Local Lakers Program Helps Alumni Connect in Their Region

After Michael Kanick ’02 graduated with history and political science degrees from SUNY Oswego, the Binghamton, N.Y., native made some con­nections through his Oswego network to launch a successful career as a digital strategist in Washington, D.C.

“Not only did the school provide me with a world-class education, but I also met some amazing people—both students and professors—who led me to D.C. and directly led to job opportunities based on their networks,” he said.

Kanick said he’d like to connect with other alumni in his area—particularly those who are just starting out— so he volunteered to serve as a Local Lakers Ambassador. He is one of 65 alumni who stepped forward to plan and host activities for Oswego alumni in their areas.

The Oswego Alumni Association formally re-launched a regional alumni program, Local Lakers, last summer to help Oswego’s more than 80,000 alumni connect to their alma mater and each other, according to Laura Pavlus Kelly ’09, director of alumni and parent relations.

The Ambassadors will identify activities or events they’d like to plan for their region, and the Oswego Alumni Association will assist each group by providing online registration tools, email and marketing support, an Oswego banner and other materials for the activities.

Initially, the OAA will focus on re-launching programs in the following areas with the highest density of Oswego alumni:

• Albany, N.Y.
• Greater New York City
• Rochester, N.Y.
• Syracuse/Central New York
• Greater Washington, D.C.

But that doesn’t preclude alumni in other areas from volunteering to be Ambassadors. For example, Aaron Varcasio ’04 hosted an Oswego alumni social at a restaurant in Denver last summer. Approximately 25 alumni and friends came together to network, socialize and share stories about their time along the shores of Lake Ontario.

“I am very happy that I had the op­portunity to host an alumni event in Denver,” Varcasio said. “It’s been a goal of mine for quite some time, and it happened! It was great to meet so many people from all walks of life, and I will definitely do it again.”

—Margaret Spillett

Do you want to become a Local Lakers Ambassador? Visit alumni.oswego.edu/locallakers or call 315-312-2258 for details.