb. 8, 2025.

David Engel, Graduate Student, of Manlius, N.Y., Aug. 24, 2024.

Suzanne Brand ’85 of Remsen, N.Y., Sept. 6, 2024.

Stephen Baron, Professor Emeritus of Political Science, of DeWitt, N.Y., March 28, 2025.

Mark Cole ’73*, Professor Emeritus of Theatre and Former Theatre Department Chair, of Oswego, Dec. 14, 2024.

Kathleen Sweeney Cullen ’73 of Chesterfield, Va., July 7, 2024.

Pamela Leggett Curran ’73 of Grafton, N.H., Sept. 9, 2024.

Richard Hawley ’73 of Yarmouth Port, Mass., Jan. 18, 2025.

Mark Kinnan ’73 of Syracuse, N.Y., May 1, 2025.

Roger Thompson ’73 M’79 CAS’86 of New Hartford, N.Y., Oct. 23, 2024.

Emil Van Buren ’73 of Oswego, Oct. 27, 2024.

Jack Wylie ’73 of Clifton Springs, N.Y., March 27, 2025.

William Bellow ’74 of Oswego, July 10, 2024.

Paul Lupa ’74 of Oswego, May 11, 2024.

Kent McKeever ’74 of New York, N.Y., Feb. 19, 2025.

Marlene Annunziata Dexter ’75 M’79 of Wilmington, N.C., Jan. 17, 2025.

Roy Schreck ’75 of Ithaca, N.Y., Feb. 1, 2025.

Leonard Spaziani ’75 of Watertown, N.Y., Nov. 8, 2024.

John Velasco ’75 of Baldwinsville, N.Y., June 20, 2024.

Marc Walker ’75 of Bryson City, N.C., Oct. 21, 2024.

Robin Braunstein ’76 of Jamesville, N.Y., April 22, 2025.

Peter Voyadgis ’76 of Somers Point, N.J., Sept. 22, 2024.

Andrew Bieber ’77 of London, Ontario, Canada, April 25, 2024.

Gordon Blais ’77 of Meredith, N.H., Feb. 21, 2025.

Susan Cohen ’77 of Buffalo, N.Y., Nov. 17, 2024.

James Katocin ’85 of New York, N.Y., June 10, 2025.

Gary Maher ’86 of Holbrook, N.Y., Jan. 26, 2024.

David Haaf ’87 of Colts Neck, N.J., May 16, 2025.

Timothy Buechele ’88 of Hammond, La., Feb. 3, 2025.

Anthony Murabito ’89 M’96 of Hannibal, N.Y., June 9, 2025.

David Donovan ’90 of Cicero, N.Y., June 14, 2025.

Robert Goerlich ’90 of Greene, N.Y., Jan. 24, 2025.

Jaime Gerber Baitsell ’91 M’98 of Scriba, N.Y., Jan. 2, 2025.

George D. “Dan” Greene III M’92 of Oswego, Dec. 10, 2024.

Michael Caproni ’93 of New York, N.Y., Nov. 26, 2024.

Blake Hook M’93 of Rosenberg, Texas, July 14, 2024.

Philip Downum, Professor Emeritus of Mathematics, of Flagstaff, Ariz., June 8, 2024.

Edward Keen, Professor Emeritus of English, of Hershey, Pa., May 13, 2025.

Walter Nitardy, Professor Emeritus of Men’s Health and Physical Education and Men’s Baseball Coach, of Vero Beach, Fla., Dec. 7, 2024.* Lewis Turco, Professor Emeritus of Writing Arts, of Belfast, Maine, Sept. 25, 2024.

Charles "Chuck" Weeks, former director of Residence Life and Housing, of Myrtle Beach, S.C., Jan. 5, 2025. * A fund has been established in memory of this SUNY Oswego community member. Gifts can be made at alumni. oswego.edu/givenow or sent to the Oswego University Foundation, 215 Sheldon Hall, SUNY, Oswego, N.Y. 13126. Please indicate the name of the person you wish to honor.

John Nehme M’94 of Utica, N.Y., Oct. 3, 2024.

Brian Gleason ’96 of Bronx, N.Y., Dec. 13, 2024.

O S W E G O l FA L L 2 0 2 5

47

T H E

L AS T

Word

A Word about a Plan No, I do not work at a zoo, so I do not spend my day taking care of the pandas. (Though that is a pretty amazing job.) However, I actually do work to support a zoo and aquarium community of 252 AZA-accredited members in 13 countries.

Throughout my career, strategic communications planning has been a critical skill that has helped me to advance. I must admit that back in my SUNY Oswego days, I was much more excited about my media relations classes, the real-life stories that my PR writing professor peppered into every class, and the rush of learning how a crisis communications plan could save the day, or at least, a company. Interpersonal communications and strategic planning courses were certainly not the “sexiest” of public relations classes. (No offense to the incredible professors during that time.)

However, as my career advanced, strategic communications planning is what really made a significant impact. It is a skill that has been highly desired by all of my employers, and it has helped me to secure positions within leadership teams.

Being able to consider all audiences that must be reached, all communications methods that should be implemented, and refining the key messages to get our most important points across in a clean, concise, and pertinent way, can make you invaluable to leadership, and to a team, regardless of the industry.

I started at SUNY Oswego as a non-traditional, or “non-trad,” student. After one year of college at Old Dominion University, I decided to follow an artistic passion for five years. It was this wonderfully fulfilling experience that led me to discover my love for media, writing, and all things that fall under the general term of “communications.”

When I was ready to return to school to finish my bachelor’s degree at Oswego, I was different from some of the other college sophomores. I was driven. I knew exactly what I wanted to do. I was willing to put all my eggs in one basket. So, I embraced the “non-trad” title and got to work.

In May of 2021, I married a fellow Oswego broadcasting student, Gerald Fedele ’01, and we both became Oswego graduates. My hard work had paid off and I achieved my public relations degree and a minor in creative writing. This laid out the path that I have followed for nearly a quarter of a century.

My degree has opened the doors for me to work at the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, the Rosamond Gifford Zoo at Burnet Park in Syracuse, N.Y., a public relations and marketing firm, and then the American Heart Association. All these opportunities have led me to my current role as the vice president of communications for the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), headquartered in Silver Spring, Md., just a quick metro ride into D.C. on the red line.

48

O S W E G O l FA L L 2 0 2 5

Being in these leadership meetings and making the big strategic communications plans that support the work of an entire organization or company may sound a bit daunting, but this is where communications professionals need to be. Public relations and communications professionals must have a spot at the large conference table.

I guess when you look at my professional path, my personal “strategic plan” would have been re-evaluated at least a few times throughout my career. But, like any good plan, it should serve as a strategic direction and provide guidelines to advance your mission, but it should also remain fluid to reflect changing times, new circumstances, and ever-changing goals. May your career path and your own strategic plan guide you to your goals and allow for flexibility of life along the way. . l — Sarah Lanager Fedele ’01 Sarah Fedele is the vice president of communications for the Association of Zoos and Aquariums out of Silver Spring, Md. linkedin.com/in/ sarah-fedele-a65b276/

OSWEGO OBJECT

Peace: Free and Easy Forever memorial Born from heartbreak, the Peace: Free and Easy Forever memorial stands as a testament to transformation of grief into grace, and remembrance into renewal.

What began as the shared sorrow of classmates and loved ones became a collective act of healing and creation. Dedicated in June 2015, the memorial honors Lynne Hartunian ’89 and Colleen Brunner ’90, victims of the 1989 Pan Am Flight 103 bombing, and Michael Hannan ’89 and Richard Caproni ’89, who perished in the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks. Funded through gifts from the Classes of 1989 and 1990 and the broader Laker community, and other friends and family, with renderings unveiled during Reunion 2014, the project built upon an existing memorial tree near Seneca and Tyler halls, expanding it into a welcoming, reflective space. Named for the refrain in Hannan’s favorite song, “Wooden Ships” by Crosby, Stills & Nash, Free and Easy Forever embodies the belief that peace — like friendship — can endure and evolve. Today, the site has become more than a place of remembrance; it is a living gathering ground where each year during Reunion Weekend in June, old friends return, new ones are made, and love continues to transform loss into lasting connection.

O S W E G O l FA L L 2 0 2 5

49

Nonprofit US Postage PAID Oswego Alumni Association

King Alumni Hall 300 Washington Blvd.

Oswego, N.Y. 13126 If OSWEGO is addressed to a family member who has graduated and no longer maintains a permanent address at your home, please clip the address label and return it with the correct address to the Oswego Alumni Associa­tion, King Alumni Hall, Oswego, N.Y. 13126, or email the updated address to alumni@oswego.edu.

Please recycle this magazine.

Faculty –HALL OF FAME – Fritz Messere ’71 M’76 Few individuals have shaped SUNY Oswego’s identity as deeply as Frank “Fritz” Messere ’71 M’76. From his days as a student in the late 1960s to his leadership as founding dean of the School (now College) of Communication, Media, and the Arts (CMA), Messere’s fingerprints are all over the university’s rise as a nationally respected hub for media, the arts, and interdisciplinary education.

When Messere arrived at Oswego in 1966, he had no inkling he would one day help redefine communication education.

“After some calculus classes, I realized physics wasn’t right for me,” he said with a laugh. “I liked reading, so English seemed like a natural choice.”

He soon carved a path combining communication with his interest in science, audio engineering, and technology. Messere found a home in the Learning Resources Center in newly opened Lanigan Hall, working alongside pioneering broadcasting students like the late John Krauss ’71, the late John Hurlbutt ’71, and Hank Volpe ’73.

Joining the faculty in 1977, Messere advanced from director of broadcasting to chair of Communication Studies. By the mid-1990s, he was imagining a new kind of academic structure.

“I went to [then-President] Deborah [Stanley] and said, ‘Comm Studies is really important to the college. There may come a time to consider creating a school of communication.’”

That vision took shape in 2006, when Provost Susan Coultrap-McQuin united communication, music, theatre, and art to form a new school — with Messere as its founding dean.

“He’s a big reason SUNY Oswego embraces interdisciplinary work so wholeheartedly.

That’s not common at most universities.”

During Messere's tenure as dean, he collaborated with Lou Borrelli ’77 and Al Roker ’76 to launch the Dr. Lewis B. O’Donnell Media Summit — now celebrating its 21st year as a signature experiential learning event.

“My goal has always been to find the resources to help students succeed,” Messere said.

He also strengthened alumni connections to support students’ professional growth and elevate Oswego’s reputation.

Among his fondest memories is his first faculty meeting as dean, representing four distinct disciplines.

“Every CMA alum I know — from my generation to the 2010s — is actively involved because of him,” said Volpe.

“I told them, ‘I know you think I’m just a broadcast person, but as an undergrad I was a drummer in the marching band, secretary of the Student Art Guild, and worked on theatrical productions,’” he said.

“I hoped to show that all the arts were important to me.”

In retirement, Messere remains active in arts and media organizations, serving on the boards of View Arts Center and Symphoria, and as vice chair of the Broadcast Education Association’s Law and Policy Division.

Current CMA Dean Jennifer Knapp, hired

by Messere in 2008, called him “a source of support and encouragement.” She credits him with fostering the college’s interdisciplinary nature.

“He coined the term ‘artistic convergence,’ which we still use in conversations and promotion of Hewitt Hall,” Knapp said.

“Media technology will keep evolving,” he said. “What matters is nurturing students and giving them the resources to succeed.”

Honor Fritz, Support Future Lakers An effort is underway to name the new Dean Suite in Hewitt Hall in honor of Fritz Messere while supporting the CMA Technology Fund. Learn more at alumni. oswego.edu/fritz