Oswego - Spring 2004 by Oswego Alumni Association

OSWEGO ALUMNI ASSOCIATION OF THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK AT OSWEGO I VOL. 30, NO. 1 I SPRING 2004

WRVO Turns 35!

G G

PLUS Snowed In! Troubleshooting Our Schools

Whether your graduation looked like this

or more like this,

2004 Reunion Classes

you can relive the happy day by returning to Oswego for

1929 • 1934 • 1939 • 1944 • 1949 • 1959 • 1964 1954 • 50th 1979 • 25th 1994 • 10th

Plus 35th Cluster Classes 1968 • 1969 • 1970 15th Cluster Classes 1988 • 1989 • 1990

Mini-Reunions Zeta Chi Zeta 35th Anniversary Celebration Psi Phi Delta Chi Omega 35th Cluster Theta Chi Rho 35th Cluster For the most up-to-date information or to register online, visit http://oswegoalumni.oswego.edu/reunion2004. Registration Deadline: May 17 Reunion Hotline: 315-312-5559

JUNE 3–6 Don’t miss out — Come back and join the fun!

OSWEGO

SPRING 2004

Alumni Association of the State University of New York at Oswego Vol. 30, No. 1

Troubleshooting Our Schools

Joe Farmer ’60 comes out of retirement to share his school leadership skills.

It’s Good Company

WRVO celebrates 35 years on the air from Lanigan Hall on campus.

Snowed In!

Oswego’s famous snow strikes again — and students get a rare two-day break from classes.

PLUS Campus Currents Club News Class Notes

Weddings The Last Word

3 12 25 42 48

ON THE COVER: John Krauss ’71 (left) and John Hurlbutt ’71 prepare for another day in the WRVO studios. Cover photography by Robert Mescavage Photography

FROM THE

President’s Desks wo occasions this January gave me cause to be thankful for people not normally in the spotlight. Mother Nature dumped over four and a half feet of snow on Oswego in a few days. Our cleanup crews worked incredibly hard to clear roads and walkways for our students and staff, especially given the size and duration of President the storms they faced this year. Deborah F. All the people who work so Stanley hard to make the college accessible deserve our thanks and praise for succeeding in a task many people may take for granted. We had to cancel classes for two days in a row — something not seen here in generations — but without the dedication and commitment of our maintenance employees, it no doubt would have been even longer. The second group I am thankful for falls into the “heard but not seen”category.The cre-

Oswego Alumni Magazine

ative and dedicated men and women of WRVO, the public radio station in Lanigan Hall,celebrated 35 years on the air this January. Over the decades we have come to rely on this committed crew to bring us many of the events that have shaped our lives — the Challenger and World Trade Center disasters, the Gulf wars, elections and yes, even Oswego’s legendary weather. WRVO gives our students opportunities to learn and stretch their wings in a professional, yet supportive, environment. And it makes SUNY Oswego’s name known to nearly a million potential listeners. So many people contribute to making our campus community a worthwhile place, a haven for learning and growing. After you read about the work of these two groups in this issue, I’m sure you will be as thankful as I am for their dedication.

Deborah F. Stanley President

F R O M

hen our kids were little, we had the “idea bag.” A plastic briefcase, with “The Idea Bag” painted on its side, it began life as a salesman’s kit for an advertising novelty company.When the ad agency where I worked at the time was clearing out the clutter in a back closet, the bag was destined for the dump. I rescued it and filled it with activities for the long car trips we’d take on family vacations. At first, I’m sure my little ones thought it was a magic sack that produced goodies on demand, like one of their favorite Disney books, The Magic Grinder. “Mom, I need another idea!” they’d shout when the long ride made them restless. As the kids grew, so did the idea bag’s contents, from coloring books and crayons to comics, handheld electronic games and audio books. Our nest is empty now and the idea bag, no longer needed, went to Goodwill. I hope another family found its enchantment. But sometimes, as I sit staring at

OSWEGO

●

Spring 2004

the computer screen, trying to envision the next Oswego magazine, I wish I had a magic idea bag, where stories and pictures would appear without the sweat of creative labor. This issue, we’re calling on you for help in filling the idea bag. Our next issues will feature stories on alumni involved in politics, successful alumni under age 40 and — my personal favorite — all sorts of things related to food. And, we’re asking you to get creative in 17 syllables. Yes, it’s Hideo Haiku time again. Look for the notes scattered throughout Campus Currents and send us your ideas. Make that bag overflow!

Michele A. Reed Oswego editor

Elizabeth Locke Oberst Publisher Michele Reed Editor Jim Russell ’83 Staff Photographer Kiefer Creative Graphic Design Lisa Potter Memorials Emily King ’05 Class Notes Janel Armstrong ’03 Bookshelf, Weddings

Shannon Mahar ’04 Emily King ’05 Editorial Assistants Janel Armstrong ’03 Julie Harrison Blissert Lyle Fulton Emily King ’05 Linda Morley Loomis ’90, M ’97 Shannon Mahar ’04 Tim Nekritz Randi Weiner Contributing Writers Lyle Fulton Bob Mescavage Contributing Photographers

The Oswego Alumni Association, Inc. Board of Directors Lori Golden Kiewe ’84 President Mark Tryniski ’85 First Vice President Jennifer Shropshire ’86 Second Vice President *Dr. David Cristantello ’74 Past President Elizabeth Oberst Executive Director Debbie Adams-Kaden ’78 William Bacon ’59 Elizabeth Nichols Bates ’68 Mary Beth Beaton ’05 Connie Holmes Bond ’51 Tomasina Boyd Boone ’93 Norman Brust ’49 *Maurice Bullard ’80 Saleem Cheeks ’01 Sherman Cowan ’91, M ’94

John Daken ’66 Sylvia Muncey Gaines ’76 *Lester Gosier ’37 Elizabeth Gura ’84 *Tracy Chamberlain Higginbotham ’86 Lyndsay Jenks Hanchett ’92 David Kidd ’49 *Edith Maloney Knight ’50 Patrick Magin ’91 Alice Massimi ’02 *Carol McLaughlin ’45 Davis Parker ’47 *Joseph Savage ’77 *Herbert Siegel ’40 Olive Brannan Spargo ’31 Molly Casey St. John ’99 *Barry Thompson ’77 Jon Vermilye ’66 Cheryl Webster Crounse ’98 * At large

State University of New York at Oswego Deborah F. Stanley President Dr. David King Interim Provost Nicholas Lyons Vice President for Administration and Finance

Dr. Joseph Grant Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management Kevin Mahaney Vice President for Development and Public Affairs

Office of Alumni and Parent Relations King Alumni Hall SUNY Oswego, Oswego, NY 13126 Fax: 315-312-5570 Phone: 315-312-2258 E-mail: alumni@oswego.edu Web site: http://oswegoalumni.oswego.edu

Oswego is published three times a year by the Oswego 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. Printed April 2004.

C A M P U S

CURRENTS

College to offer rare semester-long study in Cuba

hen a dozen students started a study abroad experience in Cuba in early February, SUNY Oswego established one of only three comprehensive college-run semester-long programs in that country. Participants in Oswego’s first-ever Cuban semester exchange program from Feb. 12 to June 12 at the Universidad de la Habana had to be academic achievers fluent in Spanish because of the rigorous demands of the university there, said Dr. Walter Opello, director of international education at Oswego. Students will take mainly social science courses and will learn more about the culture from out-of-classroom experiences. Plans are to pair a Cuban student with each incoming student to serve as a guide and cultural mentor throughout the semester. The program’s seeds were planted when Eugenio Basualdo, an associate professor of vocational teacher preparation, asked to bring two Cuban professors to speak on campus. After speaking and meeting with members of the college community, they proposed an exchange program. ●

Oswego scholars garner record number of Fulbright awards

chair of modern languages and lithanks to a Fulbright study eratures, spent three weeks in June abroad grant, Nicole Darcantraveling to Berlin, Rostock, Frankgelo ’03 of Vestal is spending her furt and Mainz. His Fulbright first postgraduate year working on studies resulted in a new course at a research project and taking classes Oswego in German culture and at the University of Waterloo in civilization. Ontario, Canada. She is one of four The Fulbright program is Fulbright Program winners this sponsored by the U. S. Department year at Oswego — a college record. of State. ● A Presidential Scholar at Nicole Darcangelo ’03 Oswego, Darcangelo planned to conduct a comparative study on child poverty issues between the United States and Canada for her Fulbright work. She credited psychology Professor Virginia Gregg for pointing her toward the program. Distinguished Teaching Professor of History Dr. Geraldine Forbes is in India right now researching the historical value of late 19th- and early 20th-century photographs of Indian women. Dr. Alfred Frederick, professor of curriculum and instruction, spent his winter break at the Universite d’Abomey-Calavi in Benin, conducting workshops for faculty at Dr. Al Frederick, right, discusses with gradthe West African university on curriculum uate assistant Don Waddell preparations for his Curriculum Reform Seminar at the design in a culturally pluralistic society. Universite d’Abomey-Calavi in the Republic Dr. John F. Lalande II ’71, professor and of Benin, West Africa.

OVER 250 STUDENTS, FACULTY AND STAFF MEMBERS SIGNED a Letter to the Academic Community during a two-day campaign in Hewitt Union in December, affirming the college’s commitment to diversity. “The diversity of the ethnic heritage that exists among our members enriches the quality and breadth of our learning,” read the letter in part. “Native Americans have a rich culture and sacred traditions . . . This culture, along with many other cultures present in our academic community, should be respected and celebrated here.” The letter was in response to an incident on Halloween, when a student ran through a classroom taught by a Native American instructor, aiming a toy bow and arrow at him and making racist remarks. “The campus takes a position on this type of behavior, that it’s not acceptable,” said Cathy Santos ’87, assistant dean of students for judicial affairs. “This is a living and learning environment.” She added that the campus responded under the Code of Student Rights, Responsibility and Conduct. Pictured at left, Beisan Hamdan ’05, an international relations major, signs the unity letter. Looking on, from left, are Tara Blunt ’06, a political science major; Beth LeBeau ’04, a marketing major; and Travis Stafford ’06, a math major.

OSWEGO

●

Spring 2004

C A M P U S

CURRENTS

he National Science Foundation found SUNY Oswego’s first effort through their scholarship program so successful that it has funded a second four-year version. Oswego’s computer science and mathematics scholarship program was awarded a $396,000 grant. It was among only 65 approved out of 220 applications. Approximately 30 juniors and seniors majoring in mathematics, computer science, information science or education with a math concentrate will receive $3,000 scholarships each year during the program. For more information go online to www.oswego.edu/CSEM. ●

ORI author to visit

collection of short stories by Sherman Alexie, The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven, is the Oswego Reading Initiative choice for the campus community to read next summer. It is the third annual choice, and the first fiction book selected. ORI book selections each year inspire events programming, from films and speakers to in-class projects. A highlight of next year’s activities will be a visit by the author. Alexie will be on campus Oct. 5 to read from his book and speak to campus audiences. Alexie’s tales of characters struggling on a modern Spokane Indian reservation were an overwhelming favorite of campus voters, one of the factors considered by the ORI committee. Votes in favor of The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven ran at about a 20-to-1 ratio to the next runner-up of six choices in the largest

NSF continues scholarships

Sherman Alexie

electronic voting turnout for the program to date, according to Associate Provost Rhonda Mandel. The book served as the foundation for the critically acclaimed movie “Smoke Signals,” which earned two Sundance Film Festival awards and a deal with Miramax Films. ●

Alumni return to stage for opera’s 25th WHEN INEZ PARKER TOOK her curtain call at the Oswego Opera Theater’s 25th anniversary production of “A Little Night Music,” she did something she has never done in her many years as a performer — she cried. “It was just so emotional for me,” Parker said. “It was so thrilling to be a part

Karin “Pinky” Franklin-King ’71 as Desiree

OSWEGO

●

Spring 2004

of a company I love, a company I’ve been a part of for so many years.” Parker, also the show’s producer, was an employee of the Penfield Library for 41 years, and the only member of the night’s cast to have performed in “H.M.S. Pinafore,” the premier performance of the Oswego Opera Theater. To take the stage 25 years later, Parker said, was an exciting thing. “It was overwhelming,” she said. “I felt as though there were ghosts in the theater, all of the people who I have worked with, who have died, who have graduated and moved on. I felt as though they were all there.” In fact, many of them were. Karin “Pinky” Franklin-King ’71 had never sung opera before, but that didn’t keep her from tackling the role of Desiree in the production. “It was a dream come true,” FranklinKing said. “I love having the opportunity to

go to Oswego and see performances, or be in performances. It felt good getting back on campus again.” Dr. James Soluri, one of the founders of the Oswego Opera Theater and professor emeritus of music, was glad to attend. “I return as often as I can,” he said. “I have not missed a performance since I moved to Massachusetts. “The existence and survival of a professional opera company in a small town like Oswego is remarkable, and due largely to the support of the community and the dedication of many board members over the years,” he said. Also performing in last November’s production were Dani Gottuso-Boudov ’98, Rebecca Sutter ’03 and Michael “Clem” Climek ’05. Rick Sivers ’70, is president of the board of directors and members include Kristine Hyovalti Bushey ’72. ● — Shannon Mahar ’04

C A M P U S

CURRENTS

First Women’s Studies lectures begin

Write to Oswego and send your best poetry — Hideo Haiku IT’S TIME FOR THE SECOND HIDEO Haiku contest, honoring Hideo Takamine 1877, a young man who graduated from Oswego over 125 years ago and went on to found a teacher’s college in Japan. The rules are simple: Haiku is the traditional Japanese poetry form written in 17 syllables, usually three lines of five, seven and five syllables each. Often haiku will incorporate a theme from nature or a seasonal reference, but this is not necessary. For the Hideo Haiku contest, poems should make some reference to Oswego State. You may enter as many poems as you like. Simply type or print the haiku on an 8 1/2 x 11 sheet of paper, no more than five poems on a sheet. Please include your name, address, telephone number and e-mail address on each sheet. Also state your relationship to the college: alumnus/alumna (include class year), faculty, staff, emeritus/emerita or student. Employees of the Office of Alumni and University Development are not eligible to win. Prizes will include Oswego State memorabilia, provided by the Oswego Alumni Association. Winning haiku will be published in a future issue of the magazine. Mail entries must be postmarked by Sept. 1, 2004. Send entries to Hideo Haiku Contest, King Alumni Hall, 300 Washington Blvd., Oswego, NY 13126. Or enter online at www.oswegoalumni.oswego.edu/haiku by Sept. 1. So have some fun, honor a fellow alumnus and celebrate Oswego’s enduring connection with Japan. Write and submit some haiku today! ●

he generosity of one alumnus and the talents of another came full circle this semester. The first Ernst and Young Visiting Lecturers in Women’s Studies were named, thanks to a donation by Robert Feinberg ’78 matched by his employer, Ernst and Young. One of the two visiting scholars is Melina Dello Stritto Carnicelli ’70, lecturing on “Women in the Workplace.” “I’m thrilled to be doing it,” says Carnicelli. “I’ve always considered the role of instructor to be so deeply rich: Not only is there the teaching component, but there’s also the learning component.” She’s no stranger to the classroom. Before founding her 10-year-old consulting firm, Treble Associates, which provides leadership training and professional staff development, she was a school administrator and teacher. For the past four years, she’s also been Mayor of Auburn and previously served on the city council there. In addition to her new course, Carnicelli began a new job: working as a project associate in the college’s Center for Business and Community Development. It’s a homecoming in more ways than one for Melina. This year her daughter, Regina Carnicelli ’06, is new on campus too, having transferred from SUNY Albany. Melina’s son, Luke Carnicelli ’96, M ’00 CAS ’04 teaches locally and her daughter-inlaw, Lisa Festa Carnicelli ’98, is working on

Melina Dello Stritto Carnicelli ’70 lectures on “Women in the Workplace.” Class members include, front row from left, childhood education major Chris Saunders ’05 and American studies major Pearl Gardner ’04 and, in the back row, elementary education major Jessica Koopman ’05.

her master’s at Oswego. Melina’s sister, Maria Dello Stritto ’73, is also a graduate. Also lecturing under the new program is Rosemary Hartigan, an attorney from Syracuse, who is teaching “Employment Equity and the Law.” She has most recently been program director and associate professor of MBA and executive programs at the University of Maryland University College. She also has taught at Antioch University, Babson College and the Rochester Institute of Technology, and has practiced law in Wisconsin and Massachusetts. ●

You’re holding silver in your hands! Oswego alumni magazine was awarded a silver award as part of the Accolades Program at the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education’s District II conference this spring. CASE is the international professional organization for advancement professionals at all levels who work in alumni relations, communications and development. District II has the largest CASE membership, including more than 660 institutions and 4,800 individual members.

Oswego was recognized in the category for one- to three-color magazines with a budget of over $20,000, for the Fall 2002 and Spring and Summer 2003 issues. Last fall, the magazine was honored by the Oswego County Press Club in two categories: Best Article: Government for “Homeland Security 101” in the Spring 2003 issue, about Jerome DuVal ’92; and Best Editorial, for that issue’s “From the Editor’s Pen,” memorializing Theresa Greco ’73. ●

OSWEGO

●

Spring 2004

C A M P U S

CURRENTS

Real estate magnate donates to Oswego

1975 alumnus of the college, who parlayed his work ethic and business sense into a successful commercial real estate enterprise in Florida, has remembered SUNY Oswego in a foundation set up as part of his estate. Maurice R. Gelina ’75 named Oswego as one of the beneficiaries of the Maurice R. Gelina and Barbara McCleese Foundation. As one of the 10 beneficiaries of the trust fund, Oswego will receive a disbursement each year in perpetuity, or until the fund is depleted. As of Dec. 31, 2003, the fund contained over $950,000 and was not yet fully funded. He named Oswego as a beneficiary “only because he thought so much of the college,” said his former wife, Judith Farwell Gelina ’75, co-trustee. “It really gave him his foothold in education and gave him what he needed.” Maurice loved Oswego so much he returned to it despite adversity and convinced Judy to finish her degree here, too. He started at Farmingdale Community College and came to Oswego to study industrial arts education. When his mother became ill, he had to leave Oswego and return home to run the family business. He returned to school at Suffolk Community College,

Maurice R. Gelina ’75

where Judy was a student, and convinced her to come to Oswego with him to finish their degrees. They came to Oswego in 1973 and did their student teaching, Maurice in Syracuse and Judy in Fulton. After graduation in 1975, the couple moved to Florida and married. Maurice landed a job teaching the arts in a middle school, but school budgets were tight and Judy could only get subbing jobs. So the couple took courses in real estate and got their licenses. Judy favored residential sales,

Poleto to chair College Council

Program to generate Ph.D.s A NATIONAL PROGRAM THAT AIMS to boost the number of Ph.D.s among members of underrepresented groups is getting under way at SUNY Oswego. The McNair program, which is offered to students through a new grant from the Ronald E. McNair Post-baccalaureate Achievement Award Program, is designed to promote diversity among the nation’s college professors. Its goal is to provide financial assistance and practical learning experience to African Americans, Hispanic Americans, American Indians,

OSWEGO

Spring 2004

but Maurice gravitated toward commercial real estate. At the time, Miami was just becoming a large metro area. Maurice worked for Merrill Lynch and Studly International, and over the years he closed several large commercial deals in Miami. He opened his own agency, Maurice Gelina and Associates, and had been in business about 16 years when he passed away in December 2002 of a heart attack. Maurice Gelina was noted for his deals on large commercial buildings, such as Carnival Cruise Line’s move into their new building, Judy said. “He was a very talented man,” she said. “He was brilliant in putting some of these deals together. “When he started, Miami was a very small big town. Now it has grown by leaps and bounds. He was really instrumental in that.” A real-estate genius and savvy businessman, Maurice Gelina did more than help Miami’s commercial entities cement their presence in the city. Through his generosity, he has ensured that generations of Oswego students will be able to build a firm foundation for their dreams. G

economically disadvantaged first-generation college students, and — in mathand science-related fields — women. The U.S Department of Education provided Oswego with $190,216 for this academic year, with more funding expected through 2006-07, totaling $760,864. The number of students participating in the program is expected to grow from 10 to 15 this spring, to approximately 20 juniors and seniors a year. G

David M. Poleto ’79, a member of the Oswego College Council since 1997, was appointed chair of that body in January by Gov. George Pataki. A political science major at Oswego, Poleto is vice president of Park Strategies, LLC. He previously was the director of the New York State Governor’s Office of Regulatory Reform, before that serving as Pataki’s director of regional affairs and director of scheduling. Poleto was former U.S. Sen. Alfonse D’Amato’s director of state operations from 1991 to 1998 after working as D’Amato’s capital region coordinator/director of casework. G

C A M P U S

CURRENTS

Laker Days celebrate sports, school pride

“P

ursue what you love. That is the most important thing.” This is the message that Travis Cook ’78 sent faculty and students during the panel discussion “Sports: Past, Present and Future” as part of Laker Days in early February. Cook, the director of recreation for the Oneida Indian Nation and a charter member of the Oswego Athletic Hall of Fame, was among five speakers to address students on issues such as job placement in professional and amateur sports, women and minorities in sports, and the athletic tradition at SUNY Oswego. A lacrosse standout at Oswego and a torchbearer at the Winter Olympics in 2002, Cook said he was excited about the opportunity to visit Oswego and share his experiences with students. “I love coming to Oswego,” he said. “Things were right for me when I was here. I love the enthusiasm of the students, and I wanted to be a part of it.” Michele Tackett–Spinner ’98, co-director of the panel along with Jean Conway M’95, said that it’s helpful for students to hear from alumni in their prospective professions. “It’s good for them to see others who have made it within their field,” Tackett-Spinner said. “It gives them hope that they can be successful, too.”

Travis Cook ’78 (right) speaks as part of the Laker Days sports panel.

The panel discussion was one of many events in the college’s first-ever Laker Days, a new campus tradition that featured a weekend of activities to promote institutional pride through strengthening active participation of the student body in intercollegiate athletic contests and other alcohol-free, campus-sponsored events. “It’s really a celebration of what the campus has to offer,”Sonia Robinson, coordinator of the event, said. “It’s about sports and athletics, and about making healthier choices.” Laker Days, which was made possible through an NCAA Choices grant, featured a bonfire, pep rally, human dog sled race, band and banner competitions, and a 5K walk/run. G — Shannon Mahar ’04

Maria Correa Gonzalez ’03 presented the Oswego Alumni Association December Class of 2003 banner and some words of wisdom at the Dec. 20 graduation ceremony. “To Oswego, our Alma Mater, the memories and lessons will live on forever, and as we leave the grounds of the Oswego State campus, it is with great pride and admiration that we will hold our heads high and continue to give back,” Gonzalez told her classmates. “Go and take the world by storm — the Oswego way.”

Corrections In a story in the Fall/Winter 2003 issue about the scholarship she named for her parents, Oswego reported Jean Pietroski’s master’s degree incorrectly. She earned her bachelor’s degree in 1971 and her master of science in education in 1974.

The Laker Days 5K walk/run gave students a chance to relieve their cabin fever outdoors. “I came out because my friend works at the school, and I thought it was for a good cause,” Tracy Searle ’02, said. “I wanted to get out into the air and get some exercise. It was fun.”

Robin VanLoan Jones ’70 and John Jones ’73 were incorrectly listed in the 2003 Honor Roll of Appreciation as Sheldon Associates. They should have been listed among members of the Sheldon Loyalty Society.

OSWEGO

Spring 2004

C A M P U S

CURRENTS

Scholarship is teaching family’s legacy

Dr. Frances Moroney Whited ’44 visits with students.

r. Frances Moroney Whited ’44 comes from a long line of educators — she can count five generations of teachers among her ancestors, stretching back to Ireland. So, when she wanted to set up a memorial to her parents and siblings, she chose to endow a scholarship for Oswego students majoring in elementary education. She has endowed the John P. Moroney and Frances Murphy Moroney Merit Scholarship with $35,000 in memory of her parents, John and Frances Murphy Moroney; her sister, Marie Moroney Fox ’40; and her brothers John P. Moroney and William J. Moroney. “I wanted to honor our parents because of their dedication and commitment to education,” she said. “They had a love of learning and valued education highly, instilling these values in their family, all of whom were graduates of schools of higher education. Their 12 grandchildren are college graduates and several have two, three and four advanced degrees.” The Moroney family comes from Montezuma, where their father was on the Board of Education of Port Byron Central Schools. “He and my mother were very communityoriented,” said Moroney Whited. “My father was very civic-minded, interested in politics, and served in many capacities in the community.” His sisters were all educated, during an

OSWEGO

Spring 2004

era in which many women weren’t, she said. Two of her aunts, Helen Moroney Mullin ’13 and Regina Moroney Greiner, graduated from Oswego Normal School. Frances’ sister, Marie, also attended Oswego and became a teacher. She later married and raised seven children. Brother Jack graduated from Georgetown University and went on to a career in government, spending many years at NASA. William was a graduate of Niagara University, Syracuse University and Northeastern University, and became an engineer noted for his work in semi-conductors. A professor emerita of education and human development at SUNY Brockport, where her husband, Dr. Clark V. Whited, is a professor emeritus of physical education and sport, Frances was drawn to support students with a scholarship, giving them the opportunity to enter college and succeed once they are enrolled.“It’s support; it’s encouragement and also I view it as a recognition of their potential and what they have accomplished,” she says.

Frances M. Moroney

John P. Moroney

Believing in young people and their potential is key for her.“If they make a start in college, they can succeed,” she said. During a visit to Oswego, she met with many Presidential Scholars and was impressed with them, their program and staff. She sees herself as an investor in the future for students who will become leaders. “If one looks back at the history of the alumni from Oswego State Teachers College, its graduates were leaders in their field — outstanding teachers, principals and superintendents. When Oswego became a comprehensive 8

college, its graduates continued in leadership roles throughout the state,” she said. “Thanks to Frances Moroney Whited’s generosity, countless Oswego students will have the opportunity to receive a strong liberal arts and professional education, enabling them to become exemplary elementary teachers of the future,” said Kevin Mahaney, vice president for development and public affairs. “This scholarship is a perfect way to remember her parents, her siblings, and those generations of Irish teachers who preceded them.” G

Food, glorious food! SOME PEOPLE EAT TO LIVE, OTHERS live to eat. Whatever category you fall into, we’re sure you’ll gobble up an issue we’re planning next year to celebrate food and alumni connections with it. Send us your memories and current stories. We want to hear about: G

your favorite dining hall foods

your favorite hangouts and places to eat on or near campus

your favorite dining hall workers

any Oswego food memories

alumni food businesses: If you run a restaurant; make wine, chocolate or other yummy food; write cookbooks or have another food-related interest, we want to hear from you.

And don’t forget to vote for “The Best Foods in Oswego” at http:// oswegoalumni.oswego.edu/foodpoll. If you don’t have Internet access and want to vote, call or write us for a copy of the survey. Send your ideas to Oswego alumni magazine, King Alumni Hall, 300 Washington Blvd., Oswego, NY 13126, call 315-312-2258 or send us an e-mail at alumni@oswego.edu (put Food in the subject line.) You can also submit stories online at http://oswegoalumni.oswego. edu/magazine. G

C A M P U S

CURRENTS

Scholarship, tree to honor Van Geet “ALL MY LIFE I HAD MY HEART IN preserving nature,” Dr. Anthony “Tony” Van Geet, professor emeritus of chemistry, used to say. So when Johanna Van Geet wanted to honor the memory of her husband after his death in 2002, the choice was obvious: a scholarship for an Oswego chemistry student interested in environmental science and a tree in Tony’s memory near Snygg Hall, where he taught. “He was very interested and very involved in preserving nature and was a charter member of several environmental organizations,” she said. He was president of Save Oswego County, which eventually combined with Save the County in Onondaga County. A counselor for the Nature Conservancy, he was active as a leader for outings sponsored by the group. DICK BLUME, SYRACUSE POST-STANDARD

Dr. Anthony “Tony” Van Geet, shown in this 2000 photo, advocated turning abandoned railroad tracks into biking and hiking trails.

“He was involved in the Audubon Society, Rails to Trails, anything that had to do with nature,” Johanna said. The Van Geets came to America from their native Netherlands as a young married couple. Tony was an engineer at Proctor and Gamble and was one of the original “Crest Kids,” when he helped to test the new toothpaste. The couple moved to Los Angeles, where he earned his doctorate in chemistry at the University of Southern California. After post-doctoral work at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a teaching job at SUNY Buffalo, the Van Geets settled in Oswego, where Tony taught in the chemistry department from 1970 to 1998. “Tony was very involved in his work,” Johanna remembered. The couple raised three children, all grown. “Dr. Van Geet loved the land and spent his life fighting to preserve it for future generations,” according to the chemistry department newsletter. “It is inspiring to consider the concentric waves of influence that this man, with his intelligence, expertise, energy and moral commitments, has had and will continue to have,” said Dean of Arts and Sciences Sara Varhus at the tree-planting ceremony. “The tree that we are planting here today will remind me, at any rate, of this continuing influence here at Oswego and out in the world, where his 5,919 environmental science students are, in their turn, passing along his influence.” Through her generous scholarship, Johanna Van Geet has insured that her husband’s passions will continue to live on in generations of Oswego students. ●

Election 2004 We’re working right now on a story for the summer issue about alumni involved in the 2004 elections. If you’re a candidate, campaign worker, analyst or poll watcher, let your alma mater know. Please write to Oswego alumni magazine, King Alumni Hall, 300 Washington Blvd., Oswego, NY 13126, call 315-312-2258, or e-mail us at alumni@oswego.edu (put Election in the subject line.) You can also submit story ideas online at http://oswegoalumni.oswego.edu/magazine. We may not be able to use all story ideas, due to space available and deadlines. ●

Former Oswego student David Levy will be among those returning for “Don’t Forget to Remember!” Safe Haven’s 60th anniversary celebration, set for Aug. 6 to 8. Residents of the Fort Ontario Refugee Shelter and community members will gather to reminisce about the days in World War II when Oswego housed the only refugee camp on American soil. Events will include a synagogue service, Safe Haven museum tours, video stories of shelter and community residents, and an anniversary dinner. For more information, contact Mary Vanouse at 315-342-3582 or mvanouse@twcny.rr.com, or Judy Coe Rapaport at 315-342-4265 or erapapo1@twcny.rr.com

Under 40? Doing fine? If you’re one of Oswego’s young alumni and are doing something great, unique or interesting, we want to hear from you! Oswego is planning an issue next spring on alumni under 40. So if you are an under-40 success story, or know of someone who is, please write to Oswego alumni magazine, King Alumni Hall, 300 Washington Blvd., Oswego, NY 13126, call 315-312-2258, or e-mail us at alumni@oswego.edu (put Under 40 in the subject line.) You can also submit stories online at http:// oswegoalumni.oswego.edu/ magazine. Submissions will be selected based on interest and space available. ●

OSWEGO

●

Spring 2004

C A M P U S

CURRENTS

Women’s Soccer

SPORTS

he Lakers continued their long string of playoff appearances as they advanced to the finals of the New York State Women’s Collegiate Athletic Association Tournament. It marked the 15th consecutive year the team has qualified for post-season play. The team finished the season with nine victories and also won the season-opening Hartwick Tournament. Maureen Kasperek ’06 (Fulton/G. Ray Bodley) had a huge Kristin Sterling ’05 was the top of the team season for Oswego State, setting a this season with five individual wins. school record for goals in a season with 27. She also added four Volleyball assists, giving her another school record with 58 points. She not t was another recordonly led the Lakers in scoring, setting season for the Chet Lunt ’05, center, received Honorable but she led the SUNY Athletic Lakers, as the team broke Mention All-SUNYAC for his defensive play. Conference and was named several individual season Second Team All-SUNYAC. Kasand career marks. Hitter perek was joined on that team by Erin Hanlon ’04 (FulMen’s Soccer senior defender Dara Lisiecki ’04 ton/G. Ray Bodley) (Manlius/Fayetteville-Manlius). espite coming up became the first Laker to Earning Honorable Mention Allshort in their bid to earn AVCA All-AmeriSUNYAC were Laura Feeley ’04 (Syracuse/ qualify for the conference can honors, earning Westhill) and Ashley Maltagliati ’07 (East tournament for the second First Team All-Region Islip). Maltagliati was second on the team in straight year, several Laker and Honorable Mention scoring, with 19 points on seven goals and five players were recognized for All-American status. assists, while Feeley was third with 15 points their efforts both on and off Hanlon led the state and with four goals and team-high seven assists. the field. Goalie John SUNYAC with kills per Hitter Kelly Vescio ’05 serves the In goal, Alecia Scorsone ’04 (Geneseo) Spuhler ’05 (Fulton/G. Ray ball. game en route to her made 151 saves and recorded five shutouts. Bodley) was named Second second year on their Team All-SUNYAC, markrespective First Teams. ing the third straight season he has earned a The talented outside hitter established Laker conference honor. Spuhler was also cited for records in career kills (1,168), kills in a season his effort in the classroom, as he was the (612), career hitting percentage (.346) and recipient of the prestigious Fred Holloway digs in a season (505). Award presented by the SUNYAC to the Assisting her was record-breaking Academic Player of the Year. The keeper finco-captain and setter Jenn Prievo ’05 (Carthished the year with 95 saves and one shutout. age), who established a new career assist Chet Lunt ’05 (East Moriches/Center mark of 2,792. Moriches) and Paul Palucci ’06 (Syracuse/ They had a strong showing in the Liverpool) both received Honorable Mention opening weekend at Ithaca, toppling NCAA All-SUNYAC. Lunt earned the honor as a qualifier Skidmore in five games, and went defender and Palucci at midfield. on to post wins over Geneseo and Buffalo Danny Hammer ’05 (Syracuse/NotState as well as St. Lawrence and Hamilton. tingham) led the team in scoring with four Other outstanding efforts fell shy in tough goals and one assist for nine points. losses to St. John Fisher (2-3), RIT (1-3), Union (1-3, 2-3) and Nazareth (1-3, 2-3). Maureen Kasperek ’06, (No. 15), set two The team finished the year with 14 victories.

school records this season and was named Second Team All-SUNYAC.

OSWEGO

●

Spring 2004

C A M P U S

CURRENTS

Women’s Tennis

he young Oswego State squad was paced by Kristin Sterling ’05 (Oneida), as she led the Lakers on the court this season from the second singles spot. She topped the team in individual wins with five. Sarah Hobart ’07 (Walworth/ Wayne Central) was second on the team in wins with four, competing at sixth singles. In doubles action, the top team for the Lakers was Sterling and Theresa Ruane ’07 (Cortland), as the duo finished the year with a record of 2-2.

Ade Ellis ’04 led the Lakers to a fifth-place finish at the SUNYAC Championships.

Mid-fielder Bethany Patterson ’07 goes for the ball.

Men’s Golf

he Lakers had a strong fall campaign on the links, winning a pair of invitationals, including one on their home course. Oswego State opened the season by taking top honors at the Elmira College Invitational with a team score of 310 — 13 strokes better than the second-place team. Ryan Hawkins ’06 (Amherst/Clarence) was the medallist, firing a two-under-par 70. Oswego State reclaimed its own invitational, topping the 12-team field in the event held at the Oswego Country Club. Hawkins was second overall, shooting a 77 as the Lakers boasted four of the top seven finishers. Paul Harvey ’06 (Weedsport) and Evan Figiel ’07 (Trumansburg/Dickinson)

Ryan Hawthorne ’07 prepares to putt.

were tied for fifth, finishing with a 78, while J.P. Myers ’04 (Fulton/G. Ray Bodley) was seventh, with a 78. The success in the fall season carried over into the spring as the Lakers entered the second semester ranked 13th in the Atlantic Region.

Field Hockey

swego State took on many of the state’s best teams playing many close contests, including seven that were decided by one goal. A pair of freshmen stepped right in and contributed for the Lakers with their efforts being recognized by the SUNYAC. Midfielder Hayley Schmitz ’07 (Sag Harbor/Pierson) and defender Eileen Smith ’07 (Cicero/ Cicero-North Syracuse) both earned Second Team All-SUNYAC. Schmitz led the team in scoring with eight points on three goals and two assists, while Lauren Gallinger ’04 (Auburn) was second, with three goals and one assist. Another freshman, Kaitlin Daniels ’07 (Sag Harbor/ Pierson), came within one save of tying a school record as she stopped 31 shots in a game at Houghton College. She finished the year with 129 saves.

Cross Country

usan McWilliams ’04 (Central Square/ Mexico Academy) became the first Laker woman to earn All-American honors in cross country as she placed 30th at the NCAA Division III Cross Country Championships

hosted by Hanover College in Hanover, Ind. McWilliams, making her fourth straight appearance at nationals, finished the 6K race with a time of 22:52.2. McWilliams also won the Geneseo Invitational and the Ronald C. Hoffman Invitational hosted by St. Lawrence during the season, in addition to strong performances at the SUNYAC, where she placed second, and the Atlantic Regional Championship, where she was fourth. Maureen Stellrecht ’06 (West Falls/Iroquois) added to the team’s fourth-place finish at the conference championships, placing 20th. The men’s team had several solid outings during the fall campaign, including a fifth-place finish at the SUNYAC Championships. Ade Ellis ’04 (Nyack/ Nanuet) led the charge, placing 13th with Weston Fellows ’06 (Morris/Gilbertsville Mount Upton) placing 30th. Fellows followed that performance up by placing 13th at the N YS C TC Cross Country Championships, where he was named conference Rookie of the Year. Oswego State also hosted the Pat Peterson Invitational with the men’s team placing fourth out of 11 institutions and the women placing seventh out of 12 teams. Susan McWilliams ’04 earned All-American Status. OSWEGO

●

Spring 2004

Club News Alumni Club Contacts NEW YORK CLUBS Binghamton – Margaret Clancy Darling ’82, 607-748-5125 (H) Buffalo – Larry Coon ’83, 716-852-1321 (O), 716-873-2695 (H) Capital District – Tammy Secord Friend ’98, 518-454-5197 (O), 518-226-0147 (H), e-mail: friendt@strose.edu Melissa Guzman Mazurak ’97, 518-339-4819 (cell), e-mail: jeffandmelissamaz@earthlink.net Long Island – Jessica Pristupa Hillery ’95, 631-842-8844 (H), e-mail: Jess28754@cs.com Mohawk Valley – Liz Fowler ’68, 315-337-9895 (H), e-mail: efowler1@twcny.rr.com New York City – Volunteers needed, please contact the alumni office. Oswego – Sylvia Gaines ’76, 315-342-2662 (H), e-mail: sgaines@oswego.org Rochester – Penny Koch ’95, 585-899-9716 (H), e-mail: koch_penelope@yahoo.com Syracuse – Kitty Sherlock Houghtaling ’87, 315-656-2457 (H), e-mail: Kitty6of6@aol.com Paul Susco ’70, 315-656-3180 (H)

OTHER AREAS Atlanta – Jeffrey Travis ’89, 770-926-7580 (H), e-mail: jeffreytravis@hotmail.com Boston – Volunteers needed, please contact the alumni office. Dallas – Kelly Russell ’98, 214-621-6473 (cell), e-mail: kellyrussell7@hotmail.com Houston – Tammy Moffitt Komatinsky ’97, 832-928-4108 (cell), e-mail: tkomatinsky@houston.rr.com North Carolina – Eric Setzer ’91, 919-786-4269 (H), e-mail: esetzer@nc.rr.com David P. Jones ’92, 919-245-3620 (H), e-mail: david_jones@unc.edu Gary Applegate ’87, 704-658-0727 (H), e-mail: gapplegate@sherpallc.com Northern New Jersey – Fran Lapinski ’72, MS ’74, 973-763-8788 (H), e-mail: cmhl3@att.net Philadelphia – Jennifer Shropshire ’86, 215-842-1748 (O), e-mail: jpshrop4@aol.com Phoenix, AZ – Andrew Brown ’94, 480-705-9096 (H), e-mail: azbrown@ikon.com South Carolina – Sonya Nordquist Altenbach ’91, 843-881-9503 (H), e-mail: sonyan@charleston.net Karen Parker ’91, 843-873-1548 (H), e-mail: kparker98@yahoo.com Southern California – Julie Joseph Greenberg ’92, 909-787-0480 (H), e-mail: socalozalumni@yahoo.com Washington, D.C. – Kim Brooke ’87, 703-845-0788 (H), e-mail: kbrooke@nvcc.edu Oswego Alumni Association, Inc., King Alumni Hall, SUNY Oswego, Oswego, NY 13126 Phone: 315-312-2258 Fax: 315-312-5570 E-mail: alumni@oswego.edu http://oswegoalumni.oswego.edu

Club Event Notices Using E-mail

lub events are publicized through the alumni magazine, on the Oswego Alumni Web site, and through mailings and e-mails. If your e-mail address has changed for any reason, or if you haven’t given us your e-mail address yet, please update your current information at http://oswegoalumni.oswego. edu/alumni/where.html You may also notify our office by completing and mailing us the “Tell Us About Yourself” form on page 47. We thank you in advance for your help.

Atlanta The Atlanta Club is collaborating with other SUNY alumni groups to expand networking possibilities and event offerings. On Feb. 6, over 120 alumni from 19 different SUNY schools gathered for the third annual Business Card Exchange. Special guests at this event included SUNY Chancellor Robert King and SUNY Research Foundation Vice President for Philanthropy and Alumni Affairs Dr. Michael Luck. Alumni volunteered to help Georgia Public Television March 13 and cheered on Oswego’s own Charlie Leitner at a New Jersey Devils versus Atlanta Thrashers hockey game Friday, March 26. During intermission Charlie competed in the finals of an on-ice golf tournament to win a BMW two-year lease. For the latest information about upcoming events in the Atlanta area, check out the club’s Web site located at www.geocities.com/sunyalumniofatlanta or contact Jeffrey Travis ’89. Boston Join area alumni July 10 for a day of fun and frivolity at Fenway Park for a Red Sox baseball game and pre-game get-together. The alumni office is currently looking for volunteers in the Boston area. If you would be interested in coordinating alumni activities, please contact Associate Alumni Director Jeff Pratt ’94, M’97 at jpratt@oswego.edu or 315-312-2258. Buffalo The Buffalo Club gathered in November to watch the Oswego Lakers hockey team beat Buffalo State and for a post-game reception. During the reception, alumni and parents

OSWEGO

●

Spring 2004

were able to hear from new head coach Ed Gosek ’83 and see architectural drawings of the first new building to be erected on the Oswego State campus in over 30 years, the Campus Center, which will include a new convocation center and hockey rink. Larry Coon ’83 asks Buffalo area alumni to contact him with future event ideas. California Receptions were held in California with President Deborah Stanley: March 23 in San Francisco at The University Club, March 24 in Los Angeles at the W Hotel and March 25 at the home of Ed ’58 and Laura Kelly Scarpelli ’59. Capital District (Albany) Tammy Secord Friend ’98 and Melissa Guzman Mazurak ’97 have agreed to coordinate alumni activity in the Capital District area. A planning meeting was held with area volunteers Feb. 24. Numerous event ideas were discussed, so if you live in the Albany area, watch your mail and e-mail for upcoming details. If you have club event ideas, please fill out the club survey at http://oswegoalumni. oswego.edu/albany Florida President Deborah Stanley was greeted warmly by Oswego alumni in Florida as she shared successes and excitement for the future of Oswego State. She met with alumni in Tampa March 10, in Boynton Beach March 12 and in Naples March 13, hosted by Bill Spinelli ’84. Long Island Jessica Pristupa Hillery ’95 is interested in helping to coordinate alumni club events on Long Island, but would like the assistance of other area alumni in the form of volunteers and event ideas.A meeting to gather all volunteers is being planned for April, so if you live on Long Island or would attend events there, please fill out the survey at http:// oswegoalumni.oswego.edu/longisland New York City The alumni office is looking for volunteers to help rejuvenate activities in the New York City area. A meeting to gather all volunteers is being planned for April. If you live in New York City or would attend events there, please fill out the survey at http://oswegoalumni. oswego.edu/nyc North Carolina A group of area alumni are trying to get activities going in North Carolina. If you live in the

Events May 14 Commencement Eve Dinner and Torchlight Ceremony May 15 Commencement June 3 - 6 Reunion 2004 June 12 Annual Business Meeting, Oswego Alumni Association, Inc. July 22 - 25 The City of Oswego’s fantastic Harborfest! On-campus housing available to alumni, friends and family. August 2 Emeriti Luncheon September 9-10 15th Annual Oswego State Fall Classic October 9 Athletic Hall of Fame Induction October 23 Communication Studies Dinner

Plan ahead for Reunion 2005! JUNE 3 - 5, 2005 Classes of 1935, 1940, 1945, 1950, 1955, 1960, 1965, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1980, 1995, 1999, 2000, 2001

area or know any alumni who do, please have them fill out the online survey at http://oswegoalumni.oswego.edu/northcarolina Phoenix, Ariz. Phoenix area alumni gathered in November for a day of family fun and games at “The Monastery,” and at the third annual alumni luncheon March 27 with special guest speaker, Kevin Mahaney, SUNY Oswego vice president for development and public affairs. To inquire about future events, contact Andrew Brown ’94. Rochester Area alumni gathered in November for the comedy of EstroFest, which includes alumna Dresden Engle Olcott ’88. In January, alumni braved the weather to cheer on the Oswego Lakers men’s hockey team as they battled RIT. During a post-game reception, everyone enjoyed hearing from new head coach Ed Gosek ’83 and seeing architectural drawings of the first new building to be erected on the Oswego State campus in over 30 years, the Campus Center, which will include a new convocation center and hockey rink. Penny Koch ’95 has agreed to coordinate activities in the Rochester area, so if you have event ideas, contact the alumni office or Penny. South Carolina In October alumni gathered in Columbia for a trip to the zoo as well as brunch at the home of Bob Sparks ’90. In November a get-together

was held in Hilton Head, and in January Oswego alumni joined alumni from other SUNY schools to attend the 21st annual Lowcountry Oyster Festival in Charleston. If you have ideas for future events, please contact Sonya Nordquist Altenbach ’91 or Karen Parker ’91. Syracuse/Oswego In December over 100 alumni from the 1960s through 2000s gathered at Coleman’s of Syracuse for a Holiday Social. Upcoming events include a Finger Lakes winery tour and a May 8 production of “The Dragonslayers” by Oswego’s own Bruce Coville ’73, followed by a reception at the OnCenter. If you have other event ideas for the Oswego/Syracuse area, please contact the alumni office. Washington, D.C. Recent events included a Holiday Social in December, Ice-Skating in February, and a SUNY Alumni reception on March 30 with President Deborah Stanley, SUNY Chancellor Robert King and NYS Congressional staff. Other upcoming events include a Flag Day social June 13, a canoe outing July 17, the annual picnic Aug. 14, the King Street Krawl Sept. 25, a reception with President Deborah F. Stanley and Dr. Thomas Schaller ’89, an expert on presidential politics, at the Tower Club in Virginia Sept. 28, and the annual Holiday Social Dec. 7. If you have any questions about future events, please contact Kim Brooke ’87.

Save the Date Join President Deborah F. Stanley for a Special Oswego Event for Alumni and Friends

Oswego at Carnegie Hall Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall June 15, 2004 Featuring: SUNY Oswego Music Faculty Seung hee Yang - Violin Robert Auler - Piano (Tickets will be available exclusively through the Oswego Alumni Association, not Carnegie Hall.)

Alumni at a November reception in Hilton Head, S.C., included from left, Karen Parker ’91, Mary Ann Burke Kaufman ’64, Clif George, Josephine Parkhurst George ’45, Elsie Schulz Tietjen ’57, Kim McGuire and Sonya Nordquist Altenbach ’91.

OSWEGO

Spring 2004

Troubleshooting Our Schools Joe Farmer ’60 takes on one more challenge in his educational career When he was growing up down South, Joe Farmer’s mother cared so much about education, she started a school in a log cabin for local black children. Her passion instilled Joe with a desire to make sure every kid got the best education possible. And he’s parlayed that drive and his Oswego education into a string of successes in educational administration that even retirement can’t stop. This winter he came back to take on one more challenge. By Randi Weiner, The Journal News

Although a star athlete at Oswego, Joe Farmer ’60 wants young people to know that sports is not the way to success — education is.

OSWEGO

Spring 2004

JOE L. FARMER BELIEVES THAT IT’S A leader’s job to make the tough decisions. The new interim principal at Ramapo High School said he sees his job as a long-range project, one he plans to work on as if he were hired to be there for the next 10 years. “This school is close to where it needs to be in management, in deportment and how we feel about one another,” the 65-year-old educator said. “Where it’s lacking is in the academic achievement level not being where it ought to be. There’s a sense of complacency on the part of the students that the criteria for high school is ‘passing.’ That has to be eliminated. I want every child to go on to an institution of higher learning. We need to work on expectations. “Our goal is to blast ourselves out of that complacency and have every child raise their grade average 10 or 15 percent,” he said. Farmer is used to challenges. Much of his administrative career has been spent fixing what’s wrong within the schools he’s been assigned. He helped Yonkers schools and city deal with a federal desegregation order; he raised scores and expectations at schools on Long Island and in Yonkers; and he took the school

superintendent’s job in Yonkers after the district went through a teachers strike that was instrumental in driving his predecessor out. “He was the healing calm that our school district needed,” said Mary Ellen Winnicki, who was Yonkers Council PTA president at the time. He helped unify parents, teachers and staff, she said. Farmer said he has a knack for working with people and helping them reach consensus. Farmer was born in North Carolina in 1938, the day that boxer Joe Louis knocked out Max Schmeling. Family tradition said that that’s how he got his name: Joe Louis Farmer. Farmer said he wasn’t a brilliant student, but he found something that interested him: mechanics. While in high school, he created a modification for an Elizabethan style crossbow — a way of loading the arrows and pulling back the spring — that earned him a cover story on the magazine Popular Mechanics. He was a football player and wrestler. With a view toward becoming a mechanical engineer, he accepted a wrestling scholarship to Syracuse University that was replaced by a full football scholarship based on his high school career. However, Farmer didn’t attend Syracuse. When he got to school for summer training, he found that the school had chosen a major for him: physical education and recreation. It was explained to him that he needed to concentrate on football. “Even at 18, I was appalled and insulted by that,” Farmer said. “Fortunately, one of my former high school coaches worked at Oswego, and he asked me if I wanted to go there.”

Three days after his defeat, he got a call from East Ramapo Schools Superintendent Jason Friedman, who was looking for an interim leader for Ramapo High School. Farmer was chosen from among five finalists and took over Dec. 1. Among the projects he expects to begin are requiring all 11th- and 12th-graders to apply to at least one college and adding a military-aero-space component to the school’s career academies. He is a strong believer in the state’s high educational standards, although not a fan of the federal No Child Left Behind legislation, which he said is too generic. National education policy ought to take into account state education policy, he said, or it becomes more of a burden than a help in raising standards for all children. Farmer is a committee member of the Campaign for Fiscal Equity, the organization that successfully sued the state on behalf of New York City schools to get the state funding formula changed.

SUNY Oswego, Farmer said, was a teachers college. Even though it had no football team, he made the switch to Oswego, joined the wrestling team and became an industrial arts teacher. His first job out of college was teaching at a junior high in his home district in Bay Shore, Long Island. When his draft number came up, he joined the National Guard, training as a tank driver, then he returned to teaching. He is a captain in the New York Guard. Farmer spent six years in the Valley Stream Central district, teaching architectural drafting. For the first two years there, he moonlighted as a tight end with the Titans — who became the New York Jets in 1963 — until a knee injury ended his pro football career. After Valley Stream, he received his master’s degree from Hofstra University in guidance and became a guidance counselor. “I loved being a counselor,” he said. “Then, during the late ’60s, early ’70s . . . there were a lot of disruptions in the schools, especially those with significant minority populations. “I was trained as an administrator — I had gotten my certification, took a course

“There’s a sense of complacency on the part of the students that the criteria for high school is ‘passing.’ That has to be eliminated. I want every child to go on to an institution of higher learning. We need to work on expectations.” or two — and there were about four, five districts after me to become an administrator because there were very few administrators of color. I was living in Roosevelt, and the superintendent there made me an offer I really couldn’t refuse,” he said. He became principal of Roosevelt High School in 1969. He was worried at first, how he could be a disciplinarian with a background in guidance. But his skills as a guidance counselor were what helped him become an effective administrator, he said. In 1973, Farmer went to Yonkers schools as an administrator, retiring in 1995. He then spent four years working as a special assistant for housing and redevelopment in Yonkers. He played a major role in the city’s attempts to comply with a federal desegregation order. In 2000, he was asked by the Yonkers mayor to take over as superintendent of Yonkers schools, a job he held until he resigned in March of [last] year to run, unsuccessfully, for mayor.

Yesterday [Dec. 21], the Alliance of African-American Educators — an organization he founded in Westchester — held its Kwanzaa celebration, and named the group’s annual scholarship in his honor. It was just another in a string of local, state and national honors — including a Congressional Citation for Excellence in Educational Reform and Leadership — that has marked Farmer’s career. Being asked to lead Ramapo High School was an unexpected and welcome return to his education roots, he said. He is ready to dig in. “I would like to see this school with that wonderful richness and diversity, pave the way as a school that went over the top academically,”he said.“We can’t slow down.” Editor’s note: The preceeding story, first published Dec. 22, 2003, in The Journal News is reprinted with permission of the author.

OSWEGO

Spring 2004

s ’ t I

: y n a p m o C d o o G

WRVO CELEBRATES 35 YEARS ON THE AIR By Michele Reed

ohn Krauss ’71 isn’t sure just how many radios were tuned into WRVO when he began broadcasting at a mere 10 watts at 11:58:13 a.m. Jan. 6, 1969. He only knows for sure that there were two: one in the station manager’s office and the other in town, recording the big moment. This Jan. 6, now the station manager himself, Krauss replayed that tape, made when he was just an undergraduate at Oswego, for a potential audience of nearly a million.

OSWEGO

Spring 2004

For Krauss and fellow WRVO staffer John Hurlbutt ’71, it’s been an incredible journey. They’ve been on the air at Oswego’s only public radio station since Day One. They’ve seen hundreds of fellow broadcasters come and go, and brought world events into homes and vehicles throughout Central New York. Watergate, the first Gulf War, the Challenger disaster, impeachment hearings — all came to life for listeners to FM 89.9. For the two veteran broadcasters, the journey began even before that “cold and dreary” January day. They auditioned in the winter of 1968 before the late Bill Shigley, WRVO’s legendary first manager, who was recruited from Purdue University to build an educational radio station in Oswego. Dave Nellis, a professor with a background in commercial radio and later Oswego’s public affairs director, thenPresident James Perdue and Professor Lew O’Donnell hoped to make Oswego’s noncommercial radio station a reality. Shigley had would-be broadcasters read a script that included news and classical music references. “It scared the daylights out of me,” admits Krauss. He looked up from the script and all he could see was Shigley,

JIM RUSSELL ’83

A Mentor Recalled By John Krauss ’71 n a cozy corner in the studio at WRVO a lamp has been burning, the reading glasses poised near a stack of well-read books. The worn chair sits waiting for its owner’s return. June 3rd (2000), the lamp was extinguished, but the memory of the man, William “Bill” Shigley, will burn brightly in the hearts, minds and ears of all who were blessed with his friendship . . . WRVO and Bill Shigley — just like Castor & Pollux, Amos & Andy, Fibber McGee & Molly, George Burns & Gracie Allen, and Romulus & Remus — these two names have been interlocked for 30 years. From the day I watched as Bill Shigley and Dr. James Perdue signed WRVO on that wintery day in January 1969 until his untimely retirement a few years ago, Bill led the WRVO staff though lean times and growing times . . . Bill Shigley’s legacy is the nearly 1,000 professional and parttime employees and students who have worked for WRVO in William “Bill” Shigley many capacities. Each 1937-2000 has been challenged to perform to the best of their ability. They have moved on to important positions throughout the broadcast arena. Seventy-five percent of WRVO’s current staff trained as students under Bill, and the rest have grown with their experiences at WRVO . . . Radio waves never end. They just drift off into space. Somewhere on a distant planet or aboard some future space mission, someone may tune to 89.9 and hear, “That’s all for today. I’m Bill Shigley in the Reader’s Corner . . .”

in a lit-up room, assessing his performance. “Luckily I grew up in a household where my father played classical music. I could pronounce the composers’ names!” Hurlbutt, too, survived the “fairly stressful” audition, but the beginnings of WRVO had to wait while Shigley built his staff and awaited approval of the license application.

working in space three of us worked in back then,”Krauss says. The former control room has become a production studio. The fledgling station ran on loaned equipment. “We had two tape machines borrowed in 1969 from the music department. They only had room for so many in the listening library, we got the extras,” Krauss recalls.

Borrowed equipment . . . and showers

‘Eclectic’ programming

The new station needed somewhere to set up shop. Lanigan Hall had been built with three television studios, but nothing for radio, so WRVO got an unused TV studio. “The control room was a converted TV dressing room,” Hurlbutt remembers. “We had men’s and women’s showers. They’re now since gone down the drain.” Actually, the space occupied by the station now isn’t much different from the original studio. “Only now, 18 of us are

“We had very limited hours of operation at first,” remembers Hurlbutt. They broadcast weekdays only, while school was in session, from noon to 10 p.m. Even now, he and Krauss can recite the sequence of shows by memory. There was the “Reader’s Corner,” where Shigley read from classics of humorous writing, followed by public affairs programming on reel-to-reel tapes and classical music on vinyl LPs. “Platters and Placards” mixed popular music with community calendar notices.

WRVO ARCHIVES

Balloons, cake and silly hats were the order of the day Jan. 6 as WRVO’s staffers celebrated the station’s 35th birthday. In the front are Matt Seubert ’97 and Kate DeForest Percival ’96 (holding the birthday cake) and Deanne Ross. Standing from left are (second row), Pam Allen ’92, Kathy Gurney ’02 and Skye Rohde; (third row) Rick Annal ’03, Bob Hanson ’00, John Krauss ’71, Jeff Windsor ’96 and Jonathan Peck ’03; and (back row) Fred Vigeant ’02, John Hurlbutt ’71, Chris Ulanowski, Bill Gowan and Tom Herbert. Missing from the photo are Elizabeth Christensen ’98 and Mark Lavonier.

ROBERT MESCAVAGE PHOTOGRAPHY

Elizabeth Christensen ’98 conducts a news interview at WRVO

January 6, 1969 WRVO signs on

1971

WRVO goes to 1,000 watts WRVO joins NPR

1976

24,000-watt transmitter on Fallbrook Hill erected

1979

WRVN 91.9FM Utica goes on air

1981

WRVJ 91.7 FM Watertown added

1995

WRVD 90.3FM Syracuse begins broadcasting WRVO begins broadcasting with WSUC Cortland

2005

50,000-watt transmitter (projected)

Former Intern Now Trains Student Helpers o Elizabeth Christensen ’98 it doesn’t seem that long ago that she wandered into the WRVO offices, a political science major looking for an internship. Little did she know that she would be launching a career in radio, or that, as assistant news director and a supervisor of interns now herself, she would be helping a new generation of Oswego students embark on their own broadcasting futures. Her face lights up as she recites the names of recent WRVO interns who have been successful in broadcasting: Joelle Myszka ’02, who works at “NBC Nightly News,” just down the hall from Tom Brokaw; Maria Leaf ’00, news director at WGY in Schenectady; Kevin Mooney ’00, a producer at Syracuse’s WSYR. “People we’ve had work here have gone on to bigger markets . . . It’s nice to know that people you helped to learn to write, etc., have moved on,” Christensen says. “The unique thing about having an internship here, is that in Syracuse, you might get people coffee. Here we take the best and the brightest and we let them do things: do long form stories, call Congressmen, listen in on conference calls with [U.S. Senators] Hillary Clinton or Chuck Schumer.” WRVO gives its interns a more professional experience, teaching them not only how to show up on time and dress properly (“You never know when you will go out into the field”), but also to talk with senators. “You learn how to treat them with respect, but learn to question them, in a nice way.” It’s that type of experience that appealed to the young Christensen, and helped her decide on a career on the airwaves. And the experience started early. “[News Director] Chris [Ulanowski] gave me a writing test. I started working that very same day,” she recalls. After working as an unpaid intern, she came back after summer break and was a paid student employee, working 20 to 30 hours a week while she was in school. After graduation, she was hired as a reporter/producer, and took on her current role when the former assistant news director, Eugene Sonn, moved on to NPR’s WHYY in Philadelphia. Now she gets to work alongside one of the icons of her childhood. Her father listened to WRVO all the while she was growing up. The 5-year-old Elizabeth used to wake up to the voice of John Hurlbutt ’71. “I would yell at him when the schools didn’t close,” she says with a grin. But to her that’s part of what makes WRVO so special, and makes her want to stay. “There’s such an institutional memory. Everyone went to school here. They are more loyal and more willing to stay the extra couple of hours to get it done or come in on the weekend for fundraising.” — by Michele Reed

Audience

Watts of power

Fundraising

1972 1,100 2003 100,000

1971 1,000 1976 24,000 2005 50,000

1978 $1,800 2003 $462,000

10,700 Programs in the Old Time Radio library 145 Awards on WRVO’s wall 7 Rank in Syracuse market

1969 $180,000 2004 $1.9 million * *nearly $1 million from listeners and business sponsors

Coverage area 1969 Part of City of Oswego 2004 15 counties and two provinces

Employees

Budget

1969 3 2004 18 OSWEGO

●

Spring 2004

The 5 o’clock hour was “Newscope,” devoted to wire news copy and features from agencies like the U.S. Agriculture Department. Classical music played evenings from 6 to 10, with orchestral concerts featured at 8 p.m. The late night programming was devoted to a mixed bag. “If you looked up ‘eclectic’ in the dictionary, that would be us,” Hurlbutt says with a wry chuckle. Because WRVO used volunteer student broadcasters, the programming was as diverse as the staff.“Classical, folk, jazz, all mixed in together,” he says. Fritz Messere ’71 was one of those volunteers. The current chair of the communication studies department worked mostly in TV, but in his senior year he hosted a late-night folk program. Messere remembers WRVO as a “grassroots” operation. “As humongous as it is now, it was different then,” Krauss agrees. Noncommercial radio was just in its infancy, and Oswego was in on the first wave. In 1971, WRVO obtained a 1,000-watt license and joined the National Public Radio network. The students went home for the summer break, and when they returned, the station was an NPR affiliate. It continued to run with limited hours

Grant to Help Update Equipment

until 1973. The Watergate hearings were holding America in thrall, and WRVO stayed on all summer to broadcast them live. “Watergate put NPR on the map,” Hurlbutt remembers. “The feed was over telephone lines, pretty miserable quality.” “The Vietnam news, too,” adds Krauss. “Reporting was done over poor telephone circuits. It could be days before we had stories on the news.”

any staff members at WRVO toil on broadcasting and production equipment that is older than they are. But that is scheduled to change, thanks to a $139,593 matching grant through the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Public Telecommunications Facilities Program. WRVO must match that money, through fund-raisers “over and above” existing efforts, to ultimately purchase the $279,186 worth of equipment replacing outdated technology that is no longer serviced or even built, said General Manager John Krauss ’71. The mixing console in WRVO’s main control room, where staffers do on-air work and fade in NPR programming, is around two decades old. Such vital pieces as production room equipment exceed the quarter-century mark. Fred Vigeant ’02, WRVO’s operations director, often trains workers on equipment older than he is. The goal is “to put in place current technology able to restore our ability to do local programming such as ‘Talk of the Region,’’’ Krauss said. That award-winning show was shelved because of technical limitations at the station’s patchwork studio, he said. “We have a lot of 1970s and ’80s technology tied to newer technologies and computers,” said Jeff Windsor ’96, the station’s chief assistant engineer. “Modern technology will integrate more smoothly into our operating system.” New equipment will include a studiotransmitter link. “It should improve our signal quality,” Windsor noted. “That will be one of the things listeners will hear.” The grant also will provide equipment to preserve the old-time radio collection. —by Tim Nekritz

Year-round sound In 1976, WRVO began broadcasting year-round, and reached a larger audience, thanks to a new 24,000-watt capability. It increased its hours of broadcast, too, with a new slate of programming before noon. “Here Comes the Sun,” a morning news show, was followed by “Hurlbutt’s Department Store,” a music program. National Public Radio was growing, too, and in 1979, WRVO got a satellite dish so it could tap into the programming choices made possible by the emerging technology. With those new choices came a major shift for Oswego’s station. “We started switching to all news, as we could afford the programs,” explains Hurlbutt. “We wanted to get our own place in the Syracuse market,” Krauss says. They knew

WRVO Traffic Manager Kate DeForest Percival ’96 works in a production room in the WRVO studios in Lanigan Hall. The console in front of her dates to 1976, and much of the equipment around her is more than 20 years old. The outdated technology is due to be replaced as part of a federal grant that the National Public Radio affiliate recently received. JIM RUSSELL ’83

To donate to the New Sound for a New Century Project, send a check made payable to WRVO (put New Sound for a New Century in the memo section) to: The WRVO Stations, 7060 State Route 104, Oswego, NY 13126, or make a secure credit card donation online at www.wrvo.fm or by calling 1-800-341-3690.

OSWEGO

●

Spring 2004

that WCNY was noted for its classical programming, and WAER, which started life as Syracuse University’s student-run station, was making a name for itself in jazz. “We wanted to find our niche,” Krauss says. “This was very gradual,” explains Hurlbutt. “We didn’t sit down in 1980 and plan a switch to news.” But it was a natural fit for FM 89.9. Shigley came from an educational background and loved the spoken word. “I grew up in the New York market where all-news stations had been pioneered,” says Krauss.“I was a news jockey to begin with. There weren’t news services.” “Morning Edition” started in 1979

and WRVO picked it up in January 1980. The first Gulf War in 1990 saw NPR include news-related programming across the noon hour. “Talk of the Nation” was born in the coverage of that conflict, and WRVO was one of the first to carry the call-in show. “The Gulf War started the trend to talk radio,” Krauss says. “We were one of the leaders in going to talk, although we didn’t get national notice.” The Gulf War was a watershed for WRVO’s listenership as well. Before that, 35,000 or 40,000 people listened in, according to a count known as the “weekly cume,” which counts once each week every

listener who tunes in for at least five minutes. After the war, the audience was in the 60,000-listener range. And they’ve had a steady growth ever since. Last spring, the station saw a loyal listenership of 100,000 during coverage of the war in Iraq. “People were hungry for information,” says Krauss. An expanded signal also helped boost the numbers of those tuning in.

Regional niche In addition to the syndicated news shows, WRVO quickly became known for its locally produced news. From remote broadcasts at the New York State Fair and

WRVO Alumni Open Mic

Linda Cohn ’80

Many WRVO alumni have gone on to successful careers in the communications industry. Oswego contacted a few of these familiar faces and voices, and asked them, “How did working at WRVO affect your career?”

ESPN SportsCenter Anchor

Al Roker ’76 Co-host, NBC “Today Show” It made me realize how much fun you could have at work with friends. WRVO taught me live radio and taped mayhem. Special memories of WRVO: Bill Shigley calling me “Tubby.”

Christopher Maloney ’91 Self-employed Musician Special memories of WRVO: Waking up at 7 a.m. on a Sunday after sleeping two hours and trying to function like a normal human being. Having the general manager from the station hear me while he was washing his car and asking my supervisor why I would possibly be employed by the station. I actually think WRVO is a great station, and the people who worked there were very professional and cool. I appreciated the opportunity to be a small part of everything there.

OSWEGO

●

Spring 2004

Dave Eichorn ’79 WIXT-TV, Syracuse, Chief Meteorologist I did weather for WRVO from ’76 to ’79. I actually started the weather program they have there, in 1976. WRVO and I kind of went through some of the great winters of 76–77 and 78–79 together. The snow and the cold, you name it. We started this whole thing from scratch, the weather, I mean. People probably thought I was a little crazy, chasing after lake effect snow. I think everyone at WRVO pretty well knew I was going to be a meteorologist. It was a good experience to learn how to go out and sell my own program. The format I worked in was great, because it was non-commercial. I could get up there and talk weather, and cover some subjects in depth, and I loved that. I would talk about things like the jet stream and big weather fronts. . . It helped me to develop conversation skills in speaking about the weather. I’d like to do the weather for them again sometime. Special memories of WRVO: I remember joking around with Bill Shigley, who recently passed away. I have fond memories of his sense of humor, and having fun at the radio station with him, and of his support for the weather (program) and for me.

First off, WRVO gave me a vehicle, an opportunity, a chance to kind of dip into the field and get firsthand experiences in using my voice and having people hear me in Hewitt Union. What was so wonderful was you didn’t have to be a superstar. You did not have to be great. There was always that opportunity if you had the passion. WRVO gave me that early opportunity and gave me a start to figure out if this was something I really wanted to do. Special memories of WRVO: I remember the camaraderie when you walked into that office or the little studio. Everyone sort of knew each other, they were on the same page, had similar interests. There was always a smile or laugh or two. You could go in at any time of day and you would feel at home. That’s what I’ve had wherever I’ve worked in this field. That’s what I’ve had at ESPN for the last 11-plus years. It’s very tight, almost like another family. When you’re away from home at college, you’re young, you appreciate that. The camaraderie I had with my colleagues there, it was special.

Ed Garsten ’73 The Detroit News Automotive Reporter, Former CNN Bureau Chief

At the most rudimentary, WRVO taught me how to operate a transmitter and take the readings, but it was a wonderful, practical experience that gave me the opportunities and responsibilities that made

Oswego’s Harborfest to veteran News Director Chris Ulanowski’s “Talk of the Region” and award-winning election night coverage, the station built up a loyal base of news-hungry listeners. “People found us,” says Hurlbutt. “What a jolt it is to have people from 50 miles away saying they heard your station and it was the best! “We have people who really work to hear us. They even get upset if they can’t hear us on their Walkman.®” The listenership has built up over the years, as WRVO covered the significant events of the last quarter of the 20th century. Anwar Al-Saddat’s assassination in

1981, John Hinckley’s attempted shooting of President Ronald Reagan that year, the Challenger disaster Jan. 28, 1986 — these are the kinds of moments that drew people to WRVO’s coverage. In the days before C-Span, concerned citizens heard the Senate hearings on the Panama Canal treaties and the Clarence Thomas nomination, and other important debates, carried live throughout the day on WRVO. Eventually, the station evolved to its current format, 20 hours of news and information followed by Old Time Radio. What started as a half-hour program on Sunday nights has grown into a popular feature for

it possible to begin my professional broadcast career immediately after graduating.

the water treatment plant” during those late night hours. What a world! Working at WRVO was among the best times I spent in college!!!!

Special memories of WRVO: I first became aware of WRVO as a listener to Mike Lazar’s “Night Sounds,” a fabulous program. As a staffer there, I have very warm memories of pulling the 10 p.m. to midnight shift directly after Mike, doing a folk-rock program which pulled in listeners as far away as Syracuse University who would call in requests or just make comments. Other memories: Trying to cue up the 7-inch reel with “All Things Considered” during a break, and running down the janitor after returning from the men’s room during a record only to have the door lock behind you. Of course, no WRVO memory would be complete without a mention of Bill Shigley, who winced every time we butchered the name of a classical music composer. Together with WOCR, WRVO was just a great place to get real world broadcast experience in a totally professional and instructive atmosphere.

Benita Zahn ’76 WNYT, Albany, Anchor/Health Reporter WRVO gave me the foundation for being a reporter, i.e.: the courage to ask questions — to organize my thoughts quickly — to write “news.” Special memories of WRVO: Working the midnight to 3 a.m. shift and “hearing the ghosts.” Honestly, word is that building is haunted. I once had to call security to get me home after hearing footsteps in the building and no one was there. Also, great camaraderie with the staff and the students working there, and the phone calls from “the guys working at

Mike Lazar ’70 President and General Manager, Capital Public Radio, Sacramento, Calif. NPR Board of Directors The experience I got at WRVO helped define my whole career. We were in on the ground floor, almost inventing public radio as we went along. As one of the original staff starting a brand new radio station, I got to do everything: news, classical music, production. If I had gone to a factorytype school with a large broadcasting program, I would have been a little fish in a big pond. Special memories of WRVO: I enjoyed working with Bill Shigley. As a young broadcaster I tried things and took chances that I would think twice about if someone did that now. Like one night, when I had so many requests and was having such a good time, I kept the station on half the night. Bill handled that in a professional way. He let us grow into the job, spread our wings and take some chances, yet pulled us into the professional atmosphere he was trying to create. I didn’t sign on the station the first day, but I did sign it off the first day and the next two years after that, with my rock show, “Night Sounds.” I wound up interviewing most of the top rock groups in the world: the Doors, Simon and Garfunkel, The Association, Deep Purple. When you’re sitting in a room by yourself in front of a mic, you have no idea who’s listening. The last night I got so many calls from people who related what they were doing while listening

Listen to WRVO Even if you’re outside of WRVO’s broadcasting range, you can lisen to the Webcast at www.WRVO.fm WRVO listeners, who tune in to hear “The Shadow,” “Fibber McGee’s Closet” and other entries from over 10,700 shows in the station’s reel-to-reel tape library. It seems a far cry from that converted TV dressing room filled with borrowed equipment, and the handful of listeners to a 10-watt station, but the spirit of WRVO hasn’t changed much over 35 years. ● to my show. It’s really neat to get that kind of feedback and know you were important in their lives.

Steve Levy ’87 ESPN SportsCenter Anchor Working at WRVO was great practical experience. While I was always thrilled to work at the college radio station (WOCR), WRVO had a much more professional feel — where I was surrounded by professional adults in the industry rather than college broadcasters. I also felt like I had to be more buttoned-up, more professional. I respected those who were critiquing me and doing it constructively. For example, they told me I was a mispronouncing the words “tournament” and “Orangemen,” (in the Downstate way). So now I never mispronounce those words! I always attributed a great deal of my success to Oswego for having the facilities to have a real professional radio station on our campus. It’s one big perk of Oswego. Special memories of WRVO: I worked there for three years. I remember doing the very early morning weekend sportscast. After a rock-n-roll Friday and Saturday in Oswego, you had to be really dedicated to get up and do that. It was a long walk from New Campus in the cold. Even though you didn’t have to look good, you had to sound good! So, it helped me prepare for some early mornings that are so vital in broadcasting. — Compiled by Shannon Mahar ’04 and Michele Reed Read more alumni memories online at http://oswegoalumni.oswego.edu/magazine

OSWEGO

●

Spring 2004

Snowed T here was 1958, 1966, 1978, 1993 . . . and now 2004. Future alumni will talk about the winter just ended with memories to rival those of earlier classes who lived through Oswego’s notorious “big snows.” They’ll even have something more to brag about — for the first time in nearly 40 years, the college cancelled classes for two days in a row. A huge snowstorm buried Oswego with nearly 54 inches of snow during the last week of January. Bitter cold and harsh winds buffeted the city and campus. Classes were cancelled from Wednesday evening, Jan. 28, through Friday, Jan. 30, something that hasn’t happened “since at least 1969,” according to Bernie Henderson, retired vice president for administration. He joined the college that year and used to be the person responsible for deciding to cancel classes. “It definitely ranks up there with the top snowstorms in Oswego’s history,” says Scott Steiger ’99 of the meteorology faculty. He got to experience the effects of lake ef-

OSWEGO

●

Spring 2004

fect first-hand, as he was “literally trapped,” with all roads leading from his Oswego home impassable. Meteorology Professor Robert Ballentine was stuck along with Steiger, unable to return to his home in Syracuse for three days. Ballentine called the January storm “a once-in-a-50-year-event,”and said the nearest equivalent would be the Blizzard of 1966. Snow actually started falling on the 26th, when a general snowstorm deposited a modest 7.2 inches on the city by the 28th, said Oswego weather watcher Bill Gregway. On that Wednesday afternoon an Arctic cold front swept through and changed the general snowfall to lake effect. “We saw this one coming,” Steiger said. “It was just the way the wind flow was — the wind direction wasn’t changing.” Very cold air — temperatures at a kilometer high were at negative 20 degrees Celsius — wrapped around moisture in Maine and the system stayed put, dumping snow on Oswego County, Steiger explained. “The big thing meteorologically

was the wind did not change much and it just sat over the county,” he said. “Cold air, the persistence of the wind direction, and moisture wrapping around that low really made this event significant.” The 113-hour snowfall dropped 53.7 inches of snow on Oswego, said Gregway. The entire county was socked in, and the weather made the national news. Parish, to the east of Oswego, recorded 86 inches, the single greatest amount recorded by a snow spotter from Western or Central New York, according to the National Weather Service Web site. “Other places may get more snow, but the wind literally blows it off campus,” Steiger explained.“We had a six-foot drift in front of Piez Hall when I came in on Friday, just to check on things. It was the strongest snow storm I’ve ever experienced.” Future alumni from the classes of 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007 will echo his words in years to come as they recall the historymaking snow event that cancelled a pair of class days. ●

Remembrances of Snows Past During the winter of ’77-’78, we lived in a house off the railroad tracks on West Fifth Street. The plow went down the railroad tracks and threw up snow that totally blocked the side entrance to our house. It took us two days to tunnel out. Across the street from our house on Fifth Street there was a bar made out of a snow bank. A picture of it made national news. We were in that bar when the famous picture was taken. So that’s my claim to fame. —BILL PRECHT ’78

I always loved the first big snow (usually before Thanksgiving) and the old campus v. new campus snowball fight — all out to defend the bridge!! (New campus all the way!) —JOAN PACE ’87 DON KRANZ, PALLADIUM-TIMES ARCHIVAL PHOTO

In! By Michele Reed 2004 Photos by Jim Russell ’83

Singin’ in the Snow Read all the lyrics or download an MP3 of the Symphonic Choir singing this song in 1967 at http://oswegoalumni.oswego.edu/magazine (Special thanks to Mrs. Eleanor “Fergie” Boyd, for sharing the recording.)

Oswego’s “Big Snow” of 1958 inspired the late Dr. Maurice O. Boyd, who directed the Symphonic Choir, to pen a song now famous among alumni. In 1966, it was updated to reflect that year’s historic blizzard.

Oswego Is Famous For Its Snow Words and Music by Dr. Maurice O. Boyd Softly and gently and peacefully, White as fleece and silently, It started to snow so beautifully And then it snowed and snowed and snowed AND SNOWED! Oswego is famous for its snow We hear it wherever we go On December 7th in ’fifty eight It started to snow at a terrific rate, It snowed so much it was hard to appreciate. Oswego is famous for its snow It snowed and snowed for seven days in a row, The snow plows came and dug us out, Yes there was much to shout about, Oswego is famous for its snow!

OSWEGO

●

Spring 2004

On the (Snow-Covered) Street At the end of the storm, students reflected on their first brush with Oswego’s legendary snow.

It was movie days — too dangerous to go out on the roads. Kim Schiefer ’07 Liverpool Major: Elementary Education

Wednesday night, when it was all coming down, my housemates and I decided to get on top of the snow mounds and dive for catches in the snow banks. We made some fun of it — we were out for an hour, all bundled up.

I spent time online talking to people. I didn’t leave from Wednesday night to Monday morning. Bonita Biyson ’05 Endwell Major: Math and Art

Lemarr Young ’04 Hudson Falls Major: Broadcasting

Two days off! We were jumping into the snow banks at Onondaga. We played football in it. Snow’s great!

For three days I couldn’t see the sun. I stayed indoors and refused to go outside, even when the dining hall closed. I’d rather starve than freeze!

Y Justin Ortega ’07 Baldwinsville Major: Art

Therisa Samuels ’03 New York City Major: Graduate student in English and Public Relations

Snow Stats

Campus snow-removal staff cleared:

4 miles of roads 25 miles of sidewalks 26 acres of parking lots January 2004

January 26-30: OSWEGO

●

Spring 2004

113 hours 53.7 inches 966 classes cancelled 24

9 days with temps below zero 105 inches 2nd snowiest January since 1900 7th coldest January since 1844

Class Notes 1 9 4 0

DOROTHY DALEY MIZEN ’18 celebrated her 105th birthday July 7 at Pontiac Care and Rehabilitation Center in Oswego. She was born July 7, 1898, and received her teaching degree at Oswego Normal School. She taught in North Rose and in New Jersey. She married Edward Mizen in 1929. After his death in 1945, she returned to the classroom, this time in the Oswego City School District. Dorothy was very active in civic affairs, having served on Oswego Hospital’s board of trustees, and was active in the hospital auxiliary, Twigs, reports longtime friend Rosemary Skillen. A world traveler who visited Spain, Italy and France, Dorothy kept a journal of her travels. She always enjoyed keeping up with the news and used to be an avid bridge player.

1929 75th

JUNE 4–6

1934 70th 1939 65th

JUNE 4–6

C L A S S

N O T E S

Call us at: 315/312-2258 E-mail us at: alumni@oswego.edu Fax us at: 315/312-5570 Visit our Web site at: http://oswegoalumni.oswego.edu

1944 60th JUNE 4–6

MARY APPLETON BIRD ’29 is 95 years of age and ties to Oswego run strong in her family. She met her late husband, Howard Bird ’28, at Oswego, where they were “constantly seen together,” writes her son A. David Bird ’62. She was a member of AGO sorority and Howard Mary Appleton Bird ’29 and her was a brother of Psi Phi. son A. David Bird ’62 reminisce Mary is the mother of two about Oswego. children, six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. David’s father-in-law, the late Carlton D. Durfey ’28, was director of vocational education in Poughkeepsie, where Howard Bird taught industrial arts. David spent five summers over his career taking graduate courses at Oswego. During the 1990s his son, Thomas, spent a year at Oswego before finishing his college work at Marist College. David and his wife try to visit Oswego every other year during Harborfest. He has great memories of Oswego, especially his freshman year in Hillcrest in 1958-59, the year of the “Big Snow.” David and Janet have two other children, Howard and Carlton, and enjoy visiting with their grandchildren.

1949 55th JUNE 4–6

OSWEGO

●

Spring 2004

C L A S S

N O T E S

Hawk Recognized for Service ROGER DEPUIS III LIVINGSTON COUNTY NEWS

When Albert W. Hawk ’51 retired from school board service after 31 total years on local and BOCES boards, he was called upon to present the first Albert W. Hawk Award for Distinguished School Board Service — to himself. The Genesee Valley School Boards Association created Albert W. Hawk ’51 the award to honor Hawk, and then kept the first recipient’s name secret from him until the Sept. 15 awards ceremony. Hawk was cited for his 13 years on the Dansville Board of Education, 25 years on Board of Cooperative Educational Services, and 23 with the Rural Schools Program Board and executive committee. In addition, he served four terms on the board of directors of the New York State School Boards Association, representing the 64 school districts in Area 2, and served two years as president of the NYSSBA board. On Board, the NYSSBA publication, wrote, “Over the years, Al Hawk’s contributions on a local, regional, statewide and national level have helped to shape the educational experiences of countless children.” Hawk retired in 1990 after 32 years with the New York State Office of Mental Retardation — Developmental Disabilities. In addition to his work and volunteering, he is also passionate about antique toy trains, and is a founding member and president of the Toy Trains Collectors Society with 700 members in Western New York. He has a 1937 DeSoto sedan and is a member and president of the Dansville Area Historical Society. He and his wife, Janice, have two children and five grandchildren.

’68, ’69, ’70

35th Cluster Reunion

JUNE 4–6

1964 40th JUNE 4–6

1954 50th JUNE 4–6

OSWEGO

●

Spring 2004

C L A S S

N O T E S

Alumna a ‘Local Legend’

WILLIAM MUELLER, MEDICAL PHOTOGRAPHER SUNY UPSTATE MEDICAL UNIVERSITY

Dr. Colleen Enwright O’Leary ’74, an associate professor of anesthesiology at SUNY Upstate Medical University and a past president of the Onondaga County Medical Society, has been nominated for a prestigious national distinction by Congressman James T. Walsh. Walsh nominated O’Leary for the “Changing the Face of Medicine: Local Legends” exhibition administered by the American Medical Women’s Association. The nomination letter from Walsh reads, in part, “Dr. O’Leary is a friend and someColleen one I hold in the highest esteem. Throughout Enwright my tenure in Congress, I have repeatedly O’Leary ’74 remarked at her tremendous personal qualities and amazing professional abilities. Simply put, she is a pillar of our community and a lead contributor to the success our region has achieved in providing the very highest quality of health care.” O’Leary is part of an exhibit on Local Legends which will be on display at the National Library of Medicine campus in Bethesda, Md. She is featured, along with nominees from all over the country, on the Web site at www.locallegends.org.

Baltus Honored by Women Engineers CLARKSON UNIVERSITY PHOTO BY CHRISTOPHER LENNEY

Dr. Ruth E. Baltus ’77, Clarkson University professor of chemical engineering, was the recipient of the 2003 Society of Women Engineers Distinguished Engineering Educator Award at SWE’s national conference in October. Baltus was honored for excellence in teaching and dedication to her students, leadership of undergraduate students through the SWE student section, mentorship of strong graduate engineers, and her contributions to membrane science and engineering research. Dr. Ruth E. Baltus ’77 “Women bring a unique (center) discusses chemical engineering thermodynamics sensibility and set of interperwith Clarkson University stusonal skills and talents to the dents Charlotte Okwudi (left) engineering profession and and Tru Trinh Tran. the importance of these skills is being increasingly recognized by industry and academia,” said Baltus. “But girls and young women need to feel there is a place for them in engineering.” She earned her doctorate at Carnegie-Mellon University in 1982 and joined the Clarkson faculty in 1983. Baltus received the Student Life Award from Clarkson University in 1999 in recognition of her superior efforts as a faculty advisor. She has been chosen to receive the Oswego Alumni Association’s 2004 Lifetime Award of Merit.

OSWEGO

●

Spring 2004

C L A S S

N O T E S

Oswego Trip Leads to Lifelong Career A research trip to Jamaica as part of an undergraduate geology course over a quarter century ago set Bill Precht ’78 on the path to his professional career. This fall viewers around the world will see him back at the very same research site, Discovery Bay in Jamaica, sharing his expertise as a coral reef expert on a National Geographic special. “The Living Machine” will be aired on the Public Broadcasting System. Precht’s segment on coral reefs will be a 10-minute feature in a show devoted to the removal of top predators from the ecosystem, one of three programs in the series. Precht is an ecological science program manager at PBS & J, a company devoted to engineering, planning and science in Miami, Fla. After Oswego, Bill earned a master’s degree in earth and environmental sciences at Adelphi and a doctorate at the University of Miami. In addition to his work at PBS & J, he holds an adjunct faculty position at Northeastern University, where he conducts a winter program at Discovery Bay’s marine lab. Lately, he jokes, some of the students weren’t even born when he and his Oswego classmates went on the trip in 1978! He also holds a visiting scientist position with the Smithsonian and travels to Belize regularly to do research. With his life come full circle from that Oswego geology course, he often thinks of the impact the trip had on him. “Without the

Oswego students and faculty on the 1978 trip to Discovery Bay, Jamaica, included (not all are identified) in the back row, Teri Moresco ’78, Bruce Pierce ’78, Bill Precht ’78, Earth Sciences Professor Dr. Anthony DelPrete, Biology Teaching Assistant Bill Baxter ’77, Jim Denier ’78, Steve Strategis, Earth Sciences Professor Dr. David Thomas, Mike Parker ’78 and Matt Hoag ’78; in the middle row: Jim Cooper ’78, Barbara Maswick Grimes ’79, Marisa Comple ’78 and Dawn Holsapple ’79; and sitting in the front row, Robin Wylie Weaver ’79 and Biology Professor Dr. Tony Nappi (at far right).

marine science program at Oswego and our trip to Jamaica in 1978, none of this would have been possible,” says Precht. “Also without the interest and guidance provided by Dr. David J. Thomas of earth sciences, it’s hard to know what professional path I would have chosen. The only thing about which I am certain, I owe Dave Thomas a lot! I only hope that I can pass on similar integrity, values, enthusiasm and scholarship to my students and employees.”

Bill Precht ’78 (right)

1979 25th JUNE 4–6

OSWEGO

●

Spring 2004

C L A S S

N O T E S

Larry Rubinstein ’81 (left), technical director and senior editor at Magno Sound and Video in New York City, returned to campus to share his expertise with students at Oswego’s student-run television station, WTOP, this fall, sponsored by the Oswego Alumni Association’s Alumni-in-Residence Program. Here he looks over some of the studio equipment with Matt Romano ’05, a broadcasting major, and WTOP general manager; and Philip Rankin ’05, a journalism major and chief news producer.

IN THE GOSIER FAMILY, LOVE FOR OSWEGO TRANSCENDS generations. The family reunited on campus last fall for the grand opening of the Penfield Library café, to which Les Gosier ’37 donated $75,000 in memory of his late wife, Carolyn Heath Gosier, as part of his $100,000 pledge. Seated are Les Gosier ’37, and Meg Gosier Hauptfleisch ’78, his daughter; and standing, from left, are Jim Hauptfleisch ’77, Colleen Beylo and Greg Hauptfleisch, Jim and Meg’s son. Meg has spent her entire career in the classroom, except for time off when Greg was young. Currently, she has been a first-grade teacher at Chenango Forks School District for the past eight years. At Oswego, Jim was a Scholastic All-American, lettering in track and wrestling, in which he was a two-time state champ at heavyweight and in his senior year placed sixth in the nationals. A technology education teacher throughout his career, he has been Region 43 Teacher of the Year. For the past 23 years he has had a Technology Student Association at his schools, and often brings his students to the fall technology department conference at Oswego, as well as to regional and national competitions, where they have placed well. He has held leadership posts at the regional and statewide level in the TSA. A teacher at Maine-Endwell High School, he is making his 1941 Chrysler into a street rod. 29

OSWEGO

●

Spring 2004

C L A S S

N O T E S

Alumni Bookshelf This column celebrates the publishing success of Oswego alumni authors, illustrators and recording artists. Please keep us informed about new books and CDs by requesting that your publisher or distributor send a copy for the Oswego Alumni Bookshelf at King Alumni Hall.

OSWEGO

Spring 2004

Virtual Life by David Hitchcock ’79 is the story of John Clayton, a teenager in rural New York who stumbles across a virtual reality helmet that is part of a classified virtual reality simulator lost in a traffic accident. John uses the helmet to run combat situations, and to sit at the feet of history’s greatest thinkers. John’s expanding intellect puts him in direct conflict with his parents, church and community. “Virtual Life portrays the best and worst of humanity as all the passions and longings; love and hate, courage and fear, ambition and apathy, erupt while John struggles to understand what he’s learned,” writes Hitchcock. David has degrees in physics and engineering and has worked as a computer consultant on the MX missile, the Milstar satellite program, and advanced capability torpedoes. He currently resides with his family in Twinsburg, Ohio. iUniverse, 2003. A Taste for Blood, is a vampire epic by Diana Lee ’83. Ryan was born when Vikings raided the British coast and the highland clans of Scotland feuded with bloodlust and vigor. Killed and reborn as a vampire at 16, she is now over 800 years old. Over the centuries, Ryan has ravaged the lives of many helpless victims. Now as Lord Wolf — for few mortals know she is a woman — Ryan has risen to a position of power and influence in Victorian-era Scotland. “A rich and intricate tapestry of characters. Lee takes you on a night ride through an eerie forest of dark desires, charging headlong toward the cliffs of immortal rage and eternal desire,” writes Roselle Graskey, author of October Echoes. Alice Street Editions, Harrington Park Press, 2003. Sanford Sternlicht ’53 has published the Student Companion to Elie Wiesel, part of the Student Companions to Classic Writers series. The book offers a critical analysis of all of Wiesel’s major writings, with full chapters on Night, Dawn and The Oath as well as commentary on his other works, including his five most recent novels. Plot, character development, thematic concerns and style are discussed, as are the historical context and alternate critical perspectives. The Student 30

Companion to Elie Wiesel includes a biographical section and a chapter on his nonfiction writings. Sternlicht is the author or editor of over 30 books. At Oswego he was professor of English, director of graduate studies in English and chair of the theatre department, until his retirement in 1986. He now teaches at Syracuse University. Greenwood Press, 2003. Al Roker’s Hassle Free Holiday Cookbook: 125 recipes for Family Celebrations All Year Long, by well-known weatherman and foodie Al Roker ’76 came out just in time for the 2003 holiday season. Featuring recipes like hot crab dip, blueberry coffee cake and Buffalo wings, the book includes tips on stocking a pantry and making holiday food preparations run smoothly. In a Dec. 16 Woman’s Day article promoting the new volume, Roker once again hearkened back to his college days. “I went to school at the State University of New York at Oswego, just up the road from Buffalo,” he is quoted as saying. “For the longest time I thought Buffalo was named after the wings. My college roommate took me home to North Tonawanda, New York, and it was there that I had my first taste of Buffalo wings. Nirvana!” Scribner, 2003. In Services Blueprint: Roadmap for Execution, Marcia Robinson ’86 and Dr. Ravi Kalakota, authors of the best-selling e-Business: Roadmap for Success, aim to present “a balanced perspective of what managers need to know to make effective technology decisions.” The book covers topics like the need for digitization, examples of services blueprints and case studies of AT & T and IBM. The authors note: “We are writing both to challenge the dominant orthodoxy of current piecemeal strategies and to address three critical issues: How to plan in an economy where differentiation is achieved not through products but through technology-enabled services; how to translate business imperatives into better technology execution; how to organize the changes Web Services have wrought on the business landscape.” Addison-Wesley, 2003.

Donald D. Cox, professor emeritus, is the author of A Naturalist’s Guide to Forest Plants and A Naturalist’s Guide to Seashore Plants. The books include a wide range of information about the forest and seashore plants of Eastern North America, including the origins, methods of naming, and climate factors. Throughout the guides, Cox provides complete and accurate details for readers interested in collecting plants and preserving plant collections. Also included in the series is A Naturalist’s Guide to Wetland Plants, which was released in 2002 (see Oswego Fall/Winter 2002). Syracuse University Press, 2003.

In Backstory: Inside the Business of News, Ken Auletta ’63, turns a critical eye on the state of journalism and the media today. This compilation of his “Annals of Communication” columns for The New Yorker shows a troubled industry, one that often doesn’t live up to its ideal as a public service. With the keen eye of a practiced observer and the skill of a master storyteller, Auletta gives the reader a glimpse into the troubled New York Times newsroom under Howell Raines, and the rise of new media stars like Roger Ailes and Fox News. He explores the conflicts between profit-driven media giants and their own news divisions, New York City’s tabloid wars, “gotcha” journalism and right-wing commentators spouting the words “fair and balanced” about their partisan diatribes. Auletta is the author of eight previous books, including four national bestsellers. In a review of Backstory, Business Week wrote, “Ken Auletta is the James Bond of the media world, a man who combines the probing mind and easy charm of a top intelligence agent with the glamour that befits the holder of a high-profile job.” The Penguin Press, 2003. (See page 48 for an except from Backstory.)

OSWEGO

Spring 2004

C L A S S

N O T E S

Shaw’s Career Takes Off William C. Shaw III ’89 has been involved in organizing the logistics for the rebuilding of Iraq. As executive vice president of World Class Shipping, his family’s business, he organized one of the first humanitarian flights to reach Baghdad airport. Shaw’s company flew in materials to build a new intensive care unit at the main hospital in Iraq, for Franklin Graham, son of the famous evangelist Billy Graham, and his Samaritan’s Purse organization. He also did work in Iran for the earthquake and flew shipments to Afghanistan for the Central Intelligence Agency and Department of Defense. He has organized efforts in Kosovo, Angola and every major problem area of the world. World Class Shipping’s main business is providing international logistics solutions for corporations looking to import, export and customs clear their products from around the world. Over the years the company has evolved to specialize in dealing with troubled regions of the world and handling valuable, difficult and hard-to-handle shipments. It’s a global enterprise and Shaw deals with agents all over the world. A typical day sees him on the phone to 10 or 12 countries and e-mailing to 10 times that. In Bangkok he meets once a year with all his global agents — 500 in one place from all different countries. While the work is “stressful — everybody wants everything yesterday,” Shaw adds, “If you are educated and can think on your feet you can do well.” He credits Oswego with some of his success, especially in teaching him “social skills and adapting to cold weather conditions.”

OSWEGO

Spring 2004

’88, ’89, ’90

15th Cluster Reunion

JUNE 4–6 William C. Shaw III ’89 flew to Afghanistan and Iraq.

C L A S S

N O T E S

PHOTO CREDIT: KRISTIN MOSHER ’89

Alumna’s Work is Picture Perfect “Chimpanzee Stripping a Vine” by Kristin J. Mosher ’89 has been highly commended in the Animal Behavior: Mammals category of the 2003 Wildlife Photographer of the Year Competition, organized by London’s Natural History Museum and BBC Wildlife Magazine. Mosher’s image was among more than 20,500 entries, from over 60 countries, in the world’s biggest and most prestigious wildlife photographic competition. “I had been following the chimpanzees, Freud and Gimble, since dawn, in Gombe National Park, Tanzania,” said Mosher. “The two males spent their morning grooming and eating in Mkenke, one of Gombe’s main river valleys, then disappeared into a thicket of leafy vines. When Gimble reappeared, he was ‘vine-stripping’: selecting sections of a vine and using his teeth to strip off and eat the cambium and pith.” “Chimpanzee Stripping a Vine” is on display with other winning images in the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition at the London Natural History Museum’s Jerwood Gallery until April 18. The photo and 2004 competition information can be found at www.nhm.ac.uk/wildphoto/ Mosher has been working since 1997 as a photographer in Tanzania, where she takes photos for renowned primate authority Jane Goodall. Oswego featured her African landscape as the cover of our spring 2001 issue.

N E W S M A K E R UMBC PHOTO BY HOWARD KORN

Democrats seeking to win in 2004 have to think of a strategy that does not necessarily rely on victory in the South, Thomas F. Schaller ’89 wrote in a think piece for The Washington Post Nov. 16. In “A Route for 2004 That Doesn’t Go Through Dixie,” the assistant professor of political science at the University of Maryland, Thomas F. Schaller ’89 Baltimore County, analyzed recent races and how they might impact the upcoming election. “A non-Southern strategy isn’t the only path back to the Oval Office,” he wrote. “But it may be the shortest.” He was featured on CNN Saturday, Jan. 31. Schaller was the keynote speaker at the 2003 Communication Studies Alumni Dinner in November, co-sponsored by the Oswego Alumni Association. He will receive the Oswego Alumni Association’s 2004 Anniversary Class Award.

OSWEGO

●

Spring 2004

C L A S S

N O T E S

They shared a house together at Oswego and in July they shared the Waldron family camp on Panther Lake in Constantia. Getting together were 1992 alumnae, from left, Bethann Talty, Katie Collins Krawcyk, Lynda Aylward Gerst, Jeanie Finocchiaro Kinahan, Jennifer Waldron Whitley and Laura Ciccone Smith. Also present was Mike Kinahan ’93. “We really missed Donna Farry Morse, Joe Manna and Amy Placzkowski Manna (all ’92!),” they wrote. A yearly reunion for the ex-housemates has been planned.

Honoring the Athletes Five alumni athletes and a former coach were inducted into the Oswego State Athletic Hall of Fame in October. They are, front row from left, Francis Verdoliva ’74, honored for his achievements in cross country and track and field; Fernando Suarez ’74, honored for his achievements in cross country and track and field; and Linda DeRyke Eakin ’86, honored for her achievements in basketball and softball; and back row from left, Dr. John Glinski, former athletic director and coach of basketball, baseball and tennis; Armond Magnarelli ’50, a star in basketball, baseball and soccer; and Peter Low ’63, a basketball, baseball and soccer standout. Also honored but unable to attend the dinner was David Lair, recognized for his achievements in ice hockey. Friends of Verdoliva made donations in Fran’s honor to help current students. If you would like to nominate an alumni athlete or former coach (living or deceased) for future consideration to the Hall of Fame, please call the Alumni Office at 315-312-2258 for a nomination form or submit online at http://oswegoalumni.oswego.edu/halloffame. This year’s dinner and induction ceremony will be Oct. 9. OSWEGO

●

Spring 2004

C L A S S

N O T E S

Oswego

Matters

n recent months, my personal From the life has come “full circle” in executive many ways in relation to my director “Oswego Family.” Many people are surprised that I did not graduate from Oswego, but rather from another college (though I did earn my teaching certification from Oswego in 1984). Through my husband, Jerome ’77, however, I feel as if I have many of those same Oswego connections and feelings of family that so many of our alumni do, since we dated throughout his years at Oswego. That feeling of Oswego family is an intangible that so many of us talk about and, more importantly, feel. It is about our bonds and our memories — my personal opinion is that surviving the weather (snow, wind and more!) somehow binds us all together in some inexplicable way! My Oswego Family Circle widened this summer to include my parents, Jean and Bill Locke. When my father became ill in early summer, we made a decision to move my parents, lifelong residents of Rochester, to Springside at Seneca Hill, a senior retirement community near my home in Oswego. And thus began the widening of the Oswego circle for me and my parents — who knew no one in Oswego other than me! The staff and fellow residents at Springside embraced my parents into their Springside Family — which is in many ways an extended Oswego family! And so, the circle widens… Teresa Ferlito ’76 manages the retirement community. Many alumni and faculty emeriti and their spouses reside there, including Eleanor “Fergie” Boyd, wife of the late Dr. Maurice O. Boyd, beloved music professor who wrote “Oswego is Famous for Its Snow.” Dr. Ralph Spencer, who served in many positions including professor, dean, provost and interim president, and his wife Marian; Dr. Sherwood Dunham, who served as principal of the Campus School, vice president, interim president and professor, among other positions; Dr. Harold “Hop” Powers, retired zoology professor, and his wife, Georgiana; Dr. Harold Nash, retired education professor, and his wife, Lorraine; and Charles “Bud” Coward ’49, emeritus industrial arts professor, campus construction planning coordinator and assistant to the president, and his late wife, Ann; are just a few of the many residents who have been added to my and my parents’ Oswego Family Circle. It seems so true that our lives come full circle as we travel through life. The most important part, I think, is to make the most of the journey. A favorite saying of a dear friend, Tom Jacobsen ’77, who died suddenly a few years ago, was “Happiness is a journey, not a destination.”

OSWEGO

●

Spring 2004

C L A S S

N O T E S

N E W S M A K E R

Love Rings True An alumni couple’s love story inspired the readers of Newsday last October. Bill ’96 and Lara Jacobs McKenna ’95 met at Oswego, where, Lara told Newsday, it was “love at first sight.” When Bill proposed in 1999, he gave Lara the traditional ring, a perfectly round diamond in an Bill ’96 and Lara Jacobs antique setting with hearts McKenna ’95 fastening the stone to the ring. Fast forward to Jan. 2, 2001. Six weeks before the Feb. 10 wedding, Lara lost the ring. She had cut her finger in the morning making lunch and put the ring on her pinky, since her ring finger was bandaged. After her workday she headed to a crowded, post-holiday Penn Station to take the train home. She waited in a long ticket line and walked around much of the station, then boarded the train, only to notice her ring was gone. Panicked, she called Bill, who worked at 11 Penn Plaza, across from Madison Square Garden. He told her he would find the ring and not to worry, then headed to the station. After looking in all the places Lara described and then some, he checked at the police station. “Good luck,” the cop on duty told him. Then he checked the lost and found desk, waiting for clerk Selina Pride to return from her break. When Bill described the ring, she reached into a Ziploc bag filled with assorted jewelry. “I just found this old ring on my way to … my break,” she told him. She hadn’t even had time to log it in. He headed home where he told a worried Lara, Newsday reported, “There’s only one person in the world luckier than me, and that’s you.” Their love still rings true, as Lara (sister of Laker lacrosse captain Adam Jacobs ’04) and Bill recently celebrated their third wedding anniversary, along with their son, Liam, born in January 2003.

1994 10th JUNE 4–6

OSWEGO

●

Spring 2004

C L A S S

N O T E S

A Hip-Hop Success Story IN NOVEMBER OF 2002, A FORMER OSWEGO State student, who goes by the pseudonym Heru Ptah ’01, finished his first novel, A Hip-Hop Story. But instead of taking it to the publishers, he took to the streets, peddling his work on New York City subways and at readings. Ptah, along with fellow alumnus and business partner, Steve McAlpine ’97, who goes by the name Tehut-Nine, sold over 10,000 copies of the book before landing a publishing deal with MTV Pocket Books in February 2003. “We were selling books to people that probably hardly ever went to bookstores,” Tehut-Nine said. “I think they were intrigued by two young people doing what seemed like an impossible thing. We got a lot of support from people.” Since its debut, A Hip-Hop Story has enjoyed great success, and is hailed by USA Today “as the beginning of a new subgenre of the urban or street novel: the hip-hop novel.” According to The New York Times the book, which tells the story of two feuding rappers, Hannibal and Flawless, combines a hefty dose of love, sex, ambition and corruption, with all the trappings of the hip-hop lifestyle. But Ptah said he hadn’t always planned on being a writer. Although the Jamaican-born author said he has been a fan of Shakespeare since childhood, when he attended Oswego State he studied history and Spanish. It was there, Ptah said, that he became interested in poetry. “I was inspired by the different talent shows and so on that would take place on campus,” he said.

Heru Ptah ’01

“My love for writing and words in general would lead me into writing prose.” Ptah said he also found support for his writing from faculty and staff. So much in fact, that he fashioned one of the characters in A Hip-Hop Story after friend and adviser, Roosevelt Muhammad, assistant dean of students. “I wrote him in the book: name, body and mannerisms,” Ptah said. “Muhammad was for me, as he was and is for a lot of students, a mentor, and I will always love and admire him for his years of counsel.” Ptah and Tehut-Nine are currently the CEOs of their self-formed publishing company, SunRaSon Productions, which has published 10 books by various poets and authors. Ptah is also the author of a book of poetry, Love, God and Revolution, which first appeared in 2000. Tehut-Nine has written several poetry books including The Fire in Me and Mental Eye-roglyphics. — Shannon Mahar ’04

OSWEGO

●

Spring 2004

C L A S S

N O T E S

G R A D U A T E

O F

T H E

L A S T

D E C A D E

Elliot T. Boyce Values Involvement Elliot T. Boyce ’94 is an investigator with the New York State Police in Pulaski. He earned a master’s in criminal justice from SUNY Albany and master’s in public administration from Marist College. Contact him at et1329@aol.com.

Q. Tell us a bit about your current job. A. My major function is to assist troopers with felony level criminal investigations — from child abuse, homicides and robbery investigations, to things like credit card fraud and identify fraud. A lot of my functions are administrative in the sense of preparing cases for criminal prosecution in the district attorney’s office.

Q. How did you get where you are today? A. I was recruited by the New York State Police when I

Elliot T. Boyce ’94

was at Onondaga Community College. After I had taken the test and passed it, I had already entered Oswego. In 1987, I withdrew from school and went to the State Police Academy. From there I was stationed in Oneida, troop headquarters, then transferred to the Syracuse area where I worked and returned to college, and completed my bachelor’s degree at Oswego.

Q. What’s the most satisfying part of your job? A. The most satisfying is being able to help someone. It’s not the big crime — a lot of times those affect the big businessmen. It’s when you get the old lady or old gentlemen who’ve had their lawnmower stolen or house broken into. We do a lot more community-oriented work: explaining to people their rights and how to report a crime. It’s not the glamour people see on TV — running down the bad guys and throwing them in jail. A lot is community service and sharing information.

Q. What’s the toughest part of your job? A. It is by far notifications, where you have to tell a loved one that a spouse, or especially a child, is no longer with them. That is probably the toughest part of the job. It’s not often, but it’s always a challenge.

Q. A typical day? A. In law enforcement no day is the same. No crime is the same. It’s always evolving and we, as police officers, have to get better as crimes change.

Q. Sounds like you love your job. A. It’s the best job ever! It’s a great experience and great opportunity financially, benefits, opportunities to expand. I have two master’s degrees and a lot of the financial burden has been paid by the State Police.

Q. Any special influences at Oswego? A. Three come to mind: Dr. Bernard Boozer. His style of teaching in some cases goes against the grain of traditional teaching. For me to be able to discuss freely things that were going on in the world was beneficial — and I was a police officer, so everyone benefited. That’s why I come back every semester to teach in his class. Dr. (Celia) Sgroi ’70, who was head of Public Justice.

OSWEGO

●

Spring 2004

She was always very positive, always opened doors to the State Police for recruitment, to give students in public justice a fair chance to not only get an education, but also to get a good job when they’ve completed their education. Also Roosevelt Muhammad. He continues to make sure that if there is an issue in the community he will reach out for help and say, “I need a class taught. Can you teach about this issue or recommend someone?”

Q. Have a message for your fellow alumni? A. It’s very important for alumni — from whatever walks of life — to come back and help out in whatever way you can. Alumni should be giving back: If not money, time; if not money or time at least information, even if it’s in the form of a letter.

Q. And your advice for students? A. Volunteering, volunteering, volunteering. It’s becoming a major requirement on job applications. What have you done besides sit in a classroom? Who have you benefited besides yourself?

Q. So giving back is important to you? A. I am affiliated with a variety of national organizations: National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, Guardian Association of NYS Troopers, National Black State Troopers Coalition and the National Association of Black Law Enforcement Officers . . . These organizations are dedicated to education, recruitment, scholarships. We have the Elliott T. Boyce Superior Work Ethic Scholarship given by NOBLE CNY Chapter. We give $1,000 each year to a high school senior who demonstrates a commitment to bettering their community through hard work and diligence. Members in the organization are police chiefs, lieutenants and colonels. As an investigator it was an honor for them to highlight me in this particular way.

Q. Why is involvement so important to you? A. My main goal is to see that Elliot T. Boyce Jr. makes it to the next level in life. I am a single parent. For me, being able to raise my child was important. As role models, men should always contribute to the lives of our children, and not our children only, but our children’s friends. I try to stay active in the community, in the African-American and Latino communities. I taught Sunday school for five years at the Abundant Life Christian Center. I do a lot of volunteer work in communities I visit around the country. As national vice president of the National Association of Black Law Enforcement Officers, I do a lot of training for minority officers to keep them informed and involved. I am a product of an urban environment; I grew up in the project setting in Brooklyn. I experienced bussing, where they bussed black students to white schools. One of the things I learned from a stable single-parent home is: You don’t have to treat people the way they treat you. You have to be better and treat them the way you want to be treated.

C L A S S

N O T E S

She’s One in a Million Millions of New Yorkers watch Michelle Fortino ’97 with bated breath. They’re hoping the New York Lottery Draw Team member will call out the numbers that will transform them into instant millionaires. The former Funnelle Hall resident assistant has been a member of the draw team for three years, hosting live lottery drawings on a rotating schedule with three other members, including Yolanda Vega , who is “every bit as wonderful as she seems,” says Michelle. “She’s a fantastic woman and a very good friend.” Michelle applied for the job after hearing on the radio that there would be a statewide talent search. The former radio producer went up against 500 to 600 people, auditioning in a simulated lottery draw. Of that huge pool, only three people were chosen, with Michelle representing the Central New York region. Even though each draw takes only a few minutes, it’s a full eight-hour day, as the crew runs through pre- and post-tests and examines everything to be sure there is no tampering or malfunction with the machines for the three daily shows. Her favorite part of the job is participating in the many promotions, including one where a lucky New Yorker sank a basket from half court at Madison Square Garden to win a million dollars. Michelle travels throughout the state, doing promotions and visiting stores that sell lottery tickets. That means time away from her new husband, Keith Calveric ’91, who owns KCNY Design in Syracuse. The couple was wed in November. But the lottery is “home away from home” and she has many friends in the organization. If Michelle’s picked a millionaire, she’s never met the person, but she has plenty of fans who approach her — one even played her license plate number.

OSWEGO

●

Spring 2004

C L A S S

N O T E S

Neil Schreiner ’02 has a job many would envy — he is the gaming manager at Game On! in Boston’s Financial District, one of a new breed of gaming centers springing up around the country. Patrons gather to play games like “Counterstrike” or “Call of Duty” with each other over the LAN (local area network). Seated at cutting-edge Alienware Area-51 PCs in their state-of-the-art Aeron chairs, players can compete with each other in the same room or with opponents worldwide over the Internet. “It’s like going to see a movie,” Schreiner told the Boston Herald. “You could do it by yourself, but it’s more fun to do it with other people. You call your buddies together and come down.” The information science major, who found his job through monster.com, updates the games, brings in new titles, and organizes tournaments for Game On! patrons. As a student, Neil made several dedicated servers for people on campus to play each other and other people or clans on the Internet. Asked whether he avoided homework to play games with his Hart Hall friends and coworkers from the networking department, Neil replied: “Who doesn’t?”

OSWEGO

●

Spring 2004

C L A S S

N O T E S

Correction

Bakers Doesn’t Two unrelated Bakers shared more than a name in the last issue of Oswego — information about the women got blended into two mixed-up Class Notes. Here are the correct versions: Nancy Baker Kellar ’63 received her master’s degree from Syracuse University in special education. She is now a retired teacher from Baldwinsville schools and lives with her husband, Roderick, in Baldwinsville. Cammie Baker Clancy ’83 received her master’s degree in educational administration and policy studies from the University of Albany. She is the assistant director of graduate studies at Empire State College. She lives in Saratoga Springs with her husband, Shaughn. Cammie is active in SUNYCAP (State University of New York College Admissions Professionals)and Saratoga Preservation Foundation, and she owns an online store specializing in Christmas and holiday collectibles (holidayshopsaratoga.com). 41

OSWEGO

●

Spring 2004

Album W

] Sheri Kerness Krugman ’98 (DphiE) and Matt Krugman ’98 (DeltaSig) were married Oct. 19, 2002. Oswego alumni in attendance were, top row from left, Jason Martin ’98 (Zeta), Jim Parise ’00, Mark Silverio ’00, Todd Parks ’00, Pete Calabro ’02, Jeff Mischler ’00, Frankie Fernandez, Nick Renaud ’00, Mike Doody ’97, and Matt Bartley ’98 all members of the DeltaSig fraternity. Bottom row from left, Allison Eades Sutton ’98, Karen Israel ’99, Diane Pray Nolan ’98, and Maeghan O’Keefe ’99 all sisters of DphiE sorority, Dana Segall ’99, Karmin Valerio ’03 and Rachel Stewart ’00; and front, Capt. Richard McGahhey USMC ’96 (DeltaSig).

Jessica Pristupa Hillery ’95 and Darryl Hillery ’94 were married April 26, 2003. They had an intimate gathering of family and friends in Key West to celebrate their nuptials. Pictured from left are; the bridegroom, the bride, Danielle Pristupa ’98 (maid of honor) and Johnny Garcia ’94 (best man).

Kris Graham ’99 and Jill Hutchins ’00 were married Aug. 23, 2003, in Liverpool. Oswego alumni present at the wedding were, from left, Rachel Roman ’00, Kristin Bannon ’01, Jeremy Mikels ’02, the bride, bridegroom, Jaime Nagy ’00, Chris Leece ’01, Kirsten Bauroth ’00 and Cory Fitzgerald ’01.

OSWEGO

●

Spring 2004

Lauren Elbaum Duran ’95 (Phi Sig) and Julian Duran, Jr. ’96 (TKE) were married Sept. 21, 2003, at the Whitby Castle in Rye. Oswego alumni attending the wedding included, back row from left, Ronald Dinger ’96, Thomas J. Reilly ’95, middle row from left, Neeraj Sharma, Robert Collado, Richard Rivera, and Cesar Murillo ’94 all brothers of TKE, the bride, bridegroom, Tina Skurpski Krupa ’95, Deborah Ptalis ’95, Christine Amodeo ’95 (Phi Sig), Jodi Kessler Jeran ’94 (Phi Sig). Missing from picture, but in attendance, was Christopher Cunneen (TKE). The couple honeymooned for two weeks in Hawaii. They currently reside in the Upper West Side of New York City. Lauren is a communications associate for the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University and Julian is a wines and spirits consultant for Peerless Importers, a major distributor in New York City.

Elia Canalda Imler ’94 and John Imler were married July 12, 2003. Bridesmaids included Bonnie McCarthy Hogan ’94 and Ivy Diorio ’94, Sharlene Mitrione Cito ’95, Jacki LaFache ’96 and Gail E. McCarthy ’68 (since deceased). Elia completed her master’s degree in communications from Ithaca College in 2002. She invites her Hart Hall friends to email her at eliaimler@yahoo.com.

Thomas Woodruff ’88 and Julie Loomis Woodruff were married Aug. 2, 2003. Oswego alumni in attendance included, front row from left, Christopher Stephens ’87, Judi Woodruff Stephens ’89, the bridegroom, the bride, Kimberly Ungleich Rice ’01, M ’02, Faith Rogers Berretta ’90, Susan Monz Pompo ’90. Middle row from left, Gretchen Stoltz Fronk ’99, Maura Caughey ’76, Geri Klingler Bosco ’80, Lisa Vinciguerra ’00, Dr. Jodi Weinstein Mullen ’92, M ’94, Mark Berretta ’88 and Anthony Pompo ’89. Back row from left, Kirk Coates ’94, M ’03, Sean Walsh ’95, Shawn Yandon, Michael Mullen ’94, and Mark McClave ’91.

Christine Storie Winston ’03 and Richard Winston were married Aug. 23, 2003, in Canton. Oswego alumni in attendance were Kimberly Alarcon ’03, Deb Robertson ’00, Ellen Diament ’02, Jen Proulx and Ken Proulx ’01. The couple honeymooned in the Poconos. They currently live in Canton.

Jaime Palzer Antifonario ’99 and Carl Antifonario ’00 were married July 18, 2003, in West Orange, N.J. Oswego alumni in attendance, top row from left, were Kathleen McKenna ’98, Becky Love Picarillo ’98, Dara Bartick Solan ’95, M ’97, Katie Hilton Halecki ’95, second row from left, Lara Schukman, Kate Stout ’98, Kelly Kinirons ’98, the bride, bridegroom, Caroline Hemstreet Cascella ’97, Gina Gometz Juneau ’96, Matt Juneau ’96, Brian Defeo ’98, JP Prevost ’99, third row from left, Marc Scher ’98, Bob Picarillo ’97, Jeff Solan ’95, Scott Halecki ’97, Anthony Cascella ’97, Mark DiCintio ’97, Mark Mackisoc ’99. The couple currently lives in Fort Lee, N.J. Jaime is a third-grade teacher in Fort Lee and Carl works for a stockbroker in New York City.

Debra Vuoso Pasho ’98 (Alpha Delta Eta) and Patrick Pasho Jr. ’99 (Psi Phi Gamma) were married April 26, 2003, in Long Island. Best men included Michael Wing ’99 and Gregory Kipp ’00. Grooms men in attendance were Michael Woodworth ’94, Andrew Ayres, Erik Hansen ’00, Andrew Marcik ’98, and Tom Squires ’90, all brothers of the Psi Phi Gamma fraternity. Bridesmaids included Liesel Kipp ’97 (Alpha Sigma Chi), Nicole Kooney ’99 (Alpha Delta Eta), Stephanie Crudo ’01 (Alpha Delta Eta), Dena Hansen (Alpha Delta Eta), and Colleen Casey ’97 (Phi Lamda Phi). Debra teaches for Syracuse City Schools and Patrick works for LaMarsh Associates as a claims adjuster.

OSWEGO

●

Spring 2004

Album W

] Mandy Morrell Dedrick ’98, M ’02 and Robert Dedrick were married Aug. 2, 2003. Oswego alumni in attendance included, top row from left, Wendy Mitchell-Titus, Meredith Ambrose M ’02, Mara Bryden M ’02, Jack Hassall ’99, Erin Cooper-Hassall ’99, Davina Young M ’02, Tedra Gaun-Gerstner ’95, bottom row from left, Joanne Tomi ’00, the bride, bridegroom and Deborah Morrell-Kirkendall ’99 M ’01.

Kirsten Riley Pantalena ’95 and Peter Pantalena were married Sept. 2, 2001, in Staten Island. Oswego alumni in attendance at the wedding were, left to right, Brian VanZandt ’97, Julie Hidalgo ’97, Eric Ellison ’95, Kimberly Heimiller ’95, the bride, bridegroom, Lianne Nestler ’95, Jill Tobin ’96, Penelope Koch ’95, Sergio Sardera ’96, Keith Vanlderstine ’03 and Paul Pennock ’95. The couple resides in Cranford, N.J.

Michelle Neish Brown ’99 and Sean Brown ’00 were married July 19, 2003, in Syracuse. Oswego graduates at the wedding included, top row from left, Tyler Naselli ’99, Ted Hartman, Vinny Pietrafesa ’00, JP Prevost ’99, Josh Zweben ’00, Jahid Mirza ’00, My Amthap; front row from left, Robyn Hindmarch-Carlson ’98, Jen McCullough ’99, Brittany Moth ’01, the bride, bridegroom, Mary-Kay Bateman ’99, Ryan Ewanow ’99 and Mindy Constance ’01. The couple resides in Syracuse.

Jeanna Walters Hilton ’00 and Kevin Hilton ’99 were married Aug. 16, 2003. Oswego alumni attending the wedding included, front row from left, Desiree Lobianco ’00, Thomas Trinchitella ’01, Jennifer Andolina ’00, bridegroom, second row from left, Brian Sheehan, Andrea Walters ’01 (maid of honor), Leslie Marie Ruiz, Laurie Barnet Radman, the bride, Christine Coriale ’01, Paul Van Luven, Sabrina Rossi ’98, Terence Watkins ’98, Devon Eisenberg ’01, Monica Ruiz ’00, Andrew Berlin ’98, Jennifer McCullough ’99, Alyson Levine ’00, Jill Priano ’00, Melissa Mettler ’99, Jill Britton ’97, Edward Classen ’99, third row from left, Timothy Norton and Justin Hawkins ’97. OSWEGO

●

Spring 2004

Caroline Hemstreet Cascella ’97 and Anthony Cascella ’97 were married Aug. 2, 2003, in Chester. Oswego alumni in attendance from left to right were, Brooke Ricci ’97, Liz ThorntonHeffner ’96, Sarah O’Neil-Sirgany ’97, Scott Halecki ’97, Mike Cascella, Renee Fanning ’96, Melissa Cooper-Pollina ’97, Jeff Solan ’95, Dara Bartick-Solan ’97, the bridegroom, the bride, Jaime Palzer-Antifonario ’99, Katie Hilton-Halecki ’95, Pete Migneault ’95, Mark Mackisoc ’99, Carl Antifonario ’00, Frank Smith, and Mark DiCintio ’97. The couple currently resides in Manalapan, N.J.

Kari Walsh Reed ’93 and David Reed were married Jan. 17, 2003. Oswego alumni present were, standing left to right, John Carpinello ’91, Gary Nestler ’93, Yaa Adjei, the bride, Kelly Nestler ’93 and Erin Carter Procopio ’93; and, front, Brad Anderson. The couple resides in Cohoes.

Sarah Stark Vakkas ’99 and Thomas Vakkas ’98 were married July 4, 2003, in Island Park. Oswego alumni in attendance included, back row from left, Scott Dawson ’02, Reggie Houston, Mia Houston ’02, the bride, bridegroom, Patrick Ladd ’98, Larry Rowe ’98, Jason Brennan ’98, bottom row from left, Amanda Dawson, Pamela Nolasco ’99, Ian Kelly ’98, Zoraida Aguirre ’99 and Andrew Swayne ’96. Tom and Sarah currently live in Ithaca. Tom is a fourth-grade teacher and Sarah works as a guidance counselor.

OSWEGO

●

Spring 2004

I N

M E M O R I A M

Eileen Schaffer Pierson ’27 of Oswego died Oct. 21. She taught at Oak Hill School in Oswego and in the Endicott School District. She is survived by a son, two grandsons, a great-grandson and her sister, Cathleen Schaffer ’40. Olympia Mariani Bartholomew ’32 of Rome died Nov. 10. She was a substitute teacher in Rome’s Catholic schools for many years. Surviving are her husband, Germo “Red”; two sons; and three grandchildren. Agnes Kraft ’33 of Oswego died Sept. 3. Prior to her retirement she taught kindergarten for 35 years in the Auburn and Oswego school districts. D. Mary Crisafulli ’34 of Fulton died Oct. 7. She did graduate work at Oswego State and Syracuse University, and attended Otis School of Art in Los Angeles. Mary taught at the Love School, a one-room school house, in Phoenix for nine years, then taught at Phoenix Junior High and High School for 29 years. She is survived by a sister and a brother. Arlene Truax Bock ’38 of Fulton passed away Feb. 28, 2003. William Clemens ’38 of Columbus passed away Feb. 28, 2003. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Ohio State University. William is survived by his wife of 60 years, Frances; a daughter, two sons; a granddaughter and a great-granddaughter. F. William Cunningham ’38 of Fredonia passed away Jan. 3, 2003. Edwyn E. Mason ’38 of Zephyrhills, Fla., passed away July 9. He is survived by his daughter, Martha; a son, Richard; and his wife, Eileen; a grandson, Shawn, serving in Iraq with the U.S. Marine Corps; a granddaughter, Heather; and close friends, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Spurling of Zephyrhills. Edwyn was a veteran of the U.S. Army serving in World War II, a graduate of Albany Law School and former New York state senator. He was active in veteran’s affairs and was past commander of the Stamford American Legion Post. He was a former justice of the peace and a member of the National Historical Society and the American Bar Association. Helen Weston Nostrant ’38 of Port Byron passed away Nov. 2. She taught in one-room school houses and elementary schools for many years. Helen is survived by her husband, Earl; a daughter; four grandchildren and three great-granddaughters.

OSWEGO

Spring 2004

Charles is survived by his wife, Betsy Griswold ’54; daughters Heather Sweeting and Pam Kuczawa ’91; and two grandchildren. Susan Cooper Fassler-Babcock MA ’57 of Utica died Dec. 10. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Syracuse University. She taught for many years at Altmar-Parish-Williamstown High School for many years, where she also directed plays and developed a curriculum in journalism. Susan is survived by a daughter, a son and four grandchildren. Amber Greggains Palmer ’61 of Taberg died Sept. 4. She taught in Camden and Rome until her retirement in 1974. Amber is survived by a daughter, six sons, 16 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren. Robert Rupracht ’61 of Baldwinsville died Dec. 5. Robert taught in the Baldwinsville Central School District for 33 years before his retirement. He is survived by his wife, Jane; a son; three daughters and eight grandchildren. Karen Johnson Dudeck ’62 of Union Springs passed away Nov. 28. She is survived by three children and two grandchildren. Gail Egan McCarthy ’68 of Rome died Oct. 18. She is survived by her husband, Michael; a daughter; two sons and three grandchildren. Jeanne Egan ’72 of Little River, S.C., and formerly of Oswego and Baldwinsville, passed away Aug. 17. She taught in the Fulton school district for 24 years before retiring in 1996. She is survived by her husband, Larry. Elizabeth Kaplenk Owens ’73 of Albany passed away March 24, 2003. Dennis Adamy ’74 of Hamilton passed away Aug. 21. He earned his master’s degree in social work from West Virginia University. Dennis is survived by his son, John. Patricia Hines ’69 of Brick, N.J., passed away April 28. Gary Cole ’80 of Memphis died Oct. 13. He was employed at New Venture Gear. Gary is survived by his wife, Nadine; and two children. Patricia Green ’85 of Oswego passed away Dec. 3. Pat earned an associate’s degree from University College of Syracuse University before coming to Oswego, and was working on a master’s degree in health services management at New School for Social Research. She is survived by her partner, Stephanie Davis, a sister and a brother. Thomas Hester ’92 of North Syracuse passed away Jan. 1. He was a detective with the Syracuse Police De-

Clarabell Chatterton Nash ’39 of Hubbardsville died Oct. 15. She taught for over 30 years in the upstate New York area. Clarabell is survived by a sister and a brother. Charles Lower ’46 of Pulaski died Nov. 23. He earned his master’s degree at Oswego. Charles served in the U.S. Army Air Force during World War II. He taught in Phoenix, Pulaski and Oswego high schools for 35 years. Surviving are three step-children, 10 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Helen Patricia Sherwood Webb ’47 passed away Dec. 13. She taught in the Marcellus Central School District and at St. Cecilia’s School. Pat is survived by her husband, James; a son, Paul; three daughters, Nancy Hefti ’77, Martha Taylor and Mary Beth Warner; and eight grandchildren. Jane Zurek Trepacz ’49 of Fayetteville died Aug. 27. She earned a master’s degree at Columbia University. Jane taught in Oriskany and DeWitt. Surviving are her husband, Edmund; a son and a granddaughter. Bernard Black ’50 of Silver Spring, Md., died Sept. 27. He is survived by his wife, Jean. Andrew Harris ’50 of Binghamton passed away Aug. 17. June Kallio Laakkonen ’51 of North Babylon died Aug. 22. She taught in the North Babylon school district from 1951 until her retirement in 1988. June is survived by two sons and two daughters. Doris Hitzelberger Caldwell ’54 of Potsdam and Oswego passed away Nov. 19. Prior to her retirement in 1975, Doris taught for 20 years. She is survived by a son, a daughter, four grandsons and two great-grandchildren. Kathryn Smith McGregor ’54 of Rome died Nov. 9. She taught in the Whitesboro school district for 40 years until her retirement in 1992. Kay is survived by her husband, Wayne; her mother, Helen Smith; a daughter; four sons and 12 grandchildren. Irene Pryor ’55 of Dansville passed away Feb. 14, 2003. Charles Sweeting ’56 of Oswego died Nov. 29. He earned his master’s degree at Oswego and did post graduate work at the University of Missouri. Prior to coming to Oswego State, Charles taught technology at Illion High School, Trenton State College and McGill University. He was an associate professor of technology at Oswego State prior to his retirement. He was the Minetto town historian.

partment. Tom is survived by his wife, Suzanne; daughter, Abby; and sister, Karen ’90. Kym Bisnett ’93 of Canastota and Dunnellon, Fla., died Oct. 17 after a long illness. She was a sister of ADH sorority. She is survived by her husband, Sean Denmark; a son, Connor Denmark; her mother, Judy Bisnett; a twin sister and three brothers. James Clarke III ’98 of Smyrna died July 9. Surviving are his father, James; a brother and three sisters. Aaron Gordon ’99 of Oswego passed away Oct. 30. He was the owner of Freelance Graphic Design. Aaron is survived by his wife, Erin Foley ’98; his parents, Norman, emeritus professor of psychology, and Diana ’85; three brothers and two sisters. J. Robert Harrison, emeritus professor of zoology, of Oswego died Nov. 20. He served with Patton’s Third Army in the European Theater of Operations during World War II. Bob earned his bachelor’s degree from American University, then later studied at Johns Hopkins University and the University of Minnesota where he received his doctorate in biology. Prior to coming to Oswego State, he taught at Miami of Ohio, and Washington and Jefferson College in Pennsylvania. At Oswego, Bob was department chair for 17 years before retiring in 1986. Surviving are his wife, Muriel; a son; a daughter and two grandchildren.

In Memoriam Policy Printing notices of alumni deaths is an important service of Oswego alumni magazine. In order to insure the accuracy of our reports, we require verification before we can publish a death notice—an obituary or a letter signed by a family member. Because the magazine is published only three times a year and we are working on an issue months in advance, there may be a delay of several months between the time we receive notification and the news is printed in the magazine. Thank you for your patience!

C L A S S

Tell Us About Yourself

N O T E S

Share your information in the Class Notes section of an upcoming Oswego magazine.

Full Legal Name

Class year

Preferred Name Last Name as a Student Address Home Phone

Major City

State

Business Phone

Zip

E-mail

Employer and Position Employer’s Address Spouse/Life Partner’s Full Name

SUNY Oswego Class Year

Employer and Position Here’s my news (attach separate sheet if needed.)

Please send admissions information to: Name Address

City

State

Zip

I would like to make a gift to Oswego State. Enclosed is my check made payable to Oswego College Foundation for $_____. For credit card gifts, gifts of stock, or information on other forms of giving, call 315-312-3003 or go online to http://oswegoalumni.oswego.edu/development. Clip and mail to The Office of Alumni Relations, King Alumni Hall, SUNY Oswego, Oswego, NY 13126 or respond electronically on our Web site at http://oswegoalumni.oswego.edu/alumni/where.html

The Last Word

continued from page 48 irreplaceable tools: the curiosity to ask questions and the ability to listen to the answers. Each requires modesty because each requires us to assume we don’t already know the answers. Asking and listening assume an ability to understand someone’s position, to empathize. Sources talk to journalists for many reasons — because they have something to say; because they are vain and believe in themselves; because they wish to protect themselves should we be talking to adversaries; because they honestly believe they have something to sell; because the publication, or the journalist, carries some weight. But sources also talk if they sense that a reporter genuinely seeks understanding (and not just a headline). Sensing this, they are more likely to open up and to help a journalist to better sort truth from fiction. There are varied reasons to fret about where journalism is going. If I made a list — giant media companies that keep score by profit

margins and stock price, not the content of their journalism; “gotcha” and horse-race journalism; Matt Drudge’s rumor-mongering; Jayson Blair’s fictitious stories — it would be hard to climb out of bed each morning. But there is another list worth keeping: of the daily miracle that is the New York Times; the weekly miracle that is The New Yorker or Economist magazines; the Internet and how it grants readers access to almost any newspaper or periodical in the world, and how it will allow authors to self-publish and citizens to defy their government censors. Or as Albert Camus said when he battled the Nazis, “A good hope is better than a bad holding.” Editor’s Note: This excerpt is reprinted from Backstory: Inside the Business of News, published in January 2004 by Penguin Press, with permission of the author.

Oswego alumni magazine celebrates the significant moments in the lives of our alumni through our Class Notes, Bookshelf, Weddings and In Memoriam sections. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, gender or sexual preference. We reserve the right to edit submissions for length and to make editorial decisions about stories and photos based on space available and the quality of the image. Please send submissions to Oswego Alumni Magazine, King Alumni Hall, 300 Washington Blvd., Oswego, NY 13126 or alumni@oswego.edu, or visit www.oswegoalumni.oswego.edu/ magazine.

OSWEGO

Spring 2004

Word T

A S T

Profit-Maker or Public Trust? by Ken Auletta ’63

I WAS FIRST INFECTED WITH THE IDEA OF becoming a journalist while studying political science in graduate school. The bylines I remember belonged to Murray Kempton, David Halberstam, Homer Bigart, Gay Talese, I. F. Stone, Lillian Ross, among others. Why not, I thought, extend school through my life and get paid to learn, travel, and meet people? Journalism also held some allure as a profession where independence was prized. Didn’t reporters brave Bull Connor’s dogs to report on the struggle for Civil Rights? Didn’t the New York Times face down President Kennedy when he wanted Halberstam yanked from Vietnam? Didn’t the Washington Post back two cub reporters over an incident known as Watergate? I saw how Lillian Ross — and then years later, Gay Talese, Norman Mailer, and Tom Wolfe — perfected something called the New Journalism, a way to marry narrative fiction techniques to nonfiction. This was a profession that could educate and entertain. It could inspire change. True, it conferred power without responsibility, and thus was a wonderful way to prolong adolescence. But it was also a noble calling, a vital public service in a democracy where citizens rely on information to vote and to form and freely express opinions. I’m still a sucker for the romance of journalism, but I’m also a realist. My adult lifetime graduate course has taught me that my métier’s virtues, like those of the Greek heroes, often become its vices. Its very successes — illuminating the civil rights revolution, helping open America’s eyes to Vietnam or Nixon’s depredations or financial mismanagement — induced excess. Reporters wanted to be famous, rich, influential. As a media writer, I’ve reported on a new generation of windbags, of callow people who think they become investigative reporters by adopting a belligerent pose without doing the hard digging, of bloviators so infatuated with their own voice that they have forgotten how to listen, of news presidents who are slaves to ratings, and of editors terrified they may bore readers. As in any profession, some folks take shortcuts. The shortcut I worry most about today falls under the rubric of “business pressures.” I worry about the owners of journalistic properties OSWEGO

Spring 2004

making business decisions that harm journalism. Recall the oft-told story of the wasp with a crippled wing that pleads with a frog to carry him across a pond. After promising not to sting him, the wasp finally induces the frog to lug him across. Arriving on the other shore, alas, the wasp stings him. As the frog is expiring, he plaintively asks,“Why’d you sting me?” “What can I tell you? I’m a wasp. It’s my nature.” As a reporter, I’ve learned it’s the nature of corporate executives to extol the virtues of synergy, profit margins, the stock price, cost

Ken Auletta ’63

While journalism is about concrete things like reporting facts, it’s really about fulfilling a public trust. That trust can’t be synergized or quantified, but you know it when you lose it. cutting, extending the brand, demographics, ratings, and getting on the team. Journalists rarely share these concerns, so we often denounce what we see as dumb corporate decisions that do violence to journalism. We would do better to recognize that this is the nature of the business culture and figure out how to translate our journalistic concerns into language corporate executives can understand. Since they write the checks, somehow journalists must persuade our corporate chiefs to broaden their too narrow definition of success. The cultural gap between the business and news divisions at media companies is as wide as the gap between scientists and government that C.P. Snow wrote about nearly a half century ago. Media corporations prize teamwork to create a “borderless” company that eliminates defensive interior barriers among divisions, strive to use leverage to boost sales, and push synergy. But journalists are meant to prize independence, not teamwork, and to value distance from advertisers or sources, not synergies with them.We journalists need borders — that is to say, a degree of independence — to do our jobs. We don’t aspire to a “borderless” company because we want the 48

advertising department to stay the hell out of the newsroom. The “leverage” journalists seek is the kind that pries loose the story, not the kind that boosts the parent company’s other “products.” The public is no mere spectator to this dialogue. If readers don’t trust journalists, if they cynically believe we’re all in the tank, or make things up, or push our own political agendas, politics will become more shrill and uncivil with no trusted referee to sort out the facts. We would be perceived as partisans, the way too many European journalists are. If journalism was not about more than profits, we would not receive special protections under the First Amendment. We receive such sanction because in a democracy voters get much of their information from the press. While journalism is about concrete things like reporting facts, it’s really about fulfilling a public trust. That trust can’t be synergized or quantified, but you know it when you lose it. The acorn of good journalism is humility. Humility is more essential than good writing or hard work — though these are obviously vital. Humility is required to use two of a journalist’s continued on page 47

If you work for a matching gift employer, every dollar you contribute to Oswego State could become two dollars! So your donation to quality public education is doubled. That means scholarships for twice as many students, two times the equipment for academic departments, or double the impact on a capital project. Check with your employer’s human resources department or call Oswego’s Office of University Development today, to see how you, too, can win at the match game!

University Development ◆ 100 Sheldon Hall ◆ Oswego, NY 13126 ◆ give2@oswego.edu ◆ Phone: 315-312-3003 ◆ Fax: 315-312-6389