SUNY Oswego - Alumni Association

May 2010 • Vol 6 No 2

Chancellor Unveils 'Power of SUNY' Strategic Plan

State University of New York Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher last month unveiled the strategic plan for the university system. "The Power of SUNY," which will serve as a roadmap for the state system's 64 campuses over the next five years and guide their development for a decade, focuses on economic development and improving quality of life in New York.

The strategic plan is organized around six "big ideas," with chapter titles linking SUNY to the “Entrepreneurial Century,” “Seamless Educational Pipeline,” a “Healthier New York,” an “Energy-Smart New York,” “Vibrant Community” and the “World.”

Each big idea includes three initiatives with measurable results. "The call for accountability has never been louder. We must deliver results in a more meaningful and measurable way to show New Yorkers that we mean what we say," said Zimpher. The plan also shows how each big idea advances the university's commitment to diversity.

"SUNY Oswego has long adhered to an economic prosperity model," said President Deborah F. Stanley, in welcoming the new plan. "As the leading employer in Oswego County, we employ 1,754 people and bring more than $345 million annually in added wealth to the seven-county Central New York region."

In addition, SUNY Oswego injected nearly $428 million into New York state’s economy — an exceptionally good return on the state’s net appropriation of $55 million dollars, according to Prospering Together, the college's most recent report of its economic impact, released in February.

Since 1998, the college's physical improvements have resulted in more than $400 million in capital and construction spending, adding 450 new jobs to the region. Stanley estimated that planned capital improvements would amount to $300 million in spending and 350 new jobs over the next five years.

SUNY Oswego builds the foundation of sustained economic growth and ensures a long-term regional competitive advantage by preparing more than 8,300 students each year for higher value-added work and increased productivity, Stanley added. She pointed out that the earnings of the college's graduates create economic gains that compound year after year as demand for highly skilled labor grows exponentially in today's knowledge economy.

"We take seriously the fact that SUNY Oswego plays an important leadership role in job creation and economic development in Central New York and welcome the responsibility to improve the overall quality of life in our community through the quality programs and services we provide," Stanley said.

Stanley was one of 17 members of the chancellor's steering committee for the new plan, and several members of the Oswego community served on the "Group of 200," who helped with the debate and exchange of ideas leading up to the plan's launch and will serve as messengers and thought leaders for the finished plan. They include Vice President of Finance and Budget Nicholas A. Lyons, faculty members Shashi Kanbur and Marcia Burrell, and students Keith Edelman '10, Kate Haefele '09 and Stefen Short '10.

The president welcomed Chancellor Zimpher to Oswego last July as the new leader made a tour of all 64 campuses in the SUNY system and held "town hall" meetings to gather information for the planning process.

— Michele Reed

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Oswego Alumni Association, Inc. • King Alumni Hall - SUNY Oswego • Oswego, NY 13126
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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