This year, the Marano Campus Center celebrates its 10th birthday.
The campus center has grown into a social hub for many organizations since its grand opening in 2007. Everything ranging from the box office to The Compass, The Point and the college store can be found in the Campus Center.
Throughout the last 10 years, the campus center has experienced renovations under the college’s current president, Deborah F. Stanley.
The $25.5 million project resulted in some renovations to The Compass, which is for student services, The Point, for student involvement and the student media center. The student media center holds The Oswegonian newspaper, WNYO radio station and the TV station, WTOP. The academic departments including English, modern languages and philosophy can also be found in the center.
The name was changed to the Marano Campus Center in 2014 in honor of Nunzio “Nick” and Lorraine Marano. Lorraine Marano generously donated $7.5 million to the school, the largest private donation ever received in the 153 years of Oswego State history. Her gift established the Nunzio “Nick” C. and Lorraine E. Marano Endowment, to scholarships for students in need of financial help.
According to the College Board, “In 2014-15, about two-thirds of full-time students paid for college with the help of financial aid in the form of grants and scholarships.” This money was used to help many degree-seeking students get the education they needed.
Alumni have felt the impact the Marano Campus Center has made by becoming the heart of campus. Lynn Zagorski, part of the class of 1990, said when she attended Oswego State the Marano Campus Center had not been built. The building that the center replaced was the Swetman/Poucher complex.
The Marano Campus Center is the first new building on Oswego’s campus in 35 years.
“I truly do think having set locations would have provided more visibility of what was available to me,” Zagorski said. Although Zagorski was very involved during her time here, she said most of the activities she was involved with were related to her major. The Point, which is found inside the Marano Campus Center,allows students to be able to see all the options that are available.
Zagorski said her favorite aspect of being part of the Oswego State community was, “the diversity of the people, their backgrounds and varied experiences.” By joining clubs at school, students have the ability to be introduced to new people and cultures. The Marano Campus Center allows students easy access to clubs and organizations where they can expand their horizons.
