University Celebrates May 2022 Commencement, Awards Honorary Degree to Alumna

Achievers shared expertise from such areas as leadership, innovation, research and development, finance and charitable accomplishments in addressing SUNY Oswego’s graduating Class of 2022 at three May Commencement ceremonies held on campus on May 14, 2022.

The following shared some words of wisdom as keynote speakers: Jason T. Serrano ’97, chief executive officer and president of New York Mortgage Trust Inc., during the School of Business ceremony; Susannah Melchior Schaefer ’90, president and chief executive officer for Smile Train, during the School of Communication, Media and the Arts and the School of Education joint ceremony; and Joseph Lauko, executive vice president/chief operating officer for SRC Inc. and chair of SRC International

Inc., during the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences ceremony.

Schaefer, who earned a bachelor’s in communications with a concentration in public relations, received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from the State University of New York. She was recognized for her visionary leadership of the world’s largest cleft organization, Smile Train, as well as for her personal passion for protecting the world’s most vulnerable.

“Every bit as important as the things I learned in the classroom were the traits I gained from my Oswego experience and my degree in communications,” she said. “Oswego taught me how to think and how to work hard; how to trust my own judgment and to believe in myself; and, more critically—how to communicate.”

Annual Media Summit Examines Underrepresentation in Sports Media

She noted the supreme importance of communication was also one of the most critical lessons she learned from her beloved mentor, Smile Train’s late founder, Charles B. Wang: “Charles would say that you can … have the best idea in the world, but if you can’t communicate your ideas well, your brilliance, your drive, your unique self will not shine through and set YOU apart from the rest. And he’s absolutely right. Putting in the work to be effective, thoughtful and compassionate in your interactions with others is crucial. Approaching people with an open mind and open ears—listening!—will be key to your success throughout your professional and personal lives.”

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Moderated by Allif Karim ’18, producer/ editor for WJZ-13 in Baltimore, Md., the 18th Annual Dr. Lewis B. O’Donnell Media Summit addressed the theme “Reaching for the Summit: Underrepresentation in Sports Media.” Panelists included Donna Goldsmith ’82, part-time marketing and operations consultant and former executive with Tough Mudder and World Wrestling Entertainment; Morgan Rumpf ’17, chief marketing officer at C-Suite Executive Solutions LLC; Yaw Ofori-Atta ’05, television producer for CBS Sports; and Ade Ellis ’04, associate director of CBS Sports. The 2022 Career Connectors were: Natalie Brophy ’17, technology and startups reporter at The Buffalo News; Paul Esden Jr. ’15 (“Boy Green”), New York Jets digital reporter at heavy. com, co-host of radio talk show and the voice of the Syracuse Strong football team; and Dylan Labadia ’15, retirement consultant at Paychex USA.

Generations of SAVAC Members Celebrate 50th Reunion

“You’re building your next legacy,” Flood said to the current volunteers.

Flood served alongside Ed Balaban ’73 on a panel to discuss SAVAC and its impact on its members and the community.

“Almost every one of us has found themselves in a key leadership position and key decision-making position [since being a part of SAVAC],” Balaban said. “It’s made an impact on the community, in the region, the state and ultimately, our nation.”

Current and former members of the Student Association Volunteer Ambulance Corporation (SAVAC), SUNY Oswego’s volunteer EMS service, gathered on Oct. 9 for the organization’s 50th reunion. Members from all eras of SAVAC ’s history were present to honor the corporation and reminisce about their time being a part of it.

The celebration opened with remarks by Charles Flood ’72 M’81, SAVAC’s first chief. Flood regaled past and present members with stories of the organization’s history, ranging from its beginnings as the United States’ first 100-percent, student-run volunteer ambulance corporation, to how current students are still carrying on its legacy by honoring the notion that its ambulance was dedicated to be “Of, by and for the students of Oswego.”

“I’m not sure that anybody can top [our legacy],” Flood said. “I don’t think that there’s another service inside the United States that can actually claim what we’ve claimed.”

In response to Flood’s legacy speech, current SAVAC members announced they received over 150 signatures from prospective volunteers at this semester’s involvement fair. Flood and the other returning members were elated to hear this, as it is believed to be the most interest the corporation has ever received at such an event.

36th Annual ALANA Conference Features ’Joyful Noise’ Theme

The 36th Annual ALANA Student Leadership Conference at SUNY Oswego featured events from Sept. 21-26, themed around “Joyful Noise.” Among the weeklong events was a presentation by Newton Paul ’97 M’99 (right with Latino Student Union President Mathews Frank ‘24), who curated an exhibition, “Cuban Revolutionary Graphics Print Art Program,” in the Modern Languages Suite in the Marano Campus Center. Other events included Day of Play on the International Day of Peace; Ghanaian Drumming Group Wuza-Wuza; participation in the City of Oswego’s Pride Festival; 12th ALANA Unity Peace Walk from Oswego City Hall to campus followed by a keynote address by Quindell Williams ’11; and Oswego Reading Initiative author A.S. King’s presentation about her shared reading novel, Dig.

In addition to Flood and Balaban, members from each decade of the corporation’s existence were encouraged to share their own stories about SAVAC and how it has affected their lives. From members’ subsequent career paths to the connections and friendships they gained, the universal consensus was that their experiences were immensely educational, and that they developed a deep sense of family from participating in the organization.

Following the discussion, attendees reconvened at the SAVAC base to tour its facilities and take a trip down memory lane. Afterward, members joined together for dinner at the Oswego Country Club.

Reflecting on his experiences with the organization and planning its reunion, current SAVAC President Tristan Caruana ’24 said it was an enlightening experience to be among members of different eras, including the founders themselves.

“These are people from all the way in the beginning in [1971] to current members in 2022,” Caruana said. “That’s 50 years worth of knowledge and history.”

Caruana also acknowledged the experience as a humbling one, saying he was honored to be among so many volunteers of SAVAC ’s past.

“Throughout all of the conversations we had, it makes me realize how much SAVAC really means [to its members],” Caruana said. “It’s really amazing.”