Around the SUNY Oswego campus

President Peter O. Nwosu and Jennifer Knapp, dean of the College of Communication, Media and the Arts, surrounded by members of the Laker family, alumni, partners and supporters, cut the ceremonial ribbon officially re-opening Hewitt Hall during a reception held Oct. 24.

Jennifer Knapp, dean for the College of Communication, Media and the Arts, shares her enthusiasm with the audience while speaking during the Hewitt Hall re-opening ceremonies held Oct. 24. Supported by $80 million from the SUNY Construction Fund, the former longtime student union has become a premier home for storytellers, filmmakers, communicators, broadcasters, artists and others with top facilities and an aesthetically pleasing layout that encouraging gathering and connecting.

President Peter O. Nwosu talks with Oswego Mayor Robert Corradino at the Hewitt Hall re-opening ceremonies held Oct. 24. Officials from SUNY, New York State, Oswego County and the City of Oswego joined students, faculty, staff and alumni for events throughout the weekend.

Deborah F. Stanley, president emeritus of SUNY Oswego, and husband Michael Stanley attended the Hewitt Hall re-opening ceremonies held Oct. 24. Serving as Oswego's president from 1997 until her 2021 retirement, Stanley provided visionary leadership for campus renewal including the start of the Hewitt renovations.

Sally Librera, president of National Grid New York, was the featured guest during SUNY Oswego’s second annual Sheldon Lecture on Leadership and Service on Oct. 24 in Sheldon Hall ballroom, interviewed by President Peter O. Nwosu. This lecture series is an informal “fireside chat” Q&A format which provides the SUNY Oswego and broader community access to a distinguished leader as well as an opportunity to be part of the conversation.

Sally Librera, president of National Grid NY, received the Presidential Medal presented by SUNY Oswego President Peter O. Nwosu on Oct. 24 during the second annual Sheldon Lecture on Leadership and Service in the Sheldon Hall Ballroom where she was guest speaker.

The 21st annual Lewis B. O'Donnell Media Summit welcomed a range of alumni for an all-star panel discussion, Career Connectors networking event and classroom visits on Oct. 23. The student-organized event explored "The Evolution of an Idea: How to Nurture Creativity in the Digital Age.” Pictured are panelists Michelle Garcia, 2006 graduate, editorial director for NBC BLK, serving as moderator, Barry Gliner, a 1984 graduate, director of post-production for Warner Bros, Discovery; Kim Abbondondolo, a 2016 graduate, producer for MSG Networks; and Gabriel Almanzar, a 2005 graduate, vice president of creative and editing operations for CBS News, with student ambassadors, event organizers, faculty mentors, and Media Summit Founder alumnus Lou Borrelli.

The 21st annual Lewis B. O'Donnell Media Summit welcomed a range of alumni for an all-star panel discussion, Career Connectors networking event and classroom visits on Oct. 23. The student-organized event included a panel exploring this year's theme, "The Evolution of an Idea: How to Nurture Creativity in the Digital Age," with editorial director for NBC BLK and 2006 graduate Michelle Garcia (left), serving as moderator with panelists from left: Barry Gliner,a 1984 graduate, director of post-production for Warner Bros. Discovery; Kim Abbondondolo, a 2016 graduate, producer for MSG Networks; and Gabriel Almanzar, a 2005 graduate, vice president of creative and editing operations for CBS News.

The Career Connectors Networking Event was held in the Hewitt Hall collaborative corridor. Emma Leavy (foreground right) '20, filmmaker/camera operator for the New York Mets and New York Islanders; and Seung Guk Damon Park (in back) '20, a freelance video editor and master at Park’s Martial Arts. The popular event is part of the Lewis B. O'Donnell Media Summit scheduled activities held Oct. 23 in Hewitt Hall. Also participating at the event meeting with students but not in photo are alumni professionals Kaylee Filighera '21, associate manager of social media for Rich Products Corporation; and Theresa Personna, '19, senior specialist for marketing and publicity at Kogan Page.

The annual Scholars Brunch, a celebratory gathering of scholarship donors and recipients, was held on Saturday, Sept. 27. Remarks for the event were provided by scholarship recipients Daniel Mars '26 (pictured at podium) and Ayla Snyder '28 (seated left), scholarship benefactor and alumna Christie Sommers '73, and President Peter O. Nwosu. Vice President Heath Wood (seated, center) served as emcee for the event held in the Deborah F. Stanley Arena and Convocation Hall.

Students attending the Student-Athlete Career Readiness Conference had unique opportunities to hear personal testimonials centered on the value of experience and attitude gained by a student-athlete during the inaugural conference held Sept. 29 in the Deborah F. Stanley Arena and Convocation Hall.  Tiraya Conyers, pictured, a 2015 graduate and former Laker track and field standout and now a global well-being and benefits specialist, speaks to the students during her keynote address. Additionally they were able to connect with successful alumni employers and participated in career readiness seminars to help prepare for their careers.

Students attending the Student-Athlete Career Readiness Conference had unique opportunities to hear personal testimonials centered on the value of experience and attitude gained by student-athletes during the inaugural conference held Sept. 29 in the Deborah F. Stanley Arena and Convocation Hall. They also were able to connect with successful alumni, employers and a variety of career readiness seminars to help prepare with their careers. John Salamone (pictured), a 1991 graduate and chief human capital officer in the U.S. House of Representatives’ Office of the Chief Administration Officer speaks to students. Additional presentations were given by Tina Phillips '15 M' 20, Experiential Learning, SUNY Oswego; Kurt D'Angelo '02 M' 07, vice president, Equitable Advisors; and Anthony Stevens III, vice president, Equitable Advisors.

The campus community showed their Oswego spirit while gathering in Sheldon Park on Sept. 26 for our Green and Gold Day photo in conjunction with National College Colors Day.

SUNY Oswego formally inducted the newest members of the Oswego State Athletics Hall of Fame on Oct. 4 in the Sheldon Hall ballroom, as part of a special ceremony recognizing their profound impact on Laker athletics. This year's honorees include, from left: the 1965 wrestling team, represented at the ceremony by Thomas Gustainis '66, Richard Shiel '67 and Robert Williams '66; men's cross country/track and field athlete William Orlando '77; Kellie Winters McCaffery '03 M' 05 for women's swimming and diving; and Bridget Smith '15 for women's hockey.

The campus community was invited to attend the Sept. 12 fall research symposium to learn more about students' scholarly and creative work taking place on campus over the summer. The poster event, held in the connecting corridor between Shineman Nucleus and Wilber Hall, is hosted by the. Office of Research and Creative Activities. Pictured is biological sciences student Khadim Tall and his research on "The Relationship Between Activity Levels, Predator Response, and Gonad Size in Female Round Gobies"

The campus community was invited to attend the fall research symposium to learn more about students' summer scholarly and creative work taking place on our campus, including that by chemistry student Cameron Bashaw, explaining his "Artificial DNA Aging and Protection Study."

The inaugural Transfer Collaboration Success Summit Oct. 21 in Hewitt ballroom saw SUNY Oswego host top leaders and representatives of four community colleges – Cayuga, Jefferson, Onondaga and Tompkins/Cortland – and other distinguished guests discussing how to improve the transfer experience and transitions for the benefit of students, their institutions and the region. Shown from left are SUNY Senior Associate Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management Bart Grachan; Onondaga Community College President Warren M. Hilton; keynote speaker and CUNY Lehman College Vice President for Enrollment Richard Finger; SUNY Oswego President Peter O. Nwosu; Tompkins/Cortland Community College President Amy Kremenek; Cayuga Community College President Brain M. Durant; and Jefferson Community College President Daniel J. DuPee II.

Richard Finger, vice president of enrollment management for CUNY Lehman College, served as the keynote speaker during the Transfer Collaboration Success Summit held on campus Oct. 21. With around 1 out of every 3 SUNY Oswego students a transfer, the summit focused on ways to streamline and enhance the experience by sharing successful strategies, discussing innovative ideas and making connections.

Botanist and author Robin Wall Kimmerer spoke to a Hewitt Hall ballroom audience Sept. 24 for a presentation and Q&A to discuss the 2025 Oswego Reading Initiative selection and bestseller "Braiding Sweetgrass." As a botanist, Kimmerer has been trained to ask questions of nature with the tools of science. As a member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, she embraces the notion that plants and animals are the oldest teachers. The book brings these two lenses of knowledge together. Kimmerer's work has been featured on NPR's "On Being" and she has addressed the United Nations. Kimmerer is a SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor of Environmental Biology at the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, as well as the founder and director of the Center for Native Peoples and the Environment.

SUNY Oswego students, administrators, supporters and elected officials recently gathered at its Syracuse Campus to celebrate the success of SUNY's Advancing Completion through Engagement (ACE) program, where Oswego has the largest cohort with more than 400 students. Shown from left are Tina Zagyva, representing Assemblymember Pamela Hunter and a SUNY Oswego graduate; SUNY Oswego President Peter O. Nwosu; ACE students Rachael Rose, Jovani Robledo and Liza Crouse; State Senators Rachel May and Chris Ryan; and Senior Vice Chancellor for Student Success Donna Linderman, who led the creation of the ACE program.

The ALANA (African, Latino, Asian and Native American) International Day of Peace Walk was held Sept. 20 as an integral part of the Multicultural Leadership Conference which ran Sept. 20 to 27. The 2025 conference theme was Becoming the Best You.

The ALANA Multicultural Leadership Conference featured keynote speaker Joshua Fredenburg who spoke on “Evaluating Yourself: Areas of Strength and Areas for Improvement.” Conference organizers gathered for a photo with Fredenburg before the Sept. 22 talk in Sheldon Ballroom; from left: Dorren Allen-Carr, interim assistant director of Student Engagement and Leadership, with ALANA Conference committee members Bija Kasu, Lakpa Sherpa, Fredenburg ,Dayna Purrier, Precious Ihezuo and Alexandra Mercedes.

The conference on “The Entrepreneurial Mindset: A Business and STEM Collaboration” featured a keynote by entrepreneur and Oswego alumnus Joe Kinsella, whose startups included the very successful CloudHealth Technologies. Kineella talked on “The Entrepreneurial Mindset: A Business and STEM Collaboration Conference” to the Oct. 23 audience in Sheldon Hall ballroom.

The Fall Study Abroad Fair organized by the the Office of Education Abroad, International Student Services was held Sept. 24 along the Marano Campus Center main concourse where interested students could learn about opportunities, including faculty-led programs (one to three weeks), winter and summer sessions, semester and year-long options, and global internships. Pictured is Woomi Shim, a faculty member in the Communication Studies Department, representing the study in South Korea program.

The campus community gathered Sept. 30 for the annual Totally Teal walk and remembrance outside Culkin Hall. The event hosted by SUNY Oswego’s State Employees Federated Appeal (SEFA) goes Totally Teal each year in support of Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. Funds support Peaceful Remedies, a local charity founded by the late Mary Gosek, a SUNY Oswego employee who fought the disease and played a key role in launching the campus campaign.

A coffee hour where students can informally meet University Police officers for a cup of coffee has now partnered with the Office of Student Conduct becoming Coffee with Cops and Conduct. Participants assembled Sep 30 for a group photo in Marano Campus Center. (Photo provided by University Police Chief Scott Swayze)

The Dream Big! Career, Internship and Graduate School Fair held Oct. 7 in the Deborah F. Stanley Arena & Convocation Hall offered students opportunities to meet with approximately 90 companies and explore 55 graduate schools programs. Pictured is Isaac Chong, a finance major with entrepreneurship and audio design minors, meeting with representatives from Northwestern Mutual in John Millard, an Oswego 2023 graduate and director of investment operations; and Brandi Love, director of recruitment.

The Campus Opportunities Expo on Oct. 15 in Marano Campus Center gave students opportunities to learn about the variety of services that the campus has to offer, including the on-campus internship program which offers over 50 internship programs;student employment in many departments; work-study; and service-learning, volunteer,and peer mentor roles. Pictured is Morgan Buchanan, Experiential Learning internship coordinator, assisting students.

The Humphrey Fellows from the Maxwell School at Syracuse University visited with business students in Paul Babiarz's Management 469 class on Oct. 16 in Penfield Library. Pictured are students Cattella Brito and Ana Campoverde with Oyatillo Nuraliyev from Uzbekistan. Humphrey fellows represent emerging democracies and developing countries, spending ten months at SU's Maxwell School participating in graduate study, professional development and cultural exchange.

Shown during a Tyler Hall rehearsal, the Theater Department's production of The Grown Ups, which will run Nov. 12 through 17, follows a group of camp counselors trying to mold the leaders of tomorrow when their tomorrows are looking bleaker and bleaker. The play, written by Simon Henriques and Skylar Fox, and directed by senior theatre major Ian Katz, explores traditions that change people, what it takes for people to change them, and how to change yourself when you're hopelessly, tragically not prepared. Pictured from left are the cast: Liz Ryan, Aiden O'Brien, Zuzu Evan, Emma Marshall and Ladeycha Johnson.

The 86th annual Technology Fall Conference at SUNY Oswego was held Oct. 30-31 in Wilber and Park Halls and is open to K-16 educators and professionals who want to find out the latest developments in technology education and network with other educators and professionals. Pictured is the reception area in Maraviglia Atrium for many of the hundreds of attendees who could select from more than 50 presentations.

Alumni educators Greg Pitonza ‘90 (pictured) and Dwayne Heroth ‘88 presented “Up, Down and Upside Down - Aerodynamics, Hovercraft and Race Cars” in the Park Hall Transportation Systems Lab at the 86th annual Technology Fall Conference. Creations they showcased include this air-powered hovercraft capable of lifting an adult.

The 86th annual Technology Fall Conference’s more than 50 sessions included Alexis Williams, a 2018 graduate (tan sweater), and Sarah Loudon, a 2019 graduate, presenting classes on “Creating Future Ready Curriculum with Industry Partners.”

The hundreds of attendees at the 86th annual Technology Fall Conference included alumnae Sarah Cerroni and Rachel Russo participating in the hands-on "Bring Pinball to your Classroom - Just Build It!" class led by educators Jeffrey Stevens and Jennifer Noble (not in photo).

At the 86th annual Technology Fall Conference, 2004 graduate Marc Palmer gives a class on “Practical AI Integration for Educators” in the 203 Park Hall Design Studio.

Student-athletes from all Laker teams, including the men’s soccer team pictured, raked 60 yards for local senior citizens on Nov. 2, now in its 20th year of organization through the university’s Student-Athlete Advisory Council.(Photo courtesy of Intercollegiate Athletics)