Good as Gold Alumni Contribute to the Greater Good SUNY Oswego’s alumni community has revealed their resiliency, generosity and resourcefulness in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. All across New York state and the nation, stories of our alumni stepping up to help others have emerged. From our alumni who are first responders and healthcare workers to our technology education alumni who have retrofitted equipment to develop face shields to protect the frontline in the battle against this virus, our alumni community is serving the greater good.
Faculty launched podcast series from their basements, introduced their pets to their students, interviewed each other online on a range of topics and shared tips on how to make life in the pandemic more bearable. Of course, the pandemic itself presented a timely subject for research from a wide range of academic disciplines, including the sciences. (See related story on page 30.)
Tenacity over Time
Included below are a few snapshots of some of the alumni who are doing what they can to help during this global crisis.
Optimism started to rise in MAY, as the numbers in New York City and Long Island stabilized and warmer weather and outdoor activities were deemed safer.
Caring for the Sick
Following social distancing guidelines and based on the feedback from the graduating class, the college invited members of the Class of 2020 scheduled to graduate in mid-May to a Virtual Torchlight Ceremony and a Virtual Graduation Celebration.
As a physician assistant in the Emergency Department at Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx, Siobhan McGee ‘13, a health and wellness alumna, has been caring for some of the sickest patients with COVID-19. Former SAVAC Chief Mike Russo ’20, an EMT in Suffolk County, was often the first on scene in responding to assist people gravely ill with the virus.
Shielding Others from Danger Several alumni put their technical skills to use to create protective facial shields and masks for healthcare workers and first responders. Among them were the following: SUNY Oswego faculty members Daniel Tryon ‘89 and David Dunn with Tracy Fleming ‘87 M’92 of CiTi BOCES; Dave Christopher ’98, manager of the Cascade Maverik Lacrosse plant in Liverpool, N.Y.; technology education teacher in the West Genesee School District Matthew Makowiec ’10; Joseph Brand ’10 and Joseph Carpinone ’05, technology education teachers at William Floyd High School in Suffolk County on Long Island; Morgan Rumpf ’17, the deputy public information officer at Middlesex Sheriff’s Office in Medford, Mass.; and Geri Bosco ’79 of Scriba, N.Y.
Offering Expertise and Perspective Since March, dozens of alumni have volunteered their time to share their talents and expertise with students, other alumni and the broader college community. Among those alumni were Bob Moritz ’85 (pictured at right), global chair of the professional services powerhouse PwC, and Dr. Joseph Coughlin ’82, founding director of MIT’s AgeLab, whose insights are sought by business, financial and government leaders worldwide. Read more about alumni contributions at magazine.oswego.edu. 26
Our faculty and staff demonstrated incredible flexibility in their quick response to move in-person classes and work environments into the virtual realm and home offices. They found creative ways to maintain communications and the sense of community. The college initiated programs like Notes from Home and #TogetherOz, which included daily stories of inspiration, videos and bright spots from college community members.
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“We still hope to be able to have you participate in a traditional commencement ceremony on campus sometime in the next year when it becomes safe to do so,” President Stanley said to graduates in a MAY 5 email. “But for now, we don’t want to miss this moment to make sure you know how incredibly proud we are to welcome you as SUNY Oswego alumni!” On Commencement Eve, the college hosted the traditional candlelight Torchlight Ceremony, the official welcome for graduates into the Oswego Alumni Association. Although it was pre-recorded, the ceremony included the customary fanfare of trumpets, the Lighting of the Torch of Learning, the passing of the flame from faculty to alumni, the singing of the alma mater as well as remarks by Class of 2020 student speaker Tori Kammer ’20 and President Deborah F. Stanley. “We will go down in history for our tenacious spirit and unmatched work ethic,” Tori said. “We will embrace the world with a renewed perspective and make our families, our school and its alumni tremendously proud. Despite every obstacle in our way, we still did it! Unfortunately, we missed a lot of ‘lasts,’ but I want to remind you, we have a lifetime of ‘firsts’ still to come.” The following day, the college shared a webcast for graduates that featured celebratory remarks by President Stanley, Al Roker ’76, Faculty Assembly Chair Lisa Glidden, Student Association President Takeena Strachan ’20 and U.S. Senator Charles Schumer. Ahmonique “Mo” Evans ’20 and Asha Bay ’19 M’20 presented the Class of 2020 banner to the college. Faculty and staff also shared congratulatory messages with the graduates. “You decided that giving up wasn’t an option—that the only choice was getting to the finish line,” President Stanley said. “There’s victory in the fact that in a moment of complete uncertainty you chose to find clarity and persevered ... We are all living in a grand challenge, and you have demonstrated amazing strength and resilience.” The college established a Class of 2020 Graduation Celebration website (oswego.edu/class-2020), which featured links to the ceremonies, downloadable signs for graduates to display, congratulatory messages and a slideshow.
