Oswego Matters

By Executive Director
Betsy Oberst

As we put together this issue of the magazine, it was hard for me to believe that almost 30 years ago I excitedly started my new part-time job in the Alumni Office. Our oldest, Caitlin, was just a year old. As Megan and Connor added to our family, the kids grew up going to alumni reunions and other college events with Jerry ’77 and me. Coming full circle, Caitlin will be married this June at Fallbrook Barn, where she attended so many reunions as a little girl!

In those first years, I never dreamed I would still be here today, having found my calling and life’s work. I was excited, then, to work with our new magazine editor, Margaret Spillett, to chronicle the long and rich history of our Alumni Association in this issue. Alumni programs, reunions and certainly Oswego pride began almost at the birth of this college. And how we have grown and evolved—and continue to this day—since the establishment of that first Alumni Association in 1886!

But our mission remains the same today as it was in its beginning—to keep alumni connected to and engaged with their alma mater. Over my years here, I’ve met literally thousands of alumni and been honored to hear your Oswego stories of lifelong friendships, of beloved relationships with nurturing faculty and of career successes. And Oswego alumni always want to give back to our students—helping them launch their careers, supporting them with financial gifts for scholarships and more.

I have said it often over the years—I have the greatest job in the world!

In my newer role now at Oswego, I get to work more with scholarship donors and others who support our students, as well as with our wonderful and committed Board of Directors of the Oswego Alumni Association. The planning and execution of the day-to-day work of alumni events and programs and Reunion Weekend are in the hands of Laura Pavlus ’09 and her alumni team. I continue to provide the institutional history and guidance on a range of issues.

In order to continue to maintain its relevancy, the Alumni Association is seeking your feedback on the programs, services and communications that will serve you best. I hope you will please take a few moments and help us by completing an alumni survey (See page 47). Our Board of Directors and alumni team really want and need your input!

I hope to see you when you return to campus or on our travels around the country.
Until then…..