Around the SUNY Oswego campus

The university's 37th annual Welcoming Torchlight Ceremony on Aug. 20 welcomed new Lakers in the Deborah F. Stanley Arena and Convocation Hall of Marano Campus Center. Student Association President Precious James served as Torchbearer, lighting the candle held by President Peter O. Nwosu prior to passing the flame among students, faculty and staff.

The Welcoming Torchlight Ceremony continues an honored tradition during which faculty, staff and current students pass the flame of the Torch of Learning to all new undergraduate, transfer and graduate students and to welcome them into SUNY Oswego's academic community.

The Welcome Torchlight Ceremony also offers an opportunity for new Lakers to connect and share pride during the annual tradition.

Student Association President and Torchbearer Precious James lights the candles for Kate Pechenkina, SUNY Oswego's new provost and vice president for academic affairs, and Heath Wood, vice president for university advancement, during the 37th annual Welcoming Torchlight Ceremony on Aug. 20.

New Lakers join the SUNY Oswego family during the longstanding tradition that is Welcoming Torchlight.

A healthy turnout of the newest Lakers packed the Deborah F. Stanley Arena and Convocation Hall during the Welcoming Torchlight Ceremony.

SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. visited the Oswego campus on Aug. 19 to discuss a paid internship partnership between SUNY and the New York State Association of Counties, as well as highlight Oswego's outstanding work in experiential education. Chancellor King (center) hosted a roundtable included, from left, Mariely Torres, a current double major in criminal justice and human development who interned in the Oswego County Probation Department; May 2026 graduate Natalie Glosek, who interned with Operation Oswego County and was hired after graduation as its communications coordinator; SUNY Oswego President Peter O. Nwosu; and NYSAC Executive Director Stephen Acquario. Other panel members not shown here include Experiential Learning staff members Mallory Bower, director, and Tina Phillips, associate director; Oswego County Administrator Philip Church, who also is New York State Association of Counties board president; Oswego Mayor Robert Corradino; and State Sen. Chris Ryan.

SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr.'s visit to SUNY Oswego on Aug. 19 included a tour of geothermal systems in Hewitt Union which provide renewable energy to the building. An expanded geothermal exchange system, which will include additional buiidings during campuswide upgrades, will use a buried loop of fluid-filled pipes to extract heat from the earth to warm buildings in winter while cooling buildings in the summer by transferring indoor heat back into the ground. Here Chancellor King (second from right) listens to SUNY Oswego Director of Capital Projects Devin Reese explain some of the geothermal features underneath Hewitt Hall. Listening from left are SUNY Oswego President Peter O. Nwosu and SUNY Chief Sustainability Officer Carter Strickland.

Hundreds of incoming Lakers gathered for the annual Spirit O photo on the South Lawn of campus on a picture-perfect late summer day on Aug. 21.

Incoming students gather with special guests President Peter O. Nwosu (center) and Jamal Coleman, director of operations in the Office of the President, Aug. 21 on the lawn outside Marano Campus Center to celebrate the "O"pening of the fall semester.

A large number of new Lakers are shown moving into new homes in Cayuga Hall on Aug. 20.

The newest Lakers move into their new homes in Waterbury Hall on Aug. 20.

The Fall semester Opening Picnic was held in the idyllic late-summer weather on Aug. 20. The campus-wide event hosted by Auxiliary Services welcomes students, faculty and staff in a hearty welcome to the academic year ahead.

Incoming Lakers and returning faculty and staff made connections at the Opening Picnic on Aug. 20.

Photobooths and other fun options complemented the Opening Picnic on Aug. 20.

The newest Lakers and others made connections over food and under sunny skies at the Opening Picnic.

Incoming students connect at and enjoy the Opening Picnic.

Members of the Laker family had the opportunity to connect or reconnect at the Opening Picnic.

The Opening Picnic is a time to make friendships and memories that can span the Oswego years and beyond.

The Taste of Oswego fair features local restaurants providing samples, in an event familiarizing students with establishments in the Oswego area and to taste a variety of their delicious offerings. Students receive meal tickets to patronize three vendors of their choosing for their lunch option. The Aug. 21 event also featured Auxiliary Services special menu items to showcase campus options as well.

An annual tradition held before fall semester classes begin, Paint the Road on Aug. 20 invited students, faculty and staff to come together and paint, listen to music and celebrate the opening of the academic year.

Several outstanding faculty and staff were recognized for the excellence and service on Aug. 18 during the annual Academic Affairs Retreat and awards ceremony in the Hewitt Hall ballroom.

President Peter O. Nwosu welcomes attendees to the Opening Breakfast and State of the University presentation on Aug. 19 in the Deborah F. Stanley Arena and Convocation Hall of Marano Campus Center.

New faculty and professional staff gather for a group photo during their orientation session on Aug. 17.

On the steps at Sheldon hall are:

• Front row from left: Robert Mitchell, Facilities Services; Samuel Beckenhauer, Interdisciplinary Studies, KateLynne Hill, University Advancement; Sara Bennett, Advancing Completion through Engagement; and Sabrina Butler, Counseling and Psychological Services.
• Middle row from left: Favoured-Joy Oghenekome, International Education and Programs, Jessica Recinos-Peralta, TRIO Student Support Service;  and Choopong Sripraipan, Accounting Finance and Law.
• Back row from left: Damien Nguyen, Educational Opportunity Program, and Jeffrey Schutte, Art and Design.

SUNY Oswego's Instant Decision Day, held June 30 at the Syracuse campus, encouraged visitors to learn more about financial support for education and Oswego bachelor’s degree options, with an opportunity to get on-the-spot admission to SUNY Oswego. SUNY Oswego offers more than 140 academic programs across its main campus, online and Syracuse campus, with the expanding SUNY Oswego at Syracuse – located in the Atrium building on Clinton Square – offering bachelor’s degree completion programs in business administration, human development and, most recently added, integrative professional studies -- as well as six master's degrees. 

The new Laker Scholars summer bridge program included a campus services resource rally –- a kind of scavenger hunt which led students to various campus buildings to learn more about success opportunities available to students. Designed to help students start at Oswego prepared, supported and confident, the program strengthens academic readiness through college-level coursework, individualized support and early connection to campus resources to provide a strong foundation for the Oswego experience.

President Peter O. Nwosu welcomes panelists and guests to a summit meeting of the Oswego County Micron Strategy Steering Committee who assembled to present updates on Oswego County’s preparations for Micron Technology’s ongoing transformative investment in Central New York. The event, held June 15 in the Hewitt Hall ballroom, involves Oswego County preparing for Micron’s microchip fabrication plant in nearby Clay and the company investing $100 billion in the region over 20 years.

The Oswego County Micron Strategy Steering Committee and workgroup members presented updates on Oswego County’s preparations for Micron Technology’s ongoing transformative investment in Central New York. Jeremy Belfield (pictured at left) from CiTi BOCES speaks on behalf of the education workgroup during the committee's third annual summit, held June 15 in Hewitt Hall.