FOUNDER’S WEEKEND

The Second Annual Founder’s Weekend celebration, held Sept. 29-Oct. 1, strengthened the university community through unity-building activities, planning, discussions and shared experiences.

The weekend kicked off at 8 a.m. Thursday with a successful 1861 Giving Challenge that exceeded the goal of 861 donors in 1,861 minutes and raised more than $212,000.

On Friday, alumni and friends who serve on the Oswego College Foundation (OCF) and Oswego Alumni Association (OAA) boards of directors as well as several other university advisory boards convened to hear updates on the university and to map out plans for the future.

During the noon hour, approximately 200 students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends came together for the annual Green and Gold Day campus family portrait, and through their spirited exchanges during the photo expanded their Oswego networks. Lakers around the world were also invited to submit photos of themselves in their favorite green and gold gear.

Flags of Nations

Following the university-wide photo, university members commemorated the opening of the “Flags of Nations” display in the Marano Campus Center. The display was created in summer 2022 with the following description: “SUNY Oswego’s Flags of Nations represent the international and Indigenous connections of the SUNY Oswego community. Each flag displayed represents an enrolled SUNY Oswego student. We display these flags to acknowledge, celebrate and honor the history, places and experiences of our diverse community.” For more information, visit ww1.oswego.edu/flags-nations.

Scholars Brunch

1861 Giving Challenge

The Scholars Brunch 2022 program featured the following speakers: (from left) Jennifer Shropshire ’86, Cyniah Wynn ’24, Aziz Sarimsakov ’24, Dr. Mary C. Toale, Harry B. Bronson ’82 and Mary Gibbons Canale ’81.

The Scholars Brunch brought together approximately 250 students, benefactors and university community members—the largest number yet—to celebrate OCF scholarships.

NYS Assemblyman, OAA board member and scholarship benefactor Harry B. Bronson ’82 shared his journey from humble roots to successful lawyer and entrepreneur. (See related story on page 56.)

Cyniah Wynn ’24 and Aziz Sarimsakov ’24 spoke on behalf of the student scholars.

“Your support will be felt beyond this campus,” said Wynn, who hopes to work with at-risk juveniles in D.C. “It will be felt in the work that all of us scholarship recipients do post-graduation.”

Sarimsakov shared how he immigrated to the U.S. at 16 without knowing English, and now aspires to help other immigrants.

“So, here I am today, standing in front of you—a first-generation college student, an immigrant from a third-world country, an individual who has worked hard days and nights to make his mama and sisters proud, and someone who would not be here today if it weren’t for scholarships,” he said.

’92 and Ginger Bray Sorensen ’93

served as challengers for the successful 1861 Giving Challenge.

Alumni Panel

On Saturday afternoon, Dresden Engle ’88 (center), Phil Grome ’89 (at left) and Montos Vakirtzis ’87 (at right) offered their perspectives about “Conflict Management and Management Techniques,” in conjunction with the Student Leadership Conference, coordinated by Student Affairs.

Moderated by Student Affairs’ Mike Paestella, the panel invited each alum to share their own experiences with managing workplace conflict, including affirming various perspectives, dealing with conflict in a timely and open-minded manner and leveraging clear and open communication to both prevent and resolve conflict. Students joined alumni for a networking session following the panel discussion.

Alumni Events

861DONORS SUNY OSWEGO

IN 1861 MINUTES