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 ���ϲ����� 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 ���ϲ����� Alumni Association Board of Directors creates an environment where alumni, former students, parents, students and friends stay connected to ���ϲ����� 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.

���ϲ����� 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 ���ϲ����� 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 ���ϲ�����

The is Saturday, July 12, at 9:30 p.m. on the East ���ϲ����� 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.

���ϲ�����

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 ���ϲ����� 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.

���ϲ����� 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 ���ϲ����� 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 ���ϲ����� 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 ���ϲ�����,” 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 ���ϲ����� 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 About 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 ���ϲ�����.

“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 ���ϲ����� 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 ���ϲ����� 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.”

About 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 ���ϲ����� 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.

���ϲ����� faculty and staff participate in the 2025 ���ϲ����� 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 ���ϲ����� 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 ���ϲ����� 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 ���ϲ����� 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 ���ϲ�����, 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 ���ϲ����� 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 ���ϲ�����, 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 ���ϲ�����’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 ���ϲ�����.”

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 ���ϲ�����,” McDonald says. “I am grateful for the nurturing environment ���ϲ����� 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 ���ϲ�����, and I look forward to working in partnership on this shared endeavor.”

McDonald joined the ���ϲ����� 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 ���ϲ�����’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 ���ϲ����� 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 ���ϲ����� 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 ���ϲ����� 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 ���ϲ����� 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 ���ϲ����� 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 ���ϲ�����, 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 ���ϲ����� 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 ���ϲ�����.

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 ���ϲ�����, 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 ���ϲ����� 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 ���ϲ����� 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 ���ϲ�����.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? .
• Attend workshops and events—The Libraries hosts a number of
• 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 ���ϲ����� 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.

���ϲ����� 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 ���ϲ����� 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 ���ϲ�����. 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 ���ϲ����� 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 ���ϲ����� 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 ���ϲ����� 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 ���ϲ����� 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 ���ϲ����� 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 ���ϲ�����, 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 ���ϲ����� 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 ���ϲ�����’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 ���ϲ����� 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, ���ϲ�����, the Doft family, and everyone we met in Atlanta for making it possible.”

During her time at ���ϲ�����, 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 ���ϲ����� 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 ���ϲ����� 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 ���ϲ�����.

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 ���ϲ����� 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 ���ϲ����� 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 ���ϲ����� 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 ���ϲ�����, 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 ���ϲ�����, 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 ���ϲ����� 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 ���ϲ����� offers.”

Brian Asher, headteacher at Lockerbie Academy, says: “���ϲ����� 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 ���ϲ����� 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, ���ϲ����� 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 ���ϲ�����,” 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.

���ϲ����� remains committed to meeting 100% of demonstrated financial need. Financial aid packages typically include a combination of ���ϲ�����-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 ���ϲ�����’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 ���ϲ�����’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 ���ϲ����� 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 ���ϲ����� 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 ���ϲ����� 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, ���ϲ����� Peacemaking Project, Spanish Action League of Onondaga County, Huntington Family Center, John 6:12 and the Boys & Girls Club of ���ϲ�����. 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 ���ϲ�����’s most disadvantaged youth,” says Jim Hastie, director of fund development for the Boys & Girls Club of ���ϲ�����. “Whether it was a stuffed animal, gently used clothing, sneakers or even closet hangers, our Club Kids were deeply moved to see ���ϲ����� 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 .

���ϲ����� 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 ���ϲ����� 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 ���ϲ����� 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 ���ϲ����� 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 ���ϲ�����. 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 ���ϲ�����.

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 ���ϲ����� 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 ���ϲ����� 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 ���ϲ�����, 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.

“���ϲ����� 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 ���ϲ����� 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 ���ϲ����� 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 ���ϲ����� 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 ���ϲ����� 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 ���ϲ�����, 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 ���ϲ�����, 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 ���ϲ����� 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 ���ϲ����� 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 ���ϲ����� 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 ���ϲ����� 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 ���ϲ����� . 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 ���ϲ����� 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 ���ϲ�����’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 ���ϲ�����’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.

���ϲ����� 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 ���ϲ����� 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 ���ϲ����� 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 ���ϲ����� 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.

���ϲ����� 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.

���ϲ�����’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 ���ϲ�����’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 ���ϲ����� 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 ���ϲ����� 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.

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

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

Timely Research

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

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

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

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

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

Inspirational Women

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Intergenerational Sharing

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Story by Ashley Kang ’04, G’11

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

It’s time to celebrate, ���ϲ����� Class of 2025! Bring your family and friends and join in all the excitement and pomp and circumstance during .

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

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

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

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

���ϲ����� Chancellor and President Kent Syverud will address the graduates and confer degrees. Interim Vice Chancellor, Provost and Chief Academic Officer Lois Agnew will give the welcome.

The University will recognize three honorary degree recipients:

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

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

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

Student Marshals and Scholars

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The ���ϲ����� Wind Ensemble will perform under the direction of conductor Timothy W. Diem.

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

Security and Other Important Information

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

Get the OrangeNow App for the Commencement Experience

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

(Photo by Marilyn Hesler)

Update Your Email Address

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

Ask Orange Alumni

���ϲ����� alumni are standing by to help as you take the next step. Make career connections without any app, sign-up or login information to remember. Just !

Class of 2025 Giving Campaign

��before��Thursday, May 8, to receive special orange, white and silver cords to wear at Commencement!

Fill up the Wishing Well!

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

Instagram Stickers

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

More information about Commencement 2025 can be found at .

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

Robert Mankoff ’66
Doctor of Letters

Robert Mankoff

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ali Meders-Knight
Doctor of Humane Letters

Ali Meders-Knight

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Judith Greenberg Seinfeld ’56
Doctor of Humane Letters

Judith Greenberg Seinfeld

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Have A Good Start

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

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

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

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

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

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

Set High Goals

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

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

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

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

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

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

For the complete story, please visit the .

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

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

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

2025 student award recipients and their respective Libraries departments are:

��Kathy and Stanley Walters Student Employee Scholarship Awards

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

Patricia Kutner Strait Student Scholarship Awards

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

Dean’s Commendations Awards

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

Honorable Recognitions:

• Carolina Aguayo-Pla ’27 (School of Information Studies), Blackstone LaunchPad
• Celes Buffard ’27 (School of Information Studies), Blackstone LaunchPad
• Alexandro Frimpong ’25 (School of Information Studies), Facilities and Security
• Antonio Goncalves ’27 (College of Engineering and Computer Science), Blackstone LaunchPad
• Meagan Gregg G’26 (School of Information Studies), Access and Resource Sharing
• Lars Jendruschewitz ’27 (Newhouse School), Blackstone LaunchPad
• Renee Kurie ’26 (Newhouse School), Blackstone LaunchPad
• Alexander Schulz ’26 (School of Information Studies), Learning and Academic Engagement and Information Literacy
• Aidan Turner G’25 (School of Architecture), Blackstone LaunchPad
• Mary Visco G’25 (College of Arts and Sciences), Special Collections Research Center

Hannah Kang

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

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

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

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

Army ROTC + Architecture = A Rare and Disciplined Path

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

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

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

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

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

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

Broadening Perspectives With Study Abroad/Study Away and Internships

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Future Is Bright

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

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

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

When asked about a uniquely ���ϲ����� moment that stands out, Kang’s memory travels to the JMA Wireless Dome on a game day.

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

Hannah Kang

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Volume 16 of CHRONOS will be printed this fall.

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

Story by Mikayla Melo

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

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

Carbon Neutrality

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

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

Plastic Reduction

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

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

Food Waste Audits

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

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

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

Earth Month

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

This new system will allow the University to move from its current manual processes to an electronic workflow that increases transparency and efficiency. It will manage the production, execution and storage of contracts by automating workflows, standardizing processes and providing stakeholders with a way to search for and review various University contracts.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

David Seaman

Under Seaman’s leadership, the Libraries has become a driver of discovery and research excellence, with well-curated that align with the needs of University researchers and expert library staff who are engaged broadly across campus. Use of Libraries facilities has also been transformed, with interdisciplinary spaces like the and .

Seaman’s term as dean also saw the Libraries’ Association of Research Libraries ranking rise from 83 to 56 (out of 118 North American research libraries). Additionally, the Libraries was awarded Insight Into Diversity magazine’s 2025 Library Excellence in Access and Diversity Award, and the U.S. Government Publishing Office recognized the Libraries for the best website in the Federal Depository Library Program in 2024.

Seaman’s outreach and representation of the Libraries has served to raise awareness, expand collaborative partnerships on and off campus, drive fundraising, increase innovation and showcase the key role the Libraries plays in the life of the University.

“I am delighted to be reappointed as dean and to continue to ensure that the Libraries are a core element of the ���ϲ����� student experience, a driver of discovery and research excellence and a communal hub for innovation,” Seaman says.��“I am fortunate to work on a campus that values its libraries, and to have such wonderful library colleagues who are committed to our shared mission to catalyze collaborations, foster curiosity and create spaces and services that are welcoming to all.”

Seaman came to ���ϲ����� following library leadership positions at Dartmouth College, the Digital Library Federation and the University of Virginia. He has lectured and published extensively in the fields of humanities computing and digital libraries, and for many years taught a summer course at the University of Virginia’s Rare Book School.

“Dean Lodato took the helm of an already strong school and managed to make it even stronger,” Provost Agnew says. “His energetic and collaborative leadership and his emphasis on innovation, industry partnerships and an exemplary student experience have marked his five years as dean and led to many wins for Newhouse.”

Mark Lodato

Lodato became dean in July 2020, and his tenure has been marked by dynamic forward motion, expansion and success in several key areas for the school.

He was one of the driving forces behind the establishment of the (IDJC) in Washington, D.C., to create new knowledge, foster a more informed and engaged citizenry and better equip students for success in media, communications, policy, governance and citizenship. He also established the undergraduate program, which dovetails with the work of IDJC and further strengthens Newhouse’s robust study away offerings, which also include and .

Under Lodato’s leadership, the school , making a Newhouse education more accessible to new populations and serving as a model for other ���ϲ����� schools and colleges looking to expand online undergraduate education.

Lodato also spearheaded the creation and renovation of several learning spaces at the school. These include the , which provides co-working and co-location space to media and tech startups who want to work with talented Newhouse students, and the new , a hub for undergraduate and graduate students interested in a career in sports communications.

He has increased investment in research and creative activity, which has resulted in more than $7.3 million in sponsored research funding, and articulated the goal of strengthening the connection between communications and technology, particularly through .

Early in his time at Newhouse, Lodato implemented salary equity across Newhouse professional and support staff and faculty. He also has overseen a 17% growth in the faculty, representing a more diverse population.

“Working with the stellar faculty and staff of the Newhouse School has been an incredibly rewarding experience, and it has been my honor and privilege to serve as dean for the past five years,” Lodato says. “I am excited to continue our work together as we expand and realize our shared vision for the future of the school as a place that provides students with the best possible education and training for careers in communications. And I know that collective work is what makes Newhouse the top communications school in the country!”

Lodato joined the Newhouse School after more than 14 years at Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication, where he served as associate dean and associate general manager at Arizona PBS. He previously spent 16 years as an award-winning television reporter and anchor for network affiliate television stations in Washington, D.C., San Francisco, Phoenix and Fort Myers, Florida.

Students explain their board game “Mayhem Matchup” during the 2025 Intelligence++ Inclusive Design Spring Showcase.

The cross-campus �� initiative held its inclusive design showcase on April 29 in Bird Library.��A collaboration between , the College of Visual and Performing Arts’ (VPA) , and the , Intelligence++ is an interdisciplinary initiative focused on inclusive entrepreneurship, design and community.

The initiative is open to both undergraduate and graduate students across the University, including students with intellectual disability from ,��an initiative from the��.

Hosted by Brittany Berry, instructor in the School of Design, the showcase was joined remotely by Gianfranco Zaccai ’70, H’09, co-founder and chief designer of Continuum Innovation, who founded Intelligence++ through his .

The following projects were showcased:

TextPal
Carter Rice ’25 (VPA) and Julia Weinreich ’26 (VPA)
-A peer mentorship app connecting high school students with college students who share similar disability experiences to provide academic, social, and emotional guidance; build community and reduce isolation; and foster long-term support networks and mentorship.

Mayhem MatchUp
Matthew Pass ’26 (College of Arts and Sciences), Dan Zarro ’28 (InclusiveU) and Pinyi Wang ’26 (VPA)
-An inclusive, intuitive board game aimed at developmentally disabled players that has potential both as entertainment and as a tool for recreational therapists.

Sensory ToolKits
Isaac Munce ’28 (VPA) and Andrew Baum ’28 (InclusiveU)
-Build-your-own sensory calming kits that help build “calm, confidence and community for a world that too often forgets sensory needs.”

Solace
Aidan Turner ’25 (School of Architecture), Lucas d’Oelsnitz ’25 (Martin J. Whitman School of Management), Carolyn Fernandes ’25 (VPA) and Aphrodite Gioulekas ’25 (VPA)
-A design company addressing physical discomfort, sensory overload, cognitive disruption and social confidence for neurodivergent individuals through inclusive clothing options. Prototype clothing includes concealed and participatory fidgeting features, clasping cuffs and light and airy (not scratchy) fabrics.

Students from the Utica City School District spent a day on the ���ϲ����� campus as part of an event with a Falk College Sport Management class.

Over the past two months, students from the Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics, under the guidance of Sport Management Assistant Teaching Professor , Ph.D., collaborated with the Integrated Community Alternatives Network () to host a campus visit for middle and high school students from the Utica City School District. The April 18 event aimed to introduce higher education as a future path, while also showcasing the .

A panel of ���ϲ����� student-athletes shared insights into the opportunities and challenges associated with playing sports at the collegiate level (both club and NCAA). The event emphasized experiential learning through the lens of sport for development, highlighting the potential of sport to drive positive social change and empower youth in the local community.

From left, sport management majors Cooper Feldstein and James Tait, Otto the Orange, Sport Management Assistant Teaching Professor Alexia Lopes and ICAN Director Jesenia Wright celebrate their successful April 18 event.

ICAN, a nonprofit organization based in Utica, provides an array of support services to meet the needs of students. Services include a comprehensive program providing behavioral and mental health support within special education classroom settings.

More than 25 Utica students took part in the event, where they enjoyed lunch, games and tours across campus, and even had a photo opportunity with Otto the Orange.

Sport management majors and co-led the class project.

“We spent months working with Dr. Lopes to make this event a success,” Feldstein says. “I’m also incredibly thankful for (ICAN Director) Jesenia Wright for her inspiring work and tireless effort in bringing this vision to life. This event was so special, and I’m excited to see how this partnership grows in the future.”

As Central New York gears up as an advanced manufacturing hub, local and state government, development organizations, educators, unions and tech companies are collaborating on plans to educate and train a workforce capable of making these industrial investments a long-term success.

The employment requirements for alone are 9,000 people over 20 years. The company observes it chose the ���ϲ����� area “partly because of the region’s ‘access to talent.’”

Among area initiatives designed to prepare this talent are the , which includes ���ϲ�����; the University’s Center for Advanced Semiconductor Manufacturing; Empire State Development’s (ON-RAMP); the , developed by teachers unions, Micron and New York State; and ���ϲ����� City School District’s .

Heather Lavender

One scholar deeply invested in how a high tech workforce is trained and how STEM subjects are taught in schools—especially to students from marginalized groups—is , who joined the School of Education in August 2024 as assistant professor of inclusive STEM education.

A microbiologist, Lavender moved from the laboratory to the classroom to explore and improve how children receive science education. Here, Lavender weighs in on discrimination, resourcing schools, how marginalized groups foster innovation, and teaching teachers about equitable STEM education.

Tell us a more about your journey from microbiology to teaching to becoming a professor who researches equitable STEM education.

When I was a researcher among doctoral students who were women and women of color, I saw the abuse they endured. Throughout those years, I watched the tears and held their hair when they were sick due to a demoralizing experience.

I began to think, I could mentor better, and not just to women. I could offer equity of mentorship … Then at some point I thought, there is a space where you could reach even more people, further down the chain of education—influence how children learn.

I have always said, when it comes to education, I’m “girl crazy!” As a black female who worked in STEM, I’m all in for girls of color. That’s not to say I am not into helping others, but it’s a juggling act.

How do you address equitable STEM education among pre-service teachers?

Recently, I had my elementary education students read “” … from “Rethinking Schools.”

In the essay, a teacher tells of one of her first graders—Allison—who dresses in clothes more typical of a boy and who wants to be called Allie. She is obviously uncomfortable in class. The teacher writes about her journey to make Allie feel like she belongs.

“I realized,” writes the teacher over again as she strives to make all her children feel comfortable with their choices and thus be more accepting of Allie. These lessons including having the class think about the toys they play with: are Legos only for little boys? What if a boy feels like playing with a doll?

Children’s activities with toys leads to STEM activity that is marketed and labeled by gender. My research shows that if a girl is prevented from playing with a toys labeled for boys, that girl can be hindered from following a path toward STEM.

“When you say nothing, you say something,” I tell my students. There are times when the nothing you say is louder.

Current criticisms of DEIA initiatives in education might suggest that equity in STEM fields has been achieved—is that really true?

During the Super Bowl in 2022, a addressing women and STEM careers. PSAs are for matters of public urgency. They run for free, and this is the most expensive airtime of the year. Tell me, if more women choosing STEM was a matter of public urgency in 2022, do we think that urgency has dissipated?

The marginalization of women and women of color in STEM is still urgent. It’s important for pre-service teachers to know this. I want them to have been in an education class in which it is important to discuss these matters.

Women, women of color and individuals within marginalized communities have uniquely different challenges. When they bring these challenges, they bring additional solutions. That is innovation, and it helps to fuel innovation.

What is the biggest barrier to marginalized children taking up STEM learning and careers?

Resources. That includes the science and technology resources inside of schools, as well as the social capital that comes with neighborhoods and families.

I have seen this barrier in my teaching career. When I worked with visually impaired students, I found their lack of access was similar to that of girls and women. It’s not that these students didn’t want to be in STEM, they didn’t have access to the resources that would help them. You want to make sure these students can do experiments, but even converting a book into braille is a lot of work.

My research shows that children of color and of lower socio-economic status are not funneled into advanced math and science courses. It’s not that those students are uninterested; they are not funneled toward those resources. My research aims to shed light on these inequities.

What is your advice for companies looking to develop the high-tech workforce in Central New York?

I have heard that we should look at these things from the company’s perspective, which is to think about the return on investment.

But if you are a company that is only interested in workforce development for high school students, you are not entirely helping. By the time kids get to high school, they may have made up their mind to do STEM, so you might be looking just to convert a kid from chemistry to technology.

You have got to look at the kid who wants to do neither at that age. Look at the kid who is getting straight Ds or the kid who wants to drop out. Those are the students a tech firm needs to capture, but you are fighting a significantly harder battle to capture their interest.

Manufacturers need to step back and question the length of return on their investment. They should continue to attract high schoolers, but don’t just fertilize the plant already grown, fertilize the seed in elementary school.

They need to find a team of collaborators to help them grow the workforce. They need to invest in resources and people already here. We have local nonprofits and researchers at ���ϲ����� that are working with younger populations. These individuals are all trying to cultivate elementary aged kids into STEM, but they might not know each other.

Imagine the impact on Central New York if we all came together.