The Oswego Alumni Podcast

🎙️ In this powerful and emotional episode, host Dee Perkins (1985) talks with Jim Grismer (Class of 1989), a retired New York City firefighter whose life journey from SUNY Oswego to Ground Zero—and beyond—is a testament to service, legacy, and lasting friendships.Jim opens up about his family's deep firefighting roots, his personal experience with 9/11—including losing close friends and colleagues—and how those events shaped his life's mission. He also shares the story behind the Free and Easy Forever Memorial on the Oswego campus, a tribute to alumni lost in the 9/11 attacks and the Pan Am Flight 103 tragedy over Lockerbie.🏫 Jim reflects on his transformative time at Oswego, the lifelong bonds he formed, and the healing power of reunion. His work with the Tunnel to Towers Foundation and the 9/11 Mobile Exhibit ensures the stories of the fallen are never forgotten.💬 Topics include:The legacy of firefighting in Jim’s family 👨‍🚒A life-changing shift swap on 9/11Honoring fallen Oswego alumni: Lynne Hartunian ’89 and Colleen Brunner ’90, two victims of 1989’s Pan Am Flight 103, and Michael Hannan ‘89 and Richard Caproni ‘89, both victims of the Sept. 11 attacksThe connections that made the Free and Easy Forever Memorial happenThe unforgettable 2015 Oswego reunion and dedication ceremonyJim’s son, Thomas Michael, continuing the legacy as a Marine training to be a crash rescue firefighterThe enduring bond of Oswego classmates ❤️📍 Whether you're an Oswego alum, a first responder, or someone who values the power of community, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.🔗 SUBSCRIBE for more inspiring stories from SUNY Oswego alumni.#SUNYOswego #OswegoAlumniPodcast #911NeverForget #FDNY #TunnelToTowers #FreeAndEasyMemorial #OswegoAlumni #Lockerbie #FirstResponders #OswegoReunion

Ever wondered what it takes to turn a struggling campus café into a thriving student-run business? ☕📈 In this episode, we sit down with Bradley Zieman, the first-ever CEO of Rich N Pour Café, to hear how he, a team of amazing students and an Assistant Dean of the Business School helped transform a floundering coffee shop into a successful operation at SUNY Oswego’s School of Business.

From rebranding and restructuring the board to balancing marketing creativity with strict financial oversight (yes, every pump of syrup gets counted!), Bradley shares the challenges and triumphs of leading a team of student entrepreneurs.

Discover how the café shifted its marketing approach to better connect with its core student audience, the bold experiments behind their drink creations, and the leadership lessons learned along the way. If you love coffee, business, or just a great underdog story, this one's for you!

☕ Follow Rick N Pour Café on Social Media:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rich.n.pour/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rich_n_pour

📩 Email Bradley at bradzieman@gmail.com

From bagging groceries in Buffalo to managing her own Wegmans store in Rochester, Chrissy Kreber has held almost every position at Wegmans. A former Student Association president, and die-hard Buffalo Bills fan, she believes Wegmans’ family-first culture is the key to its success and her 20+ year career with the company. Chrissy's role as store manager not only gives her a wide view of all of the store operations, she also gets involved in the community including stepping in to replace stolen Christmas gifts for needy children at a Rochester nonprofit.

Chrissy shares career insights, behind-the-scenes stories, and what makes this Upstate NY institution so special. Plus, get the inside scoop on some of her favorite Wegmans food items!

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Jen Knapp, Dean of the School of Communication, Media, and the Arts (SCMA), to dive into the exciting updates at SUNY Oswego. From the $80M renovation of Hewitt Hall to the vision of an "Arts Corridor," Dr. Knapp shares the plans, progress, and purpose behind this transformative project.We explore the innovative spaces coming to life: state-of-the-art production studios, a VR suite, a podcasting space, and a reimagined collaborative core designed to inspire creativity and interdisciplinary connections. Dr. Knapp also discusses the evolving curriculum in response to industry shifts, the integration of AI on campus, and how SCMA is preparing students for the changing media landscape.

Whether you’re an alum reminiscing about the ballroom or a prospective student curious about the future of Communication and The Arts at Oswego, this episode hosted by Dee Perkins '85 offers a glimpse into the exciting developments that are shaping the campus and its programs.🎧 Tune in on your favorite podcast platform to hear how SCMA is redefining creativity, collaboration, and education for the next generation!

Join host Dee Perkins on the Oswego Alumni Podcast as she chats with today’s inspiring guest, Tim Mollen. Tim began acting at the age of 5 playing Groucho Marx, then went on to graduate from Oswego with a double major in Theatre and Communication Studies. He was a founder of the Oswego improv troupe "The Shaun Cassidy Fan Club" which led to confusion when people asked about his love of "The Hardy Boys." Tim’s resume includes “Betrayed” for Investigation Discovery Channel, the movie “I Believe in Santa,” and even playing Chris Martin’s dad in Coldplay’s “Champion of the World” music video. Tim’s full comedic personality can be seen in the music video for the song "How High" by the band The Record Company. This episode goes beyond Tim's career highlights; he opens up about the personal journey of caregiving for his mother and the powerful choice to pause his career to prioritize family. Listen in for an honest, heartwarming conversation on resilience, creativity, and the sacrifices we make for the ones we love.

Join Brett and Jon, co-founders of Talent Partners, as they share the journey that led their staffing agency to earn a spot on Inc. magazine’s list of the fastest-growing private companies. With a shared vision and complementary skills—Brett’s physics background and Jon’s expertise in business—they bring unique insights to their success story. In this episode, they discuss the challenges and rewards of transitioning from employees in staffing to running their own agency, the importance of teamwork, and how they’ve grown Talent Partners into a company whose advantage is prioritizing knowing their clients and their applicants so they can make a perfect match . Plus Brett talks about the book he created while taking an Oswego Marketing Class that helped him start his first company.

Join your host Dee Perkins, Class of 1985 to hear about how Brett and Jon’s friendship that began on the Lacrosse team, turned into a thriving business, and how the power of teamwork and community—whether in college or in business—continues to drive their success forward.

In this episode of the Oswego Alumni Podcast, host Dee McGowan Perkins Class of 1985, sits down with Mike Frazer, Class of 1979, a legendary radio disc jockey who has spent over 34 years at 94.5 3WS in Pittsburgh. Join us as we uncover Mike's journey from Oswego to becoming a fixture in Pittsburgh radio. In this engaging conversation, we explore Mike's decision to attend Oswego, his early days at WOCR, and the inspirations that fueled his passion for radio broadcasting. Discover the humorous anecdotes from his career, reflecting on the evolution of radio and the challenges and excitement it brings. He also highlights his charitable work and reflects on the importance of community and maintaining connections. Mike offers advice to aspiring radio professionals, emphasizing the value of staying adaptable and following one's passion.

In our latest episode, join host Dee McGowan Perkins '85 as she sits down with a remarkable entrepreneur and Oswego alum, Nick Moore, Class of 2010. Nick's journey began with the bold decision to start his own insurance agency immediately after graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Marketing. Since then, he's garnered multiple industry awards and recently relocated his agency to Central New York. Join us as Nick shares his origin story, detailing how he chose Oswego and the courses that ignited his entrepreneurial spirit. He recounts the pivotal influence of a family friend's union experience, which shaped his commitment to community and service. Hear firsthand about this pivotal decision made during the COVID-19 pandemic and its implications for his expanding business.  Discover the complexities Nick faces in his industry—from staffing and training to navigating rapid technological advancements. Don't miss this inspiring episode with Nick Moore. 

In this episode of the Oswego Alumni Podcast join host Dee McGowan Perkins '85 as she sits down with Coach Jason Leone, a powerhouse figure in Division III basketball. Jason is the 17th basketball coach to direct Oswego's program. During his time at Oswego, Coach Leone has crafted a legacy of success, boasting the most wins in any eight-year period in program history and holding the top spot for total wins in the East Region. Throughout their conversation, Coach Leone shares insights into the multifaceted world of coaching, from team dynamics and media relations to off-season training camps in Syracuse and the intricacies of summer recruiting. Hear firsthand about the dedication and sacrifices involved, including the unwavering support of his family, pivotal to his achievements both on and off the court. This episode offers a deep dive into the passion and perseverance that define Coach Jason Leone's remarkable career. Discover the behind-the-scenes stories that shape the Oswego Lakers' ongoing success.

In our latest episode of the Oswego Alumni Podcast, our host, Dee McGowan Perkins '85 speaks with Donna Goldsmith '82. Named by Forbes as Second Most Powerful Woman in Sports, Donna served as a top-tier executive for some of the biggest sports brands in the world -- from the NBA, WWE, and Tough Mudder, and was General Manager of the 2014 Super Bowl. 

Tune in as Donna shares experience from her incredible career, including working at the NBA while Michael Jordan set the basketball world on fire; moving to the home of Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson at the WWE; working for the legendary sports moguls David Stern and Vince McMahon; lessons she's carried throughout her career from her first post-college job at Revlon; and how the journey all began at Oz!

In our latest episode of the Oswego Alumni Podcast, our host, Dee McGowan Perkins '85, speaks with current students Natalie Barden '24 and Jolie Santiago '24 about the details of the first-of-its-kind WTOP broadcast that has everyone talking. The very first all women's WTOP broadcast of the Oswego Lakers Men's Hockey team came together in February, and not only did the student team put together an amazing group of 21 women to showcase the Men's Hockey program's 1,000th victory -- but they also reached out to WTOP alumnae who peppered the broadcast with congratulatory videos. Jolie and Natalie were the two WTOP seniors who put this groundbreaking broadcast together, and we also find out what their plans are for life after graduation.

Dee Perkins '85 interviews the Event Director and Assistant Director of The Dr. Lewis B. O’Donnell 2023 Media Summit.  Katie Karlen (2025) and Kate Salamida (2025) talk about everything that goes into organizing a huge event.  And one of the panelists for the event, Christy Somers talks about working in the production side of unscripted television shows.  Her expertise on how to turn freelance work into a career will help all the students attending the event.  Christy is currently working on the unscripted series "Help I'm in a Secret Relationship" for MTV, but has also worked on shows that were broadcast on TLC, A+E, HGTV, Cooking Channel, Food Network, Travel Channel, and more.  She talks about how creating a network of colleagues within the industry can pay off in positions with other shows.

In our latest episode of the Oswego Alumni Podcast, our host, Dee McGowan Perkins '85, speaks with Marty Lindenmayer '79, a retired Navy captain and retired senior intelligence officer with the United States Defense Intelligence Agency, and currently an adjunct professor at Western Connecticut State University. 

Marty reflects on his life of service to our country, and to his students as a professor and a mentor, and now as a candidate for Selectman in his town of Kent, Connecticut. Marty shares stories related to combat missions following the September 11 terrorist attacks and his briefings to dozens of U.S. Presidents and their staff throughout his long career. 

A two-time recipient of the Defense Meritorious Service Award, The Legion of Merit Award and the Navy Meritorious Award, along with numerous NATO, Defense, Navy and Theater Combat ribbons and awards, Marty's dedication to his country and community are an inspiration. 

In our latest episode of the Oswego Alumni Podcast, our host, Dee McGowan Perkins '85 speaks with Earl Bellinger '12, astrophysicist and postdoctoral research fellow at the Max Planck Institute for Astrophysics in Germany, instructor at Yale University and Rock Musician. 
Earl discusses how the study of variable star data impacts important health and environmental decisions here on Earth;  the endless limitations and capabilities of A.I.; whether aliens are real, what the sounds of the sun can tell us; and why astrophysicists tend to be fantastic musicians.

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.****