Around the SUNY Oswego campus

Yahya Ndiaye (right), a Laker Leader captain and double major in electrical and computer engineering and in French, gives a thumbs-up with friends at the Welcome Picnic Aug. 20. The annual event welcomes students, faculty and staff into the fall semester, and precedes the Welcoming Torchlight Celebration.

College President Deborah F. Stanley (left) and torchbearer Takayla Beckon, Student Association president, lift their candles at the conclusion of the 32nd annual Welcoming Torchlight Ceremony on Friday, Aug. 20. The ceremony is a traditional introduction to the academic year.

Kamal Morales (at the podium) delivered the student address at Welcoming Torchlight on Friday, Aug. 20. A senior double major in public relations and theatre, his enthusiastic praise for the accomplishments of President Deborah F. Stanley (seated at center) were echoed by rousing applause and cheers from the audience.

Senior Takayla Beckon, Student Association president and torchbearer, lights the candles of students and faculty at Welcoming Torchlight.

Jasmyne Daley, a freshman psychology major, moves her belongings into Johnson Hall on Aug. 15 with help from her uncle, David Gore.

Raven Mitchell, a move-in captain at Riggs Hall, welcomes arrivals Aug. 15 to their new home in Riggs during freshman move-in.

Christina Nietzschmann pauses to take a photo of her and friends while enjoying the food and ice cream at the Welcome Picnic on Aug. 20.

Faith Coyle (left) and Ellen Decker enjoy some advanced roller skating around the parking lot during the Laker Launch Pre-Torchlight Party. Skaters of all skills also could enjoy a smooth outdoor rink with skates provided.

The ever-popular Great White Shark mechanical rodeo ride was challenged by many at the Laker Launch Pre-Torchlight Party.

President Deborah F. Stanley provided an impassioned keynote to faculty and staff during the Fall 2021 Opening on Aug. 18, in which she provided details about the commendable accomplishments of SUNY Oswego and its community, as well as a look toward the future of the campus. The occasion also individually honored college recipients of the 2019-20 and 2020-21 Chancellor's Awards, Distinguished Service Professors and Distinguished Teaching Professors. In May, President Stanley announced her plans to retire at the end of this year after serving in that role since 1995.

President Deborah F. Stanley (right) speaks after the Aug. 18 Fall 2021 Opening with English and creative writing faculty member Pat Clark.

The college recently welcomed new tenure-track faculty who started in 2020-21 from the School of Business and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, as well as a SUNY PRODIG (Promoting Recruitment, Opportunity, Diversity, Inclusion and Growth) Fellow. In back from left are StaceyAnn Reid, PRODiG Fellow in psychology, and Mohammad Tajvarpour from marketing and management. In front from left are Vanessa Maike of computer science and Heather Losi of accounting, finance and law.

The college recently welcomed new faculty with 2020-21 start dates including Penfield Library archivist Zachary Vickery (left) and tenure-track technology education faculty member and PRODiG Fellow Karin Dykeman.

The college recently welcomed a number of new staff members hired in 2020-21, including front from left; Mary Buske, Office of Career Services; Sahar Rajput, Miranda Nelson and Katherine Knopp, all from the Office of Admissions; and Christine Barkley, Office of Career Services. Second row from left are Tekhara Watson, Counseling Services Center; Kashonda Watson, Office of Campus Life; and Jessica Burridge, School of Business Dean’s Office. Third row from left are Jennifer Joyce, EXCEL; Caitlin Rioux, Extended Learning; Karin DeLeon, Counseling Services Center; and Jacob Hedges, Residence Life and Housing/Counseling Services Center. Back row from left are Kathleen Kerr, vice president of student affairs, and Reginald Braggs, director of the college's Syracuse Campus.

The college recently welcomed several new visiting assistant professors including, front from left, Genevieve Alorbi, economics, and Linda Paris, technology education. Middle row from left are Sarah Fleming, curriculum and instruction, and Steven Mzzoccone, theatre. In back are from left, Ah Ram Lee, counseling and psychological services, and Stacey Pope, curriculum and instruction.

Laker Leaders talk to an audience of fellow students July 28 during SUNY Oswego's first-ever Summer Sophomore Orientation Program about "Getting Involved: Bring campus back to life," which describes details of student involvement opportunities. The sophomore orientation program was an optional, one-day, in-person experience designed to connect rising sophomores with their peers and returning student mentors, re-introduce them to campus, including academic buildings and residence halls, and share information about the many campus services that support student success.

As part of the July 28 Summer Sophomore Orientation Program, Brian Wallace (pictured), manager of Campus Fitness Centers and an adjunct instructor, and Shelly Sloan (off camera), health promotion coordinator for the Dean of Students Office, talked to students about available campus health services and numerous fitness center opportunities.

Laker Leaders Abby Lashinsky (left) and Laker Leader Captain Kaushal Joshi lead an in-person campus tour Aug. 2 near the Shineman Center for incoming transfer students and family members during one of several summer orientation programs designed to familiarize first-year students and transfers with the campus.

Cathy Johnston, assistant to the provost and a member of the State Employees Federated Appeal Planning Committee, and Patrick Dewine from the United Way of Greater Oswego County display some items collected during the SEFA’s annual Stuff A Bus drive which provides supplies to support school children around Oswego County. The United Way said the campus community's donations totaled 754 school items representing more than $828 in school supplies.

The 42nd annual Sheldon Institute for Barbara Shineman Scholars, designed to address the academic and cultural needs of motivated, inquisitive and creative young students, ran July 19 through 30 on campus. Pictured are students in grades 6-7 and 8-10 expressing their artistic talents during an abstract art painting class taught by Lauren Siskavich.