From the President
As the end of 2019 approaches, many of us will gather with family to celebrate our relationships with each other, the holidays and the passing of another year. Our families and our traditions are as unique as each of us. Some consider family members only those who share their DNA; but for many of us, the definition of family extends beyond biology and genetics. It encompasses intimate friendships, shared values and experiences, and the people you can depend on when times get tough. I consider you all to be part of the SUNY Oswego family, and although I am not an alumna, I feel like I will forever be part of this college’s DNA because I have come to know and love it so well.
In this issue, we highlight a variety of stories loosely themed around “family.” From the alumnae caretakers of a family of elephants (page 18) to an educator who researches the genetic causes of inherited diseases (page 20) to stories about Oswego family legacies and those first-generation students who are creating a new branch on our family tree (page 22), SUNY Oswego family members are making their mark on this campus and in communities around the globe. True to the roots of our family’s founder, Edward Austin Sheldon (page 56), our alumni are carrying their educational practice with them into the world and making ripples throughout their communities and their professions.
We are a college that cares about all of our members. We form deep connections with our students who are on their quest for knowledge, and we want to help them succeed. True to our nature as a family, we lift up those who are in need and we provide support to those who falter. Unfortunately, many of our students face an increasingly challenging deficit in funding their college education, and they have exhausted all resources to bridge the gap. To help these struggling family members, we have introduced a new campaign to double the number of need-based scholarships and help these students remain on The Path Forward (page 30).
During this season of giving, I ask each member of this family to give thoughtful consideration to the feasibility of funding a scholarship here at Oswego. These students are worthy of our support, and to recast the African proverb, it will take the whole SUNY Oswego community to help all of our students reach graduation. I know I can count on you as members of our Oswego family.
I wish you a blessed holiday season and a happy, healthy and prosperous new year!
Deborah F. Stanley
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