Around the SUNY Oswego campus

Twins Shaleena (second from left) and Zina Campbell prepare to present the Class of 2019 banner to college President Deborah F. Stanley during the 12:30 p.m. Commencement ceremony May 18 as new alumni of SUNY Oswego’s School of Business. The Campbell sisters, both business administration majors, earned recognition from Harlem Fashion Week this spring for their selfless and entrepreneurial effort to provide prom dresses to high school students who couldn’t afford new ones.

Dr. Mildred García, president of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities, addresses candidates for graduation at the 9 a.m. Commencement ceremony May 18 for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. García is the first Latina to lead any of the six presidentially based higher education associations in Washington, D.C. She also was the first Latina president in the largest system of public higher education in the country, the California State University system, at California State University, Dominguez Hills in 2007. García went on to serve as president of California State University, Fullerton from 2012 to 2018. Among many achievements, under her leadership, Cal Fullerton saw a 30 percent improvement in six-year graduation rates and a 65 percent improvement in four-year graduation rates for first-time freshmen – both university records.

Honorary degree recipient and commencement speaker Jeff Ragovin, a 2000 Oswego alumnus and the chief growth officer of Social Native, addresses candidates for graduation from the School of Business at the 12:30 p.m. ceremony on May 18. The tech pioneer and industry veteran also serves as the founder of Ragovin Ventures, which advises startups with proven methodologies and techniques to scale faster and smarter. Ragovin was the co-founder of Buddy Media, playing a central role in guiding the company from a start-up into the largest enterprise social marketing suite in the world. A frequent speaker at industry-wide events, Ragovin hosts the “Marketing Mix” podcast, which features some of the world’s most influential C-level executives.

College President Deborah F. Stanley (left) and Provost Scott Furlong arrange the hood of community leader and philanthropist Noreen Reale Falcone, recipient of SUNY’s doctorate in humane letters. Each of the four Commencement speakers received the honorary degree. Along with Yvonne Spicer, mayor of Framingham, Massachusetts, Falcone addressed graduation candidates of the School of Education and the School of Communication, Media and the Arts at the 4 p.m. Commencement ceremony. A former North Syracuse elementary school teacher, Falcone served as the first female president of the U.S. Knights of Malta and led the boards of several nonprofit organizations. She currently is a member of the Board of Trustees at Le Moyne College, a member of the Syracuse Diocese Foundation Board, and a volunteer and an honorary member of the board at Francis House. (Photo by Jacob Lax)

Dr. Yvonne Spicer, a 1984 graduate and 1985 master’s degree recipient of SUNY Oswego and now mayor of Framingham, Massachusetts, addresses 2019 candidates for graduation from the School of Education and the School of Communication, Media and the Arts. Spicer, a leading national advocate for science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education, shared the program for the 4 p.m. Commencement ceremony with community leader and philanthropist Noreen Reale Falcone. As the first African-American woman to be popularly elected mayor in the state of Massachusetts, Mayor Spicer is focused on establishing a transparent government that inspires community involvement from all citizens. (Photo by Jacob Lax)

Tenaja Smith-Butler, a Possibility Scholarship recipient and president of the Black Student Union, speaks May 17 as student representative during the Torchlight Ceremony. A zoology major and psychology minor who graduated the next day, Smith-Butler also served on the ALANA Executive Board, helped plan Black History Month activities and studied abroad in Borneo.

John McLoughlin addresses graduating seniors and a crowd of hundreds of others May 17 during the Torchlight Ceremony in tents adjacent to Marano Campus Center. Then a sergeant with the Port Authority Police Department of New York and New Jersey, the 1975 SUNY Oswego graduate was trapped beneath the rubble of the World Trade Center while trying to assist victims in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. He was rescued 22 hours later, and his story became the subject of the 2006 Hollywood movie directed by Oliver Stone, “World Trade Center,” in which John was portrayed by actor Nicolas Cage.

The McLoughlin family has quite a legacy at SUNY Oswego: John McLoughlin (center), class of 1975, who served as master of ceremonies for this year’s Torchlight celebration May 17, joins fellow alumni family members (from left) son JJ (2014), daughter Erin (2019), wife Donna, daughter Caitlin (2012) and son Steven (2008) prior to the annual Torchlight Dinner in Marano Campus Center arena. JJ McLoughlin this month plans to marry fellow Oswego alumna Alyssa Derasmo of the class of 2015.

Ahmed Albajari (center) displays the photo plaque he earned as the Oswego Alumni Association’s 2019 Outstanding Senior at the 2019 Torchlight dinner. Flanking him are Laura Kelly (left), director of alumni relations, and Michael Paestella, director of student involvement, who nominated Albajari for the award. “Ahmed did a great job with helping SA build their budget and then took that experience and applied it to his involvement with a number of business organizations and opportunities,” Paestella said. “Through all of this he maintained an amazing GPA, stayed humble and kept asking for guidance and feedback along with helping his fellow students.”

New graduates (from left) Rachel Meyer, Akim Cadet and Colin Maggiolo celebrate after the 9 a.m. Commencement ceremony for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

The Senior Sing, under the direction of music faculty member Mihoko Tsutsumi (not pictured) lends strong voices to the time-honored Torchlight ceremony on May 17. Alumni passed the Torch of Learning to the graduating Class of 2019 in a ceremony instituted by Lida Penfield more than 80 years ago. With the exception of Commencement, it is the longest-standing academic tradition on campus.

Hundreds of seniors heading to Commencement the next day gather on May 17 for the 2019 Torchlight Ceremony, passing the symbolic Torch of Learning throughout the audience of family members and SUNY Oswego faculty, staff and other students.

Skye Prosper (foreground), displays the Torch of Learning, a flame passed among her fellow graduating seniors at the Torchlight Ceremony on Commencement Eve, May 17. Earlier, at the Torchlight Dinner, Prosper presented the Class of 2019 gift.

Candidates for graduate degrees and certificates leave the afternoon Division of Graduate Studies reception May 18 in Chu Atrium in Marano Campus Center. While many master’s degree recipients are teachers attending the School of Education, the college offers a wide array of other post-baccalaureate opportunities in disciplines -- such as chemistry, graphic design, business administration, strategic communication and more -- across Oswego’s other three schools.

Graduating student teachers and School of Education faculty members gather following a May 17 Leighton Learning Community ceremony where they received gifts from grateful students, teachers and administrators. Two years ago, the college established the classroom community that provides SUNY Oswego students with practicum and methods coursework, and hands-on opportunities to learn from professional teachers and interact with local elementary schoolchildren. Front from left are Cassidy Chainyk, Caroline May, Mary Medico, Maxwell McGowan, Isabel Rodriguez, Amelia DeJarnette, Rachel Smith, Makenna Nolan and Alison Teneyck; in back are faculty Barbara Beyerbach, Michelle Duffy and Christine Walsh.

SUNY Oswego student teachers at Frederick Leighton Elementary School in Oswego enjoy a very special send-off May 17, the day before the college’s Commencement. Nine undergraduates earning their bachelor’s degrees in elementary education and three SUNY Oswego School of Education faculty processed in front of a crowd that included elementary school students, their families, administrators from the college and school district, and families of some of the degree candidates in a ceremony hosted by Kara Shore, principal of Leighton Elementary. The children read letters and poems and offered gifts to their student teachers in an emotional goodbye and thank-you ceremony.

Family members surround finance major and economics minor Dillon Nimako following Commencement for the School of Business.

Many a joyous selfie with family and friends, such as this one with public justice graduate Malsha Fernando, commemorated the sunny Commencement day.

Human development major Desiree Pedrosa (center, in cap and gown) enjoys considerable support for her graduation achievement following the first of three Commencement ceremonies.

Family members gather around mathematics major Darryl Gomez-Lewis to celebrate his big day following Commencement for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Mary Tone Rodgers (right), Marcia Belmar Willock Professor of Finance, congratulates finance major and economics minor Rita Azzer following Commencement for the School of Business.

Broadcasting and mass communication majors Anthony Del Piano (from left), Jason Sobierajski and (at right) Sabrina Carlo join classmate Rebecca Velez, a communications and social interaction major, outside the ceremony for the School of Communication, Media and the Arts, held in combination with the School of Education.

The Lakers baseball team held an alternative Commencement May 17, as the team’s seniors receive their degrees while representing the college at the NCAA tournament. Family members gathered with the graduating seniors (from left) Mike Dellicarri, Nick Chilson, Brandon Nicholson, Matt Zakala and Matt DeBlasio.

Yarbrielle Ingram (left), a May graduate with a master’s degree in graphic design, enjoys OzFest with her mother (center) and aunt (right) on May 10 near the fresh lemonade stand in Marano Campus Center. Ingram recently displayed her artwork in MA Exhibition II in Tyler Hall’s new second-floor gallery.

Students Shyanne Reid (left) and Ashley Savage have their photo taken in tropical style at OzFest’s photo booth, operated by Endeavor Entertainment, an OzFest commercial vendor.

Students Zachary Lanphere (from left), Molly Sullivan, Shawn Zima and Aron Lane compete in an inflatable game May 10 at OzFest in Swetman Gymnasium. Sponsored by the Student Association Programming Board, OzFest features music, food, games and more to mark the college's last day of spring classes.

Extended Learning staff offered fresh-made lemonade to all passersby at their annual stand in the Marano Campus Center concourse: (from left) Jason Hy, academic videographer; Karen Moore, coordinator of summer and winter sessions; Patrice Robinson, marketing manager; Kristina Donzella, recruiter at SUNY Oswego’s Syracuse campus; Robin Duger, program manager; and Daniela Mosko, high school programs coordinator.

A powdery rainbow soars over Color Oswego participants and volunteers May 3 in a popular rite of spring on the west side of campus. (Photo by Erin Niland)

A runner makes a “brilliant” finish in the annual color run May 3 near Glimmerglass Fitness Center on campus in the annual Color Oswego 1.5-mile run/walk sponsored by Campus Recreation and the Lifestyles and Fitness centers. (Photo by Erin Niland)

Elizabeth “Betsy” Oberst, associate vice president of alumni relations and stewardship, and her husband Jerry Oberst, senior associate director of admissions, paused May 8 at King Alumni Hall during an open house celebrating her 35 years with SUNY Oswego. Executive director of the Oswego Alumni Association (OAA) and publisher of the Oswego Alumni Magazine, she has overseen alumni relations, alumni and development communications, and donor relations and stewardship programs at the college. “She has helped build an alumni office that is the envy of our SUNY peers, and she is leaving the OAA in a much stronger place than when she started,” said Mary Canale, vice president for development and alumni relations. “We are so grateful for her dedication, commitment and many years of service to all of our alumni.”

Art professor Cynthia Clabough (left in front) congratulates Frederick Leighton Elementary School student Gus McDonald and gives him and his art teacher, Michele Gorham, an opportunity to say a few words at the May 23 opening reception in Breitbeck Park for several dozen young artists in the 2019 My Hometown Banner Project. Thanks to work the student artists did in 2019 in their schools, 19 banners celebrating the Oswego City School District’s visual art program and the quality of life in the city of Oswego fly alongside Breitbeck Park, City Hall, Lake Street and East Cayuga Street. Mayor William J. Barlow Jr. and Clabough, who founded and directs the project, both spoke at the reception.

Following the May 23 opening reception for this year’s My Hometown Banner exhibition, her family and teacher gather around Gianna Ellingwood (second from left), a sixth-grader at Charles E. Riley Elementary School, whose artwork, “Two Boats by the Sunset” (top), shares a banner with that of another young student at a display of schoolchildren’s banners at Breitbeck Park. From left are Gianna’s parents, Dave Ellingwood and Melissa McCrobie, and art teacher Rebecca Woods.

Art faculty member Amy Bartell (center), coordinator of community art exhibitions, greets photographer Katie Simmons-Barth (left) and partner Lisa Simmons-Barth at the opening May 16 of "Resistance, Love and Show Tunes: Honoring the 50th Anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising and the LGBTQ Movement.” The exhibition features the photography of Baltimore-based  Simmons-Barth. Bartell says the exhibition, which runs through Oct. 31 at the branch of Tyler Art Gallery at SUNY Oswego’s Syracuse campus, “captures the fierce, joyful, often marginalized world of LGBTQ communities.” (Submitted by Amy  Bartell)

Jennifer Chun, associate professor in UCLA’s Asian American studies department and the International Institute, made the concluding Year of Korea presentation May 3 in Marano Campus Center auditorium. Her talk, “Dramatizing Precarity: The Public Cultures of Labor Protests in South Korea,” examined the shift toward more dramatic and ritualized protests among laid-off and precariously employed workers in South Korea that have become central to contemporary struggles against corporate injustice. The Institute for Global Engagement (IGE) joined the Northeast Asia Council of the Association for Asian Studies and the Korea Foundation in sponsoring Chun’s appearance. In 2018-19, the IGE organized or co-hosted 18 events with the help of 39 volunteers, including those related to the Year of Korea. The events reached an audience of more than 1,200 students, faculty, staff and members of the community, according to IGE Director Ulises Mejias.

“Wellness in Italy,” a six-credit class taught by Sandra Bargainnier, chair of health promotion and wellness, and Donna Videto of SUNY Cortland’s health department, is one of several study-abroad classes currently or recently taking students to learn more about an academic subject within an international context. Bargainnier said the diverse group of 20 students are exploring wellness and its social dimensions in activities that include walking tours, cooking class, hiking and attending a Fiorentino versus Genoa futbol game. From left are wellness management major Rita Ntim-Gyakari, technology management major Nyezee Goe, online wellness management major Gabriella Schaff, wellness management major Adan Raacha and biology major Gigi Niu. (Submitted by Sandra Bargainnier)

Sarah Yensan (center), a member of the Lakers track and field team, claimed 20th place in the long jump May 23 at the NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field Championship at the SPIRE Institute in Geneva, Ohio. The junior qualified with a school-record jump of 5.74 meters (18'10") at the Atlantic Region Championships on May 16. Yensan was also a conference champion, taking the first-place spot on the podium with a 5.56-meter jump at the SUNY Athletic Conference Championships on May 3. (NCAA photo)