Around the SUNY Oswego campus

The 34th annual Welcoming Torchlight Ceremony was led for the first time by new President Peter O. Nwosu, Ph.D. on Aug. 23. This ceremony bridges generations by a rite of passage that signifies the start of a new chapter in students’ lives. The Commencement Eve Torchlight Ceremony, held annually in May for graduates, serves as a bookend to this tradition. President Nwosu and Student Association President Austin Davis, serving as Torchbearer, light the torch before going into the audience to pass the flame. The ceremony celebrates passing the Torch of Learning in connecting all members of the Oswego family.

At the Welcoming Torchlight Ceremony, President Peter O. Nwosu lights the candle of Kristi Eck, Chief of Staff and Executive Director of Strategic Initiatives, External Partnerships and Legislative Affairs.

Students with lit candles show their Laker enthusiasm during the Aug. 23 Welcoming Torchlight Ceremony held as they enter their new university careers.

President Peter O. Nwosu stands on the platform as candles are lit during the Welcoming Torchlight Ceremony

President Peter O. Nwosu stands with Student Association President Austin Davis ’25, who served as Torchbearer, student speaker Kae Jimenez ’25, emcee Kaylee Knapp ’24 and the audience of students, faculty and staff near the conclusion of the Welcoming Torchlight Ceremony.

First-year students took part in a new tradition during Laker Launch in forming a giant O as a team-building and school-pride activity.

New students and volunteers gathered Aug. 26 for an "Oswego Photo" as part of Laker Launch. The photo was held at Lee Hall athletic field.

Teams of student volunteers were on hand to help with move-in week, directing incoming traffic to specific residence halls. One such group pictured at their station just outside Shady Shore greeted first-year students on their way to Johnson Hall and other lakeside halls.

The Taste of Oswego provided the campus community with delicious food samplings from vendors and local restaurants in the greater Oswego area on Aug. 24. Oswego Mayor Billy Barlow and the City of Oswego Office of Community and Economic Development partnered with campus on the event.

SUNY Oswego President Peter O. Nwosu and Kathleen Kerr, Vice President for Student Affairs, talk with graduate student Kranthi Kumar Erra during the Aug. 24 Taste of Oswego campus event, which provided the campus community with delicious food from vendors and local restaurants in the greater Oswego area.

The Taste of Oswego event brought the campus and greater Oswego community together, including some furry friends.

President Peter O. Nwosu welcomes faculty and staff during the annual Opening Breakfast at the beginning of the 2023-2024 academic year. The Aug. 22 breakfast was held in Deborah F. Stanley Arena and Convocation Hall, Marano Campus Center.

President Peter O. Nwosu (standing center) and Mary C. Toale, who had served as the university’s Officer in Charge and now is Deputy to the President for Strategy and Planning, talk during the Opening Breakfast Aug. 22 with Michele May of The Compass, one of the institution’s SUNY Chancellor's Award winners.

Shashi Kanbur of physics was officially appointed to the rank of Distinguished Professor, presented by President Peter O. Nwosu during the Opening Breakfast. Read full story.

The SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Scholarship and Creative Activities was officially presented to Ulises Mejias by President Peter O. Nwosu during the Opening Breakfast. Read full story.

The SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Adjunct Teaching was officially presented to Carlo Cuccaro by President Peter O. Nwosu during the Opening Breakfast. Read full story.

The SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Classified Service was officially presented to Michele May by President Peter O. Nwosu during the Opening Breakfast. Read full story.

The SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Professional Service was officially presented to Michael Paestella by President Peter O. Nwosu during the Opening Breakfast. Read full story.

A group of new students from China -- among the approximately 100 new international students starting this semester -- pause for a photo during their International Student Orientation program on Aug. 23. The International Student Orientation program in the Shineman Center is organized and hosted by the International Student and Scholar Services Office, managed by the Office of International Education and Programs.

The annual Color Run is a 1.5-mile fun-filled run/walk around SUNY Oswego's Glimmerglass Lagoon, co-sponsored by the Dean of Students Office/Oz Peer Eds program and Campus Recreation on Sept. 1. Participants end up covered with color while running through brightly hued powder.

Students pose during the annual Color Run, co-sponsored by the Dean of Students Office/Oz Peer Eds program and Campus Recreation.

The Paint the Road Green event invites students, faculty and staff to join together to paint the Marano Campus Center bus loop green to show campus spirit. This fun event, in its second year, is part of Laker Launch.

The popular fall Student Involvement Fair provides students with the opportunity to meet SUNY Oswego's 150-plus student clubs and organizations in a one-stop location. This year's event was held Aug. 30 in the Marano Campus Center, Deborah F. Stanley Arena and Convocation Hall. Pictured, President Peter O. Nwosu and Kathleen Kerr, Vice President for Student Affairs, gather with members of African Student Organization and other students for a photo while visiting the fair.

The many student organizations participating in the Student Involvement Fair included the Image Step Team, a beginner friendly organization that educates people through performances how step can be used as a form of self-expression.

The Computer Science Association communicates their meeting location -- Room 444 in the Shineman Center -- during the fall Student Involvement Fair.

President Peter O. Nwosu and Vice President for Student Affairs Kathleen Kerr had the opportunity to meet and greet many students during the fall 2023 Student Involvement Fair, including It's On Oz student workers Jarely Jasso (left) and Rosie Paulino (right), both of whom are also in the Educational Opportunity Program. (Photo provided by Lisa Evaneski)

As part of the Laker Launch introduction to campus, some of the newest students enjoyed a beautiful first sunset by the lake.

The annual LakerFest Picnic featured inflatable games, a zipline ride, free food, build-a-buddy and more on Sept. 2 in Onondaga Field, hosted by Residence Life and Housing and University Police.

Amy Enwright of the Facilities Services-Major Projects Group leads a tour Aug. 30 through Hewitt Hall during the building's renovation for its transformation into the state-of-the-art home for Oswego's School of Communication, Media and the Arts.