SUNY Oneonta

The SUNY Oneonta Men's and Women's Track & Field teams had five individuals and two relays receive All-SUNYAC honors at the SUNYAC Championships on Feb. 23-24. Senior Aidan Kelly was the SUNYAC Champion in the men's heptathlon. Senior Isabella Fabrizio earned All-Conference in the women's shot put and weight throw, junior Marco Alter in the men's weight throw, senior Jonthomas Bierman in the 800-meter run, and senior Ejim Nnate in the 60-meter hurdles. The Red Dragons won both the men's and women's distance medley relays.

The SUNY Oneonta Men's Swimming & Diving team broke multiple school records at the SUNYAC Championships from Feb. 21-24. Junior Mason DeLisio broke the freestyle 50-yard record with a time of 20.60, the 100-yard record with a time of 45.74 and the 200-yard record with a time of 1:41.77. Junior James Llewellyn broke the 200-IM record with a time of 1:56.94. The Red Dragons' relay of seniors Eli Cohen, Ross Caimano, Llewellyn and DeLisio also broke the 200-yard relay record with a time of 1:24.67 and the 400-yard freestyle relay record with a time of 3:08.31.

Twenty-two SUNY Oneonta students and the Theatre Department produced "Dead by Jack," a "devised theatre" performance depicting the lives of the five women who were Jack the Ripper. Devised theatre is a method of creating theatre that originates from collaborative, often improvised, work by a performing ensemble. The actors, who were all SUNY Oneonta students, were in charge of coming up with their narratives, blocking and dramatic choices, and worked with the Theatre Department to develop the scenery and costumes for the show. The production was directed by Kiara Pipino, associate professor of acting, directing and movement, and five performances were held from March 1 to 6. "Everyone has heard about Jack the Ripper and about the White Chapel Murders," said Pipino. "Theories, speculations and a myriad of literature and media content in all forms has been devoted to this infamous serial killer and yet there is no scientific evidence that can firmly identify him. Perhaps this is why the fascination still exists to this day, more than one hundred and some years after the last killing, which happened in 1888." While the cast didn't work off a script, the characters, Mary Ann (Polly) Nichols, Annie Chapman, Elizabeth Stride, Catherine (Kate) Eddowes, Mary-Jane Kelly and Jack the Ripper, were based on Hallie Rubenhold's book "The Five: The Untold Lives of Women Killed by Jack the Ripper" and additional research completed by the cast. "We know a lot about these five women. We know where they were born, where they grew up, we know about their families, their struggles, their living accommodations, occupations and how they ended up down on their luck," said Pipino. "They were all labelled as prostitutes and while there is no judgement here about that profession, the fact is that most of them weren't. There are many Jack the Rippers still at large. The number of cold cases regarding slaughtered victims whose murderers were never found is astounding. According to the FBI's Uniform Crime Report there are about 340000 unsolved homicides just from 1965 to 2021." Students from the Mask and Hammer theatre club, an active and dynamic campus organization that promotes opportunities for students of all majors to become involved in theatre activities, were part of the production in various cast and crew roles. "Dead by Jack" was shown in the Hamblin Theatre on campus. Tickets for upcoming productions can be purchased online at https://oneonta.universitytickets.com/, in person at the Hunt Union Information Desk from Monday to Saturday between 1 and 10 p.m. and in person at the box office in the Fine Arts Center one hour before each scheduled performance. View ticket pricing and more information online at https://suny.oneonta.edu/theatre-department/season-shows.

SUNY Oneonta accounting and business students are getting firsthand experience for the future by preparing income tax returns for the community, continuing an annual tradition in an impressive new venue: the recently renovated Alumni Hall. Through the IRS's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, 21 students were extensively trained and are available through April 13 to provide basic tax return preparation and filing free of charge. Their services are available to area residents, with appointments available on Wednesdays, 5:30 to 8 p.m., and Saturdays, 9 a.m. to noon. The team is excited to be able to assist community members and expects to complete more than 60 tax returns this year. The tradition, which was started years ago by a beloved former professor, William "Jeff" Weinell, is hosted in a new space this year in Alumni Hall, which reopened in the fall after a multi-year, $22 million renovation transformed the building into a state-of-the-art center for learning and innovation.

"Emotional Ties" was a solo show of new work by Digital and Studio Art senior Christine Schmitt selected from the Gallery's Project Open Call exhibition. Her exhibition was on display in the Project Space Gallery from Jan. 30 to Feb. 24. An opening reception was held Thursday, Feb. 1, from 4 to 6 p.m. "This collaborative exhibition, which included supporting photographic works by Molly Seidl (SUNY Oneonta '23), featured a wide range of Schmitt's provocative crocheted art such as her 2D abstract wall works, 3D sculptures, wearables and site-specific installations," said SUNY Oneonta Art Gallery Director Sarah Simpson. "Overall, this was an immersive experience where the viewer enters a cohesive and mostly abstract environment that asks you to consider texture, color and shape in relation to the emotions they evoke. Schmitt offered guides in the form of emotive models dressed in the wearables that have since been combined into large-scale installations and in the presence and poses of her stuffed human-like sculptures." Admission to the galleries and receptions are free and open to the public, and visitors can receive parking passes through the University Police Department. Gallery hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. For more information, contact Sarah Simpson at Sarah.Simpson@oneonta.edu or 607-436-2445.

SUNY Oneonta students were recognized for attaining platinum-level leadership milestones in the spring 2024 semester through the university's Leadership Education and Development (LEAD) 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 earning their degree 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 reach 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. Completing 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.

Thirty-four SUNY Oneonta students completed the requirements for a master's degree, Certificate of Advanced Study, or Advanced Certificate Program following the Fall 2023 semester. Graduates were honored and recognized during Fall Commencement, held Dec. 10, 2023, in the Dewar Arena of the Alumni Field House.

Forty-one students were featured in the Art Across Campus: Spring 2024 exhibition. This was the third exhibition in an annual series that showcased the creative final projects by students across campus from a diverse range of majors and focuses. This semester's exhibition featured student work submitted by Dr. Suriati Abas (Elementary Education and Reading), Dr. Maria Chaves Daza (Africana and Latinx Studies), Dr. Sheena Mason (English) and Dr. Sarah Portway (Fashion). Art Across Campus was on display in the Open Space Gallery until Feb. 17. An opening reception took place on Thursday, Feb. 1, from 4 to 6 p.m. Admission to the galleries and receptions are free and open to the public, and visitors can receive parking passes through the University Police Department. Gallery hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. For more information, contact Sarah Simpson at Sarah.Simpson@oneonta.edu or 607-436-2445.

More than 250 SUNY Oneonta students completed the requirements for a bachelor's degree following the Fall 2023 semester. Graduates were honored and recognized during Fall Commencement, held Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023, in the Dewar Arena of the Alumni Field House. The day before commencement, seniors took part in the Pass Through the Pillars tradition. With friends, family and faculty and staff cheering them on, seniors walked through the pillars a final time, representing the end of their Oneonta journey and transition into the alumni family.

SUNY Oneonta senior Gideon Dean, of Berlin, MD, shares his experiences as a Music Industry major in the February 2024 edition of In Tune Monthly magazine. "SUNY Oneonta has many resources and avenues to explore what you want to do in music, media and entertainment," says Dean, one of nine students from across the country quoted in the magazine's "Best Music Schools" section. In Tune Monthly's "Best Music Schools" twice-a-year feature offers professional advice on navigating the college admissions process and tips for incoming first-year students from senior music majors. The online magazine is distributed to a monthly readership of 45,000+ middle and high school music teachers and their 10 million students. "Dr. Joseph Pignato's course Music Industry Communication was the most educationally and professionally fulfilling class I have ever taken," Dean told In Tune Monthly. "It gives you a real-life sense of the climate of the music industry and the job market. He teaches you how to properly present yourself and communicate well within the industry, which is important and not highlighted as much as it should be." Dean has his own radio show on WONY, SUNY Oneonta's student-run radio station. Called Equal Play, the show highlights women in country music, past and present. Dean's show won the Best Specialty Show award at the International Student Broadcasting Championship in fall 2023. Dean also received Rising Star recognition for his portfolio of work in radio and the Best Social Media Execution award for his co-hosted social media page, US Radio Updater. Dean runs that page with fellow student Christian Larson, who attends San Diego State University. Currently, Dean is a member of the Country Music Association's Educational Leadership Class of 2024. The year-long program includes opportunities to meet country music industry professionals, panels, seminars and courses. A highlight of the program was a trip to Nashville in August 2023 for the organization's annual Leadership Summit, a multi-day conference full of professional development, industry education and networking. Dean is the first SUNY Oneonta student and the second SUNY applicant ever to be accepted into the mentorship program. Additionally, Dean spent part of his 2023 spring break attending the Country Radio Seminar in Nashville. This annual seminar gathers radio professionals and artists to compare notes on what they would like the country radio scene to look like throughout the coming year. Dean had the opportunity to experience previews of new music and attend meetings with professionals in the music and media industries. After he graduates in spring 2024, Dean would love to work in country music radio, either on-air or behind the scenes at a media company or for a record label. "The Country Music Association is an organization that has drawn me in for the longest time," he said. Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music, SUNY Oneonta's Music Industry program prepares students for careers in a variety of fields in the music, media and entertainment industries. The curriculum includes specialized music industry studies in the recording industry, business affairs, intellectual property law, music products, and music theory, performance and history/literature. Internships, field experience and several related minors - audio production with Pro Tools certification, performance, music theory and music literature - allow students to tailor the program to their interests.

SUNY Oneonta senior Allison Sandt, of Park Ridge, NJ, shares her experiences as a Music Industry major in the February 2024 edition of In Tune Monthly magazine. "Growing as an artist in SUNY Oneonta's inspiring, close-knit community has only helped me go further distances outside of it," says Sandt, one of nine students from across the country quoted in the magazine's "Best Music Schools" section. In Tune Monthly's "Best Music Schools" twice-a-year feature offers professional advice on navigating the college admissions process and tips for incoming first-year students from senior music majors. The online magazine is distributed to a monthly readership of 45,000+ middle and high school music teachers and their 10 million students. "My favorite course at SUNY Oneonta was Music Industry Communications with Dr. Joseph Pignato, a preparational course useful for students interested in any avenue of the music industry," Sandt told In Tune Monthly. "As a recording and performing artist, I learned valuable lessons in creating a specific artist brand, researching my target demographic of listeners, developing comprehensive marketing plans for future releases, and finding career opportunities within my field." Sandt is very involved in Oneonta's local music scene, having played with a few bands at local venues like Wise Guys Sammy's, the Foothills Performing Arts and Civic Center and the B Side Ballroom and Supper Club. During her first year at SUNY Oneonta, Sandt started a band called Seeing Double with other students. While the band is no longer playing together, Seeing Double surpassed 5 million streams of its music on Spotify and Apple Music. Sandt has also been the lead singer in Associate Professor Jeremy Wall's Funk Ensemble and participated in a few on-campus rock ensembles. She was also a live sound intern at The Black Oak Tavern in Oneonta, a hybrid creative marketing intern at bergenPAC in Englewood, NJ, and completed a virtual marketing internship with Les Poisson Rouge in New York City. Currently, she is playing bass for Jam Band with Dr. Pignato and independently recording her debut EP with the help of fellow Music Industry majors Teddy Holly, Dylan Travison, Tyler Tompkins and Michael Aaron. "My dream job is to do what I do now on a bigger scale! I love writing, recording and performing my own music and I would love to be able to do that as a full-time job," said Sandt. "With the experience I've had through Oneonta's local music scene, playing with Seeing Double, and working with some of my favorite musicians, professors and mentors here, I am looking forward to graduation in May." Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music, SUNY Oneonta's Music Industry program prepares students for careers in a variety of fields in the music, media and entertainment industries. The curriculum includes specialized music industry studies in the recording industry, business affairs, intellectual property law, music products, and music theory, performance and history/literature. Internships, field experience and several related minors - audio production with Pro Tools certification, performance, music theory and music literature - allow students to tailor the program to their interests.

Austin Gleason, of Elmira, NY, became a Making Cent$ Peer Mentor during the Fall 2023 semester. Gleason is studying Psychology at SUNY Oneonta. Making Cent$ Peer Mentors are students who have initially started as Making Cent$ Interns. During their time as interns, they train with Making Cent$ staff members to learn information that will help them improve their proficiency in financial literacy and help the students around them with financial topics. As interns, these students help complete tasks to keep the Making Cent$ Program running. They also act as a connection to the student community and provide a lot of outreach to their peers. After around a year of training, Making Cent$ Interns take the Making Cent$ Intern Financial Wellness Exam, designed to demonstrate the knowledge they have acquired through their training. After passing this exam and demonstrating their abilities to host different Making Cent$ activities, a Making Cent$ Intern earns the title "Making Cent$ Peer Mentor." After becoming a Making Cent$ Peer Mentor, they will host one-on-one meetings with other students. These meetings are on student loans and helping students create or improve their budgets. They also often become the primary host of activities like Money Personalities. They continue outreach to other students and have a high level of mentorship with newly hired Making Cent$ Interns. Before starting her Making Cent$ Internship, Gleason completed most aspects of the Making InCENTive$ path toward her Personal Finance Achievement award. She then looked for opportunities to volunteer with the program and continued to attend Making Cent$ Activities. Gleason started her Making Cent$ Internship in August of 2022 and has excelled throughout her entire internship. Daily, she demonstrates a dedication to helping her peers with financial literacy and other aspects of their daily lives.

A total of 312 SUNY Oneonta students earned Provost's List honors for the fall 2023 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.

More than 1,200 SUNY Oneonta students earned Dean's List honors for the fall 2023 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.

Rory Magie of Liberty, NY, received the Personal Finance Achievement Award in the fall 2023 semester. Magie is studying Media Studies at SUNY Oneonta. The Personal Finance Achievement Award is given to students through the SUNY Oneonta financial wellness program, Making Cent$. Making Cent$ staff, interns and volunteers put together numerous events and activities that help students improve their proficiency with financial literacy. Students participating in Making Cent$ earn credit for Making InCENTive$, which leads them to the Personal Finance Achievement Award. This award recognizes a student's dedication to improving financial literacy by completing core activities in six personal finance categories and continually participating in the program. After finishing the Making InCENTive$ path, students complete an exit interview during their final semester to help improve the Making Cent$ program, earn their Personal Finance Achievement Award in receive a Making Cent$ graduation cord.

Gideon Dean of Berlin, MD, received three International Student Broadcasting Championship (ISBC) awards for his work in radio. The ISBC competition allows students to pursue networking opportunities, talent and brand development, and promising career prospects within the media industry. The competition covers radio broadcasting, video and digital content creation, and e-sports broadcasting, focusing on quality over quantity. Dean is studying Music Industry at SUNY Oneonta, pursuing a career in country music radio. The ISBC awards he won were Rising Star, Best Specialty Show and Best Social Media Execution. Rising Star is given to "outstanding individuals who excel in their chosen field and demonstrate improvement over time." Dean received this award for his portfolio of work in radio. Dean received Best Specialty Show for his WONY (student radio) program, "Equal Play." His show is the station's only country music program, highlighting the women of country music. The award is given to "niche programming judged on creativity, listener interaction, social media content and production values all contributing to quality programming." Best Social Media Execution is awarded to "a social media page that shows the ability to connect with its audience through quality media content and interactions." Dean runs his social media page, US Radio Updater, with a student from San Diego State University. US Radio Updater is tied for this category with the University of Santo Tomas in the Philippines.

Six Adolescence Education: Mathematics majors at SUNY Oneonta collaborated with Exercise Science and Sport Management students to create the Little Red Dragons program in the fall 2023 semester. The program, a staple of the Human Growth and Motor Development (HGMD) since the fall 2022 semester, was held at the Oneonta Boys and Girls Club (OBGC) on Dec. 4, 6 and 7. To prepare for the Little Red Dragons program, HGMD students spent several hours in and out of class designing lesson plans based on their interests and backgrounds. Each workshop outline included instructional strategies, plans for giving feedback, safety measures and rules, materials, developmental considerations and potential adaptations. The students worked with children of various age groups in arts and crafts, basketball, throwing exercises, weightlifting, dance and volleyball. This was the first time students from the Adolescence Education: Mathematics program worked with the Human Growth and Motor Development course to design the Little Red Dragons. The interdisciplinary collaboration was kick-started by Assistant Professor of Sport and Exercise Science Katie Griffes and Assistant Professor of Mathematics Education Elyssa Stoddard. The collaboration allowed students to work together to see how math concepts can be applied to sport and physical activity in an educational setting. The feedback from students from both disciplines will help shape future collaborations between the departments and future Little Red Dragons programs. "Dr. Stoddard's math education students provided insights into teaching pedagogy for situations such as how to help keep the attention of the kids, strategies for time management in a class-style setting and providing feedback," said Dr. Griffes. "They also suggested ways to involve math in sport, like counting percentages for basketball shots or testing heart rates."

Seventeen Exercise Science and Sport Management students at SUNY Oneonta collaborated with Adolescence Education: Mathematics majors to create the Little Red Dragons program in the fall 2023 semester. The program, a staple of the Human Growth and Motor Development (HGMD) course since the fall 2022 semester, was held at the Oneonta Boys and Girls Club (OBGC) on Dec. 4, 6 and 7. To prepare for the Little Red Dragons program, HGMD students spent several hours in and out of class designing lesson plans based on their interests and backgrounds. Each workshop outline included instructional strategies, plans for giving feedback, safety measures and rules, materials, developmental considerations and potential adaptations. The students worked with children of various age groups in arts and crafts, basketball, throwing exercises, weightlifting, dance and volleyball. This was the first time students from the Adolescence Education: Mathematics program worked with the Human Growth and Motor Development course to design the Little Red Dragons. The interdisciplinary collaboration was kick-started by Assistant Professor of Sport and Exercise Science Katie Griffes and Assistant Professor of Mathematics Education Elyssa Stoddard. "The Little Red Dragons program is an experiential learning assignment," said Dr. Griffes, who is also the HGMD course instructor. "It is designed to give students hands-on experiences implementing and observing content they have learned throughout the semester." The collaboration allowed students to work together to see how math concepts can be applied to sport and physical activity in an educational setting. The feedback from students from both disciplines will help shape future collaborations between the departments and future Little Red Dragons programs. "Dr. Stoddard's math education students provided insights into teaching pedagogy for situations such as how to help keep the attention of the kids, strategies for time management in a class-style setting and providing feedback," said Dr. Griffes. "They also suggested ways to involve math in sport, like counting percentages for basketball shots or testing heart rates." Each day of the program featured multiple hour-long fitness workshops, beginning at 4 p.m. and running as late as 7 p.m. Two to three students led each session, with a minimum 2:1 ratio of children to instructor. The Little Red Dragons is a win-win experiential learning opportunity, offering fresh, fun programming for OGBC members and valuable experience for the Oneonta students, many of whom plan to work with children and teens in health and fitness industries as coaches, athletic trainers, physical therapists and other movement-based professions.

Nineteen SUNY Oneonta students designed a collaborative anthropology art exhibit titled "Winter Waste Land" under the guidance of Professor of Material Culture Cynthia Falk. The exhibition is on display in the Open Space Gallery from Nov. 19 to Dec. 16, and an opening reception was held on Dec. 5. "Spread across the three walls of the Open Space Gallery, the installation utilized consumer refuse, most of which is recyclable, to create three separate tableaus: a winter scene with snow people, a display of colorful discarded products and a factory setting made from cardboard," said Dr. Falk. At the exhibition, viewers were encouraged to consider the amount of single-use products they consume and discard every day. Students were present at the reception to discuss the impact of waste materials that can be recycled. All recyclable objects were recycled at the end of the exhibition.

SUNY Oneonta students were recognized for attaining silver-level leadership milestones in the fall 2023 semester through the university's Leadership Education and Development (LEAD) 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 earning their degree 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 reach 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. Completing 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 students were recognized for attaining gold-level leadership milestones in the fall 2023 semester through the university's Leadership Education and Development (LEAD) 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 earning their degree 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 reach 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. Completing 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.

Sixty SUNY Oneonta students received the Richard Siegfried Student Award in the fall 2023 semester for earning a total GPA of 3.9 or higher. To be eligible for the award, a student who meets the GPA requirement must either be a full-time first-year or transfer student. Students received the award on Dec. 5 following the annual Richard Siegfried Junior Faculty Prize for Academic Excellence Lecture. Dr. Matthew Unangst, assistant professor of history at SUNY Oneonta, was this year's Junior Faculty Prize recipient. He delivered this year's Richard Siegfried Lecture, titled "Then is Now: History as Politics in Germany, Tanzania, and Beyond," in the Morris Conference Center on campus. The award is named in memory of Richard K. Siegfried, SUNY Oneonta Professor of Theatre from 1958 until 1995. Professor Siegfried (or Sieg as generations of students fondly called him) epitomized excellence in his academic life, through imagination, meticulous scholarship and discipline, and through his expectation of the same pursuit of excellence in his students and colleagues. His dedication brought excellence to his work in such historical theater worlds as Aristophanes, Moliere, Ibsen and Chekhov, his rigorous study of the skills of voice and movement, and his leadership in improvisation's imaginative creativity.

Four SUNY Oneonta Fashion and Textiles students placed third in the 2023 Educators for Socially Responsible Apparel Production (ESRAP) Student Merchandising Competition. ESRAP's competition is a global event that challenges undergraduate students to develop sustainable and socially responsible fashion retail business plans. Abigail Julian '24, Oriana Aponte Villazan '24, Elizabeth Hastings '23 and Layla Driscoll-Webster '24 were part of the group that took third place in the 2023 ESRAP Competition. This is the third year SUNY Oneonta students have placed in the top three teams for the undergraduate competition, including the 2022 competition, where three SUNY Oneonta teams ranked among the top 10 competitors. Professors in the sustainable fashion field judged the first round of the ESRAP competition over the summer of 2023. Professionals in the fashion industry who work for VF Corporation, the parent company of prominent brands such as North Face, Levis and more, completed the second round of judging shortly after that. The group submitted a business plan for Ellilusive, a boutique that sells gender-inclusive undergarments and also offers a garment recycling and donation program. The students created their business plan in Dr. Sarah Portway's spring 2023 Fashion Entrepreneurship course using the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and triple-bottom-line framework. In their Fashion Entrepreneurship course, the students developed a marketing strategy and analysis aligning with their sustainability strategy. They also created a customer persona, industry segment, competitive analysis, sourcing structure and financial plan for Ellilusive. The group submitted its business pitch virtually, along with a 90-second video pitch. The full story can be read at https://suny.oneonta.edu/news-events/students-take-third-place-global-fashion-competition.

SUNY Oneonta awarded nearly $20,000 in grant funding to support students pursuing internships during the fall 2023 semester. The grant program aims to make internship experiences more accessible by helping to defray costs such as transportation, living expenses, technology and more. Any student who plans to complete an internship for academic credit can apply for a grant of up to $3,000 through SUNY Oneonta's Career Development Center, which also provides career counseling and helps students find and secure internships in their fields of study. SUNY Oneonta is committed to helping students pursue experiential learning opportunities to explore their field of interest while gaining experience to prepare them for life after graduation. Internships are one of many real-world learning opportunities students can secure through the university's Experiential Learning Center. In addition to providing financial support to students pursuing internships, SUNY Oneonta awards more than $100,000 annually in student grants for research and travel to professional conferences and has 23 different scholarships for students who study abroad or participate in faculty-led trips.

On Nov. 2, 2023, 28 SUNY Oneonta students from the School of Economics and Business participated in the annual Backpacks to Briefcases event, where students travel to New York City to visit with alumni in the business and financial industries. Alumni host the students in their place of employment, and this year, the Backpacks to Briefcases program featured two alumni hosts per visiting group. Backpacks to Briefcases is a long-standing program at SUNY Oneonta that began in 2006 and is designed to help students start building their professional network before graduating. It is one of five Campus to Careers programs that offers students the opportunity to ask alumni questions about their journey from student to their current title. Its success paved the way for other programs across different majors at SUNY Oneonta like Mixing Board to Management (Music Industry), Goodrich to Broadway (Theatre), Campus to Capital (Political Science) and Academics to Agencies (Communication and Media Studies). "The value of the networking experience for students lies in the meaningful connections forged through interactions with alumni during Backpacks to Briefcases," said Laura Lincoln, executive direct in the Office of Alumni Engagement. "These connections serve as bridges between academics and real-world applications." The 2023 Backpacks to Briefcases program featured the following alumni hosts: Marco Ammirati '20 (Arrow Search Partners), Seth Crystall '80 (ION Group), Shawn Dacey '13 (Brookfield Properties), John Doherty '87 (Ernst & Young), Stiven Espinosa-Hunter '17 (ABM Industries), Dave Gaber '09 (Arrow Search Partners), Jason Konopolsky '09 (Brookfield Properties), Lyndee McCallum '07 (JP Morgan), Larry Pestana '11 (ABM Industries), Scott Salmirs '84 (ABM Industries), Richard Saperstein '81 (Treasury Partners), Michael Sternberg '18 (Treasury Partners) and Jenna Vasilakopoulos '21 (Arrow Search Partners). Backpacks to Briefcases is funded by the Oneonta Student Association and the SUNY Oneonta Alumni Association through charitable gifts to the Fund for Oneonta.

On Thursday, Nov. 9, the SUNY Oneonta Theatre Department presented "All in the Timing," a 20th century play written by American playwright David Ives. "All in the Timing" is a collection of one-act comedic plays featuring intellect and satire and won Ives the John Gassner Playwriting Award. Each act is uniquely different from one to the next in the original six plays, ranging from an awkward first date titled "Sure Thing" to "Variations on the Death of Trotsky." Eight more plays were later included in "All in the Timing," including a monologue about a man who believes he is an actual typewriter. The SUNY Oneonta production of "All in the Timing" was directed by Kiara Pipino, associate professor of acting, directing and movement. Students from the Mask and Hammer theatre club, an active and dynamic campus organization that promotes opportunities for students of all majors to become involved in theatre activities, played the role of 21 different characters. Other students involved in the production are part of the crew as stage and assistant stage managers, assistant director, sound designer, prop coordinator, painters, master electrician, costume crafts, wardrobe supervisor and several run crew members. "The Theatre Department decided on "All in the Timing" because the nature of the show will expose students to a different acting style and aesthetic than what they have been working on previously," said Pipino. "It is a way more stylized piece, too, which means the acting will need to take into consideration the design aspects of the production - as they become just as important in the storytelling as the text itself." Casting and initial rehearsals for "All in the Timing" began at the end of the spring 2023 semester. Assistant Technical Director and Theatrical Designer Nathan Elsener designed the scenery, and Technical Director, Production Manager and Theatrical Designer Scott Segar designed the lighting. Associate Professor of Theatrical Design Bethany Marx designed the costumes, and the role of "Jack" was played by Associate Professor of Philosophy Achim Koeddermann. "Because "All in the Timing" is not a full-length play, but rather a series of short plays with a similar kind of approach to style and acting, students could work on shorter pieces and really focus on details," said Pipino.

SUNY Oneonta Art and Design major Clayton Davis showcased his artwork in a solo exhibition titled "Vestiges" on campus from Oct. 17 to Nov. 11. A reception was held on Thursday, Nov. 9, from 4 to 6 p.m. in the Open Space Gallery at SUNY Oneonta. "Vestiges" was a solo exhibition about the "disintegration experienced throughout our lifetimes, be it through the decay of relationships with family and friends, a fading memory, or the slow degradation of a rock turning to sand," said Gallery Director Sarah Simpson. "These experiences can be found everywhere in the known universe, and it's important to realize this and celebrate it." Through his work, Davis aimed to show viewers personal and public examples of these occurrences so they could slowly begin to accept them and understand their "inherent beauty and relation to our shared human experience." From a painting of a fading childhood home memory to photographs of old barns slowly falling through disuse, he shows the mental, emotional and physical sides of this phenomenon.

SUNY Oneonta student Cymphani Hargrave received the Director's Choice award for her exhibited artwork titled "Grandpa" at the Fenimore Art Museum as part of the LEAF Art and Poetry Contest. Hargrave's piece, along with the rest of the work in the contest, was on display from Sept. 15 to Nov. 5, and an opening gala was held on Sept. 20. Every year, the Director's Choice award is received by one artist who exhibits their work in the Fenimore Museum. The award is given to an artist by the current director of the LEAF Art and Poetry Content, and the piece is chosen by how deeply it resonates with the director. "I've only recently begun to enjoy photography and hone my skills in that art form," said Hargrave. "I am proud and honored to be the recipient of the 2023 Director's Choice award." Hargrave's inspiration for "Grandpa" came from a visit to her grandfather's highrise apartment shortly after she began studying photography. To submit her piece, Hargrave worked alongside SUNY Oneonta Assistant Professor of Photography Wesley Bernard, whom she said, "is a big inspiration to me as a photographer." "When I visited my grandpa's home after I started studying photography, I began to appreciate the details I never noticed before," said Hargrave. "I walked onto the balcony, took notice of the exposed, cured concrete, and decided that that setting would become the backdrop for taking my family's portraits. I saw his home as a location to showcase the beauty of our family."

On Thursday, Oct. 26, the SUNY Oneonta Mask and Hammer Theatre Club performed "I & U," a play written by American playwright and screenwriter Lauren Gunderson. This play features two characters named Anthony and Caroline, and is recognized as an ode to youth, life, love and the strange beauty of human connectedness. One afternoon, Anthony arrives unexpectedly at classmate Caroline's door bearing a beat-up copy of Walt Whitman's Leaves of Grass, an urgent assignment from their English teacher. Homebound due to illness, Caroline hasn't been to school in months, but she is as quick and sardonic as Anthony is athletic, sensitive and popular. As these two let down their guards and share their secrets, this mundane poetry project unlocks a much deeper mystery that has brought them together. The production's director was SUNY Oneonta Theatre and Psychology dual-major Katelyn Litwak. The cast and rest of the production team were also SUNY Oneonta students. "I & U" has been in development by the Mask and Hammer Theatre Club since the spring of 2023. "I knew I wanted to direct a show, but I had no idea what show to propose," said Litwak. "I turned to the professors for advice, and one suggested I and You. The show was set to open in spring 2020, but it was canceled in March when everything shut down. The director at the time, Emily Kramer ('21), never got to see her vision for the show come to fruition. After reading the play myself, I instantly fell in love with it. Theme of finding the beauty in life through "the small stuff" really spoke to me, and the ideology was something that, I believe, we all need a reminder of." Additional students who helped produce the show include stage manager Sofia Delgado, costume designer Sarah Izzo, sound designer Jessy Gardner, lightning designer Lindsey McCreadie, props coordinator Jessica Davis, assistant stage manager Renee Hooper, "Caroline" actress Evelyn Winters and set designer Gabriel Gutierrez, who also played "Anthony." The production of "I & U" was performed in the Hamblin Theater at SUNY Oneonta from Thursday to Saturday, Oct. 26-28, at 7:30 p.m., and on Sunday, Oct. 29, at 2 p.m. Information about future shows performed by the Mask and Hammer Theatre Club and the SUNY Oneonta Theatre Department can be viewed online at https://suny.oneonta.edu/theatre-department/season-shows.

Two SUNY Oneonta students had their artwork on display at the Community Arts Network of Oneonta (CANO) as part of the "Hartwick X SUNY Oneonta Student Show." The exhibition was on view from Oct. 7, 2023, to Oct. 22, and a reception was held on Oct. 22, from 2 to 4 p.m. SUNY Oneonta students Victoria Villaverde and Clayton Davis had their artwork featured, while Hartwick featured several students. Both Villaverde and Davis are both Art and Design majors and will graduate in the spring of 2024. Both Villaverde and Davis have had their work on display in multiple exhibitions at SUNY Oneonta. The students had their work on view alongside an exhibition at CANO by artists Michael Asbill and Andrea Frank titled "Adopting to Tree Speed." The "Hartwick X SUNY Oneonta Student Show" was one of several exhibitions that featured artwork completed by SUNY Oneonta students. Many of these exhibitions are on display in the SUNY Oneonta art galleries on campus throughout the academic year.