The 40th Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Planning Committee is proud to announce the 2025 Unsung Hero Award winners: Andrea-Rose Oates ’26, James K. Duah-Agyeman G’99, Student Coalition on Race and Equity (SCORE), Laurence Segal and Jamie Jackson (posthumously).

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

The award winners will be recognized at the 40th Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration on Sunday, Jan. 26, featuring keynote speaker Sarah Willie-LeBreton, president of Smith College. Tickets for the celebration are available��.

The Unsung Heroes are:

Andrea-Rose Oates ’26 (Syracuse University student)

Oates, a public relations major in the and policy studies major in the and , has dedicated her life to community service, leadership and social justice. She is the president and founder of “Girlz Rize,” a nonprofit initiative focused on fighting for girls’ education opportunities.

Through her work last summer with NBCUniversal, Oates amplified underrepresented voices by highlighting community challenges and successes. Her summer internships with Comcast and Hilco Redevelopment Partners demonstrated her ability to translate corporate resources into meaningful community outreach.

Oates’ leadership roles at Syracuse have included serving as president of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority’s Iota Upsilon chapter; co-secretary for the Black Student Union; events chair for the Women in Communications Club; a member of the Newhouse Student Representative Committee and an account associate for Hill Communications. She is dedicated to fostering inclusive, collaborative spaces that inspire academic and social growth and sustainable, generational change.

“Andrea-Rose doesn’t merely identify problems; she acts, empowering others to take part in solutions,” says nominator Diya Gupta. “Her actions reflect Dr. King’s enduring call to serve others and create a world where equity and justice prevail.”

James Duah-Agyeman G’99 (Syracuse University Faculty/Staff)

Duah-Agyeman, former director of the Office of Multicultural Affairs and special advisor to the Men of Color Initiative, has a 38-year record of achievement at Syracuse University—as a graduate student, teacher, academic counselor, administrator and leader.

“There are many who talk the talk of service, inclusion and integrity, but in the context of engagement with the world, Dr. D has walked the walk again and again,” says nominator Barry L. Wells. “In the process, he has set a powerful example for students, faculty, staff, and community members in how one person can make a significant difference in the development and expansion of a community that values service and inclusion.”

Duah-Agyeman most recently led Multicultural Affairs in developing programs to advance inclusion on the SU campus by creating best-in-class programs like the WellsLink Leadership Program; Dimensions, a peer mentoring program for women of color; and the Men of Color Initiative. He was instrumental in piloting and introducing the Conversations About Race and Ethnicity (C.A.R.E.) intergroup dialogue programs on campus. He also advocated for inclusion through his community work with Interfaith Works of Central New York and the Ghana Society of CNY.

Student Coalition on Race and Equity (SCORE) (Youth Community Organization)

��The Student Coalition on Race and Equity (SCORE) was launched in 2020, after the murder of George Floyd. SCORE harnesses the talent and leadership skills of high school students across Onondaga County to combat oppression and foster equity. It empowers youth, known as SCORE leaders, to educate adults on topics related to race and equity, sharing insights from their unique perspectives as young people.

After completing five weeks of training in equity-based topics and being equipped with the skills necessary to facilitate interactive workshops, SCORE Leaders take on the role of educators, leading workshop sessions for community stakeholders each August. SCORE has provided workshops on implicit bias and Black history to almost 3,000 community members.

“SCORE is a powerful program that not only centers and draws from the creativity and expertise of youth, but it also engages youth in meaningfully powerful professional experience,” says nominator Jenny Dombroske. “Our community is fortunate to have this access to the insights of youth and the opportunity to learn some of the hardest lessons from them, so that we may contribute to the future that they want for themselves.”

Laurence Segal (Community Member)

Segal quietly fights every single day for cancer patients, the homeless, the downtrodden and people the rest of society cast aside, says his brother and nominator, Andrew Segal.

Laurence has been known to stop his car and help stranded motorists, using his own AAA card to help them. Through his organization, , he has returned millions of bottles and cans for cancer patients and research and pulled millions of pop tabs for the Ronald McDonald House of CNY. He hosts multiple every month that impact thousands of people, and he constantly strives to make the world a better place.

This summer, Segal cleaned up trash on city streets and passed out hot meals, cold drinks, sanitizers, masks and first aid kits to the homeless. He has spent countless hours with cancer patients holding their hands while they go through chemotherapy, radiation and long hospital stays.

“He makes a difference constantly, but just chooses to keep it silent,” Andrew Segal says. “He is the gem of our family, and a gem in CNY.”

Jamie Jackson (Special Posthumous Recognition)

Jackson, a longtime employee with Syracuse University’s Parking and Transportation Services, was in a unique position to connect with almost every person on campus for over 20 years. He was assigned to the Quad lot outside Hendricks Chapel, where he offered assistance to campus visitors and befriended many members of the campus community. Jackson passed away unexpectedly in September 2024.

He was a graduate of Onondaga Community College and a U.S. Navy and U.S. Army veteran. In his obituary, he was remembered as a “wonderful son, beloved husband, fantastic father, a devoted veteran, terrific brother, great friend, kind uncle, good outdoorsman, strong record keeper and avid sports fan.”

Dara Harper, communications director at Hendricks Chapel, got to know Jackson well.

“In my opinion, Jamie’s role on campus was utterly unsung. He, a veteran, a dad, a confidante, a judge, a quiet and constant friend, touched every person on campus,” she says. “To tell you that he was the parking attendant limits his story to a singular piece of who he was. And for many of us, he is still just right outside.”

Jackson’s loss is felt every day on the University campus. “Jamie embodied the kindness, fortitude and patience that we all should strive for in this world,” says Harper. “He was a GOOD man, which is just the simplest way of saying that he was a hero.”

The Lender Global program was launched last year to offer students innovative research opportunities to examine social justice issues from a global perspective. The first cohort is studying environmental issues at the Syracuse Abroad center in London now. In Santiago, student fellows will study the impact and consequences of the Augusto Pinochet dictatorship in Chile, which lasted from 1973 to 1990, during which more than 3,000 people died or disappeared, 200,000 suffered exile and 27,000 were tortured.

Three student fellowships will be awarded to students who plan to during the 2025-26 academic year. All students who have been accepted to study there via the OrangeAbroad portal will be invited to express interest in the fellowship project.

Information Session

An online information session about the program is scheduled Thursday, Jan. 30, from 12:30 to 1:15 p.m. ET, with Mauricio Paredes, Santiago Center director. Students. interested in studying Spanish, human rights, engineering and/or collective memory in Santiago can register for the session .

for Fall 2025 semester Syracuse Abroad programs are currently open and have a deadline of March 15. Applications for Spring 2026 abroad programs open on May 15.

Redress, Prevention

Student fellows will take courses about that period in Chilean history and will also work on a hands-on project at a memorial museum. They will also get involved with community members, share their new findings, enhance how victims are remembered and gain an understanding of how commemorative education can help redress and prevent human rights abuses.

Mauricio Paredes

The initiative will be led by Director , an expert on Chilean internment camps, nationalism and U.S. involvement in Chilean politics who teaches courses about human rights, political memory and Latin American dictatorships. He will teach the course, “Dictatorships, Human Rights and Historical Memory in Chile and the Southern Cone” and lead examinations of how the country has rebuilt art, culture and institutions since 1990. ��Paredes will also guide student fellows in enhancing a current display of victims of that time at Santiago’s (Museum of Memory and Human Rights). The museum documents the human rights violations committed by the State of Chile between 1973 and 1990 and provides those .

Parades’ viewpoint on the topic is unique. He is not only a scholar of the Pinochet dictatorship and the outcomes of that era, but was also a political prisoner of that government, so understands firsthand the impacts of political violence and the importance of social justice.

“One of the most important aspects of this project is its potential to demonstrate that abolishing democracy and installing terror as a means of accomplishing political goals will affect not only one’s political enemies but can also put everyone’s safety and integrity at risk,” Paredes says. “[This project] can serve as a reminder that once terror is unleashed, nobody is safe.”

Students chosen for Lender Global’s Santiago 2025-26 fellowship will conduct exhibit work at the Museum of Memory and Human Rights. (Photo courtesy Museum of Memory and Human Rights)

Specialized Interests

Due to its unique nature, students who have specialized capabilities and interests that align with the project are encouraged to apply.

They include:

• A Spanish-speaking fellow to conduct an archival project exploring motivations for collateral killings and work with local collections and organizations to understand what happened to victims of the dictatorship (Fall 2025)
• An engineering fellow to work with a local technician to enhance a lighting system for the museum’s exhibit of victims’ photographs (Spring 2026)
• A design-centric fellow to develop materials that will be used to share research findings with broader audiences, comprising an enhanced display at the museum (and for later exhibit on the Syracuse University campus) (Spring 2026)

A group of students studying at the Syracuse Santiago Center in 2023 visited the high peaks of Patagonia while there. Center Director Mauricio Paredes, third from left, accompanied them. (Photo courtesy Syracuse Abroad)

, Lender Center director, says the Santiago program’s location and structure provide students a rare opportunity in the field of social justice studies to learn about the victims of political violence and mass death and get involved with the communities that experienced those atrocities. “This is such a powerful project and it brings together many of the key topics the Lender Center has engaged with in the past. It is exactly the kind of global perspective on social justice we seek to foster with the Lender Global partnership,” he says.

Audie Klotz

Founded in 1959, the ISA is comprised of more than 7,000 members around the world, including academics, practitioners, policy experts, private sector workers and independent researchers. A hub for the exchange of ideas, networking and programmatic initiatives, its conferences, virtual programs and sponsored journals (published by Oxford University Press) encompass a range of topics that foster the development of new ideas, relationships and skillsets.

Klotz will serve a three-year term—as president-elect, president and past-president—starting at the annual convention in March 2025. She previously served a two-year term as a vice president-elect and vice president (2016-2018), among other roles within the association.

Shana Kushner Gadarian, associate dean for research and professor of political science, praised Klotz for her selection and says she is highly qualified to lead the prestigious organization.

“Over the course of her career, Professor Klotz has developed a body of scholarship that is well-known and widely cited and that has influenced several distinct areas of research in political science and international studies,” Gadarian says, adding that the position will be mutually beneficial, as it will “create opportunities for Maxwell faculty and students to more deeply engage with critical international issues of our time.”

A specialist on global migration and international norms, Klotz has received awards and accolades for her scholarship and teaching, including the 2023 Wasserstrom Prize from Syracuse University, the 2020 Distinguished Scholar Award from the International Organization Section of ISA, and the 2018 Distinguished Scholar Award from the Ethnicity, Nationalism and Migration Studies Section of ISA.

Klotz is the author of “Migration and National Identity in South Africa, 1860-2010” (Cambridge University Press, 2013), and Cornell University Press will publish a second edition of her book, “Norms in International Relations: The Struggle against Apartheid,” later this year. Her research has been supported with a Fulbright fellowship and by several funders including the National Science Foundation, the Social Science Research Council and the MacArthur Foundation.

This story was written by Mikayla Melo

Andrew Joncas

Joncas is a visionary technology leader with over 25 years of experience in designing and implementing transformative IT and data strategies. During his tenure at the University, he has managed multimillion-dollar technology portfolios, driven AI-powered innovations and optimized data infrastructure to support academic and research excellence.

“Andrew brings deep technical knowledge and hands-on experience that perfectly aligns with this position,” Rubin says. “His expertise in AI and data innovation will help drive forward our university’s strategic goals in enterprise data management, enhancing both academic programs and operational capabilities.”

In his new role, Joncas will lead the strategic direction and operational execution of the University’s enterprise data and AI initiatives, including data access, governance, reporting and analysis.

“I’m thrilled to step into this new role and explore how we can harness the power of university data and artificial intelligence,” Joncas says. “Together, we have a unique opportunity to drive innovation and create transformative solutions for the entire University community.”

ITS will begin the search for Joncas’s successor as assistant vice president for infrastructure this month. In the interim, the ITS Infrastructure and Networking teams will report to Eric Sedore, associate vice president for information technology and chief technology officer.

Erin Cuevas (Boghosian Fellow 2024-2025)

Erin Cuevas

will teach the visiting critic studio, “Leotard 2.0: Redefining Performance,” which will extend the body into spatial architecture, exploring the performer’s body as a canvas for creating inhabitable, kinetic environments that embed social narratives within the wearables we design. Traditionally a functional garment that accentuates movement while maintaining freedom of motion, the quintessential ballet leotard will be the studio’s point of departure, beginning with a standard pattern and transforming it into an extension of the dancer’s body. Students will explore how the garment can complement and contrast movement while investigating the potential for wearables to mediate between body and space. Using both analog and digital media, they will refine and obsess their craft through detailed construction and tectonic experimentation. Throughout the course, students will investigate themes of embodiment and the potential for wearables to provoke social discourse on contemporary issues. Their final deliverable—a leotard garment to be photographed and captured on a dancer’s body—will bridge audience and performer relationships, becoming a canvas for discussion and interaction between parties. Given the interdisciplinary nature of the work, students will collaborate with experts in fields such as fashion design, dance, computational design, and film; workshops with these professionals will guide the process of constructing and evolving their apparel. This studio is co-enrolled with the in the , and students will work in collaborative groups.

Cuevas’ fellowship research will culminate in the form of a participatory public performance in the fall of 2025.

Sekou Cooke (sekou cooke STUDIO)

Sekou Cooke

will teach the visiting critic studio, “Community Collaborations: Urban Farms, Collaborative Design, and Prototyping,” which, partially funded by the at Syracuse University, is primarily invested in models of collaboration between community partners and designers, particularly urban farms around Syracuse. While learning from multiple urban farms in the city, students will work directly with the community garden of the Apostolic Church of Jesus Christ in the Southside neighborhood of Syracuse. They will assess the needs of the community garden for storage, shading, water collection, etc. then produce designs and full-scale prototypes for a new intervention on the site. Each design will be reviewed by local partners, stakeholders, and the directors of the Lender Center. Prototypes will also be displayed temporarily on-site for community feedback. To further familiarize themselves with the site, client, and community, students will dedicate their entire Tuesday studio session each week to working with local urban gardens providing any necessary volunteer services needed on those dates.

Alex Sheft and John Farrace (Sheft Farrace)

Alex Sheft and John Farrace

and will teach the visiting critic studio, “Brick Lust,” which will focus on the comprehensive design of a brick-and-mortar flagship store for “digitally native brands” in Los Angeles’ rapidly evolving Arts District in Downtown L.A. Conceived as an immersive introduction to retail design, the studio will delve into the history and core principles of store design while addressing the unique challenge of translating a brand’s digital identity into a compelling physical retail experience. Divided into four key phases—brand research dossier, retail lexicon, concept design pitch deck, and flagship store design—the course’s curriculum will go beyond design fundamentals, emphasizing practical strategies that architects can leverage to enhance their impact and agency throughout a project.

Farrace will give a on Tuesday, March 25 at 5:30 p.m. in the atrium of Slocum Hall.

Pablo Sequero (salazarsequeromedina)

Pablo Sequero

will teach the visiting critic studio, “Rural Assemblies: Climate, Affordability and Adaptation” which will explore the relationship between climate adaptation, affordability, and material assembly through the design of a series of small-scale additions to pre-existing vernacular structures. The studio will focus on the hinterlands of Spain, the so-called “Emptied Spain.” In the past decades, the rural exodus has left most towns and villages as ghost towns, currently struggling between depopulation, lack of infrastructure, and the climate emergency. These areas of high historic, ecological, and cultural value have also been subject to extreme weather events throughout 2024, highlighting their climate vulnerability. Heat waves, extreme drought and flash flooding continue to proliferate, including the most recent “Gota-fria” heavy rainfall storms that have caused severe damage. As cities remained resilient to these weather events, small and rural villages were almost destroyed. Further, the housing affordability crisis in metropolitan areas, mostly on the coast, and the accelerated depopulation of rural municipalities due to a lack of infrastructure, make the promise of reimagining the hinterlands a necessary utopia. For their explorations, students will travel to Madrid, Spain, and the hinterlands around the Madrid region, where they will visit, document, survey, and redraw a long list of recent remarkable case study projects—from adaptive re-use of historic structures, to projects that foreground circular initiatives and new materialities, to collectives that provide climate-resilient frameworks—for communities to reinhabit almost abandoned rural municipalities.

The liberal arts offerings through the (A&S) and the have always equipped students with the critical and creative thinking skills needed throughout their lifetimes.

Today, thanks to an important revision of the foundational (LAC), the two schools will offer a reimagined, robust and contemporary curriculum that will prepare students for adaptability and success in a constantly evolving world. The new LAC, slated to be implemented in the Fall 2025 semester, will apply only to those students matriculating beginning in the fall of 2025.

The College of Arts and Sciences and the Maxwell School will offer a reimagined, robust and contemporary curriculum that will prepare students for adaptability and success in a constantly evolving world.

Executive Director of Esports Joey Gawrysiak addresses the crowd during the grand opening of the Gaming and Esports Center on campus. (Photo by Tiancheng Tang ’26)

Continuing to innovate as a leading higher education institution for and gaming in the United States, Syracuse University has officially opened its new, state-of-the-art Gaming and Esports Center—an exciting arena for competitors and those new to the action to take part in this ever-growing, evolving sports field. The community gaming space elevates the esports offerings at the University in support of student engagement opportunities and first-of-its-kind academic programming.

Pictured from left to right are Chancellor Kent Syverud, Braeden Cheverie-Leonard ’26, Gabriel Goodwin ’28, and Brianna Nechifor ’26.

“This new best-in-class esports center is an important milestone in a project that is still underway to make us the best university for esports and gaming,” said Syracuse University Chancellor and President , during its opening celebration Friday. “No other university of our stature is investing in esports like we are. This gives Syracuse University a unique opportunity to level up while others aren’t even in the game.”

The 5,800-square-foot center inside the Schine Student Center is the second recreational gaming and esports facility on campus. The esports gaming room at the Barnes Center at The Arch has attracted more than 100,000 visits by students since opening in 2019.

The new facility will allow even more students the opportunity to try their hand at esports and gaming while strengthening the University’s commitment to leading the way in esports through the creation of a space that sets the University apart from its peer institutions.

Joey Gawrysiak

The Gaming and Esports Center offers something for every member of the University community, says , executive director of esports, including the first-of-its-kind esports communications and management degree program, offered jointly by the����and the��.

The center will house the University’s competitive esports varsity teams and feature a long, elevated stage with 10 computers where teams square off in competition. Each computer has a camera attached to the top for live streaming, and there are two long, video boards running in front of and behind the stage, perfect for displaying match stats, graphics and video replays to the crowd of spectators seated in front of the stage.

The facility is also meant for gamers of all levels and interests. There are 24 high-end personal computers and assorted console gaming on systems like Nintendo, PlayStation and Xbox, along with virtual and augmented reality offerings, two racing simulators, classic arcade games and tabletop gaming.

“We’re setting a new standard for what esports and gaming can be, and Syracuse University is embracing the impact esports and gaming can have at an institution of higher education,” Gawrysiak says. “This space shows that we’re innovative and that we have an eye on the future of gaming and esports. We’re using esports and gaming as an educational opportunity, and this facility is a showcase of all things gaming for all members of our campus community.”

A member of the University community tries out one of the racing simulators housed in the new Gaming and Esports Center. (Photo by Cathleen O’Hare)

The University and global esports and gaming organization have collaborated on a multi-year partnership designed to enhance student engagement opportunities and support the University’s esports degree program. Along with an opportunity to participate in an intensive, three-week study abroad program in South Korea, the partnership will bring Gen.G’s Campus Takeover conference and program to Syracuse to celebrate the University’s Gaming and Esports Center.

The center also features a production area—where students can receive real-world experiences live streaming varsity and club esports competitions—and a space for student broadcasters to provide play-by-play and color commentary from the matches.

Will Delgado ’26 has been involved with esports since his first year on campus, first as a broadcaster and then as a content creator for the esports program’s social media channels. Delgado shot, edited and produced the esports promotional video that was shown during Friday’s grand opening.

Will Delgado

“This space is going to have a huge impact on the campus community. It will help educate and inform our students on the potential career opportunities presented by esports,” says Delgado, who is studying both supply chain management in the and television, radio and film in the .

“By getting involved with esports, students can walk away with career skills and experiences that will serve them well in this industry.�� I should know, as I want to merge my passions for gaming, esports and content creation into an esports career when I graduate,” says Delgado, who is a resident advisor for an esports-centric Living Learning Community in Haven Hall.

During the ceremony, Syracuse University’s Counter Strike 2 varsity team, which claimed a national championship from the National Association of Collegiate Esports, was honored with a trophy presentation that will proudly be displayed in the center. It’s the first of what Gawrysiak hopes is many trophies to come.

Later this summer, the University is launching construction on a competitive esports arena inside the Marley Building. The third esports venue on campus will provide real-world, professional experiences to esports student-athletes and to members of the esports academic degree program.

The Gaming and Esports Center will be open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week and is located immediately next to the campus bookstore. All games and experiences are free to play for members of the University community.

Members of the University community watch a competition featuring members of the Syracuse University esports team. (Photo by Cathleen O’Hare)

Merit scholarships that retain top first-year students. Fellowships that allow faculty to pursue their interests and bring emerging knowledge back into the classroom. Physical improvements to the , including Flaum Grand Hall, a centralized gathering place welcoming students and the entire Whitman community.

These are some examples of the impact made by the newly launched Whitman Leadership Circle (WLC), a philanthropic giving society created to transform the educational experience by harnessing the power and support of the Whitman School community.

The WLC was created as an opportunity for alumni, parents and friends to directly support Whitman through multi-year leadership commitments. In return, WLC members receive a personalized stewardship experience that includes special recognition, exclusive communication from the dean, invitations to speak at events and attend receptions, seminars and virtual meetings, unique gifts and apparel and opportunities to interact with students and faculty that not only thank them for their generosity but continue to enhance their commitment to the Whitman School’s mission and vision.

Alex McKelvie

“The launch of the Whitman Leadership Circle coincides with an exciting transformational time in our history,” says Alex McKelvie, interim dean of the Whitman School. “The energy around the Whitman School is palpable, as we have seen our rankings reach the highest level in over 15 years, and, more importantly, have witnessed our students and faculty continue to succeed in the classroom, in their careers and in their communities.”

The official rollout of the WLC comes one year after the Whitman School restructured its advancement and external engagement team, including hiring Assistant Dean of Advancement and External Engagement Michael Paulus. The team’s goal over the past year? To recharge alumni, parents and others to raise the level of support for the Whitman School through new strategies and initiatives. The WLC is one example of how these new initiatives are coming to life, as it targets three essential pillars at the Whitman School: enhancing the student experience, providing faculty support and improving the learning environment and facilities.

Commitments to the WLC begin at $25,000 or more ($5,000 per year over five years) and can be designated to any restricted or unrestricted fund, ensuring a genuine connection to the area of education each chooses to support. The program encompasses six levels of commitment and extends up to $1 million or more.

“As I have had the opportunity to meet with more alumni, parents and other supporters from across the country, I am struck by the important role the Whitman School has played in their lives and how much they value Whitman as such a special place,” says Paulus. “The goal of the WLC is to harness that value into providing outstanding programs, as well as initiatives that make Whitman stand out and ensure that our students continue to get the best possible educational experience both in and outside of the classroom.”

To date, 70 donors have been recognized in the WLC cohort, including 32 who have pledged their support in the last six months during the silent phase of the WLC’s launch. Together during this time, these donors have generated over $4.7 million in new support for Whitman.

“Our goal for the future is to build a storied legacy and create an environment that is as vibrant as the students who enroll at Whitman and the faculty who teach here,” says , vice chancellor for strategic initiatives and innovation and executive dean of the Whitman School. “Our objective is bold, but our plan of action is specific, measurable and achievable. To ascend to excellence in business education will take a united Whitman community ready to commit to our shared vision— and the Whitman Leadership Circle is a vital component to that success.”

Visit the website to learn more about opportunities to make an impact, or complete the to learn how to become an essential part of the legacy of the Whitman School.

Leondra Tyler ’24 was the inaugural honoree of the Outstanding Future Alumni Award in 2024.

This prestigious honor recognizes a current student who exemplifies exceptional commitment to both the campus and local community through leadership, service and involvement beyond the classroom. The selected student has exactly what the Syracuse University Alumni Association envisions as a strong future graduate and representative of Syracuse University and what it means to be Forever Orange.

The award, presented alongside several other alumni honors, will be conferred during the Syracuse University Alumni Awards Celebration on Friday, April 4, 2025.

2024’s inaugural honoree, Leondra Tyler ’24, displayed exceptional involvement on and off the Syracuse University campus as a McNair Scholar, Our Time Has Come Scholar and Remembrance Scholar. Tyler graduated cum laude with dual degrees in neuroscience and psychology through the Part-Time Higher Education Opportunity Program. In addition to participating in several research projects on campus, ​​including a Syracuse Office of Undergraduate Research and Creative Engagement (SOURCE) research fellowship, she was also recognized for her work as a passionate leader with the Hendricks Chapel Food Pantry.

The nomination form is open until Jan. 31, 2025, and anyone can .

For additional information or questions, please contact the Office of Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving at 315.443.3258 or alumnievents@syr.edu.

Registration for the annual awards ceremony, which is free and open to the entire Syracuse University community, will open next month.

The class was selected after a rigorous application and review process. Scholars were chosen based on their leadership growth potential and the strength of their personal leadership projects aimed at addressing a critical challenge or need in a community, profession or organization.

Ray Toenniessen

“I am honored to be selected as a Presidential Leadership Scholar,” Toenniessen says. “This is a tremendous opportunity to learn from outstanding leaders across different sectors, exchange fresh ideas and collaborate on solutions to some of our country’s most pressing challenges. I’m eager to bring the knowledge and network gained through this program back to our work here at the D’Aniello IVMF, where we can continue driving meaningful impact for our nation’s service members, veterans and their families.”

Toenniessen, who served four years as a commissioned officer in the Army, leads more than 100 employees at the D’Aniello IVMF, both on campus and across the nation. He advances the Institute’s 16 national training programs and community services, its research and evaluation capabilities, its coalition for veteran-owned businesses and employers, the alumni and engagement network and the D’Aniello Institute’s policy work in Washington D.C.

Toenniessen’s work with the IVMF began upon his return to his alma mater in 2010 after transitioning out of the military, and he became the first national program manager of the Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans. In his time with the IVMF, he has been instrumental in the development and growth of the organization’s programs and services, which have impacted more than 230,000 service members, veterans and military family members.

“Syracuse University and the D’Aniello IVMF are proud of Ray Toenniessen’s selection as a 2025 Presidential Leadership Scholar,” says , vice chancellor for strategic initiatives and innovation and the executive director of the IVMF.��“Throughout his career, Ray has consistently advanced the interests of veterans and military families. We look forward to Ray’s continued leadership and significant contributions that only will be enhanced by his PLS experience.”

Throughout the program, Toenniessen and the other scholars will travel to each participating presidential center to learn from former presidents, key former administration officials, business and civic leaders and leading academics. They will study and put into practice varying approaches to leadership and exchange ideas to help strengthen their impact.

Scholars have consistently reported remarkable growth in skills, responsibilities and opportunities for impact since the program began in 2015, including 96% of scholars reporting an improvement in how confidently they can lead social change, and 97% reporting they are inspired to accomplish more since beginning the program.

The 2025 program will begin on Jan. 29.

“Senior Class Marshals embody the spirit of academic excellence, personal growth and community engagement, representing the vibrant and inclusive experience of being Orange,” says Sheriah N. Dixon, associate vice president for the , Dean of Students and chair of the selection committee. “We encourage juniors to explore the process and apply to serve as representatives of the Class of 2026.”

In addition to leading their graduating class during Commencement, Senior Class Marshals help to recommend the Commencement speaker, participate in alumni networking, meet with a senior University administrator to discuss their student experience and offer insights and suggestions, represent their class at University-wide functions and more.

For more information about the role, including qualifications and instructions on how to apply, please visit the . The deadline to apply is Monday, Feb. 10.

For questions, contact Tracy Pierce at tmstark@syr.edu or call 315.443.3514.

A Syracuse University senior and an alumna were recently chosen for prestigious graduate fellowships that prepare students for careers in the Foreign Service.

Linda Baguma ’25, an international relations and political science major in the and , has been named a 2025 Rangel Fellow. Alexandria Johnson ’24, an international relations graduate from the Maxwell School and College of Arts and Sciences, has been selected as a 2025 Pickering Fellow.

The Charles B. Rangel Graduate Fellowship aims to attract and prepare outstanding young people for careers in the Foreign Service of the U.S. Department of State where they can help formulate, represent and implement U.S. foreign policy. The Rangel Program supports fellows through two years of graduate study, domestic and overseas internships, mentoring and professional development activities.

Funded by the U.S. Department of State and administered by the Washington Center, the Thomas R. Pickering Fellowship awards recipients two years of financial support, mentoring and professional development to prepare them for a career in the Foreign Service. Fellows will also complete a domestic internship at the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C., and an overseas internship at a U.S. embassy.

Linda Baguma

Baguma, a 2024-25 Remembrance Scholar, participated in a Public Policy and International Affairs Junior Summer Institute (PPIA) at Carnegie Mellon University over the summer. Her interest in the Foreign Service started with her desire to build stronger relationships between the U.S. and Africa, especially in diplomacy and international security.

Baguma was born in Africa and raised in the United States and feels a strong connection to both places. “Growing up in a refugee camp and then resettling in the U.S. gave me a unique perspective on the importance of diplomacy in building stronger global relationships,” Baguma says. “It helped me understand how important it is to foster cooperation and support across nations and communities to create positive change in the world.”

In addition to her PPIA experience, Baguma spent the Fall 2024 semester studying in South Africa. “Studying abroad allowed me to see how international relations works in a country with a very different history and set of challenges. I learned about South Africa’s policies and how they impact local communities. This experience has made me even more excited about pursuing a career in the Foreign Service, particularly focused on improving U.S.-Africa relations,” she says.

“The Rangel Fellowship will give me the resources, mentorship and hands-on experience to deepen my knowledge of foreign service and diplomacy. It will provide me with training, internships and access to a network of professionals, all of which will help me develop the skills I need to navigate U.S. foreign policy,” Baguma says. “The chance to work in the U.S. Foreign Service will allow me to directly address global issues and contribute to solutions that benefit people around the world. With the Rangel Fellowship, I believe I will be in a stronger position to pursue my goal of working in international affairs, peace and security for Americans and the rest of the world.”

Alexandria��Johnson

Johnson’s interest in the Foreign Service was sparked in high school in Cleveland, Ohio. “I had the privilege to hear from a retired ambassador through the global studies program, which changed my perspective,” Johnson says. “The conversation helped me understand that there are more opportunities beyond my immediate community and it led me to research and learn more about U.S. foreign affairs and the Foreign Service.”

In the summer of 2022, Johnson interned at the Cleveland Council on World Affairs, acting as a liaison between visiting professionals and professionals in her local community. “I learned a lot more about international relations and diplomacy, multilateral issues such as human rights and rule of law, my own city, and ultimately about myself. It was a challenging experience that I will never forget,” Johnson says.

In the spring of 2023, Johnson studied abroad in Strasbourg, France, where she interned with the Arab Center for International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights Education. She was also a 2023 Rangel Scholar, which funded a short-term summer program that gave her a comprehensive introduction to professions in U.S. foreign affairs. “I was surrounded by a cohort of 14 like-minded peers and I loved my experience. It inspired me to contribute my perspective as a Black woman from the Midwest to the field of diplomacy,” Johnson says. “The Rangel Summer Enrichment Program ultimately affirmed my commitment to pursuing a career in the Foreign Service to bridge global divides and advocate for inclusive and impactful diplomacy.”

“All of these experiences have taught me about diplomacy in different ways and have allowed me to make an impact. They all speak to a commitment to diversity in the field, which I will continue to strive for,” Johnson says.

Johnson currently works with the Truman Center for National Policy, a national security think tank in Washington, D.C. There, she focuses on subnational diplomacy and democracy building.

“The Pickering Fellowship will help me to attain my goal of public service. When I reflected on what I wanted out of a career, it had to be public service first and foremost. Coupled with my passion for foreign affairs, it is a perfect fit,” she says. “I hope to make positive change and to bring more awareness to what Foreign Service Officers do.”

Baguma and Johnson worked closely with the Center for Fellowship and Scholarship Advising (CFSA) on their applications and to prepare for their fellowship interviews. Students interested in learning more about the Pickering Fellowship and the Rangel Fellowship should contact CFSA.

The entire campus community is invited to participate in these four virtual events, which focus on key areas of the plan:

• Monday, Jan. 27, 3 to 4:15 p.m.: , facilitated by , associate provost for strategic initiatives, and��, associate vice president for academic operations
• Monday, Feb. 17, 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.: , facilitated by , vice president for research,��, associate provost for academic programs, and Dekaney
• Friday, March 21, 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.: , facilitated by Brown, Eiffe and Hasenwinkel
• Tuesday, April 29, 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.: , facilitated by Brown and��, professor of women’s and gender studies in the College of Arts and Sciences and director of the Syracuse University Humanities Center

The town halls are designed to create an inclusive environment that promotes the sharing of diverse viewpoints, opinions and ideas, reflecting the participatory nature of the plan’s development during the 2022-23 academic year. Following an introductory presentation about the town hall topic, moderators will facilitate conversation centered on five key questions.

“These events will allow our community to come together to discuss progress on the plan and what it means for the future of the University,” says Interim Vice Chancellor, Provost and Chief Academic Officer in a message to the campus community. “We look forward to hearing from all of you.”

All events will be held on Zoom. To register, .

Madison Kaifas-Steiner, a second lieutenant in the Army National Guard, riding in an MH-60 Blackhawk helicopter while serving as a medical officer.

“There were days we’d be out there in the snow, freezing, and I’d think, ‘What am I doing?’” Kaifas-Steiner recalls. “But honestly, those tough conditions built a sense of camaraderie and resilience. You learn to embrace the challenge—and maybe even enjoy it a little.”

While most cadets in the Army ROTC program are Syracuse University students, a handful come from nearby colleges and universities. Through the cross-town program, Syracuse University hosts cadets from Le Moyne College, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, SUNY Oswego, Morrisville State College and Onondaga Community College. This arrangement allows students to pursue their academic goals while gaining the military sciences education needed for their careers.

Kaifas-Steiner didn’t have a military background or family ties to guide her decision to serve. Yet, something about ROTC drew her in, offering the chance to push her limits and pursue something bigger than herself. What began as a leap of faith soon became a transformative journey, leading Madison from the snowy fields of Syracuse to a deployment in Morocco as a medical officer—and eventually back to Syracuse University’s campus, where she now works at the D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF).

“I didn’t know what I was doing at first,” Kaifas-Steiner says. “I walked into ROTC with no military background, no family experience. I was completely lost.”

The lessons she learned as a cadet laid the foundation for her early career as a commissioned officer, though she admits some lessons required real-world experience to fully grasp.

“I didn’t understand what they were talking about when I was in ROTC, but the officer and non-commissioned officer (NCO) relationship—how important that is—came to fruition in Morocco,” Kaifas-Steiner says. “I developed a really good relationship with my platoon sergeant (PSG). Now I talk to him all the time, and I just keep learning from all these different types of people.”

Kaifas-Steiner recently joined the staff at IVMF, one of the military-affiliated organizations in the

Madison Kaifas-Steiner as a newly commissioned second lieutenant upon graduating from Le Moyne College and the U.S. Army ROTC program at Syracuse University in 2022.

National Veterans Resource Center on campus. As part of the enrollment and advising team, she is often the first point of contact for IVMF program participants. Her experience as a first lieutenant in the New York National Guard gives her unique insight into the needs of service members, veterans and their families.

“This place changed everything for me,” she says. “It set the tone for my life, my family, and my future. I wanted to give back to veterans and keep learning from them, so the IVMF was the perfect fit for me.”

Reflecting on her journey, Kaifas-Steiner offers this advice to current ROTC cadets preparing to commission: “Stay open and stay humble. You’re never the smartest person in the room, and that’s a good thing. Learn from the people around you. You never know who you’ll meet or what opportunities will come your way.”

For Kaifas-Steiner, the ROTC program was more than a stepping stone—it was a transformative experience. “It forever changed my life,” she says. “The program, the people and the opportunities I’ve had since—I’m so grateful for all of it.”

Syracuse University’s Office of Veteran and Military Affairs wants to hear from U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force ROTC cadets who have graduated and are currently serving. If you’d like to share your military experiences since commissioning, consider submitting your profile to the . Your story could inspire future generations of Orange leaders, in and out of uniform.

The competitive grant program, open to New York State-based individuals and teams who work in any of the design fields, helps to fund self-generated projects that seek to answer the question: Where can design go next? Recognizing design as an art form that can enhance our quality of life, the Independent Projects program seeks proposals that emphasize artistry and design excellence that may contribute to a broader understanding of design, and/or that advance a design discipline. Grants are made possible by NYSCA with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.

As part of the 2024 cycle, a panel of 10 designers and educators active in the fields of architecture, landscape architecture, industrial design, fashion, materials research and fabrication, history and preservation, graphic design, and community-centered design, selected 25 creative and research proposals to receive Independent Projects grants of $10,000 each.

Representing an array of locales, disciplines, formats and modes of practice, the selected projects demonstrate the potential for creative innovation and exemplify the program’s goal of making design accessible to the communities of New York state.

“Congratulations to our Syracuse Architecture faculty on their selection for an Independent Projects grant by the Architectural League of New York and the New York State Council on the Arts,” says Michael Speaks, dean of the School of Architecture. “These prestigious grants will fund their forward-thinking design projects and research, reflecting the innovative mindset and strong commitment to social engagement that distinguishes our school.”

⁠Freeway Futures

Syracuse is fractured by the presence of the I-81 viaduct. As its demolition looms imminent, the interdisciplinary team of School of Architecture faculty and ; , assistant professor in the department of landscape architecture at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry; and Yuting Fang and Gianna Rullo, School of Architecture student research interns, will work to design scenarios to assess the present condition of the freeway and to identify catalytic solutions for creating a sustainable and livable post-freeway future for the greater Syracuse community. This process will culminate in an exhibition and strategic plan that will be disseminated to community collaborators.

“We are excited to be selected by the Architectural League of New York and the New York State Council on the Arts to take on this very important research for the Central New York region,” says Ali. “Although this grant will support the initial research, the ambition is to grow the work into a body of knowledge on systems thinking and strategies for approaching post-infrastructural sites through landscape remediation and civic-minded architecture.”

Birthing in Alabama: Design and Redesign of Reproduction

Featuring the work of School of Architecture Distinguished Professor , “Birthing in Alabama” is a research and design project about the historical, social and political dimensions of birthing, and engages the inherently political practice of architecture through this study. Consisting of an installation and a mockup of a wall section for the Alabama Birthing Center site, the project makes visible numerous structural inequities creating immense challenges to birthing healthcare across Alabama and brings the voices of those fighting to improve access into the conversation. The project is one of 25 site-specific, newly commissioned installations currently on view in the exhibition, “” at the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum, in New York City.

“Being selected to receive a NYSCA grant is always an immense honor,” says Brown. “The award was instrumental in helping support my installation, Birthing in Alabama: Designing Spaces for Reproduction, for the Cooper Hewitt Design Triennial.”

In-Process: Alternative Methods in Reading Evolving Buildings

In-Process is an upcoming exhibition in the historic GereBlock building, a 150-year-old former warehouse in Syracuse, New York, located along the Erie Canal. Designed by a collaborative team of seven architects— School of Architecture faculty , , and ; Rocio Crosetto, MIT Belluschi Fellow; Laura Salazar-Altobelli, assistant professor at Pratt Institute School of Architecture; and Pablo Sequero, School of Architecture visiting critic—the exhibit highlights adaptive reuse and the cultural significance of underutilized industrial structures in post-industrial cities, inviting visitors to engage with strategies of continual adaptation and collective narratives in their own built environments.

Designed as an immersive experience, the project showcases innovative methods of documentation, analysis, and public engagement to transform perceptions of historic building stock, inspire similar preservation efforts in Central New York’s underserved communities, and to establish a framework for adaptive reuse that balances historical integrity with contemporary needs.

“As a collective of designers, educators, researchers, and practitioners committed to socially impactful projects, receiving this grant provides a platform to showcase our recent efforts in Syracuse,” says Rodríguez. “The exhibition will serve as a valuable opportunity to deepen and expand conversations with community stakeholders, creatives, students, and policymakers, highlighting the importance of reimagining adaptive reuse in post-industrial cities across the United States.”

To view all of the 2024 Independent Projects grant recipients, visit . Continuing a successful collaboration since 2022, the League and NYSCA are pleased to once again partner to administer the Independent Projects program again in 2025.

will hold a reading of Mary Chase’s classic comedy “Harvey,” directed by associate artistic director Melissa Crespo and featuring a cast comprised entirely of local actors, including Syracuse University Department of Drama faculty members and Syracuse Stage artistic director Robert Hupp.

“Harvey” will be presented in the Archbold Theatre at Syracuse Stage, 820 E. Genesee St., Syracuse, New York, on Sunday, Jan. 26 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are free of charge and must be reserved in advance at .

The Pulitzer Prize-winning play, which tells the story of a good-natured man whose best friend is an invisible six-foot-tall rabbit, served a major inspiration for playwright Eboni Booth’s “Primary Trust,” which will Jan. 22 through Feb. 9 in the Archbold Theatre.

“It’s wild how similar and uniquely different Harvey and Primary Trust are from one another,” Crespo says. “The first won the Pulitzer Prize in 1945, while the second won in 2024. Both plays deal with kindness and the importance of community care. I hope theaters around the country are encouraged to produce both plays in conversation with one another. It’s especially exciting to have a cast of local actors perform in ‘Harvey’ on top of the ‘Primary Trust’ set, which happens to be set in Central New York.”

“Harvey” premiered on Broadway in 1944 and was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for drama in 1945. The playwright adapted her own script into an Oscar-winning film in 1950, starring Jimmy Stewart as Elwood P. Dowd. “Harvey” was last seen on Broadway in 2012, starring Jim Parsons, for which he received a Tony nomination.

About Harvey

Elwood P. Dowd insists on including his friend Harvey in all of his sister Veta’s social gatherings. Trouble is, Harvey is an imaginary six-and-a-half foot-tall rabbit. To avoid future embarrassment for her family—and especially for her daughter, Myrtle Mae—Veta decides to have Elwood committed to a sanitarium. At the sanitarium, a frantic Veta explains to the staff that her years of living with Elwood’s hallucination have caused her to see Harvey also, and so the doctors mistakenly commit her instead of her mild-mannered brother. The truth comes out, however; Veta is freed, and the search is on for Elwood, who eventually arrives at the sanitarium of his own volition, looking for Harvey. But it seems that Elwood and his invisible companion have had a strange influence on more than one of the doctors. Only at the end does Veta realize that maybe Harvey isn’t so bad after all.

Harvey

• By Mary Chase
• Directed by Melissa Crespo
• Stage managed by Rachel Mondschein

Cast (in alphabetical order)

• Tanner Effinger (Elwood P. Dowd)
• Robert Hupp (Judge Gaffney)
• Lilli Komureck (Veta Simmons, Betty Chumley)
• Alexis Martin (Myrtle Simmons)
• Krystal Osborne (Miss Johnson, Nurse Ruth Kelly)
• Derek Emerson Powell (Dr. Lyman Sanderson)
• Blake Segal (Duane Wilson, E.J. Lofgren)
• Holly Thuma (Mrs. Ethel Chauvenet)
• Karis Wiggins (Dr. William R. Chumley)

Lori Brown

Distinguished Professor Lori Brown and her collaborators, Trish Cafferky and Dr. Yashica Robinson, are included in this year’s Design Triennial with their installation “.

The work is one of 25 site-specific, newly commissioned installations at Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum, home to the exhibition “.” The exhibition explores design’s role in shaping the physical and emotional realities of home across the U.S., U.S. territories and tribal nations.

The installation, featuring Brown’s work, centers on the efforts of obstetrician-gynecologist Dr. Robinson to create a new and expanded network of home health care services and alternatives to hospital births. This work reveals ongoing inequities in the state—resulting from economics, racial injustice, public policy and distance from health care facilities.

“Birthing in Alabama: Design of Reproduction” extends two decades of research, advocacy and activism focusing on reproductive health care by Brown. The installation provides a platform to question where and how architecture contributes to a wide and diverse public and to examine questions of how law and policy shape spaces of birthing access across geographic boundaries and spatial conditions.

For “Birthing in Alabama,” Brown and a team of architectural researchers mapped the legacy of laws and building and zoning codes to contextualize these challenges and present designed alternatives to alleviate their impact.

Lori A. Brown, Trish Cafferky, and Dr. Yashica Robinson’s “Birthing in Alabama: Designing Spaces for Reproduction” exhibition, which delves into a history of birth in Alabama to better understand the various systems that affected the ability of caregivers to provide access to safe and affordable reproductive healthcare. (Photo courtesy of Elliot Goldstein with the Smithsonian Institution)

The installation shows the complicated history of maternity care and access from 1865-2024 and the high rates of maternal mortality for pregnant Black women during this time period. It includes excerpts from Brown’s interviews, bringing the voices of those on the frontline working to expand birthing access across Alabama into the gallery experience.

Brown is an internationally recognized scholar and educator whose research focuses on the relationships between architecture, social justice and gender. She is the co-founder of, a nonprofit dedicated to gender equity in architecture.

Brown’s research has focused on the physical structures of abortion clinics and how the debate has shaped access to reproductive health care. She is the author of “,” and many articles including “” that discusses the call for design ideas for what was the sole remaining abortion clinic in Mississippi.

The exhibition is on view now until the summer of 2025 and is installed throughout the Andrew and Louise Carnegie Museum. Each floor is organized on themes of home: “Going Home,” “Seeking Home” and “Building Home.”

“Going Home” examines how people shape and are shaped by domestic spaces; “Seeking Home” addresses a range of institutional, experimental and utopian contexts that challenge conventional definitions of home; and “Building Home” presents alternatives to the single-family concept of home.

Brown and her co-collaborators are featured in the “Seeking Home” section. Installation of the exhibition was supported by the New York Council on the Arts and additional support from the Syracuse University Office of Academic Affairs; Office of Undergraduate Research and Creative Engagement and the School of Architecture.

Syracuse head football coach Fran Brown (center) is the Paul “Bear” Bryant Award Newcomer Coach of the Year.

Syracuse head football coach is the Paul “Bear” Bryant Award Newcomer Coach of the Year after his historic first season at the helm of the program.

Brown led the Orange to its first 10-win campaign since 2018 and just third double-digit win season since 2000. In the process, Syracuse defeated three AP Top-25 teams at the time of their meeting, which was the most in a single season for the University since 1998.

All nine of ’Cuse’s victories came against teams that reached a bowl game this season, including eight in the regular season, which tied Texas for the national lead of most wins over bowl-eligible opponents. Brown’s squad also went 2-0 vs. teams ranked in the final College Football Playoff rankings.

The Orange saw a program-best 12 players earn All-ACC honors in 2024, despite the league now having 17 teams for the first time in conference history. Players shined under Brown’s tutelage, including Quarterback , who became the first Syracuse player to finish in the top-10 of Heisman Trophy voting since Dwight Freeney in 2001 after his record-breaking campaign. McCord set a new ACC record for passing yards and school bests for completions, yards, touchdown passes and total offense.

Tight end earned AP All-America honors, while being part of a receiving corps that was the only school in the country to have four players with 60-plus catches. , , Gadsden and Jr. all accomplished the feat. Meeks went over 1,000 yards on the season, while Allen was one of two players nationally to have over 1,000 rushing yards and 500 receiving yards. He led the nation in receptions by a running back.

Defensively, 10 different players came away with an interception on the season, freshman was named a Freshman All-American by 247Sports, and , and earned All-ACC honors.

Season Tickets for the 2025 season are on sale now at . Now is the time to renew your seats or become a new season ticket holder, as the Orange are coming off one of their best seasons in school history.

• Bird Library (open to all Syracuse University and SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry affiliates with a valid user ID):
  • Monday through Thursday: 24 hours
  • Friday: Closes at 10 p.m.
  • Saturday: Open 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
  • Sunday: Reopens at 10 a.m.
• The Special Collections Research Center (located on the sixth floor):
  • Monday through Friday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with extended hours Wednesday until 7 p.m.

• The Libraries will operate under reduced hours during Spring Break week (March 8-15) and extended hours during final exams (May 2-4).

As a congressionally designated depository for U.S. government documents, Bird Library is open to the public on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., and on weekends beginning at 10 a.m.

Serving as Universitywide faculty representatives, committee members advise the Vice Chancellor, Provost and Chief Academic Officer and work to ensure consistent promotion and tenure processes and promote high academic standards. Members, who must be tenured full professors, serve two-year, staggered terms and are not eligible to serve consecutive terms.

Newly elected committee members are:

• , William Safire Professor of Modern Letters and University Professor, College of Arts and Sciences
• , director, electrical engineering and computer science graduate program, College of Engineering and Computer Science
• , Marjorie Cantor Professor of Aging Studies, Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics
• , associate dean for academic affairs, S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications
• , Albert & Betty Hill Endowed Professor, Martin J. Whitman School of Management
• , Iris Magidson Endowed Professor of Design Leadership and director, School of Design, College of Visual and Performing Arts

Promotion and tenure cases that meet the criteria for review—for example, those that have substantial disagreement between layers of recommendation or a strong probability of a negative determination—are taken up by committee members. They offer an advisory vote to the provost but do not issue a formal report or consider appeals.

The committee is convened by Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs Jamie Winders. Provost Lois Agnew is chair of the committee, and Vice President for Research Duncan Brown serves in an ex-officio capacity.

The student-run ‘Cuse Baja organization participates in rugged, off-road vehicle competitions.

Assuming the position as the club’s leader, Storrs worked hard to rebuild ‘Cuse Baja from the ground up, focusing on recruiting and training the next generation of engineers to take the wheel. Today, ‘Cuse Baja is a thriving student organization that actively competes across the country and the off-road vehicle that was nothing more than a simple frame is now breaking records.

“The development of our current car has been a long road. With a large amount of reverse-engineering and scrappiness, we managed to cobble together a functional car,” says Storrs.

Despite challenges in their early competitions, ‘Cuse Baja didn’t let any roadblocks slow them down. In September 2024, the club would set new records at the Baja Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) competition held in Michigan. After undergoing rigorous inspections, the team competed at different events that tested their vehicle’s acceleration, maneuverability, suspension and traction as well as rock-crawling ability.

The final event on the last day of the competition was the endurance race, where each team that passed inspections strives to complete as many laps as possible in 4 hours. ‘Cuse Baja completed 15 laps, far exceeding the six laps they completed in a previous competition, making history with the best result from a University Baja team in more than 20 years.

“We had gone from having never been to a competition to being legitimately competitive in only one year,” says Storrs. “Prior to us, a Baja team from SU had not raced at a competition in 20 years, so we are enormously proud of our accomplishments.”

“This year was filled with many great successes allowing our team to meet multiple goals,” says aerospace engineering student Laney Price ‘27. “However, when I look back at Michigan, I will not remember our scoring. I’ll remember the excitement our team felt and expressed during that week when we worked through many obstacles to reach that success.”

Through ‘Cuse Baja, Storrs has connected with other students who share his passion for designing and building off-road vehicles and gained hands-on experience in engineering through machining and welding. As president and chief engineer, he has also developed valuable leadership skills that have strengthened his team-building and project-management abilities.

“Throughout my leadership, I have made it my number one priority to recruit and train the next generation of ‘Cuse Baja members who will be able to grow the team after I have graduated,” says Storrs. “Our current success is due to the large influx of passionate and interested members over the past year, who have shown great initiative in learning and leading the team.”

“I became a member at the beginning of the 2023 school season and have witnessed ‘Cuse Baja grow so much since I’ve been on the team,” says mechanical engineering student Riehen Walsh ‘27. “With a new generation car being designed and an ever-growing connection with the local Syracuse community, I look forward to seeing what the team can become in the upcoming years.”

Even as Storrs prepares to graduate, he believes the club will continue to thrive. “Baja and the other engineering teams are an invaluable addition to the ECS community, and are, in my opinion, undervalued. We provide practical and hands-on experience to students, which is something that cannot be taught in class. I hope that through our continued success and growth, we can further prove our value to the engineering community.”

A student works on an off-road vehicle as part of the ‘Cuse Baja club.

Robert Wilson

is an associate professor in the Geography and the Environment Department at Syracuse University. His expertise area includes how animals interact with society and humans.

He is available for interview and his comments below can be quoted directly.

Professor Wilson says:

“This month, a man in Louisiana died from bird flu (H5N1), which he probably got from exposure to wild birds or chickens in his backyard. And in recent months dairy workers have been sickened by the virus. While H5N1 is not yet spreading from person to person, the continued transmission of the virus from animals to people is very worrisome.

“The U.S. raises billions of animals a year, and the virus has travelled quickly among the nation’s chickens, pigs, and dairy cows. In the U.S., each year we raise and slaughter nine billion broiler chickens—the sort of chickens that people eat. At any one time, hundreds of millions of hens are laying eggs. H5N1 has infected many of these birds, leading egg and poultry producers to cull the chickens in an attempt to limit the virus spread. Even so, other domestic animals, such as pigs and dairy cows, are now infected as well.

“Many of these animals are raised in factory-like conditions where they are stuffed close together. In such cramped quarters, viruses can spread easily among the animals and increase the chance of a zoonotic spillover of H5N1 from animals to humans.

“Animal right activists have highlighted the terrible living conditions endured by chickens, pigs, and cows raised under industrial agriculture. But the way we treat these animals places us all at risk. We have, in effect, created incubators for the birth of new, more virulent pathogens while detaining animals in spaces that make virus outbreaks nearly inevitable.

“To protect ourselves, we need to alter the way we raise animals in our modern food system.”

To request interviews or get more information:

Daryl Lovell
Associate Director of Media Relations
Division of Communications

M��315.380.0206
dalovell@syr.edu |
news.syr.edu |

Syracuse University

Yage Huang

Huang recently obtained her doctor of juridical science (SJD) degree from Indiana University Bloomington and holds a master of law degree from China University of Political Science and Law.

Her research interests include criminal procedure law, evidence and human rights. In her position at the Law Library, Huang will provide legal research support, assist with researching and developing law collections, liaise with faculty and provide research instruction to law students, and promote library services to alumni and the local bar.

Born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1931, Elman met his wife, Elise Barnett Elman ’52, while at Syracuse University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and history. He went on to receive a law degree from Harvard Law School in 1955 and a master’s degree in history from New York University in 1970. Elman was the founder of the firm of Stark, Elman, Amron and Rosen in New York City and became a well-respected attorney over his 40-year career. More recently, he worked as a solo practitioner in New York City specializing in real estate law and banking.

Elman was also a member of the New York State and American bar associations and the American College of Mortgage Attorneys, and he served as an active duty member of the U.S. Army Reserve Judge Advocate General Corps for three years. He was a trustee and board president of the Jewish Child Care Association of New York, as well as co-founder of two American history groups at the Harvard Club.

Always dedicated to his alma mater, he was a charter member of the A&S Board of Visitors, now called the��, for 20 years, where he served as chair of the executive committee, later becoming an emeritus board member. Elman also served on the University’s National Alumni Board and was chair of the Metropolitan New York Advisory Board. In 1996, he received the University’s Distinguished Alumni Award.

In 1988, he and his wife created the Richard Elman Memorial Fund in Creative Writing Endowment, in memory of his brother, who graduated from A&S in 1955 and became a distinguished author, novelist, poet and professor. The couple also established the Leonard S. and Elise B. Elman Fund for Creative Writing. Both funds allow two distinguished authors to hold a two-day residency at A&S annually as part of the��. Some of the most recent authors include novelist Anelise Chen, poet John Murillo, novelist Katie Katamura, poet Vievee Francis, author Illya Kaminsky and novelist Percival Everett.

“Len was one of the closest friends the creative writing program ever had. Coming from an eminent literary family himself, he wasn’t just generous, he was curious, and he loved to talk books and listen to writers he admired. He’s been one of us for a long time, and the many creative writing faculty who have been here a similarly long time are mourning his loss very personally,” says Associate Professor��, director of the creative writing program.

In 2016, Elman became president of The Phyllis Backer Foundation, Inc., which was supported by the estate of the late Phyllis Backer, a lifelong resident of Queens, New York, who established the foundation to support nonprofit organizations related to medicine or education with an emphasis on Jewish causes. Under Elman’s leadership, the foundation’s board voted unanimously in 2017 on a $1.5 million endowment to establish the����in the College of Arts and Sciences at Syracuse University.

At the time, Elman said he hoped the professorship would give students at the College “the opportunity to develop a deeper understanding on the interrelationships between ancient and contemporary Judaism through literature, philosophy, politics and language.” In 2020, the first Phyllis Backer Professor of Jewish Studies was hired, and, currently, Assistant Professor����holds the position.

“Thanks to Len’s time, dedication and generosity over the years, A&S has been able to bring numerous unique opportunities to our students,” says A&S Dean Behzad Mortazavi. “From supporting our creative writing program so that students can learn from the nation’s top writers, to establishing the endowment for the Phyllis Backer Professor of Jewish Studies, which will help students become more engaged citizens, his influence has been incredibly important. A&S will be forever grateful to Len and Elise Elman.”

According to his obituary, Elman was known for his wry sense of humor, as well as his all-encompassing knowledge and his avid love of history. In his free time, he enjoyed being with family and friends, as well as theater, jazz, tennis, skiing and summers on East Hampton, Long Island. He is survived by his wife, Elise, of 71 years, as well as two children, Michael and Susan; a son-in-law, Joseph Ronson; and four grandchildren. A memorial service was held for Elman on Jan. 5 in New York City.

.

Effective Jan. 1, 2025, the standard mileage rate is set at 70 cents per mile for business miles driven (up 3 cents from the 2024 rate of 67 cents per mile).

The rates apply to electric and hybrid-electric vehicles, as well as gasoline and diesel-powered vehicles.

Employees with questions can reach out to the Comptroller’s Office at 314.443.3765.

, Baylor University professor of physical therapy and founder of mobility design studio , and , founder of the and a fellow, point to the work on and the adaptive design circles here as a model for other communities to follow.

Connor McGough, center, prepares to board a kayak at the Creekwalk Inner Harbor access point.

The Creekwalk is a 4.8-mile paved pathway that runs from the Southside neighborhood to . When city planners and engineers decided to make accessibility a major focus of the Creekwalk, they tapped into local individuals with a range of backgrounds—medical and social model disability advocates, inclusive design experts, students at and local individuals with disabilities. , a city facilities engineer, and , City of Syracuse deputy commissioner of planning and sustainability, first invited local resident to provide a first-person perspective on the plans. McGough, a quadriplegic as the result of an accident��at age 21, is the program coordinator at ARISE Inc., a local independent living center.

Don Carr

The project soon drew in others McGough knew: faculty members , professor of industrial and interaction design, and , professor and coordinator of the , who are both ARISE volunteers.

Also joining the group were Upstate Medical University developmental pediatrician and staff members from the , an inclusive preschool in Syracuse. Galloway and Truesdell were aware of the initiative through their involvement with the adaptive design community here.

James W.R. Fathers

Carr involved School of Design master’s students because he recognized how the project presented an exceptional opportunity to learn inclusive design via a “living laboratory” at a site adjacent to their class space. He also knew the project supported key University goals for students: experiential learning; community-engaged scholarship; enhanced awareness of diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility; and a commitment to human thriving.

The city’s project leaders welcomed student involvement, Houck says. “These projects are something we’ve collaborated on with Don Carr and with other organizations in the community. Our projects are better for it, and it’s wonderful we can have that resource. Carr is raising the profile of the work that’s being done and it’s great that he’s involving his students in these efforts.”

Russell Houck, City of Syracuse facilities engineer, and Owen Kerney, deputy commissioner of planning/sustainability, worked with several disability advocates on the Creekwalk project.

Kerney agrees. “Whether it’s the first fully inclusive and accessible playground, our sidewalks, our recreational amenities, boat launches or trails that are available to all users, increasing access is an important part of serving the entire community. It’s something Mayor Walsh and the whole administration has prioritized,” he says. “The city has a responsibility to serve everybody, and these types of improvements do just that.”

The User View

The student designers began determining how to create a practical experience at the Inner Harbor site based on the disability community maxim, “Nothing about us without us is for us.” Their first step: borrowing a wheelchair to look at the pathway from a disabled user’s perspective.

They digitally mapped the entire Creekwalk path, then started ideating. One student created a video game to familiarize users with the trail virtually before they visit. Another made an app that offers information about all pathway features. A third designed an accessible interactive information kiosk housing electrical ports to recharge electric wheelchairs. Others created an animation of the trail that featured a series of accessible kiosks, each equipped with a joystick controller for those with limited dexterity.

Amaan Khan ’23

Amaan Khan ’23, a student who worked on that project and who is now a product and branding designer, said the class with Carr was “an absolute pleasure. It taught us that even though societal paradigms are shifting toward inclusivity, we must unlearn many of our ways to better connect people with disabilities to the facilities that already exist. Doing that can unite people and guide them forward as a collaborative community.”

McGough says he welcomed the chance to offer ideas based on his lived experience. “I was excited that they listened to my feedback and wanted to follow up on it, and that they were open to suggestions about accessibility in the community spaces,” he says.

Connor McGough

McGough was able to try the kayak launch last fall. It’s built so someone can comfortably transfer into and out of a boat via a bench, pull bars, hoists and a gradual rolling launch system. “I was so excited about this project. Getting out in the boat is such a great experience, getting some sun, being around water and nature, having some exercise and recreation,” McGough says. “It’s really freeing because once the boat is in motion, it’s all me making it happen. It’s a really nice thing to have when a lot of the time you require assistance from other people and aren’t able to feel so independent.”

Three Phases

The project has three access points—the kayak launch at the Inner Harbor and a wheelchair-accessible waterside access ramp at Kirk Park have been built. An access/launch point at Dorwin Avenue is planned as part of the third phase of the Creekwalk trail that is now under design.

A $70,000 grant from the Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration program supported the Inner Harbor site, and $380,000 from the Honeywell remediation settlement, for improvements connected to Onondaga Lake, was used for the more extensive construction at Kirk Park. The city continues to apply for grants for ongoing accessibility projects.

A wheelchair ramp at this Kirk Park access point allows users to descend from street to water level.

A Model Partnership

Working together came naturally to this group, so it’s unlikely they were aware of the “ripple effect” of their cooperation. Fathers believes the city’s openness to including disabled users from the start, the involvement of interested supporters and the inclusion of University faculty and students in the project helped the group gel. “The way the group came together was kind of an organic thing—because disabled people, designers and clinicians began working together in a matter of hours,” he says.

Fathers tells how Truesdell, who was involved in Syracuse’s adaptive design collaboration, referenced that coalescing as “the Syracuse effect”—something she said she had not seen previously in her experience, he says. “She means that in Syracuse, it’s very easy to connect to people with disabilities, their advocates, their families and designers in a way that she hasn’t seen in any other place. It’s all about the people here. She said it was a very powerful thing to observe,” Fathers says.

Lu Hao ‘23, standing at left, plays a Creekwalk video game created by students in the inclusive and interaction design class. With him are local arts activist Michael John Heagerty (seated left); Peyton Sefick, a Syracuse adaptive fitness consultant (seated right); Cole Galloway, noted physical therapy professor and founder of mobility design studio GoBabyGo (center back); and Jean Minkel, an internationally recognized expert on seating and mobility. (Photo by Don Carr)

Galloway says the collective advocacy spirit here “is particularly rare. It’s a model the world needs to come here to look at to see what Syracuse does and how they continue it,” he says. “Where Syracuse jumps into the ‘I’ve never heard of this before’ category is that here, the people with the lived experience are the ones with the power. To step back and let the disability community lead and to have city planners listen and take direction from the folks having lived experience, that’s very unique. So many people in Syracuse break the mold—you’ve got a really radical set of individuals who, from the beginning of the idea, listened and believed and took action from the disability community.”

Hands-On Rewards

The hands-on learning students experienced was important to their training as designers, Carr says. “In teaching design, this is a great way to get students to co-design with individuals in our community to address real needs. Together, we’re able to build, test and modify these ideas on the fly. It’s very rewarding to work alongside someone and then see their immediate reaction vs. purchasing a product that, in the end, might not address their actual need.”

From an inclusive design standpoint having projects where faculty can jump in helps Syracuse be a leader in the accessibility space, and having an adaptive design focus is a major attractor for the University’s graduate design program, Carr says. “That’s because there are opportunities for students to do grant-based work as part of their studies and then apply ideas throughout their careers.”

This is the seventh year the Lender Center has awarded the two-year for research focused on a contemporary social issue. Faculty fellows work with a team of student research fellows. They receive $5,000 each year and $7,500 each of two summers for research support, plus another $5,000 to help publicize and present findings at the annual Lender Center symposium.

The fellowship is open to all full-time faculty members. Applications are due by Friday, April 11, at 5 p.m. Details about the and submission process are available on the��. Questions can be directed to��lendercenter@syr.edu.

“We encourage faculty to think of social justice in a broad sense and to develop projects that engage local, regional, national or global topics,” says Kendall Phillips, Lender Center director. “Lender Fellows projects have engaged a wide spectrum of social justice issues. Beyond providing support for research, this program creates a robust community of researchers, and past faculty and student fellows have described their programs as being rich, engaging and transformative experiences.”

Lender Center 2022-24 Faculty Fellow Mona Bhan, left, worked with doctoral students Aren Burnside, center, and ParKer Bryant on projects researching community impacts of artificial intelligence.

Previous Lender Faculty Fellows are:

• (2024-26), assistant professor of public health in the David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics, who is researching the effects of redlining on employment.
• (2023-25), assistant professor of magazine, news and digital journalism in the , who is examining media coverage of Muslim people and communities and the impact of that coverage.
• (2022-24),��associate professor of anthropology and the Ford-Maxwell Professor of South Asian Studies in the��, whose research used a cultural anthropology lens to assess how artificial intelligence (AI) weaponry and AI systems can transform the realities of autonomy, accountability, human rights and justice.
• (2021-23), associate dean for Research and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility; associate professor of environmental and interior design and Georgia Miller Associate Professor. She and her team studied whether the design and location of a new wellness center building affected whether the center reached its objectives.
• (2020-22), associate professor of geography and the environment in the Maxwell School, who continued the work of Evan Weissman, late associate professor of food studies and nutrition in Falk College, who researched the effectiveness of food systems in Syracuse in meeting community needs, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Casarae Gibson-Abdul-Ghani (2019-21), then an assistant professor of African American studies in the��, who researched the utilization of social media platforms as a way of uncovering social justice trends.

• “”
  • Thursday, Feb. 27, 5-6:30 p.m. in Bird Library, Room 114
  • Presented by , social science librarian
• “”
  • Wednesday, March 5, 5:30-7 p.m., online via Zoom
  • Presented by , librarian for the Newhouse School of Public Communications
• “”
  • Monday, March 17, 5-6:30 p.m., in Bird Library, Room 114
  • Presented by , assistant teaching professor, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, College of Engineering and Computer Science
• “”
  • Monday, March 24, 5-6:30 p.m., in Bird Library, Room 114
  • Presented by , open scholarship librarian, and , IVMF research and digital projects librarian
• “”
  • Tuesday, March 25, 5:30-7:30 p.m., in Bird Library, Room 114
  • Presented by , associate director for research and collections, College of Law Library, and , information literacy scholar, Syracuse University Libraries and reference assistant, College of Law Library
• “”
  • Wednesday, April 2, 5:30-7:30 p.m., in Bird Library, Room 114
  • Panelists include , associate professor and director of graduate studies in the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs; , associate professor of communications in the Newhouse School of Public Communications; , assistant teaching professor in the College of Arts and Sciences
• “”
  • Thursday, April 10, 6:30-7:45 p.m., Online via Zoom
  • Presented by , librarian in the College of Engineering and Computer Science, and , online learning librarian

The 53-minute film, “Raise the Roof: Building Tenant Power in Syracuse,” depicts the formation and activism of the Syracuse Tenants Union (STU), a grassroots organization that advocates for tenants’ rights and legislative change. Purser, associate professor of sociology, partnered with the STU on the project in collaboration with Franklin Thompson of August Fifth Productions, who served as director of photography and producer.

A Syracuse resident advocates for tenant rights and better housing conditions at a 2024 rally

“The film seeks to reveal how, due to the imbalance of power with their landlords, tenants can make few changes as individuals, sometimes face retaliation for reporting code violations, and often wind up stuck due to the cost of relocation and rent,” says Purser. “We wanted to show how tenants organizing collectively can challenge the uneven power imbalance with landlords.”

The film is a culmination of a through the Interdisciplinary Research Leaders (IRL) program sponsored by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The IRL program supports action-oriented scholarship undertaken in collaboration with community partners and focuses on equity and health research.

In addition to Purser, the research team included Jamila Michener, professor of government and public policy at Cornell University, and Palmer Harvey, an organizer with STU. The team conducted focus groups throughout the City of Syracuse to better understand tenants’ experiences and introduce them to tenant organizing as a strategy to improve community health. The project was designed to help build STU’s membership base, and data from the focus groups was incorporated into the documentary.

“This is a great example of using social science research to have a real-world impact in our local community,” says Shana Kushner Gadarian, associate dean for research and Merle Goldberg Fabian Professor of Excellence in Citizenship and Critical Thinking. “Professor Purser’s work on tenants’ experiences in Syracuse and how they are working together to advocate for policy change can be a valuable resource for other communities facing challenges with power imbalances between renters and landlords and inadequate housing.”

Filming began in October 2023 in numerous locations across the City of Syracuse, including tenants’

Gretchen Purser, associate professor of sociology, is shown during filming with producer and photography director Franklin Thompson of August Fifth Productions

homes, at union meetings, in offices and at public protests and rallies. Union organizers and tenants are interviewed in the film, along with city officials and Michener.

The tenants shared their experiences with mold, infestation, large rent increases, lead poisoning, structural and plumbing issues, caved-in ceilings and broken furnaces as well as eviction, sexual harassment and predatory rental arrangements.

Purser says the collective organizing aims to achieve tangible improvements in housing conditions for poor and predominantly Black families in the Syracuse community.

Participants in the film offered various proposals to improve conditions for tenants. For example, Good Cause Eviction legislation would cap rent increases and limit evictions to cases of non-payment or lease violation, prohibiting the kinds of retaliatory evictions that Purser and her colleagues documented throughout their research.

Speakers at the screening at Salt City Market also presented ideas, including an updated rental registry and code enforcement system that would mandate lead inspection, charge additional fees for landlords renting unregistered properties, revoke registry for code violators and allocate funds from penal fees to repair damages. City Auditor Alexander Marion, who participated with organizers in a question-and-answer session, said the eventual goal is to use money from violations, fines, registrations and inspections to better fund code enforcement.

Jocelyn Richards, an STU organizer, hopes the documentary inspires viewers and sparks curiosity about tenant organizing.

“This documentary reveals that nearly every tenant in Syracuse is encountering or has encountered similar issues: we’re not alone,” says Richards. “And it’s normal to be fearful of taking action as an individual, but when we come together, we have both more power and more protection from retaliation.”

Film organizers are planning additional screenings in 2025, starting with a showing at the Maxwell School. Members of the University community are invited to join a at 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 11, in the Dr. Paul and Natalie Strasser Legacy Room. Still other viewing opportunities are planned for New York City and Ithaca, New York. The documentary will eventually be publicly available online and accessible on the STU website.

Purser is director of the Law, Society and Policy Integrated Learning Major, research co-director on Advocacy and Activism at the Program for the Advancement of Research on Conflict and Collaboration, and a senior research associate at the Center for Qualitative and Multi-Method Inquiry. Her research and teaching focuses on the housing struggles of the urban poor, work and labor market transformation, and the policies and practices of poverty management in the U.S. She has written numerous op-eds and public-facing articles on criminal justice reform, inequality and precarious work in the U.S.

This story was written by Michael Kelly

Professor Geuorguiev writes: “While this rumored proposal remains entirely speculative, the possibility should not be dismissed outright. President-elect Trump has indicated a desire for a political resolution to the TikTok dispute, and Elon Musk is uniquely positioned to facilitate such an outcome. His significant financial resources, established business ties in China through Tesla, and prominence in the social media industry via X make him a potential candidate for brokering a deal acceptable to multiple stakeholders. Additionally, Musk’s recognition and favorability in China could render the arrangement more appealing to Beijing. However, such a move would inevitably raise serious concerns among the American public and the U.S. national security establishment. Musk’s growing web of business and political influence, especially as he gains prominence in the incoming Trump administration, could create significant conflicts of interest that warrant close scrutiny.”

welcomes the new year with playwright Eboni Booth’s “Primary Trust,” the Pulitzer Prize-winning drama about best friends, new beginnings and the undeniable power of everyday kindness. Directed by Syracuse Stage Associate Artistic Director Melissa Crespo (“Once,” “What the Constitution Means to Me,” “Native Gardens”), “Primary Trust” will run Wednesday, Jan. 22, to Sunday, Feb. 9, in the Archbold Theatre at Syracuse Stage, 820 E. Genesee St., Syracuse, New York.

“Stage’s production of ‘Primary Trust’ is brought to life by a superb cast and creative team,” says Artistic Director Robert Hupp. “We’re eager to share this timely play so beautifully directed by our associate artistic director, Melissa Crespo. It’s just the right story at just the right time.”

In Cranberry, New York, a small town just east of Rochester, 38-year-old Kenneth has a good job, a great boss and Bert, the best friend a guy could ask for. But his boss is moving to Florida, the bookstore he works at is closing and Bert? Well, he’s imaginary. As he confronts the traumas that led to his isolated existence, Kenneth must tend to old wounds, forge new friendships and let go of the things he no longer needs.

“Eboni Booth’s beautiful play ‘Primary Trust’ about friendship and the smallest of chances is exactly what we need in our sometimes-lonely world,” says Crespo. “I hope Central New York audiences will particularly appreciate a story that’s set in their backyard.”

Garrett Turner (Kenneth) returns to Syracuse Stage after playing Anger in the world premiere of “Thoughts of Colored Man,” and he is joined by Bjorn DuPaty, making his Syracuse Stage debut as Bert. The actors reunite after sharing a dressing room as understudies for the Broadway production of “Thoughts of Colored Man” in 2022.

Rounding out the cast of “Primary Trust” are Eunice Woods as Corinna, Wally’s Waiters and Bank Customers; Paul DeBoy (“Native Gardens,” “The Christians”) as Clay, Sam and Le Pousselet Bartender; and Armando Gutierrez (“Once”) as musician.

Bringing the fictional Central New York town of Cranberry to life is a design team that includes sets by Ann Beyersdorfer (“What the Constitution Means to Me,” “Yoga Play”), costumes by Carmen Martinez (“Once,” “What the Constitution Means to Me”), lighting by Alejandro Fajardo (who worked with Crespo’s “El Otro Oz,” a NYTimes Critics Pick), sound by Syracuse Stage resident sound designer Jacqueline R Herter (“Once,” “What the Constitution Means to Me,” “Annapurna”) and original music by cast member Armando Gutierrez.

All evening performances begin at 7:30 p.m., while all matinee performances begin at 2 p.m. Tickets start at $30, with discounts available for students and groups. Tickets may be purchased online at , by phone at 315.443.3275 or in person at the Syracuse Stage Box Office. Pay-what-you-will performances for “Primary Trust” are Jan. 22–26 inclusive; Prologue conversations, three pre-show discussions that take place one-hour before curtain on Jan. 26, Feb. 1 and Feb. 6; the Wednesday at 1 lecture will take place on Jan. 29 before the 2 p.m. matinee; the post-show talkback will take place on Sunday, Feb. 2, after the 7:30 p.m. performance. Syracuse Stage has its open-captioned performances scheduled for Jan. 29 and Feb. 9, at 2 p.m. and Feb. 8 at 7:30 p.m., as well as an audio-described performance on Sunday, Feb. 8 at 2 p.m. The sensory friendly/relaxed performance of “Primary Trust” is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 4 at 7:30 p.m.

Syracuse Stage is pleased to announce the addition of trivia night, a new event for the 24/25 season. Free for ticket holders, trivia night invites audiences to go head-to-head for a chance to win exciting Syracuse Stage prizes, in a friendly competition hosted by “Jeopardy!” champion Dillon Hupp with free pizza. Trivia night for “Primary Trust” will be held on Thursday, Jan. 23 at 6 p.m. Tickets for the 7:30 p.m. performance are required to participate. Pre-registration at is recommended.

In conjunction with “Primary Trust,” Syracuse Stage will present a free reading of “Harvey” by Mary Chase. The play, about a man whose best friend is an invisible 6-foot-tall rabbit, won the Pulitzer Prize in 1945, was made into an Oscar-winning film starring Jimmy Stewart and was a major inspiration for Booth’s “Primary Trust.” The reading will take place in the Archbold Theatre on Sunday, Jan. 26 at 7:30 p.m., with free tickets available at SyracuseStage.org.

Support for the 24/25 season includes season sponsors the Slutzker Family Foundation, the Dorothy and Marshall M. Reisman Foundation and Advance Media New York. The community partner for “Primary Trust” is ACR Health.

Primary Trust

• By Eboni Booth
• Directed by Melissa Crespo
• Scenic design by Ann Beyersdorfer
• Costume design by Carmen Martinez
• Lighting design by Alejandro Fajardo
• Sound design by Jacquline R Hertetr
• Original music by Armando Guttierez
• Stage management by Kristine Schlachter*
• Casting by Bass/Valle Casting

CAST (in alphabetical order)

• Paul DeBoy* (Clay, Sam, Le Pousselet Bartender)
• Bjorn DuPaty* (Bert)
• Armando Gutierrez* (Musician)
• Garrett Turner* (Kenneth)
• Eunice Woods* (Corinna, Wally’s Waiter, Bank Customer)

*Member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.

Lake Hancock, Nabil Harb, 2024

“Mater si, magistra no,” (a macaronic phrase that translates as “Mother yes, teacher no”) presents a series of black-and-white photographs that describe and depict moments and scenes within Harb’s hometown of Lakeland in Polk County, Florida. This Central Florida location is both the backdrop and main character of Harb’s visual narrative: a story that emits surreal qualities which twist ideas of the region through photography’s formal language into a conceptual idea—an idea of how to describe the atmosphere of a place without words.

“The landscape is the perfect reflection of our society, our ultimate index—it holds our histories, our secrets, our failures and our hopes for the future,” Harb says.

Harb uses his camera to look rather than gaze at wily scenes and moving bodies; his images disturb the before and after of a photograph by showing a moment extended or an instant flashed with a strobe. The narratives in this work are conflicting and intermingle with one another. The overriding story is one of man versus nature, of beauty and destruction coexisting in an atmosphere that is surreal, seductive and breathtaking. Where the conflicting notions of destruction and rebirth intersect is also the point at which Harb’s formalism and conceptual photographic practice meet, showing us the potential for beauty in destruction and foreboding rebirth.

Harb is a Palestinian American photographer born and raised in Polk County, Florida, where he still lives. Harb received his in�� bachelor’s degree in anthropology from the University of South Florida and his master of fine arts degree in photography from Yale University. His work has been featured in Aperture, The Atlantic, ArtReview, The Guardian and A24.

2025 B.F.A. Art Photography Annual

Light Work is also presenting the 2025 B.F.A. Art Photography Annual. This exhibition features work
by seniors from the Art Photography program in the Film and Media Arts Department at the
College of Visual and Performing Arts at Syracuse University. The exhibiting artists are Maxine
Brackbill, Charles Lavion, Kelsey Quinn Leary, Lili Moreno Martel, Shawn McCauley and Hazel
Wagner.

Each spring, seniors in the art photography program have the opportunity to exhibit a selection
of images from their senior thesis projects at Light Work. The senior thesis is a yearlong,
in-depth photographic exploration of a subject chosen by each student. The subjects of these
projects are wide-ranging, from very personal explorations of family and selfhood to sharp and
humorous experiments playing with the boundaries of fashion and studio photography. Students
choose, edit and print the images in collaboration and with the assistance of Light Work’s
curatorial staff and master printers.

“The B.F.A. Art Photography Annual is not only the first exhibition for many of the students in the Art Photography program, but also an important learning opportunity for them,” says Laura Heyman, associate professor of art photography. “In addition to giving students the space to imagine how the
images they create might exist beyond the walls of the university, the Art Photography Annual
introduces their work to their peers, the local community, and the renowned curators and critics.”
who jury the exhibition.”

Bruno Ceschel, founder of Self Publish Be Happy,�� served as juror and selected Brackbill’s images for Best in Show.

“Maxine Brackbill’s photographs address identity through lenses of gender, race and familial contexts, presenting biographies that are deeply personal yet universally relevant. These narratives emerge at a time when there is a growing visibility for diverse perspectives, but also an environment that feels increasingly hostile,” says Ceschel. “One particularly striking image of Maxine standing in water, confronting the viewer with a gaze that asserts her new body and new life, feels both vulnerable and defiant.”

An opening reception will take place in the Jeffrey J. Hoone Gallery at Light Work on Jan. 23 from 5 to 7 p.m.

For millions around the world, degradation of their land due to factors like climate change, deforestation, overgrazing and unsustainable farming practices have caused harm to both human health and the environment. Desertification, which is when fertile land turns into desert because of natural and human factors, can lead to food and water scarcity, loss of biodiversity and forced migration. In December 2024, the United Nations hosted a conference in Saudi Arabia, bringing together leading environmental experts and policymakers from around the globe to discuss strategies for combating desertification and safeguarding both the environment and human well-being.

Mariaelena Huambachano (second from left) speaking during one of the panel presentations at the UN Desertification Conference High-Level Interactive Dialogue

(Quechua, Peru), an Indigenous scholar and assistant professor in the College of Arts and Sciences, gave three talks during the 11-day United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). Huambachano is among the faculty in A&S’ . She teaches courses that include Food Fights and Treaty Rights, Indigenous Food Cosmologies and Reclaiming Indigenous Intellectual Sovereignty.

Huambachano’s talks came during the UNCCD’s . An internationally recognized scholar of Indigenous food sovereignty, Huambachano researches and advocates for Indigenous peoples’ rights to control their own food systems. In August 2024, she published “” (University of California Press), based on 10 years of fieldwork with the Quechua of Peru and Māori of New Zealand. The book explores their philosophies on well-being, food sovereignty, traditional ecological knowledge and sustainable food systems.

A&S Professor Mariaelena Huambachano (second from left) was a panelist at the UN Desertification Conference High-Level Interactive Dialogue along with (from left to right) Nichole Barger (University of Colorado), Michael Obersteiner (Oxford University) and Becky Chaplin-Kramer (World Wildlife Fund for Nature).

During the conference, she spoke on the importance of recognizing and integrating Indigenous knowledge into climate change policy development. She also highlighted how Indigenous values foster healthy land, safeguard biodiversity and enhance climate resilience.

“I provided examples drawn from my years of work on the value of integrating Indigenous science in improving sustainable food systems,” Huambachano says. “We have been informed that the policy recommendation we presented has been endorsed by the host country, Saudi Arabia. I am particularly happy to see that Indigenous science, innovation and practices are being recognized internationally.”

This is Huambachano’s fifth distinguished appointment to a United Nations High-Level Panel, showcasing her expertise and commitment to global issues. .

Josh Fine

The inaugural class of IDJC fellows for the Spring 2025 semester includes investigative reporter and producer Josh Fine and former U.S. Public Delegate to the United Nations Andrew Weinstein.

“We are thrilled to announce this new program and to have Josh Fine and Andrew Weinstein as our inaugural fellows,” says Margaret Talev, Kramer Director of the IDJC and professor of practice of magazine, news and digital journalism in the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications. “This fellows program is designed to give thought leaders in the fields of journalism and public affairs an opportunity to delve more deeply into subjects that matter to all of us.”

The program provides workspace for fellows at IDJC headquarters in Washington, D.C., as well as access to University scholars and resources, and a stipend for their travel and projects. The fellows will convene events or pursue projects while developing nonpartisan thought leadership in issue areas that align with the IDJC’s mission to explore the challenges to—and connections between—democratic governance and journalism.

Fine, whose award-winning sports journalism has examined the International Olympic Committee, FIFA and the NFL, plans to use his time as a fellow to explore better ways to fund investigative sports journalism, with a focus on the challenges that go beyond the scoreboard and directly impact communities, including the public financing of stadiums, the health impact of certain high school programs and the profit behind youth sports.

“I’m delighted to be one of IDJC’s inaugural fellows,” says Fine. “As the journalism industry changes, it’s critical that accountability-based sports journalism endures. I’m grateful to have the support of Syracuse University to explore new ways to sustain this crucial work.”

Andrew Weinstein

Weinstein, who in addition to his role as public delegate, previously served on the board of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum and as a member of the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities during the Obama administration, will work to develop nonpartisan public dialogues and workshops aimed at addressing the rise in antisemitism, religion-based hatred and intolerance, and bridging divides between the American Jewish and Palestinian communities.

“I look forward to expanding on my work at the United Nations and am proud to do so in affiliation with such a prestigious academic institution. It’s an honor to help launch the Visiting Fellows program at the Institute for Democracy, Journalism and Citizenship,” says Weinstein.

The launch of the IDJC Visiting Fellows program is made possible by a gift from Gary Greenberg ’72. For information on how to support or engage with the visiting fellows program, please email democracy@syr.edu.

The inaugural event, “Life Together: A Community Conversation for Election Season and Beyond,” was held on campus on Oct. 22. Hundreds of University community members, including students, staff and faculty representing diverse backgrounds and perspectives, engaged in facilitated dialogue on important issues related to democracy, civic engagement, economic opportunity and the political climate. The event featured a moderated discussion among experts, followed by small group conversations led by trained facilitators who also were members of the campus community.

University community members engage in conversation during the October 2024 Life Together event (Photo by Chuck Wainwright)

The Life Together initiative is led by Gretchen Ritter, vice president for civic engagement and education; Margaret Talev, Kramer Director of the ; and Tina Nabatchi, director of the Maxwell School’s (PARCC).

This next phase of the Life Together initiative includes several events planned for the Spring 2025 semester:

• Life Together Leadership Fellows: Ritter, in collaboration with PARCC, will lead a four-part training session for students, faculty and staff interested in developing the civic skills needed to promote democratic engagement in a diverse community. There will be four, two-hour required training sessions that focus on active listening, critical reasoning, inclusive advocacy and advancing the common good. for the Life Together Leadership Fellows program and are due by Jan. 31.
• “Civic Stories” Digital Storytelling Project: The project will collect and share personal and community-driven stories in the form of short video and audio recordings and reflective writing. “Civic Stories” aims to deepen our understanding and practice of civic engagement by humanizing complex issues, promoting empathy and connection, amplifying voices from marginalized communities, challenging assumptions and stereotypes, encouraging reflective dialogue, highlighting shared goals and collective action, and building civic identity and agency.
• Life Together Online Community Conversations Modules: Building on the fall’s facilitated community conversation, and in collaboration with PARCC and the College of Professional Studies, online modules will be developed that can be used to facilitate community conversations for members of the Syracuse community who are not in residence in Syracuse. The modules can also be used by instructors in various settings, such as part of the First Year Seminar curriculum for non-residential first-year students.
• Life Together Lecture Series: The series will bring speakers to campus who will deepen campus conversation and understanding around the initiative’s four critical civic engagement skills. Four colloquiums are expected to be offered in the spring.

��Further details on how the University community can participate will be shared early in the spring semester.

Tarky J. Lombardi Jr.

Longtime Board of Trustees member and dedicated University supporter Tarky J. Lombardi Jr. ’51, L’54, H’87 passed away peacefully on Nov. 24, 2024. Referred to simply as “Tarky” by all those who knew him in the Orange community and around Central New York, Lombardi was 95 years old.

Lombardi earned a bachelor’s degree from the Martin J. Whitman School of Management in 1951 and a J.D. from the College of Law in 1954.��He was awarded an honorary doctorate of laws from Syracuse University in 1987.

Appointed to the Board of Trustees in 1976, Lombardi served as a voting trustee for nearly three decades. He also served on the College of Law Board of Advisors, Falk College Board of Visitors and the National Alumni Association Board.��He was also co-chair of the Schine Student Center National Campaign and honorary chair of the College of Law Annual Fund. In addition, he supported various initiatives in the College of Arts and Sciences, College of Law and Syracuse University Athletics. He was recognized in 1983 with the University’s highest alumni honor, the George Arents Award.

“Tarky was an incredibly dedicated public servant, a giant in Central New York politics,” says Chancellor Kent Syverud. “Yet, no matter how busy he was legislating, lobbying and leading, Tarky could often be found in his Dome suite, cheering on his alma mater. The Dome is not only a place he helped get built, it is home to the spirit that drove his loyalty and passion for service to the Orange community.”

Lombardi was an avid Syracuse University Athletics supporter and longtime season ticket holder. His support started with the Orange Pack, the athletics fundraising arm founded in 1974, which became the Orange Club in 2006, and is now known as the ’Cuse Athletics Fund. He helped secure $15 million in state grants for the Dome’s construction.

Lombardi began his public service in 1959 when the Onondaga County Republican Party selected him to run for a seat on the Syracuse Common Council. It was the first of what would mark many campaign victories. He served the Common Council for six years, including time as its majority leader. He eventually ran for statewide election and, in 1965, was elected New York State Senate representative for the 49th district. His district covered a large swath of Central New York situated almost entirely in Onondaga and Cortland counties.

He championed legislative efforts to contain health care and medical malpractice costs through medical malpractice reform and the creation of physician assistants and nurse practitioners. His signature piece of legislation was the Nursing Homes without Walls program—a pilot program that served as a model for other states and earned him recognition as Legislator of the Year from the National Association for Home Care. He chaired the Senate Health Committee from 1971 until 1989 and the Senate Finance Committee from 1989 until 1992.

Lombardi was similarly committed to supporting arts and culture initiatives, believing they were fundamental to a well-rounded education. He was chairman of the Senate Special Committee on the Arts and helped re-codify the state’s art law. He became quite popular among members of the New York entertainment community and worked closely with celebrities like Kitty Carlisle Hart and Tony Randall on multiple legislative projects.��In 1986, he was named National Republican Legislator of the Year. In 1992, Lombardi retired from the Senate.

As special counsel to the law firm of Barclay Damon LLP in Syracuse, Lombardi worked with clients in the energy, health care, insurance, telecommunications and transportation industries. His civic commitments included service on the boards of the New York Historical Society, Syracuse Symphony Orchestra, Syracuse Opera Company, St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center Advisory Board, WCNY Public Broadcasting, Loretto, Onondaga Community College Foundation, Landmark Theater Foundation, New York Historical Society in New York City and the New York State Council for Humanities.

Lombardi is survived by his wife, Marianne, and their children Tarky III; Jennine Lombardi Yonta G’92 (Whitman School); Marianne Lombardi Fogelson ’89 (College of Arts and Sciences), L’92; Michael ’91 (College of Arts and Sciences); and Rosemary; and eight grandchildren.

Carrying on his legacy, Lombardi’s family encourages memorial contributions to the Syracuse Athletics Opportunity Fund in recognition of his commitment and passion for Syracuse Athletics and his enduring love for supporting student-athletes, coaches and his alma mater.

With the arrival of the new year, many people view this as the ideal time to figure out the changes they’d like to make in themselves as part of a new year, new you mentality.

Instead of making huge, sweeping goals, , a professor of practice in the School of Social Work in the , says focus on a few small, implementable changes.

Tracey Marchese

Marchese, a licensed clinical social worker, is a big proponent of the benefits of small tweaks leading to sustainable change when it comes to successfully following through on resolutions.

“If you are looking to who you want to be, that’s great, but you need to consider who you are and where you are,” says Marchese, whose research explores mind-body wellness. “Realize that you’re a work in progress who is going to be a work in progress your entire life.”

The challenge is not to compare ourselves to others and accept who we are right now. Marchese encourages people to figure out “what you would want to change about yourself and how can you begin that change?”

On this “’Cuse Conversation,” Marchese offers tips and best practices for sticking to those New Year’s Resolutions, provides tips to help achieve the change you want to see and examines how mental health and well-being impacts overall well-being.

Check out featuring Marchese. A transcript [PDF]��is also available.

What pointers can you offer up to help people stick with their resolutions?

A lot of us enter the new year with high expectations, and oftentimes we’re setting ourselves up for failure. It’s really the small changes that are more attainable.

There’s an old saying that says three weeks is a habit. Many people have weight loss goals. Instead of saying ‘I need to lose this much weight by this time,’ what about my eating could I change? And it can’t be I need to restrict everything that I eat. Let me start with one thing I am going to change. Perhaps it’s what I have for breakfast. Let me focus on that for three weeks or a month, changing the types of food I’m eating and not necessarily the amount of food I’m eating. Maybe it’s snacking throughout the day. What snacks can I change up instead of just trying to diet?

Being able to set smaller, more attainable goals and then tweak the goal moving forward leads to more satisfaction, and a greater ability to feel proud of an accomplishment because you set a smaller goal instead of this long-term, unattainable goal.

What are some accountability recommendations to help people reach their goals?

Because everything is electronic, we can constantly be tracking our goals, and sometimes trackers can be extremely helpful. Other times, they can be harmful. If people are looking at their fitness tracker and thinking they’re a failure because they didn’t get in their 10,000 steps today, that’s not going to be helpful because all it will do is serve to defeat you. What are the things that can serve to motivate you versus defeat you?

Having a buddy, someone to work on your goals with, is great. It helps keep you accountable and it makes pursuing your goals more fun. Journaling can be super helpful if it’s done in the right context of tracking your progress.

But you need to cut yourself some slack because there are going to be days where you aren’t able to work on your goals because you weren’t feeling well. And that’s okay.

How you would define self-care, and what are the different kinds of self-care?

Self-care can show up in a lot of different ways. Do you feed yourself nutritious food? Do you have a regular sleep routine? Do you exercise your body if you’re able to do so? When we talk about holistic health, there are five parts that make us whole: our physical, mental, social, emotional and spiritual parts of self. When there’s a disruption or a problem in one area, it’s going to permeate all of those other areas.

When it comes to the social piece, do you make time to call or spend time with the people that you care about? Do you do things in your life that give you meaning and purpose? Can you find a work-life balance? For a lot of folks, that’s hard, but not all of this has to be on you. In workplace settings, could we have shared care or communal care that’s going to help everyone’s wellbeing?

Yes, there are ways that we’re responsible for our self-care, but there are also ways our friends, the agencies and organizations that we work for and our communities can help with our self-care too.

Sydney Moore

The Blackstone LaunchPad at Syracuse University Libraries has awarded one $2,500 Student Start-Up Fund grant, formerly the Innovation Fund, for the Spring 2025 semester. Grants are awarded on a rolling basis to undergraduate and graduate students who need help moving an idea from concept to commercialization.

Sydney Moore G’25 (Martin J. Whitman School of Management), founder of Thrive Insights, received the grant. Thrive Insights hosts that informs and supports student-athletes with honest and engaging conversations about student-athlete issues. Sydney Moore, a Division 1 volleyball player, is the host. The podcast launched on all platforms on Dec. 9, 2024. The grant was used to help Moore incorporate the business.

Fund applicants define their need with identified outcomes within a set time. Initial money in the fund was provided by Jeffrey Rich L’67, a partner at Rich Michaelson Magaliff LLP, and a member of the Syracuse University Libraries Advisory Board. Rich provided a multi-year pledge of $25,000 per year for five years from 2020 to 2025.

“I wanted to contribute in a way that directly supports student new ventures and removes any obstacles to startup development,” says Jeffrey Rich.

The Economist described “Venice: The Remarkable History of the Lagoon City” (Oxford University Press, 2024) as “a sparkling account of Venice’s past and future” and said it “will become the history of choice for readers who want to better understand the lagoon city.”

In the book, Romano provides a comprehensive account of the political, economic, cultural, ecological, military and art history of Venice from the city’s origins to the present. Drawing from a wealth of archival material, he traces Venetian history across a long range, from the Ice Age emergence of the lagoon, its first permanent settlements and the rise of Venice’s maritime and commercial empire to industrialization, 20th-century fascism and contemporary tourism. In addition to covering elites like merchants and doges, the book offers portraits of Venetian commoners, drawing from documents such as diaries and last wills and testaments.

Emeritus Professor Dennis Romano

In an April��, The Economist wrote, “The result is a triumph.” It continued, “This is contemporary historical writing of the highest quality: clear, entertaining and yet academically rigorous.”

Romano has published eight books and over 20 articles on medieval Italy and Venetian history, politics, culture, art and kinship. He has received numerous grant awards spanning five decades from institutions such as the Guggenheim Foundation, the Folger Shakespeare Library, the National Gallery of Art and the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Romano’s academic work explores medieval and Renaissance Italy, early modern Europe, and Venice’s social and cultural history.

Story by Mikayla Melo

In 2018, he was hired as editor in chief of ETP with the mission of preserving its legacy while positioning it as the leading entrepreneurship journal among entrepreneurship and management scholars. His work has paid off, as ETP recently obtained a 4* rating—the highest given—on the 2024 Association of Business School’s (ABS) list, published by the Chartered Association of Business Schools. This means that ETP is recognized internationally as the top journal within its field and publishes research of exceptional quality having significant impact on the development of theory, practice and policy.

“I’ve always known that ETP was an important vehicle for changing and improving the field of entrepreneurship, but I also felt that it needed some improvement in both the submission process and rigor of content. I’m very proud of what we have accomplished over the past eight years,” Wiklund says.

Leader in entrepreneurship education

A member of the Whitman faculty since 2008, Wiklund’s research interests focus on entrepreneurship, neurodiversity and mental well-being. He is considered a leading authority in his field with over 100 articles published in leading journals and more than 55,000 citations to his research, as well as numerous international awards and honors. In addition, he is a dedicated advisor to the Ph.D. students at Whitman.

“The Whitman School and the entrepreneurship department are proud of the work Johan has done to bring the ETP to a 4* ranking,” says Michel Benaroch, Whitman associate dean for research and Ph.D. programs. “To have a Whitman entrepreneurship faculty member lead a journal to this level is remarkable and certainly impacts the research reputation and rankings of the school.”

Improving the review process

One of Wiklund’s main goals for ETP has been establishing a smoother review process. That starts with the over 1,000 submissions that land on Wiklund’s desk annually, where he scans each—usually within a week—giving desk rejects to almost half and passing the remainder to one of his 30 action editors. They then ask three reviewers to provide comments on the manuscripts.

Professor Johan Wiklund talks with a student

“We have developed a faster process than other journals at ETP with fewer rounds of revisions before accepting papers. This means less pain for authors, reviewers and editors alike. It also retains the author’s voice,” Wiklund explains, noting that only about 5% of submissions are ultimately published. “A lot of journals say they strive for fewer review rounds, but not many implement this. ETP does, and our 49-day average to final decision is evidence of our progress.”

The quick turnaround and the heightened expectations for quality research are drawing attention. Academic journals are constantly ranked and evaluated against each other. Apart from being upgraded to ABS 4* rating, ETP ranks among the top business publications and the No. 1 in entrepreneurship according to most rankings and evaluations.

Looking to the future

While Wiklund is certainly pleased with the progress and results, he has no shortage of other goals for improving ETP, including working with the Center for Open Science to increase transparency in publication; reaching better global representation of research; and enhancing the relevance of entrepreneurship research.

Artificial intelligence (AI) poses challenges for the publication industry. Wiklund embraces its use as it allows academics around the world to improve their English language writing skills and helps them better present their research.

“Some journals are overly cautious about how researchers are allowed to use AI in their research. I believe it can be a great equalizer, leveling the playing field between native and non-native English speakers and overall improving the quality of research. ETP is all for it, within reason of course,” he says.

Wiklund plans to continue ETP’s upward trajectory. “We’re in the middle of some massive changes, and I want to see them through,” he says. “Looking at my career, I hope my main legacy in this field will be the people I have impacted as a mentor and the work I’ve accomplished to make ETP a more highly regarded source of research in the field of entrepreneurship.”

“” features the work of 2024-25 Syracuse University Art Museum Faculty Fellows , associate professor of communication and rhetorical studies in the , and , assistant teaching professor of management in the Martin J. . Another exhibit, “,” is curated by , assistant professor of Latinx literatures and cultures in the .

The works will be on display in the Joe and Emily Lowe Galleries at the Art Museum from Tuesday, Jan. 21, through Saturday, May 10.

The Syracuse University Art Museum Faculty Fellows program supports innovative curriculum development and experiential learning and aims to more fully integrate the museum’s collection into the University’s academic life, says , museum director.

Gestures Study

Gratch’s exhibition, “Performance, Gesture and Reflection,” mirrors her performance studies course CRS 314, which explores the social, cultural and political dimensions of performance in various forms, including theater, dance, rituals, everyday life and media. The display features 23 objects that examine the social, cultural and political dimensions of performance, including how human gestures shape identity, power, memory and social relations.

This screen print by Robert Rauschenberg is one of the central pieces in Lyndsay Gratch’s exhibition, “Performance, Gesture and Reflection.”

Gratch says the portrayals “show gestures as more than isolated movements in a single time and place. Gestures are dynamic, culturally loaded and ever-changing symbols which have a wide range of social, political and historical meanings based on when, where, how, by whom and why a gesture is made and also interpreted.”��Gratch says the course and the exhibition illustrate how performance “is not necessarily something that’s theatrical or fake or put on, but actions we do as part of everyday life.”

Culture as Economy

Wimer’s exhibition consists of a dozen different artistic works that express key ideas regarding the global economy from an African perspective. These include viewing culture as an economic component; how culture is represented by proverbs and sayings passed from generation to generation; and how climate change and health care infrastructure affect people very differently depending on whether they live in the global south versus the global north.

The exhibition was created to complement Whitman’s required core class for all sophomores, Managing in a Global Setting, to bring a different perspective on key course concepts such as infrastructure, human capital and globalization.

A custom pet portrait by a Kenyan artist involved in Elizabeth Wimer’s immersion course is an example of using artwork to create an economic revenue stream.

As an extension of that course, Wimer and students who have applied for and been accepted to Whitman’s Kenya Immersion Experience undertake a 10-day business immersion trip to Kenya. There, they can see firsthand how creative and artistic works provide paths to financial opportunity for people who live in limited economic situations, while also sometimes meeting the Kenyan artists.

“[They see that] artist creations are not solely artistic expression as a work of art but as works that help them sustain a living. Both have beauty, but the inspiration behind the beauty is very different,” she says.

Tropical Images

Pardo Porto’s exhibition is a collection of work by acclaimed New York City-based Dominican artist in conversation with selected works from the Syracuse University Art Museum collection. It examines the visual culture of tropicality through stereotypical depictions of landscapes like pristine beaches and sunny skies, as well as racist portrayals of women as exoticized figures, Pardo Porto says.

A work by Joiri Minaya represents the visual culture of tropicality through combined stereotypes of an exoticized woman who is wearing tropical-themed swimwear.

The exhibition consists of objects including postcards, tourist brochure images, fabric from Hawaiian shirts, posters and photographs, and video and sound performances ranging from the late 19^th century to the present. “This emphasizes part of my research into how the images surrounding us shape our perception, our thinking and our feelings about places like the Caribbean and how we relate to images in our daily lives,” Pardo Porto says.

The exhibit is being incorporated into two of Pardo Porto’s courses. An undergraduate course on contemporary Latinx art, conducted entirely in Spanish, uses the Spanish-language artwork labels and tags in the exhibit as part of class lessons. A graduate seminar focuses on theorizing race and diaspora and how an artist like Minaya, who was born in New York City but has Dominican heritage, examines how diasporic identities are constructed and how being separated from community can complicate identity. Pardo Porto says Minaya will visit campus to give a talk, work with students and share interpretations of her art with the community.

Based on current conditions, the University expects to remain open and operational today.

Although Syracuse University rarely closes for inclement weather, individuals must make personal decisions based on a risk assessment related to travel. Employees are encouraged to take precautions and use good judgment when traveling to/from work. Faculty and staff concerned about their safety should contact their department chair or supervisor, respectively.

Any change in the University’s operating status will be announced via the University’s emergency broadcast notification system and will carry the notice SU WEATHER ALERT. Please be sure your Orange Alert settings are always up to date in MySlice.

SU WEATHER ALERT information will be announced via the following communications channels:

• via text message;
• via a “crawl” on campus TV monitors and University websites;
• on X: and ;
• on Facebook: and ;
• on news.syr.edu and ; and
• via Syracuse University public radio station and other local media outlets.

Only Syracuse University’s Internal Communications and Media Relations teams are authorized to transmit to the news media and the campus community announcements about closings, work-schedule changes or class-start delays.

Two Syracuse University faculty experts weigh in on the historic natural disaster impacting California this week. Their comments below can be quoted directly. They are also available for interviews.

********

Fires burning now cannot be dismissed as anomalous events

Jacob Bendix

is professor emeritus in the Geography and the Environment Department in Syracuse University’s Maxwell School. His research areas include impacts of disturbance (principally fire and floods) on plant communities and media coverage of the environment. He has spoken extensively with journalists about the , and the .

Currently, he is available to answer questions via email.

Bendix says:

“The fires currently devastating multiple neighborhoods in the Los Angeles area serve to remind us of the impact of climate change. The fires are driven by the infamous downslope Santa Ana winds that become hotter and drier as they descend, creating particularly incendiary conditions. These winds are strongest in the winter, but historically by winter there was enough rain to soak fuels and limit wildfires. Thus, Santa Ana-driven fires were usually concentrated in the fall, when the winds had begun but fuels were still dry.

“This is where climate change comes in. It is already January, but Southern California remains dry, gripped by drought and high temperatures. Both drought and heat are known to be more likely in the context of human-caused climate change, so the fires burning now cannot be dismissed as anomalous events. We must recognize that such fires are likely to become more common in the future. The news stories each time will fade after a few days or weeks, but the impacts in terms of lost homes and workplaces will last far longer for local residents, and virtually everyone in the region is likely to face escalating insurance costs, or difficulty obtaining insurance at all.”

This is the ‘new reality’ for Southern California communities

Tripti Bhattacharya

is an associate professor in the Earth and Environmental Sciences Department in Syracuse University’s College of Arts and Sciences. Her work focuses on understanding the sensitivity of regional rainfall to global climate change.

She is available for interviews by phone, web video conferencing or email.

Bhattacharya says:

“It’s really devastating to see what is unfolding.

“It is a combination of several factors: one is drought, as Southern California has seen very little precipitation this winter, resulting in extremely dry vegetation and soils. On top of that, recent days have seen gusts of dry wind, typically known as ‘Santa Ana’ winds. These gusts have the ability to cause fire to propagate quickly.

“We cannot attribute a single event to human-caused climate change per se, but we do know from peer-reviewed scientific literature that the length of the fire season is increasing. Moreover, state of the art models analyzed in peer reviewed studies have shown that climate change is responsible overall for higher temperatures and drier vegetation, amplifying forest fire activity.

“This is the new reality communities in places like Southern California are facing.”

To request interviews or get more information:

Daryl Lovell
Associate Director of Media Relations
Division of Communications

M��315.380.0206
dalovell@syr.edu |

Syracuse University

To accommodate the space needed for the buses, permit holders in the Standart, Raynor and Henry lots are asked to park in Irving Avenue Garage on Jan. 9.

Please contact Parking and Transportation Services at 315.443.4652 or via email at parkmail@syr.edu with any questions or concerns.

Executive Director of Esports Joey Gawrysiak addresses the crowd during the grand opening of the Gaming and Esports Center on campus. (Photo by Tiancheng Tang ’26)

We want to know how you experience Syracuse University. Take a photo and share it with us. We select photos from a variety of sources. Submit photos of your University experience by sending them directly to �����鶹��Ʒ at newsphoto@syr.edu. You might see it featured here.

Students were welcomed back to campus with a fresh coating of snow. (Photo courtesy of Syracuse University’s Facebook)

Students arrive in Madrid, Spain, to begin their semester with the Signature Seminar: Marine Ecology of the Mediterranean Sea. (Photo courtesy of Syracuse Abroad’s Facebook)

Nothing is better than a sunny day in Syracuse in the middle of winter. (Photo courtesy of the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs’ Facebook)

Following a memorial service in Hendricks Chapel, Brian Konkol (center), vice president and dean of Hendricks Chapel, Devon Bartholomew (right), Baptist chaplain and Sensei JoAnn Cooke, Buddhist chaplain, lead a procession to the Place of Remembrance on Dec. 21, 2024. The service was held on the 36th anniversary of the terrorist bombing of Pan Am 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland, on Dec. 21, 1988. The bombing claimed the lives of 270 people, including Syracuse University students returning from a semester of study abroad. (Photo by Qianzhen Li)

The flags in front of Syracuse University’s National Veterans Resource Center fly at half-staff in honor of former President Jimmy Carter (1924-2024). (Photo by Charlie Poag)

Curated by Irina Savinetskaya, curator of early to pre-20th century, the exhibition showcases SCRC’s collection of predominantly Western European medieval manuscripts from the 13^th to the 16^th centuries, alongside examples of bookmaking from Persia, Japan and Ethiopia. The exhibition also features early printed and modern books inspired by the medieval book.

Medieval manuscripts have long fascinated the public with their hand-painted illuminations and decorated bindings. Often viewed as esoteric, precious works of art, they can seem largely inaccessible to all but specialists. Much more than treasures to be gazed upon, medieval manuscripts are dynamic and unique objects that hold a variety of stories, including about the natural and animal worlds, trade, religious movements and the everyday lives of their makers and owners. By examining how medieval books were made, used and reused by various individuals and communities, along with their place in modern imagination and book design, the exhibition explores the storied history behind the making of the medieval book.

The exhibition’s opening reception is on Thursday, Feb. 6 from 4:30-6 p.m. on the 6^th floor of Bird Library. Those interested in attending the reception can . Communication Access Realtime Translation will be provided at the reception. Those requiring other accommodations can email mlwagh@syr.edu by Jan. 20.

Here is how these attacks typically work and how you can protect yourself.

How The Attacks Work

• Spoofed emails: Attackers send emails that seem to originate from trusted peers or partners at other universities.
• Fake document links: The emails contain links you are expected to click on. Recent attacks have used the pretext that a document that needs to be shared is encrypted and, in order to decrypt it, you must log in to the link.
• Fraudulent validation: If recipients email the sender for confirmation because they are suspicious, attackers respond with reassuring but fake replies.
• Credential theft: Trusting the response, recipients enter their credentials into a counterfeit Microsoft login page at the other end of the link.
• MFA exploitation: The attackers harvest the credentials and use them to trigger a legitimate Microsoft multi-factor authentication (MFA) request, which victims will see in the Microsoft Authenticator app. Bad actors email their victims the two-digit code to enter into the app. If the victim enters it, the bad actors gain complete access to their accounts. If the victims use SMS as their MFA method, the bad actors will send an email trying to get the victim to send them the provided code.
• Account misuse: Attackers use compromised accounts to attempt changes to payroll direct deposit information and/or to launch further attacks from the victim’s email account.

Protect Yourself

• Be cautious of unexpected emails: Avoid clicking on links or providing information unless you are certain of the sender’s legitimacy.
• Validate by phone, not email: If you suspect a phishing attempt, verify directly by calling the sender. Never rely on email validation for suspicious requests.
• Beware of fraudulent MFA prompts: Be cautious of unusual MFA prompts or requests. Never enter codes from unknown sources. Microsoft MFA will never send the two-digit code via email. Any email claiming to provide such a code is fraudulent. If you use SMS as an MFA method, nobody will ever ask you for the code via text or email.
• Report phishing attempts immediately: You can use Outlook’s “Report Message” feature to flag suspicious emails.

Stay alert and reach out to the IT Security team (infosec@syr.edu) with any questions or concerns. Your vigilance is vital to keeping our community safe.

“In the aftermath of Watergate, Jimmy Carter helped to bring decency and honor back to the White House,” said Maxwell History and Political Science Professor Margaret Susan Thompson. She offered this on Carter’s passing at the age of 100. “Perhaps the shining achievement of his presidency were the Camp David Accords, the first notable peace agreement between Israel and one of its powerful Arab neighbors. He was an environmentalist before most people had ever heard of climate change or sustainability, installing solar panels (later removed) at the White House. When President Carter was defeated by Ronald Reagan in 1980—due largely to both economic downturn and the Iranian Hostage Crisis—neither he nor the American people knew that his most notable achievements were yet to come.”

Through the Carter Center, Jimmy Carter continued to fight for democracy and human rights throughout the world. He helped to bring an end to Guinea Worm Disease, as well as River Blindness in both Africa and Latin America. Well into his mid-nineties, Carter quietly worked to build homes in dozens of communities through Habitat For Humanity. A devout Evangelical Christian, Carter left the Southern Baptist Convention but not his faith in his seventies, because among other things he disagreed with its rigid opposition to expanding the roles and opportunities for women. He affiliated with the more progressive Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, and continued to teach Sunday School in his local community well into the 21st Century. He and his wife Rosalyn have been happily married for over three-quarters of a century, enjoying the longest-lasting marriage of any first couple.

Jimmy Carter unquestionably earned virtually universal appreciation as the most accomplished former president in US history. Over thirty years after leaving the presidency, he was awarded the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize for his lifetime of service on behalf of peace, democracy, and social justice—although he would continue to work on their behalf for another two decades. As he famously said: “I have one life and one chance to make it count for something…. My faith demands that I do whatever I can, wherever I am, whenever I can, for as long as I can with whatever I have to try to make a difference.” For nearly a century, there is no doubt that he continued to practice what he preached.”

Additionally, Maxwell Political Science Professor Grant Reeher discussed Carter’s legacy with . Reeher called Carter “the right president and the right person for the times.”

Doyle and his fellow researchers have since worked on refining the compounds, GEP44 and KCEM1, and have undertaken lab-animal testing, filed patents, spoken with investors and explored market placement. They believe these drugs, ultimately intended for use in humans, will offer significant advances in how obesity and diabetes are treated in the U.S. and around the world. The researchers have also discovered another highly promising weight-loss compound and new outgrowths that have potential to treat opioid addiction through similar neuroendocrine pathways.

Doyle is also a professor of pharmacology and medicine at . He is working with two primary collaborators on the compounds: , Albert J. Stunkard Professor in Psychiatry at the , and , an endocrinologist at .

Doyle, a medicinal chemist, teaches at Syracuse University and is also on the faculty at SUNY-Upstate Medical University.

Multiple Receptors

GEP44 consists of 44 amino acids that target receptors in the brain, pancreas and liver simultaneously, uncoupling the connection between food intake and nausea and vomiting. “It’s sort of a reboot of the body’s computer. It’s the sum of those receptors communicating with each other that is facilitating changes to metabolic behavior like what you’d see in a lean person or someone post bariatric surgery,” Doyle says.

GEP44 works very well and is a significant improvement over GLP1-based drugs; however, it requires daily injections—a regimen Doyle acknowledges would be challenging for many patients. That’s why the researchers are working to reformulate the compound as a long-acting version.

“Now, we’re looking at how proteins are changing, what neurons are firing and which genes are changing in response to our drug that aren’t changing in response to the current therapies,” Doyle explains. “We can definitely do a once-a-week injectable, control weight loss, control tolerability as measured by pica (a craving to eat things having no nutritional value). However, we want to create a formulation that has the best tolerability and the highest efficacy before we move into licensing. After all, it is not a trivial thing to take something you’ve optimized to work beautifully well, then go ahead and make it long acting.”

The second compound, KCEM1, was formulated to treat hypothalamic obesity in children, a genetic (as opposed to calorie intake-related) condition. Roth is testing the drug in lab animals and the team is working with the German researchers who discovered the causative gene.

Doyle and Hayes recently produced another “extraordinary compound” that Doyle says is “very exciting and really, really positive for the future.” DG260 targets different mechanisms in the body. In addition to producing weight loss with high drug tolerability and no adverse side effects, it has added health benefits: higher caloric burn and the ability to flush glucose from the blood without needing to increase insulin secretion.

An unexpected outgrowth of this effort has been the team’s discovery that GEP44 reduces cravings in opioid-addicted lab animals, extending the intervals between periods of drug-seeking behavior. This “pleasant surprise” may lead to new therapies to help reduce human cravings for drugs such as fentanyl, Doyle believes. , a neuropharmacologist and associate professor of psychiatry at��the , is collaborating with Doyle on this work.

On-Site Lab

All compounds are produced in a campus lab at Syracuse University’s Center for Science and Technology equipped as a sort of mini pharmaceutical design and manufacturing center. It houses three state-of-the-art, microwave-assisted peptide synthesizers and a fourth robotic system, which allows high throughput peptide synthesis of up to 1,200 peptides in the span of three to four days.

Manufacturing of the peptide compounds is done in the University’s state-of-the-art lab, located on campus in the Center for Science and Technology. The facilities allow rapid pivoting based on ongoing test findings.

“We can get data back, turn it around in days and turn that into a genuine lead in the space of a few weeks. Our setup also lets us manufacture and purify at large scales. That lets us pivot quickly, screen quickly and get back into an in vivo (testing on whole living organisms) setup again quickly. We’re able to operate at a real cutting-edge, rapid-pivoting capability,” Doyle says.

The sophisticated machinery was acquired in part through a $3 million grant awarded in 2019 by the (DoD) . The team’s work holds particular promise for military personnel and veterans, for whom obesity and weight-related diabetes rates have steadily increased, according to a from the . Those conditions cost the government $135 billion annually and have negative implications for U.S. military readiness, the report states.

“We couldn’t have gotten anywhere near where we are now without that initial DoD grant,” Doyle says. “It’s fantastic that we’ve been able to take this all the way through to patentability, have active engagement with investors, get licensed to an existing company and work this as far forward as we have with hopes of seeing its use in people.”

Doyle’s peptides investigation provides robust research opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students and postdoctoral scholars, such as Nick Najjar, left, a third-year graduate student and Lucy Olcott, a senior.

More recently, the researchers’ work has been awarded four additional National Institutes of Health grants totaling more than $6 million. The projects also provide important experiential laboratory learning for undergraduate and graduate students and cutting-edge research opportunities for postdoctoral associates.

Looking Ahead

When their work began eight years ago, the researchers aimed to make safety and tolerability a front-and-center focus, Doyle says. “We were adamant that nausea, vomiting and indigestion were more of an issue than had previously been put forward. Now, everyone knows that these side effects are a problem and that the existing drugs need to be replaced with ones that are better tolerated. So, the race is on to find new pathways to achieve what we’ve all gotten a taste for—these miraculous weight-loss drugs—and make them effective in the long term.”

Accordingly, Doyle sees a coming explosion in the development of “super safe, super effective weight-loss medicines.”

“The market’s only going to double and triple over the next 20 years. In the next five to 10 years, we may see six, seven, eight new drugs that are well tolerated without the current side effects and that are super long acting. Now, everyone’s racing toward that. We’re trying to drive that forward from Syracuse University and Central New York, and we’ve had a good start.”

Campus Catering has launched a new online ordering system, CaterTrax.

Effective immediately, has launched a new online ordering system, , to improve the ordering experience for all Campus Catering and JMA Wireless Dome suites customers looking to place a catering order.

Among the changes:

• all activity and changes relating to a catering order are now tracked within the order, replacing the old email ticketing-based system;
• customers will be able to view all current and past order details and invoices directly in their account, making duplication of past orders a simple process;
• the system offers a streamlined ordering process, limiting miscommunication between customers and the Catering team and limiting order and delivery errors; and
• customers will have the ability to save payment options (chartstrings/credit cards) within their accounts.

To facilitate this transition, the Auxiliary Services training team is offering four different one-hour training sessions throughout January. All users are invited to attend the training session that is most convenient for their schedule. To attend, click the link for the session you prefer and follow the registration prompts.

• , from 2-3 p.m.;
• , from 10-11 a.m.;
• , from 1-2 p.m.; and
• , from 9-10 a.m.

Anyone with questions about the training sessions should contact Tori Budnik, auxiliary services training specialist, at vabudnik@syr.edu. Those with questions about the CaterTrax program should reach out to Campus Catering at catering@syr.edu or 315.443.3605.

Audra Weiss

When Weiss was diagnosed with cancer two years ago, she became a passionate advocate for early cancer detection and diagnosis, and holistic care. Weiss died Dec. 31, 2024, at the age of 57. Her husband Jim Weiss ’87 and their two children, Ethan and Emily, were at her side. “Audra was a quiet yet powerful force who walked through life exuding grace, strength and class,” .

Audra Weiss graduated from the , while her husband graduated with a bachelor’s degree in public relations from the . Jim Weiss founded Real Chemistry in 2001.

In 2012, a gift from Audra and Jim Weiss established the at the Newhouse School. The Weiss Center’s goal is to ensure students are immersed and educated in the digital world as they prepare for careers across the communications industries.

Nine years later, the Weisses for the ribbon-cutting ceremony of a new, state-of-the-art classroom established by a gift from Real Chemistry. The Emerging Insights Lab is a social media command center that serves as a central hub for the interfacing of digital media monitored and studied by students and faculty.

“Audra Weiss’ support meant so much to Syracuse University. She will always be remembered at Newhouse for her dedication to helping our students succeed, collaborating with Jim on mentorships, career advice, classroom visits or the many other ways they gave back big and small,” said Newhouse Dean Mark Lodato. “We mourn her passing and extend our deepest condolences to Jim, Ethan, Emily and the rest of the Weiss family.”

Born and raised on Long Island in Coram, New York, Audra Weiss worked in healthcare communications after graduating from Whitman. She connected with Jim through a mutual friend—they worked in the same field and shared a love for Syracuse University, though they never met while at school. They were married for nearly 25 years.

“She knew from the get-go that she’d happily trade in her stellar professional career for a lifelong role of motherhood.  She welcomed Ethan and Emily into the world and devoted herself to her calling,” her family said.

“Audra’s intellect and brilliance shined in the backdrop of Jim’s entrepreneurial quest to build a leading global communications firm,” the family said.  “As an advisor and confidant, Audra made her mark on the business that would become Real Chemistry. To her, success was a vehicle to do good—giving back through the ‘Weiss Family Office.’”

After being diagnosed with cancer, Weiss became a staunch advocate for the care of those living with cancer. She shared her wisdom about her cancer journey and connected with the Dempsey Center, joining the board of the organization founded by actor Patrick Dempsey. The Dempsey Center provides personalized and comprehensive cancer care at no cost.

The Weiss family said it would continue to advocate for early cancer detection and diagnosis, as well as advocating for treating cancer “holistically, not just with pharmaceuticals but with wraparound care that makes the journey a much better experience for patients and their families.”

Services will be held Jan. 8 in San Francisco, California. The family said donations in Weiss’ memory can be made to the , , and the . Read Audra Weiss’ .

Marianne Donley

Marianne Donley recently joined Syracuse University Libraries as the Physical Sciences Librarian in the Department of Research and Scholarship. In this role, Donley will be subject librarian for chemistry, forensic sciences, mathematics, and physics and astronomy.

Prior to joining Syracuse University Libraries, Donley worked as a health sciences library intern at Duquesne University while pursuing a master’s in library and information science from the University of Pittsburgh.

Donley received a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Villanova University and worked as a research and development scientist at Covestro LLC.

Kelly Delevan, at right, information literacy librarian and recipient of the 2024 Libraries’ Distinguished Service Award, is pictured with David Seaman, dean of Libraries and University librarian.

The award is a three-decade tradition recognizing Libraries’ staff who have made a significant contribution to both the Libraries and the broader University community. A cross-departmental panel of Libraries’ staff judged nomination entries and selected the recipient based on outstanding service to Libraries’ users, excellence in professional skills and significant contributions to the Libraries’ community. The Distinguished Service Award, which is open to all Libraries employees, allows peer recognition based on nominations, a recommendation from the person’s supervisor and recommendations from at least two members of the University community.

Delevan was selected as this year’s winner based on her strong and persistent commitment to excellence in education, mentorship and advancement of the field of library and information science. Delevan rebuilt and revitalized the Libraries’ instruction program, while championing information literacy as a shared competency for undergraduate students. She has fostered a culture of critical thinking while helping undergraduates build research skills and information fluency.

Delevan’s campus collaborations with the Syracuse Office of Undergraduate Research and Creative Engagement (SOURCE) and First Year Seminar have been incredibly impactful for undergraduate students. She developed workshops for students applying for SOURCE grants that include goal setting and project planning, skills important beyond their SOURCE participation. She also created a customized library research guide for First Year Seminar students that is now has a required assignment in all 200+ sections of the course. Additionally, Delevan created an online library tutorial for more than 90 athletic tutors to complete, which helps them better prepare the University’s student athletes.

Graduate students have also benefited from the Information Literacy Scholars program Delevan created that provides School of Information Studies students with substantive experiential learning opportunities, including instructional design. To date, twenty-four graduate students have benefited directly from Delevan’s knowledge, support and encouragement. learning by example and guidance how to become successful instructors.

Beyond engaging students at all levels, Delevan created a faculty professional development program, Information Literacy and Technological Agility (ILTA), to share with faculty how to incorporate these skills into their syllabi. This successful program is co-sponsored by Academic Affairs.

Collectively, these initiatives have established Delevan as a campus leader and beyond, with her workshops, lectures and writings widely recognized in the field of library and information studies and information literacy.

A past Information Literacy Scholar summarized Delevan’s work in this way: “Everything she does for her IL Scholars, for the students they teach together, and for our library community as a whole, without any expectation of recognition, makes her the perfect candidate for this award.”

Peter Koveos

Koveos was born in Athens, Greece. At the age of 17, he moved to the United States to attend American International College in Springfield, Massachusetts. This is where he met his wife, Jean. He was drafted into the U.S. Army while still in college. Koveos continued his education in economics at Pennsylvania State University where he achieved both a master’s degree and Ph.D. He went on to teach at Penn State and the University of Rhode Island before joining the faculty at Syracuse University in 1982.

Koveos was a dedicated professor and scholar who taught at the Whitman School for 42 years. During that time, he served as a professor of finance and chair of the finance department on multiple occasions. He was the Kiebach Chair in International Business Studies and director of the Kiebach Center for International Business. He previously served as interim dean, associate dean for master’s programs and senior director for international programs, among other service roles to the Whitman School and Syracuse University.

Koveos led many of the early internationalization efforts of Whitman, including expanding Whitman’s work in Russia and China in the 1990s. Among the many accolades he received throughout his career was the White Yulan Prize from the City of Shanghai, similar to receiving the keys to the city and the highest award given to foreign experts by the municipality. He also received an honorary doctorate from American International College. Koveos was the editor of the Journal of Developmental Entrepreneurship and associate editor of Finance Review.

Koveos had a strong work ethic and was a proud mentor to the thousands of students who joined his classroom. He thought very highly of his colleagues and strongly believed that it took a village to be successful.��Koveos taught a range of courses in finance, international business and global entrepreneurship. He was interested in exploring international financial market behavior, especially as it pertains to economic systems in transition. His most recent work was on the theory and practice of financial system reform. Much of his research was focused on Asia in general, with a particular emphasis on China. His research has been published in the��Journal of Monetary Economics, Journal of International Business Studies��and other scholarly journals.

Koveos also worked closely with small businesses conducting business internationally and served on the board of the Central New York International Business Alliance and the Africa Business and Entrepreneurship Research Society. In addition to his academic activities, he was the co-founder of ExportNY and served as executive director of the program since 1998. In the 20-plus years of the ExportNY Program, over 100 Central New York businesses have developed international business plans and initiated or expanded their global footprint.

According to the Koveos family, “He was a humble man, who was full of kindness and integrity. Peter was always there with his love, knowledge and thoughtful advice. His wonderful sense of humor always brought smiles and laughter to everyone. Peter adored spending quality time with his family. He was a devoted husband, father and grampy, a.k.a. ‘geeky.’ He was a proud fan of the Penn State Nittany Lions and the Boston Red Sox and enjoyed spending summers with his wife back home in Greece.”

His family finds comfort in knowing that Koveos’ legacy “lives on through the lessons he taught us, the scholars he mentored, the love he shared, the happiness he encouraged and the memories we will cherish forever.”

Koveos’ more than 40 years of service at Syracuse University will be fondly remembered by his colleagues and friends.

“Peter was in the office a week ago finishing his school duties. His sense of duty to students and colleagues kept him going all the way to the end. What a big loss to Whitman and the world,” says Associate Dean for Research and Ph.D. Programs Michel Benaroch. “I can’t recall him ever saying anything negative even is the midst of confronting rather controversial matters. He always saw the positive in people—a trait for all of us to emulate. Lastly, Peter’s long personal struggle with health issues is just inspirational. He never complained or let it slow him down.”

“I first met Peter 16 years ago: he came in to interview me for a junior faculty position shortly after his bone marrow transplant. Such was his dedication to Whitman,” says David Weinbaum, chair of the finance department. “He served as finance department chair for so many years we all lost count, and although he stepped down from that role long ago, he very much remained our leader, and I regularly turned to him for advice. He was a calming and thoughtful voice in all matters. I will miss his kindness and sense of humor.”

“While there are many ways we could highlight Peter’s contributions, it is safe to say that he has had a profound impact on the Whitman School and our students’ success,” Interim Dean Alex McKelvie says. “Peter’s positive spirit, supportive approach and willingness to help out had a personal impact on many at Whitman. Simply, he was one of the good ones who truly cared. He will be deeply missed.”

Koveos is survived by his wife of 55 years, Jean Koveos (Broadbent); daughter Kristina (Michael) Jordan; sons Eugene Koveos (Sera Brown) and Alexander (Lindsey) Koveos; and grandsons Nicholas “Cole” and Christian Jordan, as well as many extended family members, friends and colleagues who will miss him dearly.

The Whitman School will honor Professor Koveos and his legacy across decades in the near future.

Jackson Capenos

Hailing from Central New York in a small town just north of Syracuse, Jackson grew up immersed in a close-knit community. His early life revolved around family, sports and work. Whether chopping wood or doing landscaping work with his grandfather, or taking part in football, track and the band at his high school, Capenos cultivated a strong work ethic that would guide him through life’s challenges.

“I grew up in Penneville and went to Phoenix High School; it’s one of those towns with a gas station and a few churches, not a lot going on. I just spent a lot of time either working for my grandfather, which was just like landscaping and chopping down trees,” says Capenos. “I did a lot of athletic stuff, played football since I was 5 years old and also did track and field, and even wrestled for a couple of years.”

A Family Legacy of Service

The call to serve came early. Inspired by a family legacy of military service among his two grandfathers and uncle—spanning the Army, Navy and Air Force, Jackson felt compelled to join the Marines, drawn by the camaraderie and the elite reputation. His grandfather, who Capenos credits with helping to raise him, gave him the most persuasive guidance when Capenos was torn between enlisting after high school or going off to college like a lot of other students.

“He told me I had two options. I could go to school for a few years and see how that goes, then by the time I was 27 or so it would be harder to join the military, if at all. Or I could go into the military, do my time, but then go to college afterwards and at least it would be paid for,” Capenos says.

During his time in the Marines, Jackson served as an amphibious assault vehicle crewman, a now-discontinued military occupational specialty, but an experience that taught him a lot about taking care of others and attention to detail.

The amphibious assault vehicle (AAV), or “Amtrack” as it was commonly called, was a lightly armored tracked vehicle that carried infantry Marines from ship to shore on contested beaches. In 2020, eight Marines and a sailor tragically lost their lives during a training incident when their AAV flooded with water, sinking off the coast of California before the service members could escape.

Capenos’ role in the AAV was ensuring the Marines in the back were safe, and that included highly detailed inspections of the AAV before the Marines ever boarded it. Every seal, every hinge, every valve was thoroughly checked to ensure the armored vehicle would keep the crew afloat.

Jackson Capenos

After being medically separated in 2014, Jackson faced the challenge of transitioning to civilian life. He pursued higher education, earning a degree in psychology from SUNY Oswego, with a focus on military and veteran mental health. His academic path underscored his passion for understanding the struggles veterans face during transitions and finding ways to support them.

After graduating, Capenos moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado, for work. With his wife joining him, the pair started to make a new life for themselves and started to settle into the local community. Then COVID hit.

“We were living near Fort Carson, I became a football coach and was an educational assistant for students with developmental disabilities, so I became really ingrained in my community out there,” says Capenos. “Once COVID hit, my wife and I couldn’t afford to live out there anymore, so we were forced to move back to New York. The day we moved back we found out we were pregnant with our son, and I immediately took the next job that I could.”

His journey eventually led him to Syracuse University, where he found his calling as a liaison for student veterans navigating their education benefits. “When I was transitioning, I didn’t have much support,” Jackson says. “Now, I get to be that person for others. To help them navigate the process, talk through challenges and connect them with the resources they need.”

Ensuring Veterans Success

Today, Jackson’s role is more than a job—it’s a mission. He ensures veterans feel supported as they navigate the complexities of higher education, their education benefits and life after military service. His own story of resilience and dedication serves as an inspiration to the students he works with.

“There are so many parts with education benefits depending on which program the student is using. When you’re going through that educational process you don’t always know all the details like how the monthly housing allowance works with the G.I. Bill,” says Capenos. “As I’ve been going through my training, I’ve learned that there’s so many things I never knew about. So, I feel like the important thing about my role here at Syracuse University is helping to give the student a peace of mind that they’re taken care of.�� Here, the student comes first.”

Capenos, along with the other school certifying officials and administrators working with the , are available to answer questions any student may have about the educational benefits.

In addition to doing presentations for student veterans and keeping them informed about updates to their benefits, the University’s school certifying officials urge military-connected students to seek them out before making any significant changes to their academic plans to ensure they’ll have the coverage they’re expecting.

A gift from William T. “Ted” Frantz ’80, P’13 will establish a new endowed chair in engineering and computer science. (Photo by Joey Heslin)

His new gift, which will be partially matched by the University through the Forever Orange Faculty Excellence Program, will establish the William T. Frantz Endowed Chair in Engineering and Computer Science. “The idea for this gift has been simmering for nearly 20 years,” says Frantz. The engineer turned investor, who has studied and invested in many promising concepts and companies, says his newest investment in ECS as part of the was a matter of just-the-right timing.

“The timing is ideal, coming on the heels of Micron Technology’s ��$100 billion commitment to the region,” says Frantz. He says the partnership opportunities between the technology company and the University are a boon for students, faculty and the wider community. “It’s a great time to invest in the University, the expansion of the engineering program and in the region. These things tend to build on each other.”

Frantz draws similarities to the success of Silicon Valley, where he once worked for Hewlett-Packard. “I witnessed the growth of Silicon Valley and how nearby universities like Stanford, Berkeley and Santa Clara provided the intellectual expertise, engineering and research,” he says. Forward-looking investors seized opportunities brought about by the region’s dynamic partnerships and ingenuity.

New Ideas

Investing in new ideas has always held appeal for Frantz, who has provided capital for companies exploring new computer technologies and biotech firms developing new therapeutics for Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, diabetes and other diseases. “It’s the challenge of seeing something grow and make a go of it, get off the ground and get bigger,” says Frantz.

The man who loves to see new ideas get off the ground and soar was perhaps inspired at a young age by his neighbors. They were airline pilots who built an aerobatic plane in the garage. A curious young Frantz helped out after school. One of those neighbors was Leo Loudenslager, who was a mechanic in the Air Force and a pilot for American Airlines, but who is best known for winning multiple U.S. Aerobatic Championships. “Leo was innovative,” says Frantz. “The design changes he made shook up the aerobatic community. And he not only built it, he flew it.”

Frantz, who has his own pilot’s license, has combined his passion for flight with his desire to fuel innovation through investment in a significant gift he made to Syracuse University students and the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering in 2008. Frantz funded the purchase and upkeep of an advanced flight simulator that would allow students to get hands-on experience with flight vehicles that they designed and to experiment “with the ‘edge of the envelope’ without endangering any persons or property.”

Edge of Innovation

Similarly, Frantz hopes his latest gift will help keep ECS on the edge of innovation, build on past successes and bring greater prestige. He notes that the gift is structured to allow for flexibility in that it is not restricted to a particular aspect or field of engineering. The recipient of the endowed chair will be selected by the dean of the college and hold a term of five years that is renewable. Frantz says flexibility allows the dean to look into the future and identify new fields where investing in faculty expertise would be most promising.

“Ted is a visionary in his approach to philanthropy,” says ECS Dean J. Cole Smith. “His background as both an engineer and investor allows him to look far into the future, to see where technology and creativity can take the next generation of engineers and computer scientists. His generosity is literally helping us shape the future of our program as we address the challenges facing our globe.”

“I’ve been studying the history of Syracuse,” says Frantz. “At one point, it was the center of commerce with proximity to the Erie Canal that allowed steel and manufacturing to thrive. But the city did not adjust to change, and new growth industries did not take root and adapt. Now, with Micron’s investment, the city has new opportunities, and Syracuse University is perfectly situated to take advantage of those opportunities.”

About Syracuse University

Syracuse University is a private research university that advances knowledge across disciplines to drive breakthrough discoveries and breakout leadership. Our collection of 13 schools and colleges with over 200 customizable majors closes the gap between education and action, so students can take on the world. In and beyond the classroom, we connect people, perspectives and practices to solve interconnected challenges with interdisciplinary approaches. Together, we’re a powerful community that moves ideas, individuals and impact beyond what’s possible.

About Forever Orange: The Campaign for Syracuse University

Orange isn’t just our color. It’s our promise to leave the world better than we found it. Forever Orange: The Campaign for Syracuse University is poised to do just that. Fueled by more than 150 years of fearless firsts, together we can enhance academic excellence, transform the student experience and expand unique opportunities for learning and growth. Forever Orange endeavors to raise $1.5 billion in philanthropic support, inspire 125,000 individual donors to participate in the campaign, and actively engage one in five alumni in the life of the University. Now is the time to show the world what Orange can do. Visit����to learn more.

This year, out of 14 student winners nationwide, four are advertising majors. And two of them are from the .

Tori Aragi ’24 and Jordan Leveille ’24, art directors in the Newhouse creative advertising program, won for five advertising campaigns they created in Portfolio 1, the first course for at Newhouse. One campaign by Aragi came from Portfolio III, the final course in the creative advertising track. Aragi and Leveille’s first-ever advertising campaigns were shown in the March/April 2024 print edition of Communication Arts.

“The fun of Portfolio I is that many students come in with no experience,” says , a professor of practice and Aragi and Leveille’s instructor in Portfolio I. “They tell me they’ve never created an advertising campaign before, and I tell them, ‘The work created in this course often goes on to win creative advertising student awards.’ Time and time again, this proves to be true. In my Portfolio I course, I don’t just teach students how to create ad campaigns; I teach them how to create compelling campaigns that are memorable.”

The Award-Winning Campaigns

“Too Tired to Function” for Raycon Wireless Earbuds

Tori Aragi’s campaign with a print ad for Raycon Wireless Earbuds.

Aragi’s “Too Tired to Function” campaign for Raycon Wireless Earbuds includes three print ads and was developed in her Portfolio I course. It is one of her three campaigns featured in this year’s print edition of Communication Arts. This campaign highlights Raycon’s superior battery life by showing Apple AirPods “falling asleep” during inconvenient travel times and uses visual solution advertising to tell this story, altering visuals to communicate the concept of the ad campaign.

“This was my first-ever advertising campaign,” Aragi says. “Professor White taught me how to blend visuals and copy to create this compelling story.”

“Hydroscape” for Hydro Flask

Jordan Leveille’s campaign featured print ads for Hydro Flask.

Leveille’s “Hydroscape” campaign for Hydro Flask, created in Portfolio I, similarly uses a visual solution approach, transforming Hydro Flask bottles into frigid, icy landscapes to represent how well the product keeps liquids cold. This concept visually links Hydro Flasks to glaciers, a recognizable symbol of cold water.

“This is a clever way of visually showing how the water bottle keeps water cold for a very long time,” White says. “Jordan is strikingly adept at using visual solution advertising.”

“Bad Hair Day” for Aveeno

Jordan Leveille’s campaign featured print ads for Aveeno.

Leveille’s “Bad Hair Day” campaign for Aveeno, created in Portfolio I, takes a playful approach with its visual solution. It depicts the torment of dealing with untreated, damaged hair by transforming the hair into a monstrosity. This campaign shows how Aveeno’s Oat Milk Hair Treatment can “tame” unruly hair, thus positioning the product as the solution to achieving hydrated, healthy locks.

“Fries Over Friends” for McDonald’s

Tori Aragi’s campaign featured print ads for McDonald’s.

Aragi’s second featured campaign, “Fries Over Feelings,” created in Portfolio I, captures the universal sting of someone swiping your McDonald’s fries. Aragi turned this everyday betrayal into a memorable ad series, blending serious undertones with exaggerated humor. Her long-form ads amplify the drama of the stolen fries by incorporating clever comedic twists.

“Professor White’s guidance on copy-based advertising was crucial in developing this idea and its comedic touch,” says Aragi.

“I’m Thirsty” for charity: water

For charity: water, a nonprofit dedicated to providing clean drinking water where many do not have access to it, Leveille came up with the idea in Portfolio I to create drinking water cans with no tab on them, making the water inside completely inaccessible. These cans would be placed in vending machines that appear to dispense free cans of water.

The can’s design is meant to give consumers a glimpse of what it’s like for people who lack access to clean drinking water, aiming to generate empathy for the 370 million individuals facing this challenge daily.��The cans lack tabs, so people cannot access the water. This design gives consumers a glimpse into experiencing first-hand, even if it’s just for a few seconds, what it’s like to have no access to clean drinking water.

Each can reads, “By making this can of water impossible to open, we have restricted your access to clean drinking water. Now you can relate to the 10% of our population who lack access to clean water daily. It shouldn’t be this difficult for anyone to quench their thirst.”

Jordan Leveille’s experiential idea for charity: water brings awareness to the fact that one in 10 people globally do not have access to clean water.

This campaign is notable for its innovative use of experiential advertising, creating a powerful and original experience for the consumer.

“The charity: water campaign tangibly recreates water inaccessibility through a completely sealed and visually identifiable can, allowing consumers to experience an issue that many typically don’t in their daily lives,” White says.

“Just Let It Go” for eBay

Aragi’s third campaign, “Just Let It Go” for eBay, was created in Portfolio III. Collaborating with copywriter Kayla Beck ’24, Aragi targeted Generation Z in the United Kingdom with this cheeky campaign.

Tori Aragi’s campaign featuring outdoor posters for eBay.

Through their research, Aragi and Beck said they found that Gen Z struggles to let go of preloved items, even when they have outgrown them. From there, the creative advertising students created a campaign that gives people the snarky shove they need to realize it is finally time to let go.

“Professor White always stressed the importance of simple ideas and cohesive campaigns, which helped me to create this project,” Aragi says.

2024 marks the sixth consecutive year Newhouse creative advertising students have won Communication Arts Students Showcase Awards.

Whitman MBA Online recent grad students from left, Bryan Perry, Diego Caro Ramirez and Melissa Clisson

The Poets&Quants’ rankings methodology relies on three categories equally relating to admissions standards, employment outcomes at graduation and academic experience, the latter two of which are based on a survey of recent alumni. In each of these alumni-based categories, Whitman was rated higher than in the last three years and ranked No. 14 overall on academic experience. Of particular note was alumni satisfaction with live synchronous classes (ranked No. 12 nationally), professor quality (ranked No. 4 nationally), responsiveness (ranked No. 12 nationally) and the amount and quality of teamwork (ranked No. 15 nationally). Whitman was again ranked No. 23 overall for career impact, with satisfaction in the ability to immediately apply what you learned in the program to your job was high (ranked No. 15 nationally).

“We are pleased to once again be among the best online MBA programs. The feedback from our students and alumni shows that the Whitman School places a tremendous emphasis on high-quality teaching, dynamic and interactive classes and overall student experience. Seeing this play out in the rankings validates our efforts and investments in these areas,” says����“Our recent alumni also show significant career benefits as a result of our MBA program. Career advancement—such as promotions and salary increases—are important factors for prospective MBA students, so we’re happy that our program scored so well nationally in this regard. It’s clear that we are a student-first program that makes a positive difference in students’ lives.”

Whitman alumni commented that they recommend the school’s online MBA program without hesitation, quoting flexibility, faculty and diversity as important to them. Alumni quotes included, “It is a great program with wonderful instructors. The flexible, online format with evening classes fits into most schedules seamlessly,” and “Whitman’s online MBA is top-notch and engaging to boot. I made extensive networking connections while furthering my own education of professional environments, and they are extremely flexible when it comes to class selection and scheduling, which is perfect for a working professional.” Another alum said “While challenging, the professors and staff of Whitman truly showed their interest in my success. The programs were interesting, engaging, and I was able to apply what I learned to my current occupation. The professors were able to apply their professional experiences to help enrich the curriculum. The one-credit residencies were fascinating and fun, in terms of the topics covered and where the residencies were held.”

, assistant dean for master’s programs adds: “Many of our courses have experiential learning opportunities and our residencies also allow students to spend a weekend diving into a specific topic in-person. Together these opportunities provide the knowledge and skills that can be immediately applied and create lasting connections. Alumni gave us high marks for the ability to create connections with fellow students (ranked No. 11) and faculty (ranked No. 6).”

faculty members , assistant professor of musical theatre, and , assistant professor of film, each won $10,000 NYSCA grants for their work.

Kathleen Wrinn

Wrinn is a musical theater performer, lyricist and librettist in the Department of Drama and founding artistic director of the department’s New Works/New Voices initiative. She earned the grant for her musical, “The Bridge, a New Musical Epic,” which was developed with the New Haven-based arts venture studio Midnight Oil Collective and was showcased at Yale University this fall.

Soudabeh Moradian is a director, producer, screenwriter and editor in the Department of Film and Media Arts. Her film, “,” is a psychological horror film exploring themes of trauma, misogyny and xenophobia.

Soudabeh Moradian

NYSCA grants also went to three University arts organizations:

• : $49,500 to support general theater productions
• (Punto de Contacto): $10,000 to support general operations
• : $10,000 to support a project by artists and .

Molina Martagon and McMillan will work in residence at Light Work in February. The project will be a participatory exploration of spirituality and emerging technologies, guiding viewers through a process of body-centered storytelling, digital avatar creation and motion-capture. The resulting work will be exhibited at Urban Video Project next fall.

This year, NYSCA to individuals and organizations. In the last six years, it has presented 302 capital grants totaling $92 million across 10 regions of the state to support visual, literary, performing and media arts organizations. NYSCA also supports individual artists and awarded grants to 426 of them last year.

A scene from “Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella” at Syracuse Stage.

Alex K. Jones

The introduction of , Willow, has sparked excitement both for its performance milestones and the ways it might help advance the commercial viability of quantum computing.

, chair of the Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Department at Syracuse University, shared his insights on the announcement and its implications for the future of the field.

Q: How significant is this announcement compared to previous quantum chips?

A: The biggest challenge around superconducting quantum systems has been noise, which limits the size of problems that can be computed. ��If a quantum problem is too large, the noise will overcome the final calculation. ��A popular approach to address the noise problem is to apply an error correction algorithm called the surface code. ��However, noise can also cause problems during error correction, itself. ��For error correction to be useful, the result after error correction must not be worse than if no error correction was attempted.

The excitement from the Google team centers on a . ��The Google team was able to demonstrate using surface code error correction they could decrease the error on their system. ��This capability has been very challenging to demonstrate previously. Successful error correction is an important enabler to make more practical, scalable quantum computers.

The actual hardware in the Google Willow chip does not advance superconducting hardware dramatically over other systems. ��For instance, their qubit device lifetimes are not as good as IBM systems. ��It seems Google has found a “sweet spot” to provide the right parameters to allow error correction to be a net positive.

If the past is prologue, then the advancements in classical computing technologies warrant excitement for commercial quantum computing.

Alex K. Jones

Q: What are some potential implications of quantum computing/real world applications?

A: Quantum computing has the potential to solve certain classes of problems much more efficiently than classical computing.�� This has to do with the exponentially increasing state space possible through entanglement that is not possible using classical approaches.�� An example is determining the prime factorization of extremely large numbers, which is accomplished with Shor’s algorithm and has applications in cryptography.

Quantum computing also has the potential to simulate large physical systems with much higher fidelity than classical approaches, which has applications to better understand our physical world as well as improve our knowledge of chemistry and material science.

There is also a significant thinking that quantum computing will enable further improvement in artificial intelligence (AI) due to the larger datasets involved, but that is much less certain.�� For small to moderate size computing problems, classical computing remains the winner.

Q: Does this push us closer to commercially viable quantum computing?��

A: This datapoint in useful error correction is a boon to the multiple companies that offer commercial quantum solutions.�� This is an important milestone toward advancing problem scale, but it is only one of many steps along the way.�� Google has noted they are limited by the same fidelity improvement floor (factor of 2) no matter how many bits of correction they employ with the surface code.�� They are now promising to join the already substantial amount of research into other error correction algorithms that could be simpler than surface codes and unlock better error correction.

However, the promise of this technology remains quite exciting and having large-scale commercial investment in the area is part of a rich ecosystem that is leading to substantial advancements.�� If the past is prologue, then the advancements in classical computing technologies warrant excitement for commercial quantum computing.

To request interviews or get more information:

Chris Munoz
Media Relations Specialist
Division of Communications
cjmunoz@syr.edu