DELHI, N.Y. (December 18, 2020) – The SUNY Delhi Athletics Department is privileged to wish longtime Administrative Assistant Lynn Oles a happy retirement! Oles spent the past 15-and-a-half years working at SUNY Delhi, with the last 14-and-a-half in the Athletics Department. Her final day of work is December 30.
"It has been my sincere pleasure to have worked with Lynn over the past 12-and-a-half years as the Director of Athletics," said Bob Backus. "She has been not only a tremendous ongoing asset to the success of our departmental operations but she's also a close friend and I wish her the best in her well-deserved next chapter of her life!"
Originally from Detroit, Mich., Lynn moved to Delhi in 1978 with her husband Steve Oles, a lifelong Delhi resident, where they raised three children. She worked several jobs in the local area prior to SUNY Delhi, including Delhi's Cannon Free Library, where she continues to work. Lynn arrived on campus in 2005 as an Administrative Assistant in the Financial Aid office. She joined the athletics staff the following year, serving under two Athletics Directors: Michael Spisto and Bob Backus. In that time, she helped facilitate several notable achievements, including SUNY Delhi hosting numerous national championship events, the creation of the Athletics Hall of Fame, and the college's transition to NCAA Division III.
Lynn's commitment and diligence to ensure the best care for every staff member and student set her to a standard all her own. She received the 2012-13 SUNY Chancellor's Award for Classified Service in recognition of her exemplary work. While Lynn's daily presence will be missed, her and Steve plan to stay in the Delhi area and continue to support the Broncos. Lynn says her retirement plans will consist of continuing her post at the Cannon Library, visiting the Delhi Farmer's Market every Wednesday, and attending mass regularly at Delhi's St. Peter's Church. Most importantly, Lynn will continue in her role as grandmother of five children.
The Athletics Staff celebrated Lynn's retirement last month with a small reception at The Ponds Restaurant and Bar in East Meredith. In the same fashion as our graduating student-athletes, the staff celebrated Lynn's send off with her own "Senior Day" recognition, coupled with introductory remarks, her own framed photo, and a gift basket. Keeping in the tradition of honoring a departing student-athlete's jersey number, Lynn was bestowed her office phone extension number: 4675.
"Lynn Oles is a dream employee. She has a tremendous work ethic, is always warm and friendly and has the best customer service skills I have ever encountered," said Associate Athletics Director Cathy Foto. "Lynn has been a dedicated SUNY Delhi employee and has helped make the work environment in our department warm and welcoming to all our student-athletes and staff. She is the ultimate team player, and she will be missed!"
On behalf of SUNY Delhi, we wish Lynn and Steve Oles the best of luck entering this new chapter of their lives, and we hope to see them soon at our next athletics event!
