Eight Alumni Selected to Receive Oswego Alumni Awards

Four of the award winners were recognized during the University Update during Reunion Weekend 2023: Pictured from left are Oswego Alumni Association (OAA) President Phil Grome ’89; award winners Paul Austin ’89, William Precht ’79, Cheryl Bird ’77 and Suzanne Selkowitz Reek ’84; and Vice President of University Advancement Mary Gibbons Canale ’81. Dr. Gary Baker ’95 will receive
his award at a later date.

The Oswego Alumni Association recognized eight alumni with 2023 Alumni Awards for their exceptional contributions to their respective professions, communities and alma mater.

“It’s always a great honor to recognize our wonderful Laker alumni community for their many accomplishments,” said Laura Pavlus Kelly ’09, executive director of the Oswego Alumni Association (OAA) and director of alumni engagement at SUNY Oswego. “The dedication they regularly demonstrate toward providing service and going above and beyond in their careers never ceases to amaze me.”

The association’s most prestigious honor, the Distinguished Alumnus Award celebrates alumni who have gained national or international attention in their respective professions. The 2023 recipients are: Dr. Gary Baker ’95 of Columbia, Mo., associate chemistry professor at the University of Missouri and renowned research scientist; and William F. Precht ’79 of Miami Lakes, Fla., prominent marine scientist, conservationist and environmental activist.

Dr. Randall Pellow ’65 (center) with Vice President Canale ’81 and OAA President Grome ’89 (right)

For exhibiting a lifetime of both professional and civic leadership, the Lifetime Award of Merit was presented to: Cheryl Bird ’77 of Amherst, N.Y., founder and executive director of the Seneca Street Community Development Corporation; and Dr. Randall A. Pellow ’65 of Shippensburg, Penn., award-winning author and professor emeritus at Shippensburg University.

Receiving the Alumni Impact Award for his contributions toward advancing SUNY Oswego and its students was Paul Austin ’89 of Beacon, N.Y., senior manager of IBM’s WebSphere Development and an adjunct professor at SUNY Oswego.

Thomas Spaulding ’94 with Vice President
Canale ’81

Recognizing outstanding achievement in service to others, the Community Service Award was presented to: Suzanne Selkowitz Reek ’84 of Wantagh, N.Y., president of the Nassau Suffolk Chapter of the Autism Society of America; and Thomas Spaulding ’94 of Lowville, N.Y., insurance agent and highly dedicated volunteer for several local organizations and causes.

Justin Dobrow ’17 (center) with wife, Kalie Hudson Dobrow ’16, and OAA Executive Director Laura Pavlus Kelly ’09 (right)

Honoring Graduates Of the Last Decade (GOLD) alumni who have enjoyed success and provided significant volunteer service to their communities, the GOLD Award was presented to Justin Dobrow ’17 of Astoria, N.Y., senior manager of partner operations at Peacock and co-chair of the Oswego Alumni Association Board of Directors’ Media, Business and Careers Team.

To read more about each of the winners, visit alumni.oswego.edu/awards2023.

Stay tuned for the upcoming announcement of the 2024 Alumni Award winners.

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