Classes paused, but learning didn’t.
On Sept. 21, SUNY Oneonta students stepped outside their regular class schedules to explore academic opportunities, serve their community and make new connections during the university’s first Grow, Thrive, Live (GTL) Day.
GTL Days are three strategically placed days during the Fall 2026 semester designed to create intentional space for learning, belonging, personal and professional development, and community. Rather than regular classes, the days feature activities that bring students and employees together in different ways.
The inaugural GTL Day, themed “Academic Exploration & Community,” centered around three major events that brought SUNY Oneonta’s mission—Grow Academically, Thrive Socially, Live Purposefully—to life.
Grow Academically
At the Academic Expo in Hunt Union, students explored opportunities across the university, visiting tables hosted by academic departments, programs and clubs.
Thanks to about 100 hands-on activities and interactive displays, students could learn about majors, research, study abroad, campus resources and other opportunities to shape their academic experience and discover paths they may not have considered. Red the Dragon mascot also made an appearance and posed for selfies with participants.
Thrive Socially
The afternoon brought a different kind of learning to the field outside of Alumni Field House, where students and employees competed side-by-side and against each other during the Red Dragon Games.
Sack races, a water balloon toss and an employee-versus-student tug-of-war were among the field-day-style activities designed to help Red Dragons have fun, meet new people and build community. The event also featured performances by Toxic Motion and TERPS.
Live Purposefully
SUNY Oneonta’s 9/11 Day of Service brought more than 100 students and employees together to turn remembrance into action through service on campus and throughout the Oneonta community.
Projects included cleaning up the Hunt Union pond, beautifying Oneonta’s West End, assembling hygiene kits for homeless shelters, writing letters of appreciation to veterans and first responders, and more. The students in SUNY Oneonta’s Empire State Service Corps helped organize and volunteer for experiences that aligned with their areas of specialty, including sustainability and food insecurity.
The effort carries a special connection to SUNY Oneonta. The national 9/11 Day organization was co-founded by alumnus Jay Winuk ’80 in memory of his brother, Glenn Winuk ’83, one of seven SUNY Oneonta alumni killed in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
“Even though I wasn’t alive when 9/11 happened, it still means a lot to me,” said student Lilly Jacobs, whose family members have served as veterans. “Today, I helped with the West Street cleanup and wrote thank you cards for veterans. It’s a way to give people a little boost and let them know that we appreciate them, whether they’re here in our community or anywhere else.”
Sept. 21 was the first of three GTL Days planned for the fall semester, each focused on a different part of the student experience. The Oct. 15 GTL Day will focus on Life After Graduation, while Nov. 3 will center on Scholarly and Creative Activities.
View photos from Grow Thrive Live Days
View photos from 911 Service Day Projects
Experience it through student eyes in this YouTube short as they volunteer for 9/11 National Day of Service, attend the Academic Expo, and participate in the Red Dragon Sports Festival.