One service, first offered to only student veterans but now available to all Syracuse University students, is . Purepost is a software platform that helps veterans communicate the value of their service and translate military work experience into terms that are easily understood by civilian employers. More importantly, it automatically details the management skills used in the military and explains how they apply to a civilian job.

Purepost was started in 2017 by Army veteran Anthony Garcia. Garcia noticed the difficulties of transitioning to the professional world.

“He saw through his own personal experience that there was a need for taking down the barrier between the military skills that a veteran receives during their time of service and when they enter the civilian sector,” says Jennifer Pluta, assistant director of in the Office of Veteran and Military Affairs (OVMA).

Pluta says that a lot of the jobs in the military are very similar to the civilian jobs. For example, you could be a physician’s assistant, an engineer or pretty much anything that exists in the real world, just in a military setting. “What Purepost did is they went through every military job occupation for every rank for every branch and pulled out all of its competencies, and that’s really amazing,” Pluta says.

Students visit Paramount Pictures as part of the Los Angeles Career Immersion Trip in January 2020.

In addition to the jobs already in the software, an expert panel of veterans does the translating and accepts more entries. If a student is looking for something that’s not on the platform, they can send them that information and they’ll add it into their database so it will be available to other veterans.

The service has been extremely helpful to Syracuse University students in finding employment after graduation.

Peggy Trujillo G’20 found Purepost and Veteran Career Services extremely helpful after she discovered it while earning a master’s degree in communications online at the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications. “It’s normal even for young veterans to be leaders. However, they don’t think of themselves as having high-level management experience while trying to pursue civilian jobs,” Trujillo says. Trujillo used Purepost to translate her 20 years of experience in the U.S. Navy into a resume that details all the skills she learned.

“I would recommend Purepost to student veterans simply because it helps them fully understand who they are and how to apply for jobs. It gives them confidence and if they start this resume when they’re a student, it also might show them what they’re missing and what they need to focus on in school,” she says.

Purepost is now open to all SU students, not just student veterans, after the University recognized the value of a tool to enhance the student experience.

“Purepost helps eliminate barriers. Sometimes students don’t realize the skills they possess, maybe even from a summer job they had at 16. They may not realize the breadth and depth of skills that they utilized in that position. Because that awareness may not be present, that’s a barrier,” Pluta says. “When students understand their competencies and their skills, it shows up on their resume but also shows up in their interview, and they’re going to be able to talk about it.”

In addition to Purepost, Pluta and her colleagues at OVMA provide many other valuable resources to student veterans to ensure their success in securing employment after graduation. offers virtual services through its website, Handshake and resume tools like Purepost and Vmock as well as a library of tutorial videos featuring career-related content. The team also provides career immersion trips, national conference options, interview practices, mentorship meetings where experts meet with and advise students and career fairs.

Students had the opportunity to engage in community drumming at the Rhythmic Connections event.

Students are finding their own beat and reducing stress through a community-centered program, Rhythmic Connections: Community Drumming Program. The program consists of hands-on community drumming activities where participants can explore rhythm and percussion in a safe environment while enhancing health and wellness.

There have been three previous Rhythmic Connections sessions available to students at the Barnes Center at The Arch, and the feedback has been resoundingly positive. One more session will be held on May 13. Students can sign up through the .

“We heard some students say to us during this program that they’re so glad that they came because it gave them a chance to take a break, take a breath, forget about everything that’s going on for a minute,” says Scott Catucci, associate director for outdoor adventure, esports and student development at the Barnes Center at The Arch.

The sessions are led by Jimbo Talbot, an experienced rhythmic development facilitator with over 20 years of experience. He got his start in drumming as a sixth grader in his school marching band. He traded his trumpet for a drum right before a marching band concert began, even though he had no idea how to play.

Jimbo Talbot, the founder of DrumQuest, led the sessions.

Talbot fell in love with the rhythms he was able to create and went on to buy his first snare drum using money he earned by delivering newspapers. Since then, he has pursued drumming passionately, and he has been running his company which promotes health, healing and community building through drumming, for about 15 years.

The most recent session was attended by 13 students, the maximum allowed due to health and safety regulations. Even with social distancing in effect, students were still able to connect with each other through the music they were creating.

Catucci and Talbot recall students spontaneously creating a dance and feeding off the rhythms the other students were creating. Catucci says that after the event concluded, students exchanged phone numbers and information to keep in touch with each other.

“They showed up looking for a new experience and were able to find that new experience through this program, and all things pointed toward them having a great time, sharing rhythm, sharing expressions,” Catucci says.

Community drumming has many benefits for both individuals and communities. According to Talbot, members of a community drum circle build trust and strengthen communication.

“It can also have a very introspective and meditative component.” Talbot says. “Drumming is something that always brings you back to your heartbeat, to your breath. It’s a great way to monitor what’s going on inside.”

Drumming also benefits mental health by acting as a stress reliever, and performing in a community setting creates a safe space for students to be supported.

“It’s an expression. And sometimes you have to play loud, because of all that stress pent up inside,” Talbot says. “Everyone notices, everybody’s paying attention, so we designed it in a way that it’s OK to be that way, and others will join you in that to support you wherever you are.”

Both Catucci and Talbot believe in the benefits of drumming and that now more than ever, drum communities can be a tool in helping students as well as other groups on and off campus navigate personal, career and cultural change.

For more information or to discuss a custom drumming program for your group, contact Scott Catucci at sacatucc@syr.edu or make a reservation request on the Wellness Portal. To learn more about Jimbo and Drum Quest, visit the .

Fairgoers take in the view on the swing ride at the Great New York State Fair in August 2019. (Photo by Michael J. Okoniewski for the Great New York State Fair.)

The pandemic caused events around the globe to be canceled, from concerts to fairs. With vaccines becoming widely available, some events are coming back—although in altered ways or with limited capacity. Here are a few of Central New York’s most exciting events that you can attend this year.

Taste of Syracuse: Picnics at the Park

This is a 13-week event featuring over 80 vendors at Onondaga Lake Park from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Thursday of June, July and August. Several vendors will be featured each week along with live performances. This event is taking the place of the usual Taste of Syracuse event, which usually takes place in downtown Syracuse and draws massive crowds. This smaller event gives people the opportunity to taste local vendors in a safer manner. Check back for weekly updates on vendors and performers on and Facebook page.

New York State Blues Festival

The is planning to return on June 24-26 this year. This free festival brings together local and national blues artists for a celebration of blues music. Any fan of the blues or music in general should check this one out.

St. Sophia’s Greek Cultural Festival

St. Sophia’s Greek Church, 325 Waring Road, DeWitt, holds an annual . However, this year’s Greek fest will be a “drive-thru Greek food fest.” Festival goers can pre-order food online to get a quick pick up, or they can drive up and decide there. The festival is taking place at St. Sophia’s Church from Thursday, June 10, through Sunday, June 13. There is a wide selection of classic Greek foods, including gyros, souvlaki, spanakopita and baklava.

Great New York State Fair

The has been happening every year in Syracuse since 1890, up until 2020. In 2019, over 1.3 million people attended the fair, this year it is making a return from Aug. 20-Sept. 6. Fairgoers can enjoy a wide array of live entertainment options, choose from hundreds of food vendors and see some incredible exhibitions, like sand sculptures and butter sculptures. This year, the fairgrounds was converted into a vaccination site, and in the summer it will pivot to hold one the largest annual events in New York State to celebrate culture, agriculture, entertainment and, of course, food.

ONC Crawfish and Food Truck Festival

The will take place on May 1 from noon to 6 p.m. at the Syracuse Inner Harbor. Festival goers will be able to get food to go from food trucks and enjoy flavorful crawfish. The event is sponsored by Operation Northern Comfort, a nonprofit that brings together organizations from around Central New York to help provide labor, donations and support to communities in need. Entry is free and all proceeds benefit ONC.

Syracuse Arts and Crafts Festival

From July 23-25, Syracuse will host a showcase of 160 of the state and country’s finest arts and crafters at the annual . The festival usually draws over 50,000 visitors, who had to view last year’s festival virtually. In addition to the arts and crafts, there will be dozens of food vendors at the festival.

Otto flying off the nest.

The new camera is located on the west side of Lyman Hall, where hawks built a new nest last year. A camera was placed on the roof of Hinds Hall last year, which gave a diagonal view of the nest. However, the new camera, in addition to the Hinds Hall camera, will allow for close-up views and better tracking of the hawks’ location. “You can see them in the nest, and you can also see when they fly in and out and around campus,” Higgins says.

Higgins donated the cameras in memory of her late husband, Thomas L’67, also an avid birder whose favorite raptor was the red-tailed hawk. “The perfect way to honor my husband was to donate this in his memory,” Higgins says.

The cameras have reached hundreds of thousands of people around the world through the Syracuse University Nest Cam website and a Higgins created where she follows the hawks and posts frequent updates. The page, titled “Red-Tailed Hawk Tales,” has viewers all over the world, Higgins says. She frequently receives messages from people interested in the birds and has worked with Syracuse University students who have done projects on the hawks for classes.

Updates about the hawks can also be found on Twitter and Instagram; those links are on the main page of the SU Nest Cam website, plus a new sign-up form for emailed updates, reminders and announcements.

The birds most likely will lay their eggs this month and will be seen around campus more frequently, perched on buildings or soaring above. “The hawks will be guarding the nest if they’re not in it and they’ll be hunting, so people may witness a prey catch on the SU grounds,” Higgins says.

While the University community is fortunate to be living alongside the hawks, there are also some things people should know to keep both themselves and the hawks safe. Higgins says people should not approach the birds, chase them, attempt to feed them or try to interfere with them hunting for animals, such as squirrels.

SU-Sue and Otto

It is also important for people to understand some behaviors of the hawks that might seem unusual. Higgins recalls many past experiences where people believed a bird was injured when in fact it was just a chick playing or learning to hunt bugs on the ground. She emphasizes that more often than not the chicks are fine. If a student or University staff person is concerned about a bird, they should contact the Department of Public Safety and keep their distance from the birds.

With SU-Sue soon laying her eggs, Higgins hopes that the devoted hawk pair will continue to nest here and be a part of the Orange family. “We hope that the nest cameras will bring pleasure to the University and to people all over the world for years to come,” Higgins says.

Students can participate in over 45 different workshops as part of the Wellness Leadership Institute.

In a semester where health and wellness have become even more important, the Wellness Leadership Institute at the Barnes Center at The Arch centers around the complete well-being of students—mind and body.

The ’s educational workshops are helping to educate students on all the different dimensions of wellness: physical, environmental, intellectual, career, emotional, social, financial and spiritual, all while maintaining focus on diversity, equity and inclusion.

“The idea of the Wellness Leadership Institute and what it provides to students is a centralized place for a variety of different workshops and opportunities for skill building and education that address the holistic health and well-being of students,” says Katelyn Cowen, director of health promotion at the Barnes Center at the Arch.

Students can participate in over 45 different workshops with new ones being added regularly according to student needs. The workshops cover everything from alcohol safety to healthy eating on a budget.

If students participate in a workshop from all of the nine different dimensions of wellness, they can earn a Wellness Leadership Institute certificate and a graduation medallion.

Students can sign up for workshops through the . To learn more about using the Wellness Portal, students are invited to visit the . Workshops are offered live virtually, in-person [in-person activities are currently on pause, as announced last week], recorded video or in multiple of these formats, allowing students to decide which option works best for them.

If students participate in a workshop from all of the nine different dimensions of wellness, they can earn a Wellness Leadership Institute certificate and a graduation medallion.

Additionally, the institute offers the opportunity for faculty and student organizations to refer students to programs, and the institute can give attendance data back to the organization or faculty member. This can be organized through the .

“For many of our workshops, peer educators are facilitating the workshops to their peers, and that’s been a really positive experience for students to really hear from their peers who really have a great sense of what their fellow students are needing,” Cowen said.

Several workshops are both designed and delivered by , which creates a more relaxed experience for students when talking about topics that can sometimes be awkward. “It’s more so college students explaining to other college students how they can live a healthier lifestyle,” says Be Wise Peer Educator Megan Leichtman ’22.

Leichtman’s favorite presentation is one on alcohol safety. “It debunks a lot of myths about alcohol use, which we think is pretty important especially on our campus,” she says.

Some workshops that are popular among students are the Be Well SU workshop, which touches on many different aspects of wellness and offerings within the Barnes Center at The Arch, alcohol safety, anti-hazing and Stop Bias workshops.

The Wellness Leadership Institute is also open to creating new workshops on topics that students request. Students can request exploring a new workshop idea by emailing healthpromotion@syr.edu or speaking to a peer educator.

Understanding wellness is extremely important, and can have a positive effect on students’ daily lives.

“I gave some advice to people in my sorority member class about harm prevention and they used my advice,” Leichtman says. “I just remember them every year saying to the new members what I said to them, and I just thought that was cool I had such an impact.”

The Esports gaming room at the Barnes Center at The Arch (Please note, this image was taken prior to the COVID-19 pandemic and does not reflect current public health guidelines.)

Earlier this year, at the Adirondack Bank Center in Utica, New York, Alpha North Esports and Entertainment hosted the “Battle of the Colleges” esports tournament. Syracuse University’s Rocket League team competed in the tournament and had reached the third-place match. Captained by Scott Hushaw ’21, the team found themselves in the fifth game of a best of five series.

As the match entered its final seconds, the teams were tied. At the last possible second, Hushaw made a breakthrough to secure the victory for Syracuse. “I actually scored with zero seconds left, kind of like a buzzer beater in basketball,” he says. “And all of us stood up and started yelling. I’ll always remember it.”

This is the type of jaw-dropping excitement that the rapidly evolving world of esports can create for both players and fans around the world. The presence of esports is growing both on the global and collegiate levels. The business and production aspects of esports have massive potential for growth, and Syracuse University is working hard to harness that potential by becoming a leader in educating students to become leaders within the industry.

In April, the University partnered with Microsoft and the Electronic Gaming Federation (EGF) to partake in the EGF Collegiate Power Series esports tournament. The Syracuse University Rocket League team competed against students from universities across the country while students from the Newhouse School, the Falk College and the School of Information Studies (iSchool) got to engage in experiential learning opportunities alongside industry professionals. Newhouse students worked as broadcasters on the livestreams of the matches, and iSchool and Falk students were involved in analytics and marketing for the tournament.

In April, the University partnered with Microsoft and the Electronic Gaming Federation (EGF) to partake in the EGF Collegiate Power Series esports tournament. In addition to the actual tournament, Microsoft and EGF held virtual panels featuring industry professionals, leaders and, on the last day, students.

Professor Olivia Stomski, director of the Newhouse Sports Media Center, helped coordinate the experience for students, giving them a terrific experiential learning opportunity in a growing industry.

“Esports is growing every day. We’re seeing it grow exponentially during this pandemic. You’ve been seeing it on linear networks on ESPN and ESPN 2,” Stomski says. “There are several careers and opportunities that are growing within the industry itself that our students should not only be aware of but should also have some experience in.”

In addition to the actual tournament, Microsoft and EGF held virtual panels featuring industry professionals, leaders and, on the last day, students. The panels discussed topics such as broadcasting and content creation in esports (a panel in which Stomski participated), the marketing side of esports and game development. “The panels had 15,000 to 18,000 people watching at a time,” Stomski says. “The turnout was absolutely wonderful and a chance for us to really come together with some esports professionals and learn from them as we start to move forward.”

Students involved with the tournament got to speak on the panel on the last day of the tournament to discuss what they learned from the experience, why they took the opportunity, and how they felt they grew professionally. Additionally, Hushaw sat on a panel to discuss his perspective on the tournament as a gamer. Stomski says the students who participated found the experience both valuable and enjoyable. And she says the partnerships with Microsoft and EGF were very beneficial, relationships she hopes will continue for the creation of more events in the future.

The “Battle of the Colleges” tournament also offered a preview of Syracuse University’s potential to become a pioneer in educating young professionals for the esports industry. “This really showcased how esports in particular can be a good career path, not only for gamers,” says Scott Catucci, associate director of recreation in the Barnes Center at The Arch. “There’s all kinds of other opportunities that go into the broadcasting and all the background stuff. Syracuse University is positioned really well to be a leader in this area.”

Esports not only has profound potential to become a profitable industry, it has also shown its ability to bring people together. The recent addition of the esports room in the Barnes Center at The Arch has shown the power of gaming in building communities.

“You can bring people who have a passion for their hobby together to enjoy that hobby,” says Rob Snow, assistant director of esports in the Barnes Center at The Arch, Recreation. “That’s what esports at the Barnes Center is all about: that community and giving a place for the hobbyists to come together and enjoy their passion.”

The esports room is available for use this semester by reservation only. Students can reserve six hours in advance on the Wellness Portal.

The esports room is available for use this semester by reservation only.  Students can reserve six hours in advance on the .

Since it opened in September, 2019, the esports room has had more than 14,000 visitors, 3,700 of them unique visitors. Additionally, the Esports Club at Syracuse University has more than doubled its membership since the esports room opened its doors. The Esports Room and the club serve as mediums for students passionate about gaming to congregate and share their passion with other students. “People make friends here. People find their friend groups and people with similar interests,” Hushaw says. “It really is giving people a place to find somewhere that they can thrive.”

As esports continues to grow as a booming industry, more courses on the business of esports are being added Universitywide—in the Newhouse School, Falk College, the iSchool and the College of Arts and Sciences. And aspects from the educational side of esports can also be applied to the recreational side. “We’re working together as one university to be on the same page about what is out there for our students,” Stomski says. “Whether it be the Esports Club or the esports room, we need to think about how students can utilize both of these things and bring what they’re learning in the classroom to these opportunities outside of the classroom.”

The Black Celestial Choral Ensemble performed a concert at the famous Ebenezer Baptist Church in November 2019.

Rev. Dr. Seretta C. McKnight ’80 came to Syracuse University in the fall of 1976. As a freshman she had a difficult time finding her place on campus. “The thing I found missing my freshman year was that sense of home, a sense of comradery, a sense of belonging,” she said. For her, home was found in gospel music, so in the spring of 1977, McKnight along with several of her peers founded the Black Celestial Choral Ensemble (BCCE), and since then, generations of students have found their spiritual and social home at the BCCE.

Seretta McKnight

For over 40 years, the BCCE has played an integral role in the Syracuse University community. Since its inception in 1977, the BCCE has created a spiritual community for students and has also played a part in the advancement of social justice on campus. McKnight spoke over the summer with Hendricks Chapel Dean Brian Konkol to reflect on the legacy of the BCCE as part of the “Matters that Matter: A Conversation Series from Hendricks Chapel,” on Facebook Live.

The BCCE continues to provide its members with a home away from home. The organization welcomes students from all backgrounds and provides a comforting environment for students to bond through music.

“It’s a safe space, it’s not only about singing, it’s not only about religion. It’s about having people who share the same passions as you in one single space,” says current BCCE member and incoming Student Association Chair of Community Engagement, Brittnee Johnson ’21.

The members get to showcase their passion and talent through their various events, such as their annual anniversary concert, Family Weekend concert and Spring Tour.

With support from Hendricks Chapel and the Office of Multicultural Advancement, the BCCE was able to spend a weekend in Atlanta in November 2019. There they performed a concert at the famous Ebenezer Baptist Church, the spiritual home of both the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his father. The choir performed alongside BCCE alumni and notable gospel artists, including Kurt Carr.

Ashleigh Brown. Please note, this image was taken prior to the COVID-19 pandemic and does not reflect current public health guidelines.

“It was awesome, that whole entire concert was awesome. To be able to go around Atlanta and to see some history about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and to sing with the alumni was great,” says current director and BCCE alumna Ashleigh Brown ’14.

The Atlanta trip was an incredible opportunity for students and alumni to perform as well as engage with the BCCE alumni network. “Planning Atlanta and getting there, a lot had to do with the alumni. It shows how much the alumni, even after graduating, still were connected to BCCE. I’m talking about people who graduated in 1980 were a part of this experience. It just goes to show how important BCCE is on campus,” Johnson says.

A sentiment echoed by Konkol during the Facebook Live event when he said, “When people talk about Hendricks Chapel as being the heart of Syracuse University, I think of the BCCE as its soul.”

In addition to the musical, spiritual and community aspects of the organization, the BCCE also plays a part in advancing social justice on campus. During the #NotAgainSU student protests last November, members of the choir went to the Barnes Center at The Arch during the sit in and sang during the protests.

Current BCCE member Brittnee Johnson ’21 recalls students crying and thanking choir members after their acapella performance of “There Is No Way,” by Ricky Dillard at the Barnes Center.

“Singing ‘There Is No Way’ in a group of so many people, and to be able to touch people just shows you how much gospel music and a group like the BCCE can bring change,” Johnson says. “It’s more than just singing for us; it’s more about representing a bigger purpose and representing the culture of Black students on the Syracuse campus.”

Due to the pandemic, the BCCE was forced to cancel its Spring Break Tour concerts and its anniversary concert in April, and there are still challenges for how they operate this fall. Despite the challenges, the students are determined to ensure that the legacy of the BCCE lives on, and that the soul of Syracuse University shines.

Members of the Black Celestial Choral Ensemble gather during their trip to Atlanta in November 2019.

Louis Platt ’22 and Seth Martin Jr. ’22 were two members that attended the espresso brewing hands-on workshop with Café Kubal.

“We really try to connect students with off-campus opportunities to connect with entrepreneurs who have a passion for the environment and for food,” says Samantha Jezak ’22, the organization’s president. Jezak, a nutrition major, joined the club her freshman year, and has since enjoyed her experiences as a member and leader of the club.

The club holds several events throughout the semester for its members, as well as events open to the whole University. Additionally, they volunteer on local farms and next semester they plan to help Sustainable SU tend its garden on South Campus.

“We’re trying to make this movement more well-known because we hope that we’re the generation to make the change for bettering our environment,” says Jezak.

Louis Platt ’22, the organization’s community liaison, connects local food entrepreneurs and farmers with the club to coordinate events and form relationships between the University and the local food community.

From left to right: Seth Martin Jr. ’22, Grace Spino, Sabrina Bos ’23, Tajanae Harris ’20. Slow Food members went to Abbott Farms for a cider education tour. After, they went apple picking and enjoyed housemade donuts.

“Every event that I’ve been a part of has been a wild success so far,” Platt says. “The people we bring to campus are really passionate about their profession and the work they do on a daily basis, so it makes our events even more exciting.”

At an event last year, Professional Photographer Alyssa Flood helped students learn how to take food images. Using bread donated by Scratch Bakehouse, students designed their own toast and staged their images.

One of the members’ favorite Slow Food events last year was a “toast workshop” event. Students made their own toast dishes, then learned how to take professional pictures with instruction from a professional food photographer.

The club also partnered with other local food businesses, such as Cafe Kubal and a local chocolate maker, for events where students got to learn about how the businesses source their ingredients from around the world.

The club hopes to hold more exciting events this upcoming semester. Slow Food has been planning to hold a farmer’s market on the Quad, and if it is permitted to take place, vendors will come to campus to offer locally sourced goods ranging from fruits and vegetables to baked goods and much more to the campus community. As of now, the event is set to take place on Sept. 28.

Slow Food has several other events for members scheduled for next semester, depending on public health guidelines in place at at that time. Members will have the opportunity to participate in a “make your own mocktail” event with local restaurant, Brinewell Eatery, and an event hosted by Glazed and Confused Donut Shop.

Olivia Templeton ’22, member of Slow Food, waiting for people to pick up their CSA boxes.

Another exciting opportunity Slow Food is offering to all members of the campus community is its community-supported agriculture (CSA) box program. In partnership with Commonthread farm, Slow Food is giving students the option to pick up fresh, locally sourced vegetables once a week for eight weeks in September and October. Students can buy a small or large share and can customize what vegetables they want each week.

“The CSA boxes are honestly really great. I did it last year, and I split it with my roommate and it’s more than enough veggies,” Jezak says. “It’s definitely something that I would love for more people to get involved in because it’s truly connecting farmers with the campus.” Students, faculty and staff can register for the CSA Box program here.

During the spring semester, when the University transitioned to online learning and over summer break, Slow Food members have been sharing their cooking and gardening experiences from home on their Instagram page, .

The next semester is looking to be filled with exciting events and new opportunities for the club to bring high quality, locally sourced food to campus, and enhance the connection that Syracuse University has with the local food community.

“It’s been a tough end for this senior class, and we wanted to make sure that they are celebrated and honored,” says Matt Shaler, program coordinator with the Office of Student Activities. “Hopefully, students can take a moment to step away from everything that’s going on and enjoy these events.”

The University sent care packages, with special items, to undergraduate May graduates and their families to help students mark the milestone. Student leaders, the Office of Student Activities and the Office of Alumni Engagement also organized virtual events for seniors in place of the traditional Senior Celebration events.

Student Association President Mackenzie Mertikas ’20, who will take part in a special senior toast event on Thursday, May 7, applauds the work and dedication of all the graduating students.

“To the Class of 2020, congratulations! All of our hard work and determination has finally paid off and while this may not be how we expected our time at Syracuse to end, I am confident that even during these challenging times, your strength, determination and passion will continue to shine through,” Mertikas says. “I cannot wait to see what you all accomplish next and wish you the best of luck on your next adventure!”

Seniors can participate in the following events:

Virtual Senior Sips: A Toast to the Class of 2020, Thursday, May 7, from 9 to 9:45 p.m. ET

This senior class toast, also known as the “senior sip,” will be held via Zoom and feature emcee Andrew Regalado ’20 and guest speakers, including Mertikas and Senior Class Marshals Serena Ogie Evah Omo-Lamai ’20 and Kyle Rosenblum ’20, and several surprise guests. The Forever Orange Student Alumni Council, the Office of Alumni Engagement and the Office of Student Activities are also part of the event. The care packages included a champagne glass, so students can toast along with their classmates. Students are asked to . Contact Shaler at mjshaler@syr.edu with questions.

Please note: The Zoom call is limited to the first 300 registrants from the undergraduate Class of 2020. All seniors, families and others are encouraged to join the event live on the to be a part of this special event.

Concert with Canadian DJ Kaytranada, hosted by University Union, Friday, May 8

Canadian DJ Kaytranada will perform a livestreamed concert Friday night as part of ’s virtual programming. Syracuse University and SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry students, faculty and staff can view the concert Friday at 8 p.m. Tickets will be available through Eventbrite, and a Zoom link will be provided before the livestream begins.

Show Off Your Shirt Saturday, Saturday, May 9

Students were sent a class shirt in their care package, and they are encouraged to wear their T-shirts and share photos on social media using the hashtag #showoffyourshirtsaturday. A photo backdrop of the Hall of Languages was also included in the care package, so students can take graduation photos in their cap and gown in front of the iconic campus building.

The entire campus community is invited—as well as parents, families and friends of the Class of 2020—to a special Virtual Degree Conferral on Sunday, May 10, at 10 a.m. ET. Visit the .

The Virtual Degree Conferral will include special remarks from Chancellor Kent Syverud, Interim Vice Chancellor and Provost John Liu, Chair of the Board of Trustees Kathy Walters ’73 and Mertikas, along with appearances by surprise guests and a performance of the alma mater.

The University’s full, traditional Commencement ceremony will be held this fall at a time and date to be announced.

Peer educator Elizabeth Gostev

An interactive outreach program designed to promote wellness and encourage a healthy campus community, the Health Hub is staffed with Barnes Center at The Arch peer educators, as well as other health and wellness teams around campus.

The Health Hub used to pop up in surprise locations across campus to help engage students in learning about health issues. Virtually, the Health Hub operates through the Barnes Center Instagram page, . Every Wednesday, a new Health Hub topic is posted to the Instagram page’s story.

In April, the Health Hub educated students on raising awareness about sexual, relationship and domestic violence, as well as other forms of interpersonal violence as part of Sexual Assault Awareness Month. They also promoted this year’s virtual Take Back the Night event.

The Health Hub also focused on alcohol and drug education, as well as ways to destress for success.

“Especially with what we’re going through now with isolation and students not being able to see other people as often, it’s important to talk about these issues—Sexual Assault Awareness Month, alcohol and drug education and destressing,” says Ella Perkins, a first-year graduate student in the higher education administration program in the School of Education and a health promotion outreach intern at the Barnes Center at The Arch.

Two peer educators create video content for the Instagram story, as well as trivia questions students can answer. The stories are saved on the page so students can view them until the next Health Hub—an advantage with the virtual space that was previously unavailable.

“We tried to recreate the energy of a real Health Hub online, so rather than having a long video and a long explanation we choose to do very quick types of things,” says peer educator Elizabeth Gostev ’20. “We’re able to recreate this pretty easily through Instagram.”

Senior peer educator Richelle Calderon ’20 says, “We’re also trying to incorporate peer educators describing how they do self-care to give students ideas.” Calderon stays mentally healthy by going on walks and making sure she gets outside.

Peer educator Raylyn Cabrera Gomez

Students can follow the Barnes Center Instagram page, , to keep up with the Health Hub in addition to other services offered by . On Wednesday, May 6, the Peer Educators Encouraging Healthy Relationships and Sexuality will talk about setting healthy boundaries.

Over the summer, students can continue to access resources, including the and the .

Students can also visit the and the to see what opportunities are available in the summer.

Starting this Thursday, May 7, until Monday, Aug. 24, students are encouraged to explore the . Workshop topics highlight a variety of health and wellness topics.