SUNY Oswego - Alumni Association

June 2010 • Vol 6 No 3

Fund for Oswego Supports Student Life

The Telefund room in Sheldon Hall is quiet and student callers have left campus for summer vacation, but there is still time to make a gift to The Fund for Oswego before the books close on fiscal year 2009-10 June 30.

The Telefund crew 2009-10 "It's not too late to send in your gift," said Joy Westerberg Knopp '92, director of annual giving. She notes that gifts made by June 30 will be put to use enhancing student experiences when they return in the fall.

Giving any amount each year makes an immediate and long lasting impact on campus. Donations help support alumni programs and events, scholarships, technology and areas that aren't covered by the 25 percent of operating costs provided by the state.

"In today's economy, more than ever, we rely on the support of loyal alumni, faculty, staff and friends, so that Oswego can continue to offer a quality, affordable education," Knopp added.

Dominick White '08 took over the reins as manager of the Telefund this spring, and under his leadership, the callers raised the funds that support Oswego's learner-centered campus environment.

Learn more about The Fund for Oswego or make a gift now.

PHOTO CAPTION
Dominick White '08 took over the reins as manager of the Telefund this spring, aided by (from left) graduating student callers Valentina Capone '10, Derek Fogelson '10, Marisa Pettus '10, Nicole Chiappetta '10, Lauren Barth '10, Bridget Smith '10, Christina Gallo '10, Alissa Lusardi '10 and Ryan Nordman '10.

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Oswego Alumni Association, Inc. • King Alumni Hall - SUNY Oswego • Oswego, NY 13126
315-312-2258 • 315-312-5570 (fax) • E-mail: alumni@oswego.edu • Web site: oswego.edu/alumni

Who doesn’t want to save the world? Michael Kite ’02 does that for a living through World Wildlife Fund.

As marketing specialist for one of the world’s leading conservation organizations, Kite and his team of three work to raise more than $5 million each year. The majority of that money comes from licensing partnerships and promotions with the likes of Barnes & Noble, Gap, Hewlett-Packard, Dial and Coinstar.

Retail partnerships help WWF spread its message to the general public and raise funds for its conservation work around the globe. For example, Bank of America contributes $100 for every special Visa account opened and Nabisco is supporting WWF’s “Year of the Tiger” initiative with special packaging and a $100,000 donation. The new CVS Green Bag Tag program rewards reusable bag-toting customers, and generates five cents for WWF for each tag sold.

All support WWF’s mission of protecting the future of nature, down to the finest details, Kite said.

“We like to see that the product is made from recycled material and is recyclable itself, and somehow ties into our mission,” Kite said. The Green Bag Tag, for instance, is made from a corn-based material and features a 100 percent recycled silicone lanyard.

As a broadcasting major at Oswego, Kite got involved with WRVO-FM and WNYO-FM.

“I think it gave me a lot more confidence in talking to people,” he said. It was an important part of his early career in broadcast sales and remains an important piece in the message he “sells” today.

“The best part of my job is seeing a product in the store with the WWF logo after months of working with a company to launch it,” said Kite, who joined the organization in 2006. “It’s rewarding to give people a fun, unique way to protect our planet.”

— Shane M. Liebler