Winter 2023 OSWEGO Alumni Magazine

OSWEGO

The Change Issue

ON OUR CAMPUS

“Autumn to winter, winter into spring, Spring into summer, summer into fall, — So rolls the changing year, and so we change; Motion so swift, we know not that we move.”

— Dinah Maria Mulock Craik

OSWEGO Alumni Magazine

Winter 2023: Vol. 49, No. 1

Publisher

Laura Pavlus Kelly ’09

Editor

Margaret D. Spillett

Designer

Jennifer Broderick

Contributing Writers

Harry B. Bronson ’82 (56)

Photographer

Jim Russell ’83

In Memoriam Compilers

Jamie Kapuscinski Scaccia ’09

Diane Schrader

Office of Communication and Marketing

Contributing Photographers

Richard B. Aronson, Florida Tech (24)

Fox News (48)

Jim Gemza ’70 (31)

Kristin McNeill Gublo ’96 M’99 (13)

Jim Kearns (14)

Nancy LaFaver (22)

Cristian Lazzari (Cover, 24)

Nicole Moriarity ’22 (On Our Campus)

Taryn Rackmyer (18)

Ethan Stinson ’22 (12)

Sarah Tavella ’23 (15)

Rose Gosselin Throop ’95 (19, 45, 49)

Charles Wainwright (14)

David Valentino (Back Cover)

Interns

Nicole Moriarity ’22

Sarah Skibickyj ’23

6

Office

King

@oswegoalumni

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).

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.

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.

31 CLASS NOTES

See exclusive content, including additional photos, multi-media stories and extended versions of some of the stories in this issue.

From the Officer in Charge

The only constant in life is change—as ancient Greek philosopher Heraclitus is credited with saying approximately 2,500 years ago. There are times when we may feel we are experiencing more intense periods of change than at other times. Change is inevitable and how we face it tells a story.

SUNY Oswego is in the midst of historic changes as we search for a new university president for the first time in more than a quarter century (see story on page 5). Recently granted a change in designation from college to university (see story on page 13), SUNY Oswego continues to adapt to the changing landscape of higher education and proudly stands tall as an innovative, forward-thinking university community that is always focused on student success.

Higher education changed my life and changes our students’ lives through the exploration of academic offerings, extracurricular activities, engaging in dialogue with others who have different perspectives, and having faculty and staff who care deeply about their success. Higher education has also impacted my family and impacts generational change for many of our students. As a first-generation college student, I know the power of education to change the economic and social outcome for our graduates and their families.

In this issue, you will read about several alumni who seek to make changes in their own lives or in the world around them, including award-winning journalist Michelle Garcia ’06, who seeks to ignite change by sharing diverse perspectives and stories to better inform society (page 21); geologist William Precht ’79, a world-renowned expert on coral reef restoration (pages 24-25); right-handed artist Mary Cottle Smeallie ’78, who now creates with her left hand after a Parkinson’s diagnosis (page 26-27); and accountant-turned-entrepreneur Indie Lee ’93 (Lisa Swengros Agona ’93), who, diagnosed with a brain tumor and given six months to live in 2008, was inspired to reimagine her life and career, and launch a clean cosmetics company (pages 28-29).

These alumni utilized moments of change in their lives and continued to push forward, fueled by their passions. We are proud they are Lakers!

Whether it is due to the cold, snowy winters or something in the Lake Ontario watershed, the SUNY Oswego community is known for our resilience and stamina to aptly respond to change and our ability to focus on and plan for the future (spring is right around the corner!).

As Cicely Tyson said, “Challenges make you discover things about yourself that you never really knew.” We are ready for the challenges and changes 2023 may bring. You are, too. Keep moving forward with your passion and purpose. We hope to see you soon.

Go Lakers!

STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK AT OSWEGO

Mary C. Toale, Officer in Charge

Scott R. Furlong, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs and Enrollment Management

Mary Gibbons Canale ’81, Vice President for Development and Alumni Engagement

Vicki Cafalone Furlong ’08 M’10, Vice President for Administration and Finance

Kathleen Kerr, Vice President for Student Affairs

OSWEGO ALUMNI ASSOCIATION INC.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Phillip Grome ’89, President

Kathleen Smits Evans ’84, First Vice President

Shoy Colbourne ’09, Second Vice President

Dana Segall Murphy ’99, Immediate Past President

Laura Pavlus Kelly ’09, Executive Director

Edgar Ames ’68

Paul Austin ’89

Paul Austin ’92

Marc Beck ’93*

Brad Bernstein ’89

Justin Brantley ’15 M’16

Harry Bronson ’82

Austin Byrd ’10

Michael Byrne ’79*

Mary Gibbons Canale ’81**

Raelynn Cooter ’77

Justin Dobrow ’17

Thaina Gonzalez ’92

Howard Gordon ’74 M’78

Jennifer Warner Janes ’91

Victoria Kammer ’20

Rufaro Matombo ’12

Steve Messina ’91*

Sandra Michaca ’13

Dresden Engle Olcott ’88

Dee McGowan Perkins ’85

Cathleen Richards ’09*

Dan Scaia ’68*

Tucker Sholtes ’15

Yvonne Spicer ’84 M’85

Ron Tascarella Jr. ’06

Mary C. Toale**

Hank Volpe ’73

Sheneya Wilson ’15 M’16

* At large ** Ex officio

OSWEGO COLLEGE FOUNDATION INC.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Mary Gibbons Canale ’81, President

Rose Cardamone Crane ’81, Chair

Doreen Mochrie ’85, Vice Chair

Vicki Cafalone Furlong ’08 M’10, Treasurer

Mark Baum ’81, Secretary

Kathy Bower ’85

Bill Burns ’83

Jennifer Carey ’85 ’92

Joseph F. Coughlin ’82

Dianora De Marco ’14 M’15

Michael Durney ’83

Bob Garrett ’83

James F. Holland ’82

Aunrée Houston ’00

Matt Jenal ’78

Jeff Knauss ’07

Peter McCarthy ’82

Robert Moritz ’85

Colleen Murphy ’77

Jeff Ragovin ’00

Al Roker ’76

Susannah Melchior Schaefer ’90

Thomas Schneider

Jennifer Shropshire ’86

William Spinelli ’84

Mary C. Toale

Mark Tryniski ’85

Joe Yacura ’74

New Scholarship Honors Late Admissions Director

degrees, he also spent his entire professional career at his alma mater, helping to recruit generations of future Lakers to study along the shores of his beloved Lake Ontario campus. In 2016, he was diagnosed with advanced stage cancer but remained in his position as director of admissions at SUNY Oswego (albeit on medical leave since 2020) until his passing in July 2022.

Sharon had discussed her desire to establish a scholarship with Dan, and they decided that supporting a student who wanted to pursue a career in higher education made the most sense, especially since there are not as many funding sources available for graduate students.

Dan Griffin ’92 M’00 could have easily skipped out on attending college. Living on a North Country farm as the youngest of 10 in a family led by a single mother, no one would have been disappointed if he hadn’t—well, no one, except Dan.

A humble hard-worker, he was a firstgeneration student, only one of two in his family to earn a bachelor’s degree and the only one to earn a graduate degree.

Not only did he attend SUNY Oswego for both his undergraduate and graduate

Presidential Search Update

Chair of the SUNY Oswego Presidential Search Committee and SUNY Oswego College Council James McMahon announced Aug. 26 that the College Council decided not to advance any of five presidential finalists who presented on campus in summer 2022 to SUNY System. McMahon said that a new search firm, RPA Inc., was selected.

“Specifically, we have decided to utilize RPA’s hybrid model for search services,” McMahon said in the announcement. “The hybrid model, long used by RPA, Inc. in many searches, is more cost effective for SUNY Oswego because the hybrid model allows us to tap into the expertise and national networks of RPA, Inc. during the recruitment phases of the search while also utilizing the expertise of Ms. Rodriguez-Awoliyi, assistant vice chancellor for presidential searches at SUNY, to support the search committee throughout the search.”

“He loved this place so much,” said his wife, Sharon Griffin M’22, who is a graduate admissions counselor at SUNY Oswego. Even in his final days, he was dreaming and talking about helping students at the university, she said.

He died on July 30, 2022, at the age of 51.

Now, his family, friends and coworkers are pooling their resources to establish the Daniel B. Griffin ’92 M’00 Memorial Scholarship to help his legacy live on at the institution he cared so much about. When fully endowed, the scholarship will support a graduate student in Oswego’s master’s in higher education leadership program.

“I hope that the recipients get to know a little bit about Dan and the type of person he was and use that knowledge to move forward on their own pathways and be able to assist others in pursuing higher education,” Sharon said.

Gifts can be made in Dan’s memory to the Daniel B. Griffin ’92 M’00 Memorial Scholarship fund online at alumni.oswego. edu/givenow; by mail to the Oswego College Foundation, 215 Sheldon Hall, Oswego, N.Y. 13126; or by telephone at 315-312-3003.

Gifts can also be made to the Dan Griffin ’92 M’00 Second Chance Scholarship, a separate scholarship established by Brad ’89 and Liz Bernstein, and their children, Sara ’18 M’19 and Matthew ’24.

The university initially launched the search for the 11th president of SUNY Oswego in fall 2021 after President Deborah F. Stanley announced that she would retire Dec. 31, 2021. She was shortly thereafter appointed interim SUNY chancellor, as SUNY searched for a new chancellor of the 64-campus system. (See related story on page 18.)

Dr. Mary C. Toale assumed responsibilities as SUNY Oswego’s officer in charge Jan. 1, 2022, while the university searched for a permanent president.

In spring 2022, the search committee— whose members represent SUNY Oswego faculty, staff, alumni, students, College Council and the SUNY system— reviewed applicants and conducted virtual interviews with candidates.

Over the summer, the search committee brought five finalists to campus to present to alumni, students, faculty, staff and

community members in forums, which were held in person and live streamed via Zoom. All attendees were invited to provide feedback on each candidate.

“We appreciate the participation of many members of SUNY Oswego’s community during the recent on-campus interviews, and we commend the search committee for successfully conducting the first phase of the search in accordance with the SUNY Presidential Search Guidelines,” McMahon said. “The search committee’s willingness to continue this important work is greatly appreciated and we are confident we will find the next great president of SUNY Oswego at the end of this process.”

Future updates on the search will be posted online to the SUNY Oswego Presidential Search website at ww1. oswego.edu/presidential-search.

Three Lakers Join OAA Board of Directors

Dana Segall Murphy ’99 completed her term as president on June 30, 2022, and Phil Grome ’89 was elected to the role, beginning July 1, 2022. He is supported in his role by Kathy Smits Evans ’84, first vice president; Shoy Colbourne ’09, second vice president; and Immediate Past President Murphy, who remains on the board.

For a complete list of the OAA board members or to learn more about the board, visit alumni.oswego.edu/alumniboard.

83rd Annual Fall Technology Conference Brings Educators Together

The Oswego Alumni Association Board of Directors elected three new members, effective July 1, 2022.

Joining the board are Paul Austin ’89, Justin Brantley ’15 M’16 and Victoria Kammer ’20. All will serve a three-year term that expires in 2025.

Paul Austin ’89, senior manager of WebSphere Development at IBM, was an English and writing arts major, and has frequently returned to campus to speak with students through the Alumni-InResidence and Alumni Sharing Knowledge programs. A recipient of the English Department’s Creative Writing Alumni Award, he has also partnered with faculty to give students real-world projects and to help inform new curricula from an industry perspective. As a student, he was involved in WOCR and received accolades for his writing, including the Georgia Barnes Scholarship and an Honorable Mention in the Academy of American Poets Poetry Contest. He resides in Beacon, N.Y.

Justin Brantley ’15 M’16, an associate at Alpine Grove Partners, is a graduate of the accounting and MBA programs. As an alumnus, he delivered the keynote at the Black Student Association’s 50th Anniversary Reunion dinner, served on an alumni panel during the Imagine 2021 program and joined the Graduates Of the Last Decade (GOLD) Leadership Council. As a

student, he was very involved in campus organizations, including as a member of the National Association of Black Accountants, executive director of the Black Student Union and director of multicultural affairs for the Student Association. He lives in Chester, N.Y.

Victoria Kammer ’20, development and communication manager at Urban Upbound, was a public relations major and the student speaker at her Virtual Torchlight Ceremony. She was also the president of Del Sarte Dance Club, president of the Future Alumni Network, event director of the Dr. Lewis B. O’Donnell Media Summit, Admissions campus tour guide, student representative for the Oswego Alumni Association Board of Directors, member of the Public Relations Student Society of America and Senior Class Planning Committee member. She serves as an Alumni Sharing Knowledge mentor. She lives in Lindenhurst, N.Y.

Additionally, the following members have stepped down from their positions with the board, effective June 30, 2022: at-large member Paul Brennan ’93, Emmanuel “Manny” Cruz ’09, Trudy Perkins ’93, Jeff Sorensen ’92, at-large member Mark Salmon ’93 and Benita Zahn ’76.

Cathleen Richards ’09 has completed her term, but will remain on the board as an at-large member.

SUNY Oswego’s Department of Technology welcomed hundreds of K-16 educators and professionals for its 83rd Annual Fall Technology Conference on Oct. 27 and 28 in Wilber and Park halls. The approximately 500 attendees learned about the latest developments in technology education during more than 50 different presentations, and networked with others during a reception at the Lake Ontario Event and Conference Center.

New Partnership Provides Free Legal Service to Lakers

Nearly 67 percent of American adults do not have a legal will in place. Thanks to SUNY Oswego’s new partnership with FreeWill, all Lakers can take advantage of this free online estate planning tool that guides you through the process of writing your legal will.

“It was very simple, very quick and very thorough,” said Melissa Semione, an academic planning coordinator in SUNY Oswego’s Division of Extended Learning. “I had it completed in 15 minutes and was printing out copies to get signatures and get it notarized. And it didn’t cost me a cent.”

She said the system walked her through all the decisions that needed to be made regarding her assets, including property, retirement accounts, life insurance and pets, as well as funeral arrangements, burial/final resting arrangements, health care proxy and living will decisions.

Completing this simple task, she said, is the least she could do to ensure peace of mind for herself and her loved ones.

“This is a labor of love for those you leave behind,” she said. “Having your wishes in writing relieves the worry, helps your loved ones avoid conflict and questions, and assists them in making the monumental decisions at a stressful time in their lives. I believe creating a will is one of the kindest,

most loving things you can do for your family.”

Alex Dukat ’19 also took advantage of the free tool and said they found it empowering to finally be able to draft their will and establish their legacy.

“FreeWill made it incredibly simple to finally put pen to paper the wishes I’ve had in mind for years,” Dukat said.

After being diagnosed with a life-threatening autoimmune disorder in their 20s, Dukat said they likely have spent more time than most of their counterparts thinking about and planning for their death.

“Your will is just another safety-net that not only protects you, but ensures that your wishes are brought to fruition upon your passing, including the way you wish to have your beautiful life be celebrated,” Dukat said. “I think that’s special to have the control and decision over how I’m celebrated when I pass on, and how I leave my legacy.”

Although not required to use the tool, Semione and Dukat both decided to include SUNY Oswego in their estate plans.

In recognition of their commitment, they are now members of the Sheldon Legacy Society, an honor reserved for those individuals who make planned estate gifts.

SUNY Oswego Welcomes One of its Largest Incoming Classes

SUNY Oswego has officially welcomed one of its biggest incoming classes ever—and the second largest in the past two decades—with more than 2,400 new students enrolling for the fall 2022 semester. According to figures as of Aug. 30, 2022, 1,489 first-year students, 548 transfer students and 390 graduate students proudly joined the SUNY Oswego community.

Create your legal will today at freewill. com/oswego, and learn more about creating a legacy at SUNY Oswego at alumni. oswego.edu/plannedgiving.

Lakers for Life

You are a Laker for life, and with this distinction comes access to Career Services resources throughout your entire career.

For example, your Career Services team recently developed a Career Community tool for nearly 60 major career paths, featuring pre-built searches for jobs across four major online platforms; the top 10 related professional associations; typical job titles; typical required or preferred skills needed; pre-built

alumni LinkedIn searches; and relevant LinkedIn Learning courses/pathways to support your upskilling!

Plus, you have free lifelong access to:

• Job Searching Resources

• Graduate and Professional School Resources

• Online Career Tools

For more details or to start enhancing your career today, visit oswego.edu/ career-services.

In addition, nearly four in ten incoming students identified themselves as culturally diverse. While the majority (91 percent) of new students came to Oswego from around New York state, incoming students also joined the Laker family from 13 countries and 22 states plus the District of Columbia. The success followed the university’s “all-in” approach the past year that encompassed the collective expansive efforts of faculty, staff, alumni and current students—all of whom were instrumental in supporting SUNY Oswego’s admissions, enrollment and marketing efforts.

This year, new students participated in a week-long Laker Launch, which included a new Whiteout Welcome, Rec the Night, Paint the Road Green and Gold, national comedians, Lakerfest and Welcoming Torchlight Ceremony, with a plug for the Top 10 Things To Do Before Graduating created by members of the Oswego Alumni Association Board of Directors.

This team effort even earned a national spotlight in May through an Inside Higher Ed story.

Ten Oswego Students, Employees Earn SUNY Chancellor’s Awards

Five students and five SUNY Oswego employees earned Chancellor’s Awards, the highest award for excellence given by the SUNY system.

Remmington Johnson ’22, a creative writing major from Watertown, N.Y., won a special Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence—Military Service: Air Force, the only such award in the state system.

Chancellor’s Awards also recognized the outstanding accomplishments of Caydee Blankenship ’22, a double major in finance and economics from Antwerp, N.Y.; Helena Buttons ’22, a double major in communication and social interaction and in English from Churchville, N.Y.; Matthew Lynne ’22, a meteorology major from Jamesville, N.Y.; and Jayvana Perez ’22, a double major in criminal justice and in communication and social interaction from Ozone Park, N.Y.

The students were recognized on campus during Honors Convocation on April 8, and in a statewide ceremony on April 26 in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

The following SUNY Oswego faculty and staff members received their awards in front of their peers during the university’s opening breakfast in August 2022.

Mary Craw, an office assistant in SUNY Oswego’s Office of Residence Life and Housing, earned the 2022 SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Classified Service, recognizing four decades of service consistently putting students first.

Three dedicated SUNY Oswego staff members earned the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Professional Service. The 2022 award winners are Lisa Evaneski, Title IX coordinator; Joshua McKeown, associate provost for international education and programs; and Sean Moriarty, chief technology officer.

Mary Tone Rodgers, the Marcia Belmar Willock ’50 Endowed Professor of Finance, received the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching in recognition of her impactful and successful time inside and outside SUNY Oswego’s classrooms.

SUNY Recognizes Two Oswego Professors with Distinguished Faculty Rank

Sarfraz Mian of the Management and Marketing Department and Ampalavanar Nanthakumar of the Mathematics Department have earned the Distinguished Faculty Rank, which constitutes a promotion to the State University’s highest academic rank and is conferred solely by the State University Board of Trustees.

The appointment indicates that both professors have demonstrated an ongoing commitment to excellence, intellectual vibrancy, high standards of instruction and contributions to public service.

Animated Torchlight Dinner, Ceremony Kicks Off May 2022 Commencement Weekend

After two years of revised Commencement Weekend activities to address pandemicrelated health and safety concerns, the SUNY Oswego Commencement Eve Torchlight Dinner and Ceremony returned on May 13, 2022, to its normal, lively cadence as the university community celebrated with an eager group of graduates and their family and friends. The dinner program, led by co-emcees Rachel Dimitroff ’22 and Michael Jean ’22, included the recognition of two graduates who were selected as the 2022 Outstanding Senior Award recipients: Yadira “Yadi” Aranda Burgos ’22 and Helena Buttons ’22

During the dinner, SUNY Oswego Officer

In Charge Mary C. Toale thanked the nearly 200 graduates, parents, families, faculty and staff who contributed toward the Class of 2022 Senior Gift. Together, they raised a total of more than $6,200 for The Fund for Oswego to benefit future students.

Following dinner, Dr. Toale introduced the keynote speaker, Trudy Perkins ’93, the acting chief of staff and communications director for U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown of Ohio and then member of the Oswego Alumni Association Board of Directors.

Perkins discussed her career path from business administration major to news producer to deputy chief of staff and communications director for the late Congressman Elijah E. Cummings, as well as meeting people such as new U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson.

Following dinner, the university community gathered in a tent outside the Marano Campus Center for the Senior Sing, featuring musical selections by the State Singers and the Oswego State Jazz Ensemble, and then the Torchlight Ceremony, one of the university’s oldest and most revered traditions, began.

Liam Gotimer ’22 welcomed guests, provided a brief explanation and history of the Torchlight Ceremony, recognized the staff who provided the music and lighting and Torchbearer Brittany Bennett ’21 M’22, and then turned the microphone over to Perkins, who introduced Dr. Toale.

Following Dr. Toale’s remarks, the State Singers then performed “Carry the Light” before Student Speaker Gabriele Candela ’22 took to the podium, amid loud and lengthy cheers from her classmates.

She looked back at their four years on campus and how their education was interrupted by the pandemic, but quickly shifted her focus.

“I want to reflect on the way that our class bounced back,” Candela said. “Left with this responsibility to pick up where we left off, with no older members of clubs and organizations to lead us or students to look up to, it was on us to be the example and role models for our younger peers … we persevered and brought life back to our campus. We restored traditions, made new ones along the way and did it all with a new appreciation for our Laker family and Oswego campus.”

The annual ceremony finished with the reading of the Message of the Torch and the passing of the flame from the Torch of Learning from the platform party to the faculty and alumni within the Inner Circle, who represented decades of Laker graduates from 1966 to three representatives from the Class of 2022—Caleb Davies ’22, Kamal Morales ’22 and Elizabeth Myers ’22—to the remaining 2022 graduates and their families, as the alma mater was sung.

Find the Founder!

In the Winter 2022 Issue, the Sheldon statue can be found in the lower left-hand corner beside the chair of Media Summit moderator Justin Dobrow ’17 on page 14. Grand prize winner of a College Store gift certificate and Sheldon Hall print is Joseph Pappa ’94. Winning Sheldon Hall prints are Anthony Dorazio Jr. ’72, Nancy Della Porta ’72, David Fortier ’82, Dakota Latham ’17 and Ilana Zalkin, donor and wife of Andrew Zalkin ’76.

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 a $25 gift certificate to the College Store and a print of Sheldon Hall. The next five entries drawn will receive Sheldon Hall prints. Send your entry by April 1, 2023, to Find the Founder, Sheldon Hall, 301 Washington Blvd., Oswego, N.Y. 13126, or email findthefounder@oswego.edu.

Noteworthy News

University Announces New Campus Leaders

School of Education Dean

Laura M. Spenceley, Ph.D., was named dean of the School of Education, effective June 1, 2022.

Reporting to the provost and vice president for Academic Affairs and Enrollment Management, Spenceley serves as an important member of the academic affairs leadership team, including the President’s Council. She supports the recruitment, development and evaluation of faculty and staff in the School of Education; oversees the implementation of programs within the School of Education; and works with department chairs, faculty and staff to develop new programs and improve existing programs.

Spenceley, who was appointed interim dean of the School of Education for the 2021-2022 academic year, has served the SUNY Oswego community for the better part of a decade, most recently as associate dean in the Division of Graduate Studies. She also served as a member of the faculty, teaching as an assistant professor and associate professor in the Counseling and Psychological Services Department. Spenceley served as chair of the School of Education’s Faculty Council and was a member of the Dean’s School of Education Administrative Advisory Council.

Spenceley earned a Doctor of Philosophy in school psychology from Syracuse University, a master’s in clinical psychology from Ball State University and a bachelor’s in psychology from Western Michigan University.

SCMA Interim Dean

Jennifer Knapp, Ph.D., was named interim dean of SUNY Oswego’s School of Communication, Media and the Arts (SCMA), effective July 1, 2022. Former Dean Julie Pretzat announced in spring 2022 her intentions to step down from the deanship to return to the classroom.

In this leadership position, Knapp—who has served SCMA as a professor, department chair and associate dean, and has led and participated in key initiatives for SUNY Oswego since her arrival in 2008—will provide continuing oversight of SCMA while the search committee for a permanent dean commences its work.

Knapp has served as the school’s associate dean since 2015, where her primary job duties have revolved around the creation, maintenance and adherence to academic policy. She earned both her doctorate in educational psychology and master’s in communication studies from West Virginia University, and a bachelor’s in communication studies from Canisius College.

Associate Vice President for Student Affairs

Gabriel Marshall, Ph.D., joined SUNY Oswego as the new associate vice president for Student Affairs on July 5, 2022.

His duties include direct responsibility for four units—Student Engagement and Leadership, Campus Events and Conference Services, Campus Recreation, and Student Orientation and Family Engagement. He provides visionary and strategic leadership to ensure that vibrant, inclusive and educational opportunities abound for student engagement.

He most recently served as assistant vice president and senior advisor for student success and retention at Buffalo State College. He earned his bachelor’s degree in English from Daemen College; a master’s degree and certificate of advanced study in counseling from SUNY Brockport; and his doctorate in executive leadership from St. John Fisher College.

Enhanced Roles for Employees in the Office of the President

Kristi Eck, chief of staff, now also serves as executive director of strategic initiatives, external partnerships and legislative affairs. In this expanded role, Eck leads institutional-wide teams engaging with key external partners to increase grants and advance institutional priorities.

Kendra Cadogan was named chief diversity and inclusion officer and continues to serve as the interim director of the James A. Triandiflou ’88 Institute for Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Transformative Practice. Cadogan leads strategic planning and implementation of the university’s diversity and inclusion goals and partners with community stakeholders to create a campus culture centered on inclusive excellence, empathy and belonging.

Reginald Braggs, Syracuse campus director, is now director of Central New York partnerships and enrollment. He engages with civic and community organizations, businesses, educational institutions and corporations as they relate to new and ongoing partnerships and enrollment initiatives.

Kristin Croyle, Ph.D., is the interim affirmative action officer, where she specifically handles allegations of illegal discrimination, and continues to serve as dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, an academic leadership role she has held since her arrival to SUNY Oswego in July 2019.

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.”

Check

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.”

University, Port Partner on New Grain Lab Facilities to Feed Opportunities

SUNY Oswego Now Recognized as a University

SUNY Oswego is now formally recognized as a university. The university will continue to be known as SUNY Oswego, but its official state education title will change from “State University of New York College at Oswego” to “State University of New York at Oswego.”

This legal name change, effective Jan. 1, 2023, was approved by Interim SUNY Chancellor Deborah F. Stanley, who was delegated authority by the State University of New York Board of Trustees to take all actions necessary and appropriate to effectuate a university designation for eligible institutions.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony last spring marked the official opening of a new $15 million Grain Export Center, a milestone in a partnership between the Port of Oswego Authority and SUNY Oswego that preserves the health of consumers and a key supply chain while providing valuable experience to students.

“This lab is the only one of its kind among our sister Great Lakes ports,” said William Scriber ’80, executive director of the Port of Oswego Authority. “There are 15 major international ports and some 50 smaller, regional ports on the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway system.”

Cleane Medeiros of the university’s biological sciences faculty directs the Agricul-

tural Testing and Analysis Laboratories program that includes paid internships for students with majors that include biochemistry, biology, chemistry and zoology. A $250,000 New York State Department of Agriculture grant purchased equipment for both the lab at the port and a student training lab on campus. Students who participate can take part in SUNY Oswego’s new microcredentialing program for grain testing and analysis, which makes students more marketable and competitive when seeking top jobs in their field. In addition to the hands-on experience that complements their lessons, students also can earn employment opportunities through this arrangement.

Chemistry Alumni Share Advice with Students over Lunch

Chemistry and biochemistry majors discussed their career paths with students last spring: Francesco Papa ’19 (right), sales consultant representing DePuy Synthes Joint Reconstruction; Sam VanDee ’98 (second from left), senior forensic chemist at Onondaga County Center for Forensic Science; Jessica Blodgett Vaughn ’13 M’15 (third from right), investigation specialist at Regeneron Pharmaceuticals; Dr. Colleen Alexander ’09 (third from left), senior manager at global regulatory strategy and delivery at Baxter; Steve Maier ’84 M’89

“This formal designation appropriately represents who SUNY Oswego is today— a premier institution proud of its shared commitment to excellence and unwavering efforts to place student success at the center of all we do,” said Officer in Charge Mary C. Toale. “Being recognized officially as a university reinforces our institutional priorities; spotlights our high-quality, high-impact practices inside and outside the classroom; and underpins our mission to sustain our university and build a better world for future generations.”

This designation follows New York State Board of Regents’ new guidelines for what constitutes a university that require institutions of higher education to “offer a range of registered undergraduate and graduate curricula in the liberal arts and sciences, including graduate programs registered in at least three of the following discipline areas: agriculture, biological sciences, business, education, engineering, fine arts, health professions, humanities, physical sciences and social sciences.”

In November 2022, SUNY provided official documentation to the New York State Education Department to change its institutional name to the State University of New York at Oswego (SUNY Oswego). The name change was formally acknowledged by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) in December.

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

$1 Million Gift Seeks to Make Transformational Social Change, Support DEI Institute

A new institute dedicated to diversity, equity, inclusion and transformative practice at SUNY Oswego is receiving an infusion of resources, thanks to a $1.075 million gift from Jim Triandiflou ’88 of Cary, N.C.

The non-endowed gift, announced in May, is making an immediate impact and is helping the university implement the inclusive vision of what is now called the James A. Triandiflou ’88 Institute for Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Transformative Practice for a five-year term in recognition of his gift. Specifically, the funding is providing current-use support for the institute’s director position and intergroup dialogue training facilitation for five years.

“We’re incredibly grateful to have such a committed partner in Jim Triandiflou, who shares our vision to become a campus whose members approach situations from an inclusive, equitable and human-first mindset,” said SUNY Oswego Officer in Charge Mary C. Toale, who was part of the team that envisioned and created the institute, which was officially announced in August 2021.

“His transformational leadership gift comes at a crucial moment as we launch this institute, and these deep resources will help us develop important communication and intergroup dialogue skills and instill an inclusive mindset in our campus community, especially in our students who will be the next generation of leaders in society,” Toale said.

Expanding the Impact of the Institute

The institute works to foster an environment that respects, embraces and promotes cultural humility, civil discourse and active engagement in developing an inclusive and vibrant community of transformational agents committed to positive change in the world. The institute will elevate the great work of our current faculty and staff who are instrumental in creating and maintaining an inclusive, equitable community of students and scholars where all stakeholders thrive and experience belonging.

“What Jim is really providing is the opportunity and means for Oswego to undergo a cultural transformation,” said Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer

Kendra Cadogan. “Having someone with Jim’s rich experience lean into this area of diversity, equity and inclusion speaks to the importance and transformative nature of this work. The impact of this gift will be far-reaching, and will help identify Oswego as a leader in DEI on the national stage.”

Triandiflou’s gift will help SUNY Oswego attract and retain a strong director who is a skilled community builder, inspirational leader, open-minded thinker and organized connector. The director, essential to the success of the institute, will lead the implementation of the vision, mission and goals of the institute, and will advance the work of the institute on campus and in the broader community.

His gift will also support an intergroup dialogue training program whose goal is to develop interpersonal communication skills throughout all aspects of the campus community, and moving forward, all new students, faculty and staff will have the opportunity to receive training in this area as they join the campus. Additionally, the university will illuminate the work of current and future campus leaders who will be able to share their knowledge and expertise in diversity, equity, inclusion and transformative practice with local and regional organizations and businesses. SUNY Oswego will become a resource for the entire region in this important area.

Supporting his Passions

For Triandiflou, the gift acknowledges his life-changing college experience at Oswego and affirms his belief in providing equal opportunities to all people. He hopes the gift also provides SUNY Oswego with the resources to educate current and future students and campus and broader community members on how to effectively communicate with each other and to approach others, especially those whose experiences differ from one’s own, with an open and empathetic mindset.

“Equality is a foundational tenet of America. Yet, we haven’t always lived up to our words,” said Triandiflou, CEO of insightsoftware in Raleigh, N.C. “Providing equal opportunity is the human thing to do. It’s also in our self-interest ... having all people achieve their full potential is a win for everyone!”

In his previous role as CEO of Relias Learning, Triandiflou led a company that consciously worked to ensure that the top 50 leaders were balanced and diverse and that pay was equal, despite gender or other demographic factors.

“DEI is a tricky issue,” he said. “The inertia of a mostly white, mostly male business takes effort to change. You have to go beyond your circle and reach out to diverse communities.

“We won awards for being a great place for LBGTQ people to work,” he said. “We proactively marketed ourselves to a diverse population for recruiting. And the diversity of our workforce helped us achieve market leadership and world-class financial results for our investors.”

Elevating his Alma Mater Triandiflou has been a steadfast supporter and an active member of the SUNY Oswego community since 1984 when he was a student majoring in marketing. He was a member of the Oswego chapter of the American Marketing Association and vice president of the Student Association, and he was selected as the student speaker for his Commencement ceremony.

As an alumnus, he serves as a mentor through the university’s Alumni Sharing Knowledge program, has returned to campus to speak with students through the Alumni-In-Residence program, shared his experience via the Oswego Alumni Podcast and has served on the Rich Hall Campaign Committee and the Class of 1988’s 25th Reunion Giving Committee, among other roles.

“I probably grew as much in my four years at Oswego as any period of my life,” said Triandiflou, who remains close friends with Lakers who lived on the fourth floor of Oneida Hall. “I wasn’t what you’d call ’a model student,’ but I was heavily involved and made lifelong friends. The Student Association and professors like Dr. Jim Molinari ‘75 (marketing) gave me direction and confidence. I give back to Oz in hopes other kids have a similar experience.”

A Pell grant recipient, he has a deep appreciation for the opportunities he was afforded by SUNY Oswego, and he credits the institution for helping to launch his career.

“Jim’s most recent gift will deliver the funding to elevate this important institutional priority—diversity, equity, inclusion and transformative practice—and provide the needed resources to ensure this area remains one of SUNY Oswego’s pillars of excellence,” Toale said. “We are truly grateful for his support.”

“Social change can be slow, but it does happen,” Triandiflou said. “I’m hopeful the institute becomes a catalyst for education, discussion and bringing people together in the name of equality. When people talk, they often realize how much we all have in common ... our desire for belonging, acceptance and love. We want our kids to be healthy and happy. We want the world to be safe. These things are universal. Hopefully, the institute moves us closer to equality.”

The Triandiflou Institute has already begun to make an impact in changing campus. Among its many activities, the institute has:

• Offered professional development in support of trauma-sensitive and restorative practice to the Bias Prevention and Response team to build positive, productive, collaborative relationships with students.

• Partnered with the El Hindi Center for Dialogue and Action to develop and offer intentional dialogue experiences focused on race and identity to key campus constituents.

• Launched the campus-wide, inaugural Oz Equity Challenge during which 268 Laker participants engaged with asynchronous online modules filled with educational resources and reflection prompts on such topics as social identity, empathy and implicit bias.

• Compiled a listing of holidays and remembrance days related to marginalized and/or diverse identities to create an “Inclusivity Playbook” and comprehensive strategic plan providing the community with educational materials, programming and transformative experiences for each.

• Hosted an open house of its Penfield Library facilities for the campus community.

• Led a panel discussion to explore the life experiences of Lakers of Latin or Hispanic descent.

• Organized a Flags of Meaning panel and discussion related to the Pride flag and the experience of LGBTQIA+ campus members.

Learn more at oswego.edu/diversity.

Providing equal opportunity is the human thing to do. It’s also in our self-interest...having all people achieve their full potential is a win for everyone!

— Jim Triandiflou ’88

“

SUNY Appoints Dr. John B. King Jr. 15th Chancellor

Dec. 5 unanimously approved his appointment. He replaced Deborah F. Stanley, former president of SUNY Oswego, who served as interim chancellor from January 2022 to January 2023. Chancellor King began his new role in January.

The State University of New York Board of Trustees announced Dec. 5 the appointment of John B. King Jr. as the 15th chancellor of SUNY, the largest comprehensive system of public higher education in the United States.

Chancellor King brings to this position decades of experience as a leader in education administration and policy at the local, state and national levels. He has championed expanding access to high-quality, affordable education in recognition of the transformative power it holds for students from all walks of life.

Chancellor King’s selection was the result of a year-long global search, and the board

“I am humbled and honored to accept the position of chancellor and to advance Governor Kathy Hochul’s vision to make SUNY the best statewide system of public higher education in our nation,” Chancellor King said. “Public education quite literally saved my life when I lost both of my parents at a young age, and I have dedicated my professional career ever since to ensuring that every student has access to the academic opportunities that they need and deserve. I look forward to working with all members of our campus communities, lawmakers and stakeholders to bring SUNY to new heights and maximize its potential.”

Most recently, Chancellor King was the president of the Education Trust, a nonprofit organization that promotes high academic achievement for all students in early childhood, K-12 education and higher education. Prior to his appointment to that post in 2017, Chancellor King served as U.S. Secretary of Education under President Barack Obama, who called him “an exceptionally talented educator.”

While serving in this cabinet-level post, Chancellor King worked to simplify the financial aid process, oversaw federal investments in evidence-based strategies to increase college completion and advocated for the president’s America’s College Promise proposal, which called for creating a federal-state partnership to make attendance at community colleges free and also investing in scaled wraparound services to support students on the path to academic success.

From 2011 to the beginning of 2015 when he joined the Obama Administration, Chancellor King served as New York State’s first African American and first Puerto Rican education commissioner. He worked in this position to leverage federal Perkins funding to invest in a statewide initiative connecting K-12 schools, higher education institutions and employers to tailor high school curriculum to meet the needs of a modern-day workforce—an effort he has expressed to the board that he hopes to continue and expand on as chancellor.

Learn more about Chancellor John B. King Jr. at magazine. oswego.edu.

SUNY Honors Deborah F. Stanley with President Emeritus Title

The State University of New York (SUNY) Board of Trustees adopted a resolution at their Dec. 13, 2022, meeting, bestowing retired SUNY Oswego President Deborah F. Stanley with the honorary title of President Emeritus.

After serving as interim president from 1995-1997, President Stanley was appointed the 10th president of SUNY Oswego in 1997. She served as a remarkable leader and transformative president for 26 years. Prior to becoming president, she taught and earned tenure in the School of Business and served as the vice president for academic affairs and provost, making her service to the institution span over 44 years. She retired in December 2021, before serving as interim chancellor for SUNY over the past year (2022).

View SUNY resolution online at magazine.oswego.edu.

Change.

The only constant in life.

Without change, there would be no autumn leaves, blankets of snow nor sprouts emerging from spring’s muddy earth.

Without change, there would be no butterflies, baby’s first steps nor surprises. Without change, there would be no learning, development nor progress. Some changes we work hard to achieve. Some changes are unexpected, unwelcomed or unintended.

Sometimes, as American novelist Barbara Kingsolver, writes: “The changes we dread most may contain our salvation.”

What follows are seven stories of SUNY Oswego alumni who leverage change—whether wanted or unwanted —to shape their careers, their lives and the lives of others.

Changing Careers

Manganiello was working as a sports writer for the Watertown (N.Y.) Daily Times when Blaise called him to discuss his decision to take the LSAT exam for law school.

“It blew my mind,” Manganiello said. “It felt like my life changed in that moment, too. Blaise explained how he could take what we learned at Oswego and combine it with what he’d learn at law school to be even more marketable. It changed how I thought about my own path.” (Manganiello ended up enrolling in Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law, and today, he is an account executive at the WNBA’s New York Liberty in the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.)

Hill said he thought law school could open up the door to becoming a sports agent. So, rewind back, to prepping for the law school exam.

Journalist turns lawyer to help people with their final plans

“How do you eat an entire airplane?” Blaise Hill ’15 asked.

“One bite at a time.”

Referencing the late French entertainer Michel Lolito—who is perhaps better known as the man who ate an entire airplane (bit by bit over the course of two years), Hill explained that is how he approaches any major life change.

“Well, OK maybe we all can’t eat an airplane, but we can accomplish what might be, at first, impossible to fathom,” he said. It takes a bit of planning and deconstructing and, of course, the willingness to take that first small step.

For Hill, that meant hopping onto Amazon.com and buying an LSAT prep book.

If he wanted to change careers from journalism to law, he would first have to take the exam needed to apply to law school. At the time in 2016, he was working as the technical director at WPEC CBS-12 in West Palm Beach, Fla., and he wasn’t finding the career as fulfilling as he anticipated when he entered the field as a fresh graduate of the journalism program.

Until that point, he had loved his experiences in journalism and broadcasting.

When he arrived at SUNY Oswego in fall 2011, Hill threw himself into all that the university had to offer—getting involved immediately with WTOP-10, calling wom-

en’s basketball games and hosting his own TV show in his first semester.

Hill said he was hooked.

“Every semester just got better and better because you feel more entrenched in this community,” he said. “You meet more people, you make more friends, you have more opportunities, and you’re continuing your education.”

Share Your Change

“Break down these career ambitions, these life goals or major changes into smaller steps—as small as possible. That makes it so much easier to digest, not only in terms of starting to take concrete steps toward your goals, but also it can help you from feeling overwhelmed.”

After graduating, Hill accepted a position as the technical director at WRGB CBS-6 in Albany, N.Y. His good friends, Joe Manganiello ’14 and Sebastian Edmond ’14, both pursued similar careers in sports journalism.

“I figured if I bombed the test, that would mean that law school wasn’t meant for me,” he said. “I did fine. So, then I applied to law school. If I didn’t get accepted, well, then, that’s not the right path for me. And that’s just kind of how I made the change— step by step.”

He enrolled at Syracuse University College of Law expecting to become a sports agent, but in his second semester of law school during a property law course, he said he had an epiphany.

“I just had this gut feeling like, ’This is what I want to do with the rest of my life,’” he recalled. “And here I am now in my office in Bethesda, Maryland, working as a trusts and estates attorney less than five years later.”

Today, as a trusts and estates attorney with Pasternak & Fidis P.C., he helps his clients deal with a subject most people like to avoid in polite conversation—death. It’s the airplane we all have to eat—impossible as it may seem. He helps deconstruct it and make it more manageable.

His Oswego pals said this new career choice makes sense and plays to Blaise’s strengths—intelligence, compassion, kindness, loyalty and attentiveness.

“I want to help people through difficult times and help them be happy and achieve their goals,” Hill said. “So, that’s what trusts and estates work is. Let’s do what we can to make sure that when this eventual and inevitable thing happens, you and your family are prepared for that. We can sleep well at night knowing that everything will happen the way we want it to happen.”

Changing Minds

Haeringer, Reid Cherlin, Julie Shapiro, Frannie Kelley, Rachel Yang, Bryson Barnes and Seth Samuel.

“As an editor, I don’t expect to have my name on anything that wins an award,” said Garcia, who serves on Oswego’s School of Communication, Media and the Arts Advisory Board. “Just to be nominated was such an incredible honor. It’s the internal recognition from within the industry that is once in a lifetime.”

While the award was very significant to Garcia, she said she hopes the attention encourages more people to listen to the podcast and to be informed.

Award-winning journalist seeks to inform and improve social outcomes

After nearly 20 years in the field of journalism, Michelle Garcia ’06 said it is easy to become cynical.

The former editor-in-chief of The Oswegonian said she went into journalism with the hopes of informing the public so that they could make the best decisions for their future.

“I wanted to help people make decisions on how they vote, why they vote, where they live, where they send their children, how they spend their money,” said Garcia, who is now the editorial director of NBCBLK—the news desk that tells stories by, for and about the Black community. “Can journalists change minds? I think about this question truly every day. Maybe we can. But my goal is to help people understand our world better.”

Recently, Garcia served as one of the creators and editors on the NBC team that won a 2022 Peabody Award for the Southlake podcast series. The series was also a 2022 Pulitzer Prize Finalist for Audio Recording.

The eight-episode series stemmed from a viral video from 2018 of students in the wealthy suburb of Southlake, Texas, chanting a racist word and the ensuing response from the community to address race and racism in the classroom.

One of the biggest take-aways of the Southlake project, for Garcia, was hearing from Americans of color who

saw themselves and their experiences reflected back in the story of the Southlake residents.

“So many people contacted us to say, ’this is happening in my town, too,’” said Garcia, who very consciously lives in a diverse community in New Jersey with her husband, Adam Campbell-Schmitt ’06, and their two mixed race children.

She recalls how the story unfolded, just as a national conversation about critical race theory was happening.

“As we were covering it, it was becoming a national news story,” she said. “It was like capturing lightning in a bottle.”

She worked on this special project while juggling her day-to-day responsibilities as the editor of the NBCBLK news desk and while adjusting to the changes forced by the COVID-19 pandemic. But it was a passion project for the team, which, in addition to Garcia, included: Mike Hixenbaugh, Antonia Hylton, Madeleine

She said she traces her passion for journalism back to SUNY Oswego and to mentors, like Professor Emerita Linda Loomis ’90 M’97, and the hands-on learning she received from her classwork and working on The Oswegonian—an experience where she was able to make mistakes and grow.

“My editing began at Oswego, and as the editor-in-chief of The Oswegonian, I learned how not to be an editor,” she laughed. “It was a lot of trial and error—learning in real time. It was great practice and helped me get to where I am today.”

Since winning the award, Garcia said she has a stronger focus on solutions journalism. “For better or worse, our industry is run on ratings, clicks and social media engagement,” she said. “Those metrics can often be driven by outrage, by anger, by fear. As I am getting older and having more experiences as a parent and as somebody who sees the importance of civic engagement, I also think we have a duty to show solutions. Now, I am driven by the question, how am I going to be a better contributor to the world through my work? How can I incorporate more solutions rather than just problems into my work? We should all be thinking about that, at least a little bit.”

Share Your Change

“Even if it doesn’t change somebody’s mind, we can at least share what other people are experiencing. We can tell them, this is something that’s happening that you don’t know about. The goal is to help people understand our world better. Changing their minds? I don’t know. I hope so.”

Changing Lives

Chesbrough also recalled a conversation in his driveway with a then recent graduate of Lisbon High whom he had had to suspend four times.

“This young man walked up to me and said, ’You disciplined me like the rest of the kids and didn’t make choices based on my last name. You encouraged me to stay in school and graduate,’” Chesbrough said. “He also went to college and has been very successful in his career. I hated seeing teachers label kids. Everyone deserves a fair shot.”

Chesbrough also served as the president of the teachers’ union, negotiating contracts and advocating for teachers’ rights. When he became the district’s superintendent, he said the teachers knew he’d be fair with them.

“I knew the teachers well, and we worked very well together,” Chesbrough said. “I never had a budget defeated, and we always had a contract on time.”

Setting Up Shop

Chesbrough’s influence on the small, rural district and its graduates stretches around the globe.

Educator shows students the path to prosperity and equality

Sometimes it’s consistency—or the lack of variability—that leads to the biggest changes.

Retired teacher and administrator Wayne Chesbrough ’74 said education is a great equalizer that can set troubled youths on the right path, provide students from families of limited means the tools to succeed and hold more entitled students to the same standards.

As an industrial arts teacher, vice principal, principal and superintendent in the Lisbon (N.Y.) Central School District for more than three decades, Chesbrough helped transform the lives of thousands of students.

Shortly after writing the district’s first-ever Code of Student Conduct handbook and initiating its adoption, Chesbrough, in his early days as a new administrator, had his beliefs tested; the son of the then superintendent set off a smoke bomb in the school’s cafeteria.

“I suspended him for five days,” Chesbrough said. “After this was all over, the superintendent came down and said, ’Wayne, that took a lot of guts to suspend my son when you just took this job.’ I said, ’Well, we got this handbook now, and I’m going to follow it.’ He said, ’Stick to your guns, and you’re going to be successful.’”

Recently, three former students from the 1970s reminded him of the impact he has had. They sent him a 10-page typed letter filled with memories of their time at Lisbon High School and their interactions with Chesbrough. They made a small sculpture of a Lockheed Martin C5-A Aircraft and presented it to him in Lisbon in 2021.

“I’ve flown this aircraft around the world many times, over several wars, in and out of trouble zones,” said Charles LaFaver, who graduated from Lisbon High School in 1979. “It has carried cargo that changed the world to be a better, safer place. You are part of that!”

LaFaver and classmates, Jerrald C. Hyde and Timothy L. Ladouceur, shared stories of their antics in high school and how Chesbrough engaged them in the industrial arts shop and encouraged them to stay the course and graduate, even when their own wills were wavering.

“I regret that I’ve waited 40 years to tell you,” LaFaver said. “I’ve carried our experiences through life and they have always been in my heart since those days. Many of the things I mentioned [in the letter to Chesbrough] are always on the forefront of my presentday commitments and decisions.”

Assembling the Parts

Chesbrough understood how education can be interrupted and also how finishing the course can open up opportunities in life.

He first came to SUNY Oswego in 1961, a graduate fresh out of the small, rural high school in St. Regis Falls, N.Y.

“It was great,” Chesbrough said. “I really enjoyed Oswego.”

But during the summer after his sophomore year, he was involved in a very bad car accident. Because of the injuries sustained, he couldn’t work and had no money to return to Oswego that fall.

“I started looking for a job because I wanted to finish college,” he said. He found a job in a cotton mill, but not satisfied with that work, he decided to enlist in the U.S. Air Force. He was medically discharged from basic training, due to severe asthma.

“I tried to appeal it, but was denied,” he said. He then accepted a position at Eastman Kodak in Rochester, N.Y., and met and married his wife, Glenda. His life seemed to be moving him away from completing his degree at SUNY Oswego. About 3 ½ years into his Kodak job, he received a phone call from his high school industrial arts teacher. Lisbon Central School had been looking for an industrial arts teacher for six months and had no applicants.

Although Chesbrough only had two years of college, the district was desperate and made an exception to hire him in a probationary two-year appointment. His wife found a job as an administrative assistant in the district, too.

“I really liked it,” he said. When the probation period was up, the district didn’t want him to leave, but they needed him to get his college degree and teaching certification.

He returned to Oswego part time, then full time, finishing his degree in 1974 and attending graduation with his wife and two young daughters.

Replicating the Model

Little did he know then, that he would become his daughters’ role model and that they would follow in his footsteps.

“I always knew I wanted to be a teacher,” said Julie Chesbrough Mitchell ’92, his eldest daughter, an English teacher at

Fairport (N.Y.) High School. “I always was very focused on what our dad was doing. I used to play school in his classroom on the chalkboard. I felt very comfortable when I visited SUNY Oswego, so I decided to do that.”

When it came time for Chesbrough’s youngest to apply to college, she looked to her family.

“I went to SUNY Oswego because my dad and my sister did, and I had visited Julie there,” admitted Kathy Chesbrough Foster ’94, who majored in English education. “I also went the educational route because that’s what was in my family, and I ended up really liking it.”

Foster said she loved the social aspects of Oswego, too, and was involved in intramural sports and Phi Sigma Sigma sorority, following the lead of her dad— who is a Beta Tau Epsilon brother.

Foster went on to earn a speech pathology degree at SUNY Fredonia, and worked as a speech pathologist in the Rochester (N.Y.) City School District before becoming an assistant coordinator for clinical therapies at Monroe #1 BOCES.

Chesbrough said he never encouraged his daughters to become educators nor to attend Oswego, but he is very proud that they did both. His daughters said it was impossible not to be inspired by their father and his passion for his profession.

Share Your Change

“Education is vital to our democratic society. It touches every aspect of everybody’s life. We need education that is suited for students’ interests, including college, but also trade schools and programs that we used to teach in industrial arts classes.”

“I always was in awe of the way that he encouraged and nurtured relationships with students,” Mitchell said. “I just thought, ’Gosh, I wish I could make a difference like that.’”

Foster thought she might also like the field of education because so much of the work involved building relationships with other people.

“Every day there’d be some exciting story he would have to tell, and I think that’s really what made me gravitate to education,” Foster said. “You can have your plans for the day, but the kids are going to drive that plan. That’s what made students love our dad.”

Chesbrough said what makes a successful educator is enjoying students—and all the unpredictability that they bring to school every day.

“If you’re a teacher and you come home at night and say, ’Oh, that’s such a boring job,’ then you’re not doing something right,” Chesbrough said. “You’ve missed the mainstay of your whole vocation. I don’t think it’s ever boring when you’re dealing with kids.”

His daughters often consult with Chesbrough when a problem arises in their classroom or with another teacher or administrator, and he enjoys being able to share his experience and provide a little guidance.

“My sister and I are in the field of public education because of what we witnessed with our father’s fairness and quest for equity,” Mitchell said. “He understood the difference a good education and personal recommendations could actually make for young people. We are incredibly proud of our Dad, and believe this is the ’stuff’ teachers are made of.”

Changing Climate

Masterdiver in his Field

“Bill has published over 375 technical reports and a couple of books about corals, coral reefs and other marine habitats,” said Dan Savercool ’84, a zoology major and a manager of water and natural resources at EA Engineering, Science and Technology, Inc. “That is a phenomenal everlasting legacy that is available to scientists, decision makers and the interested public—and will be for many, many years.”

Precht is featured in National Geographic’s four-part television series, Strange Days on Planet Earth, narrated by Hollywood actor Edward Norton, and in the Emmy award-winning New Mexico PBS documentary, Desert Reef. He authored two books, including the seminal Coral Reef Restoration Handbook—The Rehabilitation of an Ecosystem under Siege (CRC Press, 2006).

Perhaps it was the 100 inches of snow that fell in Oswego in January 1978 that solidified his memory, but William Precht ’79 can clearly recall when his life changed forever.

He was sitting in a sand patch on the coral reef at Jamaica’s Discovery Bay Marine Lab waiting to complete a check-out dive with his classmates. They had to show their scuba skills were adequate to do the open water diving, so they could gather research on the coral reefs for their SUNY Oswego coursework.

“I was just looking at the coral reef around me,” he said. “I never had this feeling before. It was just awe-inspiring. I got back to the boat to where Professor Dave Thomas was, and I looked at him and I said, ’How can I do this the rest of my life?’”

That 1978 spring break trip set him on course to become one of the leading researchers on coral reefs, seagrasses and mangrove ecosystems in the world today.

Diving In

Prof. Thomas laid out the academic path Precht would need to follow to achieve this new goal, and Precht went all in. (See related story on Geology Prof. Dave Thomas on back cover.)

Precht admitted that until that point, he had never fully applied himself to academic studies. But after that conversation on the boat with Prof. Thomas, he became laser-focused on performing well in his remaining classes.

Precht also earned the respect of Thomas and other professors who wrote him letters of recommendation to get into graduate school—an option he never envisioned for his future prior to that trip abroad.

Precht went on to earn a master’s degree in earth science from Adelphi University, a certificate in carbonate sedimentology from the Colorado School of Mines and graduate credits in coral reefs and geology from the University of Northern Colorado, and he completed all but his dissertation in the doctoral program at the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric and Earth Science.

Since graduating from the University of Miami, Precht has spent the past 30 years in the Miami, Fla., area working on everything from environmental impact statements to monitoring coastal marine ecosystems to see how they change over time. A certified PADI Open Water SCUBA diver since 1974, he has logged more than 5,000 scientific dives, with 4,750 dives on coral reefs and associated ecosystems.

“He’s world-class on a lot of levels,” said long-time research partner and friend Richard B. Aronson, Ph.D., professor and head of the Department of Ocean Engineering and Marine Sciences at the Florida Institute of Technology. “He has encyclopedic knowledge on the science of coral reefs and instant recall of the literature.”

The pair had both been studying the coral reefs at Discovery Bay Marine Lab since the late 1970s and met there in 1987 when Precht was conducting research as a graduate student at the University of Miami and Aronson, a young professor at Northeastern University, was leading a group of students in field study.

Precht, a geologist by training, asked to tag along to visit an ancient coral reef that he had studied with Prof. Thomas during their trip to Jamaica nine years earlier.

“I agreed, but, in exchange, he had to do a little talk about the reef to my students,” Aronson said. “Well, I quickly discovered how animated and engaging he is as a teacher.”

That interaction led to Precht becoming an adjunct professor in Northeastern University’s Three Seas - East/West Marine Biology Program, where he has taught a course in coral reef ecology for 33 years.

“He is a brilliant instructor,” Aronson said. “He’s very good with the students. He’s sociable, outgoing, extraordinarily kind and a mentor to his students. They adore him. He’s just a really great guy.”

Coral reef scientist seeks to protect and restore marine ecosystems

Share Your Change

“We have to understand what killed the corals and make sure that the cause is ameliorated before we do the restoration. One of the major causes of corals’ demise is increasing temperatures through global climate change. So, if we don’t change that, then we’re never going to get in front of this problem.”

A trip to Belizean coral reefs in the late 1980s was pivotal to their career trajectories, as the changes they witnessed to the coral reefs over a decade were so dramatic and devastating that they felt compelled to investigate what was happening to these critical elements in coastal marine ecosystems. This 35-year partnership has resulted in the pair authoring over 100 scientific manuscripts on coral reefs.

For a day job, Precht developed a career in environmental consulting, with expertise in environmental resource management, coastal and ocean policy, mitigation planning, marine and freshwater habitat restoration, and environmental regulation, but he never ventured far from his true love—coral reefs.

An Anchor Line for the Future

Precht said he studies history and ancient reefs to better understand what’s happening today.

“He literally discovered a disease—stony tissue loss disease—that was destroying certain corals along the East Coast, and it has spread to the Caribbean,” Aronson said. The disease attacks soft tissue of at least 22 species of reef-building corals, killing them within weeks or months of becoming infected.

The coastal marine ecosystem has seen a 95 percent decline in the coral population since the 1970s. Coral used to cover more than 50 percent of reefs 50 years ago, but today covers only 3 percent, which is problematic on many fronts. Coral reefs provide underwater structure for fish and aquatic life to hide from predators. Those fish also provide food for humans, and coral reefs are the feature attraction in a multibillion-dollar tourism industry worldwide, according to Precht.

“From a biodiversity standpoint, coral reefs are the rainforests of the sea,” Precht said. “There are more marine organisms that live on a coral reef than anywhere else in the marine environment.”

Today, as director of Marine and Coastal Programs with Dial Cordy and Associates, Inc., he helps restore coral reefs and marine ecosystems that have been damaged by things like oil spills and ship groundings. He also helps assess the environmental impact of coastal development, port expansions and military installations. After decades of collecting data about changes in the coral populations throughout Florida and the Caribbean, Precht said the evidence is clear that the dramatic decline of coral reefs is tied directly to global warming.

“We have to get global carbon emissions under control,” he said. “Failure to do that will eventually lead to the demise of not just coral reef ecosystems on a global scale, but other ecosystems, as well. While depressing, there are solutions, and we must act globally before it’s too late.”

Precht serves on the Scientific Advisory Panel of the Coral Restoration Foundation in the Florida Keys to restore damaged reefs by transplanting corals grown in nurseries.

“While we’re not fixing coral reefs at the ecosystem scale level yet, there have been dramatic advances in the genetics and coral husbandry techniques,” Precht said. “The more we learn about these ecosystems, the greater success we’re having and will have.”

This optimism drives him to work on solving these complex problems. But ultimately, Precht’s greatest contribution might come in the form of his ability to inspire and educate today and tomorrow’s leaders.

For example, all three of his daughters have pursued careers in sustainability: his eldest, Lindsey, is the assistant director of the Environment & Sustainability Department for the City of Miami Beach; his middle daughter, Chandler, is an adjunct professor and the associate director for the Sustainability Management + Science Programs at Columbia University’s Earth Institute; and his youngest, Madison, is a senior at Drew University majoring in environmental sustainability and journalism.

“My dad’s contributions to environmental science—particularly in the field of marine geology in the Caribbean region—are incomparable,” said Lindsey Precht. “He is a true conservationist and it shows in everything he does and all the lives he’s touched. I’m always amazed at how far his reach is and how many young marine scientists he has influenced.”

See more content about Bill’s research at magazine.oswego.edu.

Changing Hands

“Little by little, I told my friends and eventually told my boss and coworkers,” she said. “Then I was recommended to an exerciseprogram that is specially designed for Parkinson’s patients. That was the best thing for me both physically, socially and emotionally.”

Now, twice a week she dons her pink boxing gloves and participates in explosive movement through boxing, core strength and balance. This non-athlete has excelled so much that her husband (John Smeallie ’79) “sleeps with one eye open,” she joked. But her artwork was a different story. How would she be able to continue to create art when she was losing control of her dominant right hand?

Art had been the constant throughout her life. She had earned a living by using her talent in a variety of ways. From making signs and window displays at Clothing Junction in Oswego her senior year of college, to becoming a fashion illustrator for a department store, to being a cartographer for a power company to teaching art in both public and private schools, she could depend on her art to support her financially and spiritually.

John Smeallie said throughout their 43 years of marriage that no matter where they lived they always found a space to create for Mary to do her art—whether it was in the den or small space outside of the kitchen.

“Whatever apartment we had, we found a spot because she had this drive within her that she had to do her art,” John said.

Mary Smeallie said in those dark moments when she started to question her ability to continue making art, she drew inspiration from her father and her grandmother who she described as being “amazing people” who possessed “a true Irish tenacity.”

Right-handed artist faces disability by training her left hand

Mary Cottle Smeallie ’78 still remembers the assignment her first-grade teacher gave the class—a self-portrait in advance of parent-teacher conferences.

“I took two extra days to do mine,” she said. “I had done a profile view, and I had long eyelashes, a Spanish mantilla, gold earrings and lipstick. Mine didn’t look like anybody else’s.”

While her teacher might not have been impressed with her over-labored approach, her parents were. They nurtured her passion and her artistic gifts by allowing her to take private classes at the Everson Art Museum in Syracuse.

Bottom line: She was born to be an artist.

So, in 2013, when the tremor in her right hand revealed that she had Parkinson’s disease, a progressive illness that causes unintended or uncontrollable movements, she cried the whole way home from the doctor’s office.

“It was a devastating diagnosis,” she said. “I thought it would be like a pinched nerve or an essential tremor. This was life-changing.”

Initially, the effects were minimal. Her right hand had a tremor but she continued to teach art at the elementary level and kept her diagnosis private. As time passed, it was harder to hide.

“My father was never a quitter, and he taught me that attitude had a lot to do with success,” she said. “Determine what you want and then go get it.”

So she did. She couldn’t imagine a life without art, so she began drawing and painting with her left hand.

Practice Makes Perfect

“I don’t remember a date when I said, ’OK, left hand, you’ve been doing nothing all these years. Let’s get to work,’” Smeallie said. “It wasn’t like that. It was gradual, but thank God, I did it. Maybe I was meant to be a left-handed person in the beginning, as some people say my work is better with my left hand than my right.”

Her friends said they admire her resiliency.

“Mary may be little in stature but her spirit is fierce and undaunted,” said Tina Verno Stevens ’79, who has been friends with Mary and John for four decades. “Nothing was going to stand in her way. That’s who she is. She’s a tough cookie!”

Stevens said she truly believes that a lot of her friends’ resiliency and strength come from navigating and surviving the winters in Oswego.

“Mary and John see life for what it is. They see the hardships and they choose to tackle them, as opposed to fold up their tent and go home. They are truly special people, and they take care of each other.”

In addition to Mary’s Parkinson’s diagnosis, John, a retired video producer, struggles with peripheral blindness, the result of his Type 1 diabetes.

“It’s weird that I am a videographer who depended on my vision, and Mary, an artist who needs her hands to create,” John said. “But we work together.”

For example, the couple recently built a bench together, with Mary getting the screws lined up into the corresponding holes with her eyes and John tightening them with his hands.

With Vibrant Color and Bold Strokes

Elise Frazer, who is the wife of Mike Frazer ’79 and a close friend of the Smeallies, is an artist herself and said she is impressed with Mary’s ability to create equally bold and compelling art after transitioning to her non-dominant left hand.

“She’s not one to ring her own bell,” Frazer said. “That’s not Mary. She just goes on her quiet little self. She continues to do her art and have her exhibitions, and found a way to keep doing what she loves.

Share Your Change

“I’m much more patient now with myself and with others. And humor. Being able to laugh. I think that’s healthy. If you dwell on the negatives, it’s not healthy. It brings you down and keeps you down.”

If it had happened to a weaker person, they might have curled into a ball and given up, but there’s no way Mary was going to do that.”

As the progression of the disease looms, John said his wife has been prolific in her creation of art.

She recently created 50 works for a one-woman exhibition at the Noah Webster House in West Hartford, Conn., which ran from November through December 2022, and she’s also participated in craft shows and hosted an open house in her art studio that adjoins her home in West Hartford, Conn.

“She’s always been different, and walks to the beat of her own drum,” said John, who fell in love with her (and her pen and ink drawings for The Oswegonian) during their college days when they listened to jazz at the Cameo Cafe in Oswego and took long walks along the lake shore. “She’s an Irish girl with a strong will. She’s tough. She’s always been driven. But now her motivation may be a little different because now she feels like she might lose her left hand, so she’s

doing everything she can and drawing like crazy.”

Perhaps even more impressive than her beautiful artwork is her indomitable spirit—often expressed in her sense of humor.

“She is so funny,” Elise Frazer said. “She comes out with some of the best stuff.”

The three friends have a running joke about blue suede shoes, stemming from an incident during Reunion 2019 when Smeallie’s blue shoes were inadvertently left near their car outside of Lakeside residence halls. It became a running joke through the weekend, and Smeallie ended up painting each of them an Oswego sunset with a pair of blue suede shoes hidden somewhere in the photo.

When Reunion returned to its in-person format in 2022, Tina and Elise planted blue shoes throughout Smeallie’s room, outside her Riggs Hall door and wherever she could stumble upon them. Stevens was hiding the last pair of shoes when Smeallie came out of the bathroom and caught her in the middle of the prank.

“Humor has healing properties,” Smeallie said. “If you can laugh at yourself, you’re much better off, especially in tough times. And art has been cathartic. The fact that I can still do it, that’s my most important goal.”

Changing Outlook

about. I want to educate and empower others to live their healthiest version of their life.”

Until that point, Agona—and any outside viewer—would have thought that she was living a life that was happy and successful.

A Clear Vision from the Start

Throughout her childhood and high school years, Agona had been a strong student, especially in math, and so she determined that she wanted to become an accountant so she could take over her father’s printing business.

Like so many SUNY Oswego students throughout the years, Agona visited campus on a beautiful August day when Mother Nature provided a warm breeze off the water to accompany a spectacular sunset.

“I was like, ’Oh my God, yeah, this is perfect,’” she remembered. “What I didn’t realize was that there would also be the snow, the cold or any of those things, but as it turned out, it was one of the best decisions that I ever made.”

In addition to loving her accounting courses with Prof. Bill Lundy, she also met the love of her life, her husband of 27 years, Chad Agona ’93

Chad had just transferred into Oswego and was settling into the third floor of Seneca. As a new student, he had a course catalog to review to help him pick out courses. When Lisa got closed out of a class, she needed to scan the catalog to find another course.

“Nobody had catalogs, but then someone said, ’Oh, I think the new guy does,’” she recalled. “I banged on his door and he gave me his catalog. We still have the catalog.”

Illness prompts the creation of clean cosmetics company

Lisa Swengros Agona ’93 was 37 years old with two children under 10 when she was told she had a brain tumor and six months left to live.

“It was November 4, a beautiful fall day here in New York,” she recalled of that day in 2008. “As soon as I got the call from the doctor, I immediately got in the car and started heading to him. I’m driving, and I remember thinking, ’What has my life been about? Do I like what I do on a daily basis? Am I present as a mother?’”

“And I realized I’m not,” she said. “I’m checking boxes and thinking about what’s next. I realized that I was just going through the motions of what maybe was expected of me.”

She did some serious soul-searching to determine how she wanted to live those next (or final) six months of her life.

As someone who was committed to growing her own vegetables and making healthy lifestyle choices, she thought she had done a decent job taking care of herself and she asked her doctor what caused this tumor.

“He said, ’It was likely caused by environmental factors—it could be something as simple as what you’re putting on your skin,’” she said. “And it was like, boom! I knew. That’s what this was all

In addition to getting to know her new floormate and his Alpha Epsilon Pi brothers, she threw herself into academics, becoming president of the Accounting Club and lining up a job with Ernst & Young for after graduation, by her junior year.

“She always took her studies incredibly seriously and never gave less than 100%,” said Jill Consor Beck ’93, also an accounting major, her roommate for junior and senior years and a close friend. “Anything lower than an ’A’ for her was not a good day in our household. Her focus on her academics made her a standout, particularly when she earned a coveted internship slot at E&Y (at the time Ernst & Young) between junior and senior year. She was likely the top student in our year, but also didn’t hesitate to help others who were not grasping concepts as well as she did.”

From the Chaos Comes Order

After graduating, Agona became a certified public accountant and worked at the Ernst & Young job before switching gears to accept a job in HBO’s management international finance division, which enabled her to travel all over the world.

She then moved into executive coaching and created a large greenhouse in her backyard to grow vegetables and plants, and she started to check off all the boxes that she had planned for her life—two kids, yellow lab, certain kind of house, car and lifestyle.

“It was never for me,” she said. “It was just the plan that I had to accomplish. I wasn’t really present in the moment. I was always thinking about the next thing I need to achieve.”

So, here she was, presented with the possibility of dying within the next six months, and that jarring moment brought clarity.

“I need to create change,” she said. “It’s not OK what’s going on in the skincare industry, especially in the United States. I’m going to create a skincare line. It’s going to be safe, it’s going to be effective. I want to make it look chic. And I started formulating.

“When you have six months, you get really creative with how you’re going to spend your life,” she said. “And so when my kids were at school, I was researching; talking to aromatherapists, naturopathic doctors, dermatologists and other doctors; meeting with other doctors to give me a different diagnosis and prognosis and finding out everything I could about the beauty industry and starting to create some products on my own because I was going to find a way to survive and I was going to create a legacy of change.”

A New Identity Emerges

She also began blogging about her experience under the name Indie Lee (short for Independent Lisa) to keep all her friends and family informed about treatments and progress without sacrificing her privacy.

She initially launched her skincare line as Botanical Collection, but she learned that name couldn’t be trademarked. So, in 2011, she officially changed her name to Indie Lee and used that as the new brand name.

“I love my new name,” Lee said. “Lisa was the accountant. Indie Lee is the lover of life!”

Share Your Change

“Take some risks. There’s always going to be failure. But fail fast and learn from them. Lean into what the learning is. But if you know in your heart that this is your purpose, don’t let anybody tell you differently. What I’ve learned is that other people’s opinion of me is none of my business.”

~ Indie Lee ’93 (formerly Lisa Swengros Agona ’93), founder of Indie Lee & Co. Inc., a clean skincare and cosmetics company

The high-end cleansers, exfoliants, toners, moisturizers, masks, skin treatments and cosmetics are all clean, eco-friendly and cruelty-free. The company follows California Proposition 65 and the EU guidelines, which bans the use of more than 1,300 ingredients that are dangerous to humans and the environment.

Ancora Investment Holdings invested in Indie Lee, which is now sold in more than 2,000 stores worldwide, including Ulta, Nordstrom and Bluemercury.

“The coolest thing was when I was at Bluemercury recently here in Seattle and saw a whole display stand of just Indie Lee products,” Beck said. “I told the sales gal that Indie was my college roommate and she almost fell to the floor. When I showed her a pic of the two of us, she was so excited to tell me how much she loves Indie Lee’s products.”

Beck said she was impressed that her friend had scaled the New York-based company so well that Indie Lee products were displayed with such prominence in a store on the other side of the country. Indie Lee’s beauty goes deeper than the skin.

“When I look in the mirror I see someone who really loves life every day. Every day. I mean, I have wrinkles because I smile so much,” she said.

When her friends and family look at her, they see someone with a strong character, “empathetic, intelligent and, most of all, funny as hell,” Beck said.

“When I think of Indie, the phrase ’courage of conviction’ comes to mind,” Beck said. “She bet on herself to take a path and stick with it when so much ambiguity existed. Indie migrated into the wellness space well before it was even called ’wellness’. No one was thinking about making real money in that industry and taking on the incumbents.”

Lee took a negative situation, flipped it on its head, made something positive and inspired others to do the same, or as she said: “take a lemon and make limoncello!”

“I’m able to cycle through some of the tougher things a little bit faster because my perspective is, ’Like, okay, this sucks, but I’m alive,’” she said. “Also, I do have a superpower, and it’s asking for help. People want to give of themselves. By asking for help in an area that they can be of value, you’re giving them a gift, too. That perspective has changed so much for me that today, I can say, ’I’m here for a purpose.’ 13-plus years after my diagnosis, and I’m still doing it.”

Changing Code

But with each new issue, the team stepped up to troubleshoot. Both students had full schedules with classes, work and a host of extracurricular activities, including the Society of Hispanic Engineers for Ibanez and the Muslim Student Association, the National Society of Black Engineers, an outreach internship in Admissions, technical assistant position for the ECE department, a resident assistant position and tutor for Ndiaye. Both are also members of SUNY Oswego’s Robotics Club.

They met nightly for several hours, sometimes into the middle of the night, to work on their project.

After graduation in May, Ibanez said he plans to find a career in the power industry.

Engineers repeatedly revise project en route to innovation

Nobody wants a burnt Raspberry Pi. That was certainly the case for the electrical and computing engineering (ECE) duo of Yahya Ibrahima Ndiaye ’22 (above, at right) and Diego Alejandro Ibanez ’23 who fried the microprocessor on MagRetract, a robot they designed and built in their senior capstone project.

Early in the design process, they had overwhelmed the Raspberry Pi microprocessor and had to revise their design to properly power the circuit that enables the robot to autonomously clean up metal scraps from a construction site.

“The work we do definitely involves a lot of trial, error and revision,” said Ndiaye, a native of Senegal who first came to SUNY Oswego in 2017 for the GENIUS Olympiad in high school. “We were to solve these problems by spending a few weeks trying to understand what we might have done wrong and therefore revise our ways of operation. Throughout this project, we had on multiple occasions changed or revised the specs of our robot to ensure an optimal design of the overall project.”

Ibanez, a native of Brentwood, N.Y., said the process of trial and revision is what makes the field of engineering so appealing to him.

“Hitting a ‘dead end’ is probably the most frustrating thing about this line of work,” Ibanez said. “That being said, the moment when you finally figure out the issue and

get the project working is the greatest feeling one can feel. The longer you stay in that ‘dead end’ phase, the better the feeling afterwards when you solve the problem.”

The pair of engineers encountered several problems in developing their capstone project robot. To fix the burnt microprocessor, they added a bigger battery for more power, which created a new challenge as the weight of the battery caused the robot to tip over. Along the way, they made small revisions to the software code and larger changes to the chassis of the robot.

“I hope to develop a new piece of equipment that can change the way we power our country,” Ibanez said. “Whether it be a big or small change, I just want to be able to say that I contributed to something bigger than myself.”

Ndiaye graduated in December with a job lined up with the mining company Freeport-McMoRan in Arizona, and he plans to work for a while and earn a Ph.D. in electrical and computer engineering before returning to his home country.

“I would like to take my knowledge and experience back to Senegal to modernize the agriculture and farming industries,” he said. “I would like to thank my parents and SUNY Oswego for giving me the opportunity and setting me up for success to get a great education, which will be beneficial to my country in the future.”

Share Your Change

“As we progress into the future, engineers will continue to change, develop and introduce new technology that will change the world for the better.”

“Engineers have changed and continue to change the world in many ways by conducting research to discover more ways to make the world a better place to live.”

~ Diego Ibanez ’23

~ Yahya Ndiaye ’22

Class Notes

From The Archives

Ch-ch-ch-changes!

This photo, taken by Jim Gemza ’70, depicts a student with her parents on Move-In Day in the late 1960s. Notice the Zenith typewriter, business casual attire, the formal footwear and suitcases—a far cry from the laptops, shorts, T-shirts, sneakers and plastic bins visible during Move-In Day today.

Beyond fashion, the make-up of the student body has also changed, with 4 in 10 new students in fall 2022 identifying themselves as culturally diverse. Approximately 12 percent of American men and 8 percent of American women in the late 1960s had a college degree contrasted to today when approximately 37 percent of women and 34 percent of men in the country have college degrees. No doubt, all SUNY Oswego students—past, present and future—experience some dramatic changes during their years in college. Their minds change. Their worldviews change. Their passions change. Their goals change. Their friends change. Their lives change

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.

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:

Due to changes to our typical production schedule, this Class Notes reflects submissions from Jan. 1, 2021, through June 30, 2022. We apologize if the information has changed since submission.

We encourage alumni to submit their updates as we expect to resume our normal schedule in 2023. All submissions received between Jan. 1-June 30 typically run in the Fall/Winter issue; and submissions received July 1-Dec. 31 run in our Spring/Summer issue.

Thank you!

1950s

Sheila Greene Bellen ’53 of New York, N.Y., is a retired teacher who formerly worked at Polk Street School in Franklin Square, N.Y.

William T. Mayer ’57 of Garnerville, N.Y., is a retired industrial arts teacher. He remembers teaching metal shop as an assistant professor as a senior because of an enlarged enrollment in fall 1956.

Gerald Goran ’59 of Anaheim, Calif., is involved in Epsilon Pi Tau and served as the gift chair for the spring industrial arts program. He was also the three-year table tennis champion and represented Oswego in a tournament in Utica. After graduating with a degree in industrial arts, he taught for 38 years in Buena Park, Calif., and has since retired.

Ruth Weingarten Jenkin ’59 of Wynnewood, Pa., is a trainer for Weight Watchers.

Priscilla Sanders Walsh ’59 of Groveland, Mass., is a retired office manager from Appli-tec, Inc. in Salem, N.H. She is a member of Theta Chi Rho sorority.

1960s

Janice Stoutner Esse ’60 of Fairport, N.Y., is a help desk technician at Finger Lakes Community College.

Carol Humphrey Berggren ’62 of Ballston Spa, N.Y., is a retired teacher at North Colonie Central School. She is a part of Arethusa Eta sorority and Kappa Delta Pi, and was involved in Symphonic Choir.

Beverly Gutman Bierman ’64 of Delray Beach, Fla., worked as a learning disabilities specialist at East Ramapo (N.Y.) School District.

Linda Tufel Chapman ’64 of Long Beach, Calif., is a retired teacher from Little Lake City School District in Santa Fe Springs, Calif. She is a member of Alpha Delta Eta sorority and was a member of Symphonic Choir.

Teresa Ryczek Colwell ’64 of Newport, N.C., is a retired credit review specialist who formerly worked for Verizon Wireless.

Sharon Forse Lea ’65 of Blue Bell, Pa., is an Alpha Delta Eta sister, and she was a part of Symphonic Choir and the Newman Club. In 2021, she moved to outside Philadelphia to be near her two daughters, after spending 34 years in northeast Florida.

Kathleen McHale Mantaro ’65 of Oswego worked as an adjunct instructor at SUNY Oswego. She is in Pi Delta Chi sorority, and was in the Newman Club and a part of The Oswegonian.

Regina D’Onofrio Falbo ’66 of Bradenton, Fla., is a homemaker. She is in Arethusa Eta sorority.

Beverly DeFlores Schultz ’66 of Clifton Park, N.Y., is a retired computer software specialist. She served as vice president, alumnae treasurer and newsletter chair of Theta Chi Rho sorority at Oswego.

and weekly radio show for the Las Cruces, NM KTAL-LP radio station called “Music They Don’t Want You to Hear.” He is also the founding director of A Still Small Voice 4U Inc., a philanthropic organization that presents folk concerts and sponsors artists, festivals and community groups in support of the arts, culture and community.

Donald Davis ’67 of Baldwinsville, N.Y., is a former senior water quality scientist who retired after 54 years working in the public, private and military sectors of the physical, chemical and biological treatment of drinking water. He is a brother of Alpha Phi Omega and also served in the U.S. Navy. Donald recently celebrated his 50th wedding anniversary with his wife, Anne, with whom he has two daughters and three granddaughters.

Ronald Ray ’67 of Greensburg, Pa., works in educational sales. He is in the Sigma Tau Chi fraternity. He was a part of the Psychology Club, Statesmen, State Singers and Men’s Residence Hall Council and was a resident assistant.

Patricia Smith Robbins ’67 M’81 CAS’01 of Henderson, N.Y., is a retired teacher who formerly worked for Phoenix Central School District. As a teacher, Patricia specialized in math and science.

Karen Gallo Eggleston ’68 of Cicero, N.Y., was a teacher at North Syracuse School District. She is a Theta Chi Rho sister and today serves on the Reunion planning committee.

Roberta Swaney Kohut ’68 of Ithaca, N.Y., is a substitute teacher. At Oswego, she was involved in the Symphonic Choir, Swing Sixteen, Alpha Kappa Phi and the thespian club, along with working as a telephone operator in Hart Hall and for Dr. Maurice O. Boyd in the music department.

John ’66 and Sally Sodemann Sroka ’66 (above) of Defreetsville, N.Y., celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary on the St. Lawrence River with David Jacobowitz ’70 and Kathleen Fitzpatrick Moran ’77

Ronald Cooke ’67 of East Greenbush, N.Y., is the author of Obituaries and Other Lies, a book of short stories and poems currently available on Amazon. Ron also runs a well-received blog at at assv4u.com/blog

Eugene Drumm ’69 of Denver, Colo., is a principal at Organization and Staff Effectiveness Consultants after serving in senior positions at Fujitsu America, Microsoft and Newmont Mining. He has happy, although somewhat hazy memories of fun times at Buckland’s and Nunzi’s with his Phi Sigma Phi brothers. He lives with wife, Pat, and they enjoy time with their children and six grandchildren.

Ronald Hedger ’69 of Ballston Spa, N.Y., is a trustee of, and curates exhibitions for the Saratoga Automobile Museum in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. He previously worked as a teacher at Utica (N.Y.) Free Academy and as an instructor in auto mechanics

and technology chairman in Troy, N.Y. He served as chairman of the New York State Stock Car Association Hall of Fame Committee for many years and served three terms as president of the Eastern Motorsport Press Association. He and his wife, Lynne, split their time between Ballston Spa and the Villages, Fla., and enjoy traveling to the Mayan Riviera and Ireland.

Donald Sova ’69 of Silver Spring, Md., retired from technology consulting after a 25-year federal career in the Office of NASA’s Chief Engineer, where he directed research in software engineering and software assurance. At Oswego, he played varsity baseball and is a brother of Sigma Gamma fraternity. After graduating from Oswego State, he served in the U.S. Army. He holds an MBA from the University of Utah, and an M.S. and Ph.D. in engineering from the University of Maryland.

Charles “Chuck” Wysocki ’69 of Collingswood, N.J., served in the United States Army and is a retired research scientist after working for Monell Chemical Senses Center. He is a member of Beta Tau Epsilon fraternity.

1970s

Dee Gilligan Banagan ’70 of Delmar, N.Y., is a retired administrative assistant. She is in Arethusa Eta sorority.

Georgene Megas Bramley ’70 of Wilmington, N.C., is a retired teacher who formerly worked at UNC Wilmington. She is a part of Arethusa Eta sorority.

Susan Atkins Jerva ’70 of Auburn, N.Y., is a retired teacher at Union Springs Central Schools.

Karen Marzynski ’70 of Syracuse, N.Y., is in Theta Chi Rho sorority, and currently volunteers at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo. Karen also volunteers with the North Area Volunteer Ambulance Corps and is a member of Delta Kappa Gamma.

Tina Goldstein Penzel ’70 of New York, N.Y., retired as program manager of the Division of Neonatology from NYU Langone Medical Center, and now assists as an administrator at the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. She volunteers as a food preparation worker at the Brotherhood Synagogue and delivers meals to seniors through DOROT. At Oswego, she was president of Iota Xi sorority and was a part of The Oswegonian.

Edward Salvetti ’70 of Fulton, N.Y., served in the U.S. Navy Nuclear program after graduation. In 1977, he was hired to work in the Chemistry Department of the New York Power Authority at the Fitzpatrick Nuclear plant in Oswego. He worked there for 37 years, retiring in 2013. He remembers fondly his years at Oswego, particularly in chemistry classes with Dr. Gus Silveira.

Jean Hilfiker Accorsini ’71 of South Harwich, Mass., played field hockey and basketball at SUNY Oswego, and belongs to Arethusa Eta, the college’s branch of local sorority Sigma Gamma Phi. Jean enjoys playing golf with her husband and volunteering at a women’s empowerment organization on Cape Cod.

Kristina Kurowski Crowley ’71 of Bloomfield, N.Y., was an educator at Bloomfield Central High School.

Karin Franklin-King ’71 of Central Square, N.Y., is self-employed as a TV/radio host/ public relations consultant. At Oswego, she was a part of Blackfriars, human resources club, Alpha Psi Omega (theatre) Greek Honor Society and Solid State/State Singers.

Ellen Talaba Fuller ’71 of Little Falls, N.Y., is a retired entrepreneur and owner of Crafts From the Heart.

Raymond Harquail ’71 of King Ferry, N.Y., is a military veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Navy. Raymond is moving back to the Finger Lakes after being a ship crewman in Dana Point, Calif.

Karen Holliday ’71 of Murdock, Fla., is retired as a reading specialist at Monroe

Loyal Lakers

Woodbury Central Schools. She is a part of Theta Chi Rho sorority and was a part of Sodus Migrant Program.

Maxine Solomon Jones ’71 of Upper Marlboro, Md., is an adjunct mathematics professor at SUNY Oswego. She was in the college choir and Vega while at Oswego.

Francine Zolkower Wolf ’71 of Largo, Fla., enjoyed time spent with her Pi Delta Chi sorority sisters, and watching sports. Francine, owner of ZaZu Productions, retired from producing her virtual improv shows, but enjoys singing in memory care communities and visiting her grandchildren.

Anthony Abraham ’72 of Scottsdale, Ariz., is the director of human resources at Modern Industries Inc. Anthony is in Delta Omega Chi fraternity.

Joanne Smolka Beard ’72 of Manteo, N.C., happily retired to the Outer Banks to watch her grandchildren in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Angela DeVietro ’72 of Clearwater, Fla., was a software development manager at Lockheed Martin Corp. She is in Arethusa Eta sorority and was part of The Oswegonian.

Celesta Baggott Gartell ’72 of Mount Laurel, N.J., is a retired teacher who formerly worked for Union Endicott (N.Y.) Schools. She is in Phi Lambda Phi sorority.

Susan Panek Gronert ’72 of Flagler Beach, Fla., is a professor who teaches in Daytona State College’s School of Humanities and Communication. She is in Phi Lambda Phi sorority.

Marcus McFee-Walters ’17, a financial advisor with Equitable Advisors (formerly AXA) in Syracuse, N.Y., who joined the Loyal Lakers Society after making a gift to The Fund for Oswego for 5 consecutive years Learn more at alumni.oswego.edu/loyallakers.

“Whenever I think about my past and what has brought me to where I am today, I think about SUNY Oswego. I made lifelong friends and discovered who I am. I was able to figure out my life’s path. I want to make an impact on campus in whatever way I can. I look forward to continuing to give each year—multiple times if I can. I would like to enhance my giving and my role in this group to make an even bigger impact on the future generation.”

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.

Sheldon

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.

Alumna Named Inaugural Aspen Index Senior Impact Fellow

Theresa “Teri” Bump ’86, vice president of university relations and student affairs at American Campus Communities, was selected to serve as a 2022 Senior Impact Fellow with the Aspen Institute Development Leadership Index.

The 2022 Aspen Index Impact Fellowship brings together more than 90 community stakeholders in a movement to advance the future of youth leadership development across the country. The fellows include college presidents, senior leaders, educators and youth.

“The Aspen Index Impact Fellowship is a unique opportunity to shepherd in the next generation of talent, and set them up for success,” said Bump, who lives in Phoenix, Ariz. “There are millions of young adults across the country who have so much to offer yet few resources are available to them. I want to play a part in leveling the playing field for all students, by fostering their development of social capital, as well as the skills necessary to be effective in the workplace and in life.”

According to the Aspen Institute, fewer than 32% of youth under the age of 25 in the United States are exposed to any form of leadership development. Even fewer are exposed to programs with the necessary quality to make a meaningful difference in participants’ lives.

Bump said her SUNY Oswego experience provided her with many leadership opportunities that helped her

develop skills and grow as a leader.

“As a firstgeneration college student, Oswego was an accessible university with a great reputation, a beautiful campus and friendly people,” said Bump, who was involved with the Orientation Office and Student Alumni Board and as a resident assistant. “As a small-town kid in upstate New York, my time at Oswego helped broaden my world perspective and exposed me to different people and mind-opening conversations. Oswego also gave me the opportunity to build my leadership skills and diversify my interests.

“Oswego reinforced the values of my family,” she said. “Work hard, contribute, treat everyone with respect and keep learning.”

She said her connection to Oswego strengthened even more when she was hired after graduation by the Admissions Office.

“I was the rookie admissions counselor on a team of deeply caring and creative professionals,” Bump said. “I have never forgotten their great leadership or the kindness demonstrated when I succeeded or failed. I brought this standard to my graduate work, professional positions at universities and for the last 22 years to the corporate world.”

Cynthia

1980s

Monica Bartoszek ’80 of Ballston Lake, NY, is an administrator in the Department of Communication at the University at Albany.

James Dilorio ’80 of Sylvan Beach, N.Y., is retired, creating artworking and making signs under the banner of Sylvan Synes. At SUNY Oswego, James participated in varsity wrestling for four years.

Elizabeth Meyer Fuller ’80 of Schenectady, N.Y., is a retired former investigator with the NYS Justice Center.

Julie Hovey Madden ’80 of Jacksonville, Ala., is the co-founder of Encore Enrichment Center for Shelter Dogs. She was in the Army. She is in Pi Delta Chi sorority and worked with WOCR.

Scott Sheppard ’80 of Gulf Shores, Ala., retired in January 2021 from his role as vice president of strategy and business an-

ASK Me!

How will the federal Inflation Reduction Act advance decarbonization?

1. Drive more demand for electric vehicles, low-carbon materials/construction and clean technologies

2. Increase growth of renewable energy through extensions of tax credits and increases in funding

3. Spur innovation through research and development of clean technology and low-carbon materials

4. Create demand for low-carbon products in construction of federal buildings and transportation projects

Bob Moritz ’85, PwC global chair and member of the Oswego College Foundation Inc. Board of Directors, during his virtual presentation “Updates on the Current Business Environment” to students and other campus members

Share a little of yourself with others. Become an ASK (Alumni Sharing Knowledge) volunteer today. alumni.oswego.edu/ask

alytics from Ultimate Software. He spends time with his wife between their houses in Auburn, Ala., and a beach house in Gulf Shores. They enjoy being empty nesters.

Paul Vianco ’80 retired after 35 years at Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, N.M. He and his family have now settled in Enfield, N.H. He was a part of men’s swimming and has been a supporter of his alma mater, including being a 40-year member of the Loyal Lakers Society.

Dianne Schuk Welsch ’80 of Oswego is a retired teacher, who formerly worked for Phoenix Central School District.

Jacquie Sachs Agnew ’81 of Austin, Texas, is the owner of Motorhomes USA. At Oswego, she was a resident assistant. She was a part of women’s and men’s fencing, women’s field hockey, women’s outdoor track and women’s softball.

Naomi Himmelfarb Cohan ’81 of Williamsville, N.Y., is the account manager for WNY HEALTHeLINK.

Geralyn Murphy Gough ’81 of Wellsville, N.Y., is a self-employed financial advisor for FSC Securities.

Kim Backus Grindle ’81 of Oswego is a retired post publication proofreader for Oswego County Weeklies. At Oswego, she was in college choir and mixed chorus, and is in Theta Chi Rho sorority.

Michael Oropallo ’81 of Auburn, N.Y., was selected to the 2021 Upstate New York Super Lawyers list for Intellectual Property Litigation. He is an attorney with Barclay Damon in Syracuse.

Virginia Snell Prill ’81 of Rochester, N.Y., is a qualified intellectual disabilities professional at Easter Seals of NY.

Jean Zacher ’81 of Newark, Del., is a lab supervisor at Contra Costa Water District.

Paul Condolora ’82 of Los Angeles, Calif., is owner of Condolora Consulting. At SUNY Oswego, Paul was a member of the Laker wrestling team.

Joseph Coughlin ’82 of Sudbury, Mass., is the founder and director of Massachusetts Institute of Technology AgeLab. He recently received the David A. Peterson Award for his work in the field of gerontology.

Thomas ’82 and Margaret Balaes Davis ’83 celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary in November 2021. Tom recently retired from Mondelez International, Nabisco Division, and Margaret from Half Hollow Hills School District. They recently

visited the campus and were impressed by how much the campus has developed. They are enjoying retirement and continue to get together with good friends from Oswego.

Constance Cleney Kattell ’82 of Endwell, N.Y., is a clinical social worker for the Family and Children Society in Johnson City.

Lisa Rustico Kunst ’82 of Calabash, N.C., is the president and owner of JHK Management Company, Inc.

Deborah “Debbie” Coon Schaffer ’82 of Clarksville, Tenn., is a second grade teacher at the Clarksville-Montgomery County School System.

Edward Zecchini ’82 of Scarsdale, N.Y., is a director of Cryoport Inc. and Ontrak Inc. He previously worked as chief information officer at Remedy Partners.

Vincent “Vinny” Casasanta ’83 of New Fairfield, Conn., retired in June 2021 after a 37-plus year career that included E.F. Hutton to Goldman Sachs to MBIA and finally to Tisch Family Office. He is grateful for the wonderful people he has met and looks forward to beginning his next chapter.

Paul Cisek ’83 of Brielle, N.J., was inducted into Upstate New York Basketball Hall of Fame for coaching. From his first role as a student assistant at Oswego State to assistant coaching positions at Wagner College, SUNY Potsdam and Monmouth University to head coach at Paul Smith’s College and at his current employer, Brookdale Community College, he gathered the experience to lead his teams to two national titles, six national tournament appearances, six regional titles and 10 conference championships.

Mary Hanley Collins ’83 of Oswego is a work-study coordinator for Onondaga BOCES.

Tracey Heimburg Costanzo ’83 of Hendersonville, N.C., is the development director at the Center for Educational Advancement.

Sharon Doerrier Hoats ’83 of Rockledge, Fla., is the human resources manager for the Brevard Achievement Center.

Mark Feldman ’83 of Odenton, Md., is the chief financial officer of Marra Forni, producer of artisan commercial brick ovens. Mark is in Psi Phi Gamma fraternity.

The Hon. Christopher Modelewski ’83 of Northport, N.Y., is a justice of the New York State Supreme Court. He is married

to Susan Baker Modelewski ’83, a licensed real estate agent at Signature Premier Properties specializing on Long Island.

James Murrell ’83 of Torrance, Calif., is a yacht broker for Denison Yachting, which is the largest U.S. broker. He is a member of the fraternity, Sigma Gamma.

Robert Bebak ’84 of West Seneca, N.Y., is a retired task officer with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

Lea-Ann Woodward Berst ’84 of Raleigh, N.C., works as a producer for Pioneers in Skirts, an award-winning documentary film company. She is a filmmaker and global activation professional.

Susan Mallette Burdick ’84 of Monroe, N.C., is a senior programmer analyst at Empire Medicare Services.

Kurt Knight ’84 of Temperance, Mich., is a field technical service representative at Polyguard Products, Inc. He served in the Army. At Oswego, he was a part of the Program Policy Board, Great Lake Review and the Veterans Affairs Office.

Susan Mowrey Baiamonte ’85 of Liverpool, N.Y., is the supervisor of dispatcher officers at Onondaga E-911.

William Karl ’85 of Syracuse, N.Y., retired from teaching. In retirement, he enjoys spending time with his granddaughter. He thinks of Michael Mendelowitz ’85 often when learning to play “Sweet Home Alabama” on the guitar. He volunteers as a running coach and fills food bags for school-aged children.

Thomas McCrohan ’85 of Cape May Court House, N.J., is executive vice president of strategy and investment at Shift4 Payments. At Oswego, he was involved in Solid State.

Clifford Tendler ’85 of Unionville, Conn., is a business development and strategic communications specialist at Chromex Solutions. He was a part of WOCR at Oswego.

Andrew Behrend ’86 of Cherry Hill, N.J, is a product area manager for Biesse America/Intermac America.

Marjorie Murphy Consiglio ’86 of Yardley, Pa., is the human resources manager of Novecare GBU for Solvay.

Margaret Saccoccia DeMarino ’86 of Port Washington, N.Y., is a senior trust and estate administrator for Dentons US LLP.

Alumna Educator Inspires Student to Teach

Anthony Regateiro ’20 M’21 still remembers a role-playing exercise in his sixth-grade social studies class. He and half of the class were from ancient Athens and his friend and the rest of the class were from Sparta. Each side talked about their strengths and why they were the better city-state.

In the same class, they had to choose a country participating in the Winter Olympics and follow along the live coverage while talking about the history of the country and the Olympics. It was one of his favorite classes, and sealed the deal that he not only wanted to become a teacher, but that he also wanted to study global history.

“Mrs. Klein was an extremely enthusiastic teacher, and she made all of the lessons come to life,” he said. “It was her class that influenced my decision to pursue secondary education with a concentration in social studies.”

When it was time to apply to college, Regateiro looked for a college with a strong teacher prep program and opportunities to play ice hockey. After visiting SUNY Oswego, he knew he had found the perfect college. (On a related note, his twin brother, James ’20, also graduated from Oswego.)

But little did he know when he chose his college, that it was also the same place his favorite teacher had attended. When he learned that Mrs. Klein had attended Oswego, he found a dramatic way to work it into his remarks when, as a high school senior, he was asked to present the Teacher of the Year Award to her.

“Although it seems like a crazy coincidence, I think it’s very special that I can share such a connection with a great teacher who has had such a great impact on my educational career,” he said in the 2016 presentation.

in Italian.

A semester abroad in Siena, Italy, in spring 1987 sparked her interest in history and re-ignited a passion for teaching. She decided to attend graduate school to become a teacher, and she has spent the past 26 years teaching.

But the story doesn’t end there.

After Regateiro graduated from SUNY Oswego, he was hired as a special education teacher in the Bethpage School District—the same district where he attended school and where Klein still teaches.

“I remember Anthony as a student and loved his enthusiasm, his smile and his willingness to participate,” Klein said. “He was an active learner, eager to ask questions. Those traits will translate well as a teacher. He will be a wonderful teacher.”

As Klein looks forward to retirement soon and Regateiro begins what he expects to be a long career as a teacher, they both appreciate the role they’ve had in each other’s lives and feel grateful for finding their calling as teachers who inspire future generations to learn, grow and maybe even teach others.

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

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.

support we provide each other.

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 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.

ASK Me!

Wisdom for Your Future

• “If you follow what feels right for you, no matter what anyone else says about it, it will always work out.”

• “People who are the most negative about your dreams are really speaking from a place of fear and resentment because they don’t have the courage to follow their dreams.”

• “Whatever job you’re doing, if you see something that’s missing, don’t be afraid to fill that void. It will benefit you by the experience you gain in implementing it and it will benefit your organization that would never have thought of the idea.”

Trudy Perkins ’93, acting chief of staff and communications director for U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH), during her 2022 Commencement Eve Torchlight Dinner remarks

Share a little of yourself with others. Become an ASK (Alumni Sharing Knowledge) volunteer today. alumni.oswego.edu/ask

Amanda Held Mandia ’91 of New Hartford, N.Y., is a self-employed certified social worker.

Francis Slayne ’91 of Oakland, Calif., works in venture capital at Pequot Capital Management Inc.

Daniel Walker ’91 of Glen Ridge, N.J., is a lighting designer at Full Spectrum Productions. Some of his more recent productions included the Broadway revival of “Cats,” the “Christmas Spectacular” at the Radio City Music Hall, Paramour and Cirque du Soleil on Broadway and Disney’s “Tarzan” in Oberhausen, Germany. At SUNY Oswego, he was a member of the Shaun Cassidy Fan Club, Blackfriars and Alpha Psi Omega, and was the co-director of Campus Lighting.

Amy Romano Collins ’92 of Jamesville, N.Y., is the vice president and general manager of WSTM in Fayetteville, N.Y., and has worked for NBC3, WTVH, CBS5 and CW6.

In the post-pandemic world, many employers are offering “remote benefits.” What are some things to consider when making a decision about working remotely?

1. Can you work from home and be able to separate the two?

2. What are the hours and how often do you have to check-in?

3. What metrics are being tracked to justify your performance?

4. What distractions may there be by working remotely?

5. Is the work team-oriented, client facing, back office, etc. and how is the support for that?

6. Will the company cover office expenses or is it included in the compensation model?

7. What happens if there is a hardware issue?

Kurt D’Angelo ’02 M’07, vice president and financial advisor with Equitable Advisors, during his webinar “Navigating Career Change” for the university community

Share a little of yourself with others. Become an ASK (Alumni Sharing Knowledge) volunteer today. alumni.oswego.edu/ask

Heather Geschwind Copps ’92 of Minnetonka, Minn., is a special education teacher at Groves Academy. At SUNY Oswego, Heather participated in the Disney College Program and the Ontarian After graduation, she spent a year living in Holland, and later moved to Seattle, where she met her husband, with whom she has raised three children. Heather later worked at the University of Washington, where she subsequently earned a master’s in education with a concentration in language, literacy and culture. After moving to Minneapolis, Heather earned another master’s degree in special education.

Thaina Gonzalez ’92 of Colorado Springs, Colo., is the director of executive office

and board relations at Sponsors for Educational Opportunity.

Elaine Putinas Howe M’92 of Manlius, N.Y., is a school psychologist at JamesvilleDeWitt (N.Y.) School District.

Susan Legler Romeo M’92 of Vernon, N.Y., is a psychologist working for Oriskany Central School District.

Jeannine Muoio Salamone ’92 of Alexandria, Va., is the director of patient education and advocacy at the American Society of Clinical Oncology.

Jennifer Sheedy Baxter ’93 of Honeoye Falls, N.Y., is a clinician II at Hillside Children’s Center.

Karen Blumer ’93 of Naples, Fla., is the manager of Global Language Management at Arthrex, a global medical device company.

Steven Compo ’93 of Quakertown, Pa., is the regional sales manager at Recreation Resource USA.

Chalet Dewey-Flint ’93 of Oswego is a clinical social worker at Peace of Mind Counseling Services.

James McShay ’93 is the assistant vice president for student affairs and the director of diversity, equity and inclusion at the University of Maryland College Park. He has served as vice chancellor for equity and inclusion at the University of Washington-Tacoma. James holds a Ph.D. in education, multicultural and international curriculum studies from Iowa State University.

Shari Hoke Whiting ’93 of Duluth, Ga., is the curriculum director of Ninth District Opportunity Inc.’s head start program. Delainie Aguilar-Hanson ’94 of Atascocita, Texas, is a kindergarten teacher at Goose Creek Consolidated Independent School District. Delainie is a member of Phi Sigma Sigma and served as a resident assistant.

Christopher Browne ’94 of East Syracuse, N.Y., is a creative director at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He is a member of Phi Kappa Tau, and was a member of the Asian Student Association. After graduating, he moved to Atlanta to break into the advertising market. Over the past 20 years, he held creative leadership positions at global advertising agencies as well as global corporations. He has worked for such brands as AT&T, Verizon, HP, The Coca-Cola Company, UPS and many other brands.

Nicole LaRock Decker ’94 of Oswego is the assistant director for user support at SUNY Oswego’s Campus Technology Services.

Mitchell Goldberg ’94 of Peoria, Ariz., is the chief operations officer of Beginners Edge Sports Training, LLC. Mitchell worked in New York City before starting his company, which currently operates in three states. During that time, he has gotten married, had a child and frequently tunes into the live cams overlooking the Oswego campus and Lake Ontario. At SUNY Oswego, he founded the Jewish Student Union, of which he was also the president. Mitchell also participated in intramural sports and ETX.

Elia Canalda Imler ’94 of Glen Allen, Va., is the director of marketing and communication for Bon Secours Richmond, where she oversees the marketing and communications functions for three health care educational institutions owned by the health system. She is active in the Public Relations Society of America Richmond and has served on the board since 2008.

Sonya Buecken Lorrain ’94 of Chincoteague Island, Va., is the owner of Thrive.

Matthew Musikar ’94 of Pomona, N.Y., is an account manager and business development specialist at Aspire-North, a data driven marketing company. He is in Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity.

Desmond Browne M’95 of Suwanee, Ga., is executive director for Kinsale Group LLC, a management consulting service.

Anne Rietschel Gordon ’95 of Saratoga Springs, N.Y., is the founder and president of Live Life Travel.

Brian Levow ’95 of Raleigh, N.C, is a senior manager for procurement processes and systems at Ortho Clinical Diagnostics in Raritan, N.J. He is in Sigma Chi fraternity and was on the Program Policy Board.

Juli Porter McCann ’95 of Elbridge, N.Y., is a lead advisor at National Grid.

William McGuirk ’95 of Denver, N.C., is an account technology strategist for Microsoft. In his position, Bill works in a sales role, supporting healthcare customers. Bill worked at Hofstra University, where he earned an MBA and met his wife, Paige, with whom he has raised three children.

David Rothstein ’96 of Middletown, N.Y, is an administrative staff analyst for the NYC Department of Environmental Protection.

Janine Pechenko Smith ’96 of Endicott, N.Y., is a consultant at Touchstone Crystal, a privately held multi-level marketing jewelry company.

Charles Wing ’96 of Largo, Fla., has worked for more than 20 years for the ION Television Network in Clearwater, Fla. Charles was an Onondaga Hall senator in the Student Association.

James Bragg ’97 of Wyoming, N.Y., is the senior planner of the Wyoming County Agriculture & Business Center. James is in Sigma Chi Omega fraternity.

Deanna Raphael Cheng ’97 of Rockville Center, N.Y., was featured on the podcast “The Animal That Changed You” during which she, a dog-bite victim, shared a story of overcoming her fear through her rescue dog, Otto. She is an actress, writer and producer, and is the co-creator of Comedy Central’s Unsend

Brian Hall ’97 formerly of Lindenhurst, N.Y., is a school librarian at Makuhari International School in Chiba, Japan. Since 1998, he has worked at various schools in Chiba through the Japan English Teachers program. A fine arts major at Oswego, he enjoys the Japanese language, learning traditional Japanese art techniques in painting and woodblock printing and practicing traditional Japanese music such as shamisen folk music and Gagaku-Imperial court music.

Katherine Loiacono Maxwell ’97 M’02 of Weatogue, Conn., is the program coordinator for Girls on the Run of Greater Hartford. She served in SUNY Oswego’s admissions office from 1999 to 2015.

Deborah Reutzel Ouckama ’97 of Rexford, N.Y., is a school psychologist for Shenendehowa Central Schools.

Maria Luisa Alonso Rice ’97 M’00 of Leander, Texas, works as a Spanish teacher at Round Rock (Texas) Independent School District. Mary Luisa is a member of Delta Mu Delta and Sigma Delta Pi.

Rachel Castellano Schurz ’97 of Phoenix, Ariz., is a grant writer at Freelance Grant Writing Services.

Jolene Steele ’97 of Waterloo, N.Y., is branch manager of the Newark Plaza Community Bank in Waterloo. She serves as president of Seneca Falls Rotary and sits on the Waterloo Town Planning Board. She and her husband, Scott, have two dogs.

Melanie Trulby ’97 of Beachwood, N.J., is a traffic manager at Press Communications LLC in Neptune Township, N.J.

Keith Washo ’97 of Raleigh, N.C., wrote Good Things Come from Hard Times, a selfhelp book about overcoming adversity. Keith also released a new song, “Follow,” a love song duet with his newly wedded wife, Chelsey Garrett, along with the music video for the song.

Vicki Pettigrass Bacheller ’98 of Natick, Mass., is the account manager of Global Client and Prospective Services at Wellington Management.

Steven Gaston ’98 is a telecommunications administrator for MONRO Inc. in Rochester, N.Y.

Allyson Myers Mooney ’98 of Cortland, N.Y., is a professional organizer who owns and operates Lifestyle Organization. Allyson volunteers in SUNY Cortland’s Career Services department, helping students make resumes and develop employment building skills. She also enjoys making and selling pillows, as well as singing.

Taryn Croot Weinstein ’99 M’04 of Plainfield, N.H., is the director of medical student affairs at the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College.

2000s

Cathleen Pringle Cassidy ’00 of Nyack, N.Y., is the U.S. construction counsel at citizenM hotels.

Ann Cox-Smith M’00 of Syracuse, N.Y., works as an art teacher for the Syracuse City School District.

Christie Tribuzzi Joseph ’00 of West Seneca, N.Y., is the senior vice president of human resources at Pegula Sports and Entertainment. In this role, she leads people and culture initiatives for all the portfolio companies, including the Buffalo Bills, Buffalo Sabres, KeyBank Center, Blue Cross Arena and LECOM Harborcenter. During her time at SUNY Oswego, Christie was involved in State Singers.

Sarah Rouse ’00 of Syracuse, N.Y., is the senior review appraiser of LCS Inc., a due diligence compliance solution for lending institutions.

Jennifer Relyea Yager ’00 of Schenectady, N.Y., is the assistant director of undergraduate admissions at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. During her time at Oswego, Jennifer was involved in the Del Sarte Dance Club, Vega Honor Society and the Spanish club.

Alyssa Connelly Huizar ’01 of Richmond, Va., is the research and development grant administrator for the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Richmond, Va. She was excited when her site received funding on multiple projects for COVID research. She enjoys working with biomedical, clinical, cooperative, health services, rehabilitation research and development grants. She visited Oswego over the summer with her husband and two sons, (pictured above), who are currently in middle school.

Jill Frattallone Spadaro ’01 of Albany, N.Y., is the manager of internal communications at the Albany Medical Center. Prior to working at Albany Med, Jill spent nearly a decade working in television news and various other positions in the communications field. At SUNY Oswego, she was involved in WNYO.

Sara Vara ’01 of Austin, Texas, is the chief human resources officer of United Heritage Credit Union. At SUNY Oswego, Sara was president of Delta Phi Epsilon and was involved in the Society for Human Resource Management.

Jeremy Carrow ’02 of Brooklyn, N.Y., is the associate creative director at SportsNet New York (SNY) and was part of the four-member SNY team who won a 2021 New York Emmy Award for “Mets Pre/ Post Game Show Open.” The broadcasting and mass communication major said he and his team began the redesign of the open animation for the NY Mets right before the pandemic started and were able to collaborate via videoconferencing in time for the start of the 2020 baseball season.

Robert C. Whitaker Jr. ’02 of Camillus, N.Y., was included in “Upstate New York Super Lawyers” for 2021. A partner in the labor and employment, construction and intellectual property practices at Hancock Estabrook LLP, he is the chair of the firm’s labor and employment department and leader of the military law practice, and formerly served as chair of the firm’s hiring committee.

Kelly Wirth Friedman ’03 M’05 of Glenmont, N.Y., is a teacher. At Oswego, she was involved in women’s cross country, indoor and outdoor track, the Newman Club and Vega.

Heather Stoffel Gillenkirk ’03 M’05 of Victor, N.Y., and her husband, Todd, recently welcomed their third child, Hannah Juliette, on July 6, 2021. Heather is in Phi Sigma Sigma sorority.

Jaime Donahoe Lamberto ’03 M’05 of Utica, N.Y., works as a College Now specialist at Herkimer County Community College.

Derilda O’Connor ’03 of Auburn, N.Y., is working on a book and is a volunteer at her local library. She previously worked as a nurse, but has since retired.

Erica Dennis Walters ’03, who was in the choir at SUNY Oswego, is an instructor of vocal music/choral director at Cayuga

Community College in Fulton. Since 2012, she has had her own business, Notable Beginnings, and teaches private voice, piano and acting lessons. She became an adjunct professor in 2017. Erica completed her Master of Music in Choral Conducting at Messiah University in 2021. She lives in Moravia, N.Y., with her husband and two sons.

Daniel Dempsey ’04 M’07 of Newton Center, Mass., is an assistant professor at Boston University with a lab in the medical school. He recently had his research on the regulation of PTEN, a gene whose mutation is linked to many forms of cancer and other illnesses, published in Nature Structural and Molecular Biology, a peerreviewed scientific journal.

Amanda Graham Hawkins ’04 of Byron Center, Mich., is the manager of aseptic manufacturing at Grand River Aseptic Manufacturing.

Ira Heimowitz ’04 of South Orange, N.J., is pursuing a master’s degree in social work at Seton Hall University. Ira was a member of WTOP-10 TV and WNYO at SUNY Oswego. He is also a voiceover artist and professional actor, and is a member of the Actors Equity Association.

Kimberly Trela Irland ’04 of Morrisonville, N.Y., is associate vice president of student affairs at North Country Community College. Kimberly previously served as the college’s dean of student life, and she also serves as an adjunct instructor in regional prisons as a part of the Second Chance Pell program. At Oswego, she was involved in the Outing Club, VEGA Women’s Honor Society, Alternative Spring Break, Juggling Club, Hart Hall Living Learning Community, The Oswegonian and the Honors Program.

Catherine Almy McCloe ’04 of Binghamton, N.Y., is a customer service assistant for the Maple Vail Book Manufacturing Group.

Jennifer Shepard ’04 of Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, works as a diversity and inclusion specialist at Saudi Aramco. She facilitates leadership courses for women and diversity and inclusion workshops for her entire company. She also worked with Saudi Arabia’s first 50 driving instructors during their onboarding experience. She is in Alpha Phi Omega and was involved in the Women’s Center.

Robert Squire ’04 of Cicero, N.Y., is a technology innovator at SUNY Upstate Medical University. Robert is responsible for identifying, researching, recommending and implementing new technology and automation for use at Upstate. His work currently focuses on the use of drones and robotics. Robert is in Sigma Tau Chi and was a Sheldon Leader.

William Vogel ’04 of Bayport, N.Y., works as a technology teacher for Sayville Public Schools. At SUNY Oswego, William was president of the Oswego Technology Education Association and was a member of the Oswego State Crew Club.

Katherine Doe ’05 of Mt. Pleasant, S.C., is celebrating five years working at Equifax, where she recently became director of product marketing, risk solutions. She is in Delta Phi Epsilon and was in SIFE.

Andrew Drogo ’05 of Delmar, N.Y., is vice president of product development at Xactly Corp., a provider of cloud-based software and services.

Heather Connors McCutcheon ’05 M’06 of Frankfort, N.Y., is a K-12 art teacher at Herkimer Central School District. Heather

The SUNY Oswego College Council and members of the university’s leadership team honored Saleem M. Cheeks ’01 at its May 24, 2022, meeting, and recognized him for more than 15 years of distinguished service as a member of the College Council.

The College Council passed a resolution highlighting Cheeks’ initial appointment in December 2006 and his admirable service over the better part of two decades on behalf of his alma mater, SUNY Oswego. He is the vice president of communications at AngioDynamics—a leading provider of innovative, minimally invasive medical devices with global headquarters in Latham.

was recognized as a finalist for NYS Teacher of the Year 2022 at the September Board of Regents meeting.

Lauren Sorrentino Pacelli ’05 and her husband, Tim, of Hazlet, N.J., welcomed their first child, Ella, on June 5, 2021.

Christopher Perrello ’05 of LaFayette, N.Y., is executive director of career services and experiential learning within the School of Information Studies at Syracuse University.

Eric Potts ’05 of Schenectady, N.Y, works in administration for Glenville Police Department.

Heather Wright Howard ’06 of Wiliamson, N.Y., is the senior quality manager for Keurig Dr Pepper.

Sarah Kirnie Mastrangelo ’06 of Minoa, N.Y., is the vice president of operations for Digital Hyve.

Karen Hoag Quina ’06 of Lowville, N.Y., is an adjunct writing instructor and teacher candidate supervisor at the University of Maryland Global Campus and Grand Canyon University.

Kristin Beck Sexstone ’06 of Cheektowaga, N.Y., is an academic counselor working in TRiO Student Support Services at Medaille College. Kristen was a member of the Student Association, Sheldon Leaders and Omicron Delta Kappa. She was also involved in Peer Advisement and was a resident mentor.

Christie Hale Shirk ’06 of St. Petersburg, Fla., is the owner of Local Soul, a beach inspired lifestyle brand. Christie is in Alpha Epsilon Phi.

Christopher Thuman ’06 of Council Bluffs, Iowa, is a storm chaser and multimedia journalist for Stormviewlive and SVL Media LLC, based in Harlan, Iowa. He holds a master’s degree from Rutgers University. A Presidential Scholar at Oswego, he was an RA and a Sheldon Leader and was in the Greek honor society, Omicron Delta Kappa.

Caitlin “Caito” Hankinson ’07 M’12 of Richmond, Va., proudly wore a SUNY Oswego shirt for alma mater day at her employer, St. Joseph’s Villa (Dooley School) in Richmond, only to discover one of her fellow teachers, Kristi Delperuto ’08 who was a Spanish major, not only attended Oswego, too, but also overlapped with her time on campus. Caito was an English major with a theatre minor, and then earned a master’s in adolescent education.

You are invited to the Oswego Family Reunion!

June 8 – 11, 2023

All class years, Greeks and groups are welcome! Complete a Reunion News Note online at alumni.oswego.edu/reunion to update your classmates on your life after Oswego. (To request a hard copy form, please call 315-312-5559.)

Registration for all Reunion 2023 events and on-campus housing will open in April 2023.

Visit alumni.oswego.edu/reunion to stay up-to-date on plans for the biggest alumni party of the year!

alumni.oswego.edu/reunion • reunion@oswego.edu

Rachel Forman LaCoe ’07 of Wilmington, N.C., works as the senior long range planner of New Hanover County.

Jessica Landers McGiff ’07 of Oswego is the academic records coordinator at SUNY Oswego.

Samantha Morgan ’07 M’12 of Adams Center, N.Y., is a director at Adams Free Library. At Oswego, she was a part of Tau Sigma National Honor Society, the Newman Club and Vega.

Richard Shea ’07 of Albany, N.Y., is the principal of Clayton A. Bouton High School in Voorheesville, N.Y.

Peter Sterpe ’07 M’16 of East Syracuse, N.Y., is a social studies teacher at Syracuse City School District. He was a member of the Storyteller’s Guild.

Sarah Kane ’08 M’15 of Endicott, N.Y., is the assistant dean of finance and human resources at the Watson School at Binghamton University.

Danielle Poli O’Brien ’08 of Syracuse, N.Y., is the manager of St. Joseph’s Care

Coordination Network. She started her career as a mental health counselor on an Inpatient Psychiatric Unit in 2008 at St. Joseph’s.

Michael Voda ’08 of Ballston Lake, N.Y., is a senior learning program manager at Amazon.

Jeffrey Hamelinck CAS’09, principal of Kelley School in Newark, N.Y., received the 2021 George Vito Elementary Administrator of the Year Award from the School Administrators Association of New York State, Region 11. Jeff has served seven years as a principal in the Newark Central School District.

Harry Iyer ’09 of Nanuet, N.Y., has been a project control accountant for DLT Solutions since May 2021. During his time at Oswego, he was a part of the Financial Management Association, the national business organization Phi Beta Lambda and the Society for Human Resource Management, and he worked as a desk attendant.

ALUMNI BOOKSHELF

Elaine Kiesling Whitehouse ’68

Psoline

Solstice Publishing, 2021.

The author’s third historical fiction tells the story of Frances Furbisher who leaves her home in London in May 1911 to live with her cousin, Psoline, and Psoline’s widowed father. Frances hopes to escape her depression and shame after a humiliating, failed engagement, but her problems only multiply when she falls in love with the estate’s arborist, Jack, whom she believes is married. Frances learns that no one can control their destiny, and that falling in love is a trajectory that cannot be stopped.

Robert Lawrence ’69

What’s With Those Adirondack Mountain Names?

Troy Book Makers, 2021. What do Mount Marcy and Mars have in common? What is a Dippikill? Was Lyon Mountain named for the French city, the king of the jungle or a person? What mountain receives its name from an early Adirondack ornithologist? The book, arranged alphabetically, lists the hundred highest Adirondack, Saranac Six, Tupper Lake Triad and personal choice mountain place names. It provides pertinent information such as elevation, location and name origin for hikers, tourists, day-trippers, Adirondackers and Adirondacker wannabes.

Maija Lahti DeRoche ’70

Forever Chrysalis

The Wild Rose Press Inc., 2022. Years after high school, Christine, Crystal, Alice and Lisa return to perform as Chrysalis, their schooldays quartet. They are still bound together by not only their music but also their problematic mothers. While the daughters are rediscovering harmony in their singing and their friendships, the mothers are forming their own bonds that bring the mothers and daughters to a deeper understanding of themselves and their relationships to each other.

Anthony F. Gero ’70

Black Soldiers of North America

1774-1954: A Sketchbook

Jacobs Press, 2021.

This sketchbook shows a selected sampling of the men and women of African descent who served in the military from 1774 until 1954 when the dream of full integration in the military was achieved. Some of these illustrations have never been illustrated or documented before. Their story is one that all people in North America can take pride in.

Thomas Stapleton ’71

Eng. Lit. 400 Grad. Sem.

Riverrun Publishing, 2022.

During the pandemic, a class of graduate students meet to discuss a novella in progress, led by their Professor Bismuth. The novella charts the lives of five classmates now in their late 30s as they juggle family, jobs and COVID-19. As the graduate seminar continues, the students are visited by the novella’s author, T.P. Byrne, to discuss writing and their take on his novella, while each character grapples with living in a rapidly changing America.

Mike Brown ’77

Painting a Purple Picture

Mike Brown, 2021.

After doing radio play-by-play fill-in work for the University of Washington baseball team, Mike Brown found himself at the beginning of an unlikely but long journey with the school’s nationally ranked softball team, one that included several near misses for a national title, a drug scandal, a pandemic, tornadoes, multiple changes in rights holders and technology, and a national championship.

David Chill ’77

Swim Move (Burnside Series)

R.R. Bowker, 2019.

An old friend from high school shows up in P.I. Burnside’s office for help. Neither of them knows that this case will spiral into fraud, kidnapping and murder. Burnside looks into his friend’s celebrity daughter and finds others who have a dispute with

her. Helped by some pro-football players and detectives from multiple police departments, he works to solve the case, as he and his wife must make an important decision about their future. Set in Los Angeles, this is the 10th book in the Burnside Mystery series.

Vincent Palmieri ’77

Ruthie Deeply

Newman Springs Publishing Inc., 2021.

Ruthie Deeply is the life story of Ruth Morgan from her abandonment at age of four months in Utica, N.Y., through her 24 years as a resident of the NYS foster care system, right up to today at 86 years old, alive and well, in Herkimer County, N.Y. After leaving the foster care system functionally illiterate, she taught herself to read and write, balance a checkbook and run a household as a single mother all the while raising three children.

Peggy Brady-Amoon ’78 and Marie S. Hammond

Building Your Career in Psychology

The History Press, 2022.

The book is designed to help readers make informed decisions about their college, career and life success. Themed around the idea that psychological knowledge makes a difference in people’s lives, the book provides an empowered process for making the most of college and other career preparation experience, helping the reader to set the stage for academic, career and life success. This book emphasizes academic skills, unwritten rules, career planning and developing professional and personal relationships.

Mark Allen Baker ’79

A Guide to Hemingway’s Key West

The History Press, 2022.

This book traces the footsteps of a literary legend, Ernest Hemingway, during his 12 years in Key West. Arguably, these were the most important years of his life; the Hemingway Myth was born, refined and polished in Key West. The well-sourced book, including first-person interviews and thousands of hours of research, seeks to uncover what made this juncture in Hemingway’s life so meaningful.

(See more by this author online at magazine.oswego.edu.)

Steven Smith ’82 Strongman Contest

Kelsay Books, 2021.

This collection of poems shines a light on disenfranchised and desperate parents, the ghost of nonage and layers of one family’s coming apart. Smith attempts to address “the sins of the father” by becoming a parent with understanding and remembrance. He shares what human beings rarely are bold enough to say, leaving a trail of poems that ache with truth.

Michael Marino ’83

Transform Yourself—Transform Your Organization: Why Leaders Always Go First

Michael Marino, 2020.

A person needs to be their best self to be a leader in their organization and to build a stronger team. Marino shares his unique insights and approaches based on his 30-plus years of experience from his corporate leadership time with PepsiCo and to his ownership and management of organizational development consulting firms.

Robert Hoffman ’86 Blind Spot

Independently published, 2021.

Doug Kaplan seemed to be doing about as well as one could hope. He had a beautiful and loving wife, three healthy boys and a successful career. When an accident occurs, he realizes an annoying elderly neighbor might hold the key to any chance of normalcy and happiness in his life.

Robert Ruane Jr. ’86

An Aspie’s Journey

Mira Digital Publishing, 2021.

This book uses first-person journal entries to depict the life of Robert as a young person with Asperger’s Syndrome. The book features Robert’s original journal writings from 1976 to 1989, years before his diagnosis in 1995.

Barbara Horton O’Rourke ’87, writing as Barb Shadow Invitation to Darkness

Shadows Publishing, 2020.

Joe Paine, a deceased caretaker of apartments, is lost and alone trying to escape the demon called Black. He finds himself

at the gravestone of James Borden. Meanwhile, Amanda Harper, seeking a fresh start away from thinking of the murder of her brother, moves into a house with the Borden family cemetery behind it. When Black’s Ouija board that Joe used, lands in Amanda’s hands, she knows she must find a way to send the demon back to his realm.

Dolores “Lori” Duffy Foster ’88

A Dead Man’s Eyes:

A Lisa Jamison Mystery

Level Best Books, 2021.

Lisa has given her daughter the kind of life she never had, but that all changes when she sees her daughter in the eyes of a dead man. The cops call it a drug killing but Lisa doesn’t believe it. She risks her life and the lives of her daughters and their closest friends on a dangerous quest for answers. The investigation leaves Lisa fighting for her family in a morbid, black market world she never knew existed.

Jennifer Thompson Jackson ’94, Nomar Perez and Miry Whitehill

Our World Is a Family

Sourcebooks Explore, 2022.

From the creators of Miry’s List, the nonprofit that has helped thousands of refugees, Our World Is a Family is an all-ages picture book exploring the complicated topic of human migration in a gentle, loving and affirming way. It lightly touches on the reason people might leave their homes, like climate change or lack of safety, and inspires children to welcome their new neighbors into their communities with love.

John Rucynski ’94

A Passion for Japan:

A Collection of Personal Narratives

BlueSky Publishing, 2022.

This book brings together 30 long-term residents who have done different things that they are passionate about or have discovered in Japan that have enriched their lives. The book overflows with struggles and joy, wisdom, warmth and glimpses into worlds that few people have experienced.

continued on page 48

ALUMNI BOOKSHELF

continued from page 47

Daniel Herson ’06 ’09 M’10

Dragon’s Breath

Daniel Herson, 2022.

Dragon’s Breath is a one hour non-violent children’s play. It can be put on with as few as eight actors of any gender. It can expand to a cast of 18. Dragon’s Breath is sent on a quest for the Sacred Breath Mint. Along his quest he meets the tongue-twisting trolls, butterfly royalty and the prince who is always jumping.

(See more by this author online at magazine.oswego.edu.)

Joseph Sigurdson ’18

Buffalo Dope

Thirty West Publishing House, 2021.

Bobby Washburn, a weed dealer who lives with his alcoholic, spiraling mother, are native to Buffalo, N.Y. Bobby and his associates discover a way to pry them away from poverty: selling Xanax acquired from the dark web. Their smalltime business becomes more spontaneous and sinister as they encroach on a rival syndicate. Crime and substance abuse entraps Bobby as he morphs into a reflection of his estranged, incarcerated father. Is there a way out of the slush, other than a pine box below the frost line?

Jazmyn Marie Bowman Eberts ’20

2010s

Alana Corry ’10 of Cary, N.C., is a special educator at Wake County Public Schools, after teaching in Burlington, Vt., for a year, and in Syracuse, N.Y., two years. She lives with her dog, Lola, and has a huge passion for Crossfit.

James Lalino ’10 of Hoboken, N.J., is a journalist for Project Veritas. He is in Delta Kappa Kappa.

Cat lives with her husband, Andy, and two cats.

Danielle Palucci Makowiec ’11 of Baldwinsville, N.Y., is the human resources director at Dannible & McKee, a certified public accounting and consulting firm in Syracuse. Prior to joining the firm, she served in the role of regional HR specialist/ employee relations for Brown & Brown Empire State. She holds a Master of Science in human resource development from Villanova University. She is a certified Professional in Human Resources, Certified Employee Benefits Specialist and a Society of Human Resource Management Certified Professional.

Dominique McKinnon ’10 (above) of Rochester, N.Y., is senior analyst and director of business operations at Steadfast City Economic and Community Partners, an organization committed to develop better neighborhoods, businesses and communities. An accounting graduate, she also holds an MBA from the University of Rochester and is a member of the Urban League’s Black Young Professionals.

Battle

of the Plastics: The Animals Story

Dorrance Publishing Co. Inc., 2021.

This children’s book describes the less than perfect habitat of animals on sea and on land. The book takes the reader through how man-made pollution is jeopardizing a host of animals—from a sea turtle munching a green plastic straw to an elephant slipping on a plastic tarp. The book has the animals pleading with the readers to help them by changing their polluting ways.

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 alumni office to be considered for this column and our website, where cover photos of all works in this column will be displayed.

Joseph Noel ’10 of Yarmouth, Maine, earned a master’s in education from Niagara University. After he hiked the Appalachian Trail with his wife, they moved back to Maine and started a family. He serves on several town committees. He is a technical writer for WEX, a provider of payment processing and information management services.

Linda Neely Paris ’10 M’11 of Oswego is a technology education professor in the Technology Department. She teaches design and engineering courses and encourages folks to stop by the design lab, which she said feels like John Belt’s lab.

Maria VanRiper ’10 of East Syracuse, N.Y., is a teacher in the Syracuse City School District.

Cat Scheiderich Wilson ’10 of Albuquerque, N.M., is an administrative assistant for Tax Therapy, LLC. After attending SUNY Oswego from Fall 1989 to Spring 1993, Cat returned in 2009 to complete her bachelor’s degree. At Oswego, she participated in the Blackfriars Theatre Organization, GALA, The Oswegonian, the Pride Alliance and the Storytellers’ Guild.

Reynaldo Osoria ’11 (second from left) of Brooklyn, N.Y., is a technical director at FOX News Media. He received a 2021 Rising Star Award from the network in recognition of his exemplary work ethic and growth throughout the year. Specifically, he was recognized for working his way from an entry-level prompter operator to video playback to set technical director. He received the award during the 2021 FOX Media Spotlight Awards banquet at Tavern on the Green in Manhattan in June 2022. At Oswego, Rey was involved in ALANA.

Jessica Henson Schatzel M’11 of Burlington Flats, N.Y., is a project manager for Golden Artist Colors.

Jennifer Figueroa Fassano ’12 of Oswego is director of the Emergency Department at Oswego Health. She became a fully licensed registered nurse in 2016 and was promoted to senior RN in May 2021.

Brandon Heffernan ’12 of Martville, N.Y., is a Postal Supplemental Employee mail processing clerk at the United States Postal Service. While at Oswego, he was on varsity wrestling from 2008-2012.

Lewis Karpel ’12 of Minneapolis, Minn., is a chief photographer for WCCO/ CBS Minnesota. At Oswego, he worked on WTOP-10 and WNYO 88.9 FM. He was a part of Oswego Chabad Club, SAVAC and the National Broadcasting Society.

Nicholas Massaro ’12 M’16 of Raleigh, N.C., is a research scientist for Synoxa Sciences, Inc. He was a member of Laker men’s wrestling.

Fr. Derek Mobilio ’12 of Barre, Mass., is the associate pastor of Our Lady of Hope Parish in Grafton, Mass., after his ordination in June 2022.

Michael Pittavino ’12 M’13 of Oswego is the curator for H. Lee White Maritime Museum in Oswego.

Kelly Richards ’12 of Nassau, N.Y., is a human resource generalist at Pioneer Bank. At Oswego, she was a part of Del Sarte Dance Club, Omicron Delta Kappa and Phi Beta Lambda. She was an admissions tour guide, an admissions intern and a resident mentor at Johnson Hall from 2009-2012.

Kaitlin Stapleton ’12 of Biscayne Park, Fla., is an attorney at Isriel Ponzoli in Miami, Fla. She earned a J.D. at St. Thomas University College of Law in Miami Gardens, Fla.

Marissa Bacon

’13 M’15 of Red Creek, N.Y., works as a special education teacher in Hannibal (N.Y.) Central School District. During her time at Oswego, she was very active in Residence Life and Housing, holding a number of roles. She and her husband are proud Laker hockey season ticket holders.

Elizabeth Chrystler ’13 of Albany, N.Y., is a senior budget analyst with the New York State Office of Victim Services.

James Gilbert ’13 of Fairport, N.Y., is the weekday morning meteorologist at WROC in Rochester. He began his career at WCAV in Charlottesville, Va.

Breanne Reith ’13 CAS’14 of Canandaigua, N.Y., is a supported housing specialist for DePaul Community Services. She was a part of women’s ice hockey at Oswego.

Bryan Schumacker ’13 of Liverpool, N.Y., works as a senior motion graphic designer at Pinckney Hugo Group in Syracuse. He previously worked for three years as a producer and production assistant at WCNY.

Brian Zambrzycki ’13 of Chester, N.Y., is a psychologist at NYS Office of Mental Health. He is in Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity, Psi Chi and Omicron Delta Kappa, and

served as an admissions tour guide and a teaching assistant for the Sociology Department. He earned a master’s in school psychology from Marist College in 2016, and certificate of advanced study in trauma and disaster mental health counseling through SUNY New Paltz in May 2018.

Kathryne Davis ’14 of Bethlehem, Ga., is an administrative assistant of athletics for Brenau University in Gainesville, Ga. At Oswego, she was a part of Her Campus, Great Lake Review, WTOP, The Oswegonian and the sorority, Alpha Sigma Eta. She earned a master’s communication and media studies at Brenau University in March 2021.

Katherine Durkin ’14 M’16 of New York, N.Y., is the director of intake and transition services at the Association for Rehabilitative Case Management and Housing Inc. At Oswego, she was on the synchronized skating team.

Omy Melo ’14 of Forest Hills, N.Y., is a video editor for Nickelodeon. At Oswego, he was a part of WTOP-10 and the Media Summit.

Karinna Okkonen ’14 of Bloomingdale, N.J., works in enterprise sales for J.Crew. Karinna has been in Japan for the past two years teaching English.

Pranay Chapagain M’15 M’20 of Georgetown, Texas, works as a digital experience platform architect for Stanley Black & Decker Inc. At Oswego, he was a member of the Human-Computer Interaction Organization and the international business honor society, Beta Gamma Sigma.

Shannon Cilento ’15 of Rock Hill, N.Y., is a community development program manager at Sullivan Residence of the Gerry Foundation in Liberty, N.Y.

Katrina Debaun ’15 of Oswego is the executive director of the Oswego County Humane Society. She began working with the Humane Society just over three and a half years ago.

Ashley Deveney ’15 M’18 of Endicott, N.Y., is a media communications teacher at Maine Endwell School District, where she built the video production program at the middle school. She played ultimate Frisbee at Oswego.

Javier “femi” Higgins ’15 of Minneapolis, Minn., is the chief education consultant for Tangible Culture, a Black/Queer-owned social impact organization.

Kaylee May ’15 of Bloomington, Ind., is the development and communications manager at Greater Indiana Clean Cities Coalition.

William Reese ’15 of Providence, R.I., is a retail client solutions analyst for IRI, a data analytics and market research company. At Oswego, he was a part of Campus Recreation, Orientation, Business Management Club, American Marketing Association, Student Council, The Oswegonian and WNYO.

Aaron Rogers ’15 of Rome, N.Y., is a program analyst for Smartronix.

Hartley Ruch ’15 of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, is a national underwriter for HomeEquity Bank. He was on the Laker men’s soccer team.

Adam Kroft M’16 of Manlius, N.Y., is a certified public accountant and the manager in the Tax Services Group at Grossman St. Amour CPAs PLLC.

Ryan Peters ’16 of Washington, D.C., is a director and proposal writer for SKDK, a leading Democratic media and political consulting firm. He was a State Singer and Student Association Officer. He is a former ASK mentor.

Celine Chen ’17 M’18 of Brooklyn, N.Y., is a junior accountant at Standard Security Life Insurance Company of NY.

Jiashu Lei M’17 of Ogden, Utah, is a science teacher in the Davis (Utah) School District.

Joanna McIntyre ’17 of Pearl River, N.Y., is a relationship abuse prevention program coordinator at Day One NYC. She earned a master’s in social work at SUNY Albany, and has professional expertise in child welfare, trauma-informed care, school social work and LGBTQ+ affirming care. At Oswego, she was involved in State Singers, Habitat for Humanity, Mentor-Scholar, residence life and housing, and Campus Recreation football.

Sam Mitchell ’17 of Rochester, N.Y., is a lead recruiter for Adaptec Solutions. At Oswego, he was a part of men’s rugby, Society for Human Resource Management-Oswego and Phi Beta Lambda. He was Onondaga Hall Council president and a Laker Leader.

Jessica Mulder ’17 of Burbank, Calif., is a master control operator at NBC Universal in Burbank. At Oswego, she was involved in WTOP-10, Active Minds and WNYO.

Weddings

Emily Plotzker ’17 of East Rochester, N.Y., is a wellness associate at Heritage Christian Services.

Shelby Gallaro Trudeau ’17 of Rochester, N.Y., is a prevention and education advisor at Monroe Community College. Shelby and her husband, Matthew Trudeau ’17, welcomed their first child, Anthony, on April 18, 2021.

MacKenzie Grow ’18 of Fulton, N.Y., is a manager for Learning for Equity (Education Institute) at the Community Health Councils. She is in Phi Kappa Phi and was part of the Women’s Center and the equestrian team.

Cameron Guglielmo ’18 of Glens Falls, N.Y., is a driver manager for Swift Transportation. At Oswego, he was a mentor-scholar and a member of Tau Sigma National Honor Society. He is excited to have made the move from retail leadership to pursue a career related to his bachelor’s degree work. He also earned an MBA from the University of Phoenix.

Kimberly Sage Hydar ’18 of Yonkers, N.Y., earned a Master of Social Work from NYU’s Silver School of Social Work in May 2021, and was inducted into the Phi Alpha Honor Society, Pi Pi Chapter. At Oswego, she was a resident assistant, a research assistant and a peer advisor in the Psychology Department, and a peer advisor at the Counseling Center. A loyal Laker, she looks forward to visiting campus to see a Lake Ontario sunset.

Kyle Norton ’18 M’19 of Altmar, N.Y., is a supervisor in the Audit Services Group at Grossman St. Amour CPAs PLLC. Emily Rundle ’18 of Ava, N.Y., is the supervisory reference librarian at Jervis Public Library in Rome, N.Y. She is in Tri Beta and Sigma Tau Delta.

Joseph Sigurdson ’18 of Copper Center, Alaska, earned a master’s degree in English at Southern Mississippi and moved to Alaska, where he taught at the Kuspuk School District in Kalskag before becoming a blogger. He had his first novel, Buffalo Dope, published in 2021.

John Archambeault ’19 M’20 of Liverpool, N.Y., is a certified public accountant and an audit senior at Dannible & McKee in Syracuse. He is responsible for overseeing audit engagements and performing day-today audit activities. He is a member of the New York State Society of CPAs.

Kassadee Paulo Bradshaw ’19 of Oswego is editor-in-chief of Dot Publishing— Oswego County Today in Fulton, N.Y. At SUNY Oswego, she was involved in The Oswegonian. She married Paul Bradshaw ’16 on May 29, 2021, in Oswego.

Abigail Buttacavoli ’19 of Watertown, N.Y., is a morning news anchor at CNY Central. She previously worked as a reporter and weekend anchor at WWNY 7 News in Watertown.

Jessica Kisluk ’19 of Nashua, N.H., is a digital editor at WMUR-TV in Manchester, N.H. At Oswego she was a part of WTOP,

WNYO, National Broadcasting Society and Red Carpet Crew.

Theresa Personna ’19 of Nanuet, N.Y., is a marketing assistant for Kogan Page, an independent publishing company. At Oswego she was a part of the Go Green Team, Vega, Her Campus, Public Relations Student Society of America and club softball.

Jacob Pieklik ’19 M’20 of Liverpool, N.Y., is a certified public accountant at Dannible & McKee in Syracuse. He is responsible for completing audit engagements and proofing financial statements and audit reports.

Matthew Seymour ’19 of Hackettstown, N.J., is an associate meteorologist at WeatherWorks, specializing in winter weather forecasting for a large client base of contractors, landscapers and public works departments. He holds a master’s degree in atmospheric science from SUNY Albany. At Oswego, he was a part of the Meteorology Club, Outdoors Club and Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society.

Cameron Slaven ’19 of Le Roy, N.Y., is an assistant director of human resource at CleanCraft LLC. He previously worked as a freelance writer covering the Miami Dolphins for DolphinsTalk.com.

Joshua Townsend ’19 of Syracuse, N.Y., is a certified public accountant and an audit senior at Dannible & McKee in Syracuse. In his role, he is responsible for working with the audit team to provide assurance services. He also volunteers at the Central New York SPCA.

Hannah McHale ’13 married Nicholas Caputo ’13 on March 12, 2022, at The Heritage Club in Bethpage, N.Y. Alumni in attendance included (from left) Phil Caputo ’12, Caitlin Costello Caputo ’07, Kathleen Damin ’13, Rikki Bobbi Terrance ’15, Emily Arikian Dumigan ’14, Patrick Dumigan, Megan McLaughlin ’13, Alexandra Kaye ’14, Ali Martin ’13, Nicholas Caputo ’13, Hannah McHale ’13, Shane Ragin ’15, Marina Makarevich ’13, Arthur Benware ’14, Collin Herko ’13, Marissa Leonard ’13, Christopher Wolff ’13, Alexandra Levy Richardson ’12, Zachary Steuer ’13, Tom Rahill ’14, Augustus Letterii ’12.

Jenna Arcese ’14 and Ross Bentley ’14 were married on Sept. 12, 2021. Fellow alumni in attendance were (back row, from left) Benjamin Weiss ’14, Kevin O’Keeffe ’13, Benjamin Weber ’13, Jennifer Grossman ’13, Christopher McPherson ’12, Audrey Hinnant ’13, Adderlyn Lora ’13, Garrett Wilson ’12 M’14, Adam Rosenbarker ’14 M’16, Michael Murphy ’15, Allen Wengert ’14; (second row, from left) Marlena Montero ’15, Joshua Drake ’15, Abbigael Hicks Drake ’15, James Nyreen ’14, John Mongiello ’14, Molly Darrow ’14, JoAnn DeLauter ’17, Travis Clark ’15; (front row) Jenna Arcese ’14, Ross Bentley ’14.

Jessica Iannuzzo ’14 and Omy Melo ’14 were married on Sept. 21, 2021, their 10-year anniversary as a couple. Lakers in attendance included (from left) Chelsey Gorczyca ’13, Ben Gordon ’13, Brenna Johnston ’14, Chris O’Neill ’15 Jessica Iannuzzo Melo ’14, Omy Melo ’14, Corey Pschierer ’14, Chris Sale ’14, Kristina DiMartino Pschierer ’15, Tom Wowkowych ’14.

2020s

Alumna Discovers Career Where Dreams Really Do Come True

co-hosted a hockey talk show on WNYO radio, shared her experience and advice to transfer students during Admitted Student Days, worked at Littlepage Dining Hall and interned in the Athletics Department Sports Information Office. An internship at Disney confirmed her passion for the company and Orlando.

Longton took on a job at the Disney Call Center, where she fielded 60 calls a day and assisted guests with a broad range of issues. She learned more about the company and gained deep knowledge about many facets of the operations from parks and resorts to Disney Plus to Disney shops.

Snorkeling along a beachside resort. Taking a three-night Disney Dream cruise. Spending a day at the spa. Drinking a flight of craft beers. Riding the latest Disney Park attractions after hours. Watching sea turtles spin underwater.

For most, these could be key elements of the best vacation ever. But for social media guru Samantha Longton ’18, it’s all in a day’s work.

Today, she works as a digital integration specialist for the Walt Disney Company—a dream job that she can’t imagine ever wanting to leave. She creates content, mostly short 15- to 30-second videos, for Disney Parks social media outlets, including TikTok and Instagram. (Editor’s note: In this story, she does not speak for the brand but only from her personal experience.)

“I got to shoot with every Disney character,” she said. “I got some shots of Goofy on the beach on a private island in the Bahamas. I have so much fun being out there capturing content and working with an amazing team of talented people. We’re all here to create happiness and magic for all of the guests.”

Longton transferred into SUNY Oswego as a junior from Hudson Valley Community College and immediately threw herself into as many activities as she could manage. She served as a sports writer for The Oswegonian,

While that job paid the bills and built her knowledge of the company, she fed her passion for creating content through her personal TikTok channel.

“I’d go out to a coffee shop and make a video about what I liked about the shop, what was cool about the place,” she said. “Then my videos started to go viral—like every one of them. I went from 50 followers to about 70,000 in less than a year.”

Companies like Margarita Resorts, Discovery Cove, Marriott Resorts and several public relations firms started to hire her to make videos for their social media channels. They’d pay for her to stay at their resorts, eat the finest meals, try out the various spa treatments, lounge by the poolside and share her authentic views via TikTok and Instagram videos.

After applying for and being rejected for maybe 30 other positions at Disney, she found an opportunity to create content for Disney Parks social media channels. The hiring manager checked out Longton’s personal TikTok channel and knew she was the person for the job.

Longton was hired in January 2021 and has excelled in her role.

“I love being able to see the magic being made for our guests before they get to experience it,” she said. “I get pumped up to see the guests’ reactions. Disney is just a really fun and amazing place…it’s magical, you could say.”

Jazmyn Eberts ’20 of Gloversville, N.Y., is a full-time art teacher in the Gloversville Enlarged School District after serving as a substitute teacher in the Hamilton-FultonMontgomery BOCES. At Oswego, she was a group leader for Adopt-A-Grandparent, graphic designer for Enactus and risk management chair of Phi Sigma Sigma Inc. Her first book, Battle of the Plastics: The Animals Story, was published.

Ryan Kreuser ’20 of Newark, N.Y., is the marketing coordinator at Ruffalo Appliance and Lagana’s Plumbing and Heating in Newark. He was a member of the Oswego State Swimming and Diving team and the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.

Nicholas Mante ’20 of Palisades, N.Y., is a field sales consultant for Henry Schein health care company. He is in Delta Kappa Kappa fraternity.

Amanda Sclafani ’20 of Staten Island, N.Y., is a job coach at AHRC NYC. She helps people who have intellectual and developmental disabilities maintain their competitive employment. She loves that she found a job where she gets to help people everyday. She hopes to continue with this company and move up in her position. She is a member of the Alpha Delta Eta sorority.

Matthew Kensek ’21 of Rochester, N.Y., is a search engine optimization specialist at CGI Communications NEXT! Ad Agency.

Alexa Kosloski ’21 of Smithtown, N.Y, is an e-commerce account manager at Urtasker in Hauppauge, N.Y.

Andrew Nearbin ’21 of Oswego is in the master’s in biology program and a graduate teaching assistant at SUNY Fredonia.

Kamri Vazquez ’21 of Savannah, N.Y, is a safety and wellness specialist at Cayuga Centers in Auburn, N.Y.

Michael Oher ’22 of Miller Place, N.Y., is a help desk attendant at SUNY Oswego. As a student, he was the chief engineer and host of “Time After Time with Mikey The Oher” for WNYO 88.9 FM, the director of information technology services for The Oswegonian and a freelance video editor for WTOP 10. He was a general member in Jewish Life at SUNY Oswego.

In Memoriam

Barbara Brown Murphy McCormack ’44 of Oswego, March 8, 2022.

Jeanette “Jean” Goodness Bullock ’45 of Hilliard, Ohio, July 26, 2021.

Henrietta Derousie Merkert ’45 of Lakeland, Fla., July 12, 2021.

Gina Scala Bachner ’49 of Saratoga Springs, N.Y., Dec. 1, 2021.

Carl W. “Mike” Zerrahn ’49 of Peru, N.Y., Feb. 23, 2022.

Warren C. Crandell M’50 of Rochester, N.Y., Dec. 19, 2021.

Alfred Raulph Milano ’50 of Wellesley, Mass., Sept. 19, 2020.

Charles J. Weigand ’50 of Phoenix, Ariz., Nov. 16, 2021.

Frederick Milton Wilber ’50 of Oswego, May 9, 2022.

Lucile Seligman Kleiman ’51 of New York, N.Y., July 25, 2021.

Richard L. Fonda ’52 of Orlando, Fla., Sept. 25, 2021.

Grace G. Maxwell ’52 of Syracuse, N.Y., July 19, 2021.

Bertha M. Cornwell McDonough ’52 of Baldwinsville, N.Y., Aug. 16, 2021.

Clement A. Striso ’52 of Glen Cove, N.Y., Nov. 12, 2021.

Harold E. Switts Jr. ’52 of Roswell, Ga., Sept. 21, 2021.

James Amadeo Esposito ’53 of Washington, D.C., Sept. 11, 2021.

Frederick Louis Meder Sr. ’53 of Vero Beach, Fla., April 13, 2021.

James Joseph Monaghan ’53 of San Diego, Calif., Dec. 30, 2021.

Alfred G. Moses ’53 of Shokan, N.Y., May 21, 2022.

Carole Coppernoll Drenchko ’54 M’58 of Rexford, N.Y., Dec. 16, 2021.

Louis T. House ’54 of Cato, N.Y., Aug. 30, 2021.

Bernadine “Bernie” W. Cordean Shuba ’54 of Denver, Colo., Feb. 19, 2022.

Madeline Stendig Schwartz ’55 of Sunrise, Fla., Feb. 26, 2021.

Robert S. Tennant ’55 of Syracuse, N.Y., Feb. 5, 2022.

William Welser Jr. ’55 of Milford, Del., Oct. 9, 2021.

Fred R. Clark ’56 of Palm Harbor, Fla., Jan. 26, 2022.

Ted Murray ’56 of Ilion, N.Y., July 19, 2021.

Lila J. Henne Trado ’56 of Ridgefield, Conn., Sept. 6, 2021.

Barbara Rose Cortese Van Ravesteyn ’56 of San Diego, Calif., Jan. 31, 2021.

Graydon Allen Youngman ’56 of Dundee, N.Y., Sept. 15, 2021.

Paul Thomas Cooney ’57 of Liverpool, N.Y., Sept. 27, 2021.

Jane Bates Hall Holliday ’57 of Oswego, April 10, 2022.

Adm. Martin W. Leukhardt ’57 of Latham, N.Y., Jan. 16, 2022.

James O. Simpson ’57 of Fulton, N.Y., Sept. 27, 2021.

Francis D. “Butler” Bellardini ’58 of Pulaski, N.Y., Dec. 9, 2021.

Edward T. Bolton Jr. ’58 of DeRuyter, N.Y., Oct. 13, 2021.

Robert Alan Bostley ’58 of Largo, Fla., Oct. 6, 2021.

Robert DeFuccio ’58 of Spinnerstown, Pa., March 13, 2022.

Robert William Habbick Jr. ’58 of Winchester, Tenn., March 30, 2021.

Frank W. Reed ’58 of Coon Rapids, Minn. June 26, 2021.

Janipher Ripley M’58 of Brandon, Vt., July 2, 2021.

Vic Wirt ’58 of Nokomis, Fla., Sept. 3, 2020.

Judith A. Patrick Janusz ’59 of Auburn, N.Y., Feb. 28, 2022.

James R. Metcalf ’59 of Oswego, Sept. 3, 2021.

Dorothy Woodland Taylor ’59 of Scriba, N.Y., Feb. 13, 2022.

Shirley M. Uplinger ’59 M’62 of Sacramento, Calif., Jan. 1, 2022.

Harold “Hal” Von Dolln of New Bern, N.C., Jan. 24, 2022.

John G. Grim ’60 of Syracuse, N.Y., Aug. 13, 2021.

Walter B. Maihofer Jr. ’60 of Baldwinsville, N.Y., May 27, 2022.

Michael “Mike” T. McKilligan ’60 of Johnson City, N.Y., Nov. 29, 2021.

James Milden ’60 of Baldwinsville, N.Y., Jan. 28, 2022.

James B. Searles ’60 of Little River, S.C., March 21, 2021.

Leonard “Red” Sutton ’60 of Freehold, N.Y., Aug. 22, 2021.

June Gehm Tryon ’60 of Oswego, Dec. 30, 2021.

Hugh Kent Bellen ’61 of Syracuse, N.Y., Aug. 28, 2021.

T. Allan Cotsonas ’61 of Ontario, N.Y., Dec. 20, 2021.

Francis J. Cutro ’61 of Oswego, Sept. 17, 2021.

Lawrence Craig Hammonds ’61 M’72 of Ashburn, Va., Feb. 11, 2022.

Michael F. O’Neil ’61 of Rochester, N.Y., May 31, 2021.

Patricia Heafy Santoro ’61 of Port St. Lucie, Fla., March 9, 2022.

John “Jack” E. Conley ’62 M’69 of Oswego, Oct. 24, 2021.

William C. Link Jr. ’62 of Averill Park, N.Y., Jan. 9, 2022.

George E. Hogan ’62 M’67 of Catskill, N.Y., Aug. 3, 2020.

Donna Swimm Wolf ’62 CAS’91 of Cleveland, N.Y., Nov. 9, 2021.

Karen E. Franjola Confoy ’63 of Naples, Fla., Aug. 20, 2021.

William “Bill” W. Houck ’63 of Palm Bay, Fla., Feb. 24, 2022.

Donald Kennison ’63 of Lake Ronkonkoma, N.Y., March 15, 2022.

Mary Flanagan Michel ’63 of Silver Spring, Md., Aug. 8, 2021.

Marcia D. Post ’63 of Phoenix, N.Y., Aug. 8, 2020.

Joseph F. Schrowang III ’63 of Kingston, N.Y., Oct. 20, 2021.

Paul J. Viggiano ’63 of Auburn, N.Y., Nov. 13, 2021.

Beverly A. Walliski ’63 of Camillus, N.Y., Aug. 10, 2021.

Robert “Bob” Murphy ’64 of Tarpon Springs, Fla., Oct. 26, 2021.

Donovan W. Russell ’64 M’69 of Moravia, N.Y., Dec. 9, 2021.

Nancy C. Egerbrecht ’65 of Syracuse, N.Y., Nov. 24, 2021.

Charles D. Genung ’65 of Naples, Fla., Nov. 26, 2021.

Stephen Michael Kligerman ’65 of Palm Harbor, Fla., July 16, 2020.

Donald J. Nicoletti ’65 of Westfield, Mass., Sept. 4, 2020.

In Memoriam, continued

Frank C. Reed ’65 of Surprise, Ariz., Oct. 9, 2021.

Robert M. Cacchillo ’66 of Schenectady, N.Y., Feb. 7, 2022.

Patricia Ann Panasiewicz Steele ’66 of Green Valley, Ariz., Dec. 7, 2021.

Elizabeth A. Magnusson Williams ’66 of Seminole, Fla., Feb. 20, 2022.

Harold Jay Einbinder ’67 of Brunswick, N.C., July 11, 2020.

Carol A. Giotta ’67 M’71 of Fort Pierce, Fla., Dec. 13, 2021.

Roger W. Ingalls ’67 of Auburn, N.Y., Dec. 9, 2021.

Mary Jean Satterlee Munger’67 of Mexico, N.Y., Jan. 18, 2022.

Robert “Doc” C. Schelin ’67 of Tappan, N.Y., Feb. 6, 2022.

Camille A. Smagalski Zimmer ’67 of Washington, N.C., Jan. 31, 2022.

Theresa Ann Barney ’68 of Adams, N.Y., July 8, 2021.

Mary L. Mowins Dixon ’68 of Baldwinsville, N.Y., July 16, 2021.

Daniel J. Elsbey ’68 of Fairmount, N.Y., June 5, 2022.

Diane M. Godici Huckabee ’68 of Oswego, Nov. 1, 2021.

Charles T. “Charlie” Loeffler Jr. ’68 of Marion, Ind., May 13, 2022.

Marjorie Alice Nelson Moxley ’68 of Hamilton, N.Y., Dec. 20, 2021.

Richard F. Bough ’69 of Chicago, Ill., July 26, 2021.

Robert A. DeGroat ’69 of Fayetteville, N.Y., June 8, 2022.

Robert “Bob” Allen Geiter ’69 of Vista, Calif., July 1, 2021.

Klaude R. Konrad ’69 of Hilton Head Island, S.C., Jan. 20, 2022.

Kimberly Caulfield Maroney ’69 of Minetto, N.Y., Jan. 22, 2022.

Edward Joseph Sohoski ’69 of Fulton, N.Y., Jan. 12, 2022.

Anna M. Haas M’70 of Seneca Falls, N.Y., March 24, 2022.

Maria Angela Castellano Jensen ’70 of Olympia, Wash., March 3, 2021.

Linda Hurley Lord ’70 of Oswego, Feb. 6, 2022.

Vincent Sebastian Maiello ’70 of Hopewell Junction, N.Y., Oct. 29, 2021.

Patricia “Pat” McCoy Share ’70 of Spring, Texas, Aug. 14, 2020.

Edward “Chip” Spinks ’70 of Camillus, N.Y., Oct. 16, 2021.

Joseph Bart Svoboda ’70 of Ruckersville, Va., Oct. 16, 2021.

Catherine Reardon Syhre ’70 of Durham, N.C., March, 20, 2022.

Daniel Joseph Bronchetti ’71 of Syracuse, N.Y., Oct. 12, 2021.

Lt. Col. Eric O. Egan ’71 of Queensbury, N.Y., Aug. 8, 2021.

Walter J. O’Brien ’71 of Troy and Hudson, N.Y., Nov. 26, 2021.

Greg Palmer Voorheis ’71 of Roswell, Ga., July 23, 2021.

Joseph W. Wiggins ’71 of Big Flats, N.Y., Dec. 4, 2020.

Thomas W. Cecere ’72 of Charlottesville, Va., Oct. 20, 2021.

Adell M. Endres ’72 M’83 of Port St Lucie, Fla., Sept. 12, 2021.

Paul J. Lukasiewicz ’72 of Rome, N.Y., Sept. 12, 2021.

Terry S. Miller ’72 of Springs, N.Y., April 25, 2021.

Katherine J. Saltalamachia ’72 of Oswego, April 21, 2022.

Charles T. Sorge ’72 of Bath, N.Y., Nov. 6, 2020.

Raymond Eugene Towle ’72 of Mount Vernon, N.Y., Dec. 29, 2020.

Robert Donald White ’72 of Schenectady, N.Y., Nov. 1, 2021.

Dorothy “Dottie” Elizabeth Arnold ’73 of Sackets Harbor, N.Y., Jan. 4, 2022.

Grace Liccione Cruty ’73 of Syracuse, N.Y., Dec. 20, 2021.

John. G. Granite ’73 of Berlin, Md., Feb. 27, 2022.

Helena C. Zigabarra Kosorek ’73 of Greenville, N.Y., Feb. 28, 2021.

Constantine “Gus” George Petrides ’73 of West Palm Beach, Fla., Sept. 1, 2021.

Robert “Dusty” A. Rhoades ’73 of Manlius, N.Y., Jan. 13. 2022.

Joseph A. Volpe ’73 of Cicero, N.Y., March 14, 2022.

Ralph “Rick” Waldemar ’73 of Inverness, Fla., Dec. 28, 2021.

Brad S. Ames ’74 of Charleston, S.C., Feb. 22, 2022.

Susan C. Hatch ’74 of Oriskany, N.Y., Oct. 29, 2021.

Linda J. Kinney Hill ’74 of Averill Park, N.Y., March 22, 2022.

Paul R. Patane ’74 of Canastota, N.Y., March 19, 2022.

Raymond Thomas Carter ’75 of Auburn, N.Y., May 24, 2021.

Edward M. Harrold ’75 of Hauppauge, N.Y., March 28, 2022.

Eugene T. Lynch ’75 of North Bergen, N.J., Jan. 23, 2022.

Cynthia A. Weldon Shelmidine ’75 of Mannsville, N.Y., Sept. 16, 2021.

John J. Capria ’76 of Camillus, N.Y., Aug. 30, 2021.

James W. Hauswirth ’76 of Newark, Calif., Oct. 6, 2021.

Eileen McCartin Love ’76 of Highlands Ranch, Colo., Sept. 1, 2021.

Regina “Gina” Milano McRobert ’76 of St. Petersburg, Fla., Nov. 14, 2021.

James “Jim” Edward O’Brien Jr. ’77 of Niskayuna, N.Y., Aug. 16, 2021.

Diane Linda Watts-Marazon ’77 of Plantation, Fla., July 21, 2020.

Patricia A. Fioravanti Barresi ’78 of Canandaigua, N.Y., July 20, 2021.

Maureen White Bisha ’78 of Glen Allen, Va., July 27, 2020.

Colleen McHorney ’78 of North Wales, Pa., Jan. 30, 2021.

John C. Mosher ’78 of Baldwinsville, N.Y., Feb. 20, 2022.

Kevin Davis Dewey ’79 of Angelica, N.Y., Oct. 18, 2021.

Dianna Curren Steidinger ’79 of Crestview, Fla., May 14, 2022.

Kathleen Ruane Tompkins ’79 of Syracuse, N.Y., April 20, 2021.

David “Fish” Charles Caldwell ’80 of Gasport, N.Y., Aug. 4, 2021.

Allan J. Fox ’80 of Medford, N.Y., Dec. 7, 2021.

Claude J. Moreau ’80 of Oswego, Feb. 4, 2022.

Sandra J. McGuire Van Schaack M’80 of Oswego, Dec. 10, 2021.

Robert “Rob” Ahern Meade ’81 of Glenville, N.Y., Aug. 1, 2021.

Patricia Woyciesjes Relyea ’81 of Fayetteville, N.Y., Feb. 6, 2022.

Donald W. Subin ’81 of North Bellmore, N.Y., April 17, 2020.

Carolyn Sullivan Zenisek ’81 of Cleveland Heights, Ohio, Aug. 28, 2021.

Ralph Knox Bishop ’83 of New Bern, N.C., Jan. 25, 2022.

David Joseph Foley ’83 of Winston-Salem, N.C., Nov. 9, 2021.

Jamie F. Mathias ’83 of Loomis, Calif., May 5, 2021.

Hon. John L. Michalski ’83 of Buffalo, N.Y., April 5, 2022.

Elizabeth “Betty” A. Pizzuto ’84 of Brewerton, N.Y., July 20, 2021.

Mark A. Trott ’84 of Lake Katrine, N.Y., Jan. 9, 2022.

Meri S. Dellich-Charney ’85 of Hinesburg, Vt., Sept. 4, 2021.

David Charles Laba ’85 of Dover, N.H., March 15, 2020.

Robert “Bob” R. Latham II ’85 M’08 of Baldwinsville, N.Y., Nov. 16, 2021.

Susan Watkins Carter ’86 M’89 of Auburn, N.Y., Oct. 30, 2021.

Paul A. Jerominek ’86 of Niskayuna, N.Y., Feb. 8, 2022.

Sarah Peschel-Testa ’86 ’92 of Manlius, N.Y., Sept. 30, 2021.

Richard D. Smithgall ’87 of Tampa, Fla., July 1, 2020.

Lori A. West M’88 CAS’06 of Baldwinsville, N.Y., Sept. 2, 2021.

Valerie B. McKoon Koll M’89 CAS’97 of Memphis, N.Y., Sept. 29, 2021.

Beverly Kaye Petteys ’89 of Saratoga Springs, N.Y., Aug. 22, 2021.

Nancy Ward Remling ’89 M’92 of Auburn, N.Y., May 24, 2022.

Lisa P. Jenner ’90 of Webster, N.Y., Sept. 9, 2021.

Barbara A. Lowe M’90 CAS’90 of East Syracuse, N.Y., Aug. 2, 2021.

Patrick O’Connor ’91 of Syracuse, N.Y., Jan 27, 2022.

Charolette Marie Abrams ’92 of Little Rock, Ark., July 1, 2021.

Scott S. Mowry ’92 of Oxford, Conn., Dec. 23, 2020.

Michael P. Whitton ’92 of Greenfield Center, N.Y., Oct. 6, 2021.

Michael J. Guanciale ’93 of Cicero, N.Y., April 2, 2022.

Joseph F. Smith ’94 of Manlius, N.Y., Aug. 6, 2021.

Derrick Tucker CAS’94 of Syracuse, N.Y., Sept. 4, 2021.

Lois V. Seamans ’96 of Auburn, N.Y., March 14, 2022.

Daniel Farrands ’97 M’03 of Clifton Springs, N.Y., Oct. 27, 2021.

James Hubert Onacki ’98 of Syracuse, N.Y., May 27, 2022.

Sharon Ann Abbott ’01 of Minoa, N.Y., April 5, 2022.

Michael J. Kite ’02 of Baldwinsville, N.Y., Feb. 11, 2022.

Nadine Ann Nicotra ’04 M’07 of Syracuse, N.Y., April 5, 2021.

Chad L. Stahl ’05 of Michigan Center, Mich., Aug. 20, 2021.

Matthew R. Therrien ’06 of Baldwinsville, N.Y., Nov. 18, 2021.

Rebecca “Becky” Spadaro Baldwin ’09 of Liverpool, N.Y., Nov. 27, 2021.

Matthew J. Fox ’09 of Rochester, N.Y., Jan. 17, 2022.

Matthew Novak ’09 of Whitestone, N.Y., Nov. 18, 2021.

Theresa “Tess” Slater ’09 of Camillus, N.Y., Nov. 12, 2021.

Adam Joseph (AJ) Harfosh M’10 of Hoboken, N.J., May 6, 2022.

Seth Bonfoy Weston ’11 of Liverpool, N.Y., May 29, 2022.

Johnny D. Wratten II ’12 of Little Falls, N.Y., July 12, 2021.

Allen R. Bremmer, Professor Emeritus of Art, of Sterling, N.Y., Nov. 9, 2021.

Curtis “Jerry” Gerald Condra Jr., Professor Emeritus of Broadcasting and Mass Communication, of Fort Worth, Texas, July 12, 2021.

Charles Echelbarger, Professor Emeritus of Philosophy, of Aurora, N.Y., Sept. 14, 2021.

John W. Mincher, Professor Emeritus of Theatre, of Palm Coast, Fla., April 16, 2022.

Mario D. Rabozzi, Professor Emeritus of Education (Social Studies), of Oswego, July 24, 2021.

Peter Rosenbaum, Professor Emeritus of Biology, of Oswego, Aug. 1, 2021.

Warren E. Solomon, Professor Emeritus of Sociology, of Baldwinsville, N.Y., Oct. 28, 2021.

Edward A. Thibault, Professor Emeritus of Sociology, of Baldwinsville, N.Y., Sept. 18, 2021.

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 the Office of Development and Alumni Engagement c/o In Memoriam, SUNY Oswego, Oswego, N.Y. 13126; or email alumni@oswego.edu.

You lived here. You learned here. Now, leave your legacy here.

By naming the Oswego College Foundation in your estate plans, you will create a meaningful impact that lasts well beyond your lifetime. Learn more at alumni.oswego.edu/ plannedgiving or contact us at sheldonlegacy@oswego.edu or 315-312-3003.

Education Key to Creating Change

“No matter who you are, where you come from, what you look like, what your abilities, who you love or how you identify, we all have dignity and with that dignity, we deserve full equality, justice and the opportunity to succeed.” A simple proposition perhaps, yet one that is consistent with the greatest movements in our country’s history; from Abolition to Civil Rights, from Seneca Falls to Stonewall.

Life is about the possibilities and obstacles. It’s what you do with the two that truly impacts your life journey. Will you seize upon the opportunities or get mired in the barriers?

I have learned the future is ours to shape, to mold and to create. An education is key to that future which we each strive to achieve for ourselves and others. And that’s all forms of education whether it is learned in the classroom or through the experiences to which we are exposed. A formal college education, like that offered here at Oswego, equips students with the tools to grow, learn and succeed in our evolving and ever-changing world.

It’s not just our studies in our majors, but also the other courses we may have taken, whether through general credit requirements or courses taken by chance. For example, a close friend of mine convinced me to take some courses in design with Professor John Belt. With all due respect to my Public Justice professors and my law school professors, I learned more from John Belt in the areas of critical thinking and problem-solving, and those lessons have served me the most in my personal and professional life. I am forever grateful!

Our formal education is very important, but the experiences students have at Oswego, some would say, are what truly prepare students for their life journey. These experiences can be structured through extracurricular activities or sometimes just through the diverse people you meet here. Oswego is part of my life story, which has

shaped my journey to this point and will continue to impact me.

I was the 11th of 12 children born into a household that struggled financially. My mom and dad worked full-time jobs and ran the family farm to provide for us. They never had two nickels to rub together, as they say. We did not have indoor plumbing in our home when I was young. We used an outhouse and carried water into the house, and we heated the two-story house with a wood burning stove; but it was also a home in which my parents taught that integrity, hard work, tenacity and education would lead to a better life.

As a young person, I saw economic injustice and unfairness; I saw those who have and those who have not. I saw what I perceived as a criminal justice system that treated my family differently. This led me to tell my mother that I would grow up one day to be a lawyer. I wanted to change the world.

Like many Lakers, I was the first generation in my family to attend college. I came to Oswego to study public justice and intentionally used it as a pre-law program. With intention I took courses in history, philosophy, economics, social science and political science to probe and analyze these two questions: “What makes society just; and why is it important for society to be just?”

This exploration and my overall Oswego experience were the beginnings of a principle that guides my every decision:

This principle has positively permeated my life—whether in my work as an anti-discrimination lawyer, in my business life, or in my LGBTQ+ activism, or now as an elected official in the NYS Assembly. I own a business with my husband, John White ’90—a coffee house named Equal=Grounds; we just celebrated our 16th year anniversary in May. The name itself, Equal=Grounds, says it all.

Seeing the dignity and humanity of every person will help us to overcome the greatest obstacles and differences, which might otherwise divide us. We need more than ever before people who are willing to fight for social, racial, and economic justice and equality for all. For you see our diversity is our strength, but our unity is our power. Young and old; gay and straight; black and white; male and female; rich and poor; broken and whole; Republican and Democrat; trans and cis and everyone beyond and in between. We are stronger together.

This is why I established my scholarship–to give to the next generation an opportunity to shape their future for the better—to make a difference. I established the “Harry B. Bronson ’82 Endowed Social Justice Scholarship” to help students seize upon the opportunity to obtain a quality higher education from SUNY Oswego, but also so they might take on this fight for equality and justice.

Let’s all go out to make the world a little better, a little more just and more fair.

l — Harry B.

Harry B. Bronson ’82 is an attorney and politician from Rochester, N.Y. The only openly gay state elected official outside of New York City, he was first elected to the New York State Assembly in 2010.

Fallbrook

The distinctive red barn at Fallbrook and its 188 acres of adjoining land have undergone significant changes in appearance and use since it was originally built in 1898 (after a fire destroyed the original structure built in 1895).

Brief Timeline

1898-1957: The property, owned by the Town of Oswego, was initially used as the Oswego City Alms (Poor) House.

1961-1968: After the university purchased, remodeled and renamed the property to Fallbrook, it served as a men’s dormitory until West Campus residence halls were built.

1969: No longer functioning as a dorm or a barn, Fallbrook became host to the university’s equestrian program, with a large metal pole barn featuring an enclosed riding arena with a dozen stalls. A motorized tow rope on the hillside provided students with a convenient lift for skiing and sledding in the snowy Oswego winters.

Mid-1970s: WRVO Public radio tower installed atop the hill.

OSWEGO OBJECT

1979: Use of the tow rope was suspended.

1980: Horses removed from barn. (Today, equestrian program now functions out of Mexico, N.Y.)

2000s: The annual Friday night “Come As You Were” BBQ during Reunion Weekend takes hold, growing to become the largest event over the four-day weekend with anywhere between 500-700 people in attendance.

Today SUNY Oswego Auxiliary Services owns and operates the property, which includes a barn to host weddings and events, ski lodge for year-round use and trails for hiking, photography and relaxation.

Check out the facilities for yourself during Reunion Weekend 2023

— June 8-11!

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, SUNY Oswego, Oswego, N.Y. 13126, or email the updated address to alumni@oswego.edu.

Please recycle this magazine.

Faculty –HALL OF FAME–

Dr. David Thomas, Geology

The late Dr. David Thomas made a career of studying and sharing observations about the changes that occurred to the Earth over thousands or even millions of years, but his teaching made many immediate changes in the lives of his students.

A professor and former chair of the Earth Sciences Department, he often led his students on field trips to examine lower Paleozoic fossils throughout Upstate New York. He also took some students, including William Precht ’79, to study underwater fossils along the coast of Jamaica during spring break. (See related story on page 24.)

“He was my undergraduate advisor, mentor and ultimately, adult-long—45-plus years— friend,” Precht said. “He changed my life. I do what I do today because of him!”

Another former student Jon Fox ’88, who is now the owner and principal geologist with Fox Professional Geology LLC in Syracuse and a visiting assistant professor in the Atmospheric and Geological Sciences Department at SUNY Oswego, said Dr. Thomas was also instrumental in shaping his career.

“I was initially matriculated as a meteorology major, and I took physical geology with Dave as a cognate course,” Fox said. “I knew within two weeks of taking this course with Dave that I was going to switch my major to geology, and I did so that same semester. Dave was a very pragmatic teacher; he had high expectations of his students, which drove us to do well in his and other courses.”

Fox said Dr. Thomas wrote him a letter of recommendation to graduate school and invited him back to speak to geology students in 2005 so he could share his practical experience as a working geologist with students.

Dr. Thomas also inspired students to be broadminded learners.

“Dave Thomas opened my eyes to evolutionary theory and the elegant writings from Charles Darwin to Stephen Jay Gould,” said former student David Spader ’79, who is senior vice president of operations and safety at Environmental and Remediation Financial Services. “Although I did not pursue this branch of geology, it remains as a favorite topic of interest and I am forever grateful to Dr. Thomas for the evolution and diversification of my geological education.”

Before coming to SUNY Oswego in 1970, Dr. Thomas, a native of Welland, Ontario, Canada, studied geology at the University of Western Ontario and earned a doctoral degree at SUNY Binghamton, where he met his wife and fellow scientist, Laurie. Together, they enjoyed many geological field trips in the U.S. and Caribbean and both went on to work at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., before becoming teachers. His thesis work focused on tertiary fossils of the Colombian peninsula in South America.

During his tenure at Oswego, he became chair of the department, earned a SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching and served as acting dean of Admissions for the university.

After retiring in 2005, he remained connected to the earth and ran a small Christmas tree farm in Hannibal with his family. He served a term as president of the state Christmas Tree Growers Association. A father of two sons, Adrian and Drew ’96, and a daughter, Allison, he also served a term as president of the Laker Swim Club, for which his children swam.

When alumni heard about Dr. Thomas’ passing on Sept. 3, 2022, several shared the impact he had on their lives with each other, the university and his family.

“The SUNY Oswego community lost a great leader,” Precht said. “I will be grateful forever to Dave for introducing me to my career and my passion.”