The Oswego Alumni Podcast

What do training for an Iron Man and going for a PHD have in common? Chris McNally ‘97 a two-time Iron Man shares how lessons learned from failures make you a better athlete, teacher and grandfather.

In the latest episode of the Oswego Alumni Podcast, host Dee McGowan Perkins '85 chats with Dr. Thomas Mahl '80, Chief of Service, Gastroenterology at Erie County Medical Center in Buffalo, and Assistant Professor of Medicine, SUNY at Buffalo.

Dr. Mahl discusses his unexpected path from a disengaged high school student to a dedicated and successful physician and medical professor, and how a series of family medical issues helped to inspire his path.

Crediting Oswego and faculty emeriti Gus Silveira and Pearl Monroe for teaching him discipline; his professional mentors for instilling a sense of "calm competence" in his care for patients; his broadcaster father for his captivating speaking skills which helped earn him three Segal Awards for Teaching; and his humble beginnings for motivating him to pay it forward to current SUNY Oswego students in financial need -- Dr. Mahl's journey is an inspirational one! Tune in today to hear his story!

In this special episode of the Oswego Alumni Podcast, filmed on location at the SUNY Oswego WTOP studio, our host, Dee McGowan Perkins '85. speaks with alumni couple Peter '75 and Andrea Guglielmo Bocko '73 M'75, as they share how their Chemistry summer research project was a catalyst for their long and prosperous marriage, and how, bonded by gratitude for this experience which not only brought them together but prepared them for their careers, they were inspired to give back to their alma mater through the establishment of the Peter '75 and Andrea Guglielmo Bocko '73 M'75 Forever Award Endowed fund. This fund supports summer research opportunities for Oswego chemistry students, and a group of student scholars join in the discussion to share updates on their own research and how Peter and Andrea's generosity has had a transformative impact on their lives.

In this special episode of the Oswego Alumni Podcast, released in conjunction with the 2022 Dr. Lewis B. O'Donnell Media Summit, our host, Dee McGowan Perkins '85, chats with some of this year's alumni career connectors and panelists as they share how their time at Oswego impacted their careers in media and set them up for success, and what the Media Summit means to them.   Hear from Career Connectors Natalie Brophy '17, technology and startups reporter for the Buffalo News and Paul Esden Jr. '15, New York Jets digital reporter for Heavy.com, as well as Panelist Ade Ellis '04, associate director for CBS Sports. Plus, Dee gets a behind the scenes look at planning for this beloved campus event through a conversation with this year's event directors, Jenna Wilson '22 and Melinda Brancato '25.   This year's panel,  "Reaching for the Summit: Underrepresentation in Sports Media."  will take place Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2022 at 3 p.m. For more information, or to tune into the livestream, visit mediasummit.org.   The Dr. Lewis B. O'Donnell Media Summit was founded by Lou Borrelli '77 in 2005, and in 2007, Al Roker '76, joined as a co-sponsor of the event, which was named in memory of their beloved professor, the late Dr. Lewis B. O'Donnell.

Our host, Dee McGowan Perkins '85 kicks off a new "Reminiscing with Roomies" Oswego Alumni Podcast series by talking to her former Oz roommates, Wendy Cobdra '86, chief marketing and strategy officer at Girl Scouts of NYPENN and Wendy Feikert '87, educational sales consultant at School Source. Dee, Wendy C. and Wendy F. chat about old Oz roomies and the stories that go along with them, how their time at Oswego prepped them professionally and personally, and whether your major really does predict your future career path.   Are you still in touch with your Oz roommate? Interested in joining Dee to share your Oswego stories? Or, do you have another idea for a great future episode? Email us today at alumni@oswego.edu.

Tune in to our latest episode as host Dee McGowan Perkins ’85 chats with Cameron Jones '09, three-time Emmy-award winning producer and manager of development of integrated content strategy for race and culture at ABC News. During the conversation, Cameron discusses everything from how his time at Oswego prepared him for his career; to how he keeps his work-life balance in check; to his mentee relationship with Al Roker '76; to how he landed himself a private meeting with Barbara Walters!

On this episode of the Oswego Alumni Podcast, host Dee McGowan Perkins '85 sits down with Cherilyn Beckles '17. Cherilyn has a profound background in media production, working with companies such as YES Network, New York Film Academy, and most recently Buzzfeed.  

 Check out these links that highlight Cherilyn's terrific work!  

Cher's Email: beckles94@gmail.com   

Cher's Project: https://www.astoldbyblackwomen.com/   

Applications for fellowships: https://www.buzzfeed.com/about/jobs#job-listings  (this includes applications for fellowships)

On this episode of the Oswego Alumni Podcast, host Dee Perkins is joined by Jordan Sher ('77) who shares his experiences as a teacher, social worker, and most recently as an author. 

Check out Jordan's website here!

https://www.jordanstevensher.com/

On this edition of the Oswego Alumni Podcast, your host Dee Perkins interviews SUNY Oswego Alumni Trudy Perkins '93! Trudy has worked in television production, is a member of many non-profit organizations, and has worked admirably under the late Elijah Cummings within Maryland's 7th district. Enjoy!

On the second summer episode of the Oswego Alumni Podcast, host Dee McGowan Perkins '85 is joined by Tamar Greene '09.   

Tune in to hear Tamar reflect on his time at SUNY Oswego, and give an insight of what it is like to be a Broadway star during these uncertain times. 

  Enjoy!

The Oswego Alumni Podcast is back and better than ever! Check out our first ever video podcast (along with an audio version), as host Dee McGowan Perkins '85 meets with Marcus LaRobardiere '11 to talk about his career in public relations, while also reflecting on his time at SUNY Oswego.

Peter Melnick '13 is the host of the popular Marvel based podcast called The Marvelists. He joins Carl to talk about his roots at SUNY Oswego and what inspired him to start his podcast. Peter also tells the story behind his interview with Mark Ruffalo, who is known for his portrayal of The Hulk in the Marvel franchise.

In this final episode of the series, Carl brings on more recent alumni to talk about diversity at WNYO and the radio world, the station's current state, and what the plans are for WNYO moving forward. We are happy to welcome Rufaro Matumbo '12, Amna Sadique '20 and Jenn Robilotto '21. These guests have all had a strong impact on WNYO while they were at SUNY Oswego and are looking to use their experience to make a bigger impact out of college.

To submit your questions for future podcast attendees please email alumnipodcastwnyo@gmail.com or message us on social media @WNYO. ****The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Oswego Alumni Association, SUNY Oswego, or any of its officials.****

In the second of three parts of WNYO Through the Years, Dee Perkins '85 and Dana Murphy '99 join Carl to discuss the transition from WOCR to the current WNYO. This change occurred during the 1980s and 90s and is a massive part of Oswego State student media's history. Perkins owns her own marketing company in Central New York, "Bright Ideas CNY," and previously spent years as an on-air in the region. Murphy, on the other hand, has worked in sales for her entire career, with stops at Westwood One, Fox News Radio and is currently a sales manager at WideOrbit.

To submit your questions for future podcast attendees please email alumnipodcastwnyo@gmail.com or message us on social media @WNYO. ****The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Oswego Alumni Association, SUNY Oswego, or any of its officials.****

This month Carl spoke with Aida Almanzar '06 and Gabriel Almanzar '05 to discuss how their experiences at SUNY Oswego helped them become successful in their respective career paths. Aida graduated from Oswego's School of Business in 2006 and is the CEO and President of the Eastern School of Acupuncture and Traditional Medicine in Bloomfield, NJ which is the first school of acupuncture in the state. Gabriel graduated with his BFA in Graphic Design a year prior to Aida and is now a Supervising Art Director at CBS. He was been nominated for several Emmys and has even won one for his work on Super Bowl 50.  He maintains his relationship with professors and the school as a member of the SCMA Advisory Board. 

Both Aida and Gabriel give back to the campus community through the Almanzar Mentorship Award which provides support to students and allows them to get a "day in the life" experience where Gabriel shows them around the CBS Studios and provides them with insight to prepare for their future after Oswego.

To submit your questions for future podcast attendees please email alumnipodcastwnyo@gmail.com or message us on social media @WNYO.

****The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Oswego Alumni Association, SUNY Oswego, or any of its officials.**

In our second episode, Carl sat down with recent alum and fellow class of 2020 graduate Michael Russo to discuss life as a recent graduate during the COVID-19 crisis. Michael Russo was a member of SAVAC and is currently a licensed EMT working in the New York City area. He offers a unique perspective on the COVID-19 outbreak and lists a number of reasons why students should get involved with on-campus organizations and clubs. 

To submit your questions for future podcast attendees please email alumnipodcastwnyo@gmail.com or message us on social media @WNYO.

****The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Oswego Alumni Association, SUNY Oswego, or any of its officials.**

To celebrate our first episode and the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, Carl decided to sit down with Oswego State alumni Ken Froebig '72 and Greg Loan '71, two climate advocates, and organizers of the first Earth Day celebration on campus. In this episode, Carl discusses not only Ken and Greg's SUNY Oswego experience but also their misadventures during the summer of 1969 at the height of the Vietnam war protest movement. Be sure to tune in and find out what these two alumni got into over that summer and learn if there is any truth to a car being buried on campus. 

To submit your questions for future podcast attendees please email alumnipodcastwnyo@gmail.com or message us on social media @WNYO.

****The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Oswego Alumni Association, SUNY Oswego, or any of its officials.****