Oswego Matters – Winter 2024 – Oswego Alumni Magazine

Oswego Matters – Winter 2024

Laura Pavlus Kelly ’09

As a mother of two young children, I’ve grown accustomed to frequent transitions; to new beginnings; to change. It seems like one of the most common pieces of parenting advice shared is, “Everything is a phase.” Certain periods are markedly more challenging to get through than others (exactly how many “sleep regressions” ARE there?), while others you wish you could freeze in time and bottle up forever.

But the great news is, I’ve come to realize … while many transitions can be bittersweet, you never really have too much time to dwell on how much you miss the past, because it’s already been replaced with a new normal full of its own wonderful qualities. It’s often impossible to categorize one as “better” than another, as they each come with their own pros and cons, without which each new stage wouldn’t be what it is — but it’s hard to pinpoint those aspects until you’re on the other side.

Perhaps it’s this parenting outlook that helps me face inevitable change in other aspects of daily life — including at work … which, for me, of course, is at our beloved alma mater of SUNY Oswego. The world shifts, new technologies emerge, staff members come and go, and the way we engage alumni continually changes as we learn from the past while keeping up with the current. While alumni can still remain connected with our university in all the traditional ways — Reunion Weekends, regional events, the Alumni Sharing Knowledge (ASK) program, Alumni Admissions volunteerism, etc. — there are also newer ways to engage — the Oswego Alumni Podcast, virtual events, the Oswego Alumni Book Club and more.

With every change comes the opportunity to “audit” a process or a program. We believe in looking at the past to learn what’s worked well and what hasn’t, and to let that serve as a foundation for the new and improved. (For example, if you’re returning for Reunion Weekend 2024, June 6 – 9, we believe you’ll find a fresh take on the schedule of events, mixed with the tradition of the “fan favorites.”) Is one way better than the other? It’s often tough to compare, as each new “era” often offers many pros that wouldn’t have been possible without the “era” that came before it.

We’re officially in a new “era” here at SUNY Oswego — with incredibly fond memories of our past, and bright possibilities for exciting new landscapes ahead on many fronts. President Nwosu will lead our university into new opportunities and chapters in the years to come, while honoring our past and continuing to build on its successes.

Hindsight is 2020 … but the future is (Vision) 4040. I can’t wait to experience all of the new beginnings to come alongside you: our Laker family.