Students participate in Friday Jumuah Prayer with the Muslim Chaplaincy at Hendricks Chapel.

From March 3 through March 10, the campus and larger Syracuse communities are invited to Interfaith Exploration Week, to explore Hendricks Chapel’s programs and services across a span of religious and spiritual traditions and practices.

Interfaith Exploration Week is designed especially for those curious about new traditions, those seeking to reconnect with their own beliefs, and those who wish to spark and sustain relationships with those of diverse perspectives. The full schedule is available at .

The programs reflect some of the chapel’s regular weekly schedule of events and services, which are always open to all. During Interfaith Exploration Week, however, program leaders will take special care to welcome newcomers and guide them through the process and perspectives of each respective tradition and practice.

Programs and services during Interfaith Exploration Week are open to all. None of the events require advance knowledge or preparation, nor do they require special clothing. For Muslim prayer on Friday, March 4, women are recommended to wear a head covering if they wish to participate, but not if they wish to simply observe.

The week will officially begin with an open house on March 3 from 4-6 p.m. in the chapel’s Noble Room.�� Chaplains, religious and spiritual life advisors, and student leaders will greet attendees, share information about various spaces of the chapel, and answer questions about religious and spiritual traditions and practices represented at Hendricks Chapel. Light refreshments will be provided, inclusive of a variety of dietary needs including vegetarian, gluten-free, Halal and Kosher options.

Those curious about exploring new traditions and reconnecting with those of their past will find a variety of options available during the remainder of the week. Programs include Hindu storytelling through dance, Christian bible studies, Buddist meditations, prayer groups for various faiths, a gospel music premiere and a traditional Hamantaschen cookie baking night for the Jewish holiday of Purim.

A special concert featuring the Hendricks Chapel Choir, Syracuse University Singers and the vocal jazz ensembles from the Setnor School of Music will close out the week. The choirs will perform a high-energy blend of traditional text and modern musical elements including jazz, funk and Latin popular styles.�� The concert will take place March 10 at 7:30 p.m. in Hendricks Chapel’s Main Chapel.

The choirs will perform with singers from the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam, as well as a jazz orchestra comprised of six national-quality jazz instrumentalists in collaboration with Syracuse University jazz faculty and four students from the Setnor School of Music’s Jazz and Commercial Music program.

“Interfaith Exploration Week is an opportunity to create and sustain curiosity, understanding and expression,”,says Brian Konkol, dean of Hendricks Chapel. “We hope that all participants can learn about others, and also learn about themselves, all in service to our common good.”

Interfaith Exploration Week is organized by the Student Assembly of Interfaith Leaders (SAIL), chaplains, religious and spiritual life group advisors, and staff of Hendricks Chapel. The idea for the program came from student leaders that participated in an training during the fall semester.

Those with questions about Interfaith Exploration Week are invited to contact Hendricks Chapel by email at chapel@syr.edu or by phone at 315.443.2901. Additional information about chaplains and religious and spiritual life group advisors can be found at the .

“It’s the first time you get to hear your piece performed live in front of an audience, which is an exhilarating experience. It’s really the debut of your creative output,” says Natalie Draper, an accomplished composer and assistant professor in the Setnor School of Music in the College of Visual and Performing Arts.

Audiences in Syracuse and beyond will be able to witness no less than four world premieres during this semester’s Music and Message series at Hendricks Chapel, as Setnor School faculty and students present new music by Clarice Assad, João Luiz, Ian Shaw and Ivan Božičević. Music and Message programs take place at the chapel on Sundays at 4 p.m., unless otherwise noted, beginning Feb. 13 through May 8.

A world premiere is also a big deal for the performer entrusted to share a new work with an audience for the first time, and it often involves months of devoted practice and regular communication with the composer.

Duo Sonidos members Adam Levin and William Knuth

Duo Sonidos, a string duo made up of William Knuth, assistant professor of violin in the Setnor School, and classical guitarist Adam Levin, from the University of Rhode Island and the Kithara Project, are active promoters of new music. The musicians sought out new works by Brazilian composers Clarice Assad and João Luiz after receiving grant funding for the compositions from the Augustine Foundation and a 2021 VPA Research and Creative Grant.

The duo will perform them on March 6, as part of the ongoing Malmgren Concert Series, and will feature music of the Americas from 20th and 21st��centuries with Assad and Luiz’s pieces as anchors. The composers, who will be on campus for the premiere performances, plan to introduce their works to the audience and meet with student composers and musicians during their stay.

“Adam and I are extremely excited to premiere these works at Syracuse University,” says Knuth. “As performers, some of the most exciting moments in our careers come from receiving a new piece of music and having the chance to peel away the layers of discovery as we breathe life into the music for the first time.”

Knuth says that, as an artist, he feels a great sense of responsibility to the composer. “I always feel as if we are caring for or adopting someone’s newborn child with all the fragility and unmapped landscape that comes with such an experience.”

Assad and Luiz are both multi-Grammy Award nominees, and Assad’s current release has been nominated for four Grammy Awards.

“They are both virtuosic performers in their own right, as well, and have very unique compositional voices incorporating elements of Brazilian rhythm, music and cultural concepts into the pieces,” says Knuth.��“It is an honor to have these artists join our community for this event.”

Prize-winning works from Hendricks Chapel’s first-ever organ commission competition will receive their premiere performances on April 10. This new competition for solo organ works—led by Natalie Draper and University Organist Anne Laver—generated more than 100 submissions in its inaugural year. Ian Shaw’s “Solomon and the Gnat” received first prize and Ivan Božičević’s “Rivers of Eden” received second prize.

Laver, assistant professor of applied music and performance in the Setnor School, and Alex Meszler, instructor in the Setnor School, will perform the works. The program will also include new organ works by student composers.

“Creating space for new music is one way we can diversify the musical experience, both for listeners and performers,” says Laver, also the artistic director of the Music and Message series. “Our students are searching for ways to make music relevant. Engaging composers who create for our current time and place is one of the ways we can do that. We hope the experience of hearing new music and meeting living composers will inspire them to continue this work in their own musical careers.”

The performances mentioned above are only a sampling of the wide range of music that will be presented on the weekly Music and Message series. Other new music highlights include a performance of “Mass of Reconciliation” for choirs and jazz/funk band composed by José “Peppie” Calvar, associate professoe of applied music and performance and assistant director of choral activities in the Setnor School, on Thursday, March 10. Setnor School choirs will present a variety of new music on Sunday, Feb. 27; Tuesday, April 19 and Sunday, May 1. The series will also include many performances of music from earlier centuries.

The Malmgren Concert Series is now woven throughout the Music and Message programs, still featuring the organ, Esther Malmgren’s beloved instrument.

All are welcome to attend programs in-person at Hendricks Chapel or online through Zoom. Visit for the Zoom link and additional program information, including a full schedule of performances.

Iris St. Meran

“Iris St. Meran is an excellent journalist, dedicated community member and beloved thought leader,” says the Rev. Brian Konkol, dean of Hendricks Chapel. “As we seek to honor the life and legacy of a leader who brought hope and healing to our world, the Celebration Planning Committee believed Iris was the right person for this important time, and we were delighted when she accepted our invitation to participate.”

The featured speaker at this year’s celebration is Martin Luther King III, a civil rights activist, global humanitarian, political leader and eldest son of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. King will speak to his father’s legacy under the theme, “We Are Part of the Dream.” The celebration is the largest of its kind on a college campus and features performances, dinner and the presentation of the Unsung Hero Awards.

Registration for the event is free and open to all on Syracuse University’s��.

About Iris St. Meran

Iris St. Meran has created a special connection with Central New York and Syracuse as a television��news��reporter at NewsChannel 9 and, previously, as��anchor at Spectrum News. St. Meran pursued her degree in journalism at Emerson College in in her hometown of Boston, Massachusetts.

She started her career as a desk assistant and web producer at New England Cable News. St. Meran quickly immersed herself in the local community after moving to Upstate New York in 2008.

Throughout her career, St. Meran has covered a number of impactful, life-changing stories. She earned a first-place award from the New York Associated Press for her series “Addicted: Heroin’s Hold.” That series is an example of St. Meran’s passion for telling stories that make a difference in the lives of her viewers. In another multipart series, “Troubled Water: Crisis in Flint,” St. Meran found inspiration in that Michigan community’s ability to come together in the midst of crisis.

St. Meran serves on the boards of the Gifford Foundation and the YMCA of Central New York.��She also co-hosts a podcast called “The Ladies’ Room,” which features women making an impact in their communities. St. Meran loves animals and has two rescue dogs. She has run the Utica Boilermaker 5K. She also enjoys the area’s vibrant history.��She has spent her time here meeting the people, participating in the activities and exploring the places so special to Central New York.

The Unsung Hero Award is given to community members, students, faculty and staff who have made positive impacts on the lives of others but are not widely recognized for their contributions. The awards were created to honor Dr. King’s vision of creating positive change in a troubled world.

The award winners will be recognized at the 37th annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration. The event will be held online on Sunday, Jan. 30, at 7 p.m. featuring keynote speaker Martin Luther King III. Registration for the celebration is open to all and available on the .

This year’s Unsung Hero recipients are:

Nathena Murray ’22 (Syracuse University Student)

Nathena Murray, a senior medicinal chemistry and neuroscience major in the College of Arts and Sciences, is a heavily engaged member of the Syracuse community both on and off campus.

Nathena Murray ’22

Murray has deeply impacted and inspired her peers through her involvement in various organizations on campus. She had made a lasting impact through her involvement with the Juvenile Urban Multicultural Program, known as J.U.M.P. Nation, where she and her collaborators work to decrease the high school dropout rate while increasing the enrollment into institutions such as Syracuse University. Murray also serves as a mentor for the WellsLink Leadership Program, where she oversees approximately five students and ensures that they are succeeding both academically and socially. Murray is a 2021-22 Remembrance Scholar, one of the highest honors bestowed upon students by Syracuse University.

“As a strong woman of color on campus, Nathena has not only changed students’ lives, but she has also inspired others to find their own voice and call to action by embracing their own identities and lived experiences,” says friend Jazmine Richardson ’22.

In addition to her work on campus, Murray is also actively involved in the greater Syracuse community. She volunteers weekly at the Rahma Health Clinic, which provides free healthcare to uninsured, under-insured and underserved adults within the South Side community. The clinic seeks ways to address and stem the disproportionate number of people who are admitted to hospitals suffering from preventable illnesses. She has served patients at Crouse Hospital, continues to serve several families with the CNY Eastern Farm Workers Association as part of their benefit advocacy team, and as a Remembrance Scholar has helped coordinate a clothing drive across campus for newly resettled Afghan refugees in Syracuse. Murray is a multifaceted leader within the community and has provided hope through her work in numerous organizations on campus and in the Syracuse community.

Peipei Liu ’23 (Syracuse University Student)

Chenhui “Peipei” Liu, a junior television, radio and film student in the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, works to lift up and connect her fellow international students on campus.

Peipei Liu ’23

Liu embodies her motto, “Living to make this world a better place.” She is currently an editor at WeMedia Lab, a Chinese new media team that creates content to promote multicultural communication and build connections between international students and Syracuse University. Her commitment to this work began her freshman year, when she lived in Day Hall and was directly impacted by racist incidents that occurred. She worked with her resident advisors to create a campaign of positivity called #SUnite. Along with other residents, Liu wrote positive phrases, such as “Spread Love,” on stickers and posted them throughout the building. Later that year, Liu continued to advocate for inclusion and unity through an award-winning screenplay titled “Sun-Kissed Orange.” The play highlighted how those who are different from each other can still relate to one another.

Liu uses her passion for film, storytelling and communication in a wide variety of student organizations, allowing her to build bridges throughout campus. She is the cinemas assistant for University Union; a staff writer at The OutCrowd magazine, the University’s only student-run LGBTQIA+ publication; the interchapter chair for the Delta Kappa Alpha cinematic fraternity, where she brings her perspectives as an international student to promote diversity and inclusivity; and a mentor in the Orange Success Mentoring Program, where she helps her mentees to adjust to life on campus. Liu has also served as a peer educator at the Barnes Center at the Arch, where she was able to help international students, especially Chinese students, who face a language barrier in accessing support services.

In addition to her extensive involvement on campus, Liu also creates positive changes around the globe. In the first months of 2020, when her hometown of Wuhan, China, suffered from an extreme shortage of medical supplies, she assisted the WeMedia Lab staff members who organized the fundraising project “A Hand for Wuhan.” The initiative supported the purchase and delivery of personal protective equipment to hospitals in Wuhan. When Liu later experienced discrimination because of her Wuhanese identity, she advocated for herself and her Asian and Chinese peers by creating a “Fight Virus, Not Us” campaign, and she created a music video, titled “Embrace You,” with friends to spread love and support during this difficult time. She also created an Instagram account named “The Wuhan You Didn’t Know” as part of this advocacy work.

“Every time I watch this music video, it is so encouraging and powerful that my heart is filled with tears and warmth. I admire her courage to go out and speak for herself, and I see her social responsibility shine through this,” says friend Ze Zeng ’22. “As her close friend, I know Peipei indeed embodies Dr. King’s legacy.”

David Knapp and Joanna Spitzner ’92 (Syracuse University Faculty)

David Knapp, assistant professor of music education in the Setnor School of Music and School of Education, and Joanna Spitzner, associate professor of studio arts in the School of Art, have gone above and beyond in their support of The SENSES Project.

David Knapp

SENSES, which stands for “Studying an Environment that Nurtures Self Exploration in Students,” is a CUSE Grant funded project that seeks to increase sense of belonging by teaching sound recording to marginalized students in the Arthur O. Eve Higher Education Program (HEOP) and TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) programs. The project provides these students the equipment, instruction and space for self-exploration and expression through music and podcasting.

Both Professors Spitzner and Knapp volunteer their time and energy because they believe in trying a new and creative way to increase marginalized students’ sense of belonging.

Knapp was instrumental in setting up the Audio Lab and provided guidance on layout, hardware and software, as well as research design and methodology. He has also connected other key volunteers and supporters to the program. Willing to help in any way he can, Knapp also came in throughout the summer to help unpack boxes, move furniture and set up equipment.

Joanna Spitzner

Spitzner is the primary faculty partner for the podcasting program and has consulted on equipment, software and programming ideas. In summer 2021, she designed and implemented the first summer podcasting program and trained students and staff on how to use podcasting equipment and edit recordings. Spitzner also created The SENSES Project’s website, logo and other essential materials.

“Our team believes that Professors Spitzner and Knapp personify the spirit of the Unsung Hero Award, which recognizes members of the campus community who demonstrate selfless dedication to bring about positive change,” says Amy Messersmith, associate director for SSS. “A major goal of The SENSES Project is to create a ‘beloved community’ and facilitate campus unification by providing a solution-focused diversity and inclusion intervention that has the potential to improve the campus climate as a whole. Due to Professor Knapp and Professor Spitzner’s guidance and dedication, we are now moving towards this vision.”

Vince Cobb Sr. (Syracuse University Staff)

Vince Cobb Sr., media technology consultant and engineer at the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, plays a vital role in the lives of Black students at Newhouse and in the Syracuse community—particularly on the South Side.

Vince Cobb Sr.

At Newhouse, Cobb oversees a vital part of the school called “the Cage,” where all of the multimedia equipment is stored. This space that has tripled in the last decade, and Cobb now manages a team of more than 30 student workers who track the school’s cameras, audio equipment, tripods and lights. He is also responsible for research and development of new and emerging technologies and plays an important role in keeping Newhouse students current with industry standards in their production courses. This is also where he trains classes of students as they learn to become multimedia storytellers. Cobb’s connection to the Orange family runs deep, too—three of his four children graduated from Syracuse University.

Cobb has a reputation for being student-focused and for creating a welcoming, supportive and safe space for all students, and for Black students in particular. He acts as a mentor, creates listening sessions to ensure they are seen and heard, and helps them secure jobs. Cobb also serves on the school’s Inclusivity, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility Committee, advising on schoolwide policies and programs, as well as creating some of his own over the years. Liz Curinga, a computer consultant at Newhouse, says he has helped create dialogue between faculty, staff and students that increased mutual understanding. “Vince Cobb makes it his mission to ensure students feel a sense of community here on campus,” she says.

Cobb’s understanding of engineering, skill at new media technology and care for his community extend beyond the doors of Newhouse. For example, he has worked with the Genesis Health Project based within the University since 2005, which focuses on the health and wellness of the African American and minority communities. He created the Youth Advocacy Mentoring Program, which supports dozens of inner-city students in the areas of math and science through tutoring and campus visits to Syracuse University to reinforce the importance of education. Cobb also volunteers as a youth basketball coach for the Amateur Athletic Union.

Using his professional expertise in recording technology, Cobb has empowered marginalized students and community members to make their voices heard. In the community, he created the Inner-City Media and News Team, which paired Newhouse students of color with junior-high and high-school students as they wrote scripts, reported the news and conducted production and editing workshops using a full production facility that he built himself and set up at his local church. At the church, Greater Evangelical Church of God in Christ, he serves as the media and technology director and deacon. He has trained multiple generations to use camera technology, and also broadcasts services to a broader audience. On campus, he has recently become involved in The SENSES Project, which seeks to increase sense of belonging by teaching sound recording to marginalized students.

During a recent professional-in-residency program at Newhouse, Cobb went above and beyond his job description to serve the community. Media industry leader Natasha Alford, a Syracuse local, remembered Cobb from her time at Nottingham High School and requested his involvement by name. Cobb was instrumental in setting up visits to three local high schools; an op-ed writing workshop at the South Side Innovation Center, which attracted more than a dozen community leaders; and a talk Alford gave at Cobb’s church, which he broadcast on social media.

“A father of four, Vince is a man fueled by faith, driven by a mission to serve, uplift and support his community, and a champion of the freedom afforded by education,” says Professor Melissa Chessher, interim associate dean for diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility at Newhouse.

Institute of Technology at Syracuse Central (ITC) Varsity Football Team (Community Youth)

A group of 17 varsity football players from the Institute of Technology at Syracuse Central (ITC), a Syracuse City School District high school, embodies the essence of Dr. King as its members have the distinct courage to create positive change in a troubled world.

Institute of Technology at Syracuse Central (ITC) Varsity Football Team

After a heartbreaking football season, these young men decided to turn their pain into purpose. They began the 2021 season 0-3, and then won five straight games and made a historic run as the first football team in school history to win a playoff game. They were well disciplined, coached and nurtured by the best every week. But just when they were at their highest point, they suffered their most difficult loss, and their season ended before they could make it to the championships.

While that could have been the end of their time as a team, defensive all-star Isaiah A. Goodrich, one of the team’s leaders on and off the field, decided to take a chance and invite his teammates to volunteer with him at his church’s Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway. He thought it would be an opportunity for them to bond, be together again and “show the community that we are more than just athletes, we are scholars, and we truly care about what happens to the kids and families in our community,” he says. Sixteen players, along with Head Coach Cedric Stevens, responded to his invitation, and they all arrived in their jerseys ready to engage with and serve the very community in which they were born and raised. They helped distribute more than 400 meals that day and were very well received by the other volunteers, so much so that they were asked to come back again.

The team members who volunteered are Carlos Almeyda, Aydan Archie, Jordan I. Crouch, Miguel Cruz, Isaiah A. Goodrich, Shiloh W. Mantock, Gregory O’Selmo, Prince E. Perry, David Rodriguez, Abraham B. Saywon, Tre’Juer M. Sledge, Tyshawn Taylor, Nathaniel Teska-Prince, Adrian J. Thornton, Daron Torrence, Ashton Williams and Avery Williams.

Many of these young men also served at the Annual Bike Giveaway Setup in December. Taylor, the team’s lead all-star wide receiver, vowed to continue serving forever. “I have never been asked to do something like this before. It made me feel so good helping other people and being with my teammates. I hope we can keep doing it next year, our last year together,” he says.

Taylor’s wish came true. In just a few short months, members of the team worked together to create a lasting legacy and impact among those who look to them as role models. Goodrich once again reached out and pulled some of his teammates together to develop and implement the “Athletes for Community Engagement” (ACE) program in an effort to inspire and celebrate the academic accomplishments of other young athletes in the City of Syracuse, and to encourage them to be actively engaged in their communities. As part of this program, they launched Kicks for Kings, which raised close to $1,000 in one week to buy brand-new sneakers, personalized sweatshirts and other items for five middle-school athletes who made significant progress on their report cards last marking period, and who may demonstrate a need.

“Young people have always led societal change, and I believe that these young men, this next generation, will demand and create the necessary change we need in this city as they lead by example. Dr. King would be ever so proud. As an educator and African American woman, this gives me real hope for the future,” says Octavia Wilcox, retired Syracuse City School District principal and administrator.

Ocesa Keaton ��’15 (Community Member)

Ocesa Keaton is a licensed social worker who uses her degree and tireless effort to engage and empower the citizens of Syracuse.

Ocesa Keaton G’15

Coincidentally, Keaton not only shares the same birthday as Dr. King, but also his belief that one should “make a career of humanity” and “commit to the noble struggle of equal rights.” She is a vocal community member that advocates for equal access for Syracuse’s most marginalized community members. Her approach is centered on the belief that poverty is not a morality issue, but a broken systems issue. Leading the efforts of the anti-poverty initiative Greater Syracuse H.O.P.E., Keaton helped create 49 new jobs in neighborhoods with the highest rates of concentrated poverty. Additionally, she collaborated with CenterState CEO and the City of Syracuse to help create the “Syracuse Build: Pathways to Apprenticeship” initiative, which is a paid training program that prepares minorities, women and veterans for a career in skilled trades where they are traditionally an underrepresented group.

During the initial days of the pandemic, Keaton did not let having lupus prevent her from helping her community, and constantly found ways to be of service despite her condition.�� She worked alongside several community agencies to coordinate food giveaways and neighborhood check-ins. She used the information gathered from the neighborhood check-ins to create the COVID-19 Experience Survey, which helped pinpoint the immediate needs of distressed Syracuse neighborhoods during the early days of the pandemic.

Keaton’s choice in volunteer projects also reflects her belief in building strong communities. She is a member of the Junior League Community Collaboration Committee. She also helped create a new supply closet for the Samaritan Center and participated in STEM Day for Dr. King Elementary. Additionally, she is a member of the Soulful Saturday Book Club that launched a free book library at Café Sankofa, featuring black women authors. Keaton believes that literacy is key to building self-sufficient and stable communities. She has been involved in efforts to inform community members of their voting rights, rights as workers, and disability advocacy. Keaton is as equally passionate about her family as she is about the community. She is a godmother to her two younger cousins and attends parent-teacher conferences, basketball games and any activities they participate in.

“Ocesa inspires hope in myself and others because she will defend Syracuse against anyone who speaks negatively over the future of this city,” says relative Helen Kinsey. “Ocesa has taken the negative statistics and attitude about the community and used them as fuel to show our youth and her peers what is possible. I could not be prouder of my niece’s work and dedication to the community.”

Beverly Oliver (Community Member)

Beverly Oliver has been serving the Onondaga County community for over 35 years, meeting one of the most critical needs in our society: high quality early child care and afterschool programming.

Beverly Oliver

Oliver is the founder and operator of the After School and Early Learning Program (LASP) located at C. Grant Grimshaw Elementary in LaFayette. The rural town of LaFayette and the Onondaga Nation include a Title I school system that has a high percentage of children from low-income families. Across the country, there are disparities in what groups have access to quality early childhood programming. According to the National Association for the Education of Young Children, early childhood is a uniquely vulnerable and valuable time in the human life cycle. Because of Oliver, children and families in LaFayette and the Onondaga Nation have had accessible programming that lays the foundation of healthy development, creating promising trajectories for all later learning and development.

LASP began as a small program that utilized spaces in community centers and churches. Today, Oliver operates a full, wrap-around program that offers preschool programming, afterschool and summer programming with a focus on inclusion, equity, kindness and compassion.

High quality childcare services are scarce, and that has only worsened during the pandemic. Extraordinarily, Oliver made a courageous decision to remain open over the past two years, where she continued to provide critical services to children and families in Onondaga County year round. In a time where she had planned to retire, Oliver has continued to serve, taking on additional shifts to make sure all programs are covered. She also organized a professional development opportunity for the LaFayette Central School District where participants sharpen skills in recognizing stress in young children and learn supportive strategies to address the increased mental health needs of children that have been magnified by COVID-19.

Oliver has also worked with the children under her care to make sure their voices are heard. In the spirit of listening to and learning from others, she organized a group of children to attend the After School Advocacy Day in Albany, New York, charting a course of action. Oliver lifted the voices of the children, creating an opportunity for them to develop self-advocacy skills and express their needs in the state capital. As a result, the LaFayette Central School District received a grant to support five years of after school programming.

Oliver’s commitments extend far beyond LASP. She is involved in numerous community organizations and all of the LaFayette School District schools. “Oliver’s strong connection to the deep understandings shared and her participation in all community activities is an additional testament to her devotion to honoring the community,” says Simone Gonyea, principal of the Onondaga Nation School.

Oliver has also worked closely with Citizens United Revitalizing Neighborhoods and Light a Candle for Literacy in Syracuse, providing children positive developmental experiences through pen pal programs, recreational camping and art activities. Children from both Syracuse and LaFayette came together to further understandings of how we all live together while valuing diverse living environments.

“Mrs. Oliver and her work reminds us that we all have a responsibility to our nation’s children,” says Colleen Cameron, professor of practice in human development and family science in the David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics and a volunteer with LASP. “The courage to create positive change in the world requires one to be altruistic, and a kinder and more compassionate society exists because of Mrs. Oliver.”

Three options for spring break include service trips to work with underserved youth in the Bronx or respond to tornado damage in Kentucky, and a mission trip to provide spiritual care to spring breakers on South Padre Island, Texas. The group will also return to Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, in May 2022 to support long-term disaster relief and community development.

All Syracuse University and SUNY-ESF students are welcome to participate. There will be an open interest and information meeting on Jan. 30 from 12:30-1:30 p.m. in the Noble Room of Hendricks Chapel.

Christian Outreach is working closely with University staff to ensure a safe experience for all students. These trips, as with all University programs, are subject to public health conditions and CDC guidelines.

�����Ի� are due Sunday, Feb. 6 at 11:59 p.m. Please note: Applying does not commit you to attending.

has participated in disaster relief, crisis response and spiritual service trips for more than 10 years. One of their primary partners is Send Relief, who they will work with in Kentucky and Puerto Rico.

“Send Relief depends on the leadership of community organizers, like local pastors, to identify communities who need assistance and meet those specific needs,” says Baptist Chaplain Devon Bartholomew.

Students working with Christian Outreach in Puerto Rico in spring 2019.

Learn more about the upcoming opportunities:

Bronx: March 12-18

Be part of a New York City church’s holistic approach to community development in Mott Haven, a neighborhood in the Bronx, through after school programming, English as a Second Language�� education and facilities projects.

Texas: March 12-18

Join other Christian college students on South Padre Island, Texas, to meet needs in Christ’s name and proclaim his love to thousands of spring breakers. Please note: This trip is best suited for people willing to provide Christ-inspired spiritual care to people in need.

Kentucky: March 12-18

Respond to an immediate relief need for those impacted by tornadoes in Kentucky by participating in debris clean-up, organizing donations and distributing goods to families in need.

Puerto Rico: May 21-27

Support local churches in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, with projects such as long term disaster relief, adoption and foster care support, church planting, and sustainable community development.

For questions, contact Kate Bartholomew at kawolcot@syr.edu.

Martin Luther King III

Martin Luther King III, a civil rights activist, global humanitarian, political leader and eldest son of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., will serve as featured speaker for the 37th annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration, which will take place virtually on Sunday, Jan. 30.

Registration for the event is free and open to all on Syracuse University’s .

This annual event at Syracuse University is the largest of its kind on a college campus. The program seeks to honor the life and legacy of Dr. King, and is intended to be a direct expression of Syracuse University’s commitment to advancing academic excellence in a University welcoming to all.

This year’s theme is “We Are Part of the Dream.”

About the Speaker

As the eldest son of the late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King, Martin Luther King III serves as an ambassador of his parents’ legacy of nonviolent social change.

A graduate of his father’s alma mater, Morehouse College, King has promoted peace, led demonstrations and pushed for effective legislation through innovative strategies and inspiring action to drive institutional, political and social movements.

King has served as elected member of the Board of Commissioners for Fulton County, Georgia, elected president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and president and CEO of the Atlanta-based King Center.

As founder and president of Realizing the Dream Inc., King took his father’s message to a global audience, spearheading nonviolence training in Bosnia and Herzegovina, India, Israel, Palestine, Kenya, Sri Lanka and the United States. He also co-founded Bounce TV, the first independently owned and operated TV network featuring African Americans.

“We are overjoyed to welcome Martin Luther King III as our featured speaker,” says the Rev. Brian Konkol, dean of Hendricks Chapel. “As we seek to honor the life and legacy of a leader who brought hope and healing to our world, the opportunity to feature Martin Luther King III is an exciting and historic opportunity, and his presence and participation will surely have a longstanding and powerful impact for our campus community.”

About the Celebration

This year marks the 37th year for the MLK Celebration, which will include King’s address, campus community performances and presentation of this year’s Unsung Hero Awards. Due to COVID-19 and a commitment to health and safety, the 2022 MLK Celebration will be held fully online on Sunday, Jan. 30, beginning at 7 p.m. ET.

American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation and captioning will be available for the event.

For more information about the event or to request accommodations, please contact Hendricks Chapel at��chapel@syr.edu or 315.443.2901.

The Unsung Hero Award nominations are due on Wednesday, Dec. 15, at 11:59 p.m. Nomination forms can be found at .

The annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration seeks to honor the life and legacy of a leader who brought hope and healing to our world, and is a direct expression of Syracuse University’s commitment to fostering and supporting an inclusive, accessible campus community of opportunity for a richly diverse student body.

The Unsung Hero Awards celebrate individuals who exemplify the spirit, life and teachings of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. yet have not received widespread recognition or been previously honored for their efforts.

Nominations may be made in any of the following categories:

• youth/teen from Onondaga, Madison, Oswego, Cayuga or Cortland counties
• adult from Onondaga, Madison, Oswego, Cayuga or Cortland counties
• currently enrolled student at Syracuse University or SUNY ESF
• faculty or staff from Syracuse University or SUNY ESF

The 2022 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration will take place on Jan. 23, 2022, in the stadium. Further information will be announced in the coming weeks at .

For questions regarding the Unsung Hero Awards, please contact Hendricks Chapel at chapel@syr.edu.

On Sunday, Dec. 5, performances will take place in Hendricks Chapel at 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. ET. The recorded virtual concert will premiere on Sunday, Dec. 12 at 7 p.m. ET.

Registration is required for all in-person and online programs and is now open at . All concerts are free and open to the public.

New this year, guests for the in-person concerts can select the row they will sit in throughout the performance. In accordance with University policy, guests will be required to wear masks indoors at all times and outdoors in the presence of others.

An ongoing tradition hosted by Hendricks Chapel and the Setnor School of Music in the College of Visual and Performing Arts, Holidays at Hendricks celebrates the sounds of the season and is anchored by the Hendricks Chapel Choir and its director José “Peppie” Calvar, associate professor of applied music and performance and assistant director of choral activities in the Setnor School.

The student-centered concert features performances from:

• Asriel Davis, a graduate student majoring in organ performance in the Setnor School, and Anne Laver, University organist and assistant professor of applied music and performance in the Setnor School, on the Hendricks Chapel organ;
• Syracuse University Symphony Orchestra directed by James Tapia, associate professor of applied music and performance in the Setnor School;
• The international award-winning Syracuse University Singers under the direction of John Warren, professor of applied music and performance and director of choral activities in the Setnor School;
• Crouse Chorale and Setnor Sonority directed by Wendy Moy, assistant professor of music education in the Setnor School and the School of Education, and Peppie Calvar, respectively; and
• The first-ever “Holidays at Hendricks” appearance by Syracuse University’s big band, the Morton Schiff Jazz Ensemble, directed by John Coggiola, associate professor and chair of music education in the Setnor School and the School of Education.

“Our emergence from the COVID-19 pandemic is slow, but steady and safe. Our ensembles continue to make music together in person using masks and other protective measures. We’re grateful to have had the opportunity to come together to make music in a time when so many musicians have been unable to do so,” says Calvar. “We’re also grateful to Brian Konkol, dean of Hendricks Chapel, for his leadership in continuing to provide support for you to enjoy our students’ work in Hendricks Chapel or wherever you may be.”

Public parking is free and available on a first-come, first-served basis in Irving Garage and the Hillside lot. Those who require accessible parking or would like more information about the event may call Hendricks Chapel at 315.443.2901 or email��chapel@syr.edu.

Communication Access Realtime Translation and American Sign Language interpretation will be provided at in-person concerts. Captioning will be provided at the virtual concert. Doors to Hendricks Chapel will open 30 minutes prior to each concert start time.

For more information, visit��. Hendricks Chapel will also post regular updates about the event through its��,�������Ի������貹�����.

The competition, supported by donors to Hendricks Chapel and Advancement and External Affairs, encouraged registered student organizations to rally their members and supporters to make a gift during Boost the ’Cuse in the organization’s honor.

“This friendly competition directly supports Hendricks Chapel’s mission to inspire, support and develop student leaders who work to build community on campus,” says Rev. Brian Konkol, dean of Hendricks Chapel. “We are thrilled to provide this opportunity for students to embrace philanthropy and strengthen belonging within the student community.”

Student leaders, faculty and staff advisors and University leaders gathered for the celebratory dinner in Hendricks Chapel’s Noble Room. The program included remarks by Dean Konkol, thanking the student organizations for their hard work and leadership.

Student leaders and advisors of the Student Organization Challenge winners gathered in Hendricks Chapel on Nov. 10 for a celebratory dinner.

Leaders of the recognized organizations have many ideas for how they will use the grants.

“Being an entirely student-run musical theatre organization, we are so thankful and excited to use this money toward funding our production of Grease this spring,” says Vivi Collymore ’22, First Year Players co-producer.

“It means a lot being able to allocate this money toward our show that provides first-year and transfer students the opportunity to continue their passion of theatre and find a sense of community on campus,” adds Sydni Tougas ’22, also a First Year Players co-producer.

“We will use this wonderful gift to continue the work that WeMedia Lab is doing. Our responsibility is to promote cultural exchanges on the Syracuse University campus using different social platforms,” says Ze Zeng ’22, director for WeMedia Lab. “WeMedia Lab is committed to using this gift to develop better communication channels between international students and the administration, having inclusive events and more.”

Many groups were also grateful for the contributions of the alumni and supporters who gave during Boost the ’Cuse and helped them earn this grant.

“This gift and the support from our alumni mean the world to us. They want to see our station grow just as much as we do,” says Alycia Cypress ’24, alumni relations director for CitrusTV.

Learn more about Hendricks Chapel’s mission and programs at .

She will join Hendricks Chapel Dean Brian Konkol for a live virtual conversation on Thursday, Oct. 21, at 7 p.m. ET. They will discuss healing as individuals and as a society, exploring South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission as a contemporary guide for hope and healing.

The virtual event can be accessed through��. Pre-registration is not required, and the conversation is free and available to all.

About Rev. Nontombi Naomi Tutu

Tutu is the daughter of South African anti-apartheid activist and 1984 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu. She was educated in Swaziland, the United States and England, and has served in various capacities throughout her adult life between South Africa and the United States.

Her professional experience ranges from economic development consultancies in West Africa, coordination of programs on race and gender, as well as gender-based violence prevention education at the African Gender Institute at the University of Cape Town. In addition, Tutu has taught at the University of Hartford, University of Connecticut and Brevard College in North Carolina. She served as program coordinator for the historic Race Relations Institute at Fisk University and was a part of the institute’s delegation to the World Conference Against Racism in Durban, South Africa.

As well as preaching and teaching, Tutu has established Nozizwe Consulting, which brings different groups together to learn from and celebrate their differences and acknowledge their shared humanity. As part of this work, she has led Truth and Reconciliation Workshops for groups dealing with different types of conflict.

Tutu is the recipient of four honorary doctorates from universities and colleges in the United States and Nigeria. She is an ordained clergyperson in the Episcopal Church. She is the associate rector of All Saints Episcopal Church in Beverly Hills, California.

About “Matters that Matter”

This will be the 18th installment of “Matters that Matter: A Conversation Series from Hendricks Chapel,” a virtual series hosted by Hendricks Chapel that brings local, national, and global thought leaders together in conversation to discuss critical matters facing society. Learn more at��.

For more information, email Hendricks Chapel at��chapel@syr.edu.

The memorial service will also be livestreamed on . Registration is not required to join the livestream.

As a tribute of remembrance and resilience, this ceremony will express appreciation for the unity, compassion and courage displayed among those responding to the tragedies brought forth that day.

The service will include a reflection from Chancellor Kent Syverud, offerings of remembrance and resilience, musical tributes, and the ceremonial ringing of 20 chimes and lighting of 20 candles.

Music will be provided by the Syracuse University Brass Ensemble, as well as student vocal ensembles organized by José (Peppie) Calvar of the College of Visual and Performing Arts.

“Over the past 20 years we have witnessed both beauty and brokenness, and by pausing to gather and reflect as a campus community, we hope to spark and sustain healing and hope for all those committed to serving as instruments of peace,” says Rev. Brian Konkol, Dean of Hendricks Chapel.

The program will begin at 8:46 a.m., the exact time the first plane struck the North Tower of the World Trade Center in 2001, and the program will conclude at 9:30 a.m.

All students, faculty, staff and community members are welcome to this service. Please note that on-campus events are subject to public health conditions and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines. For the latest information relevant to campus, please visit the .

American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation, Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) and captioning will be provided.

For more information, contact Hendricks Chapel at chapel@syr.edu or 315.443.2901.

Rev. Brian Konkol, dean of Hendricks Chapel, teaches “Global Christians and Daily Life,” the first non-musical academic class held in the chapel in many years.

This spring semester, Rev. Brian Konkol, dean of Hendricks Chapel, teaches Global Christians and Daily Life, the first non-musical academic class held in the space in many years. Phil Arnold, an associate professor and chair of the Department of Religion, also teaches his class, Religion and Sports, in the main chapel.

“I believe that classrooms are sacred spaces because teaching and learning are sacred acts,” says Konkol. “I am thankful for the dedicated team that transformed such a historical space into a modern classroom, for it has allowed us to welcome more students into the spiritual heart of campus.”

The planning to expand the chapel’s impact as a classroom was introduced during the Fall 2020 semester. To support the increased need for in-person academic classrooms due to COVID-19, the chapel’s space allowed students and staff to learn and teach fully in-person. Additionally, the main chapel is spacious enough to accommodate a larger class size while still adhering to social distancing guidelines.

Students of Konkol and Arnold share the honor of this opportunity. As many classes during the past year have transitioned to being virtual, many say the safe space that the chapel offers makes class there a tremendously provoking experience.

“Dean Konkol’s Global Christians and Daily Life has been by the far the most unique experience I have had at Syracuse,” says Sam Hershamn ’21. “An hour and half of time to engage in dialogue of what gives our life purpose and meaning.”

Fredaye Wilkes ’22 says that Konkol establishes his class as a welcoming space where students feel comfortable sharing stories. “The setting of the chapel with its grand and holy presence allows myself, and I think others, to enter a space of peace and quiet away from our everyday busy lives.”

Phil Arnold, associate professor and chair of the Department of Religion

The technology in the chapel was adapted to help both in-person and virtual students share their stories and communicate with one another. A teaching station was established in the main chapel in partnership with the University’s Learning Environments and Media Productions department, a provider of academic technology services on campus. The teaching station is a portable system with two cameras, which capture multiple angles of the space and instructor; additionally, this one of its kind design features a high quality sound system, enhancing the experience for virtual participants, and creating a platform for interactive dialogue for those present.

“The teaching station was built to reflect what a professor would find in a classroom, but is versatile enough to be set up and broken down quickly to accommodate the various programs and services that the chapel hosts,” explains Alex Snow, assistant director of events at Hendricks Chapel.

The teaching station is used to share videos, control the chapel sound system and support students learning virtually. Konkol’s class includes 60 students, and while instruction is primarily in-person, students in quarantine due to COVID-19 exposure are still able to participate on Zoom. The updated technology in a historic space allows all students to interact together through conversations, polls and visual aids.

Arnold’s Religion and Sports class is delivered as a hybrid class to 250 students.�� Approximately 30 students participate in the class in-person and the remaining students watch video recordings asynchronously.

Arnold noted the elaborate architecture in Hendricks Chapel, which he says makes teaching more impactful. “The chapel is not like a regular classroom in some sense. We refer to it as a sacred space that we try to be respectful of,” he says. “Also, the more people that can visit Hendricks Chapel, the better. I hope to teach there in future years.”

Students agree that Hendricks Chapel not only serves as an academic space for them now, but it’s also reflective of the sacredness behind its immense history.

“During my college career, there have only been a handful of classes that I truly look forward to going to every single day and this is one of them,” says Patrick Penfield ’21. “Learning in a space with so much history is a privilege and a lesson on its own.”

Story written by Christina Kohl ’21

Participants will discuss the topic, “Presence and Pandemics: Reflections on Spiritual Care During Turbulent Times,” exploring the vibrancy of presence in the midst of pain, harm and hope.

The Rev. Brian Konkol, dean of Hendricks Chapel, will moderate the conversation roundtable with chaplains and campus spiritual leaders on Tuesday, April 6 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on . This��roundtable��will explore��a diversity of customs and questions��while��seeking��to nourish the soul and ignite the spirit in the midst of our challenging circumstances.

Panelists will include Melvin Baker, Historically Black Church chaplain; Rhonda Chester, Methodist chaplain; JoAnn Cooke, Buddhist chaplain; Julia Cutler ’21, SPIRAL (Student Pagan Information, Relations and Learning) president; Amir Duric, Muslim chaplain; Joel Goldstein, Jewish chaplain; and Regina Jones, assistant director in the Office of Multicultural Affairs, Native Student Program. Joe Zoll ’22 will lead the opening and closing meditations.

Registration for this program is required, and is available directly on the��. Those who would like or prefer alternative registration are invited to contact Hendricks Chapel at��chapel@syr.edu��or 315.443.2901.

All participants are welcome to bring their own meal to the “virtual table” during the conversation. Although this semester’s Interfaith Dialogue Dinner series will not permit the sharing of a traditionally provided, inclusive dinner, the virtual conversation will allow participants to break bread in company with one another, providing secular and spiritual nourishment.

The program is free and open to the public. Live captioning, American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation and image descriptions will be provided. For requests for additional accommodations or questions, contact Hendricks Chapel at��chapel@syr.edu��or 315.443.2901.

Over the past five years, the “Common and Diverse Ground” series has brought members of the campus community together in an inclusive environment to explore challenging contemporary issues. The Spring 2021 series is co-sponsored by Hendricks Chapel, the Burton Blatt Institute’s Office of Interdisciplinary Programs and Outreach and the Office of Diversity and Inclusion.

Ruby Bridges (Photo by Tom Dumont)

Bridges, one of the first African American students to attend an all-white elementary school in the South, will reflect on the life and legacy of Dr. King, as well as the impact of education in sparking and sustaining social change.

“We are honored to host Ruby Bridges as our keynote speaker,” says the Rev. Brian Konkol, dean of Hendricks Chapel and co-chair of the organizing committee. “Over 60 years ago she displayed groundbreaking courage and life-changing compassion, and today she continues to embody a daring faith that is so dearly needed in our time and beyond. We are fortunate to host her. She is the right person for the right time.”

Sixty years ago, in November 1960, then 6-year-old Bridges was escorted past angry crowds that gathered daily near the steps of William Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans. The image of federal marshals walking Bridges to class became part of the iconic “The Problem We All Live With” painting by acclaimed artist Norman Rockwell. Despite the angry mobs and threats hurled toward her each day, Bridges refused to miss a single day of school. She blazed a trail for others to follow and has since inspired generations of students in the United States and beyond.

“Ruby Bridges is an inspiration. Many students, including myself, learned about her story when we were in elementary school. She is an integral part of our country’s living history,” says Sean Dorcellus ’21, student co-chair of the organizing committee. “She is an excellent choice as a speaker, as she connects the past with the present and brings motivation for us to create a better future.”

Learn more about Bridges’ life and work on the .

Due to COVID-19 guidelines and a commitment to health and safety, the 2021 MLK Celebration will be held fully online. In addition to the keynote address featuring Bridges, the event will also feature community and student performances, the presentation of the 2021 Unsung Hero Awards, and several new and interactive pre-celebration programs.

2021 MLK Virtual Event Series schedule:

• MLK Day of Service on Monday, Jan. 18.
• Dinner at Home: Virtual Cooking Classes with Salt City Market on Monday, Jan. 25, and Tuesday, Jan. 26, at 6 p.m. ET
• Life with Purpose: A Conversation with Maya Moore, athlete and activist on Wednesday, Jan. 27, at 8 p.m. ET
• Sheroes of Poetry: Spoken Word Poetry by Women Authors on Friday, Jan. 29, at 7 p.m. ET
• 36th Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration with Ruby Bridges on Sunday, Jan. 31, at 7 p.m. ET

Registration for the 2021 MLK Celebration and all pre-celebration programs is free and open to all. Visit the for full descriptions of the programs. Closed captioning and American Sign Language will be provided at all events.

“While each year we look forward to gathering on campus for a dinner and program, we are doing all that we can to ensure a meaningful and memorable experience,” says Syeisha Byrd, director of the Office of Engagement Programs at Hendricks Chapel and member of the planning committee. “While this year will be different than the previous 35 years of MLK Celebrations, we are committed to cooperating with community partners to ensure an inclusive and engaging experience. This will be a memorable program for what has been a memorable year.”

To request additional accommodations or additional information, email chapel@syr.edu.

The broadcast will air Sunday, Dec. 6, at 7 p.m., and will include performances pre-recorded at Hendricks Chapel, featuring student ensembles and faculty from the University’s Setnor School of Music in the College of Visual and Performing Arts.

“Holding this annual holiday tradition online is an exciting opportunity to expand the audience, while keeping our community safe,” says Hendricks Chapel Choir Director José “Peppie” Calvar, who is also an associate professor in the Setnor School of Music. “Students, families and alumni will be able to experience the magic of ‘Holidays at Hendricks’ from around the world, for the first time ever.”

The program is free and open to all. Registration for the broadcast is required and is open now on the University’s website.

“Since its dedication in 1930, Hendricks Chapel has sought to extend its reach far beyond the boundaries of a building,” says Hendricks Chapel Dean Brian Konkol. “This year, at a time when countless citizens are thirsting for grace and hungering for peace, we hope to bring the spiritual heart of campus into the hearts and homes of our campus community. I am proud of the dedicated efforts of our students, faculty and staff, as this program will indeed serve as food for the soul.”

An ongoing Central New York tradition hosted by Hendricks Chapel and the Setnor School of Music, “Holidays at Hendricks” celebrates the sounds of the season and is anchored by the Hendricks Chapel Choir. The student-centered event will include performances by the Syracuse University Symphony Orchestra, directed by James Tapia, associate professor in the Setnor School; and the international award-winning Syracuse University Singers, under the direction of John Warren, professor in the Setnor School. Performances featuring the Hendricks Chapel organ will be offered by Augustine Sobeng G’21 and University Organist Anne Laver, assistant professor in the Setnor School. Crouse Chorale and Setnor Sonority directed by Wendy Moy, assistant professor in the Setnor School, and Peppie Calvar, respectively, will also join the production.

For more information, visit��. Follow Hendricks Chapel on social media for updates about the event. Find them on ,�������Ի���.

The program will explore the intersection of climate change, disability, literature and faith through the topic “‘Moby Dick,’ Faith and Ecology.” Led by guest co-facilitator Ralph Savarese, a professor at Grinnell College, and graduate student co-facilitator Sarah Nahar, the event will take place from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on .

Savarese teaches American literature, disability studies, medical humanities and creative writing at Grinnell College. He is the author of “”��(Duke University Press). He has also written books of prose and poetry, and has won numerous awards for his writing, research and scholarship. Learn more about Savarese on his��.

Sarah Nahar is a nonviolent action trainer and interspiritual theologian. She is a doctoral student in the College of Arts and Sciences, and her focus is on ecological regeneration, community cultivation and spiritual activism. Previously, Nahar was a 2019 Rotary Peace Fellow and worked at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center in Atlanta.

Registration for this program is required and is available directly on the . Those who would like or prefer alternative registration are invited to contact Hendricks Chapel at��chapel@syr.edu��or 315.443.2901.

All participants are welcome to bring their own meal to the “virtual table” during the conversation. Although this semester’s Interfaith Dialogue Dinner series will not permit the sharing of a traditionally provided, inclusive dinner, both virtual conversations being held during the Fall 2020 semester will allow participants to break bread in company with one another, providing secular and spiritual nourishment.

This program is free and open to the public. Live captioning, American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation and image descriptions will be provided. For requests for additional accommodations or questions, contact Hendricks Chapel at��chapel@syr.edu��or 315.443.2901.

The Fall 2020 “Common and Diverse Ground” series is co-sponsored by Hendricks Chapel, the Burton Blatt Institute’s Office of Interdisciplinary Programs and Outreach and the Office of Diversity and Inclusion.

Tippett and Hendricks Chapel Dean Brian Konkol will engage in conversation on “After the Election: Spirituality, Civil Conversations and Social Healing” on Wednesday, Nov. 4 at 7 p.m. ET.

The live, virtual event can be accessed with�� or on Facebook Live on��. Pre-registration for Zoom is required. Live captioning will be available on Zoom.

Krista Tippett (Photo by Chris Daniels)

This program is co-sponsored by the Division of Enrollment and the Student Experience and the Office of Diversity and Inclusion. It is free and available to all.

Tippett is a New York Times bestselling author and a National Humanities Medalist. She was the 2019 Mimi and Peter E. Haas Distinguished Visitor at Stanford University.

She grew up in a small town in Oklahoma, attended Brown University and became a journalist and diplomat in Cold War Berlin. She then lived in Spain and England before seeking a master of divinity degree at Yale University in the mid-1990s.

Emerging from her diversity of educational experiences, Tippett perceived an opportunity to offer intelligent public conversation about the religious, spiritual and moral aspects of human life. She pitched and piloted her idea for several years before launching “Speaking of Faith”— later ““—as a weekly national public radio show in 2003. In 2014, the year after she took “On Being” into independent production, President Barack Obama awarded Tippett the at the White House for “thoughtfully delving into the mysteries of human existence. On the air and in print, Ms. Tippett avoids easy answers, embracing complexity and inviting people of every background to join her conversation about faith, ethics and moral wisdom.”

Tippett is at work on a new book, “Letters to a Young Citizen.” Her previous books are “Becoming Wise: An Inquiry into the Mystery and Art of Living” (2016); “Einstein’s God: Conversations about Science and the Human Spirit” (2010); and “Speaking of Faith: Why Religion Matters and How To Talk About It” (2007).

This will be the 17th installment of “Matters that Matter: A Conversation Series from Hendricks Chapel.” The virtual series brings local and national thought leaders together in conversation to discuss critical matters facing society. Learn more at

Over the past five years, the series has brought members of the campus community together in an inclusive environment to explore challenging contemporary issues. These dialogues have typically taken place through in-depth, in-person conversations. However, this semester the Interfaith Dialogue Dinners will take place on Zoom, expanding opportunities for participants within and beyond Central New York while maintaining an accessible space for all.

The first program of this semester will explore the topic, “Black Liberation Theology of Disability,” as part of Disability Awareness Month, which is recognized annually in October. Led by guest co-facilitator Rev. Kendrick Kemp ’02 and graduate student Ethan Smith ’20, the event will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 14 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on .

Kemp is a professional speaker who has shared his personal stories about disability and race throughout the country to advocate for the equality of disabled BIPOC (Black and Indigenous People of Color). He is a 2002 graduate of Syracuse University who is currently pursuing his doctorate in ministry at Howard University’s School of Divinity. Learn more about Kemp and Black Liberation Theology of Disability on .

Smith is the convener of the Student Assembly of Interfaith Leaders (S.A.I.L.) of Hendricks Chapel and he has worked throughout campus to promote interfaith cooperation and understanding. He is currently pursuing a master’s degree in social work in the Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics.

Registration for this program is required, and is available directly on the . Those who would like or prefer alternative registration are invited to contact Hendricks Chapel at chapel@syr.edu or 315.443.2901.

All participants are welcome to bring their own meal to the “virtual table” during the conversation. Although this semester’s Interfaith Dialogue Dinner series will not permit the sharing of a traditionally provided, inclusive dinner, both virtual conversations being held during the Fall 2020 semester will allow participants to break bread in company with one another, providing secular and spiritual nourishment.

The second virtual Interfaith Dialogue Dinner of Fall 2020 will take place on Nov. 9 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., also via . Guest co-facilitator Ralph Savarese, a professor at Grinnell College, and graduate student co-facilitator Sarah Nahar will lead a conversation about “‘Moby Dick,’ Faith and Ecology,” focused on the intersection of climate change, disability, literature and faith. Learn more about Savarese’s research and scholarship on his . Registration is required, and is available on the .

Both events in the series are free and open to the public. Live captioning, American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation and image descriptions will be provided at both programs. For requests for additional accommodations or questions, contact Hendricks Chapel at chapel@syr.edu or 315.443.2901 at least one week prior to the event date.

The Fall 2020 “Common and Diverse Ground” series is co-sponsored by Hendricks Chapel, the Burton Blatt Institute’s Office of Interdisciplinary Programs and Outreach and the Office of Diversity and Inclusion.

The first program in the series, “Finding True North in the Midst of Change: Veteran Transition from Military to College and College to Work,” will be held Friday, Oct. 16, from noon-1:30 p.m. on Zoom. is open now.

“This first event is an opportunity to discuss the challenge of transitioning from military service to higher education and then the workplace. Our panelists will share advice, strategies and stories that will be helpful to veterans, veterans service coordinators, higher education faculty and future employers,” says Eileen Schell, coordinator of the Moral Injury Project and professor of writing and rhetoric in the College of Arts and Sciences.

The program panel will feature Jennifer Reddy, associate director of continuing education at Le Moyne College and Moral Injury Project member since 2015, and Jennifer Jeffery ’14 G’17, an academic librarian at SUNY Potsdam and veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard, in which she served for seven years. Both have experience working in academic and career services for veterans to help reintegrate them into their communities and discover a sense of belonging outside of the military culture. Michael Venditte, an Army veteran and Le Moyne College graduate, will also serve on the panel. Venditte served as president of the Le Moyne College Student Veterans Association as a student, and since his graduation has continued to work with the Moral Injury Project.

In addition to presenting on the challenges of veteran transition, the panel will address how colleges and universities, employers and the public at large can educate themselves and support successful transitions.

The fall Moral Injury Project series is built around two key terms: transition and moral injury. The first term—transition—involves undergoing a period of change and re-direction that affects a person’s identity and self-development. The second key term is moral injury, which refers to the damage done to one’s conscience or moral compass when that person perpetrates, witnesses or fails to prevent acts that transgress one’s own moral beliefs, values or ethical codes of conduct.

The Nov. 11 program,�� “Finding True North through Writing: Veterans Sharing Their Stories on Veteran’s Day” will take place from 7-8:30 p.m. on Zoom and will be moderated by group leaders and Schell and Ivy Kleinbart, writing instructor in the College of Arts and Sciences. The program will feature readings by members of�� the Syracuse Veterans’ Writing Group.

The third program, “Finding True North Through Building Trauma Resiliency,” will be held Nov. 20, from 12-1:30 p.m. on Zoom. The program will feature Bill Cross, a Vietnam veteran and practicing psychotherapist in Syracuse who has worked with military veterans and their families for over 35 years. He will discuss his work with trauma resiliency, as well as his own story as a Vietnam veteran and veteran advocate.

Registration for all programs is free and required. Attendees will be invited to participate in a question and answer session during each program. Please register through Zoom here:�� ���������Ի� .

Communication Access Realtime Transcription (CART) services will provide captioning for each program and American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation will be provided. For questions or to request additional accommodations, contact Hendricks Chapel at chapel@syr.edu or 315.443.2901. For more information, visit .

Hastings and Golden will join Hendricks Chapel Dean Brian Konkol for a virtual conversation on Thursday, Oct. 8, at 7 p.m. ET. They will discuss the mental health needs of college students as part of Mental Health Awareness Week.

The virtual event can be accessed with Facebook Live on�����ǰ���. Pre-registration is not required, and the conversation is free and available to all.

Hastings ’21 and Golden ’21 are the elected leaders of the Student Association’s 64th legislative session, which spans the 2020-21 academic year. Hastings, a secondary English education and English and textual studies dual major, is a longtime campus leader who recently earned the Unsung Hero Award at the University’s 35th Annual Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration in January. Golden, who majors in policy studies, political science and religion, has served in SA for several semesters and in the University Senate, as well.

Mental Health Awareness Week is a nationwide initiative led by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). This year, it will take place from Oct. 5-9, and Student Association has developed daily programming to inform students about dispelling stigmas, available resources and health habits. Learn more on the .

This will be the 16th installment of “Matters that Matter: A Conversation Series from Hendricks Chapel,” a virtual series hosted by Hendricks Chapel that brings local and national thought leaders together in conversation to discuss critical matters facing society. Learn more at��.

For more information, email Hendricks Chapel at��chapel@syr.edu.

Patel will join Hendricks Chapel Dean Brian Konkol for a virtual conversation on Tuesday, Sept. 22, at 7 p.m. ET. They will discuss “interfaith cooperation and the future of higher education.”

The virtual event can be accessed with Facebook Live on�����ǰ���. Pre-registration is not required, and the conversation is free and available to all.

Patel founded Interfaith Youth Core in 2002 on the idea that religion should be a bridge of cooperation rather than a barrier of division. Interfaith Youth Core is a national nonprofit working towards an America where people of different faiths, worldviews and traditions can bridge differences and find common values to build a shared life together.

Patel also served on former President Barack Obama’s inaugural Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, which brought together leaders and experts to advise the White House on how to improve the partnerships it forms to serve people in need. In 2009, U.S. News & World Report named Patel as one of America’s Best Leaders. He holds a doctorate in the sociology of religion from Oxford University, where he studied on a Rhodes Scholarship, and is the author of “Acts of Faith,” “Sacred Ground,” “Interfaith Leadership: A Primer” and “Out of Many Faiths: Religious Diversity and the American Promise.”

This will be the 15th installment of “Matters that Matter: A Conversation Series from Hendricks Chapel,” a virtual series hosted by Hendricks Chapel that brings local and national thought leaders together in conversation to discuss critical matters facing society. Learn more at��.

For more information, email Hendricks Chapel at��chapel@syr.edu.

Sharon M. K. Kugler

Sharon M. K. Kugler, chaplain of Yale University, is the next guest for “Matters that Matter: A Conversation Series from Hendricks Chapel.”

Kugler will join Hendricks Chapel Dean Brian Konkol for a virtual conversation on Tuesday, Sept. 15, at 7 p.m. ET. They will discuss the past, present and future of college and university chaplaincy.

The virtual event can be accessed with Facebook Live on�����ǰ���. Pre-registration is not required, and the conversation is free and available to all.

Kugler is the first woman, lay-person and Roman Catholic to hold the position of Yale University Chaplain. Prior to her appointment at Yale in 2007, she was University Chaplain at Johns Hopkins University, and worked in other higher education and healthcare positions. Kugler served as president of both the Association of College and University Religious Affairs (ACURA) from 2000-2002 and the National Association of College and University Chaplains (NACUC) from 1999-2001. She earned a master’s degree at Georgetown University, and studied at the Jesuit School of Theology and St. Mary’s Seminary & University.

This will be the 14th installment of “Matters that Matter: A Conversation Series from Hendricks Chapel,” a virtual series hosted by Hendricks Chapel that brings local and national thought leaders together in conversation to discuss critical matters facing society. Learn more at��.

For more information, email Hendricks Chapel at��chapel@syr.edu.

The Rev. Rhonda Chester

“This program will honor the grief and loss that we are experiencing collectively as a result of the pandemic, as well as other personal and communal traumatic events,” says the Rev. Rhonda Chester, United Methodist Ecumenical campus chaplain and the program facilitator. “In this space, you can expect to share openly, have your experience held sacredly and feel safe as you risk vulnerability.”

These three sessions will take place on the second Thursday of each month and will begin at 6 p.m. ET. Registration is required for this program, and each session requires a separate registration. Participants are welcome to register for all three sessions or for as many as they wish.

The program schedule is:

Thursday, Sept. 10, 6-7:30 p.m. ET
“Grief and COVID-19—Naming Our Losses”

Thursday, Oct. 8, 6-7:30 p.m. ET
“Understanding the Types of Grief”

Thursday, Nov. 12, 6-7:30 p.m. ET
“Grief and the Holidays—Ways We Can Cope”

Questions may be directed to Hendricks Chapel at chapel@syr.edu or 315.443.2901.

The Rev. Luke A. Powery

The Rev. Luke A. Powery, dean of Duke University Chapel, is the next guest for “Matters that Matter: A Conversation Series from Hendricks Chapel.”

Powery will join Hendricks Chapel Dean Brian Konkol for a virtual conversation on Wednesday, Sept. 9, at 7 p.m. ET. They will discuss bridging faith and learning.

The virtual event can be accessed with Facebook Live on�����ǰ���. Pre-registration is not required, and the conversation is free and available to all.

Powery is the first African American dean of Duke Chapel. He is also an associate professor of homiletics at Duke Divinity School. His teaching and research interests are located at the intersection of preaching, worship, pneumatology and culture, particularly expressions of the African diaspora. He is the author of��“Spirit Speech: Lament and Celebration in Preaching,”��“Dem Dry Bones: Preaching, Death, and Hope,”��“Rise Up, Shepherd! Advent Reflections on the Spirituals” and “Were You There? Lenten Reflections on the Spirituals.” He has co-authored an introductory textbook on preaching,��“Ways of the Word: Learning to Preach for Your Time and Place.” He is also a general editor of the nine-volume lectionary commentary series for preaching and worship titled “Connections: A Lectionary Commentary for Preaching and Worship.”

Powery was ordained by the Progressive National Baptist Convention and has served in an ecumenical capacity in churches throughout Switzerland, Canada and the United States. He is a member of the Academy of Homiletics, for which he has served as secretary; the American Academy of Religion; and the Society for the Study of Black Religion. Powery served as a member of the executive lectionary team for The African American Lectionary and is the recipient of numerous scholastic fellowships and awards. In 2008, the African American Pulpit��named him one of twenty outstanding black ministers under the age of forty who are helping shape the future direction of the church. More recently, in 2014, he was inducted into the Martin Luther King Jr. Collegium of Scholars at Morehouse College for his ethical and spiritual leadership in the academy, church and broader society.

Prior to his appointment at Duke, he served as the Perry and Georgia Engle Assistant Professor of Homiletics at Princeton Theological Seminary. He received a bachelor of arts in music with a concentration in vocal performance from Stanford University, a master of divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary and a doctoral degree in theology from Emmanuel College at the University of Toronto.

This will be the 13th installment of “Matters that Matter: A Conversation Series from Hendricks Chapel,” a virtual series hosted by Hendricks Chapel that brings local and national thought leaders together in conversation to discuss critical matters facing society. Learn more at .

With questions, email Hendricks Chapel at chapel@syr.edu.

Adam Lehman

Adam Lehman, president and CEO of Hillel International, is the next guest for “Matters that Matter: A Conversation Series from Hendricks Chapel.”

Lehman will join Hendricks Chapel Dean Brian Konkol for a virtual conversation on Thursday, Sept. 3, at 7 p.m. ET. They will discuss civic engagement, meaning-making and approaches for Jewish student support.

The virtual event can be accessed with Facebook Live on�����ǰ���. Pre-registration is not required, and the conversation is free and available to all.

Lehman was named president and CEO of Hillel International in January 2020, after serving as Hillel International’s interim CEO and chief operating officer. He has been a critical player in the efforts to strengthen and reinvent Hillel during his tenure, supporting engagement with Jewish students at 550 colleges and universities across 18 countries.

Before joining Hillel International, Lehman had an extensive career in entrepreneurship and the technological industry. Lehman graduated summa cum laude with a B.A. from Dartmouth College and cum laude with a J.D. from Harvard Law School. He was also a Harry S. Truman Scholar.

This will be the 12th installment of “Matters that Matter: A Conversation Series from Hendricks Chapel,” a virtual series hosted by Hendricks Chapel that brings local and national thought leaders together in conversation to discuss critical matters facing society. Learn more at .

Questions? Contact Hendricks Chapel at��chapel@syr.edu.

About Hillel International

Founded in 1923, Hillel has been enriching the lives of Jewish students for more than 90 years. Today, Hillel International is a global organization that welcomes students of all backgrounds and fosters an enduring commitment to Jewish life, learning and Israel. Hillel is dedicated to enriching the lives of Jewish students so that they may enrich the Jewish people and the world. As the largest Jewish student organization in the world, Hillel builds connections with emerging adults at more than 550 colleges and universities and inspires them to direct their own path. During their formative college years, students are challenged to explore, experience and create vibrant Jewish lives. For more information visit .

Jan Naylor Cope

The Rev. Canon Jan Naylor Cope, provost of the Washington National Cathedral, is the next guest on “Matters that Matter: A Conversation Series from Hendricks Chapel.”

Cope will join Hendricks Chapel Dean Brian Konkol for a virtual conversation on Wednesday, Aug. 26, at 7 p.m. ET. They will discuss “ministry at the intersections of sacred and civic life.”

The virtual event can be accessed with Facebook Live on�����ǰ���. Pre-registration is not required, and the conversation is free and available to all.

The Washington National Cathedral, which serves the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, is often regarded as a “spiritual home for the nation” and a trusted voice of moral leadership during moments of national significance. As provost, Cope advances the mission of the cathedral through preaching, teaching and stewardship to ensure its role as a “house of prayer for all.”

She is also an adjunct professor of preaching at Wesley Seminary, guest preacher and speaker around the world, and a contributing meditation writer for��The Bible Challenge.��Prior to ordained ministry, she served as deputy director of presidential personnel in the White House and as president of the J. Naylor Cope Company.

This will be the eleventh installment of “Matters that Matter: A Conversation Series from Hendricks Chapel,” a virtual series hosted by Hendricks Chapel, which brings local and national thought leaders together in conversation to discuss critical matters facing society. Learn more at��.

Questions? Contact Hendricks Chapel at��chapel@syr.edu.

Janet Cooper Nelson

The Rev. Janet Cooper Nelson, Chaplain of Brown University, will join Hendricks Chapel Dean Brian Konkol for a virtual conversation today at 7 p.m. ET. Cooper Nelson is the first woman to be appointed as chaplain of an Ivy League institution. She and Dean Konkol will discuss “health, hope and our struggle to be well.”

Wednesday’s conversation can be accessed with Facebook Live on�����ǰ���. Pre-registration is not required, and the conversation is free and available to all.

Cooper Nelson is also a faculty member at Brown University and widely respected as a lead authority on religious and spiritual life in higher education. She was appointed at Brown in 1990 after similar roles at Vassar College, Mount Holyoke College and The Church of Christ at Dartmouth College. Ordained in 1980 by the United Church of Christ, her work examines interfaith collaboration, advocacy, religious identity and literacy, education, ethics and grief.

This will be the tenth installment of “Matters that Matter: A Conversation Series from Hendricks Chapel,” a virtual series hosted by Hendricks Chapel, which brings local and national thought leaders together in conversation to discuss critical matters facing society. Learn more at��.

Questions? Contact Hendricks Chapel at��chapel@syr.edu.

Charles L. Howard

Rev. Howard will join Hendricks Chapel Dean Brian Konkol for a virtual conversation on Thursday, Aug. 6, at 7 p.m. ET. Howard and Konkol will discuss “finding peace in the storms of life.”

The virtual conversation with Walton will take place Tuesday, Aug. 11, at 7 p.m. ET. Walton and Konkol will consider “social justice and civil rights from a lens of love”.

Both conversations can be accessed on Facebook Live on�� or . The same Zoom webinar link will provide access to both conversations. Pre-registration is not required, and the conversations are open and available to all.

“Matters that Matter” is a virtual series hosted by Hendricks Chapel that brings local and national thought leaders together in conversation about critical matters facing society.��Learn more at��.

Jonathan Lee Walton

Howard is also university chaplain at the University of Pennsylvania. Previously, Howard served as a chaplain in hospice and in hospitals and as a street outreach worker to individuals experiencing homelessness in Philadelphia. His writing has been featured in such publications as Black Arts Quarterly,��Black Theology: An International Journal, Chronicle of Higher Education and more. Howard has also taught in the College of Arts and Sciences and in the Graduate School of Education at Penn, as well as at The Lutheran Theological Seminary of Philadelphia.

Walton joined Wake Forest University in 2019, after serving as Plummer Professor of Christian Morals and the Pusey Minister in the Memorial Church of Harvard University. His latest book,��“A Lens of Love: Reading the Bible in Its World for Our World”��(Westminster John Knox Press, 2018), explores the Bible from the perspective of the most vulnerable and violated characters toward developing a Christian social ethic of radical inclusion and human affirmation. Walton is also an outspoken advocate for social justice and civil rights.

Questions? Contact Hendricks Chapel at��chapel@syr.edu.

The Rev. Cornell William Brooks

The Rev. Cornell William Brooks of Harvard University, former president and CEO of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), will join Hendricks Chapel Dean Brian Konkol for a virtual conversation on Thursday, July 23, at 7 p.m. ET. Rev. Brooks and Konkol’s discussion will focus on social change, religious communities, and human rights around the country and world.

This will be the sixth installment of “Matters that Matter: A Conversation Series from Hendricks Chapel,” a virtual series hosted by Hendricks Chapel on Facebook Live that brings local and national thought leaders together in conversation about critical matters facing society. Learn more at��.

Thursday’s conversation can be viewed on Facebook Live on��.

Rev. Brooks currently serves as the Hauser Professor of the Practice of Nonprofit Organizations and professor of the practice of public leadership and social justice at the Harvard Kennedy School.�� He is also director of The William Monroe Trotter Collaborative for Social Justice at the Kennedy School’s Center for Public Leadership and visiting professor of the practice of prophetic religion and public leadership at Harvard Divinity School.

Rev. Brooks is a graduate of Yale Law School, a longtime civil rights attorney and a Methodist minister from El Paso, Texas. He led the NAACP from 2014-17. Previously, he was president and CEO of the Newark-based New Jersey Institute for Social Justice. In 2010, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie selected Brooks to serve on his transition team on the Committee on Homeland Security and Corrections.

Brooks has also served as senior counsel with the Federal Communications Commission; a U.S. Department of Justice trial attorney; executive director of the Fair Housing Council of Greater Washington; and a trial attorney with the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law.

Hendricks Chapel’s conversation with Rev. Brooks is free and available to all. Questions? Contact Hendricks Chapel at chapel@syr.edu.

In collaboration with the Center for Islam in the Contemporary World at Shenandoah University (CICW), Muslim chaplain Imam Amir Durić and Ph.D. student Mirjakhon Turdiev surveyed 498 Muslim college students from 32 states to learn how students were coping with the effects of COVID-19 and how higher education institutions could better serve them.

“After the immediate and intense impacts of COVID-19 swept the country, I was concerned about the effect it was having on Muslim college students who were already vulnerable,” says Durić. “My goal was to conduct proper academic research to gain insights into the contemporary challenges and needs of Muslim students, focusing on specific needs that resulted from the COVID-19 pandemic. We disseminated preliminary findings in April and are now able to share a full report, along with recommendations, with the hope that some, if not all, of these needs will be addressed by institutions of higher education across the country.”

The research findings indicate that the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted Muslim students’ anxiety and academic plans, and has led them to increase the frequency and intensity of their religious practices.

According to the report, Muslim student anxieties have stemmed from a few key areas, including the federal government response to the pandemic, student academic and career plans, and the effects on their ability to worship. Those surveyed reported to have low confidence in the federal government’s response to COVID-19 and have instead turned to their local and state governments, institutions of higher learning and local faith communities.

The timing of the pandemic has been specifically challenging for the Muslim community. The research—conducted just before Ramadan, the holiest month in the Islamic calendar—noted that, for the first time, many Muslim young adults were unable to join in community nightly prayers at their local mosques. This dramatic change in an important aspect of Muslim worship directly impacted students’ mental health, the study found.

Another important finding shows that students who regularly prayed before the pandemic were less likely to experience increased anxiety compared to students who did not regularly pray. While the study authors explained that more research is needed, they say this as a key reason for recommending that institutions of higher education hire Muslim chaplains and proactively support Muslim students.

Other recommendations detailed by the authors include the connection of Muslim chaplains to university health and wellness programs, active communication between chaplains and students throughout the pandemic, and programming tailored to college students at local Islamic institutions.

Mirjakhon Turdiev, a Ph.D. student in the Maxwell School who co-authored the study, says these findings and recommendations will help increase awareness about the value of community life and the mental health of Muslim students and their families.

“I also hope that the recommendations included in the research report will emphasize the significance of more intensive and consistent promotion of diversity and inclusion in higher education systems and structures,” says Turdiev. “This will ensure equal opportunities in accessing health care and social services for all students, especially in times of crisis.”

Other members of the Syracuse University community were critical to this study. Mirza Tihić, a research fellow in the Whitman School and a member of the Muslim Student Life advisory board, assisted with research and helped secure a grant from the Center for Islam in the Contemporary World at Shenandoah University (CICW). Ermin Sinanović G’02, executive director of CICW and a Maxwell School alumnus, co-wrote the study.

Durić says he is grateful for the support of Sinanović and CICW, as they were essential to the study’s success.

“I hope to continue this collaboration, as there is a tremendous need for additional data and insights from Muslim students to improve their overall student experience and inform the efforts within diversity and inclusion, religious and spiritual life, and student affairs offices,” says Durić.

Access the full report, titled “Muslim Students and COVID-19: Understanding the Needs of Muslim Students within Higher Education,” is available at .

Seretta C. McKnight

The Black Celestial Choral Ensemble (BCCE) at Hendricks Chapel has served as an important part of the Syracuse University community for over 40 years. The Rev. Dr. Seretta C. McKnight ’80, founder of the BCCE, will join Hendricks Chapel Dean Brian Konkol for a virtual conversation on Thursday, June 25, at 7 p.m. ET.

Operating in the tradition of African-American gospel choirs, the��BCCE��provides students at Syracuse University with an opportunity to partake in spiritual enrichment and worship, enjoy a culturally relevant Christian community and share faith through collective song.��McKnight and Dean Konkol’s discussion will focus on the living legacy of the BCCE at Syracuse University, and how gospel choirs can serve as change-agents for social justice.

This will be the fifth installment of “Matters that Matter: A Conversation Series from Hendricks Chapel,” a virtual series hosted by Hendricks Chapel on Facebook Live, which brings local and national thought leaders together in conversation to discuss critical matters facing society. Learn more at .

This conversation will broadcast on Facebook Live on . This event is free and open to all Syracuse University and greater Syracuse community members. For questions, please contact Hendricks Chapel at chapel@syr.edu.

To support the BCCE, please consider a gift to the .

Bea González

Bea González, longtime leader at Syracuse University and in the greater Syracuse community, will join Hendricks Chapel Dean Brian Konkol for a virtual conversation on Wednesday, June 17, at 7 p.m. Their discussion will focus on González’s years of service at Syracuse University and the Syracuse community, recent events, anti-Black racism and violence, and how our community, in partnership with the greater Central New York region, can work together toward a more just society.

Wednesday’s discussion will be the fourth installment of “Matters that Matter: A Conversation Series from Hendricks Chapel,” a virtual series hosted by Hendricks Chapel on Facebook Live, which brings local and national thought leaders together in conversation to discuss critical matters facing society. Learn more at .

This conversation will broadcast on Facebook Live on . This event is free and open to all Syracuse University and greater Syracuse community members. Professional captioning will be available during this broadcast. For additional questions please contact Hendricks Chapel at chapel@syr.edu.

González, vice president for community engagement, has more than 38 years of experience in higher education; 30 of which have been in continuing education. She also has a long and distinguished record of public service. She joined University College of Syracuse University in 1984 as an academic advisor. She became executive director of the Arthur O. Eve Higher Education Opportunity Program and community and public services in 1991. After serving as director and associate dean of Student Support Services, she was selected as interim dean in 2004 and dean in 2007. In February 2015, she was appointed as special assistant to the Chancellor to focus on student affairs.

González has been elected to public office three times. In 2001, she became the first Latino/a to be elected president of the City of Syracuse Common Council and served two terms. She also served on the Syracuse City School District’s Board of Education.

Learn more about González’s upbringing in Syracuse and her career at the University in this .

Shanti Das

The University’s ongoing Interfaith Dialogue Dinner Series, “Common and Diverse Ground: Raising Consciousnesses by Acknowledging the ‘Hidden’ Things that Divide Us,” continues on Tuesday, March 3, with the second dialogue of the Spring 2020 semester.

The dialogue will include an in-depth discussion on “Faith and Mental Health” with guest co-facilitator Shanti Das ’93 and graduate student co-facilitator Shaelise Tor.

Das is an accomplished entertainment industry veteran, speaker, author and philanthropist. Her music industry career (from intern to executive vice president) included positions at Capitol Records, LaFace Records, Columbia Records, Sony Urban Music and Universal Motown where she worked directly with some of music’s top talent like OutKast, Usher, Prince, TLC, Toni Braxton, Erykah Badu and more. She is also the founder of , a nonprofit that seeks to normalize the conversation around mental health and wellness by curating community conversations, creating content and broadening awareness and education.

The event will take place from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Noble Room of Hendricks Chapel. Dinner starts at 5 p.m. The gathering will include a shared meal, facilitated dialogue and two periods of mindful meditation (at the beginning and the end). American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation and inclusive food will be provided. Requests for accommodations or food queries should be made in advance by contacting Diane Wiener at dwiener@law.syr.edu.

The third Interfaith Dialogue Dinner of Spring 2020 will take place on March 23 with guest co-facilitator Professor Ralph Savarese of Grinnell College and graduate student co-facilitator Sarah Nahar. That event, “‘Moby Dick,’ Faith and Ecology,” will also be held in the Noble Room of Hendricks Chapel and will begin at 5 p.m. with dinner, followed by the discussion at 5:30 p.m. All events in the series are free, open to the public and do not require an RSVP.

The Spring 2020 “Common and Diverse Ground” series is co-sponsored by Hendricks Chapel, the Office of Interdisciplinary Programs and Outreach in the Burton Blatt Institute, Intergroup Dialogue and the Office of Diversity and Inclusion. Over the past five years, the series has brought members of the campus community together in an inclusive environment to explore challenging contemporary issues.

Learn more about the March 3 dialogue dinner on the . For more information on the event series, contact Hendricks Chapel at��chapel@syr.edu��or 315.443.2901.

Ashes will be distributed at the times listed below at both Hendricks Chapel and at the SU Catholic Center, located at 110 Walnut Place.

The Noon ecumenical service at Hendricks Chapel will include clergy from a diversity of Christian traditions. The service will be held from 12-12:30 p.m. in the Main Chapel.

The Episcopal Diocese of Central New York, including Bishop DeDe Duncan-Probe, will offer “Ashes to Go” from 3-4 p.m. for students, faculty and staff.

The complete schedule includes:

• 8 a.m., Catholic worship service and distribution of ashes, SU Catholic Center, 110 Walnut Place
• Noon, 30-minute ecumenical worship service with the distribution of ashes, Hendricks Chapel, Main Chapel
• 3-4 p.m., “Ashes To Go”, front steps of Hendricks Chapel. In case of inclement weather, the location will be moved to the Chapel front hall (inside main doors)
• 4 p.m., Catholic worship service with the distribution of ashes, Hendricks Chapel, Main Chapel
• 5:30 p.m., Catholic worship service with the distribution of ashes, Hendricks Chapel, Main Chapel
• 7 p.m., Catholic worship service with the distribution of ashes, the SU Catholic Center, 110 Walnut Place

For more information, contact Hendricks Chapel at 315.443.2901 or chapel@syr.edu, or the SU Catholic Center at 315.443.2600.

The Black Celestial Chorale Ensemble will perform on Sunday, Feb. 9, as part of a Black History Month commemoration at Hendricks Chapel.

Black History Month will be celebrated through song at Hendricks Chapel’s weekly program, , on Sunday, Feb. 9.

Guest speakers at the Black History Month commemoration will include Syeisha Byrd, director of engagement programs at Hendricks Chapel, and Paula Johnson, professor of law in the College of Law. Music students Elaina Palada and Jessica Montgomery will perform solos by African American composers. The program also includes performances by the Black Celestial Choral Ensemble, the Hendricks Chapel Choir, Setnor Sonority and Crouse Chorale.

The Acropolis Reed Quintet

Music and Message, which began in fall 2019, expands the national award-winning Dean’s Convocation into a weekly series that features musical performances and spoken reflection from diverse religious and spiritual perspectives. The program takes place each Sunday during the semester at 4 p.m. in the Main Chapel of Hendricks Chapel. Students will lead the majority of performances in collaboration with special musical guests from across campus, the community and the country.

“One of the things I love about this series is that it is grounded in a shared experience around music,” says Anne Laver, University organist and series organizer. “We look for ways to connect music to important themes with the aim of encouraging reflection.”

The series is free and open to the public. Future programs include a student songwriting showcase on Feb. 16, an installment of the Malmgren Concert Series featuring the on Feb. 23, music for dancing with Samba Laranja on March 1, and the highly acclaimed in residence for another Malmgren Concert Series event on March 8.

American Spiritual Ensemble

Students from the College of Visual and Performing Arts will conclude Forever Orange Week with a special celebration on March 29, when the series returns from a spring break hiatus. On April 5 and 12, students will lead programs centered around relaxation and renewal. The University’s Baroque Ensemble will perform on April 19, and the series will conclude with a concert led by the Syracuse Oratorio Society and the Hendricks Chapel Choir. For full details, visit the .

“We at Hendricks Chapel are eager and excited to continue this new and wonderful series,” says the Rev. Brian Konkol, dean of Hendricks Chapel. “Each week we seek to honor the unique perspectives of all while finding ways to create a common experience. As we celebrate the 150th anniversary of the University, and as we continue to grow our campus commitment to religious and spiritual programs and services, we look forward to building Music and Message as a signature event for inviting learners into the fullness of life.”

Parking for Music and Message is complimentary. Irving Garage and Hillside lots will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.��The Q1 lot will be designated for accessible parking. All are welcome to receptions featuring refreshments and hors d’oeuvres after every event.

Communication Access Real-time Translation (CART) will be provided. For more information or to request accommodations, contact Hendricks Chapel at��chapel@syr.edu��or call 315.443.2901.

Chris Stedman

The first dialogue, “Atheism, Agnosticism and ‘Nothing in Particular,’” will take place from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Noble Room of Hendricks Chapel. Dinner starts at 5 p.m. The guest co-facilitator for the evening’s discussion will be Chris Stedman, a writer, activist and community organizer living in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Stedman is the author of��“Faitheist: How an Atheist Found Common Ground with the Religious” (2012) and the forthcoming “IRL: Finding Realness, Meaning and Belonging in Our Digital Lives” (2020). He has written for The Guardian, The Atlantic, Pitchfork, BuzzFeed, VICE and The Washington Post. Formerly the founding executive director of the Yale Humanist Community, he also served as a humanist chaplain at Harvard University and is currently a fellow at Augsburg University.

The gathering will include a shared meal, facilitated dialogue and two periods of mindful meditation (at the beginning and the end). American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation and inclusive food will be provided. Requests for accommodations or food queries should be made in advance by contacting Bonnie Shoultz at��bshoultz@syr.edu.

The second and third Interfaith Dialogue Dinners of spring 2020 will take place in March. Both will be held in the Noble Room of Hendricks Chapel and will begin at 5 p.m. with dinner, followed by the discussion at 5:30 p.m. All events in the series are free, open to the public and do not require an RSVP. The dates are as follows:

• Tuesday, March 3: “Faith and Mental Health” featuring guest co-facilitator Shanti Das ’93
• Monday, March 23: “‘Moby Dick,’ Faith and Ecology” featuring guest co-facilitator Ralph Savarese

The spring 2020 “Common and Diverse Ground” series is co-sponsored by Hendricks Chapel, the Office of Interdisciplinary Programs and Outreach in the Burton Blatt Institute, Intergroup Dialogue and the Office of Diversity and Inclusion. Over the past five years, the series has brought members of the campus community together in an inclusive environment to explore challenging contemporary issues.

Learn more about the Feb. 4 dialogue dinner on the��. For more information on the event series, contact Hendricks Chapel at��chapel@syr.edu��or 315.443.2901.

Iris St. Meran

Iris St. Meran, news anchor for Spectrum News Syracuse, will serve as emcee for the�� to be held on Sunday, Jan. 26, at 5 p.m. in the Dome.

“Iris St. Meran is a talented, trusted and popular public figure,” says the Rev. Brian Konkol, dean of Hendricks Chapel. “The Celebration Planning Committee was overjoyed when she accepted our invitation. We are confident that her presence will contribute to a wonderful celebration.”

The featured speaker at this year’s celebration is civil rights leader the Rev. Raphael Warnock, senior pastor of the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, the spiritual home of Dr. King. Warnock will speak to his connection with Dr. King under the theme, “A Living Legacy.” The celebration is the largest of its kind on a college campus and features performances, dinner and the presentation of the Unsung Hero Awards.

Tickets for the dinner and program and program only may be purchased��, in person at the Dome Box Office located in the Ensley Athletic Center at 1315 E. Colvin St. (Monday 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Tuesday through Friday 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.), and by phone (888-DOME-TIX or 315.443.2121, option “four”).

St. Meran has created a special connection with Central New York and Syracuse as a television news anchor at Spectrum News. St. Meran pursued her degree in journalism at Emerson College in Boston, Massachusetts, where she also worked as a desk assistant and web producer at New England Cable News, now NBC Boston. St. Meran quickly immersed herself in the local community after moving to Upstate New York from Boston in 2008.

St. Meran has covered a myriad of meaningful stories since joining the Spectrum News team. She earned a first-place award from the New York Associated Press for her series Addicted: Heroin’s Hold. That series is an example of St. Meran’s passion for telling stories that make a difference in the lives of her viewers. In another multipart series, Troubled Water: Crisis in Flint, St. Meran found inspiration in that Michigan community’s ability to come together in the midst of crisis.

St. Meran serves as a mentor to students at the Institute of Technology at Syracuse Central in the Syracuse City School District. She also co-hosts a podcast called “The Ladies’ Room,” which features women making an impact on the world. She and her co-host, Jennifer Sanders, were profiled in Syracuse Woman Magazine for their work on the podcast and contributions to the Syracuse community. St. Meran has run the Utica Boilermaker 5K, and she enjoys the area’s vibrant history. She has spent her time here meeting the people, participating in the activities and exploring the places so special to Central New York.

The awards are bestowed annually on people who, in the spirit of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “beloved community,” have made a positive difference in the lives of others, but who are not widely recognized for their efforts. The categories include community member, student, faculty and staff.

This year’s recipients will be honored at the��, to be held this year on Sunday, Jan. 26, at 5 p.m. in the Dome. The featured speaker is civil rights leader, the Rev. Raphael Warnock, senior pastor of the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, the spiritual home of Dr. King. Warnock will speak to his connection with Dr. King under the theme, “A Living Legacy.” The celebration is the largest of its kind on a college campus and features performances, dinner and the presentation of the Unsung Hero Awards.

Tickets for the dinner and program and program only may be purchased��, in person at the Dome Box Office located in the Ensley Athletic Center at 1315 E. Colvin St. (Monday 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Tuesday through Friday 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.), and by phone (888-DOME-TIX or 315.443.2121, option “four”).

This year’s Unsung Hero recipients are:

Community Member

Pedro Abreu

Pedro Abreu

Pedro Abreu G’02 is a social worker at Seymour Elementary School, a dual language school in Syracuse’s Near Westside. Abreu brings compassion, leadership and care to his vocation of serving alongside youth from across Syracuse.

Abreu’s family moved to New York City from the Dominican Republic at age 10. After graduating from high school, he joined the U.S. Army and was stationed overseas before serving at Fort Drum and Griffiss Air Force Base. When his time in active military service concluded, Abreu and his spouse chose to remain in Syracuse instead of returning to New York City, so that they could continue to help the Syracuse community.

“His family wanted him to settle closer to them, but his passion for seeing Syracuse’s children and youth improve their quality of life would not let him leave Upstate New York,” says Jonathan Santiago, Abreu’s friend and fellow social activist. Santiago is the Send Relief director in Puerto Rico and a former Baptist Chaplain at Syracuse University.

While in Syracuse, Abreu earned a master’s degree in social work at Syracuse University’s David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics. In addition to his career as a social worker, Abreu has applied the skills he learned at Syracuse University in other community engagement, sport and anti-crime programs, including as a volunteer youth basketball coach at Skiddy Park in the Near Westside.

As a social worker at Seymour Elementary School, Abreu has worked with students to develop important skills and a trajectory for success. After Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico, the Syracuse City School District, and particularly Seymour Elementary School, received an influx of students whose families had moved to Syracuse to rebuild their lives. Abreu started a support group for students at Seymour where they could talk about the impact of the storm on their lives.

Abreu brings the discipline of a veteran, the compassion of his Syracuse University education as a social worker and his spiritual wisdom as a pastor and Baptist ordained minister to all of his work, says Santiago. Just as King brought the teachings of his Baptist faith to his social activism, so does Abreu, in turn embodying the legacy of King in his work.

Syracuse University Staff

Keri Courtwright

Keri Courtwright

Keri Courtwright doesn’t stop working when she leaves her job each day as a custodian with Facilities Services at Syracuse University. At home, she logs onto Facebook, where she is the founder and lead administrator of Pay It Forward CNY, a community of more than 7,000 central New Yorkers that connects people in need with people who want to give. Courtwright has impacted the lives of thousands of people in the Syracuse community through this group and all that she does for her neighbors.

Two years ago, Courtwright came up with the concept for Pay It Forward CNY when she saw a Facebook post from a friend who was was in need of clothing.. In an interview with SU News, Courtwright said she realized there was no online platform for central New Yorkers to ask for or give goods and services for free. She decided to create one. Since then, Pay It Forward CNY has helped connect thousands of people together in moments of positivity, kindness and service.

“Keri’s belief in kindness has changed the course of life for so many in our area, and it seems like momentum continues to build around the work she’s doing,” says Julie Walas, director of Student Engagement in the School of Information Studies and member of Pay It Forward CNY.

Courtwright spends several hours a day approving posts, scheduling transportation, handling requests and more in the Facebook group. Each Sunday during the summer months, she hosts a clothing giveaway event in her driveway in as an open space for the community to give and receive. This holiday season, she and her co-administrators organized a gift drive, wrapped presents, stuffed stockings and delivered the gifts to children and families across CNY.

Beyond the physical exchange of much-needed goods and services, Courtwright makes sure to spread emotional positivity and wellbeing within the Facebook group. Each day she posts inspirational quotes and kind words that “give people hope,” says Jami Freeman, a childcare provider in Syracuse and member of Pay It Forward CNY. “Keri exemplifies Dr. King’s legacy by creating hope for humanity and helping to lighten the load of people living in poverty.”

Courtwright, who has worked at the University for more than 13 years, recently brought her personal brand of kindness and positivity to campus. After acts of hate speech occurred on campus, Courtwright shared inspirational quotes and photos throughout campus to spread positivity to the University community.

One exchange and kind word at a time, Courtwright is making Syracuse and CNY a better place. “Keri Lynn is a beautiful person with a great big heart,” says Freeman.

SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry Faculty

Lemir Teron

Lemir Teron

Environmental justice professor Lemir Teron’s field of study lies at the intersection environmental science, social justice and ecological sustainability. As an assistant professor in the Environmental Studies department at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Teron is a celebrated teacher whose outspoken support for people and communities of color has extended far beyond the boundaries of the SUNY-ESF campus.

Teron’s research, classroom teaching and community engagement focuses on the study of environmental justice, which is the movement to end systemic environmental harm acted upon marginalized populations. Teron brings the ideas of environmental sustainability and social justice together.

“He empowers students in his classroom and constantly challenges their line of thinking from the moment they enter the environmental studies program,” says Emily Li ’22, a SUNY-ESF student. “People are humbled yet energized in his class, feeling a call to action after every lecture.”

Teron is a widely popular professor at SUNY-ESF for his engaging classes and extensive mentorship. In class, he offers opportunities for students to work directly with community organizations, says Li. Teron also brings students to local sites that are part of his research, including the I-81 interstate highway.

Students of color across campusknow Teron as a generous mentor, says Laura Crandall, director of Student Involvement and Leadership at SUNY-ESF. Teron also actively involves students of color in his research group to ensure they are career ready. For his selfless commitment to students, Teron was awarded the 2019 Distinguished Faculty Member for Teaching Excellence Award from SUNY-ESF’s Undergraduate Student Association.

Teron’s research extends into the Syracuse community. He has shared his knowledge of environmental science as an advisor to the New York Civil Liberties Union’s I-81 campaign. His recognition as an expert in the field is also evident in his position on the Central New York Regional Economic Development Council’s Environmental Justice task force.

As King fought against systemic racism, Teron is working to ensure the next iteration of the interstate highway is developed with Syracuse’s Black communities at the forefront of decision making. He brings the same care and passion for justice to his teaching.

“Dr. Teron is a faculty member that helps underrepresented students feel at home and valued at ESF,” says Kailyn Wright, director of the Educational Opportunity Program at SUNY-ESF. “When students speak of him, their words are filled with gratitude.”

Syracuse University Student

Justine Hastings

Justine Hastings

Justine Hastings ’21 empowers the youth in her community through filmmaking, education and compassion. A double major in secondary English education in the School of Education and English and textual studies in the College of Arts and Sciences, Hastings utilizes creative teaching tools to engage students of all backgrounds and abilities.

“She is committed to equity and expanding educational access and opportunity for all,” says Elizabeth Guanipatin ’21, a friend and peer to Hastings. “She is a passionate advocate for systemic change for all those not in a position of access and privilege.”

At Syracuse University, Hastings has been a researcher, educator and leader, as well as a student. One of her recent accomplishments was earning a grant from the Syracuse Office of Undergraduate Research and Creative Engagement (SOURCE) to start a documentary filmmaking program for high school students at the North Side Learning Center in Syracuse. There, she will teach students the basics of documentary filmmaking and will evaluate the impact of creating their own films on the students’ literacy.

Hastings has an extensive background in educating youth in filmmaking and media literacy. During the summers of 2017 and 2018, Hastings interned at multiple nonprofits focused on the media arts in Brooklyn, New York. In those positions, she guided young filmmakers through the visual storytelling process. “With her patience and empathy, Justine has and continues to create safe and engaging spaces for artists at all stages of the filmmaking process, and aims to provide the creative inspiration, individual attention and intellectual environment they need,” says Guanipatin.

In addition to working with youth and filmmaking, Hastings is a mentor to students of all ages. She has served as an English tutor at Solvay High School and Grant Middle School, is an academic coach for the University’s Center for Learning and Student Success, and is a student research mentor at SOURCE. Hastings was also a peer facilitator of the Syracuse Reads Program/SEM 100, a five-week seminar that engages new students in shared reflection and discussion about themes of identity, belonging, diversity, inclusion and health and wellness.

Hastings’ generous compassion and empathy also extends to peer-to-peer support networks. She has served as an InclusiveU residential mentor and a facilitator for the LGBT Resource Center’s Fusion program, which brings LGBT+ students of color together for mutual support. Hastings is also an Our Time Has Come Scholar, Ronald E. McNair Scholar and a student in the Renée Crown University Honors Program.

In her life’s work and dedication to others, Hastings demonstrates commitment to King’s vision of equality, compassion and justice.

Syracuse University Student

Jack Ramza

Jack Ramza

As the community relations chair of the University student leadership program OrangeSeeds, Jack Ramza ’22 is committed to building sustainable and impactful relationships with community organizations . During his two years at Syracuse University, Ramza has built a reputation of integrity, commitment to social justice and compassion for others that seeps into his numerous roles as a campus leader.

“Instead of ‘checking a box’ or simply logging hours, Jack has been able to embody the values that Martin Luther King Jr. taught many individuals, which are the importance of listening and learning from others,” says Jimmy Luckman, a program coordinator in the Office of First-Year and Transfer Programs and advisor to OrangeSeeds.

OrangeSeeds is a first-year student leadership empowerment program designed to help first-year and transfer students develop into confident campus leaders. During the program, students participate in weekly community service and organize the Big Event, the largest student-run day of community service at Syracuse University.

Ramza works directly with community organizations to coordinate weekly community service activities in his position in OrangeSeeds. These organizations include The Nottingham senior living facility, Boys & Girls Clubs of Syracuse, OttoTHON, We Rise Above the Streets and more. Ramza strategically collaborates with community leaders when choosing service projects in order to maximize positive impact, says Luckman.

In addition to building OrangeSeeds’ presence in the Syracuse community, Ramza works with OrangeSeeds members to engage in intrapersonal reflection and dialogue. He takes time during meetings to encourage students to reflect on their impact in the community and what they learn from their experiences. “Jack is helping these future local, national and international leaders understand the importance of giving back to their community and making a commitment to better the lives of others,” says Luckman.

Ramza brings this same commitment to positive change in his positions across campus. He is a peer mentor for the Martin J. Whitman School of Management, recruitment chair for the Delta Upsilon International Fraternity and a former competitor in the Hult Prize through the Blackstone Launchpad. Ramza is dually enrolled in the Martin J. Whitman School of Management and S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, where he earned the D’Aniello Freshman Merit Scholarship and Newhouse First-Year Achievement Award.

Ramza embodies King’s belief in the power of education to create open-minded and service-oriented citizens. “Jack has sustained my hope in the education system because of his eagerness and excitement about engaging in his community,” says Luckman.

Tickets for the dinner and program .

This annual event at Syracuse University is the largest of its kind on a college campus and seeks to honor the message and mission of Dr. King. This year’s theme is “A Living Legacy.”

The son of two Pentecostal pastors, Warnock responded to the call of ministry at an early age, and in 2005—at the age of 35—became the fifth and youngest person ever called to the senior pastorate of Ebenezer Baptist Church, founded in 1886. In addition to his ministry in Atlanta, which has included bringing in 4,000 new members at Ebenezer, Warnock is one of the most sought-after and respected teachers and preachers in the nation.

Ebenezer Baptist Church, known as “American’s Freedom Church,” was served by the Rev. Martin Luther King Sr., known as “Daddy King,” from 1931 to 1975 and the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. from 1960 until his assassination in 1968. Today, Ebenezer has 6,000 total members and continues to serve the Atlanta community and beyond from the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site.

Dr. Warnock is a graduate of the Leadership Program sponsored by the Greater Baltimore Committee, the Summer Leadership Institute of Harvard University and Leadership Atlanta. Dr. Warnock graduated from Morehouse College cum laude in 1991, receiving a bachelor of arts degree in psychology. He also holds a master of divinity degree from Union Theological Seminary in New York City, from which he graduated with honors and distinctions. Seeing his pastoral work as tied to the ministry of scholarship and the life of the mind, Dr. Warnock continued his graduate studies at Union, receiving a master of philosophy degree and a doctor of philosophy degree in the field of systematic theology. He is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., the 100 Black Men of Atlanta, Inc. and a Lifetime Member of the NAACP. Dr. Warnock’s activism was honored in 2016, as his footprints were placed on the International Civil Rights Walk of Fame.

Among other honors, Dr. Warnock has been recognized as one of “Atlanta’s 55 Most Powerful” by Atlanta magazine, one of the “New Kingdom Voices” by Gospel Today magazine, one of “God’s Trombones” by the Rainbow Push Coalition, a “Good Shepherd” by Associated Black Charities, one of the “Chosen Pastors” by The Gospel Choice Awards, “A Man of Influence” by the Atlanta Business League, one of The Root 100 in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 (TheRoot.com is a division of The Washington Post), one of the “Top 10 Most Influential Black Ministers” by Loop 21, one of the “20 Top African American Church Leaders” by TheRoot.com, and he has received the Reverend Dr. William A. Jones Justice Award from the National Action Network. He is a National TRIO Achiever Award recipient and has been honored by induction into the Martin Luther King Jr. Board of Preachers. As an opinion leader, his perspective has been sought out by electronic and print media, locally, nationally and internationally. His work has been featured on CNN, the CBS Evening News, the Huffington Post and in the Atlanta Journal and Constitution which hailed him “a leader among Atlanta and national clergy, a fitting heir to the mantle once worn by the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.”

“We are honored and excited to welcome Rev. Raphael Warnock to Syracuse as our featured speaker,” said the Rev. Brian Konkol, dean of Hendricks Chapel. “Warnock, both literally and spiritually, stands in the footsteps of kings at Ebenezer Baptist Church. He speaks and serves with authority on how we too can participate in a living legacy. This is a special and timely opportunity.”

This year marks the 35th year for the MLK Celebration, which will include Warnock’s address, student and community group performances, and presentation of this year’s Unsung Hero Awards. The event takes place on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020 in the Dome.

Dinner will be held from 5 to 6:30 p.m. near the Dome’s west end zone, followed by the main program from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the east side.

Following are the various ticket purchase options:

• Syracuse University staff, faculty and the general public (dinner and program): $30
• Syracuse University staff, faculty and general public (main program only): $15
• Students (dinner and program): $15
• Students (main program only): $5

All tickets for the dinner will be assigned a table number at the time of purchase, which will be printed on the ticket. Guests interested in sitting with friends are recommended to purchase tickets together to ensure the same table assignment.

Guests may order up to 10 dinner and program tickets online. To purchase one full table (10 seats), select 10 total tickets and proceed to checkout. To purchase more than one table or more than 10 individual tickets, or if experiencing difficulties, please call the Dome Box Office at 888.DOME.TIX (315.443.2121), option four. Guests may order up to 50 program only tickets at a time.

All dinner guests will be seated in the 100-level section of the Dome stands for the program that follows dinner. All guests attending the program only will be seated in the 200-level of the Dome stands. Seating is general admission in those areas for the program.

Tickets are available online at��, in person at the Dome Box Office, located in the Ensley Athletic Center at 1315 East Colvin St. (Monday 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Tuesday through Friday 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.) and by phone (888.DOME.TIX or 315.443.2121, option four). Tickets will be mailed or available at will call on the night of the event.

Free parking for the event will be available in the Irving Avenue Garage and in lots west of the Dome. Visit our ��for maps and directions. American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation and Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) will be available for the event. Accessible seating will be provided on the concourse level of the Dome.

For more information about the event or to request accommodations, please contact Hendricks Chapel at chapel@syr.edu or 315.443.2901.

On Sunday, Dec. 8, two identical performances will take place at 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. The addition of an earlier show will ensure that more guests receive an opportunity to attend this annual holiday event.

Increased student participation is an additional highlight of this year’s Holidays at Hendricks. The Syracuse University Symphony Orchestra, the student orchestra of the Setnor School of Music, will perform at both concerts.

Doors to Hendricks Chapel will open 30 minutes prior to each concert start time. Both concerts are free and open to the public. Financial donations in support of Hendricks Chapel outreach programs, such as the food pantry, will be accepted throughout the day. The community is also invited to a reception at the Heroy Geology Laboratory lobby following the 7:30 p.m. concert.

Public parking is free and available on a first-come, first-served basis in Irving Garage and the Hillside lot. Those who require accessible parking or would like more information about the event may call the chapel at 315.443.2901 or email��chapel@syr.edu.

An ongoing CNY tradition hosted by Hendricks Chapel and the Setnor School of Music, Holidays at Hendricks celebrates the sounds of the season and is anchored by the Hendricks Chapel Choir and its director José “Peppie” Calvar. The newly formatted, student-centered performance features the Syracuse University Symphony Orchestra directed by James Tapia, the international award-winning Syracuse University Singers, under the direction of John Warren, and Syracuse University’s combined vocal jazz ensembles, directed by Professor Jeff Welcher. The Crouse Chorale (soprano/alto choir) and Setnor Sonority (tenor/bass choir), directed by Hillary Ridgley and Peppie Calvar, respectively, will also join the production.

“As we celebrate Syracuse University’s sesquicentennial, we recognize the diverse religious and spiritual perspectives among our students and our University community. In our diversity, we come together in this festive season to celebrate 150 years of impact at Syracuse,” says Hendricks Chapel Choir director Peppie Calvar. “We honor the visionary leadership that has brought us to this point, and the extraordinary accomplishments of the Orange family spread throughout the globe. Our student performers represent the next generation of visionaries and leaders ready to propel our society to a bright and promising future. We look forward to sharing their talents with you at Holidays at Hendricks 2019.”

For more information, visit or the . Hendricks Chapel will also post regular updates about the event through its ,�������Ի������貹�����.

The theme of the Nov. 11 dialogue dinner is “The Surprising Global Legacy of Anne Frank.” Gillian Walnes Perry, co-founder and honorary vice president of the Anne Frank Trust UK and author of (Pen and Sword, 2018), is the dialogue co-facilitator. The evening is co-sponsored by Syracuse Hillel and will take place at the Winnick Hillel Center for Jewish Life, 102 Walnut Place. Dinner will begin at 5:30 p.m., with the dialogue from 6 to 8 p.m.

“I am so delighted to address the Interfaith Dialogue Dinner on Nov. 11,” says Walnes Perry. “The aims and inclusive ethos of this popular event, held for both university and public, sit so well with the work and mission of the Anne Frank educational work worldwide, including the Anne Frank Center for Mutual Respect in New York. I will be relating how learning about Anne Frank has affected young people for the good in some of the world’s most conflicted and turbulent regions, and how Anne’s diary inspired people such as Nelson Mandela. I hope this will be a springboard for some very exciting Anne Frank educational activity in Syracuse.”

The gathering will include a shared meal, facilitated dialogue and two periods of mindful meditation (at the beginning and the end). American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation and inclusive food will be provided. Requests for accommodations or food queries should be made in advance by contacting Bonnie Shoultz at bshoultz@syr.edu.

The fall 2019 “Common and Diverse Ground” series is co-sponsored by Hendricks Chapel, the Office of Interdisciplinary Programs and Outreach in the Burton Blatt Institute, Intergroup Dialogue, and the Office of Diversity and Inclusion. For several years, the series has brought members of the campus community together in an inclusive environment to explore challenging contemporary issues.

“The Interfaith Dialogue Dinner Series seeks to serve as a direct expression of Syracuse University’s longstanding commitment to fostering and supporting an inclusive, accessible campus community of opportunity for a richly diverse student body,” says the Rev. Brian Konkol, dean of Hendricks Chapel. “We at Hendricks Chapel are honored to support these important opportunities alongside such committed campus and community partners, because together we affirm that education informed by multiple points of view, life experiences, ethnicities, cultures, abilities and belief systems is essential to academic excellence.”

Learn more about the Nov. 11 dialogue dinner on the��. For more information on the series, contact Hendricks Chapel at chapel@syr.edu or 315.443.2901.

In order to provide a community of support, Hendricks Chapel is sponsoring “A Dinner Conversation on Spirituality, Loss and Grief,” on Nov. 5 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. in the Noble Room of Hendricks Chapel.

Following a free dinner, chaplains and guests from a diversity of religious, spiritual, moral and ethical perspectives will provide participants with a casual and inclusive opportunity to share and receive stories, and build community for the sake of peace and healing.

“Grief is like a constant companion.��It can be��irritating. It is always there and it demands attention,” says Rev. Rhonda Chester, chaplain of the United Methodist Ecumenical Campus Ministry at Syracuse University. “I am grateful for the opportunity to help provide students with tools and resources for working through grief and loss.”

To learn more about the event, visit the . American Sign Language (ASL) will be provided upon request. For more information, please contact Hendricks Chapel at chapel@syr.edu or 315.443.2901.

The first dialogue,��“Queer Spiritualities and Liberation” will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Noble Room of Hendricks Chapel. Dinner starts at 5:30 p.m. The guest co-facilitators for the evening’s dialogue will be Wildecy Fatima de Jury from the East Bay Meditation Center and Imani Gayle Gillison from the Brooklyn Zen Center, both in New York City. Both guest co-facilitators are Buddhist Dharma Teachers of Color and members of the LGBTQ+ communities. The dialogue is part of the University’s LGBTQ+ History Month programming in partnership with the LGBT Resource Center.

“The Insight Meditation tradition is one of the branches of Buddhism that has flourished in the United States. Through the training of teachers of color, queer teachers and teachers with other, intersecting marginalized identities, such as Fatima and Imani, this tradition has succeeded in creating centers that more closely reflect the communities in which they are located,” says Bonnie Shoultz, Buddhist assistant chaplain and series co-organizer.

“Now these teachers are teaching the rest of us, not just about Buddhism but also about how we can awaken together.��It is essential that as we practice our faiths, we have the opportunity to experience diverse perspectives and ways of examining truth and developing wisdom.��I am happy that we’re able to bring these two wonderful women to Hendricks Chapel for this dinner dialogue.”

The gathering will include a shared meal, facilitated dialogue and two periods of mindful meditation (at the beginning and the end). American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation and inclusive food will be provided. Requests for accommodations or food queries should be made in advance by contacting Bonnie Shoultz at bshoultz@syr.edu.

The Fall 2019 “Common and Diverse Ground” series is co-sponsored by Hendricks Chapel, the Office of Interdisciplinary Programs and Outreach in the Burton Blatt Institute, Intergroup Dialogue, and the Office of Diversity and Inclusion. For several years, the series has brought members of the campus community together in an inclusive environment to explore challenging contemporary issues.

“The Interfaith Dialogue Dinner Series seeks to serve as a direct expression of Syracuse University’s longstanding commitment to fostering and supporting an inclusive, accessible campus community of opportunity for a richly diverse student body,” says Hendricks Chapel Dean Brian Konkol. “We at Hendricks Chapel are honored to support these important opportunities alongside such committed campus and community partners, because together we affirm that education informed by multiple points of view, life experiences, ethnicities, cultures, abilities and belief systems is essential to academic excellence.”

The second and final dinner dialogue this semester will be “The Surprising Global Legacy of Anne Frank” on Monday, Nov. 11. Gillian Walnes Perry, co-founder and honorary vice president of the Anne Frank Trust UK and author of “The Legacy of Anne Frank,” will be the dialogue co-facilitator. The evening is co-sponsored by Syracuse Hillel and will take place at the Winnick Hillel Center for Jewish Life at 102 Walnut Pl. Dinner will begin at 5:30 p.m. and the dialogue will run from 6 to 8 p.m.

Learn more about the Oct. 2 dialogue dinner on the . For more information on the event series, contact Hendricks Chapel at chapel@syr.edu or 315.443.2901.

The Hendricks Chapel Choir performs during the Sept. 8 Music and Message event.

A collective expression of joy bloomed in Hendricks Chapel last Sunday, as the gathered audience in the pews of the main chapel sung out “This Little Light of Mine” in unison with the Hendricks Chapel Choir. With the music came a message: Together, as a community, our lights can shine brighter.

This joyful moment concluded the first event in a new Hendricks Chapel series, called The program unites the Malmgren Concert Series and national award-winning Dean’s Convocation into a new weekly series that features musical performances and spoken reflection from a diversity of religious and spiritual perspectives. Students, who will collaborate with special musical guests from across the country, will lead the majority of performances.

“‘Music and Message’ is designed to allow our students to interact with guests and to share their gifts with one another, whether that be performing, speaking or presenting their research,” says Anne Laver, University organist and series organizer. “I am very excited for launch of this series.”

The Bumper Jacksons will perform on Sept. 15.

The next “Music and Message” will feature the , a Washington, D.C., based bluegrass/swing fusion band, in concert on Sunday, Sept. 15 at 4 p.m. This special guest performance is part of , celebrating 150 years of Syracuse University history.

The Bumper Jacksons have been hailed as “one of the grooviest bands to come out of Washington, D.C.” Led by vocalist Jess Eliot Myhre, the group blends the sounds of Appalachian Americana with funky swing. The band includes co-founder Chris Ousley on banjo, Alex Lacquement on upright bass, Dan Samuels on percussion, Dave Hadley on pedal steel guitar and Joseph Brotherton on trumpet. Their concert in Hendricks Chapel will feature original tunes from their recent album, “I’ve Never Met a Stranger,” and a special collaboration with the Hendricks Chapel Choir.

“The Bumper Jacksons’ joyful approach to music-making epitomizes the idea behind the new ‘Music and Message’ series,” says Laver. “This group was eager to embrace the idea of collaboration with students that is central to this series.”

“Music and Message” will take place every Sunday at 4 p.m. Future programs include concerts by organist Anne Laver on Sept. 22, Ensemble Parallax with soprano Kathleen Roland-Silverstein on Sept. 29, the Verona String Quartet on Oct. 27, Theodicy Jazz Collective on Nov. 3, and Setnor School of Music Ensembles on various dates.

The series also features presentations by undergraduate research and creative works grant recipients on Oct. 6, the 2019-20 Remembrance Scholars on Oct. 20, and 2019 Spiritual Writing Contest winner Alonzo Turner on Nov. 10. For a complete listing of events, visit the .

“We at Hendricks Chapel are honored and delighted to create, strengthen and sustain a sacred space for artists and musicians to name the��unnameable�����Ի� communicate the unknowable,” says Brian Konkol, dean of Hendricks Chapel. “As Plato said, ‘Music can ‘give soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything.’” As we celebrate the 150^th anniversary of the University, and as we continue to grow our campus commitment to religious and spiritual programs and services, we look forward to building ‘Music and Message’ as a signature event for inviting learners into the fullness of life.”

Parking for this event is complimentary. Irving Garage and Hillside lots will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.��The Q1 lot will be designated for accessible parking.

Communication Access Real-time Translation (CART) will be provided. For more information or to request accommodations, contact Hendricks Chapel at��chapel@syr.edu��or call 315.443.2901.

The 32nd annual “Show and Tell” event, organized by the Syracuse/Onondaga County Youth Bureau, will bring together members of local nonprofit organizations that serve youth in the City of Syracuse. This is the first time the community event will be held at Syracuse University, giving students, faculty and staff a special opportunity to connect with the Syracuse community.

“Show and Tell” helps potential volunteers connect with the multitude of local nonprofits all under one roof, in one day. Each nonprofit leader will have a few minutes to explain their mission and how students, faculty, staff and community members in the audience can get involved. The gathering will take place on Friday, Sept. 6, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Goldstein Student Center on South Campus.

Syeisha Byrd, director of the Office of Engagement Programs in Hendricks Chapel, partnered with the Syracuse/Onondaga County Youth Bureau to bring “Show and Tell” to campus this year. After attending the event for many years, she realized that it was an important opportunity for learning about the many youth-serving nonprofits in Onondaga County.

“In past years, I remember wishing I could have brought a van load of Syracuse University students with me to attend the event,” Byrd says. “It is the perfect opportunity for students to find volunteer and internship opportunities and for faculty to build new partners for service-learning courses.”

Since its inception in 1987, this event has been primarily targeted to the Syracuse community. As a result of this partnership with Syracuse University, “Show and Tell” will now have an expanded impact and a larger room for all of the presenters.

The participating nonprofits come from a variety of fields, including jobs training, health services, youth development and juvenile justice programming. There are typically 25 agencies that present, but a longer program this year will allow 32 programs to participate.

Joe King, project coordinator in Syracuse/Onondaga County Youth Bureau and lead organizer of “Show and Tell,” says the agencies that present each year are similar, but new nonprofits are added to give everyone equal opportunity. This year’s agencies include the Boys & Girls Club, the McMahon/Ryan Child Advocacy Center, ARISE and many more.

King says “Show and Tell” is key to bringing these organizations together for recruitment, networking and dispelling myths about youth and the community.

“Community service allows people to understand young people better,” King says. “Everyone is a product of their social environment. Community service helps educate, and breaks down social barriers to understanding youth and the complex issues that they face today.”

Lunch will be provided during the session. Parking is also available in the lot adjacent to the Goldstein Student Center. For more information, contact Syeisha Byrd at smbyrd@syr.edu or 315.443.1254.

Bringing “Show and Tell” to campus helps introduce students, faculty and staff to a variety of service organizations in the Central New York community. Beginning on Sunday, Oct. 27, volunteers representing Syracuse University will underscore what it means to be Orange by sharing their time and talent in a variety of ways to better their communities. The University is committed to providing 15,000 hours of community service over 150 days, culminating with the celebration of the University’s 150th birthday on Tuesday, March 24, 2020.

More than 190 incoming Jewish students and their families participated in this year’s “FreshFest,” the pre-orientation program organized by Syracuse Hillel. The 2019 cohort marked the highest number of participating students in the history of Freshfest, welcoming more students into the Hillel community.

“FreshFest is a unique opportunity for us to bring together Jewish first-year students as they embark on their journey to college,” says Jillian Juni, executive director of Syracuse Hillel. “It is a space in which we can open our arms and welcome them to their home away from home.”

FreshFest 2019 ran��Aug. 19-21, allowing students to move into residence halls early and get acclimated to campus before the designated beginning of Syracuse Welcome. Over the course of the program, students take tours of campus, hear from campus leaders and learn details about Greek Life and study abroad opportunities.

At its core, FreshFest is about making friends and building community. Incoming students are paired with upperclassmen “mentors” that guide them through the week and often continue to give them advice throughout the rest of the year.

Sophie Baron ’22 is one of this year’s mentors helping to guide the incoming students around campus, residence halls and home colleges. She says participating in FreshFest helped her to build a network of peers and upperclassmen that has supported her throughout her journey at SU.

“I really want incoming students to know that they always have a safe spot and people to lean on at Hillel,” Baron says. “I know for me it was really comforting to know I always had people to go to if I needed something.”

Students also help to design the program, with support from Syracuse Hillel staff. Ariel Hylton ’20 and Alexis Boehnlein ’20��were the��co-chairs of FreshFest 2019 and��in charge of developing numerous on- and off-campus activities, including icebreakers and an evening at the New York State Fair.

Hylton, who attended FreshFest as an incoming student three years ago, says she felt compelled to help this year to give back to the program that was so welcoming and exciting for her. She says she met some of her best friends during FreshFest, and felt like she had found a home on campus.

“FreshFest is important for Hillel and the SU Jewish community because it brings freshmen with a common background together,” Hylton says. “The students that take their first steps on campus through FreshFest can sense the school spirit and love that each and every student has for Syracuse University.”

Over the course of three days, the participating students get to know SU, Hillel, and most importantly, each other. As their journey at Syracuse University continues, these students will continue to form bonds in classes, residence halls and at Hillel events. “FreshFest gives students a foundation to grow upon,” Juni says, “And the knowledge that they will always have the support of the vibrant SU Jewish community.”

“I’m so proud to be able to call Syracuse Hillel my Hillel,” Hylton says. “I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way!”

Since its dedication in 1930, Hendricks Chapel has served as the diverse religious, spiritual, moral and ethical heart of Syracuse University. This latest modification incorporates recent growth, creates greater accessibility and offers more flexible use of the space while honoring the chapel’s historic mission and character.

Hendricks Chapel received more than 136,000 visits and hosted 645 sponsored events during the 2018-19 academic year. These figures reveal a significant increase from 2017-18, when approximately 115,000 visits were recorded. The renewed layout will support the chapel’s increasing engagement surrounding religious, spiritual, moral and ethical life in service to the campus community.

“To witness the ongoing growth in religious and spiritual engagement is a delight,” says Hendricks Chapel Dean Brian Konkol. “I am thankful for the outstanding efforts of our chaplains, staff, student leaders and advisors. This latest renovation, which would not be possible without our partners in Campus Planning, Design and Construction, is part of Syracuse University’s larger efforts to foster and support an inclusive, accessible campus of opportunity for a richly diverse student body.”

As part of Hendricks Chapel’s longstanding mission as a “home for all faiths” and “place for all people,” the renovation aligns with Syracuse University’s efforts to foster a climate of inclusion, access and opportunity. Student, staff and faculty leadership were consulted on the project, and it was widely agreed that new seating was a crucial next step in the growth of Hendricks Chapel.

One of the key collaborators was the Student Assembly of Interfaith Leaders (S.A.I.L.). The group, which advises the dean of Hendricks Chapel and creates a range of interfaith programs and services, consists of student leaders from numerous religious, spiritual, moral and ethical traditions.

Junjie Ren ’21, convener of S.A.I.L. and president of the Student Buddhist Association, says the change will better serve a new generation of students.

“As a student, a meditator and an advocate for interfaith cooperation, this renovation to Hendricks Chapel is exciting,” says Ren. “This is a major step forward for inclusivity, accessibility and growth in the chapel. I can’t wait to see what possibilities it creates for more students to worship and learn in the space.”

With greater flexibility in the floor plan of the chapel’s largest gathering space, there are now multitudes of possibilities for greater student engagement, a wider variety of programming and the inclusion of more traditions than ever before.

“I am excited and grateful that we are starting the new academic year with a more accommodating main chapel,” says Imam Amir Duric, Muslim chaplain. “I have always considered the chapel an interfaith sanctuary, but we have never been able to use it for our Friday prayer. This change won’t just accommodate the growing number of Muslim students on campus; it will also help them develop a sense of belonging in the chapel.”

Greater flexibility in the space will also support a variety of worship styles, says Elder Melvin Baker, chaplain of the Historically Black Church chaplaincy. “Our worship service utilizes singers, drums and other musical elements to lift up the word of God. We are thrilled to be able to move into the main chapel this semester, which will benefit the quality of our service and the growth of our chaplaincy.”

Jillian Juni, executive director of Syracuse Hillel, says the change will also benefit the Jewish community at the University.

“Hendricks Chapel is an incredible place for our community to gather,” says Juni. “Replacing pews with chairs helps to take a mostly static space and make it dynamic. We look forward to the chapel feeling more inclusive with the added flexibility to build a more intimate setting.”

The chairs, which are placed on new flooring, are of top quality and match the style and appeal of the remaining pews. The chairs are dark brown, as are the backs of the pews, with a red velvet cushioned seat. The interlocking feature will help the chairs to stay in straight lines, but allow for easy removal to offer space for wheelchairs or to open more space on the floor.

The , organized by Samuel Kuffuor-Afriyie ’20, an organ performance major in the College of Visual and Performing Arts, will provide Ghanaian musicians an opportunity to network, learn and perform as a community. The institute, which runs from Aug. 11-17, is open to musicians of all experience levels who are interested in enhancing their skills in organ performance, voice and choral conducting. It will take place in Christ the King Church and Parish Hall in Accra.

Faculty instructors for the workshop include Anne Laver (organ, Syracuse University), José “Peppie” Calvar (choral conducting and voice, Syracuse University), Malcolm Merriweather (choral conducting and voice, Brooklyn College), Nathaniel Gumbs (organ, Yale Institute of Sacred Music) and Jessica Montgomery G’20 (voice, Syracuse University).

“It’s an opportunity for everyone attending to learn from each other,” says Kuffuor-Afriyie. “The instructors from the United States will learn about Ghanaian culture. And likewise, the participants and Ghanaian musicians will learn about music performance from us.”

Each day of the workshop will feature group lessons in the morning, workshops on special topics in the afternoon and rehearsals with guest choirs from across Ghana in the evenings. The week will culminate with a large workshop for local musicians and an evening concert featuring participants, faculty and guest choirs.

Registration is open on the , where those interested can find more information on the fees, schedule and faculty. Salt and Light Ministry, a Ghanaian nonprofit religious organization, is assisting with the administration and hosting of the institution.

Anne Laver, University organist and associate professor in the Setnor School of Music, is assisting Kuffuor-Afriyie in organizing the institute. She recently organized the Syracuse Legacies Organ Conference on campus and has led a number of educational camps and organ workshops for high school students. For this event, though, her motivation goes beyond the music.

“When a student comes up with a compelling project like this, as a teacher you want to do everything you can to support it. That’s my main motivation,” says Laver. “Sam has been eager to help with everything I ask of him, so when he came to me so determined to organize this workshop, I was inspired to do anything I could to help him.”

Kuffuor-Afriyie says he was inspired to plan an organ performance institute in Ghana last summer during a visit there. Of Ghanaian descent himself, he was visiting friends and family and learned that music education in Ghana is focused on musicology and theory rather than performance. As an organ performance major, he wanted to give more people the opportunity to hone that skill.

There is also value to the connections that these workshops bring. As a high school student, Kuffuor-Afriyie attended an organ workshop where he was able to meet fellow young organists and learn from university-level instructors. The experience gave him the motivation he needed to continue his studies, he says, and helped him feel less isolated in his unique career field.

“As a student, this is important to me because I see so much chance in life. When someone gives you an opportunity, you need to take a chance. Just like when I auditioned here, Dr. Laver and SU took a chance on me,” Kuffuor-Afriyie says. “In doing this workshop I’m just trying to share what I’ve learned.”

Kuffuor-Afriyie’s spirit and passion helped motivate Hendricks Chapel to sponsor the organ institute. As the home of one of the University’s organs, Hendricks Chapel is invested in supporting the musical arts, as well as fostering individual student growth. As the student-centered global home for religious, spiritual, moral and ethical life, Hendricks Chapel is also compelled to support such a profound experience of cross-cultural exchange.

“At Hendricks Chapel we seek to have a global impact,” says Hendricks Chapel Dean Brian Konkol. “Because music and the arts are critical to our mission, this opportunity to support students and accompany our global companions was met with great enthusiasm. I am personally delighted!”

Other sponsors of the Accra Organ and Choral Music Institute include the Setnor School of Music, Ghana Wesley United Methodist Church, and the Syracuse and Brooklyn Chapters of the American Guild of Organists.

For more information, email chapel@syr.edu or call 315.443.2901. Visit the to register and the for updates.

The full schedule of services for the Triduum is available below or at . All events are free and open to the public.

Holy Thursday, April 18

7 p.m.—Commemoration of the Institution of the Eucharist and Foot Washing, followed by Eucharistic Adoration until 10 p.m. at the Catholic Center, 110 Walnut Place, Syracuse.
6:30 p.m.—Middle Eastern Agape Meal and Remembrance of the Last Supper with Lutheran Campus Ministry, 100 Berkeley Drive, Syracuse.

Good Friday, April 19

All day—Open space for meditation and reflection at Hendricks Chapel (Small Chapel, lower level).
Noon—Ecumenical Service at Hendricks Chapel.
5 p.m.—Passion of the Lord (including reading of the Passion, veneration of the cross and Holy Communion) at the Catholic Center.

Holy Saturday, April 20

7:30 p.m.—Easter Vigil (including blessing of the fire and water, renewal of Baptismal Promises) at the Catholic Center.

Easter Sunday, April 21

10:30 a.m.—Catholic Campus Ministry Mass at the Catholic Center.
11 a.m.—Baptist Campus Ministry Service at Hendricks Chapel.
Noon—Lutheran Campus Ministry Festival Worship and Easter Brunch at��Hendricks Chapel (Noble Room).
1 p.m.—Catholic Campus Ministry Mass at Hendricks Chapel.
5:30 p.m.—Dean’s Convocation (7 p.m.) and Sunday Dinner (5:30 p.m.) at Hendricks Chapel.

The Evangelical Christian Chaplaincy hosts services off campus at the International Assembly on 4274 Lafayette Road in Jamesville. Their schedule of offerings includes a Good Friday service from 7 to 9 p.m. and these Easter Sunday services:

7 a.m.—Easter Sunrise Service
8 a.m.—Breakfast at Church
9:30 a.m.—Easter Worship Service
12:15 p.m.—Fellowship Lunch following service

For more information or to request accommodations, email chapel@syr.edu or call 315.443.2901.

In order to provide grieving students, faculty and staff with a community of support, Hendricks Chapel is sponsoring “A Dinner Conversation on Spirituality, Loss and Grief,” on Tuesday, March 26, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the Noble Room, lower level of Hendricks Chapel.

“When faced with loss and grief our healing is often nurtured through intentional action, and receiving the spiritual support of others is a way to gradually live into a new normal,” says the Rev. Brian Konkol, Dean of Hendricks Chapel. “As a learning community it is especially important to recognize the ways in which grief has an impact on campus life, as those of us experiencing sorrow are more likely to struggle with academic performance, physical illness, loneliness and emotional anguish. My hope is that gathering for an evening of open discussion will provide all participants will an opportunity to express their pain and move forward in their journey toward restoration.”

Following a free dinner, chaplains and guests from a diversity of religious, spiritual, moral and ethical perspectives will provide participants with a casual and inclusive opportunity to share their stories, listen to others and build community for the sake of peace and healing.

American Sign Language (ASL) will be provided upon request. For more information and to request accommodations, contact Hendricks Chapel at chapel@syr.edu.

The “True Colors” LGBTQI Spirituality Series is an open-process group that will be co-facilitated by Alonzo D. Turner, a second-year doctoral student in counseling and human services, and JoAnn Cooke, Buddhist co-chaplain at Hendricks Chapel. In this space, the co-facilitators will discuss topics that are pertinent to students who identify as LGBTQI and the role that spirituality plays within their life experiences.

The group will meet Wednesdays from 7 to 8 p.m. in the Noble Room (lower level of Hendricks Chapel) on the following dates:

• February 27
• March 20
• April 3
• April 17

“In a world where individuals who possess multiple marginalized identities are victims of discrimination and senseless acts of violence it is imperative that we advocate for students who are constantly navigating the intersections of these identities,” Turner says. “With this series, we want to provide a symbol of hope and a substantial place of refuge for LGBTQI students at Syracuse University who are exploring ways in which spirituality may also intersect with their identity on our campus and in this society.”

Participation is open for all LGBTQI-identifying students. Students are welcome to join one or all discussions.

For more information or to request accommodations, contact Alonzo Turner at aturne03@syr.edu.

The celebration will take place during Dean’s Convocation, the award-winning Sunday gathering led by the Rev. Brian E. Konkol, dean of Hendricks Chapel. These weekly gatherings, which begin at 7 p.m. in the Main Chapel, are a place for all people to renew, reflect and rejoice in preparation for the week ahead.

As this week’s guest speaker, Elder Melvin Baker, the Historically Black Church Associate Chaplain, will deliver a message titled “Rough Blessings: Finding Victory in Painful Seasons!” The Black Celestial Choral Ensemble will lead a special performance, in addition to the Hendricks Chapel Choir. Anne Laver, University Organist, and Samuel Kuffuor-Afriyie will both perform the organ at this week’s event.

Before each Dean’s Convocation, Hendricks Chapel also hosts a casual dinner that is free and open to the public. All are welcome to enjoy an inclusive meal and engaging conversation beginning at 5:30 p.m. in the Noble Room.

In partnership with the Office of Health Promotion, four select dinners form the Soulful Eats program. At these gatherings, student leaders lead guided conversations around topics important to student life. The Spring 2019 SoulfulEats schedule is:

• February 24: Connection
• March 24: Hate/Anger
• March 31: Change
• April 14: Freedom

In addition to these select dates, Dean’s Convocation will continue each Sunday throughout the spring semester, except for the weekends before and after Spring Break (March 10 and 17).

Dean’s Convocation and Sunday Dinner is free and open to the public. Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) is provided. For questions and accommodations, please email chapel@syr.edu or call 315.443.2901.

The People’s Place Cafe grand reopening celebration on Friday will feature samples of soup, sandwiches, and macaroni and cheese. Plus, new travel mugs and stickers will be available for purchase.

People’s Place Café is celebrating the completion of renovations and the addition of Brooklyn Pickle soups and sandwiches to its menu.

The student-run, not-for-profit coffee shop, located in the lower level of Hendricks Chapel, invites all members of the University community to check out its fresh new look and new menu options at a grand reopening celebration on Friday, Feb. 8, from 2 to 5 p.m. The event will feature live music from student musician Charlie Burg ’19 and a DJ from WERW; free small drinks; Brooklyn Pickle samples and giveaways.

The celebration highlights a period of growth at People’s Place Café, which was established in 1971. The renovations, completed over Winter Break, are already helping the café better serve students, faculty and staff who line up throughout the day for the café’s organic, fair-trade, hazelnut coffee and other offerings.

Fresh paint, a new pastry case, an updated refrigerator and an ice machine are just a few of the renovations that have been made. The construction team also worked with the student managers to preserve some of the iconic painting and artwork on the original cabinets in the addition of new storage space.

Partnering with the iconic Syracuse sandwich shop Brooklyn Pickle, People’s Place Café now serves a daily variety of Brooklyn Pickle sandwiches and soups, plus macaroni and cheese on Fridays.

The connection between Hendricks Chapel and Brooklyn Pickle has deep roots. Craig Kowadla, co-owner of Brooklyn Pickle, grew up as a big fan of Hendricks Chapel. His late father, Harry Kowadla ’65, was a Syracuse alumnus who was deeply involved with the Alibrandi Catholic Center while on campus. He even served as an altar boy for the late Father Charles Borgognoni, the University’s legendary Catholic chaplain. The Alibrandi Catholic Center also hosted Harry’s memorial service in 2007.

“My father loved his Syracuse experience, and Father Borgognoni was a big part of that,” Craig Kowadla says.

His father loved Hendricks Chapel so much, in fact, that Craig named his second son Hendricks, in honor of Harry’s memories of the chapel. Craig says its “pretty cool” to be serving his food where his father spent so much of his time on campus.

People’s Place Café staff will hand out samples of soup, sandwiches, and macaroni and cheese during the grand reopening celebration to give patrons a taste of the new menu. There will also be new travel mugs and stickers for sale at the event. People’s Place is cash-only, but there are reloadable gift cards available for the convenience of customers.

For more information, contact Hendricks Chapel at 315.443.2901 or chapel@syr.edu.

As the festive season continues, the annual Syracuse University holiday concert will be broadcast across Central New York on public television and radio, through a partnership between SU, WCNY and WAER. The 90-minute concert will air locally and regionally, following the schedule below.

Local Broadcasts

Friday, Dec. 21, at 9 p.m. on WCNY-TV 24.1

Saturday, Dec. 22, at noon and 8 p.m. on WAER-FM 88.3

Sunday, Dec. 23, at noon on WCNY-TV 24.1

Monday, Dec. 24, at 9 p.m. on WCNY-TV 24.1

Tuesday, Dec. 25, at 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. on WCNY-FM 91.3

Regional Broadcasts

Sunday, Dec. 23, at 1:30 p.m. on WCFE-TV (Plattsburgh)

Sunday, Dec. 23, at 2 p.m. on WNED-TV (Buffalo)

Monday, Dec. 24, at 3 a.m. on WCFE-TV (Plattsburgh)

Monday, Dec. 24, at 3:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. on WPBS-TV (Watertown)

Tuesday, Dec. 25, at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. on WXXI-TV (Rochester)

WCNY-TV is found on Channel 24 or Time Warner Channel 11, digital cable channels 850 and 853 and simulcast in HD 24.1 and SD 24.4. WCNY-FM (CLASSIC-FM) is found at 91.3 in Syracuse, 89.5 in Utica and 90.9 in Watertown.

Production of the recorded program was directed by Syracuse University’s Creative Video Team in the Division of Marketing and Communications. The team includes Mary Kasprzyk ’03, Sean Horsford ’10, Bob Gerbin, Francis DiClemente, Amy Manley and Joey Heslin. The audio recording was captured by Kevin Muldoon G’13, audio engineer in the Setnor School of Music.

This year’s concert, organized by artistic director Peppie Calvar, featured the Hendricks Chapel Choir, Syracuse University Brass Ensemble, Syracuse University Organist Anne Laver and several guest choirs and ensembles.

Musical selections in this year’s program included “See Dat Babe,” an African American spiritual, and “Go Tell It on the Mountain,” which earned a standing ovation. The audience was encouraged to sing along during the performances of traditional favorites, including “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” and “Silent Night.”

For more information, contact Hendricks Chapel at 315.443.2901 or email��chapel@syr.edu.

Due to the high demand for tickets for this event, all tickets for the $30 combined dinner (5 to 6:30 p.m.) and main program (7 to 8:30 p.m.) option have sold out. Tickets for the main program alone are still available and may be purchased , in person at the Dome Box Office (Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) and by phone (888-DOME-TIX or 315.443.2121, option “zero”).

Program-only tickets are $15 for SU staff, SU faculty and the general public; $5 for students.

The program includes a conversation with Noah, talking about his acclaimed memoir, (Random House, 2016); reflecting on the life and legacy of Dr. King; and discussing the global impact of the civil rights movement. Plus, there will be performances by students and Central New York community members, and presentation of the Unsung Hero Awards—recognizing local community members who have championed the plight of those in need.

A new event format for this year, designed to accommodate increased attendance, includes the dinner from 5 to 6:30 p.m., followed by the separate main program from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Those who have purchased the “Dinner and Program” combined option will be seated in the west end zone during the dinner and then guided to a reserved section at the east side for the main program. See below.

The 34th annual event is presented in collaboration with the series and the Syracuse Reads program.

For more information on the MLK Celebration, visit .

This diagram shows the event floor plan. The sections highlighted in yellow indicate where all attendees are seated for the main program. The blue circles indicate dinner tables. All dinner attendees will be moved to a reserved section for the main program following the conclusion of the dinner.

The parliament includes representation from dozens of religious, spiritual, moral and ethical traditions. Its intent is to bring people together in the spirit of peace, education and a shared commitment to diversity and inclusion. This year’s parliament runs from Nov. 1-7 in Toronto, Canada, presenting an opportunity Hendricks Chapel has embraced.

The 13 delegates from Hendricks Chapel, who represent a diverse group of religious and spiritual practices, are committed to bringing a deeper understanding of interfaith cooperation back to Syracuse University.

“Where else can one find all the world’s religions coexisting in one space, having vital conversations as to how we can honor each other’s humanity,” says Rhonda Chester, the United Methodist Ecumenical chaplain.

Chester attended the parliament in 2015. She describes it as a transformative experience. During a forum on women’s empowerment, Chester met a daughter of Malcolm X and took the opportunity to get up onstage to deliver an impromptu blessing.

Apart from the official, Chester says she looks forward to the unexpected interactions and opportunities, and knows that the experience in Toronto will be educational and profound.

“It encourages me,” Chester says. “It helps me to come back and encourage my students who experience all kinds of things. And I can relate to them, really listen to them and provide them with the spiritual care that really brings about healing.”

Most of the cohort from Hendricks Chapel will be experiencing the parliament for the first time. For Jikyo Bonnie Shoultz, a Buddhist co-chaplain, and Junjie Ren, the vice president of the Student Buddhists Association, this will be a special opportunity to connect with a part of Buddhist history.

At the very first conference in 1893, a Buddhist master from Asia was invited to speak about Buddhism to a North American audience for the first time. Shoultz says that many practitioners of Zen Buddhism in North America can trace the lineage of their masters back to those who attended this first parliament.

Shoultz says she is excited to connect to this aspect of her tradition and to explore all of the opportunities for interfaith collaboration that will happen at the conference.

“You have to be open to the idea that you don’t know everything, that you absolutely want to learn,” Shoultz says. “I think that’s really what it’s about.”

For Ren, a junior geography major, the conference presents an opportunity to deepen his commitment to spiritual life. He describes his beliefs as fluid and varied, and is excited to learn from a diverse group of religious and spiritual leaders.

As a member of the Spiritual Life Council, an organization for student religious leaders on campus, Ren says he also hopes that he and the other students who are attending the conference can draw inspiration from their fellow student spiritual leaders.

“I want to go and see what other young people are up to, outside of my immediate circle,” Ren says. “What are they up to? What are they thinking?”

The opportunity to support and send a cohort to the parliament was, according to Hendricks Chapel Dean Brian Konkol, a direct expression of the chapel’s historic mission, vision and values.

“The Parliament of the World’s Religions seeks to cultivate harmony in order to sustain a more just, peaceful and sustainable world,” says Konkol. “Our support of this effort is rooted in our conviction that an education informed by multiple points of view, life experiences, ethnicities, cultures and belief systems is essential to academic excellence.”

Following the Parliament, the Hendricks Chapel cohort will make a presentation to the University community in order to share what they learned and build upon efforts to foster an inclusive campus community. More information on that session will be announced at a later date.

For more information, contact Hendricks Chapel at 315.443.2901 or chapel@syr.edu.