Âé¶čÆ””ÀUniversity News Fri, 23 May 2025 17:59:09 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.6.2 Âé¶čÆ””ÀUniversity, Lockerbie Academy Reimagine Partnership, Strengthen Bond /blog/2025/05/23/syracuse-university-lockerbie-academy-reimagine-partnership-strengthen-bond/ Fri, 23 May 2025 14:03:59 +0000 /?p=210563 Âé¶čÆ””ÀUniversity and Lockerbie Academy are renewing and strengthening their longstanding partnership through a reimagined initiative that will bring Lockerbie students to Âé¶čÆ””Àfor a full academic year. This enhanced program deepens the bond between the two communities, forged in the aftermath of the Pan Am Flight 103 terrorist attack on Dec. 21, 1988, which claimed 270 lives—including 35 Âé¶čÆ””ÀUniversity students studying abroad in London and Florence.

Beginning in the Fall 2026 semester, two students from Lockerbie Academy will be selected each year to receive the Lockerbie Scholarship. Recipients will be chosen by a joint committee of Âé¶čÆ””ÀUniversity and Lockerbie Academy representatives, using elevated selection criteria based on rigorous academic standards. The selected students will demonstrate academic excellence and a deep understanding of the Pan Am Flight 103 tragedy, which continues to shape both communities.

“This new and revitalized partnership with Lockerbie Academy honors the memory of those lost in the terrorist attack, while also supporting the educational aspirations of Lockerbie students,” says Lois Agnew, interim vice chancellor, provost and chief academic officer. “Our new approach preserves the program’s most cherished traditions while ensuring we bring students to campus who are prepared to fully engage with the academic, co-curricular and extra-curricular opportunities Âé¶čÆ””Àoffers.”

Brian Asher, headteacher at Lockerbie Academy, says: “Âé¶čÆ””ÀUniversity has, since the terrible events of Dec. 21, 1988, held a special place in the heart of Lockerbie. We re-forge our bond in honor of all those who were lost that night. We act forward in their memory. I am excited to work with our Âé¶čÆ””ÀUniversity colleagues on behalf of the Academy as we build on our shared past, towards a shared future.”

The University and Lockerbie Academy anticipate the renewed collaboration will continue through at least 2028, aligning with the 40th anniversary of the Lockerbie Scholarship Program and its enduring impact on both communities.

Although there will be no Lockerbie Scholars on campus during the 2025-26 academic year, Âé¶čÆ””Àwill welcome a group of 10 students and two sponsors from Lockerbie Academy in October 2025 for Remembrance Week.

“Their visit will both commemorate Remembrance Week and celebrate the strong and ongoing bond between Lockerbie and Âé¶čÆ””ÀUniversity,” Agnew says.

]]> Expert Available to Discuss DOD Acceptance of Qatari Jet /blog/2025/05/22/expert-available-to-discuss-dod-acceptance-of-qatari-jet/ Thu, 22 May 2025 16:02:27 +0000 /?p=210546 If you’re a reporter covering the U.S. Department of Defense’s acceptance of a luxury jet from Qatar, , adjunct professor at Âé¶čÆ””ÀUniversity’s Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, is available for interviews. Please see his comments below. To schedule an interview, contact Vanessa Marquette, media relations specialist, at vrmarque@syr.edu.

Person smiling at camera with library in background.“Yesterday’s report that the Air Force’s plans to take on the challenge of transforming a Qatari plane into Air Force One (known as the VC-25B) for President Trump’s travel this year, there is little more the Air Force can do besides a paint job and installation of an updated communications suite—both of which would fall dangerous short of the known communications, security, and survivability requirements of a presidential jet.

Even the painting scheme (known as livery) serves a purpose, as dark blue color of Trump preferred livery was assessed to absorb added heat compared to the traditional Air Force One colors, and that such heat could disrupt certain commercial components and thus require additional certification and testing.

For normal presidents, such an aircraft would be retrofitted to provide similar capabilities to the White House situation room, along with an aerial refueling capability, hardened communications, and equipment designed to resist nuclear radiation and transmit classified information at the highest possible level. That doesn’t even include defensive countermeasure modifications not needed for a commercial aircraft. Given the regular maintenance costs, it seems like the Qataris couldn’t afford to keep the plane themselves and thus gifting it to Trump was a way to get it off their hands.

Given this administration’s cavalier treatment of security protocols surrounding highly classified information as evidenced by the Signal fiasco, it’s likely that the Air Force will be asked to cut corners and modify security and survivability requirements to allow Trump to fly in the garish gold-plated luxury he so desperately seeks. But Americans are going to have to foot the bill to provide even these minimal upgrades to Trump’s “Bribery Class” airlift requirements while he’s in office. And with reports that the jet will be gifted to a Trump presidential library potentially before he leaves, it sure seems like he’s planning to stiff taxpayers the same way he ripped off plumbers, painters, and bartenders at his clubs when he was in business.

What makes this saga even more inexplicable is that the VC-25B Boeing replacement contract is the one Trump personally intervened in to negotiate in his first term and that earlier this year, an Air Force official noted that with some modifications to requirements, the VC-25B presential jet could be delivered by 2027.”

]]> Snapshots From Route 66: One Student’s Journey to Newhouse LA /blog/2025/05/22/snapshots-from-route-66-one-students-journey-to-newhouse-la/ Thu, 22 May 2025 15:32:15 +0000 /?p=210516
malcolm standing next to car.

Malcolm Taylor ’26 prepares to embark on a 2,000 mile trip on Route 66 to get to LA Newhouse program. (Photo by Malcolm’s dad Garland Taylor.)

“If you ever plan to travel west, travel my way, take the highway that’s the best.” It’s been nearly 80 years since Nat King Cole uttered the now famous lyrics, “Get your kicks on Route 66,” but still to this day long distance drivers are enjoying the ride along this historic byway. The trip was recently (and safely) completed by Newhouse student Malcolm Taylor ’26, a rising senior majoring in photography with a minor in art photography from Chicago, the terminus of Route 66.

St. Louis Arch

The Arch of St. Louis as Taylor passed through Missouri on the second day of his journey.

Taylor is in Los Angeles this summer taking part in the and decided to take the 2,000 mile drive in his silver 2018 Buick Regal to get there. Taylor’s field of study created a great photographic opportunity, and he shared some of the images with Âé¶čÆ””ÀUniversity News.

cloudy sky at dusk

According to Taylor, “It was dark by the time I got to Tulsa. But as the sun set, I was astounded by Oklahoma’s multicolor sunset. One of the prettiest I’ve seen!”

“This trip was much more than transportation to LA,” says Taylor, who comes from a family of road trippers. “My dad is a self-described nomad. We’ve driven to Maine, Florida, New Orleans, there and back again, and I loved every minute of it. I’ve always dreamed of completing the Route 66 drive, Chicago to LA, solo. It’s been my goal ever since I was a kid. This trip is the culmination of all of those hours spent in the car watching my dad not just transport us, but show me the real America.”

Malcolm Taylor photo

As Taylor notes, “arriving in Amarillo, Texas, I was floored by the beauty of the sunlight pouring through my hotel window. I used to opportunity to create a mysterious self-portrait.”

During his journey, Taylor made a stop in New Mexico to visit his high school art teacher who is building a home in the desert.

Man in front of house frame

In New Mexico, Taylor met up with his high school photography teacher Benjamin Jaffe. For the past two years Jaffe has been building a home in the middle of the New Mexico desert.

The side trip allowed him to capture incredible photos of the other worldly landscape.

New Mexico landscape

Taylor visited his high school art teacher along the way. “After telling me stories of rattlesnakes and mice with the Hantavirus, Jaffe took me up to a beautiful vista where I made this portrait of a rock face at dusk.”

His trip overall was “filled with trials and tribulations,” including a needed tire repair on day one and a slight wrong way turn on day two, but overall Taylor described the drive and stops along the way as an incredibly rewarding experience.

Cars on lonely road.

A roadside stop along Route 66 in New Mexico at sunset.

“Honestly, I wouldn’t change a thing,” he says, adding that “I’m proud of overcoming these obstacles and learning from them.” A true sign that this trip was about the journey as much as the destination.

]]> Âé¶čÆ””ÀUniversity 2025-26 Budget to Include Significant Expansion of Student Financial Aid /blog/2025/05/21/syracuse-university-2025-26-budget-to-include-significant-expansion-of-student-financial-aid/ Wed, 21 May 2025 20:00:20 +0000 /?p=210512 Âé¶čÆ””ÀUniversity today announced a major investment in student financial support as part of its 2025-26 budget, allocating more than $391 million to financial aid, scholarships, grants and related assistance. This represents a 7% increase over last year and reflects the University’s deepening commitment to expanding educational access and opportunity.

“Our continued investment in financial aid ensures that students from all backgrounds can thrive here—academically, personally and professionally,” says Ryan Williams, vice president for enrollment services. “With a record-breaking number of applications this year, we look forward to welcoming one of our most exceptional incoming classes yet.”

The Board of Trustees recently approved the following rates for tuition, room and board, and fees:

  • tuition for full-time undergraduates will be $66,580;
  • the average room rates for most full-time new and returning undergraduates will be $11,000;
  • the Orange Unlimited meal plan that offers greater value and flexibility is now $8,120;
  • the student activity fee will be $219;
  • the residential internet and cable access and service fees will remain the same at $460;
  • the co-curricular fee will be $280; and
  • the health and wellness fee will be $890.

Âé¶čÆ””ÀUniversity remains committed to meeting 100% of demonstrated financial need. Financial aid packages typically include a combination of Syracuse-funded scholarships and grants, federal and state aid, private scholarships, federal student loans and work-study opportunities.

]]> Light Work Opens New Exhibitions /blog/2025/05/21/light-work-opens-new-exhibitions/ Wed, 21 May 2025 15:05:58 +0000 /?p=210123 Light Work has two new exhibitions, “The Archive as Liberation” and “2025 Light Work Grants in Photography, that will run through Aug. 29.

“The Archive as Liberation”

The exhibition is on display in the Kathleen O. Ellis Gallery at Light Work, 316 Waverly Ave. in Syracuse. An opening reception will take place at Light Work on July 25 from 5-7 p.m.

The exhibition is organized by Aaron Turner (Light Work artist-in-residence, 2018, and
Light Work exhibiting artist, 2021). Turner has gathered a unique group of artists and writers to engage in dialogue around archival photographic methods. The exhibition includes work by Andre Bradley, Chisato Hughes, Alec Kaus, calista lyon, Raymond Thompson Jr., Harrison D. Walker, Wendel A. White and Savannah Wood.

“The artists included in this publication and exhibition are engaged in resilience, ancestral
understanding, counter-memory, translation, activism, tension, narrative and critique. Through
their artistic gestures, they illustrate freedom in the Archive,” says Turner.

2025 Light Work Grants in Photography

The 2025 recipients are Sarah Knobel (St. Lawrence County), Joe Librandi-Cowan (Onondaga County),
and Lida Suchy (Onondaga County). The runners-up are Marna Bell (Onondaga County)
and Adrian Francis (Onondaga County).

This year’s judge was Marina Chao (a curator at CPW in Kingston, NY), who writes: “From an
unexpected approach to plastic waste to portraits of Ukrainian civic leaders to an exploration of
home, family and memory, this year’s grantees address subjects that are intimate and personal,
urgent and political, in innovative, collaborative and deeply felt ways.”

The Light Work Grants are part of our ongoing effort to support and encourage Central New
York artists working in photography and related mediums within a 50-mile radius of Syracuse.
Established in 1975, the Light Work Grants are among the oldest photography fellowships in the
country. An opening reception will be held in the Jeffrey J. Hoone Gallery at Light Work on July 25
from 5-7 p.m.

Summer gallery hours are: Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For general information, please
visit www.lightwork.org or call (315) 443-1300.

]]> Registration Open for Sports, Entertainment and Innovation Conference July 8-10 in Las Vegas Ìę /blog/2025/05/21/registration-open-for-sports-entertainment-and-innovation-conference-july-8-10-in-las-vegas/ Wed, 21 May 2025 14:49:05 +0000 /?p=210465 Group of people posing in front of a banner that reads "SEI CON SPORTS ENTERTAINMENT INNOVATION,' with many wearing name badges and dressed in business casual attire.

The inaugural SEICon event in 2024 featured this large contingent from the Falk College and Âé¶čÆ””ÀUniversity. Representatives will once again play prominent roles during SEICon II July 8-10 in Las Vegas.

The second annual Sports, Entertainment and Innovation Conference (SEICon)—named by Zoomph as one of the —will be held from July 8-10 at MGM’s iconic Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas.

SEICon is a partnership between and the , in collaboration with the Las Vegas-based guest experience agency , and it serves as a platform for professionals to discuss strategies and innovations shaping the future of the sports and entertainment industries.

SEICon II will bring together industry leaders from the public and private sectors and academia and feature fully catered lunchtime keynotes, insightful panel discussions and curated networking opportunities focused on emerging trends, digital transformation, and the future of fan engagement, media rights, sponsorships and entertainment technology.

All-inclusive registration for SEICon II is now open. Visit the to register and to find more information about SEICon II and satellite 2025-26 SEICon events in Houston, London and Atlanta. Âé¶čÆ””ÀUniversity alumni will receive $200 off the cost of registration by using the code SU ALUMNI.

“This is your chance to connect with industry leaders, share insights and explore the latest innovations in sports and entertainment,” says alumnus and Circle CEO Shawn Garrity ’86. “We’re thrilled to build upon last year’s momentum, bringing together thought leaders for another unforgettable experience. Expect compelling content, intimate connections and top-notch hospitality that only Vegas can offer.”

Building on the success of its inaugural year, SEICon is moving to the legendary Bellagio Hotel, which is known for its fountains and world-class amenities. This year’s event will focus on key emerging areas within the industry, including women in sports and entertainment, motorsports and golf.

“We are incredibly proud and excited to host SEICon II at the prestigious Bellagio,” says Jay Vickers, COO of UNLV Sports Innovation Institute. “Returning to Las Vegas and partnering with such an esteemed venue, alongside the invaluable support of our partners, underscores SEICon’s growing influence and our commitment to providing an unparalleled experience for our invited guests.”

SEICon will include nearly 30 panel conversations and two keynote speaker events. One keynote is with Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt, who in June will become president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors. The second keynote features two Âé¶čÆ””Àalumni, veteran news and media executive Chris Licht ’93 and New York Post CEO Sean Giancola ’90, along with a representative from Gannett/USA Today, the presenting sponsor of SEICon II.

Several faculty members will lead panels, including David B. Falk Endowed Professor of Sport Management (The World Cup and the Rise of MLS: A New Era for Soccer); Assistant Teaching Professor of Sport Management (Women in Racing); Sport Analytics Undergraduate Director and Professor (Get with the Program: Entreprenuership); and Professor of Sports Law (Post House–The Future of College Athletics).

Growing Partnership

The connections between the Falk College and UNLV Sports Innovation Institute continue to grow beyond the annual SEICon event.

Group of twelve people posing indoors in front of a projection screen displaying a presentation, with some individuals holding items like a smartphone, suggesting an event or conference setting.

SEICon’s Business of Sport conference for the Australian National Rugby League featured Falk College faculty members Rodney Paul (middle row, left), Rick Burton (middle row, right) and Alexia Lopes (first row, second from right).

This past March, the National Rugby League (NRL) from Australia with men’s and women’s games at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. In advance of those games, SEICon hosted a Ìęconference for the NRL at the UNLV Sports Innovation Institute that included the signing of a partnership between SEICon and the . Burton, Lopes and Paul attended the conference, and Paul served as the moderator for a discussion on The Tech Playbook: Innovations for Shaping the Future of Sports.

“We are excited about the growing collaborations with UNLV Sports Innovation Institute and Circle for SEICon and the opportunities for our faculty to share their work and research from the programs in the new College of Sport: sport management, sport analytics, esports, exercise science, and nutrition,” says Paul. “We are most excited, however, to show off our greatest asset, our students, and provide them with an unparalleled experience in one of the most dynamic sports and entertainment markets in the world.”

Analysts predict the global sports market to reach $2 trillion, which is 2% of the $100 trillion world economy, bolstered by an influx of money from new sources, emerging technologies and growing demand. Already the entertainment capital of the world, Las Vegas has become an emerging sports destination and is perfectly positioned to host an annual conference focused on the intersection of sports, entertainment and innovation.

The inaugural SEICon in 2024 included 775 attendees and 183 speakers ranging from presidents and founders to venture capitalists and government officials. Visit the to learn more about the inaugural 2024 event and what’s planned for 2025 and beyond.

David B. Falk College of Sport

On July 1, 2025, Âé¶čÆ””ÀUniversity will make history by launching the David B. Falk College of Sport—the first college on a high-research activity (R1) campus dedicated exclusively to sport-related disciplines. Named after visionary benefactor and legendary sports agent David B. Falk, this new college stands at the intersection of academic excellence and industry innovation. The college will unite our distinguished programs in sport management, sport analytics, exercise science, nutrition and esports (offered jointly with the prestigious Newhouse School of Public Communications) under one dynamic academic umbrella.

]]> University’s Dynamic Sustainability Lab and Ireland’s BiOrbic Sign MOU to Advance Markets for the Biobased Economy /blog/2025/05/21/universitys-dynamic-sustainability-lab-and-irelands-biorbic-sign-mou-to-advance-markets-for-the-biobased-economy/ Wed, 21 May 2025 14:28:17 +0000 /?p=210491 Green rectangular background with the word 'BIO' in large, bold white letters at the center, surrounded by small white lines radiating outward for emphasisThis month at the All Island Bioeconomy Summit held in Co. Meath, Ireland, it was announced thatÌę, Research Ireland Centre for Bioeconomy, comprising 12 leading Irish research universities in Ireland, signed a joint memorandum of understanding (MOU) with theÌęÌęhoused atÌęÂé¶čÆ””ÀUniversity.

BiOrbic and the Dynamic Sustainability Lab are both committed to interdisciplinary approaches to discovery and innovation that tackle the opportunities to develop cost-effective biobased innovations including circular approaches.

One of the near-term actions arising from the memorandum of understanding will be the development of joint approaches to leverage the rapidly emerging utility of artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning and data.

“This MOU formalizes and greatly expands our initial collaboration to leverage our shared dedication to advancing biobased markets in the United States and European Union through joint research, outreach and workforce development,” says Jay Golden, director of the Dynamic Sustainability Lab and the Pontarelli Professor in the .

Derek O’Brien, BiOrbic executive director, says, “We are delighted to deepen our collaboration with the Dynamic Sustainability Lab and Âé¶čÆ””ÀUniversity. The challenges we face as a society today are not confined within borders and it is only through collaboration and partnership that we can build a better and sustainable future. The circular bioeconomy presents a significant opportunity for economic growth in Ireland and the United States. The bioeconomy is the part of the economy which uses renewable resources from agriculture, forestry and the marine industry to produce food, feed, materials and energy, while reducing waste, in support of achieving a sustainable and climate neutral society.”

]]> Engaged Humanities Network Community Showcase Spotlights Collaborative Work /blog/2025/05/21/engaged-humanities-network-community-showcase-spotlights-collaborative-work/ Wed, 21 May 2025 14:22:51 +0000 /?p=210326

The positive impact of community-engaged research was on full display at the (CFAC) on May 2. CFAC’s galleries showcased a wide array of projects, including work by the , whose scholars, which include local students from Nottingham High School, use math to explore societal and health issues in Âé¶čÆ””Àto help map out a more just future, and , an initiative that supports current and formerly incarcerated individuals and their families in using creativity to process their experiences, heal from the impact of the criminal legal system and gain editing and design skills through the publication of an annual journal.

Woman at an informational table

The Linguistics at Work team shared interactive demos designed to educate the public about language acquisition, processing and use.

They were all part of the second annual Community Showcase, hosted by the College of Arts and Sciences’ (A&S’) (EHN). Overall, the event included the collaborative efforts of faculty, staff and students from over two dozen departments across seven schools and colleges at Âé¶čÆ””ÀUniversity, along with partners from 30 community-based organizations.

Since its founding in 2020 by, Dean’s Professor of Community Engagement in A&S, EHN has steadily expanded its support for community-engaged projects and broadened participation among students, faculty and community partners. This continued growth highlights the importance of its mission: to foster publicly engaged research, teaching and creative work that builds more interconnected and equitable communities.

And the numbers don’t lie. Over the past five years, EHN has:

  • Supported over 400 faculty, staff and students at Âé¶čÆ””ÀUniversity who participate in publicly engaged work;
  • Backed more than 20 community-engaged courses; and
  • Partnered with over 50 different community organizations.

“When you see all these (community-engaged researchers) packed together in a room it’s really awe-inspiring and uplifting,” Nordquist says referring to the EHN-affiliated projects at the Community Showcase. “It’s amazing what talent and resources exist across our city and our University, and when those two things are working together it makes for a better place for us all.”

Full list of presenters, projects and Engaged Courses at the event:

  • Project Mend (SU Department of Writing Studies, Rhetoric and Composition with Center for Community Alternatives)
  • Write Out (SU Department of English and SUNY ESF Writing with the North Side Learning Center
    Group stands around woman who is explaining something

    CODE^SHIFT team members, including Newhouse Professor Srividya Ramasubramanian (left) and student researchers Vedant Pimple (center, back) and Sky Zhuang (right), discuss their project with an attendee. Their initiative tackles social issues like race, gender, ethnicity and indigeneity using data, media, technology, art and storytelling.

    and YWCA)

  • Indigenous Northern Landscapes (SU Departments of Geography and Women’s and Gender Studies with Indigenous communities in Japan (Ainu) and Alaska (Inupiat))
  • Breedlove Readers (SU School of Education with SU Art Museum)
  • Narratio Fellowship (EHN with North Side Learning Center)
  • Food Insecurity and Placemaking (School of Design with Food Bank of Central New York)
  • Safeguarding Âé¶čÆ””ÀCommunities (Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences and College of Engineering and Computer Science with Tomorrow’s Neighborhoods Today)
  • Culturally Sensitive Excreta Infrastructure Systems (SU Department of Religion and SUNY ESF Environmental Science with Salt City Harvest Farm)
  • Data Warriors (SU Department of Mathematics with Nottingham High School)
  • Environmental Storytelling CNY (EHN and SUNY ESF with organizations across the region)
  • The Turning Lens Collective/Family Pictures Âé¶čÆ””À(SU Departments of English and History with PEACE, Inc.)
  • Natural Science Explorers Program (SU Departments of Biology and Earth and Environmental Sciences with North Side Learning Center)
  • CODA Educational Support Program (EHN with Deaf New Americans Advocacy, Inc.)
  • Teens with a Movie Camera (SU Department of Film and Media Arts with Nottingham High School and North Side Learning Center)
  • Food Sovereignty and Seed Rematriation (SU Department of Religion and Native American and Indigenous Studies with Onondaga Nation Farm)
  • Âé¶čÆ””ÀFutures: Southside Connections (EHN with SU’s Lender Center for Social Justice, Dunbar Center, Mercy Works, Southside Neighborhood Association and more)
  • HUM/NAT 300 & 400: Stories of Indigenous Dispossession across the Americas (Professor Miryam Nacimento and students)
  • HUM/ENG 300: Poetry & Environmental Justice (Professor Lauren Cooper and students)
  • MAT 100: Social Justice Mathematics (Professor Nicole Fonger and students)
  • SPA 300: Our Community Voices (Professor Emma Ticio and students)
  • NAT/REL 200: Indigenous Food Cosmologies (Professor Mariaelena Huambachano and students)
  • WRT 413: Rhetoric, Ethics and Just Futures after Prison (Professor Patrick W. Berry and students)
  • CSD/HNR 400/600: Culturally Responsive Healthcare (Professors Jamie Desjardins and Stephanie McMillen)

Learn more about the , and visit a .

]]> Students Engaged in Research and Assessment /blog/2025/05/20/students-engaged-in-research-and-assessment/ Tue, 20 May 2025 14:00:37 +0000 /?p=210452 Three individuals stand in front of a scientific poster presentation, which displays various charts, graphs, and text. Behind them, a large window reveals a view of buildings and greenery.

Three linguistic studies students, Loretta Awuku (left), Sylvia Page (center) and Johnson Akano, pose with their presentation at Âé¶čÆ””ÀUniversity’s One University poster session.

Loretta Awuku, Sylvia Page and Johnson Akano—three graduate students pursuing linguistic studies master’s degrees from the College of Arts and Sciences—spent the past year researching and contributing to assessment and curricular development processes.

The research team’s project, , was led by faculty mentor Amanda Brown, professor and linguistic studies program director in the College of Arts and Sciences. Brown received a , which aims to enhance student assessment knowledge and skills, develop a sense of agency to inform curricular decision-making and provide invaluable insight about the student learning experience.

The research project engaged 14 current students and six graduates in a mixed methods approach to answer the project’s three research questions:

  • Do students know about current program learning outcomes?
  • How do student feel about the master of arts (MA) focus areas?
  • Should a psycholinguistics focus area be added?

“The participants felt more comfortable sharing their perspectives with their peers and the project has revealed a number of insights around which important faculty discussions and program innovations will follow,” Brown says of the benefits of engaging with students in the assessment.

The mini-grant opportunity gave the student researchers the assessment knowledge and skills to advance their future success. Akano pointed to the personal development this project offered as he pursues postgraduate opportunities.

“I’m really interested in assessment and one of the major reasons I got involved in this project was to learn more,” Akano says. “I plan to pursue a Ph.D. in the area of language assessment and I think the skills and the knowledge that I’ve acquired from this program will be very valuable for me when I start my doctoral studies.”

Page was pleasantly surprised by the amount of responses they received to the survey. “Their engagement showed they were invested in the program even though they had completed it and they actually wanted their voices to be heard,” Page says.

The students presented their research at the 9th Annual TESOL/Applied Linguistics/Foreign Languages (TALFL) Conference and Âé¶čÆ””ÀUniversity’s this semester.

“It’s a great experience to present at a conference to different people from across the country and build the skills needed to communicate data collection and analysis,”ÌęAwuku says, highlighting the presentation skills she developed through these opportunities.

For this research team, the Student Engagement in Assessment Mini-Grant experience and findings benefitted them directly and also benefits future students in the program. Applications for 2025-26 mini-grant are open through Aug. 8. Interested? .

Story by Naimah Rahman

]]> Âé¶čÆ””ÀViews Summer 2025 /blog/2025/05/19/syracuse-views-summer-2025/ Mon, 19 May 2025 18:49:31 +0000 /?p=210269
A memorial plaque with names inscribed on it is mounted on a stone structure. In front of the plaque is a wreath made of red, white, and blue flowers with green foliage and matching ribbons. Trees and part of a building are visible in the background.

In commemoration of Memorial Day, a wreath-laying ceremony was held outside Hendricks Chapel. (Photo by Amy Manley)

We want to know how you experience Âé¶čÆ””ÀUniversity. Take a photo and share it with us. We select photos from a variety of sources. Submit photos of your University experience by sending them directly to Âé¶čÆ””ÀUniversity News at newsphoto@syr.edu. You might see it featured here.

A large group of lacrosse players in orange uniforms and white helmets pose together on a field, holding lacrosse sticks. At the center, several players display a banner that reads NCAA lacrosse championships Boston bound. The background features a clear blue sky, trees, and stadium lights.

The men’s lacrosse team poses after clinching a spot in Championship Weekend with a thrilling 19-18 win over Princeton in the NCAA quarterfinals. The Orange secured the program’s 27th appearance in the Final Four, third most in Division I history. (Photo courtesy of Âé¶čÆ””ÀUniversity Athletics)

A group of people in orange jerseys celebrate while holding a large novelty ticket that reads 'Boston Bound.'

Members of the men’s lacrosse team celebrate after holding off the Princeton Tigers to secure a spot in the Final Four of the NCAA Division I Championship. (Photo courtesy of Âé¶čÆ””ÀUniversity Athletics)

Four individuals dressed in 19th-century period costumes perform a dance or theatrical scene on a wooden stage. The backdrop features bookshelves and a fireplace. The performers wear long dresses in light blue, purple, plaid with beige, and mustard yellow.

The cast of “Little Women” perform at Âé¶čÆ””ÀStage in the Department of Drama’s final performance of the 2024-25 season. (Photo courtesy of the )

Seven individuals in business attire stand in front of a backdrop featuring the Âé¶čÆ””ÀUniversity Whitman School of Management logo. Each person is holding an award.

During its Awards and Appreciation celebration in New York City, the Martin J. Whitman School of Management honored its alumni, faculty, staff, recruiters and students who go above and beyond. Pictured are (from left to right) Interim Whitman Dean Alex McKelvie; Matty Simon (Whitman Impact Award); Blake Brossman ’98 (Dean’s Citation for Exceptional Service); Warren Johnson ’20 (Orange Ovation Award); Gisele Marcus-Thomas ’89 (Dean’s Citation for Exceptional Service); Douglas Present ’86 (Jonathan J. Holtz Award); and Tyler Newman ’20 (Orange Ovation Award).

Students gather in front of Buckingham Palace in London, with the grand facade of the palace featuring numerous windows and ornate architectural details under a partly cloudy sky.

During Maymester, students in the Falk College’s Department of Sport Management are participating in an Olympic Odyssey study abroad trip, traveling through four European countries to explore the history, culture and global influence of the Olympic Movement. Pictured here, students pose outside of Buckingham Palace. Follow their journey at . (Photo courtesy of the )

A large historic red-brick building with a tall, pointed tower and several smaller spires, situated on a grassy hill surrounded by trees. A person is walking on a path near the base of the hill under a partly cloudy sky with patches of blue.

Crouse College is always picture-perfect. (Photo by Amy Manley)

A large historic building featuring a tall clock tower and dome, surrounded by trees and a manicured lawn with pathways. Several people are sitting on the grass in the foreground.

A moment of peace and togetherness outside Lyman Hall. (Photo by Amy Manley)

A bird with brown and gray feathers, a reddish-orange breast, and dark wings standing on a lush green grassy field.

Even the birds are happy it’s summer. (Photo by Amy Manley)

Close-up of blooming pink flowers on tree branches, with a historic brick building featuring a tall, pointed tower in the background under a clear blue sky.

We love the color orange, but pink isn’t bad either. (Photo by Lonnie Timmons)

]]> Spelman College Glee Club to Perform at Return to Community: A Sunday Gospel Jazz Service June 29 /blog/2025/05/19/spelman-college-glee-club-to-perform-at-return-to-community-a-sunday-gospel-jazz-service-june-29/ Mon, 19 May 2025 18:36:34 +0000 /?p=210421 A black-and-white photo of a group of singers in formal attire, with one individual in the foreground raising both hands.

Members of the Spelman College Glee Club will perform at Hendricks Chapel June 29.

As the grand finale of the 2025 Âé¶čÆ””ÀInternational Jazz Fest, the Spelman College Glee Club of Atlanta will perform at on Sunday, June 29.

The Spelman College Glee Club, now in its historic 100th year, is the oldest collegiate choir of African American women in the United States. Directed by Kevin P. Johnson, D.M.A., since 1999, the Glee Club has achieved national and international acclaim, performing at the White House, Carnegie Hall, the Vatican and across Europe. With the motto “to amaze and inspire,” the Spelman College Glee Club uplifts audiences with artistry rooted in tradition and shaped by innovation.

will feature performances by The Spelman College Glee Club, of Âé¶čÆ””ÀUniversity and a community choir composed of Syracuse-area residents.

Following highly successful events in 2023 and 2024, the 2025 Âé¶čÆ””ÀInternational Jazz Fest finale at Hendricks Chapel will once again offer a dynamic and inclusive spiritual experience that fuses and celebrates gospel and jazz, includes a pre-event welcome luncheon, and seeks to spark and sustain renewal in our local community and beyond. The program and luncheon are both free of charge and open to the first 1,000 attendees.

Return to Community: A Sunday Gospel Jazz Service Details

  • Date: Sunday, June 29, 2025
  • Program: 3 p.m.
  • Pre-Event Luncheon: 12:30-2:30 p.m.
  • Location: Hendricks Chapel
  • There is no fee to attend the program or lunch. All are welcome.
  • Attendance Capacity: 1,000 with overflow seating available outdoors

Âé¶čÆ””À Spelman College Glee Club

Since 1924 the Spelman College Glee Club has served as Spelman College’s premier performance organization, representing the college with excellence through a wide-ranging repertoire of classical masterworks, Negro spirituals, world folk music and commissioned works by African American composers. Led by Johnson since 1999, the Glee Club has achieved national and international acclaim. Johnson is a composer, conductor and educator whose work lies at the vibrant intersection of music, culture and spirituality. He is associate professor of music at Spelman College and leads the Glee Club into a new century of musical excellence and innovation. Having earned a doctorate in musical arts, Johnson’s compositions—including seven complete mass settings and over 300 psalm arrangements—are sung across the United States, especially in Black Catholic communities. His recent works include Hip-Hop Mass, commissioned by the Sargent Shriver Peace Institute, and Music Everywhere Chorus America. Johnson is also director of music at the Lyke House Catholic Center and founder of Lion and Lamb Publishing.

Âé¶čÆ””À The Black Celestial Choral Ensemble (BCCE) of Âé¶čÆ””ÀUniversity

Founded in 1977 by Rev. Seretta C. McKnight ’80 to provide a spiritual home for Black students at Âé¶čÆ””ÀUniversity, the BCCE ministers through gospel music that fosters and supports academic excellence at a university welcoming to all. Led by student director Joshua Garvin ’25 and supported through The Alumni Group of the BCEE (TAG-BCCE), the choir has performed at numerous venues throughout the United States, including the Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church (Atlanta), the spiritual home of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and currently led by Rev. Raphael Warnock, a United States Senator.

Âé¶čÆ””À Gospel Jazz Community Choir

To honor the Sunday gospel jazz service theme of “Return to Community,” a diverse community choir composed of Âé¶čÆ””Àresidents will once again be led by Cora Thomas, known locally as “Syracuse’s First Lady of Gospel Music.” Born and raised in Syracuse, Thomas serves numerous community organizations and hosts “Sunday Morning Gospel” on of the Newhouse School of Public Communications. All interested in participating in the community choir may contact Cora Thomas at cathomas@syr.edu or Hendricks Chapel at chapel@syr.edu or 315.443.2901.

Pre-Event Outdoor Welcome Luncheon

To celebrate the “Return to Community” theme, a pre-event outdoor welcome luncheon, featuring free food and refreshments, will take place on the Kenneth A. Shaw Quadrangle from 12:30-2:30 p.m. At 2:30 p.m, the first 1,000 guests will be ushered into Hendricks Chapel for the 3 p.m. service.

Âé¶čÆ””À Âé¶čÆ””ÀInternational Jazz Fest

For additional information on the 2025 Âé¶čÆ””ÀInternational Jazz Fest, please visit .

]]> Memorial Fund Honors Remarkable Journalism Career, Supports Students Involved With IDJC /blog/2025/05/19/memorial-fund-honors-remarkable-journalism-career-supports-students-involved-with-idjc/ Mon, 19 May 2025 18:20:48 +0000 /?p=210428 A collection of journalist identification cards and press badges displayed on a table, including credentials from USA TODAY, KMGH-7 McGraw-Hill Broadcasting and the 1988 Seoul Olympics, all associated with reporter Denise Kalette.

Various artifacts from the journalism career of Denise Kalette

Maxwell School alumna Denise Kalette ’68 got her first byline at age 12, under a poem titled “The Poor Taxpayer” that she submitted to her local newspaper. In a few paragraphs of playful prose, she drew attention to an issue that seemed far beyond her years—the financial plight of many working-class Americans.

Two years later, in 1960, Kalette sent a letter to the White House that elicited a response from Vice President Richard Nixon. “I am glad to know you are taking an active interest in our government and its elected officials,” Nixon wrote, “and I trust that you will continue this excellent foundation for good citizenship.”

Given Kalette’s love of writing and unwavering support for the underdog, it was no surprise to her loved ones that she would go on to become a highly accomplished journalist. Over more than four decades she covered a wide range of topics, from the Olympics in Seoul to corruption in a county jail. She especially loved writing profiles of American heroes such as Sally Ride, the first American woman in space, and ordinary citizens facing extraordinary circumstances.

“What she was able to do was a result of her own drive, her persistence,” says her brother, Edward L. Chapman. “She had this innate sense of right and wrong about things and always had this place in her head and heart for the little person.”

Kalette passed away in 2021. To honor her legacy and support students who are involved with the Âé¶čÆ””ÀUniversity (IDJC), Chapman and sister Dorothy Blackmon gifted $50,000 to establish the Denise F. Kalette ’68 IDJC Memorial Fund. Maxwell students who are involved with research and engaged in programming at the Washington, D.C.-based institute can apply for a one-time award ranging from $1,200 to $5,000.

“Denise’s career in journalism was inspired by her interest in helping people connect with one another in hopes of building mutual understanding,” says Chapman. “She knew the media’s important role in a well-informed public to help support a healthy democracy. We know that if she were here today, she would wholeheartedly support the IDJC, and especially the students who are engaged with it.”

Blackmon adds, “Denise enjoyed her time at Maxwell and found it extremely beneficial for her path in life, and we hope it will provide the same value to other students.”

A person with long, straight hair wearing a black button-up shirt, standing against a gray background

Rebecca Akinwale

Launched in 2022, the IDJC is a joint initiative of the Maxwell School and . It promotes nonpartisan, evidence-based research and dialogue in the public interest and strives to create new knowledge, foster a more informed and engaged citizenry and equip students for success.

“I am incredibly grateful to have received the award. It gave me the financial support I needed to fully take advantage of my unpaid internship without worrying about additional expenses,” says Rebecca Akinwale ’25, one of the first three award recipients.

Akinwale, who earned a bachelor’s degree in political science, participated in events and programming at the IDJC while interning in the U.S. Capitol during her senior year. The experiences furthered her interest in a career that combines public policy and diplomacy with media literacy.

“Throughout my time at Syracuse, I’ve explored how media and civic engagement can help build public trust in institutions,” said Akinwale. “Misinformation is one of the biggest challenges in today’s digital age—it can have serious consequences for underserved communities.”

For the complete story, please visit the .

]]> Awards Recognize Success of Assessment Through Engagement and Collaboration /blog/2025/05/19/awards-recognize-success-of-assessment-through-engagement-and-collaboration-2/ Mon, 19 May 2025 15:59:28 +0000 /?p=210415 Academic Affairs and Institutional Effectiveness (IE) presented awards to faculty and staff members, students, offices and programs and hosted a poster presentation during the One University Assessment Celebration on April 25 in the School of Education’s Education Commons.

Five individuals standing in front of a scientific poster featuring text, graphs and a pie chart. The setting is indoors with large windows showing buildings and trees outside.

Nadaya Brantley (second from left), assistant teaching professor of social work, assessment champion award honoree and recipient of the Student Engagement in Assessment mini-grant, poses with four of the project’s School of Social Work student partners. The entire student assessment team included Naomi Brogden, Paige Esposito, Amaya Saintal, Hailey Vanish, Casey Wills and Annabelle Wemmer.

In her opening remarks, , associate provost for academic programs, highlighted the importance of celebrating the various ways faculty, staff and students have engaged in assessment practices. Awards were given in five categories.

  • Assessment Champion: This award recognizes University community members who advocate for meaningful assessment to enrich the student experience and who have made outstanding contributions to the University’s culture of improvement. The recipients were:
    • Academic: , undergraduate director and assistant teaching professor, School of Social Work, Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics
    • Academic/Functional: , associate dean for student affairs, teaching professor and Dean’s Faculty Fellow for Assessment, College of Engineering and Computer Science
    • Shared Competencies:
  • Outstanding Assessment: This award recognizes a distinguished academic, co-curricular and functional area for overall robust assessment. The recipients were:
    • Academic: , School of Art, College of Visual and Performing Arts
    • Co-Curricular:
    • Functional: College of Arts and Sciences/Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs academic and professional advising office
  • Best Engagement Strategies: This award recognizes programs/units for engaging faculty, staff and students to participate and contribute to the assessment process. The recipients were:
    • Faculty Engagement: and B.S. programs, College of Engineering and Computer Science
    • Staff Engagement:
    • Student Engagement:
  • Best Use of Results: This award recognizes an academic, co-curricular and functional area for how assessment results are used in making decisions. The recipients were:
    • Academic: , Falk College
    • Co-Curricular:
    • Functional:
  • Collaborative Inquiry and Action: This award recognizes a partnership that extends beyond a single school, college, division or unit and uses strong assessment methods and data as a catalyst for improvement. The recipient was:

After the awards, 2024 Assessment Leadership Institute faculty participants were recognized for their poster presentations detailing assessment activities over the past year:

  • , Forensic and National Security Sciences Institute, College of Arts and Sciences
  • , philosophy, College of Arts and Sciences
  • , civil and environmental engineering, College of Engineering and Computer Science
  • , civil and environmental engineering, College of Engineering and Computer Science
  • , film and media arts, College of Visual and Performing Arts

Recipients of the Student Engagement in Assessment grant were also acknowledged for their poster presentations showcasing the collaborative experiences of students, faculty and staff:

  • Linguistic studies M.A. program: Loretta Adadzewa Awuku, Sylvia Page, Johnson Akano, Amanda Brown
  • Newhouse Office of Academic Affairs: Kit Fletcher
  • Public health program: Collins Annor, Bernard Appiah
  • Retention and Student Success: Prabin Raj Shrestha ’24, Hope Smalling
  • School of Social Work: Naomi Brogden, Paige Esposito, Amaya Saintal, Hailey Vanish, Casey Wills, Annabelle Wemmer, Nadaya Brantley

In the closing remarks, Laura Harrington, director of institutional effectiveness, noted that the One University Assessment Celebration “is an important reminder that assessment is not a checkbox or something that goes into a black hole. It is a dynamic and collaborative process that strengthens teaching, learning and operations across our campus.” The showcased efforts demonstrate “a deep commitment to and investment in student success. Thoughtful assessment gives us agency to better understand, support and elevate every part of the University.”

Visit the to see event photos, presentation materials highlighting recipients’ achievements and posters.

Story by A’yla James

]]> Professor Bing Dong Named as the Traugott Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering /blog/2025/05/18/professor-bing-dong-named-as-the-traugott-professor-of-mechanical-and-aerospace-engineering/ Sun, 18 May 2025 21:25:08 +0000 /?p=210409 person sitting on couch

Bing Dong

The College of Engineering and Computer Science has named as the Traugott Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. This endowed professorship is made possible by a 1998 gift from the late Fritz Traugott H’98 and his wife, Frances.

A prolific researcher with a strong track record of securing external funding, Professor Dong is the associate director of Grid-Interactive Buildings at the , oversees the , and teaches courses on HVAC system design, machine learning for mechanical engineering, and control systems.

Dong holds a dozen patents and has published more than 130 peer-reviewed papers with approximately 11,500 citations. Since joining the University in 2019, he has served as the principal investigator (PI) or co-PI on over 20 projects, totaling more than $15 million in funding.

Dong’s research sits at the intersection of building performance, human behavior and urban infrastructure. Using physics-informed machine learning, optimization and AI-enabled controls, Dong is looking to improve energy efficiency while ensuring the productivity and comfort of building occupants.

Since earning a Ph.D. in building performance and diagnostics from Carnegie Mellon University, Dong has been a leader in the field of building science. He received a 2023 World Fellowship from the International Building Performance Simulation AssociationÌę(IBPSA), Âé¶čÆ””ÀUniversity’s first such fellow and one of only two U.S. members in the biennial cohort.

Dong also received a 2023 Distinguished Service Award from the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), in which he was the only New York state honoree. He is the recipient of the NSF CAREER award and several best paper awards from international journals.

“Bing’s innovative research and commitment to improving energy systems is exactly what Fritz and Frances Traugott had intended when they established the endowed professorship,” says Engineering and Computer Science Dean J. Cole Smith. “Their vision and commitment to this important work is supporting breakthroughs from Bing and his research team.”

“Bing has been integral to our work at the Âé¶čÆ””ÀCenter of Excellence,” says Professor Jianshun “Jensen” Zhang, CoE’s executive director. “In collaboration with our academic and industry partners, he is advancing research across multi-scales of the built environment and developing cutting edge technologies for improving energy efficiency, environmental quality and human health.”

Fritz Traugott came to Âé¶čÆ””ÀUniversity through a Marshall Plan work-study initiative for young engineers. He retired in 1990 after a long career with Robson & Woese Inc., a Syracuse-based consulting engineering firm. In establishing the Traugott Professorship, Fritz and Frances Traugott specifically wished to support energy systems engineering research in the College of Engineering and Computer Science, making Dong’s work an ideal match.

“It is truly a great honor to be the Traugott endowed professor,” says Dong. “I will continue Mr. Traugott’s vision of conducting research and education in energy system engineering.”

]]> Summer Snacking: What to Try on Campus /blog/2025/05/18/summer-snacking-what-to-try-on-campus/ Sun, 18 May 2025 21:05:49 +0000 /?p=210404 Freshly made sub sandwich on branded white paper with "Yella's" logo, filled with ham, cheese, shredded lettuce, tomato slices, and yellow banana peppers, set against a light teal background.

Yella’s is a new campus dining option this summer. Located in the Newhouse cafe and open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Yella’s serves a mix of hot and cold sandwiches, burgers, chicken wings and gourmet milkshakes.

As the Âé¶čÆ””Àcampus transitions into the Maymester and Summer Sessions, Campus Dining reminds students, faculty and staff remaining on campus that some of their locations remain open throughout the summer months for all of their breakfast, lunch and snacking needs. Need an iced coffee, an ice cream sundae or 12 jumbo sweet BBQ wings? There’s a spot on campus for that.

Cafes:

  • Gerry’s CafĂ© in Eggers Hall is open Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  • Moon CafĂ© in the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry Moon Library is open Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  • West Campus Starbucks at 150 Henry Street is open Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  • Trailhead CafĂ© in the ESF Gateway Center is open Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  • NEW this Summer! Yella’s in Newhouse’s food.com cafĂ© is open Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Yella’s offers hot breakfast sandwiches and hot and cold lunch options. There’s also a gourmet milkshake stand to satisfy your sweet tooth.

CafĂ© hours and sample menus for each location . All campus cafes accept ‘CUSE Cash, Meal Plan Dining Dollars and credit/debit cards.

Schine Dining:

  • Located at the Schine Student Center, Dunkin’, CoreLife Eatery, Halal Shack and Tavola 44 are all open Monday-Friday.

. Find the sample menus of the . All Schine locations accept ‘CUSE Cash, Meal Plan Dining Dollars, and credit/debit cards.

Residential Dining

  • Ernie Davis Dining Center is open seven days a week, serving all-you-care-to eat buffet-style meals. Weekday breakfast is served from 7 to 10 a.m., lunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and dinner from 4:30 to 7 p.m.

All members of the campus community, including faculty and staff, are welcome! Complete hours . Menus . Dining centers accept ’CUSE Cash, Meal Plan Dining Dollars, and credit/debit cards.

Drumlins Country Club

  • : Looking for an elevated sit-down dining experience? Try Bistro 1926, just down the road at Drumlins Country Club. Offering lunch, dinner and weekend brunch, their menu features appetizers, entrees, cocktails and desserts–prepared by experienced chefs using fresh and high-quality ingredients. Reservations are recommended.
  • ’Cuse Scoops: ’Cuse Scoops at Drumlins Country Club features a wide variety of delicious ice cream flavors and sundaes, including classic favorites and unique creations. ’Cuse Scoops will open for the season on Memorial Day Weekend! Keep an eye out, !

Reminder: Use Your ’CUSE Cash

Establishing a ’CUSE Cash account is an easy and convenient way to pay at almost every point of sale on campus. ’CUSE Cash is a declining balance cash account that provides access to food, goods and services on campus. A ’CUSE Cash account can be established by any member of the University community, including faculty and staff. The funds are loaded via the or and are used via the SU I.D. card.

As a bonus, using ’CUSE Cash at on-campus dining facilities provides a 10% discount on every purchase (not to be used in combination with existing discounts). Visit the page on the Housing, Meal Plan and I.D. Card Services website for the most up-to-date list of locations that accept ’CUSE Cash.

]]> ’Cuse Collections Items Donated to Community Through Local Organizations /blog/2025/05/18/cuse-collections-items-donated-to-community-through-local-organizations/ Sun, 18 May 2025 20:39:23 +0000 /?p=210397 people loading items from bins into a van

Sustainability Management intern Emma Kaputa and members of Catholic Charities unload bins of donations.

Over 30 bins of items were donated by students to ’Cuse Collections, an event hosted by Sustainability Management that provides the items to local community groups.

Containers were placed on North Campus and South Campus to provide Âé¶čÆ””ÀUniversity and SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry students with easy access to donate items as they were moving out.

Often students do not have the space to transport everything home or realize they no longer need certain items. ’Cuse Collections helps to reduce the amount of waste generated and gives item a second life in the local community.

person standing next to vehicle with trunk open

Leah Russell from the Âé¶čÆ””ÀPeacemaking Project loaded her trunk with donations.

The items (equivalent to over seven full pick-up truck beds) were donated to a number of local organizations, including the YWCA, Rescue Mission, Catholic Charities, Âé¶čÆ””ÀPeacemaking Project, Spanish Action League of Onondaga County, Huntington Family Center, John 6:12 and the Boys & Girls Club of Syracuse. Any food donations were taken to the South Campus food pantry.

“Most college students will read this and think it’s cheesy, but it’s true, I am really impressed by the thoughtfulness of those at my alma mater who took a moment, while rushing to clean out their dorm rooms to donate to ‘Cuse Collections and brighten the day of Syracuse’s most disadvantaged youth,” says Jim Hastie, director of fund development for the Boys & Girls Club of Syracuse. “Whether it was a stuffed animal, gently used clothing, sneakers or even closet hangers, our Club Kids were deeply moved to see Âé¶čÆ””ÀUniversity students really care for their neighbors. Thank you!”

Sustainability Management hosts a smaller ’Cuse Collections in the Goldstein Student Center on South Campus in December; while the larger, main event is in the spring during finals week. Head to for more information.

]]> Falk College Sport Analytics Students Win Multiple National Competitions /blog/2025/05/16/falk-college-sport-analytics-students-win-multiple-national-competitions/ Fri, 16 May 2025 19:33:23 +0000 /?p=210350 A group of seven people stand in a semi-circle around a presentation board on an easel, engaged in a discussion or presentation. The setting is an indoor room with natural light streaming through windows in the background.

David Falk (far left) speaks with students from the sport analytics program during their capstone poster presentations.

“I think the Rolls-Royce of Falk College, undoubtedly, is the analytics program,” said David Falk, benefactor of the , to a room of senior sport analytics students and their families during their capstone poster presentations. “We’ve won virtually every analytics competition for the last few years.”

That was certainly true during the Spring 2025 semester, when sport analytics students were victorious at multiple analytics and research competitions and presented findings at several highly regarded conferences around the country. Below is a recap of the semester’s highlights.

SABR Analytics Conference

Two individuals stand in front of a blue geometric background with the text 'SABR Analytics Conference' and a logo featuring the word 'SABR' inside a baseball within a diamond shape. One person is wearing a dark sweater and name badge, and the other is wearing a plaid blazer.

Nathan Backman (left) won best student presentation at the SABR Analytics Conference.

Sport analytics students Owen St. Onge ’26, Payton Smith ’26, Andrew Diamond ’27, Jonah Soos ’25 and Jacob Kalamvokis ’27 won their room in the Diamond Dollars Case Competition, during which teams compete by preparing an analysis and presentation of a baseball operations decision similar to what a team’s general manager and staff would do in Major League Baseball.

Two students, Nathan Backman ’25 and Brett Cerenzio ’25, took part in the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) Analytics Conference research competition, with Backman winning best student presentation for his research titled .

Âé¶čÆ””ÀUniversity Football Blitz

Sport analytics students won every room of the , including one room of entirely first-year students, while also being named winners of the overall competition.

The Football Analytics Blitz tasks students with a current football analytics prompt. They are given a week to put together a presentation for football analytics professionals. The competition brought together students from 25 different universities and judges from eight NFL teams.

The winning Falk College students were:

  • Room 1: Charlie Maddux ’26, Jonah Soos ’25, Nathan Backman ’25, Austin Ambler ’26 and Zach Seidel ’26
  • Room 2: Nick Wolfe ’27, Jameson Bodenburg ’27, Jacob Kalamvokis ’27 and Jessica Fackler ’27
  • Room 3: Noah Bair ’28, Jimmy Roberto ’27, Carter Pointon ’28, Alex Percey ’28 and Braden Hines ’28

MIT Sloan Research Paper Competition

Research conducted by major Alivia “Ava” Uribe ’25, a member of the University’s women’s soccer team, with sport analytics professors and about the location of penalty kicks at the prestigious MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference. Their paper won over thousands of entrants and six other finalists, and Uribe became the first female lead author in the conference’s 19-year history to capture the competition.

Connecticut Sports Analytics Symposium

A group of people seated in chairs in a conference room with large windows. They are dressed in business casual attire and wearing name tags, suggesting they are attending an event or meeting. A cityscape is visible through the windows in the background.

From left, students Dan Griffiths, Danielle Napierski, Brett Cerenzio and Alivia Uribe at the Connecticut Sports Analytics Symposium

Sport analytics students Danielle Napierski ’26, Dan Griffiths ’26 and Brett Cerenzio ’25 were named runners-up in the Major League Baseball Data Challenge at the Connecticut Sports Analytics Symposium (CSAS).

Alivia Uribe ’25 and Shane Sanders also presented their penalty kick research at CSAS.

American Soccer Insights Summit

Sport analytics students ’27 and Theo Schmidt ’26 presented their work, .

NFLPA Analytics Case Competition

Sport analytics students Christopher Marfisi ’25, Evan Vassilovski ’25, Walker Oettl ’25 and Ryan Severe ’25 were named finalists for their work on the given prompt and traveled to Washington, D.C., to present their findings.

National Collegiate Sports Analytics Championships

Individual standing in front of a wall with the text 'SMASH VILLE' and a saber-toothed tiger head logo, holding an award.

Jonah Soos holds his trophy for winning the individual/undergraduate division at the National Collegiate Sports Analytics Championships.

Falk College student Jonah Soos ’25 individual championship, while the undergraduate team of Soos, Hunter Geise ’25, Piper Evans ’25 and Maddy Forster ’25 finished second in the team competition. Two graduate students, Andrew Odnoralov G’25 and Owen Brown G’25 , also competed—a first for representatives from the Falk College’s graduate programs.

At this event, students gave five-minute presentations based on analysis of provided data related to brands, teams and athletes. Judges chose a winner based on statistical analysis, data visualization, actionable insights, communication and integrity.

Cincinnati Reds Hackathon

Teams were tasked with modeling a projection system that predicted total plate appearances and batters faced for Major League Baseball players in the 2024 season based on their past data. Sport analytics students Dan Griffiths ’26, Ben Resnic ’26, Hunter Cordes ’26, Jared Weber ’27 and Josh Davis’27 won the Hackathon, with two other teams from the Falk College being named finalists.

To learn more about the college’s academic programs, experiential learning and career opportunities in sport analytics and sport management, visit the Falk College .

]]> Physics Professor Honored for Efforts to Improve Learning, Retention /blog/2025/05/16/physics-professor-honored-for-efforts-to-improve-learning-retention/ Fri, 16 May 2025 18:08:52 +0000 /?p=210386 Person in a bright blue blazer over a white top with arms crossed, wearing a blue pendant necklace, standing against a plain white background.

Jenny Ross

°Őłó±đÌęÌęin the College of Arts and Sciences (A&S) has made some big changes lately.

The department just added an astronomy major approved by New York State and recently overhauled the undergraduate curriculum to replace traditional labs with innovative “Experiencing Physics” labs—inquiry-based Course-based Undergraduate Research Experiences (CURE) targeted at improving both teaching outcomes and student retention in the physics major.

Current A&S Associate Dean for Creativity, Scholarship and Research Ìęserved as department chair when these initiatives were started.

For these notable initiatives, as well as her groundbreaking explorations in biophysics and active matter, Ross was awarded the prestigiousÌęÌęŽÚ°ùŽÇłŸÌę. The STAR () Award recognizes outstanding achievements in both research and education.

ŽĄÌę, Ross’s research explores how cells organize themselves using fundamental physics principles, with the goal of designing next-generation materials inspired by biology.

The award includes a $5,000 prize and will be presented at the 2025 Cottrell Scholar Conference in Tucson, Arizona, this July. As a recipient, Ross will provide mentoring to early career Cottrell Scholar colleagues throughout the coming year.

]]> Historian Offers Insight on Papal Transition and Legacy /blog/2025/05/16/historian-offers-insight-on-papal-transition-and-legacy/ Fri, 16 May 2025 15:15:39 +0000 /?p=210365 Person with curly brown hair wears a purple blouse with lace detailing and gold earrings, posed against a plain gray background.

Margaret Susan Thompson

As the Roman Catholic Church begins a new chapter under Pope Leo XIV, historians and scholars are helping the public interpret the significance of this moment. Among them is , professor of history in the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs and an expert on the Catholic Church. Thompson has been widely quoted in national media for her expertise on Catholicism and the papacy.

Thompson has provided context on both the legacy of Pope Francis and the early signals from his successor, Pope Leo XIV. In , she reflected on Francis’ distinctive communication style, noting his ability to make doctrine feel personal and relatable:

“He made his commentary accessible,” she said. “It’s visual as well as tactile.”

She also pointed to the potential long-term significance of one of Francis’ final writings (a foreword to a youth catechism book) suggesting it may be reviewed by the Vatican’s canonization committee:

“It’s also a document that could be considered, among all of his writings, by the committee who will decide if Francis will be canonized.”

In , Thompson commented on Pope Leo XIV’s decision to delete his personal social media accounts and shift to official Vatican platforms:

“Social media can be a minefield for divisive commentary,” she said. “I imagine he’ll use it sparingly, perhaps for simple, pastoral messages.”

She also offered insight into the symbolic significance of the new pope’s chosen name:

“Leo is a powerful choice,” she said. “Leo XIII is considered the father of Catholic social teaching. This signals a potential emphasis on justice, labor, and the church’s role in the modern world.”

Thompson’s commentary has helped illuminate how both popes have navigated the balance between tradition and modernity, and how their choices may shape the church’s direction in the years ahead.

]]> Auxiliary Services Announces Vending Services Transition /blog/2025/05/15/auxiliary-services-announces-vending-services-transition/ Thu, 15 May 2025 20:02:00 +0000 /?p=210374 Auxiliary Services has announced a new service approach for campus vending services.

In the initial phase of the transition, which began May 12, Servomation, a Central New York-based vending services company, assumed operation of all existing campus vending equipment. Snacks and beverages will continue to be offered, and as the vendor utilizes real-time sales data, product offerings will evolve and change to meet campus needs. Product restocking began May 15.

Customers will find a service sticker on each machine with Servomation contact information. All vending machine fulfillment will be provided by Servomation, and concerns about product, machine malfunctions or payment should be directed to Servomation at 315.875.5265 or service@servomation.com.

The next phase of the transition will take place over the summer with an anticipated completion date of July 15. New vending equipment will be installed and existing equipment will be removed by the vendor for upcycling. The new machines will feature products that reflect current snacking and hydration trends, offering nourishing and healthy options, and providing partial and full meal options in locations without convenient access to other campus dining options.

Servomation will also help the University meet its sustainability goals, including the use of technology for ordering, picking, packaging, restocking and delivery processes to increase overall service efficiencies. They will also use delivery mapping and energy-efficient small vans for direct-to-machine deliveries, resulting in a drastic reduction of the amount of large truck traffic on campus, overall carbon emissions and a transition to e-vehicles where feasible.

All campus vending machines will continue to accept all major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover), Apple Pay, Google Pay and .

Office Coffee Service Transition

In addition, Servomation will soon begin the transition of the Office Coffee Service (OCS) program. The initial phase of the OCS transition will consist of Servomation service representatives and Âé¶čÆ””ÀUniversity Campus Dining personnel visiting offices, departments and other campus locations to conduct in-person office surveys.

Questions will include information about beverages (K-cups, tea bags, etc.), physical equipment (Keurig machines, coffee machines, water coolers, filtration systems, etc.), paper goods and condiments. Current program participants should have received an email notification about the upcoming surveys, which will begin the week of May 19.

Subsequent phases will consist of communications about the new program offerings, online web-based ordering and payment, customer service specifics and any necessary equipment changes. Servomation is also committed to providing solutions that reflect the University’s and sustainable, cost-effective choices.

Those with questions about either transition can reach Auxiliary Services at auxiliaryservices@syr.edu. Questions about current Office Coffee Service can be sent to officecoffeeservices@syr.edu.

]]> Studying and Reversing the Damaging Effects of Pollution and Acid Rain With Charles Driscoll (Podcast) /blog/2025/05/14/studying-and-reversing-the-damaging-effects-of-pollution-and-acid-rain-with-charles-driscoll-podcast/ Wed, 14 May 2025 15:20:37 +0000 /?p=210270 Three people are standing in a shallow river surrounded by greenery. Two of them are wearing orange "Syracuse" t-shirts, and one is holding a clipboard. The third person, wearing an orange long-sleeve shirt, is holding up a small clear bottle filled with water.

Charley Driscoll (far right) studies a sample of water taken from Limestone Creek in Fayetteville, New York, with research intern Marykate McHale (left) and Courtney Davis ’20. (Photo by Alex Dunbar)

Before came to Âé¶čÆ””ÀUniversity as a civil and environmental engineering professor, he had always been interested in ways to protect our environment and natural resources.

Growing up an avid camper and outdoors enthusiast, Driscoll set about studying the large-scale effects of pollutants on the natural environment, earning a civil engineering degree from the University of Maine and both a master’s degree and a Ph.D. in environmental engineering from Cornell University.

When he arrived on campus in 1979, Driscoll completed a dissertation examining the impact of acid rain on lakes in the Adirondacks, including the acidity effects on fish populations.

Later this summer, he will return to the Adirondacks to study how those lakes are recovering from acid rain and mercury pollution.

The image shows a person wearing a grey zip-up jacket over a blue shirt and a colorful patterned tie. The background is dark and out of focus.

Charles Driscoll

“It’s very exciting and a great opportunity to continue this research and work alongside partners like Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Cornell, the Ausable Freshwater Center, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to carry on this important work,” says Driscoll, the University and Distinguished Professor of Environmental Systems Engineering in the .

Driscoll, one of the nation’s leading experts on pollution research, developed a series of predictive environmental models that explore how chemicals in soil, water and vegetation change when exposed to air pollutants. He has devised strategies to reverse the damaging effects of acid rain and mercury contamination in lakes, including leading efforts to successfully restore nearby Onondaga Lake—once one of the most polluted lakes in the country—after developing new methods for decreasing mercury pollution.

“We’ve seen improvements in air quality. We’ve seen recovery from acid rain and other air pollutants,” Driscoll says. “Human generated air pollution really impact the environment on a very large scale. However, ecosystems can be quite resilient. With effective air quality management they can come back from rather significant disturbances.”

On this episode of the “’Cuse Conversations” podcast, Driscoll discusses the magnitude of his research, how he uses models to both understand the disturbances and lead restoration efforts and reflects on some of his successful remediations.

Check outÌę featuring Driscoll. A transcript [PDF]Ìęis also available.

This image is a promotional graphic for a podcast episode. It features the title "'CUSE CONVERSATIONS" with an icon of a microphone, and the Âé¶čÆ””ÀUniversity logo in the top right corner. Below this, there is a photo of Charles Driscoll, whose face is blurred out. The text reads "EPISODE 177 CHARLES DRISCOLL Civil and Environmental Engineering Professor."

How would you describe the magnitude of your research?

When I started on the acid rain problem in the ’70s, the country was just becoming concerned about the effects of air pollution from a human health standpoint. There was relatively little analysis or discussion on those impacts on lakes, soil, vegetation and wildlife. This was a large-scale problem. We’re talking about air pollution from the Midwest impacting areas hundreds of miles downwind, and at the time a lot of people didn’t believe it was possible and were skeptical of the effects of air pollution.

That research led me to other problems like the issue with mercury deposition and climate change. The early work on acid rain really informed and guided my subsequent research.

How are models used to understand the effects of these disturbances and to lead remediation efforts?

We were interested in developing a model that we could use as a tool to validate our understanding of the phenomena of air pollution on ecosystems but also make projections on how the ecosystems might recover under different emission control strategies. I learned a lot from interactions with my biological colleagues and soil scientists.

We expanded and applied these models to the Adirondacks and national parks, particularly the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Âé¶čÆ””À 10 years ago, we made projections for how the park might recover from decreases in acid rain. Now, they want us to go back and use our model to see how well those projections did because acid rain emissions decreased.

The image shows three people standing in a shallow stream surrounded by lush green trees. Two of the individuals are wearing orange shirts and holding a clipboard, while the third person is also wearing an orange shirt and appears to be explaining something, gesturing with gloved hands. The scene suggests an outdoor educational or research activity.

How successful have these remediation initiatives been?

Remediation is a real challenge for something like acid rain. We’ve done remediation in Onondaga Lake and that’s been wildly successful because it’s a relatively local problem. But acid rain affects high elevation areas. From Georgia up to Maine, those soils and waters have been heavily impacted.

We have done experiments where we’ve added base chemicals like limestone, commonly used in gardens to neutralize acidity, and then looked at the response of the system. We know from those experiments that if we restore bases like calcium and magnesium to the soil this can neutralize the acidity that is toxic to plants and fish and that we can recover the ecosystems. The trouble is the footprint of acid rain is massive, and it’s very difficult to do that on any meaningful scale.

We’ve learned we have to focus on emission reductions to recover theseÌęecosystems, particularly the soil. Lakes recover relatively quickly, but the soil develops over tens of thousands of years and recover slowly.

The image shows three people in a shallow stream surrounded by lush green trees. The person in the foreground, wearing an orange long-sleeve shirt and gray shorts, is bending down and touching the water with gloved hands. Two other people are in the background, also wearing orange shirts; one is standing while the other is crouching near the water. The scene appears to be set in a natural environment with clear water and dense foliage on both sides of the stream.

Charles Driscoll (right) examines the quality of water in Limestone Creek in Fayetteville, New York. (Photo by Alex Dunbar)

]]> Alumnus, Visiting Scholar Mosab Abu Toha G’23 Wins Pulitzer Prize for New Yorker Essays /blog/2025/05/14/alumnus-visiting-scholar-mosab-abu-toha-g23-wins-pulitzer-prize-for-new-yorker-essays/ Wed, 14 May 2025 12:55:08 +0000 /?p=210318 person standing outside in front of high-rise buildings

Mosab Abu Toha (Photo credit: Mohamed Mahdy)

Mosab Abu Toha G’23, a graduate of the M.F.A. program in creative writing in the College of Arts and Sciences and a current visiting scholar at Âé¶čÆ””ÀUniversity, has been awarded the 2025 Pulitzer Prize for a series of essays in The New Yorker chronicling life in Gaza.

“It hurts to win a big prize while the suffering which I wrote about in the winning work continues,” says Abu Toha. “It is my biggest hope that this achievement and recognition will be a step toward greater understanding of the decades-long plight of the Palestinian people and that it will inspire people, especially those in power, to act and put an end to this tragedy.”

A Palestinian poet, essayist and fiction writer, Abu Toha returned to Âé¶čÆ””Àlast year through the University’s participation in the international Scholars at Risk program. The Pulitzer Prize Committee awarded Abu Toha for his “essays on the physical and emotional carnage in Gaza that combine deep reporting with the intimacy of memoir to convey the Palestinian experience of more than a year and a half of war with Israel.”

“Mosab’s writing tells the important and often untold stories that deserve to be shared and amplified,” says Lois Agnew, interim vice chancellor, provost and chief academic officer. “This Pulitzer Prize honors not just his talent, but his courage and dedication to sharing his lived experience.”

“Mosab takes great pride and responsibility in his role as a writer and storyteller,” says Behzad Mortazavi, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. “Having our M.F.A. program graduates recognized at the Pulitzer Prize level confirms the University’s status as among the very best places for exceptionally gifted writers.”

Abu Toha also expressed gratitude to the University: “I would like to thank Âé¶čÆ””ÀUniversity’s administration, the Chancellor, the provost, the dean of arts and sciences and the creative writing program’s director, faculty and staff for their support.”

The New Yorker series also received an Overseas Press Club Award. Among Abu Toha’s other literary achievements are his latest poetry collection, “Forest of Noise” (Knopf, 2024), which was named a New York Times Notable Book, and his acclaimed debut collection, “Things You May Find Hidden in My Ear” (City Lights, 2022). The latter was a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award and won the 2022 Palestine Book Award in the Creative Writing category. He is also the recipient of the 2023 Derek Walcott Prize for Poetry and the 2022 American Book Award. His work has appeared in Poetry, The Nation, Arrowsmith and other leading literary publications.

Before returning to Âé¶čÆ””Àin 2024, Abu Toha was a visiting poet and scholar at Harvard University and served as librarian-in-residence at Harvard’s Houghton Library. He is the founder of the Edward Said Library in Gaza and previously taught English to middle school students through the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East.

]]> Live Like Liam Foundation Establishes Endowed Scholarship for InclusiveU /blog/2025/05/13/live-like-liam-foundation-establishes-endowed-scholarship-for-inclusiveu/ Tue, 13 May 2025 18:40:34 +0000 /?p=210266 Âé¶čÆ””ÀUniversity has received a $100,000 endowed scholarship from the Live Like Liam Foundation in support of the School of Education’s InclusiveU program. This meaningful gift will expand access to the University’s flagship program for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The scholarship was established in loving memory of Liam Zoghby, a cherished member of the Âé¶čÆ””ÀUniversity community who passed away in January 2024. Liam was a sophomore in the InclusiveU program and served as a student manager for the Orange men’s basketball team, leaving a lasting impact on all who knew him.

Zoghby Family presents a check to Chancellor Kent Syverud

Jalal and Eileen Zoghby, third and fourth from right, parents of Liam Zoghby, present a ceremonial check to Chancellor Kent Syverud. They are pictured with their family and Beth Meyers, right, Lawrence B. Taishoff Associate Professor of Inclusive Education and director of the Taishoff Center. (Photo by Marilyn Hesler)

“When we lost Liam, we had two options: either surrender to what had occurred or make a difference and ‘Find The Good.’ What we learned from Liam is that, through everything he went through, he never gave up and always sought the good,” say Liam’s parents Jalal and Eileen Zoghby. “With all the love and amazing support Liam experienced at InclusiveU, we are continuing Liam’s legacy and hopeful others will support the important work of the program and the meaningful opportunities it provides to students. May we find the good together.”

Formed in 2024, Live Like Liam Inc. is a charitable foundation created to honor Liam’s legacy. In partnership with the Central New York Community Foundation, the organization supports families of children with disabilities or life-threatening illnesses by providing critical financial assistance.

“Liam was a student whose love for Âé¶čÆ””Àran deep—and the feeling was mutual. His warmth, generosity and kindness left a lasting impression on everyone who knew him. We are deeply grateful to the Live Like Liam Foundation for establishing a scholarship in his memory. It is an honor to help carry Liam’s spirit forward by sharing his story and enthusiasm for life with the students who will benefit from this meaningful gift,” says Brianna Shults, director of InclusiveU.

InclusiveU brings students of all ages with intellectual and developmental disabilities who want to experience college life in a fully inclusive setting to Âé¶čÆ””ÀUniversity. For more information about InclusiveU, please visit

For more information about the Live Like Liam Foundation, visit: .

Karly Grifasi and Martin Walls contributed to this story

Ìę

]]> Dara Drake ’23 Named the University’s First Knight-Hennessy Scholar /blog/2025/05/13/dara-drake-23-named-the-universitys-first-knight-hennessy-scholar/ Tue, 13 May 2025 18:15:30 +0000 /?p=210263 A professional headshot of a person wearing a white blazer and standing against a blurred background. The right side of the image has a blue background with white text that reads 'Dara Drake '23' and '2025 Knight-Hennessy Scholar.' There is also an orange Block S at the bottom.

Alumna Dara Drake ’23 has been named as a 2025 Knight-Hennessy Scholar, the first from Âé¶čÆ””ÀUniversity.

Knight-Hennessy Scholars is a multidisciplinary, multicultural graduate scholarship program at Stanford University. Each Knight-Hennessy scholar receives up to three years of financial support to pursue graduate studies at Stanford while engaging in experiences that prepare them to be visionary, courageous and collaborative leaders who address complex challenges facing the world.

“Our world has never been in greater need of leaders to address a wide range of challenges,” says John L. Hennessy, Stanford University president emeritus and the Shriram Family Director of Knight-Hennessy Scholars. “Our scholars are ready to think boldly, act wisely and humbly, and lead with purpose, helping build a better future for all of us.”

Drake, from Highland Park, Illinois, earned a bachelor’s degree in policy studies from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs and College of Arts and Sciences in 2023. At Stanford, she will enroll in a dual master’s degree program in policy, organization and leadership studies in the Graduate School of Education and public policy in the School of Humanities and Sciences.

She is passionate about addressing inequities that lie at the intersection of education, technology and government. She co-founded Skills Win!, which brings “skills coaches” to schools and nonprofits across New York state. Her research on student voice and empowerment has been published in peer-reviewed journals and presented to global audiences, including twice at the United Nations.

Drake joined KPMG after graduating from Âé¶čÆ””Àand works as an education strategy consultant and national education operations lead. In that role, she is engaged to address complex challenges and answer difficult questions that schools struggle to resolve. “I love being in schools and talking to teachers and students, deans and principals,” she says.

As the national operations lead, Drake sets the processes and policies for the KPMG education team. She oversees research and thought leadership on issues from trends in education to the role of AI in education. Her team includes almost 700 people who serve 300 clients around the country.

At Stanford, Drake is seeking more formal training in leadership and to build her problem-solving skills through different perspectives. She worked with the University’s Center for Fellowship and Scholarship Advising (CFSA) to prepare her application and for her interviews. “Dara’s clear goals and incredible record of leadership make her a wonderful fit for the Knight-Hennessy Scholarship,” says Jolynn Parker, director of CFSA. “It was a joy to work with her on this application, and we can’t wait to see what she’ll do with this opportunity.”

“It is an honor to be the first Âé¶čÆ””Àstudent to receive this scholarship. I hope that I am the first of many more,” Drake says.

Her first year at Stanford, in policy organization and leadership studies, will help her build leadership skills. Most of the year will be spent in a field study in a school. Her second year, in public policy, will help her build her quantitative skills.

“The first year I’ll be thinking about creating, navigating and scaling effective changes in schools,” she says. “In the second year, I can think about the feasibility of that change and evaluate whether policies are working in the schools or, if they’re not, what about them needs to change.”

Drake says she is also looking forward to engaging with the Knight-Hennessy Scholar community. “I will have access to this really amazing group of people. They’re all super passionate about a specific problem,” she says.

Drake says that, in the field of education, problems are often very interconnected. “Schools are a place where almost all of the problems that we deal with as a society come together. If you don’t address them as a package deal, students are left behind,” she says. “I’m really excited to have this community and to get to learn how to better pitch my ideas.”

“I’ve talked to some of the scholars who have gone on and graduated, and they all cite this program as a launch pad,” she says. “Many of them say they changed over the course of their program because of the people they were introduced to, the way their thoughts were challenged and the resources and support that they accessed.”

At Syracuse, Drake was a University Scholar, a Maxwell | Arts and Sciences Scholar, and a Remembrance Scholar. She worked on solving problems both on campus and in the community.

“Âé¶čÆ””Àwas so instrumental and gave me all the experiences that I needed to match what I was learning in the classroom,” Drake says. “I was really lucky to have several professors and Âé¶čÆ””Àstaff that were on my team.”

Mentors such as Bill Coplin, professor of public policy in the Maxwell School, talked Drake through problems that she wanted to solve. “There were all kinds of experiences that I had as an undergraduate that enabled me to be successful in my job and prepared me to join a community like Knight-Hennessy,” she says.

In the first few weeks of her freshman year, a professor gave Drake advice she says she still holds in her heart. She told her, “Within measure, say yes to everything, even the things no one else wants to do.”

Drake’s long-term goal is to be a leader in education through a position at a government agency. And she will still follow that advice.

]]> ECS Team Takes First Place in American Society of Civil Engineers Competition /blog/2025/05/13/ecs-team-takes-first-place-in-american-society-of-civil-engineers-competition/ Tue, 13 May 2025 14:10:34 +0000 /?p=210119
Civil and environmental engineering student teams participated in the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Sustainable Solutions and Steel Bridge competitions during the 2025 Upstate New York-Canada Student Symposium, winning first place in the Sustainable Solutions competition. The symposium was held at the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York.

Students who participated in the 2025 ASCE competition

Students who participated in the 2025 ASCE competition

The ASCE Student Symposium challenges students to explore and implement sustainable solutions, allowing them to apply their skills and knowledge to real-world challenges. Competitions such as Sustainable Solutions encourage students to deepen their understanding of sustainability and learn how to integrate sustainable solutions into everyday engineering problems.

“We presented a redevelopment proposal focused on transforming a vacant office complex into a vibrant, sustainable and affordable housing community. The design incorporated green roofs, passive solar design, greywater recycling and community-oriented amenities such as a public garden, amphitheater and small local businesses,” says environmental engineering student Brooklyn Toller ’27.

The Steel Bridge competition challenges students to design and build a scale-model steel bridge. During the fall semester, students create a design based on specifications provided by the ASCE and draft plans for the construction of a 20-foot scale model. The goal is to minimize the bridge’s weight while ensuring it can support a load of 2,500 pounds.

Students with hard hats on participate in the 2025 ASCE Steel Bridge competition

Students participate in the Steel Bridge competition

The student team took first place for cost estimation,Ìęa category in the Steel BridgeÌęcompetition, and came in 6thÌęplace overall.

“It was intriguing to look at the other teams’ designs and construction processes. Seeing new and different intricacies from the other schools really allowed me to start thinking about ways that our bridge could be improved, which will help us improve our bridge design and construction process for years to come,” says civil engineering student Evan Garcia ’28.

The ASCE Âé¶čÆ””Àstudent chapter also participated in the Mead Paper competition, where students tackle complex issues about engineering ethics, allowing them to examine and communicate the purpose and responsibilities of a civil engineer.

“I was elected by my chapter to enter the Daniel W. Mead Student Prize Paper Competition. This opportunity allowed me to practice both my written and oral communication skills. I am very proud of the work that I put forth and am a better public speaker because of it,” says civil engineering student Shannon O’Kane ’28.

The Sustainable Solutions team will participateÌęin the ASCE’s national championships. The competition will be held June 27-29 at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo.

]]> Years of Growth Fueled Women’s Club Ice Hockey Team to Success /blog/2025/05/13/years-of-growth-fueled-womens-club-ice-hockey-team-to-success/ Tue, 13 May 2025 12:47:51 +0000 /?p=210176 The trajectory of the is what Hollywood makes movies about.

“When I joined [in Fall 2021] there were only six other people on the team,” says Amanda Wheeler, a senior at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry and co-president of the women’s ice hockey team. “For our games we had to borrow players from other teams because we often didn’t have enough [of our own] to start the game.”

The image shows a group of ice hockey players posing together on an ice rink. They are wearing matching uniforms with "Syracuse" written on them and are celebrating a victory. The scoreboard in the background shows a final score of 4-2. The team is holding a large trophy that reads "AAU National Champions." There is also a small cart with equipment next to the team.

The Âé¶čÆ””ÀUniversity women’s club ice hockey team claimed the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) College Hockey Women’s National Championship and finished the year 20-0.

Now, in the Spring 2025 semester, the team is fresh off of an undefeated (20-0) season and celebrating their recent win at the Women’s National Championship, a conference the team joined this academic year. “In the short time that I’ve been here, the team went from a relaxed, low-level program to one of the best women’s club hockey programs in the country,” says Elise Herrick, a junior at SUNY ESF and co-president alongside Wheeler.

Taking the team from a casual approach to being national champions in such a short amount of time is a credit to both the coaching staff and the players themselves. Christina Beam began coaching the team two years ago, and within those two years, she noticed the drive and commitment within the team change.

“The players are passionate about the game of hockey and the commitment to each other and the program,” says Beam. “At the end of last season, we did an ‘end of the year’ meeting with each of the athletes. We took their feedback seriously and developed a plan for this season. We shared our plan and expectations early on; this allowed us to all be on the same page and develop the program together.”

The image shows a group of people on an ice rink, with one person in a hockey uniform and another person in a suit holding up a large trophy that reads "AAU NATIONAL CHAMPIONS." The background includes other individuals and some banners.

Team captain Leah Landry ’26 (left) and coach Christina Beam hold the National Championship trophy after the Orange defeated the University of Tampa.

Along with implementing player feedback into the team strategy for the 2024-25 season, joining the AAU may have been the special ingredient needed to help the team truly take off. “Joining the AAU this year gave the team an opportunity to compete for a title; it may not sound like much to some, but to have an end goal is huge when you play competitive sports,” says Beam. “The women took our commitment seriously and it is evident by the season we played this year.”

The Orange completed their 2024-25 season in the College Hockey North Women’s Division undefeated, easily securing their place in the AAU National Championship, held March 6-9 in Jacksonville, Florida. But clinching a spot in nationals didn’t mean the work stopped.

“We spent a lot of time before the tournament setting expectations for ourselves, working our on-ice systems and mentally preparing for the games,” says Herrick. “We had never played [some of the teams], so we had no way of knowing how good they were going to be, but we knew that we had the skill to beat any team we faced as long as we played our game and stayed focused.”

Along with perfecting their skills on the ice, the team had to block out naysayers. “Despite being undefeated, there were a lot of people who didn’t think we would win, with some predicting that we wouldn’t even make it to the championship game,” Herrick says. “But the negative attention fueled us and made us even more determined to win.”

After winning their playoff games, including a close call against their opponent in the championship game , the University of Tampa, the team was nervous to get on the ice, but still as focused as ever on winning a title. “The score from that game [against Tampa the day before] was close and we all knew that Tampa would be coming out hard [in the championship] because of that,” says Wheeler. “I don’t think anyone [on our team] sat down during the entire game. It was constant cheering, singing and dancing, no matter what the score was. We just needed to calm our nerves and keep the energy up.”

The strategy to “keep the energy up” was a winning one. Near the end of the game. Ivy Dietrich ’27, assistant captain and a member of the team’s first line, scored a short-handed, empty net goal to put Âé¶čÆ””Àup 4-2 and secure the championship. “It was a real full-circle moment for me since I’m the only person still on the team from that original seven-person roster,” says Wheeler. “Being there holding the trophy with everyone who’s helped build this team and supported us for the past few years was incredible.”

The team is already planning how to keep the momentum going into next season. “We keep moving forward, we continue to build on what we’ve done right and work on things we’d like to do better,” Beam says. “We stay humble, committed and remember the joy we get from playing ice hockey.”

As Herrick prepares to move into her senior year and assume full presidential duties, she wants to see the team continue to flourish, both on and off the ice. “I hope that we can maintain the values of our program and continue to provide a welcoming environment for female hockey players looking to continue their careers and find a supportive community,” says Herrick. “One of the most important parts of a hockey team is the energy, and I want us to continue having good energy for as long as the program is around.”

Students interested in joining the women’s club ice hockey team can learn more on the .

]]> Utility Projects to Begin on Campus This Week; Temporary Closures and Detours Expected Throughout the Summer /blog/2025/05/12/utility-projects-to-begin-on-campus-this-week-temporary-closures-and-detours-expected-throughout-the-summer/ Mon, 12 May 2025 20:03:29 +0000 /?p=210242 The image shows a view of a university campus area with a focus on the "Law Quadrangle" sign etched on glass in the foreground. In the background, there is a brick building with trees and greenery around it. The building has two floors visible, with windows and an entrance pathway leading through an archway under the building. The scene is bright and appears to be taken during daytime.

Numerous site and utility projects will be completed on campus this summer, with work undertaken by University, CenTrio and New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) contractors. These projects are related to improving electrical infrastructure, the steam distribution system and work associated with the Business Loop I-81 project. A summary of the projects can be found below:

Electrical Infrastructure – H.B. Crouse Hall

Due to the installation of a temporary power system, there will be a sidewalk closure between H.B. Crouse Hall and the Hall of Languages, which will last from mid-May through the end of July. This will allow for a temporary transformer to be installed to provide building power during the work. A brief outage is required to set up this temporary system and is planned for Tuesday, May 20, from 4-7 a.m. The outage will affect the following buildings: H.B. Crouse, Hall of Languages, Tolley, Maxwell, Eggers, Falk, Holden, Hendricks Chapel, Steele Hall and Crouse College.

Electrical Infrastructure – Carnegie Lot

The north half of the Carnegie Lot (between Carnegie Library and Bowne Hall) will be closed for electrical duct bank improvements. There will be no pedestrian pathway through this area. The work will begin during the last week in May and extend into mid-July.

Electrical Infrastructure – MS-1 Substation

A contractor will make improvements to the MS-1 Substation, located north of Flint Hall, throughout the summer. There will be no vehicle or pedestrian impacts, but construction vehicles will be active in the area.

Electrical Infrastructure – Building Substations

To allow for upgrades to electrical primary substations in west campus buildings, there are multiple building-wide electrical outages planned for the summer, as detailed below:

  • Brewster Boland Brockway (BBB) Complex: The first outage is on Wednesday, May 14, starting at 6 a.m. (lasting six to eight hours). The second outage is tentatively planned for July 17.
  • Sadler Hall and Lawrinson Hall: The first outage is Thursday, May 15, starting at 6 a.m. (lasting six to eight hours). The second outage is tentatively planned for August 1.
  • Dineen Hall and Irving Ave Garage: The first outage is Saturday, May 17, starting at 6 a.m. (lasting six to eight hours). The second outage is planned for Saturday, July 19 starting at 6 a.m. (lasting 6-8 hours).
  • JMA Wireless Dome: The Dome outages will be coordinated with building staff and are planned to occur in late July.

Steam Distribution System Infrastructure

  • University Place at Irving Avenue: Due to an emergency steam repair in this area, there will be a closure of University Place at the intersection of Irving Avenue. This will require all vehicles accessing the Marley Lot and the Hillside Lot to use South Crouse Avenue from the east. The parking gate will be opened to allow for access. This closure will be in place from mid-June through the end of July.
  • BBB Complex: There are planned utility relocations necessary to allow for the I-81 project in the area west of the BBB complex. This includes modifications to the steam system, the chilled water system and a communications duct bank. As a part of this work, the BBB parking lot, the BBB loading dock and the BBB parking garage will be closed from mid-May through the end of July.
  • Raynor Lot:ÌęThere is a planned project to replace the steam distribution system along the entire east side of the Raynor Lot. There will be limited loss of parking in the area and the sidewalk on the west side of Stadium Place will be closed. The crosswalk across Stadium Place will be maintained for most of the summer. This project will start in May and extend into August.
  • Quad Lot:ÌęThere will be two vault repairs completed in the Quad Lot during the summer. These repairs will have short durations, with minimal impact to vehicle access and parking.

I-81 Business Loop Construction by NYSDOT

As a part of the I-81 project, the NYSDOT will have contractors working in the area of Van Buren Street, Renwick Avenue and Almond Street beginning in May. There will be significant work in the area and Renwick Avenue will close this summer. However, at this time, the NYSDOT does not anticipate a complete closure of the Almond Street/Van Buren Street intersection until 2026.

Staff with questions or concerns are asked to contact Dave Warren, Campus Planning, Design and Construction, at 315.632.5238 or dcwarren@syr.edu.

]]> Student Speaker Jonathan Collard de Beaufort ’25: ‘Let’s Go Be Brilliant’ (Video) /blog/2025/05/12/student-speaker-jonathan-collard-de-beaufort-25-lets-go-be-brilliant-video/ Mon, 12 May 2025 17:52:35 +0000 /?p=210233 University Scholar Jonathan Collard de Beaufort ’25 looked back on all that the Class of 2025 has accomplished and acknowledged what it took to get to Commencement.

“I’m here as one of 12 University Scholars, yet I know every single person in this stadium can tell their own stories of hard work, late nights and figuring it out along the way,” said Collard de Beaufort, May 11 in the JMA Wireless Dome.

“As a class, we have produced 3D printed tissues, built machine-learning algorithms, worked in architecture firms on four continents and researched court decisions on free speech. We have competed as Division 1 athletes and Academic All-Americans,” said Collard de Beaufort, a biochemistry major in the College of Arts and Sciences and member of the RenĂ©e Crown University Honors Program. “We each had our own version of figuring it out. Mine involved texting neurosurgeons until one of them replied, which led me into research and device development in neurosurgery.”

The University has been a launchpad for dreamers and doers, he said.

“Our inquiring and collaborative nature has taken us far together. We’ve set records in this dome for student attendance,” Collard de Beaufort said. “We volunteered in our community and raised record-breaking funds for OttoTHON, our yearly fundraiser dance marathon. We’ve built beds for local children needing a safe place to sleep, proving that Orange is the color of compassion.”

Throughout their time at the University, graduates have risen to the challenge as they have created, invented and explored.

“We’ve been bold. We took risks. We crossed borders. We found answers,” Collard de Beaufort said.

He also recognized that many people are involved in each graduate’s success.

“We thank our professors, the administration and staff, and our families who have been with us throughout,” Collard de Beaufort said. “And we thank our classmates who helped us along the way, who stayed up late with us, told us we could do it and reminded us who we were when we forgot.”

Collard de Beaufort encouraged graduates to carry that spirit of support and togetherness as they go out into the world.

“Congratulations, Class of 2025. We made it,” he said. “Let’s go be brilliant, be Orange.”

]]> Chancellor Syverud Addresses Graduates at Commencement Ceremony (Video) /blog/2025/05/12/chancellor-syverud-addresses-graduates-at-commencement-ceremony-video/ Mon, 12 May 2025 16:34:11 +0000 /?p=210214 Âé¶čÆ””ÀUniversity Chancellor Kent Syverud to remember those who have supported them during the University’s 2025 Commencement ceremony in the JMA Wireless Dome on May 11.

“You did not do this alone. Each of you got here because of so many who have faith in you. Some of the people who have faith in you, your faculty, the staff, are sitting in front of you and working all around this dome and all around this campus,” the Chancellor said. “Some of the people who support you and have faith in you, your family, your friends, your classmates are right behind you and next to you now, where once again, as always, they will have your back.”

The Chancellor conferred 6,930 degrees during the ceremony.

 

]]> 2025 Commencement in Photos /blog/2025/05/12/2025-commencement-in-photos/ Mon, 12 May 2025 16:23:52 +0000 /?p=210144 Three graduates in blue caps and gowns stand with their backs to the camera, arms around each other. The graduate on the left has a decorated cap with an orange 'S' on it. They are in a stadium, with blurred spectators in the background.

Three graduates gather together for a final (for now) sway at Commencement 2025. (Photo by Amy Manley)

Congratulations graduates! The accomplishments of the Class of 2025 were celebrated by students, faculty, staff and families as the University held its annual Commencement ceremony in the JMA Wireless Dome on Sunday, May 11. The photos below capture some of the pomp and circumstance of this special day.

For more Commencement coverage, check out the keynote address by 10-Time NBA All-Star Carmelo Anthony, Chancellor Kent Syverud’s remarks and student speaker and University Scholar Jonathan Collard de Beaufort ’25 addressing his fellow classmates.

Carmelo Anthony in academic regalia speaks at a podium during the Âé¶čÆ””ÀUniversity 2025 commencement ceremony. The podium has an orange banner with the text 'Âé¶čÆ””ÀUniversity 2025.' In the background, there are several other individuals in academic regalia seated, and orange banners with various college names.

Keynote speaker Carmelo Anthony addresses the Class of 2025 from the podium. (Photo by Amy Manley)

Chancellor Syverud, dressed in academic regalia, stands at a podium giving a speech. The podium has the text 'Âé¶čÆ””ÀUniversity' and '2025' on it. The background includes other people in academic regalia.

Chancellor Kent Syverud offers remarks to the crowd of graduates and their loved ones. (Photo by Coco Boardman)

A graduate in a cap and gown stands at a podium with the text 'Âé¶čÆ””ÀUniversity 2025' on it. Several people are seated behind the podium, also in academic regalia, with orange banners and white text hanging in the background.

University Scholar Jonathan Collard de Beaufort ’25 was selected as the student speaker on behalf of the Class of 2025. (Photo by Amy Manley)

A group of graduates wearing caps and gowns, with some raising their hands.

Commencement 2025 (Photo by Amy Manley)

Two individuals in academic regalia, Chancellor Kent Syverud and Bob Mankoff, hold a framed diploma from Âé¶čÆ””ÀUniversity.

College of Arts and Sciences alumnus Robert “Bob” Mankoff ’66 (right) was awarded an honorary doctor of letters degree by Chancellor Syverud. (Photo by Amy Manley)

Two individuals in academic regalia, Chancellor Kent Syverud and Ali Meders-Knight, hold a framed diploma from Âé¶čÆ””ÀUniversity.

Ali Meders-Knight (right), executive director of California Open Lands and Mechoopda tribal member, was awarded an honorary doctor of human letters degree by Chancellor Syverud. (Photo by Amy Manley)

Two individuals in academic regalia, Chancellor Kent Syverud and Judith Greenberg Seinfeld, hold a framed diploma from Âé¶čÆ””ÀUniversity.

School of Education alumna Judith Greenberg Seinfeld ’56 (right) received an honorary doctor of humane letters degree from Chancellor Syverud. (Photo by Amy Manley)

A group of people wearing graduation gowns and caps, stand in a row with their arms around each other. They are facing away from the camera, and the setting is a stadium with rows of seats in the background.

You did it, Class of 2025! (Photo by Amy Manley)

A person wearing graduation attire, including a cap and gown, with a sash that reads 'MARSHAL.' The person is raising one hand in the air and smiling.

Graduate School Marshal Qingyang Liu waves to the crowd as she processes. (Photo by Amy Manley)

Carmelo Anthony wears academic regalia while processing at Commencement 2025. In the background, there are many other graduates dressed in similar attire, some of whom are taking photos or looking towards the stage.

Carmelo Anthony (Photo by Amy Manley)

A group of graduates wearing caps and gowns at Commencement 2025. The graduates are holding up their phones, possibly taking photos or videos. Some of the graduates are adorned with leis and honor cords. The background shows stadium seating with some spectators visible.

Commencement 2025 (Photo by Marilyn Hesler)

A person in academic regalia holding a ceremonial mace, standing on the field of the JMA Wireless Dome at Commencement 2025. The background includes spectators seated in the stands.

Bea González G’04, former vice president for community engagement, special assistant to the chancellor and dean of University College, served as mace bearer. (Photo by Angela Ryan)

A group of people stand together on a grassy area in front of a large building with columns at Commencement 2025. The individuals are dressed in various outfits, with one person wearing a graduation cap and gown.

A student celebrates with loved ones on the Shaw Quad after the ceremony. (Photo by Amy Manley)

A group of people dressed in academic regalia, standing in a row on a stage at Commencement 2025. There are banners in the background that include the names of schools/colleges.

From left: Lois Agnew, interim vice chancellor and provost; Jonathan Collard de Beaufort ’25, student speaker; Jeffrey M. Scruggs, chair of the Board of Trustees; Commencement speaker Carmelo Anthony; and Chancellor Syverud. (Photo by Coco Boardman)

A person wearing a graduation cap and gown over an orange jacket with the word 'Syracuse' written on it. The person is standing on a field in the JMA Wireless Dome, with blurred spectators in the background.

Commencement 2025 (Photo by Amy Manley)

Four individuals wearing graduation gowns toss their caps in the air while standing on a grassy area of the Quad with a building in the background.

The obligatory cap toss (Photo by Amy Manley)

A person wearing an orange t-shirt with the text 'I LOVE MY MOM' printed on it. The person is holding open a dark blue graduation gown, revealing the t-shirt underneath. There are other people in the background also wearing graduation gowns.

When Commencement falls on Mother’s Day, mom deserves a shout-out too! (Photo by Amy Manley)

A group of people in academic regalia walk in a procession at Commencement 2025. The individuals are wearing caps and gowns, with some wearing hoods that indicate advanced degrees. The background shows an audience seated in a stadium setting.

Commencement 2025 (Photo by Angela Ryan)

Two individuals in graduation attire stand on the steps of a building with large columns. One individual is jumping in the air and Otto the Orange is between them.

Would it even be Commencement without Otto the Orange? (Photo by Amy Manley)

A group of four people standing outdoors during Commencement 2025, with a dog in front of them. One person is wearing a graduation cap and gown with an orange stole. The background includes trees, grass, and buildings.

Commencement 2025 (Photo by Amy Manley)

Three people stand outdoors, with trees and a building in the background. The person in the center is holding a decorated graduation cap that reads 'SU 2025' with an orange and blue design. The person on the left is pointing at the cap, while the person on the right is giving a thumbs-up gesture.

Commencement 2025 (Photo by Angela Ryan)

A group of people dressed in graduation attire and emergency responder uniforms, standing and sitting on chairs on a field. There is an orange banner behind them with a crowd of people seated in the background. The individuals are wearing caps, gowns, and stoles, indicating that they are graduates. Some individuals are also wearing uniforms with patches and badges.

Commencement 2025 (Photo by Amy Manley)

At the Falk College convocation ceremony, Dean Jeremy Jordan dressed in academic regalia stands next to Otto the Orange, taking a selfie with the crowd of graduates and attendees in the background. The stage has plants and water bottles on it, and the audience is seated in rows behind the stage.

Jeremy Jordan, dean of the Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics, takes a selfie with Otto and graduating students during the college’s Convocation event. (Photo courtesy of the )

A group of 7 people dressed in graduation attire, standing together indoors. Some are wearing caps and gowns with various colored sashes and cords, indicating different academic achievements or honors. The person on the left, Maxwell Dean David Van Slyke, is making a peace sign with their hand. The background includes a table with orange and blue decorations and balloons, as well as other people and architectural elements of the building.

Maxwell grads pose with Dean David M. Van Slyke (far left) during the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs Convocation. (Photo courtesy of the )

A group of seven people standing together outdoors on Âé¶čÆ””ÀUniversity's campus following the College of Professional Studies Convocation ceremony. One person in the center is wearing a graduation cap and gown with an orange stole. The other six people are dressed in various styles of clothing, including coats, dresses, and casual wear.

Celebrating on the Quad after the College of Professional Studies Convocation on May 8. (Photo courtesy of the )

A person in graduation attire, including a cap and gown, jumping in the air with both thumbs up. The background features a stone wall with the engraved text 'SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY' and some greenery. The Hall of Languages can be viewed in the background at a distance.

Sawyer Duserick ’25 is pumped to graduate magna cum laude from the Falk College. (Photo courtesy of Lea and Shannon Duserick)

A group of graduates wearing caps and gowns, with the focus on their decorated graduation caps. One cap has the text 'IT'S JUST ROCKET SCIENCE' with a small rocket illustration, and another cap has the year '2025' written in glittery decorations.

Spotted at the College of Engineering and Computer Science (ECS) Convocation: “It’s Just Rocket Science.” (Photo courtesy of )

A person in graduation attire holds up a diploma in front of the John A. Lally Athletics Complex. The background features a rounded building, other people and trees under a clear blue sky.

An Orange diploma is a beautiful sight. (Photo courtesy of )

Composite of two individuals in graduation attire holding diplomas. Both individuals are wearing black graduation caps with yellow tassels and black gowns with purple and orange accents. The individual on the left is holding a diploma cover that reads "Âé¶čÆ””ÀUniversity" with the university seal visible. The individual on the right is pumping their fist in the air and smiling.

All smiles at the College of Law Commencement on May 9. (Photos courtesy of the )

A group of five people posing for a photo at a graduation ceremony. Four individuals are wearing blue graduation gowns and caps, adorned with cords, stoles and medals. The person in the center is dressed in a black gown and cap. Behind them, an audience is seated in bleachers.

From left: Newhouse Class Marshal Charlotte Ebel ’25, national anthem singer Lauren Juzang ’25, Newhouse Convocation keynote speaker Jim Weiss ’87, undergraduate speaker Naimah Rahman ’25 and Newhouse Class Marshal Ryan Myers ’25. (Photo by Genaro C. Armas)

A group of people in graduation gowns and caps stand on a stage in front of a large orange banner with the text "Âé¶čÆ””ÀUniversity Founded 1870" and a laurel wreath design. The stage is decorated with plants, and there is a podium with the university seal in the center. Some individuals are holding diplomas, and others are wearing academic regalia

Singers onstage at the College of Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) Convocation (Photo courtesy of )

Graduates in caps and gowns standing on the steps of Hinds Hall, with words like 'Social', 'Cybersecurity', and 'Networks' displayed on the building's windows

Graduates from the School of Information Studies pose outside of Hinds Hall. (Photo courtesy of the )

a dog sits on a sofa wearing a blue and orange bow tie and a black mortarboard. There is a decorative pillow behind the dog that says Âé¶čÆ””ÀOrange.

Bauer, the Whitman School of Management’s pet therapy dog, donned a special cap and bowtie to help celebrate the occasion. (Photo courtesy of the )

]]> In ‘Full-Circle Moment,’ Carmelo Anthony Encourages Class of 2025 to ‘Chase Your Dreams’ (Video) /blog/2025/05/12/in-full-circle-moment-carmelo-anthony-encourages-class-of-2025-to-chase-your-dreams-video/ Mon, 12 May 2025 14:52:39 +0000 /?p=210141 As he took the stage at the JMA Wireless Dome Sunday to , Carmelo Anthony described to graduates how it was a “full-circle moment.”

“Standing here in this Dome, this place, where I once played, sweat, dreamt, won and grew is very surreal for myself,” Anthony said. “This building was my launchpad for my life.”

A person wearing a Commencement cap and gown and sunglasses addresses Âé¶čÆ””ÀUniversity's graduating class of 2025 in front of a podium that reads Âé¶čÆ””ÀUniversity 2025

Carmelo Anthony encouraged the Class of 2025 to “take that Orange spirit into the world. Be bold. Be kind. Be relentless. Live with a purpose. Give back. Honor your roots. Chase your dreams,” during his Commencement address. (Photo by Amy Manley)

The Dome, where he played a standout season with the Orange men’s basketball program, leading to the national championship in 2003, propelled him into his successful career as a professional basketball player, entrepreneur, philanthropist and media personality.

“Twenty-two years later, to return here, not in a jersey but on the stage speaking to you, the class of 2025, it feels like life has come all the way around,” Anthony said.

On the same stage where Anthony starred as a Âé¶čÆ””ÀUniversity student-athlete, Anthony urged the Class of 2025 to follow in the footsteps of previous graduates and make their own mark on the world as thinkers, doers, leaders and changemakers.

A person in academic regalia is standing at a podium with a microphone. The podium has an orange banner that reads "Âé¶čÆ””ÀUniversity." The person is wearing a black doctoral gown with blue velvet panels and gold piping, along with a black velvet tam cap adorned with a gold tassel. The background features an orange and blue backdrop.

Carmelo Anthony urged the graduates to make their own mark on the world as thinkers, doers, leaders and changemakers. (Photo by Amy Manley)

“Take that Orange spirit into the world. Be bold. Be kind. Be relentless. Live with a purpose. Give back. Honor your roots. Chase your dreams. And don’t be afraid to rewrite the script as you go,” Anthony told the approximately 6,900 graduating students.

“This is your time,” he said. “This is your launch pad.”

Anthony is one of the University’s most prolific former student-athletes and one of the greatest scorers in the history of the National Basketball Association. A member of the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team, Anthony played 19 seasons in the NBA after his one season with the Orange. He was a 10-time NBA All-Star, won three Olympic gold medals with the U.S. men’s national basketball team, and was elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame’s Class of 2025 earlier this spring.

But despite his impressive resume, Anthony emphasized to the graduating class that he dealt with his fair share of hardships. When faced with adversity, Anthony overcame his obstacles, and he encouraged the Class of 2025 to pick themselves up when they fail, and to never give up in the pursuit of their passions.

“Your path won’t be a straight line, and that’s okay,” said Anthony, who in 2017 received the Chancellor’s Medal for Philanthropy in honor of his extraordinary contributions to the University and the community.

“You can evolve again and again, as long as you keep chasing what sets your soul on fire,” Anthony said. “But as you chase your dreams, don’t forget where you came from and don’t forget the people who helped get you there.”

Later this fall, Anthony’s son, Kiyan Anthony, will follow in his father’s footsteps as a member of the Orange men’s basketball program.

The opportunity to watch Kiyan walk the same halls on campus, wear the same Orange and play basketball in the same Dome is “one of the proudest moments of my life,” Anthony said. “But it’s not just about following in my footsteps, it’s about watching him create his own story.”

When it came to their own stories, Anthony told the graduates that “the seeds you plant today can grow far beyond what you imagined,” while reminding the Class of 2025 to use their degrees to better their communities.

“What’s the point of success if you’re not using it to lift others?” Anthony said. “Carry the Orange with you because the Orange spirit is real. It’s grit. It’s passion. It’s pride. It’s knowing how to rise when things get hard. It’s loyalty and it’s heart.”

The image shows a graduation ceremony taking place in a large indoor stadium. The focus is on an individual in the foreground wearing academic regalia, including a black cap and gown with blue and orange accents. In the background, there are many other graduates dressed in similar attire, some of whom are taking photos or looking towards the stage.

Carmelo Anthony receives a warm welcome from the Class of 2025 before the University’s Commencement exercises Sunday morning inside the JMA Wireless Dome. (Photo by Amy Manley)

]]> 3 New Members Elected to University’s Board of Trustees /blog/2025/05/12/3-new-members-elected-to-universitys-board-of-trustees/ Mon, 12 May 2025 13:25:12 +0000 /?p=210133 Âé¶čÆ””ÀUniversity has announced the appointment of three new members of the Board of Trustees, all distinguished leaders in their chosen professions who are also engaged alumni dedicated to serving their communities and the University in meaningful and impactful ways. The new trustees are Alonna Berry ’11, Jonathan Resnick ’89 and Frank Ryan IV ’90, L’94.

“We are so pleased to welcome these new members to the board and grateful for their commitment to strengthening their alma mater and enhancing the student experience,” says Board Chair Jeff Scruggs. “Their personal and professional experiences and vision will be critical to the work we do to ensure the University achieves its ambitious goals.”

Chancellor Kent Syverud says he is looking forward to working with the new trustees and eliciting their diverse viewpoints. “All of these individuals are outstanding in their fields, and they understand the persistence and passion required to bring about positive change in an organization,” says Chancellor Syverud. “They are role models and mentors and each, in their own way, has established a legacy of excellence and service. We will no doubt benefit from their insights.”

Alonna Berry ’11

head shot

Alonna Berry

Given her family history and undergraduate experiences at Âé¶čÆ””ÀUniversity, Berry was destined for a career in leadership, education and service. Today, she is executive director of the , a statewide force for justice reform and community empowerment through programming and advocacy. Throughout her career, whether in politics and policy, or teaching and consulting, she has focused on using the power of education to create positive social change.

Berry a long line of educational leaders in Delaware, including a great-aunt who was the first black female superintendent in the state.

At Âé¶čÆ””ÀUniversity, where she was a 2011 graduate of the College of Arts and Sciences with a major in writing and rhetoric, she was offered an opportunity to help run a GED program for inmates. Since then, her life and work have reflected a commitment to education, policy reform and transformative leadership.

After teaching English and math in public schools, Berry gained experience in public policy working in the Delaware Department of Education and was the public face of Teach for America Delaware as manager of alumni and teacher impact. Berry served as the director of Community and Family Services and senior policy advisor for Health, Equity, and Education for the Office of Governor John Carney in Delaware and was the state’s first trauma-informed care coordinator. She also served as a senior director at Social Contract, which helps organizations achieve social impact goals.

Berry founded the Bryan Allen Stevenson School of Excellence, a public charter high school dedicated to service learning, matching the needs of students with the needs of community.

Her passion for service and community was evident as an undergraduate. She was a Remembrance Scholar and active in the Black Celestial Choral Ensemble, often performing at alumni events. An engaged member of the Âé¶čÆ””ÀUniversity Alumni Association, she served as chair of the Diversity and Inclusion Committee and recently became association president.

She has held leadership roles on several boards, including The Delaware Center for Justice, The Milton Historical Society, Next Generation South, The Delaware Historical Society and Delaware Guidance Services and is active in the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.

Berry is a doctoral candidate in organizational learning and innovation at Wilmington University, holds a post-graduate certificate in virtual online teaching and learning from the University of Pennsylvania, and a graduate degree in management and organizational leadership from Wilmington University.

She lives in Milton, Delaware, with her husband, Benjamin Spears, and son, Malkemus.

Jonathan Resnick ’89

head shot

Jonathan Resnick

As president of Jack Resnick & Sons, Resnick understands what it means to uphold and advance a legacy. For nearly a century, the company has been a major force in the dynamic Manhattan real estate market. Joining the company in 1996 and becoming its president in 2007, Resnick oversees the firm’s portfolio of more than five million square feet of commercial, office and retail space, and approximately 900 high-rise luxury rental apartments.

Resnick learned the business from his father, Burton, who learned it from his father and company founder, Jack, who learned from , Israel, who owned brownstones in Harlem.

The Resnick family firm is highly respected in the industry, from ground-up development, construction, leasing and management, earning awards for sustainability and energy efficiency, and credited with revitalizing urban landscapes.

Resnick helped to honor the legacy of a former Âé¶čÆ””ÀUniversity fundraising executive by establishing a scholarship in 2021 in memory of Tom Walsh. Walsh had spent much of his career raising funds to position the University for growth. The creative writing scholarship strengthened the study of arts and literature in the creative writing undergraduate program in the College of Arts and Sciences. Resnick has actively supported other Âé¶čÆ””Àfundraising efforts as well, including Hillel and the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, and was heavily involved in construction of the Fisher Center in New York City.

Resnick serves as chair of the Realty Advisory Board on Labor Relations in New York City, and sits on the Executive Committee of the Real Estate Board of New York. He is a director of the New York Building Congress, and a former chairman of the Greater New York Construction User Council. He is a board member of the Borough of Manhattan Community College Foundation, RiverSpring Health Plans (the managed care arm of RiverSpring Living) and the Masters School in Dobbs Ferry, New York.

Resnick graduated from Âé¶čÆ””ÀUniversity in 1989 with a B.S. in producing for electronic media from the Newhouse School.

He lives in Harrison, New York, with his wife, Joelle, and two children.

Frank Ryan IV ’90, L’94

Frank Ryan

undergraduate student-athlete who earned a four year varsity letter to magna cum laude Order of the Coif graduate from the College of Law, Ryan says Âé¶čÆ””ÀUniversity . Today, Ryan is global co-chair, global co-CEO and Americas chair at DLA Piper, a global law firm with more than $4 billion in revenues and offices in more than 40 countries.

Known as a go-to strategist for some of the world’s most sophisticated media and sports companies, including Disney, ABC, the Pac-12 and ESPN, Ryan helped lead the firm through a period of unprecedented growth. He is also founding chair of the firm’s scholarship programs established to assist student athletes and veterans wishing to pursue a legal career.

Ryan joined the firm in 2010 as a partner, U.S. co-chair of the intellectual property and technology practice, and deputy chair of the media, sport and entertainment sector. He was instrumental in strengthening the firm’s growth in technology, life sciences and health care sectors and launching artificial intelligence, health care policy consulting and space exploration practices. Before DLA Piper, he spent nearly 16 years at Nixon Peabody LLP where he was partner and chair of the firm’s litigation practice.

He is a member of the Legal Service Corporation’s Leaders Council, the nation’s largest funder of civil legal aid programs for low-income people, and on the Board of Directors for Beat the Streets NYC. He is also a member of The Wall Street Journal CEO Council and Thomson Reuters’ Global Strategy Board.

Ryan graduated with a B.S. in finance from the Martin J. Whitman School of Management in 1990, though he often calls wrestling his major undergraduate pursuit and was a three-time team captain of the Âé¶čÆ””ÀUniversity Wrestling Team.

Ryan has served on the College of Law’s Board of Advisors since 2004.ÌęHe is a former member of the College Law Board of Visitors (1998-2003), the College of Law Associates Council (1998-2016), and in 2017, was awarded Âé¶čÆ””ÀUniversity’s College of Law Distinguished Service Award.

He and his wife, Melissa M. Dunne-Ryan ’90, L’94, have three adult children, Zach, Sean and Will ’26 (Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs/College of Arts and Sciences).

]]> Arts and Sciences Hosts Inaugural Scholarship and Research Gala /blog/2025/05/09/arts-and-sciences-hosts-inaugural-scholarship-and-research-gala/ Fri, 09 May 2025 14:03:46 +0000 /?p=210112

The College of Arts & Sciences (A&S) kicked off a new tradition for recognizing A&S faculty excellence and achievements from over the past year with its inaugural Scholarship and Research Gala. The May 1 event was held in the Schine Student Center’s Goldstein Auditorium.

University and college leadership, including Interim Vice Chancellor, Provost and Chief Academic Officer , Vice President for Research , Executive Director of Foundation Relations , A&S Dean and Associate Dean for Creativity, Scholarship and Research celebrated the impressive breadth and impact of research at Âé¶čÆ””ÀUniversity’s oldest and largest college, highlighting A&S researchers’ commitment to advancing knowledge across disciplines.

Attendees at Arts and Sciences gala

The College of Arts and Sciences launched a new tradition celebrating faculty scholarship

The celebration, which included a reception and dinner, underscored impressive scholarly achievements across the college:

  • More than 30 faculty members have published books in the past two years
  • Dozens of professors received prestigious awards, honors and fellowships
  • A&S researchers secured $19 million in awarded federal research funding in fiscal year 2024

Ross noted that the event was designed to foster cross-disciplinary connections, with seating arrangements that encouraged faculty from different departments to learn from one another. Colleagues from across the college discussed their diverse research interests, discovering shared triumphs and challenges despite differences in topics and methodologies.

“Each person is passionate about their work and sharing it with their students, and there is a diversity of disciplines, approaches and timescales for the work,” Ross said. “Our wonderful team collaborated to bring this vision to life. Directors of research development for the College of Arts and Sciences, Melissa Whipps and Sarah Workman, developed the interdisciplinary aspects, while assistant director of events Jessica Allman and operations assistant Hailee Bosco transformed the concept into a seamless event through their logistical expertise.”

“The range of topics and the profound impact of these studies demonstrate the commitment of our researchers to pushing the boundaries of knowledge and understanding,” said Mortazavi. “Without the pioneering efforts and relentless pursuit of excellence by our researchers in the College of Arts and Sciences, we would not be able to teach, inspire and innovate in the ways that we do. Their contributions not only enhance our academic environment but also shape the future of their respective fields.”

The gala also acknowledged the crucial support provided by staff members from the , academic departments, , , , and the , whose contributions are essential to the college’s research enterprise.

Attendees departed with a renewed appreciation for the college’s supportive and accomplished academic community. Several commented that the night ended too early. Perhaps there will be dancing next year?

]]> Chancellor Kent Syverud Honored as Distinguished Citizen of the Year at 57th Annual ScoutPower Event /blog/2025/05/08/chancellor-kent-syverud-honored-as-distinguished-citizen-of-the-year-at-57th-annual-scoutpower-event/ Thu, 08 May 2025 16:31:20 +0000 /?p=210082 Âé¶čÆ””ÀUniversity Chancellor Kent Syverud was recognized by Scouting America, Longhouse Council, as the Distinguished Citizen of the Year at the organization’s 57th annual ScoutPower dinner. The annual fundraiser is one of the biggest scouting events in the nation and raised nearly $600,000 in support of programs that help build character, teach responsibility and instill lifelong skills in youth through scouting.

Two individuals in suits stand on a stage. One holds a beige Boy Scout uniform shirt with patches and badges, draped over the back of a wooden chair. Behind them are two flags—a Haudenosaunee flag that is purple with white symbols and an orange Âé¶čÆ””ÀUniversity flag with the University seal. Green plants are visible in the bottom right corner.

Chancellor Kent Syverud (left) receives the Distinguished Citizen of the Year Award from Scout Executive/CEO of Scouting America, Longhouse Council Edwin Theetge at the 57th Annual ScoutPower event on May 7.

Chancellor Syverud, a native of Irondequoit, New York, has long been involved in the mission of scouting, achieving the rank of Eagle Scout and previously serving on the board of the Longhouse Council. Chancellor Syverud and his wife, Dr. Ruth Chen, professor of practice in the College of Engineering and Computer Science, have three grown sons, Steven, Brian and David, all of whom participated in scouting.

“I am honored to be named the Distinguished Citizen of the Year by Scouting America,” says Chancellor Syverud. “Scouting has been a meaningful part of my life for as long as I can remember—first as a scout and now as a member of the Longhouse Council. I’m grateful for the friendships, bonds and connections I’ve made, and I appreciate everyone who supports Scouting America and encourages young people to participate in scouting programs.”

This year’s ScoutPower event featured another Orange connection: NBC sports commentator Mike Tirico ’88 delivered the keynote. Tirico, an alumnus of the University’s Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs and College of Arts and Sciences and well-known sports commentator, delivered an engaging and inspiring address. Tirico’s career includes notable coverage of “Sunday Night Football,” the Olympics and other high-profile sports broadcasts.

A man stands at a podium delivering a speech to an audience. The podium features a Âé¶čÆ””ÀUniversity seal on the front. Behind the speaker are three flags: the United States flag, a state flag likely representing New York, and a purple Haudenosaunee flag. Audience members are seated and facing the speaker.

Mike Tirico delivers the evening’s keynote speech.

Âé¶čÆ””ÀUniversity was the presenting sponsor of the event, along with JMA Wireless. SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry President Joanie Mahoney ’87, L’90, who herself has a notable history with scouting and was named Distinguished Citizen of the Year by the Longhouse Council in 2023, served as this year’s event chair.

]]> New Maymester Program Allows Student-Athletes to Develop ‘Democracy Playbook’ /blog/2025/05/08/new-maymester-program-allows-student-athletes-to-develop-democracy-playbook/ Thu, 08 May 2025 15:58:36 +0000 /?p=210085 A building with a Âé¶čÆ””ÀUniversity sign is visible behind a metro station entrance sign for Dupont Circle Station. The building has multiple windows and is surrounded by trees.

The University’s presence in Washington, D.C., helps provide students with an up-close look at the workings of the nation’s capital.

Fourteen student-athletes will experience Washington, D.C., next week as part of a new Maymester program hosted by the (IDJC).

The one-week program, Democracy Playbook: DC Media and Civics Immersion for Student-Athletes, will give students an up-close look at the inner workings of the nation’s capital and prompt them to explore how they can use their skills as athletes to bring visibility to important issues.

“Athletes are born leaders and team players,” says , Kramer Director of IDJC. “This program will guide them as they take their talent, discipline and passion off the field to develop their civics muscles, with a playbook for how to navigate media, politics and policy.”

Students will arrive in Washington having chosen a policy or issue that matters to them, with the goal of learning to support and advocate for that issue. A series of instructional modules will cover topics like Representing Your Community, Media Literacy and Engagement, and Social Media, Traditional Media and Your Brand. Students will also participate in media/advocacy training sessions, and hear from various civic and business leaders based in D.C.

The week will also include tours the U.S. Capitol Building, the Department of State, the National Archives and ESPN studios, as well as social activities like the , a and a game at Audi Field.

The new program helps expand opportunities for student-athletes, whose training and game schedules often prevent them from participating in traditional semester-long programs.

]]> From Policy to Practice: How AI is Shaping the Future of Education /blog/2025/05/08/from-policy-to-practice-how-ai-is-shaping-the-future-of-education/ Thu, 08 May 2025 15:45:56 +0000 /?p=210087 President Trump recently signed an executive order . Among other things, it establishes a task force to promote AI-related education and tools in the classroom.

Jing Lei

That is a major area of focus for , a Âé¶čÆ””ÀUniversity School of Education professor whose research interests include technology integration in schools and emerging technologies for education.

Dr. Lei says that overall, integrating AI into K-12 education is the right direction to go. “Many other countries have started integrating AI into their K-12 education systems several years ago. For example, South Korea unveiled a plan to integrate AI deeply into their public education system in 2023. Japan’s AI Strategy 2019 called for AI integration into the whole education system,” Lei says.

Dr. Lei also offers some ways that educators can think about integrating AI into their classrooms.

Q: Are there currently any accepted standards for how to incorporate AI from either a learning perspective or as a tool for educators?Ìę

A: Organizations have published guidelines on how to incorporate AI in education, and researchers have made various suggestions on effective strategies in using AI to improve teaching and learning. For example, UNESCO published in 2023. This guidance emphasizes a human-centered approach and provided suggestions on a comprehensive framework for integrating generative AI tools into educational and research settings. In August 2024, UNESCO also published , which outlined the necessary knowledge and skills for teachers and students to work with AI technologies.

AI is not just a tool for education. It is also the curriculum, an assistant to teachers and students, and a learning environment.

Q: What should districts be thinking about beyond the popular large language models like ChatGPT?Ìę

A: In addition to the popular LLMs such as ChatGPT, there are many diverse and education-focused AI tools and AI-integrated platforms. These AI resources can help teachers with their teaching and school administrators with their daily tasks and education management. School districts can look into the various and ever-growing AI technologies to decide what would work the best for their community.

In addition to providing resources and support, it’s the school district’s responsibility to provide guidance and policies to set clear ethical guidelines on AI use, regulate data use and protection, and ensure equity and access in the use of AI in the classrooms.

AI is not just a tool for education. It is also the curriculum, an assistant to teachers and students, and a learning environment. And all is evolving fast as AI technology continues to develop. School leaders need to consider the multi-faceted and fast-evolving nature of AI in their adoption of AI technology.

By working complementarily with AI, the teachers’ role focuses on helping students make meaning of their learning, supporting students’ overall development, and sustaining students’ interest and motivation to learn.

Q: Are there ways AI is helping teachers that people may not know about?

A: AI certainly can help teachers improve their current practices, however, the best way that AI can help teachers is for the teachers to work complementarily with AI technology to personalize education. This means that AI and the teacher each contribute in ways that enhance the other’s strengths. AI can take on the more routine and time-consuming tasks to free teachers up to focus on more human-centered and creativity-focused aspects of education. For example, AI tools can provide immediate feedback on student performance, scaffold customized practice based on students individual differences, and support students to learn at their own pace; While the teacher can review AI-generated reports to identify areas where students need more support and guidance, help students make connections and meaning of the content, and, most importantly, build human connections and offer emotional and psychological support to students in their learning process.

By working complementarily with AI, the teachers’ role focuses on helping students make meaning of their learning, supporting students’ overall development, and sustaining students’ interest and motivation to learn.

To request interviews or get more information:

Chris Munoz
Media Relations Specialist
cjmunoz@syr.edu

]]> Kohn, Wiklund, Wilmoth Named Distinguished Professors /blog/2025/05/08/kohn-wiklund-wilmoth-named-distinguished-professors/ Thu, 08 May 2025 14:08:34 +0000 /?p=210070 Three Âé¶čÆ””ÀUniversity faculty members have been named Distinguished Professors, one of the University’s highest honors. The designation is granted by the Board of Trustees to faculty who have achieved exceptionally distinguished stature in their academic specialties.

The newly named Distinguished Professors are , David M. Levy Professor of Law in the ; , Al Berg Chair and professor of entrepreneurship and emerging enterprises in the , and , professor of sociology in the .

“Through their research and scholarship, these professors are a key part of the vibrant academic community here on campus, and this honor is well-deserved,” says Interim Vice Chancellor, Provost and Chief Academic Officer Lois Agnew. “Just as important, they are making real and important contributions to society, with work that has the potential to change people’s lives.”

Candidates are nominated by their deans and reviewed by the vice provost/faculty affairs, who seeks input from external referees and a committee of Distinguished or University Professors. Formal nomination packets are then reviewed by the vice chancellor, provost and chief academic officer and the vice president for research before being forwarded to the Board of Trustees.

A person with long, wavy hair stands indoors holding a closed book with both hands. They are dressed in a dark suit jacket over a light-colored top. The background includes large windows revealing green foliage outside and metal railings inside.

Nina Kohn

Nina Kohn

Kohn is an internationally recognized leader in elder law, known for prolific, impactful work in the areas of guardianship, long-term care, advance planning, decision-making in the face of incapacity and elder abuse. She is the author of “Elder Law: Practice, Policy & Problems,” the leading text in her field, and has helped shape elder law-related legislation through her involvement with the .

Kohn’s work centers on the civil rights of older adults, and she has a strong scholarly presence in health law. She is a member of the American Law Institute.

Kohn joined the Âé¶čÆ””Àfaculty in 2005 and has served in multiple leadership roles, including associate dean for research, associate dean for online education and faculty director of online education.

A person stands in front of a wall with glass panels, wearing a light blue sweater over a collared shirt and square-framed glasses.

Johan Wiklund

Johan Wiklund

Wiklund is an internationally recognized leader in the study of entrepreneurship, having transformed the field through attention to neurodiversity and well-being, among other topics. He is widely praised for his ability to anticipate emerging trends and his willingness to take risks in his work as a journal editor.

In 2022, Wiklund was recognized as the third most-published entrepreneurship scholar in the world and as being among the top 2% most impactful researchers globally. His scholarship has won multiple awards, particularly from the Academy of Management, and he has also been honored for mentoring both graduate students and early-career scholars.

Wiklund joined the Âé¶čÆ””Àfaculty in 2008 and has held several honorific titles at universities in the United Kingdom, Canada, Norway, Australia and Sweden. He has also served in multiple leadership roles, including as editor-in-chief of the flagship journal Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice and as associate editor or board member at a number of academic journals.

A person with short, light brown hair is wearing a blue blazer and a pearl necklace against a neutral backdrop

Janet Wilmoth

Janet Wilmoth

Wilmoth is director of the Ìęand a leading scholar on the relationship between veteran status and aging. She is best known for her work on living arrangements in later life and the well-being of veterans, especially the unique impacts of military service on health. Wilmoth’s scholarship laid the foundation for approaching veteran status as the “hidden variable” in aging research.

Wilmoth is widely published in the top journals in her field and has secured significant external funding. She has held national-level leadership positions in the American Sociological Association and the Gerontological Society of America.

Wilmoth joined the Âé¶čÆ””Àfaculty in 2002 and has served in several leadership positions on campus, including director of the Gerontology Center and chair of the Department of Sociology.

]]> Major League Soccer’s Meteoric Rise: From Underdog to Global Contender /blog/2025/05/07/major-league-soccers-meteoric-rise-from-underdog-to-global-contender/ Wed, 07 May 2025 17:33:23 +0000 /?p=209990 Rick Burton portrait

Rick Burton

With the 30th anniversary of Major League Soccer (MLS) fast approaching, it’s obvious MLS has come a long way from its modest beginning in 1996. Once considered an underdog in the American sports landscape, the league has grown into a global player. MLS now draws international stars, record-breaking crowds and major media deals.

It’s also become home to a number of former Âé¶čÆ””Àstudent athletes, with Kamal Miller, Deandre Kerr, Alex Bono and Miles Robinson all suiting up for MLS teams. But behind the headlines and highlight reels is a deeper story.

“There’s a long history of failed soccer leagues in North America,” says Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics Professor Rick Burton, who has spent years studying the evolution of MLS. “Many investors, owners and even players lost a lot of money before MLS finally found its footing. That context is important—it shows just how remarkable the league’s success really is.”

This success has taken 30 years to grow. The league started in 1996, with professional soccer returning to the states for the first since 1984, when the North American Soccer League ceased operations.

“What amazed us was just how much MLS had evolved,” Burton says. “When the Apple deal was announced and Inter Miami signed Lionel Messi, the numbers—attendance, rising team values, internationality of players—really stood out.”

Burton, along with Norm O’Reilly, a professor at the University of New England, have studied the rise of soccer’s popularity in the United States, specifically MLS, one of the most diverse leagues on the planet, O’Reilly says. “It’s been that way for years, and that diversity is a huge part of its appeal both domestically and internationally,” he says.

Rise of Major League Soccer bookThat success is the focus of a new book, “The Rise of Major League Soccer,” co-authored by Burton and O’Reilly and released this week. It offers a comprehensive and research-driven look at how MLS has grown into one of the world’s most dynamic sports leagues, drawing on a wide range of sources, including exclusive demographic data provided by MLS itself.

Both Burton and O’Reilly have also explored how the league has strategically positioned itself for long-term success. Soccer-specific stadiums, a global media partnership with Apple and the arrival of global icons like David Beckham and Lionel Messi have all played a role in reshaping how MLS is perceived.

With the U.S. set to host the FIFA Club World Cup in 2025 and the FIFA World Cup in 2026, the timing for MLS couldn’t be better. “MLS is no longer just a league with potential,” says Burton. “It’s a case study in how vision, strategy and persistence can build something truly global.”

“There are key takeaways, learnings and best practices that sport business professionals can apply in their own work,” says Burton. “We wanted this to be both a compelling story and a useful resource.”

]]> Âé¶čÆ””ÀAthletics Records Highest APR Score in 4 Years /blog/2025/05/07/syracuse-athletics-records-highest-apr-score-in-4-years/ Wed, 07 May 2025 16:38:10 +0000 /?p=210046

Âé¶čÆ””ÀUniversity Athletics continues to demonstrate its commitment to academic excellence, as shown in the latest release of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Academic Progress (APR) data. The University earned a single-year score of 989 (out of 1,000) for the 2023-24 cohort—the highest score achieved in the past four years.

Syracuse’s score of 989 is once again above the national averageÌęand marked the 13th-straight year with an APR score of 982-or-better.

APR, which began in 2006, is the NCAA’s academic metric that tracks the eligibility, retention and graduation of student-athletes. A score of 989 not only reflects the sustained efforts of student-athletes, coaches and academic staff, but also reaffirms Syracuse’s position as a leader in student-athlete academic success.

“This achievement is a reflection of the dedication our student-athletes bring to both their sport and their studies,” says Tommy Powell, assistant provost for student-athlete academic development. “We’re incredibly proud of this collective accomplishment and grateful for the support from faculty, coaches and staff who make this success possible.”

In addition to the overall department success, 11 teams earned a perfect single-year APR score of 1,000, including women’s basketball, men’s cross country, women’s cross country, women’s ice hockey, men’s lacrosse, women’s lacrosse, women’s soccer, softball, men’s track and field, women’s track and field and volleyball. It’s the seventh-straight year that Âé¶čÆ””Àhas seen at least four of its programs receive perfect APR scores.

The NCAA also tracks multi-year APR scores, with volleyball achieving a perfect 1,000 for the sixth-consecutive year to lead all programs. Women’s basketball, women’s cross country and women’s lacrosse also received perfect multi-year scores.

All Âé¶čÆ””ÀAthletics programs remain comfortably above the NCAA’s minimum APR standards, underscoring the University’s holistic commitment to the academic and personal development of its student-athletes.

]]> SOURCE Enables School of Education Undergraduates to Research, Explore Profession /blog/2025/05/07/source-enables-school-of-education-undergraduates-to-research-explore-profession/ Wed, 07 May 2025 16:18:19 +0000 /?p=209359 The image shows three people standing next to a blue banner with an orange "S" and the text "Âé¶čÆ””ÀUniversity School of Education."

Through a research project funded by the (SOURCE), School of Education (SOE) seniors Denaysha Macklin ’25 and Emma Wareing ’25 are continuing research to investigate barriers women of color face in advancing from K-12 teachers to school leaders.

The project—called “Pipeline to Educational Leadership Positions for Women of Color,” now in its fifth year—utilizes qualitative interviews with minority women who serve or have served as district-level administrators, examining the adversities they have overcome in obtaining their positions.

Timely Research

Both Macklin and Wareing earned a SOURCE fellowship after Professor encouraged them to apply. The pair started their research over the summer of 2024 with guidance from Theoharis, who has been a SOURCE advisor since the project began.

SOURCE offers a range of programs to foster and support undergraduate participation in faculty-guided scholarly research. Since summer 2021, 12 SOE faculty have mentored undergraduates through SOURCE grants and programs. Director Kate Hanson says student participants build research skills, learn to design and revise projects, present their work and produce timely contributions to their discipline.

“They are able to connect their knowledge from their own education to innovative and cutting-edge research,” Hanson says, noting that SOE students can use their new understanding of the broader landscape in both their future classrooms and educational leadership roles.

Macklin and Wareing began their portion of the project by reviewing previous years’ transcripts before connecting with educational leaders to request and conduct interviews over the spring 2025 semester. “Using qualitative methods allows us to fill the gap of literature that highlights these shifts to leadership roles,” Theoharis says.

Each year, students have sought to speak with at least two women, conducting two-part interviews to inquire about career experiences, paths and transitions to administration, as well as any racial and gender barriers they faced. As the project continues, with future undergraduate researchers adding more first-person accounts, Theoharis says at some point all the interviews will be combined and published.

Inspirational Women

The image shows three people sitting in an office setting. One person is seated on the left side of a wooden desk facing two other individuals, who are seated on the right side.

Professor George Theoharis discusses the SOURCE-funded research project “Pipeline to Educational Leadership Positions for Women of Color” with Emma Wareing ’25 (seated left) and Denaysha Macklin ’25.

Wareing and Macklin will join Theoharis to present their findings at the American Education Research Association (AERA) conference, April 23-27 in Denver, Colorado.

“AERA is the biggest, most prestigious education research conference,” Theoharis says. “Since Emma and Denaysha are focused on school leaders, they will present in the division on administration and leadership, sharing the project with researchers, faculty and doctoral students.”

At past conferences, student research has been well received. “It’s typically not a space for undergraduates, so when attendees hear from them, they’ve been very impressed,” Theoharis says. “I’ve been pleasantly surprised several times how gender and racially affirming the space has been for our students.”

Theoharis notes that the presentations overwhelmingly attract women of color whose own experiences resonate with students’ findings, which, Theoharis says, helps the young researchers see a potential future in such spaces, affirming that they belong.

“I don’t remember having a Black woman as a teacher, let alone [in] leadership,” Macklin says, “Getting to talk to people who were in these positions and still are, it makes me able to see myself there, whereas before I couldn’t really see myself doing anything more than being a teacher.”

A goal of the project is to document the stories and experiences of women of color because, Theoharis says, too often teachers don’t reflect the diversity represented in the student body. Within school administration, he adds, there is an even more disproportionate lack of minority women.

“Part of the research is to understand their experiences,” says Theoharis, who notes students use a critical race theory framework and incorporate the idea of counter narratives, listening to the voices of marginalized processionals. Those interviewed are specifically asked about barriers they’ve faced around sexism and racism.

A surprising theme Macklin discovered in her interviews is resilience: “They are such inspirational women and have so many lessons to share. Hearing their stories and hearing how positive they still are is motivating,” Macklin says.

Intergenerational Sharing

Wareing, who is Asian, says the project also has helped her imagine herself in such roles: “I can finally see myself there—in actuality, not just in theory,” says Wareing, who, like Macklin, had little exposure to non-white teachers or administrators.

For her interviews, Wareing chose to focus on Asian women, who reported that their experiences with forms of oppression were often less explicit than what past interviewees shared. “But racism did play a factor and impacted how they carried themselves in these positions because of Asian stereotypes and expectations placed onto them,” says Wareing, whose subjects spoke about being immigrants and growing up and being educated with different cultural norms and how each impacted their leadership styles.

The students’ personal and professional realizations are a key benefit of the SOURCE fellowship, according to Theoharis. “It connects them with people in the field and helps sets their sights on potential leadership roles. The intergenerational sharing is a really nice part of this.”

In addition to introducing undergraduates to research, SOURCE pays an hourly rate for the work and funds conference travel. “It raises the profile of our students and the school,” Theoharis says. “Because our students consistently get these grants, it says the School of Education has undergraduates who are engaging in serious research. … Our School can do research at the highest level.”

The project’s original premise developed from a proposal made to Theoharis by Jenny Gines ’21, now an eighth-grade teacher. Previous student researchers included SOE alumnae Ashanti Hunter ’22, Michelle Ho ’22, Savannah Stocker ’23, Emily Peterson ’23, Amanda Feliz ’24 and Kamille Montgomery ’24.

Theoharis says SOURCE applications were submitted this winter by juniors Vera Wang ’26 and Eliani Jimenez Merino ’26, who will start their part of the research endeavor this summer.

Thinking of the time when all the “Pipeline to Educational Leadership” interviews are curated into a publication, Macklin says she hopes such a collection can widely inform about barriers to professional growth and help remove them: “I feel the project’s goal is to identify the problems. Then we can expose those problems and attack them before they become a problem for the next generation,” Macklin says.

Story by Ashley Kang ’04, G’11

]]> Chloe Britton Naime Committed to Advocating for Improved Outcomes for Neurodivergent Individuals /blog/2025/05/06/chloe-britton-naime-committed-to-advocating-for-improved-outcomes-for-neurodivergent-individuals/ Tue, 06 May 2025 19:32:18 +0000 /?p=210016 A person wearing a striped shirt with tattoos on their arm is sitting at a desk in front of two computer monitors. The monitor on the left displays text, while the monitor on the right shows several images of landscapes. The background features soundproofing panels.

Chloe Britton Naime plans on studying neurodevelopmental and learning differences among individuals with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder to better understand how the neurodivergent brain operates. (Photo by Amy Manley)

Chloe Britton Naime ’25 is about to complete a challenging and rare dual major program in both mechanical engineering from the and neuroscience from the .

Even more impressive? Britton Naime will conclude the rigorous dual major in four years instead of the customary five years, which is “one of the biggest reasons I wanted to attend Syracuse,” says Britton Naime, who will begin their Ph.D. program in neuroscience at Florida State University in the fall.

A person with short, dark hair that has purple highlights is wearing a white dress shirt, a purple tie, and a black vest. The background is blurred and appears to be indoors.

Chloe Britton Naime

It’s the latest chapter in Britton Naime’s lifelong love affair with learning. Specifically, studying why their brain functions differently as a neurodivergent individual who struggled to read—Britton Naime was diagnosed as dyslexic at the age of 8. They have also finally been diagnosed with autism and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

“I remember thinking, ‘why does my brain work differently than everyone else? Why is this task much more challenging for me?’” says Britton Naime, who is graduating summa cum laude and is a member of the .

“I’m interested in how we can improve our diagnostics, but I’m also interested in what treatments or interventions can be done,” Britton Naime says. “Figuring out what can help support meeting this individual’s needs. Figuring out the possibilities and how we can continue to improve the outcomes for neurodivergent people.”

Changing the Narrative

Britton Naime considers themselves honored to have a strong support system, including their mother, Katrina Britton, who encouraged self-advocacy at an early age. But knowing not everyone who is neurodivergent has these advocates has fueled Britton Naime’s career aspirations.

A person is standing in a doorway, leaning against the door frame. The door has a blackboard with colorful chalk writing that says 'Welcome to the SPACE LAB' along with drawings of planets and stars. The room behind the person has acoustic foam panels on the walls and a large stuffed animal sitting at a table.

Chloe Britton Naime is an undergraduate research assistant in the Center for Autism Research and Electrophysiology (C.A.R.E.) Lab—which studies how typically developing children, children with developmental disabilities and children with autism perceive, process and integrate sensory information.

As a peer coach in the physics department, Britton Naime engages with students with an accommodation from the Center for Disability Resources to ensure the student’s needs are being met. If a student needs accommodations but doesn’t have them, Britton Naime will make sure the student understands the resources available to them on campus.

“When I have a place where I can advocate for someone, I take that opportunity. Thankfully, Âé¶čÆ””ÀUniversity provides a great infrastructure for supporting students with disabilities,” Britton Naime says.

Britton Naime is also an undergraduate research assistant in the —which conducts behavioral and neurophysiological research to understand how typically developing children, children with developmental disabilities and children with autism perceive, process and integrate sensory information.

Through lab studies focused on measuring and recording the brain’s electrical activity, Britton Naime says the CARE Lab’s work represents progress in reducing the historically negative stigma around autistic individuals.

“The CARE Lab focuses on the strengths and capabilities of our autistic population and identifies the reasons why they’re succeeding at something. It’s really rewarding work,” says Britton Naime, who also did a Fulbright Canada-Mitacs Globalink Research Internship at the University of British Columbia in the Baby Learning Lab with Lauren Emberson, Ph.D.

How Âé¶čÆ””ÀUniversity Laid the Foundation for What’s Next

The technical skills Britton Naime learned through the mechanical engineering program, including as a data processor, helped accentuate their work as a neuroscientist, specifically when it comes to processing and interpreting the neuroimaging data to comprehend how brain activity relates to our behavior, cognition and mental processes.

The foundational nature of the mechanical engineering program also allowed Britton Naime to seek out the aspects they wanted to learn more about as they honed and built up their skills as a researcher.

At Florida State, Britton Naime plans on studying neurodevelopmental and learning differences among individuals with ADHD to better understand how the neurodivergent brain operates.

By gaining a deeper understanding of how neurodivergent brains function—particularly through the use of neuroimaging technology—Britton Naime aims not only to improve quality of life through enhanced diagnosis and tailored interventions, but also to help unlock the full potential of individuals whose strengths may be overlooked in systems built for neurotypical learners. Their research challenges deficit-based narratives and seeks to reframe how success and capability are understood in academic and developmental contexts.

“I hope to be a professor and have my own lab where I can produce quality research related to this topic. But I also want to continue serving as a vocal advocate for my community,” Britton Naime says. “Âé¶čÆ””Àprepared me to go to grad school and to go into this industry, which is important because I didn’t know where I wanted to go. I had all these avenues available and received the support I needed to go down this path.”

]]> Commencement 2025: What You Need to Know /blog/2025/05/06/commencement-2025-what-you-need-to-know/ Tue, 06 May 2025 16:53:01 +0000 /?p=210020 group of people in academic regalia posing on Einhorn Family Walk with Otto

Graduates get ready to celebrate! (Photo by Jeremy Brinn)

It’s time to celebrate, Âé¶čÆ””ÀUniversity Class of 2025! Bring your family and friends and join in all the excitement and pomp and circumstance during .

The University’s Commencement exercises will be held in the JMA Wireless Dome Sunday, May 11, beginning with the degree candidates’ procession at 9:30 a.m.

Carmelo Anthony, the 10-Time NBA All-Star who guided the men’s basketball team to the 2003 NCAA Championship, will deliver the Commencement address.

School and college convocations and Commencement will also be livestreamed. Visit the May 8-11 to view the ceremonies online.

At Sunday’s Commencement, around 6,900 students are expected to graduate.

Âé¶čÆ””ÀUniversity Chancellor and President Kent Syverud will address the graduates and confer degrees. Interim Vice Chancellor, Provost and Chief Academic Officer Lois Agnew will give the welcome.

The University will recognize three honorary degree recipients:

  • Robert “Bob” Mankoff ’66, influential cartoonist with a decades-long career as cartoon contributor and editor at The New Yorker;
  • Ali Meders-Knight, executive director of California Open Lands and Mechoopda tribal member; and
  • Judith Greenberg Seinfeld ’56, Âé¶čÆ””ÀUniversity life trustee and president of Heritage Management Co.

Bea González G’04, former vice president for community engagement, special assistant to the chancellor and dean of University College, will serve as mace bearer.

Tadodaho Sidney Hill, of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, will give the ceremonial opening. The Rev. Dr. Brian E. Konkol, vice president and dean of Hendricks Chapel, will give the invocation. Peter A. Gianesini Jr. ’94, president of the Âé¶čÆ””ÀUniversity Alumni Association, will welcome the newest alumni.

Student Marshals and Scholars

Representing the Class of 2025, Mark Nzasi and Yifan “Ivan” Shen are the senior class marshals and will lead graduates during the ceremony.

group of people in academic regalia on the steps of Hendricks Chapel

The University’s Commencement exercises will be held in the JMA Wireless Dome Sunday, May 11. (Photo by Jeremy Brinn)

Along with the all-University marshals, 23 student marshals represent the 13 schools and colleges at the University. The marshals will lead the degree candidates of their respective schools or colleges.

Twelve seniors have been designated as Âé¶čÆ””ÀUniversity Scholars. This is the highest undergraduate honor the University bestows. University Scholar Jonathan Collard de Beaufort, College of Arts and Sciences, was selected as the student speaker on behalf of the Class of 2025.

Retiring faculty members who have been recommended to receive the title of emeritus by the University Senate to the Âé¶čÆ””ÀUniversity Board of Trustees will be recognized by Jamie L. Winders, vice provost for faculty affairs.

The University Marshal is Kira Reed, associate professor of management, Whitman School of Management. Associate University Marshal is Tula Goenka G’86, professor and graduate program director, S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications.

Also during the ceremonies, Army and Air Force ROTC cadets will present the colors.

The Âé¶čÆ””ÀUniversity Wind Ensemble will perform under the direction of conductor Timothy W. Diem.

The national anthem will be sung by Olivia Scanzera ’25, College of Visual and Performing Arts, and Enzo Cupani ’25, College of Visual and Performing Arts, will sing the alma mater.

Security and Other Important Information

To ensure a safe and enjoyable event, all guests and degree candidates will go through , including metal detection, prior to entering all Convocation and Commencement venues. The University has a , which will be in effect for Commencement weekend. Bags larger than 10″ x 10″ will not be allowed into Convocations or Commencement.

Get the OrangeNow App for the Commencement Experience

Download the and choose the “Commencement Experience” for easy access to Commencement weekend details and to receive push notifications related to the weekend’s events.

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(Photo by Marilyn Hesler)

Update Your Email Address

Congratulations, Class of 2025! You’re Forever Orange, and the wants to stay in touch with you. It’s especially important to so we can reach you!

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Âé¶čÆ””Àalumni are standing by to help as you take the next step. Make career connections without any app, sign-up or login information to remember. Just !

Class of 2025 Giving Campaign

ÌębeforeÌęThursday, May 8, to receive special orange, white and silver cords to wear at Commencement!

Fill up the Wishing Well!

Are you a soon-to-be grad or a friend or family member of someone graduating? Mark the milestone with a gift in honor of the Class of 2025 and to have it featured on our Wishing Well website!

Instagram Stickers

There will be new Instagram Stickers available for the 2025 Commencement Weekend, which can be found by searching SUGrad25 on Instagram starting Thursday, May 8.

More information about Commencement 2025 can be found at .

]]> Graduating Research Quartet Synthesizes Long-Lasting Friendships Through Chemistry /blog/2025/05/06/graduating-research-quartet-synthesizes-long-lasting-friendships-through-chemistry/ Tue, 06 May 2025 13:38:18 +0000 /?p=209865 The image shows four individuals wearing blue lab coats with "Cuse Chem" logos gathered around a piece of laboratory equipment. The equipment has a large brown bottle on top and several tubes connected to it. The background includes shelves with various containers and a cabinet with glass doors.

Senior researchers (pictured from left to right) Morgan Opp, Lucy Olcott, Jesse Buck and Isabella Chavez Miranda helped advance Professor Robert Doyle’s cutting-edge obesity and diabetes treatments.

When Jesse Buck ’25, Isabella Chavez Miranda ’25, Lucy Olcott ’25 and Morgan Opp ’25 started as student researchers in medicinal chemist Robert Doyle’s lab, they hoped to hone their research skills.

It quickly became evident this would be unlike any other lab experience. The collaborative environment in the Doyle Group cultivated confidence in their abilities and led to constructive conversations about how to achieve the goals of their projects.

As they were producing, purifying, synthesizing and redesigning the peptides that eventually helped lead to Doyle’s breakthrough weight loss and diabetes treatments, they discovered their meaningful interactions transformed them into a family, as well as putting them on a path to becoming scientists.

“They are future stars, an incredible quartet that matches great intelligence with as hardworking of a student group I’ve ever had the privilege to work with,” says Doyle, the Jack and Laura H. Milton Professor and Dean’s Ìęin the .

The quartet will now take the lessons learned and apply them to their master’s and Ph.D. programs at prestigious graduate schools:

  • Buck, a medicinal chemistry major (Arts and Sciences) will pursue a Ph.D. in chemistry at the University of California, Berkeley;
  • Chavez Miranda, a double major in medicinal chemistry (Arts and Sciences) and business management (), will pursue a master’s in health administration at the University of Southern California;
  • Olcott, a chemistry major (Arts and Sciences), will pursue a Ph.D. in pharmacology at the University of Pennsylvania; and
  • Opp, a double major in medicinal chemistry and biology (Arts and Sciences), will pursue a Ph.D. at Yale University.

After spending hundreds of lab hours together, Buck, Chavez Miranda, Olcott and Opp sat down with SU News to reflect on a bond that will continue beyond graduation.

After graduation, Morgan Opp, Lucy Olcott, Jesse Buck and Isabella Chavez Miranda will take the lessons learned in the lab and apply them in their master’s and Ph.D. programs at prestigious graduate schools.

How did you become passionate about this research?

The image shows a person with shoulder-length brown hair wearing a navy blue shirt and a silver necklace with a small circular pendant. The background includes shelves with various items, including a jar on the left side.

Lucy Olcott

Lucy Olcott: My interest in health science was sparked at 15 when my grandmother was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Watching her struggle to adapt to a new lifestyle while managing new treatments opened my eyes to the importance of health care.

After I took Honors General Chemistry with Professor Robert Doyle, the path became clear. The Doyle lab has given me the opportunity to explore translational medicinal chemistry focused on unmet clinical needs of various metabolic diseases.

Morgan Opp:ÌęI’ve always had a passion for research that’s translatable, where I can directly see the work I’m doing on a day-to-day basis and how that work has the potential for real-world impact on people who need it. I was in Dr. Doyle’s class freshman year. I knew I liked metabolism and technology, and he took a chance on me and allowed me to begin my research.

Isabella Chavez Miranda:ÌęI’ve always had a deep love and passion for chemistry. Both my parents are chemical engineers. Since I was young, I’ve watched them do research. It was a no-brainer that I wanted to be involved when I came to Syracuse.

I was lucky to be in Dr. Doyle’s class my freshman year. He saw the potential in me and allowed me to grow in his lab for the past four years.

The image shows a person with short, dark hair wearing a black top and a necklace. The background includes a shelf with various bottles and containers.

Jesse Buck

Jesse Buck:ÌęI came in as a chemistry major but transitioned to medicinal chemistry and joined this lab as a junior. Dr. Doyle took a chance on me, and I appreciate that because I learned so much about what it means to be in a lab. I love doing chemistry research with implications in biology that you can use to make an impact and create something helpful for patients.

What is your proudest moment/biggest lesson learned from the lab?

Buck:ÌęBeing accepted into our respective graduate programs. That is concrete evidence that our hard work has paid off. We have an opportunity to grow and become impactful scientists.

Opp:ÌęGoing to the Mid-Atlantic Pharmacology Society meeting [in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania] with Isa—it’s a big deal for undergraduates to present their research at a national conference like this.

Olcott:ÌęPatience in research. It’s easy to get frustrated when experiments don’t go as planned. Being able to identify where things might have gone wrong and go back to the drawing board is just as important as producing and collecting novel data.

The image shows a person with long brown hair wearing a gray sweater and gold hoop earrings. The background includes shelves with various containers, including a white bottle with a blue label and some purple-capped bottles.

Isabella Chavez Miranda

Chavez Miranda:ÌęThe first time I was able to synthesize a peptide that had the exact correct mass and was usable was an amazing feeling. That showed that I’m learning and growing as a scientist.

How will your graduate work advance your career ambitions?

Chavez Miranda:ÌęI’ve loved making these potential drugs that could have a big impact on patients but if the people who need the drugs the most can’t get them, what real value do they bring? I want to bridge that gap between the patients and the drugs they need.

The image shows a person with long, straight hair standing in a room with shelves in the background. The shelves contain various items.

Morgan Opp

Olcott:ÌęI’m interested in pursuing research in drug discovery and development for centrally mediated diseased states and hope to pursue a career in academia as a principal investigator, conducting high-impact research while mentoring the next generation of scientists.

Buck:ÌęThis is the perfect opportunity to discover what niche I want to work in. I’m hoping to find the perfect lab to mesh my love of chemistry and biology.

Opp:ÌęTo continue exploring my passion for endocrinology and metabolism. I’m looking at labs that bridge both analytical chemistry, cell biology and medicinal chemistry. I’m leaning toward a future in biotechnology and want to remain on the cutting edge of research.

In case you missed it: Check out episode #175 of the “’Cuse Conversations” podcast, “Striving to Improve the Efficacy of Obesity, Diabetes Treatments.” In the , medicinal chemist Robert Doyle discusses his breakthrough weight loss research, the important role students play in advancing his research, and how, through philanthropy, his work has come to life.

]]> Âé¶čÆ””ÀUniversity to Award 3 Honorary Degrees at 2025 Commencement /blog/2025/05/06/syracuse-university-to-award-3-honorary-degrees-at-2025-commencement/ Tue, 06 May 2025 13:14:13 +0000 /?p=209739 Graphic with block S and text Commencement 2025, Honorary Degree Recipients, and three headshots with their names listed below their photos: Robert Mankoff '66, Ali Meders-Knight and Judith Greenberg Seinfeld '56A celebrated cartoonist, author and editor; an indomitable environmental steward and educator; and a visionary philanthropist and innovative businessperson will receive honorary degrees during Âé¶čÆ””ÀUniversity’s exercises on Sunday, May 11, at the JMA Wireless Dome.

Robert “Bob” Mankoff ’66, influential cartoonist with a decades-long career as cartoon contributor and editor at The New Yorker; Ali Meders-Knight, executive director of California Open Lands and Mechoopda tribal member; and Judith Greenberg Seinfeld ’56, Âé¶čÆ””ÀUniversity life trustee and president of Heritage Management Co., will be honored for their outstanding achievements in their professional careers and the contributions they have made to society in significant and meaningful ways.

Robert Mankoff ’66
Doctor of Letters

Bob Mankoff

Robert Mankoff

Mankoff is a distinguished cartoonist whose sketches reveal a deep, insightful knowledge of the human experience and societal issues, all played with a satirical wit. Through his expansive body of work, he has explored cultural trends to craft cartoons that are thought-provoking and have brought smiles and laughter to generations. Along with his decades-long career as contributor and editor with The New Yorker, his published works have been featured in prominent publications, including The New York Times, Harvard Business Review and The Wall Street Journal.

Born and raised in Queens, New York, Mankoff attended the prestigious Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music and Art before choosing Âé¶čÆ””ÀUniversity, where he earned a psychology degree in 1966 from the College of Arts and Sciences. He briefly pursued doctoral studies before focusing on cartooning.

His creativity and persistence paid off after submitting about 2,000 cartoons to The New Yorker. He then embarked on a long career with the magazine, contributing nearly 1,000 cartoons. His most famous (and the best-selling New Yorker cartoon of all time) was of a harried businessman at his desk on the phone, telling the person on the line: “No, Thursday’s out. How about never—is never good for you?” He later went on to serve as The New Yorker’s cartoon editor for 20 years, editing thousands of cartoons and nurturing emerging talent and fostering a new generation of cartoonists.

His innovative work at The New Yorker also included new features, such as the cartoon caption contest, and the integration of digital media to the magazine’s cartooning landscape. He pioneered the archival digitalization of single panel cartoon art both at The New Yorker Cartoon Bank and as co-founder and president of Cartoon Collections/Cartoonstock.com, which archives and licenses the work of cartoon artists. He continues to innovate in the time of artificial intelligence, and his masterful approach to humor and creativity has been part of his time lecturing, on TED Talks and through articles, including a piece for The Atlantic, “A Bot Walks Into A Bar.”

Following his time at The New Yorker, Mankoff was cartoon editor at Esquire and is currently the cartoon editor at the online newsletter Air Mail. He co-runs Botnik Studios, a network of writers, artists and programmers who create software that augments human creativity with big data analytics, and has authored several books, including his New York Times bestselling memoir “How Âé¶čÆ””À Never—Is Never Good For You?: My Life in Cartoons.”

Mankoff will also deliver the alumni keynote address at the 2025 College of Arts and Sciences | Maxwell School undergraduate convocation on Saturday, May 10.

Ali Meders-Knight
Doctor of Humane Letters

head shot

Ali Meders-Knight

Meders-Knight, a Mechoopda tribal member, is committed to healing the land and restoring its ecosystems through traditional Indigenous knowledge in collaboration with community, government and organizations—to sustain thriving communities.

As the executive director of California Open Lands, she works to form partnerships for federal forest stewardship contracting and tribal restoration programs on public lands. California Open Lands seeks to enhance and preserve natural resources in the conservation of Northern California’s flora and fauna, including the restoration and cultivation of California native plants using Indigenous Traditional Ecological Knowledge, and to foster ways people can connect with the natural resources and open lands.

A Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) practitioner for 20-plus years, Meders-Knight has collaborated on environmental education and land restoration projects with, among others, California State University, Chico; the City of Chico, California; and Tehama County Resource Conservation District. Her work to improve social and environmental welfare through education has also included working closely with faculty, students and community partners at Âé¶čÆ””ÀUniversity, Oberlin College and Conservatory, and other land management and conservation organizations, including the Traditional Center for Indigenous Knowledge and Healing in Ithaca, New York.

In 2023, she developed a partnership with Haudenosaunee leaders and environmentalists in New York through her contribution to the University’s annual Ray Smith Symposium in the Humanities, “Indigenous Resilience, Climate Change and the Environmental Humanities.” Her symposium discussion with local Indigenous leaders highlighted the relevancy of her initiatives to the ancestral Haudenosaunee homelands where the University stands.

Meders-Knight serves on the Tribal Relations Strategic Planning and Implementation committee for the U.S. Forest Service in Region 5. In March 2022 she testified to the U.S. House of Representatives Environmental Oversight Subcommittee on the merits of TEK and tribally led workforce development to restore California forest resilience and address the problem of catastrophic wildfires. In 2009, she helped plan and establish Verbena Fields, a unique 17-acre interactive food forest and interpretive park in North Chico, to educate about the rich ecological heritage of the Mechoopda people.

In 2019, she was named Environmentalist of the Year by the Butte Environmental Council for her advocacy and initiatives for wildfire recovery and Indigenous land stewardship after the Camp Fire destroyed Paradise, California, and several other communities within Mechoopda Territory. She was also a tribal instructor who taught TEK-based seed sovereignty strategies as part of the Intertribal Agriculture Council’s inaugural Intertribal Nursery Training program in partnership with University of California, Davis.

An artist and craftsperson immersed in the cultural traditions of her heritage, Meders-Knight is also a traditional basketweaver.

Judith Greenberg Seinfeld ’56
Doctor of Humane Letters

A woman smiles while posing for a headshot.

Judith Greenberg Seinfeld

A leader in business and in service to others, Seinfeld has made extraordinary contributions to social causes, communities and the arts and has had a transformative impact on the University through her tireless commitment to education and improving the world.

Seinfeld is the fourth-generation head of Heritage Management Company LLC, a long-standing real estate investment, development and management company based in Ridgewood, New Jersey. She has been involved with the purchase, sale, land-use planning and financing of office and industrial properties throughout the country since 1989.

Before joining Heritage, Seinfeld, a talented photographer and jewelry designer, was the founder and president of Judith Greenberg Gallery, a jewelry design and manufacturing company. Her creations were displayed and sold at galleries throughout the U.S. from 1983-96. She was also an executive vice president at Balenciaga Perfumes International.

A longtime patron of the arts and veteran of the stage, she is the co-founder of the Nantucket Comedy Festival and the producer of several plays, including “The Ferryman,” winner of the 2019 Tony Award for Best Play, and “Leopoldstadt,” winner of the 2023 Tony for Best Play.

Seinfeld earned a bachelor’s degree from the School of Education in 1956, and a master’s degree in administration from Teachers College, Columbia University, in 1957. She was elected to the Âé¶čÆ””ÀUniversity Board of Trustees in 2002. In addition to her current role as a life trustee participant on the Academic Affairs and Facilities committees, Seinfeld’s service to the University includes previous positions on the boards of the School of Education and the School of Architecture.

Her leadership and financial support of Âé¶čÆ””ÀUniversity has created lasting opportunities for countless students and faculty members. She has provided lead gifts for the establishment of the Seinfeld Housing Initiative, the Judith Greenberg Seinfeld Scholar Awards, the Judith Greenberg Seinfeld Prize for Creative Teaching Endowment and the Judith Seinfeld Ambassador Scholar Program in the College of Professional Studies (CPS). She has supported other initiatives in CPS, the School of Architecture (including a book series on modern American housing), the School of Education, the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, the College of Visual and Performing Arts, University Lecture Series and alumni engagement programs.

She has served as president of the Women’s Division of the Federation of Northern New Jersey; served as a board member of Human Rights Watch–Children’s Division; was trustee of Nantucket Cottage Hospital; and served as a trustee of the Atheneum Library and the Nantucket AIDS Network.

]]> Serving Those Who Served: The Betty and Michael D. Wohl Veterans Legal Clinic /blog/2025/05/05/serving-those-who-served-the-betty-and-michael-d-wohl-veterans-legal-clinic/ Mon, 05 May 2025 19:46:05 +0000 /?p=209993 Four people are seated around a table in an office setting. The room has light-colored walls and wooden cabinets. On the right side of the image, there is a sign that reads "Military & Veterans Law Society" with an American flag graphic and "Âé¶čÆ””ÀLaw" written below it.

Three student lawyers with the Betty and Michael D. Wohl Veterans Legal Clinic meet with a local veteran.

Service members injured in active duty are entitled to receive disability benefits and associated medical care from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). But navigating the process can be intimidating.

A person with shoulder-length hair is wearing a black top. The background appears to be an indoor setting with blurred elements.

Beth Kubala

Thanks to the efforts of the (VLC) within the , hundreds of area veterans have received their benefits or successfully upgraded their military discharge through the pro bono, student-offered legal services since its founding in 2015.

“Our law students get a chance to get into the legal practice, taking everything they’ve learned and put it into practice working on real cases with real clients with real challenges,” says , executive director of the Office of Clinical Legal Education, director of the VLC, teaching professor in the College of Law and a U.S. Army veteran. “This is a chance to make a tremendous difference, helping veterans get the VA medical care and the disability benefits they earned.”

Collaborating With Community Service Partners

Veterans are referred to the VLC through organizations like the Onondaga County Veterans Service Agency, which provides a yearly grant to help facilitate the VLC’s efforts, and the Âé¶čÆ””ÀVA Medical Center. The community partner organizations will often refer veterans who have had their medical claims denied multiple times.

Knowing that new evidence is needed for the VA to consider reopening a claim, Kubala’s students study pages of military documents and health care records to learn everything they can about the tasks the client performed and the injuries or illnesses the veterans suffered while serving that contributed to their current health issues. Comprehensive medical exams are conducted to verify the disabilities being claimed.

A person with long, wavy dark hair is wearing an orange knit sweater and a pearl necklace. The background is a textured beige surface.

Annie Mancilla

“There’s a great collaboration between our teams,” says Annie Mancilla, director of the Onondaga County Veterans Service Agency and an Army veteran. “We know how to handle new and initial claims, and Beth’s team comes in, handles those trickier claims and succeeds at getting intricate cases adjudicated quickly and fairly.”

When she was training as a veteran service officer, Mancilla says veterans service agencies partnering with clinics like the VLC were rare. She hopes the collaborative work on display in Âé¶čÆ””Àcan inspire other partnerships across the country between university-led student law clinics and veterans service agencies.

“We have to work together to help our veterans,” Mancilla says. “This partnership is so beneficial and we’re at the beginning of something special that is going to continue to grow and have a tremendous impact on our veterans.”

Helping Veterans at Risk for Homelessness

Two years ago, the VLC received aÌę, a first-of-its-kind grant opportunity from the VA to fund legal services providers. The VLC is one of just four University-affiliated veterans legal clinics to receive grant money.

Once a week, VLC students go over cases at the Altamont House, a facility that provides transitional housing to veterans facing homelessness. Kubala says this grant has enhanced and solidified the VLC’s partnership with the Âé¶čÆ””ÀVA while showing how the clinic can help those veterans receive access to health care and their benefits.

“We’re able to make such a significant difference in the lives of so many homeless veterans in and around Syracuse,” Kubala says. “Our students not only gain expertise while strengthening their legal skills, they gain confidence and a better ability to relate to others, and they understand how they can help others with their law degree.”

The image depicts a meeting or discussion taking place in an office setting. Three people are seated around a desk. Two of them are facing away from the camera, while one person, who appears to be leading the discussion, is facing towards the camera. The desk is cluttered with various items, including a coffee cup, pens, and papers. In the background, there are shelves filled with books and other office supplies, as well as two computer monitors displaying documents or spreadsheets.

Beth Kubala (center) meets with two student lawyers in the Betty and Michael D. Wohl Veterans Legal Clinic.

Using Law Degrees to Do Good

VLC student lawyer Sarah Simon-Patches ’24 took on the case of a veteran who filed his own claim with the VA after suffering medical hardships stemming from his time in the military.

A person with long, brown hair is wearing a dark blazer over a blue top and a pearl necklace. The background is plain and dark, contrasting with the person's attire.

Sarah Simon-Patches

Oftentimes, veterans who file their claims on their own don’t fully understand the criteria and can be denied a portion of their benefits. With a rating of only 20% of his disability benefits, the veteran, a self-employed mechanic from Kansas City, Missouri, was unable to return home to his sons, lost his job and experienced homelessness.

After Simon-Patches combed through the evidence to understand why the veteran fell short of the VA’s criteria, she successfully helped him obtain his full share of benefits and he has been reunited with his family.

“It felt like a huge relief. Here was someone who was experiencing homelessness, unemployed and anxious about his future being separated from his family and came to us for help,” says Simon-Patches, who has a brother and grandfather who served in the military.

“The average veteran, especially our homeless veterans, would not have access to these resources otherwise,” Simon-Patches says. “Our clinic is well-equipped to successfully navigate this system and handle the different needs of our veterans.”

Fighting to Make a Difference

Before Seth Owens enrolled in the College of Law, he spent 13 years as a physical therapist, treating many veterans and active-duty service members. He started in the VLC in the spring of 2023 and realized he was meant to be there.

A person wearing a brown blazer and a light blue dress shirt is sitting in front of a bookshelf. The background includes books and decorative items on the shelves.

Seth Owens

“You have to bring this mindset to every interaction with a client that I’m going to know everything I can about your case,” says Owens, the LSV-H program manager and a Veterans’ Health and Disability Law Fellow with the VLC. “Professor Kubala’s reputation for having an amazing clinical experience and producing students who do such a high quality of work is well known in the veterans’ community.”

Simon-Patches was so inspired by the impact her work was making, she applied to and was accepted into the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps, a government law organization that defends the Army and its soldiers in all military legal matters.

“This work has meant so much to me and this program wouldn’t be what it is without the work that Professor Kubala does,” Simon-Patches says. “We make a difference in the lives of our veterans and we want veterans to know we’re here for them as a resource.”

“It amazes me every day the work that comes out of the clinic,” Kubala says. “I like to think that I inspire the next generation of veteran advocates. There are ways to use a law degree for the greater good, and this is one of those ways.”

A classroom setting with a lecturer standing at the front, speaking to students who are seated and using laptops. The lecturer is positioned in front of a large projection screen. On the right side of the image, there is an orange banner that reads: "Âé¶čÆ””ÀCollege. Be a champion with our innovative programs that will help you succeed."

Beth Kubala (center) leading a classroom discussion in the Betty and Michael D. Wohl Veterans Legal Clinic. (Photo by Angela Ryan)

]]> Olympic Gold Medalist Benita Fitzgerald Mosley to Speak at the Falk College Convocation May 10 /blog/2025/05/05/olympic-gold-medalist-benita-fitzgerald-mosley-to-speak-at-the-falk-college-convocation-may-10/ Mon, 05 May 2025 19:15:30 +0000 /?p=209879 five athletes are pictured jumping over hurdles at an Olympic event. They are competing on a track, and there is green grass and stands full of spectators behind them.

At the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, Benita Fitzgerald Mosley won the gold medal in the 100-meter hurdles by 4/100th of a second over the favorite, Shirley Strong from Great Britain.

Olympic gold medalist and visionary executive says it has been her lifelong mission to help people win gold medals in business—and in life.

“My gold medal is the gift that keeps on giving,” Fitzgerald Mosley says. “I am forever grateful, so I want to pay that gift forward.”

To get there, Fitzgerald Mosley highlights five “Olympic rings” to help people achieve their goals: Have a good start, set high goals, run your own race, power through hurdles and have a strong finish.

“You have to ask yourself, why not me?’’ Fitzgerald Mosley says. “Why can’t I be the best in the world at what I do?”

From becoming the first African American woman to win the 100-meter hurdles at the 1984 Olympics to her current role as chief executive officer of Multiplying Good, Fitzgerald Mosley has persistently broken barriers and advanced the idea that sport has the power to inspire and change the world.

Her enormous impact as a results-oriented leader in the Olympic, non-profit, and corporate worlds is why Dean asked Fitzgerald Mosley to be the keynote speaker at the Convocation at 12:30 p.m. May 10 in the John A. Lally Athletics Complex.

“Benita’s ‘why not me?’ message encourages us to challenge societal expectations and embrace our potential, while Multiplying Good is helping people bring about positive change and inspiring them to do more,” Jordan says. “The life lessons and insights that Benita will share May 10 will provide valuable inspiration to our graduates and all of us.”

Using Fitzgerald Mosley’s five Olympic rings, here is her remarkable story:

Have A Good Start

Fitzgerald Mosley often uses a quote from former American politician and motivational speaker Les Brown, who said, “You don’t have to be great to get started, but you have to get started to be great.”

three runners have intense looks on their faces as they compete in a track-and-field event in the Olympics. In the background, spectators can be viewed in the stands.

After trying gymnastics and softball, Fitzgerald Mosley started running track in the seventh grade and soon became a star hurdler.

Fitzgerald Mosley’s parents, Fannie and Rodger Fitzgerald, were both educators and they encouraged Fitzgerald Mosley to get started in as many extracurricular activities as possible in their hometown of Dale City, Virginia. By participating in gymnastics, softball, majorettes and track, and learning the piano, violin, flute and piccolo, Fitzgerald Mosley discovered what she loved and was good at and where to focus her attention.

“They were very supportive and stood by me in every aspect of my life,” Fitzgerald Mosley says of her parents. “They celebrated my every achievement, large and small, and I loved to make them proud.”

While she became the first chair flute for the Gar-Field High School symphonic band, Fitzgerald Mosley says she wasn’t very good at softball and grew too tall to be a gymnast. But middle school physical education teacher, family friend and gymnastics coach Gwen Washington was also the coach of the track team and when it became obvious that Fitzgerald Mosley had outgrown gymnastics, Washington suggested she join the track team because she had seen Fitzgerald Mosley outrun the boys in gym classes.

“So I went out for the track team and started winning races from the very beginning,” Fitzgerald Mosley says. “It wasn’t until I was 12 years old and in the seventh grade that I even discovered my athletic prowess.”

Set High Goals

As a high school freshman sprinter and hurdler, Fitzgerald Mosley helped the track team win its fourth consecutive Virginia state championship. She was a teammate of senior Paula Girven, who represented the United States in the high jump in the 1976 Olympics and qualified for the team in 1980. Their high school track coach, Anne Locket, also led the girl’s gymnastics and basketball teams to state championships.

Falk College 2025 Convocation Speaker Benita Fitzgerald Mosley meeting with students.

During a visit to Falk College in early April, Benita Fitzgerald Mosley met with students to share her experiences in the sport industry.

“Coach Locket said to me, ‘You know, you can be an Olympian someday just like Paula,’ and I looked at her like she was from Mars,” Fitzgerald Mosley says, smiling. “But having a coach believe in you and say that to a youngster at 14 years old, it set me up for great things to come.”

By 1980, Fitzgerald Mosley was 18 and already a track star—and an industrial engineering major—at the University of Tennessee, where she would become a 14-time All-American and four-time NCAA hurdles champion. Like Girven, she made the 1980 Olympic team but didn’t participate because the United States led a boycott of the 1980 Summer Games in Moscow to protest the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.

Fortunately for Fitzgerald Mosley, she was still in college and had the benefit of having access to coaching, training equipment and the highest level of competition in college. This was a time when Olympic athletes were strictly amateurs who couldn’t make money off their athletic achievements, and many athletes who qualified for the 1980 Games, like Girven, weren’t able to return for the 1984 Games.

“At that point, people didn’t have these long careers spanning three and four and five Olympic Games that started with my generation because they started to allow us to make money while we were competing,” Fitzgerald Mosley says. “The two other hurdlers that were on the Olympic team with me in 1980 didn’t make it again in 1984, so that was their one and only chance to be an Olympian.”

For the complete story, please visit the .

]]> V-E Day: The End of WWII in Europe, 80 Years Later /blog/2025/05/05/v-e-day-the-end-of-wwii-in-europe-80-years-later/ Mon, 05 May 2025 18:29:16 +0000 /?p=209971 VE Day celebration photo: Soldiers hold up the Stars and Stripes newspaper in celebration of the end of WWII in Europe May 8, 1945.

V-E Day celebration photo: Soldiers hold up the Stars and Stripes newspaper in celebration of the end of WWII in Europe May 8, 1945. (Photo by Spc. Tyrell Boyd)

This week marks the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (V-E) Day, when Nazi Germany formally surrendered to Allied forces on May 8, 1945, bringing an end to World War II in Europe. While it signaled the collapse of Hitler’s regime and a hard-won victory across the European continent, it did not mark the end of the war globally—fighting in the Pacific would continue for several more months.

Still, V-E Day was a moment of profound relief, reflection and celebration, and it laid the foundation for the post-war world order.

head shotTo better understand the meaning and legacy of V-E Day, Professor , the Dr. Walter Montgomery and Marian Gruber Professor of History in the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, offers his insight on what the day represented then, why it still matters today and how its impact continues to shape modern global affairs.

For any media who wish to schedule an interview with Allport, please reach out to Vanessa Marquette, media relations specialist, at vrmarque@syr.edu.

]]> Libraries Recognize Outstanding 2025 Student Employees With Awards /blog/2025/05/05/libraries-recognize-outstanding-2025-student-employees-with-awards/ Mon, 05 May 2025 16:43:05 +0000 /?p=209792 Âé¶čÆ””ÀUniversity Libraries recognized its student employees with an awards celebration on April 23.Ìę The Libraries typically employs around 150 undergraduate and graduate students each year to contribute to the safety of Libraries’ spaces, the quality and repair of collections, and service support to patrons and student entrepreneurs. Supervisors nominate student employees who have demonstrated dedicated service over time and significant contributions that have made a lasting impact on the Libraries.

The Libraries recognize these students through the generous support of Kathy and Stanley Walters, the family of Patricia Kutner Strait and the many donors to the Libraries Dean’s Fund.

Student employees and librarians celebrate Libraries' studennt employees

Graduate student employees and librarians at the Student Employee Awards Celebration at Bird Library on April 23

“As dean of the Libraries, I am continually reminded of the vital contributions our student employees make. Across Bird, Belfer, Carnegie, Law and the King+King Architecture Libraries, plus the SU Press, our students help safeguard our facilities, support the growth and care of our collections and uphold our commitment to exceptional service—both in person and online,” says David Seaman, dean of Libraries and University Librarian.

2025 student award recipients and their respective Libraries departments are:

ÌęKathy and Stanley Walters Student Employee Scholarship Awards

  • Sophia Fiumano G’25 (School of Information Studies), Information Literacy
  • Dyana Gales ’25 (Newhouse School of Public Communications), Access and Resource Sharing
  • Mian Hamid ’25 (School of Information Studies), Facilities and Security
  • Ainsley Hoemann ’25 (College of Arts and Sciences), Law Library
  • Megan Noba ’25 (Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics), Facilities and Security
  • Elizabeth Paulin ’25 (College of Arts and Sciences), Blackstone LaunchPad
  • Coral Silver G’25 (College of Arts and Sciences), Special Collections Research Center
  • Ella Whicker ’25 (College of Arts and Sciences and Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs), Special Collections Research Center

Patricia Kutner Strait Student Scholarship Awards

  • Taylor Chen ’25 (College of Arts and Sciences and Maxwell School), Facilities and Security
  • Brian Chiao ’25 (College of Arts and Sciences), Facilities and Security
  • Aditee Malviya G’25 (College of Engineering and Computer Science), Blackstone LaunchPad
  • Rebecca Mejia-Garzaro ’25 (College of Arts and Sciences), Access and Resource Sharing
  • Rumini Nguyen ’25 (College of Visual and Performing Arts), Access and Resource Sharing
  • Amira Salihovic ’25 (College of Engineering and Computer Science), Facilities and Security
  • Kiley Smith G’25 (School of Information Studies), Access and Resource Sharing
  • Jeremy Wollman G’25 (School of Information Studies), Special Collections Research Center

Dean’s Commendations Awards

  • Anneisha Anorbaah ’25 (College of Arts and Sciences), Facilities and Security
  • Nana Camara ’25 (College of Arts and Sciences), Facilities and Security
  • Kayla Fyock G’26 (School of Information Studies), Access and Resource Sharing
  • Gentry Huddleston G’26 (School of Information Studies), Access and Resource Sharing
  • Emma MacDowell G’25 (School of Information Studies), Special Collections Research Center
  • Anjaneya Padwal G’25 (School of Information Studies), Blackstone LaunchPad
  • Telly Sow ’25 (School of Information Studies), Facilities and Security
  • Emily Warfield G’25 (School of Information Studies), Information Literacy

Honorable Recognitions:

  • Carolina Aguayo-Pla ’27 (School of Information Studies), Blackstone LaunchPad
  • Celes Buffard ’27 (School of Information Studies), Blackstone LaunchPad
  • Alexandro Frimpong ’25 (School of Information Studies), Facilities and Security
  • Antonio Goncalves ’27 (College of Engineering and Computer Science), Blackstone LaunchPad
  • Meagan Gregg G’26 (School of Information Studies), Access and Resource Sharing
  • Lars Jendruschewitz ’27 (Newhouse School), Blackstone LaunchPad
  • Renee Kurie ’26 (Newhouse School), Blackstone LaunchPad
  • Alexander Schulz ’26 (School of Information Studies), Learning and Academic Engagement and Information Literacy
  • Aidan Turner G’25 (School of Architecture), Blackstone LaunchPad
  • Mary Visco G’25 (College of Arts and Sciences), Special Collections Research Center
]]> Hannah Kang ’25 Builds a Future in Architecture With Army ROTC Support /blog/2025/05/05/hannah-kang-25-builds-a-future-in-architecture-with-army-rotc-support/ Mon, 05 May 2025 12:55:48 +0000 /?p=209895 Architecture student Hannah Kang stands indoors, wearing a dark blue denim jacket with white buttons and white pants. The background shows a wooden door and part of a staircase railing.

Hannah Kang

While Hannah Kang ’25 was growing up in Houston, Texas—by way of South Korea, where she was born—pursuing a degree at Âé¶čÆ””ÀUniversity was never on her radar.

Then, a high school internship course found her shadowing renowned architect Jesse Hager of CONTENT Architecture, known for designing some of the most iconic cultural and institutional buildings in the Houston metropolitan region. An interest in the field was ignited, inspired by her mom’s study of architecture in college, and before long she found herself Googling “top-10 architecture schools”—the results led her to the high-ranking and NAAB-accredited Âé¶čÆ””ÀUniversity .

“I realized that architecture was my calling because it really combined the aspects of STEM I liked best (mathematics, physics) with the arts, allowing me to work through creative challenges and utilize both the left side and right side of my brain,” Kang says.

Before she walks the stage with a bachelor of architecture (B.Arch) degree at Commencement as a member of the Class of 2025 on Sunday, Kang reflects on five years at Âé¶čÆ””Àand the many makings of her uniquely Orange experience.

Army ROTC + Architecture = A Rare and Disciplined Path

When considering how to fund her education at a private, out-of-state university, Kang didn’t have to look further than her own father’s story for encouragement.

A person in a blue blazer shakes hands with Army ROTC cadet Hannah Kang in military uniform. In the background, more cadets stand in formation on an indoor sports field. The cadet has the name tag "KANG" and "U.S. ARMY" on the uniform.

Army ROTC cadet Hannah Kang at the 108th Chancellor’s Review and Awards Ceremony at the JMA Wireless Dome in March.

Back in South Korea, her dad completed his two years of mandatory military service and ultimately parlayed his military experience into an engineering degree. “He encouraged me to look into the Army ROTC [Reserve Officers’ Training Corps] pathway to fund my education, and I found out in short order how well-resourced and supportive Âé¶čÆ””Àis of its military community,” Kang says. Connecting with the University’s and helped her navigate the scholarship process and getting contracted into the Army ROTC program.

“It is not a common path to enroll in the ROTC while also pursuing architecture here, just because both programs are so rigorous and time-intensive,” Kang says, noting that she may be one of the only undergraduate architecture students in the school’s history to do both programs simultaneously.

“There was an adjustment period for sure—life in the architecture program and life in ROTC are two very different things,” Kang says, recalling the juxtaposition of late nights spent in Slocum Hall, home to the School of Architecture, doing design work and her early-morning ROTC workouts.

But the payoff was worth it and helped fuel her success at Syracuse. Her participation in Army ROTC taught Kang the importance of both resilience and time management, while lifting the financial burden and allowing her to participate in such memorable Âé¶čÆ””Àofferings as study abroad without a second thought.

Broadening Perspectives With Study Abroad/Study Away and Internships

Two individuals stand in front of a wall displaying six architectural drawings and renderings. The drawings include detailed plans and perspectives of buildings and urban spaces. The two individuals are dressed in dark tops and light-colored pants.

Kang, right, poses with a student collaborator during her semester studying away at the Fisher Center in New York City.

While Kang spent a majority of her undergraduate career within the four walls of Slocum, she also felt drawn to explore her passion for architecture off campus, leveraging study abroad and study away opportunities to immerse herself in the architectural gems of London, England, and New York City.

In spring 2023 she spent the semester studying at Faraday House, the University’s London home base, and spent her free time taking walking tours of the city and making use of easy travel throughout Europe to further expand her horizons.

Kang spent fall 2023 at the Fisher Center in New York City, an immersive semester that includes guest lectures, professional development and experiential learning opportunities in addition to course and studio work. She also had the specific goal of securing an internship based on her time in New York.

“I knew New York was the hub for architecture and design, and I also wanted to network during my time in the city,” says Kang, who landed a store design internship with URBN, a portfolio of global consumer brands that includes Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie and Free People.

Before that, she also interned with Whole Foods Market as a store design and development intern in summer 2023, sourced with support from the Career Services team within the School of Architecture.

Kang says her internship experiences working with high-profile global and national brands have been invaluable to determining her future path within the architecture profession. “I learned that while I enjoy store development and planning on the commercial side of things, I’d like to do it in a more holistic manner and across various brands, so that I’m not quite as confined to these specific brand identities,” she says as she prepares to enter the job market.

A group of interns are standing and sitting in a room with green walls and wooden flooring. They are posing for a photo in front of a wall mural that features vegetables and the text "Welcome to the Global Kitchen" at Whole Foods Market Headquarters. There is a black round table in the center with a water bottle on it, and some people are holding papers or bags.

Kang, second from right, with her Whole Foods Market internship cohort.

The Future Is Bright

As she seeks to secure a full-time position with an architecture or design firm, Kang is tapping into connections made through the co-ed professional fraternity she joined through the School of Architecture, Alpha Rho Chi, which has boosted the number of Âé¶čÆ””ÀArchitecture alumni in her professional network.

“Rushing Alpha Rho Chi and tapping into the network of Orange alumni has made a huge difference because I actually know them—they’re not just connections on LinkedIn,” Kang says. “I’ve been able to go to my brothers for career advice and while seeking internship opportunities through the years. They give it to you straight because you are their friend or mentee, and they are eager to help the next generation of architects.”

She intends to return to school for a master’s degree at some point once she has a few years of professional experience, and will enter the ROTC Alumni Association and commission into the New York National Guard as a finance officer, continuing to provide service to her nation.

When asked about a uniquely Âé¶čÆ””Àmoment that stands out, Kang’s memory travels to the JMA Wireless Dome on a game day.

“As ROTC, we do the big flag at the [JMA Wireless] Dome for the football and basketball games and I love getting to be on the field and looking up to see all of the students in the student section and then all of the fans and alumni in the stands,” Kang says. “A big part of what drew me to Âé¶čÆ””Àwas the school spirit and seeing that in person in the Dome just gives me intangible pride—proud to be a cadet on campus and proud to be part of an institution like Âé¶čÆ””ÀUniversity.”

A student stands in front of a display of posters and images. She is wearing a dark denim jacket with white buttons. The background features various posters for an architecture class studio, some with text and others with images, displayed on walls and boards.

Hannah Kang

]]> Maxwell’s Student-Run History Journal ‘Builds a Vibrant Community’ /blog/2025/05/02/maxwells-student-run-history-journal-builds-a-vibrant-community/ Fri, 02 May 2025 21:20:31 +0000 /?p=209956 In front of an audience of fellow undergraduates and History Department faculty, Maxwell School junior Jorge Morales recently shared his research findings on the 2016 Rio Olympics—specifically, the intersection of race and infrastructure in the event’s planning and legacy.

Robert Terrell, assistant professor of history, is shown with members of the CHRONOS editorial board, front, from left, Abbey Fitzpatrick, Jorge A. Morales, Gillian Reed, Kanye Shelton, and Max Baker. Not shown: Orla Lacey, Andrew Cole, Max Sype and Meira Liebman.

Morales’ interest in the topic was sparked by childhood memories of watching the competitions for hours on television. Referring to a well-crafted PowerPoint, he shared his argument that the marginalization of Rio’s urban poor by infrastructure projects supporting the Olympics was part of a century-long pattern by the Brazilian elite to project an image of modernity to the world.

His was one of six student presentations during the 4th Annual CHRONOS Undergraduate Research Conference. The day-long event in Bird Library was held in early April in support of the undergraduate history research publication .

In addition to student presentations, it featured a panel discussion exploring the theme, “What Does it Mean To Be a Historian?”

The conference was also a celebration. CHRONOS was revived in 2024 after a few years’ hiatus following the COVID pandemic. In addition, the publication recently marked the 20th anniversary of its founding and received a major honor: The Âé¶čÆ””ÀOffice of Undergraduate Research and Creative Engagement (SOURCE) Award for Innovation in Undergraduate Research Support.

The SOURCE award, presented at the Spring Showcase Orange Talks and Award Ceremony on March 27, honored CHRONOS for building new opportunities for undergraduate research and creative activity.

“CHRONOS is a long-established student-led journal providing opportunities for students to learn about academic publishing and share their work,” writes SOURCE Director Kate Hanson in a letter informing the eight-member student editorial board of the award. “The revival of CHRONOS in 2024 with a rich new volume and engaging day-long conference event, activities which are continuing in 2025, builds a vibrant community around historical research.”

Robert Terrell, assistant professor of history, serves as CHRONOS’ faculty advisor. He says the publication and related research conference is “meaningful and important” for students for the hands-on learning experience it provides and because undergraduates are not often provided opportunities to publish their work.

Cassidy Snyder presents her research on Ronald Reagan at the 4th Annual CHRONOS Undergraduate Research Conference. A history major, Snyder is an 1870 Scholar and member of the Renée Crown University Honors Program.

“This experience is something they can look back on and remember,” says Terrell. “It’s really the fruit of their own labor.”

Though Terrell provides mentorship, the publication is entirely student-run. Students have the freedom to pursue research on the topics they care about most and build the skills to share it with others.

“In general, history students do most of their work independently, but on CHRONOS they learn the fine art of teamwork,” says Norman Kutcher, professor of history and Laura J. and L. Douglas Meredith Professor for Teaching Excellence. “Together they produce a product that they can be proud of. For our faculty, and especially for our CHRONOS faculty advisors, it is exciting to watch.”

Kutcher and Samantha Herrick, associate professor of history, founded CHRONOS as a way for students to engage with faculty research. It evolved into a platform for undergraduates to publish original work, complete with a peer-review process–a hallmark of the journal publication process.

Morales attended his first CHRONOS meeting last year. He was taking a class with Albrecht Diem, professor of history, who helped revive CHRONOS after its COVID hiatus.

“I loved everything about it,” says Morales of the publication and its editorial board. “It’s a community of people who are dedicated to having tough conversations about the world because we each have very different backgrounds and very different perspectives.”

Abbey Fitzpatrick, a junior studying political science and history, serves on the editorial board and likewise appreciates the sense of community.

“There are spaces for undergraduate research, but I feel like sometimes it can be very daunting. With CHRONOS, we really try to help guide people, even if they’re not a history major,” says Fitzpatrick.

Gillian Reed, a junior studying history and psychology, emphasized how rare it is for undergraduates to have this opportunity. “Not a lot of universities have places for history students to publish their work,” she says, noting that fewer than 10 active journals exist for undergraduate history research across the country.

This year, a student traveled from SUNY Binghamton to present her research—the first non-Âé¶čÆ””ÀUniversity student to participate in a CHRONOS conference. Isabelle Aiken’s talk, “A Movement Divided: How the 1977 IWY Conference Exposed Intra-Movement Conflict and Fueled STOP ERA,” dealt with the fragmentation of the women’s movement in the U.S.

The CHRONOS conference featured a panel discussion exploring the theme “What Does it Mean To Be a Historian?” Participants included, from left, undergraduates Sara Park and Abbey Fitzpatrick, history faculty Robert Terrell and Gladys McCormick, and graduate student Cameron Kline.

Other topics at the conference included Ronald Reagan’s ties to the FBI during the Iran-Contra Affair, legal responses to the opioid crisis in Onondaga County, New York, and an exploration of how children’s entertainment served as propaganda in Nazi Germany.

The panel discussion was moderated by Morales and included Fitzpatrick and fellow undergraduate Sara Park along with Terrell, Associate Dean Gladys McCormick and graduate student Cameron Kline. Their focus on the diverse roles of historians built on concepts raised by last year’s theme, “History Under Attack,” and aimed to reflect on the responsibilities of studying history today.

“The idea was to try to continue that conversation about the stakes of doing historical work, especially at a moment when there’s so many claims to different kinds of histories,” says Terrell.

Volume 16 of CHRONOS will be printed this fall.

“It’s a legitimate publication, complete with DOI and ISSN numbers,” says Terrell. “It’s something that will last and continue to have impact beyond the moment of its publication, and it testifies to the strength of the history program and history students at Syracuse.”

Story by Mikayla Melo

]]> Sustainability Spring Round Up: STARS Rating, Carbon Neutrality, Plastic Reduction and More /blog/2025/05/02/sustainability-spring-round-up-stars-rating-carbon-neutrality-plastic-reduction-and-more/ Fri, 02 May 2025 20:49:17 +0000 /?p=209949 Âé¶čÆ””ÀUniversity has been recognized as a STARS (Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System) Silver institution by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education. STARS is a comprehensive rating system for colleges and universities to measure sustainability. Sustainability Management completes a STARS assessment every three years to track progress.

STARS consists of four categories: academics, engagement, operations, and planning and administration. Each section within these four categories has a set number of points and the final rating (bronze, silver, gold or platinum) is determined based on total overall score. The University earned a silver rating based on an overall score of 64.57, an improvement compared to a score of 61.55 given in 2022. The minimum overall score to reach gold is 65.

Âé¶čÆ””ÀUniversity earned points due to an increase in sustainability-related academic courses and expanded sustainability research efforts across departments. Additional points came from conducting a 2023 sustainability culture and literacy survey for students, faculty, and staff, which helped establish a knowledge baseline and inform future initiatives. A new peer-to-peer student education program was launched to raise awareness, and the University participated in a peer review exchange of STARS reports with Florida State University. These initiatives helped increase the overall score.

Carbon Neutrality

Sustainability Management continues to work towards the University’s goal of carbon neutrality by 2032. New exterior LED lighting fixtures have been installed outside Graham Dining Hall, Flint Hall and Day Hall. New LED lighting fixtures will be installed on the first floor of Bird Library in the coming months, cutting the energy use from lighting in half.

Phase I of an energy recovery project is in its final stages at the Life Sciences Complex. The project will recover energy from exhaust air and use it to heat the incoming air. This will reduce the building’s need for steam in the heating months. Phase I will impact heating for the research wing of the building, parallel to Comstock Avenue, while the second phase will impact the teaching wing. Phase II is expected to be complete in the fall.

Plastic Reduction

The University is also in the process of drastically reducing its use of single-use plastics by the 2027-28 academic year. Food Services has done a great job swapping out plastics for alternative reusable items such as bulk condiment and coffee creamer dispensers in dining areas across campus. You can visit to view progress on the plastic reduction dashboard

In the Schine Student Center, Halal Shack, Panda Express and CoreLife Eatery have also converted to compostable cutlery and containers. Sustainability Management worked with Slice Consulting to design effective composting signage and potential solutions to the waste receptacle issues in Schine. The goal is to review these recommendations and implement updates this summer or fall.

Food Waste Audits

students gathered around a table with food on it

Sustainability Management interns conduct a food waste audit in the Sadler Dining hall.

Sustainability Management interns hosted numerous food waste audits throughout Sadler, Ernie and Graham Dining Halls this semester. As students brought their plates up at the end of each meal, interns would ask students to separate the remaining waste into three separate bins. One was for untouched food (a full slice of pizza), one for non-edible scraps (banana peels, apple cores) and one for food scraps (half-eaten bowl of rice). Surveys were also issued to students to gain a better understanding as to why they may have had leftover food on their plate.

Sustainability Management intern Diana (Jiarong) Zou compiled the survey data and found two main reasons why students had leftover food. Food scraps accounted for the highest amount of waste, followed by non-edible scraps and untouched food. The food waste audits helped bring awareness to food waste and encouraged people to be more thoughtful when making their food selections.

Earth Month

Several events were hosted throughout the month of April for Earth Month and Earth Day. Sustainability Management partnered with the Whitmangroup of people posing on a sidewalk with a building in the backgroundSchool of Management for an undergraduate mixer held in the Grand Hall. Students learned about the Sustainability Management department and were given seeds to take home. On Earth Day, student interns hosted a plant propagation event on the Einhorn Family Walk. Students learned about the benefits of compost and were able to take home their own propagated plant. On Friday, April 25, a Sustainability Walking Tour was held. Attendees learned about past, future and currently underway projects to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Check out the in the fall for the next round of events. If you happen to be around this summer, volunteer hours for Pete’s Giving Garden will also be posted on the Community Calendar.

]]> Office of the Chief Financial Officer Announces Implementation of Contract Management System /blog/2025/05/02/office-of-the-chief-financial-officer-announces-implementation-of-contract-management-system/ Fri, 02 May 2025 19:16:34 +0000 /?p=209939 The Office of the Chief Financial Officer will soon implement a new contract system that will simplify the process of managing contracts for University departments.

The entrance to the National Veterans Resource Center at Âé¶čÆ””ÀUniversity. The building features a modern design with large glass windows and a sign above the entrance that reads "NATIONAL VETERANS RESOURCE CENTER AT SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY." In front of the building, there is a well-maintained garden with various flowers and plants, as well as a large rock on the left side. The sky is clear, and sunlight illuminates the scene.This new system will allow the University to move from its current manual processes to an electronic workflow that increases transparency and efficiency. It will manage the production, execution and storage of contracts by automating workflows, standardizing processes and providing stakeholders with a way to search for and review various University contracts.

Over the last several months, staff from the Comptroller’s Office have coordinated with campus partners for their input and implementation support.

The rollout of the new system will occur in multiple phases. Phase 1 is designed to support contracts for goods and services that are purchase order-based, non-purchase-order-based and Fiscal Affairs-related. The anticipated launch date for Phase 1 of the project is July 1, with full usage of the system anticipated by the end of fiscal year 2026.

, led by , will be the lead contact for purchase order-based contracts for goods and services, while the Comptroller’s Office will be the lead contact for non-purchase order contracts (i.e., performers, athletics games, liquor licenses and other similar agreements). The Office of Fiscal Affairs will be the lead contact for affiliating school partnership agreements or memoranda of understanding (MOUs) with other institutions.

As the system matures, future phases will include onboarding of sponsored-related grants and contracts and other related contracts.

To help users prepare for the new system, the Comptroller’s Office will offer demonstrations and training sessions beginning on Thursday, May 15, and continuing through the end of fiscal year 2026. Although the new system will go live on July 1, the full transition to the new system is expected to take a longer period of time and will not be complete until the end of fiscal year 2026.

Those with questions can reach out to the Comptroller’s Office at Ìęcomptroller@syr.edu or 315.443.3765.

]]> David Seaman to Continue Tenure as Libraries Dean, University Librarian /blog/2025/05/02/david-seaman-to-continue-tenure-as-libraries-dean-university-librarian/ Fri, 02 May 2025 18:00:54 +0000 /?p=209892 , who has served as dean of and University Librarian since 2015, has been reappointed for a third five-year term. The announcement, made by Interim Vice Chancellor, Provost and Chief Academic Officer , follows a comprehensive review.

“Dean Seaman is a committed leader with a strong, modern vision for the Libraries,” Provost Agnew says. “During his time as dean, he has fostered a positive culture and high staff morale, raised resources and served as a capable advocate for the Libraries on campus.”

A person is wearing a dark pinstripe suit, a white dress shirt, and a red patterned tie. The background is blurred with shades of blue and gray.

David Seaman

Under Seaman’s leadership, the Libraries has become a driver of discovery and research excellence, with well-curated that align with the needs of University researchers and expert library staff who are engaged broadly across campus. Use of Libraries facilities has also been transformed, with interdisciplinary spaces like the and .

Seaman’s term as dean also saw the Libraries’ Association of Research Libraries ranking rise from 83 to 56 (out of 118 North American research libraries). Additionally, the Libraries was awarded Insight Into Diversity magazine’s 2025 Library Excellence in Access and Diversity Award, and the U.S. Government Publishing Office recognized the Libraries for the best website in the Federal Depository Library Program in 2024.

Seaman’s outreach and representation of the Libraries has served to raise awareness, expand collaborative partnerships on and off campus, drive fundraising, increase innovation and showcase the key role the Libraries plays in the life of the University.

“I am delighted to be reappointed as dean and to continue to ensure that the Libraries are a core element of the Âé¶čÆ””Àstudent experience, a driver of discovery and research excellence and a communal hub for innovation,” Seaman says.Ìę“I am fortunate to work on a campus that values its libraries, and to have such wonderful library colleagues who are committed to our shared mission to catalyze collaborations, foster curiosity and create spaces and services that are welcoming to all.”

Seaman came to Âé¶čÆ””Àfollowing library leadership positions at Dartmouth College, the Digital Library Federation and the University of Virginia. He has lectured and published extensively in the fields of humanities computing and digital libraries, and for many years taught a summer course at the University of Virginia’s Rare Book School.

]]> Mark Lodato Reappointed to 5-Year Term as Dean of the Newhouse School /blog/2025/05/02/mark-lodato-reappointed-to-5-year-term-as-dean-of-the-newhouse-school/ Fri, 02 May 2025 18:00:02 +0000 /?p=209897 Interim Vice Chancellor, Provost and Chief Academic Officer Ìęhas announced the reappointment of as dean of the for a five-year term. The reappointment follows a comprehensive review process that included feedback from key stakeholders, including Newhouse faculty, staff and advisory board members.

“Dean Lodato took the helm of an already strong school and managed to make it even stronger,” Provost Agnew says. “His energetic and collaborative leadership and his emphasis on innovation, industry partnerships and an exemplary student experience have marked his five years as dean and led to many wins for Newhouse.”

A person is wearing a dark blue checkered suit, a white dress shirt, and an orange tie with small white patterns. There is an "S" pin on the left lapel of the suit jacket.

Mark Lodato

Lodato became dean in July 2020, and his tenure has been marked by dynamic forward motion, expansion and success in several key areas for the school.

He was one of the driving forces behind the establishment of the (IDJC) in Washington, D.C., to create new knowledge, foster a more informed and engaged citizenry and better equip students for success in media, communications, policy, governance and citizenship. He also established the undergraduate program, which dovetails with the work of IDJC and further strengthens Newhouse’s robust study away offerings, which also include and .

Under Lodato’s leadership, the school , making a Newhouse education more accessible to new populations and serving as a model for other Âé¶čÆ””Àschools and colleges looking to expand online undergraduate education.

Lodato also spearheaded the creation and renovation of several learning spaces at the school. These include the , which provides co-working and co-location space to media and tech startups who want to work with talented Newhouse students, and the new , a hub for undergraduate and graduate students interested in a career in sports communications.

He has increased investment in research and creative activity, which has resulted in more than $7.3 million in sponsored research funding, and articulated the goal of strengthening the connection between communications and technology, particularly through .

Early in his time at Newhouse, Lodato implemented salary equity across Newhouse professional and support staff and faculty. He also has overseen a 17% growth in the faculty, representing a more diverse population.

“Working with the stellar faculty and staff of the Newhouse School has been an incredibly rewarding experience, and it has been my honor and privilege to serve as dean for the past five years,” Lodato says. “I am excited to continue our work together as we expand and realize our shared vision for the future of the school as a place that provides students with the best possible education and training for careers in communications. And I know that collective work is what makes Newhouse the top communications school in the country!”

Lodato joined the Newhouse School after more than 14 years at Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication, where he served as associate dean and associate general manager at Arizona PBS. He previously spent 16 years as an award-winning television reporter and anchor for network affiliate television stations in Washington, D.C., San Francisco, Phoenix and Fort Myers, Florida.

]]> Intelligence++ Holds Inclusive Design Spring Showcase /blog/2025/05/02/intelligence-holds-inclusive-design-spring-showcase/ Fri, 02 May 2025 17:58:56 +0000 /?p=209909 A group of eight people are gathered around a table in a meeting or collaborative work session. Some are seated while others are standing. The table has various items on it, including colorful hexagonal tiles, notebooks, cups, and a water bottle. In the background, there is a projector screen displaying an image or presentation. The room has beige walls and framed pictures hanging on them.

Students explain their board game “Mayhem Matchup” during the 2025 Intelligence++ Inclusive Design Spring Showcase.

The cross-campus Ìę initiative held its inclusive design showcase on April 29 in Bird Library.ÌęA collaboration between , the College of Visual and Performing Arts’ (VPA) , and the , Intelligence++ is an interdisciplinary initiative focused on inclusive entrepreneurship, design and community.

The initiative is open to both undergraduate and graduate students across the University, including students with intellectual disability from ,Ìęan initiative from theÌę.

Hosted by Brittany Berry, instructor in the School of Design, the showcase was joined remotely by Gianfranco Zaccai ’70, H’09, co-founder and chief designer of Continuum Innovation, who founded Intelligence++ through his .

The following projects were showcased:

TextPal
Carter Rice ’25 (VPA) and Julia Weinreich ’26 (VPA)
-A peer mentorship app connecting high school students with college students who share similar disability experiences to provide academic, social, and emotional guidance; build community and reduce isolation; and foster long-term support networks and mentorship.

Mayhem MatchUp
Matthew Pass ’26 (College of Arts and Sciences), Dan Zarro ’28 (InclusiveU) and Pinyi Wang ’26 (VPA)
-An inclusive, intuitive board game aimed at developmentally disabled players that has potential both as entertainment and as a tool for recreational therapists.

Sensory ToolKits
Isaac Munce ’28 (VPA) and Andrew Baum ’28 (InclusiveU)
-Build-your-own sensory calming kits that help build “calm, confidence and community for a world that too often forgets sensory needs.”

Solace
Aidan Turner ’25 (School of Architecture), Lucas d’Oelsnitz ’25 (Martin J. Whitman School of Management), Carolyn Fernandes ’25 (VPA) and Aphrodite Gioulekas ’25 (VPA)
-A design company addressing physical discomfort, sensory overload, cognitive disruption and social confidence for neurodivergent individuals through inclusive clothing options. Prototype clothing includes concealed and participatory fidgeting features, clasping cuffs and light and airy (not scratchy) fabrics.

]]> Falk College Sport Management Class Hosts Students From Utica City School District /blog/2025/05/01/falk-college-sport-management-class-hosts-students-from-utica-city-school-district/ Thu, 01 May 2025 15:27:02 +0000 /?p=209650 Utica high school students visit Falk College.

Students from the Utica City School District spent a day on the Âé¶čÆ””ÀUniversity campus as part of an event with a Falk College Sport Management class.

Over the past two months, students from the Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics, under the guidance of Sport Management Assistant Teaching Professor , Ph.D., collaborated with the Integrated Community Alternatives Network () to host a campus visit for middle and high school students from the Utica City School District. The April 18 event aimed to introduce higher education as a future path, while also showcasing the .

A panel of Âé¶čÆ””ÀUniversity student-athletes shared insights into the opportunities and challenges associated with playing sports at the collegiate level (both club and NCAA). The event emphasized experiential learning through the lens of sport for development, highlighting the potential of sport to drive positive social change and empower youth in the local community.

Organizers of Utica high school students' visit to Falk College.

From left, sport management majors Cooper Feldstein and James Tait, Otto the Orange, Sport Management Assistant Teaching Professor Alexia Lopes and ICAN Director Jesenia Wright celebrate their successful April 18 event.

ICAN, a nonprofit organization based in Utica, provides an array of support services to meet the needs of students. Services include a comprehensive program providing behavioral and mental health support within special education classroom settings.

More than 25 Utica students took part in the event, where they enjoyed lunch, games and tours across campus, and even had a photo opportunity with Otto the Orange.

Sport management majors and co-led the class project.

“We spent months working with Dr. Lopes to make this event a success,” Feldstein says. “I’m also incredibly thankful for (ICAN Director) Jesenia Wright for her inspiring work and tireless effort in bringing this vision to life. This event was so special, and I’m excited to see how this partnership grows in the future.”

]]> Professor Heather Lavender Discusses STEM Ed and Building a High-Tech Workforce /blog/2025/05/01/professor-heather-lavender-discusses-stem-ed-and-building-a-high-tech-workforce/ Thu, 01 May 2025 14:54:59 +0000 /?p=209797

As Central New York gears up as an advanced manufacturing hub, local and state government, development organizations, educators, unions and tech companies are collaborating on plans to educate and train a workforce capable of making these industrial investments a long-term success.

The employment requirements for alone are 9,000 people over 20 years. The company observes it chose the Âé¶čÆ””Àarea “partly because of the region’s ‘access to talent.’”

Among area initiatives designed to prepare this talent are the , which includes Âé¶čÆ””ÀUniversity; the University’s Center for Advanced Semiconductor Manufacturing; Empire State Development’s (ON-RAMP); the , developed by teachers unions, Micron and New York State; and Âé¶čÆ””ÀCity School District’s .

Heather Lavender

Heather Lavender

One scholar deeply invested in how a high tech workforce is trained and how STEM subjects are taught in schools—especially to students from marginalized groups—is , who joined the School of Education in August 2024 as assistant professor of inclusive STEM education.

A microbiologist, Lavender moved from the laboratory to the classroom to explore and improve how children receive science education. Here, Lavender weighs in on discrimination, resourcing schools, how marginalized groups foster innovation, and teaching teachers about equitable STEM education.

Tell us a more about your journey from microbiology to teaching to becoming a professor who researches equitable STEM education.

When I was a researcher among doctoral students who were women and women of color, I saw the abuse they endured. Throughout those years, I watched the tears and held their hair when they were sick due to a demoralizing experience.

I began to think, I could mentor better, and not just to women. I could offer equity of mentorship 
 Then at some point I thought, there is a space where you could reach even more people, further down the chain of education—influence how children learn.

I have always said, when it comes to education, I’m “girl crazy!” As a black female who worked in STEM, I’m all in for girls of color. That’s not to say I am not into helping others, but it’s a juggling act.

How do you address equitable STEM education among pre-service teachers?

Recently, I had my elementary education students read “” 
 from “Rethinking Schools.”

In the essay, a teacher tells of one of her first graders—Allison—who dresses in clothes more typical of a boy and who wants to be called Allie. She is obviously uncomfortable in class. The teacher writes about her journey to make Allie feel like she belongs.

“I realized,” writes the teacher over again as she strives to make all her children feel comfortable with their choices and thus be more accepting of Allie. These lessons including having the class think about the toys they play with: are Legos only for little boys? What if a boy feels like playing with a doll?

Children’s activities with toys leads to STEM activity that is marketed and labeled by gender. My research shows that if a girl is prevented from playing with a toys labeled for boys, that girl can be hindered from following a path toward STEM.

“When you say nothing, you say something,” I tell my students. There are times when the nothing you say is louder.

Current criticisms of DEIA initiatives in education might suggest that equity in STEM fields has been achieved—is that really true?

During the Super Bowl in 2022, a addressing women and STEM careers. PSAs are for matters of public urgency. They run for free, and this is the most expensive airtime of the year. Tell me, if more women choosing STEM was a matter of public urgency in 2022, do we think that urgency has dissipated?

The marginalization of women and women of color in STEM is still urgent. It’s important for pre-service teachers to know this. I want them to have been in an education class in which it is important to discuss these matters.

Women, women of color and individuals within marginalized communities have uniquely different challenges. When they bring these challenges, they bring additional solutions. That is innovation, and it helps to fuel innovation.

What is the biggest barrier to marginalized children taking up STEM learning and careers?

Resources. That includes the science and technology resources inside of schools, as well as the social capital that comes with neighborhoods and families.

I have seen this barrier in my teaching career. When I worked with visually impaired students, I found their lack of access was similar to that of girls and women. It’s not that these students didn’t want to be in STEM, they didn’t have access to the resources that would help them. You want to make sure these students can do experiments, but even converting a book into braille is a lot of work.

My research shows that children of color and of lower socio-economic status are not funneled into advanced math and science courses. It’s not that those students are uninterested; they are not funneled toward those resources. My research aims to shed light on these inequities.

What is your advice for companies looking to develop the high-tech workforce in Central New York?

I have heard that we should look at these things from the company’s perspective, which is to think about the return on investment.

But if you are a company that is only interested in workforce development for high school students, you are not entirely helping. By the time kids get to high school, they may have made up their mind to do STEM, so you might be looking just to convert a kid from chemistry to technology.

You have got to look at the kid who wants to do neither at that age. Look at the kid who is getting straight Ds or the kid who wants to drop out. Those are the students a tech firm needs to capture, but you are fighting a significantly harder battle to capture their interest.

Manufacturers need to step back and question the length of return on their investment. They should continue to attract high schoolers, but don’t just fertilize the plant already grown, fertilize the seed in elementary school.

They need to find a team of collaborators to help them grow the workforce. They need to invest in resources and people already here. We have local nonprofits and researchers at Âé¶čÆ””ÀUniversity that are working with younger populations. These individuals are all trying to cultivate elementary aged kids into STEM, but they might not know each other.

Imagine the impact on Central New York if we all came together.

]]> Pamela Heintz Leaves a Lasting Legacy at the University’s Mary Ann Shaw Center for Public and Community Service /blog/2025/05/01/pamela-heintz-leaves-a-lasting-legacy-at-the-universitys-mary-ann-shaw-for-public-and-community-service/ Thu, 01 May 2025 14:00:47 +0000 /?p=209823 Pamela Kirwin Heintz ’91, G’08 came to Âé¶čÆ””ÀUniversity to finish the bachelor’s degree she began decades earlier at Smith College. Little did she know the journey she was about to undertake would foster her engagement with thousands of undergraduate students and become her life’s work.

As the University’s celebrates 30 years, Heintz, associate vice president and the center’s founding director, is preparing to retire from the career that has been her passion. Looking back on the past three decades—and the legacy she is leaving—fills her with pride, awe and gratitude.

Pamela Kirwin Heintz stands in her office with students behind her.

Pamela Kirwin Heintz (Photo by Amy Manley)

Heintz brought a trove of lived experience to the reboot of her educational journey—as a mom, a real estate agent, a community volunteer and an elected member of her town’s planning board. She met with Bea González, former dean of University College (now the ) and an advisor at the time, who told her policy studies might be a better fit for her than the economics studies she had started at Smith. González connected Heintz with Bill Coplin, professor of policy studies in the . Heintz remembers being the only adult student in Coplin’s PAF 101 class.

“I loved the work,” Heintz says. “It gave me an academic framework around the actual work I’d been doing, and it helped me understand much more how to think about doing this kind of work.” Under Coplin’s mentorship, Heintz finished her degree and continued to dive deeper into community-focused work.

Planting Roots for Community Work

Around the same time, Kenneth and Mary Ann Shaw came to Âé¶čÆ””Àas Chancellor and associate of the Chancellor. In a for a recent 30th anniversary celebration, Mary Ann Shaw said there was a feeling on campus that students and faculty wanted to be involved in work that extended into the community.

“My husband and I knew we needed to corral this initiative and desire,” she said. The students needed to be involved in something that was meaningful and something that would contribute to their growth and learning as students but also prepare them for a world that was quickly changing.

The Shaws soon found the right person to lead this new initiative. “I then had the great opportunity to meet Pam Heintz. I just thought, ‘this is the woman,’” Shaw said. “The center would not be what it is today without Pam Heintz. She really made it happen and developed this legacy.”

The early years were filled with strategic work, building collaborations with faculty members and community organizations to incorporate service learning into coursework. Over the years, the center has worked with as many as 70 courses and collaborated with the to pair teaching faculty with undergraduate student consultants for an exchange of perspectives on teaching and learning in a particular course.

The first Shaw Center cohort, which engaged in literacy work in the community, numbered 13. Currently, the Shaw Center has 351 student tutors and volunteers who work more than 10,000 hours with two thousand students in Âé¶čÆ””Àcity schools. The center also supports 96 community organizations, collaborates with 150 campus partners and coordinates student volunteers connected to 17 service-learning courses.

Outreach includes literacy initiatives; Balancing the Books, a Whitman School of Management collaboration that teaches students financial literacy; a STEM initiative; and a nutrition initiative. Public relations and service-learning interns work collaboratively to build connections between the Shaw Center, the University and the community.

Since 1993 the University, through Parking and Transit Services, has collaborated with the Shaw Center to support a detailed daily transportation network to get all Âé¶čÆ””Àstudents to their tutoring and community placements. In 1993, the service transported 15 students and in 2024 transported 875 students.

To make this all happen takes a strong leader who can think strategically and find solutions. At the 30th anniversary celebration, Chancellor Kent Syverud said Heintz has led the Shaw Center quietly, effectively and loyal to the values of the University. “I think Pam has been a treasure to this university,” said Syverud, who chose Heintz as this year’s recipient of the Forever Orange Award, which she received at the One University Awards ceremony on April 11.

Fostering a Sense of Belonging

In addition to building and guaranteeing the quality and efficacy of Shaw Center programming, Heintz has played a huge role in nurturing the center’s interns and tutors.

Maria J. Lopez ’05, G’12, assistant director of scholarship programs in the Office of Multicultural Advancement, served as a leadership intern at the Shaw Center during her undergraduate years. As such, she supported the entire office.

“It was there that I first learned what it meant to work in a place with real purpose,” Lopez says. “The Shaw Center provided me with an invaluable window into how civic engagement, nonprofit organizations and public policy intersect to influence educational access. Through my work, I had the opportunity to meet community leaders, build relationships with local organizations and gain a deeper understanding of the Âé¶čÆ””Àcommunity.”

Lopez says Heintz and the Shaw Center staff were instrumental in fostering her sense of belonging on campus.

“For nearly 25 years, Pam Heintz has remained a mentor, advocate and supporter,” Lopez says. “She spoke my name in important rooms and fought for me when my financial aid package was insufficient to keep me enrolled. Pam believed in the Shaw Center as a living-learning classroom where, if students are given the space to develop their ideas, they will thrive.”

As a mentor, Heintz always reminds her students that they will never truly know the impact they are having on the children they work with.

“We’re just doing it one kid at a time—and that’s all you can do,” she says.

What’s next for Pam Heintz? She is still deciding that. But you can be sure that whatever it is, it will involve making the community a better place.

In case you missed it: Check out episode #176 of the “’Cuse Conversations” podcast, “Celebrating 30 Years of the Shaw Center Being the Hub for Academic Community Engagement.” In the , former Shaw Center volunteer Derek Wallace ’00 and current student volunteer Claire Ceccoli ’25 discuss how their involvement with the Shaw Center transformed them into leaders in their communities.

]]> University Fostered Interdisciplinary and Community-Engaged Scholarship for Graduate School Marshal Qingyang Liu /blog/2025/04/30/university-fostered-interdisciplinary-and-community-engaged-scholarship-for-graduate-school-marshal-qingyang-liu/ Wed, 30 Apr 2025 19:42:49 +0000 /?p=209803 Graduate School Marshal Qingyang Liu will graduate on May 11 with a doctoral degree in human development and family science. She was honored recently at the One University Awards with the Chancellor’s Citation for Excellence in Graduate Research. Below, she talks about her five years at Syracuse—what she has accomplished and what her next step will be.

What attracted you to come to Âé¶čÆ””ÀUniversity to complete your doctorate?

Qingyang Liu in Commencement regalia in front of the Hall of Languages

Qingyang Liu (Photo by Amy Manley)

I was drawn to Âé¶čÆ””ÀUniversity by its strong emphasis on rigorous research and the opportunity to work with Dr. Rachel Razza (associate dean of human dynamics in the Falk College and a professor of human development and family science), a nationally recognized scholar in self-regulation research. Her pioneering work deeply aligned with my own interests in how early poverty shapes children’s self-regulation. From the beginning of my application process, I was intentional about finding a program and mentor that supported both high-quality scholarship and meaningful community impact, and Âé¶čÆ””Àoffered the ideal environment to pursue both.

Tell me about your area of study within human development and family science in the Falk College.

As a developmental scientist, I adopt a lifespan perspective and use a strength-based approach to understand how children develop self-regulation throughout childhood, especially in the context of early poverty-related stressors. I study how these stressors interact with family dynamics and broader social environments, particularly among racially and ethnically minoritized families living in poverty. As an applied quantitative methodologist, I use advanced statistical methods, such as growth mixture modeling and latent profile analysis, on large-scale national and community-based datasets. These methods help identify critical periods in development when tailored interventions can make the greatest impact for vulnerable populations.

You were recently honored with the Chancellor’s Citation for Excellence in Research at the One University Awards and have appeared in 25 peer-reviewed publications. What can you share about your research and how it has developed during your time at Syracuse?

Qingyang Liu receives Chancellor's Citation from Chancellor Kent Syverud at the One University Awards

Qingyang Liu receives the Chancellor’s Citation for Excellence in Graduate Research from Chancellor Kent Syverud at the One University Awards on April 11. (Photo by Amy Manley)

I developed a research program focused on how early poverty-related adversities, such as material hardship, parenting stress and household chaos, shape children’s self-regulation from early childhood into adolescence. My three-paper dissertation, supported by the Graduate School Summer Dissertation Fellowship and the Dean Edith Smith Endowed Dissertation Grant, uses advanced longitudinal methods to examine how the timing, co-occurrence and chronicity of material hardship influence behavioral self-regulation development.

Across 25 peer-reviewed publications, including six first-authored papers in leading journals, I’ve drawn on large-scale national datasets (e.g., Future of Families and Child Well-being Study, Early Head Start) and community-based mindfulness intervention data to investigate self-regulation pathways among underserved children and youth. At the University, I received rigorous methodological training from faculty mentors, which enabled me to apply person-centered approaches to capture developmental heterogeneity and inform the design of targeted interventions.

What has been most meaningful is how Âé¶čÆ””ÀUniversity has fostered my interdisciplinary and community-engaged scholarship. I collaborated with faculty across human development and family science, social work and education, contributed to research-practice partnerships and supported local preschool mindful eating workshops, translating findings into actionable insights for families facing adversity. Âé¶čÆ””ÀUniversity has provided the mentorship, research training and collaborative environment that shaped me as a developmental scientist and applied quantitative methodologist.

What does it mean to you to be the Graduate School’s Class Marshal?

It is a huge honor and a deeply meaningful recognition of the past five years of dedication, perseverance and growth. This milestone reflects the collective support that has carried me through, from the steadfast mentorship and community within to the Graduate School’s commitment to graduate student success. I am incredibly grateful for those who have believed in me along the way. I carry this honor with pride and renewed motivation to continue advancing research, equity and community well-being.

What is next for you after graduation?

I will begin a postdoctoral scholar position at Arizona State University, where I’ll continue my research on poverty-related adversity and children’s self-regulation development. I’m excited to expand my methodological training, collaborate with interdisciplinary teams and work closely with community partners to develop research that informs equitable interventions for children and families. I carry the mentorship, training and values I gained at Âé¶čÆ””ÀUniversity with me into this next chapter.

]]> Blackstone LaunchPad Student Start-Ups Win in the 2025 New York Business Plan Competition /blog/2025/04/30/blackstone-launchpad-student-start-ups-win-in-the-2025-new-york-business-plan-competition/ Wed, 30 Apr 2025 13:32:06 +0000 /?p=209784 Three Âé¶čÆ””ÀUniversity Libraries’ Blackstone LaunchPad (LaunchPad) student start-up teams won prizes in the finals of the , powered by Upstate Capital Association of NY, held in Albany on April 24.

Âé¶čÆ””ÀUniversity student winners in the New York Business Plan Competition

Participants in the New York Business Plan Competition, back row left to right, were Anja Padwal, Tosin Alabi, Jonathan “J” Wess, Jack Venerus, Lindy Truitt and student from University of Buffalo. Front row, Carolyn Fernandes and Tony Goncalves.

Carolyn Fernandes G’25 (College of Visual and Performing Arts), founder of Solace, won $2,000 as second prize winner in the Products and Hardware category. Solace designs fidget products into clothing for neurodivergent people.

Lindy Elizabeth Truitt ’25 (College of Visual and Performing Arts) and Anjaneya Sanjay Padwal G’25 (School of Information Studies), founders of SipSafe+, also won a $2,000 second place prize in the Food and AgTech track. SipSafe+ uses a ring or stir stick that glows when drinks have been spiked with drugs.

Jack Venerus ’27 (School of Information Studies), founder of WingStat, won a $500 concept stage award. WingStat helps airplane brokers have reliable data about the aircraft they are buying or selling.

Âé¶čÆ””ÀUniversity teams received the most awards of any single school in the statewide competition. The NYBPC attracts some of New York state’s best student entrepreneurs. The competition promotes entrepreneurial opportunities for college students from across the state who pitch their business plans to seasoned investors. They also receive the opportunity to engage with mentors and judges from the business community. The finals event connects students with business professionals, provides experiential learning opportunities through competitions, connects entrepreneurs with resources at the Entrepreneurship Expo, and awards up to $100,000 in cash prizes to help seed new ventures.

 

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