Only the past eight alumni profiles are listed here.  To see previous Alumni Profiles, click here!

Faculty Profile: Dr. Arthur Palmer

Reflections Fall 2009

Career at SUNY Oneonta:
Hired as Assistant Professor of Geology in 1967, retired as SUNY
Distinguished Teaching Professor in 2005

Residence:
Oneonta, NY

What I Remember Most About My Career At Oneonta:
Although I was supposed to be the teacher, I learned as much from my courses as any of my students. Establishing the Water Resources major was the biggest thrill. It was the first of its kind in the SUNY system and one of only a handful in the East. It allowed me to branch in unexpected directions such as geochemistry, hydraulics, and computer programming. Water Resources students took the lead in locating water-well sites for the City of Oneonta and assessing the performance of the wells. It was a special honor to work with them and to follow their careers after graduation.

Why Peggy And I Support The College Financially:
My career at Oneonta gave me a chance to grow from a shy nervous kid to a widely respected professor, researcher, and author. I was able to pursue my own research interests without concern for their impact on my professional advancement. Peggy and I interacted a great deal with my students, especially on field projects, and in many ways we consider them part of our family. We want to give something in return. We benefited from financial aid through our own undergraduate and graduate-school years, and this is simply a way to pass that benefit on to others.

What We Hope The College Will Be Like In The Future:
We hope SUNY Oneonta continues to be a place that students and faculty can call home, and where they work together for the sheer joy of it; where they share new experiences first-hand, pushing boundaries beyond what they thought was  possible – and are not simply bystanders whose link with the world is merely electronic.

Dr. Arthur Palmer and his wife, Peggy, have endowed the Scholarship for Excellence in Water Resources, Geology and Earth Sciences.

Alumni Profile: Hugh and Julie Vano O'Toole '87

Reflections Summer 2009

Career:
Hugh: Senior Vice President of Distribution and Client Management, Mass Mutual Retirement Services
Julie: Teacher and Homemaker

Residence:
Madison, CT

How Our Oneonta Education Benefited Us Most:
Oneonta was a place where we grew academically, but more importantly, we grew in self-confidence. Like many of our friends, we found our partners for life.

What We Remember Most About Our Oneonta Years:
We think often of the quality of our friendships. Oneonta provided a safe environment to learn and to grow. We remember the kindness of our professors and all of the Oneonta family.

Why We Established Our Scholarship:
Hugh’s brother, Chris, and 12-year-old niece, Erin, were killed by a drunk driver five years ago. We thought that it would be awesome to create, in their name, a scholarship that would benefit students who could use a helping hand. We hope that the scholarship will make us all think about the personal responsibility involved in drinking and driving. Two beautiful family members were taken away from us through one terrible decision.

Through their gifts to the College at Oneonta Foundation, Hugh and Julie have endowed the Hugh and Julie O’Toole ’87 Scholarship in Memory of Erin O’Toole, which is presented to a deserving student in the Educational Opportunity Program.

Alumni Profile: Mary Piscatella Dacquino ’80
Reflections Winter 2009

Career:
Self employed since 1991
Founder and Proprietor of SeasonS at Calmore, an antique interior design shop located on the grounds of the 1812 Federal estate she restored with her husband, David.

Residence:
Dunstable, MA

How My Oneonta Education Benefitted Me Most:
While at Oneonta, I was uncertain on which direction I would take after school. I took an abundance of courses in the liberal arts but concentrated on communications and writing. I figured that no matter what field I entered, the ability to write and speak well would be paramount to any success. I received that important foundation at Oneonta, and it has served me well.

What I Remember Most About My Oneonta Years:
My fondest memory of my years at Oneonta would probably be the hours spent with fellow students and professors at the Fitzelle coffee shop (where I also worked) discussing ideas, life’s goals, and dreams in that relaxed atmosphere. Also, the many late nights working on Mask and Hammer productions is a close second.

Why I Financially Support the College:
I have been a supporter (at times on a very small scale) of the College since I left school. I am forever grateful that I was able to receive a high-quality undergraduate education at a very affordable cost. Since my graduation in 1980, college costs have escalated cumulatively. It is so important to share your successes with the institutions that gave you that head start. My husband and I are both firm believers in giving back; we support ASU (his alma mater) in the same way. I am thrilled to know that SUNY Oneonta ranks very high in alumni support.

What I Hope the College Will Be Like in the Future:
I hope that SUNY Oneonta will continue to maintain its reputation as a learning institution that embraces diversity of thought and that teaches future generations that giving back to this world, in career and life choices, is all that really matters.

Mary Piscatella Dacquino and her husband, David, have established an endowed scholarship for Environmental Sciences majors through the College at Oneonta Foundation. They have also included a bequest in their will to add to their endowed scholarship.

Alumni Profile: Philip M. Carpenter '64, '67G
Reflections Fall 2008

Career:
Middle School Social Studies Teacher and Department Chair (retired), Bay Shore High School;
Tutor for Bay Shore students

Residence:
Bay Shore, NY

How My Oneonta Education Benefitted Me Most:
The broad and affordable education I received at Oneonta certified me to teach at the elementary and secondary levels. I was able to earn a satisfying living as a teacher and to raise four children while enjoying my profession.

What I Remember Most About My Oneonta Years:
I recall many of the ideas presented to me in courses, and I later used them myself with students. The instructors I fondly think of are ELB Curtis, Dr. Fink, Dr. Brenner, Dr. Brush, Mrs. Kellerhouse, Dr. Whittaker, Mr. Shannon, Miss Francis, and Miss Hobbie. Most importantly, I remember Mr. McVinney and Mr. Bundy, admissions officers, who saw more potential in me than my grades showed and thought I could be successful because I was an Eagle Scout who liked to earn money and invest it.

Why I Financially Support the College:
I have established four endowed scholarships in the College at Oneonta Foundation so that there will always be a student from Bay Shore attending Oneonta at each class level. Education is an important key for success, and my aiding my adopted hometown students is one way of returning the kindness and opportunities Oneonta provided me almost half a century ago.

What I Hope the College Will Be Like in the Future:
For the future, I hope Oneonta will continue to admit all who deserve a chance, give students an excellent education in their chosen areas of study, and assist those in need of financial aid.

Phil Carpenter has generously endowed four scholarships in the College at Oneonta Foundation to benefit graduates of Bay Shore High School who attend our College, with a preference to students with financial need.

Alumni Profile: Steven Edelstein '79
Reflections Summer 2008

Career:
Fixed Income Portfolio Manager and Partner at GMO, a global investment management firm

Residence:
Lincoln, MA  

How My Oneonta Education Benefitted Me Most:
Oneonta provided me with a high-quality education and the tools I needed to succeed and grow.  I was especially grateful for the opportunity to do independent studies in close association with my professors in areas of most interest to me.

What I Remember Most About My Oneonta Years:
My fondest memories are of the people and friends I made, my time spent as a disc jockey at WONY, and the great times I had.

Why I Financially Support the College:
Oneonta helped me discover what I enjoy doing and made me successful.  I want to help the College help others do the same.  I enjoy knowing I am helping future generations of students.

What I Hope the College Will Be Like in the Future:
I hope Oneonta retains the small-school feel and continues to provide opportunities limited only by the scope and imagination of its students and faculty.

Through his generous gifts to the College at Oneonta Foundation, Steven Edelstein '79 has endowed a scholarship in honor of Dr. Foster L. Brown, Professor Emeritus of Psychology.  The scholarship is awarded to a sophomore or junior of high academic achievement who has declared a major in Economics, Mathematics, Statistics, or Psychology and who plans to pursue a course of study involving applied quantitative methods and/or experimental research design.

Alumni Profile: Jay Jacobs '77
Reflections Winter 2008

Career:
CEO of TLC Family of Camps and
Nassau County Democratic Chairman

Residence:
Laurel Hollow, NY

How My Oneonta Education Benefitted Me Most:
My education at Oneonta formed the foundation for continued learning and growth.  My years at Oneonta provided me with a high-quality academic education along with enhanced self-confidence as I entered the next stage of my life.

What I Remember Most About My Oneonta Years:
I enjoyed being a part of the Student Association and the opportunity I had to get to know and work with the administration and a host of faculty members.  I made some great friends at Oneonta.

Why I Financially Support the College:
It’s important to give back.  It is always easy to underestimate the difficulties some people endure finding the money to afford an education like the one I got at Oneonta. I want to help ensure that no one is deprived of the experience I had, simply because they could not afford it.

What I Hope the College Will Be Like in the Future:
I hope the College will continue to grow in quality while remaining the “small” school that enabled me to get the personal attention from faculty members that I felt was so beneficial.

Through his generous gift to the College at Oneonta Foundation, Jay Jacobs ’77 has endowed a full-tuition scholarship for a student attending the College at Oneonta who has financial need, with a preference to a student from Long Island.

Alumni Profile: Janet Perna '70
Reflections Fall 2007

Career:
General Manager (retired)
Information Management Solutions, IBM Software Group (retired)

Residence:
Stamford, CT, and Incline Village, NV

How My Oneonta Education Benefitted Me Most:
Oneonta provided me with a solid education that went well beyond my major.   My exposure to areas like the humanities, psychology, communications, and world affairs has served me well in business and in life.  

What I Remember Most About My Oneonta Years:
During my years at Oneonta, I was fortunate enough to be a member of both the women's tennis and swim teams.  My fondest memories are of the people whom I met and the camaraderie that we shared.

Why I Financially Support the College:
I hope that by helping to support the College financially, we can continue to improve the quality of education and the college experience.  At the same time, through the scholarship that I am sponsoring, I hope I can help make it possible for others to take an important step towards achieving their aspirations.

What I Hope the College Will Be Like in the Future:
Over the last 10 years, Oneonta has gone through a tremendous transformation in raising the bar for incoming freshmen and attracting even more top-notch faculty.  I hope that this continuous improvement of the quality of education will go on while the College continues to provide students with a well rounded education and wonderful small-campus experience.

Through her generous gift to the College at Oneonta Foundation, Janet Perna established The Janet Perna ’70 Women in Technology Scholarship to encourage other women to pursue degrees in biology, chemistry, earth sciences, mathematics, computer science, statistics, physics, or secondary education in one of those fields.

Career:
Chair of College at Oneonta Council
Emeritus faculty member and administrator, College at Oneonta
Former Mayor of Oneonta and Chair of the Otsego County Board of Representatives

Residence:
Oneonta, NY

How I Came to Work at the College:
After graduation, I taught in the public schools for several years.  In 1960, Drs. Brush and Fink invited me to become a candidate for a newly-created position in social studies supervision.  I accepted, and in subsequent years I served as College Registrar, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, and Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs before retiring in 1993.

Why I Financially Support the College:
Not a day goes by that I do not think of the College and how fortunate I was to have been educated here among many professors who were my early mentors and remained my friends and supporters as I progressed through a professional career.  These attitudes are priceless, and they endure today.  Fortunately, at the same time, the College community—faculty, alumni, staff, and current students—were heavily involved in mustering greater financial support for the College.  Initially, my part was to support the annual fundraising efforts; then we, Lois and I, committed to an endowed scholarship in my name for Political Science majors.  We have had the pleasure of meeting the students who receive the scholarship, and it gives us great satisfaction and joy to see how we have made an impact on the lives of these young people.  As we began to think of retirement, we thought of how we could “give back” more in the future.  We looked into the various options in estate planning and decided to leave a specific amount in our will as an unrestricted bequest to the College at Oneonta Foundation.  We shall continue to support the College as a way to say “Well done, Oneonta.  Over the last 50 years you have excelled.  Your future is bright, indeed!”

What I Hope the College Will Be Like in the Future:
When one has a half-century perspective, many changes, events, and influences can be seen. This institution has seen growth on many fronts, including physical plant, curriculum, volunteerism, and internships—all contributing to the Oneonta academic experience—marked by a caring faculty that not only shares its knowledge, but also says, “You have made a great decision. Oneonta welcomes you.” I would like to see these attitudes and values continued, as I believe they will be, and the 50 fifty years have been testimony to how it can be accomplished. My hope is that all graduates will look back during their lives and say, “Thanks, College at Oneonta. You really cared.”hough we look back with nostalgia on our days at Oneonta, we’re very excited to watch the College become more selective and competitive academically.  Our combined career experiences in management, human resources, recruiting, and training have made us appreciate the value of academic achievement, commitment, and work ethic more than ever.  As the quality of education at Oneonta continues to improve, so too will the caliber of young adults who graduate and move on to successful careers like the ones we’ve enjoyed.

By virtue of their estate planning to benefit the College at Oneonta Foundation, Dr. David Brenner and Mrs. Lois Brenner are members of the Netzer Planned Giving Society, a roster of which appears in the Spring 2007 issue of Reflections.