Scholarship Solidifies Late Scientist’s Laker Legacy

Gary Harper ’72 of Bandera, Texas, celebrated 20 years of retirement in 2021 after previously having worked as a model maker at Delphi Automotive. Gary lives in the Texas Hill Country, where he spends his time volunteering and photographing animals.

Lloyd Manchester ’72 of Urbana, Ohio, retired from his job as a civilian computer systems analyst with the U.S. Air Force. He is also retired from his job as an adjunct professor of economics and statistics at Park University.

The friendship between Colleen A. McHorney ’78 and Brett Connolly ’76 began in 1975 as students at SUNY Oswego.

“Several things attracted me to Colleen when we first met in 1975,” Brett recalled. “First was her smile. She was so quick to smile and was very easy going. Though we never dated one-on-one, we often spent time together with our group of friends.”

After graduation, their career paths crisscrossed each other for decades, and occasional cards and letters became less frequent as years passed.

Their paths reconnected in 2004 when they both found themselves working at the same pharmaceutical company outside of Philadelphia.

“Somehow fate stepped in and we were back together,” Brett said. “We began dating, and it seemed just like old times, as we each recalled our college days together and shared details of our professional and personal lives since leaving Oswego.”

They were married in 2006, and enjoyed 15 years of wedded bliss.

“It was truly a wonderful blessing,” he said. “Colleen was planning to retire in August 2021, but sadly she never made it.”

Colleen was diagnosed with stage IV pancreatic cancer in December 2020.

“She died in my arms soon after in late January 2021,” he said.

Before she died, she told Brett that she wanted to establish a scholarship at SUNY Oswego for students who demonstrated an interest and acumen in the study of science or social sciences and who are in need of financial assistance. She felt a strong connection to the university, where she met Brett and where her older brother, George McHorney ’73, also attended.

“We both thoroughly enjoyed our Oswego experience, where we each found our passion in the sciences,” he said.

Colleen, who earned a master’s degree from Western Kentucky University and a second master’s and Ph.D. from Brown University, was an internationally recognized thought leader in the fields of health outcomes assessment and medication adherence, and she conceptualized and validated the Adherence Estimator®, a simple research tool that is widely used by clinicians to identify patients who may be at risk for medication non-adherence. She most recently served as a senior research leader at Evidera, a leading provider of evidence-based solutions for the healthcare industry.

Before moving into the pharmaceutical industry, she held tenured faculty positions with the University of Wisconsin-Madison, University of Kentucky and Indiana University. A quick search of Google Scholar reveals that her work has been cited more than 30,440 times and that number continues to grow.

By establishing the scholarship, Brett said he’s fulfilling Colleen’s final wishes and creating a lasting legacy at a place that brought them together and that they loved very much.

To support the Dr. Colleen A. McHorney ’78 Memorial Scholarship, please visit alumni.oswego.edu/givenow or call 315-312-3003.

Nancy Lause Middlebrook ’72 of Penn Yan, N.Y., taught elementary education and academic intervention services for 25 years, and taught local early intervention services for eight years. She earned a master’s in elementary education and New York State Reading Certification through Nazareth College.

Gail Becker Nelli ’72 of Leicester, N.Y., is a self-employed, part-time owner and theatre education consultant. At Oswego, she was a part of Blackfriars, Pi Delta Chi sorority, WOCR and Symphonic Choir.

Melissa Vaughn Osborne ’72 M’88 CAS’97 of Liverpool, N.Y., was the chair of Pulaski Academy and Central School District’s social studies department.

Frank Tucciarone ’72 of Yonkers, N.Y., retired in 2021 after 58 years at D’Agostino Supermarkets in Manhattan. He has volunteered for over 30 years at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in Manhattan.

Larry Wraight ’72 of Baldwinsville, N.Y, is strategic intervention coach for Finger Lakes Coaching.

Roger Bachner ’73 of Newtown, Pa., is a retired computer programmer from Computer Associates International Inc. in Princeton, N.J.

Marianne Rockmaker Berman ’73 of Auburn, N.Y., was a teacher at Auburn City Schools. She is a member of Alpha Delta Eta sorority and was involved in Vega.

Kevin Clar ’73 of Port St. Lucie, Fla., works as a managing director for L&M Financial Services in Rochester, N.Y.

Richard “Rick” Cobello ’73 of Greenfield Center, N.Y., is the president of Global Cybersecurity Solutions LLC and was featured in the Winter 2021 issue of Saratoga Family. In the article, he explains why small businesses are often the focus of cyberattacks and what small businesses can do to protect themselves.

Deborah Keppel Engelke ’73 M’97 of Oswego owns and operates Time & Again Books and Tea with her husband, Raymond Engelke ’68 M’75. She said she has realized her lifelong dream of owning a bookstore. At SUNY Oswego, Deborah was active in the English Department Dramatic Group in 1970, the Freshman Year Barkeater Review and the summer musical theatre.

Grace Bruzek Finn ’73 M’81 of Oswego retired in June 2014 after working 41 years as a teacher at Pulaski Academy and Central School District’s Lura Sharp Elementary School. Grace’s husband, Jim Finn ’73 M’99, retired in May 2015. Their daughter, Mary Finn ’15 M’20, is also a proud Laker. Linda Synakowski Iannone ’73 of New Hartford, N.Y., is the contracts, preparation and event coordinator of the Stanley Theatre.

John Jansen ’73 of Mount Olive, Ala., who holds a master’s in meteorology from New York University’s Polytechnic School of Engineering, retired as a principal scientist at Southern Company.

Peter Seitz ’73 of Jamesville, N.Y., retired after 38 years of working for the County of Onondaga in the Department of Finance Division of Management and Budget.

Roger Thompson ’73 M’79 CAS’86 of St. Cloud, Fla., is a retired superintendent. At Oswego, he was a part of men’s indoor track and is in Zeta Chi Zeta fraternity.

Andrea Virgilio Cotter ’74 of New York, N.Y., is the president of Virgilio & Cotter Consulting. She was a part of the American Marketing Association and the Newman Club.

Kathryn Bova Davey ’74 of Chateaugay, N.Y., is a retired probation officer for Franklin County. She is in Theta Chi Rho sorority.

Roger Hancock ’74 of Quincy, Mass., is a retired STEM instructor who formerly worked at Boston Public Schools. Roger is currently living as a “house husband,” and is celebrating the life of his good friend, Jim Gordon ’73, who passed away in March 2021. The two friends were kindred spirits who enjoyed reminiscing about their time at SUNY Oswego, where Roger was a member of the varsity baseball team, intramural sports, the Spanish Club and the Black Student Union.

Thomas Loughlin ’74 of Dunkirk, N.Y., is an emeritus professor of theatre and dance at SUNY Fredonia. While at Oswego, he was a member of the National Theatre Honor Society, Alpha Psi Omega and Blackfriars.

Richard Maxey ’74 of Myrtle Beach, S.C., is the mayor of the Village of Delhi. At Oswego, he was on the men’s rugby team.

Patrick Murphy ’74 of Ringwood, N.J, recently stepped down from his role with the School of Business Advisory Board, having served as a charter member and a few times as chair during his 26-year tenure. He retired from a successful career in human resource management.

Laura Schmitt Swanson ’74 of Aurora, Colo., was a teacher at Penfield (N.Y.) Central and Aurora (Colo.) schools.

Virginia Delgado Taverna ’74 of Howell, N.J., is a Spanish teacher at Freehold (N.J.) Township Schools.

Thomas Venezio ’74 of Burnt Hills, N.Y., is mostly retired and enjoys spending time with his wife, Gail, and their daughters, Michele and Denise, and their husbands, Sean and Scott. They also love spending time with their grandkids, Nora and Joey. Thomas was a part of SAVAC at Oswego, and holds a master’s from SUNY Albany.

Jacqueline Gamper Wood ’74 of Laguna Woods, Calif., enjoys following Los Angeles sports teams and working on the PTA. She is in Pi Delta Chi sorority and played women’s field hockey and women’s softball.

Deborah Hoyt Fairchild ’75 of Live Oak, Fla., retired as a senior scientist from SEC Donohue.

Frank E. Fish ’75 is a professor of biology at West Chester University of Pennsylvania, and received the West Chester University Distinguished Research Award. He was also inducted into the Massapequa High School’s Hall of Fame.

Treelee MacAnn ’75 of Myrtle Beach, S.C., retired as an art professor from Coastal Carolina University in May 2020 after teaching for 29 years in the Department of Visual Arts. She wrote for the Great Lake Review at Oswego.

David MacDonald ’75 of Nokomis, Fla., and Red Creek, N.Y., works as a lockmaster for the New York State Canal Corporation. At Oswego, he was in Concert Band and Wind Ensemble, College/Community Orchestra and State Singers.

Bethany Gordon Montague ’75 of Syracuse, N.Y., worked as a typist for Onondaga County. While at Oswego, she was in Vega and women’s field hockey.

John Piper ’75 of Charlottesville, Va., is the president and manager partner at Mutual Choices Consulting in Rochester, N.Y. John was recently featured by content creator and internet host Arron Dansby on his YouTube show, Ask Arron, regarding conflict resolution and mediation. He is in Alpha Epsilon Rho.

Douglas Poirier ’75 of Bellevue, Wash., is a semi-retired sales representative at Repipe Masters.

Paula English VanTyle ’75 of Oxford, N.Y., is a special education teacher at Oxford Academy Central School.

DeBorah DeBose-Taylor ’75 (above) of Rochester, N.Y., is preparing for her retirement as an outpatient specialist from the University of Rochester. DeBorah previously retired from the U.S. army, for which she honorably served as a military musician. She is the proud grandmother of a grandson who is currently attending the Eastman School of Music at the University of Rochester. At SUNY Oswego, DeBorah participated in the concert band, orchestra and the Blackfriars Theatre Organization, and was a cheerleader.

Jonathan Bartow ’76 of Slingerlands, N.Y., and Edgartown, Mass., retired in 2020 after serving 42 years at SUNY Albany. Prior to working in Albany, Jon began his professional career in higher education at SUNY Oswego as the assistant to the dean of Arts and Sciences. Jon was recognized twice during his career with Excellence in Professional Service awards, once while serving as assistant dean in Albany’s School of Education and again while serving in his final position as vice dean for graduate education. At SUNY Oswego, Jon was involved in intercollegiate basketball, Residential Life in Onondaga Hall, the Student Association and Sigma Tau Chi fraternity.

David Bristow ’76 of Bentonville, Ark., is a customer service lead agent for American/ American Eagle airlines.

Leslee Ross Harman ’76 of Burbank, Calif., is retired from Screen Actors Guild and Motion Picture Costumers Union. She took a California road trip with Pamela Smith Brittain ’76, traveling to Fresno, Yosemite, Pismo Beach, Solvang and Ventura. Before the pandemic, they took a road trip to visit Shari Holtzclaw Kirshner ’76 and her husband, Andy, in Surprise, Ariz. Their next stops are London, Paris and Rome. Leslee was in Alpha Psi Omega National Theatre Honor Society.

Maureen Connor MacAdam ’76 of Sparkill, N.Y., retired from KPMG in 2020 and now is self-employed. She is in Alpha Dela Eta sorority.

Kurt Vander Bogart ’76 of Florence, Ore., is secretary of the board of directors at RiverView Coast. At Oswego, he was a member of the Laker swim team.

Rosemary Battista Whiting ’76 of Oswego retired in June 2013 after 37 years of teaching. She married her longtime friend and fiance, Arnie Whiting, in November 2020.

Margaret Mahoney Augesen ’77 of Rochester, N.Y., is an examiner working for Monroe County. She was a part of The Oswegonian while at Oswego.

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Melinda Torrey Bacon ’77 of Clearwater, Fla., retired as the director of marketing at Bright House Networks and Charter Communications.

Susan Taddeo Bryan ’77 of Fort Mill, S.C., was an accountant and court assistant for NYS Unified Court System. At Oswego, she was involved in the Student Association and Program Policy Board.

Mary DeSimone ’77 of Catskill, N.Y., is the assistant superintendent for personnel in East Ramapo Central School District in Spring Valley, N.Y.

Robert Frame ’77 of Skaneateles, N.Y., retired after 41 years as director of theatre operations at Cayuga Community College, though he continues to teach there. He is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Theatre Association of New York State and the American Association of Community Theatre.

Lynn DuPont Hansen ’77 of Citrus Heights, Calif., was a speech language pathologist at Rocklin Unified School District. She was in Vega while at Oswego.

Amy Hueber ’77 of Camillus, N.Y., happily retired in December 2021 after having worked nearly 40 years for the Syracuse Research Corp, for which she most recently served as a senior scientist.

William LeVonne ’77 of Binghamton, N.Y., retired from his position as an electrician technician at Cayuga Correctional Facility and now works part-time in intelligent transportation systems programming for NYS Thruway Authority. He was in the Army and National Guard.

Daniel McLaughlin ’77 M’87 CAS’87 of Brockport, N.Y., worked as a school psychologist at Hilton Central School District in Hilton, N.Y., until he retired in 2015.

Raymond Ramsey ’77 M’83 of Poughkeepsie, N.Y., is a technology teacher at Beacon (N.Y.) High School. He was a member of Laker men’s wrestling.

Maryjo Caton Rose ’77 of Albany, N.Y., is a school psychologist at Sherburne Earlville Central School District. She was in Vega at Oswego.

Steven Schawaroch ’77 of Manakin Sabot, Va., retired from a career in information technology and project management. He is in Phi Omicron Xi fraternity.

Kevin Shumelda ’77 of Mount Holly, N.C., worked for numerous United States government intelligence agencies such as the CIA, FBI and DEA. Kevin vetted candidates for positions in the agencies, and would be granted TS/SSBI clearance. Kevin holds a master’s degree from the University of Maryland and numerous certifications. Kevin retired in 2017 and fondly remembers the people of Oswego for their guidance, kindness and friendship.

“I am a first-generation student, the only in my immediate family to hold an undergraduate degree. What I want more than anything is for the next generation of SUNY Oswego students to be able to come here and just be—to be able to study and put school first and not have to do what so many of us did—grind and work multiple jobs while trying to focus on academics … I hope my gift will allow at least one student to do Oswego differently and for it to count.”

Learn more about establishing your own Laker legacy at alumni.oswego.edu/plannedgiving.

George “jEthRo” Tully ’77 of Hobe Sound, Fla., is a basketball and soccer referee for Florida High School Athletic Association and formerly for the New York State Public High School Athletic Association.

Margaret Brady-Amoon ’78 of Nyack, N.Y., is an associate professor at Seton Hall University in South Orange, N.J. She recently published her first book, Building Your Career in Psychology.

Jean Garvey Dahlgren ’78 of Wilmington, Del., is the president of the Delaware College of Art and Design.

Corbette Doyle Gaetano ’78 of Nashville, Tenn., is a senior lecturer of leadership, policy and organizations at Vanderbilt University.

JoAnne Coffey Kapuscinski ’78 of Oswego is a substitute teacher at Oswego City School District.

David Lenio ’78 of Fountain Hills, Ariz., is the regional manager at 3M.

Tina Alves Mancuso ’78 of Slingerlands, N.Y., retired in May 2018 as an associate professor of mathematics for the Sage Colleges. During her time at Sage, she was awarded over $950,000 in grants to provide workshops and scholarships to young women who pursue STEM careers.

Laurie Guntrum McDermott ’78 of Oswego is currently retired. Laurie formerly worked as a development research associate at SUNY Oswego.

Barbara Hilfiker Murphy ’78 of Williamsburg, Va., is a substitute preschool teacher at Merritt Academy.

Gloria Rothstein ’78 of Jericho, N.Y., was a licensed clinical social worker at New York Presbyterian Allen Hospital on the inpatient hospital floors, and she retired in October 2022 after 20 years of service.

Cindy Klein Saturno ’78 of Silver Spring, Md., is a caterer.

Meg VanBuskirk ’78 of Franklin, N.C., is a teacher at Shorecrest Preparatory School. She was a part of WRVO Radio. She earned a master’s degree in early childhood education at Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania.

Charles Wallace ’78 of Venice, Fla., is an inventory control specialist for U.S. Foods. Charles played on several Laker sports teams, including men’s baseball, men’s hockey and men’s rugby.

Emily Simpson Arbes ’79 of Endicott, N.Y., is an IT project specialist at the Raymond Corporation. Emily lives with her husband, David Arbes ’79

Larry Distler ’79 of Huntington Beach, Calif., is a product development manager at Toyota.com.

Frank Frazier ’79 of Oswego is now a retired sergeant from El Paso County Sheriff’s Department in Colorado. He is in Sigma Gamma fraternity and was involved in men’s fencing. He has been on several reunion committees as well as the Athletic Alumni Association.

Michael Murphy ’79 of Schenectady, N.Y., was selected to the 2021 Upstate New York Super Lawyers list for Employment Litigation: Defense. He is an attorney at Barclay Damon LLP in Albany.

Sarah Needham ’79 of Frederick, Md., is a quality assurance specialist for Eastern Analytical Labs in Middletown, Md.. Sarah previously worked in food safety with Wegmans Food Markets for 16 years.