Fifty years ago, our college had newly graduated from teachers college to comprehensive college of arts and sciences; we had just opened our new science building, Piez Hall; and President Foster Brown had recruited a young chemistry professor from Purdue University — Dr. Richard Shineman — to help expand Oswego’s science programs. Now, at another exciting time of growth and innovation for the sciences on our campus, the Shineman name is once again at the forefront.
President Deborah F. Stanley
Dick Shineman met his wife, Barbara Palmer Shineman ’65, M ’71 at Oswego, and together they became two of our college’s staunchest advocates. As Oswego faculty members, both taught generations of students, he in chemistry and she in education. Over the years their roles on campus grew and evolved, their bond to the institution only strengthening as they moved into retirement and stayed active with the Oswego Alumni Association, Emeriti Association, Oswego College Foundation and a wealth of campus activities. Their generosity as donors is as yet unmatched and reached a pinnacle recently with the largest single gift in our college’s history.
A few months after Dick Shineman passed away in 2010, we broke ground on our new science complex. Next fall we will open this marvelous facility — the Richard S. Shineman Center for Science, Engineering and Innovation. When our history and our future come together in this way, it is a magical, radiant moment. I invite you to share in this special moment and take inspiration from what you read here of the two Shinemans — their devotion to education and to a bright and robust future for SUNY Oswego.