Conducting the Smile Train Alumna Leads the World’S Largest Cleft Repair Organization

OSALUMNI ASSOCIATION OF THEW STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEWE YORK AT OSWEGGO n VOL. 44, NO.O 1 n SPRING 2018

Conducting the Smile Train Alumna leads the world’s largest cleft repair organization

PLUS n Black Student Union Celebrates 50 Years n From Athlete to Coach REUNION 2018 WILL BE ROCKIN’! LIVE June 7-10

1978 1980 1998 All class years, Greeks and groups are welcome! H WITH SPECIAL GUESTS H CLASSES CELEBRATING MILESTONE REUNIONS: 1943 • 1948 • 1953 • 1958 • 1963 • 1968 1973 • 1978 • 1993 • 1997 • 1998 • 1999 GROUPS HOLDING SPECIAL MINI REUNIONS: Alpha Delta Eta, Alpha Sigma Chi (95th Anniversary), Arethusa Eta, Beta Tau Epsilon, Comm Studies ’97-’99 Alumni, Delta Chi Omega/Tau Kappa Epsilon, Delta Kappa Kappa, Delta Zeta, Fallbrook Residents, Fencing Alumni, Intercollegiate Athletics Alumni, Omega Delta Phi, Phi Lambda Phi, Phi Sigma Phi, Psi Phi Gamma, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Sigma Gamma, Sigma Tau Chi, Student Association and Theta Chi Rho “Rock ‘n’ Roll Is Here to Stay” but Reunion 2018 will come and go, so register now and let the good times roll!

Alumni Association of the State University of New York at Oswego OSOSWWEEGGOO Vol. 44, No. 1 Grand Challenges: Fresh Water for All 12 College community draws on interdisciplinary approach to solve a complex, global problem of adequate fresh water supplies.

From Athlete to Coach 18 12 Alumni-athletes draw on their Laker experience as head coaches of other NCAA collegiate athletics programs.

Conducting the Smile Train 22 As CEO of the nonprofit Smile Train, Susannah Melchior Schaefer ’90 leads the world’s largest cleft repair and comprehensive care organization, and has changed the lives of more than a million children. 18 Ambition Intersects with Activism 26 For Spanish teacher Martha Swan ’81, studying language has sparked a lifelong spirit of activism and passion for social justice. Black Student Union Celebrates 50 Years 28 In recognition of the Black Student Union’s 50th anniversary, hun- 22 dreds gathered to celebrate the student organization’s contributions to the college.

PLUS Campus Currents 3 Class Notes 31 Weddings 40 In Memoriam 44 The Last Word 48 26 Faculty Hall of Fame Back Cover

ON THE COVER: Dr. Edward Wayi (left), Osawa Owiti—Smile Train’s 1 millionth patient—and Smile Train CEO Susannah Melchior Schaefer ’90 celebrate a changed life in a remote village in Tanzania, six months after Osawa underwent cleft surgery in 2014 per- 31 formed by Dr. Wayi with support from Smile Train, the largest cleft repair and com- 28 prehensive care organization. (Photo provided by Smile Train.) FROM THE OSWEGO Alumni Magazine Elizabeth Locke Oberst Michael Bielak Publisher Tim Nekritz M’05 Margaret D. Spillett Jeff Rea ’71 Editor Wayne Westervelt Contributing Writers President’s Desk Eileen Moran Crandall Associate Editor Robert Clark ’78 Paul Dix Jennifer Broderick Autumn Goerner pring is arriving For more than 50 years, the Black Graphic Design Dan Karp Matt Cummins Laura Pavlus Kelly ’09 S at SUNY Oswego, Student Union on campus has had a similar Online Coordinator Nicole Lightfoot ’18 and students are mission of making all students—but espe- Jim Russell ’83 Smile Train shaking off late-winter cially students of color—feel welcome and Staff Photographer Contributing Photographers Lisa Potter Melissa Lee ’19 doldrums with Frisbee valued (page 28). Throughout its long and In Memoriam Kassadee Paulo ’19 on the emerging grass vibrant history, the organization has helped Maria Pericozzi ’19 Lauren Sandford ’18 and soaking up the educate the campus community about Samantha Shubert ’18 sunshine’s warmth. black history and culture, and has provided Interns Spirits are lifted and leadership opportunities for students who Oswego Alumni Association Inc. smiles abound. It’s organize a robust schedule of activities Board of Directors President Lisa Marceau Schnorr ’87 Phillip Grome ’89 Deborah F. Stanley amazing what a smile every year, including collaborating with the President Lisa Sferrazza can do—not just African Student Organization, Asian Amy Vanderlyke Dygert ’01 Hutchison ’77 First Vice President Jennifer Warner Janes ’91 here on campus, but also in our day-to-day Student Association, Latino Student Union Kathleen Smits Evans ’84 La-Dana Renee Jenkins ’94 interactions. Smiles transcend all language and the Native American Heritage Associa- Second Vice President *Maureen Flynn Kratz ’04 Keith Chamberlain ’87 *Don Levine ’78 barriers and can convey a range of position on the annual ALANA celebration. A Past President Molly Matott ’15 *Steve Messina ’91 tive feelings—kindness, gratitude, hope, key reason for this group’s success Elizabeth Locke Oberst Dana Segall Murphy ’99 Executive Director understanding, joy and so many others. throughout its five decades is thanks to Cathleen Richards ’09 Edgar Ames ’68 Mark Salmon ’93 Our cover story highlights alumna another alumnus, Howard Gordon ’74 *Tim Barnhart ’02 Dan Scaia ’68 Marc Beck ’93 Stefen Short ’10 Susannah Melchior Schaefer ’90, who M’78, whose contributions to this campus Paul Brennan ’93 Christie Torruella Smith ’08 leads an organization dedicated to cannot be overstated. He has provided the Kevin Bryans ’89 Jeffrey Sorensen ’92 *Michael Byrne ’79 Yvonne Spicer ’84 M’85 “improving the world one smile at a time” college with leadership and has been a Mike Caldwell ’70 M’88 **Deborah F. Stanley (page 22). The largest cleft repair organiza- consistent voice in all college conversations **Mary Gibbons Canale ’81 Kevin Sutherland ’05 Karen Colucci Coia ’89 Rick Yacobush ’77 tion, Smile Train works with partner about diversity and multicultural Raelynn Cooter ’77 Thomas Yates ’89 Jerry Esposito ’70 * At large ** Ex officio doctors and hospitals to provide free cleft programming. Thaina Gonzalez ’92 repair surgery and comprehensive cleft care Finally, this issue tells the story of some to children in more than 85 countries. of our alumni-athlete NCAA coaches— Oswego College Foundation Inc. Through her work, she is quite literally who provide the roles of leader, mentor, Board of Directors Mary Gibbons Canale ’81 Bob Garrett ’83 helping give every child a chance to smile. teacher and rule enforcer for their teams. President Kendis Gibson ’94 The organization has funded surgeries for Their work lays the foundation for their Michael Durney ’83 Jack James ’62 Chair Matt Jenal ’78 well over 1 million children worldwide— student-athletes’ lifelong connection to Rose Cardamone Crane ’81 Gordon Lenz ’58 not only giving them cosmetic facial work, competitive and team sports. These alumni Vice Chair Peter McCarthy ’82 Nicholas Lyons Robert Moritz ’85 but also providing critical repairs to their coaches model the sportsmanship, team- Treasurer Colleen Murphy ’77 Suzanne Castrigno Sack ’84 mouths and palates to improve speaking, work and drive that students can emulate Doreen Mochrie ’85 Jennifer Shropshire ’86 Secretary eating and breathing. throughout their professional and personal William Spinelli ’84 Mark Baum ’81 Deborah F. Stanley One of my favorite parts of the job as lives. Louis A. Borrelli Jr. ’77 Mark Tryniski ’85 Bill Burns ’83 president of SUNY Oswego is meeting our Our alumni are the embodiment of our Dianora De Marco ’14 M’15 Joe Yacura ’74 exceptional alumni like Susannah, who are power as an educational institution to Steve Doran ’82 making an impact on the world through improve the world; they demonstrate our State University of New York at Oswego their careers and service. In this issue, we value in contributing toward the public Deborah F. Stanley Mary Gibbons Canale ’81 also spotlight another alumna, Martha good. I am so proud of what all of you President Vice President Scott R. Furlong for Development and Swan ’81, who saw a need in her commu- accomplish and how you represent us in Provost and Alumni Relations nity and took action to make a change the world beyond Oswego. You give us a lot Vice President for Jerald Woolfolk Academic Affairs Vice President for Student (page 26). Her compassion toward the to smile about! Nicholas Lyons Affairs and Enrollment family of an inmate housed in a maximum- Vice President for Management Administration and Finance security prison near home led her to found Friends in the Adirondacks and fulfill her Office of Alumni and Parent Relations King Alumni Hall, SUNY Oswego, Oswego, NY 13126 personal mission of making the Adiron- Deborah F. Stanley Phone: 315-312-2258 dacks “truly welcoming” to all people. President Email: [email protected] f facebook.com/oswegoalumni Website: alumni.oswego.edu t @oswegoalumni i @oswegoalumni SATURDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2018

OSWEGO is published three times a year by the Oswego SAVE Alumni Association Inc., King Alumni Hall, State University of New York at Oswego, Oswego, NY 13126. It is distributed free of charge to alumni, friends, faculty, staff and families of current students, with support from The Fund for Oswego. THE Printed April 2018.

OSWEGO Alumni Magazine is printed on recycled paper DATE! with inks that are non-toxic, contain no heavy metals, and are composed of bio-derived renewable resources ranging OSWEGO l Spring 2018 2 from 25-40% (as a percentage of total ink weight). CAMPUS CURRENTS Annual NYC Career Connections Unites

JIM RUSSELL ’83RUSSELL JIM Alumni and Students On Jan. 11, SUNY Oswego juniors and seniors met and networked with accomplished alumni living and working in the NYC area. During the day, students could choose to visit Design Works International, hosted by Nancy Fire Breslau ’83; Fox Networks Group, hosted by Wendy McCammon Lee ’92; Kellen Communications, hosted by Stephanie Meyering Beahan ’08; or NBCUniversal, hosted by Matt Romano ’05 and Justin Dobrow ’17.

Members of the Drake-Deese family gathered outside King Alumni Hall for a photo during the Alumni Legacy Reception during Family and Friends Weekend in fall 2017.

Oswego Families Celebrate Laker LAURAPAVLUS KELLY ‘09 Heritage at Alumni Legacy Reception

he green and gold runs deep in the Ilion, N.Y., studied education at Oswego TDrake family, and on Oct. 21, three and went on to become a school In the evening, students networked with generations of Drakes gathered at the psychologist. established Oswego alumni from across the Alumni Legacy Reception at King Alumni The Drake family was just one of metro-New York City area, including Sony Hall to flip through old yearbooks and swap several dozen families who attended the Pictures Entertainment Vice President of Ad Sales and Oswego Alumni Association stories of their Oswego days. reception and were welcomed by Laura Board Member Paul Brennan ’93 (left). The youngest in the Oswego line of Pavlus Kelly ’09, director of alumni rela- Drakes, Bo Drake-Deese ’21, a broad- tions. She encouraged them to get their The alumni, representing a wide range casting and mass communication major family photo taken at the event by college of careers and employers, shared their per- from Keene, N.H., is just beginning to photographer, Jim Russell ’83. sonal experiences and expertise. The eve- create his Oswego memories, like “I was thrilled on two levels when Bo ning portion of the event was held at the attending the Dr. Lewis B. O’Donnell decided to attend Oswego,” Jennifer SUNY Welcome Center in Manhattan, with Media Summit and getting involved in Drake-Deese said. “First, as a graduate, I Oswego College Foundation Board Member campus organizations. knew he would be getting a great educa- Steve Doran ’82 delivering the keynote “I chose SUNY Oswego because I tion, the opportunity for significant out- address. NYC Career Connections is spon- knew I wanted a school with a good of-class experiences, and the chance to sored by the Oswego Alumni Association, in broadcasting program,” Drake-Deese said. make friendships that will last a lifetime. conjunction with Career Services and with “I also chose it because of how beautiful “On the second level, I was thrilled as support from The Fund for Oswego. l the campus is. My family heritage here was a higher education professional,” she said. a big factor in me deciding to go here. I am “My husband and I have worked in higher

very proud to keep this family tradition education our entire professional careers. LAURAPAVLUS KELLY ‘09 alive and well.” We were hypercritical on every campus we He follows his mother, Jennifer visited. Since the first day Bo set foot on Drake-Deese ’90 of Keene, N.H., who the Oswego campus, we have been now works as an academic and career impressed at every turn – the people, the advisor at Keene State, and his grandfa- facilities, the opportunities. From a profes- ther, Glen Drake ’57 of New Hartford, sional standpoint we both feel that During the day, a group of students toured N.Y., who served in the U.S. Army and as a Oswego is doing it right.” l NBCUniversal with alumnus host, Justin technology education teacher. Bo’s great- —Margaret Spillett Dobrow ’17, lead operations coordinator, NBCUniversal Media. grandfather, the late James Drake ’48 of

3 OSWEGO l Spring 2018 - - -

- - ’77, now chief Jr. , weatherman and host ’76 of Borrelli show, provided additionalprovided show, Today A. Roker Donnelly pushed the question of question the pushed Donnelly the dissected also panelists The Americans that said panelists Several Lonsberry agreed with Perkins and Perkins with agreed Lonsberry “Go and get a second opinion,” she opinion,” second a get and “Go But the panelists said, realistically, panelists the But audience discussion, the Following news encouraging by closed Zahn NBC’s NBC’s funding to rename the summit in mem- B. ory Lewis of longtime Dr. professor O’Donnell, a seminal figure in the college experiences of Borrelli and Roker. executive officer of Digicel Group’s Home officer of Digicel executive Group’s and Entertainment Division. In 2007, Al Louis The Media The Summit was founded in 2005 through the of generosity media pioneer took it a step further, saying the country the saying further, step a it took who believers passionate by founded was motivated were who and down back didn’t others.” of hate not country, of “love by news— of consumers the to back volume and comments shares, views, their that rhetoric. the and news the drive attention media of objectivity and bias of concepts “fake of notion the as well as outlets news.” by forms purest in its news consume can the from streams video live watching of floor the or room briefing House White state the interpreting and Senate U.S. the most people don’t have the time to watch watch to time the have don’t people most them for unfold discussions these of all panelists the of questions asked members them defend they do how from ranging a at do would they what do to consumers office. doctor’s practice.” different a “From said. ments and discussions for themselves. for discussions and ments advancements, technological to Thanks photogra journalist, the be can everyone said. Portnoy news, of publisher and pher audience advised they Instead, selves. news of consumers smart be to members sides both seek and sources their vet who sources. news two least at from story a of “fake called being of attacks from selves deter consumers news can to how news” credible. is source a if mine 4 After introducing the panelists and panelists the introducing After United the that out pointed Portnoy that and striking rather is that think “I the in benefit a sees she said Perkins out stay normally would who “People civil of any part important The laying the ground rules, Zahn got the got Zahn rules, ground the laying the how asking by started conversation the as discourse, civil to “get can country the of part every in loud so is volume conversation.” in periods other through gone has States has discourse “civil the when history its today,” is it than louder or loud, as been and 1860s the mentioning specifically for factor distinguishing One 1960s. are officials government that is Portnoy own their of members against up speaking and fervor nationalist their for party rhetoric. up amped said. he it,” note will history discourse. of volume process—who would political the of conversation—are the of out stay normally said, she conversation,” the in getting meetings hall town many that noting constituents. with overflowing are today what remember to “try to is discourse are you who versus for fighting you’re both “When said. she against,” fighting I’m conclusion—that that to come sides you, against fighting I’m because here not important is issue this because here am I helps that think why—I is this and me to dialogue.” civil the - -

- Louis A. Borrelli Benita Zahn ’76, CURRENTS The Lead with Jake Tapper; Jake with Lead The Spring 2018

l he 13th Annual Dr. Lewis B. O’Donnell Lewis B. Dr. Annual he 13th began Summit with some Media

The topic—“Facts, Fiction, Politics Fiction, topic—“Facts, The “We’re not all going to agree today,” agree to going all not “We’re This year’s panelists, pictured above pictured panelists, year’s This tive political commentator on commentator political tive and N.Y., Rochester, in WHAM-AM N.Y. Syracuse, in WSYR-AM Steven Portnoy, CBS News radio News CBS Portnoy, Steven correspondent; staff of chief deputy Trudy Perkins ’93, U.S. for director communications and story related (see Cummings Elijah Rep. 35); page on producer supervising Donnelly, Kristin CNN’s of and moderator; panel Zahn, conserva host and radio Lonsberry, Bob WNYT-TV news anchor in Albany, N.Y. Albany, in anchor news WNYT-TV listen we that is matters What OK. “That’s and understand to attempt we that and thoughtful that’s way a in ideas exchange at is that ways, many in and respectful, and summit.” today’s of topic the of heart the of panel a together News”—pulled the and to professionals media accomplished relation volatile increasingly the discuss said panel moderator moderator panel said ground rulesground about civil discourse. with summit founder summit with Presi college and left) from Jr. ’77 (third were (center), Stanley F. Deborah dent left: from • • • • • ship between politicians, the press and the and press the politicians, between ship serve. they audiences

T O’Donnell Media Summit Tackles ‘Fake News’ ‘Fake Tackles Summit Media O’Donnell JIM RUSSELL ’83 OSWEGO OSWEGO CAMPUS CAMPUS CURRENTS

Alumni Speakers Stress Importance

JIM RUSSELL ’83RUSSELL JIM of Hard Work at December Reception, Commencement Alumni keynote speakers congratulated and ’83RUSSELL JIM welcomed members of the SUNY Oswego December Class of 2017 into the Oswego Alumni Association during commencement events. On Dec. 16, more than 500 undergraduate and graduate students participated in the college’s December commencement exercises. The night before, the graduates and their families were invited to attend an hors d’oeuvres recep- In addition to the Media Summit’s tion and champagne toast in Sheldon Hall, distinguished panel of industry profes- sponsored by the Oswego Alumni Association, sionals, recent alumni returned to campus with support from The Fund for Oswego and to speak to and network with current Commencement Eve reception speaker Auxiliary Services. students at a Career Connectors event in Katrina Allen ’01 CAS ’11 The Commencement Eve reception featured the Hewitt Union Ballroom. keynote speaker Katrina Allen ’01 CAS ’11, The 2017 Career Connectors, pictured who is the principal at Danforth Middle School in Syracuse, N.Y. A native of Syracuse, Allen above with student moderators (standing began her career as a middle school science teacher; later, she transitioned into administra- from left) Taylor Ksiazek ’18 and Abigail tive roles at elementary and middle schools in the Syracuse City School District. Buttacavoli ’19, were from left: “We all have the responsibility to do something of significance that makes our family, our · Brady Farkas ’12, the program director community, our work or the world a different place,” Allen said. “But will you make it a bet- and an on-air host at 101.3 ESPN Radio, ter place? I believe that everyone leaves a legacy. I want you to consider how you can leave which serves the Burlington, Vt. – Platts- a better legacy with the importance of hard work and dedication.” burgh, N.Y., market; Allen is a Mentor Leader Scholar and former Project BLEND Scholar with SUNY · Tom Murphy ’14, an associate project Oswego’s School of Education, and through these programs, she is helping prepare educa- manager at Partners + Napier, an ad tional leaders throughout New York state. Project BLEND is a grant-funded initiative that agency based in Rochester, N.Y.; provides research-based programs and clinical internships within the School of Education’s • Maeghan Roberts ’15, the communica- Certificate of Advanced Study in Educational Leadership. tions coordinator for New York State ’83RUSSELL JIM The following day, entrepreneur Jeff Assemblyman Michael P. Kearns in Knauss ’07, co-founder of The Digital Hyve, Buffalo, N.Y.; and an award-winning digital marketing agency, · Kara Vormwald ’15, the host and was the keynote speaker at the college’s com- producer of Around the Tiers, which airs mencement—exactly one decade after he weekdays on WBNG-TV, the CBS affil- crossed the same stage to receive his bach- iate in Binghamton, N.Y. Viewers in elor’s degree in public relations. Greater Binghamton know Vormwald as Knauss started his address by approach- Kara Conrad—her on-air name. l ing the podium and performing a 360-degree “selfie” on his cell phone as the Class of 2017 —Margaret Spillett cheered in the background. He then shared his personal recipe for success: earned luck, hard work and other people. Watch the Media Summit and view more photos at “Hard work doesn’t mean just working oswego.edu/magazine. hard,” Knauss said. “Hard work means doing, ethically, what others will not in order to be December 2017 Commencement speaker successful.” l Jeff Knauss ’07 —Eileen Moran Crandall

5 OSWEGO l Spring 2018 CAMPUS CURRENTS

Endowment Shows Strong Returns, Outperforms Peers he Oswego College Foundation’s dozens of endowed funds. Oswego College Foundation, Inc. Tendowment continues to outperform “We are so fortunate to have a stellar Growth in Endowment Assets not only peer schools, but the industry group of alumni volunteers on the Oswego (January 2018) average as well, according to the survey College Foundation Investment Committee $40 $36.6 results of the National Association of College who, in conjunction with President $35 $33.6 and University Business Officers Deborah F. Stanley and finance director $29.4 (NACUBO)-Commonfund Study of Mark Slayton, have astutely guided our $30 $25 Endowments. endowment’s asset allocations,” said Mary $22.7 In fact, SUNY Oswego’s endowment Gibbons Canale ’81, vice president for $20 $18.6 has yielded stronger returns than the development and alumni relations. “These $15 NACUBO average for the past 11 years and returns enable us to maintain our signifi- Millions 14 out of 15 years. With a net rate of return cant support for students and their learning $10

at 12.4 percent, Oswego was two-tenths of a experiences that happen inside and outside $5 percentage point higher than the NACUBO of the classroom. This report signifies to $0 average of 12.2 percent for 2017. our thousands of loyal donors that we are 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 Oswego’s 10-year rate of return of 6.7 stewarding their gifts very carefully to positive news about the college endowment, percent yielded 2.1 percent more than the ensure the biggest impact on our students’ which, as of March 1, 2018, was valued at NACUBO average, 2.2 percent more than experiences.” $36.6 million—up 8.9 percent since June our peer group of colleges with endow- The NACUBO report is based on data 30, 2017. ments of $25 million to $50 million, and 1.7 gathered from 809 U.S. colleges and univer- Increasing the endowment has been a percent more than our aspirational peers sities, representing $566.8 billion in endow- major goal for SUNY Oswego, and much with endowments valued over $1 billion. ment assets, from July 1, 2016, to June 30, was gained through the most recent fund- This rate of return figure is significant 2017. While the size of the median endow- raising campaign, which started in 2011 because it is a key factor in determining ment was approximately $127.8 million, 44 with an endowment of $11.5 million. The how much money the Oswego College percent of study participants had endow- college has more than tripled that amount Foundation will pay out for its more than ments that were $100 million or less. in less than seven years. l 350 privately endowed scholarships and its This latest report perpetuates other —Margaret Spillett MATTCUMMINS Find the Founder! In the fall 2017 issue, the Sheldon statue can be found in the middle right side of the photo of Chinese watercolorist and visiting artist Zhinan Jiang on page 15. Grand prize winner of a College Store gift certificate and a Sheldon Hall print is Donna Fraser Chatterton ’68. Winning Sheldon Hall prints are Gary H. Fox ’69, George Torres ’83, Jennifer 2017 Technology Conference Arnold Terry ’91, Brenda Ritter ’07 and Matt Slimowicz ’10. A tiny replica of the Sheldon statue, pictured here, is hidden Showcases Innovations somewhere in this issue. Find the Founder and send us a letter or More than 100 different presenters gathered in SUNY Oswego’s email with the location and page number, your name, class year Park and Wilber halls to reveal their latest innovations to students and address. We will draw one entry at random from all the cor- and educators alike at the 78th Technology Fall Conference on rect answers and the winner will receive a $25 gift certificate to Oct. 27. Hosted by SUNY Oswego’s Department of Technology, the the College Store and a print of Sheldon Hall. The next five entries conference featured a Technology Innovation Showcase where drawn will receive Sheldon Hall prints. Send your entry to Find current cutting-edge inventions, such as 3D printing machines, the Founder, King Alumni Hall, 300 Washington Blvd., Oswego NY were put on display. Among the presenters were several SUNY 13126, or email to [email protected]. Entries must be Oswego alumni and current students. l postmarked or emailed by June 1. l

OSWEGO l Spring 2018 6 CAMPUS PROVIDED CURRENTS Scholarships Create an Extended Family of Education t all started when Sharon Wilcox ’74 cut Media and the Arts for a first-year student I the line in front of Joseph Yacura ’74 to with financial need entering a SCMA get her SUNY Oswego freshman photo ID. program. “She cut in front of me, and I let her In addition to the four annual Oswego in,” Joe said, laughing. “That’s how we scholarships, the Yacuras have established Loyola University in quality management. met.” two Graduate School of Management He also graduated from the senior execu- It was the start of a relationship—and scholarships at SUNY Binghamton—where tive program at Stanford University. ultimately, a marriage—that has included Joe earned two of his three master’s Sharon earned a degree in education from three of their own children, plus an degrees—as well as a scholarship for SUNY Oswego and a master’s degree in extended family of approximately 100 disabled veterans at Santa Rosa Junior occupational therapy from Virginia others who have received a college scholar- College in California, where the couple Commonwealth University. ship through their generosity. now calls home. Joe, who worked in information tech- “It’s had a multiplier effect,” Joe said. Each of the SUNY Oswego scholarships nology and the financial services industry “We were fortunate to have received good includes specific home counties in New for decades, also donates his time to his educations, and sharing education has York for recipients: Broome, Chemung and Oswego alma mater. He is an Oswego become a personal passion for Sharon and Schuyler; or that the recipient be an College Foundation board member, having me. There are so many bright individuals attendee of the Renaissance Youth Center served as head of the Audit and Finance who deserve a good education, it would be in the Bronx, N.Y.—a program for inner Committee. He credits his fellow board a shame to waste their talents.” city youth. The ties to Southern Tier members for their highly active and dedi- At SUNY Oswego, the Yacuras are the communities not only reflect the Yacuras’ cated roles at the college in helping to benefactors for the Sharon ’74 and Joseph upbringings, but also a region where advance the reputation of SUNY Oswego. Yacura ’74 & Family Endowed Scholarship economic hardship is prevalent for many Scholarships attract top-notch students for Software Engineering, which provides families. who can then capitalize on the opportunity financial assistance to a first-year student “Education is just so critical, and we to reach their potential, Joe said. entering the software engineering program; were so fortunate,” Joe said. “Hopefully, one day, all of the recipi- the Sharon ’74 and Joseph Yacura ’74 He earned an undergraduate degree in ents can pay it forward to Oswego, too,” he Endowed Scholarship for two first-year music in the School of Communication, said. students entering the School of Business Media and the Arts; subsequent degrees Joe’s latest project: the creation of who have financial need; and the Sharon include two masters’ in business adminis- Sonoma Coffee & Tea in California with his ’74 and Joseph Yacura ’74 Endowed Schol- tration, and finance and accounting from brother, John Yacura ’76. l arship for the School of Communication, Binghamton; and a third master’s from —Eileen Moran Crandall

Nationwide® Named Official Insurance Partner of the Oswego Alumni Association

The Oswego Alumni Association has part- will give Oswego alumni discounted rates nered with Nationwide® to offer members while also supporting alumni events and not only helps members save on Nationwide special savings on insurance. programs,” said Betsy Oberst, executive products, like auto insurance, but also helps This partnership means Oswego Alumni director of the Oswego Alumni Association. support the Oswego Alumni Association’s Association members will have access to “We are excited to begin this new part- mission,” said Ann Ritterspach, associate a suite of products and will be eligible to nership with a highly ranked and trusted vice president of Nationwide Affinity. “We receive a special discount. Plus, members insurance provider like Nationwide, and we are excited about helping Oswego alumni will receive an additional discount when encourage our alumni to take advantage of with their insurance needs and supporting auto and home policies are bundled. the special discount pricing the company is their good work.” “Our Oswego Alumni Association Board offering.” For more information, call 1-855-550- of Directors is always looking for ways to “Nationwide Insurance is thrilled to 9216, go to alumni.oswego.edu/benefits, provide added benefits to our alumni, and have entered into a mutual relationship nationwide.com or visit your local agent. l this partnership with Nationwide Insurance with the Oswego Alumni Association that

7 OSWEGO l Spring 2018 CAMPUS CURRENTS

New Digital Humanities Minor Blends Modern, Traditional Disciplines ’83RUSSELL JIM The computer age meets the study of traditional disciplines—literature, history, philosophy and more—in digital humanities, a new minor at SUNY Oswego. Broadly defined as a multidisciplinary, collaborative academic field that applies modern computational tools and information science to the arts, linguistics, cultural studies and others, digital humanities as a minor launched in fall 2017. Computer science faculty member David Vampola developed and now coor- dinates the new minor, with instructional support from faculty members teaching Computer science faculty member David Vampola (left) helped information science major courses in such areas as English, history, Kingsley Ibezim ’19 add the new digital humanities minor to his academic coursework. linguistics, cognitive science and more. helps students understand how informa- over time are examples of the ways digital “This is the marriage of the techni- tion technology, computational methods humanities can deepen understanding. cal with the traditionally non-technical,” and cognitive approaches can assist in the “I see digital humanities as an exciting Vampola said. “This generation [of college presentation and analysis of data in the intellectual adventure,” Vampola said. “It students] grew up with computers. They humanities. is an endeavor that widens the horizon for are already conversant with some of the Textual analysis of Shakespeare, apply- students and scholars of the humanities.” techniques used in research and the presen- ing hypertext markup language to an art For more information, contact Vampola tation of data in the digital humanities.” exhibition and comparative analysis of the at [email protected]. For years, Vampola has taught l ways different societies developed science Introduction to Digital Humanities, which PROVIDED Award-Winning Diversity Support UNY Oswego and its vice president for approach continue to move our efforts Sstudent affairs and enrollment manage- forward,” said President Stanley. “We ment, Dr. Jerald Woolfolk, recently earned know we must do more and we are State University-wide awards—the first time committed to doing more.” they were ever bestowed—as the SUNY Woolfolk’s individual award recog- Diversity Conference recognized their years- nized her leadership in the sustained long commitment to fostering diversity, effort to ensure the college embraces all, inclusion and social justice at the college. including members of traditionally The institutional Diversity, Inclusion underrepresented groups. and Social Justice Award recognized SUNY In fall 2017, SUNY Oswego enrolled Jerald Woolfolk (left), vice president of Oswego, under the leadership of President its most culturally diverse student popula- student affairs and enrollment manage- Deborah F. Stanley, for its innovative tion ever: 28 percent self-identified as ment, and Oswego history faculty member plan—infused through all campus sectors. Hispanic, Asian, African American, Native Gwen Kay, now serving as president of the “SUNY Oswego not only has a rich American, Pacific Islander or multiethnic. SUNY-wide University Faculty Senate, show the college’s institutional Diversity, Inclusion history and long record of celebrating and That included a first-year class of nearly 35 and Social Justice Award, presented at the recognizing faculty, staff and students from percent on this measure of diversity—15 fall SUNY Diversity Conference. Woolfolk diverse backgrounds, it has a plan to proac- percent higher than in 2010. l also won an individual Diversity, Inclusion tively, thoughtfully and with a participatory and Social Justice Award.

OSWEGO l Spring 2018 8 CAMPUS CURRENTS Events JIM RUSSELL ’83RUSSELL JIM Visit alumni.oswego.edu for complete listing. April 21 Field Hockey Alumnae Tournament* April 24 24-Hour Giving Challenge** April 26 Charlotte, N.C., Happy Hour Gathering* April 27 Indianapolis, Ind., Happy Hour Gathering* May 3 Washington, D.C., Alumni and Friends Event with Alice McDermott ’75* May 3 School of Communication, Media and the Arts Alumni Event in New York City* May 11 Commencement Eve Torchlight Ceremony* May 18 Oswego College Foundation Board of Directors Meeting** June 3 Theatre Alumni Reunion in New York City* June 7-10 Reunion Weekend 2018* June 9 Oswego Alumni Board of Directors Meeting* July 14 Alumni Mets Game in New York City* Student-Created, Web-Based BusShare Tool Simplifies Aug. 13 SUNY Day at the Saratoga Races* Transportation Oct. 12-13 Return to Oz V* Oct. 13 2018 Homecoming* tudents Peterly Jean Baptiste ’18 (left) and Theresa Personna ’18, both of whom Oct. 17 Dr. Lewis B. O’Donnell Media Summit** Swork with SUNY Oswego’s Office of Sustainability, show the “Let us help” home page of the college’s web-based BusShare application. Award-winning brainchild of Alex * Alumni and Parent Relations, 315-312-2258 Monachino ’17, who has since graduated with a degree in graphic design, BusShare ** University Development, 315-312-3003 provides easy-to-follow, plain-language steps for Centro ridership on campus and around alumni.oswego.edu/events Oswego County. Learn more at oswegobusshare.com. l

Grant Helps Student Researchers Gain Skills Studying Skulls of Ancient Animals JIM RUSSELL ’83RUSSELL JIM rofessor Jennifer Olori of the biological sciences faculty recently Pwon a National Science Foundation grant for a project designed to provide undergraduates—particularly women, who remain underrepresented in sciences and math—with research experiences focused on head-first burrowing animals from as long ago as 300 million years. Thanks to the $73,165 grant from the NSF’s Division of Envi- ronmental Biology, the project promises to provide students with training and skillsets applicable to such disciplines as paleobiology, comparative anatomy, computer science, computational analysis and even robotics. Titled “Repeated evolution of limblessness and head-first burrowing in tetrapods: Testing predictions from the fossil record,” Zoology major Meghan Gillen ’15 ’18 (right) studied—in hand and SUNY Oswego’s grant is part of a collaborative project spanning on the computer screen—the skull shape and structure of burrowing snakes, with biological sciences faculty member Dr. Jennifer Olori. universities, research specialties, and student assistants in graduate and undergraduate programs. “Tetrapod” means “four feet,” not only referring to the four- skulls from a group of snakes that still exists in India and Sri Lanka footed animals of today, but also to those that science has shown will help provide anatomical comparisons. descended from the last common ancestor of amphibians, reptiles “There’s a lot of opportunity for student work,” said Olori, who and mammals. Snakes, for example, are classified as tetrapods. recently began training one of several women undergraduates who Olori specializes in extinct tetrapods from as long as 300 million is assisting this spring. “The cool thing about this project is not only years ago, some of which evolved a different form of locomotion. that it intersects with different biological ideas, but it combines Her project aims to test fossilized animals for skull shape and other computational skills—a bit of math skills, a bit of computer science characteristics that point to environmental pressures leading to the along with biology—so it very rapidly helps them expand their evolution of limblessness and head-first burrowing. CT scans of STEM skills in general. That will help them be more marketable for getting into grad schools and getting jobs.” l

9 OSWEGO l Spring 2018 CAMPUS CURRENTS JIM RUSSELL ’83RUSSELL JIM PROVIDED

Lessons from Lakers More than 130 alumni returned to the SUNY Oswego campus during the fall 2017 semester to participate in the Oswego Alumni Association’s award-winning Alumni-In-Residence (AIR) program, with 70 alumni repre- Amp up your resume… Life is a journey… senting Graduates Of the Last “ Look for freelance opportunities “ The moments that make up our lives Decade (GOLD). More than 3,000 and project-based work, because start with one single step … The only students attended alumni class- there are not a lot of full-time jobs room visits, workshops, panel for students fresh out of school. limits you have are the ones you discussions and other programs Get experience and put it on your place on yourself. And you’ll never resume. Create opportunities through that provide a forum for alumni know how far you can go until you working as many different types of to share knowledge and career jobs and projects as you can, and live like the limit does not exist.” experiences with students. Here always ask if you can do more.” are a few words of wisdom from Barry Gliner ’84 Sophia Elacqua ’15 those presentations. l Communication studies Marketing Director of post-production, Discovery Marketing manager, Manhattan Edit Communications Workshop (Mewshop) Syosset, N.Y. Utica, N.Y.

Element-al Reflections During her keynote address at the Latino Student Union’s 40th Anniversary celebration dinner: NICOLE LIGHTFOOT ’18 NICOLE LIGHTFOOT “ All of you have done an amazing job of finding symbolism within all four elements and correlating them with aspects of our heritage: Air, our freedom; Earth, our roots; Water, our music and dance; and Fire, our culture. It’s funny because I found my LSU Elementos at Oswego from the first day I stepped on campus until today at the 40th anniversary dinner.

My Air—was being able to explore what it meant for me to be Latina of Dominican descent through the Latino literature my Spanish major presented me.

Thaina Gonzalez ’92

OSWEGO l Spring 2018 10 CAMPUS CURRENTS JIM RUSSELL ’83RUSSELL JIM BRODERICK JENNIFER ’83RUSSELL JIM

Don’t forget your umbrella… Hitch your wagon to a star… Listening for “Why is it so hard to predict the opportunity to knock… weather? There are so many “ Find someone who has your dream “ Being able to actually listen different databases, observation job and match the things you are networks, remote sensing satellites to other people is a skill that … so what gives? But we can’t know doing with the things they have matters. You don’t always know the true state of the atmosphere done. They are your North Star. whose hand you are shaking; at all times. Not even close. We ” will never know the state of the smile and be at your best.” atmosphere with precision.” Mike Coniglio ’97 Cydni Williams ’13 Anthony DeMario ’12 Meteorology and mathematics Art and marketing Broadcasting and mass communication Research meteorologist, National Severe Channel marketing manager, Facebook Senior sales development representative, Storms Lab, Forecast Research and Newark, Calif. Terakeet; radio announcer, 107.9 FM station. Development Division Liverpool, N.Y. Norman, Okla.

My Earth—I discovered My Fire—was ignited every other Monday my senior year, when when I attended Patricia, Vivi [Vivianna LSU meetings. Carriel-Rodriguez ’94], Ana [Figueroa ’93], Ana Luz [Rodriguez ’94] My Water—gave birth to and I founded the first Latina Ritmo Latino when Patricia Greek organization at Oswego, [Nuñez ’93], Astrid [Jacobo’91] Sigma Lambda Upsilon/ and I performed for the Latinas Unidas Sorority Inc.” first time at an LSU event. Thaina Gonzalez ’92 Spanish Manager of executive offices, Sponsors for Educational Opportunity Member, Oswego Alumni Association Board of Directors Bronx, N.Y.

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Faculty from all disciplines are encouraged to connect their students to the Grand Challenge topic, “Fresh Water for All,” and micro-grants will be given for creative classroom projects tied to the theme. Grand Challenges Project Focuses On ‘Fresh Water for All’ “ resh Water for All,” the college’s first Grand Challenges Project, on the topic, raise the awareness, explore different worldviews and Flaunches next fall, aiming to magnify the strengths of SUNY values, and generate solutions. Students are a big part of these Oswego with a cross-discipline approach that makes substantial solutions. They are our future and we need their help to improve impacts on this imperative global issue. today’s challenges for the future generations in creative and inno- College President Deborah F. Stanley set the tone in a campus- vative ways,” Howland added. wide announcement: “The Grand Challenges Project will give Student Association President Dalton Bisson ’19, who is Oswego students, faculty and staff from all disciplines a unique majoring in history and political science, said, “From my conver- opportunity to tackle the impact that ‘Fresh Water for All’ has sations with students, I think students are excited about the initia- across every aspect of our global community. tive and the outcomes it could produce. There is a general “Grounded in shared goals, integrative skills and technologies, optimism and many people are glad that such an important topic and an interdisciplinary approach to problem solving, the Grand was chosen to focus on!”

Challenges Project reinforces the fact that today’s solutions need ’83RUSSELL JIM to include many stakeholders across a spectrum of scholarship, creative activity and opinion,” Stanley said. Leigh Wilson, chair of the Grand Challenges Oversight Committee and director of Interdisciplinary Programs and Activi- ties, said the project has great potential to move the whole campus into more collaborative and interdisciplinary learning activities both in and out of the classroom. “Civic engagement and volunteer efforts will increase,” Wilson said. “Students will have more applied learning opportunities. These are best practices that hone the students’ critical thinking, their creative thinking and their interpersonal professional skills.” Jerri Howland, another member of the oversight committee, Members of a hydrogeology class examined a sediment core at Rice said, “As dean of students, I feel any time you can engage the Creek Field Station in November 2017. students on an issue facing our country in a collaborative way, with the entire campus community, it is exciting. I’m looking The world’s fresh water crises may seem an abstract notion to forward to working with them as we approach our first challenge: many of us on the shores of one of the Great Lakes, which contain Fresh Water. about 20 percent of the world’s surface supply of the precious “By examining a challenge from multiple perspectives— resource. Yet from this position of strength, the college can make a Student Affairs, Academic Affairs, students and staff—we educate difference for those far less fortunate.

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“The Grand Challenges Oversight Committee will The Gift of Possibilities: be working across disciplines to provide our Sisters Name Scholarship campus community with a variety of multidisciplinary in Tribute to Parents initiatives related to fresh water—from social justice onna Osterhout PROVIDED issues to global sustain- D Davenport ’71 was ability and access, from the a senior living on the science of pollution to second floor of Hart Hall artistic interpretations of when her freshman sister, fresh water issues to media Marcia Osterhout Kees coverage of fresh water ’74, moved onto the fifth power politics,” Stanley floor. said. “We were the first Campus members will generation of college be encouraged to apply for kids in our family,” micro-grants to support creative, interdisci- Davenport said. “It was plinary classroom or civic projects tied to the nice to know she was theme. close by. I know my dad “One real virtue of our shared grand chal- appreciated us being in lenge is that the considerable, manifold the same place, as he would drive three hours In 1970, Marcia Osterhout Kees ’74 (left) strengths of our SUNY Oswego campus will and Donna Osterhout Davenport ’71 with be united as one in advancing the common to pick us up for vacations.” their parents, Marjorie and Ralph. good,” Wilson said. “We’re surrounded by Their father, Ralph immensely beautiful and diverse systems of Osterhout, a volunteer fire- fresh water at SUNY Oswego. And it’s in fighter who died at the scene of a fire in 1981, and their mother, Marjorie, who cele- trouble globally. That Oswego seeks as a brated her 95th birthday in 2017, have “always valued learning and education,” community to caretake fresh water makes a lot Davenport said. So as a tribute to their parents, the sisters—along with their of sense.” spouses—have created the Osterhout Family Scholarship. The Grand Challenges Project has its The scholarship is awarded to an incoming freshman student from Broadalbin- genesis in the college’s strategic plan, Perth (N.Y.) or Galway schools, or Fulton County if criteria must be widened. The Tomorrow, which came together from months Davenports’ son, John, graduated from Broadalbin-Perth, and Jim served on the of concentrated thought and analysis by more district’s board of education and taught in the Galway schools. than 250 members of the college community, “I know my dad would be so pleased and my mother is so proud to have a schol- alumni and other stakeholders. arship in their name,” said Davenport, who lives in Norman, Okla., and is a realtor. In defining impacts that the college has “They were and are very humble, gentle, loving parents.” made and will continue to build on, the plan Kees, who lives in Halfmoon, N.Y., with her husband, Charlie, retired from a spells out Impact Five: “Our work contributes 35-year career with the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic to finding solutions for the grand challenges of Preservation. She is an adjunct faculty member at the University at Albany. She sees our time.” students struggle to pay for college, she said. The Grand Challenges Oversight “I thought that this scholarship, in addition to honoring our parents, would be Committee foresees “Fresh Water for All” as one way to help some students from our hometown area to, hopefully, have the the first of a two-year, overlapping cycle of same great experience that I had at Oswego,” Kees said. projects that SUNY Oswego can focus on and, Davenport agreed. in the language of the Tomorrow plan, as “I have always considered myself very fortunate to have had parents who could “vibrant, engaged and curious faculty, staff provide my sister and me a college education,” Davenport said. “Broadalbin schools and students delve into multidisciplinary provided us with a great start in life. We wanted to encourage people from that investigation of problematic social and global hometown area to seek higher education. Oswego opened us up to the world of issues.” possibilities. I have used my education every day in every way, and I am proud to say For more information, contact the chair I am an Oswego graduate.” l Leigh Wilson at [email protected] and —Eileen Moran Crandall stay tuned to oswego.edu/grand-challenges. l

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Honors and Awards

JIM RUSSELL ’83RUSSELL JIM Colleges of Distinction Recognizes SUNY Oswego, Cites ‘Enriching’ Experiences olleges of Distinction recently named SUNY Oswego to its C2017-18 listing, citing such character-building opportunities at the college as undergraduate research, a wide variety of internships and co-ops, community service and alternative breaks, intensive writing courses and tutoring, interdisciplinary programs and an array of international learning options. l JIM RUSSELL ’83RUSSELL JIM

Officers Thomas Woodruff ’88 (left) and Thomas Marrone of University Police at SUNY Oswego accepted Life Saving Awards—Woodruff on his and Officer Kelly Thompson’s behalf— at the SUNY Police Chiefs Association award ceremony on Nov. 14 in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

SUNY Police Chiefs Association Honors Three Officers he State University of New York Police Chiefs Association Trecently honored three officers of University Police at SUNY Oswego for taking actions that saved lives. Distinguished Professor at Downstate In a ceremony at its fall conference Nov. 14 in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., the association presented Life Saving Awards to Medical Enrolls, Thrives in Online MBA officers Thomas Marrone, Kelly Thompson and Thomas r. Richard Rosenfeld M’18, (pictured above) distinguished Woodruff ’88. Dprofessor and chair of otolaryngology at SUNY Downstate Officer Marrone was recognized for saving the life of a man Medical Center in Brooklyn and now a graduate student in SUNY last May. While assisting the city of Oswego’s police on another Oswego’s online MBA program in health services administration, matter, Marrone was alerted that a man was attempting to recently gave talks at the college sharing his expertise in health care. commit suicide by jumping off the Bridge Street bridge into These opportunities to share expertise, organized by SUNY the Oswego River. Marrone risked his own life pulling the man Oswego’s Division of Graduate Studies, point to Rosenfeld’s and to safety as the man stood on the outside of the protective other nontraditional students’ passion to keep growing, learning railing. and making a significant impact on others. Officers Thompson and Woodruff were recognized for Rosenfeld, who already has a master’s degree in public health saving the life of a SUNY Oswego student last fall who had along with his MD, said he has thought for years about adding an collapsed and was not breathing on the west side of campus. l MBA to support the next step in his career, toward executive leadership of a healthcare organization in the higher education or nonprofit sectors. For that, he felt he needed to turn to other experts, to “codify my, sort of, street knowledge over 25 years.” “There are people who spend their lives studying how to best understand organizational behavior, how to deal with human resource issues, how to understand the economics of health care, how to speak to your CFO in a hospital in terms they’ll understand,” he said. “I wanted to take advantage of that.” Visit oswego.edu/gradstudies or call 315-312-3152 for more information. l

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JIM RUSSELL ’83RUSSELL JIM College Earns Military- Friendly Designation UNY Oswego, celebrating the first Sanniversary of its Battle Buddy Center in the Veterans Lounge, recently earned a significant distinction for 2018 as a military-friendly college. Military Times—digital platforms and newsweeklies for independent news and information for service members and their families—placed SUNY Oswego among its Military Times Best: Colleges 2018, formerly Best for Vets, for the fourth consecutive year. The rankings arise from an annual survey, the most College Awards Grants to Support Better Batteries comprehensive school-by-school assess- Research, Among Other Projects ment of veteran and military student services and rates of academic achieve- ithium-ion batteries continue to fuel Activity Committee (SCAC), which re- ment, according to the publisher. l Lmillions of smartphones, electric cars, ceives funding from The Fund for Oswego. power tools and all manner of other Islam said he has more grant applica- rechargeable equipment, but SUNY Oswego tions in progress, for significantly more JIM RUSSELL ’83RUSSELL JIM physics faculty member Mohammad Islam money. But he said he values highly the (pictured above, right) believes great poten- faith that SCAC showed in his research. tial exists for lower cost sodium-ion Scholarly and Creative Activity faculty batteries to make inroads. grants of up to $3,000 are designed to An expert in fabricating and using provide support for high-impact research nanoparticles in his research on batteries, among faculty and staff seeking to be more Islam recently earned a campus Scholarly competitive in their fields, which can lead and Creative Activity grant to study to grants from external funding sources. nanoparticles that promise to improve the SCAC also approved the following life and charging efficiency of sodium-ion faculty projects: batteries. • “Mass Shootings and the Needs of Survi- “Sodium is far more abundant in the vors,” Jaclyn Schildkraut, public justice; earth (than lithium), and 2 percent of • “‘The Big Trouble Came:’ Youth and seawater is sodium,” Islam said. “It’s in the American Citizenship in the 1930s- same column of the periodic table as 1940s,” Allison Rank, political science; lithium and shares many of its electro- Faculty Member • “From Charity to Chastisement and chemical properties. But sodium is highly Cruelty,” Cynthia Clabough, art; Named Fellow in Two reactive, so we have to tame the reactivity of sodium.” • “Mobile Eye Tracker for Multiple Prestigious Societies Islam and a research assistant, elec- Projects on Search Behavior,” chool of Business faculty member trical and computer engineering major Theo Rhodes, psychology; SEfstathios (Stathis) Kefallonitis Josh Willson ’19, (pictured above, left) • “Hair Cortisol Concentrations in (pictured above) recently was named a work in a lab on the lower level of Richard Subjects with Tropical Mosquito-Borne fellow in two prestigious British royal S. Shineman Center for Science, Engi- Diseases,” Kestas Bendinskas, chemistry. societies: the Royal Society for the neering and Innovation, making battery On average, SUNY Oswego invests Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures components for their tests to fit inside the over $900,000 annually through a variety and Commerce and the Royal Chartered familiar coin-shaped, button cell outer of grants, recognition opportunities and Institute of Marketing. Among other cases. awards to support faculty, students and things, the honors recognize his expertise, Their work is among several other fac- staff in their individual and collective leadership and service to the greater ulty-student projects being supported by interests in scholarly research, professional community. l SUNY Oswego’s Scholarly and Creative development and creative activities. l

15 OSWEGO l Spring 2018 CAMPUS CURRENTS ATHLETICS Oswego Collects Women’s Soccer, Women’s Swim and Dive Earn Academic Awards Community Service The Oswego State women’s soccer team has been named a Team Academic Award Award of Merit winner by the United Soccer Coaches. With The 24 Oswego State NCAA athletic a combined 3.13 grade point average, the programs were recognized once again for Oswego team was recognized for its exem- their outstanding commitment to commu- plary academic performance during the nity service, as they received the second- 2016-17 academic year. The team also place Award of Merit from the National earned the Team Ethics and Sportsmanship Administrators of Division III Athletic Gold Award for the 2017 season for exhibit- Directors, sponsored by Jostens. Members of the Laker women’s ice hockey ing fair play and adherence to the rules of This award is the 11th earned by Laker team Eryn Stewart ’20 (left) and Lauren the game. teams in the past nine years. In that time, Martel ’20 assist an Oswego area youth The women’s swimming and diving team the athletic department has received six during the Holiday Skate in December that was named an NCAA Division III Scholar All- benefited SEFA/United Way—one of dozens first-place awards, two second-place honors of community service projects supported by America team by the College Swimming and and three honorable mentions. Lakers student-athletes every year. Diving Coaches Association of America for Highlighting the department’s activ- earning an overall combined team GPA of ity during the 2016-17 school year were Teal Walks, fundraisers for Trinity Catholic 3.29 in the fall. In 18 semesters over the past some 54 different projects and events, School and Buc Boosters and many more. nine years, the Lakers have been named a including annual support of the American Approximately 37 different charities and Scholar All-America team 15 times. l Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, Special organizations benefited from Oswego’s com- Olympics events both in Fulton, N.Y., and on munity service efforts. l campus, the annual Yards for Yeardley and Gosek Earns Historic 300th Win he Oswego State T men’s ice hockey team defeated Cortland, 5-1, on Two Golfers Named to Ameele Notches 1,000th Point Jan. 19 to clinch 300 career Empire 8 President’s List in Double-Digit Wins wins for Head Coach Ed Women’s basketball Gosek ’83 M’01. At that guard Courtney point in the season, the win Ameele ’18 of moved Gosek’s career record Palmyra, N.Y., scored to 300-88-26 and the Lakers’ a career-high 33 season record to 12-3-1. points during the With a winning percentage of .756, team’s victory at Gosek has the second highest winning Plattsburgh on Feb. percentage of all current Division III 2. With a 3-pointer coaches, trailing only Tom Coghlin of St. Zach Hiris ’18 Sean Paul Owen ’19 in the final minute Courtney Ameele ’18 Norbert. Gosek is also the second highest of regulation, Ameele winning Division III ice hockey coach of The Empire 8 named golfers Zach also became the all time (based on win percentage) behind Hiris ’18 of Bowling Green, Ohio, and 10th member of the Coghlin. Sean Paul Owen ’19 of Horseheads, N.Y., Oswego State 1,000- Gosek, a former Laker hockey player, to its President’s List for the fall 2017 point club. l has been head coach since 2003. During his semester for maintaining a 3.75 GPA or tenure, Gosek has had 43 players receive 58 higher while displaying positive conduct All-SUNYAC honors and 15 players named on and off campus. l as All-Americans. l

OSWEGO l Spring 2018 16 CAMPUS CURRENTS Standing O All-SUNYAC Honors Hockey Alumnus Returns to Campus he following student-athletes T earned spots on All State Univer- ROBERT CLARK ’78 ROBERTCLARK sity of New York Athletic Conference to Paint for a Cause (SUNYAC) teams. Former Laker men’s ice hockey defenseman SECOND TEAM and current internationally known artist Emma Geyer ’18 of Liverpool, N.Y., Michael Wills ’15 returned to campus women’s soccer Nov. 17-18 to paint during the men’s hockey Haru Kobayashi ’19 of Tokyo, Japan, games against Buffalo State and Fredonia in women’s tennis the Marano Campus Center ice arena. Wills Katie Reynolds ’19 of Pawling, N.Y., field hockey transferred to Oswego from Merrimack College and played 41 games for the Lakers Michael Wills ’15 THIRD TEAM while earning a BFA in graphic design. Sarah Grupp ’18 of Charlottesville, After graduating from SUNY Oswego, Wills it helped him redirect his passion into paint- Va., women’s soccer traveled to Serbia, where he played profes- ing. The paintings he created throughout the Chloe Lonergan ’19 of Cicero, N.Y., women’s soccer sional hockey for over a year, retiring due weekend were raffled off to help support Connor Lunduski ’18 of Baldwinsville, the hockey team’s planned trip to Europe. to many injuries, he said. He said his forced l N.Y., men’s soccer retirement was extremely hard on him but

Greenseich, McCarthy Set Records at NCAA Regional Leone Hits 200th Win; Colin Greenseich ’18 and Dylan McCarthy ’19 of the Oswego State Lakers Set 3-Point Record men’s cross country team set records during the NCAA Division III Men’s basketball Coach Jason Leone earned Atlantic Region Cross Country Championships on Nov. 11. his 200th victory of his career when the Greenseich placed 15th out of 290 runners with a time of 25:06.3 Oswego State men’s basketball team in the 8K. Greenseich’s time is the fastest in program history, breaking defeated St. Lawrence, 100-63, on Dec. 15, the previous record of 25:28.2 from 2016 set by teammate McCarthy. 20 1 7. McCarthy, who finished 26th with a time of 25:24.5, also broke his 2016 During the same game, Oswego buried record, and his 2017 time is now the second-best 8K time for the program. 19 3-pointers against the Saints, breaking the Both runners earned All-Region honors for their performances. old program record for the most 3-pointers Greenseich was also the first male cross country runner from Oswego in a game. Last season, the Lakers set the to qualify for the NCAA Division III Championships in 15 years. He was inducted into the previous record by making 18 in their 104-69 2017 SUNYAC Cross Country Championships Hall of Fame for placing in the top five. l win over SUNY Maritime on Nov. 18. l Alumna, Softball Star, Seeks 2020 Olympic Bid The softball team for the South American “Like so many athletes, making it to 2020 Olympics,” nation of Colombia doesn’t wear green and the Olympics has always been my life Nandin said. gold, but its shortstop hopes to “Laker Up” dream,” said Nandin, whose father was Nandin’s during Olympic competition. born in Colombia and who maintains time at Oswego “My Oswego players will know it’s for dual citizenship. “I am very proud of my followed an them when I do it wearing my Colombia Colombian heritage, and it’s been such an exceptional under- colors,” said Morgan Nandin M’17, of the honor representing the country playing the graduate career at victorious “Laker Up” hand signal shared sport I love.” Syracuse University: Morgan Nandin M’17 by Oswego State softball players. Nandin, Since joining the team, Nandin has Her record for most who became a member of the Oswego traveled the world and met many players games played still stands in the Orange’s State softball coaching staff in fall 2015 from different countries. history books, at 227. Today, she is the as she pursued a master’s degree in cur- “We have a lot of tough competition in varsity softball team coach for Oswego riculum and instruction, has joined the front of us in order to qualify, but I know High School, where she teaches physical Colombian National Softball Team and is my whole team, including me, is working education. l hoping to help the team advance to the extremely hard in the off season to prepare 2020 Olympics. for big tournaments leading up to the

17 OSWEGO l Spring 2018 PROVIDED FROM ATHLETE

JACQUELINE MICHALSKI ’10 TO COACH: Alumni Cultivate Collegiate Athletic Programs Nationally

—By Eileen Moran Crandall

he used to beat the boys. “The men’s and women’s teams acted very much as one, Now she’s coaching them. always motivating and encouraging others to succeed, despite “I’m on deck every day for that little girl who fell gender,” Michalski said. “I took this team atmosphere, which in love with the water,” said Jacqueline Michalski ’10, I learned from Oswego, and carried it into my daily coaching speakingS of her own childhood as a competitive swimmer who life here at EIU. The men’s and women’s teams at times have transitioned her love of the sport into a four-year stint on the combined practices, and work together as a unit to make each SUNY Oswego women’s swim team—helping the team win the other better.” SUNYAC Conference Championship in 2007. Today, Michalski is at the helm of NCAA Division I men’s FROM DOER TO TEACHER and women’s swim programs as the head coach of Eastern Illi- n the high-scrutiny, travel-heavy, around-the-clock lifestyle nois University, a role she has held since August 2014. of NCAA collegiate coaching, discipline and determination It’s a rare coaching gig: According to the NCAA, only Iare key. Those are traits that former NCAA athletes have in around 3 percent of NCAA men’s teams are led by women; just spades; they spend their collegiate careers maintaining the focus 40 percent of women’s teams have a female head coach. and strength to compete at NCAA standards. In fact, Michalski Michalski, who is originally from Chenango Forks, N.Y., is one of many former SUNY Oswego NCAA student-athletes has led the Panthers to new school records, designation as a who have leveraged lessons learned in the pool—or on the field, College Swimming Coaches Association of America Scholar court and ice—to careers shaping programs and students at the All-American Team, and in its most recent season, 32 top-16 elite level of play. finishes at the Summit League Championships. Take Joe Jones ’87 M’89, who transitioned from the Laker “I know my four years spent in Laker Hall made me into the Hall basketball court to a Boston University head coach job, a successful coach that I am today,” Michalski said. It wasn’t just position he’s held since the 2011-2012 season. Before becoming the competition that propelled her, it was the camaraderie, great head coach, he was associate head coach for the Terriers and training partners and great friends, she said. held coaching roles at Columbia, Villanova and Hofstra.

OSWEGO l Spring 2018 18 PROVIDED JAMIE DUMONT ’98

And one of Oswego State’s signature athletics programs—ice hockey—has had a number of student-athletes turned coaches, including T.J. Manastersky ’06, a Laker defenseman who went pro following graduation. Manastersky is now in his sixth season as the head coach of Curry College in Milton, Mass. It’s a role he has prepared for since childhood; he grew up in a coach’s office because his father was a collegiate hockey coach for York University. “I always knew that I wanted to be a coach when I finished playing,” said There’s also Jamie Dumont ’98, sibility afforded by then Head Coach Manastersky, who is married to Oswego an impact player during his ice hockey George Roll and then Assistant Coach Ed alumna Lindsay Gauthier Manastersky career at Oswego State, who went on to Gosek ’83 M’01 that started Dumont on ’05; the couple have a son, Wesley assist the Laker coaching staff as a volun- the path to coaching, he said. Pierson, Oswego Class of 2039. “D3 teer, leading Oswego into the NCAA “I was so fortunate,” Dumont said. hockey is so good, so competitive, and tournament in 1998. Following his time “Oswego State was so good to me, and has so many great coaches working hard in Oswego, he got his first taste of upper- that stays in your heart.” to be successful that I am fortunate to be level head coaching experience with the Dumont, who played at Romney a part of that group.” Italian Professional League’s Bolzano Field House as a student, returned to Manastersky has fond memories of Hockey Club and the Dutch Premier campus with his Bowdoin team in 2014 the ice hockey rivalry with Plattsburgh, League. as part of first round action in the NCAA and the bagel and tennis ball toss— Dumont returned to his home state Division III Men’s Ice Hockey Champi- which, he said, remain a truly unique of Maine in fall 2011, and has been with onship that season. tradition in sports. But it was the people the coaching staff of the Bowdoin College “The new [Marano Campus Center] and the lessons learned on the ice that program ever since. He was named its rink is beautiful,” Dumont said. “That’s stick with him as head coach today, he head coach in 2016. Since Dumont’s something that’s special about Oswego— said. return, the Polar Bears have won 83 how it feels about its program, and how “I learned how important it is to games en route to two NESCAC Champi- the students and the town support it. It’s effectively communicate with your onships in a five-year span. a great environment.” players,” Manastersky said. “It is a Back in 1998 when he volunteered at continued on page 20 partnership.” Oswego, it was the high level of respon- PROVIDED T.J. MANASTERSKY ’06

19 OSWEGO l Spring 2018 PROVIDED

LAUREN MAROIS ’13

Alumni serving as current NCAA Head Coaches* at Oswego State:

Just down the New York State friendships she forged as an Oswego Thruway—and a few hours drive east of player are still her closest. “I think for the LeMoyne College (Syracuse) women’s a lot of us, after four years of being a lacrosse program headed by Kathy college athlete, you just aren’t ready to Taylor M’11—is the Sage Colleges, give it up.” where the women’s lacrosse team is run Ed Gosek ’83 M’01, by Lauren Marois ’13. Under Marois’s men’s ice hockey STARTING direction, the 2017 team enjoyed the NEW PROGRAMS most successful season in the program’s lumni aren’t just carrying nine-year history that wrapped with on traditions of college team the team garnering its first post-season successes all over the country; appearance. Marois, who has been with A they have been instrumental in starting— the program for five years, including two and restarting—programs, too. years as head coach, brought her young There hadn’t been a baseball game team to compete for the first time in played at Bard College in Annandale- school history against her alma mater in on-Hudson, N.Y., in more than 75 years, March 2017. until Andy Salvatore ’11 restarted the “We had Sub Shop on Bridge Street, program in 2013. The donation of a turf Mike Howard ’90, and I got to show them Oswego—a wrestling and men’s golf facility prompted Bard to bring baseball piece of my life,” Marois said. It was back, and Salvatore, who took on the a life where the lacrosse goalie—who head coach role for Bard after a few entered Oswego as an undeclared major years as assistant coach at Oswego State, (“All I knew was that I wanted to play jumped at the opportunity. lacrosse”)—gained valuable skills that “I’m lucky to be able to call it ‘work’ shaped her coaching style. everyday,” Salvatore said. “I liked the “I learned a lot of my values at idea of recruiting nationally, which Bard Oswego,” Marois said. “I also can tell my definitely offers.” students: I’ve been there, too. I did it for After going 0-20-1 in conference play four years; I can help you. I want them in 2014—Bard’s first year in the Liberty to know academics comes first; they are League, the young team has begun here for an education. I was taught that at racking up a double-digit tally’s worth Mike Holman ’96, Oswego.” men’s and women’s swimming of league wins. Several players have won and diving In addition to her title as head coach, All-Liberty League awards and the 2017 Marois is the Sage Colleges assistant roster reached 35 players, which is on par sports information director, and plans to with other teams in the league. pursue an advanced degree in athletics *There are many current assistant “It has been a chance to start from coaches, and former coaches, administration. the ground up, and we are well on our who are alumni, too! “Athletics has been such a huge part way to building something special,” of my life,” said Marois, who said the Salvatore said.

OSWEGO l Spring 2018 20 Other collegiate program builders “I initially became a part-time include golfer Steve Serling ’77, who teaching professional and discovered that earned 1975 NCAA Championship I enjoyed teaching the game to kids,” Honorable Mention All-America acco- Waterhouse said. lades for Oswego, as the Lakers finished The Plainedge High School biology 12th in the nation that year. Serling was teacher coached high school teams for part of three-straight SUNYAC golf almost 20 years before the college oppor- titles on behalf of Oswego. He eventually tunity became available; as a collegiate helped launch the women’s golf program coach, he has earned Skyline Conference Athletic at LeMoyne College in 2010, as the Coach of the Year honors six times. Dolphins’ first head coach. In 2015, his “Playing tennis at SUNY Oswego final season at Le Moyne before retiring, was an amazing experience,” said Coaching Minor Serling was named Northeast-10 Confer- Waterhouse, who has three children with ence Coach of the Year. his wife, Denise Weimer Waterhouse Adam Waterhouse ’84, who ’83. “The most important lesson that I hile alumni serve as collegiate co-captained the Oswego State tennis learned as an athlete was what it takes Wcoaches both at home and around team in 1983-1984, also built a collegiate to be a respected and inspiring coach. the nation, the college has a minor to train program from scratch. Coach John Glinski led by example and coaching staff at the high school level. The Farmingdale State, on New York’s I think of him often when I am on the athletic coaching minor is designed for stu- Long Island, hired Waterhouse in the fall courts with my own players. He treated dents who wish to coach in New York State of 2006 to develop both its men’s and me with kindness, respect, and was not secondary schools (grades 7-12). Coursework women’s tennis programs. In their first afraid to let me know when I needed to extends beyond the credits required for season, he led the women to a 4-5 record work harder. I am the coach I am today the New York State Temporary Coaching and the men to a 5-7 record, with both in large part because of him.” License. These Oswego State-trained future teams making appearances in the Confer- It’s a common thread among yester- coaches are preparing high school students ence Tournament. day’s athletes who are today’s coaches: to be the next athletes on the NCAA stage. For Waterhouse, “the transition from Appreciation for the Oswego State Learn more about the program at player to coach happened slowly over coaches who taught them. oswego.edu/health-promotion-and-wellness/ time.” athletic-coaching. l LIFE LESSONS PROVIDED ack in the pool at EIU, Michalski puts her team through timed ADAM WATERHOUSE ’84 Bdrills. She shouts encouragement. OSWEGOATHLETICSSUNY She shares her keen knowledge and competitiveness with her team—qualities that help them take on the challenges of not just the swimming pool, but of life itself, too. “Many define a successful coach by the record board or by the win-loss column,” Michalski said. “I define a successful coach by how well the athletes do through their journey through college and beyond. I believe my job is to set the bar high in all areas: academic, athletics and life. This sets a foundation for years well beyond college.” l

Read the full interview with EIU Head Swim Coach Jacqueline Michalski online at oswego.edu/magazine.

21 OSWEGO l Spring 2018 SMILE TRAIN Changing the World One Smile at a Time

—BY MARGARET SPILLETT

OSWEGO l Spring 2018 22 (Photo on left) Osawa Owiti (front)—the recipient of Smile Train’s 1 millionth cleft surgery—gathered with (from left) his father, surgeon Dr. Edward Wayi, his mother, a former Smile Train employee and Smile Train CEO Susannah Melchior Schaefer ’90 to celebrate his changed life in a remote village in Tanzania, six months after Osawa underwent cleft surgery in 2014.

hen Susannah Melchior Schaefer had made the trip to the Schaefer ’90 arrived in family’s village to celebrate the organiza- 2014 at a remote village “ I am often asked, tion’s milestone surgery and to enable in Tanzania, she was what drives me. the doctor, Dr. Edward Wayi—one of the greetedW by the entire community with country’s only plastic surgeons—to see a ceremony in her honor and a feast of It’s seeing Smile Train’s the impact his medical care has made on chicken. local programs in action. the children and their families’ lives. But more importantly, she was Dr. Wayi is one of 2,100 medical greeted by the smiling face of 6-year-old I cry every time I observe professionals who partner with Smile Osawa Owiti—the recipient of Smile Train to provide more than 120,000 Train’s 1 millionth cleft surgery. a cleft surgery on a surgeries in 85 countries every year. “I have the best job in the world— child we’re helping. Following the “teach-a-man-to-fish” seeing this kind of life change,” said model championed by founder Charles Schaefer, the chief executive officer of I like to think I have a B. Wang, the organization focuses on the international nonprofit that is the small part in making training local doctors to perform cleft world’s largest cleft repair and compre- repair surgery in their communities. hensive cleft care organization. “He is just that happen.” Those doctors then go on to train other thriving, and his parents—and the whole — Susannah Melchior Schaefer ’90 doctors, creating a long-term, sustainable village—are so happy about this transfor- system. mation. You could just see the absolute “Susie’s trip to visit the 1 millionth delight and smiles on the faces. This is cleft patients throughout Tanzania and patient certainly stands out to me,” said what I love about Smile Train.” uses mobile banking to fund patient her husband, William Schaefer ’91. Cleft lip and cleft palate are much travel to the hospital. Osawa and his “It validates Smile Train’s work. It was more than cosmetic issues, as they mother then took the 700-mile trip to the a powerful moment. I am proud of her often have debilitating health impacts, hospital with Smile Train’s support. and what’s she’s achieved. Changing including problems speaking, eating and “That’s our second challenge— children’s lives at the scale she’s been able breathing. Because incidence rates of patient mobilization,” Schaefer said. “We to do is remarkable.” cleft are often higher in under-developed have a grant program to help hospitals William said he admires his wife’s countries with high rates of poverty and support patient travel to the medical unrelenting drive and commitment poor access to health care, children and facilities.” throughout her career. their families are frequently ostracized in continued on page 24 their community due to a lack of under- TRAINSMILE standing and awareness of cleft, Schaefer said. “In some places, parents were hiding their children with cleft from society rather than getting them help,” Schaefer said. “Or their neighbors assumed that the parents of children with clefts were being punished for something that they had done or thought: ‘You laughed at cripples, you were not a nice person, you looked at the lunar eclipse.’ These are the things we were hearing, so we know awareness of cleft is still our No. 1 challenge.” Osawa was identified through a mobile phone recruitment program pioneered by Smile Train’s partner hospital in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, and partially funded by Smile Train. The Susannah Melchior Schaefer ’90 celebrates the recovery of Smile Train’s 1 millionth cleft program engages ambassadors to identify surgery recipient, Osawa Owiti, with his grandfather in Tanzania in 2014.

23 OSWEGO l Spring 2018 PROVIDED From Board to Boss Shari Mason, vice president of communications at Smile Train, said Schaefer took what could have been a tricky situ- ation during the transition from board member to boss to establish an open and collaborative work environment. “Susie is very passionate about our cause, and it’s great working with someone whose whole heart is in it,” Mason said. “Through her, I’ve learned the importance of teamwork and not working in silos. She empowers people and trusts them to do their job.” Mason worked closely with Schaefer Susannah Melchior ’90 and her future husband, William Schaefer ’91, during the couple’s last visit to campus in 1994—only a few weeks before they were married. on helping the nonprofit update its modes of communication with potential “I’ve never seen anyone who works as donors and supporters. The company Bold Career Moves decided to rebrand itself, launch a new hard as she does,” William said. A few weeks into a new job at her then- But the quality that drew them web site and move away from relying employer Computer Associates on Long on direct mail to push messaging to together is their shared desire for Island, she agreed to manage the launch adventure and a willingness to try new supporters. of Techno Vision, a book written by the “We wanted to have a deeper rela- things—in addition to older siblings who company’s founder, chairman and CEO, initially attracted them to SUNY Oswego tionship with our donors,” Mason said. Charles Wang. He was impressed with The organization has developed a (Stephen Melchior ’89 and Dr. Cynthia her work and created opportunities for Schaefer Bacon ’83). strong social media presence and has her to continue to market the book in amped up its celebrity ambassador Asia. Schaefer took a chance and, with the program, corporate partnerships, event- complete support of her new husband, based fundraising and youth ambassador accepted the role. programs. Schaefer became the director of “Celebrities are so important in marketing in Asia for CA Technologies, helping us elevate our brand and reach where she built the organization’s pres- wider audiences,” said Schaefer, who ence throughout the region and hosted has worked with a wide range of celebri- the first regional CA World conference ties, including Lucy Hale of Pretty Little in China. She later became a vice presi- Liars, reality TV star and entrepreneur dent and special assistant to Wang after Kylie Jenner and supermodel Christie serving as the company’s vice president Brinkley. She gave examples of how the MATT CUMMINS and director of international marketing. stars partner with the charity, such as Leah Landry ‘11, producer of the health and well- When Wang retired from Computer Jenner’s Kylie Cosmetics, launching a ness radio show Take Care, interviewed Susannah Associates in 2002, he invited Schaefer Melchior Schaefer ’90 at the campus-based NPR special edition lip kit to raise almost half affiliate, WRVO Public Media, in November 2017, to join him as his assistant in his new a million dollars to provide new smiles when she returned to campus as part of the Oswego venture as the owner of the New York to over 1,800 children born with clefts— Alumni Association’s Alumni-In-Residence program. Islanders hockey club. which landed Smile Train on Jenner’s She also presented a lecture, which was sponsored Wang also asked Schaefer to serve reality TV show, Life of Kylie. by the Feinberg Family Fund, established by Robert on the board of a charitable organiza- Feinberg ’78 and his wife, Robbi, to support gender Through Smile Train’s partnership equity in the workplace. tion that he founded, Smile Train. After with the Miss Universe Organization, serving as a member of the board for over Schaefer has the opportunity to work 10 years, Schaefer became chief execu- Susannah Melchior Schaefer ’90 with the reigning Miss Universe, and tive officer of the organization in 2013. Title: CEO, Smile Train (2013) international and state titleholders who In this role, she oversaw the rebranding serve as ambassadors to help raise aware- Major: Communication studies of the non-profit and a revitalization ness for the organization and cleft. (public relations track) of its fundraising, public relations and In addition to leading an organi- Husband: William Schaefer ’91, geology marketing efforts. zational rebrand, Schaefer has worked major; director of special projects at to help secure funding for hundreds of Renaissance Property Associates Hear the interview and check thousands of new smiles, expand cleft out a slideshow online at Children: son, 15, and daughter, 11 oswego.edu/magazine.

OSWEGO l Spring 2018 24 BY THE NUMBERS Founded: 1999 Number of employees: 100 Surgeries per year: More than 120,000 Number of children born each year in the developing world with cleft: 170,000 Average cost per surgery: $250 Partner Hospitals: More than 1,100 Partner Doctors/Medical Professionals: More than 2,100 Number of countries: 85+ Children helped by Smile Train services: 1 million+ SMILE TRAINSMILE Learn more at smiletrain.org

Susannah Melchior Schaefer ’90 with Smile Train patient in Mexico in 2017. surgical training and educa- Service every patient, including a surgery, you know she is tion programs throughout the before and after photo, that in empathizing with what that world and establish organi- with a Smile addition to being part of the mother is going through. Her zational partnerships in Haiti In addition, Schaefer led the system by which the organiza- love for our vision to help the and Rwanda. team in developing Smile tion reimburses hospitals for children is moving.” Troy Reinhart, the senior Train’s groundbreaking their Smile Train surgeries, Mason recalled the vice president of development Virtual Surgery Simulator, also creates a resource for moment in a staff meeting at Smile Train, said Schaefer which combines voiceover, researchers and medical when Schaefer talked about makes his job easier. text labels and actual intra- professionals studying cleft. meeting Osawa and his family. “She has an open door operative surgical footage Under Schaefer’s leader- “When she was sharing policy so anyone can talk within an interactive, ship, the organization has the story, the whole staff to her,” he said. “It’s great animated 3D context for an received GuideStar’s 2017 could truly see how his life for our donors to be able to immersive learning experi- Platinum “Seal of Transpar- was changed forever,” Mason meet our CEO, and she’s so ence. This multilingual cleft ency” and is a 2017 Top-Rated said. “We also felt proud of personable.” Reinhart said she surgical training tool enhances Nonprofit, according to the work we do. I will always also made some more prag- the organization’s “teach-a- greatnonprofits.org. remember that moment— matic changes like allowing man-to-fish” model. “I am often asked, what seeing her passion and convic- individual departments to put “As a technology entre- drives me,” she said. “It’s tion that every single child together their own budgets preneur, Charles [Wang] seeing Smile Train’s local deserves to have a chance for a and identify its priorities. has encouraged us to use programs in action. I cry every healthy and productive life.” “She put more strategy technology to advance the time I observe a cleft surgery Schaefer shares that behind our business prac- level of care and the level of on a child we’re helping. I like passion with her husband and tices,” said Reinhart, who was training,” Schaefer said. “We to think I have a small part in children, who support her one of the organization’s first also built a charity that has making that happen.” every step of the way. employees. “Because she came data to inform future growth Her passion inspires those “I have an amazing from our board, she’s able to and our understanding of cleft around her. husband and children who advocate on our behalf. She on a global scale.” “She is so compas- love what I do,” she said. speaks our language and can The company developed sionate,” Reinhart said. “They get it. They understand interpret that to the board.” Smile Train Express, a digital “When she’s speaking about how important this work is. medical records database waiting with the mother You have to love what you do, that contains a record for whose child is having cleft and I do. I am so grateful.” l

25 OSWEGO l Spring 2018 Building a Better World: Pivotal Moments Set Alumna’s Career Path, Passion for Social Justice —By Eileen Moran Crandall

ne Saturday afternoon, Martha Swan ’81 wandered PAULDIX into a SUNY Oswego campus lecture that would set her life’s path. The lecture was about the importance of being bilingual,O and it was presented by the late Dr. Diana Balmori, associate professor of history, an emigré from Argentina who taught at SUNY Oswego from 1974 to 1983. “It was my amazing fortune that I just happened to walk into that lecture,” Swan said. “At that point I wasn’t taking a language, but I left there determined to become bilingual.” From that moment was born a career as a Spanish teacher, as well as the spark of a lifelong spirit of activism that has spanned the Americas and come to rest most recently in the Adirondack Mountains. In addition to teaching Spanish in the tiny Adiron- dack district of Newcomb Central, Swan’s extensive resume as an educator and advocate for human rights includes her latest project—Friends in the Adirondacks, a derivative of her John Brown Lives! program—founded to promote social justice through the exploration of issues, social movements and historic Swan in Santo Tomas del Norte, Nicaragua, in 1986. The village suffered mortar attacks in clashes between Nicaraguan soldiers events. and contra rebels along the border with Honduras. Like Swan’s career and many of her projects, Friends in the Adirondacks started with a pivotal encounter; this one while mass incarceration, and really consider how the local people, the heading to her car outside of the maximum security Clinton inmates and their families are impacted.” Correctional Facility in Dannemora, N.Y., in 2016. It was that roadside meeting that spurred Swan, along with “It was a blistering hot day, and three people—it looked like co-founder of Friends in the Adirondacks Soffiyah Elijah, to a mom and two grown children—were trying to find the visitors’ build a network of individuals and families in the North Country entrance, and the mom was frantic,” Swan said. to provide hospitality and other kinds of support for visitors. Swan directed them on how to get inside the massive facility. Families who are too far away to easily visit can request to have a As Swan was driving away, she saw that the family was already local visitor sent into the prison to check up on a loved one. back outside. She stopped to ask if everything was OK. The “My organization, Alliance of Families for Justice, supports family shared that they had traveled more than 300 miles to see a families with incarcerated loved ones in a myriad of ways,” said family member, but had missed visiting hours. Elijah, who is based in New York City. “Martha and I agreed that Swan said she offered the family her home while they figured our organizations should collaborate to expand the support that out a plan, but they declined her hospitality. could be provided.” Swan drove away; then regretted not offering her telephone It was an easy alliance to make, Elijah said. number, just in case. She turned her car around to see if they “Martha’s generosity of spirit, selfless commitment to justice were still there, but the family was gone. and deeply reflective insights serve to make her a calm force with “I felt awful that I couldn’t do anything for them,” Swan which to reckon,” Elijah said. “Her devotion to building a better said. Those three people she met that day, she said, are among world is both infectious and inspiring.” the multitude of families who travel to the North Country to visit Not only is the mission of Friends in the Adirondacks part of inmates every year. “The Adirondacks is ringed with prisons. Swan’s personal definition of a “truly welcoming Adirondacks,” It’s a complicated and delicate topic for people to pull back the it is, more instinctually, a compassion for others that she traces to curtain and take a look at how we have built our economy on Dr. Balmori and her time at SUNY Oswego, she said.

OSWEGO l Spring 2018 26 “ I wasn’t necessarily paying attention to the world, until I was a student at Oswego.” —Martha Swan ’81

“I wasn’t necessarily paying attention to the world, until I was a student at Oswego,” Swan said. She choked up with PROVIDED emotion as she talked about the moment her ambitions first intersected with activism: Once she began studying Spanish at Martha Swan ’81 SUNY Oswego, she found herself volunteering for organizations, including the Syracuse Peace Council, based in her hometown. That led to helping refugees from South America, particularly dedicated to human rights and liberation held at the John Brown those escaping violence and repression in Guatemala and El Farm State Historic Site in Lake Placid, N.Y. Salvador. Just as pivotal encounters have shaped her pursuits, so have “I was all of 20 years old,” she said. “I was so privileged to be her students and her love of language. this 20-year-old kid who knew so little, to translate for them, to “As a teacher I believe the study of language is just the vehicle tell their stories when they so desperately needed it.” for inquiry, discovery and engagement,” she said. Her current Later, Swan would live in Central America. Eventually, her Newcomb students have helped her to shape a new direction path took her to New York City and ultimately—the mountains of activism. Swan most recently joined the National Oceanic of her home state, where she became development director for an and Atmospheric Administration’s Planet Stewards Education Adirondack environmental organization. She continued teaching Project, which provides educators working with elementary and founded the John Brown Lives! organization after a visit to through college-aged students with the knowledge and resources Harper’s Ferry, W.V., where history captured her imagination. needed to respond to environmental challenges. “John Brown was committed to supporting those who are “We’re studying things like marine sanctuaries, in Spanish— enslaved, and ending slavery,” Swan said. “Why has he been and learning about what’s damaging our oceans,” Swan said. “It’s vilified by history? I was compelled to change this. This history something the students are interested in, and it’s meaningful to needs to be known.” me. And who knows? Maybe I’ll learn how to scuba dive. Slavery is an issue that remains relevant today, she said, “I tell my students: Learning Spanish—any language, and one that has influenced her commitment to others. Swan’s really—will enrich your life beyond any measure you can ever organization based on Brown’s namesake has offered educational imagine in terms of the friends you’ll make, the experiences events ranging from film screenings to community readings you’ll have and your understanding of the world,” Swan said. to concerts, in addition to the annual John Brown Day—a day “It did exactly that, for me.” l AUTUMNGOERNER PROVIDED

Swan (center) attending John Brown Day in 2016 in Lake Placid, Swan working with students in the Newcomb (N.Y.) Central N.Y. She is the founder of John Brown Lives!, an organization School District dedicated to social justice and education.

27 OSWEGO l Spring 2018 Black Student

Union 1971 Ontarian Enriches Oswego Campus for 50 Years —By Margaret Spillett Jim Gordon ’73 arrived at SUNY Oswego “Once they got adjusted, they were history,” Gordon said. “This was a tumul- in fall 1969, having graduated as the only very nice,” said Gordon, who had the same tuous time in the country—with the Kent black student among a class of 36 in his roommate for three years at Oswego. “They State shooting, Attica riots, Vietnam War rural Dutchess County (N.Y.) high school. would bring us clams from Long Island.” protests, the Chicago seven (or really eight) So when he discovered his roommate was Unlike most of the 100 black students and Black Power Movement. But amid this white, it didn’t come as a surprise to him. entering Oswego that fall, Gordon didn’t turmoil, from my perspective, Oswego was However, his roommates’ parents had a come through the then newly-established a safe haven, a place where it was safe to be slightly different reaction. Educational Opportunity Program, which black—whatever that meant to you.” provides additional support to make higher Gordon said he will never forget education possible for students meeting Mohammad Ali in the spring 1971, who have the potential to succeed, as part of the second annual Black History despite poor preparation and Week started by the Black Student Union. limited financial resources. Many The meeting occurred during a BSU recep- of the students in EOP came from tion immediately following Ali’s standing- mostly all-black communities in room only lecture in Hewitt Union. urban settings such as New York “He was charisma-plus!” Gordon City and Rochester, so the Oswego said. “He spoke about staying true to his community was a bit of a culture convictions, and you could really see the shock for them. strength of his character. It was so exciting But for Gordon and fellow to be able to interact with him on a personal Dutchess County native Roger level like that—and the reception was only Hancock ’74, their first immersion for BSU students. The college was great in in African-American culture came giving BSU the funding it needed to bring in from the Black Student Union at speakers who exposed Upstate New York to Oswego. a broader view of the world.” “It was through BSU that we That tradition of bringing in culturally learned about black culture and rich programs and speakers, sponsored by

(Photos on left) Mohammad Ali during his spring 1971 visit to campus; photos from the BSU Show in 1970 and of the Funnelle Hall “gang,” courtesy of Roger Hancock ’74. (Photo on right) Marquel Jeffries ’19 (Left) Justin Brantley ’15 M’16 and Keonna Wren ’19 were among the hundreds who celebrated the Black Student Union’s 50th Anniversary in the Hewitt Union Ballroom on Feb. 24.

1971 Ontarian

OSWEGO l Spring 2018 28 MATTCUMMINS MATTCUMMINS

(Left) BSU members from 1971 Ontarian; (center, right) Students celebrate during BSU’s 50th Anniversary Reunion on Feb. 24 in Hewitt Union Ballroom.

BSU, has continued throughout the past in the late 1800s and a philosophy that Student Union’s dance club), the Carib- 50 years. In recognition of this milestone Brantley has aspired to live by. bean Student Association’s dance group anniversary, hundreds gathered Feb. 23-24 “It takes a village to raise a child, but and others shared their talents and their for a weekend of events to celebrate BSU’s any one of us can be the light that directs culture through musical and dance perfor- contributions to the college and the thou- someone who may need it most,” Brantley mances, and current BSU student leaders sands of campus and community members said during his keynote address at the also addressed the several hundred people who have benefitted from the organiza- BSU 50th dinner celebration on Feb. 24 gathered for the 50th celebration. tion’s activities across five decades. in Hewitt Union Ballroom. “Mentorship, “Before I talk about today, I’d like to The weekend served as a grand finale I believe, is what has kept the fire shining talk about all the yesterdays I had leading to the college’s Black History Month bright for the union. It has long been a up to this moment,” said BSU Vice Presi- activities, which also included a concert glaring need in our community.” dent Marquel Jeffries ’19. “I was the first featuring the works of black composers, During his address, Brantley, who in my family to go to college. I didn’t know Maarifa educational presentations and now works as an auditor at EisnerAmper anyone on campus, and there weren’t Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration with LLP in Manhattan, shared some highlights many people who looked like me.” speaker Bakari Sellers, a CNN political from the union’s 50-year history, including He described how as a freshman, he analyst, lawyer and activist. bringing to campus Ali and several other met Brantley at the Involvement Fair and For Justin Brantley ’15 M’16, high-profile speakers such as the Rev. got involved in BSU. returning to campus for BSU’s 50th Jesse Jackson, Cornel West and Louis “Justin Brantley told me, ‘You’re the Anniversary Reunion was a way for him Farrakhan. future,’” Jeffries said. “I took what he said to continue the mission of “Lifting As We Before Brantley’s address, the Image and ran with it … Thanks for introducing Climb”—a motto adopted by the National Step dance club performed a piece that me to BSU and for changing my life.” Association of Colored Women’s Clubs drew from the celebration’s theme, Denee Scott ’94 M’98, director of “Remember the Time.” school counseling at Hammond Middle

MATTCUMMINS The performance included School in Alexandria, Va., shared a similar Michael Jackson’s song of sentiment about her experience with the the same name, percussive student organization. stepping and a spoken “BSU was awesome; it was my family word conversation that on campus,” said Scott, who held leader- wove together important ship roles with the union and was excited contributions by black men to be back on campus—the first time in 10 and women throughout years—for the celebration. “I made lasting American history that were friendships through BSU.” not shared in most history One of those friends was Oswego books. Alumni Association Board Member Their performance was La-Dana Renee Jenkins ’94, who drove one of several throughout from New Jersey early Saturday morning the night. Members of the to make it in time for the alumni panel, Gospel Choir, the African which was co-sponsored by the SUNY Student Organization dance Oswego chapter of the National Associa- team, Ritmo (the Latino tion of Black Accountants. continued on page 30

29 OSWEGO l Spring 2018 and looks forward to seeing what the next 50 years hold. “A lot of students coming in don’t think our voices are heard,” she said. “But when they get here, they get to talk about issues [of race, diversity and the black experience]. That’s how I think we’ve lasted so long, MATTCUMMINS because we do have a voice and we do talk about issues and students do feel heard. The Black Student Union will be around for another 50 years because of the importance Khalil McIver ’19 (left), director of archives for BSU, moderated an alumni panel during BSU’s 50th Anniversary celebration, which included (from left): Elaine Flowers ’16, Justin Brantley it holds on this campus.” ’15 M’16, Tiphanie Gonzalez ’05 M’07 and Howard Gordon ’74 M’78. While BSU’s future has yet to be written, the first 50 years of its existence has made The panel featured Brantley; Tiphanie The panelists also shared tips with a difference in many lives. The anniversary Gonzalez ’05 M’07, assistant professor in panel attendees on how to handle systemic prompted Jim Gordon and Hancock to the counseling and psychological services and implicit bias such as off-handed reflect on their time at Oswego. department at SUNY Oswego; Howard remarks about “filling a quota.” “Our incredible experiences of being Gordon ’74 M’78, executive assistant to “When I hear something like that on the Oswego campus from 1969 to 1973 the president and special assistant for social about Affirmative Action, I will often say, created a lifelong toolkit that we each could equity; and Elaine Flowers ’16, graduate ‘Well, thank you. Now, let me show you draw upon to navigate the challenges in student in higher education administration what I can do,’” said Gonzalez, Ph.D., who both our professional and personal relation- at SUNY College at Buffalo. is president of the American Counseling ships,” Hancock said. “We are amazed on The panelists shared experiences from Association of New York State and special- how often we reached back to the memories their personal and professional life and izes in multicultural counseling. of our Oswego-era experiences and the answered questions ranging from their Gordon advised students not to accept brotherhood that was forged that we enjoy favorite courses and mentors to landing being seen as a deficit. even more in retrospect. their first job to overcoming obstacles, “Challenge that in a polite and diplo- “We marvel at the evolution of the including micro-aggressions and outright matic way,” he said. “Ask the question. campus over the years and are exceptionally racism. Why do you see me that way? As filling a proud of how Howard Gordon has played Gordon described the early days deficit?” a key role in nurturing BSU while in its of BSU and the frequency with which Keonna I. Wren ’19, current BSU infancy, which now has resulted in a strong “emergency meetings” were called to president, said she was pleased with how diverse student body and is part of the DNA discuss conflicts or acts of aggression the 50th Anniversary Reunion turned out of the Oswego campus.” l against members of the black community. He talked about the turbulent times that paved the way for future generations, and “We marvel at the evolution of how he strived to be a role model for his the campus over the years and family and for other members of the black community. are exceptionally proud of how He counts among his proudest Howard Gordon has played a moments meeting his future wife and fellow Laker, Eva Evans, and the day key role in nurturing BSU while he walked across the stage at his college in its infancy, which now has commencement. “I’ll never forget that,” Gordon said. “I resulted in a strong diverse could hear my mother shout, ‘Thank you, student body and is part of the Jesus!’ real loud in Romney, and my little

sister’s voice saying, ‘That’s Howard!’ I MATTCUMMINS DNA of the Oswego campus.” knew it wasn’t just for me. It was for other —Roger Hancock ’74 people.”

Howard Gordon ’74 M’78

OSWEGO l Spring 2018 30 CLASS NOTES

Call us at: 315-312-2258 Email us at: [email protected] Fax us at: 315-312-4004 Visit our website at: Class Notes alumni.oswego.edu Please Note: Class notes included in the magazine come from a Lifelong Educator Keeps variety of sources, such as alumni submissions, news releases, social Close Ties to Campus MATTCUMMINS media posts and news media reports. For Bill Lavin ’67, SUNY Oswego has been Submissions received between and will always be a big part of his life. Jan. 1 - April 30 generally run in “I don’t think there’s been many years our summer issue, which mails where I haven’t been on campus,” Lavin said. in August; between May 1-Aug. Currently, Lavin is an adjunct professor for 31 in our fall issue, which mails the Technology Education Department, superin December; and between Sept. vising student teachers. Oswego was one of 1-Dec. 31 in our spring issue, the first places that taught the industrial arts, which mails in April. Lavin said. To submit your class note, email “Oswego is known all over for its [technol- [email protected], call 315- ogy] programs,” Lavin said. 312-2258 or complete the class Lavin enjoyed working at an automobile note form online at alumni. garage part time when he attended high oswego.edu. You can also mail school. When looking through a SUNY Oswego submissions to the OSWEGO catalog, he thought industrial arts would be a Alumni Magazine, King Alumni rewarding career. Hall, Oswego NY 13126. He said he loved the industrial arts program and sports programs. Bill Lavin ’67 When Lavin started college, the liberal West Genesee Middle School in Camillus, N.Y. 1950s arts program was brand new. SUNY Oswego “I taught in the same district, the same had just broadened its academic perspective Ruth Jacoby Emers ’51 school, even the same room for 38 years,” to become an arts and sciences institution in is an award-winning sculptor, Lavin said. painter and printmaker who lives 1962. When Lavin began teaching, he also in Pawtucket, R.I. She earned a “At that time, you went to Oswego for became a baseball umpire, often traveling to master of arts in teaching from teaching,” Lavin said. “I was one of 120 SUNY Oswego to officiate college games. Brown University in 1972. Her industrial arts student teachers. They needed As an adjunct professor for the last 12 work has been featured in more teachers then.” years, Lavin has had the opportunity to recon- than 25 group and individual art Lavin graduated from SUNY Oswego nect with department faculty, as well as con- shows throughout the northeast with a bachelor’s degree in industrial arts and nect with student teachers. United States. immediately started working full time. He “It gives me the opportunity to provide earned a master’s degree while working full 1953: 65th Reunion input for what’s happening up there,” Lavin time. At that time, students could be certified – June 7-10, 2018 said. “I share my experiences from almost 40 for principalship and supervisor instruction, years of teaching in public schools with the 1958: 60th Reunion which Lavin did concurrently with his master’s student teachers, too.” – June 7-10, 2018 work. Within his first three years of finishing Lavin married Cheryl Luke Lavin ’87, and his undergraduate studies, Lavin had a mas- lives in Syracuse. He often returns to campus ter’s degree in teaching, and was certified to for the annual Technology Education confer- 1960s be a principal. ence, sponsored every fall by the School of Bob LaBounty ’60 of Keese- “I certainly got a good education at Education. ville, N.Y., retired in 2017 from Oswego,” Lavin said. “I’ve said many times, there’s nothing a 45-year run as a square dance Lavin spent 38 years teaching indus- nicer than a nice day in Oswego,” Lavin said. caller in Northern New York. trial arts and technology education at West —Maria Pericozzi ’19 He and his wife, Helena, started Genesee Junior High, which later became square dancing in the 1970s, and

31 OSWEGO l Spring 2018 CLASS NOTES

Bob became a caller and taught an audio/visual specialist. They 1963: 55th Reunion of environmental science and square dancing from beginner have four grandchildren and two – June 7-10, 2018 geology at Oregon Coast Commu- to advanced levels. For 30 years, great-grandchildren. nity College. Steven Selden ’63 of Bethesda, he also taught woodworking, Tom Fender ’61 of Tumwater, Md., retired as a professor from leatherworking and ceramics to Wash., travels in his all-original the University of Maryland and 1970s grades 7 through 12 at Peru (N.Y.) 1975 GMC recreational vehicle now serves as a school docent Central School. Prior to his time known as the Scooby Mobile, Donna Haskell Lannon ’71 for the National Gallery of Art in at Oswego, from 1952 to 1956, including a camping stay at Cape of Shortsville, N.Y., retired in 2007 Washington, D.C. LaBounty was a radar operator on Disappointment State Park in after a 35-year career teaching naval destroyer USS McCaffery. Washington in 2017. 1968: 50th Reunion mathematics at Palmyra-Macedon Bernard Farrow ’61 Ph.D., Susan Morgan Katz ’62 of – June 7-10, 2018 (N.Y.) High School. She enjoys has retired as a substance abuse Pearl River, N.Y., and Suzanne golfing and volunteering. She and Neil Freson M’68 is retired counselor from Craggy Correc- Fortin Sand ’62 of Gansevoort, her husband, Floyd, are enjoying from the automotive field and tional Center in Woodfin, N.C. N.Y., traveled to visit Bonnie their first grandchild, Ryleigh. lives in Henrietta, N.Y., with his His wife, Arlene Mendelson Super George ’62 at her Martha’s Joel Levine ’71 of Orlando, wife, Kathie. Farrow ’61, is a homemaker and Vineyard, Mass., home in 2017 Fla., is a retired entertainment William Lilley ’69 of gardener. They are the parents to reminisce about their Oswego manager for Walt Disney World, Newport, Ore., is a professor of Scott, an attorney; and Randy, days. dinner shows, Cirque du Soleil

Outdoor Enthusiast Dedicates Career MATTCUMMINS to Environmental Protection Amy Hueber ’77 remembers waiting for the school bus on the we applied all the eco- west side of Syracuse—not far from Tipperary Hill—and being logical and environmental able to smell a polluted Onondaga Lake, more than five miles concepts we had been away. taught over the years Her feelings about that lake were in stark contrast to those to identify and present she held for Lake Ontario—the summer vacation spot for her remedial actions for an family—including brother Jim ’79 and her four other siblings— area of your choice, such and the site of so many happy memories swimming and exploring as brownfields, altered the wetlands. shorelines, water quality “Lake Ontario equaled perch fish fries,” she said. “Onondaga degradation due to runoff, Lake—don’t even touch the water. Thankfully, that is improving etc. It was a very real- through the dedicated work of many factions.” world experience with a These early and vastly different experiences with water intro- lot of lively discussion/ duced her to the role pollution can play in environmental quality. point-counterpoint, stopping just short of a famous SNL skit.” “I wanted to understand better and get involved with solu- At Oswego, she also nurtured her love for music and culture tions to remedy ecosystem imbalances and in turn educate myself through coursework and a summer semester in Austria—“home and others on ways to be environmental stewards to maintain the of the Vienna waltzes, the music of Mozart, fine chocolate, and balance,” said Hueber, who has spent the past 36 years working where the beer is perfect,” she said. The experience also inspired in SRC Inc.’s Environmental Hazard Assessment Division. her to pick up courses in the German language. In this role, she has completed work for the National Library Today, Hueber continues to balance science and the arts; she of Medicine on the Hazardous Substances Databank, which gives is learning the harp and enjoys quilting. She fuels her passion the public a better understanding of the effects and fate of poten- for the outdoors through kayaking, cycling, snowshoeing, and, of tially hazardous chemicals on air, water, soil environments, plants, course, enjoying and preserving the natural resources of Central animals and people. New York. She credits a Biology 101 research project with Dr. A.J. Nappi “I get out on the water with the Oswego County Soil and for laying the foundation for a master’s degree in library science Water Conservation District, pulling invasive water chestnut at Syracuse University and, more importantly, for her life’s work plants, doing garbage cleanup, bird watching and just being in as a research scientist. nature,” she said. “I think that wonder of the outdoors needs to But she adds, “Field classes at Rice Creek were far and away be re-instilled in children especially … It’s how they can develop my favorites, and studying with true experts in their fields really a sense of this is our home,” she said. “Take care of the earth and kept the sense of curiosity and problem-solving at a feverish pitch. the earth will take care of you.” A favorite was Dr. Don Cox’s project presentation class, where —Margaret Spillett

OSWEGO l Spring 2018 32 CLASS NOTES

Las Vegas, and Ringling Bros. and 1978: 40th Reunion the American Council of Trustees Charlie Giardino ’84 of Barnum & Bailey Circus. – June 7-10, 2018 and Alumni. He enjoys golf and Williston Park, N.Y., is a senior watching the Chicago Cubs. manager at Ernst & Young LLP 1973: 45th Reunion Richard J. Adago ’78 is a JP Sciortino ’80 of Jeffer- in New York City. He and wife, – June 7-10, 2018 partner at Phillips Nizer LLP in sonville, Vt., is an executive Christine, have been married for New York City. He previously Denise Hart ’74 of Barrington, neuroscience specialist at Acadia 28 years and have two sons and a worked as an associate at Phillips N.H., is a writer and producer. Pharm who says hello to fellow daughter, all three of whom are Nizer, as well as an attorney for Eric Oberg ’74 is a classical DKK brothers and soccer players. SUNY alumni. Giardino remem- Hartmann Doherty Rosa Berman granite sculptor in Calais, Vt. He and wife, Vanessa, have a bers good times in Oswego with & Bulbulia LLC, and partner at Arthur Salisch ’74 of East daughter, Kendra, who just got Marc Saban ’86, Rick Drake ’86 Blank Rome LLP. In addition Windsor, N.J., is multi-market married; a son, John, who is a and Pete Wasserman ’87. to his career in private practice, research director for Hearst student in Michigan; and two Jayne Van Bramer M’85 was he served as an assistant district Television in New York City. golden retrievers. selected to serve as chief execu- attorney with the Manhattan Frank Fish ’75, Ph.D., of Rita Harrington ’81 of tive officer for the Lancaster (Pa.) District Attorney’s office. Downington, Pa., is a professor of Big Canoe, Ga., is an executive Behavioral Health Hospital, which Christopher Born ’78 was biology at West Chester University consultant for Catalyst for is set to open in summer 2018. She named president of Dell Children’s of Pennsylvania. He has two Advisors in Atlanta. has served as vice president of Medical Center of Central Texas grants from the Office of Naval Steven Hastings ’81 of behavioral health for Brandywine in Austin. Previously, he was Research for biomimetic studies Orlando, Fla., is senior vice Hospital in Coatesville, Pa., as well president of Texas Children’s of the propulsion of dolphins and president for Sedgwick. as senior associate commissioner Health Plan, which has more analysis of the locomotion of sea Michael McCauley ’81 of for child and adult state operations than 430,000 children enrolled. lions. He also has a grant from the Orlando, Fla., is a volunteer for the New York State Office of He also founded Texas Children’s National Science Foundation to at the Lake Nona Veterans Mental Health in Albany. Pediatric Associates, a pediatric study the maneuvering capabilities Administration Hospital. Jamie Battles ’86 M’86 M’90 primary care group with more of whales. Robert A. Royce ’81 has of Oswego is a high school math than 250 physicians. Joseph Kissick ’75 of been practicing law in Alaska teacher in the Mexico (N.Y.) Patty Reiche Heidelmark Winston-Salem, N.C., is owner of for over 30 years. He is a former Central School District, and has ’78 and husband, Francis, live Twin Dome LLC, which operates administrative law judge and a been teaching for 32 years. in Malta, N.Y., where she enjoys 12 hair salons. former senior assistant attorney Robert Ernst ’86, Ph.D., of gardening, bicycling and volun- John Piper ’75 of Rochester, general for the State of Alaska, Silver Spring, Md., is professor teering, particularly for the N.Y., is president and managing where he represented the Regula- and vice chair of the Department Democratic Party and the League partner for Mutual Choices of tory Commission of Alaska, the of Microbial Pathogens at the of Women Voters. Rochester. Alaska Department of Labor and University of Maryland-Baltimore. Linda Mahran ’78 of Palm Steve Kodak ’77 of Pace, Fla., the Alaska State Commission for Robert Weller ’86 of Lido Coast, Fla., retired as director of is a retired United States Marine Human Rights. Royce earned a law Beach, N.Y., is president and global strategic sourcing for ITT Corps officer, having served 13 degree from California Western chief executive officer for Health- Inc. years active duty and 12 years in School of Law in San Diego. He Care Renovations LLC in Point David Peck ’78 of Brick, N.J., the reserves. He is also a retired clerked for Chief Judge James M. Lookout, N.Y. is an educational paraprofessional Federal Bureau of Investigation Fitzgerald, U.S. District Court for Cindy Schilling Driscoll ’87 at the elementary school level. supervisory special agent with 22 the District of Alaska, after gradu- is vice president of finance for Previously, he taught middle years, both in the field and based ating from law school. Magenta Therapeutics. Previously, school science; he was a database, at FBI headquarters. Paul Kosiba ’82 of West- she served as the vice president of local area network and email Colleen Murphy ’77 of bury, N.Y., retired in June 2016 finance for Tokai Pharmaceu- administrator for 10 years before Naples, Fla., was named among following 33 years of teaching ticals, as well as controller for teaching. the 2017 honorees of the annual at the Port Washington Public Gloucester Pharmaceuticals and Russell Rossi ’78 of Raleigh, Naples News 25 over 50 Awards Schools; he also retired following Transmolecular. N.C., is a technical support in Collier and Lee counties (Fla.). 29 years of service to the U.S. Marcy Marino ’87 is chemical specialist for the North Carolina The award honors those who Coast Guard Reserve. hygiene officer for the University State Board of Elections. contribute to the communities David Krapf ’82 of New of Alaska at Anchorage. Marco Ellman ’79 o f through leadership, philanthropic Orleans is editor-in-chief of Work- Barbara Adams ’88 of Sodus Larchmont, N.Y., is owner missions and achievements. Boat Magazine. Point, N.Y., is training and and president of Ellman Realty William Smith ’77 of Port William Schmidt ’83 of development manager at Reliant Advisors Inc. Matilda, Pa., is retired and enjoys Maple Glen, Pa., is senior vice Community Credit Union. She has traveling, including a trip to president of Hudson Insurance worked at Reliant for more than Nebraska to see the solar eclipse in 1980s Group in Fort Washington, Pa. eight years, most recently serving August 2017. Michael Deshaies ’80 of Bear, Daniel Watson ’83 is the as manager of the credit union’s Del., is vice president of develop- Greenwich (Conn.) School Dis- Member Service Call Center. ment and strategic partnerships for trict’s director of school facilities.

33 OSWEGO l Spring 2018 CLASS NOTES

Nancy Puskuldjian ’88 of president and women’s league administration in the School of Glen Head, N.Y., is manufacturing 1990s commissioner for the Western Health Professions and Education director for Topix Media Lab in Derrick Corrado ’90 of Hicks- Collegiate Hockey Association. at Utica (N.Y.) College. New York City. ville, N.Y., is an inspector for the Previously, she was the events David Jones ’92 is vice Jim Triandiflou ’88, chief New York City Police Department. director for the Olympic Regional president of the Minnesota State executive officer for Relias Marc Heller ’90 is a reporter Development Authority in Lake University Office of Student Learning, is Triangle Business covering agriculture policy for Placid, N.Y. Affairs in Mankato, Minn. Journal’s Businessperson of the E&E News in Washington, D.C., Andrea DeSain Petrus ’91 of Stephen Reider ’92 is chief Year. He lives in Cary, N.C. predominantly for Greenwire Lyons, N.Y., is director of IT for executive officer for Poplar Tina Murray ’89 of Catskill, publications. Wayne County, N.Y. Springs Hospital in Petersburg, N.Y., is the executive director of Sean Koppelman ’90 of Aaron Birnbaum ’92 of Bow, Va. He earned a master’s degree the Ulster County (N.Y.) Society Guttenberg, N.J., is president and N.H., is founder and partner of in business administration from for the Prevention of Cruelty to chief executive officer for The CITM in Orange Park, Fla. Rivier University (N.H.) and a Animals. Talent Magnet. Jamie Vitale Cuda M’92 of master’s in nursing administration Kathleen Kranze Million Frankfort, N.Y., is director and and leadership from Saint Joseph’s ’91 of Minneapolis, Minn., is vice assistant professor of health care College of Maine. PROVIDED Alumna Flourishes as Forensics Supplier Need some impression wax to capture footprints in the snow? developed through Or perhaps some fingerprint lifting tape or protective gear? Or her communications maybe a blood splatter documentation kit or a gunshot residue coursework at SUNY collection kit? Oswego and her work Roberta Grode Berkowitz ’84 has got you covered. in the admissions and As president of Prendo Forensics, Berkowitz provides a one- alumni offices. stop shop to meet the forensics and digital-related supply and Berkowitz is a equipment needs of law enforcement agencies across the country, 2018 Enterprising interfacing with everyone from purchasing clerks to homicide Women of the investigators and police chiefs to academic professors. She also Year Champions supplies customized kits and life-size training mannequins, and Honoree, 2009 sets up interactive mock crime scenes for forensics and criminal Albany-Colonie (N.Y.) justice programs at colleges, secondary schools and specialty Regional Chamber of institutes. Commerce Women “Unfortunately, crime will always exist, so the need for these of Excellence award products isn’t going away,” said Berkowitz, a member of many recipient, 2001 Roberta Grode Berkowitz ’84 law enforcement associations and the College Criminal Justice Business Review’s 40 Advisory Board. “I am constantly researching the emerging prod- Under Forty Business ucts to share with law enforcement to keep them safe and assist Achievement Recipient and a certifying partner of the Women’s them in solving crimes.” Business Enterprise National Council. For example, Berkowitz said the recent opioid and fentanyl “My livelihood depends on my communications and my ability epidemics have created an immediate need for more and better to read my customers,” she said. “You have to be a certain kind of filtration products and protective gear for law enforcement, who person to do cold calls, and I make 20 to 30 cold calls a day. Then risk overdose by inadvertently touching or breathing in the drugs once you have a customer, you need to build a strong relationship when responding to calls. with them.” Through her research on products and attendance at numer- And she knows a little something about maintaining relation- ous trade shows, she connects law enforcement departments to ships. She initially set her sights on the “cute guy in the red hat new tools—such as DNA-free crime scene supplies and personal from chemistry class” who she saw again on the Hart Hall eleva- hazmat kits with gloves, masks, overalls and a portable glove box tor and discovered he lived directly above her room on the ninth to test substances so law enforcement won’t be exposed to the floor. fumes or powders. She and the red-hatted man, Ned Berkowitz ’85, have two Her work draws heavily on strong interpersonal communi- children and are celebrating their 30th anniversary this year. cation, research and relationship-building—skills she said she —Margaret Spillett

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1993: 25th Reunion – June 7-10, 2018 From Both Sides of the Lens: Lisa Harmer VanDeWeert Alumna Forges Career in News, Politics ’93 of Clarksville, Mich., is chief financial officer and executive Not long after graduating from SUNY Oswego, PROVIDED vice president for Aquinas College Trudy Perkins ’93 was at home in Albany, N.Y., in Grand Rapids, Mich. Previ- watching the Oprah Winfrey Show on TV when ously, VanDeWeert spent 15 Oprah asked her producer to join her onstage. years providing audit services for “I said to myself: ‘That’s what I want to PricewaterhouseCoopers in Grand do,’” Perkins said of the clipboard-wielding staff Rapids. member who oversaw the success of the TV Bob Ike ’94 M’99, Palmyra- show’s episodes. Macedon (N.Y.) Central School It was just the starting point for the busi- District superintendent, was ness administration major, who went on to named the 2018 New York State produce news for stations in Albany, then in School Superintendent of the Year Baltimore, Md., for WBAL-TV—managing and by the New York State Council of supervising news crews, including anchors, School Superintendents. Ike has reporters, photographers and production staff. led the district since 2007. He is an “To be a news producer you have to know adjunct professor and leadership a little bit about a lot of things,” Perkins shared coach at the University of Roches- ter’s Warner School of Education. with students in her first return to the SUNY He also works with the Superin- Oswego campus since 1996, when she was tendent Development Program at a featured panelist for the 2017 Dr. Lewis B. SUNY Oswego. O’Donnell Media Summit in October. Trudy Perkins ’93 Meredith DiPrisco Walters Today, Perkins has leveraged an extensive communications background into a role as the ’95 of Wellington, Fla., is vice pres- similar significance as a woman and a person of deputy chief of staff/communications director ident of marketing and commu- color, she said. for the office of Congressman Elijah Cummings, nications for Houghton Mifflin “I have been able to bring that perspective who is the ranking member of the U.S. House Company/Channel One News. to the table,” said Perkins, who lives in Laurel, Jennifer Aglialoro ’96 of Oversight and Government Reform Committee. Md. Taylor, Pa., is associate director, Perkins has been named among the Top Capitol Hill is a competitive environment, forensic interviewer and trauma 100 Women of Maryland by The Daily Record but developing positive working relationships is therapist at Children’s Advo- newspaper. And, since making the switch to the key to success there, she said. cacy Center of Northeastern other side of the news camera, she has served “People want to help others, especially if Pennsylvania. as liaison to elected officials and senior-level they have had a difficult road to travel,” she Nicole Lawler Meisenburg civic, community and corporate leaders, develop- said. “Being able to share my experiences as a ’96 of Williamsville, N.Y., is an ing and executing national and local communica- person of color and a woman, you never know account manager for Manzella tions strategies. how much that can impact others.” Marketing in Bowmansville, N.Y. While she didn’t take public relations or Michelle Boldt Walsh ’96 is Perkins serves on a number of boards for communications classes during her time at director of intervention services non-profit organizations, including Women Oswego, the skills Perkins learned as a member for the West Islip (N.Y.) School in Film and Television, Art with a Heart, the of the International Student Association (she District. She is also a doctoral Baltimore School for the Arts and the SEED was not an international student, but studied student at Hofstra University’s School of Maryland, which is a college-prepara- abroad in France), as the director of finance for learning and teaching program. tory, public boarding school in Baltimore. She is the Student Association and as a member of also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority 1997: 20th Reunion the Program Policy Board—a role that saw her Inc., which she joined while at SUNY Oswego. with 1998 and 1999 bringing musical acts to campus—prepared her “There is no question that my time at – June 7-10, 2018 for the future. Oswego prepared me for my career trajectory,” “It was all real-world negotiating that I Joseph Freyn ’97, a veteran Perkins said. “Having the opportunity to take learned right here in Oswego,” she said. of wars in both Iraq and Afghani- on leadership roles as a student and engage The skills have translated to “firsts” that stan, has been named Command in so many diverse experiences gave me the Sergeant Major of the Buffalo- have shaped her career. Perkins was the first confidence to take risks and seek positions that based 153rd Troop Command black woman in the role of producer at WTEN- would be most fulfilling to me.” of the New York Army National 10 in Albany, and her subsequent roles have had —Eileen Moran Crandall Guard. As the Command Sgt. Major, Freyn is the highest ranking

35 OSWEGO l Spring 2018 CLASS NOTES enlisted soldier in the unit. Freyn Terry Ward CAS’03 is the from the National Institute on Zachary Woodard ’09, CPA, holds a master’s degree from Cato-Meridian (N.Y.) Central Drug Abuse to perform research of Taberg, N.Y., was promoted to American Public University. School District superintendent. on the neuroplasticity of dopa- manager at D’Arcangelo & Co. He Tammy Moffitt Garza ’97 of He has a doctorate in executive mine neurons following repeated has been with the firm since 2013. Houston, Texas, is controller for leadership from St. John Fisher cocaine abuse. She is based at the Avalanche Food Group in Sugar College, a master of science in University of Texas Health Science 2010s Land, Texas. special education from Syracuse Center at San Antonio. Melissa Napierkowski ’97 of University, a bachelor’s in history Jennifer Hawley ’06 of Austin Byrd ’10 of Fort East Syracuse, N.Y., is a program from SUNY Cortland and an Belleville, Ill., is a construction site Myers, Fla., earned a master’s coordinator for the Research associate of applied science degree assistant for Habitat for Humanity degree in education in 2017 at the Foundation of SUNY in Syracuse. from SUNY Canton. of Saint Louis. University at Buffalo, and he is Matt Donnelly ’04 of Brittany Sepp Schueckler now assistant director of alumni 1998: 20th Reunion Linthicum Heights, Md., was ’06 of Pennington, N.J., is a senior relations at Florida Gulf Coast with 1997 and 1999 University in Fort Myers. – June 7-10, 2018 named to Mass Transit publica- contract negotiator for Lockheed tion’s 2017 Top 40 Under 40. He Martin Corporation Foundation. Mark Gruber ’10 married Michael Lyons ’98 of Ridge- is the lead brand communications Kimberly Lasher Sparkman Elizabeth Silverman on June 17, field, Conn., is marketing director specialist for Amtrak. ’06 of Baldwinsville, N.Y., is the 2017. He is an analytics strategist for Henkel in Stamford, Conn. Jamie Stack Leszczynski ’04 dean of students for career and at Resolute Digital. The couple lives in Orchard Park, N.Y. 1999: 20th Reunion is senior vice president of client technical education at Oswego relations at ABC Creative Group in County’s Center for Instruc- Jonathan Lombardo ’10 and with 1997 and 1998 Jill Carr ’11 were married on – June 7-10, 2018 Syracuse, N.Y. Jamie is a past pres- tion, Technology and Innovation ident of CNY Sales & Marketing (CITI). Aug. 19, 2017. Both are employed Keith Wing ’99 of Conesus, Executives and a charter member Brenda Grossi Tabolt ’06 of by Auburn (N.Y.) Community N.Y., is the principal at Forest of Suicide Awareness Voices of Raleigh, N.C., is an executive assis- Hospital. Elementary School in the Education. tant in the Department of Student Jacquelyn Costello Collins Williamsville Central School Victor Parker ’04 M’13 Affairs at the University of North ’11 of Rochester, N.Y., is a project District. of Cincinnati is regional sales Carolina. manager for First American director for HM Insurance Group. Anthony Armelino ’07 is a Equipment Finance. She married 2000s He is active with Big Brothers Big project manager for the inside Chase Collins ’11 in May 2014; Sisters, Junior Achievement and sales and project management the couple’s daughter, Delaney Dianna Waterman Cichocki the CARE Humane Society. team at G.A. Braun Inc. He earned Mae, was born on June 4, 2017. M’00 of East Aurora, N.Y., is Amy Favata ’05 of Oswego a master of science degree in engi- Jeanne Yacono Harmor clinical assistant professor in is assistant vice president and neering from Missouri University ’11 of Raleigh, N.C., is a brand management science and systems controller for Generations Bank in of Science & Technology and manager for Baering. at the University at Buffalo School Seneca Falls, N.Y. served for 14 years with the U.S. Rob Lippolis ’11 of Windsor, of Management. Ashlie Menard ’05 of Cato, Army as an officer in the Corps of N.Y., is the Binghamton (N.Y.) Meir Perry ’01 of Manchester, N.Y., is a foreign service officer for Engineers in a variety of leadership Devils professional ice hockey N.H., is a prior learning assess- the United States Department of and staff positions. Most recently, team play-by-play broadcaster. ment coordinator for Bunker Hill State. he was a program manager for Previously, he was the Bing- Community College in Boston. Eric Smith ’05 of Brewerton, Syracuse University. hamton Senators director of media Rosemarie Morello Ampha N.Y., is a training and client Ahmad Mims ’08 of North and community relations. ’02 is the director of secondary support specialist for Controltec Syracuse, N.Y., is a Syracuse police Katie Loperfido ’11 and special education for White Plains LLC. Previously, he was a officer and member of the force’s Zachary Addison Blackwell of Public Schools in White Plains, computer operator for the Central Crime Reduction Team, which Tampa, Fla., were married on Aug. N.Y. Previously, she was a program New York Regional Information target areas with high crime rates 4, 2017, in Auburn, N.Y. The bride administrator for Greenwich High Center of the Onondaga-Cort- and a heavy gang presence. is a 2015 graduate of Gonzaga School. land-Madison Board of Coopera- Nicholas Defeo ’09 of Astoria, University, where she earned a Stephen Haryan ’02 of Syra- tive Educational Services. N.Y., is strategic account director master’s degree. She is a senior cuse, N.Y., is territory representa- Rachel Stein ’05 of Nashville, for Movable Ink in New York City. account manager for IMGE digital tive for Thousand Islands Winery. Tenn., is the director of marketing Josh Gagnon ’09 is the Utica advertising agency in Alexandria, Heather Stoffel Gillenkirk for NXG Strategies. (N.Y.) Comets video coach. Va. ’03 M’05 and her husband, Todd, Nora Gannon-Slater ’06 of Gagnon has served as the profes- Scott Reynolds ’11 of welcomed their second child, Ryan Cleveland, Ohio, is director of sional ice hockey team’s video Kissimmee, Fla., is a teacher and Merritt, on June 28, 2017. He joins performance and data analytics for coordinator since the 2013-14 math department chair at the older brother, Ethan Bennett. The Breakthrough Schools. season. Osceola County School for the family lives in Victor, N.Y. Audrey Hager ’06 of San Erin Kline Simmons M’09 Arts. He is also president of the Tracy Underwood-Caryl ’03 Antonio, Texas, was awarded CAS’11 CAS’14 is principal of Osceola Science and Math Orga- of Marcellus, N.Y., is an office a National Institutes of Health Fourth Street School in Fulton, nization to Support and Inspire services coordinator for Le Moyne National Research Service Award N.Y. Students (OSMOSIS). College in Syracuse, N.Y.

OSWEGO l Spring 2018 36 CLASS NOTES PROVIDED

Calculated Decisions and Dedication to Country

Jing Li-Kole ’11 is an operations research analyst for the United States Department of Navy’s Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) based in Port Hueneme Division (PHD), Calif. In fall 2017, she received the Navy’s Art Diaz Award, honoring staff members who personify teamwork. Li-Kole holds a bachelor’s degree in finance with a minor in applied statistics from SUNY Oswego, and a master’s in accountancy from Simon School of Business at the University of Rochester. Jing Li-Kole ’11 Please share your journey to becoming an award-winning staff “When people ask me where I come from I say, member for the U.S. Department of Navy. ‘I was born in China, but Oswego is my hometown.’” As a young girl growing up in rural China, I dreamed of the oppor- — Jing Li-Kole ’11 tunity to attain higher education in the United States. I was able to achieve my dream because grants, scholarships and campus When you reflect on your time at SUNY Oswego, what comes employment covered much of my educational expenses. I felt it was to mind for you? my duty to give back to the country that had given me so much by When I think of Oswego, I think of the people. The people at the becoming a civil servant. college and in the community are friendly, caring and open-minded. While at the University of Rochester I was selected to join I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all the people who have the FBI’s honor intern program. Working closely with the dedi- impacted my life. They have taught me about love and compassion, cated men and women of the bureau reinforced my commitment and continue to inspire me to be a better person. to work in the public sector. Upon graduation, I was hired by the Department of Navy at NSWC PHD. Without hesitation, my husband Your husband is also an Oswego alum! How did you meet? and I packed our car and drove across the country to start our new My husband and I met while working on a cruise ship. The immigra- life in California. tion process and ship contracts kept us apart for nearly two years. Eventually, we married in New York City then relocated to Oswego How did Oswego help prepare you for your job? to pursue our bachelor degrees. My husband (Matthew Kole ’12, I design and perform analytical studies using data mining, optimi- B.A. Information Science) also works for the Navy, as a database zation, statistics and mathematical modeling to develop solutions administrator and software developer. that help the Navy operate more efficiently and cost-effectively. My applied statistics minor provided me with necessary statistical theo- I understand that you enjoy cooking. What do you like to cook? ries and methodologies to analyze complex information, simplify My husband is a former chef and food is an important part of it then succinctly communicate results to executive management. Chinese culture. We love to cook together with the fresh ingre- My B.S. in finance gave me a solid foundation for understanding dients found at our local farmer’s markets and our home garden. life-cycle cost estimate practices. These practices are the key to Nowadays, our favorite thing to prepare is baby food for our infant acquiring products and services at the most reasonable cost to the son, Jackson. taxpayer. What does the future hold for you? What are the most rewarding parts of your position? One of my favorite quotes from Confucius is, “Choose a job you The challenge. My projects can vary from continuous efforts to love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” I intend on improve planned maintenance onboard our vessels, annual program remaining with NSWC PHD until retirement. My job with the Navy budgeting and department staffing optimization. Every day is a new is challenging, rewarding and gives me the opportunity to serve my challenge; in fact, every day is day one! country. —Eileen Moran Crandall

37 OSWEGO l Spring 2018 CLASS NOTES

Daniel Ritch ’11 M’12 is a opment supervisor from 2013 to that includes Monday Night Raw Angelmarie Bambino- senior accountant for Chiampou 2016. (USA Network). Thomas ’17 of Mount Marion, Travis Besaw & Kershner LLP in Elissa Leathers Gibbs ’13 of Elena Oldenburg ’14 of N.Y., is an employer installa- Amherst, N.Y. West Monroe, N.Y., is program Oswego is employed by the tion specialist for United Health Max Spitalnick ’11 of New coordinator for the Institute for Oswego County Office for the Group in Kingston, N.Y. York City is director of customer Veterans and Military Families at Aging. Tim Burns ’17 of Merri- success for software platform Syracuse University. Olga S. Reyes ’14 is the mack, N.H., is vice president Intelligo Group of Israel/New Chris Horvatits ’13 is a editor of the East Meadow Herald of Sales Americas for Fusion York. Following graduation, he reporter for Buffalo, N.Y., station (N.Y.) and was a reporter for the Worldwide, an electronic moved to Israel and volunteered WIVB-TV. Previously, he was Merrick Herald Life (N.Y.). She component distributor. He is with Ethiopian immigrants and a morning reporter and noon is the recipient of the New York pursuing a master’s degree in for a youth movement mentoring anchor for WHEC-TV in Roch- Press Association’s 2016 Rookie business from the University of students in the Negev desert, ester, N.Y., for three years; he Reporter of the Year Honorable New Hampshire’s Paul School of for two years. While there, he was a reporter at WWNY-TV in Mention Award and earned First Business and Economics. helped start a national lacrosse Watertown, N.Y., prior to his time Place In-Depth Reporting and Emily Cole ’17 is a public program and traveled with a team Rochester. News Series Award for the Herald affairs specialist at Gramercy for Federation of International Stephanie Andre Kitt ’13 Community Newspapers’ “The Communications for the New Lacrosse-sanctioned play. Prior M’14, U.S. Air Force National Changing Face of Long Island” York Capital Region. to his current role and following Guard Airwoman 1st Class, gradu- diversity series, and Second Place Karl Dubash CAS’17 of his time in Israel, he lived in San ated from basic military training at in Coverage of Education Award, Rochester, N.Y., is assistant prin- Francisco, where he worked for a Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland a series of stories that covered the cipal at Oliver Middle School in SaaS technology company. in San Antonio. East Meadow School District. the Brockport (N.Y.) Central Jacob Frier ’12 of Syracuse, Adderlyn Lora ’13 is a Molly Ross ’14 of San Fran- School District. N.Y., is an emergency medical resi- recruiter at Heineken USA in cisco is an account executive for Lindsay Karback ’17 of dent for SUNY Upstate Medical White Plains, N.Y. Previously, she Salesforce. Farmington, N.Y., is the under- University. He graduated from worked in talent acquisition at Joshua Anderson ’15 of graduate housing coordinator SUNY Upstate in 2016. Dannon. Harrisburg, Pa., is assistant for the University of Rochester. Cristy Rookey King ’12 Caitlin Outen ’13 of Humble, manager for Sheetz in West Rachel Long ’17 of Medford, is director of Oswego County Texas, is a recruiter for Cenergy Hanover Township, Pa. Mass., is an admissions/recruit- Opportunities Crisis and Devel- International, as well as a remote Miranda Czechowski ’15 ment advisor for CAPA The opment Services. King joined resume writer and career coach. of New York City is an account Global Education Network in OCO in 2000 as the Services to Jody Roth ’13 M’14, a certi- manager for ESIS/Chubb. Boston. Aid Families House manager and fied public accountant with the Delia Gallmeyer ’15 of Morgan Nandin M’17 of was named SAF Services coordi- Siegfried Group LLP in Denver, Penfield, N.Y., is a wellness educa- Syracuse, N.Y., is a member of nator in 2009. Most recently, she was promoted to senior associate. tion programmer for Saint John the Columbian National Softball served as the Intervention Services Christina Sakowski ’13 is Fisher College in Rochester, N.Y. Team. She is also the Oswego coordinator, in which she oversaw an admissions and new student Jessica Jarett ’15 of Syra- High School varsity softball SAF’s residential and non-residen- enrollment advisor for the Univer- cuse, N.Y., is a manager for AXA coach and a district physical tial domestic and sexual violence sity at Buffalo (N.Y.) School of Equitable. education teacher. See page 17. services, homeless programming Management. William Reese ’15 of Boston Sydney Prystal ’17 of Liver- for runaway homeless youth, Brian Zambrzycki ’13 of is insight executive for Kadence pool, N.Y., is a youth develop- adults and families, as well as the Chester, N.Y., is a school psycholo- International. ment professional for Elmcrest OCO crisis hotline that provides gist for the Warwick Valley Central Matthew Jaronczyk ’16 Children’s Center in Syracuse, emergency assistance to victims of School District and is pursuing a of Massapequa, N.Y., is a fund N.Y. crime and the homeless. certificate of advanced study in accountant for GPB Capital Hold- Sarah Shallowhorn ’17 Jennifer Watson ’12 of trauma and disaster mental health ings LLC in New York City. joined Buffalo, N.Y., NBC Liverpool, N.Y., is a recruitment counseling at SUNY New Paltz. Amanda Lieberman Kenney affiliate WGRZ-TV as a digital specialist at Cazenovia College. He is a 2016 graduate of the school ’16 of Pikeville, N.C., is pursuing producer. Brendan Culver ’13 of Roch- psychology master’s program at a master’s degree in social work at Julia Thomas ’17 of Syra- ester, N.Y., is an account manager Marist College. North Carolina State University. cuse, N.Y., joined Pinckney for Transcat. Brian Chojnacki ’14 of Jack- Jaclyn Shyptycki ’16 CAS’17 Hugo Group as an assistant Stacey J. Eger CAS’13 is the sonville, Fla., is sports anchor and of Gansevoort, N.Y., is a social account manager. Watertown (N.Y.) City School reporter for WTLV First Coast media strategist for SIX Marketing Evelyn Zevallos ’17 is District’s assistant superinten- News. in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. pursuing a master’s at SUNY dent for curriculum and instruc- John Mongiello ’14 of Stam- Brian Wegman ’16 of Mart- Oswego in the Mental Health tion. She previously served the ford, Conn., works for World ville, N.Y., earned his certified Counseling Program. Jefferson-Lewis Board of Coop- Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), public accountant credentials. He erative Educational Services as its where he is a production assistant is an associate at Dermody, Burke professional and program devel- and video editor for programming and Brown in Syracuse, N.Y.

OSWEGO l Spring 2018 38 CLASS NOTES

Oswego Matters By Executive Director Betsy Oberst

ast summer, the Oswego Alumni Stay on Campus LAssociation Inc. conducted a comprehensive voluntary survey of our 84,000+ alumni to explore your views and opinions of for Harborfest the Oswego Alumni Association’s and SUNY Oswego’s correspondence and engagement —Special Alumni Benefits! with you, along with your feedback on the college’s image. For those of you who he Oswego Alumni Association is participated, thank you! Your feedback will Tpleased to offer a special alumni assist the Oswego Alumni Association in discount for on-campus housing for tailoring our programs and communications alumni who wish to relive their favorite and overall engagement efforts with you. Our Board of Directors specifically site on a mobile device. Non-GOLD alumni Oswego memories while attending this wanted to know: are most interested in alumni events and year’s Harborfest, July 26-29. • What do you want in the form of pro- our OsweGoConnect community—to con- Alumni will be housed in Waterbury grams, services and communications? nect with other alumni. Half of you engage Hall according to class year, with a • Where do you get your information on Facebook, but 44 percent of you do not maximum of two adults per room. about the college and alumni programs? use any form of social media. Alumni may begin checking in at 2 p.m. • Your satisfaction with your Oswego More than half of non-GOLD alumni Thursday, July 26, and must check out experience—how do you view the repu- would support the college “where the need by 11 a.m. Sunday, July 29. tation of the college, was your Oswego is greatest,” followed by 36 percent who There is an early-bird alumni education an asset and would you rec- would support scholarships. Forty-two percent of you prefer to make your gifts online. discount special of $70 per night for ommend Oswego to others? Just over half of non-GOLD alumni rate those making reservations on or before Below are some of the survey results highlights: Oswego’s current reputation as high, fol- July 13 at 4 p.m. Alumni reservations For our most recent GOLD (Graduates lowed by 31 percent who rate it very high. made after that time will be $75 per Of the Last Decade) alumni, 25 percent of More than half of you would be very likely night until July 25 at 4 p.m. The special you receive the majority of your informa- to recommend SUNY Oswego to others, fol- alumni discount rate will not be avail- tion on social media, closely followed by lowed by 29 percent who would be likely to able after 4 p.m. July 25, and all alumni the alumni magazine and emails (20 per- recommend. will be charged the regular “walk-in rate” cent each). Seventy-seven percent engage Based on your feedback, the Oswego of approximately $86 per night. on Facebook, followed by 41 percent on Alumni Association Inc. will continue to Alumni can also rent a refrigerator Instagram and 35 percent on Twitter. adjust programs, services and communica- and mattresses for children 16 years and The majority of GOLD alumni visit our tions to meet your changing needs. One of our current initiatives includes younger, for an additional $15 if reserva- website on a mobile device, and the majority launching a new alumni benefit through a tions are made by 4 p.m. July 13; or $20 also are most interested in alumni benefits. Almost half of GOLD alumni would con- partnership with Nationwide Insurance, if made by 4 p.m. July 25. Linens for sider supporting Oswego “where the need which will offer Oswego alumni discounted beds and towels will be supplied. The is greatest,” followed by 37 percent who rates for homeowners, auto, motorsport and Centro bus will run a convenient shuttle would support individual schools, depart- pet insurance (see story on page 7). We are service from campus to the festival ments or programs, and three quarters of also making sure all of our communications grounds. you prefer to make your gifts online. Almost are more mobile-friendly and increasing our Don’t miss the opportunity to attend half would rate Oswego’s current reputation engagement on social media to meet those this exciting Oswego tradition and show as high, followed by 31 percent who say it is of you who are engaging there. your Laker pride! very high. Sixty-one percent were very likely Please keep letting us know how we can To make reservations, please to recommend SUNY Oswego to others. best serve you! We look forward to connect- ing with you soon … in person or online! visit alumni.oswego.edu/harborfest, For non-GOLD alumni, more than half or you may contact Allison Craine of you still get the majority of your information from the alumni magazine, with at [email protected] or e-newsletters next at 20 percent. Almost 315-312-2258 with questions. one third of non-GOLD alumni visit our web-

39 OSWEGO l Spring 2018 WEDDINGAlbum

Newlyweds: Send us your Oswego wedding photo and caption! Email to [email protected].

4SEDAL-CLUTE—Amie Sedal ’12 and Adam Clute ’13 were married on July 8, 2017, in Central Bridge, N.Y. In attendance were, front row: Jason Comstock ’13; second row from left: Jennifer Farrell St. Mark ’13, Shannon Brackley ’13, Halie Bloom ’13, Alex Sosias ’12. Back row, from left, are Jershon St. Mark ’11, Nicole Dwyer ’13, Heather McGovern ’14, Andrea Torres ’12, Tom Budde ’13, Amie Sedal Clute ’12, Adam Clute ’13, Stanley Francois ’11 and Tom Ferriter ’12.

HOLTZMAN-GERRITY—Samantha Holtzman ’11 and Brian Gerrity ’11 were married on June 9, 2017, at the Larkfield Manor in Northport, N.Y. In attendance were Nicole Reinhardt ’11, Nicholas Gottlieb ’10, Christina Cianciosi Sheridan ’12, Philip Sheridan ’12, Nick Liberati ’10, Marcus LaRobardiere ’11, Timothy Rinck ’11, Fred Tropeano, Daniel Connors ’11, Victoria Huestis ’10, Sarah Orser ’11, Mark Schumacher ’12, Meagan Lehman ’12, Carl Mannillo ’12, Samantha Silverman ’11, Brian Gerrity ’11, Samantha Holtzman Gerrity ’11, Nicholas DeFrancesco ’12, Kristen Beaty Connors ’11, Samantha Bradley Ericksen ’11, Amy Ray ’11, Agnes Puyraud Aitchison ’11, Michelle Kates ’12, Courtney Gadziala ’12, Lauren Beauchamp Battaglia ’11, Frank Battaglia ’10, Allison Trager ’11, Courteney Walsh ’11, Kelly Labella Fallon ’11, April Frank ’12 and Amanda Cascino Tropeano ’11.

5IRLAND-CHRISTMANN—Megan Irland and Emil Christmann ’08 were married July 8, 2017, at Pine Lake in Oneonta, N.Y. From left are Janelle Goodwin, Julie Glover ’07, Jeff Scott ’06 M’12, Caitlin Hankinson ’07 M’12, Megan Irland, Emil Christmann ’08, Erik Mosher, Tom Tiballi, Ned Hinge, Jennifer Tyrie, 5DAVIS-LAMM—Denise Davis ’13 and Michael Lamm ’12 were married on Oct. 6, Josh Mumm and Andrew La Manna. 2017, in Riverhead, N.Y. From left are Josh Veator ’13, Lauren Muller ’13, Dan Gillam ’09 M’15, Patrick Wilson ’11 M’13, Tamara Sims ’14, Denise Davis ’13, Michael Lamm ’12, Nathan Donnelly ’10 M’12, Christa Nussbaum ’12, Kiera Collins ’13 and Phoebe Forbes ’13.

OSWEGO l Spring 2018 40 5IANNONE-WESTERDUIN—Jessica Iannone ’11 M’14 and Steven Westerduin ’12 were married on June 17, 2017, in Cornwall-on-Hudson, N.Y. From left are Brendan Hatch, Elijah Olinsky ’10, Adam Goldfrank-Cariot ’12, Eric Westerduin, Steven Westerduin ’12, Jessica Iannone ’11 M’14, Ashley Donnelly ’11, Gabby Mucilli ’13, Amanda Iannone and Kayleigh Newell.

5HECKE-WODZICKI—Tara Hecke ’13 and Kyle Wodzicki ’13 were married on June 25, 2016, in Buffalo, N.Y. In attendance were Ashley Poreda ’13, Casey Borchick ’14, Samantha Wessing ’13, Elise Wieczerzak ’13, James Gilbert ’13, Ryan Farrell ’13, Michael Stahlman ’13, Rob Beshures ’11, Patrick Cavlin ’13 and Michael Beshures ’13. Kyle and Tara reside in Houston, Texas, where Kyle is a Ph.D. candidate at Texas A&M University and Tara is a science teacher.

5SCALA-CZADZECK—Erin Scala ’10 5GUZMAN-PEPEN—Stephanie Guzman ’12 and Timothy Czadzeck were married June 17, and Yasser Pepen ’09 were married Oct. 7, 2017, in 2017, in St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. Baldwinsville, N.Y.

CHAPMAN-HUIE—Melissa Chapman ’99 and Robert Huie were married April 30, 2017, in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

41 OSWEGO l Spring 2018 WEDDINGS CONT’D

FARRELL-ST. MARK—Jennifer Farrell ’13 and Jershon St. Mark ’11 were married on Sept. 3, 2017, in Fair Haven, N.Y. In attendance were: front row, Marybeth Longo ’11, Jean Yura Fedorchuk ’76, Jershon St. Mark ’11, Jennifer Farrell St. Mark ’13, Shannon Brackley ’13, Brittany Wingerter ’14 and Sharon Bingham Darrow ’89; second row, Nicole Dwyer ’13, Rebecca Brennan ’13 M’15, Sierra Nash ’13, Holly Richer ’07, Amber Archambo ’13, Amie Sedal Clute ’12 and Sarah Dorosz 5LIVI-FURMAN—Elizabeth Livi ’10 Hazelmyer ’12; and top row, Ryan married Keith Furman May 28, 2017, in St. Loucks ’14, Halie Bloom ’13, Alyssa James, N.Y. From left are Mannie Wizwer Lambert ’12, Jordan Farrell ’15, Kristy ’10, Douglas Casper ’10, Jenna Wehn Benicase ’15 and Adam Clute ’13. Pierpont ’09, Lauren Jahoda ’10, Ryan Tyrell ’09, Elizabeth Livi ’10, Ryan Forbes ’08, Hanna Forbes, Lauren Malc Evar ’10 and Rachel Ho ’10.

5 WEBSTER-LUKAJIC—Julie Webster and Mike Lukajic ’04 were married on Aug. 26, 2017, at the Waterside Inn in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. Pictured (from left) are George Roll (Lakers head men’s ice hockey coach from 1997 to 2003), Glenn Sisman ’75, Sebastien Matte ’04, Joe Carrabs ’04, Tyson Gajda ’04, Lindsay Marra ’04, Scott Irwin ’06, Lisa Contreiras ’06, Tim Thomas ’04 M’05, Bryan Gent ’06, Mike Lukajic ’04, Julie Webster, Andy Rozak ’05, Katie Carbonaro ’05, Karin Skar ’05, Kevin Tracey ’06, Rob Smith ’06, Mark Strzoda ’05, Jessica Dippold ’03 and John Hirliman ’03.

CONNELL-DONOVAN—Maria Connell ’94 and Matthew Donovan ’97 were married July 29, 2017, at St. James Church in Trumansburg, N.Y., with a reception at Taughannock Falls State Park. In attendance were: front row, from left, Erin Donovan ’94, Anna Finch-Corcoran ’92, Carol Klock ’63, Maria Connell ’94, Margery Klock Connell ’54 and Connie McCrary ’74 M’82 CAS’82; back row, from left, Martin Best, Nicholas Pemberton ’02, Matthew Donovan ’97 and Steve Klock ’90.

OSWEGO l Spring 2018 42 CLASS NOTES Alumni Bookshelf

We celebrate and share the success of Oswego alumni authors, illustrators and recording artists, who may ask their publisher/distributor to send a copy of the work to the Oswego alumni office to be considered for this column and our website, where cover photos of all works in this column will be displayed.

Joseph P. Cangemi ’59, Ph.D.; Alice McDermott ’75 Mark Allen Baker ’79 John Gray ’85 Casimir Kowalski ’65, Ph.D.; The Ninth Hour Images of America: God Needed A Puppy and Ami Rokach, Ph.D., editors FARRAR, STRAUS AND GIROUX, 2017. Connecticut in World War II THE TROY BOOK MAKERS, 2017. With Book Foreword by SUNY The eighth ARCADIA PUBLISHING, 2017. With pro- Oswego President Deborah F. novel by Part of the ceeds to Stanley National Book popular benefit ani- Bullying: A Critical Problem Award-winner Images of mal shelters in Education, Work and three- America throughout Environments, Society time Pulitzer- series, this the United XLIBRIS, 2017. Prize finalist book follows States, Gray McDermott Connecticut’s shares a children’s story This book is a powerful story spanning transforma- of forest animals that help examines the 20th century, featuring tion after the attack on Pearl explain the loss of a pet. bullying and a widow, her daughter and Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. This is its effects on the nuns who serve their Baker’s 19th book. Angela Di Michele Lalor ’87 individuals Irish-American community in and groups. Ensuring High-Quality Brooklyn. Mark Allen Baker ’79 The volume Curriculum: How to Design, contains con- The Fighting Times of Abe Al Roker ’76 Revise or Adopt Curriculum tributions from well-known Attell Aligned to Student Success authors and researchers in the Al Roker’s Extreme Weather: MCFARLAND AND COMPANY, 2017. ASSOCIATION FOR CHRISTIANS IN United States and abroad, and Tornadoes, Typhoons, and In his 20th STUDENT DEVELOPMENT, 2017. highlights bullying and how it Other Weather Phenomena book, Baker Drawing from is expressed under different HARPER COLLINS, 2017. shares the her work conditions and situations. New York story of Abe with teachers Times bestsell- Attell, the and adminis- Norma Butts Gatti ’74 ing author, Hall of Fame trators to facilitate cur- The Tale of Tutu the Tooth award-winning boxer who riculum devel- Fairy meteorologist, was charged opment, Lalor PAGE PUBLISHING, INC., 2017. and Today for alleged involvement in the show co- 1919 Black Sox scandal. The offers targeted advice and To all the anchor Al charges were dropped, but the real-life examples from ele- neighbors, Roker explores extreme scandal changed Attell’s life. mentary and secondary units Tutu seems weather phenomena in his of study across a variety of like the aver- first book for kids. Dive deep Yvona Fast ’81 content areas and standards. age sweet into a world of fascinating old lady, but weather with everyone’s Different her secret favorite meteorologist! FOOTHILLS PUBLISHING, 2017. will surprise everyone! A story This 24-page, hand-stitched about the life and magic of chapbook captures the newest Tutu the Tooth Fairy. poetry by Fast. She resides in the northern Adirondacks, where she is a member of the Adirondack Center for Writing.

43 OSWEGO l Spring 2018 CLASS NOTES IN MEMORIAM

Submitting an Obituary Alumni Bookshelf continued We will share the news of a SUNY Oswego college community member’s death when we receive the information from a family member, friend or another source in the form of a previously Paul J. MacArthur ’88, James John Rucynski Jr. ‘94, editor published notice, typically from a newspaper or funeral home. R. Angelini, and Andrew C. New Ways in Teaching With Please send such notices to the Office of Alumni Relations, Billings Humor c/o In Memoriam, SUNY Oswego, Oswego NY 13126; or email [email protected]. Olympic Television: TESOL PRESS, 2016. Broadcasting the Biggest Show This text on Earth explores the ROUTLEDGE, 2017. whole gamut of Joyce Smith Parsell ’39 of Watertown, N.Y., died Oct. 4, An in-depth possibilities for 2017. She taught in elementary schools for many years. analysis on the using humor in Dominic Giambo ’41 of Watkins Glen, N.Y., died Dec. evolution of the English language 29, 2017. Dominic served in World War II from 1942 to 1946 Olympics from teaching. These as an aircraft machinist. He taught industrial arts for 35 years. an international lessons provide Surviving are his children Carol Giambo Taber ’65, Robert sporting event English language learners with Giambo ’74, David Giambo and Deborah Kiteveles; seven to a sensational, the linguistic and cultural knowl- grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. unifying cultural edge they need to become more Marshall Schmitt ’41 of Springfield, Va., died June 18, phenomenon. Discover how and proficient users of the language. 2017. He earned a master’s degree at Ohio State and a Ph.D. why the Olympics became one at Penn State. Marshall began his career at Red Creek (N.Y.) of the most watched televised Lou Paduano ’04 Central School teaching industrial arts. Later, he was a specialist broadcasts through diverse, for industrial arts for the U.S. Office of Education. Marshall is multi-faceted approaches that The Medusa Coin ELEVEN TEN PUBLISHING, 2017. survived by his daughter, Marsha Harris. focus on historical themes of Albert Johnson ’48 of Hopewell Junction, N.Y., died Dec. race, gender, consumerism and In the third 6, 2017. He served with the U.S. Army during World War II. nationalism. installment of the Greystone Al earned a master’s degree at New York University. He taught from 1948 to 1969 in the Haverstraw-Stony Point (N.Y.) Central Brad Thomas Parsons ’91 series, Paduano raises the stakes School District (now North Rockland), and retired as principal Distillery Cats: Profiles in for Detective at the James A. Farley Middle School in 1983. He also taught Courage of the World’s Most Loren who engineering drawing for several years at Rockland Community Spirited Mousers returns to the College. Surviving are his companion, Joyce Sellers, five children, TEN SPEED PRESS, 2017. city of Portents to stop the eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Geraldine Scanlon Jones ’48 of Oswego died Nov. 12, Parsons captures bearer of the Medusa coin from 2017. She was a teacher in the Oswego City School District for a topic that slaughtering the city’s people. many years. Gerry is survived by her sons and daughters-in-law, doubles down on Douglas and Diane Fischer Jones ’73 and Patrick and Patricia two of his pas- Ebony Coleman ’05 Bach Jones ’78; five grandchildren and three great-grandchil- sions: cats plus Head of Household: How I dren. She was predeceased by her sisters, including Eleanor booze. More than Broke the Cycle of Neglect and Scanlon Notarpole ’43 and Martha Scanlon Devine ’44. 30 cats were Louis Cortese ’49 of Boynton Beach, Fla., died Nov. 14, interviewed for Took Charge of My Life 2017. He served with the U.S. Army and later earned a master’s this book. He is also the author of CREATESPACE, 2017. degree from New York University. Louis taught industrial arts Bitters and Amaro. After years of at St. Joseph’s Home Peekskill, N.Y., until his retirement. He suffering and was also chief of auxiliary police in Peekskill for several years. devastating loss, Louis is survived by two children, four grandchildren and nine Coleman found great-grandchildren. the strength John Ellis ’49 of Cortland, N.Y., died May 9, 2016. He began to become her his teaching career in Williamsburg, Va., and returned to New very own Head York state in 1951 to teach industrial arts at Homer Central of Household. School, retiring in 1983. Surviving are his daughters, Eileen Readers will discover an under- Ellis Bianchi ’77 and Evelyn Rybaltowski, four grandchildren standing of the cycle of rejection and two great-grandchildren. and the all-encompassing Grace of God.

OSWEGO l Spring 2018 44 Edith Maloney Knight ’50 of Oswego until his retirement in 1985. He is survived Seneca BOCES and superintendent of died Nov. 10, 2017. She was an educator for 25 by his wife, Mildred; two children, John schools for Lawrence Township Schools in years in the Oswego City and Mexico Central and Lynette; four grandchildren; and two Lawrenceville, N.J. Prior to retiring, Joe was school districts. Edith was a longtime member great-grandchildren. the district superintendent of Monroe County of the SUNY Oswego Alumni Board of Direc- Frank McCabe ’57 of Dalton, Mass., died BOCES for 15 years. In retirement, Joe was a tors, and was a recipient of the Oswego Alumni Nov. 19, 2017. He earned graduate degrees part-time JobLink counselor for Alamance Distinguished Service Award. She is survived in education from the City College of New Community College. Surviving are his wife, by four children, Burt, Thomas, Michael and York, Buffalo State College and SUNY New Kathy, four daughters, two stepchildren and Kathleen; 10 grandchildren, including Julia Paltz. Frank was an industrial arts teacher seven grandchildren. Knight ’17; and four great-grandchildren. for 25 years, and later a school administrator. Nellie Garbus Mathews ’60 of Hannibal, Carol Fletcher Adams ’51 of Wadsworth, Surviving are his wife, Eileen Gore McCabe N.Y., died Sept. 10, 2017. She taught in the Ohio, died Dec. 23, 2017. Carol taught in ’57, six children, 12 grandchildren and three Baldwinsville (N.Y.) Central School District Monticello and Liverpool, N.Y., and Brook great-grandchildren. for 30 years. Nellie is survived by her son, Park and Elyria, Ohio. She is survived by Thomas Orr ’58 of Long Prairie, Minn., Richard Garbus, and her sister, Lucy Frank. five children, 13 grandchildren and five died July 9, 2017. Tom entered the U.S. Navy Anne Godici Rapp ’60 of Columbus, great-grandchildren. in 1958 and served for 22 years as a carrier Ohio, died Oct. 4, 2017. She began her Joanne DeLuca Russell ’51 of Norwich, pilot on the USS Essex, a parachutist in the teaching career in California, and after moving N.Y., died Jan. 21, 2017. She taught for many Antarctic and a finance/logistics officer at to Columbus, she worked as a substitute years in Norwich City Schools. Surviving several locations, retiring in 1980. Following teacher while raising her family. She worked as are her husband, William, two children, two his service with the Navy, he moved his family an editor for MacMillan McGraw Hill, AT&T, granddaughters and a great-grandson. to their dairy and sheep farm in Long Prairie. Paul Werth and Rockwell International; was William Hardy ’52 of Wilder, Vt., died Tom is survived by his wife, Barbara Bowne employed by the Secretary of State’s office; and Aug. 6, 2017. He served with the U.S. Air Orr ’59, five children, 15 grandchildren and was the operations manager for the Spiritu- Force during the Korean War. Bill earned a seven great-grandchildren. ality Network. She is survived by her husband, master’s degree from the University at Buffalo Joseph Singleton ’58 of Mattituck, N.Y., Wayne; five children; nine grandchildren; and and taught in the Rochester area for many died Nov. 21, 2016. He earned a master’s five siblings, including Francis Godici ’64, years. He is survived by two children and five degree at New York University and was an James ’68 and Diane Godici Huckabee ’68, grandchildren. Bill was predeceased by his educator on Long Island for 35 years, serving Robert ’73 and Christine Godici Holmes ’97. wife, Mary Ann Hansen Hardy ’52. as assistant superintendent in Syosset, Western Donna Fry True ’62 of Port Richey, Fla., Douglas MacIntosh ’55 of Hudson Falls, Suffolk BOCES and other districts. Surviving died Feb. 19, 2017. She taught in New York, N.Y., died Nov. 2, 2017. He earned master’s are his wife, Mary Lou Keane Singleton ’57, California and Hawaii before moving to degrees from the Biblical Seminary and four sons and 10 grandchildren. Florida, where she spent 15 years in New Port Siena College. Doug taught industrial arts at Annlyn Harrold Warner ’58 of Oswego Richey at Anclote Elementary School. Donna Hudson Falls Junior High School for 32 years. died Sept. 27, 2017. She began her teaching retired in 1995 after 30 years in education. She He is survived by his wife, Diane Vincent career in the Rochester and Syracuse areas is survived by her husband, Joseph; sisters, MacIntosh ’70, and two foster sons. before returning to Oswego, where she taught Marjorie Fry Powers ’55 and Katherine Fry Louise Davis ’56 of Liverpool, N.Y., died reading at Fitzhugh Park Elementary School Newland; and several nieces and nephews. Nov. 21, 2017. She earned an MBA at Rens- for the remainder of her career. Annlyn is Phyllis Fenske ’64 of Oswego died selaer Polytechnic Institute and was a manager survived by her husband, William; three chil- Dec. 31, 2017. She earned a master’s degree for General Electric for many years. Louise is dren; four siblings, including Christopher ’80 at Indiana University and taught at SUNY survived by her sister, Diane DuMond, and and Mary Burnham Harrold ’80; and seven Cobleskill, several Christian schools and nieces and nephews. grandchildren. later at Oneonta (N.Y.) Elementary School. Nancy Blodgett Trust ’56 of Pulaski, John Harmeling ’59 of Green Cove Surviving are her sister, Nancy Fenske, and N.Y., died Aug. 30, 2017. She taught in Springs, Fla., died Dec. 8, 2017. He was a nieces and nephews. Minetto, Orwell and Sandy Creek, retiring teacher and guidance counselor in the North Norman Remsen ’64 of Bethlehem, after 31 years. With her husband, she owned Babylon (N.Y.) School District for 35 years. Conn., died Sept. 4, 2017. He earned a and operated Trust Nursery in Pulaski for John is survived by his wife, Dorothy, two sons master’s degree at Western Connecticut State 58 years. Nancy is survived by her husband, and nine grandchildren. University. Norman began his teaching career Charles (Dick); three children; nine grand- Joseph Farinola ’60 of Chapel Hill, N.C., in Valley Stream, N.Y., before moving to New children, including Brandie Edick ’16; and a died Sept. 27, 2017. He served with the U.S. Milford, Conn, where he taught from 1970 great-granddaughter. Army and earned an Ed.D. at the University until his retirement in 2015. He is survived John Lombardi ’57 of Forest, Va., died at Albany. He taught in the Syracuse and by his wife, Judith Seewald Remsen ’65; Nov. 7, 2016. He served with the U.S. Army Jamesville-Dewitt school districts, and was a his children, Glenn and Dawn; and four during the Korean War. John taught at Long- high school principal in Cobleskill, assistant grandchildren. wood High School in Middle Island, N.Y., superintendent of the Tompkins-Tioga-

45 OSWEGO l Spring 2018 IN MEMORIAM

William Stessen ’65 of Syracuse, N.Y., Helen Galusha Devitt ’71 of San Antonio, Thomas Topping ’79 of Murfreesboro, died Aug. 23, 2017. He spent 37 years as a Texas, died June 21, 2017. She earned a degree Tenn., died Nov. 11, 2016. Tom served teacher, most recently in the West Genesee in library science from Syracuse University with the U.S. Navy before coming to SUNY Central School District. Bill is survived by his and worked as a school librarian in Fulton, Oswego. He is survived by his siblings, Phyllis wife, Kathleen Hinchman, and two children. N.Y., and San Antonio. Helen is survived by Powers, and Alfred and Robert Topping; and John Daken ’66 of North Tonawanda, four daughters, 12 grandchildren, 22 great- his nieces and nephews. N.Y., died Sept. 28, 2017. He served in the grandchildren and her siblings, Alfred ’57 and Dale Tripp ’81 of Hartsville, S.C., died U.S. Army Reserves from 1961 to 1968. He Donna Galusha Allen ’57 and Nancy Galusha Oct. 28, 2017. He had been vice president of was a guidance counselor at Sweet Home Thomas. Anderson Brass since 2001. Dale is survived High School in Amherst for more than 20 Alfred Fergerson ’71 of North Syra- by his wife, Audrey Richards Tripp ’81; years. Following his retirement, he worked cuse, N.Y., died Nov. 17, 2017. He was also a sons, Joshua and Garrett; brother, Wayne; as a regional admissions counselor for SUNY graduate of Onondaga Community College sister, Donna; and father-in-law and mother- Oswego for several years. John was a member and Simmons School of Mortuary Science. in-law, Kenvyn ’53, Professor Emeritus of of the Oswego Alumni Association Board of He was the owner of Fergerson Funeral Home Industrial Arts Technology at Oswego, and Directors from 2000-2014. He is survived by and was the deputy mayor for the Village of Jane Richards. his wife, Joann; his daughters, Jennifer Daken, North Syracuse. Fred is survived by his wife, Betty Cooper ’83 of Syracuse, N.Y., died Susan Daken Wadosky and Colleen Klaes; and Patricia, and two children. Aug. 13, 2017. Prior to retiring, she taught in six grandchildren. Jacalyn Ryan ’72 of Oswego died Oct. the Syracuse City School District for 20 years. Ethelyn Shaw Kern ’66 of Raymond, 14, 2017. Prior to retiring in 2010, Jaci was Betty is survived by six children and several Maine, died Dec. 30, 2017. She began her an employee benefit specialist for Oswego grandchildren. career as a teacher then worked at the Islip County. She is survived by aunts and cousins. Mickey Boucher ’85 of Lockport, N.Y., (N.Y.) public library for over 10 years. Lyn Carl Elliott ’73 of Centennial, Colo., died died Dec. 20, 2017. He earned a master’s is survived by her husband, Joseph, three April 27, 2017. He is survived by his wife, degree at the University at Buffalo. Mickey was daughters and five grandchildren. Barbara; a son, Steven; three grandsons; his a social worker for New Directions Youth and Elvira Leoniewa Bourgon ’67 of El mother, Virginia Aldrich; and three brothers, Family Services for 30 years. He is survived by Paso, Texas, died Feb. 3, 2015. She taught in Paul, David and Michael. his wife, Julie Cowe Boucher ’85; his children, the El Paso School District for many years. Wayne Bardua ’74 of Palm Coast, Fla., Justin and Janine; his parents, Wayne and Joan Ellie is survived by her husband, Marcel; her died Oct. 29, 2017. Prior to retirement, he Boucher; and his sister, Michelle Boucher mother, Olga Czerepin; two children and a taught 5th grade in Highland Falls, N.Y. McGriff ’89. granddaughter. Wayne is survived by his wife, Patricia; his Patricia Johnson Carlton ’86 of Delmar, Beth Gilmore Sherman ’67 of Oswego mother, Jean; and three stepchildren. N.Y., died Feb. 21, 2017. She was a teacher died Oct. 5, 2017. She was a substitute teacher Wendolyn Saunders Havey ’76 of Syra- and an administrator, most recently serving in the Oswego City School District, and cuse, N.Y., died Sept. 23, 2017. She worked at as principal in the Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk worked at the Coffee Connection and Wayne’s ADP for 35 years. Wendy is survived by her Central School District. Tricia is survived by Drugs. Beth was predeceased by her husband, husband, James, and daughters, Meredith and her husband, David Caso; her children, Dylan Peter Sherman ’65. She is survived by sons, Lauren. and Melana Carlton; and stepchildren, Sam Christopher and Gregory, and a grandson. Angela Barone Wilking ’77 of Oswego and Ben Caso. Joseph Viola ’67 of North White Plains, died Aug. 14, 2017. She worked as a piano Joseph Dugandzic ’86 of Cranford, N.J., N.Y., died May 27, 2015. He served with the teacher, and wrote and composed music and died Jan. 7, 2017. He was a high school English U.S. Army during the Korean War. Joseph was hymns. She is survived by her husband, Brian. teacher for over 20 years. Joe is survived by his a retired truck driver with Local 456 in Elms- Charles Gerber ’79 of Camden, N.Y., wife, Maureen, and his children, Kerry and ford, N.Y. Surviving are his wife, Barbara, two died Sept. 24, 2017. He worked at Camden Richie. children and two grandsons. Wire Co. as a supervisor of accounting before Maureen Perkins Murphy ’87 of Fayette- Edward Shattuck ’68 of Carbondale, returning to the family business, Camden ville, N.Y., died Nov. 30, 2017. She is survived Colo., died Dec. 29, 2016. He served in the Collision, in 1990. He retired in January 2017. by her husband, Dennis, three children, two U.S. Navy during the Cuban missile crisis Chuck is survived by four siblings, and his grandchildren, her parents, Ernest and Rose- and blockade. Prior to retiring and moving nieces and nephews. Marie Perkins, and her sisters. to Colorado, Ed worked for the Commission Joan Pynes ’79 of Tampa, Fla., died July 6, Ann Marie Satalino DelPriore ’89 M’95 for the Blind in Portland, Ore. He is survived 2017. She earned a Ph.D. from Florida Atlantic of Cicero, N.Y., died Nov. 20, 2017. She by his wife, Julie; her sons, John and Andre University and was a professor of public worked at Park Hill Pre-K for more than 23 Mpitsos; sisters, Claudia Shattuck Szitar administration at the University of South years. Ann Marie is survived by her husband, M’72 and Mary Shattuck Bush; and brother, Florida. Joan is survived by her husband, Dominic, and son, Domenico. John. Ed was predeceased by his parents, Michael McNaughton. Edward ’41 and Mary Shattuck.

OSWEGO l Spring 2018 46 IN MEMORIAM

Michele Desrosiers ’93 of Carthage, N.Y., died Sept. 21, 2017. She was a 1991 graduate of Jefferson Community College and a 1996 graduate of the University of Missis- (The Last Word continued from page 48.) sippi. Michele had recently retired from the Carthage Free Library. Surviving are two chil- After leaving Mississippi, applying for and being dren and three grandchildren. refused conscientious objector status, graduating from Lois Dominy Ensby ’93 of Baldwinsville, college and becoming involved with the Black Panther N.Y., died Dec. 27, 2017. Lois worked at the Party in the late 1960s, I decided to make a serious Bonanza Restaurant in Liverpool for more commitment to write and found two mentors in Sonia than 20 years. She earned an associate’s degree Sanchez and John Oliver Killens whose writing work- at SUNY Canton and later attended SUNY shops at the Countee Cullen Library in Harlem and Oswego. Lois is survived by her husband, Columbia University provided me with an invaluably Richard; sons, Michael and Stephen; daugh- supportive group of young black writers who challenged ters, Lynda Ensby Slater ’98, Machell Ensby and encouraged one another. Jones ’88 and Stephany Ensby Collins ’99; 13 My refusal to report for induction into the army grandchildren and two great-granddaughters. in 1968 was never far from my mind. And in January, Timothy Sherman ’95 M’98 of Fulton, 1972, I was sentenced to three years in a federal peniten- N.Y., died Nov. 16, 2017. He is survived by tiary in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. his parents, John ’61 and Laura Sherman; Dostoyevsky wrote in “Notes from the House his brother and sister-in-law, Ted and Angela of the Dead,” that if you want to grasp the nature of Sherman and their children. any so called civilized society, you need only to look Beverly Breen, Bursar Emerita, died at its prisons. Even from the relative safety of my Dec. 15, 2017. She earned a bachelor’s degree minimum security facility, I found nothing to dispute at Syracuse University. Beverly is survived by Dostoyevsky’s assessment. All of the hierarchies, ethnic six children and 11 grandchildren. and racial group hostilities and the reliance on violence William Doll, former Associate as the instrument of social control were present in a Professor of Elementary Education, died more extreme form. Dec. 27, 2017. He earned a bachelor’s degree I worked on a novel while incarcerated that had from Cornell University, a master’s degree nothing to do with my experience in prison. After my Wesley Brown ’68 —1968 Ontarian from Boston University and a Ph.D. at Johns release in 1973, a writer friend chastised me for not Hopkins University. He taught at Oswego incorporating my time in prison into my autobiograph- from 1971 until 1985. He is survived by his ical coming of age story of a young black man. Initially, I was reluctant to consider this, wife, Donna, and his children, stepchildren thinking it was still too raw in my mind to do justice to the experiences. However, after and grandchildren. more thought, I had to acknowledge I really didn’t want to enter the emotional mine Walter Freimanis, Professor Emeritus field I knew was waiting for me. of Music, died June 11, 2017. He taught in I asked myself why my father had passed on to me all those terrible stories? Remem- Oswego’s music department for many years, bering something Toni Morrison once said provided a possible answer: Coming to retiring in 2003. Walter is survived by his wife, terms with a deep hurt, often, requires not keeping our distance but moving closer to Edith, siblings, nieces and nephews. it. So with more than a little trepidation, I wrote my way through emotions I hadn’t John Maceri, former Instructor of allowed myself to feel while in prison and my first novel was all the better for it. In Public Justice, died Oct. 24, 2017. He earned every story or novel I’ve written since then I’ve tried to remember my father’s need to a bachelor’s degree from Canisius College and repeat his stories to me. That has given me the courage to write stories I’m reluctant to a master’s degree from Syracuse University. tell, making it not as likely that I’ll be at the mercy of the historical and personal hurt He taught community corrections and the that claims us all. senior seminar at Oswego for over 25 years. —Wesley Brown ’68 John is survived by his sister-in-law, nieces and nephews.

47 OSWEGO l Spring 2018 THE LAST

Telling Stories That KARP DAN Should Not Be Passed On The following is an excerpt from an essay that was included in the anthology How Dare We Write: A Multicultural Creative Writing Discourse (Modern History Press, May 2017). could tell you something,” my Non-Violent Coordinating “I father said to me, beginning Committee) staff workers spoke when I was seven or eight. He not at the SUNY Oswego campus only could but he did, especially where I was a student. Their visit after he’d had a few drinks. He occurred during the same period told me stories from his childhood of the assassination of Malcolm X and youth that at times were har- and the Selma to Montgomery rowing, but never ceased to hold march. my attention. One could argue I don’t doubt that my parents that it was inappropriate to be admired the courage of the young told, at such a young age, that my people putting themselves in Wesley Brown ’68 enslaved great-grandmother’s harm’s way. However, they were thumb was permanently splayed not prepared for me being one of ical institutions that kept rural Wesley Brown ’68 is a visiting out by her master using a straight them. Perhaps, my father blacks in a condition of penury faculty member in social studies razor to slice it open whenever she expected his stories would’ve not that far removed from their and the arts at Bard College at did something not to his liking. been a warning that the world was circumstances after the Civil War. Simon’s Rock in Great Barrington, There was nothing I could do but a frighteningly unpredictable and Once I arrived at the view that Mass., and a professor emeritus listen to him who, for whatever dangerous place, and that I the narrative emerging from my of English at Rutgers University, reasons, chose to unburden him- should not, needlessly, put myself young life was one that had to where he taught for 26 years. He is self to me with these unsettling in the way of its wrath. These involve putting myself into a the author of three novels, as well stories from his past. were among the reasons why my movement to change the glaring as three produced plays. He is the The opening line of Joan parents left the South. And here I disparities between what America co-editor of a fiction multicultural Didion’s book, The White Album, was determined to move closer to promised and what it practiced, it anthology Imagining America and “We tell ourselves stories in order the site of the hurt and dangers became clear that I could not, in a nonfiction multicultural anthology to live,” crystalized how impor- they had fled. good conscience, serve in the Visions of America, and he is tant it was for my father to tell The months I spent in Missis- Armed Forces of the United editor of The Teachers & Writers those stories and by extension sippi were life changing, forcing States. Perhaps, without knowing Guide to Frederick Douglass. how indispensable it was for me me to see myself and the world I it, my Mississippi experiences and to discover the stories I needed to inhabited in ways I could not my determination to make tell. And I found many of them have imagined. I was in the heart common cause with others, through trips to the South to visit of the Mississippi Delta, helping wanting to create a story of our relatives, as well as images of the to register black people who had lives where we had a lot more to burgeoning Civil Rights Move- been denied the right to vote in a say about its direction, were the ment of the 1950s and early country that was sending young early indications that writing 1960s. men, many of whom were black, might be a way for me to find my My gradual move toward a 10,000 miles away to bring own way in the world, rather than more direct encounter with risk democracy to Vietnam’s Mekong allow those embodying the and danger arrived in June of Delta. Nothing I read or heard in diction of the powerful to do it 1965. I’d made the decision to go the mainstream media reported for me. South to work on voter registra- this perspective or the entrenched (Continued on page 47.) tion after two ‘Snick’ (Student economic, educational and polit-

OSWEGO l Spring 2018 48 alumni.oswego.edu/4.24 Nonprofit US Postage PAID Oswego Alumni Association KING ALUMNI HALL OSWEGO, NY 13126 If OSWEGO is addressed to a son or daughter who has graduated and no longer maintains a permanent address at your home, please clip the address label and return it with the correct address to the Oswego Alumni Association, SUNY Oswego, Oswego, NY 13126, or email the updated address to [email protected]

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Dr. George Koenig MATTCUMMINS rowing up in a bilingual home with intensive program so he could teach that G his parents who had emigrated language to Lakers. from Germany, George Koenig “I liked the colleagues and I seamlessly moved between like the college and I liked the English and German in his courses I taught,” he said. conversations. Today, he “I liked the area. I like continues to mix both winter. It was ideal, and languages into his conversa- after our first child [Monica] tions with his wife, Heike ’87, a was born here, it became our native of Germany. home town.” They raised both “I joke that I am going to of their children, Monica and record our conversations to see what trig- Philip ’92, in Oswego. gers us to speak in one language over the Koenig enjoyed his role as a foreign other,” said Koenig, an emeritus professor of language teacher—which he said actually German. required a lot more hats than traditional For Koenig, language acquisition has teaching. Dr. George Koenig come relatively easy compared to most. His “In teaching a new language, you have to high school French teacher nurtured his talent be somewhat of an actor, a comedian, a panto- If that is the case, Koenig is man of many and encouraged him to apply to her alma mime,” he said. “It has to be entertaining in cultures. In addition to German and English, mater, Middlebury College in Vermont, which some way and interactive, because you can’t as he also is fluent in Spanish and conversational is known for its foreign language programs. easily communicate with students as you in French, and as a world traveler, he always Koenig enrolled and went on to earn a would in a literature, political science or tries to learn enough of the native tongue to bachelor’s and a master’s in German and a chemistry class.” get around. minor in Spanish from Middlebury, and Koenig admits that teaching a foreign Although he has visited dozens of coun- landed a job as a civilian instructor of German language could at times be frustrating but his tries, he considers his home region in Oswego at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md. favorite memories of Oswego are those when and Central New York to be among the most While teaching at the naval academy, he students did latch on to the language, and a beautiful areas in the world. Much of his worked toward a Ph.D. in German at the whole new culture opened up to them. He also retirement he spends dedicated to improving University of Maryland and also met and takes pride in helping many students study and preserving it through his volunteer work married his wife. abroad. with the Heritage Foundation of Oswego, Save They moved to New York when Koenig “Overseas travel gives students total Oswego’s Historic Sites, H. Lee White Mari- decided to accept a position teaching German immersion in the language,” he said. “Total time Museum and the Tree Stewards program. at SUNY Oswego—a role he kept until he immersion really is the most important “This is our home of 50 years, and we’re retired in December 2000. During his tenure component to achieve fluency in a language. invested in this city,” he said. “It’s been a at Oswego, he also earned a master’s in It’s funny when you study another language, wonderful place for us.” l Spanish from Middlebury during a summer you somehow acquire their culture.” —Margaret Spillett