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(315) 312-2265
CONTACT: Kevin Mahaney, 312-5558
July 24, 2003
TWO BANKS PLEDGE $200,000 FOR SUNY OSWEGO'S RICH HALL
OSWEGO -- Two Oswego banks have each pledged $100,000 to
help fund the technology and fixtures that will make SUNY Oswego's Rich
Hall the showcase of a modern learning environment when it reopens for
business this fall.
Rich Hall is the new home for the college's School
of Business. The school recently won international accreditation from
the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, including a
special commendation on the strength of its plans for the newly
renovated building.
The pledges from Oswego County National Bank and
Pathfinder Bank bring the college to within $150,000 of its goal of
$800,000 in private funds to support the technological underpinnings of
the innovative educational facility, said Kevin Mahaney, vice president
for development and public affairs.
"These two substantial pledges from Pathfinder and
OCNB will go a long way toward making Rich Hall a state-of-the-art
academic building," said SUNY Oswego President Deborah F. Stanley. "We
are so pleased that two such venerable community institutions are able
to step forward to help us fulfill our vision for the School of
Business."
PATHFINDER GIFT NAMES DEAN'S SUITE
In making the $100,000 pledge, Thomas W. Schneider,
president and chief executive officer of Pathfinder Bank, said, "the
board of directors recognizes the important economic and social
contributions of SUNY Oswego and, in particular, the School of
Business. We've had the benefit of employing many Oswego alumni and,
through internships, students as well."
In recognition of the gift, Pathfinder Bank's name
will appear on a plaque for the dean's suite in the School of Business.
The suite includes offices for the dean, assistant dean and clerical
staff and will have a technology-rich conference room that seats 20
people, Dean Lanny Karns said.
Both Karns and Schneider noted the long relationship
that Pathfinder Bank has had with the faculty and students of the
School of Business. Former bank president Chris Gagas serves on the
school's advisory board.
OCNB DONATION SUPPORTS ELECTRONIC DISPLAY
OCNB has similarly strong ties to the college.
Stanley currently chairs the bank's board of directors, and "we have a
number of graduates who work here at the bank, so we benefit from the
education that SUNY Oswego offers," said Gregory J. Kreis, OCNB's
president and chief executive officer. "The renovated Rich Hall and the
School of Business are just terrific assets for the community."
In recognition of OCNB's support, both a seminar
room equipped for video conferencing and an electronic display planned
for the main lobby will bear plaques with the bank's name.
Karns said that the display would be integrated with
the campus computer network and cable television system to show a mix
of campus announcements and financial and other televised information.
A separate ticker display will show the status of selected stocks, he
said.
The dean added, "The AACSB accrediting team
predicted last fall that Rich Hall would provide 'an exceptional
facility to support a high-quality program,' and with this most-welcome
support from Pathfinder Bank and Oswego County National Bank we are
making that prediction come true."
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