Corri Zoli

’91, G’93, G’04 was recently named a research associate of the . She applies social science, law and public policy perspectives to problems of warfare, governance in modern human conflicts and the role of international humanitarian law in managing conflict dynamics.

Zoli’s Lender Center project looks at how veterans navigate post-service life, how marginalized communities are impacted by conflict and how public policies can be made more fair, inclusive and humane. “National security is often framed in abstract or geopolitical terms, but it’s essentially about people and whose lives are protected, whose voices are heard and whose rights are upheld. I try to humanize conflict and security,” she says.

We spoke with Zoli about the impact her research has for veterans and in matters of national security and public safety.

How does being at �鶹Ƶ��University support and enhance your work?

�鶹Ƶ��University has longstanding commitments to public affairs, community engagement and military veterans, and a unique history that started with throwing open the doors to returning GIs following World War II. This private university has since become one of the most welcoming places in the country for veterans. Tolley was visionary—I think he knew veterans would transform the campus by sharing their knowledge and experiences, and they did. We say we have it in our DNA to support veterans, and it’s true. The and have put that into practice.

But the commitment is deeper. Lots of universities work on retraining veterans or on public affairs, but here, we ask fundamental questions about public service. We’re willing to go the extra mile to support the communities that are part of that research. We ask what can we all do together and how can we advance knowledge through community partnerships. We put effort and resources into what from veterans’ service and skills.

Similarly, the Lender Center recognizes that the university is best when it is grounded in its communities and its work is a two-way street. We’re not just gathering data, we’re welcoming community members as stakeholders and contributing partners. It’s wonderful to join so many Lender colleagues and students from across the University who share a passion for community, partnerships and the real-world impacts of our research.

Much of the research supported by the Lender Center is focused on the racial wealth gap. How does your work on veterans connect to that?

We are finding that military service is a unique way to mitigate the and many socioeconomic gaps. Thirty years of economic data on veterans and service members shows that other things being equal, veterans have a wage premium, so military service can be a way to increase your socioeconomic advantage in the U.S. It means that anyone who is underserved and/or economically disadvantaged without other opportunities may want to consider a military career or national public service.

Zoli has taught seminars in the Warrior Scholars Veterans Project, a program at the University that empowers enlisted veterans and service members to excel in higher education.

What is a key takeaway from your study of veterans’ post-service experiences adapting to non-military life?

While the U.S. public veterans, we don’t really know them or their stories. We thank them for their service, but it’s otherwise superficial; it’s not like World War II, where everyone knew a veteran. We’re asking, “How do we as a country put effort and resources into getting to know the veterans in our midst, then tap their knowledge and feedback?”

How can veterans inform our approach to conflicts, security and safety?

Veterans have on-the-ground knowledge about how to address conflict and its root causes. They can provide strategic advice, but we don’t use them enough as resources for applied practical expertise. Post-9/11 vets can offer important feedback on issues of national and global security and military challenges, and on topics such as infrastructure development, given the many roads and buildings the U.S. built in Afghanistan and elsewhere. We would do well to get their input on government policies, public safety, modernizing and innovating our technologies, infrastructure development and building higher educational programs more inclusive of veterans.

What are some core findings from your research on national security?

Conflicts are much more complicated now than in the past, and many involve unconventional warfare—new cyber weapons and drones, violent or political extremism and the creation and support of terrorist organizations below the state level by actors who are not responsive to their governments.

We lack policy tools to really fight these conflicts well. Our inability to manage the explosion of non-state conflict actors, for instance, creates enormous civilian harm and pockets of instability or ungoverned zones in many regions of the world. We can’t control international spaces, but we can offer support and best practices and make sure our own national laws and policies are consistent with and follow civil liberties norms and our constitution.

What does your research reveal about issues of public safety?

We need to do a bit more than we’re doing in terms of domestic safety and involve communities more in their own safety and security. We need to beef up infrastructure that protects public safety, including keeping roads and bridges and other infrastructure in good shape. We should be educating students at the K-12 levels in how they can play a role in public service and public safety and to consider public safety careers. We should make civic engagement and understanding, including our constitutional traditions and standards, well known to everybody.

Robert Rubinstein, Distinguished Professor of Anthropology and professor of international relations in the , is the recipient of the 2025 Wasserstrom Prize for Graduate Teaching.

The prize is awarded annually to a faculty member from Maxwell and the who exemplifies the qualities of the late William Wasserstrom, a noted professor of English at �鶹Ƶ��who died in 1985. Wasserstrom was a scholar known for his broad interests and profound impact on learning, with a particular teaching interest in the graduate seminar.

Conferred each May at the graduate school doctoral hooding ceremony, the award honors a faculty member for outstanding success as a graduate seminar leader, research and dissertation director, advisor and role model for graduate students.

“For the past eight years, Robert has served as the graduate director in the anthropology department, mentoring students through a tumultuous period that included COVID, and strengthening the department’s assessment, time to degree and effective use of department funds to allow students to balance coursework, exams, writing and field research,” Maxwell Dean David M. Van Slyke said when he presented the award at the ceremony. “His spreadsheet of students and their status in the program is truly impressive and a great model for other departments.”

Robert A. Rubinstein

Rubinstein joined Maxwell in 1994 as an associate professor of anthropology. He directed the Program on the Analysis and Resolution of Conflicts (now the Program for the Advancement of Research on Conflict and Collaboration) from 1994 to 2005, was named a professor of law by courtesy appointment in the College of Law in 2013, and was named Distinguished Professor of Anthropology in 2016.

Van Slyke pointed out that Rubinstein has served as the principal advisor to 13 Ph.D. students, five of whom have won the outstanding dissertation award. In addition, he has served on 17 dissertation committees and teaches graduate classes including Negotiation: Theory and Practice, Multilateral Peacekeeping, Anthropological Theory, Anthropology and Public Policy, and Culture in World Affairs.

Story by Mikayla Melo

Armed with spoons and an unshakable sense of duty, members of the �鶹Ƶ��University News team hit up at Drumlins Country Club and sampled every specialty sundae so you don’t have to—though you’ll probably want to. From the rich, chocolatey depths of the ’Cuse Brownie to the citrusy cheer of Otto the Orange or the whimsical spirit of the Unicorn Sundae, the lineup at ’Cuse Scoops proves there’s a creation for every flavor fan on campus.

Banana Pudding

“Banana pie lovers rejoice! This creation was an absolute delight, starting with the unconventional base of banana pudding ice cream and loaded with nostalgic ‘Nilla Wafers and oozing with caramel sauce. I loved every single bite!”�� — Kelly Rodoski

Banana Pudding

Chocolate-Covered Strawberry

“The chocolate-covered strawberry sundae was a super sweet treat, and it came with a surprise. I kept looking for (and spooning through to find) the expected traditional whole strawberry dipped in a hard chocolate shell—the kind sold as a specialty for Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day gifting.

“That’s what my mind’s eye expected. Instead, the surprise was that the sundae itself was the chocolate coating—lovely chocolate hard ice cream topping tasty strawberry sauce that’s spread through the middle and bottom of the cup. It was a great combination, especially being topped with lots of fluffy whipped cream, luscious dark chocolate sundae dirt sprinkles and a cherry.” — Diane Stirling

Chocolate-Covered Strawberry

’Cuse Brownie

“This was a flavor sensation from top to bottom, a decadent treat for the taste buds featuring large amounts of brownie pieces, chocolate fudge sauce, chocolate ice cream, whipped cream and orange and blue sprinkles. With each spoonful, the sweet, chocolate layers continued to play off each other, culminating with a surprise extra layer of fudge and brownie pieces at the bottom. Outstanding!” — John Boccacino

’Cuse Brownie

Otto the Orange

“I’m a huge fan of any sundae served in a plastic baseball cap, and this one did not disappoint! You can never go wrong with orange sherbet—especially on Syracuse’s campus—and the ample blue and orange sprinkles took things to another level. The fact that this creation invokes the name of my favorite mascot, Otto the Orange, was a huge bonus. I’ll order anything with Otto’s name in it.” — Jen Plummer

Otto the Orange

Peanut Butter Explosion

“The Peanut Butter Explosion sundae proves again the enduring nature of a timeless pairing. The sundae has the perfect ratio of nutty goodness and chocolate decadence: the peanut butter is front and center with the hot fudge blending perfectly around the edges of each bite. The creamy ice cream with its caramel-like gooeyness and peanut butter sauce join forces for a delightfully cool and warm spoonful. The candy pieces add just the right touch of texture to top off this sundae of pure summertime bliss.”��— Kathleen Haley

Peanut Butter Explosion

S’mores Sundae

“There’s a lot of graham cracker and marshmallow flavor, complemented nicely by the crunchy chocolate pieces and swirls of hot fudge. The freshly roasted marshmallow topper is a great addition. It’s a cool way to enjoy a campfire favorite on a hot summer day!” — CJ Munoz

S’mores Sundae

Unicorn Sundae

“The ’Cuse Scoops unicorn sundae is a pretty princess birthday party—in a cup. With its pink pastel swirls and sugar cone ‘horn,’ this sundae is at the top of their Instagrammable offerings. The crunchy blue and pink candy swirled throughout added a fun element while working my way down the animated unicorn path. Surprisingly, the strawberry ice cream never came across as too sweet, belying its outward appearance. Overall, the unicorn sundae was an enchantingly fun treat for a �鶹Ƶ��summer day!” —Amy Manley

Unicorn Sundae

Go Taste for Yourself

’Cuse Scoops is open to the public at Drumlins Country Club, 800 Nottingham Rd., Syracuse. Hours are Tuesday-Friday from 3 to 9 p.m., Saturday from 2 to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 2 to 8 p.m.

All photos by Amy Manley, senior multimedia producer, Division of Communications

It is with profound sadness that I write to remember two members of our �鶹Ƶ��University community, whose lives were cut short last Thursday when they were struck by a vehicle at the intersection of University Avenue and East Adams Street.

Both individuals were international graduate students in the College of Engineering and Computer Science who came to �鶹Ƶ��to advance their academic careers. They were accomplished scholars with wide-ranging interests—spanning electrical engineering and bioinstrumentation to computer science, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence. Each brought deep curiosity, purpose and talent to their studies and their research. They will leave a lasting impact on our academic community.

The University has been in contact with their families. In keeping with the families’ wishes, we are not sharing the students’ names at this time. Still, we grieve their loss deeply and extend our heartfelt condolences to their loved ones, friends and all who knew them.

On behalf of Chancellor Kent Syverud, Interim Provost Lois Agnew, College of Engineering and Computer Science Dean J. Cole Smith, Graduate School Dean Peter Vanable and the entire Orange community, we offer our full support and deepest sympathies during this time of sorrow.

I recognize that this is a difficult moment for many in our community, including those who may have witnessed the accident. Please know that a range of resources is available, and I encourage everyone to check in with one another and seek support as needed:

• Students can receive confidential counseling 24 hours a day, seven days a week through the by calling 315.443.8000.
• For general ongoing assistance, students can contact Monday through Friday at 315.443.4357.
• Faculty and staff can reach trained clinicians 24 hours a day through , the University’s Faculty and Staff Assistance Program, by calling 800.437.0911.
• All campus community members can access additional services and support through and each chaplaincy by calling 315.443.2901.

Please join me in offering heartfelt condolences to the families and friends grieving this immense loss.

With sadness,

Allen W. Groves
Senior Vice President and Chief Student Experience Officer

, assistant professor of sociology in the , has been named the Yang Ni and Xiaoqing Li Scholar in U.S.-China/Asia Relations for the 2025-26 academic year.

Haowei Wang

Wang’s one-year appointment began on July 1. She is the fifth Maxwell faculty member to be named a recipient of the Yang Ni and Xiaoqing Li Endowment Fund for U.S.-China/Asia Relations. Ni L’95 and Li G’96 established the fund in 2021 to encourage greater connections between Maxwell faculty and scholars in China and Asia. The funding may be utilized for travel, research and teaching in China.

Wang’s research focuses on understanding the social determinants of healthy aging in a global context. In particular, she investigates the transformation of family networks, how multiple dimensions of family relationships impact well-being and caregiving in later life, and how demographic shifts and social policies shape physical and mental health across the life course.

Students and staff sit outside of the Parthenon together while on a walking tour of Rome landmarks.

The University’s first inclusive study abroad trip has redefined what inclusive higher education looks like, blending immersive cultural experiences with academic exploration of inclusive education across borders. This two-week program brought together students with and without intellectual disability, reflecting a commitment to making global education more inclusive and accessible to everyone.

The course, led by the (SOE) in partnership with and the , brought 14 students on a journey through some of Italy’s most iconic cities.

Faculty members and co-taught the class, made up of seven current and former students, and seven matriculated students from SOE. From the bustling piazzas of Rome to the quiet charm of Padua, students explored how Italy’s long-standing commitment to inclusive education plays out in classrooms, universities and community spaces.

The Florence Center and the (CDI) partnered to support the experience. Students lived inclusively with roommates throughout the two-week program—sharing spaces, dining, attending class, travelling and experiencing the cities together.

Students visit �鶹Ƶ��Abroad’s Florence Center.

Impactful and Enriching

Ashby, a professor of inclusive education and CDI director, has collaborated with several SOE faculty for previous iterations of this study abroad class. She notes the importance of fully including students with intellectual disability in this particular experience.

“For years, we have been bringing �鶹Ƶ��University students to Italy to explore inclusive education in a context where nearly all students with disabilities are educated in general education classrooms alongside typical peers. But what made this trip different was the intentional focus on living inclusion while we studied it,” says Ashby. “Every facet of the trip was an opportunity for learning and exploration, and we are excited by the possibilities of expanding to new countries and longer-term abroad opportunities.”

The course included lectures, school visits, community-based research projects and museum tours, giving students daily opportunities to apply their knowledge. Guided Italian lessons offered both a linguistic and cultural gateway, with ample chances to practice in real-world settings.

One of the program’s highlights was visiting elementary and secondary schools in Florence and Rome, allowing students to experience Italy’s inclusive education framework. The group also visited universities in Rome and Padua, including a session with Gianfranco Zaccai ’70, H’09, a supporter of �鶹Ƶ��University and inclusive innovation through the initiative.

“It was truly impactful and enriching to observe the full integration of students with disabilities in mainstream education,” says SOE student Elyas Layachi ’27. “It was also eye-opening to be critical of the shortcomings of Italy’s education system, while also comparing it to that of the United States and our own educational experiences. I hope that the United States’ education system can take a step in a similar direction of full inclusion for all students, regardless of their disability status.”

Students sit outside of the Borghese Gardens for their final class reflection.

True Inclusion

Italy is internationally recognized for its progressive approach to inclusive education. With nearly 97% literacy and policies that mandate the inclusion of students with disabilities in general education classrooms (, 2010, 2007), the country serves as a case study. At the same time, shifting demographics and rising accountability pressures make this a pivotal moment to critically reflect on both the successes achieved and the work ahead in advancing inclusion in Italian schools.

�鶹Ƶ��students had the opportunity to see these systems in practice and engage in comparative discussions about how inclusion is approached in the U.S. and Italy, as well as how current political and cultural climates have affected the implementation of the law. Ph.D. students from the School of Education are using the findings from this course to research the effectiveness of inclusion within hands-on cultural immersion.

Myers, Lawrence B. Taishoff Associate Professor of Inclusive Education and executive director of the , collaborated with Ashby to organize an itinerary that would get to the heart of immersive learning.

“I really appreciated teaching and studying about disability and inclusion with our students,” says Myers. “Everyone in this course brought their own perspective and experience, and that really added to what we were learning through the readings, classes and school visits. Another highlight for me was seeing how everyone in the group supported one another—this was true inclusion during class and in the world.”

After a group dinner, students and staff take a photo to celebrate their last day in Italy.

Positive Experience

The trip led to authentic friendships and meaningful experiences for all. InclusiveU freshman Jack Pasquale ’28 reflects, “Since I am autistic, inclusion means a lot to me on a personal level. I am always trying to get involved and learn more. This was an incredible opportunity to meet and work with new people, to build on my independence and social skills, to see some of the world’s most important art works and churches, and to eat some of the world’s best food!”

“Being able to study abroad is a positive experience I will carry with me for the rest of my life,” adds Pasquale.

This course not only succeeded in giving students a once in a lifetime opportunity to experience Italian life and inclusive education, it also opens the door for other universities looking to expand their offerings.

It demonstrated that, with thoughtful planning and the right partnerships, studying abroad can and should be for everyone. Layachi agrees: “I made a lot of new friends and learned how to navigate foreign cities. Inclusion, when done right, benefits everyone involved.”

Karly Grifasi also contributed to this story.

Thomas O’Brien

The Blackstone LaunchPad at �鶹Ƶ��University Libraries has awarded a Student Start-Up Fund grant for the Spring 2025 semester to Thomas O’Brien ’25 for his company, Ten Open Projects. Grants are awarded on a rolling basis to undergraduate and graduate students who need help moving an idea from concept to commercialization.

O’Brien’s company provides video production services to small and medium-sized enterprises and produces short films under its FreeFall Films production company. The grant will be used to expand customer reach and LLC formation expenses. O’Brien is a graduate of the College of Visual and Performing Arts.

Applications must specifically define the need with identified outcomes to be achieved within a set time. The fund is possible because of generous donors like Libraries Advisory Board members Jeffrey Rich ’67 and Yvonne Hyland.

For Brianna G’20 and Kevin Shults G’20, �鶹Ƶ��University isn’t just where they work—it’s where their love story unfolded, one game day, one degree and one Dome photo at a time.

Brianna is the director of in the Lawrence B. Taishoff Center for Inclusive Higher Education, housed in the . She earned an executive master of public administration degree from the . Kevin is associate director of Career Services in the and holds an M.S. in information management from the .

As part of a summertime series on Orange Love, the Shultses share their story.

How did you meet, and what role did �鶹Ƶ��play in your love story?

Kevin shows off his homemade Otto costume.

Brianna: We were introduced by a mutual friend and quickly bonded over our shared love of adventure, sports, travel and music. At the time, Kevin was already working at SU and we spent many Thursday nights at the Inn Complete playing trivia and getting to know each other. During our dating years, we watched basketball and football games, competed in March Madness brackets and even crafted Kevin’s iconic Otto costume—which he still proudly wears!

Though neither of us were alumni yet, �鶹Ƶ��already held a special place in our hearts. Kevin is rarely seen without his �鶹Ƶ��gear, and we’ve met fellow Orange fans everywhere—even on remote Caribbean islands—because of it. When we got engaged, Kevin was wearing his No. 3 Gerry McNamara basketball jersey.

When planning our wedding, we chose a venue close to campus and took our photos at iconic spots like the Quad. It just felt right.

What’s it like working at the same place as your spouse?

They brought receipts: Kevin wears his G-Mac jersey while proposing to Brianna on the island of St. John.

Kevin: The first question people always ask is, “Do you drive to work together?”—and it always makes us laugh, because the answer is no!

We work in different schools, which gives us unique perspectives and experiences. Even though we’ve both been here for over a decade, our professional paths only occasionally cross. But there are definite perks: attending campus events together, visiting each other’s offices and showing our son, Everett, why this place is so special to us.

Brianna: One of the biggest advantages is our shared understanding of the academic calendar. We know what each other’s busy seasons look like and can support each other in ways that don’t always need words. We both understand the importance of showing up for the students we serve in our respective roles.

You both earned graduate degrees from �鶹Ƶ��in 2020. What was that experience like?

Brianna: It was definitely a juggling act! We both felt strongly about pursuing advanced degrees and supported each other throughout the process, even though our paths looked different. Kevin completed his degree online, while I attended classes on campus.

We coordinated class schedules, worked on papers and projects, decided to start a family and navigated a global pandemic—all while finishing our capstones. It was a busy season, but so worth it!

Kevin: Our graduations looked very different. Mine was delayed by a year, and Brianna’s was entirely virtual, but both were incredibly meaningful. We’re proud to have earned degrees from top-ranked programs and to use what we’ve learned to better serve our students.

Kevin and Brianna pose together in front of the Lincoln statue outside of Eggers Hall once they were both able to (finally!) celebrate their Commencements together on campus. Their son, Everett, plays nearby.

Do you have any favorite campus memories together?

Brianna: So many! Our graduations, introducing Everett to Otto, taking him to his first football game and watching the solar eclipse on the Quad are just a few. But our wedding photos taken across campus—especially on the Quad—are some of our most cherished memories.

What makes �鶹Ƶ��University special to you as a couple and as individuals?

Kevin: �鶹Ƶ��is woven into the fabric of our relationship. Our shared fandom brought us together, and the University has been a constant in our lives ever since.

Brianna: Everett’s favorite color is orange, and he (now age 6) genuinely believes we work at “Otto’s House.” We’ve both been part of this community for many years, and some of our favorite conversations are about the students we’ve supported. Watching them grow and succeed is incredibly rewarding. We truly couldn’t imagine being anywhere else.

Kevin and Brianna sit on the legendary Kissing Bench on their wedding day.

If your relationship were a campus building, which one would it be—and why?

Both: The [JMA Wireless] Dome, without a doubt. It’s where we’ve taken countless photos, cheered through unforgettable games and celebrated major milestones. The Dome is full of energy, tradition and community spirit—just like our relationship. And like us, it keeps evolving and getting better with time.

Do you have an Orange Love story that hasn’t been told? Email internalcomms@syr.edu and we may feature you in an upcoming article!

Raquel-Ann “Roxi” Nurse McNabb and daughter Lexi McNabb

As point guard for the Orange women’s basketball team, Raquel-Ann “Roxi” Nurse McNabb ’98, G’99 was known for helping her teammates ‘make buckets’—a lot of buckets. The 1997 �鶹Ƶ��University Athlete of the Year, two-time team MVP and three-time BIG EAST Academic All-Star still ranks fifth in all-time career assists at Syracuse.

Twenty-five years later, the busy mother of four is still focused on creating scoring opportunities as co-founder and executive director of the Caris Sports Foundation, which has helped nearly 500 young athletes throughout Arizona make buckets, touchdowns, slap shots, homeruns—even ollies and pirouettes.

“Studies show that kids in families who make less than $30,000 don’t play sports, because they just can’t afford it,” says McNabb. “Our mission is to give every child the opportunity to play sports by removing financial barriers.” The group funds equipment and fees for K-12 students in any organized sport, both competitive and recreational, and has plans to expand beyond Arizona into cities where the McNabb family has roots—including Syracuse.

The idea struck McNabb when she and her husband—legendary Orange and Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb ’98—saw players in their daughter’s basketball club struggling to pay travel costs. As coaches, they and other members of the club were providing financial assistance.

Raquel-Ann “Roxi” Nurse McNabb was the 1997 �鶹Ƶ��University Athlete of the Year, a two-time team MVP and three-time BIG EAST Academic All-Star.

“These were kids that may never have left Arizona if they didn’t play on these teams,” Roxi says. “We were like: ‘If we can do this within our small organization, what could we do on a greater scale for other sports, for other organizations?’” she recalls. They launched the foundation in 2019 and began hosting charity fundraisers like golf tournaments and other events.

After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in physical education from the , McNabb earned a master of public administration (M.P.A.) degree with a focus on nonprofit leadership from the .

She also holds a master’s in education policy from the University of Pennsylvania. “I knew that my heart was always going to be in something nonprofit,” McNabb says, “and I knew Maxwell was going to give me the tools to do that.”

McNabb says she often draws on the hands-on experiences she gained in the M.P.A. program, including an internship at the Samaritan Center, where she learned the administrative side of nonprofit management, including working with grants.

Like her days on the court, McNabb’s academic pursuits were fueled by teamwork. “It would be like 11 o’clock at night, close to midnight, and we’re in our groups working and studying. But we’re doing it together, right?” McNabb says.

She remains in contact with Maxwell classmates like Allegra Ivey G’99, with whom both Roxi and Donovan McNabb serve on the �鶹Ƶ��University Board of Trustees.

Over the years, the couple has launched a range of philanthropic endeavors, including the Donovan McNabb Foundation, which has raised millions of dollars primarily for health care causes. The two also give generously to �鶹Ƶ��University: they recently established the McNabb Family Opportunity Program Endowed Fund, which supports economically disadvantaged students, in addition to naming the �鶹Ƶ��women’s basketball team lounge.

McNabb says her work with the Caris Sports Foundation transcends her love for the game. She points to the ways sports help children develop essential qualities like confidence, teamwork, problem solving and discipline.

While Caris aims to fund all students evenly, McNabb says the organization sees the most long-term impact among girls. Just this year, three young women funded by the foundation received athletic scholarships—two of them playing for “Big 4” Division 1 schools.

But in the end, for McNabb, “making buckets” isn’t about making buckets of money; it’s about learning to take initiative, driving toward a goal and owning the risks. It’s an outlook she and her husband instilled in their own children, including daughter Alexis, who—like her mom—played basketball for the Orange and plans to earn an M.P.A. with hopes of starting her own nonprofit. She has long dreamed of opening a homeless shelter.

“She said to me, ‘You know, Mom, you see a problem in society, and you try to fix it. That’s what we do,’” says Roxi. According to her daughter, who goes by Lexi, identifying problems and developing sustainable solutions fits both her business background and her nonprofit aspirations. She earned a bachelor’s degree in entrepreneurship from the in May and will soon start in the M.P.A./MBA dual degree program, offered in partnership between Whitman and Maxwell, to focus on social entrepreneurship.

“It is kind of the best of both worlds,” says Lexi. “I am going to be able to get that business degree but also be able to focus on the nonprofit work that I want to do in the future.”

“Since the day I stepped on this earth, my parents have been putting on different fundraising events and been involved in community service,” says Lexi. “I think that is the reason for my mindset…when I leave this earth, I want to say that I’ve made the world at least 1% better in any way that I could have.”

The McNabb family, from left to right, Devin James, Donovan Sr., Roxi, Lexi, Donovan Jr. and Sariah.

Digital badges will be awarded for various microcredential programs offered by the�� . Learners can in industries regarding business and management, cannabis, health care, IT, project management and much more. These badges signify specific competencies, skillsets and levels of achievement that can be shared across digital platforms, making them easily visible to potential employers.

“With the launch of our comprehensive microcredentials catalog, we’re excited to unlock new opportunities and advance professional journeys in high-demand career areas,” says Arthur Thomas, executive director of the Office of Microcredentials.

The University’s Office of Microcredentials, established in 2021, is leading the charge in expanding the University’s portfolio of non-degree credentials. The comprehensive catalog of microcredential offerings lists a variety of courses that can equip learners with in-demand skills through accessible, online learning. Microcredentials is also collaborating with several schools and administrative units across the University to develop additional offerings tailored to their subject areas and available in a variety of formats.

For participants, digital badges represent a personalized learning journey. With badges issued at varying levels, foundational, intermediate and advanced, participants can customize their professional development path. By “stacking,” or combining, these badges, learners can build a compelling portfolio that highlights their unique qualifications and expertise.

To learn more about microcredential programs and digital badges, visit .

While pursuing a bachelor’s degree in geography in the , Rose Tardiff ’15 became involved with the Salt City Harvest Farm, a community farm near �鶹Ƶ��where newcomers from all over the world grow food and make social connections.

The summer before her senior year, Tardiff coordinated on-farm activities and volunteers, making the program the focus of her capstone thesis.

Rose Tardiff

“Looking back on the research, it was an attempt to make some data-driven recommendations, based on the participants, their experiences and aspirations,” says Tardiff.

She got involved with the organization through another local nonprofit, �鶹Ƶ��Grows, and its affiliation with the �鶹Ƶ��Community Geography Program, an initiative co-directed by Jonnell Robinson, associate professor of geography and the environment.

“It was through �鶹Ƶ��Grows and Salt City Harvest Farm, and connecting with people here, that I came to feel like this was a place I could put down roots and be part of the community,” Tardiff says.

Tardiff now serves as the City of Syracuse’s first director of neighborhood and business data and evaluation. Tardiff leads a small team responsible for data collection, analysis, mapping and evaluation for various departmental divisions to bring innovation to operations, measure impact and inform programs. She works under the deputy commissioner of neighborhood development to support code enforcement, permitting, zoning, housing and urban development entitlement grants, business development and housing, and neighborhood planning.

Tardiff says the position is designed to offer additional capacity to consolidate and interpret data from multiple sources and departments. “It can be a big lift to understand what you’re working with, pull from different source systems, and then stitch it all together,” she says. “Data and mapping have always been a part of neighborhood development. But the decision was to create some dedicated roles and capacity where it could be the sole focus.”

Recently, her team has been using data to report on compliance with code enforcement’s rental registry, which tracks non-owner occupied housing units. Her team has been tracking occupancy changes and new rental properties that have come online with the goal of establishing a “fuller universe of all rental properties.” The rental registry involves proactive inspections at least every three years to identify and remediate any hazardous housing conditions to ensure the health and safety of occupants.

“We want to identify new rentals to inform owners of requirements, and for owners that haven’t applied or obtained a rental certificate, identify which next enforcement steps are needed,” says Tardiff.

Story by Michael Kelly

“When we concluded our tasks, we wrote reports about our field work, but many times felt that little insight was given to understand the real dimension of the impact we could produce over a given time,” says De Miranda, who earned a master’s degree in public administration from the . “This was very frustrating for me.”

Paulo De Miranda

The frustration evolved into a fascination with how to examine and measure impact associated with capital deployment. De Miranda saw a need for organizations and government entities to obtain useful data beyond the standard financial analysis.

Five years ago, he and a friend co-founded a start up in their home country, Brazil, that seeks to fill that gap while supporting sustainability efforts across sectors. DEEP measures carbon emissions, climate risks, water footprints and other impacts for roughly 400 organizations and businesses. The company also provides training, sustainability dashboards and data management tools.

In that short time, demand for DEEP’s services has grown exponentially amid increasing government regulations and reporting requirements related to the environment, says De Miranda.

The company has raised over $5 million in investor support and formalized strategic partnerships with Brazil’s largest technology and energy companies, TOTVS and VIBRA, respectively. What’s more: DEEP has grown to more than 100 employees since its launch.

Paulo De Miranda (right) began working with the Organization of American States while he was an undergraduate at the University of Maryland.

To honor his success and innovation, De Miranda was named the 2024 alumni entrepreneur of the year, the top recognition at last year’s ’CUSE50 Alumni Entrepreneurship Awards celebration, which recognizes the 50 fastest-growing businesses owned or led by Orange alumni.

De Miranda was among seven Maxwell School entrepreneurs recognized at the event. Applications for the third annual ��are being accepted through July 13.

“My time at Maxwell played a foundational role in shaping my outlook,” says De Miranda. “It is where I first began to see public policy, economic development and international relations not as separate domains, but through the lens of my own background and how they function interdependently. Maxwell nurtured in me a systemic lens—helping me understand that leadership in the public interest requires more than analytical rigor and imaginative reach.”

The interdisciplinary environment “encouraged me to ask questions beyond conventional models and design my own set of interventions in and outside classrooms,” De Miranda says. “I have carried this into almost every initiative I have been involved with.”

De Miranda left Brazil to study English in the U.S. at age 19. While an undergraduate at the University of Maryland, he began working with the Washington, D.C.-based Organization of American States.

By the time he came to Maxwell, De Miranda had amassed international experiences that could have been used as the focus of classroom discussions about NGOs, diplomacy, democracy and more.

For instance, had he not experienced a flight delay, he would have been kidnapped alongside his team of international election observers, who were held hostage for 30 days by National Liberation Army guerillas near Medellin, Colombia in 1997.

He also met President Jimmy Carter in 1990 while working in Nicaragua as field coordinator for another group of international observers. “President Carter’s delegation came to our office for a local inspection visit, and we were able to receive him for a lunch,” says De Miranda. “We spent about four hours together.”

At Maxwell, De Miranda became interested in the intersection of technology and policy—a research focus of one of his most influential instructors, Terrell A. Northrup, associate teaching professor emerita of international relations. He also studied with University Professor Sean O’Keefe, who at the time was a professor of practice, former comptroller for the U.S. Department of Defense and secretary of the Navy. “He brought a very practical approach and sense of reality to technology and science policy in the business world,” says De Miranda.

Paulo De Miranda (right) with DEEP co-founder Arthur Covatti.

Melvyn Levitsky, then a professor of practice at Maxwell, offered a wealth of lessons from his professional experience. He also shared a special connection to De Miranda, as he served as a U.S. ambassador to Brazil from 1994–98.

De Miranda’s various roles since Maxwell include serving as a project director for the International Finance Corporation, an arm of the World Bank Group. He also worked with the International Association of Science Parks in Spain.

In 2018 he told his wife, Fabiana, that he wanted to work for himself and to focus on what had long fascinated him—using technology to “tell organizations what their impact is and will be for many years to come.”

While volunteering for his children’s school, he partnered with a member of its staff, engineer Arthur Covatti, on an impact report. When it was completed, they realized their work together wasn’t finished. “We decided to think through a process that we could turn into a product and eventually into a company,” says De Miranda.

Today, DEEP is a market leader in the areas of impact measurement and ESG, an acronym for environment, social and governance. This past fall, De Miranda stepped back from his daily role with the company to serve as an advisor and chair its board of directors.

“My experiences at Maxwell helped me refine and deepen my understanding of why impact matters and gave me confidence to pursue my goals,” De Miranda says.

Suzette Meléndez

Professor , director of the , was honored with a 2025 Onondaga County NAACP Freedom Fund Award at their 45th Annual Freedom Fund Award Dinner.

Meléndez received the Maye, McKinney & Melchor Freedom & Justice Award.

“It is an honor to receive the Maye, McKinney & Melchor Freedom & Justice Award. I feel connected to Hurclee Maye, Judge Langston McKinney and Henry Melchor in their dedication to making legal services accessible to all people in the CNY community, and through the clinics I have led, hope to have built on their legacy,” Meléndez says.

“It’s also very special that Maye and Judge McKinney are College of Law alums. I am especially grateful for the mentorship of the late Judge McKinney who guided and supported me in my work at the law school.”

After over four decades of dedicated service to the College of Arts and Sciences (A&S), Professor is retiring at the end of 2025. He transitioned from his role as A&S senior associate dean for academic affairs; humanities; and curriculum, instruction and programs at the end of June and will continue supporting the college and the dean’s office through the fall semester. , a professor in the (CSD), assumed the role of senior associate dean on July 1, after previously serving as A&S’ .

Honoring a Dedicated Leader

Professor Gerald Greenberg

Greenberg leaves a remarkable legacy defined by intellectual curiosity, administrative excellence and an unwavering commitment to the liberal arts. He joined the �鶹Ƶ��faculty in 1985 as a professor of Russian and linguistics, bringing with him a deep academic foundation in Russian and Slavic linguistics. He received an M.A. and Ph.D. in Slavic linguistics from Cornell University, and prior to that, bachelor’s degrees in Russian (linguistics) and mathematics from Bucknell University. While his time at SU was marked by a passion for teaching and researching language and linguistics, it was his ability to lead and support units throughout A&S that would define much of his career.

From 1997 to 2003, Greenberg served as chair of the . His service also stretched far beyond his home department, exemplifying his collaborative spirit and readiness to assist wherever needed. Over the years, he was also interim chair or director for many A&S departments and units including English, Philosophy, Religion, Women’s and Gender Studies, Writing and Rhetoric, African American Studies, Linguistic Studies and the Humanities Center.

That willingness to serve led to a series of pivotal administrative roles. In 2003, he was appointed associate dean for humanities at A&S under then-Dean . In 2008, he served briefly as interim co-dean of the college, and in 2009, he was named senior associate dean for academic affairs and humanities. In this role, he was instrumental in shaping academic policy and supporting both faculty and students by overseeing academic programs, assisting with strategic planning and faculty affairs, guiding curriculum development and implementation, and contributing in whatever capacity he was able to support college or University functions and initiatives.

An integral member of the A&S dean’s office for the past two decades, Greenberg served as a trusted advisor to Newton and subsequent deans , , and . He helped each leader implement their vision and navigate the complexities of the University’s largest, most academically diverse college.

“It has been an honor and privilege to work with Gerry,” says A&S Dean Behzad Mortazavi. “From his detailed knowledge of A&S as senior associate dean and interim chair of multiple departments to his quick wit to his trademark sartorial accessories, Gerry always brought so much to the table every day. I am profoundly grateful for his many years of invaluable, expert and unwavering service to the college, and I wish him a very happy, very well-deserved retirement.”

A steadfast proponent of the liberal arts, Greenberg promoted their value on national platforms. He published a and appeared on NPR’s “Enrolled” podcast, where he articulated the value of a well-rounded education rooted in creativity, critical thinking and cultural awareness. He notes that much of this work was shaped by his service on the board of directors for the , which he credits as pivotal to his understanding and appreciation of the liberal arts.

A celebration for Greenberg is being planned for early in the fall semester. More details will be shared soon about the event and how colleagues can share their memories.

Meet Karen Doherty

Professor Karen Doherty

Doherty brings nearly 30 years of experience in A&S. She joined CSD in 1996 and has taught a range of courses on hearing aids, hearing science and clinical audiology. She has also helped to strengthen the University’s and has been an active member of the .

Her research focuses on understanding how age-related hearing loss affects communication and exploring ways to enhance hearing aid use among older adults. Her work has received support from the NIH’s National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders and National Institute on Aging, the National Organization for Hearing Research, Deafness Research Foundation and several other foundations.

In addition to serving as A&S , Doherty has held several other leadership positions at �鶹Ƶ��and in professional organizations, including serving as chair of CSD from 2014 to 2021, and as president of the Academy of Rehabilitative Audiology in 2021. She is currently a fellow of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and in May 2024, she was honored as a Distinguished Alumnus by the Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences at the University of Connecticut.

She holds a Ph.D. in audiology from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, an M.A. in audiology from the University of Connecticut and a B.S. in communicative disorders from the University of Rhode Island.

“I’m delighted to welcome Professor Doherty to this important role at A&S,” says Mortazavi. “Her extensive experience in faculty mentoring and support—as both a department chair and associate dean for faculty affairs—positions her well to help faculty and students have the resources necessary to tackle the grand challenges of our time.”

Doherty says, “I’m truly honored to serve as senior associate dean and excited for the opportunity to build upon the strong foundation already in place while advancing our shared vision for excellence. I look forward to working alongside the dean and our exceptional faculty, staff and students to create avenues for the college to excel. I also want to express my sincere respect and gratitude to Gerry for his years of dedicated leadership–his contributions have been invaluable. It’s a privilege to carry forward his legacy of leadership and stewardship.”

Alonna Berry ’11, executive director of the Delaware Center for Justice and a graduate of the , is the new president of the (SUAA) Board of Directors, as of July 1, 2025. In her new role, Berry will also serve as a member of the University’s .

“Stepping into this leadership role is a profound honor and a timely responsibility,” Berry says. “Right now, colleges and universities across the country are grappling with how best to support students, and alumni feedback is a critical part of that decision-making process. I see this moment as an opportunity to meet the times with integrity and intention.”

Berry succeeds Peter Gianesini ’94, who completed his two-year term and will now serve as past president of the Alumni Association. Under Gianesini’s leadership, the alumni board was a steady partner in efforts to reach Forever Orange campaign goals, launched the new tool and moved the annual Alumni Awards Celebration to coincide with Senior Alumni Reunion in the spring, boosting attendance numbers and student participation.

In her full-time job, Berry leads a nonprofit organization with more than a century of experience advancing equity and justice in Delaware. She brings over 15 years of experience in education, policy and nonprofit management to her alumni leadership role.

As a �鶹Ƶ��student, Berry served as a , exploring health and law policy and was a four-year member of the .

“In this moment, intentional communication and transparency are more important than ever,” Berry says regarding her priorities for the alumni community. “That begins with listening. Together with my fellow SUAA Board members, we’re focused on being present—whether that’s on campus, at regional gatherings or in virtual spaces—so we can truly understand and reflect the needs of our alumni community.”

The �鶹Ƶ��University Alumni Association Board of Directors creates an environment where alumni, former students, parents, students and friends stay connected to �鶹Ƶ��University and support the institution.

Katie Walpole ’12 becomes the board’s vice president and president-elect. Walpole is a local government professional who holds degrees from the London School of Economics and the .

Berry resides in Sussex County, Delaware, with her husband and two sons. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.

Marianne Hanley, preservation librarian, provides book repair instruction in the Preservation Lab.

�鶹Ƶ��University Libraries’ Department of Access and Resource Sharing received a Central New York Library Resources Council Catalyst Grant for $2,000 to provide train-the-trainer workshops on book repair to local school district media specialists. Preservation librarian Marianne Hanley submitted the grant after successfully offering similar workshops to public libraries in northern New York and Florida.

The one-day workshop will be offered at Bird Library in August. Attendees will learn various methods to repair books and will receive a take-home kit with tools and supplies to repair books at their school libraries after the workshop.

Interest in the workshop is so high that Onondaga-Cortland-Madison County BOCES has offered to fund a second one-day workshop in August that will be promoted through its professional development offerings later this summer.

“Students love books, sometimes a little too much. Library books are expensive, and this all-day workshop will give school library media specialists the training and tools they can bring back to their districts to repair damaged books instead of having to withdraw or replace them,” says Hanley. “We’re thrilled to share our knowledge on how to extend the life of beloved books.”

Those interested in learning more can contact Hanley at mhanley@syr.edu.

Cayuga County

Auburn

The �鶹Ƶ��Orchestra will perform at Emerson Park (6877 E. Lake Road) at 8 p.m. on Thursday, July 3, with fireworks to follow.

Cortland County

Preble

Cortland County’s will be held on Saturday, July 5, at Dwyer Memorial Park (6799 Little York Lake Road). The fun starts at 2 p.m. with fireworks at dusk.

Madison County

Cazenovia

Fireworks will be held on Friday, July 4, at 9 p.m. at Lakeland Park (Forman Street and Albany Street) after a . Music by the Maria DeSantis Orchestra will precede the fireworks from 7 to 9 p.m.

Onondaga County

Brewerton

will be held on Thursday, July 3, at dusk.

East Syracuse

The is Saturday, July 12, at 9:30 p.m. on the East �鶹Ƶ��Elementary School (230 Kinne St.) field. Music by Faded Vinyl will precede the fireworks from 6:15 to 9:15 p.m.

Manlius

The Village of Manlius’s on Friday, July 4, includes food trucks and entertainment (1 Arkie Albanese Drive), with a parade at 5 p.m. and fireworks at dusk.

Syracuse

An Independence Day Celebration and fireworks display will follow the at NBT Bank Stadium, on Friday, July 4. Game time is 6:35 p.m. Fireworks will also be held after the games on the following dates: July 5, 11-12 and 25-26, Aug. 8-9 and 22-23, and Sept. 12-13.

Oswego County

Oswego

Fireworks will go off over the Oswego River on Sunday, July 6, at 9:45 p.m. activities, including a parade, block party and music, will take place during the day.

University Professor Sean O’Keefe (fourth from the right) poses with his family (and Otto) during a retirement celebration at the Maxwell School. (Photo by Amy Manley)

For most of his time as a public servant, Sean O’Keefe G’78 adhered to a few guiding principles: Step up when someone calls upon you to serve. Be open to anything. Challenge yourself.

Those values helped O’Keefe navigate a career as a public administrator, national security expert, financial manager and aerospace industry executive, including leadership positions in the U.S. government, higher education and industry.

Fifty years ago, O’Keefe applied those principles for the first time, with life-changing ramifications.

Sean O’Keefe

As a political science student at Loyola University of New Orleans, O’Keefe was drawn to public service through the example set by his parents. But instead of politics, O’Keefe wanted to devise, implement and administer public policies that impacted citizens. Stan Makielski, a political science professor, encouraged O’Keefe to apply to the public administration program in the .

“I had never heard of the Maxwell School, but Professor Makielski told me Maxwell is the place that founded the new public administration movement, a modern interpretation, understanding and parameters of what public management and public leadership is all about, and that’s where you need to be,” O’Keefe says. “It was a leap of faith, but it turned out to be a wise choice.”

Upon his retirement from the University, O’Keefe shares why public service matters and reflects on the lessons learned from a decades-long association with the University and the Maxwell School, from graduate student through numerous faculty roles and affiliations—including the highest faculty rank conferred, University Professor.

Fundamentals of Leadership

O’Keefe says his time as a Maxwell graduate student taught him the importance of employing a multidisciplinary approach to problem-solving, examining the wide range of possible outcomes and identifying what success looks like.

“It was a remarkable experience. Every choice I made, every public service challenge I encountered, the fundamentals were introduced to me at �鶹Ƶ��University and the Maxwell School,” says O’Keefe, the Howard G. and S. Louise Phanstiel Chair in Leadership and senior advisor at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, D.C.

O’Keefe is shown on Feb. 8, 2003, thanking the community of Lufkin, Texas, for its support and honoring Columbia’s fallen crewmembers. He was NASA’s administrator at the time of the Columbia accident. (Photo courtesy of NASA)

While O’Keefe always leaned on his Maxwell education, he drew strength from the lessons learned during the most difficult times. Challenges like investigating and correcting what caused the Columbia shuttle to break apart while returning from a space research mission, killing seven astronauts in 2003 when O’Keefe was the head of NASA.

Or navigating the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, which devastated Louisiana while O’Keefe was the Chancellor of Louisiana State University, a campus which became the first stop for thousands of displaced residents who fled New Orleans.

Or leading organizational culture change in the aftermath of the “Tailhook” incident during his service as Navy secretary. Or addressing resource and management challenges at the Pentagon and later at the White House as the Cold War ended and after the tragedies of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Through it all, O’Keefe embodied a thoughtful leader who always kept an open mind.

“I learned the best thing you can do in a leadership capacity is to gather folks with different skills in the same room talking together and coming up with a mutually agreeable solution,” says O’Keefe, a 2023 inductee into Government Executive magazine’s Government Hall of Fame.

“I don’t know everything about a particular discipline, but I have confidence that if you can motivate a diverse collection of people to attack a problem that’s larger than their singular disciplinary focus areas, you have a higher probability of achieving a successful solution.”

Impact of a Presidential Management Fellowship

O’Keefe’s service includes four presidential appointments in two administrations: as U.S. secretary of the Navy, administrator of NASA, deputy director of the Office of Management and Budget and comptroller and chief financial officer of the Department of Defense.

O’Keefe shares stories from his career in public service. (Photo by Amy Manley)

The program that launched O’Keefe’s career came about by chance. Standing in front of a poster in Maxwell Hall promoting the inaugural Presidential Management Fellow program to recruit promising scholars dedicated to federal public service, Anne Stewart, Maxwell’s then-director of career and alumni services, told O’Keefe to apply.

O’Keefe scoffed, saying “I don’t have a snowball’s chance in hell,” to which Stewart replied, “you’re right. If you don’t apply, you have no chance of getting in.” He applied, and to his surprise, he was selected as one of the 250 recipients in 1978.

“That program accelerated my professional development. In two years, I spent time in an agency within the Department of the Navy and worked in the Pentagon dealing with the Secretary of Defense’s financial management staff. I understood the workings of the Office of Management and Budget, and for the last six months I was placed with Senator J. Bennett Johnston from Louisiana, who exposed me to Capitol Hill and the processes behind how appropriations bills are passed,” O’Keefe says.

“Later, I was recruited to join the staff of the Senate Appropriations Committee and worked for the chair of the defense subcommittee, Senator Ted Stevens of Alaska—an extraordinary, selfless public servant who became a mentor, counselor and friend who guided me through many chapters of my career.”

Training the Next Generation of Public Servants

O’Keefe taught graduate courses in the Public Administration and International Affairs Department. Beloved by his students, his courses included public management, public finance and budgeting, national security policy, technology management, leadership and participation in executive education programs.

O’Keefe stressed understanding the principle of the issue, identifying each stakeholder’s primary goals and objectives, figuring out the challenges and obstacles to achieving the goal and understanding the tools available to solve the issue.

In the end, O’Keefe urged students to always search for different solutions, realizing public servants will never make everyone happy.

“The Maxwell School taught me everything I know about management and leadership. I always felt an obligation to teach those lessons to my students,” O’Keefe says. “It has been an honor and a privilege to teach here.”

During O’Keefe’s (second from left) retirement celebration, he was joined by current Maxwell Dean David M. Van Slyke (left), University Professor and Dean Emeritus John Palmer (second from right) and former Maxwell Dean James Steinberg (right). (Photo by Amy Manley)

Jorge Morales ’26, a double major in history and anthropology in the with a minor in English and textual studies in the , has been awarded the highly competitive .

Morales is one of only 20 students nationwide to receive this prestigious award, which supports exceptional undergraduates in their pursuit of graduate studies in the arts, humanities and social sciences.

A and member of the , Morales has distinguished himself through his academic excellence, research achievements and commitment to public scholarship. He has already contributed original research to the field of Caribbean history, focusing on the legacies of colonialism, slavery and resistance in Jamaica and the corresponding implications for the broader Atlantic world.

“I am interested in studying the impacts of colonialism and colonial institutions on the development of Caribbean and Latin American nations, their cultures and their national identities,” says Morales, who is spending the summer conducting research in Puerto Rico to gain insights into the lives of enslaved individuals on Puerto Rican plantations for his senior thesis. “My family being Puerto Rican, I am especially interested in understanding the development of Puerto Rico and of Puerto Rican national identity, and it is this interest, and my experiences working with Dr. Tessa Murphy, which informs my current research.”

As a research assistant to , associate professor of history in the Maxwell School, Morales helped transcribe 19th-century slave registries from Trinidad, working with exceptional attention to detail, timeliness and conscientiousness to transcribe hundreds of pages of handwritten records. His work has been presented at numerous campus symposiums and published in CHRONOS, the University’s undergraduate history journal, where he also serves on the editorial board.

“Jorge is committed to drawing on his personal and professional interest to pursue a Ph.D. and academic career in history,” says Murphy. “His initiative, intellectual rigor and commitment to public history are extraordinary. He is already contributing new knowledge to the field.”

Morales’ application was supported by the (CFSA), where he worked closely with Director Jolynn Parker. “Jorge combines intellectual seriousness with warmth, humility and a deep sense of purpose,” Parker says. “He is exactly the kind of scholar the Beinecke Foundation seeks to support—one who is poised to thrive in graduate school and become a leader in his academic field.”

Morales plans to pursue a Ph.D. in history, with a focus on the Caribbean and Atlantic worlds, and has a long-term goal of becoming a professor or museum professional who brings marginalized histories to broader audiences.

“I am very happy to have been awarded the Beinecke Scholarship because it will provide me with resources that I can use to support my future research,” says Morales. “It will allow me to form connections with other students who are just as passionate about their work as I am.”

The Beinecke Scholarship provides $35,000 in funding toward graduate education as well as significant mentorship. Is is awarded to students who demonstrate superior academic achievement and a commitment to a career in research or the arts.

CFSA offers candidates advising and assistance with applications and interview preparation for nationally competitive scholarships. The nomination process for the 2026 Beinecke application will begin in October. Interested students should contact CFSA at 315.443.2759 or by email to��cfsa@syr.edu��for more information.

This past January, Executive Director of Esports Joey Gawrysiak (left) and Gen.G CEO Arnold Hur announced a multi-year partnership designed to enhance student engagement opportunities with such events as the Campus Takeover in September.

�鶹Ƶ��University and global esports and gaming organization have opened general registration at for its first Campus Takeover Sept. 20-21. The two-day conference will bring students and administrators to �鶹Ƶ��to highlight career opportunities within the esports industry and various ways in which students can use esports for project-based learning within the careers of their choice.

Campus Takeover will offer diverse programming headlined by the first-ever national Esports Business Case Study Competition for undergraduate students interested in esports, traditional sports and gaming. The event will also feature daily keynote presentations, industry panels for collegiate esports professionals, career panels for students interested in working for the esports industry and daily networking events. Campus Takeover will feed into the University’s from Sept. 22-26 hosted by .

“When we announced our multiyear partnership with �鶹Ƶ��in December, we committed to enhancing student engagement opportunities,” says Gen.G CEO Arnold Hur. “Campus Takeover will provide that opportunity for anyone interested in esports and gaming to learn more about our industry and build an impactful career.”

Executive Director of Esports Joey Gawrysiak addresses the audience at the grand opening of the Gaming and Esports Center in the Schine Student Center.

“We’re absolutely thrilled to bring Gen.G’s award-winning Campus Takeover event to �鶹Ƶ��University,” says Executive Director of Esports . “This partnership represents more than just a high-profile esports event—it’s an opportunity for students, faculty and staff across disciplines and institutions to come together.

“Campus Takeover will showcase what makes esports such a powerful connector in education,” Gawrysiak adds. “We can’t wait to have everyone on our campus as we offer dynamic programming that focuses on professional development, competition and collaboration.”

Gen.G and �鶹Ƶ��have also partnered on the, which offers students the opportunity to take part in an intensive, three-week program to study in South Korea. This programming complements the innovative at the University offered jointly by the ��and the , which on July 1, 2025, will launch as the first college on a high-research activity campus to focus on sport-related disciplines.

The esports program includes three tracks: esports business and management, esports communications, and esports media and design. It prepares students for an exciting career in esports and related industries through classes in event management and marketing, broadcasting/production, communications, content creation, entrepreneurship, strategic communications and esports experience and design.

2025 AWESOME Excellence in Education Scholarship winners Deedra Samuel ’26 (left) and Odette Sherk ’26 (center) pose with Supply Chain Professor Julie Niederhoff.

For the first time in the 12-year history of the program, both nominees from the have been selected as recipients of the 2025 AWESOME Excellence in Education Scholarship, a prestigious honor awarded to top-performing undergraduate women in supply chain management.

Each year, the AWESOME (Achieving Women’s Excellence in Supply Chain Operations, Management and Education) organization selects 20 students nationwide for the award. Nominees are chosen from 35 leading supply chain programs across the country, with each school submitting two candidates.

This year’s honorees from Whitman are supply chain management majors Odette Sherk ’26 and Deedra Samuel ’26, who have both demonstrated leadership inside and outside of the classroom.

The scholarship provides winners with an all-expenses paid trip to the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP)��EDGE Conference and the AWESOME Symposium, plus long-term career support through mentorship, retreats, webinars and professional networking.

Professor Johan Wiklund meets with a student at the Whitman School. (Photo by Amelia Beamish)

The Distinguished Professor Johan Wiklund was recently listed as one of the most prolific business and economic research scholars globally, according to “What We Know �鶹Ƶ�� the Science of Science in Business and Economics? Insights From the Top 50 Journals, 2008-2022,” published in . Wiklund was ranked No. 32 with a total of 42 papers published on a select list based on the����Top 50 (FT50) academic and practitioner journals.

“Being named to this list is always nice, and publishing in top journals is something we all endeavor,” says Wiklund. “It’s extremely difficult, and it does indicate that I’m succeeding in something that most academics strive for—publishing our research. I’m very proud to represent the Whitman School and also be recognized on a list that includes many friends and colleagues furthering interesting research in the various areas of business around the world.”

Wiklund, the AI Berg Chair, joined the Whitman School’s Department of Entrepreneurship and Emerging Enterprises in 2008. His research interests focus on entrepreneurship, neurodiversity and mental well-being. He is considered a leading authority in his field with over 100 articles published in leading journals and more than 60,000 citations to his research, as well as a number of international awards and honors. This spring, he was named a Distinguished Professor at �鶹Ƶ��University.

“This is not the first time Professor Wiklund has been recognized among the most prolific business scholars, but this time his ranking has risen, reaffirming his research productivity and its quality for the second time over a long period,” says Michel Benaroch, Whitman’s associate dean for research and Ph.D. programs. “ The Whitman School is proud to have Johan among its ranks, and I trust we will hear more about his research leadership and accomplishments in the future.”

Katsitsatekanoniahkwa Destiny Lazore, a rising senior communication and rhetorical studies major in the and political science major in the and (with a minor in Native American studies) and a member of the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe, has been named as a 2025 recipient of a prestigious in the field of Tribal Public Policy.

The Udall Foundation awards scholarships to college sophomores and juniors for leadership, public service and commitment to issues related to Native American nations or to the environment. Lazore is one of 55 students nationwide selected this year. She and her fellow Udall Scholars will engage in an orientation in August to meet one another and program alumni; learn more about the Udall legacy of public service; and interact with community leaders in environmental fields, tribal health care and governance.

Lazore’s goal is to work as a curriculum and policy consultant for Indigenous-serving schools. “I want to create educational standards that help students succeed while preserving Native traditions, history and languages,” she says.

After graduating, she plans to pursue a master’s degree in educational leadership at Hawaii Pacific University and return to her community to expand Kanien’kėha (Mohawk) language immersion programs with students across all age groups. She also wants to integrate cultural practices, such as ceremonies, storytelling, traditional ecological knowledge and bushcraft, into everyday learning.

“Elders and community leaders must have a stronger voice in shaping curriculum and school policies, ensuring that education aligns with Haudenosaunee values,” Lazore says. “I aim to incorporate the natural world and hands-on, project-based Haudenosaunee learning approaches to foster high standards of literacy, critical thinking and quantitative skills, empowering Native students for success. An educated Native person is a powerful one. Knowledge is a form of resistance and self-determination.”

As a first-generation college student who attended underfunded and under-resourced schools, Lazore often found that getting ahead was up to her. “I would go to the library after school and read, and if there was a word I didn’t understand, I’d look it up in the dictionary,” she says. When high school teachers were less than encouraging, she worked harder to prove them wrong. When she came to �鶹Ƶ��University with her mom for an interview, she says she knew this is where she belonged. When she was accepted, she was over the moon. In her first semester, she eagerly engaged in academic and campus life.

Lazore has been making the most of her �鶹Ƶ��experience through many research and outreach opportunities. She has worked as a research assistant to , associate professor of geography and the environment in the Maxwell School, on her National Science Foundation-funded grant, Indigenous Northern Landscapes, Visual Repatriation and Collaborative Knowledge Exchange. Lazore traveled with Sakakibara to Japan, where she engaged with Indigenous communities and visited museums and archives to document environmental justice issues and foster transnational Indigenous alliance-building.

In 2022, as a first-year student, Lazore built a database composed of 40 resources for the University’s Bird Library focusing on Indigenous authors and topics such as Indian residential schools, decolonization methods, oral traditions and Native American literature. The inspiration for the project came from the idea that Indigenous history extends beyond the Euro-centric narrative often presented. “I focused on including authors affiliated with the Haudenosaunee Confederacy and other Native American tribes to empower Native scholars and community members reclaiming sovereignty over their narratives,” she says.

Lazore has been very involved with and served as director of Indigenous Affairs for the . She has also engaged in outreach beyond campus. In the summer of 2024, she organized a series of workshops at Tewatohnhi’saktha in Kahnawà:ke to empower Indigenous students through education, culture and financial literacy.

“Destiny’s academic success, significant research experiences, commitment to campus and public service, and clear focus on a future career dedicated to serving Native American communities made her a truly outstanding candidate for the Udall Scholarship,” says Jolynn Parker, director of the (CFSA). Lazore worked with CFSA on her application materials and to receive campus endorsement as a Udall candidate.

Lazore will study abroad in London in the fall 2025 semester. There, she hopes to visit libraries, museums and archives and engage in research on Indigenous communities.

Looking to the future, Lazore envisions working in her community with students—as a mentor, an advocate and a counselor on the college application process.

“I have flourished from all the support from my professors, my academic advisors and especially the ,” Lazore says. “I’m glad I have never stopped believing in myself. And I want other people, other Indigenous students, to feel the same way.”

�鶹Ƶ�� the Udall Foundation

Established by Congress in 1992, the Udall Foundation awards scholarships, fellowships and internships for study in fields related to the environment and to Native Americans and Alaska Natives in fields related to health care and tribal public policy; provides funding to the Udall Center for Studies in Public Policy to conduct policy research and outreach on the environment and related themes and to the Native Nations Institute for research, education and outreach on Native American and Alaska Native health care issues and tribal public policy issues; and provides assessment, mediation, training and other related services through the U.S. Institute for Environmental Conflict Resolution.

The Udall scholarship honors the legacies of Morris Udall and Stewart Udall, whose careers had a significant impact on Native American self-governance, health care and the stewardship of public lands and natural resources. Universities may nominate up to eight students for the Udall Scholarship each year. The Udall selection process at �鶹Ƶ��University is administered by CFSA. Interested students should contact CFSA in November. Applications are due in mid-March.

Mark Brockway

, assistant teaching professor of political science, Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs

Focusing on course redesign, Brockway will provide faculty with resources and support to help them foster in-class student engagement. Brockway plans to develop a database of materials for workshops that engage individuals and groups in active learning related to course concepts. The database will provide instructors with adaptable instructional templates that can help minimize the cost of course redesign and facilitate impactful teaching approaches. Resources will be posted on the CTLE website.

Zach Huitink

, associate teaching professor of public administration and international affairs, Maxwell School

Huitink will focus on online teaching and pedagogy with activities including the development of online teaching and onboarding programs for faculty; the establishment of an online teaching affinity group for community building and knowledge transfer; and the creation of an online teaching resource library. Huitink’s work will support faculty in transitioning to, and advancing in, online teaching.

Douglas Yung

, associate teaching professor of biomedical and chemical engineering, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Yung will work with CTLE staff and faculty across campus to develop instructional guidance and resources. These include workshops and modules to help faculty incorporate artificial intelligence (AI) into instruction and assessment with a focus on ethics, inclusion and accessibility; online and hybrid teaching strategies that foster the development of community and connection; strategies for continuous improvement in course design; and interdisciplinary co-teaching modules. Yung plans to lead interactive programming, develop resource libraries and organize peer learning circles.

“I am thrilled to welcome the inaugural cohort of Meredith Professor Faculty Fellows,” says , associate provost for academic programs. “Their innovative and impactful projects will undoubtedly enrich our teaching and learning community, elevating the educational experiences we offer. These initiatives—spanning course redesign, online pedagogy and the integration of AI in teaching—are critical areas for faculty support and development, and I look forward to seeing the transformative effects of their work on our faculty and students.”

This year’s event, which raised funds for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central New York, included 158 University employees. Everyone’s favorite mascot, Otto the Orange, was there to cheer on the runners and walkers and give plenty of high-fives. Jay Hubisz, professor of physics in the College of Arts and Sciences, and Sascha Scott, associate professor of art and music histories in the College of Arts and Sciences, were the highest placing runners from the University, both finishing in the top 30.

Each June, the in the Office of Human Resources sponsors the University’s participation in the WorkForce Run, as part of their mission of empowering and encouraging employees to live a balanced and healthy lifestyle. A special thanks to the Wellness Champions who assisted the wellness team in coordinating this year’s event, including Melissa Chirico Brown, Gianna Mangicaro, Jacqui Smith and Alecia Zema.

All photos below were captured by Amy Manley, senior multimedia producer, Division of Communications.

�鶹Ƶ��University faculty and staff participate in the 2025 �鶹Ƶ��WorkForce Run.

Oren Lyons Jr. (left) and Roy Simmons Jr. were honored with the Alfie Jacques Ambassador Award for preserving the Native origins of their sport, educating current and future generations of players about the proud connection between lacrosse and Indigenous communities.

Oren Lyons Jr. ’58, H’93 and Roy Simmons Jr. ’59, H’14 formed a lifelong friendship that stems from their days starring for the �鶹Ƶ��University men’s lacrosse team from 1955-58.

Recently, Lyons and Simmons were honored with the Alfie Jacques Ambassador Award, which intends to “keep the legacy of the Onondaga stick maker alive, to promote the game’s sacred Indigenous roots and to honor members of the larger community who share Alfie’s love of lacrosse and his commitment to its growth,” according to a press release issued by the .

The dynamic duo captured multiple All-American honors playing for the Orange and have remained friends through their shared experiences with the lacrosse program.

Roy Simmons (left) and Oren Lyons

Interwoven with their passion for �鶹Ƶ��lacrosse, Lyons and Simmons have advocated to preserve the Native origins of their sport, educating current and future generations of players about the proud connection between lacrosse and Indigenous communities.

Both players excelled under head coach Roy Simmons Sr. during their �鶹Ƶ��careers, with Lyons twice earning All-American honors as a goalie and Simmons Jr. twice claiming All-American honors at attack as a potent goal scorer. They helped the Orange go undefeated during the 1957 season, the program’s first unbeaten season since 1924.

Lyons is one of the first Native Americans to have attended �鶹Ƶ��University, earning a degree in fine arts from the��. He remains one of the most talented����in program history and was inducted into the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 1992 and received the prestigious Spirit of Tewaaraton Award in 2015. As a Faithkeeper—one of the spiritual leaders of the Turtle Clan of the Onondaga Nation—Lyons advocates for environmental protections and the rights of Indigenous people. In 1983, Lyons co-founded the Iroquois Nationals, a team that represents the Haudenosaunee in international field lacrosse competitions.

Oren Lyons Jr.

Simmons was a lifelong friend of Jacques who often invited the stick maker to speak to his �鶹Ƶ��teams—which featured many standout Iroquois players—about the history and Native connections to lacrosse. Simmons was the first coach in the NCAA Division I history to win five national championships and ranks sixth all-time with his six national titles. His teams posted a record of 290-96 during his 28-year coaching career. Simmons was inducted into the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 1991, received the Spirit of Tewaaraton Award in 2009 and was inducted into the ��on Feb. 20, 2022.

“[Their] lives and legacies stand as profound representations of what the game of lacrosse is about. Both Lyons and Simmons have walked alongside Alfie Jacques for decades, as advocates and storytellers. They have lived lives that reflect the deep spiritual and communal roots of the game,” the release said about their ties to Jacques, a master lacrosse stick maker and member of the Onondaga Nation’s Turtle Clan.

Lyons and Simmons will receive their awards during the 2025 Wooden Stick Festival in Syracuse, to be held Sept. 12-14.

For more information about the Alfie Jacques Ambassador Award and past recipients, visit .

Katie McDonald

, professor of public health and senior associate dean for research and administration in the , will join �鶹Ƶ��University’s in a new role as associate vice president for research, effective July 1. The announcement was made today by Vice President for Research .

In this new role, McDonald will focus on supporting faculty research, improving faculty mentoring, growing extramural research and identifying strategic opportunities for research growth in areas aligned with the University’s mission and vision.

“Katie has the right combination of research and leadership experience to make a real impact in the Office of Research,” Brown says. “I look forward to working with her to help create and sustain an environment that promotes scholarship and, in partnership with the faculty, to expand and strengthen the research and creative enterprise at �鶹Ƶ��University.”

McDonald is a widely-published researcher who uses socioecological theory and community-engaged research to understand and promote the inclusion of individuals with disabilities. Her current research focuses on ethical, legal and social implications in research with adults with developmental disabilities, and using community-engaged research to study and address disparities experienced by people with disabilities.

“I am delighted to begin a new role at �鶹Ƶ��University,” McDonald says. “I am grateful for the nurturing environment �鶹Ƶ��has provided for my own research, and for the opportunities I have to pay forward that support. The generation of new knowledge that has the potential to positively impact society is a cornerstone function of �鶹Ƶ��University, and I look forward to working in partnership on this shared endeavor.”

McDonald joined the �鶹Ƶ��faculty as an assistant professor in 2011 and previously served as department chair. She is a faculty fellow at the , the , the and in , and a research affiliate at the . She is also a fellow of the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and a member of the editorial board for Autism in Adulthood.

McDonald has served as chair of �鶹Ƶ��University’s Institutional Review Board since 2016. , professor of sociology in the , will assume the role July 1.

, professor of television, radio and film in the Newhouse School, was named faculty representative to the board by Interim Vice Chancellor and Provost Lois Agnew, in consultation with the University Senate Academic Affairs Committee. Lodato, Persin and Goenka will all serve two-year terms.

In addition, four new student representatives to the board have also been named: German Nolivos ’26 and Anna Mirer ’26, undergraduate student representatives; Alexia Chatzitheodorou, graduate student representative; and Ryleigh Peterson L’26, law student representative.

The diverse backgrounds and experiences of these newly named representatives will bring fresh insights to the board and its various committees, and contribute greatly to the implementation of strategic objectives in support of the University’s mission and vision. All representatives will report to the Board at Executive Committee and full board meetings.

Dean, Faculty and Staff Appointments

Mark Lodato, Academic Dean Representative, 2025-27

Mark Lodato

Appointed dean of the Newhouse School in 2020, Lodato came to �鶹Ƶ��University from Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication. He serves on the Carnegie-Knight Initiative on the Future of Journalism Education and represents the Association of Schools of Journalism and Mass Communication on the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications.

Ensuring Newhouse students are job-ready, Lodato expanded professional partnerships that boost experiential learning opportunities with industry leaders, including BuzzFeed, Edelman, ESPN, the New York Post and PBS. He added the school’s first-ever executive director of instructional technology position to lead plans to design and implement technology strategies that prepare students for a rapidly evolving field and is committed to Newhouse taking a leading role in the responsible use of artificial intelligence in communications.

Under Lodato’s leadership, Newhouse partnered with the to launch the �鶹Ƶ��University in Washington, D.C. He spearheaded plans to launch a new esports communications and management bachelor’s program in partnership with the . He also led Newhouse as the school formulated a five-year strategic plan that focuses on how engaged digital citizenship will drive the future of journalism and mass communications.

Before his academic career, Lodato 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.

As academic dean representative, he participates, ex officio, on the board’s Academic Affairs Committee.

Tula Goenka, Faculty Representative, 2025-27

Tula Goenka

Goenka is a professor of television, radio and film and the graduate program director for her department in the Newhouse School. Goenka is an author, human rights activist and filmmaker who produces and edits documentaries. The common thread in all her pursuits is an interest in women’s rights, equity, resilience and the use of art and music to build awareness and preserve heritage.

Born and raised in India, Goenka first came to �鶹Ƶ��University as an international graduate student in 1984, and received a master of science in television-radio from Newhouse in 1986. Ten years later, she joined the Newhouse faculty. She created the SU Bollywood program offered through �鶹Ƶ��University Abroad, and has taken more than 50 Newhouse students to Mumbai for the monthlong immersion.

She served on the Chancellor’s Task Force on Sexual and Relationship Violence and founded and co-directed the annual �鶹Ƶ��University Human Rights Film Festival and Digital Witness Symposium.

In 2009, Goenka received the Chancellor’s Award of Excellence for Engaging the World, and the Chancellor’s Awards for Public Engagement and Scholarship, 2014 Inspiration Award, partly because of her social justice work. She was the Newhouse Endowed Chair of Public Communications from 2016-19, and the Newhouse Dean’s inaugural Leadership Fellow from 2022-25.

Goenka was a member of the Senate Agenda Committee from 2022-25 and has been a member of the Academic Affairs Committee of the Senate since 2017. As faculty representative, she participates, ex officio, on the board’s Academic Affairs Committee.

Andrea Rose Persin, Staff Representative, 2025-27

Andrea Persin

Persin provides strategic financial oversight to support the goals of the College of Arts and Sciences in her role as the assistant dean of budget, finance and administration. She manages all aspects of the college’s budget and directs expenditures to align with actual revenues received. She also has the primary oversight for the college’s human resources-related processes, including annual compensation review and implementation, performance partnerships, staffing and organizational planning.

Persin began her career at the University in May 2015 as an assistant director of budget and finance. Prior to joining the university, Persin worked at AXA Equitable as a senior manager of enterprise governance where she oversaw the monthly financial and variance reporting for multiple information technology business units.

Persin holds a bachelor’s degree from Columbia College in business administration with a minor in accounting. She will earn an MBA from the Whitman School of Management this month.

As the staff representative during the 2025-26 academic year, she participates, ex officio, on the Advancement and External Affairs Committee.

Student Appointments

Anna Mirer ’26, Undergraduate Student Representative, 2025-26

Anna Mirer

Mirer is a rising senior in the Maxwell School and College of Arts and Sciences and is a student, triple majoring in neuroscience, psychology and policy studies. She is passionate about integrating science and public policy, using mental health research to drive meaningful, long-term change. Mirer served as vice president of university affairs for the , where she worked to elevate student voices and led campuswide programming.

At the , Mirer managed the peer leader team within Health Promotion, developing outreach strategies and campuswide wellness initiatives. She interned with the YMCA of Central New York and served as a research assistant with the Golisano Center for Special Needs.

Mirer co-founded Connect 315, a student-led initiative aimed at strengthening relationships between the University and the surrounding community through collaborative programming and civic dialogue. In partnership with the City of Syracuse, she co-authored a literature review on community engagement strategies related to the I-81 redevelopment project.

As undergraduate representative she participates, ex officio, on the Student Experience Committee.

German Nolivos ’26, Undergraduate Student Representative, 2025-26

German Nolivos

Coming to �鶹Ƶ��from Miami, Nolivos is a first-generation college student and a rising senior at the University. He is pursuing a dual major in political science and public relations through the College of Arts and Sciences, the Maxwell School and the Newhouse School.

A recipient of the prestigious Posse Foundation Full-Tuition Leadership Scholarship and a , Nolivos currently serves his second term as president of the Student Government Association. He also represents the student body as a senator in the and as the undergraduate student representative on the Board of Directors. In 2023, Nolivos pioneered and spearheaded the first Latino Music Festival at the University.

Nolivos is a member of the provisional chapter of Pi Kappa Alpha. His professional experiences include internships with Telemundo, NBCUniversal, Miami-Dade County Public Schools and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute. He received the 44 Stars of Excellence Award from the Office of Student Engagement in spring 2024, and was named an outstanding student in 2021 by the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute.

As undergraduate representative, he participates, ex officio, on the Student Experience Committee.

Alexia Chatzitheodorou, Graduate Student Representative, 2025-26

Alexia Chatzitheodorou

Chatzitheodorou is a Ph.D. candidate in theoretical soft matter physics in the Department of Physics in the College of Arts and Sciences. Her research has focused on the geometry and elasticity of soft materials, specifically liquid crystal elastomers, and she is most interested in biomechanics. She is an active member of the Future Professionals Program and the at �鶹Ƶ��University.

Originally from Greece, Chatzitheodorou earned a bachelor’s degree with honors in physics from the University of Dundee, United Kingdom, where she served as the student representative of physics undergraduates and a physics student ambassador, and was actively involved in outreach activities. At �鶹Ƶ��University, she has continued her commitment to science advocacy through teaching, mentorship and outreach. In addition, she has served in the Physics Graduate Organization and the Physics Colloquium Committee (2023-24), and as a co-organizer of the 2025 Conference for Undergraduate Women in Physics. Driven by a mission to bridge science and societal impact, Chatzitheodorou has developed a growing interest in science policy.

As the graduate student representative for the 2025-26 academic year, she participates, ex officio, on the Academic Affairs and the Student Experience committees.

Ryleigh Peterson L’26, Law Student Representative, 2025-26

Ryleigh Peterson

Peterson is a third-year law student in the . She currently serves as managing editor of the �鶹Ƶ��Journal of International Law and Commerce, Vol. 53, after previously holding the position of associate editor for Vol. 52. Peterson also works in the College of Law’s Admissions and Financial Aid Office as a law student ambassador and a work-study student. During the fall of 2024, she was a student attorney in the Bankruptcy Clinic. Peterson spent the summer of 2024 in �鶹Ƶ��at Bond, Schoeneck & King as a 1L Summer Associate, where she is returning as a 2L summer associate for the summer of 2025.

Prior to attending the College of Law, Peterson had a three-year career as a corporate paralegal. Her undergraduate degree is in media and communications with a minor in legal studies from CUNY Hunter College in New York City.

As the law student representative to the board for the 2025-26 academic year, Peterson participates, ex officio, on the Academic Affairs and the Student Experience Committees.

Deposits should be made as early in the day as possible on Monday, June 30.

Deposits received after June 30 will be processed as July (fiscal year 2026) business.

The exception is for monies received on or before June 30 but not processed due to internal mail delays. Those deposits can be credited to fiscal year 2025 by indicating “JUNE BUSINESS” on the deposit slip in red ink.

Cash Operations can only accept deposits for June business (fiscal year 2025) until 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 3, 2025.

Questions or concerns may be directed to Tina Kelly at tkelly01@syr.edu.

Stop by , , , the or the to explore. are available online.

If you work remote you can still use the Libraries’ resources by . Visit us online at for more information.

So how can staff take advantage of this benefit? Below are a few ideas:

• Borrow materials or resources— any materials or resources from our collection. This includes , , , , , , and more! Looking to borrow something not available from our collections? You can
• Borrow technology—Need presentation equipment, audio/video equipment or an extra laptop? items from the Libraries for free!
• Sign-up to use wellness resources—The Libraries offer numerous resources for mind, spirit and physical .
• Sign-up for free digital subscriptions—As a staff member, you can receive to Syracuse.com, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and the Washington Post. You can also by searching Journals in the Libraries’ collections.
• Print posters—Need to
• Reserve a room—Need a private room for a call, a small team room for a project or a larger public space for an event? at the Libraries for free.
• Use Research Guides—Librarians and staff curate a variety of on a wide range of topics that support users through research projects.
• Use data analysis/statistical software—Get help finding data to analyze, using statistical software like SAS, Stata and SPSS, research methods and study design. The Libraries also provide��.
• Use primary and secondary sources—Are you instructing a class, offering training or have a team that you’re working with that can benefit from learning how to use the Libraries and primary or secondary sources? .
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• Leisure reading—Looking for a fiction book for leisure reading or have books that you want to donate? Check out the in Bird Library.
• Fun Fact: U.S. Government Documents—Did you also know that the Libraries is open to the public as a ? Public access to the government documents collection is guaranteed by public law (Title 44 United States Code).

about the Libraries? You can get help by calling, texting, emailing, using the chat button on the website or contacting a librarian.

​ signifies an agency’s ongoing commitment to excellence and state-of-the-art performance in every aspect of its operations. The standards guide the recruitment, selection, training and professional development of agency personnel and overall agency operations. In order to receive the accreditation, DPS had to demonstrate to outside, impartial experts its compliance with national best-practice standards in the profession.

“Achieving IACLEA Accreditation is another significant milestone that reflects the dedication and professionalism of every member of our team,” says Chief Craig Stone. “This recognition affirms our commitment to national best practices and continuous improvement as we work to provide the highest standard of safety and service to the �鶹Ƶ��University community.”

​Among the many benefits of accreditation are increased accountability from agency personnel and the agency as a whole and a commitment to continuous improvement to maintain excellent operations.

​DPS prepared for the onsite assessment by updating policies and procedures, ensured the campus community had the opportunity to provide comments to the outside assessors and hosted assessors on-site. The agency will seek re-accreditation in four years.

�鶹Ƶ��University Libraries’ Blackstone LaunchPad welcomed new members of the Founders Circle from the Class of 2025.

welcomed 34 graduates of the Class of 2025 as new members of the Founders Circle. They were selected in recognition of launching or leading ventures at the University while students, as well as contributing to building the Blackstone LaunchPad. The Founders Circle is a group of dedicated LaunchPad alumni entrepreneurs and innovation professionals, who plan to continue to be mentors and role models for current students. They exemplify the University’s spirit of entrepreneurship.

“This group of LaunchPad graduates were unbelievably driven and proactively looked for and leveraged every opportunity and connection to move the needle forward with their respective ventures,” says Traci Geisler, director of the LaunchPad. “By the time they graduated, some of these students had ventures in market generating revenue, some started their next venture, some raised thousands of dollars in capital and some have hired employees. We’re excited to see what’s next for them and how they will continue to change their communities for the better.”

• Adam Thomson, S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications
• Aditee Malviya G’25, College of Engineering and Computer Science
• Adya Parida, College of Engineering and Computer Science
• Aidan R Turner, School of Architecture
• Alie Savane, College of Arts and Sciences and Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs
• Anjaneya Padwal G’25, School of Information Studies
• Anthony Smith, Newhouse School
• Anthony Thomas, School of Information Studies
• Asha Breedlove, Newhouse School
• Bakary Darboe, Maxwell School
• Bryson Carter, Newhouse School
• Cesar Sassoon, School of Information Studies
• Dhwani Vora G’25, School of Information Studies
• Dominique Camp G’25, David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics
• Donovan Capdeville, College of Visual and Performing Arts
• Elizabeth Paulin, College of Arts and Sciences
• Emily Santiago, School of Information Studies
• Fatim Batrou Cisse G’25, Falk College
• Grace�� Conturso, School of Information Studies
• Julie Gross, College of Visual and Performing Arts
• Kathryn Kelley, Newhouse School
• Lindy Truitt, College of Visual and Performing Arts
• Megan Kane, Newhouse School
• Mian Hamid, School of Information Studies
• Nicholas Panetta, Martin J. Whitman School of Management
• Oliver Raycroft, College of Engineering and Computer Science
• Paula Ibelings, College of Engineering and Computer Science
• Skylar Takac, Whitman School and Newhouse School
• Stacy Collier, Newhouse School
• Sydney Moore G25, Whitman School
• Thomas O’Brien, College of Visual and Performing Arts
• Tosin Alabi G’25, Whitman School
• Tyler Marma G’25, Newhouse School
• Waqar Hussain G’25, Whitman School

, is a member of the Onondaga Nation Eel Clan. He is the son, grandson and brother of legendary lacrosse players. Powless picked up a lacrosse stick for the first time at age 2. He played in his first game at age 4; his older brothers had to improvise with his uniform and protective gear as what they had been given was too big.

Neal Powless, top row second from left, is pictured with fellow inductees into the American Indian Athletic Hall of Fame and First Americans Museum Award recipients. (Photo courtesy of the First Americans Museum)

Powless played all throughout his childhood, high school and his undergraduate years at Nazareth College in Rochester. He was a three-time All American and played professionally for several years; he was a member of the Rochester Knighthawks of the Major Indoor Lacrosse League when the team won its first title in 1997. Today, he is the coach of the Netherlands National Box Lacrosse Team and, at age 50, still plays the game for Oneida in the North American Box Lacrosse League.

To honor his dedication and many contributions to the game of lacrosse, Powless was inducted into the American Indian Athletic Hall of Fame, located at the in Oklahoma City, on May 2. He was one of four athletes inducted this year, and one of five from the Haudenosaunee Confederacy who have been inducted since the Hall of Fame’s inception.

On Display

An exhibition, featuring items from each of the inductees, was on display at the museum for a month around the time of the induction ceremony. Items from Powless’s career that were displayed included cleats that Nike created for the Haudenosaunee Nationals in 2006; his Buffalo Bandits stick, his �鶹Ƶ��Smash jersey and five championship rings. The museum is working on expanding the exhibition to the digital space.

Items from Neal Powless’ career were on display in an accompanying exhibition, including a lacrosse stick, cleats and jersey. (Photo courtesy of the First Americans Museum)

Powless is no stranger to Hall of Fame inductions. He has been inducted into several, including the North American Indigenous Athletics Hall of Fame, the USLacrosse Hall of Fame (Upstate Chapter and Greater Rochester Chapter) and Nazareth College Hall of Fame. He is also a member of the Rochester Red Wings Walk of Fame. This feels different, though, he says. Many of the inductees are from major sports leagues, such as the National Basketball Association, Women’s National Basketball Association and National Football League.

“You love your sport, and when that love and commitment is acknowledged it is amazing,” Powless says. “It is really humbling to be in a space like that First Americans Museum, which is the premier Indigenous museum in the country.”

Through the years, Powless has balanced lacrosse with his career at �鶹Ƶ��University. He has been the University ombuds since 2019. In this role, he serves as a confidential, neutral and independent resource for faculty, staff and graduate students. Previously, he was a counselor with the Center for Career Services and assistant director of the Native Student Program in the Office of Multicultural Affairs. He is currently a Ph.D. candidate in the Newhouse School, where his research is centered on Indigenous imagery in contemporary film.

He and his wife, Michelle Schenandoah, founded Indigenous Concepts Consulting to serve Indigenous communities and to incorporate Indigenous perspective into mainstream business and media paradigms.

Life Lessons

Lacrosse still remains a passion, and the longevity gene for the game runs throughout his family. His grandfather, Irving Powless Sr., played competitively into his 60s, his brother into his 50s and his father, Chief Irving Powless Jr., played his last competitive game at age 40 (Neal played his last competitive game at age 41). The love of the game developed over time for Neal, and the recreational league he plays in now continues to fuel that passion.

“This honor is not so much about the numbers and stats, but more about what the game means to me and the role it has played in my life,” he says.

Lacrosse has provided Powless with a number of lessons that he has applied in other areas of his life. When coaching—and for himself—he has non-negotiable rules—show up, give your best effort, be open to learn and have fun.

“Whether it’s here at work, at presentations or trainings, whether it’s sitting with an individual or consulting, I’m going to show up. I’m going to do my best. I’m going to do my best to be open and learn from that other person, and I’m going to have fun doing it,” he says.

The success he has found, and the lessons he imparts in his job, has just as much foundation in the losses he has endured on the field and the mistakes he has made.

“What’s not in those record books or written down on paper are all the losses that teach a person how to be successful,” Powless says. “I’ve been willing and open to learn from them.”

“The awards, trophies and rings (and Hall of Fame inductions) are amazing, but what I carry with me every day are the lessons that I know will help me succeed,” Powless says.

During his formative years, Powless was a bit smaller than his fellow lacrosse players and had to work hard to overcome some of the obstacles that created. He also learned a lot about respect and peace; although he faced competitors on the field, they ceased to be competitors when the game was finished.

“That’s probably one of the biggest lessons that I use every day here in my work as an ombuds, is to show everyone that walks into my office, no matter who you are, no matter where you come from, no matter what you’ve experienced, you’ll get my respect and you’ll get my ear and I’ll listen to everything that you’ve gone through,” Powless says. “I am going to shake your hand and welcome you.”

Jack and Laura Milton

Growing up, Stacey Milton Leal ’75 and Chris Milton heard countless stories about how �鶹Ƶ��University brought their parents together in what would turn out to be a fairy tale romance with a happy forever ending. So it was no surprise that Jack and Laura Milton would become benefactors to the University throughout their lives and beyond. Their estate gift of more than $20 million is one of the largest unrestricted gifts in University history.

“Their education at �鶹Ƶ��University was a fundamental foundation for their success in business and in life,” Chris says. His sister Stacey agrees. “They took advantage of everything the school had to offer, from classes to Greek life to football, and then they gave back,” Stacey says. “It’s a great legacy to know that the money you earned went to a cause that you believe in and will have impact for generations.”

Indeed, Jack Milton ’51 and Laura Hanhausen Milton ’51 have left a legacy that will continue to impact �鶹Ƶ��University students and faculty for years to come with significant gifts funding such diverse offerings as the first year experience for arts and sciences students, an endowed professorship, an atrium for students to gather and, most recently, a residence hall. “My father’s service to the Board of Trustees gave him an opportunity to see the inner workings of the University and gave them both confidence that their gifts would be used wisely,” says Stacey.

A Chance Meeting

The inspiration behind the Miltons’ generosity was simple. It began during their freshman convocation in Hendricks Chapel. Complete strangers, Jack and Laura were seated near each other and met by chance.

Chris says his Dad never really wanted to be in college; he wanted to join his own father working in the heavy equipment industry at a Caterpillar dealership. “My grandfather told my mom that Dad had to stay in school, so she helped him with his class assignments,” Chris says.

Stacey says her mother was more studious, better at taking tests and writing papers. “One of Mom’s stories was about how Dad got an A on a paper she wrote for him, and she got a B on her own paper!” They were married at the end of their junior year.

Laura graduated with a degree in French from the College of Arts and Sciences. With his business degree from the School of Business Administration (now the Martin J. Whitman School of Management) in hand, Jack first went to serve in the U.S. Army, and then worked for his father at Perkins Machinery Company in Massachusetts. He later co-founded Jordan-Milton Machinery in Concord, New Hampshire, which in 1991 acquired Southworth Machinery to become Southworth-Milton, Inc. The office headquarters moved to Massachusetts. In 2004, Southworth-Milton Inc acquired �鶹Ƶ��Supply and adopted the trade name Milton CAT. Today, Chris is CEO of Milton CAT, a $1.5 billion business with nearly 2,000 employees.

“The success of the business created opportunities for my parents’ philanthropy and community engagement,” says Chris. When they lived in Concord, New Hampshire, Laura was active on the boards of Child and Family Services, YMCA, American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Parks and Recreation, Junior Service League, the Concord Hospital Association and the New Hampshire Hospital Association; in Boston, she served on the Emerson Hospital board.

Service and Philanthropy

Jack and Laura remained active alumni and Orange fans, especially during the time Stacey attended their alma mater and graduated with a degree in fine arts in printmaking from the College of Visual and Performing Arts. As their wealth grew, so did their service to the University and their philanthropy. Jack was elected to the �鶹Ƶ��University Board of Trustees in 2000, the same year Laura became a member of the College of Arts and Sciences Board of Visitors. Jack also served on the Whitman School of Management Advisory Council.

They supported many institutional priorities within the College of Arts and Sciences and the Whitman School of Management. The Jack and Laura Milton Room on the fourth floor of the Whitman Building and the Jack and Laura Milton Atrium in the Life Sciences Complex acknowledges multiple million-dollar gifts over the years. More recently, their estate funded the Jack and Laura H. Milton Professorship in the College of Arts and Sciences, now held by Robert Doyle, a renowned medicinal chemist with an interest in pharmaceutical drug development. Further acknowledging the impact of their estate gifts, the former apartment complex known as The Marshall at 727 S. Crouse Ave. has been fully modernized and renamed Milton Hall. It’s a 287-bed residence hall, primarily home to second-year students.

“Laura often said that the University was a gift to Jack and herself because they met there, but their union ultimately turned into transformative gifts to the University,” says Chancellor Kent Syverud. “The fact that most of their estate gift is unrestricted demonstrates their deep love and devotion to their alma mater, their past dedication to service, and their trust in the future vision for the University.”

The siblings saw their parents’ commitment to the University and the tangible impact it had on campus—and how important it was to them. “My parents recognized that their good fortune began at �鶹Ƶ��University, and they just wanted to give back,” says Chris.

“While they were alive, they got to see how the University used their funds wisely,” says Stacey. “That’s why they were so confident in leaving behind a gift for future generations. They trusted that the school would use the funds in the right ways.”

ILC is a diamond open-access publication by and for students and early career professionals that fosters critical conversations about reflective and ethical information practices within a variety of learning environments. Diamond open-access is a publication model in which journals and platforms do not charge fees to either authors or readers. Student involvement is one of the Information Literacy Scholars’ strongest guiding values, so ILC encourages submissions by current students and early career professionals in the field of library and information science to develop their skills in scholarly communications and open access publishing.

The first issue includes the following:

• Welcome from the Information Literacy Librarian, by Kelly Delevan
• Letter from the First and Second Editors-in-Chief, by Olivia Russo Haven and Emily Warfield
• Reflection Experience as a New Information Literacy Instructor, by Joel Carpenter
• Interview with Early Career Librarians Marianne Donley and Rebecca Johnston, by Grace Suhadolnik
• Interview with Early Career Librarian Seyvion Scott, by Rebecca McCall

“When we began the IL Scholars program in 2019, we wanted to focus primarily on training graduate students to become strong library instructors,” says Kelly Delevan, information literacy librarian and head of information literacy at �鶹Ƶ��University Libraries. “In 2023, two of our colleagues at the SU Libraries, Dylan Mohr, open scholarship librarian, and Grace Swinnerton, digital project librarian (and a former information literacy scholar) suggested that a journal on information literacy could be a great project for the IL Scholars to work on. Fast forward to today, and we are delighted to publish the first issue.”

Submissions will be accepted each fall and can include informational studies, instructional lessons, traditional academic papers, case studies, book reviews, editorials and literature reviews. For more information, visit .

During their visit to the United Talent Agency and KLUTCH Sports Group in Atlanta, 11 sport management students pose for a group photo below a famous saying from early 20th-century Atlanta educator and orator Booker T. Washington.

The city of Atlanta is home to professional sports franchises in major leagues: Atlanta United FC (Major League Soccer), the Braves (Major League Baseball), Dream (WNBA), Falcons (NFL), and Hawks (NBA). Atlanta also features professional teams in lacrosse, rugby, and volleyball, along with a rich tradition of Division I collegiate sports with Georgia Tech and Georgia State.

In addition, Atlanta has hosted the biggest events in sports, including the Summer Olympics in 1996, four Super Bowls, and the NCAA Final Four women’s and men’s basketball championship, and it will be one of 11 U.S. host cities for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Over the course of three jam-packed days in March, 11 female students from �鶹Ƶ��University’s����visited Atlanta to meet with numerous sports organizations and female executives from several sectors of the sport industry. The group also attended a Braves game at Truist Park.

Jake and Suzanne Doft have sponsored the trip for the past four years in honor of their daughter, Class of 2022 Sport Management graduate��.

The students on the trip included Jordan Boron ’25, Kate Bradley ’26, Emily Gilbert ’27, Maggie Grejda ’27, Aryssa Hopps ’25, Janet Ji ’26, Lexi Katz ’27, Anna McDonald ’26, Claire Patin ’26, Brooke Siket ’25, and Tess Wright ’27. The students—all members of the ��(WISE) Club from the��—were accompanied by Falk College Director of Development , Sport Analytics Program Manager and former Internship Placement Coordinator Beth Perez, who’s now working for the University as an assistant director of development, leadership annual giving and discovery.

Falk College students visited with numerous sports organizations in Atlanta during a Spring 2025 immersion trip.

We asked Siket and Bradley to share their favorite experiences from the Atlanta immersion trip:

Brooke Siket (sport management major, marketing minor)

Brooke Siket

“As someone passionate about working in live sports and event management, this trip was everything I hoped for and more.

“Over three packed days, we met with representatives from the Atlanta Dream, Hawks, Falcons, United, Braves, Overtime Elite, United Talent Agency (UTA) and KLUTCH Sports Group, FanDuel and the Atlanta Sports Council. Each organization gave us a behind-the-scenes look into their operations, shared advice about breaking into the industry, and emphasized the importance of relationship-building. Hearing from so many strong women in leadership roles made the experience even more empowering.

“One moment that stood out to me was our visits to UTA and KLUTCH Sports. While few of us initially had a strong interest in the agency side of sports, the insight they offered into athlete representation, contract negotiation, and brand building was an incredible and eye-opening experience.

“The WISE community created an environment where I felt encouraged to ask questions, connect with professionals, and see firsthand what a career in this industry could look like. This trip reminded me why I chose �鶹Ƶ��and Falk; it’s the real world opportunities and constant support that have helped me grow and feel prepared for a career in sports. This trip solidified my goals and expanded my network, and I’m so thankful to WISE, �鶹Ƶ��University, the Doft family, and everyone we met in Atlanta for making it possible.”

During her time at Syracuse, Brooke Siket was an athletics facilities and game management intern, a Falk College peer advisor and ambassador, a Sport Management Club member who worked on the annual Charity Sports Auction and a WISE Club member. She’s currently working as a stadium operations intern for the Savannah Bananas baseball team.

Kate Bradley (sport management major, emerging sport enterprises minor)

Kate Bradley

“I joined WISE during my first week on campus, and it immediately became a meaningful community for me. Surrounded by driven, like-minded women who share a passion for working in sports, I’ve found lasting friendships, valuable networking opportunities, and unforgettable professional experiences through this organization.

“One of the most impactful aspects of being in WISE has been participating in immersion trips across the country. These trips provide unique opportunities to engage directly with industry professionals and �鶹Ƶ��alumni. Our recent trip to Atlanta was particularly special, as it allowed us to explore a sports market outside the Northeast.

“While in Atlanta, exposure to a wide range of organizations gave us a well-rounded understanding of Atlanta’s sports industry from team operations to agency representation and beyond. Additionally, visiting Atlanta was an amazing opportunity because the FIFA 2026 World cup is coming to Mercedes-Benz Stadium, and we heard from multiple organizations about their unique perspective on the event and what role they will play in planning and executing it.

“These immersion trips are more than just site visits; they’re hands-on learning experiences that give us a real sense of what working in different sectors of the sports industry is like. In an increasingly virtual world, having the chance to build face-to-face connections is invaluable. I’m incredibly grateful to be a part of WISE and for the opportunities it has provided to grow both personally and professionally. Thank you to everyone who met with us on this trip, and to everyone who made this adventure possible.”

Kate Bradley’s extracurricular activities in Falk College include WISE Club communications chair, Sport Management Club community outreach chair, Sport Management Club Charity Sports Auction public relations chair for the 2023 and 2024 auctions, research assistant for Assistant Professor Lindsey Darvin’s NIL project, publishing assistant for David B. Falk Endowed Professor Rick Burton, and vice president of partnerships for the �鶹Ƶ��Sport Group. She’s currently interning for the Wasserman sports marketing and talent management agency in the Brand and Properties department.

Visit the to learn more about experiential learning, academic programs, and career opportunities in the Department of Sport Management and the sport analytics program at �鶹Ƶ��University.

Cathy Daicoff��G’79

Daicoff has been on the advisory board for more than 25 years, serving as its vice chair since 2019. She succeeds Ron O’Hanley ’80, who had served as chair since 2015 and is the chairman and chief executive officer of State Street Global Advisors. O’Hanley will continue as a member of the board.

“I want to thank and congratulate Cathy on becoming the new advisory board chair and thank Ron for his many years of leadership and sound counsel,” says Maxwell Dean David M. Van Slyke. “Both have made and continue to make immeasurable contributions to the school, its community and its mission, and I look forward to more accomplishments ahead under Cathy’s board leadership.”

Van Slyke also expressed his gratitude to Nate Shanok ’98, who succeeds Daicoff as vice chair. “I’ve no doubt he will serve us well in this role,” he says. “Since he joined the board in 2017, Nate has generously offered his time and expertise in support of our students and key initiatives.”

Comprised of alumni and friends of Maxwell, the advisory board meets in person twice a year and provides counsel to the dean and senior leadership on broad matters of policy and planning within the school, and guidance in areas such as fundraising, alumni relations and communications. Its members represent a range of experience and expertise, enriching Maxwell’s programmatic activities.

Daicoff says she is thrilled to serve as chair.

“It’s always an honor to give back to the school that helped me acquire the tools, knowledge and networks needed to be successful in my career in the financial world,” says Daicoff. “I am excited to work with this talented advisory board as we help the Maxwell School grapple with the challenges of today and prepare the leaders of tomorrow.”

Nate Shanok ’98

Daicoff was honored in the spring of 2024 with a Centennial Steward Award for her significant engagement, volunteer service and philanthropic support that have supported Maxwell’s continued excellence. Van Slyke says her gifts—including her $1.2 million endowment to establish the Marguerite Fisher Faculty Research Fund and a major gift for the creation of the Daicoff Faculty Scholars award—have helped the school attract and retain world class faculty.

In addition, Daicoff has regularly shared her expertise in domestic and international finance with the board and as a trusted career advisor to students and alumni interested in the field. She retired in 2016 as a managing director at Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services after 38 years with the company. Her career spanned management responsibility in U.S. domestic operations, Canada, Latin America, Asia-Pacific and global positions. She was the company’s first senior policy officer and director of policy training for Ratings Services, and she served for more than 20 years on the firm’s Analytics Policy Board.

Shanok is senior managing director and co-head of Global Equity Capital Markets for Tishman Speyer, a global real estate investment manager and developer with a portfolio that includes iconic assets such as Rockefeller Center in New York City, The Springs in Shanghai, TaunusTurm in Frankfurt and Mission Rock in San Francisco. He established the Shanok Family Endowed Scholarship in 2019 and was previously on the �鶹Ƶ��Abroad board and served on the board of the High School for Leadership.

Michael J. Bunker

Bunker, a military veteran with 14 years of service in the U.S. Coast Guard, brings more than two decades of experience in campus safety, emergency management and public safety leadership, most recently serving as chief of campus safety at the University of Denver. There, he oversaw all safety and security operations for a large, urban campus, including emergency management, environmental health and safety, and security technology.

Allen Groves, senior vice president for the student experience and chief student experience officer, led the search committee supported by students, faculty and staff that endorsed Bunker’s candidacy.

“We are thrilled to welcome Mike Bunker to the �鶹Ƶ��University community,” says Groves. “His innovative leadership, commitment to contemporary safety practices and deep understanding of the evolving needs of campus communities make him uniquely qualified for this critically important role. I look forward to working closely with him to enhance the safety our campus community and emergency preparedness across the University.”

“I am honored to join �鶹Ƶ��University and lead a dynamic team dedicated to creating a safe, supportive and welcoming campus environment,” says Bunker. “I look forward to quickly engaging with our community and partnering with students, faculty, staff and stakeholders to strengthen our emergency preparedness, foster transparency and ensure every member of our Orange community feels safe and is safe.”

During his tenure at the University of Denver, Bunker led transformative initiatives, including the creation of an integrated mental health campus response team strategy and the deployment of body-worn cameras and artificial intelligence-enhanced security systems. He also created and deployed trust-building programs with students, such as family-style dinners with student groups and close collaboration with student government and athletics.

Bunker is well-known for his expertise in proactive threat management; compliance with federal standards, including the Clery Act; and taking a student-centered approach to campus safety. At Syracuse, Bunker will report to Groves and oversee a comprehensive portfolio that includes public safety operations, emergency management services, crisis planning and response, and collaborative outreach across the University’s diverse community.

Before his time at the University of Denver, Bunker held leadership roles with the Georgetown University Police Department and the Campus Public Safety Institute. He’s also held positions with the Falls Church Police Department in Falls Church, Virginia, and George Mason University Police Department.

A lifelong learner with a commitment to continuing education, Bunker has two master’s degrees, including an MBA from the University of Denver and a master’s degree in project management from Georgetown University. He also has a graduate certificate in executive leadership coaching.

Bunker will move to the region next month and is looking forward to becoming a part of the Central New York community.

For more information about Campus Safety and Emergency Management Services at �鶹Ƶ��University, visit .

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 �鶹Ƶ��University 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 �鶹Ƶ��offers.”

Brian Asher, headteacher at Lockerbie Academy, says: “�鶹Ƶ��University 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 �鶹Ƶ��University 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, �鶹Ƶ��will 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 �鶹Ƶ��University,” Agnew says.

“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.

�鶹Ƶ��University 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.

Three linguistic studies students, Loretta Awuku (left), Sylvia Page (center) and Johnson Akano, pose with their presentation at �鶹Ƶ��University’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 �鶹Ƶ��University’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,”��Awuku 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

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

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 �鶹Ƶ��campus 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 Café in Eggers Hall is open Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Moon Café 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 Café 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 café 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.

Café 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.

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 �鶹Ƶ��University 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.

Leah Russell from the �鶹Ƶ��Peacemaking 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, �鶹Ƶ��Peacemaking 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 �鶹Ƶ��University 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.

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

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 .

�鶹Ƶ��University 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

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

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 .

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 �鶹Ƶ��University 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.

The scholarship was established in loving memory of Liam Zoghby, a cherished member of the �鶹Ƶ��University 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.

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 �鶹Ƶ��ran 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 �鶹Ƶ��University. 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

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Alumna Dara Drake ’23 has been named as a 2025 Knight-Hennessy Scholar, the first from �鶹Ƶ��University.

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 �鶹Ƶ��and 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 �鶹Ƶ��student 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.

“�鶹Ƶ��was 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 �鶹Ƶ��staff 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.

“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 �鶹Ƶ��University 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.”

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 �鶹Ƶ��up 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 .

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:��There 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:��There 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.

“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 Renée 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.”

“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.

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.

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

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

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

Commencement 2025 (Photo by Amy Manley)

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)

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)

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

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

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

Carmelo Anthony (Photo by Amy Manley)

Commencement 2025 (Photo by Marilyn Hesler)

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

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)

Commencement 2025 (Photo by Amy Manley)

The obligatory cap toss (Photo by Amy Manley)

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

Commencement 2025 (Photo by Angela Ryan)

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

Commencement 2025 (Photo by Amy Manley)

Commencement 2025 (Photo by Angela Ryan)

Commencement 2025 (Photo by Amy Manley)

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 )

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 )

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

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

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

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

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

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)

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

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

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 )

“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.”

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 �鶹Ƶ��University 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.

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.”

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)

“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

Alonna Berry

Given her family history and undergraduate experiences at �鶹Ƶ��University, 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 �鶹Ƶ��University, 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 �鶹Ƶ��University 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

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 �鶹Ƶ��University 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 �鶹Ƶ��fundraising 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 �鶹Ƶ��University 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

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 �鶹Ƶ��University . 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 �鶹Ƶ��University Wrestling Team.

Ryan has served on the College of Law’s Board of Advisors since 2004.��He 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 �鶹Ƶ��University’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).

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 �鶹Ƶ��University’s oldest and largest college, highlighting A&S researchers’ commitment to advancing knowledge across disciplines.

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 (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.

Mike Tirico delivers the evening’s keynote speech.

�鶹Ƶ��University 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.

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.

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 �鶹Ƶ��faculty 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.

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 �鶹Ƶ��faculty 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.

Janet Wilmoth

Janet Wilmoth

Wilmoth is director of the ��and 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 �鶹Ƶ��faculty in 2002 and has served in several leadership positions on campus, including director of the Gerontology Center and chair of the Department of Sociology.

�鶹Ƶ��University 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 average��and 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 �鶹Ƶ��has 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 �鶹Ƶ��Athletics 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.