Oswego Matters |

Change has certainly served as a major theme for me—both personally and professionally—over the last year. Following a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we were finally able to return to an in-person format for Reunion Weekend in 2022—and seeing more than 830 alumni and friends back on the shores of Lake Ontario rather than on a computer screen was certainly a welcomed change of pace! We’re looking forward to celebrating our 2023 milestone classes and groups during Reunion this summer— so change whatever plans you have on your calendars for June 8-11, and join us for the biggest alumni party of the year!

Those who saw me at Reunion last June recognized that another big change was coming my way—my husband, Mike, and I welcomed our second son, Jack, in July! Since then, we’ve all adjusted to a change of schedule—as our oldest son, Callahan, began kindergarten in the fall, and Mike

Jean Flood Fitzsimonds ’86 of Oak Island, N.C., is a financial planner with TIAA-CREF.

Tracy Chamberlain Higginbotham ’86 of Warners, N.Y., is the owner and events planner of Five Star Events. Tracy recently celebrated 22 years as an entrepreneur, promoting, supporting and uniting women of New York State by helping them brand their names and increase sales.

Sean Karp ’86 of Westborough, Mass., is the national account manager of convenience for the JM Smucker Company, where he is responsible for the company’s convenience channel business for the eastern half of the U.S.

Jill Krycia Martinelli ’86 of Del Mar, Calif., is the CEO and executive technical recruiter for Technika Search.

Donna Masterson Nogid ’86 of East Meadow, N.Y., is chief of staff for the NYS Senate.

Howard Pisetzner ’86 of Ewing, N.J., is market manager for the NY metro area for J&J Snack Foods Corp. in Pennsauken, N.J. He began his career at the Coca-Cola and I learned to navigate life with two “Kelly boys” as working parents ... including a whole lot of diaper changes factored in. Your alma mater wants to know what’s changed for YOU lately! Whether it’s a job change, a name change or a change of address, keep us posted by filling out a Class Note or emailing alumni@oswego.edu! Or, if you’re yearning for a change but haven’t figured out what that might be yet, tap into our powerful alumni network of more than 92,000 alumni via the Alumni Sharing Knowledge program, regional or virtual events, or our Career Services resources to help you open new doors of opportunity! There’s a lot more change to come at SUNY Oswego in the months and years ahead. A change of leadership, as we search for a new president; a change of scenery, as Hewitt Hall and other campus projects continue construction; and a change in the way we engage our alumni family—following the impacts of the last few years. But something that will never change? The pride our Lakers feel, and the support we provide each other.

Company covering all Wendy’s restaurants in the northeast. He joined J&J in 1996 and has worked there ever since. He and his wife, Michele Holcombe Pisetzner ’88, are proud to report that their son, Andrew, earned a doctorate in optometry and joined a practice in Newport News, Va. At Oswego, Howard was a resident assistant in Cayuga Hall, chairman of the Transfer Student Orientation and president of the fraternity Zeta Chi Zeta in 1985.

Nancy Colucci Siembida ’86 of Depew, N.Y., recently took part in the annual “Miles for Mary” kayaking challenge to help benefit the non-profit organization Peaceful Remedies.

Karen Coney Coplin ’87 of Naples, Fla., is a realtor for Downing Frye Real Estate Company.

Stephanie Forman ’87 of New York, N.Y., is a self-employed marketing strategist.

Daniel French ’87 of Syracuse, N.Y., was selected to the 2021 Upstate New York Super Lawyers list for White-Collar Criminal Defense. He is an attorney with Barclay Damon in Syracuse.

As Bob Dylan famously hoped: “May you have a strong foundation when the winds of changes shift.” SUNY Oswego’s past has built a strong foundation for our future. We look forward to the opportunities ahead ... and hope you’ll change into your green and gold attire to join us for them!

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

Laura Plotch Gagnon ’87 of Franklin, Mass., is director of human resources at the Qt Company in Boston.

Frank Goebel ’87 of Menands, N.Y., is a code editor for the NYS Legislative Bill Drafting Commission. Frank is a veteran of the New York Army National Guard. Afflicted with hereditary spastic paraplegia, he currently serves as the league secretary of the American Wheelchair Bowling Association, for which he was also the champion of its 60th annual national tournament. During his time at SUNY Oswego, Frank was involved in the VTE Club.

Susan Easton Mawhinney ’87 of Castleton On Hudson, N.Y., is a retired teacher and social worker.

John Mollica ’87 of Martinsburg, W.V., is a self-employed physician. He worked for The Oswegonian at SUNY Oswego.

Kimberly Morella ’87 of Bedford Hills, N.Y, is an assistant to the director of the workforce development board in Westchester County.

Kevin Stephenson ’87 of McLean, Va., is the president of Family Office Investment Team. He holds a master’s degree and doctorate from Cornell University.

Claire Wyngaard ’87 of Delaware City, Del., is an office coordinator at Boat America Corporation. While at Oswego, she was a part of the sailing club and race team, orchestra, band, flute choir, string quartet and choir. She started out at Foxes Music Co. in Falls Church, Va., then moved into positions with NAADAC, the association for addiction professionals, and with BoatUS, an association of American boat owners.

Marsha Alwardt Ball ’88 of East Greenbush, N.Y., is a 6th grade teacher in Berlin (N.Y.) Central School District.

Kelly Crisfield ’88 of Delmar, N.Y., is the senior staff application operations engineer at GE Digital.

Pamela Slack Damboise ’88 of Copiague, N.Y., is a retired sergeant of the Amityville Police Department.

David Melfi ’88 of Bradenton, Fla., retired from a career that moved from retail and banking into technology and software. While at Oswego, he was a part of men’s swimming, Newman Club and the Program Policy Board, and he was a resident assistant in Onondaga.

Lewis Rosenberg ’88 of Bensalem, Pa., is an information technology manager at Mars Fishcare North America Inc. He was in concert band/wind ensemble. He visited the campus a few years ago and loved seeing all of the changes.

Theresa Monz Crane ’89 of Camillus, N.Y., is a patient representative at Lincare Inc.

Julia Rozines DeVillers ’89 of Columbus, Ohio, is an author for Simon and Schuster. Julia is a member of Alpha Epsilon Phi and was active throughout the communications department.

Michael Gilg ’89 of Gainesville, Va., is the senior manager of business operations at Leidos, Inc., an engineering and systems integration company in Reston, Va.

Maureen Higgins McAlary ’89 of Slingerlands, N.Y., is a budget analyst for the New York State Unified Court System.

Eric Litten Hunter ’89 of Harrisburg, Pa., retired from his position as a systems analyst at the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board. At SUNY Oswego, Eric was involved in theatre.

Marc Schnall ’89 of Massapequa, N.Y., is the clinical operations manager of Heritage New York Medical P.C.

James VerSteeg ’89 of Rochester, N.Y., is the assistant vice president for public relations and engagement at the University of Rochester, where he recently earned a Ph.D. in Education. Jim conducts research on online learning spaces for LGBTQ leadership and identity development. At SUNY Oswego, he was involved in the Program Policy Board.

1990s

Susan DeVay Acker ’90 M’91 of North Rose, N.Y., is a member service trainer at Reliant Community Credit Union.

Elaine Lasda Bergman ’90 of Coxsackie, N.Y., is a librarian at SUNY Albany.

Christine Casalinuovo-Adams ’91 of Webster, N.Y., is the associate vice president of enrollment management at Monroe Community College in Rochester. Christine is a member of Phi Lambda Phi.

Michelle Bianco Ekross ’91 M’10 of Baldwinsville, N.Y., is an art teacher for Most Holy Rosary School, as well as St. Mary’s Academy, in Syracuse, N.Y.

Joel Freer ’91 of Poughkeepsie, N.Y., was a principal at Highland Central School District until he was promoted to superintendent of schools for the district in September 2021. He is a member of the fraternity, Phi Kappa Tau.

Lee Kaiser ’91 of Centerville, Va., is an elementary school counselor at Fairfax County (Va.) Public Schools.