This year’s incoming class is one of the“most talented” and diverse ever, saidJoseph F. Grant, vice president for stu-

dent affairs and enrollment.Oswego received more than 10,500 fresh-

man applications, up 38.8 percent justsince 2005. This means the college hasbeen more selective with admissions,accepting 47 percent this year compared to56 percent four years ago.“Not only did we have a larger pool to

draw from but, frankly, it was also one ofthe most talented collections of applica-tions we’ve ever seen,” Grant said.Oswego’s SAT score average of 1110 is

not only above the 1016 national mean but high above the 987 average in New Yorkstate, Grant said.The 198 Presidential Scholars in the freshman class had a mean 1240 SAT composite and

94.4 high school average.Meteorology major Patrick Cavlin ’13 came to campus for its beauty, unique weather and

his Presidential Scholarship. The honors student said he has enjoyed his experience so far.“I’m coming from a high school where I wasn’t in honors classes,” said Cavlin, a

native of Long Island. “They’re not harder, but they are more stimulating. The professorsare excellent. They go out of their way to help you, some really nice individuals.”Cavlin is already applying himself outside of the classroom as well, doing weather

broadcasts for WTOP-TV and WNYO-FM. He hopes to get more involved with the theatredepartment as a lighting technician.“Summer Orientation was a good sign that the quality of our entering class was quite

strong,” Grant said. “The students were well-prepared, very articulate, very interested inbecoming involved in the college community.”With a shrinking pool of graduating seniors statewide and increased efforts to

attract a broad range of students, more are coming from farther away. The largesthome county among freshmen is Suffolk County on Long Island, which suppliedmore than 10 percent of the Class of 2013.Having students from farther afield contributes to a larger and more diverse

residential community, Grant said. For example, 16 percent of incoming fresh-men identified themselves as people of color.Around 4,040 students took up residence on campus this fall. Grant estimates

that is about 800 more than a decade ago.“That vibrant residential community creates a lot of excitement and opportunity

for connections,” he said.Total head count enrollment in fall was more than 8,200 students, with around

7,200 of them full time. — Tim Nekritz M ’05 Shane M. Liebler contributed

OfficeofAlumniandParentRelationsKingAlumniHallSUNYOswegoOswego,NY13126

INTHISEDITION:•OswegoRecognition•OlympicSpirit•InternshipSuccess•ImportantDates

Certno.BV-COC-981466

Freshmen were welcomed to campus with theWelcoming Torchlight Ceremony, sponsored by

the Oswego Alumni Association, in August.

… And They’re More Likely to StayCollege officials celebrated a major mile-

stone this fall—exceeding the 80 percentbenchmark for freshman-to-sophomoreretention.

Mehran Nojan, director of institutionalresearch, calculated the rate for last year’sfreshmen returning this fall at 81 percent.That is near the 81.7 percent average for“selective” public institutions, as describedby ACT in its annual report “NationalCollegiate Retention and Persistence toDegree Rates.”

“This is a tribute to the dedication of ourfaculty who are committed to working withour students. It reflects the hard work ofmany, many people across the college,”said President Deborah F. Stanley.

Many factors influenced the statistic.Among those within the college’s control,Stanley cited Oswego’s many initiatives forfreshmen—from the first-year advisementprogram to the small-class initiative to thefirst-year residential experience—as well asthe extensive improvements in campus facili-ties, buildings and grounds; the admission ofstudents who are better prepared academically;and the increasing collaboration of facultywith students on scholarly and civic projects.

The freshman-to-sophomore retentionrate is widely used as a key indicator forkeeping students on track to their degrees.Oswego’s has always been above the roughly70 percent average for all public master’s-level institutions. — Julie Harrison Blissert

FRESH FACTS:1,410 freshmen enrolled this fall.

10,500 applied

765 freshmen received some level of meritscholarship, including 198 Presidential Scholars

The overall academic profile for incomingstudents rose to an average high schoolGPA of 90 and 1110 SAT score.

2013 ‘Among the Most Talented Classes’ Ever

• O• O••

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Oswego’s Compass Recognized

An industry-wide career advising handbook includes Oswego’s Compassas an exemplary practice in integrating career and academic advising.The newly published Jossey-Bass/NACADA book The Handbook of Career

Advising devotes a section to detailed descriptions of programs at nine collegesand universities, including the Compass, which opened in the central portion ofthe Campus Center in 2007.“Its inclusion as an exemplary practice is an honor as the monograph editors

and reviewers chose only the ‘best of the best’ in serving the career and aca-demic advising needs of students,” said Charlie L. Nutt, executive director of

the National Academic Advising Association,in a letter to SUNY Oswego PresidentDeborah F. Stanley.

Christy Harrison Huynh ’98, M ’08, assis-tant director of student advisement, nominat-ed the Compass to be included in the book.When it opened, Kathy Smits Evans ’84,

associate dean of students, described theCompass as unique and innovative. TheNACADA recognition bears her out. “It’s greatnews for us,” she said recently.The Compass brought together six offices

responsible for advising students about vari-ous aspects of the life in and after college,including Student Advisement, CareerServices, Experience-Based Education,Community Service and Service Learning,First-Year Programs and Transfer Services.

The six units had formerly been scattered among various buildings and stillspan two divisions, Academic Affairs and Student Affairs.Located in Room 142 of the Campus Center, the Compass lies at a busy cross-

roads for students, near student organizations as well as classrooms and academicoffices. Visit oswego.edu/compass for a full list of student services.

— Julie Harrison Blissert

If ice is an important part of yourcollege experience, Oswego is agood place to look for it.Rachel Gottlieb ’10 wanted to

attend a college where she couldcontinue synchronized skating andpursue her academic goals. Rachel’smother and Parents’ Fund ChairDiane Gottlieb said she found theright place.“It’s really been fabulous for her,”

Diane said. “Oswego really has somany opportunities for experiential learning and internships.”Rachel started out as an education major, but has since migrated to

psychology. The learning environment offered at Oswego has encouraged her togrow, Diane said.“It just offers so many opportunities for all different kinds of learning that you

don’t get at other schools,” she said.Rachel interns with a school psychologist and also received credit for her sum-

mer job as a camp counselor. She also competes as a synchronized skater on theOswego club team.Diane, who herself is a full-time student pursuing a career in secondary educa-

tion at Hofstra University, said the small class sizes that encourage close student-professor interaction are a key Oswego feature.The Parents’ Fund strives to preserve such campus characteristics. The fund

supports academic programs, research opportunities, scholarships, libraryresources, technology upgrades and more.“Especially now with the economy and budget cutbacks, giving is so important,”

Diane said. — Shane M. Liebler

OSWEGO PARENTSPublished each semester by the

SUNY OswegoOffice of Alumni and Parent Relations

Shane M. Liebler, Editor

Michele Reed, Director of Alumni andDevelopment Communications

Jim Russell ’83, Photographer

Julie Harrison Blissert, Contributing WriterTim Nekritz M ’05, Contributing Writer

Jessica Pascal ’11, Intern

Midstate Litho, Production and Printing

Office of Alumni and Parent RelationsKing Alumni HallSUNY Oswego

Oswego, NY 13126

Betsy Oberst, Associate Vice President ofAlumni Relations and Stewardship

Phone: 315-312-2258FAX: 315-312-5570

E-mail: alumni@oswego.eduoswego.edu/alumni/

Christy Harrison Huynh ’98, M ’08,who works in the Compass in

SUNY Oswego’s Campus Center,nominated the innovative programto be included in the new bookThe Handbook of Career Advising.

Oswego in Sync with Family’sExpectations

Rachel Gottlieb ’10, left, and her mother,Diane, are all smiles about Oswego.

Great ‘News’SUNY Oswego is among a selectgroup of “Top Up-and-ComingSchools” in the most recent“America’s Best Colleges” issueof U.S. News & World Report.

Only 28 public colleges and uni-versities made the list nationally.In the northern region, Oswegois one of just two public master’s-level colleges selected for thedistinction, along with theCollege of New Jersey.

U.S. News also recognized Oswegoon a list of just 30 well-regardedcolleges nationally that offer smallclasses without high prices.

“Attending a big, affordable publicuniversity doesn’t doom a studentto huge lecture halls. U.S. News hasfound dozens of lower-priced col-leges in which at least half of allclasses have fewer than 20 stu-dents,” the magazine’s Kim Clarkwrote in the Nov. 24 issue.

— Julie Harrison Blissert

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Talent and ‘Grace’: Internships Offer Great StartKristy Chen ’08 and David Joseph ’09 had little more than their degrees and

dreams when they left Oswego after graduation. They returned this fall on the W.R.Grace & Co. corporate jet in the company of Chief Executive Officer and fellowgraduate Fred Festa ’81.

Not too bad for a couple of recent graduates who are only months removed frominternships with the specialty chemical and materials company. There are two FestaInternships — one in finance and one in chemistry — available each year.

While not every student converts his or her experience into a job, any Oswegostudent can copy the career paths of Chen and Joseph, said Troy L. Vincent, vicepresident of human resources for W.R. Grace.

“It’s a combination of timing and performance,” he said.After participating in the 12-week internship during the summer after she

graduated, Chen decided to forgo an MBA at Oswego to become an internalauditor at W.R. Grace, based in Columbia, Md.

“No. 1, it was a great opportunity that I didn’t want to miss,” she said. “Secondly, I wanted some work experience beforeI started on my master’s.”

The job allows her to travel all over the world for the $3.3 billion, 6,300-employee company – a feature she finds particu-larly satisfying.

Joseph is equally thrilled to be working in finance at the company’s offices in Columbia, Md. He called Festa anextraordinary CEO who takes time to get to know all employees.

Their shared Oswego heritage is an inspiration to Joseph. “It puts the goal in mind for me,” he said.Chen and Joseph spent a day on campus this fall accompanying Festa to business classes and receptions. Recalling their

time as students, they both agreed the Oswego internship program is essential to success after graduation.Oswego’s Experienced-Based Education Office helps place students in Festa Interships and what Director Paul Roodin calls

“limitless” other opportunities. Find more information at oswego.edu/ebe. — Shane M. Liebler

The Oswego Alumni Association coordinated acommunity portrait in the academic quad aspart of the second annual Green and Gold Daycelebration. The entire Oswego family wasinvited to join in by sporting green and goldon campus and around the world Sept. 4.

The Future Alumni Network hosted an icecream social and roller skate that evening tocap off the festivities.

Student-Athlete Accompanies Olympic Flame

Meagan Big Snake ’11 will represent the Laker women’s icehockey team, her college, her culture, her country and theOlympic spirit when she accompanies the world’s most famous

flame across Canada this winter.Big Snake, a defender and co-captain for the Lakers, will serve as

one of 11 youth flame attendants guarding and running with theOlympic torch on its cross-country trek. She was one of sixAboriginal Canadians selected.While back home in Siksika, Alberta, this summer, Big Snake saw

posters appear looking for nominees to run stretches of about 300meters with the torch. She asked her parents if she could apply, butthey pretended to dissuade her because her maternal grandmotherEllen Black already was submitting a nomination on her behalf.“My grandma received input from my parents, my two younger

sisters, my family and the community” in crafting the nomination,Big Snake said.The letter so impressed officials that they sent it higher and,

instead of becoming one of 12,000 torchbearers, Big Snake willjoin the small team accompanying the longest relay race to takeplace in any country.Big Snake flew to London, Ontario, the day after Christmas to

join the 106-day torch relay as a guide and protector through itsarrival in Vancouver for opening ceremonies Feb. 12.The Vancouver Organizing Committee is emphasizing First

Nation, Inuit and Metis representation in celebrating the 2010games in Vancouver. Big Snake is a member of the Siksika Nation,which is part of the Blackfoot Confederacy.The involvement of First Nation representatives “shows the

importance of the flame to the Aboriginals is so strong, and is sim-ilar to the Olympic spirit and the actual flame which signifies hope,peace and friendship,” Big Snake said.The 20-year-old daughter of Curtis and Maria Big Snake was

elected co-captain of the women’s ice hockey team this year. Aregular blue line contributor, she said her teammates’ support forthis endeavor has been “so awesome.”Big Snake, who became really interested in women’s hockey

after the Canadianteam won gold in the2002 Olympics,knows this responsi-bility will cause herto miss nearly threeweeks of classes inthe spring semesterbut promised to doeverything she canto work with her pro-fessors to makethings as smooth aspossible.Attendants like

Big Snake will guard and accompany the flame around the clock asit makes its 27,900-mile journey using modes of transport that willinclude seaplane, dogsled, Haida canoe, zipline and tall ship.A public justice major on the SUNY Oswego Deans’ List, Big

Snake realizes the importance of her role and all that she represents.“This is so exciting because not only am I representing myself

and my achievements, but my parents and my family who sup-ported me, my community, the Aboriginals of my country and allover the whole world, and especially Oswego State and the Lakers,”Big Snake said.She will be part of the “envelope” around the runner with the

flame, along with a security detail that includes the Royal CanadianMounted Police, Big Snake said.“We encourage them along the way and let them know it’s their

moment,” she said of the torchbearers.At least one of those torchbearers will have a SUNY Oswego

connection as well. John Egan ’86 will carry the flameduring day 100 from Whistler to Merritt, B.C. The two haveexchanged e-mails and plan to meet each other after Egan’sturn with the torch.

— Tim Nekritz M ’05

Meagan Big Snake ’11

From left, Kristy Chen ’08, Fred Festa ’81 andDavid Joseph ’09 of W.R. Grace visited campus in

September. A former W.R. Grace intern, Chenrecruited Joseph to do the summer program as well.

They both later earned positions at the company.

TinaRuth

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Apply for ScholarshipsAlumni Legacy Scholarshipsare available to students who

are children, stepchildren or parents ofOswego alumni. Candidates for theaward must be current full-time studentsat SUNY Oswego and demonstrate acommitment to the excellence of thecollege and the community throughacademic achievements, leadership andinvolvement in campus clubs and organi-zations. The deadline to apply for 2010-11Legacy Scholarships is March 26.

Learn about more than 150 other schol-arships by visiting oswego.edu/giving/scholarships or calling 315-312-2258.Deadlines to apply for 2010-11 awardsbegin Feb. 1.

File to GraduateStudents must file to graduateby Feb. 15 if they plan to

participate in May Commencement.Students are not automatically placed ona graduation list. It is the student’sresponsibility to make sure he or she ini-tially applies to graduate online by theappropriate deadline date or contacts theRegistrar’s Graduation Office for help.

Students must file by the deadline toensure that their name will be printedin the Commencement program.Information regarding the graduationprocess and all deadlines are also avail-able and linked from the Registrar’s Website at oswego.edu/registrar.

Plan AheadFuture graduates can startplanning for May 15Commencement by making

early reservations for the TorchlightCeremony and Dinner May 14. The cere-mony allows the graduating class tocome together one last time as they arewelcomed into the Oswego AlumniAssociation.

The event includes a reception anddinner, along with passing on the lightof knowledge to the new alumni.This year’s speaker is World WrestlingEntertainment Chief Operating OfficerDonna Goldsmith ’82.

For more information or to make dinnerreservations call 315-312-2258 or e-mailseniors@oswego.edu.

Consider making a donation to the Classof 2010 gift in honor of your graduatingsenior and have your gift recognizedin the Commencement program. Visitoswego.edu/seniors/gift for moreinformation.

SUNY SummerIt’s not too early to start think-ing about Summer Sessions2010. Take advantage of the

opportunity to catch up, stay on schedule,or move forward by taking classes begin-ning May 24 at SUNY Oswego.

Sessions are three, six and 12 weeks long.A two-week May Term is available for thefirst time beginning May 17.

A course listing will be available viaoswego.edu/extendedlearning inearly February.

CalendarSPRING 2010Jan. 21 Arrival of new students

(all freshmen andtransfers in residence)

Jan. 22 Orientation, advisementand registration for non-registered new students

Jan. 24 Arrival of returning studentsin residence halls

Jan.25 Spring semester begins

Jan. 28 Final date to addcourses

Feb. 2 “500 Clown Frankenstein,”7:30 p.m.,Waterman Theatre

Feb. 3 Final date to dropcourses

Feb. 25-27, “Songs for a New World,”March 5, 6 8 p.m.,

Waterman Theatre

March 2 Li-Young Lee, poet,7:30 p.m., CampusCenter auditorium

March 7 “Songs for a New World,”2 p.m.,Waterman Theatre

March 10 The Klezmatics,7:30 p.m.,Waterman Theatre

March 15-19 Spring recess

March 21 All residence halls reopen,noon

March 24 Composer Tribute:George Tsontakis,7:30 p.m.,Sheldon Hall ballroom

March 26 “Collage,” musicscholarship concert,7:30 p.m.,Waterman Theatre

March 27 Boston Brass, 7:30 p.m.,Waterman Theatre

March 30, 31 Alex Escalante’s“Clandestino,”7:30 p.m.,Waterman Theatre

April 2 Good Friday, no classes

April 7 Big Band and Latin Jazz:Bob Washut and Guests,7:30 p.m.,Sheldon Hall Ballroom

April 12 College admissionsopen house

April 21 Quest, no classes

April 22-24, “She Stoops to Conquer,”May 1 8 p.m.,

Waterman Theatre

April 23 Honors Convocation,3 p.m., Campus Center

May 2 “She Stoops to Conquer,”2 p.m.,Waterman Theatre

May 7 Last day of classes

May 10-14 Final exams

May 14 Torchlight Ceremony

May 15 Commencement

Dance troupe Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana performed Nov. 5 in Tyler Hall’sWaterman Theatre before an enthusiastic audience of students, faculty, staff andmembers of the community. The dancers and musicians offered workshops,

master classes and performances during their residency Nov. 4 and 5.

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