Oswego class successfully summits Mount Kilimanjaro

A 23-member team from SUNY Oswego successfully reached the top of Mount Kilimanjaro in mid-January as part of a class that literally brought learning to new heights.

A team of Oswego faculty, staff and students successfully climbed Mount Kilimanjaro this January as part of a course. Pictured first row, from left, are Gary Morris '88, master guide Protus and Mehran Nojan. Pictured second row, from left, are Ryan Lemon '00, Leila Karkia, Ariel Powers '12, Hannah Richard '13, Allison Tuttle '12, Ashley Krakau '12, Meg Aguila, Katie Loiacono Maxwell' 97, M '02, Stefania Cornnell '12; Jamie Baldanza and Alyssa Amyotte. Pictured back row, from left, are Anthony Catalano '12; Peter Richard, Brian West '12, Fabio Ritmo '12, Matt Kirkman '12, Chris Bankard '12, Robert Madonia '12, Steve Baker '12, Mac Dillman '12 and Nick Hackenfort '12.

The physical education course co-instructed by experienced climber and Director of Career Services Gary Morris ’88 covered mountain-climbing techniques and preparation in terms of fitness, health, nutrition, essential gear and travel to Tanzania to scale the highest peak in Africa.

At 19,340 feet high, Kilimanjaro is also the world’s highest stand-alone peak. The team’s ascent and descent took eight days and required assistance from a team of porters.

“One of our strengths is hands-on learning, and students learned about working as a team, how to prepare their minds and bodies for the trek and about the importance of setting and reaching goals,” said Lorrie Clemo, interim provost and vice president of academic affairs. “The next time they face a challenge during their college years or careers, they can look at everything they did to scale Mount Kilimanjaro and be confident they can succeed at anything.”

Team members also took time to visit a school in a Maasai village to distribute school supplies as well as to go on a safari.

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