Founder’s Weekend: Celebrating 160 Years of Higher Education

FOUNDER’S WEEKEND

The first-ever Founder’s Weekend, Sept. 30 to Oct. 2, featured the return of the popular Green and Gold Day, a groundbreaking ceremony, a fundraising challenge from Al Roker ’76 and the naming and dedication of the Deborah F. Stanley Arena and Convocation Hall. This year marks 160 years since the college was founded as a teacher training institution in 1861 by Edward Austin Sheldon, who was born on Oct. 4, 1823.

Exclusive Online Content Check out magazine.oswego.edu for more photos, videos and content from Founder’s Weekend activities!

Business Symposium, Launch It Focus on Entrepreneurship

Two events, featuring successful alumni and the college’s next entrepreneurial success stories, unfolded on Sept. 30 during the School of Business “Building Communities through Entrepreneurship” symposium in the Park Hall auditorium. Panelists included Bob Moritz ’85, global chairman of PwC; Phyllis Moore Holloway ’76 CAS’01, a business owner, longtime educator and non-profit leader; and Jeff Knauss ’07, co-founder of the Digital Hyve marketing agency. An expanded version of the college’s annual Launch It student entrepreneur competition kicked off with in-person pitches following the panel. This session, along with two more on Oct. 1, allowed students to start building teams as they competed for a $2,500 top prize among other cash awards. Learn more by joining the SUNY Oswego Innovation Community platform on Engage, engage.oswego.edu, or emailing launchit@oswego.edu.

1861 Giving Challenge

The Challenge: 861 donors in 1,861 min. 8 a.m. 9/30/21 — 3:01 p.m. 10/1/2021 The Results: 1,543 people in 1,861 min. = $303,925.41, including challenge gifts from Al Roker ’76 and Shane Facteau ’95.

1861 GIVING CHALLENGE SUNY OSWEGO 861 DONORS IN 1861 MINUTES

Thank you for your support!

FOUNDER’S WEEKEND

Honorary Alumni

(excerpt from the resolution) “WHEREAS, President Stanley and Mr. Stanley have established a warm and welcoming culture for all members of the SUNY Oswego family, and have made our alma mater a place we are proud to be part of; THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Oswego Alumni Association hereby names Deborah F. Stanley and Michael J. Stanley honorary alumni of the State University of New York College at Oswego and invests them with the rights and privileges pertaining thereunto.” —Dana Segall Murphy ’99, Oswego Alumni Association president, reading a resolution naming Deborah and Michael Stanley honorary alumni

The college celebrated another historic moment with a groundbreaking for the ambitious renovation of Hewitt Hall. The ceremony marked the official kickoff of the $80 million renovation of Hewitt to become a state-of-the-art home to the School of Communication, Media and the Arts’ broadcasting, design and cinema and screen studies programs. The Oct. 1 groundbreaking ceremony featured remarks from President Deborah F. Stanley; Dean of the School of Communication, Media and the Arts Julie Pretzat; former SUNY Chancellor Jim Malatras; New York State Assemblyman William A. Barclay; New York State Assemblyman and Alumni Association board member Harry Bronson ’82; Alexa Cox ’23, a dual major in broadcasting and mass communication and in political science; and Alex Brooks ’24, a broadcasting and mass communication major.

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“President Stanley’s vision and ability to get things done over the past 25+ years has been exceptional. Her leadership has led to increased enrollment, higher academic achievement, more diversity and a transformation of campus with the Marano Campus Center as a crown jewel. The students of New York are the ultimate winners! What a model of leadership President Stanley has been. ”

— Jim Triandiflou ’88, chief executive officer of insightsoftware and lead donor for the naming of the Deborah F. Stanley Arena and Convocation Hall

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“The campus is almost unrecognizable from when I went to it. But even more important than the physical plant, is the pride and the academic excellence that Oswego is known for now. It is a preeminent college that can hold its own, not just in this country but all around the world. That is due not just to President Stanley but the team that she built and the inspiration she engenders. I cannot thank her enough for what she has done for my alma mater. ”

Hewitt Hall Groundbreaking

Developed with input from students, faculty and other stakeholders, the renewed Hewitt Hall has a target completion date of fall 2023 to host classes, labs, events and related activities that will further elevate the media arts programs in Oswego’s School of Communication, Media and the Arts. Exterior renovations are expected to be completed in 2022.

— Al Roker ’76, Today show co-host

Arena Named in Honor of Deborah F. Stanley

Scholars Brunch Celebrates Students, Benefactors, Stanleys

During the Founder’s Weekend Luncheon on Oct. 1, College Foundation Board Chair Rose Cardamone Crane ’81, announced that donors, led by the Oswego College Foundation board, raised more than $2.4 million to name the Deborah F. Stanley Arena and Convocation Hall.

“This campus center, and in particular this arena and convocation hall, serve as the heart of the SUNY Oswego campus,” Crane said. “It is the place where students launch their academic careers during the annual Welcoming Torchlight Ceremony and where they conclude their careers during the annual Commencement ceremonies. This arena is the most fitting space on campus to recognize the indelible impact that President Stanley has made. We want her contributions to SUNY Oswego to live in perpetuity in a space that she helped make a reality. I am thrilled to announce the naming of the Deborah F. Stanley Arena and Convocation Hall!”

Approximately 225 attendees gathered on Oct. 2 in the newly named Deborah F. Stanley Arena and Convocation Hall for the 7th Annual Scholars Brunch, an event that recognizes student scholars and the benefactors who established privately funded scholarships for Oswego students. Speakers included, from left, student scholarship recipients Taylor Coiner ’22 and Michael Jean ’22, college President Deborah F. Stanley, emcee Mark Baum ’81, Dana Segall Murphy ’99 and benefactor Aunrée Houston ’00.

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“I have had the distinct privilege of working closely with President Stanley over many years. She has always shared a clear vision of the incredible value of higher education and the ability of education to change the course of students’ lives. One of the hallmarks of her presidency— and indeed her legacy at Oswego—is creating a culture of philanthropy on this campus. I thank her for her tireless work and unwavering commitment to this institution and extend my warmest wishes in her retirement.”

— Rose Cardamone Crane ’81, chair of the Oswego College

Foundation Board of Directors

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“Dear President Stanley, I remember attending your inauguration. It was exciting to celebrate the ’changing of guards.’ What we didn’t know then, was that ‘the guard’, aka you, would come in—dynamic, powerful, determined, focused, loyal and ready to turn this college upside down and right side up again. You’re blessed to be the epitome of leadership and excellence. And you have the nerve to also be warm and kind. Lucky us, we experienced all of you up-close and personal. Thank you for leaving a legacy worth carrying on and on and on. ”

— Aunrée Houston ’00, owner and founder of Aunrée Jac lifestyle brand and Oswego College

Foundation board member