Jones, a U.S. Army veteran, is executive vice president tax counsel and chief veteran officer at Paramount Global overseeing all veteran-related initiatives for the multinational media company. Jones is also the board chair for Syracuse University’s . Fisher is managing partner of Fisher Brothers, one of the country’s most successful family-owned real estate development companies and chairman and CEO of Fisher House Foundation, carrying on the legacy of his great uncle, Zachary Fisher, overseeing a network of houses that serve as a home away from home for the families of service members and veterans being treated for illness or injury.

Reflecting on the recognition, Haynie acknowledged working alongside the dedicated team at the D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families over the past 15 years. When starting as a professor at the Martin J. Whitman School of Management, Haynie created the Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans with Disabilities program in 2007. He later established other training programs and subsequently founded the D’Aniello Institute which now operates 14 national programs serving 20,000 military-connected people each year and providing research and analytics for governmental entities, veteran nonprofits and large employers as well as driving policy work in Washington, D.C.

Pictured from left to right are Vice Chancellor J. Michael Haynie; Gerry Byrne, vice chairman of Penske Media; and alum Rich Jones ’92, G’95, L’95, executive vice president and chief veteran officer of Paramount Global, D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families Advisory Board member and board chair of the Office of Veteran and Military Affairs.

“I’m honored and truly humbled to be recognized by the Nation’s Finest Foundation, and to be included among such distinguished company. Over the past 15 years, I’ve been privileged by the opportunity to work with tremendous teammates at the D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families,” says Haynie, who served in the U.S. Air Force for 14 years prior to joining the University.

“This award says more about that team than it does about me, and is a means to celebrate their talents, their passion, and their commitment to the work we do together on behalf of our nation’s veterans and their families,” Haynie says.

The Nation’s Finest Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting America’s military veterans and their families, takes a comprehensive approach to housing, health and employment, helping them achieve self-sufficiency and reach their full potential. To ensure a fair selection process, the foundation assembled a blue-ribbon panel to review nominations from across the nation and ultimately chose the 50 recipients who would be honored as one of the Nation’s Finest 50.

For more information and the list of the Nation’s Finest 50, visit the .

From left, J. Michael Haynie, Patricia Mautino and Steve Barnes during a ceremony to launch the Civilian Service Wall of Honor

Three alumni were honored for their support of and commitment to veterans as the first members of the Civilian Service Wall of Honor within the at the Daniel and Gayle D’Aniello Building.

The honorees—Patricia Mautino ’64, G’66, vice chair of the Board of Trustees; Steve Barnes ’82, H’19, chairman emeritus of the Board of Trustees; and Tom Foley G’81—were inaugurated at a recent ceremony.

The Civilian Service Wall of Honor recognizes those non-veteran, civilian members of the University community who have committed to sustained and meaningful action to advance opportunity and prosperity for the nation’s veterans and their families.

In 1973, the U.S. military eliminated the draft and adopted an all-volunteer model of military service. One of the foundational assumptions of all-volunteer military is that those who benefit from the military service of others incur a moral obligation. Specifically, a moral obligation to act to ensure that when it is time for our soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines to take off the uniform, the civilian services and resources are in place to support veterans as they transition back to the communities they call home.

This same assumption also motivates Syracuse University’s commitment to the nation’s veterans and the military-connected community, and it is why this month the Civilian Service Wall of Honor was launched.

“The Civilian Service Wall of Honor will forever recognize those non-veteran members of our university community who have committed to meaningful action that provides prosperity for our nation’s military families,” said J. Michael Haynie, vice chancellor for strategic initiatives and innovation and founder and executive director of the D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF).

Haynie recognized the honorees for their work and leadership in support of veterans.

“Pat’s drive and her deep commitment for this University and its rich history of supporting the military-connected, along with her continuous efforts to champion our student veterans, is the reason we are celebrating her today,” Haynie said.

Haynie also noted the support of Barnes and Foley in helping to establish the IVMF and other veteran initiatives at the University.

“Without the early partnership and friendship of both Tom and Steve, the IVMF’s first program, Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans, the IVMF itself, the Office of Veteran and Military Affairs and the new National Veterans Resource Center would not exist. Their leadership and support of the University’s efforts to be the best place for veterans is instrumental in our success,” Haynie said. “More importantly, their commitment to the almost 200,000 service members, veterans and families who have been trained and educated, and are now thriving because of our work is critical to a successful post-service life.”

Kathryn Warren and John Nipper, right, are pictured with the Hon. Donald M. Remy, deputy secretary of veterans affairs.

The application process for the Stand-To Veteran Leadership Program is competitive and rigorous. The program attracts industry leaders from across the country invested in improving military transitions and outcomes for veterans and families. As veterans, both Nipper and Warren personally understand the challenges that arise during the transition out of military service. Nipper, a Navy veteran, was looking to leverage his military experience into something meaningful in the field of international relations. That pursuit is what brought him to Syracuse in the first place. From here, he connected with other Veteran Leadership Program alumni in many places who all encouraged him to apply.

“Being part of the Student Veterans Association at Syracuse, you have to pick where your time and attention goes, because there are so many clubs and opportunities on campus. I’ve had a few years of trying to figure out the best ways to network, and the student veteran portion is pretty significant,” says Nipper. “The Bush Institute’s whole program is about veterans, and Syracuse is very intertwined with all of that. This opportunity feels like running downhill with being plugged in with so many veteran service organizations.”

Warren, a Marine veteran, has counseled transitioning service members for more than five years through IVMF’s O2O program. She didn’t want to let her Marine Corps service define her, then found herself continuing to fall back on military experiences after leaving service. Even with an executive MBA from Pepperdine University, she felt a loss of identity and purpose that many veterans experience in the traditional workforce. Her experiences have driven her to make it that much easier, especially for her fellow women veterans, going forward.

“I’ll be eternally grateful for (IVMF Chief Operating Officer) Maureen Casey and her flat-out encouragement for me to pursue this program. She completely gets it and serves the military community through her work at the IVMF,” says Warren. “Sometimes, seeing another woman mentor makes all the difference in the world. It makes me want to do even more.”

Now in its fourth cohort, the Stand-To Veteran Leadership Program is designed for rising veteran and civilian leaders who work with veterans and their families across the country. Program participants gather in person once a month over five modules conducted at the George W. Bush Presidential Center in Dallas and in Washington, D.C. They meet with distinguished professionals, nationally recognized for their expertise in veteran transition and leadership development. For example, the IVMF contributes subject matter experts to the program including Nick Armstrong, IVMF’s managing director of research and data, to share insights. The IVMF has also been fortunate to send representatives to all four Veteran Leadership Program cohorts.

The business and community leaders in each cohort have opportunities to broaden their skillsets, knowledge and influence. They develop a personal leadership project over the course of their five-month program and share with their peers as a capstone presentation. The idea is for everybody to implement lessons learned from the program into their professional practices and improve outcomes in various ways.

Warren’s project is researching ways to get more women veterans into STEM fields. She’s already been able to apply some of the knowledge she learned from the Veterans Leadership Program to her IVMF work with O2O participants. For example, she encourages them to find strong mentors and to understand they don’t have to take the first job that comes to them.

“I can already talk about things that directly tie to military transition and give them more than they bargained for,” Warren says.

Nipper’s project is to enable more successful student veteran transitions into public service fields, specifically the intelligence community. He observed some room to improve veteran representation in the Intelligence Community Centers for Academic Excellence program, and sees untapped opportunities on all sides.

“A lot of student veterans are extremely capable and want to continue a career, and don’t know they can do this,” he says. “We’re already oriented toward public service, and it’s good for the country to have good people to fill the ranks.”

When they finish in October, Warren and Nipper will join a network of 126 alumni from three cohorts who have gone before them who are all working to improve outcomes in a range of sectors across the country.

“It’s opened doors and opportunities and ways of looking at things that I hadn’t thought before. I’m exposed to new avenues and careers, then you meet people who can mentor you in various ways,” says Nipper.

“I’m so grateful to be part of this team and part of this organization that I believe will stand the test of time when it comes to making impacts for the military community,” says Warren.

“I’m extremely fortunate for the opportunity to be here,” Coyne says. “I’m excited to be part of a university that supports the military community as much as Syracuse does.”

Coyne has already appreciated the significance of this institutional support, which affirms his decision to mentor future military leaders on campus. Just four days into Coyne’s new job, Chancellor Kent Syverud visited the National Veterans Resource Center��at the Daniel and Gayle D’Aniello Building (NVRC)��to outline the University’s deep history of supporting military-connected students alongside priorities for the One University Veteran/Military Initiative. Military-connected students and programs are one of the top priorities for University leadership, and to Coyne, it shows.

LTC Matthew Coyne, head of the Army ROTC program, posing with his wife, Maria, and children Jamison and Addison.

“You can see the results of what they’ve done to make Syracuse the best place for veterans. These are tangible things in terms of the programs and infrastructure here,” says Coyne. “The framework they have in place is a critical point for me to share with students and parents.”

Syracuse housed the Student Army Training Corps to support the training effort for World War I and then demobilized it in 1918. In 1919, the University established the ROTC, making it the longest consecutively running program on a college campus.

Coyne sees Army ROTC at Syracuse as a prestigious program at a prestigious University with a long history of producing quality officers for the U.S. Army. The University’s facilities amplify the benefits the Army provides, making military service an even more compelling prospect that Coyne will be able to share with students and prospective cadets.

“From an opportunity perspective, you’ll find nothing finer than what Syracuse gives to the Army ROTC,” Coyne says. “If you have an inkling or desire to serve, it’s a great way to do it.”

The call to serve is something Coyne understands well.

Growing up in Stony Point, New York, a stone’s throw from West Point, the idea of military service was always in his mind when Coyne thought of his future. That picture came into sharper focus for Coyne after the attacks on September 11, 2001, which came only two weeks into his senior year of high school. That moment galvanized the nation and confirmed his path into military service. He drew from two mentors to help guide him through the application process: one a cross country coach and Marine who served in the National Guard, and another who completed ROTC at Fordham University.

Coyne’s plan was to serve in ROTC at the University of Scranton in Pennsylvania, serve his Army commitment and return to Stony Point to continue serving his community as a police officer. After he graduated, he went through eight months of initial training, then it was onto his first duty station. Sixty days later, he landed in Afghanistan to lead a platoon of 43 soldiers.

LTC Matthew Coyne, head of the Army ROTC program at Syracuse University, pictured while stationed overseas in Afghanistan.

At 22 years old and less than a year out of college, Coyne shouldered a tremendous responsibility. Ten months into his 15-month deployment, he went home on leave where a chance meeting with an old friend gave him a different perspective. His friend had stayed home to become a police officer, like Coyne had considered, and it wasn’t as exciting. It made him think an Army career would be preferable.

“I thought, ‘I like what I do right now. I’m not sure I’m ready to come back home to do that yet,’” Coyne recalls. “The Army provided me opportunities to travel, the opportunity to meet people and opportunities to pursue more education. I tell younger folks: There’s so much world we don’t explore, and there are so many opportunities. Try something somewhere else for a few years. If you want, you can always come home.”

In addition to deployments to Afghanistan, Coyne has moved eight times in his 16 years of service, including South Korea; Ft. Drum in New York; Ft. Dix in New Jersey; and most recently the Pentagon.

Coyne’s military experiences also gave him a good framework for understanding how to manage the Army ROTC program. He cites structure, time management and prioritization abilities among the life skills he learned through the military. His instructors also had a big influence on him, and his professor of military science had such a lasting impact on his professional development that they still check in with each other.

While the Army afforded him greater education, including a prized spot in the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy, Coyne actively sought an opportunity to give back to the next generation of leaders. His wife Maria, also from New York, moved away from home for the first time to go across the world while Matthew was stationed in Korea. They both wanted to come home to New York with their young children Jamison (2 ½ years) and Addison (3 months) after Coyne’s most recent assignment at the Pentagon.

“I’m very fortunate to get my number one choice. I look at it as a phenomenal opportunity to get back with the younger generation,” Coyne says. “My focus is on developing officers of character and building them into leaders ready to lead our nation’s sons and daughters. I’m all-in, 100 percent.”

Hoping to address the topic of veteran suicide prevention, the Syracuse VA Medical Center and Syracuse University’s presents a first-of-its-kind SPEd talk on suicide prevention and education. The discussion starts at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 28 at the on campus at 101 Waverly Ave.

During this storytelling event, guest speakers will share their stories of impact, encouragement and hope with the audience. The goal? To educate, destigmatize and shine a light on the mental health issues that contribute to veteran suicides.��The event will also examine the mental health challenges and resources available to veterans, as well as the benefits of asking for help.

For more information, contact Bryan Asher with the VA or call 315.425.3478.

Parking is free and open to the public at the Syracuse VA Medical Center’s garage, located at 800 Irving Ave.

Ted Lachowicz ’72

The event was sparked by Lachowicz’s challenge to program alumni to match a $20,000 donation to host the event. “It is easy to match $20,000 when you are in touch with the alumni constantly. Some of them I have been mentoring for 10 years,” he said.�� Four program alumni, Kelo Makelele, JJ Stakem, JT Taylor and Bennett Tanton, quickly matched the amount to make the reunion possible. “The entrepreneurship program gave me the tools and I see value in it that, which made me want to give back,” Tanton said.

The EBV Foundation itself is constantly finding new ways to engage with graduates of the EBV program. “The reason we are standing here is these people put their lives on the line to keep freedom in America,” Lachowicz said. “I cannot think of a better way to give back than by supporting our veterans.” The efforts to improve veteran entrepreneurs’ journeys include the EBV Foundation Business Plan Competition, working with EBV graduates to develop business plans, and providing mentors to participating veterans to assist in the development of their businesses. Each of these overlapping mission areas helps EBV graduate-owned businesses grow, and through the EBV Foundation’s philanthropic efforts they can raise funds to keep the programs running at each consortium university at no cost to participants.

“Transitioning is a difficult time in the military community, so being able to provide programs at no cost to veterans takes a tremendous burden of their shoulders,” said Raymond Toenniessen, the IVMF’s associate vice president for strategic initiatives. “The EBV program is a major stepping stone for many of our veteran entrepreneurs and eliminating that cost barrier helps them focus on developing their businesses.”

Attendees of the Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans reunion.

Lachowicz was excited about the opportunity of hosting a reunion at the end of the 2022 EBV cohort because it allowed those participating to make crucial connections with successful alumni. His dream is to one day match each participant with an alum while the program is ongoing to provide them with immediate feedback on their ideas and help them along their journey throughout the EBV program. “I have always thought it would be great to integrate the old with the new because the new students can learn from the old students,” said Lachowicz.

The reunion itself started with alumni speaking to participants in this year’s EBV program at a panel for successful veteran-owned businesses. Once the rest of their peers arrived, alumni were welcomed and treated to dinner on the NVRC parade ground. During that time, many old friends reconnected and networking opportunities commenced as unfamiliar faces interacted for the first time. “I was excited to see old classmates and congratulate them on the successes of their companies,” Makelele said.

The next day alumni were back in class learning from world-class speakers, including Lachowicz, about leadership, building business stories, taking their business to the next level and marketing strategies. After classes ended for the day, alumni headed to a networking reception with participants in the 2022 EBV cohort. “I feel like I am at a family reunion and reconnecting with people to see where they are in their journeys now,” said Jesse Trevino, EBV-Syracuse ’18 alumnus. “It’s cool because I was able to zoom out and see where I have been in the journey, because it’s easy to forget how we got here, and it’s nice to celebrate it.” The closing ceremony recognized several alumni and awards were given out to alumni and the graduating class.

Lachowicz is looking forward to next year, and hopes that even more alumni will give back to EBV and other IVMF programming to support veteran entrepreneurs. “All the alumni are out there. Whether it is business, whether it is broadcasting, whether it is architecture, whatever it is, it is good to give back,” he said. “We have all been lucky to attend Syracuse University and to get a good education. Now it is time to give back to our programs and student veterans to carry it forward.”

If you are interested in supporting the EBV program and other IVMF programs, please reach out to Ashley Cavender, alumni services manager.

Ruscitto received the Undergraduate Student Employee of the Year Award for his work with the D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families.

Q: How was your experience getting to Syracuse University?

A: I’m a Syracuse native, and enlisted in the Marine Corps in 2013, out of high school. After five years of military service, I saw a crossroads. At 23 I realized if I don’t pursue this opportunity to go to college here now, then I’m going to miss it.

As a kid, I never would have considered coming to Syracuse University. When I got out of the Marine Corps, I thought it was too big. I thought I wasn’t smart enough or capable enough. Fortunately, I had people who were encouraging, and helped me see coming here as a different kind of challenge. In a year, these people have convinced me that yes, I can. They’re making me believe I can do this. I can be part of this team.

Q: What made you want to join the Marine Corps?

A: My uncle retired from the Marine Corps, and he’s always been my hero. Also, I know it sounds like a cliché, but I wanted to do something for the greater good. I believe the only good reason to join the Marine Corps is the privilege of calling yourself a United States Marine. It doesn’t need to make itself more desirable.

Q: What was your military experience like?

A: It’s not fun, and it’s not super easy, but I got to do and see a lot. In just over five years, I went to more than 10 countries. I did humanitarian relief, deployed twice in the South Pacific, and worked as a helicopter crew chief, flight instructor, tactics instructor and lead flight instructor. Everything I got to do after earning the title Marine was a bonus.

Q: How was it transitioning from the military to student life here?

A: It was scary, and a bit of an identity crisis at first. You go from being a very important part of a machine where you have a specific role to something very different. People don’t always have the best experience when they leave the military. Syracuse doesn’t force you to carry that with you. From the moment you step on campus, they’re trying to help you figure out how to leave the uniform behind and get in front of your next mission. As much as they respect what veterans have done, I also appreciate they don’t expect us to put on some kind of show. It’s helped me figure out who Sgt. Ruscitto is and who Anthony Ruscitto is going to be.

A common theme I see among those who struggle with this transition is not getting invested in campus. At first, I lived 30 minutes away. I barely had time to meet friends and missed that sense of community that’s so important for veterans. Every single time Dr. Haynie speaks at our new veteran orientation, his challenge is: Be a college student. It’s a really good point, and when I first heard him, I don’t think I understood it yet. I tried as much as I could. He poses that challenge to each of us, and that advice encouraged me to get out there and be as active as I can. Syracuse offers so many things that allow veterans to still make a difference and be a part of something.

Q: What are some ways you stay engaged here?

A: I’m the vice president of the student veteran organization on campus. As an advocacy group, we’re always trying to look for opportunities to get a veteran out into the world besides getting up, going to school and going home. We host socials and engage speakers who deal with something veterans-related, and there are so many here. For example, we brought in a Veterans Affairs rep to talk about vocational rehab and G.I. Bill benefits. We had somebody from the law clinic talk about the rights of veterans specifically with the law, and a speaker from the health clinic talk about resources unique to the veteran experience here.

I’m also really involved in Syracuse University Ambulance (SUA), an all-student organization. I never had medical experience in the Marine Corps, but this was the perfect opportunity for me get back into uniform. It’s a little stressful, and it’s great to give people a little peace and comfort on what’s most likely the worst day of their life.

Another thing I really enjoy is being a student worker at the D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF). As an intern, I support entrepreneurship programs including Boots to Business, Veteran EDGE and V-WISE. It’s given me insight into some of the challenges that most veterans face. You can see that people who work at IVMF understand the primary mission of “what we can do for veterans?” Everything is about, “How would this be good for veterans and their families?”

Q: What other resources have you found here for military-connected students?

A: Since I’ve been in Syracuse, the resources that are available to us as student veterans, as far as I can tell, are unique compared to my peers. Other campuses have maybe an office for veterans. We have networking opportunities, service opportunities, career counseling, mental health support and more. I’m fortunate I’ve done ery well in my studies here, but there were resources in place that helped me get there, like the Office of Veteran Success. This is the place to start new.

Q: What do you want other students to know?

A: I would challenge all veterans and non-veterans to make one connection with somebody who has nothing to do with you. Student veterans don’t have to feel like those old people with tattoos and beards in the back of the classroom. Non-veteran students want to learn more about veterans and our experiences.

Also, I really want to encourage other student vets to find out what your next mission is. That’s one of the scariest things about the transition. It’s not that no one cares. It’s that there’s nothing big on the horizon unless you put it out there. It can be small things at first, then it can be bigger things. Syracuse is a place where you can do all of that.

Katie Piston

Piston’s job meant that she had to observe a lot of surgeries as a sales consultant. It led her to work with Veterans Affairs hospitals, and of course Syracuse has strong veteran ties. However, she didn’t know many post-9-11 veterans and didn’t have a tangible connection to the military community until she met her husband, Dan. A Syracuse native, Dan was a rescue swimmer in the Navy for six years and enrolled at Syracuse as an undergraduate after completing his military service.

“I saw that transitioning out of the military was really hard, because you’re starting over,” she says. “The systems that exist at Syracuse University are so strong, and I don’t know if he would have received as much knowledge about how to navigate his military transition somewhere else.”

Piston always felt a pull to get a Ph.D. and earn her terminal degree in biomedical and chemical engineering. After learning the pace of how the industry and corporate world work, she returned to academia for a deeper dive into problem solving and creative innovation.

“When you’re in a technical industry or an academic position, until you’ve gotten the terminal degree, there’s more that’s left undone,” she says. “I’m someone who doesn’t want to leave something undone.”

Piston first worked as a teaching assistant, then was selected from among thousands of applicants to win a Tillman Scholarship. Executive Director of Veteran and Military Affairs Ron Novack personally called her to offer his congratulations, and Piston still considers him one of her favorite people. She continues to stay engaged and involved in the community of Tillman Scholars through annual leadership summits where she’s honed her public speaking abilities presenting some of her research to broader audiences and participating on the selection committee to evaluate new candidates.

“It was a pivotal change, because the stipend was helpful, really broadened my network of connections, and when I looked for a job, I had so much support from veterans and spouses from around the country,” she says. “It’s helped me mentally to have a sense of community and connection with other people trying to take risks, which is important because the sciences can be really siloed.”

Dan and Katie Piston

Along with transformational support from OVMA, Katie Piston also appreciates continued support from the Center for Fellowship and Scholarship Advising for helping her identify and pursue academic awards. In 2019, she won a prestigious National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship, which funded the remaining three years of earning a Ph.D. The grant allowed her greater flexibility to branch her studies into a new area of epigenetics, computational studies on how genes are expressed in different environmental factors.

“People often don’t realize how many resources are available to them, and it’s easy to think you don’t fit in or somebody else has done more or deserves it more,” she says. “It’s OK to ask for help from all these channels.”

Last year, she took an internship with Baxter, a health care innovation company, which bridges her transferrable skills in medical devices and research. Working on a cross-functional innovation team, Piston had an opportunity to work with different people from other parts of the company that she might not otherwise have met without internship experience.

The internship led to a full-time job offer in their medical affairs division. She’ll get to combine the research, science and data analysis elements from her advanced studies with her original work with medical devices in a way that makes perfect sense now, even though there were points along the way when she wasn’t so sure.

“There were moments before my defense where I genuinely thought I wouldn’t make it to the end,” she says. “It’s not an easy route to the end. It’s tedious and it’s long, but I am very proud that I made it all the way.”

“I got my acceptance letter, and my mom asked me where Syracuse was. I had no idea,” Lim says. “I thought I was going to New York City.”

Sara Lim ’22

That might be the only part of Lim’s story that has seemingly taken her off track. She emigrated from South Korea when she was 5 years old, settling with her family in Suwanee, Georgia. Though her father served in the Korean military years before she was born, she found her drive to join Air Force Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) through experiences with other military-connected people growing up.

Lim says she always had somebody nearby who was a veteran or whose parents had served. When a neighbor’s experience inspired her to look toward a future career with the FBI or CIA, she learned they prefer a military background and fixed her path toward the military.

“I wanted to be different and do something nobody else in my family was doing, live the exciting life and join an organization where they send me to travel somewhere, but for the country,” she says. “I always looked at the military as one big opportunity.”

Lim’s high school had an Air Force Junior ROTC program, which she joined and cemented her affinity for the Air Force. When it came time for her to consider colleges, she knew she didn’t want to go to the same universities where others in her graduating class would head. Her parents also nurtured her desire to explore different options.

“Though their way of teaching changed as I got older, and they got a little less strict, I’ve always been encouraged to do something I love and I enjoy,” she says. “America is the place of opportunities, and I looked at college and Air Force ROTC as an opportunity to leave Georgia and make connections.”

Lim found all those opportunities at Syracuse University. She set out to study international relations at a top-rated university and serve as an Air Force ROTC cadet. This month she will graduate with a double major in international relations and political science with a region concentration in the Middle East and North Africa and a topic concentration in intercultural communications.

She’s also been selected to be an air battle manager (13B) in the Air Force, the military’s offensive team that coordinates with pilots during their missions. Lim will attend training at Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida for her first six months of active duty.

“I never toured Syracuse, never came to visit, and I knew day one of ROTC that this is where I’m supposed to be,” she says. “The group was very welcoming, which was very affirmational. I knew the minute I set foot here that I made the right decision.”

Lim has found opportunities to start her military adventures early, including a professional development training called Ops Air Force Base the summer between her freshman and sophomore year. She spent two weeks at an Air Force Base in South Carolina with several other cadets from around the country to learn about the different career fields and how operations work. A few years later, she would see some of the same cadets again during her field training exercises, which helped reaffirm the familial feeling she appreciated in her Air Force ROTC experience.

Lim (left) with Isa Lee ’22

Lim also participated in Project GO, which stands for “global officer,” a competitive language immersion program available for all ROTC cadets, which afforded the opportunity to visit Korea for two months. As a native speaker of Korean, Lim welcomed the unique opportunity to study at Yonsei University in South Korea, one of the top three private universities in the country, alongside other universities with language programs there, in partnership with Georgia Tech. It was a unique opportunity to marry some of her foundational experiences in the same place. Coincidentally, one of the professors from the Georgia Tech program used to be Lim’s bible study teacher in elementary school.

Though some of her biggest challenges have come with trying to balance ROTC duties with the demands of her academics, navigating COVID during the process was an extra hurdle. For a while, all her classes were online, and her only in-person interactions were with fellow ROTC students. In addition to finding balance, she learned to navigate interpersonal relationships and how to be professional in a natural hierarchy.

Still, Lim knows she arrived at exactly the right place. She’s met students from other schools and knows she’s lucky to enjoy the tight-knit, caring nature of her fellow cadets at Syracuse. She’s proud to know that one of the things alumna and fellow Air Force ROTC Detachment 535 graduate Colonel Eileen Collins ’78, H’01, USAF (retired) mentioned in her book was being able to connect when she visited the Air Force ROTC detachment at Syracuse University.

“Obviously, it started out with the best people, because a strong culture of caring and being able to connect was embedded into our program years before we came,” she says. “We care for each other a lot more than you would expect.”

Emily Graham ’22

A chance meeting on the other side of the world in Bali, Indonesia, proved to be a pivotal step in the journey Emily Graham ’22 took to Syracuse. It prompted her to see what the University offers for veterans, and she would not be disappointed.

As a Navy Corpsman, Emily trained in San Antonio, Texas, before assignments at Walter Reed in Bethesda, Maryland, and the Naval Medical Center in San Diego, California, during her six-year Navy career. Her husband Nicholas came with her to every post and completed his undergraduate education fully online. When he was admitted to Syracuse Law School, Emily had one year left in her military commitment. Nicholas deferred entry for a year while Emily finished her service and considered options in higher education. She had started her nursing degree and was planning to become a public health nurse but didn’t have a great passion for the nursing part so much as the public health part. That’s when she and Nicholas went on their trip to Bali.

“We saw a man with a Syracuse shirt on, which is unusual to see in that part of the world,” she says. “When we talked to him, it turns out he was on the board of directors for the IVMF [D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families]. He said I have to check out Syracuse. I was pretty dead-set on going to nursing school to become a public health nurse, but I looked into Syracuse’s public health program because of him. I’m glad I made the decision to switch.”

Emily and Nicholas are both natives of Watertown, New York, and Emily says she never really considered attending Syracuse as an option. Emily’s older sister is a nurse who also started her career as a Navy corpsman. Emily became interested in joining the Navy at a young age after attending her sister’s boot camp graduation.

“I was so inspired. That was all I wanted to do,” she says. “I never even considered college. I thought I would be a Navy corpsman and become a nurse, but it’s been nice to do my own thing.”

Emily got the Navy corpsman part done, heading out for boot camp only 10 days after high school graduation. Her job was to support nurses and strongly aligned with health education. She realized public health was a better fit for her and took the opportunity to reconsider her path when she discovered new options at Syracuse.

“My advisor Maureen Thompson is incredible. She’s always been really communicative and such a great contact,” Emily says. “She sat down with me and found how I could utilize credits from my military experience, and we created a whole schedule from when I started through graduation.”

Emily graduates this May from the Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics with a degree in public health with a concentration in health education. She has one year left in her 4+1 program and plans to finish her master’s degree next year. She and Nicholas have embraced life on campus as military-connected students. One interesting aspect of their post-service lives is they have taken up beekeeping. Emily says she appreciates how inclusive Syracuse has been for military spouses like Nicholas, as well as for older, non-traditional students, because she realizes spouses give up a lot to follow their service members. Importantly, Emily also has found meaningful connections through the veteran and public health communities on campus.

“I’m all about community, which is interesting to see, because when I got out of the military, I really felt like the transition is harder than people let you know,” she says. “After six years, every day you’re surrounded by people who completely understand this niche aspect of the world. You get out, and it no longer becomes your whole identity. It becomes a piece of you, and you have to figure out the other part. I really miss that connection, so public health has given me the opportunity to create community. I feel like I’ve found my place again after being a little disheveled after leaving the military.”

Emily works as a Barnes Center at The Arch peer educator on campus and tries to keep the veteran community engaged and involved with as many resources as she can. For example, she helps to educate her peers on college-specific behaviors, nutrition, healthy relationships, sexual health, mental health and harm reduction strategies for substance use. She chaired the Take Back The Night planning committee, which empowers survivors to stand up against sexual relationship violence. She also runs the Orange Recovery program, for students in recovery from substance use disorder.

“I love outreach and creating a community on campus, whether it’s for recovery or sexual/relationship violence survivors. I know the veteran community is at higher risk for these issues, which is why I try to always send the resources over to the veteran’s community,” she says. “It’s really incredible to see how I’ve fallen into public health. I’ve always felt like I’m making an impact. It’s giving people tools and resources to use when they need it most, and I hope to keep making a difference.”

Student veteran Commencement in 2019

This year a total of 301 students with military ties representing all branches of the U.S. military, along with 37 future military leaders in ROTC, will earn Syracuse University diplomas at the new National Veterans Resource Center (NVRC) at the Daniel and Gayle D’Aniello Building.

The student veteran Commencement will take place at 8 a.m. in the K.G. Tan Auditorium, and . There will be a light reception honoring these graduates in the NVRC at the Bisignano Grand Hall immediately following.

The commissioning celebration will also take place in the Tan Auditorium from 10:30-11:30 a.m. ET, and . Respective pinning and salute ceremonies will take place following the University’s joint commissioning celebration.

Dwayne Murray

When Dwayne Murray ’97 was about 7 years old, his grandmother bought him a Syracuse University sweatshirt from the Salvation Army. Born in Brooklyn and raised between the Bronx and White Plains, N.Y., Murray lived with his grandparents for his first 12 years. When his grandmother passed away, that sweatshirt became one of his dearest possessions.

“Growing up in the New York metro area, there’s instantly an identifiable passion for anything Syracuse University,” he says. “I’ve always felt a gravitational pull in my heart just to be in that space.”

Today, “Team Murray,” which includes Dwayne, his wife Alison ’01 and sons Dwayne II, Caleb and Malachi, is feeling that pull and seeing Orange as they set their sights on a return to Syracuse this June.

“I speak with the authority of my family team,” he says. “Team Murray is bought in. We love Syracuse. We love this school.”

Murray also speaks with unbridled enthusiasm for his new role as the deputy director of the Office of Veteran and Military Affairs (OVMA). The job is especially suited for his experience, abilities and profound passion for service, students and Syracuse.

“This opportunity screamed at me. It aligns with my passion, which is being a soldier and supporting and mentoring soldiers. It also aligns with my purpose, which is higher education and working with folks who want to accomplish their dreams,” he says. “To be on campus and advocate for first-generation students, student-athletes, military-connected students—people like me—is just as great an honor as serving our nation in uniform.”

Dwayne Murray with his wife, Alison, and two of their three sons.

Murray was a track and field athlete and graduated with degrees in sociology and information studies. He enlisted in the Army and continued his higher education with a master’s degree in management from the University of Phoenix, and a master’s in higher education administration from the University of Louisville, where he also earned a graduate certification in organizational change. His Army service most recently includes a leadership role as professor of military science with Alabama A&M University’s Army ROTC. Murray is also a graduate of the Command and General Staff College, Combined Arms Services Staff School, Signal Officer Captain’s and Basic Courses, the Primary Leadership Development Course, Joint Cyber Operations Planner’s Course, and the Joint Targeting Course.

Murray’s experience as a Syracuse student-athlete, Army veteran and higher education leader makes him an ideal candidate to sink his teeth into this new position. It also seems implausible that his path into Syracuse started with a rejection letter that arrived on his birthday his senior year in high school.

“My mom encouraged me to reapply, and I worked hard. I literally carried around a dictionary to study and increase my vocabulary to be better prepared for the SAT, which I took three times,” he says. “When I tried again, my admission was contingent on going through the Summer Institute, which was part of the Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP). I knew I had to knock it out of the park. I was destined to be here.”

While Murray has always seen Syracuse as part of his destiny and thinks of a Syracuse University education more like becoming part of a family, he couldn’t possibly have known how connected his Syracuse family would become. Alison also graduated from the University, though they were never students on campus at the same time. They didn’t cross paths until they met in the Army while stationed halfway across the world in Korea.

“Only a divine creator would be able to make that happen,” he says. “She didn’t believe I went to Syracuse at first. She drilled me to make sure I was telling the truth, even after I told her all the dorms I lived in and showed her my student I.D. card.”

Dwayne still carries that student I.D. card with him, along with his alumni card, almost 25 years after graduation. As he walks the campus, he’s fully expecting to experience some full-circle, iconic moments. He’s especially looking forward to taking a picture with his new work I.D. next to his old student I.D.

“We’re all Orange,” he says. “I’m looking forward to being a pillar to the university community and an advocate for every student on campus that I come into contact with.”

Vice President and Chief Facilities Officer Pete Sala presents the Distinguished American award to J. Michael Haynie, vice chancellor for strategic initiatives and innovation and founder and executive director of the D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families.

J. Michael Haynie, vice chancellor for strategic initiatives and innovation and founder and executive director of the D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF), and Maureen Casey, IVMF’s chief operating officer, each recently received awards recognizing their leadership and contributions serving those who have served our country.

On April 3, 2022, Haynie received the Distinguished American award from the Central New York Chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame. The ceremony took place at the 22nd Annual Scholar Athlete Awards Ceremony at the University stadium.

During the event, which also honors the area’s high school and college scholar athletes for their achievements on the field, the classroom and in the community, Haynie received the Distinguished American award, one of the organization’s most prestigious honors.

The National Football Foundation began in Syracuse with the University being one of its founding members. The organization recognized that after WWII the nation’s youth were embarking into a world with many challenges and the country needed to teach teamwork, discipline, dedication and sacrifice, resulting in the mission of the National Football Foundation.

The recipient of this award “must, over a long period of time, have exhibited enviable leadership qualities and made a significant contribution to the betterment of amateur football in the United States.”

Remarkable Women of Central New York

Maureen Casey, IVMF’s chief operating officer, receives the Remarkable Women of Central New York award from Christie Casciano of WSYR-TV.

Casey was honored as the winner of the 2022 . Casey stood out among the over 60 local nominees and was selected the winner among a final field of four remarkable women. She will continue to represent Central New York in the next step of the national contest in April.

The Remarkable Women of Central New York award from WSYR-TV (LocalSYR) and Nexstar Media Group recognizes women who have made a tremendous difference in self-achievement, community contribution and family impact. In recognizing Casey for her remarkable accomplishments, LocalSYR noted her leadership role in New York City during 9/11, her leadership at JPMorgan Chase starting the Veteran Jobs Mission and currently as COO at the University’s D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families, which helps veterans and families around the U.S. thrive post-service.

Chancellor Kent Syverud congratulates a cadet during the 105th annual Chancellor’s Review ceremony at the Stadium.

Among those recognized were Army Cadet Isabella Lee and Air Force Cadet Erin Beaudoin, presented with the Commitment to Service Award by Vice Chancellor Michael Haynie. The award honors one cadet from Army ROTC and one from Air Force ROTC, each a veteran or dependent of a military veteran, in the top 10% of their ROTC class academically, and demonstrate a strong commitment to military service and a proven understanding of citizenship through patriotism and community service.

In addition, 40 cadets were further recognized with awards presented by numerous civilian and military organizations, recognizing those with outstanding academic performances.

“With one of the longest consecutively running ROTC programs in the country, this annual ceremony is indicative of Syracuse University’s rich history and deep commitment of supporting veterans and military families,” says Col. (Ret.) Ron Novack, executive director of the OVMA. “The cadets’ leadership skills combined with their actions in and out of the classroom, in terms of a focus on service and dedication to learning, make the overall campus culture stronger, enhancing all of our experiences.”

Jennifer Pluta

Jennifer Pluta G’15 has exactly the right mix of experience for her work at as the director of Veteran Career Services. A native of the Binghamton, New York area, Pluta has served in the Army Reserve for 23 years, where she’s a career counselor, a master sergeant, and recently selected for promotion to sergeant major. As career counselor, she leads a team to help fellow soldiers progress in their military careers. It’s like her role at Syracuse, where for nearly 17 years, she’s helped student veterans learn more about, pursue and seize employment opportunities they may have never thought to consider. She also leads the University’s Veterans Affinity Group for faculty and staff. And, with an impressive 100% placement rate connecting student veterans to new careers, Pluta has plenty of insights on the magic behind helping service members and student veterans thrive, and shares these in the Q&A below.

• $5,000 awarded to one eligible applicant
• Must be a currently enrolled undergraduate student veteran

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• $5,000 awarded to one eligible applicant
• Must be a currently enrolled student who identifies as a military family member and/or dependent

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• $3,500 for one eligible applicant
• Must be a currently enrolled veteran and/or military-connected student
• Preference will be given to graduate students

• $3,500 awarded to one eligible applicant
• Must be a currently enrolled undergraduate student veteran

• $2,000 awarded to two eligible applicants
• Must be a currently enrolled undergraduate veteran and/or military-connected student
• Preference will be given to students studying science or engineering

• $2,000 awarded to one eligible applicant
• Must be a currently enrolled undergraduate veteran

• $2,500 for one eligible applicant
• Must be a currently enrolled undergraduate student who identifies as a military family member and/or dependent

��For more information and application instructions visit .

*Military-connected defined as active duty, Reserve/National Guard service members, ROTC cadets and family members/dependents.

The 104th Annual Chancellor’s Review and Awards Ceremony was held virtually in 2021.

The will be held live and in person again in the stadium on Friday, March 25, at 10 a.m.��There will be a light luncheon following the ceremony in Club 44.

The review is an annual tradition showcasing Army and Air Force Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) cadets from Syracuse University and its partner schools conducting drill and ceremony exercises and receiving academic and leadership awards and honors.

The event honors the distinguished performance of the cadets throughout the academic year while working toward commissioning as second lieutenants in the Army and Air Force upon graduation. Syracuse University’s Army ROTC is one of the longest consecutive running programs of its kind in the country.

Past distinguished University ROTC graduates include Air Force Colonel (retired) Eileen Collins, who was the first woman to pilot and command a Space Shuttle mission, and Major General (retired) Peggy Combs, who became the highest-ranking female military officer to graduate from Syracuse University. Collins graduated from Syracuse in 1978 with a bachelor of arts in mathematics and economics, and Combs was commissioned in May 1985 as a distinguished military graduate. Combs is currently a board member of the University’s Office of Veteran and Military Affairs.

Please RSVP to labates@syr.edu by March 18. Parking for the event is available at the Irving Garage.

Paulina Thompson

“We help them figure out what they want to do on the other side of the uniform,” she says. “Despite the sea of goodwill that exists for transitioning veterans and military spouses, the issues I saw 20 years ago are some of the exact same challenges we see today.”

A perpetual challenge is helping them envision what to do after military service. That’s why a big part of Thompson’s work is to help identify marketable options, connect service members and spouses with training and program assistance, and help them consider their value in the marketplace. She also counsels people to overcome the challenge of time. She suggests getting started three to five years early, which leaves time for more education or experience.

Counseling military service members and spouses on how to navigate career transitions is personal for Thompson. Her husband Jeff served as a naval aviator, which demanded a move to a new duty station every two years or less. It didn’t make sense for her to go along every time, since he would have to ship out soon after arrival anyway. She was fortunate to keep her career on track and used her undergraduate degrees in math and economics and an MBA working for telecommunications giants on human resources policies and procedures.

“I did some downsizing, labor relations, labor and development and spun around all the different HR functions, which made me more marketable working with people transitioning from the military,” she says.

When her husband finished his military service, they settled in the Hampton Roads area, which is home to the largest naval installation in the world.

“There’s maybe one person in my neighborhood who’s not military-connected,” she says.

She found her niche working on base and with other nonprofits to counsel people who were getting out of the military. She also fed her long-held passion for raising guide dogs to become future therapy dogs. And this is where her passions linked up to breed something special.

“If you can match your personal and professional passions, it’s such an incredible win,” she says.

In the late 2000s, Thompson was briefing a few hundred service members who had just returned from deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan. They were clearing through Norfolk, stuck in various required briefings, waiting to finally be allowed to go home.

“And here comes Paulina Thompson trying to give them a mandatory briefing on career transition,” she says. “Imagine how I was received. If they had a basket full of tomatoes, they would have pummeled me out of there.”

She saw service members facing all matter of mental, physical and emotional challenges. Many were on a medical hold waiting for permission to go home. Anybody else might have carried on or given up. Instead, Thompson saw an opportunity to innovate and solve a problem. She put together a proposal for a pet therapy program. She briefed commanders, found partners, harnessed the community and spread the word. Soon, anybody who wanted to come play with dogs could.

“People came from four corners to play with those dogs,” she says. “Tensions came down, people were more relaxed. People missed their dogs, and this was a little piece of home away from home until they could get back to their families.”

Therapy dog Chance at a send-off event

Thompson founded the most popular program on the base. Then she took it even further to organize send-off events for service members who were about to deploy to Iraq and Afghanistan. For years, every Saturday at 6 a.m., Thompson and a band of dog-loving supporters would turn out with their therapy pups to share one last piece of normalcy and home with service members before they shipped off. Then a sobering moment came. A friend brought along a niece, in her 20s, who remarked that the country needed to see what they were doing.

“She said she didn’t even know we were still going to Iraq and Afghanistan,” says Thompson. “Here we were sending people off every week, many of whom might never return home to their families, and here’s somebody who should absolutely have known that and didn’t.”

That moving experience propelled Thompson even further into creating opportunities to serve her military community with therapy dogs. She built 15 teams and kept a full pipeline of puppies for people to snuggle all around the Hampton Roads area. She says it’s easy because everybody has some military connection, and everybody wants to help. It’s not easy for everybody to lead such an operation, though. After raising and training dozens of dogs to move along to advanced guide dog training, Thompson is on her 73rd foster dog through a rescue organization. It’s clearly a labor of love.

“If I shed a few tears because I have to give up a pup, to give somebody a chance to live, well then it’s worth it,” she says.

It’s why they usually end up saying: You’ve got to go talk to Paulina.

Janice Poe

“I thought: Are you crazy? Are you really going to leave because you don’t want to make that commitment?” she says. “Now I realize it was the best decision I made in my life.”

Just 10 days after leaving West Point, Poe enlisted in the Army National Guard. It came with greater flexibility, and combined with a Minuteman scholarship, she’d have her college fees covered. Her plan was to get back to school, and she didn’t expect to get called for duty right away. That’s when COVID hit, and Poe found herself with a unit in rural Georgia on the front lines of pandemic relief.

First, she staffed a warehouse with consolidated medical supplies, helping to manage distributions of face masks, hand sanitizer and other protective equipment. After only three months, she earned a leadership position. She started running a project to get food to children who were learning from home while schools went to remote learning. Poe’s team helped to prepare and count meals, package onto buses and distribute them in areas of need.

“We had the same families who came every day, and I realized that school was the only time these children could get a meal,” Poe says. “It was really humbling to do something like that.”

When she wrapped that assignment, she was excited to be heading to Syracuse University. She found the liaison and process very helpful, especially since her circumstances were complicated.

“I genuinely felt they wanted what’s best for me,” she says. “They were just so helpful and inviting, I never felt like I didn’t belong here.”

She took an interstate transfer from Georgia, where she served in the 221 Expeditionary Military Intelligence Battalion, to New York to join the 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team headquarters. She picked the unit closest to Syracuse University, which happens to be an infantry unit, and very different from what she did in Georgia.

Even after her successful time at West Point, she had reservations about making a switch to an infantry unit. She had nothing to worry about. Poe did such a great job during a two-week simulated warfighting exercise that her unit surprised her with her first Army Achievement Medal. She surprised them, too, as they had no idea about her prior experience as a cadet.

Janice Poe

“I was so nervous to come to this unit, and they made me so much better,” she says. “They’ve been the most amazing unit. I love them so much.”

As a Simultaneous Membership Program cadet, Poe gets to experience student life with the Syracuse ROTC battalion and continue service in the guard. She’s a chemistry major and plans to attend physician assistant school after graduating in December. Her volunteer work at the COVID testing center at Syracuse University ties well with her pandemic experience from Georgia and helps with the clinical hours she needs.

Through her studies at Syracuse, Poe also started contributing to research on health care in marginalized communities, which helped lead her to work with Joseph Chaiken, professor of chemistry. They’re testing a device that can be placed over a person’s finger and test blood without using needles. She’s helping to focus some research on differences in skin tone and pigments. Her capstone study is to test the device among many people to see whether it needs to account for different skin tones.

“The moment he started talking about it, I thought it’s so cool, and there’s something I could do with it to make a difference,” she says.

Poe is grateful she made that seemingly crazy decision about leaving West Point when she did.

“Could I do it? Absolutely, without a doubt. Would I have been happy? Absolutely not. I would have stayed, but it wouldn’t have made me as happy as I am now. I’m able to learn as a soldier and grow as a leader while I can pursue my interests,” Poe says. “The ultimate goal for me is to have a balance between time in service and devoting my time in research and my career.”

Amanda LaLonde ’23 with her husband Jon

LaLonde powered through different schools and degree programs, into military service in the Navy and Navy Reserve and on to full-time family duty, before coming back home to Central New York where it has all clicked for her at Syracuse University. Here, she’s embracing her best college experience as an Honors student and recipient of the Louis A. and Patricia H. Mautino Veteran Endowed Scholarship.

A New York native, LaLonde had to move with her family to Tampa, Florida, before her senior year of high school. She struggled to make friends that year before graduation. She applied to one school, and while commuting there and back, couldn’t connect with her fellow students. It wasn’t long before she started slacking off. By the end of her first year, she dropped out.

LaLonde considered joining the Army like her younger brother recently had, thinking it might give her a much-needed push to do something more productive. Though she wasn’t in shape enough to meet the Army’s requirement, a Navy recruiter called to check her interest. They offered to work with her to help get her in shape, and LaLonde welcomed the motivation and support. Even now, 17 years later, she still keeps in touch with that Navy recruiter.

LaLonde in 2005 during her Navy career

LaLonde joined the Navy in 2005, and after basic training, started technical training to specialize in nuclear engineering. It was not a good fit for her at all.

“I purposely failed out of that,” she says. “It was very demanding, lots of physics and math, and I’m not the best at either of those things. I wanted to be in the military, not sitting in a classroom.”

She was stationed at the USS Bataan in Norfolk, Virginia, where she met her future husband Jon. Soon after they welcomed their first son Tyler, Jon deployed to Iraq. Geographically single parenting a newborn while working full-time on active duty was extremely demanding. Despite all the challenges, LaLonde managed to complete her associate degree in marine engineering.

“I’m super proud of that degree. I will forever be proud of it,” she says. “It was not easy, but I got it done.”

When Jon returned from Iraq, LaLonde saw the opportunity to return to school for her bachelor’s degree.

“I thought I wanted to do computer engineering, which would be a financially stable career move, but I was barking up the wrong tree,” she says. “It was a constant struggle.”

Around that time, LaLonde learned she was pregnant with twins Jack and Noah. She had medical appointments to keep and too many competing priorities to manage at home to make her continuing education possible. She transitioned to the Navy Reserve, and again withdrew from school before gaining a foothold.

Meanwhile, Jon was involuntarily separated from the Navy, and they briefly moved to Florida to be closer to family before moving home to Central New York in 2012. LaLonde managed with three small children while Jon’s job gave him only a month at home between three-month stints in Afghanistan. She stayed in the Navy Reserve until 2014, when she was dismissed for not meeting the height and weight requirement. The experience left her, “a little salty,” but didn’t take the wind completely out of her sails.

“The kids were so young, and they needed so much attention, so I wore the super mom hat for a while,” she says. “We did that for eight years, and the whole experience was exhausting.”

LaLonde says the pandemic prompted her latest return to school. Jon was able to stay home, and with more support, she again took a chance to go back to finish her undergraduate studies, this time at Syracuse University. She’s studying psychology with an integrated learning major in forensic science, which keeps her engaged.

LaLonde served as an orientation leader during Syracuse Welcome in fall 2021.

She also jumped into campus life. She’s been an orientation leader and helped to welcome new freshmen to campus, which she says felt like the college experience she never had. She even tried out to be Otto the Orange. “How many people get to say they tried out to be a mascot?” She’s also part of the Renée Crown University Honors Program, which surprised her because she’d always struggled with academics. It turns out, LaLonde just needed to find a course of study she was passionate about in a community where she’s fully supported.

“I’m so into school, and so motivated by how well I’ve been able to do, I’ll throw my hat in to do all these things,” she says. “I’ve managed to do more than I thought I was going to be able to do.”

LaLonde also felt motivated at Syracuse to get over whatever lingering “saltiness” she had about having to leave the Navy Reserve. She joined the Peer Advisors for Veterans Education and stepped into a leadership role to help direct other military-connected students to resources they may need. She also joined the Student Veterans of America chapter and attended the national conference with other military-connected students from universities across the country.

“Initially I wanted to study psychology to better understand my children and help other families, but I may be shifting my focus to do something that will help other student veterans like me find their way,” she says. “A lot of places, they talk the talk, but they don’t walk the walk. Syracuse has proven they’re actually, legitimately there for military-connected students.”

The University presented Duke University’s men’s basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski with a framed photo printed on a piece of the former Carrier Dome roof and announced the creation of a new scholarship in Krzyzewski’s name, recognizing his commitment to service and his military service.

The game was the last time that Duke’s Mike Krzyzewski would coach at the stadium against his good friend Coach Jim Boeheim. In honor of this final Syracuse meetup, Boeheim and the University presented “Coach K” with a framed photo printed on a piece of the former Carrier Dome roof and announced the creation of a new scholarship in Krzyzewski’s name, recognizing his commitment to service and his military service. Krzyzewski separated from the military in 1974 as a captain, following his graduation from West Point in 1969.

The Captain Michael William Krzyzewski Award for Leadership and Civic Engagement will now be presented annually to a Syracuse University student veteran, serving military member or a military family member enrolled here, who through their actions and aspirations embodies Krzyzewski’s public and demonstrated commitment to the virtues of honor, empathy and servant-leadership. The Krzyzewski Award honoree will be not only be an exceptional student but also a leader on the campus and in the community.

“The honor they bestowed on me today was absolutely amazing,” said Krzyzewski, who is the winningest coach in the NCAA Division I. “Wow. So, thank you, thank you. Very, very much appreciated.”

An annual gift from Jim Lee ’75 and his wife Lou Ann Lee has made The Captain Michael William Krzyzewski Award for Leadership and Civic Engagement possible. Jim graduated with a math degree from the College of Arts and Sciences and a degree in math education from the School of Education. Jim served as co-captain of the Syracuse University men’s basketball 1975 Final Four team, received Syracuse University’s Vic Hanson Medal of Excellence Award, served as a member of Syracuse University’s All Century Basketball Team and received the Syracuse University Letter Winner of Distinction Award. Jim currently serves on the Advisory Board of Syracuse University’s Office of Veteran and Military Affairs (OVMA), which supports, assists and empowers veteran and military-connected students and employees and serves as the University’s point of entry for all veteran and military-related programs and initiatives.

“As a former Syracuse University men’s basketball player and now a season ticket holder, it is my pleasure to step up and honor Coach K for his service in the United States Army,” says Jim. “Since my father Harold Lee, a United States Coast Guard veteran, passed away, I’ve made it a personal mission of mine to support veterans and military-connected students through my support of the University and my role on the OVMA Advisory Board.”

The University honored Fiserv President and CEO Frank Bisignano, along with his wife Tracy and other family members, with the unveiling of the Bisignano Grand Hall and the Bisignano Family Programs and Services Wing at the National Veterans Resource Center.

Before the game, the University honored Fiserv President and CEO and proud Syracuse parent Frank Bisignano, along with his wife Tracy and other family members, including Sam ’11 and Morgan Lituchy ’11, with the unveiling of the Bisignano Grand Hall and the Bisignano Family Programs and Services Wing at the National Veterans Resource Center (NVRC) at the Daniel and Gayle D’Aniello Building on campus.

The family was also recognized during the game with a signed game ball, presented by Chancellor Kent Syverud, Vice Chancellor J. Michael Haynie, Director of Athletics John Wildhack, Senior Deputy Athletics Director Herm Frazier and Chief Advancement Officer Matt Ter Molen. The recognition is an expression of gratitude to Bisignano for his personal support and the corporate commitment of Fiserv to the University’s D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF), as well as the NVRC. Their latest giving totals more than $10 million.

“On behalf of Syracuse University, we are grateful to Frank for his leadership and dedication to veterans and military communities,” says Chancellor Kent Syverud. “He has spent his lifetime supporting veterans and the military, both philanthropically and personally. His generosity has had a transformative impact at Syracuse University, among veterans and on our whole country. His support of programming for veterans to develop as leaders and entrepreneurs provides the knowledge and critical thinking skills they need to succeed.”

“I had the good fortune to meet Frank Bisignano back in 2010, when a few of us on campus were just beginning to think about the opportunity to create an academic institute at Syracuse University, focused on the economic and wellness issues impacting veterans and military-connected families” says Vice Chancellor Haynie. “When I had the chance to pitch the idea to Frank, he did not hesitate. He said, ‘let me help you make this institute a reality.’ Fast forward 10 years later, the IVMF’s programs have directly impacted more than 170,000 veterans and military family members, and Syracuse University is nationally acknowledged as a leader in research, policy and programs aligned with the military-connected community. I’m grateful to Frank and his family for their personal commitment to those who have served, and to Fiserv for the firm’s extraordinary efforts to empower veterans and military spouses through the IVMF’s business ownership training programs.”

Frank Bisignano, center, was recognized at the men’s basketball game Saturday for his personal support and the corporate commitment of Fiserv to the University’s D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families, as well as the National Veterans Resource Center.

“My family and I are proud to be part of the Syracuse University community and are honored to contribute to the advancement of the D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families and the new National Veterans Resource Center,” says Bisignano. “Being an advocate for the military community and ensuring they have the best opportunities to achieve success is incredibly important to me personally and is also reflected in the Fiserv values and the company’s steadfast commitment to the military and veteran community.”

Kola Oluwagbemi

National Guard soldier and federal civil servant Kola Oluwagbemi G’22 has had a “very favorable experience” as a result of the University’s commitment to the military community. Below, he answers questions about his background and plans for the future.

Where did you grow up?

I was born in Nigeria and moved to the United States just before my 20th��birthday. I had just finished my associate degree in marketing and was pursuing university admission to further my education when the opportunity came about to migrate to the United States. The general belief there is that America has better opportunities. I stayed with family friends in Indiana. I was always working while in school to earn my bachelor’s degree in management. I also started my own business and did freelance accounting for businesses in the Indianapolis area.

Why did you join the military?

Somewhere around 2011-12, I decided I wanted to join the military. It was something I always wanted to do. Even in Nigeria, I considered seeking admission to the military academy after high school. After considering all the options and branches, the National Guard seemed to be the most appropriate for me and would allow me to join as an officer candidate. I could serve on a part-time basis, keep my business, and not have to move too much. I didn’t want it to be too disruptive.

I joined in the Indiana Army National Guard and served an enlisted finance soldier for a few years before accepting my commission as an infantry officer. Somewhere along the line, I took a job as a federal civilian employee in the United States Property and Fiscal Office (USPFO) for Indiana. The USPFO is responsible for accountability of all federal funds and properties in the possession of the state National Guard. Essentially, during the week I was a finance guy supporting the missions of the Indiana National Guard, and a solider on the weekend.

How did you get to Syracuse University?

The National Guard Bureau (NGB) selected me to participate in the Defense Comptrollership Program (DCP). The DCP is a 14-month program designed primarily for Department of�� Defense (DoD) military and civilian personnel in the financial management discipline. My selection for the program was based more on my civilian employment in resource management than my military affiliation with the National Guard. I’ve worked for the USPFO in various positions including management analyst, accounting officer, and most recently as the staff accountant. Upon graduation, I will earn an MBA from the Whitman School of Management and an EMPA from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs.

How do you experience Syracuse University’s commitment to the military community?

The military-friendly culture of the University certainly makes for a very favorable experience. I am going through the program with 24 other DoD personnel, so that offers an added degree of built-in friendship and support for me.

What do you plan to do next?

When I complete the program in July, I’ll go right into a 2 ½ year post-utilization tour at the NGB headquarters in Arlington, Virginia. Resource management, operations and logistics are my areas of interest. I’m looking forward to taking on increased responsibilities in my upcoming assignment, apply what I’ve learned from the program, and positively influence the way we do things.

Sharon Otasowie

Now stationed at Cannon Air Force Base in New Mexico, Otasowie was born in Nigeria and raised in southern California. She appreciates how the College of Law was people-oriented and didn’t foster an overcompetitive culture.

“At Syracuse, everybody wanted to be there to help you,” she says. “Professors were so approachable and helpful, and I was getting the best I could to succeed.”

Otasowie was already heading for the College of Law before applying to the JAG program. As part of the application process, Otasowie was asked why she was sure she wanted to join the military. Even though she had family members in the Army and Navy, she only considered the Air Force and was drawn to all of it.

“When I looked into it, I could see the Air Force have a high standard for themselves,” she says. “It’s about our mission and making sure that our people are good. I really love helping people.”

Otasowie had a positive military-connected student experience at the College of Law, rooted in the spirit of community and collaboration. She’s grateful she had the opportunity to participate in ROTC, because rather than getting a full immersion, Otosowie could do a little bit at a time. She didn’t have the pressure to have to get it all right at once.

“It was a lot like drinking water from a fire hose, but only for a few hours each week, and I always felt supported,” she says.

She credits an incredibly encouraging team with helping her learn how to do the military part of her job. Otasowie had to learn in two years what most cadets cover in four. Major David Stebbins, operations flight commander and recruiting flight commander, Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC), Tami Johnson, Ph.D., assistant professor, and Lt. Col. Tim Kimbrough, former head of the Air Force ROTC at Syracuse University, all helped her get acclimated and caught up. They covered everything from how to salute and wear a uniform to knowing all the movements.

“I feel like I did not know a thing about the military. I couldn’t salute. I didn’t even know what the rank system was,” she says. “They were all there to help me figure out how to be an officer and they all wanted me to succeed.”

Now that she’s had some time to put her academic and military lessons to use outside the classroom, Otasowie continues to experience support, collaboration and kindness as a first lieutenant at Cannon Air Force Base. She feels like she’s part of a familial community where people really do care and want her to do well. She’s still learning in an environment where people see each other as colleagues instead of competition, and nobody is trying to tear anybody down.

“Everyone I’ve met in the Air Force is genuinely kind. They’re all normal people, it’s not all, ‘yes sir, no sir.’ Instead, it’s, ‘what do you think,’ and ‘how can we help you?’” she says. “I love it every single day. I’m genuinely excited every day because there’s always something different and the work matters.”

For example, she recently asked a colonel if she had a few minutes for some questions, and ended up talking with her for a few hours. What’s more, she connected her to other information and resources that would continue to be helpful. She emailed a base in Japan to ask about a document they created and, instead of giving her extra hurdles to clear, they took the time to help her track it down.

Otasowie continues to pay that collegial spirit back to the College of Law and her AFROTC classmates. She keeps in touch to offer encouragement, as she knows that they’re learning about upcoming assignments soon, which can be stressful. She’s also glad to share some assurance and perspective she gained since graduation: “Everybody says it’s what you make of it, and it’s so true.”

Jasmeane Brock with her son, Shedric, and daughter, Avery.

Taking this steadfast approach to decision making is how Brock found her way to the College of Law’s program. It’s also how she decided to join the Army. Together, Brock’s confident choices are adding up to a consistent purpose.

Growing up as a military child in Louisiana, Brock experienced the military as a foundation that opened the door for her family to live a relatively comfortable life. Her father served in the Army, and she also has many family members with military service. Though she wanted to serve in the Army—and was always very specific about it being the Army—and further her education, Brock wasn’t quite ready to join right after high school. Instead, she earned an undergraduate degree at Louisiana State University in 2008.

Still, the prospect of joining the Army stayed with her.

Brock felt unfulfilled and didn’t have a plan about what she wanted to do with her sociology degree. She believed that the Army could give her more direction and create new opportunities. She also wanted a better life for her son, who was four years old.

“I thought, I’m either going to do it now or I’m going to move on and not worry about it,” she says. “I knew I wanted to go, and I knew it would be better.”

That’s when Brock learned about some little-known policies that most military branches have about single parents who want to serve. She had to navigate and overcome a set of legal hurdles to stay in after completing her initial training. She also learned that the policies aren’t always clear or equally applied, which often creates a disparate impact on women.

“Until I experienced it, I had no idea,” she says.

Brock returned to LSU to get her master of public administration degree and joined the Army Reserve as a logistics officer. She used the opportunity to start research about the issue she and other women service members have experienced as part of an independent study. She also earned a prestigious Presidential Management Fellowship, which led her to work as an equal opportunity specialist in the Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity at the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in Houston, Texas, while continuing her service in the Army Reserve.

Brock wanted to pursue even more education and set her sights on law. With a five-year-old daughter, she also needed something that would fit with her busy life.

“I made the decision about law school at Syracuse the same way I did about joining the Army,” she says. “I was either going to go for law school or not, and either way I would be ok with it.”

Since starting her JDi, Brock has enjoyed advancing her initial research on policies that can one day help other military service members. She’s worked with Beth Kubala, teaching professor and executive director of the Betty and Michael D. Wohl Veterans Legal Clinic in the College of Law, and Suzette Melendez, the College of Law’s associate dean of equity and inclusion.

“I absolutely love Syracuse and feel very lucky to have stumbled across this,” Brock says. “I feel supported in all aspects of my education, I have an abundance of personal resources available, my education is very individualized with supporting staff and professors and it fits perfectly with my being a professional.”

Through many decision points, Brock has landed in the right place and continuing on path.

“It’s never too late to go for what you want. If not achieving a certain goal continues to bother you, it must be for a reason. However, at some point a decision must be made,” she says. “You can either choose to go for it, or choose not to and be ok with this decision and move forward. Either is an acceptable path.”

Approximately 200 women veterans, spouses and partners from around the country registered for V-WISE, held in Phoenix, Arizona, Jan. 28-30.

Syracuse University’s Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) held its program in person for the first time in more than two years. Approximately 200 women veterans, spouses and partners from around the country registered for V-WISE, held in Phoenix, Arizona, Jan. 28-30, marking the return to its in-person training model and the 23rd V-WISE program.

Nationally hailed as one of the Best Veteran Resources, the V-WISE program offers education, collaboration and ongoing mentorship to participants who want to start or grow their own businesses. Participants arrived in Phoenix for three days of intensive training and networking, after completing coursework online prior to their arrival in Phoenix. They left inspired, connected and ready to fully optimize ongoing support from the IVMF Alumni team.

demonstrates how military-connected entrepreneurs have unique advantages over their civilian counterparts. shows that female veteran entrepreneurs cite lack of mentors for business (29%) and lack of experience or exposure to other business owners (24%) among their top barriers to achieving their business goals. V-WISE programming helps to directly address and mitigate these challenges.

Organized into two tracks concentrating on both start-up and growth, V-WISE Phoenix included subject matter tailored to meet participants wherever they are in their entrepreneurial journey. The event was packed with opportunities to network, participate in breakout sessions and access personalized expert advice from instructors and speakers. V-WISE Phoenix included a variety of instructional sessions, keynote addresses and advice from leaders in academics, government and the private sector.

Whitman School of Management Professor Elizabeth Wimer delivered an inspiring closing keynote address, reminding participants that creative problem solving is part of the entrepreneurial mindset.

V-WISE Phoenix included subject matter tailored to meet participants wherever they are in their entrepreneurial journey.

“V-WISE attendees are already motivated to overcome the challenges associated with entrepreneurship,” says Wimer. “My goal was to illuminate the creative pathways that help these growing business leaders channel their ideas into reality while building upon the network they created with each other this weekend.”

“Like we did with IVMF’s Veteran EDGE last fall, it felt great to be back in person with our participants, partners, instructors, and alumni,” says Misty Stutsman Fox, IVMF’s director of entrepreneurship and small business. “We are so grateful to again be able to provide this impactful and empowering programming, especially at a time when so many women entrepreneurs in our military-connected community need it.”

V-WISE Phoenix was an opportunity to share data-informed and timely perspectives as businesses are navigating new challenges and new opportunities. Topics included pivoting, business law, human resources, work-life balance, marketing and social media strategies, government contracting, access to capital, and more. Participants also had opportunities to take professional headshots and access information from local and national business resource partners.

To date, V-WISE has more than 3,000 graduates.

The program is free of charge to veterans, military spouses and partners thanks to underwriting support from sponsors JPMorgan Chase, U.S. Small Business Administration, USAA, Wounded Warrior Project and Daughters of the American Revolution.

To date, V-WISE has more than 3,000 graduates. Sixty-five percent of V-WISE graduates have started or grown their own businesses, and 93% of those businesses are still in operation today. V-WISE graduates report an annual average revenue totaling $78 million.

The .

Additional factors—including financial burdens, family obligations, expiration of GI Bill Benefits, challenges to wellness, dis/ability and conflict between employment and school—also can contribute to the difficulty veterans may have entering and completing college.

Now, a cross-campus collaboration is looking for student veterans to help study the military-service-to-college transition by participating in VET-SIM, centered around real-world scenarios specifically designed to help student veterans navigate unique challenges they face in this transition.

Student veterans share insights on their transition into higher education as part of the School of Education’s Vet-Sims research project.

VET-SIM hinges on two critical learning experiences: simulated one-to-one interactions and a follow-up group debriefing. Each simulation centers around a theme related to veterans’ experiences on college campuses, including interactions with faculty, staff, peers and higher education structures.

After participating in a simulation, student veterans have opportunities to review their own simulation videos and then come together with veteran peers for a group debriefing. Here, veterans talk through their potentially different approaches to the same simulation. Across the VET-SIM model, student veterans engage in multiple simulations with standardized college peers, instructors, staff persons and/or a teaching assistant.

VET-SIM is a collaboration between the School of Education, Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) and Office for Veterans and Military Affairs, along with SUNY Upstate Medical University’s Clinical Skills Center. The project began in 2018, but paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Now that many public health restrictions have lifted, VET-SIM is set to resume in spring 2022.

Professor Benjamin Dotger, chair of the School of Education’s Department of Teaching and Leadership, leads VET-SIM. Dotger has been using clinical simulations in educator preparation since 2007 and observes that they are an effective way to prepare pre-service teachers and educational leaders. “Simulations represent deliberate, experiential learning that centers on meaningful problems, situations and contexts, emphasizing knowledge and skills that transfer from preparation to practice,” says Dotger.

While the VET-SIM model is currently in the earlier design stages, Dotger says this project presents a potential “game-changing opportunity for higher education to develop better tools to support student veterans’ transition to campuses across the country.” He adds that the VET-SIM model eventually could be used to teach future professors and student affairs professionals leading practices to support student veteran success in higher education.

If you are interested in participating in the VET-SIM project, email Professor Ben Dotger or Linda Euto, associate director for research and evaluation at IVMF, for more information.

This support will enhance and expand existing training programs designed specifically for transitioning military service members and military-connected small business owners, and will create new opportunities to reach the veteran and military spouse/life partner community in underserved areas.

The ongoing Fiserv commitment to investing in the growth of the IVMF will enable additional programming to reach an expanded participant base of established veteran entrepreneurs and help address top challenges to business ownership. IVMF’s most recent research indicates veteran entrepreneurs experience a variety of barriers to include access to capital, difficulty navigating resources, certification process hurdles, and lack of assistance from medical and disability service providers. Success or failure does not depend on one, but rather on multiple factors related to barriers and challenges veteran entrepreneurs experience while also navigating the complex and fragmented veteran entrepreneurship ecosystem.

The IVMF partnership is part of the larger Fiserv commitment to the military community through , an initiative dedicated to making the company an employer of choice for veterans and military spouses, and a provider of a comprehensive suite of business solutions for veteran-owned businesses.

“Supporting those who have served in the military is not just a good thing to do, it’s the right thing to do. Being an advocate for this community and ensuring that they have the best opportunities to achieve success embodies our Fiserv values and is incredibly important to me personally,” says Frank Bisignano, Fiserv president and CEO and IVMF Advisory Board member. “Fiserv is proud of our partnership with IVMF and we are eager to get started on the new roads we will pave into the future.”

Recent veteran-owned small business owners recognized on Inc.’s Vet 100 list—powered by Fiserv—at IVMF’s VeteranEDGE 2021 conference.

The partnership between the two organizations started seven years ago with a $7 million pledge to the IVMF to fund the creation and implementation of innovative entrepreneurship resources such as the and . Fiserv and IVMF also partner to power the , honoring the 100 fastest-growing veteran-owned and -operated businesses in the country, as identified by Inc. magazine.

“The growth of the IVMF and its 13 national, veteran-serving programs is due in large part to the steadfast commitment of Fiserv to the military and veteran community,” says J. Michael Haynie, executive director of the IVMF and vice chancellor for strategic initiatives and innovation at the University. “The leadership role Fiserv has played in establishing the Coalition for Veteran-Owned Business (CVOB) has resulted in an unprecedented opportunity for the nation’s veteran-owned businesses to connect and engage the supply chains of Fortune 500 companies. More than 13,000 veteran-owned business have already benefited from the CVOB, first launched as a collaboration between Fiserv and the IVMF. ��Further, Fiserv continues to support innovation across the veteran business ownership community. Fiserv support of the VET100, created by the IVMF and the Inc 5000 to recognize the fastest growing veteran owned companies in the U.S., has been a gamechanger for the veteran community. We are grateful for their continued support and commitment to the IVMF which will fuel new and exciting collaborations, in support of those who have worn the uniform of our nation, and their families.”

Fiserv, Inc. (NASDAQ: FISV) aspires to move money and information in a way that moves the world. As a global leader in payments and financial technology, the company helps clients achieve best-in-class results through a commitment to innovation and excellence in areas including account processing and digital banking solutions, card issuer processing and network services, payments, e-commerce, merchant acquiring and processing, and the Clover® cloud-based point-of-sale solution. Fiserv is a member of the S&P 500® Index and the FORTUNE® 500, and is among the FORTUNE World’s Most Admired Companies®. Visit and for more information and the latest company news.

The Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) is the first national institute in higher education singularly focused on advancing the lives of the nation’s military, veterans and their families. Through its professional staff and��experts, and with the support of founding partner JPMorgan Chase Co., the IVMF delivers leading programs in career and entrepreneurship education and training, while also conducting actionable research, policy analysis, and program evaluations. The IVMF also supports veterans and their families, once they transition back into civilian life, as they navigate the maze of social services in their communities, enhancing access to this care working side-by-side with local providers across the country. The institute is committed to advancing the post-service lives of those who have served in America’s armed forces and their families.

The new funding from Boeing, the world’s largest aerospace company and leading manufacturer of commercial airplanes, defense, space and security systems, will create a new workforce training, recruitment and placement program component within the IVMF’s Onward to Opportunity program. The signature program will offer certification and training courses focused on the aerospace and defense industry, complemented by networking and employment opportunities for qualified transitioning service members, veterans and military spouses.

“At Boeing, we are committed to supporting members of the military, veterans and their families,” says Boeing President and CEO David Calhoun. “Our commitment to veteran communities is especially important as we navigate the challenges of a global pandemic. Now, more than ever, it is imperative that we partner with leading veterans’ organizations to bring the necessary workforce transition services and recovery and rehabilitation programs—with an emphasis on mental health – to our veteran communities and their families.”

To date, Onward to Opportunity has impacted more than 50,000 transitioning service members, veterans and military spouses with training and certifications in in-demand civilian career industries.

“Boeing has a strong and storied history of supporting veterans during and after their time of service,” says Boeing’s Director of Veterans Outreach Jason Pak. “Through our new, industry-leading workforce training program, we will help thousands of veterans and military spouses’ transition into better jobs which in turn creates better opportunities for them, their families, Boeing and the entire aerospace industry.”

“Syracuse University is grateful for this distinguished recognition of our dedication to veterans and their families,” says Chancellor Kent Syverud. “Our strategic partners enable us to continue supporting and developing critical programs and services. They ensure we can deliver on our promise to serving those who have served, their families and those who will follow them in service to our country.”

Vice Chancellor J. Michael Haynie says, “We are thrilled to partner with Boeing to establish the first aerospace industry learning pathway in our Onward to Opportunity program. The expansion of our curriculum and training will allow us to train even more transitioning service members, veterans and their families who are seeking employment in a high-tech career field expected to grow by 6 percent in the next few years.”

Among the strategic partners committing to renewed support include USAA, Lockheed Martin, Bank of America, Cisco, the Heinz Endowments and Wounded Warrior Project. In addition to O2O, these new funds will also enhance and expand program delivery in the IVMF’s community-based services and entrepreneurship portfolios.

“We are grateful to work alongside our longtime partners and our new supporters like Boeing, to train our workforce as we navigate a dynamic labor market and adapt to the ever-changing ‘future of work,’” says Maureen Casey, IVMF’s chief operating officer. “We continue to see an increased need among our military families as they transition back into the civilian world, or as veteran-owned businesses upskill or pivot as a result of shifting economic situations. This support will help to impact so many more lives—those lives that were put on hold while volunteering to serve our country.”

The following scholarships, which are provided by our generous donors, help student veterans and military-connected students reach their fullest potential. Applications for each scholarship below are open now through Oct. 23, 2020. Scholarship recipients will be announced on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, 2020.

Louis A. and Patricia H. Mautino Veteran Endowed Scholarship

• $3,500 for one eligible applicant
• Must be a current undergraduate student veteran

Gerald B. Faigle Jr. and Roberta M. Faigle Student Veteran Endowed Scholarship

• $6,500 for one eligible applicant
• Must be a current veteran and/or military-connected student
• Preference will be given to graduate students

Wilder J. Leavitt and Mary P. Morningstar Scholarship for Military-Connected Students

• $2,500 awarded to two eligible applicants
• Must be a current veteran and/or military-connected student

Lucy and Joseph Napoli Veterans Scholarship Endowed Fund

• $4,000 awarded to one eligible applicant
• Must be a current undergraduate student veteran

For more information, please visit or contact vma@syr.edu.

*military-connected defined as active duty, Reserve/National Guard servicemembers, ROTC cadets and family members/dependents.

Howard and Sheri Schultz

Today, the Schultz Family Foundation announced a $7.5 million investment to the Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) at Syracuse University to advance the Onward to Opportunity (O2O) program in support of veteran career preparation and employment.

Each year, approximately 250,000 veterans and their families transition from the military to civilian life. While returning service members have diverse skills demanded by today’s civilian labor force—including tenacious work ethics, tested leadership and strategic problem-solving abilities—these transitions too often leave veterans struggling to best align the experience acquired during military careers with the civilian workplace.

Today’s grant announcement coincides with the release of which details the rationale and impact of the O2O program. Funded through a grant from the Schultz Family Foundation, the white paper details the costs and consequences associated with a failed or sub-optimal employment transition for the service member, his or her family, and society.

Since the inception of Onward to Opportunity in 2015, the Schultz Family Foundation and IVMF have partnered to develop the program’s vision and design, and to guide its launch in 2016. The Foundation continues to support the program and work closely with IVMF, as well as other public and private sector partners, on the ongoing evolution and growth of O2O to reach as many transitioning service members as possible. O2O has provided in-demand skills training and certification to nearly 20,000 service members, veterans and military spouses across all 50 states and abroad resulting in more than 11,000 of these individuals transitioning to employment. Thousands of others have gone on to pursue higher education and vocational training, or perhaps saved their credentialing for future employment as they continue their transition to the civilian world. 020 is a first-of-its-kind initiative operating on 18 military installations with more than 8,000 participants enrolling annually.

The grant announced today will enable O2O to expand its reach and impact, and ensure transitioning service members around the world have access to first-class training up to six months before they take off their uniform and have their next job lined up when they return home. The program already has connected 11,000 veterans and spouses with careers, and projects an additional 4,000 to 4,500 hires per year moving forward.

“Our goal at the Schultz Family Foundation is to support these men and women who have worn the cloth of the nation as they transition into civilian life,” says Howard Schultz, co-founder of the Schultz Family Foundation. “Onward to Opportunity is a win-win. The program allows our volunteer service members to be recognized for their knowledge, talent and experience when they return home, and it connects employers to one of the country’s deepest pools of workforce-ready talent. We are proud to continue to partner with the IVMF, the U.S. Department of Defense, JPMorgan Chase & Co. and other leading private sector partners to ensure our veterans and their families make a smooth transition and achieve the same security at home that they made possible for the rest of us through their service.”

According to unemployment or underemployment at the time of transition undermines the long-term financial health of the family unit, contributes to marginalized health outcomes, and has been linked to an increased rate of suicidal ideation among veterans.

O2O is currently one of the largest Career Skills Programs, operating on 18 military installations and virtually around the world and serving more transitioning service members and their spouses than many other programs. Available at no cost to transitioning service members, veterans and military spouses, more than 8,000 participants enroll each year. The program equips participants with certifications such as information technology (IT) project management, human resources and cybersecurity—empowering them to secure meaningful post-transition job placements in high-demand fields. The program is fueled in part by more than 800 employer partnerships, including with well-known companies such as Accenture, Apple, JPMorgan Chase & Co., Microsoft, Prudential, SAS, Starbucks and USAA.

“The Institute for Veterans and Military Families at Syracuse University is honored to receive this grant and continue the important work we’re doing alongside the Schultz Family Foundation to serve, support and empower our nation’s veterans, transitioning service members and their families,” says Dr. Mike Haynie, vice chancellor for strategic initiatives and innovation at Syracuse University and IVMF executive director. “Onward to Opportunity is an example of how together, public, private and philanthropic partners can innovate and collaborate to address complex social and economic challenges impacting people and families deserving of our support. O2O continues to transform the transition experience for military service members and veterans, while at the same time creating a pathway for the nation’s employers to benefit from the unique skills and experiences represented by our veterans.”

About Schultz Family Foundation

The Schultz Family Foundation, established in 1996 by Sheri and Howard Schultz, aims to unlock America’s potential, one individual and one community at a time. It creates opportunities for populations facing barriers to success to ensure that their place in life isn’t determined by zip code, race, religion, gender or sexual identity. Investing in innovative, scalable solutions and partnerships, the Foundation focuses its efforts on two groups with enormous promise: the 4.6 million youth and young adults aged between 16 and 24 who are out of school and out of work, and the 3.8 million post-9/11 veterans and approximately 250,000 service members who transition from active, National Guard or Reserve duty to civilian life each year. Visit for more information.

About the Institute for Veterans and Military Families at Syracuse University

The Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) at Syracuse University is the first interdisciplinary national institute in higher education focused on the social, economic, education and policy issues impacting veterans and their families. Through its professional staff and experts, the IVMF delivers leading programs in career, vocational, and entrepreneurship education and training, while also conducting actionable research, policy analysis and program evaluations. The IVMF supports communities through collective impact efforts that enhance delivery and access to services and care. To date, the Institute has served 100,000 military service members, veterans and their families through myriad programs. IVMF, supported by a distinguished advisory board along with public and private partners, is committed to advancing the lives of those who have served in America’s armed forces and their families. For more information, visit ��and follow the IVMF on��,�� and��.

About Syracuse University

Syracuse University is a private, international research university with distinctive academics, diversely unique offerings, and an undeniable spirit. Located in the geographic heart of New York state, with a global footprint and nearly 150 years of history, Syracuse University offers a quintessential college experience, as well as innovative online learning environments. The scope of Syracuse University is a testament to its strengths. At Syracuse University, we offer a choice of more than 200 majors and 100 minors offered through 13 schools and colleges, and 18 online degree programs. We have more than 15,000 undergraduates and 7,500 graduate students, more than a quarter of a million alumni in 160 countries and a student population from all 50 U.S. states and 123 countries. Visit for more information.

Nicklaus Brincka, left, and Jonathan Quinlan

Syracuse University student veterans Nicklaus Brincka and Jonathan Quinlan were recently named to the 2018 Student Veterans of America (SVA) Leadership Institute class and were among just 100 other recipients nationwide who attended the institute Sept. 20-23. Those selected exhibit extraordinary academic, extracurricular and personal strengths.

The keynote presenter, Mike Haynie, vice chancellor and executive director of the Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF), spoke at the institute about leadership through action and empathy.

“Being selected to participate in the SVA leadership class is a true testament to Nick and Jonathan’s service and ambition,” says Haynie. “They are representative of the veteran and military-connected students that we have here at Syracuse University and we are honored to have them as a part of our campus community, as well as members of the IVMF and Office of Veteran and Military Affairs team.”

Mike Haynie, vice chancellor and executive director of the Institute for Veterans and Military Families, spoke at the institute about leadership through action and empathy.

Hosted in Washington, D.C., at the United States Chamber of Commerce, the highly selective program brings student veterans together for a three-day intensive leadership immersion program sponsored by Prudential. It was the SVA’s 7th Annual Leadership Institute.

“To be selected to their prestigious class of fellow student veterans is a true privilege,” says Brincka. “Being among successful student veterans was inspiring and motivating, and I was really proud to represent Syracuse and grateful to the Office of Veteran and Military Affairs for this opportunity.”

“Learning from my fellow veterans in D.C. gives me great perspective as I move toward my degree,” says Quinlan. “Having the opportunity to share knowledge and get guidance from those who have come before me is a game-changer. I’m grateful to IVMF for the opportunities to learn, to network and to impact the lives of veterans and their families every day as they transition to civilian life.”

Identified as leaders in their SVA chapters, campuses and communities, participants including Brincka and Quinlan were mentored on the importance of leadership behavior, personal branding, how to deliver results and foster relationships. Mentors included SVA alumni with at least 10 years of professional experience and guest speakers include leaders in higher education, government, veteran organizations and business.

Brincka and Quinlan, along with their fellow recipients, represent the most diverse and academically successful class in SVA’s decade of service, with the average GPA of the class at 3.42.

Quinlan, a United States Marine Corps veteran, completed five years of active duty service and continues to serve in the Marine Corps Reserves. After retiring as a sergeant, he moved back to Syracuse, New York, with his wife and daughter, and began dual degrees in finance and entrepreneurship/emerging enterprise at the Martin J. Whitman School of Management. Quinlan has taken on roles as the academic and financial opportunity liaison for the Student Veterans Organization and a program advisor for the IVMF.

Originally from Sacramento, California, Brincka enlisted in the U.S. Army at the age of 18. He served four years with assignments at Fort Drum, New York; Fort Huachuca, Arizona; Fort Campbell, Kentucky; Camp Bullis, Texas; Fort Polk, Louisiana and Quantico, Virginia. He is a Green to Gold scholar at Syracuse University in the Whitman School of Management, pursuing a degree in accounting. On campus, he works at the IVMF, is an active participant in Army ROTC and will commission as an officer in the National Guard when he graduates in 2020. In the Guard, he hopes to serve as a military intelligence officer while also pursuing a career as a certified public accountant. He is also involved in the Beta Alpha Psi professional accounting fraternity, serves as alumni relations chair for the Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity, is a member of the rugby club and serves as a Morning Brew campus ambassador, president of the Stalwart Battalion Cadet Association and a student veteran peer advisor. He is also an active member of the Student Veterans Organization.

Mike Frasciello, dean of University College; Kierston Whaley ’17 G’18, outgoing SVO president; and Vice Chancellor Mike Haynie with Whaley’s dog Bella at the Veteran Commencement

Keith Doss, assistant director at the Veterans Resource Center, was the master of ceremonies and provided words of encouragement to the graduating student veterans. “You reached a career milestone through dedication, tenacity, discipline and hard work,” he said. “You make SU a better place. … Help us support the veterans who are following in your footsteps.”

Vice Chancellor Mike Haynie emphasized how this day is his favorite at Syracuse University because the “life cycle of national service takes center stage” as student veterans graduated in the morning and later Chancellor Syverud and University leadership commissioned the nation’s newest second lieutenants. The commencement ceremony’s keynote speaker, U.S. Army Lt. Colonel Dwayne Murray, an alumnus of the class of 1997, served in several tactical, operational and strategic assignments throughout his military career, with duty assignments in Germany, the Republic of South Korea, Texas and Washington State. Murray has also served on multiple assignments in conjunction with the National Security Agency.

“Syracuse University takes care of its veterans better than any other university in the nation,” Murray stated. Listen to his comments about how he agrees Syracuse University is

“You decided not to quit. You are bold and tenacious. Keep it up!” he added.

U.S. Army veteran Kierston Whaley was an accounting major graduating from the , and the outgoing Student Veterans Organization (SVO) President delivering the student address. “I attest my success to this organization and this school,” Whaley said, talking about her new accounting job at KPMG. “I couldn’t have done this without all SU does for veterans.”

Whaley said the University helped her fit in somewhere again, and her experience as SVO president was one of the most rewarding positions she’s ever had the privilege of holding. “It’s (the SVO) the camaraderie we were missing and the support we needed.”

About Syracuse University

Syracuse University is a private, international research university with distinctive academics, diversely unique offerings and an��undeniable spirit. Located in the geographic , with a global footprint, and��, Syracuse University offers a quintessential college experience. The scope of Syracuse University is a testament to its strengths: a pioneering history dating back to 1870; a choice of more than 200 majors and 100 minors offered through 13 schools and colleges; nearly 15,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students; more than a quarter of a million alumni in 160 countries; and a student population from all 50 U.S. states and 123 countries. For more information, please visit .

Bethany Murphy

Murphy ’20, a first-generation environmental engineering major from Massachusetts, is one of just 120 annual recipients of the NOAA Hollings scholarship. Named for Senator Ernest “Fritz” Hollings of South Carolina, the award provides up to $9,500 per year for two years of full-time study for students majoring in fields of study related to NOAA’s mission to understand and conserve climate, weather, oceans, ecosystems and coasts. Designed to increase understanding and stewardship for the oceans and atmosphere, the award includes paid summer internship placements at an NOAA or partner facility, and offers recipients the opportunity to attend and present at conferences, including the Science & Education

Ashlynn Borce

Symposium.

“I am excited and honored to be afforded an opportunity to pursue my passions of responsible resource management and water quality so early in my career with NOAA” says Murphy. “I admire the organization’s mission to ‘enrich life through science’ and hope to combine my environmental engineering training with my understanding of military operations and organizational structures to approach the issue of reducing the military’s environmental footprint.”

In addition to being a student in the and a member of Syracuse Army ROTC, Murphy volunteers at Syracuse’s Museum of Science and Technology (MOST) and is involved with Engineers without Borders (EWB) and Global Student Embassy (GSE). She will travel to Guatemala this year as part of a GSE research team working to provide clean drinking water to a community in a remote part of the Central American country.

Murphy worked with the�� to secure the NOAA scholarship. CFSA offers candidates advising and assistance with application and interview preparation for nationally competitive scholarships.

Borce ’18, a senior health and exercise science major from Honolulu in the , has been accepted into the prestigious Army-Baylor University doctoral program in physical therapy (DPT).

Ranked in the top 10 of over 200 physical therapy programs in the country by U.S. News & World Report, the Baylor DPT program prepares highly qualified students such as Borce to serve as both active-duty officers and as military physical therapists.

Borce, who will begin the program in fall 2019 while serving as a second lieutenant, will study at the historic Fort Sam Houston, home of military medicine, in San Antonio, Texas. The DPT program is part of the Army Medical Department Center and School, as well as the Health Readiness Center of Excellence. ��The army will fund Borce’s doctoral study in addition to her salary as a second lieutenant.

“I am thrilled to continue my study and my commitment to our nation’s military as a candidate of the Army-Baylor DPT program” says Borce. “I am inspired by the program’s mission to produce active duty PTs who also strive to be leaders in the worldwide military health system and am honored to serve my country as both a solider and physical therapist.”

An active member of Syracuse Army ROTC, and previously traveled to Mongolia for the Army ROTC’s Cultural Understanding and Language Proficiency Program mission, helping teach the Mongolian military English.

These achievements mark three occasions of female student ROTC success in as many weeks, as Cadet Executive Officer Jacqueline Page was named a University Scholar, Syracuse University’s highest undergraduate honor, earlier this month.

About Syracuse University

Syracuse University is a private, international research university with distinctive academics, diversely unique offerings and an��undeniable spirit. Located in the geographic , with a global footprint, and��, Syracuse University offers a quintessential college experience. The scope of Syracuse University is a testament to its strengths: a pioneering history dating back to 1870; a choice of more than 200 majors and 100 minors offered through 13 schools and colleges; nearly 15,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students; more than a quarter of a million alumni in 160 countries; and a student population from all 50 U.S. states and 123 countries. For more information, please visit .

The newly elected officers are:

• President: (U.S. Air Force medic)
• Vice President: (U.S. Marine Corps)
• Treasurer: (U.S. Navy)
• Secretary: (U.S. Army Reserves)

As president of the SVO, Legrand hopes to foster growth in the organization. LeGrand’s vision for the organization includes networking with Syracuse University student veteran alumni, working with the SU Student Veterans of America chapter, recruiting and retaining more student veterans in conjunction with Admissions, and creating more volunteer opportunities and social events.

The current 2016-17 officers will continue to serve until May 1.

The SVO is a resource on the Syracuse University campus for veterans and can be particularly helpful for those who are transitioning from a military career to higher education. The SVO provides a way for student veterans to get involved on campus and gives a sense of camaraderie to student veterans as they transition to academic life. The SVO provides a place where a veteran can connect with people who have already had experience with the challenges they may encounter while transitioning to higher education.

The mission of the SVO is to provide veterans, military connected students, and military family members who attend Syracuse University with resources, support and advocacy needed to succeed in higher education and following graduation.

The IVMF’s program was created in 2016 to provide military spouses with an introduction to the basic skills required to support successfully launching, owning and operating a small business. In El Paso. More than 100 military spouses registered to participate in the daylong workshop, provided to them by the IVMF at no cost.

“In many ways, the nation’s military families are in crisis,” says J. Michael Haynie, vice chancellor for strategic initiatives and innovation and executive director of the IVMF. “The exceedingly high rates of unemployment experienced by military spouses—due to factors such as frequent relocations, inadequate childcare and limited access to educational opportunities—serves to destabilize military-connected families. Through our IGNITE program, we’re hoping to ignite the entrepreneurial nature that, in many ways, already exists within these families.”

Haynie cites research conducted last year by the IVMF and its partners that identifed a strong correlation between a family’s financial distress during its time in military service and homelessness after leaving the military. Last month, Haynie before the Senate Armed Services Committee on this issue and the myriad of other economic and wellness challenges facing military-connected spouses and children.

In El Paso, the IGNITE program brought together business ownership experts from Syracuse University and elsewhere to address topics that included access to capital, business concept development, market research and work-life balance.

Diane Pinckney, one of last week’s participants, says she encourages everyone leaving the military to attend the conference, saying it’s a great place to start if they are considering starting a business.

“Syracuse IVMF personnel at the El Paso event: left to right, Deanna Parker, program manager at the IVMF, Maureen Casey, COO, Misty Stutsman, director of IVMF entrepreneurship, and Tina Kapral, IVMF development director.

“IGNITE set a great tone for what to expect if I really want to start my own business. I learned about how to know the El Paso market and beyond, as well as the importance of networking with others,” says Pinckney. “I related to the speakers who are veterans, and their practical advice resonated more with me as a female veteran.”

Another program participant, Jennifer Swee, says “IGNITE provided a superior experience to hear from others who had already forged their own path, as well as a chance to network with those who were new to entrepreneurship, just like me. It was a great experience!”

Naomi Conner, whose family was stationed overseas for the past four years, says she was unable to do anything “professional” during that time. She added that the IGNITE program helped to light her back up, so to speak.

“The main advice I received during the event was you have to put the work in,” says Conner. “Most people go into business without realizing the work it takes to make it successful. I had an idea of the work, but hearing the panelists speak, it settled in. Now I know it’s time to do the work needed to launch. The event was absolutely great and I came home fired up!”

On Thursday, the El Paso community honored the IVMF and the University at the El Paso Chihuahuas (the San Diego Padres AAA affiliate) baseball game. A representative from the IVMF was invited on the field for the game’s first pitch, while the public address announcer described to the crowd the work and mission of the institute and how the IVMF is supporting the El Paso community.

About Syracuse University

Syracuse University is a private, international research university with distinctive academics, diversely unique offerings and an��undeniable spirit. Located in the geographic , with a global footprint, and��, Syracuse University offers a quintessential college experience. The scope of Syracuse University is a testament to its strengths: a pioneering history dating back to 1870; a choice of more than 200 majors and 100 minors offered through 13 schools and colleges; nearly 15,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students; more than a quarter of a million alumni in 160 countries; and a student population from all 50 U.S. states and 123 countries. For more information, please visit .

The SVO welcomed Jeff Cleland as the keynote speaker. Cleland, who is the director of organizational excellence with the Maryland State Highway Administration, holds a B.A. in policy studies from the and is completing the executive M.P.A. at Maxwell in December 2018. Cleland encouraged student veterans to leverage everything Syracuse University has to offer and become brand ambassadors for veterans and excellence.

SVO leadership also recognized several student veterans for their excellence and achievements, both academic and serving the larger community. SVO Treasurer Daniel Lewis, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and a senior studying information management and technology in the , received the Sergeant Danny Facto Award for Best VA Work Study, given by the Veterans’ Resource Center in memory of the very first VA Work Study participant, U.S. Army Sergeant Danny Facto, who was killed in a motorcycle accident following his appointment.��Adam LeGrand, U.S. Air Force veteran and communication and rhetorical studies major in the , was awarded the Best for Vets award for his work as one of the first Disability Services Liaisons in the country, assisting veterans every day, and for his support of the SVO.�� Daniel Cordial, an Army veteran and the SVO community relations coordinator, was awarded the Community Support Award for his efforts this year, which included a successful care package campaign.�� Tristan Carson, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and English Education Major in the and the , was given the People’s Choice Award for his positive attitude and participation. Marine Corps veteran Katherine Quartaro, the SVO secretary, PAVE team leader and a forensic science and psychology major in the College of Arts and Sciences, was awarded Student Veteran of the Year by the Office of Veteran and Military Affairs. Student veterans who achieved a GPA of 3.5 or higher during the Fall 2017 semester, and those graduating in May 2018 were recognized as well.

“I am proud to have had the chance to lead this organization this year. The annual ball and awards banquet is vital to our community. It’s a chance for us to celebrate our successes throughout the year as well as relax and have a good time with our fellow comrades and supporters,” says Kierston Whaley, SVO president. I’m beyond proud this year’s administration was able to pull off such a successful event.�� We raised over $1,600 for Clear Path for Veterans and thanks to donations from local businesses, we were able to raise just over $300 for the SVO. I’m excited to see what next year brings for Adam and his team, and will be back to support future generations of SU Student Veterans!�� Go Orange!”

“It is important and inspiring to support our student veterans in their efforts to pursue their educational dreams,” says Ron Novack, Office of Veterans and Military Affairs executive director. “The success of our student veterans is a win for all—our student veterans, our university and our nation. We are proud of the enduring commitment of our university to make Syracuse University the best place for veterans.”

About Syracuse University

Syracuse University is a private, international research university with distinctive academics, diversely unique offerings and an��undeniable spirit. Located in the geographic , with a global footprint, and��, Syracuse University offers a quintessential college experience. The scope of Syracuse University is a testament to its strengths: a pioneering history dating back to 1870; a choice of more than 200 majors and 100 minors offered through 13 schools and colleges; nearly 15,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students; more than a quarter of a million alumni in 160 countries; and a student population from all 50 U.S. states and 123 countries. For more information, please visit .

“Syracuse University’s ROTC cadets are smart, hardworking and civic-minded,” says Chancellor Syverud. “They have a deep sense of purpose, and they make the campus community a better place. It is a privilege to help prepare them for national service. And we will be here to support them when they return to civilian life, through our National Veterans Resource Center and other veteran-focused initiatives.”

Syracuse University, via its Academic Strategic Plan, is committed to building on its long legacy of supporting the nation’s veterans and military families. For example, the University has the longest, continuously running Army ROTC program and is consistently placed among the best universities for veterans rankings.

Celebration attendees will view the current ROTC members perform drill and ceremony in formation as they are reviewed by Chancellor Syverud. Cadets will also be presented with awards celebrating their many achievements throughout the year. The 10th Mountain Division Band from Fort Drum, New York, will provide music during the ceremony.

The annual Chancellor’s Review is open to the public. All members of the Syracuse University community are encouraged to attend the event. Parking will be available in the Irving Garage. Please call ahead with special parking needs. Attendees may enter the Carrier Dome through Gates A, B, C and E.

��About Syracuse University’s Office of Veteran and Military Affairs��

The Office of Veteran and Military Affairs serves as Syracuse University’s single point of entry for all veteran and military related programs and initiatives. It collaborates and coordinates with stakeholders to serve veterans, military connected students and military family members who are students or employees at Syracuse University. For more information about the Office of Veteran and Military Affairs, visit .

About the Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps��

Army ROTC offers a commission as a second lieutenant in either the active Army or Reserve Forces in a variety of career fields, including combat arms (aviation, armor, artillery, infantry or engineers), combat support and combat service support branches. There are two-, three-, and four-year scholarship programs available. Some cadets choose to join the National Guard or the Army Reserve while in Army ROTC, thus qualifying them for the Montgomery G.I. Bill benefits, in-state tuition (VANG) and other exciting benefits.

About the Air Force Reserve Officers’ Training Corps

Air Force ROTC is a program designed to train cadets to be commissioned officers in the United States Air Force. Here at Syracuse University, we pride ourselves on having a meticulously designed training environment that gives meaning to the Air Force’s core values, fosters good camaraderie among cadets and produces only the finest Air Force officers.

About Syracuse University

Syracuse University is a private, international research university with distinctive academics, diversely unique offerings and an��undeniable spirit. Located in the geographic , with a global footprint, and��, Syracuse University offers a quintessential college experience. The scope of Syracuse University is a testament to its strengths: a pioneering history dating back to 1870; a choice of more than 200 majors and 100 minors offered through 13 schools and colleges; nearly 15,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students; more than a quarter of a million alumni in 160 countries; and a student population from all 50 U.S. states and 123 countries. For more information, please visit .

The NVRC, when complete, will be the first-of-its-kind facility in the United States and a leading example of academic, government and community collaboration committed to supporting research, programming and community initiatives to serve the nation’s veterans and military-connected families. Torrance was deployed in Afghanistan when he was involved in an IED explosion. Now he is employed at Syracuse University’s Carrier Dome and also owns ZeroPoint Aerial.

“It is only fitting we have a veteran-owned business as part of this historic moment at Syracuse University. It is truly an exciting time to be on campus as we begin work on preparing the site for the future home of the NVRC, which will become a university, community, regional and national asset in support of our nation’s veterans and families,” says Office of Veteran and Military Affairs Executive Director Ron Novack.

Torrance will conduct continual flyovers illustrating construction developments as it progresses. A live webcam and archived drone footage can be seen .

About Syracuse University

Syracuse University is a private, international research university with distinctive academics, diversely unique offerings and an��undeniable spirit. Located in the geographic , with a global footprint, and��, Syracuse University offers a quintessential college experience. The scope of Syracuse University is a testament to its strengths: a pioneering history dating back to 1870; a choice of more than 200 majors and 100 minors offered through 13 schools and colleges; nearly 15,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students; more than a quarter of a million alumni in 160 countries; and a student population from all 50 U.S. states and 123 countries. For more information, please visit .

The three-day conference consisted of breakout sessions geared toward administrators in higher education for training, resource sharing and fact-finding about opportunities and advancement of student veterans within the institutions of higher education.

Syracuse University leaders shared “best practices” with other universities on making professional graduate degrees more veteran-friendly, including a presentation about the VET-MGMT project by the IVMF funded by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) from 2014-2017. The goal of this project is to develop accelerated and stackable graduate degrees at Syracuse University for student veterans. The “” report was one of the outcomes of the VET-MGMT and was leveraged in highlighting the “best practices” at NASPA.

The SU team also presented a detailed poster outlining a simulation project currently underway on the campus. The “VET-SIM: Designing Simulations to Support Transitions from Military Service to Collegiate Study” is an effort to support veterans and strengthen their pathways through collegiate study. Professor Benjamin Dotger, with the support of Syracuse University’s School of Education is partnering with the IVMF, and OVMA to design and implement a VET-SIM, a simulation model of real-life challenges experienced on campus by student veterans to help veterans navigate and overcome barriers to collegiate success.

“It is critical to be present at conferences, such as NASPA, to share best practices as well as learn what others are doing within higher education serving our nation’s veterans and military-connected students,” says Ron Novack, OVMA executive director. “During NASPA, I made many great connections with my peers from other academic institutions, shared ideas and brought back to campus additional ideas to assist in solidifying our commitment in making Syracuse University the ‘Best Place for Veterans.’ It was great to hear many colleagues in higher education are using IVMF’s research and using our university work as best examples in the nation serving those who have served.”

Robert McDonald

Today, the IVMF announced that the Honorable Bob McDonald, former secretary of Veterans Affairs and former chairman and CEO of Procter & Gamble; former Secretary of the Navy and University Professor Sean O’Keefe; Vice President of Strategy and Business Development at Lockheed Martin Lieutenant General (Ret.) Howard Bromberg; and Syracuse University Board of Trustee Captain Robert P. Taishoff, JAGC, USN (Ret.) have accepted seats on the IVMF Board.

Sean O’Keefe

“These four distinguished individuals represent an extraordinary history of public service and commitment to our country,” says Vice Chancellor Mike Haynie, the IVMF’s executive director and founder. “Their leadership and dedication to the IVMF is humbling and we look forward to their impact on our work serving the nation’s veterans and their families.”

These new board members bring a diverse and deep level of experience from the military, government, business, higher education and public service arenas. They each have unique insights into the issues and challenges facing veterans and military-connected families which will help to inform the mission of the IVMF.

Howard Bromberg

“The work of the IVMF and what they have accomplished in just six short years is inspiring,” says Sean O’Keefe. “My career has been built on a commitment to public service, so joining the IVMF Board and having an opportunity to collaborate with the institute supporting the work they do with our nation’s veterans and their families is an important privilege. I look forward to serving in this new role.”

Bob McDonald adds, “I am both proud and excited to continue to serve those who have worn the uniform in this new capacity on the IVMF Advisory Board. I have seen firsthand the powerful impact that can be realized when organizations like the IVMF work side-by-side with the VA. We must work together–public, private and the non-profit sectors–to tackle the challenges that face our nations veterans and their families.”

Robert P. Taishoff

To read more about the new board members, visit .

Members of the IVMF Advisory Board come from private industry, higher education and the veteran and military community. They provide advice and counsel to Institute leadership, and confer insight and input focused on the institute’s strategic objectives and planning process. The board also helps to assess the impact of IVMF programs, and makes recommendations related to future programming and areas of strategic focus. A complete list of IVMF board members can be found .

Veteran EDGE is the first-of-its-kind three-day conference dedicated solely to veteran and military spouse business owners and the ecosystem that supports them. Stakeholders, IVMF program graduates, and veteran and military spouse-owned businesses from around the country gather to network and learn about the latest opportunities, best practices and resources available to their growing companies.

V-WISE is a women-focused training program in entrepreneurship and small business management that provides tools, ongoing support and business mentorship to veterans, active-duty service members and military spouses aspiring to become successful entrepreneurs. This year, the IVMF will be hosting its 20^th��V-WISE conference in San Diego. Over 2,667 women have graduated from this program since its inception, with 65��percent starting their own business, 92��percent of whom are still in business today.

In addition to supporting the conferences, the grant from Travelers will cover a V-WISE training program. Travelers will also offer a business continuity workshop geared toward veteran-owned businesses at each conference. The grant is a direct investment in our nation’s veterans, service members and their family members.

“The team is very thankful for the generous support that Travelers has given to multiple programs in 2018,” says Deanna Parker, EBV & V-WISE program manager at the IVMF. “It is very important to us to work with likeminded partners who are just as passionate about supporting those who have served and their families. We are excited to include Travelers in the Veteran EDGE and V-WISE conferences this year!”

Travelers is ensuring opportunity by contributing to efforts that create strong, vibrant communities and offer pathways to success. Through corporate funding and the Travelers Foundation, Travelers targets its giving to three key outcomes:��,����and��. With the primary focus of educating underrepresented students to lead tomorrow’s workforce, Travelers also contributes to organizations that aid in developing communities through small business support and neighborhood revitalization, and enriching lives and learning through arts & culture.

About Syracuse University

Founded��in 1870, Syracuse University is a private international research university��dedicated to advancing knowledge and fostering student success through teaching��excellence,��rigorous scholarship and interdisciplinary research. Comprising 11��academic schools and colleges, the University has a long legacy of excellence��in the liberal arts, sciences and��professional disciplines that prepares��students for the complex challenges and emerging opportunities of a rapidly��changing world. Students enjoy the resources of a 270-acre main��campus and��extended campus venues in major national metropolitan hubs and across three��continents. Syracuse’s student body is among the most diverse for an��institution of its��kind across multiple dimensions, and students typically represent��all 50 states and more than 100 countries. Syracuse also has a long legacy of��supporting veterans and is home to��the nationally recognized Institute for��Veterans and Military Families, the first university-based institute in the��U.S. focused on addressing the unique needs of veterans and their��families.

Ryan Gross ’18 became the first student veteran to become a Syracuse University Tillman Scholar in 2017. The Tillman Scholarship assists veterans and military spouses pursuing academic degrees.

is a student veteran in the master of public administration program at the . He joined a cohort of 61 U.S. service members, veterans and military spouses who were named Tillman Scholars last year.

Interested in applying to be a 2018 Tillman Scholar?�� open today and will be accepted until March 1.

Tillman Scholars are chosen for outstanding academic performance and leadership potential. The Tillman Scholar fellowship program supports Tillman Scholars with academic scholarships, a national network and professional development opportunities, so they are empowered to make an impact in the world. Scholarship money is used to assist with academic expenses, such as tuition and fees, living expenses and books.

For assistance with the application process, contact Jolynn Parker, director for the Center for Fellowship & Scholarship Advising (CFSA) at 315.443.2759.

Ryan Gross

Now, as a Syracuse University student veteran, Gross is representing the Orange as its first-ever Tillman Scholar.

Syracuse University became an official Pat Tillman Foundation University Partner in 2016, joining 14 other universities across the country. The University was chosen for its commitment to providing support to student veterans and their spouses.

The scholarship was named after Pat Tillman, a former NFL player for the Arizona Cardinals who left his professional football career to join the U.S. Army Rangers following the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. The Pat Tillman Foundation was founded in 2004, following Tillman’s death while serving in Afghanistan. The foundation’s mission is to unite and empower remarkable military veterans and spouses as the next generation of public and private sector leaders committed to service beyond self. Listen to Ryan Gross . Gross is a candidate��for��the master of public administration�� at the .

“Just having my name mentioned in the same sentence as Pat Tillman is a tremendous honor,” Gross says. “Pat gave 110��percent on everything he did, and was the epitome of selfless service, so being one of 60 selected by his foundation out of 2,100 applicants is incredibly humbling. Pat’s legacy, my experiences with the foundation and interaction with fellow Tillman scholars provides me the motivation I need to give 110��percent to everything I do here at Maxwell and my life beyond Maxwell.”

Gross added that his experience at Syracuse has been incredible.

“Being away from my wife and kids in Florida is hard, but everyone from the OVMA, the VA office, Maxwell faculty and my classmates at Maxwell have been amazing, and have made Syracuse my home away from home,” he says. “I’ve met incredible students who are going to go on to do amazing things in their careers. I’m glad that being a Tillman Scholar provided me the opportunity to experience all of the great things at Syracuse University.”

Tillman Scholars are chosen for outstanding academic performance and leadership potential. The Tillman Scholar fellowship program supports Tillman Scholars with academic scholarships, a national network and professional development opportunities so they are empowered to make an impact in the world. Scholarship money is used to assist with academic expenses, such as tuition and fees, living expenses and books.

Applications for the 2018 Tillman Scholarship open Feb. 1 and close March 1 for active-duty service members, veterans and military spouses at Syracuse University.

Applicants must provide documentation of their military service, or their spouse’s. Additionally, they must submit a resume, two essay responses and a third-party recommendation. To apply to be at Tillman Scholar, visit the Pat Tillman Foundation .

Finalists will be chosen in April and will be interviewed by the Pat Tillman Foundation. For assistance with the application process, please contact Jolynn Parker, director of the Center for Fellowship & Scholarship Advising, at 315.443.2759.

About Syracuse University

Founded��in 1870, Syracuse University is a private international research university��dedicated to advancing knowledge and fostering student success through teaching��excellence,��rigorous scholarship and interdisciplinary research. Comprising 11��academic schools and colleges, the University has a long legacy of excellence��in the liberal arts, sciences and��professional disciplines that prepares��students for the complex challenges and emerging opportunities of a rapidly��changing world. Students enjoy the resources of a 270-acre main��campus and��extended campus venues in major national metropolitan hubs and across three��continents. Syracuse’s student body is among the most diverse for an��institution of its��kind across multiple dimensions, and students typically represent��all 50 states and more than 100 countries. Syracuse also has a long legacy of��supporting veterans and is home to��the nationally recognized Institute for��Veterans and Military Families, the first university-based institute in the��U.S. focused on addressing the unique needs of veterans and their��families.

Care packages for veterans being prepared

“The Office of Veteran and Military Affairs is proud to work with the Veterans Affinity Group to bring everyone together,” says U.S. Army Col. (Ret.) Ron Novack, OVMA executive director. “It’s an exceptionally supportive and inclusive group for anyone who is dedicated to serving veterans, whether they have served themselves or not.”

The Syracuse University Veterans Affinity Group’s mission is to create an engaging community and develop cross-campus partnerships in an effort to support the University’s military-connected employees and students. Expanding membership beyond veterans and military-connected people further strengthens the University’s commitment to enhancing everyone’s campus experience and creating a distinct sense of community.

“Rather than focusing on themselves, veterans often seek out opportunities to continue to serve,” says Edward A. Kiewra (lieutenant colonel, U.S. Army, retired), research associate at the Office of Institutional Research and Assessment (OIRA). “The Syracuse University Veterans Affinity Group provides a means for veterans, those who are still serving their country and military-affiliated individuals to meet on a regular basis, enjoy that shared camaraderie typical of military organizations, and engage in projects and activities through which they can continue to serve the University and surrounding community.”

The group was established in 2014 under its first president, Jake VanMarter, credited with creating the program for faculty and staff who are veterans at Syracuse University. The group’s new president, Jennifer Renee Pluta, also serves as Syracuse University’s assistant director of Veteran Career Services at the OVMA. In her new role, Pluta looks to expand the group’s membership and participation. Her main goals are to:

• engage the veteran community;
• unite faculty and staff veterans and members of military-connected community;
• influence veteran-related policies on campus; and
• inform the Syracuse University and greater Syracuse community.

“Under Jennifer’s leadership, coordination and organizational skills, she has taken the group to a whole new level,” says Philip Benedict, Physical Plant facilities supervisor and U.S. Air Force veteran. “Jennifer is welcoming of all, military and non-military alike. She sees this as one for all, all for one. We are here, we are family, we are ONE!”

“Jennifer has done a great job of bringing veterans together from all categories at the University—in ways they never have before,” added Robert Murrett (vice admiral, U.S. Navy, retired), deputy director of��the Institute for National Security and Counterterrorism and professor of oractice at the . “It’s a terrific organization.”

For those interested in joining the Veterans Affinity Group, monthly meetings are held on the second Thursday of the month from noon-1 p.m. at various locations across the campus. The next meeting is on Thursday, Feb. 8, at Dineen Hall, room 300L, hosted by�� Murrett.

To get updates or join the Veterans Affinity Group, fill out this ��or follow the group’s Facebook and Twitter at @SUVetsAffinity.

Syracuse University student veterans and members of the Office of Veterans and Military Affairs, the Institute for Veterans and Military Families, the Veterans Affinity Group, and University admissions attended the Student Veterans of America National Conference in San Antonio in early January.

Syracuse University turned the Lone Star State orange recently as over 20 Orange student veterans, the Office of Veterans and Military Affairs (OVMA), the Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF), the team from the Veterans Affinity Group, and University admissions attended the Student Veterans of America (SVA) National Conference in San Antonio in early January.

Syracuse boasted the largest Student Veteran Organization student chapter in attendance and in total the University had over 30 people at the conference. SVA’s national conference is the largest annual gathering of student veterans, advocates, thought leaders, stakeholders and supporters in higher education in the world. Over 2,000 student veterans, higher education professionals, alumni and employers attend for training, recruiting and fact-finding about opportunities for student veterans.

The three-day conference consisted of breakout sessions geared toward student veteran success and post-graduation opportunities. Syracuse University had the most presentation and panel discussions—five—than any other university, sharing “best practices” (campus resources, culture, research and analytics, entrepreneurship, financial literacy) with other universities and solidifying the University’s commitment to making the University the “Best Place for Veterans.”

Leaders from OVMA and the University led a panel discussion about the role on-campus resources play in maximizing student veteran networks, resources and the importance of professional networking as well as critical financial literacy.

IVMF’s Research and Evaluation team’s presentation focused on debunking the myths surrounding veterans as college students and discussed empirical evidence touting the benefits of enrolling these non-traditional students on a campus. In addition, IVMF delivered training on entrepreneurship in conjunction with key University partners—First Data, Disney and the Small Business Administration —reinforcing the program and resources available to student veterans interested in starting a business while pursuing education.

Student veterans were able to network with members from the OVMA, IVMF and University admissions learning about all that Syracuse University has to offer to student veterans on campus and at training programs around the U.S.

“It is critical to empower our student veterans and afford them the opportunity to attend the SVA National Conference, where they learn a great deal of best practices, bring those back to campus to further enrich their student experience and that of others at Syracuse University,” says Ron Novack, OVMA executive director. “None of this could happen without the generous support of our gracious donors and supporters of the (VLF), who enabled us to send our 20 student veterans to the conference this year. We hope others will join the VLF and help us increase that number next year.”

James Gilchrest, Newman’s Own Foundation Fellow at the IVMF and National Guardsman, attended the conference. “I was ecstatic when I learned I would be going to #NatCon2018. I am a former SVA chapter president and have always wanted to attend,” Gilchrest says. “During NatCon I made it my personal mission to share the programs IVMF offers as well as OVMA’s unique and supportive services on campus. I also made great connections with employers and other organizations who are terrific support resources for me as a student veteran. I’m proud to be affiliated with a university that keeps the needs of student veterans at the top of their priority list.”

Katy Quartaro ’18 USMC veteran and secretary of Syracuse University’s SVO, as well as a team leader for PAVE also attended. “One of the biggest things I learned at SVA NATCON was that the student veterans of Syracuse University are very lucky,” Quartaro says. “I do not think I would have been able to attend without the help of the University, OVMA and the Veteran Legacy Fund. The fact that I was able to focus on learning as much as possible without worrying about the financial impact, made the event that much better and reinforced the support student veterans here at SU really get.”

About Syracuse University

Founded��in 1870, Syracuse University is a private international research university��dedicated to advancing knowledge and fostering student success through teaching��excellence,��rigorous scholarship and interdisciplinary research. Comprising 11��academic schools and colleges, the University has a long legacy of excellence��in the liberal arts, sciences and��professional disciplines that prepares��students for the complex challenges and emerging opportunities of a rapidly��changing world. Students enjoy the resources of a 270-acre main��campus and��extended campus venues in major national metropolitan hubs and across three��continents. Syracuse’s student body is among the most diverse for an��institution of its��kind across multiple dimensions, and students typically represent��all 50 states and more than 100 countries. Syracuse also has a long legacy of��supporting veterans and is home to��the nationally recognized Institute for��Veterans and Military Families, the first university-based institute in the��U.S. focused on addressing the unique needs of veterans and their��families.

JPMorgan Chase Vice Chairman John Donnelly has accepted a seat on the IVMF Board. David Owen, the global chief administrative officer at JPMorgan Chase & Co. will also join the IVMF Advisory Board as its co-chairman, assuming co-leadership of the board with Daniel A. D’Aniello (’68), cofounder and chairman of the Carlyle Group.

“We are proud and humbled that David and John have agreed to join the IVMF Advisory Board,” says Vice Chancellor Mike Haynie, the IVMF’s executive director and founder. “Both David and John have been longtime advocates for the nation’s veterans and military-connected families, and we’re excited that these world-class leaders will join the IVMF mission.”

The IVMF will leverage Owen’s years of expertise in global business development, marketing and integration as it continues to grow and support military veterans and their families.

With his background in human resources and leadership training, Donnelly will lend his extensive experience with global financial institutions to assist the IVMF with its national program expansion and sustainability efforts.

Owen and Donnelly have been instrumental in driving JPMorgan Chase’s commitment to positioning service members, veterans and their families for long-term post-service success through its many programs, including its signature facilitation of the Veterans Job Mission, a coalition of 240 large companies committed to hiring one million veterans. Owen and Donnelly will now bring that same passion and advocacy to the IVMF.

“Having worked at JPMorgan Chase prior to joining the IVMF, I saw first hand the firm’s impressive commitment to helping veterans succeed once they transition from military service—whether through careers in the private sector or small business ownership. Such commitment from a company does not happen without strong and dedicated leadership from the top of the organization,” says Maureen Casey, COO at the IVMF and former managing director of JPMC’s Office of Military and Veterans Affairs. “David and John joined JPMC’s chairman and CEO, Jamie Dimon, and others in leveraging the bank’s expertise and resources to serve those who have given so much for our country. Both David and John bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to our team, and we very much look forward to working with them.”

Members of the IVMF Advisory Board come from industry, higher education and the veteran and military community. They provide advice and counsel to institute leadership, and confer insight and input focused on the institute’s strategic objectives and planning process. The board also helps to assess the impact of IVMF programs, and makes recommendations related to future programming and areas of strategic focus. A complete list of IVMF board members can be found .

John Donnelly

John Donnelly

Donnelly is a��vice chairman at JPMorgan Chase and advisor to the chairman��and CEO and the firm’s operating committee on senior talent and other workforce matters. From 2009-18, Donnelly was executive vice president, head of human resources, for JPMorgan Chase and a member of the company’s operating committee.

Prior to joining JPMorgan Chase in January 2009, Donnelly was head of human resources for Citigroup. He was a member of Citi’s senior leadership group from 2000-09.

From 1997–2000, he was head of human resources for Salomon Smith Barney and a member of the operating committee. Donnelly joined Smith Barney in 1978 and became head of human resources��for the firm in 1994.

Donnelly is a graduate of Cornell University’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations and currently on the Dean’s Advisory Council. He is the executive sponsor of JPMorgan Chase’s Veteran Business Resource Group and is on the company’s external Military & Veterans advisory council. Donnelly also serves on the boards of two not-for-profit groups: the Health Transformation Alliance, an organization��that brings together over 50 of the largest U.S. employers dedicated to making improving in the cost and quality of healthcare; and Guiding Eyes for the Blind, a charitable organization that provides trained guide dogs for visually impaired individuals.

He lives in Rye, New York, with his wife, Nancy.

David Owen

David Owen

Owen is the chief administrative officer of JPMorgan Chase. The chief administrative office is comprised of multiple global functions that support JPMorgan Chase’s businesses in 60 countries, including operations, real estate, security and investigations and the Global Service Centers in India and the Philippines.

Most recently,��Owen was chief financial officer of consumer��and��community banking, which encompasses all of Chase’s consumer businesses, including consumer banking, mortgage banking, card services, auto finance, business banking and Chase Wealth Management.

Before joining JPMorgan Chase,��Owen worked at Bank of America for eight years. During his time there, he had a variety of line and staff roles, including running Bank of America’s online and mobile channels, managing fraud and claims operations and running the Retail Payments P&L. He was also responsible for consumer bank marketing and ran the LaSalle Bank transition.

Previously,��Owen was a principal in Booz Allen Hamilton’s financial services practice in New York. During his seven years at Booz Allen, he worked on a range of strategy, marketing and cost re-engineering projects in the United States, Europe, Australia and Asia.

Owen��serves on the board of directors for the United Way of New York City and for the American Red Cross of Greater New York. He received a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Michigan and a master of��business administration from George Mason University. He is also a graduate of the U.S. Army Airborne School, and served in the U.S. Army Reserve.

About Syracuse University

Founded��in 1870, Syracuse University is a private international research university��dedicated to advancing knowledge and fostering student success through teaching��excellence,��rigorous scholarship and interdisciplinary research. Comprising 11��academic schools and colleges, the University has a long legacy of excellence��in the liberal arts, sciences and��professional disciplines that prepares��students for the complex challenges and emerging opportunities of a rapidly��changing world. Students enjoy the resources of a 270-acre main��campus and��extended campus venues in major national metropolitan hubs and across three��continents. Syracuse’s student body is among the most diverse for an��institution of its��kind across multiple dimensions, and students typically represent��all 50 states and more than 100 countries. Syracuse also has a long legacy of��supporting veterans and is home to��the nationally recognized Institute for��Veterans and Military Families, the first university-based institute in the��U.S. focused on addressing the unique needs of veterans and their��families.

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Albert Lee Gaines was born in Struthers, Ohio on Nov. 27, 1923. Gaines spent the majority of his adolescence in Seneca, New York, where he attended the Seneca Vocational School. Following high school, Gaines went on to Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Missouri; however, in the thick of World War II, he transferred to the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama.

With much reluctance and through great adversity, Gaines became a member of the now world-renowned Tuskegee Airmen in his early 20s. Prior to the Tuskegee Airmen, there were no black U.S. military aviators. When Congress forced the U.S. Army Air Corps to form an all-Black combat unit in 1941, Gaines was able to complete the course. He graduated from Tuskegee University as a second lieutenant and progressed to the rank of captain as a pilot, bombardier and eventually flight instructor.

During the height of WWII, Gaines was one of the few Tuskegee Airmen to join the ranks of a unit known as The Red Tails. This elite group developed a feared reputation among German pilots, having been credited for shooting down 106 enemy aircraft and never losing a plane under escort. It was only later in 1952 that Gaines and several other Tuskegee Airmen were acknowledged for their success by the T.J. Watson family, Eleanor Roosevelt and the founders of IBM, with whom he would eventually find employment. Notably, when he took the IBM opening exam, he achieved the highest test scores on record.

With support from important figures, Gaines was accepted into and attended Syracuse University—Gaines would call this his “Jackie Robinson moment.” Gaines retired from IBM in 1999. He continued to be a legal activist at the Montrose VA Hospital and even ran once for county executive. Gaines fully retired in 2003.

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Daniel D’Aniello grew up in Butler, Pennsylvania, and was raised by his Italian Catholic mother and grandmother. As a “good Italian boy,” as he put it, he used to help his single mother pay the bills by bagging groceries at his uncles’ produce company, while she earned a living working four jobs. D’Aniello’ s childhood consisted of working at an early age, being an altar boy and singing in the church choir, and competing on the gymnastics team. He was voted most popular in high school, but higher education would be what “changed his life.”

Daniel D’Aniello

D’Aniello was accepted to Syracuse University to study transportation economics. He graduated magna cum laude in 1968 and was inducted into Beta Gamma Sigma, an honor society for business students and scholars. Drafted in the U.S. Navy that same year, D’Aniello spent the next three years serving as a supply officer before continuing to Harvard Business School. He received his M.B.A. in 1974 and was also a Teagle Foundation Fellow.

He served as a financial officer at PepsiCo and Trans World Airlines (TWA), developing skills he would need when he later served as vice president for finance and development at the Marriott Corp. from 1981-1987. While at Marriott, he was responsible for the evaluation of major mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, debt and equity offerings, and project financings.

With partners William Conway Jr. and David Rubenstein, he cofounded the Carlyle Group in 1987. They used politically connected advisors such as former President George H.W. Bush and former British Prime Minister John Major to buy defense-oriented firms, turning them around and selling them for profit. He serves as chairman of the board, running the firm’s daily operations. Today the firm manages around $203 billion across 129 buyout, leveraged finance, real estate and venture capital funds. The Carlyle Group bought pipeline outfit Kinder Morgan for $22 billion, acquired Philadelphia Energy Solutions in 2012, saving 850 local jobs, and even has minority investments in Beats Electronics. It has become a famed Washington-based private equity firm with expansions and investments internationally, and was even inducted into the Dow Jones Private Equity Analyst Hall of Fame. The Carlyle Group’s geographical reach spans the globe in 23 countries on six continents, making it one of the largest private equity firms in the world.

Currently, D’Aniello serves as vice chairman of the American Enterprise Institute’s Board of Trustees, in addition to serving on the Board of Trustees of his alma mater, Syracuse University, and on the Corporate Advisory Council of the Whitman School of Management.

According to the Forbes 400 richest people in America this year, Daniel D’Aniello made #229, with a net worth of $2.8 billion, which he has made through private equity. The Carlyle Group’s big returns have made D’Aniello and his family rich, and he continues to show his gratitude through donations to several institutions, one of which is Syracuse University. The D’Aniello Entrepreneurship Internships, an internationally recognized initiative, are named after him as a testimony to what he stands for: the entrepreneurial spirit, hard work, imagination, aggressiveness, tenacity and strong moral values. D’Aniello also made a huge contribution to the American Enterprise Institute of $20 million, in order to help the conservative think tank move into its first permanent home in history.

D’Aniello has also been married to his wife, Gayle, for��36 years and they are the parents of two daughters. They currently reside in Vienna, Virginia.

The emotional ceremony honoring all branches of service will feature the Rev. Brian Konkol, the newly installed dean of Hendricks Chapel; the Syracuse University Singers; presentation of the American flag; as well as the ROTC Color Guard and 1987^th Army Band. Chancellor Kent Syverud will also comment on the rich history that Syracuse University��has with veterans��and will introduce this year’s keynote speaker, Command Sgt. Major Cynthia Pritchett (Ret.), a 36-year active service veteran who is the first female to serve as the Command Senior Enlisted Leader or a combatant command in a time of war.

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Eileen Collins

Eileen Collins was born on Nov. 19, 1956, into a family of Irish immigrants in Elmira, New York. From an early age,��she marveled at the wonder of flight. Her fondest childhood memories were visiting the Harris Hill Soaring Corporation and Museum and standing around the local airport with her parents to watch planes take off. This sparked a desire to take flying lessons, so she took a part-time job at a pizza parlor to save up $1,000 for private lessons. By the age of 19, Collins entered the cockpit for the first time and knew instantly that she would be a pilot.

After high school, Collins attended Corning Community College. With determination and her family’s support, she quickly earned an associate’s degree in mathematics and a two-year Air Force ROTC scholarship at Syracuse University. Collins graduated from Syracuse in 1978 with a bachelor of arts in mathematics and economics and a commission as a U.S. Air Force Second Lieutenant.��She entered the Air Force just as the doors started opening for women pilots. She set her sights on attending undergraduate pilot training school at Vance Air Force Base in Oklahoma, where she was among the first group of 120 females to apply—and one of only four women selected. Within a year, the 23-year-old lieutenant became the U.S. Air Force’s first female flight instructor. In 1983, Collins was reassigned to Travis Air Force Base in California, where she flew C-141 cargo planes and participated in numerous military and humanitarian missions overseas. Several years later, Collins taught mathematics at the U.S. Air Force Academy after earning master’s degrees in operations research from Stanford University and in space systems management from Webster University.

Eileen Collins as a pilot

With two advanced degrees, over 1,500 hours of flight time and a cool-headed reputation, Collins was the second woman ever accepted to the prestigious Air Force Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base in California. Upon graduation in 1990, NASA selected her for the astronaut program. At NASA, she famously became the first woman astronaut to both pilot (1995) and then command (1999) a Space Shuttle mission. Under her command, the shuttle Columbia made history when it deployed a $1.5 billion telescope into orbit to enable deep-space exploration of exploding stars, quasars and black holes.

Collins retired from the U.S. Air Force in 2005 at the rank of colonel. Her list of honors and awards is long and befitting of one of��the nation’s the first female pilots and astronauts. The main boulevard entrance to Syracuse Hancock International Airport proudly bears her name. So too does the astronomical observatory at Corning Community College. Collins is also a Syracuse University Arents Award recipient, an inductee of the National Women’s Hall of Fame and recognized by Encyclopedia Britannica as one of the top 300 women in history to have changed the world.

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Rorke T. Denver graduated from Syracuse University with bachelor of arts in 1996. While at Syracuse University, he was an All-American lacrosse player and captain of the varsity lacrosse team.

Rorke Denver

Denver has run every phase of training for the U.S. Navy SEALs and led special-forces missions in the Middle East, Africa, Latin America and other international hot spots. He starred in the hit film “Act of Valor,” which is based on true SEAL adventures. Denver has authored both the��New York Times��bestseller “Damn Few: Making the Modern SEAL Warrior” and “Worth Dying For: A Navy SEALs Call to a Nation.” Denver was most recently seen on FOX’s “American Grit.” The series followed 16 of the country’s toughest men and women as they face a variety of military-grade and survival-themed challenges set in the wilderness.

After completing the SEALs’ legendary Basic Underwater Demolition program in 1999 (BUD/S Class 224), Denver began an action-filled 13-year career as a platoon commander and training leader with America’s premier special-operations force. As assistant officer in charge of BRAVO Platoon at SEAL Team THREE, he was deployed to SOUTCOM, the Central and South American Area of Operations, where his platoon was the “alert” SEAL team for maritime interdiction, hostage rescue, counterinsurgency and counternarcotics. As SEAL officer aboard the USS Bonhomme Richard, Denver led his group’s response to a murderous uprising in the Ivory Coast nation of Liberia, launching advanced-force operations, conducting hydrographic beach reconnaissance and helping to get U.S. Marines safely ashore. At Special Boat Team TWELVE, he started the Maritime Capable Air Deployable Boat Detachment, which specialized in parachuting large assault boats from U.S. aircraft.

Rorke Denver in battle gear

In 2006, Denver was officer in charge of BRAVO Platoon of SEAL Team THREE in Iraq’s Al Anbar Province in one of the most combat-heavy deployments of any regular SEAL team since Vietnam. Stationed in Habbaniya, his team conducted more than 190 missions, including sniper operations, direct assaults, special reconnaissance and ground patrols. Two of his teammates were killed in action, including Mike Monsoor, who received the Medal of Honor for jumping on a live grenade to save his teammates. Denver’s team has been widely credited with propelling the “Tribal Awakening” that helped to neutralize Iraq’s Shia insurgency. Denver was awarded the Bronze Star with “V” for valorous action in combat.

After returning to the United States, Denver was appointed flag lieutenant to Adm. Joseph Maguire, commanding officer of Naval Special Warfare, traveling to Afghanistan and briefing Congress on SEAL operations. In 2009, he became First Phase officer of SEAL Basic Training, including Hell Week, then rose to Basic Training officer. He went on to run all phases of training, including advanced sniper, hand-to-hand fighting, communications, diving and language.

Denver is an honor graduate of the��U.S.��Army Ranger School. In addition to his Syracuse University education, he earned a master’s degree in global business leadership from the University of San Diego.

Debra Polishook, Accenture Group Chief Executive, left, congratulates Maureen Casey on her award.

“The C200 Foundation is proud to honor these impressive leaders for their successes,” says Pamela Craig, Chair of the C200 Foundation and former CFO of Accenture. “Each woman is changing the face of business for the better through entrepreneurship, corporate innovation, education and skills training and the promotion of women’s achievement in STEM fields.”

“Maureen’s career as a public servant has been remarkable and distinguished. She has one of those life stories that is, at the same time, both humbling and inspirational,” says Mike Haynie, vice chancellor of Syracuse University and executive director of the IVMF. “Maureen is a dynamic leader and a transformational thinker, and her contribution to all the IVMF has accomplished on behalf of the nation’s veterans, our military families and Syracuse University can’t be overstated.”

As a sponsor of the Committee of 200’s Skills to Succeed Champion Luminary Award, Accenture commented that Casey’s work on behalf of the IVMF perfectly reflects the Skills to Succeed initiative in that it advances employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for individuals around the globe.

Lorimer W. Rich

Lorimer W. Rich

Lorimer W. Rich graduated from Syracuse University in 1914 with a degree in architecture, and then immediately went on to serve with distinction as a U.S. Army infantryman during World War I.�� At the conclusion of the war, Rich continued his academic studies in Italy. Upon his return to New York,��he joined the firm of McKim, Mead & White.

Rich left McKim, Mead & White after eight years and over the next five decades he became one of the nation’s most prolific designers of government buildings, post offices, court houses, college dormitories and churches. Locally, he designed the Rome Court House, Camden United Methodist Church and State University College at Oswego. For his alma mater, Syracuse University, he designed the E.I. White College of Law, Watson, Marion and Shaw��halls and the renovated Archbold Gymnasium.

One of Rich’s most famous works is the design of the Tomb of the Unknowns in Arlington National Cemetery, a commission he won through national competition early in his career.��Rich also designed the Tomb of the Unknown Revolutionary War Soldiers at North James and Liberty streets in Rome, as one of his last works.

Later in his career, he became a critic in design at the School of Architecture of Columbia University, and in 1940 was awarded an honorary doctorate in fine arts from Syracuse University. He also was a critic in architectural and city planning at the Pratt Institute in New York City.

Rich retired in 1971 at the age of 80, to his native hometown of Camden, New York. Upon his death in 1978, President Jimmy Carter personally approved his remains to be interred in Arlington so that he could be near the tomb he designed. Rich is buried in Section 48 of Arlington National Cemetery, directly behind the����and the��.

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The IVMF’s Gilly Cantor, left, Heidi Cramm of CIMVHR and Nick Armstrong of the IVMF

AmericaServes is a unique innovation that aims to improve veteran well-being through improved access and navigation to services in communities. ��Armstrong and Cantor also participated in a select working group to propose new evidence-based research topics on military-to-civilian transition.

The CIMVHR 2017 Forum is the first collaborative event for the IVMF and the CIMVHR team, but not the only international institute joining forces with the IVMF. The institute recently signed a partnership agreement with the ��in the United Kingdom. Both partnerships, says Armstrong, are part of the IVMF’s growing initiative to expand its international reach to exchange ideas, share insights, learn and collaborate.

“Our nations’ veterans and military families have a shared experience both in service and in transition to civilian life,” says Armstrong. “We’re thrilled about the potential for these new research collaborations and potential they hold to draw new insights and learning in the collective support of those who serve our respective nations.”

Armstrong will also join an expert advisory group on a U.K. Ministry of Defense’s sponsored effort focused on developing, evaluating and tracking veteran well-being.

The annual CIMVHR 2017 Forum gathers thought leaders from around the globe to present new research, exchange ideas, share insight, learn and collaborate. This year’s conference was held Sept. 25-27 in Toronto. The announcement of the collaboration was made at the CIMVHR’s eighth annual conference being held in partnership with the , an international Paralympic-style multi-sport event, in which wounded or sick armed services personnel and veterans take part in sports including wheelchair basketball, sitting volleyball and indoor rowing.

With four award categories, including Employment, Achievement, Sustainability, and Humanitarianism, the MISSION:ABLE awards celebrate those who have demonstrated extraordinary leadership and fought for expanded rights for the 22 million veterans, 56.7 million people with disabilities and 800,000 Americans living with spinal cord injury or disease. The IVMF was awarded the ABLE award for Employment for outstanding efforts to train and employ veterans as they transition out of military life and for its groundbreaking programs focused on small business and entrepreneurship.

This national award is given annually to champions dedicated to creating an America where the��nation’s disabled heroes are able to fully live the lives they deserve and access what they need most: health care, benefits and jobs. Past honorees include Microsoft, GE, Deloitte, Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe and the Commonwealth of Virginia, and Penske Corp.

Accepting the award for the IVMF was Dan D’Aniello, a Syracuse University alumnus, life Trustee, and co-chairman of the IVMF Advisory Board. D’Aniello is chairman and co-founder of the Carlyle Group.

Also attending was Mike Haynie, Syracuse University Vice Chancellor and IVMF executive director, who commented, “The IVMF is proud to accept this distinguished award on behalf of the over 73,000 veterans and family members we have served through our training and programming. I cannot underscore enough the value and impact veterans and military-connected families bring to our American employment landscape. We all benefit when veterans are trained, mentored and provided opportunities to approach their next mission into civilian life creating meaningful employment for themselves and their families.”

Pictured left to right are��Dan D’Aniello, ‘68 , Syracuse University Life Trustee and co-chairman of the IVMF Advisory Board;��Paralyzed Veterans of America’s President David Zurfluh; Frank Stanley, manager, Veteran Recruiting Programs at Cushman & Wakefield Inc.; and John Birch, executive vice president of World Wide FIMS Services.

For nearly a decade, Syracuse University has provided no-cost training in career preparation, entrepreneurship and industry certification with a direct connection to over 450 national veteran-friendly employers. Impacting over 73,000 veterans and military families to date, the IVMF’s end-to-end suite of programs empowers those who have worn the uniform to embark on a new journey as they transition from military to civilian life.

Lee Moreland, a U.S. Army veteran, is a successful graduate of one of those signature programs, Onward to Opportunity-Veterans Career Transition Program (O2O-VCTP).�� As he began looking toward his next mission after serving, Moreland began training in O2O-VCTP’s IT track, earning a Cisco certification, taking advantage of the skills he’d mastered while serving. “Before I even left the service, Onward to Opportunity provided me the employment training to obtain a certificate quicker than the college admittance process with an immediate improvement to my resume, and then direct connections to employers who were hiring. And in the IT world, where you must have expertise in specific domains, those technical certifications matter.” Moreland is now managing the Starbucks technology program in China.

The Motorola Solutions Foundation awards grants each year to organizations that support and advance public safety programs and technology and��engineering education initiatives. This year, programs that served underrepresented populations, including females, people with disabilities and veterans were prioritized.

“Support of our work through philanthropy and leading foundations such as Motorola is critical to delivering career training to the nearly 200,000 service members that transition out of the service each year as well as their families,” says��Mike Haynie, vice chancellor and executive director of the IVMF. “The IVMF looks forward to expanding our STEM curriculum offerings across the U.S. with this grant to assist our service members and veterans in their pursuit of employment in high-demand careers within that category such as IT, cyber security, programming and more.”

“Motorola Solutions Foundation is proud to support the work of the IVMF and Syracuse University.�� As a leading technology company that supports the safety of communities worldwide, we know how important it is to educate tomorrow’s technology professionals as well as enlighten civilians and first responders on today’s safety needs,” says Matt Blakely, executive director of the Motorola Solutions Foundation.

Veterans face unique challenges when transitioning from military into civilian life, and research shows supporting their needs often requires coordination of multiple organizations, public and private, which further complement the traditional health care services and benefits provided by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

“Serving veterans is not the VA’s responsibility alone,” says Nick Armstrong, IVMF Senior Director of Research and Evaluation, and lead investigator. “Our nation’s support system for veterans is really a patchwork network of government, private and nonprofit programs and services—delivered at the ground level, in communities across the country. These new projects have the potential to significantly alter and enhance how that system works.”

The NYSHealth project (an award of over $215,000) will investigate state-level veteran services, needs and leading practices of veteran affairs agencies across the United States and territories. The study will inform state-level policymakers and other public and private sector stakeholders on opportunities and to draw on new or innovative ways to deliver best-in-class programs and services to veterans and their families at the state and local levels.

At the same time, funding from the IBM Center for the Business of Government will examine barriers and opportunities to develop an enterprise, governmentwide approach to veterans’ policy and planning. Beyond the VA, multiple federal agencies, state and local governments, and the private and social sectors all provide services for veterans, yet no national framework exists to devote resources to their most impactful use.

Both studies build on a body of work conducted by the IVMF in partnership with faculty and graduate students of the No. 1-ranked Maxwell School, making the case for a national veterans’ strategy that helps align efforts across government, private, philanthropic and nonprofit organizations nationally. The work seeks to inform the Trump Administration, federal agency leadership and other key public and private sectors stakeholders on how to achieve greater unity of effort in veterans’ policy and planning nationwide.

“The Maxwell School shares the IVMF’s commitment to improving coordination and delivery of veterans services across all policy areas,” says David M. Van Slyke, dean of the Maxwell School and co-investigator on the IBM grant. “We appreciate this strong partnership and the opportunity it creates for faculty and students to conduct impactful research in service to veterans.”

The research for both grants will be conducted over the coming year. Results from the two projects will further extend the IVMF research and evaluation team’s broad global thought leadership efforts driving the community of veteran-serving organizations committed to serving those who serve.

Participants listen to a presentation at this week’s Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans with Disabilities. (Photo by Gerard H. Gaskin)

Veterans from across the nation and beyond are currently on campus for the 11^th annual Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans with Disabilities (EBV)—a nine-day intensive on starting and building a business, powered by the Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF). This year’s 28 participants come from nine states and Japan, and represent all five branches of the military. They are��spending the week attending classes, networking events and presentations, learning the fundamentals of running a business from over 30 accomplished entrepreneurs and professors.

Participants have the opportunity to connect with several guest speakers, including:

• Seth Jordan, owner and founder of Dog Tag Brewing
• Ted Lachowicz, serial entrepreneur and founder of the EBV Foundation
• Mike Haynie, vice chancellor at Syracuse University and founder/director of the Institute for Veterans and Military Families
• Brian Horn, chief of staff at the U.S. Business Leadership Network
• Ralph Galati, director of veterans services at St. Joseph’s University
• John Stage, founder of Dinosaur BBQ
• John Wildhack, Syracuse University director of athletics at Syracuse University

Haynie founded EBV in 2007 with the . Since then, EBV has expanded to a consortium of 10��schools across the country and has graduated over 1,400 aspiring entrepreneurs. Of those 1,400, 72��percent have gone on to start their own business and 92 percent of those are still in business. In total, EBV graduates have generated over $288 million through their ventures. Learn more at ebv.vets.syr.edu.

The Orange Door sign

As the #1 private school in the nation for veterans, according to 2017 Military Times, it is the responsibility and role of the Syracuse University community to continually support and reach out to student veterans on campus. The Orange Door Liaison Initiative helps establish wider networks for student veterans on campus.

With the new academic year approaching, the OVMA will provide orange door tags to all participating faculty and staff. ��Participants are asked to hang the door tags in their offices, departments and buildings as visual signs to student veterans that they are welcome to come in and talk. The program’s expansion is part of Chancellor Kent Syverud’s plan to make SU “the best place for veterans,” a commitment he verbalized during his 2014 inauguration remarks.

Using these tags, individuals become Orange Door Liaisons and create further access for communication with student veterans. By volunteering as a Student Veteran Liaison, users are helping address concerns that may arise while talking to a student veteran. The transition into campus life can be difficult and challenging for veterans, and can often include academic, behavioral, legal, financial, personal and family issues.

In addition, Student Veteran Liaisons will be provided user guides to help better understand their role in a veteran’s campus experience.

Student Veteran Liaisons will serve as resources of support and care. They do not replace a student veteran’s academic advisor, but rather supplement the support��and connections student veterans build on the Syracuse University campus. If a student veteran confides any information to a Student Veteran Liaison which leads them��to believe that he/she is a danger to himself/herself or other, or that he/she is involved in any criminal activity, this information should be reported immediately.

An Orange Door opens up pathways to inclusivity and understanding essential to the values of Syracuse University. Make Syracuse University a better place for student veterans one orange door at a time.

For more information, visit . To request an orange door tag, go to .