SUNY Oswego is planning for the yearly summer reunion for alumni, including those employed on campus, to come together this week, from June 8 to 11.
Coordinators of the event -- like Laura Kelly, executive director of the Oswego Alumni Association and a 2009 SUNY Oswego graduate -- hope that other alumni employed on campus take advantage of the events planned.
“You’ll see the campus in a new light, and you will likely make new friends and learn things you never knew. For example, you can learn more about our founder, Edward Austin Sheldon, in one of several free presentations by Sheldon scholar and Syracuse City history teacher Don Little ’91 M’94 M’15,” Kelly said. “You can hear from university leadership and celebrate several 2023 Alumni Award winners during the University Update Saturday morning in Waterbury Hall lounge. You can join us for the free ‘Spirits and Sunsets’ Party, a free concert in Lot E-1 with music provided by Nik Lite and a cash bar of beer and wine provided by Colloca Estate Winery.”
At the reunion, special milestones for various class years will be celebrated as well as anniversaries for Greek organizations and the wrestling program. There will also be many annual traditions, which are among the most popular offerings.
“Among them are Friday night's Welcome Back BBQ and Bonfire at Fallbrook (typically our largest event throughout the weekend), Saturday afternoon’s Picnic on the Lake (behind Lakeside Dining Center) and the annual Golden Alumni Society Reception and Luncheon for the 50th anniversary class (this year 1973) and earlier classes in the Sheldon Hall ballroom,” said Kelly.
The Welcome Back BBQ and Bonfire at Fallbrook will take place from 6 to 9 p.m, with advance registration strongly recommended. There will be an afterparty with a bonfire and DJ that does not require an RSVP. Saturday afternoon’s Picnic on the Lake will be from 12 to 2:30 p.m. and the annual Golden Alumni Society Reception and luncheon will take place from 12:30 to 3 p.m.
The Alumni Association has also made some changes to the weekend schedule for alumni who are employed on campus.
“This year, we have changed up our Saturday night event a bit and hope our alumni employees would carve out a little time to kick back, listen to music and take in a beloved Lake Ontario sunset — something that so many of us who work here don’t stop enough to do,” said Kelly.
The Oswego Alumni Association planned and marketed the reunion for the past year. The reunion website has dates for future reunions listed and they will take place on the same weekend.
Each day will be filled with different activities to participate in and opportunities for alumni to meet new people and see former classmates.
Vice President of University Advancement Mary Gibbons Canale, a 1981 alumna, said that Reunion Weekend is a great opportunity for alumni working on campus to see and connect with former classmates.
"Just as this campus community comes together every year to welcome a new class of students, we invite all faculty and staff to join us in greeting alumni who represent seven decades of SUNY Oswego history," Canale said. "These alumni look forward to seeing familiar faces of the faculty and staff who helped them learn and grow, and they also like meeting new people and hearing about all the advances and developments since they've graduated.”
Visit the Reunion website for a full schedule, more information and to register for some activities.
-- Written by Lila Boudissa of the Class of 2023