Going green has been a primary initiative of Oswego State for almost two years, and one student organization did well to endorse that initiative with their "green" message.

Students in the Oswego Technology Education Association, or OTEA, created a brief commercial designed to promote green living and were rewarded with a first-place finish at a regional competition.

The Technology Education Collegiate Association Eastern Regional Conference was held Nov. 9 to 11 in Virginia Beach, Va., where OTEA performed extremely well, placing in six out of 10 events, taking first place in three. Overall, 28 students and four faculty members participated in the competition.

OTEA's faculty advisor, technology education Professor Thomas Kubicki, describes the event as a pre-professional skills competition. Students also have the opportunity to attend a job fair that takes place at the conference. OTEA has been competing since 2002.

OTEA is a Student Association-funded organization and accepts students from any major, according to technology education major Nate Nadelen '09.

In all, nine additional colleges and universities from the Eastern U.S. were represented at the conference, including Appalachian State, North Carolina A&T, North Carolina State University, Old Dominion, California University of Pennsylvania, Millersville University, The College of New Jersey, Central Connecticut State University and Fitchburg State College. About 300 people competed in 10 events at the Virginia Beach event, said Kubicki, who chaired the event with the assistance of other technology department faculty. He was also responsible for the overall planning and coordination.

"The competition allowed everyone to exercise the knowledge, skills, and techniques, which we have learned through the education received from the Technology Education program at SUNY Oswego," Nadelen said. "I am thankful for OTEA and its supporters which have allowed such an opportunity for myself and other technology education students at Oswego."

Nadelen competed in the transportation event, in which Oswego State placed second. Oswego State took first place in the communication, poster session and problem-solving events. They also finished third in the "Tech Challenge" and "Teaching Lesson."

With such a successful regional performance, OTEA plans to enter this year's national technology education competition. The 2009 International Technology Education Association conference is slated for Mar. 26 through 28 in Louisville, Ky.

-- Steve Duby '09

PHOTO CAPTION: Members of the Oswego Technology Education Association pose at a competition in Virginia Beach, Va., last November. They hope to compete in Louisville, Ky., this March.

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