AIR Program Receives SUNYCUAD Award

The Oswego Alumni Association’s Alumni-In-Residence (AIR) Program earned a 2017 Judges’ Citation from the State University of New York Council for University Advancement (SUNYCUAD) during the annual 2017 Awards for Excellence presentation June 8 in Tarrytown, N.Y. The program brings Oswego alumni back to campus to share their knowledge and career experiences with current students through classroom visits, panel discussions, campus-wide presentations or hands-on workshops and critiques.

“We partner with the program to connect hundreds of students to career professionals each year, to help them explore possible majors and careers,” said Jacqueline Campbell Wallace ’02 M’04, assistant director of Career Services. “With the help of the Alumni Office, we have been able to offer diverse career panels, including careers in education, business, STEM, public and human services, fine and performing arts, media, entertainment and more.”

Over the past five years, the AIR program has grown exponentially from 34 alumni visits in 2011-12 to 164 in 2015-16. Last year, 6,725 students connected with an alumni visitor. This number has more than doubled from the 2,975 students reached in 2011-12.

“Getting an opportunity to meet and speak with current students brings back memories of time spent on campus,” said AIR program participant Ron Tascarella ’06, vice president and commercial leader of Pathfinder Bank. “It provides a new connection to the college, as graduation seems like forever ago but still just yesterday at the same time.”

Campus members are also grateful for the program. “The Alumni-In-Residence program is a vital tool for the Financial Management Association,” said Jeffrey Silber ’18, a finance major and FMA president. “By connecting our members with alumni, we are able to provide them with access to crucial advice that will prepare them for the future.”

Rob Auler, a professor in the music department, said the program has enabled him to bring professional musicians into class to perform and speak with students.

Nick Gianopoulos ’07
Photo: Jim Russell ’83

“We loved having Nick [Gianopoulos ’07, composer, Los Angeles-based Symbiosis Chamber Orchestra] perform and do a Q&A at the faculty concert,” Auler said. “We received rave reviews about his involvement. He also was incredibly influential to the students in the three music classes he visited.”

The program is coordinated by Stephanie Lamb ’07, associate director of alumni relations, and is supported by gifts to The Fund for Oswego.

—Margaret Spillett

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