SUNY Oneonta

Students in Colombia have traveled to three cities - Manizales, Cali and Cartagena - to conduct research at three public higher education institutions that have been engaged with SUNY Oneonta through COIL (Collaborative Online International/Intercultural/Interdisciplinary Learning) since 2014. These are the Universidad de Cartagena, Universidad del Valle, and Universidad de Caldas. The students are collecting data through interviews and ethnographic observations, and have presented to faculty and students at these institutions. The objective of their work is to "investigate opportunities accessible to undergraduate students through COIL to become intercultural and linguistically competent," according to Associate Professor of Spanish Maria Cristina Montoya, a faculty sponsor for the trip along with Spanish Lecturer Alejandra Escudero. "By investigating different avenues to bring meaningful education for all and to advance towards a more equal and sustained access to global learning opportunities, their aim is to observe social justice through the implementation of COIL," Montoya said. A highlight of the trip so far has been meeting (and getting a photo with) Francia Marquez, an environmental activist from southwestern Colombia who has become a national phenomenon since becoming the country's first Black vice president last week. While abroad, the students are maintaining a blog to recount their experiences.

Six students in Dr. Jeff Heilveil's BIOL 285: NY Stream Biota: Identification and Ecology class spent two weeks of their summer break wading in local streams and rivers and getting up close and personal with insects of the region. The intensive, 16-day field experience let students learn first-hand about the ecology of streams and rivers, helping them see the vast diversity of insects in New York, as well as how human actions affect aquatic systems. They learned to identify the organisms (algae, insects, fish, etc.), used different types of gear and were introduced to questions and problems in the field. Student projects this year compared water chemistry above and below beaver dams, looked at insect community changes as you move downstream in rivers, examined whether there were more zooplankton (microscopic animals) attached to rocks or carried in the current, and more.

Twenty-four SUNY Oneonta students have been selected to serve as Dragon Guides for the 2022-2023 academic year. In addition to leading activities for new students and their parents during seven daylong summer orientation sessions, Dragon Guides welcome new students into their new community by leading small groups, answering questions about the college and college life, and mentoring new students throughout their first semester. With assistance from the Office of Student Success, the Dragon Guides will reach out to their mentees to revisit their goals from orientation and offer support on reaching those goals. They will also be sponsoring connection groups for new students to participate in, which will encourage and support engagement.

SUNY Oneonta students from two separate disciplines, geology and biology, teamed up this summer and put their skills to the test during an 18-day field trip to the Rocky Mountain region. The trip, led by Associate Professor of Paleontology and Geology Leigh Fall and Biology Professor Donna Vogler, let 12 students learn first-hand about the flora, fauna, formations and ecosystems in Colorado, Arizona and Utah. Surrounded by desert, mountains and tumbleweeds, students honed their observation and identification skills, collecting geological and ecological data and analyzing that data to better understand how the natural world works. Spending time at the Grand Canyon, Great Sand Dunes National Park, Mesa Verde National Park, Arches National Park, and Rocky Mountain National Park, students practiced identifying rocks, fossils, plants, and animals, recorded their observations in a field notebook, and synthesized their data in field presentations. At night, students set up camp and prepared meals, and then tented under the stars. Ecology and geology may seem like very different disciplines, but both are essential for understanding the evolution of the landscape, according to Fall. "Each influences the other in a variety of ways," she said. "For example, the type of rocks and their weathering products can promote or inhibit particular plant growth in an area." The geological exposures in the Rocky Mountain region offer a natural laboratory for examining the geological processes that has shaped the area. Equally important, Vogler said, the Rocky Mountain region provides a unique opportunity to study wildlife in the field and in an unfamiliar area of the country. Students said the trip impacted them in many ways, allowing them to make close friendships, validating their choice in major, seeing beautiful landforms and, most importantly, taking what was learned in the classroom and applying it in the real world.

Seven SUNY Oneonta students have spent the last month digging into the past and honing skills for the future during the Pine Lake Archaeological Field School, now in its 19th year. A collaborative effort between SUNY Oneonta and Hartwick College, the Archaeological Field School introduces students to the basic methods archaeologists use to identify, excavate, record and interpret archaeological sites. SUNY Oneonta provides most of the equipment, while Hartwick provides the place - Pine Lake Environmental Campus, located in West Davenport, NY. Tucked away in a field nestled between Pine Lake and Charlotte Creek, students work each day from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., sifting through excavated dirt and searching for evidence of ancient hunter-gatherer communities in an area believed to have been a gathering place for Native American people thousands of years ago. The school, which began June 1 and runs until July 1, drew students from SUNY Oneonta, SUNY Albany, SUNY Buffalo and Syracuse University. This is the only pre-historic field school in the region, according to SUNY Oneonta Anthropology Professor Renee Whitman, who started the field school in 2003 and co-directs it now. It's also one of the only field schools where students spend time in the field and in the lab, processing found artifacts, analyzing and completing data entry. "You become an archeologist here - you're really doing it," said Whitman. "Students learn everything they need to know in order to work in archaeology, setting up units, mapping, recording, the lab component, data entry, report writing, sometimes exhibit design, all of it!" Over the years, Archaeological Field School students have found hundreds of artifacts that give us a glimpse into the past, from 4,000-year-old cooking hearths to fire pits, and more. This year, students have found hundreds of flakes of chert (a type of rock used to make tools and weapons,) pieces of pottery, nutting stones and a full projectile point, known to most as an arrowhead. They also found quartz that's not local to the region, indicating that it had been traded. "The first time students find these artifacts, they're like, 'Oh my god - this is 2,000 years old," Whitman said. "And they're hooked. It never really gets old." Field school students learn skills that can be applied to all kinds of disciplines. Many are anthropology majors, but the program is open to all and often attracts students studying history, geoscience, biology, geography, chemistry and other fields. Even if a student isn't interested in going into the field of archeology, they leave with basic skills that can be applied in any setting. "It's a bit like boot camp," said Hartwick Assistant Professor of Anthropology Dr. Namita Sugandhi, who co-directs the four-week session alongside Whitman. "It teaches students work ethic, how to work with others and independently, and how to be observant and detail-oriented. But it's also an amazing opportunity to build connections. There's no cell service out here, so everyone becomes incredibly close." When they're not in the field or the lab, students cook and have meals together, hang out and stay in cabins at Pine Lake. Class of 2013 alumnus Kasey Heiser majored in anthropology and attended the field school as a student in 2011. After graduating, he earned his master's degree in anthropology at Binghamton University and, like many other field school alumni, has worked in Cultural Resource Management (required archaeology before construction can begin to mitigate impact) since then. He has returned to Pine Lake almost every year to serve as a field assistant. "The field school taught me so much, from how to work with others to the basics of what I needed to know for CRM," Heiser said. "Now, working with FEMA and other organizations on grant applications and other projects, whenever there is a historical aspect, I'm the one who gets asked those questions."

Twelve SUNY Oneonta students were inducted into Iota Iota Iota (Triota), the academic honor society for the field of Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. Iota Iota Iota is named for the ancient goddesses Inanna, Ishtar, and Isis. Triota strives to maintain feminist values central to Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies: egalitarianism, inclusiveness, and celebrating the diversity of gendered experiences. The organization also works to enhance the experience of students in Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies and recognize their academic achievements.

Seventeen students from SUNY Oneonta's School of Economics and Business were inducted into the college's Beta Gamma Sigma honor society chapter during the spring 2022 semester. Only the best business students in the world, and the professionals who earned the distinction of "the Best in Business" during their academic careers, can claim membership in Beta Gamma Sigma. Students ranking in the top 10 percent of the baccalaureate and top 20 percent of graduate programs at schools accredited by AACSB International - The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business are eligible for this invitation. Beta Gamma Sigma has installed collegiate chapters and inducted students on six continents. SUNY Oneonta's School of Economics and Business offers majors in business economics, professional accounting and economics; concentrations in accounting, finance, international business and economics, and marketing; and cooperative programs in business administration, management science, and fashion merchandising management, advertising and marketing communications, manufacturing management, and textile development and marketing.

Over 200 SUNY Oneonta students earned Provost's List honors for the spring 2022 semester. To qualify for the Provost's List, a student must earn a perfect 4.0 grade-point average while carrying a course load of 12 hours or more.

After a two-year break, SUNY Oneonta music industry students resumed a longstanding tradition last week, visiting and taking part in the world's largest music products trade show, The NAMM Show, in Anaheim, Calif. Held June 3-5 at the Anaheim Convention Center, The NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) Show brought together leaders, innovators, experts, artists and creators across the music products, pro audio and sound, and entertainment technology industry for a rousing reunion. The annual event was not held the past two years because of COVID and was reimagined and rescheduled for June this year instead of the customary January to avoid any lingering travel restrictions. Ten SUNY Oneonta music industry majors and Music Industry Club members traveled with Lecturer Nancy Tarr to Anaheim to take part in three days of product introductions and demonstrations, educational sessions and panel discussions, and - perhaps most importantly - networking and inspiration. Students enjoyed special events, live music and celebrity appearances; attended dozens of demonstrations, panel discussions and educational sessions tied to today's trends and marketing techniques; and got to preview and test new products from 3,500 brands, from Ciari Guitars' folding guitar to the SoulPedal, a shoe insole that offers wireless control of wah, volume and MIDI parameters. Another highlight included meeting Derek Dixie, music director for global superstar Beyonce. While in California, the group met up with 2007 SUNY Oneonta graduate Noah Rakoski and learned about his work as head of West Coast Label Relations for YouTube Music at Google. Thanks to Rakoski, Oneonta students got to tour Google's impressive facility. Faculty in SUNY Oneonta's Music Department have taken students to The NAMM Show for 25 years. This was the sixth NAMM trip organized by Tarr, who said this type of experiential learning is key to a great education. "It's a wonderful opportunity for students to meet and learn from people who have been in their shoes," she said. Tarr is executive director of Well Dunn, a music nonprofit that connects college students with internships in the music and entertainment industry. While at NAMM, she was featured in a "Turn Up Her Mic: Creating Gender Equality for Music Directors" panel discussing and empowering women working behind the scenes in the live music industry. This trip was made possible, in part, by support from the Caroline ('67) and David D'Antonio Student Travel for Excellence Fund.

Over 1,200 SUNY Oneonta students earned Dean's List honors for the spring 2022 semester. To qualify for the Dean's List, a student must earn a grade-point average of 3.5 or higher while carrying a course load of 12 hours or more.

Rising seniors Neida Bautista and Jamie Crique have been accepted into the 2022 Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) Pre-Medical Scholars Program. This program is offered by SUNY exclusively to talented and capable EOP students who want to pursue a career in medicine to help address racial and income disparities in medical education. Neida and Jamie will receive access to several services and experiences, including clinical and lab experiences, mentoring, MCAT preparation, exposure to the medical school environment and curriculum, research experience and more. The program also includes a three-day residential experience at Stony Brook University this summer.

SUNY Oneonta recognized more than 50 outstanding students with its 2022 Academic Achievement Awards. One to three students were chosen from each of the college's academic departments and programs. In addition to their excellent work in the classroom, students were honored for distinguishing themselves in many ways, including research, activism, mentoring, athletics, involvement in campus activities, and volunteerism.

SUNY Oneonta recently recognized students who have attained silver level leadership milestones through the college's LEAD (Leadership Education and Development) program. LEAD@Oneonta is a comprehensive leadership program based on current research and guidelines from the Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education. All students can choose to participate in the LEAD program, which aims to better prepare them for life after college by providing a comprehensive picture of leadership and the skills needed to be a good leader. Students can attain a silver, gold or platinum level. To attain each level, students must meet a mix of programmatic and experiential leadership requirements, including completion of online courses, attendance at educational events, and membership and leadership in one or more of SUNY Oneonta's 100+ student-run clubs and organizations. Completion of a leadership level is recognized on campus as a credential that can be used, for example, when running for office or applying for STEP (Student Travel for Excellence Program) funding. The program also provides students with a leadership record that can be submitted to potential employers.

SUNY Oneonta recently recognized students who have attained gold level leadership milestones through the college's LEAD (Leadership Education and Development) program. LEAD@Oneonta is a comprehensive leadership program based on current research and guidelines from the Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education. All students can choose to participate in the LEAD program, which aims to better prepare them for life after college by providing a comprehensive picture of leadership and the skills needed to be a good leader. Students can attain a silver, gold or platinum level. To attain each level, students must meet a mix of programmatic and experiential leadership requirements, including completion of online courses, attendance at educational events, and membership and leadership in one or more of SUNY Oneonta's 100+ student-run clubs and organizations. Completion of a leadership level is recognized on campus as a credential that can be used, for example, when running for office or applying for STEP (Student Travel for Excellence Program) funding. The program also provides students with a leadership record that can be submitted to potential employers.

SUNY Oneonta recently recognized students who have attained platinum-level leadership milestones through the college's LEAD (Leadership Education and Development) program. LEAD@Oneonta is a comprehensive leadership program based on current research and guidelines from the Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education. All students can choose to participate in the LEAD program, which aims to better prepare them for life after college by providing a comprehensive picture of leadership and the skills needed to be a good leader. Students can attain a silver, gold or platinum level. To attain each level, students must meet a mix of programmatic and experiential leadership requirements, including completion of online courses, attendance at educational events, and membership and leadership in one or more of SUNY Oneonta's 100+ student-run clubs and organizations. Completion of a leadership level is recognized on campus as a credential that can be used, for example, when running for office or applying for STEP (Student Travel for Excellence Program) funding. The program also provides students with a leadership record that can be submitted to potential employers.

Three students were recognized at an award ceremony for participating in an online financial investment competition, the SUNY Oneonta Stock Market Game, on May 2 in Fitzelle Hall. The students invested virtual cash of $100,000 in a live market, buying and selling stocks while using other financial instruments to practice their investment skills. The top three winners received $50, $30, and $20, respectively. The competition was open to all students and was offered through www.wallstreetsurvivor.com, an online stock market simulator.

SUNY Oneonta inducted its inaugural class of 141 first-generation students into the Alpha Alpha Alpha national honor society during a ceremony on April 24, 2022, at the Alumni Field House. Alpha Alpha Alpha, known as Tri-Alpha for short, was founded in 2018 to recognize and celebrate the hard work and academic success of first-generation college students. During the ceremony, President Alberto Cardelle accepted the charter for the college's new Tri-Alpha chapter, and each student stepped forward to receive their certificate and pin. Students qualify for induction into Tri-Alpha if they meet the following criteria: The student has earned at least 30 credit/semester hours (or 45 quarter hours) toward an associate's degree or baccalaureate degree (including half time) AND The undergraduate student has achieved an overall undergraduate GPA of at least 3.2 on a 4.0 scale. (For schools using a pass, high pass, etc. system, a "high pass" average is required.) Neither of the student's parents, step-parents, nor legal guardians, completed a bachelor's degree (or, for students at a community college, the parents did not complete an associate's degree)

Thirty-two students were recognized by SUNY Oneonta's History Department during its Awards and Phi Alpha Theta Induction ceremony on April 8 in the Morris Conference Center.

Eleven students were recognized with awards as part of the Kente Graduation Recognition Ceremony at SUNY Oneonta. Sponsored by the Department of Africana and Latinx Studies and the Center for Racial Justice and Inclusive Excellence (CRJIE), the annual ceremony recognizes the achievements of SUNY Oneonta's diverse student population-African American, Latino, Asian and Native American (AALANA) students and non-AALANA students and allies.

Eleven SUNY Oneonta students enrolled in Political Science 280 participated in the 2022 National Model United Nations Conference in New York City from April 10-14. The Oneonta delegation represented the country of Germany and won two policy paper awards.

SUNY Oneonta's Sociology Department inducted seven students into the International Honor Society, Alpha Kappa Delta.

Fifty-five SUNY Oneonta students were recently honored for their dedication to sustainability efforts on campus, thanks to the new Green Dragon Recognition Program. New this year, the Green Dragon Recognition Program (organized by the Office of Sustainability) seeks to celebrate and recognize students who have shown a commitment to sustainability during their time at SUNY Oneonta. Through this program, students can earn points by successfully completing sustainability-designated courses and by participating in sustainability-themed clubs, research, leadership opportunities and events. Honorees were recognized during an invitation-only reception Friday, April 22, on campus. In order to earn an invitation to the 2022 recognition, students had to earn 350 sustainability engagement points through participation in courses, clubs, research, events, etc. by April 22. Awards were presented, appetizers were served, and students, faculty and staff networked with one another. The reception was one of the culminating events of SUNY Oneonta's annual Green Dragon Week, which showcases the campus' commitment to sustainability through a variety of events and activities and celebrates Earth Day. Sustainability is a core value at SUNY Oneonta, and it is infused into all aspects of campus life, from academics to operations and engagement. Evidence of the college's commitment to sustainability can be seen in the student-run Red Closet Thrift Shop, courses with sustainability designations in more than half of the academic departments, an active President's Advisory Council made up of faculty, staff and students, and an overall commitment to supporting a community that is socially just, environmentally healthy and economically stable.

Four SUNY Oneonta students are among an elite group chosen to receive the 2022 SUNY Chancellor's Award for Student Excellence. Teresa Lopez-Long, Gabrielle Cecere, Alyssa Carbone and Alexa Laska were four of just 180 State University of New York students recognized by SUNY Interim Chancellor Deborah F. Stanley during a reception in their honor Tuesday, April 26, at the Hall of Springs in Saratoga Springs, NY. "Teresa, Gabby, Alyssa and Alexa are impressive scholars and exceptional leaders who have served as role models for their campus peers," said SUNY Oneonta President Alberto Cardelle. "I have seen their dedication first hand, and I am confident that their exemplary service and achievements will be the groundwork for great things beyond SUNY Oneonta." Created in 1997, the Chancellor's Award for Student Excellence is the highest honor that SUNY bestows upon students. It is presented annually to SUNY students who demonstrate academic excellence and integrate it with accomplishments in other areas, such as leadership, career achievement, campus involvement, athletics, community service, or creative and performing arts.

Thirty-six SUNY Oneonta students were inducted into the Tau Sigma National Honor Society for the 2021-22 academic year. Tau Sigma is designed exclusively for transfer students. The mission of the organization is to recognize and promote the academic excellence and involvement of transfer students. The minimum academic average required for membership is either a 3.5 on a 4.0 scale (or the equivalent thereof) or an academic average that places the prospective candidate in the top 20 percent of all incoming transfer students during their incoming semester.

SUNY Oneonta inducted 10 students into its Edward K. Griesmer chapter of National Residence Hall Honorary (NRHH), a branch of the National Association of Colleges and University Residence Halls for the 2021-2022 academic year.

Over 100 SUNY Oneonta students presented projects as part of the college's annual Student Research and Creative Activity Day. The event was hosted as a two-day, on-campus event. All presentations can be found on the Student Research and Creative Activity Day web page.

Congratulations to the 15 peer tutors who earned National Tutor Association Level 1 Certification this academic year through SUNY Oneonta's Student Learning Center. Tutors have completed the courses for which they are tutoring at SUNY Oneonta and have received a B+ or better in the course. All tutors complete a 2-hour training workshop before working with tutees, and they complete additional training throughout the time they work at SLC. Effective Fall 2022, all newly hired tutors are working toward completing National Tutoring Association (NTA) basic level certification.

SUNY Oneonta recently recognized students who have attained gold level leadership milestones through the college's LEAD (Leadership Education and Development) program. LEAD@Oneonta is a comprehensive leadership program based on current research and guidelines from the Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education. All students can choose to participate in the LEAD program, which aims to better prepare them for life after college by providing a comprehensive picture of leadership and the skills needed to be a good leader. Students can attain a silver, gold or platinum level. To attain each level, students must meet a mix of programmatic and experiential leadership requirements, including completion of online courses, attendance at educational events, and membership and leadership in one or more of SUNY Oneonta's 100+ student-run clubs and organizations. Completion of a leadership level is recognized on campus as a credential that can be used, for example, when running for office or applying for STEP (Student Travel for Excellence Program) funding. The program also provides students with a leadership record that can be submitted to potential employers.

SUNY Oneonta recently recognized students who have attained silver level leadership milestones through the college's LEAD (Leadership Education and Development) program. LEAD@Oneonta is a comprehensive leadership program based on current research and guidelines from the Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education. All students can choose to participate in the LEAD program, which aims to better prepare them for life after college by providing a comprehensive picture of leadership and the skills needed to be a good leader. Students can attain a silver, gold or platinum level. To attain each level, students must meet a mix of programmatic and experiential leadership requirements, including completion of online courses, attendance at educational events, and membership and leadership in one or more of SUNY Oneonta's 100+ student-run clubs and organizations. Completion of a leadership level is recognized on campus as a credential that can be used, for example, when running for office or applying for STEP (Student Travel for Excellence Program) funding. The program also provides students with a leadership record that can be submitted to potential employers.

December 2021 SUNY Oneonta graduate Catherin Flores Granados is one of 45 recipients of SUNY's 2022 Norman R. McConney, Jr. Award for Student Excellence. Now celebrating its third class of honorees,the award recognizes outstanding Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) students for their academic merit and strength in overcoming significant personal obstacles throughout their lives. The honor is named in memory of Norman R. McConney, Jr. (1946-2016), a graduate of the University at Albany and former assistant dean for special programs at SUNY. McConney, alongside former Assembly Deputy Speaker Arthur O. Eve, helped create the EOP as a statewide program.