SUNY Oswego provided a record number of donor-funded scholarships –- 900 -– in the 2024-25 academic year, with support continuing to trend upward. Celebrating student achievement at the September 2025 Scholars Brunch are, from left, scholarship recipient and technology education major Dan Mars; Heath Wood, vice president for university advancement; 1973 graduate Christie Sommers, who supports the Path Forward scholarships and endowed a fund to support the campus SHOP (Students Helping Oz Peers); President Peter O. Nwosu; and scholarship recipient and broadcasting major Ayla Snyder.
More than 700 donors from July 2024 to June 2025 donated nearly $1.9 million to enhance scholarships. Gifts such as these allowed a total of nearly $3 million available to help SUNY Oswego students across all majors pursue their dreams.
A strong endowment points toward even more opportunities for current and future Lakers.
During the 2024-25 fiscal year, 900 donor-funded scholarships (endowed and unendowed) were awarded, easing financial barriers and empowering students in their pursuit of success. Many of these stories played out during the recent Scholars Brunch on Sept. 27, part of Founder's Weekend activities.
This is supported by a strong university endowment, which reached $85.5 million as of Oct. 15, with an impressive 8.4 percent 10-year return. Based on the strength of these long-term returns, the Oswego University Foundation Board of Directors voted in May to increase the annual endowment spending rate by a half of a percentage point, which releases an additional $294,506 for scholarships and programs in the year ahead.
The annual Scholars Brunch during Founder's Weekend in late September was one more opportunity to celebrate award winners and the ability to support even more students.
Scholarships support success
Ayla Snyder, a first-generation broadcasting major and student-athlete, spoke at the Scholars Brunch, about how scholarships and the Laker family were paving the way for success.
“The scholarships I have received have not only helped me financially but gave me the motivation to keep going,” Snyder said. “They gave me the feeling that I am capable of being here and worthy of being a college student. They have fueled my self-confidence and have shown me that the effort I make matters. This sense of validation has had a huge impact on me.”
Growing up, Snyder expected expenses to be one of the biggest hurdles for surviving and thriving in college, but the support of donor Neelash Shah has led to a more full and enjoyable experience.
“With my scholarship support and with less financial worry, I am able to be involved on campus on the women’s lacrosse team. And I am happy to say that our team won the first SUNYAC championship in history this past May,” Snyder said. “Between my major, being on the lacrosse team, and events like this one, I have felt nothing but a sense of belonging and welcome from everyone.”
David Banister ’93 Technology Education Scholarship recipient Dan Mars, a technology education major and also a student-athlete, expressed appreciation for all the donors who support student dreams and activities.
“Scholarship opportunities make a huge difference, and I am thankful that we have so many here,” Mars said.
The support has allowed Mars to have a transformative experience and run on the Laker track and field team, become a resident assistant and explore leadership opportunities.
“When I first came to Oswego, I was a shy kid unsure of what I wanted to do,” Mars recalled. “I originally was going to go to college for mechanical engineering, but I realized I wanted a career that combined technical skills with mentoring others so I chose technology education. Teaching allows me to utilize technical skills while also serving as a mentor to my community, which has always been a priority for me.”
For more information about donor-funded SUNY Oswego scholarships, and how to support student opportunities, visit alumni.oswego.edu/scholarships.