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.

Joey Gawrysiak, executive director of the esports degree program (left) and Arnold Hur, CEO of Gen.G (Photo courtesy of Gen.G)

Syracuse University and global esports and gaming organization are collaborating on a multi-year partnership designed to enhance student engagement opportunities and support the University’s first-of-its-kind esports communications and management bachelor’s program.

The partnership will feature participation in the , which offers students the opportunity to take part in an intensive, three-week program to study in South Korea. The partnership will also bring Gen.G’s Campus Takeover conference and program to Syracuse to celebrate the University’s soon-to-be-completed esports hub in the center of campus at the Schine Student Center. Campus Takeover events draw students, faculty, professional leaders and other stakeholders from around the world to discuss key issues and emerging trends in the esports and gaming industries.

Syracuse University is the first��major university in the country to offer an esports bachelor’s program. The degree is offered jointly by the Newhouse School of Public Communications and��.

“As a leader in esports education, it is essential for Syracuse to deliver to the right mix of academic excellence and hands-on experiences to our students,” says Joey Gawrysiak, executive director of the . “Given Gen.G’s outstanding track record of delivering educational programming that resonates with students, we look forward to building this important partnership in a growing field.”

The Gen.G Practicum Abroad program will offer Syracuse students an expansive hands-on learning experience in the heart of the esports industry in South Korea. The program led by Gen.G professionals includes custom esports programming, mentorship by industry professionals, special lectures, industry “lunch-and-learns” and professional networking, all while immersing students in Korean culture and its history in esports. Students will visit competitive organizations and gaming publisher studios.

Students will also take part in Gen.G’s award-winning Campus Takeover event, which will be hosted for the first time on the Syracuse campus in��fall 2025. The free-to-enter conference will focus on supporting the esports ecosystem in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, promoting academic, broadcast and competitive excellence through informative panels and seminars featuring industry professionals. The Campus Takeover at Syracuse will also be the first to feature an innovative business case study competition.

“Syracuse and Gen.G believe education plays a critical role in the future development of esports and gaming globally, so we’re committed to delivering hands-on experiences for the students who seek a rewarding career in our industry,” says Arnold Hur, CEO of Gen.G. Hur and Yugina Yan, the company’s assistant director of operations for education will serve as development advisors to the Syracuse’s esports program.

Last spring, Gen.G hosted industry lectures for students in the Department of Sport Management in Falk College and a marketing lecture exclusively for Syracuse esports students during the League of Legends World Championships in Berlin.

Gen.G’s commitment to education is celebrating its fifth year with its Gen.G Foundation, a $1 million pledge over the next 10 years to advance the importance of education in the esports and gaming industry. The foundation awards scholarships to more than 40 students across the United States. Gen.G also operates the Gen.G Global Academy, the world’s first fully integrated academic esports program in Korea.

About Gen.G

United under #TigerNation, Gen.G’s core mission is to help fans and athletes use the power of gaming and esports to get ahead in and beyond the competition. With an emphasis on education, DEI initiatives, and innovative partnerships, Gen.G is a commercial and thought leader, building a global, inclusive and cross-cultural future for gaming. Its unique portfolio of teams includes the Seoul Dynasty (Overwatch League), League of Legends Champions Korea (LCK), the Gen.G & Gen.G Black VALORANT teams, the PUBG Gen.G team, and the NBA2K’s Gen.G Tigers (the first non-NBA owned team in the NBA 2K League). Gen.G has also been a major proponent in seamlessly bringing in non-endemic brand partners to the world of gaming and esports, including 1Password, Burberry, Crocs, King’s Hawaiian, McDonald’s, Mobil1, Procter & Gamble, Toyota, and more. Gen.G also operates the Gen.G Global Academy, the world’s first fully-integrated academic esports program in Korea. Gen.G’s teams, content creators and corporate staff work out of their offices in Los Angeles, Seoul and Shanghai. For more information, visit GenG.gg or follow on Twitter @GenG.

Syracuse University established the in 1989, one year after the December 1988 bombing of Pan Am 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland, that claimed the lives of all 270 people on board, including who were returning from a semester studying abroad. Each Remembrance Scholar is paired with a victim and is tasked with honoring that individual and keeping their memory alive.

Miriam Luby Wolfe

When Sutherland found out she was accepted, she was studying abroad in India.

“I looked at my email and just immediately started crying,” says Sutherland, a public health major from St. Louis, Missouri. “It was instant honor and gratitude, but then as soon as you’re happy and excited, the next feeling that comes in is that weight and that heaviness of what that means to officially be a Remembrance Scholar.”

The news was equally emotional for Hulme, a public health major from Saratoga, California, whose grandfather had worked as a Pan Am pilot.

“I was on the phone with tech support for a computer problem when I got the email that I was selected as a Remembrance Scholar and I was so emotional I had to tell tech support I’d call them back,” Hulme says.

Miriam Luby Wolfe’s mother, Rosemary, sent this heartfelt note to Remembrance Scholar Alyssa Sutherland.

Sutherland’s scholarship is in honor of , a student in the College of Visual and Performing Arts who had spent her semester in London interning at King’s Head Theatre and studying dance, dramatic literature, acting, voice and art history. Sutherland has connected through email with Miriam’s mother, Rosemary, who now lives in Hawaii. Rosemary sent Alyssa a copy of her book, “,” with a handwritten note, “For Alyssa, May life bring you many blessings. With love and Aloha! Rosemary.”

Hulme’s scholarship is in honor of , a student in the College of Visual and Performing Arts. He was an actor and athlete who competed on the Syracuse University men’s lacrosse team. Tabitha learned about Turhan’s life by spending time in the and having conversations with his friends, and she discovered almost kismet connections.

“There were so many commonalities between my life and his that I never expected to experience,” Hulme says. “In high school, he did journalism, and he got a national award for the type of journalism he did. It ended up that my father had actually received that same award when he was in high school.”

Turhan Michael Ergin

Sutherland and Hulme both share a strong dedication to service and intend to keep Miriam’s and Turhan’s memories with them throughout their lives. At this year’s , the two shared the following remarks:

Sutherland: “I lay this rose in memory of Miriam Luby Wolfe. I am acting forward by being a leader on campus and beyond. I am using my skills to promote and teach cultural competency as well as the importance of inclusivity and interdependence in every community.”

Hulme: “I lay this rose in honor of Turhan Michael Ergin. When I think of the profound impact of Pan Am Flight 103, I am reminded of the quote, ‘Grief is love with no place to go.’ This flight–meant to bring together family members, friends, beliefs, stories, cultures, and, above all else, love–has changed my perspective on action. As a pre-medical student studying public health and health humanities, I plan to act forward by pursuing a career as a physician focused on patient equity and forever a dedication to service.”

The annual Pan Am Flight 103 memorial service will be held at 2:03 p.m. EST on Saturday, Dec. 21, at Hendricks Chapel (that is the time of the incident over Lockerbie). The service will begin in the chapel’s Noble Room, with attendees then processing to the Place of Remembrance.

Learn more about the and to be a Remembrance Scholar.

Erica Kiduko self-secured an internship with the Global Peace Foundation to connect and enhance the research in her thesis with a hands-on summer internship.

Erica Kiduko G’25, who grew up in Tanzania, decided to use her 2023-24 to help further her research and promote education around gender-based violence through a nonprofit in the country.

Kiduko, who is pursuing a master’s degree in Pan-African studies in the , was doing her thesis research on the status of women in Tanzania and a National Plan of Action to help prevent violence against women when she decided to expand her work through a Clements Internship.

“I was working on a project that is my passion, and I applied for an internship that captured my goals and my passions,” Kiduko says.

The Mark and Pearle Clements Internship Awards are now open for juniors, seniors and graduate students of any major who seek to further their career development through undertaking self-obtained unique internship opportunities. The award provides students with financial assistance to help in the pursuit of their unique professional goals.

The award typically provides students with $1,500-$6,000 to assist with internship-related travel, accommodations, required materials or living expenses.

Erica Kiduko

Kiduko was working on a thesis titled “Reckoning an Icon: Exploring Scholarship and Activism of [Kenyan professor] Mĩcere Gĩthae Mũgo,” where she explored the ongoing imbalance women in Tanzania face and why, despite the implementation of the National Plan of Action, many women were still experiencing physical violence.

The action plan focuses on protecting the rights of women and girls, preventing such violent acts from occurring in the future and providing relief to help violence victims recover, but Kiduko says many of the citizens are unaware of the plan and many of the laws in place to protect these girls and women aren’t strict enough.

Wanting to connect and enhance the research in her thesis with a hands-on summer internship, Kiduko turned to the Clements Internship Award to study the effectiveness of the National Plan of Action through a self-secured internship with the Global Peace Foundation, which was one of the organizations involved in launching the National Plan of Action.

As a program officer, Kiduko worked on the Global Peace Foundation’s Uniting to End Violence Against Women in Football [soccer] initiative, which focused on both resolving issues of gender-based violence in women’s soccer and changing the societal norms and behaviors that often prevent victims of violence from reporting these incidents.��Kiduko worked with soccer players ages 16 to 25.

“The initiative was trying to promote women’s empowerment by preventing gender-based violence while creating a safe environment for everyone to play their sport,” Kiduko says.

Kiduko helped run workshops where she and her fellow program officers would provide consultations to determine how much they understood about the prevalence and risks of violence while also equipping them with the knowledge of how to proceed should they witness an attack. One of the culminating projects was the release of an app where the players could anonymously report incidents of violence, whether they were the victims or the witnesses to an attack.

Erica Kiduko (back row, third from the left) turned to the Clements Internship Award to study the effectiveness of Tanzania’s National Plan of Action to help prevent violence against women through a self-secured internship with the Global Peace Foundation.

“It can be really hard for these players to report these incidents. Soccer could be their entire life and they’re afraid of being taken off the team for reporting an attack,” Kiduko says.

How will Kiduko apply the critical lessons learned through her internship and apply them to her work once she graduates from Syracuse University?

“Once I graduate, I still plan on exploring this community-driven approach to solving the important issue of gender violence. Now, I can conceptualize the different types of activism, from political and humanitarian activism, and I’m so grateful to have received the Clements Internship Award,” Kiduko says.

Applying for the 2024-25 Mark and Pearle Clements Internship Award

This year’s application process closes on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. In addition to being responsible for self-securing internships, students interested in applying are also required to include their internship proposal, including outlining the purpose and goals of the internship and how this relates to their educational and career objectives. Interested students also need to secure a faculty or staff sponsor letter by the application deadline. Visit the for complete details.

Coach Mac’s daughters Janet Sweeney and Maureen MacPherson unveil the plaque for the Coach Mac Food Pantry at Hendricks Chapel. They were joined by their families, at left, and Chancellor Kent Syverud, College of Engineering and Computer Science Professor of Practice Dr. Ruth Chen, Sean McDonough ’84 and Vice President and Hendricks Chapel Dean Brian Konkol. (Photos by Zobayer Joti)

For 10 seasons, Syracuse football coach Richard “Dick” MacPherson (Coach Mac) led his team on the gridiron–propelling Syracuse Football back to the national powerhouse it once was. But it was the legendary football coach’s commitment to faith, family and the Orange that left an indelible mark on the Syracuse University community and the City of Syracuse. Although Coach Mac passed away in 2017, his legacy lives on at Syracuse University and in the former student-athletes and students whose lives he touched.

Last month, members of the Syracuse University community, Coach Mac’s family and loved ones, former student-athletes and alumni gathered to celebrate the dedication of the at Hendricks Chapel. The devout Catholic and dedicated family man was born in 1930 amid the Great Depression, the eleventh of 12 children. Like so many families during that time, putting food on the table wasn’t easy. That’s an experience Coach Mac never forgot. And that’s why it is only fitting that nearly a century later, the food pantry at Hendricks Chapel, at his beloved Syracuse University, now bears his name.

Sean McDonough ’84 provided a lead gift for the renaming of the food pantry.

The naming of the food pantry was made possible by generous benefactors, including the lead gift from Sean McDonough ’84, longtime sportscaster and member of the Hendricks Chapel Advisory Board. McDonough met Coach Mac in the fall of 1980, worked for him for three and a half years as a work-study assistant, and maintained a special relationship with him.

“He became to me a father figure, a mentor, a shining example of how life should be lived, particularly by someone in the public eye,” McDonough says. “He was a Hall of Fame person who embodied his considerable Catholic faith through his abundant love and kindness. Much more than one of the greatest football coaches of all time, he was an all-time great as a husband, a father, a grandfather, a brother, son, friend, mentor and a citizen of the world. He radiated God’s love in his interactions with everyone he encountered. He cared about everyone, everyone was and is important to Coach Mac. God is love. And Coach Mac was and is love.”

In recent years, McDonough, the MacPherson family and Hendricks Chapel Dean Brian Konkol began exploring ways to properly honor the man Coach Mac was off the field.

“We decided the food pantry would be the right place, the perfect place to honor Coach Mac and his life of compassionate care and service to others,” McDonough said. “In the place where faith is nourished and where people of many beliefs come to grow deeper in their faith.”

Cameron MacPherson ’16. G’18, Coach Mac’s grandson, looks at photos of his legendary grandfather.

In attendance at the naming ceremony and dedication were Chancellor Kent Syverud, Dr. Ruth Chen and members of the MacPherson family including Coach Mac’s daughters, Maureen MacPherson L’84 and Janet Sweeney ’85, G’92; son-in-law Greg Sweeney; and grandchildren Richard “Macky” MacPherson ’13, G’18, and his wife, Rachel, Cameron MacPherson ’16, G’18 and Suzy MacPherson ’20 and Molly Sweeney. Coach Mac’s wife, Sandra, who became a surrogate mom to many of Coach Mac’s players, died in January.

During his remarks, Konkol reflected on the significance of naming ceremonies. “Today we celebrate that the name of Richard MacPherson, Coach Mac, will be displayed here at Hendricks Chapel,” said Konkol. “We celebrate that from this day forward, more people will see his name. More people will be inspired by his name. Because more will associate his name with faith, with kindness, with generosity and with service.”

Coach Mac’s daughters, Janet Sweeney ’85, G’92 and Maureen MacPherson L’84, outside the food pantry named in honor of their father.

Chancellor Syverud recalled the first time he met Coach Mac, sharing breakfast together at the Chancellor’s House shortly after his arrival in Syracuse in 2014.

“He did most of the talking, and he talked about three subjects: football, family and Syracuse,” Chancellor Syverud recalled. “His greatest joy would be seeing the great human beings that each member of his family continues to be. What we’re doing right here is we’re honoring a good man.”

During the ceremony, a plaque that welcomes visitors to the food pantry was unveiled. Maureen MacPherson reflected on her father’s service off the field. “When he did food drives with the Salvation Army, it was personal to him. And for him to have this food pantry named after him, he’d be thrilled,” she said.

There are currently two food pantries on campus: the Coach Mac Food Pantry in Hendricks Chapel and another on South Campus. Both pantries rely on and donations.

Alison Murray, the chapel’s assistant dean for student assistance, is reminded daily of the importance of the food pantry. “Whenever someone supports the work of the pantry, they are directly supporting our students,” she said.

Leondra Tyler, Hendricks Chapel student engagement coordinator and a senior in the College of Arts and Sciences, says “the Coach Mac Food Pantry plays an important role in the heart of campus in Hendricks Chapel. It allows students to have less worries, enhance their college experiences and succeed.”

Following the dedication ceremony, Coach Mac, who served as coach of the Orange from 1981-90, was inducted into the Ring of Honor during halftime of the Orange vs. Connecticut game in the JMA Wireless Dome.

“There are individuals across campus, in many different kinds of roles, who consistently go above and beyond in service to our university,” says Jamie Winders, vice provost for faculty affairs. “The Chancellor’s Citation for Excellence provides the perfect opportunity to recognize those individuals.”

Faculty, staff and students may be nominated in one of four categories:

• Award for Faculty Excellence and Scholarly Distinction (faculty)
• Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Student Experience and University Initiatives (faculty or staff)
• Award for Excellence in Student Research (students)
• Lifetime Achievement Award (faculty)

More information about the award and the nomination process is . Questions may be directed to Amanda Latreille at 315.443.5413 or arlatrei@syr.edu.

Ghael Fobes ’22, an alumnus of the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, has been named a 2025 Marshall Scholar.

The Marshall Scholarship program was created by an Act of British Parliament in 1953 as a living memorial to former U.S. Secretary of State Gen. George C. Marshall and American assistance provided following World War II. The scholarship allows up to three years of fully funded graduate study in any academic topic at any university in the United Kingdom. Fobes is one of 36 students selected from around the country and is Syracuse University’s seventh Marshall Scholar.

“Marshall Scholars continue to represent the very best of American society, dedicating their time and effort to address some of the great challenges of our time, from cyber security and artificial intelligence to advancing our knowledge of the universe,” says Dame Karen Pierce, British ambassador to the U.S. “The Marshall Scholarship remains an integral part of the U.K.-U.S. relationship, established through British gratitude to General Marshall at the end of WWII. We are delighted to welcome such a diverse and talented group of students to the U.K. next year as they continue their studies at some of the U.K.’s top academic institutions.”

Fobes plans to pursue two master’s degrees—in data and artificial intelligence (AI) ethics and in future governance—at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland. He began producing for NBC News as an intern in college and is currently an associate White House producer for NBC News in Washington, D.C. In his position, he has a firsthand perspective on the role that AI is playing in journalism today.

“I think the effects right now are pretty wide-ranging and pose some great opportunities and challenges,” Fobes says. “For example, we’ve been using artificial intelligence tools at NBC News to make transcription more efficient and effective. We also use them to help verify the provenance of social media content. As for challenges, I think anybody using social media has seen a flood in content created with generative AI. That presents significant obstacles to journalists’ ability to quickly determine the veracity��of content.”

Building upon his Marshall experience, Fobes hopes to return to NBC News ready to lead an innovation office embedded in the network’s newsgathering operation. “My goal is to develop ethical workflows that enhance our ability to gather and present news, focusing specifically on expanding efforts to combat digital misinformation,” he says.

As an undergraduate, Fobes majored in broadcast and digital journalism in the Newhouse School and minored in political science in the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs and the College of Arts and Sciences. He was a Syracuse University Scholar and Commencement class speaker in 2022, and says he continues to carry his Syracuse University experience with him.

“My coursework and the faculty at Newhouse and Maxwell deepened my technical knowledge of broadcasting, sharpened my storytelling skills, and broadened my understanding of domestic and international politics,” he says.��“While a lot��of the learning behind my broadcast degree allowed me to hone my use of a camera, what was truly enriching was learning from Professor Les Rose about the subtleties��of interviewing and story development. It is not just about what catches someone’s eye, but is also about finding ways of introducing your audience to new people, places and perspectives.”

Fobes says his academic experience prepared him for working at NBC News. “It gives me a great foundation for approaching my Marshall Scholarship proposal for developing ethical newsgathering workflows with AI,” he says.

“I am especially grateful to Syracuse for its focus on preparing students with professional development and networking opportunities, and for its satellite campuses in New York City and Washington, D.C,” he says. “Specifically, I’m thankful for Professor Cheryl Brody Franklin’s mentorship through the Newhouse NYC program and Professor Charlotte Grimes, who led the Robin Toner Program in Political Reporting, which I was a part of for four years. They opened the door that allowed me to intern at NBC News throughout my time at SU.”

Fobes��also worked for the Daily Orange. He led the newspaper’s audio department, expanding its footprint as the founder, editor and host of “The Daily Orange” podcast.��“I am grateful to the Daily Orange for giving me the creative space and resources to launch our weekly podcast. Leading the podcast taught me how to pitch and integrate new technologies into the operations of a storied newspaper,” he says.

Fobes worked with the University’s Center for Fellowship and Scholarship Advising (CFSA) on his Marshall application.

“Ghael’s extraordinary record of service and leadership in his field—and his preparation for and commitment to graduate study in artificial intelligence ethics—made him an outstanding candidate for the Marshall Scholarship,” says Jolynn Parker, director of the CFSA.��“We are thrilled this award will help him achieve his goals.”

Fobes is grateful to Parker and CFSA. “I would not have known about, pursued or completed the application, much less gotten the award, without Jolynn’s encouragement and guidance,” he says. “I am also grateful for the professors who took the time to conduct mock interviews with me.”

Students interested in applying for national scholarships that require University endorsement, such as the Marshall Scholarship, should complete an “intent to apply” form with Center for Fellowship and Scholarship Advising by the end of June 2025 and plan to work with��.

The Syracuse University football game day kit has everything you need to show your Orange pride and support our amazing student-athletes.

Get pumped, Orange Nation! Excitement is building as the Syracuse University football team gets ready for the DIRECTV Holiday Bowl in sunny San Diego, California, on Friday, Dec. 27 at 8 p.m. EST/5 p.m. PST. Remember this winning season with your very own game day kit, which has everything you need to show your Orange pride and support our amazing student-athletes.

What’s in the Game Day Kit?

Inspired by favorite traditions like “beat buttons” and banner flips, the kit includes:

• an 11-inch by 17-inch poster featuring Coach Fran Brown to track the season’s games;
• an 8.5-inch by 11-inch sticker sheet with Beat [Opponent] banners, game dates and pennant stickers to customize your poster;
• five Otto temporary tattoos to boost your game-day spirit; and
• a small felt Syracuse pennant to add some Orange flair to any space

How Can I Get One?

and make a gift of $10 or more to the Athletics Opportunity Fund, and a kit will be sent straight to you!��Get your game day kit now and cheer on the Orange while supporting our student-athletes. It’s a win-win, just like we’re hoping the end of this season will be with a win in the Holiday Bowl. Let’s go, Syracuse!

The Intelligence++ program is an interdisciplinary initiative that fosters innovation and entrepreneurship to enhance the lives of individuals with intellectual disabilities. It was established in 2020 in collaboration with the (InclusiveU) and the .

The program features an inclusive entrepreneurship and design curriculum open to students across disciplines which encourages participants to design and develop tangible solutions that address challenges faced by people with intellectual disabilities. Students work in teams to conceptualize and prototype innovations in a hands-on, inclusive approach that blends principles of design thinking, entrepreneurship, and social impact.

Gianfranco Zaccai ’70 H’09 works with students from Intelligence++ program in the Blackstone LaunchPad at Syracuse University Libraries.

The program is supported by the Zaccai Foundation for Augmented Intelligence, thanks to a generous donation from Gianfranco Zaccai ’70 H’09. This funding underscores a commitment to translating research and creativity into real-world applications that promote accessibility and empowerment for individuals with disabilities.

“From artificial intelligence to digital technologies and physical products, this field is positioned for rapid growth,” says Zaccai, who hopes the program will attract students from diverse academic disciplines, fostering innovation in accessibility. “Participating students can join the leading edge of innovation.”

, introduced as an extension of the program, provides additional funding and resources to commercialize these ideas, enabling students to take their projects from concept to market-ready solutions. Students from all schools and colleges can apply for the Intelligence ++ Ventures fund, regardless of their participation in the original Intelligence++ course. The applications are rolling and will be reviewed as received. Applications are not limited to students in the Intelligence ++ program; however, applicants who have worked with the program can demonstrate the necessary discovery work with people in the field to validate their invention or innovation.

Applicants must submit a detailed project proposal, along with a scope and budget supported by a business commercialization plan that demonstrates a clearly identified production and sales path. Students must also demonstrate that they have a production or manufacturing partner capable of producing their innovation, and/or a technical team in place to deploy a commercial roll-out. Submissions must be beyond the concept stage and should have the potential to be deployed in the market within six months. If successfully executed, a student may apply for a second grant to introduce a new product line. A maximum of two grants may be awarded through the program.

An interdisciplinary group of faculty with expertise working in the disability field will make up the review team for proposals.

More information about Intelligence ++ is available . An Intelligence ++ application template can be requested by email or by visiting Bird Library Room 123.

The fellowship will support three months of field research in 2025 for a multi-year research project, “Civil Society Thrives in the Kafana: Locally Led Development and Grassroots Civic Engagement in Serbia.”

Catherine Herrold

Herrold will explore how Serbian civil society actors understand, implement and measure the effectiveness of initiatives such as sustainable agriculture, cultural festivals and community development programs by grassroots groups and philanthropic entities outside of professional non-governmental organizations.

The project builds on past research and collaborations with scholars at the University of Belgrade and contacts in Serbian civil society and international aid agencies. Herrold intends to produce a book, academic journal articles and policy briefs and hopes to build public engagement through opinion pieces and podcasts as well as course content.

“Professor Herrold’s research can help better explain how to build and maintain a dynamic society through the participation of everyday people at the grassroots,” says , associate dean for research and Merle Goldberg Fabian Professor of Excellence in Citizenship and Critical Thinking. “She epitomizes Maxwell’s commitment to engaging on pressing issues of democracy around the world and bringing those lessons back to campus.”

The Fulbright-Hays Program awards grants to U.S. teachers, administrators, pre-doctoral students and postdoctoral faculty as well as to institutions and organizations for overseas research and training that focus on non-Western foreign languages and area studies. The program is funded by a congressional appropriation to the U.S. Department of Education.

Maxwell School Associate Professor Catherine Herrold will spend three months in Serbia as she continues her research on civil society and grassroots development initiatives.

Herrold received a U.S. State Department Fulbright Scholar award for her 2023 research on citizen-led development initiatives in Serbia as well as the 2023 University of Maryland Do Good Institute and Association for Research on Nonprofit Organizations and Voluntary Action (ARNOVA) Global Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership Award.

She spent five years doing similar research in Egypt and Palestine for her book, “Delta Democracy: Pathways to Incremental Civic Revolution in Egypt and Beyond” (Oxford University Press, 2020), which was awarded ARNOVA’s Virginia A. Hodgkinson Research Book Prize.

Herrold is a senior research associate for the Middle Eastern Studies Program and the Program for the Advancement of Research on Conflict and Collaboration and an associate professor by courtesy appointment in the political science department. Her research focuses on global civil society, international development, democracy promotion, nonprofit management, and collaborative and participatory governance.

Story by Michael Kelly

Since 1954, ALLUNY has�� brought together law library staff and people interested in law libraries from Upstate New York for professional development, networking and social activities. It is comprised of academic, court and law firm librarians. ALLUNY is a chapter of the American Association of Law Libraries (AALL), the national organization for law libraries. While other chapters have struggled to keep members engaged, ALLUNY has seen success in participation from its members, in part, due to its compelling strategy around its meetings.

On Oct. 25, ALLUNY held its annual meeting as a hybrid event, both in person at the College of Law and online. Approximately 70 attendees participated in this year’s annual meeting. “Offering the ALLUNY annual meeting as a hybrid event makes it more accessible for everyone,” says Petitto. “While the dialogue and collegiality in person is important, it’s just not practical for those single practitioners who may be the only law librarian at their organization to leave for the day. This way, everyone who wants to participate is able.”

In addition to making the meeting physically accessible, ALLUNY also works to keep it financially accessible. Registration to attend for members is only $30, $35 for nonmembers and $15 for students. Plus, ALLUNY offers several grants and awards to offset member costs. ALLUNY encourages all librarians and library students to attend its annual meetings. In this way, it hopes to build a pipeline for future law library professionals.

For the second year in a row, the topic of the annual meeting centered around artificial intelligence (AI). This year’s theme was “Pioneering AI from Classrooms to Courtrooms.” Presentations, roundtables and discussions included real-life tools, applications and ethical considerations around the use of AI in law schools, law libraries and in the practice of law. Expert speakers were professors, legal professionals and AI experts from law library resource collections. AALL Executive Board Member Andre Davison from Harris County Robert W. Hainsworth Law Library, Houston, Texas, spent several days visiting law libraries in the Syracuse area and was the keynote speaker.

This year’s annual meeting sessions included:

• “15 Ways Law Libraries Can Use Generative AI” presented by Ellyssa Valenti Kroski, New York Law Institute
• “AI in Law School” presented by Nina Scholtz, Cornell Law School
• “AI in the Practice of Law – a Paralegal’s View” presented by Brigid Purtell, Bousquet Holstein PLLC
• “The History of AI Ethics” presented by Elisabeth Lasch-Quinn, Campbell Public Affairs Institute in the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs and Mary Szto, College of Law
• Aaron Eberle from LexisNexis and Ryan Groff and Erica Mohai from Thomson Reuters also shared updates around Generative AI developments in legal databases
• “AI Roundtable” led by Teresa Vadakin, Hurwitz Fine PC

“AI is a tool that librarians are in a good position to help users–students, faculty and legal practitioners– make use of in an ethical way,” says Petitto. “Ensuring that our association stays abreast of trends and makes professional development accessible and affordable is important, and I was pleased that the Law Library could play an important role.”

Tickets . Due to a special 40th anniversary combined dinner program setting, guests are encouraged to reserve their tables and seats as soon as possible.

This annual event is known as the largest of its kind on any college campus. The dinner program seeks to honor the life and legacy of a leader who brings hope and healing to our world and is a direct expression of Syracuse University’s commitment to advancing academic excellence at a university welcoming to all.

“Forty is a special number, and 40 years is a special commitment. We are honored to welcome President Sarah Willie-LeBreton as our featured speaker for this historic 40th anniversary celebration,” says the Rev. Brian Konkol, vice president and dean of Hendricks Chapel. “Through her remarkable impact built through years of dedicated service, President Willie-LeBreton honors her father’s legacy by creating a legacy of her own, and she inspires us all to spark and sustain a better world.”

An accomplished administrator, scholar and sociologist who studies social inequality and race and ethnicity, Willie-LeBreton is known for her commitment to the liberal arts, strengthening community and energizing the work of equity and inclusion.

Willie-LeBreton earned a bachelor’s degree from Haverford College in 1986, and a master’s degree (1988) and Ph.D. (1995) from Northwestern University, all in sociology. After having taught at Colby College (1991–95) and Bard College (1995–97) in tenure-track appointments, she was tenured at Swarthmore College, where she served as coordinator of the Black Studies Program and chair of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology for a total of 17 years. She was appointed as provost and dean of the faculty at Swarthmore in 2018 and served in that role until 2023.

Willie-LeBreton currently serves on the boards of the Grand Canyon Conservancy, the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities in Massachusetts and the Consortium on Financing Higher Education. She is a member of and has been active in the Eastern Sociological Society, Sociologists for Women in Society, the Association of Black Sociologists and the American Sociological Association (ASA). For several years, she reviewed sociology and affiliated departments as a member of the ASA’s Departmental Resources Group.

Willie-LeBreton follows in the footsteps of her father,��who came to Syracuse University in 1950 as a graduate student and teaching assistant in sociology. He later earned his doctorate in 1957 from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs. When he was appointed chair of the sociology department in 1967, he became the first Black department chair in Syracuse University history and later, the first Black full professor. He served as vice president for student affairs from 1972-74, becoming the University’s first Black vice president. A graduate and class president of the Morehouse College class of 1948, Willie’s legacy will forever be tied to his classmate Martin Luther King Jr., whom he recruited to the Syracuse University campus to speak in 1961 and 1965.

The 2025 program marks the 40th year for the MLK Celebration at Syracuse University, which will include an address from Willie-LeBreton, student and community group performances, and a presentation of this year’s .

Dinner buffets will open at 5 p.m. and will be held near the JMA Dome’s west end zone. Guests can enter the “Courtside Lounge and Suites” entrance located between Gates A and B. Halal, Kosher, gluten-free and vegetarian options will be available. This year all guests will remain at the tables for the program.

Ticket purchase options are as follows:

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

Guests may order up to eight dinner and program tickets online. To purchase one full table (eight seats), select eight total tickets and proceed to checkout. To purchase more than one table or more than eight individual tickets, or if experiencing difficulties, please call the JMA Dome Box Office at 1.888.DOME.TIX (315.443.2121), option four.

Buy tickets online at��, in person at the Dome Box Office inside Gate B at 900 Irving Ave. (Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) or by phone (888.DOME.TIX or 315.443.2121, option four). Tickets will be mobile this year and uploaded directly to your MyCuse account to manage upon purchase. View the for more information.

Free parking is available in the , the , and the . American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation, AIRA and Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) will be available for the event.

For more information about the MLK Celebration or to request accommodations, contact Hendricks Chapel at��chapel@syr.edu��or 315.443.2901. Learn more about this and other Hendricks Chapel events by visiting .

“Following the transformation of the former Sheraton Hotel, it was clear that there was still a significant need for additional hotel and event space in the area immediately adjacent to our campus,” says Brett Padgett, senior vice president and chief financial officer. “While we are in the early stages of this process, we are confident a new hotel will not only serve our campus community well, it will also further strengthen the University’s role as a vibrant and integral part of the City of Syracuse and Onondaga County.”

At this time, the University is planning to build a roughly 200-room, full-service hotel that will have a three-meal restaurant and event space. The new hotel will be built at the corner of University Avenue and Harrison Street across from the University Avenue Garage. University leaders are currently meeting with high-profile hotel brands to determine which brand may meet the needs and expectations of our campus community. At the same time, the University is also collaborating closely with Onondaga County leadership to ensure that this effort is aligned with and advances the future needs of the city and county communities.

The University will focus on selecting a brand partner while advancing the design, development and permitting phases. Following Board of Trustees approval, the University anticipates opening the new hotel in the fall of 2027.

Robert E. Dineen Jr. (center) served on the Board of Trustees from 2007 to 2016 and was a member of the Budget and Advancement and External Affairs committees. He was also a member of the College of Law Board of Advisors and the National Alumni Association Board.

Dineen Jr. was generationally attached to the College of Law. His parents had attended the College of Law and Dineen Hall is named in honor of them: Robert E. Dineen Sr. L’1924, H’66 and Carolyn Bareham Dineen L’1932. His mother was one of only two women in her class. His father was raised in the Irish immigrant neighborhood near the law school at the western edge of the University campus, a neighborhood referred to as “the swamp.”

Dineen Jr. passed away Oct. 12, 2024, at 84. He served on the Board of Trustees from 2007 to 2016 and was a member of the Budget and Advancement and External Affairs committees. He was also a member of the College of Law Board of Advisors and the National Alumni Association Board. He was generous in his philanthropy, supporting scholarships and financial aid for law school students.

“For decades, Bob Dineen Jr. played a major role in ensuring Syracuse University remained at the forefront of legal education,” said Chancellor Kent Syverud. “That’s evident in all the ways he continued to give back to his alma mater, including his years of dedicated service on the Board of Trustees and on the College of Law Board of Advisors. His family’s transformational gift led the way in creating a state-of-the-art facility to support the next generation of law students, while honoring his parents’ legacy. And Bob’s accomplishments in finance law across the globe demonstrate that a Syracuse education can take our students anywhere.”

When Hannah Arterian became dean of the College of Law in 2003, she asked for Dineen Jr.’s assistance in creating a strategic plan to form a new Board of Advisors. She described him as “an incredible person” for his guidance. ��He was a driving force behind the capital campaign that would bring Dineen Hall to life—a 200,000-square-foot building that brought together the law school community under one roof for the first time and would be hailed as one of the most architecturally attractive law school buildings in the world.

Robert E. Dineen Jr.

Dineen Jr. had attended the College of Law after earning his undergraduate degree at Brown University. He served as editor of the Syracuse Law Review and was named to the Order of the Coif and the Justinian Honor Society. In 2010, the College of Law presented him with its Law Review Alumni Achievement Award.

Dineen Jr. had a successful career focused on public finance transactions. He was also a specialist in U.S. and international private banking and financial transactions, including equipment and project financing.

He was a partner of Shearman & Sterling LLP, a leading international law firm from 1974 until his retirement in��December 2005. While at Shearman & Sterling, he led several of the firm’s corporate groups, including those responsible for Latin America and Asia as well as��its global project finance work. Over the years, he spent significant time in the firm’s offices in Algeria, Hong Kong, London, New York, Paris, Toronto, and Washington.

“Bob’s brilliant career in international legal and financial transactions and steadfast client relationships inspires our students to excel in everything they do,” says College of Law Dean Terence Lau L’98. “As commendable is his leadership, along with his siblings, in honoring their parents when they led the campaign to build Dineen Hall that our students, faculty, and staff are thankful for every day.”

Dineen Jr. is survived by his wife, Jeanne C. Olivier, Esq., and his sister, the Honorable Carolyn Dineen King H’06, judge and former��chief judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.

Photo by Marilyn Hesler

Need to de-stress this finals week? How about spending some time with a 102-pound, want-to-be lap dog? There’s also a fluffy Alaskan Malamute who loves to be smothered with hugs or everyone’s favorite Goldendoodle.

These friendly, furry campus visitors are part of the , which partners with community organizations to offer pet therapy opportunities throughout the semester, especially during finals. Don’t miss your chance to snuggle with one of these furry friends in the Walters Pet Therapy Room in The Barnes Center at The Arch.

SU News caught up with three of the therapy dogs that frequent the University—Bella,�� Samuel and Clayton—and their owners to learn a little more about each.

Bella and Stepien at a Syracuse Mets game (Photo courtesy of Sue Stepien)

Bella

Bella is a 102-pound Bernese Mountain dog who just celebrated her sixth birthday this past Saturday. This is the second year that Bella and her owner, Sue Stepien, have been part of Pet Partners of CNY—a nationally recognized therapy animal program serving Central New York—and have been visiting the University.

Bella, who thinks she is a lap dog despite her size, is so smart that she knows when it is time to head out into the community in the afternoons. The pair not only visit the University but also the local hospitals and schools.

“We love to get out and meet new people,” Stepien says. “The students especially, they love to chat about their pets back home.”

Not only will you see Bella in the Walters Pet Therapy Room, but you may also see her at various special events on campus.

Samuel

Samuel and Raterman at the Teal Ribbon Walk. The pair participated in honor of Raterman’s grandmother, who passed away from ovarian cancer. Samuel has been asked to lead the walk this coming year. (Photo courtesy of Kim Raterman)

Samuel is a 90-pound Alaskan Malamute who recently turned four. He and his owner, Kim Raterman, work as a team to facilitate their mission of bringing health and happiness to all.

Raterman, a certified health coach, uses pet therapy as part of her practice since it aids in reducing stress, improving motivation and increasing overall health. The pair has also been with Pet Partners of CNY for two years.

Not only do they visit the University, but they also visit other schools and adult day centers and participate in wellness events, including walks in the community. However, visiting the University holds a special meaning to them.

“The students’ faces light up immediately when they see Samuel,” Raterman says. “I love to watch his body language when we are at an event. He has the ability to pick out the person in a group who needs him the most, even when they might not be aware of how much they need him. It’s beautiful to watch.”

You can follow the adventures of Samuel on his .

Clayton

Last, but certainly not least, is Clayton. He is an 8-year-old Goldendoodle who has been visiting the University through the Pet Partners program for seven years. You may have seen his cute face before as he is often featured in promotional ads for the University’s pet therapy program.

What is unique about Clayton? There are five members of the Vescio/Arcuri family who are all certified to go out in the community with him. How did this all start? Pet Partners of CNY had a recruiting table in one of the local pet stores, and while at the time Clayton was too young, once he became a year old and was eligible, Nick Vescio, his wife, daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter all became certified. The family works together to attend events all over the community but says the University is their favorite.

“We love engaging with the students and making genuine connections with them,” Vescio says. “They will sit down and talk about their dogs and show us pictures and they like to look at a photo album we carry with us with pictures of Clayton since he was a pup.”

The Vescio/Arcuri family with Clayton (Photo courtesy of Nick Vescio)

The annual Pan Am 103 memorial service will honor the 270 people, including Syracuse University study abroad students, who were killed when Pan Am Flight 103 was destroyed by a terrorist bomb on Dec. 21, 1988.

The service will honor the 270 people, including Syracuse University study abroad students, who were killed when Pan Am Flight 103 was destroyed by a terrorist bomb over Lockerbie, Scotland, on that date and at that time 36 years ago. Chaplains will offer prayers and reflections.��The event will also be offered virtually;�� is required to receive the YouTube link.

Personal reflections and memories, which can be submitted upon registration, may be included in the ceremony. Closed captioning will be provided.

Requests for additional accommodations can be made by contacting Hendricks Chapel at��chapelevents@syr.edu.

This service is offered in partnership with the Remembrance and Lockerbie Scholars, Hendricks Chapel and the Office of Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving.

A memorial service at the Pan Am 103 memorial cairn at Arlington National Cemetery, organized by the Victims of Pan Am Flight 103 families group, will also be held that afternoon.

First-year head coach Fran Brown guided Syracuse to a 9-3 record and an appearance in the Holiday Bowl, the 29th bowl appearance in program history. (Photo courtesy of Syracuse University Athletics)

For the third straight season, the Syracuse University football team has qualified for a bowl game, the first time the Orange have secured back-to-back-to-back postseason appearances since a run of five consecutive bowl games from the 1995 to 1999 seasons.

On Sunday afternoon, Syracuse (9-3, 5-3 in the Atlantic Coast Conference) learned it will take on the Washington State Cougars (8-4) in the DIRECTV Holiday Bowl in San Diego, California. The game kicks off at 8 p.m. EST/5 p.m. PST on Dec. 27 and will be broadcast nationally on FOX.

Fans who are interested in making the trip to California to cheer on the Orange can visit for information on the Holiday Bowl, including how to purchase tickets. Fans are encouraged to buy their Holiday Bowl tickets through Syracuse Athletics to ensure their seats in the Syracuse sections of Snapdragon Stadium.

This year’s squad earned the 29th bowl appearance in program history, with the Orange sporting a 16-11-1 record all-time in bowl games. This will be Syracuse’s first time playing in the Holiday Bowl.

First-year head coach Fran Brown has the Orange at 9-3 after the regular season, tied for the most regular season victories by a first-year head coach in program history. Syracuse will enter the bowl game ranked in the College Football Playoff (No. 21), Associated Press (No. 22) and USA Today Coaches Polls (No. 25).

The Orange closed out the regular season with a thrilling 42-38 win over No. 8 Miami inside the JMA Wireless Dome on Nov. 30, a game where the Orange pulled off the largest comeback in school history (rallying from down 21 points), earned its first top 10 win since 2017 and secured its third win over a ranked opponent for the first time since 1998.

A win in the Holiday Bowl would be Syracuse’s 10th this year and would represent the program’s third 10-win season since the 2000 campaign.

The Orange and the Cougars have met once before, in 1979, with Syracuse defeating Washington State by a score of 52-25. With construction occurring on the JMA Wireless Dome, that game was played at then Rich Stadium in Orchard Park, New York, home of the NFL’s Buffalo Bills.

• Friday, Dec. 13, through Monday, Dec. 16: Bird Library will be open 24 hours a day and Carnegie Library will be open until 11 p.m.

The Libraries is also offering the following destress activities at Bird Library during finals:

• Dec. 4-13: Positivity station on the first floor of Bird Library. Students can pick up study goodie bags, encouraging notes with candy, coloring pages and snacks.
• Tuesday, Dec. 10: Stop by Room 114 for the Libraries wellness room. Destress from finals from 4 to 6 p.m. and participate in coloring, Zen boards, guided meditation, chair massage pillows and board games.
• As a reminder, the Libraries’ have two MindSpa ��available to reserve.

Rebecca G. Johnston

Rebecca G. Johnston recently joined Syracuse University Libraries this fall as the social sciences and humanities Librarian in the Department of Research and Scholarship.

In this role, Johnston will be subject�� librarian in the subjects of African American studies, history, language and literature (except French), Latin American studies, Lesbian, Gay Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) studies, Native American studies, philosophy, religion and women’s and gender studies.

Prior to joining Syracuse University Libraries, Johnston was a reference librarian at Wells College. She obtained a bachelor’s degree in English and history from the College of Wooster, and master’s degrees in library and information science and history from Simmons University.

Today’s announcement follows the creation of the University’s first housing strategy which was co-led by Senior Vice President and Chief Student Experience Officer Allen Groves and Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Brett Padgett. Other university leaders, including John Papazoglou, senior vice president and chief operations officer, and Pete Sala, vice president and chief facilities officer, among others, were also part of the group charged with crafting the strategy. As part of the group’s work, its members surveyed students to assess their housing expectations, reviewed Syracuse University’s current housing stock, and toured recent renovations and new construction at peer institutions.

“A lot of intentional thought around current and future needs and cross-campus collaboration went into developing this housing strategy,” says Groves. “Not only is the University focused on enhancing its housing stock for students, but we’re also thinking strategically about how we can create and offer housing options for other important campus constituency groups, including new faculty, staff and graduate students. I am grateful to everyone who contributed to this important work and look forward to seeing progress as demolition and construction get underway.”

The forthcoming demolition and new construction builds on the recent conversions of both the former Sheraton Syracuse University Hotel & Conference Center and the apartment complex formerly known as the Marshall into residence halls. Orange Hall (formerly the Sheraton) and Milton Hall (formerly the Marshall) opened to students this academic year and currently house 660 sophomores in total. The new residence halls will be the first built since Ernie Davis Hall opened 15 years ago.

“Prospective students are looking at the total experience when determining which university to attend, and that includes housing,” says Padgett. “One of the most common pieces of feedback from our current students was the desire to have more modern living accommodations that offer gathering spaces, multipurpose rooms and other amenities that support their ability to thrive inside and outside of the classroom. The two new residence halls will offer all of that and more and serve Syracuse University students for decades to come.”

In addition to the new residence halls being built at the former sites of Marion and Kimmel Halls and Comstock Avenue Garage, the University will also construct a new residence hall at 544 University Place, along Ostrom Avenue, adjacent to Thornden Park. This new facility will house approximately 570 students. The design is nearing completion, and construction is anticipated to begin early in 2025.

The state’s new paid prenatal leave is first-in-the-nation and gives employees the ability to take up to 20 hours of paid leave for health care services related to the employee’s pregnancy in a 52-week period. The paid prenatal leave is in addition to the existing sick time available to University employees and will not carry over to the next year.

To learn more, visit the .

Questions about these changes should be directed to HR Shared Services at 315.443.4042.

Joe Sidoni, associate director of Drumlins food and beverage, carves a turkey as students look on (Photos by Chuck Wainwright)

The University’s International Thanksgiving Celebration marked its 40th anniversary on Nov. 21 in the Schine Student Center’s Goldstein Auditorium. The beloved University tradition is believed to be the only celebration of its kind on a college campus in the United States.

Students David Ojo and Stephanie Hua served as the evening’s emcees

The seed for today’s celebration was planted in 1965 when T.E. Koshy left his home in India and came to Syracuse to pursue a doctoral degree in the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications. With no family in Syracuse, no car and few resources, he found himself homesick, recalls his son, Jay Koshy.

“He was in his room one day, probably feeling a little bit lonely, and came up with an idea. God was speaking in his heart, telling him to reach out to fellow international students and be a blessing,” Koshy says.

T.E. Koshy, who later became the University’s Evangelical Christian chaplain, started serving free meals to international students, a practice that continues to this day through the Evangelical Christian chaplaincy at Hendricks Chapel, which Jay Koshy now leads.

T.E.’s wife, Dr. Indira Koshy, joined him in ministry to the campus community. They decided to start offering a free Thanksgiving meal to international students. “It was a great opportunity to provide a blessing to students, most of who had not experienced an American Thanksgiving meal and who could not go home for the holidays,” says Jay Koshy.

In the early years, the meal was offered in Rockefeller Church in the University’s eastern neighborhood. There, the Koshys and Indira’s mother, Dinah Perry, provided a sense of family and community for international students. In subsequent years, the celebration moved to campus.

Evangelical Christian Chaplain Jay Koshy, back row center, has been to every dinner since its inception and has been a table host for many years. His father, the late T.E. Koshy, began the tradition, Jay’s son, Josh Koshy ’24, stands next to him.

The Nov. 21 celebration was sponsored by the Chancellor’s House and the Center for International Services. Dr. Ruth Chen, professor of practice in the College of Engineering and Computer Science, and Juan Tavares, director of the Center for International Services, serve as co-hosts. Stephanie Hua, an undergraduate student in the Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics and David Ojo, a Ph.D. student in the College of Engineering and Computer Science, served as the evening’s emcees.

This year’s event was attended by more than 600 people. During dinner, table hosts—faculty, staff and community members—engaged attendees in conversation and answered questions about the history and traditions of Thanksgiving. It’s also an opportunity for those attending to learn about different cultures. Jay Koshy, who has attended every celebration since its inception, offered the invocation and served as a table host. His son, Josh Koshy ’24, also attended.

Regina Jones and Neal Powless delivered the Native Thanksgiving Address

The Native American blessing was given by Regina Jones, member of the Oneida Nation Turtle Clan and retired assistant director of the University’s Native Student Program, and Neal Powless, member of the Onondaga Nation Eel Clan and University ombuds.

Food Services prepared and served traditional Thanksgiving fare: 600 pounds of turkey, 15 gallons of gravy, 250 pounds of mashed potatoes, 200 pounds of corn and 135 pies. Kosher and Halal turkey and vegetarian options were also served. Vendors from the greater Syracuse area donated the food, linens and table decorations.

A highlight of the evening was the ceremonial carving of the turkey on the Goldstein Auditorium stage. Students, with camera phones in hand, eagerly crowded around Associate Director of Drumlins Food and Beverage Joe Sidoni as he carved the turkey.

A musical performance was given by Ania Kapplani, Catherine Cosenza and Kai Wong, jazz and commercial music studies students in the Setnor College of Music in the College of Visual and Performing Arts. The evening closed with a benediction by Christian Protestant Chaplain Devon Bartholomew.

Michael Tick, dean of the College of Visual and Performing Arts, serves to students at his table

“It was my honor to co-host the 40th Annual International Thanksgiving Celebration,” says Tavares. “I really enjoyed sharing this time at the table with nine students from different countries. I am especially grateful for the Chancellor and Dr. Chen’s continued support of this tradition.”

Tula Goenka, professor of television, radio and film in the Newhouse School, attended the first dinner 40 years ago. She was an international student studying for a master’s degree in the Newhouse School. She attended with her housemate, who was also an international student.

After years as a filmmaker, Goenka returned to the Newhouse School to teach. She has served as a table host at the celebration for many years. As the Newhouse Dean’s Leadership Fellow, one of her charges is outreach to international students.

“When I realized it had been 40 years since that first dinner, it was a full-circle Thanksgiving for me. I have been fortunate to not only teach hundreds of students over the years, but also help create a sense of belonging,” she says.

Chancellor Kent Syverud hosted a table and gave welcoming remarks at the celebration

Jedidiah Koubiessi, a first-year student from Monrovia, Liberia, attended for the first time. This was her first experience with the traditional American Thanksgiving.

“It was a good way to bond and celebrate together,” she says. “Thanksgiving as a whole is very meaningful to me, as it is always good to reflect and see how far I have come, and be thankful for my journey so far.”

Jay Koshy says his parents, who have both passed away, would be proud to see the tradition that they established and nurtured continues to flourish today. “They would be thrilled that it is continuing and would be thrilled to see the care they have for their international students during Thanksgiving,” he says. “I am so thankful to Dr. Chen and Chancellor Syverud and to all who are involved. I know international students are thankful and blessed to be able to experience this.”

Students enjoy the celebration

In addition to the regular University holidays of Dec. 25 and Jan. 1 and bonus days Dec. 24 and 31, the following days have been designated as paid Orange Appreciation Days: Dec. 23, 26, 27 and 30.

Units providing essential services that will remain fully operational during the Winter Break include the Department of Public Safety and Facilities Services.

Services During Orange Appreciation Days/Winter Break

Admissions and Enrollment Processing
The office will be closed for Orange Appreciation Days/Winter Break and will reopen on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, at 8:30 a.m.

Advancement and External Affairs

Advancement Services staff will maintain business hours at the 640 Skytop Office Building Dec. 26, 27, 30 and 31, 2024 to receive and process fundraising gifts.

Building Occupancy

The University will be operating under its Orange Appreciation Days format for the winter break period from 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 20, 2024, through Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. Normal business hours will resume on��Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025

During the Holiday/Orange Appreciation Days period:

Request for Building Access (locking):
If you require your building to be open over the Winter Break/Orange Appreciation Days period, please submit a request to your��building coordinator, noting the specific dates and times. Requests should be made by 5 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 12. (Note that faculty and staff will be able to access the buildings you work in, as usual, by using their SU I.D. cards, even when the buildings are locked.)

Building temperatures will be lowered to 60 degrees unless prior arrangements have been made.

Request for Adjustments to Temperature and Lighting:
Deans, directors and department heads may submit a detailed request for adjustments to temperature and lighting during the Winter Break/Orange Appreciation Days period. Please review the University’s temperature guidelines. We ask that requests be made using the Maximo Maintenance system by 5 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 12. Requests will be reviewed and approved by either the vice president and chief facilities officer or the provost.

Important: Buildings Not Included in Winter Break Reduced Occupancy Schedule
The following buildings will be excluded from the temperature setback, and will remain on normal access, temperature and lighting settings:

640 Skytop Road
Heroy Geology Laboratory
Bowne Hall – Fourth Floor
Lyman Hall – Fourth Floor
Sims Hall – Department of Public Safety
Center for Science and Technology
Bird Library – Operating hours are listed on the library website
Life Sciences Complex
Link Hall
Physics Building
Ensley Athletic Center
South Campus Library Facility
Lally Complex
Carmelo Anthony Center
Tennity Ice Rink
Crouse Hinds Hall

Questions on building occupancy can be directed to the Department of Energy Systems and Sustainability Management, 315.443.1535 or��energy@syr.edu.

Bursar’s Office

In continuation of Syracuse University’s commitment to providing comprehensive benefits and in appreciation of the contributions of faculty and staff, the Bursar’s Office will be closed from Saturday, Dec. 21, through Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025, and will reopen on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, at 9 a.m. Student account payments can be made through MySlice under the billing/payments tile. Questions may be directed to the����form. The Bursar’s Office will monitor incoming questions sent through this form and will respond��as quickly as possible during this time.

Campus Bus Shuttle
The campus shuttle service will operate on a reduced schedule until the conclusion of Winter Break. For schedule updates, visit��parking.syr.edu. If a matter is urgent, on-call staff can be contacted through the Department of Public Safety at 315.443.2224.

Campus Dining
Hours of operation for campus cafes and other dining facilities can be found on the��.

Campus Planning, Design and Construction

The office at 1320 Jamesville Ave. will be closed from 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 20 through Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. Normal business hours will resume on Thursday, Jan. 2. If you have project-specific questions, please reach out to the assigned project manager. For general information, email��cpdc@syr.edu.

Campus Store

The Campus Store will be closed Saturday, Dec. 21, through Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. During this time, the online store will be available for customer orders. Orders received on or after Friday, Dec. 20, will be processed beginning Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025. Staff will be available beginning Thursday, Jan. 2, at 8:30 a.m. Please contact��campusstore@syr.edu��with questions or for assistance.

Cash Operations (Bowne Hall)
The offices at Bowne Hall will be closed. For questions, email��cashops@syr.edu. Email will be monitored daily.

Counseling

Counseling will be closed from Monday, Dec. 23, through Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025, as well as Monday, Jan. 20. However, in the event of a mental health emergency, or if there is a need to contact a member of the Sexual and Relationship Violence Response Team, 24-hour services remain available. These services can be accessed by calling 315.443.8000.

Custodial Services��

Services will be provided, on a reduced basis, in academic and administrative buildings. All residence halls close on Wednesday, Dec. 18, and no custodial services will be provided. If assistance is needed, call 315.443.1234.

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Delivery and pick up will be provided to departments requesting service. Arrangements for service can be requested by contacting Materials Distribution at��e-materials@syr.edu.

Deliveries (UPS and FedEx)

Materials Distribution will be operating/delivering Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., from Monday, Dec. 23, through Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025, with the exceptions of Wednesday, Dec. 25, and Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. If your department has a specific request pertaining to deliveries over Winter Break, please email��e-materials@syr.edu.

Disability Benefits and Workers’ Compensation Benefit Payments
Disability benefits checks will be on regular payroll schedule. For those who don’t use the direct deposit option, checks will be mailed to the employee’s home address by the payroll department during the week of Dec. 23. For assistance with workers’ compensation checks, please contact our third-party administrator, PMA, at 1.888.476.2669. For assistance during Orange Appreciation Days, contact Sheera Buckley at��slbuck01@syr.edu��or 315.416.9066.

Disbursements

Disbursements will not be processing payments after Thursday, Dec. 19. The last payment run will be the night of Thursday, Dec. 19, for distribution and handling on Friday, Dec. 20. After Thursday, normal processing will resume on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025.

To ensure timeliness of payments your department may have, please make appropriate arrangements to have requests received in the disbursements processing email��disburse@syr.edu��or in the��automated payment request module��or in the��MySlice Travel and Expense Center��on or before��2 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 9,��for the following:

• Vendor invoices on a purchase order (PO)
• Requisitions with invoices attached off PO
• Consultant forms
• Wire transfers: foreign and domestic
• Out-of-pocket travel submissions for employee or non-employee guests
• Travel advances for travel scheduled during the end of December 2024
• Clearing any outstanding travel advances for travel that occurred prior to December 2024

*Other considerations—Should your time sensitive payment requests require additional approvals such as sponsored or restricted fund approvals, please allow additional time to your planning process.

All JPMC credit card transactions, for activity through Nov. 30, 2024, should be submitted in the��MySlice Travel and Expense Center��on or before��5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 20.

Drumlins

The Tennis Club will operate as follows:

Dec. 22, 8 a.m.–8 p.m.

Dec. 23, 8 a.m.-9 p.m.

Dec. 24, 8 a.m.-1 p.m.

Dec. 25, closed

Dec. 26, 8 a.m.-9 p.m.

Dec. 27, 8 a.m.-7 p.m.

Dec. 28, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.

Dec. 29, 8 a.m.-8 p.m.

Dec. 30, 8 a.m.-9 p.m.

Dec. 31, 8 a.m.-2 p.m.

Jan. 1, 2025, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

Normal hours of operation will resume on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025. Call 315.446.2323 for court times and reservations

Bistro 1926 will operate as follows:

Dec. 23, 8 a.m.-9 p.m.

Dec. 24, 8 a.m.-1 p.m.

Dec. 25, closed

Dec. 26, 8 a.m.-9 p.m.

Dec. 27, 8 a.m.-7 p.m.

Dec. 28, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.

Dec. 29, 8 a.m.-8 p.m.

Dec. 30, 8 a.m.-9 p.m.

Dec. 31, 8 a.m.-2 p.m.

Jan. 1, 2025, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

The Banquet Sales Office will be closed starting Monday, Dec. 23, and will reopen Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025.

The Golf Shop will be closed beginning Monday, Dec. 23, and reopen Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025.

The Business Management Office will be closed beginning Monday, Dec. 23, and reopen on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025.

Energy Systems and Sustainability Management��

The Energy Management Operations Center is staffed 24/7. For building systems scheduling questions or concerns, call 315.443.1535. For building access issues, contact the Department of Public Safety at 315.443.2224.

Enrollment Management
The office will be closed during Orange Appreciation Days/Winter Break and will reopen on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, at 8:30 a.m.

Environmental Health and Safety Services

Environmental Health and Safety Services will have on-call staff available to assist in the event of a hazardous materials spill or emergency during Orange Appreciation Days/Winter Break. Environmental Health’s on-call staff can be contacted through the Department of Public Safety at 315.443.2224.

Equal Opportunity, Inclusion and Resolution Services

The office will be closed on Wednesday, Dec. 25, and Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025, and bonus days on Dec. 26 and Dec. 29. On Dec. 27 and Dec. 28, this year’s designated Orange Appreciation Days, the office will be available to employees by email at��equalopp@syr.edu.��Email will be checked once a day on Orange Appreciation Days and emergencies will be addressed within 24 hours. The office will return to normal business hours on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, at 8:30 a.m.

Financial Aid and Scholarship Programs
The office will be closed for Orange Appreciation Days/Winter Break, and will reopen on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, at 8:30 a.m.

Fire and Life Safety Services

Fire and Life Safety Services will be staffed on Orange Appreciation Days from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. If assistance is needed, call 315.443.5474 or the Department of Public Safety at 315.443.2224. On Wednesday, Dec. 25, and Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025, contact the Department of Public Safety at 315.443.2224.

Health Care at the Barnes Center at The Arch

Health Care at the Barnes Center will be closed from Monday, Dec. 23, through Wednesday Jan. 1, 2025, as well as Monday, Jan. 20; 24-hour on-call service is available at 315.443.8000.

Hendricks Chapel

The chapel will host the annual Pam Am 103 Memorial Service on Dec. 21 at 2:03 p.m., and will then be closed through Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. The chapel’s food pantry will be available upon request (chapel@syr.edu) for those in need, and will fully reopen on Monday, Jan. 6, 2025. For additional information please visit the chapel����or call 315.443.2901.

Housing, Meal Plan and I.D. Card Service Centers
The offices at 111 Waverly Avenue and 210 Goldstein Student Center will be closed beginning 5 p.m., Friday, Dec. 20. Both location centers will resume regular business hours on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025. If you have an emergency that requires immediate attention, please contact the Department of Public Safety at 315.443.2224.

Human Resources

The office will be closed for Orange Appreciation Days/Winter Break. However, employees can reach HR Shared Services by calling and leaving a message at 315.443.4042 or by email at��hrservice@syr.edu. The voice and email service will be checked twice daily on Orange Appreciation Days, and emergencies will be addressed promptly. All other matters will be addressed when the University returns to regular business hours, 8:30 to 5 p.m., on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025.

ITS Support
ITS support staff is available by calling 315.443.2677, by emailing��help@syr.edu��or by chatting with us on�����ǰ�����during regular business hours through Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024, and at the following dates and times:

• Dec. 20 to 23, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Dec. 26 to 30, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For ITS support during days and times outside those listed above, email��help@syr.edu��or call 315.443.2677. If you choose to call, follow the automated prompts and leave a message for the on-call ITS staff. On-call support is available outside the hours listed above and on the following dates: Dec. 24, 25 and 31 and Jan. 1, 2025.

The ITS Help Desk will��resume regular business��hours on Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2025.

ITS��Service Center In-Person Support Hours����������������������

The ITS Service Center in Room 1-227 of the Center for Science and Technology will be closed starting Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024, and will be moving locations during the break. The new location will be in the lobby of the Women’s Building, and will tentatively reopen on Jan. 10, 2025. Users needing assistance can call 315.443.2677 or��help@syr.edu��before we reopen.

Updates and Hours of operation will be available on the��.

Libraries

All libraries will be closed beginning Saturday, Dec. 21, through Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025, with the following exception: Bird Library will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 21, from noon to 8 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 22 and from noon to 6 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 26, Friday Dec. 27 and Monday Dec. 30. Special Collections, located on the sixth floor of Bird Library, will not be open on these days. All Library hours can be found on the��.

Mail Services

Delivery and pick up will be provided to departments requesting service. Arrangements for service can be requested by contacting Mail Services at 315.443.2803 or emailing��mailsrvc@syr.edu. A����is available.

Maintenance Requests

Maintenance requests for academic and administrative buildings, residence halls, dining facilities or South Campus apartments may be requested by contacting Facilities Services immediately at 315.443.1234.

Materials Distribution

Deliveries and pick up will be provided to departments requesting service. Arrangements for service can be requested by contacting Materials Distribution at 315.443.1940 or��. Service requests should be e-mailed to��e-materials@syr.edu.

Media Inquiries/University Communications
The University’s media relations team’s email,��, is monitored regularly over Orange Appreciation Days/Winter Break. Urgent media inquiries should be directed to Sarah Scalese, senior associate vice president for University communications, at��sescales@syr.edu.

Paycheck Distribution��

Weekly Pay Immediately Prior to Winter Break
Weekly pay for the work week ending Wednesday, Dec. 11, will be paid on Wednesday, Dec. 18. Paper paychecks will be delivered to the employee’s department; direct deposit will be available to individuals’ accounts. Employees who have not signed up for direct deposit and will therefore receive a paper paycheck should inquire with their department for check delivery.

All paper paychecks are delivered to the employee’s home department on payday. As a reminder, anyone with a NetID and password is able to set up direct deposit through MySlice.

Weekly and Semi-Monthly Pay During Winter Break
Pay for the work week ending Wednesday, Dec. 18, will be paid on Tuesday, Dec. 24. Pay for the work week ending Wednesday, Dec. 25, will be paid on Tuesday, Dec. 31. This is the last paycheck of the calendar year 2024 Form W-2 reporting period.

The semi-monthly pay period ending Tuesday, Dec. 31, will be paid on Tuesday, Dec. 31. This is the last paycheck of the calendar year 2024 Form W-2 reporting period.

Employees who have not signed up for direct deposit, and will therefore receive a paper paycheck, should ensure their permanent address is accurate by going to MySlice and clicking on the personal profile tile on the employee home page. Weekly paper paychecks dated Tuesday,��Dec. 24, and Tuesday,��Dec. 31,��and semi paper paychecks dated Tuesday,��Dec. 31,��will be mailed via the U.S. Postal Service to the employee’s permanent address on file.

Direct deposit for the weekly payroll will be available in individuals’ accounts on Tuesday, Dec. 24, and Tuesday, Dec 31. Direct deposit for the semi-monthly payroll will be available to individuals’ accounts on Tuesday, Dec. 31. Payments by direct deposit can be viewed anytime on MySlice by clicking on the payroll tile on the employee home page.

Weekly Pay Immediately After Winter Break
Pay for the work week ending Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025, will be paid on Wednesday Jan. 8.

Payroll Deadlines

Weekly Payroll Deadlines Immediately Prior to Winter Break
The week ending Wednesday, Dec. 11, paid on Wednesday, Dec. 18:

• Time approval is due by 3 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 12.
• Online RAP approval is due by 5 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 12.

The week ending Wednesday, Dec. 18 , paid on Tuesday, Dec. 24:

• Time approval is due by 3 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 19.
• Online RAP approval is due by 5 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 19.

Semi Payroll Deadlines Immediately Prior to Winter Break
Semi online RAPs for the pay period ending Tuesday, Dec. 31, are due by 5 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 18.

Weekly Payroll Deadlines During Winter Break

The week ending Wednesday, Dec. 25, paid on Tuesday, Dec. 31:

• Time approval is due by 3 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 26.
• Online RAP approval is due by 5 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 26.
• Employees will be paid (or not paid) based upon the time that has or has not been approved in the system. Any adjustments or corrections will have to be submitted for payment in the following pay period. There will be no special checks processed.

Payroll Frequently Asked Questions

If I do not have direct deposit, how will I get my paychecks on Tuesday, Dec. 24 and Tuesday Dec. 31?
Paychecks will be mailed to your permanent address. You can verify your permanent address is accurate by going to MySlice and clicking on the personal profile tile on the employee home page.

Where can I sign up for direct deposit?
Log onto MySlice and click on the payroll tile on the employee home page.

Why might I not receive a paycheck at my home by Tuesday, Dec. 24, and Tuesday Dec. 31?
Several reasons could result in you not receiving your paper paycheck on or before Tuesday, Dec. 24, and Tuesday Dec. 31. Your permanent address in MySlice has to be correct. For example, if you have moved and did not change your address, the paper paycheck will be delivered to the address per MySlice and either forwarded to your new address (if you have filed a change of address form with the U.S. Postal Service) or it will be returned to Payroll. Either case will result in potentially significant delays in your receipt of your paper paycheck.

What happens if my permanent address is incorrect in MySlice?
Since paper paychecks will be delivered by the U.S. Postal Service, Syracuse University cannot control, track or locate your paycheck once mailed. If you have filed a change of address form with the U.S. Postal Service to forward your mail, delivery of your paycheck will be delayed. If no such form has been filed, the paper paycheck will be returned to Payroll. Either case will result in potentially significant delays in your receipt of your paper paycheck.

How do I change my permanent address?
Log in to MySlice and click on the personal profile tile on the employee home page.

If I receive my weekly paper paycheck before Tuesday, Dec. 24, and Tuesday Dec. 31, or my semi-monthly paper paycheck before Tuesday, Dec. 31, can I cash/deposit it?
No. Paychecks dated Tuesday, Dec. 24, or Tuesday, Dec. 31, are not valid prior to that date.

What happens if I don’t receive my paper paycheck?
If you have not received your paycheck by Thursday, Dec. 26, you can call Payroll at 315.443.4042, option 2, and leave a message with the following information:

• Indicate that you did not receive your paycheck.
• Give your name and SU I.D. number.
• Give the name of the University department that you were expecting pay from.
• Provide a telephone number where you can be reached.
• Messages will be reviewed at various times during the day and calls will be returned as soon as possible.

No special checks will be issued during Winter Break.

Public Safety
The Department of Public Safety will remain open 24/7 during the Orange Appreciation Days/Winter Break. For emergencies or assistance, call 315.443.2224, connect with us via the Orange Safe app, or text or email��711@syr.edu.

Purchasing
With Orange Appreciation Days approaching, the Purchasing Department wishes to make you aware that any eProcurement requisition received after Friday, December 13, may not be sent out until after Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025. If your purchase requires a bid to be completed, the requisition should be received by Friday, Dec. 6, to ensure processing.

All JPMC credit card transactions, for activity through Nov. 30, should be submitted in the MySlice Travel and Expense Center on or before 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 20.

Other purchasing considerations to take into account as we approach the break:

Should your purchase request require additional approvals such as those for sponsored or restricted funds, please build in additional time to your planning process. If your purchase is over $50,000, please allow additional time, as the Office of Budget and Planning must review and approve those orders before they are released. Contact Vincent Patriarco at 315.443.7427 or��vmpatria@syr.edu��with any questions.

Recreation and Fitness

The recreation and fitness areas at the Barnes Center at The Arch, Ernie Davis Hall and the Tennity Ice Skating Pavilion are closed from Saturday, Dec. 21, through Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. For updates on operating status, visit the��.

Registrar’s Office

The office will be closed for Orange Appreciation Days/Winter Break. If you need to reach our office during the closure, please email��registrar@syr.edu.

Research Integrity and Protections

Facilities Services will have staff on campus throughout Orange Appreciation Days/Winter Break to monitor and maintain building systems for research spaces.��For emergencies or assistance, please call the Department of Public Safety at 315.443.2224.

Snow Clearing

Normal snow clearing activities will take place. If assistance is needed, call 315.443.1234.

Sponsored Programs
The Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) will have limited staff checking email during the Orange Appreciation Days/Winter Break period. OSP can be contacted at��ospoff@syr.edu��or Stuart Taub can be contacted directly at��staub@syr.edu.

Submission of applications with deadlines during the Orange Appreciation Days/Winter Break period should be coordinated with OSP staff in advance of the break to ensure timely review and authorization.

Student Box Office

The Student Box Office is now virtual. Please email any questions to��boxoffice@syr.edu.

Student Engagement

The Hildegarde and J. Myer Schine Student Center and the Ann and Alfred Goldstein Student Center will be open during the following times:

• Dec. 18 to 20: Schine 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Goldstein 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• Dec. 21 to Jan. 1, 2025: Closed
• Jan. 2 to 3: Schine 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Goldstein 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• Jan. 4 to 5: Closed
• Jan. 6 to 9: Schine 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Goldstein 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• Jan. 10: Schine 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., Goldstein 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• Jan. 11: Schine 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., Goldstein 10 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Jan. 12: Schine 8 a.m. to midnight, Goldstein 9 a.m. to midnight

Student Experience

Career Services, Fraternity and Sorority Affairs,��Health Promotion (Barnes Center), Student Employment and the Office of Community Standards will all be closed from Monday, Dec. 23, through Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. If issues arise during this time, please contact the Department of Public Safety at 315.443.2224 for assistance. New Student Programs will be closed Monday, Dec. 23, through Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. To support the arrival of our new and returning first-year and transfer students, staff members will respond to voicemails and emails during this time.

Student Living

Student Living’s main offices will be closed Monday, Dec. 23, through Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. On-call staff will be available in the event of emergencies. If issues arise during this time, please contact the Department of Public Safety at 315.443.2224 for assistance.

Student Outreach and Support

The office will be closed for Orange Appreciations Days/Winter Break; however, the Division of the Student Experience staff is on call during this time in the event of a student emergency; please contact the Department of Public Safety at 315.443.2224 for assistance. For 24/7 health and wellness support, contact the Barnes Center at The Arch at 315.443.8000

Student Title IX Case Management

The office will be closed for Orange Appreciation Days/Winter Break, however, on-call staff will be available to respond if issues arise. To file a report, email��titleix@syr.edu.��In the event of a student emergency, please contact the Department of Public Safety at 315.443.2224. For 24/7 health and wellness support, contact the Barnes Center at The Arch at 315.443.8000.

Syracuse Abroad

The Syracuse Abroad main campus office will be closed from 2��p.m. Friday, Dec. 20, through Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025, reopening at 8:30 a.m., on Thursday, Jan. 2.The general voicemail (800.235.3472 or 315.443.3471) and email (suabroad@syr.edu) will be checked regularly. In case of a true emergency, please call the Department of Public Safety: 315.443.2224.��For more information, visit the��.

Technology Transfer
Staff will be checking email during the Orange Appreciation Days/Winter Break period and will respond to urgent matters as needed. Invention disclosures with imminent publication (conference presentation/poster session, grant application, paper submission) deadlines prior to Monday, Jan. 6, 2025, should be coordinated with the Office of Technology Transfer staff well in advance of Friday, Dec. 20, to ensure timely review and filing for protection.

Treasurer’s Office
The Treasurer’s Office at 621 Skytop Rd. will be closed starting Saturday, Dec. 21, through Wednesday Jan. 1, 2025. Only critical functions will continue to be performed during this time, including secure gift processing, bank transfers and electronic payments. For any requests for the Treasurer’s Office of an urgent nature, please e-mail��treasoff@syr.edu��with the subject heading URGENT or call Scott Kemp at 315.443.6204.

University Credit Cards
Please contact J.P. Morgan directly at 1.800.316.6056 for any issues related to lost or stolen cards, fraud charges or declined transactions. Please be aware that the digits 6 through 9 of your SU I.D. number is the pin number on file. University staff will also be available to handle credit issues relating to University procurement or credit cards by email to��JPMCSUCC@syr.edu��or by calling 315.443.1957 or 315.443.2281.

Additional information regarding Orange Appreciation Days/Winter Break services and resources may be found at:

Questions on building occupancy can be directed to the Department of Energy Systems and Sustainability Management at 315.443.1535 or��energy@syr.edu.

Course Highlights

The NSF I-Corps program is nationally recognized for helping researchers bridge the gap between laboratory discoveries and commercial applications. Through hands-on activities and expert mentorship, participants will engage in the critical process of customer discovery, learning to identify the best product-market fit for their technology or research project. The program opens the door to government grant programs such as (fund investments of up to $2 million with no equity to help bring research to market), as well as private investments.

The program includes a combination of live virtual sessions and one-on-one meetings offering teams an opportunity to receive additional guidance from the course instructors and refine their discoveries.

Participants will gain:

• Firsthand experience with customer discovery
• Feedback and mentorship from NSF-trained instructors
• A clearer understanding of the product-market fit for their innovations; and
• The potential to be nominated for the NSF I-Corps Teams program, which offers additional resources and support.

Schedule

One-hour virtual class sessions are offered at convenient times for participants. Two days are scheduled for 1:1 mentoring sessions.

• Session 1: Monday, Feb, 17, 2025
• Session 2a: Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025 — (1:1 mentoring meetings)
• Session 2b: Friday, Feb. 21, 2025
• Session 3: Monday, Feb. 24, 2025
• Session 4: Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025 — (1:1 mentoring meetings)
• Session 5a: Wednesday, March 5, 2025
• Session 5b: Monday, March 10, 2025
• Session 6: Wednesday, March 12, 2025

NSF I-Corps programming is co-led by Linda Dickerson Hartsock, strategic initiatives advisor at the Libraries; Jeff Fuchsberg, director of the Syracuse Center for Advanced Systems and Engineering (CASE); and Cristiano Bellavitis, assistant professor of entrepreneurship in the Martin J. Whitman School of Management, who serves as project research lead. Whitman Interim Dean Alex McKelvie serves as principal investigator for the University’s NSF I-Corps grant.

For more information about the upcoming NSF I-Corps course, contact Hartsock at ldhart01@syr.edu or Fuchsberg at jrfuchsb@syr.edu.

About the NSF I-Corps Program

The NSF Innovation Corps (I-Corps) is a program designed to help researchers in the STEM fields transition from fundamental research to the commercialization of their ideas. Through a national network of training programs and partnerships, I-Corps provides the knowledge and skills needed to evaluate the commercial potential of scientific and technological innovations.

The course is offered through Syracuse University as a partner in the��, funded by the NSF, led by Cornell University, with other collaborators, including Dartmouth College, Rochester Institute of Technology, SUNY Binghamton, SUNY Buffalo, University of Pittsburgh, University of Rochester, University of Vermont and West Virginia University. The hub is part of the , connecting researchers, entrepreneurial communities and federal agencies to help commercialize research.

Performances

Photo courtesy of the Landmark Theatre’s Facebook page

Address: 362 S. Salina St., Syracuse
When: Wednesday, Dec. 4, through Sunday, Dec. 15
Admission: Tickets start at $60.90 (price includes fees)
Details: Director Julie Taymor brings to life a story filled with hope and adventure set against an amazing backdrop of stunning visuals. “THE LION KING” also features some of Broadway’s most recognizable music, crafted by artists Elton John and Tim Rice.

Photo courtesy of Hendricks Chapel

Address: 411 Montgomery St, Syracuse
When: Friday, Dec. 6, through Sunday, Dec. 8
Admission: Tickets start at $30.80 (price includes fees)
Details: This timeless holiday tradition brings Tchaikovsky’s beloved score to life with stunning choreography, dazzling costumes and a tale that sparks the imagination. From the magical battle between the Nutcracker and the Mouse Queen to the shimmering Land of Sweets, this classic ballet promises to captivate audiences of all ages.

Photo courtesy of The Syracuse Orchestra

Address:400 South Salina St., Syracuse
When: Friday, Dec. 6, through Sunday, Dec. 22
Admission: $55 (includes fee)
Details: The inspirational story, based on the memoir of Maria Augusta Trapp, follows an ebullient postulate who serves as governess to the seven children of the imperious Captain von Trapp, bringing music and joy to the household.

Photo by Julie Herman

“
Address: 709 James St., Syracuse
When: Thursday, Dec. 12, through Sunday, Dec. 15
Admission: Children 18 and under are free, $22 for seniors and $24 for adults
Details: Enter a magical wonderland of music featuring jugglers, acrobats, and other amazing performers from CirqOvation in this visually stunning holiday experience.

Photo courtesy of Syracuse Stage

Address: Hendricks Chapel, 121 Crouse Dr., Syracuse
When: Sunday, Dec. 15, 7 p.m.
Admission: Free
Details: Ring in the holidays with “Horns and Harmonies”—an annual concert by the Syracuse University Brass Ensemble and the Spirit of Syracuse Chorus.

Address: Virtual event
When: Thursday, Dec. 19, 7 p.m.
Admission: Free, but registration is required
Details: Hendricks Chapel and the Setnor School of Music invite you to the ongoing tradition anchored by the Hendricks Chapel Choir under the artistic direction of José “Peppie” Calvar.

Address: 820 E. Genesee St., Syracuse
When: Now through Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025
Admission: Tickets start at $30
Details: Experience the most magical celebration of the season with this wondrous musical that proves dreams do come true…if only we dare to wish.

Exhibitions

Photo courtesy of Everson Museum of Art

Address: 930 James St., Syracuse
When: Wednesday, Dec. 4, through Sunday, Dec. 15
Admission: $17.85 (includes fees)
Details: Tour the mansion and prepare to be dazzled by the stunning holiday mantels. Special events include a breakfast with Santa on Saturday, Dec. 7, and a ladies night event on Wednesday, Dec. 11.

Photo courtesy of the Friends of Lorenzo

Address: 401 Harrison St., Syracuse
When: Thursday, Dec. 5, through Sunday, Dec. 15
Admission: $5-$14
Details: Enjoy decorated holiday displays, performances, festive art-making activities, holiday shopping and much more!

Address: 17 Rippleton Rd., Cazenovia
When: Thursday, Dec. 12, through Sunday, Dec. 15
Admission: $2-$6
Details: This annual holiday celebration will feature a tour of the decorated mansion, refreshments, live music and horse-drawn sleigh/wagon rides.

Address: 318 Erie Boulevard East, Syracuse
When: Now through Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025
Admission: $4-$10
Details: Each year, the Erie Canal Museum transforms into a festive 1800s canal town street scene with gingerbread creations on display in storefront windows for visitors.

Events

Photo courtesy of the Rosamond Gifford Zoo

Address: 1 Conservation Pl., Syracuse
When: Dec. 6, 7, 13, 14, 20 and 21
Admission: Advance sale tickets are $7 for members and $8 for general admission, day of tickets are $8 for members and $9 for general admission and children under two years of age free
Details: Enjoy a festive and fun after-hours stroll amid sparkling displays of holiday lights that transform the zoo into a winter wonderland. Warm up by the fire pits and enjoy hot chocolate, s’mores, live performances of holiday music, roving entertainers and animals during this evening exhibit.

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Address: 500 S. Franklin St., Syracuse
When: Dec. 7, 14, 21
Admission: $12-$15
Details: Celebrate the winter season at the MOST. Learn from scientists who research in the Arctic, watch live experiments with liquid nitrogen and discover more about wildlife that live in polar environments.

Photo courtesy of Lights on the Lake’s Facebook page

Address: 299 Coleridge Ave., Syracuse
When: Dec. 13, 14, 20 and 21
Admission: $2, pre-registration is required
Details: Enjoy a horse-drawn wagon ride through an illuminated Burnet Park that concludes with a visit with Santa in a winter wonderland.

Photo courtesy of The Wild’s Facebook

Location: 7621 Lakeport Rd., Chittenango
When: Now through Jan. 1, 2025 (dates vary, check the��)
Admission: $16.99-$19.99 per person, pay at the door when you arrive
Details: Take a walk through The Wild and see the animals who can tolerate the cold along with beautiful festive lighting displays.

Photo courtesy of skaneateles.com

Address: 106 Lake Dr., Liverpool
When: Now through Monday, Jan. 13, 2025
Admission: Tickets range from $5-$20 per carload and are to be
Details: Lights on the Lake is a two-mile-long drive-through show featuring towering holiday displays, a larger-than-life “Land of Oz,” a twinkling fantasy forest, colorful section arches, memorable animated scenes and a fairy tale magic grand finale! Visitors drive through the show while listening to the wonderful sounds of the season on Sunny 102.1 FM.

Location: Village of Skaneateles
When: Every Saturday and Sunday from Nov. 30 through Dec. 24, including Tuesday, Dec. 24, from noon-2:30 p.m.
Admission: Free
Details: Get into the holiday spirit with roasted chestnuts, theater, caroling, pictures with Father Christmas and more at Dickens Christmas in Skaneateles.

, FYS associate director, has worked with the for the past three years. This fall, FYS 101 student volunteers compiled 480 winter-care packages of warm clothing, snacks and personal care items for Rescue Mission clients. FYS 101 lead instructors and peer leaders also helped package meals for the organization’s annual Thanksgiving dinner, which is open to anyone in need.

As a result of that relationship, leaders from the Rescue Mission invited Luckman and FYS students to participate in this year’s donation drive, “,” on Sunday, Dec. 8. Luckman will appear as an on-air telethon guest between 12:30 and 12:50 p.m. He’ll talk about the purpose of FYS, the University’s partnership with the Rescue Mission and how the organizations work together to help community members while providing positive experiences for students. He and some student volunteers were also invited to answer telethon phones to receive viewer pledges.

Jimmy Luckman

The ability to help others through community volunteerism resonates with students, Luckman says. He believes the Rescue Mission’s motto, “Put Love Into Action,” reflects how students can see the immediate impact of their efforts.

“Our lead instructors and peer leaders have love for our campus and the local community. They recognize that helping people who need emergency shelter, housing, clothing, food, employment, educational resources and connections to other services—which the Rescue Mission provides—is a transformational experience that creates positive change within the community we love. As part of their exploration of the concepts of diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (DEIA), working in the community provides tangible experiences [that connect] to what we discuss in class,” Luckman says. “ is a tool that creates connections to help make Syracuse home and to actively engage in DEIA work outside of the classroom. We’re happy to have this relationship with the Rescue Mission and to work with several other local organizations to help make a difference in the community.”

“Movie With a Mission,” now in its 35^th year, will air from noon to 3 p.m. on . The telethon features the 1935 movie classic, “Scrooge.” The fundraising goal is $85,000, and pledges can be made by calling 315.446.9999. Gifts made before and during the program will be matched by community sponsors.

Bins will be labeled and placed in the lobby for students to drop off items from Wednesday, Dec. 11, through Tuesday, Dec. 17. Clothing and household items will be donated to local nonprofit organizations and any winter coats will go to the University’s Operation Orange Warmup initative. All non-perishable food will go to the South Campus food pantry, funded by Hendricks Chapel.

All students are welcome to donate, not just those who live on South Campus.

Items accepted include:

• Gently used/new clothing
• Lamps
• Kitchen utensils
• Blenders, toasters, mixers
• Gently used/new shoes

Items not accepted include:

• Pillows, pillowcases
• Mattress toppers
• Comforters
• Sheets, blankets

Donated items will benefit the community and help reduce the amount of waste generated at the end of the semester. If you have any questions, contact Sustainability Management at sustain@syr.edu.

Felisha Legette-Jack

With a little less than two weeks remaining in this year’s campaign, there’s still time for University employees to make a gift of any size to support their fellow Central New Yorkers in need. The campaign kicked off on Oct. 18 and runs through Friday, Dec. 13.

“Syracuse is a strong, blue-collar city. When we do things together, when we do things united, my hope is I am going to be living proof of what giving back to our community looks like,” Legette-Jack says.

The United Way of Central New York has been��providing residents with access to essential resources for 102 years, funding 73 different human service programs and projects at 34 nonprofit partners. Through the employee giving campaign, faculty and staff have supported the vast impact United Way has in our community while empowering its work for the last 52 years.

Michael Frasciello

“The United Way gives us that opportunity to make sure we are helping those who have the biggest needs. This is the community we live and work in, and so when we talk about an obligation and responsibility to the community, these are our neighbors, these people are us. This includes individuals within the University who benefit from these programs. The University’s commitment to the United Way, if it’s not seamless, it’s almost symbiotic,” says , dean of the .

This year’s employee giving campaign runs through Friday, Dec. 13.

University employees are encouraged to consider making a voluntary pledge through MySlice. Options are available for either a one-time donation or a recurring donation through payroll deduction each pay period. University retirees are also invited to participate as many enjoy the longstanding tradition and generous spirit of this annual event. For those who prefer, a paper pledge card may be obtained by contacting campaign coordinator Jake Losowski at��jjlosows@syr.edu��or 315.443.4137.

Every dollar raised remains in Central New York to help the United Way address various community needs. Faculty and staff are encouraged to unite with their Orange colleagues to give hope to those with the greatest need in our community.

In case you need inspiration for why your gift matters,�� featuring co-chairs of the University’s employee giving campaign, , the deputy athletics director and senior woman administrator, and , vice president of enrollment services, along with other University employees discussing the importance of contributing to the United Way.

Kirsten Elleby

“The United Way is literally changing lives through the work that they do in partnering with other organizations. You never know when your friend, your neighbor, your family member is going to benefit from some of the good that United Way does, so I think it’s really important for us to give back,” Elleby says.

In addition to the co-chairs, the annual campaign is led by a collection of team leaders from colleges and departments across campus who collaborate to promote the campaign and encourage their colleagues to participate.

“The United Way is really the hub of the nonprofit community in Central New York. We have a lot to be fortunate for, so giving back is a way to acknowledge that and make a difference,” says Cristina Hatem, director, strategic marketing and communications for Syracuse University Libraries.

No gift is too small and every dollar helps change lives.

To mark Giving Tuesday, the global generosity movement that started in 2012, the University introduced Giving ’CUSEday in 2016. Since then, it’s become a beloved tradition for our campus, encouraging everyone—alumni, students, faculty, staff and friends—to come together and give back in meaningful ways.

Your Gift, Their Future

Every dollar you contribute to the Annual Fund opens doors of opportunity—funding scholarships, groundbreaking research and transformative student experiences. Your gift isn’t simply an act of generosity; you’re investing in the dreams of future leaders.

Double Your Impact Today!

Make history with us by supporting one of 18 remarkable student organizations in their Fall 2024 Student Organization Challenge. Your gift goes even further with additional challenge funds:

• $1,000 bonus for the group with the most unique donors
• $700 for the second-place organization
• $300 for the third-place finisher

Show Your Orange Pride

Join the movement! Share your giving story by posting an #Unselfie on social media with #GivingCUSEday. Let’s show the world the extraordinary power of Orange generosity!

Ready to Make a Difference?

Visit now to:

• Support groundbreaking student initiatives
• Fund life-changing scholarships
• Champion your favorite student organization
• Be part of something bigger than yourself

Together, we can create ripples of change that will impact generations of Syracuse students.

Make your gift now on the .

Let’s show the world what Orange can do, together!

From Schumer’s official remarks, “I come to the floor today to congratulate Syracuse University’s Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs on its 100th anniversary. One hundred years. A remarkable milestone. A remarkable legacy. A remarkable school.”

Sen. Charles Schumer, right, presents Maxwell Dean David M. Van Slyke with a copy of the remarks from the official congressional record commemorating Maxwell’s centennial.

Founded in 1924 by George Holmes Maxwell, the Maxwell School today is the top-ranked school for public affairs, according to U.S. News & World Report’s rankings, offering graduate and professional programs in public administration and international affairs, and undergraduate and graduate degrees across the social sciences, including signature interdisciplinary undergraduate programs in citizenship and civic engagement; environment, sustainability and policy; and law, society and policy. It is also home to 15 interdisciplinary research centers focused on topical areas within public affairs.

Schumer continued in his remarks, “The school’s more than 38,500 graduates are living and working across the globe, helping to inform public policy—including key legislation that has come before us here, helping to forge compromise amid divide, bringing aid to those in need and defending democracy.”

Schumer also shared that Maxwell alumni have gone on to become ambassadors, legislators, journalists and economists, with many notable names including former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Donna Shalala G’70, H’87; New York State Gov. Kathy Hochul ’80; Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh G’05; and former Detroit Mayor Dave Bing ’66, H’06.

“Though it is based in Syracuse, it has a strong presence here in the nation’s capital, offering programs, internship opportunities and world class instruction through a partnership with the Center for Strategic and International Studies,” Schumer continued. “The Maxwell School’s work supports the foundations and institutions of democracy itself, here and across the globe. This is vital at this time in our world’s history.”

As a guest of Schumer, Van Slyke also toured the Capitol and was able to sit in the gallery as the Senate voted on other matters.

“It was an honor to meet with the senator, and we are thankful that he recognized the Maxwell School’s contribution to our great nation over the past 100 years,” Van Slyke said. “That tribute will be in the official Congressional Record for the next 100 years and beyond. We are delighted to have such a strong supporter of the Maxwell School and Syracuse University in Senator Schumer.”

Schumer’s official floor remarks concluded, “I congratulate Syracuse University, the Maxwell School, Chancellor Kent Syverud, Maxwell Dean David Van Slyke, and the school’s faculty, students, staff and alumni for everything they do to leave the world better than they found it.”

Born and raised in Argentina, Olivier came to the U.S. for the first time in 2012, when he entered graduate school at the University of Arizona in Tucson. He began the process of applying for U.S. citizenship in 2020.

New U.S. citizens take the pledge of allegiance in the Paul and Natalie Strasser Legacy Room.

At the close of his USCIS interview and exam, Olivier learned that his application for citizenship was approved—and that his naturalization ceremony would be held at the Maxwell School,�� just a couple floors away from his office in Eggers Hall.

The news that the ceremony would be at his workplace came as a surprise, Olivier says, adding, “But it also means a lot, because even though I’ve been here only for a year and a half, I have a deep appreciation for the school and the department. And, it feels right to have my citizenship ceremony at a school of citizenship.”

The recent event marked the first time in Maxwell’s 100-year history that a naturalization ceremony has taken place at the school. Most such proceedings take place in court, but occasionally USCIS sets up events at other locations in the community, and in late summer the Syracuse office reached out to the Maxwell School about hosting the ceremony.

Tomás Olivier, assistant professor of public administration and international affairs, came to the U.S. for the first time in 2012, when he entered graduate school.

Gladys McCormick, associate dean for diversity, equity and inclusion, was one of the event’s coordinators. A native of Costa Rica who became a U.S. citizen 20 years ago, McCormick immediately felt the appropriateness of this occasion—especially in the Maxwell School’s centennial year, which through its Tenth Decade Project has seen a wave of new initiatives relating to citizenship. In the last few years McCormick has also spearheaded the project “A Conversation with George Washington,” which exhibits portraits of citizen activists in the foyer of Maxwell Hall, beside the Washington statue and the inscription of the Athenian Oath.

“For me, the naturalization ceremony ties back into the Athenian Oath,” McCormick says. “There’s a sense of, we have made the U.S. our home, and we are committed to making this country better than it was. That element of choice really underscores the importance of having a ceremony like this.”

On the morning of the ceremony, sunlight streamed into the Paul and Natalie Strasser Legacy Room as it filled with 41 new citizens who’d come from 26 countries and six continents, along with an array of their family members and friends. Olivier was joined by his wife, Claire Perrott, their four-month-old daughter, Sofía, and several of his Maxwell students who came to celebrate the milestone.

The Maxwell connections ran deep throughout the ceremony. The presiding judge, Patrick Radel, commented on the school’s legacy of citizenship education and shared that he has two sons currently at Syracuse, one of whom, Luke Radel ’26, is a Maxwell political science major. Christina Cleason, an administrator in the history department, sang the national anthem and “America the Beautiful.” Adol Mayen, appointed by Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh ’05 M.P.A. as the city’s immigrant and refugee affairs coordinator, spoke movingly of how her mother’s job with Syracuse University’s cleaning staff opened the door for Mayen to attend college and ultimately serve Syracuse’s immigrant communities.

Tomás Olivier, assistant professor of public administration and international affairs, is shown with his daughter, Sofía, and presiding judge Patrick Radel.

The event’s guest speaker was political scientist Baobao Zhang, who is originally from China and became a naturalized citizen in February. “We want to recognize the incredible journey that you and your loved ones have been on to get here today,” Zhang said. “You are not alone on this journey. You are here among many—as you can see from the many naturalized citizens among the Maxwell faculty and staff.”

With those words, numerous members of the audience who’d been through the process themselves rose from their seats.

Along with Judge Radel, Maxwell School Dean David M. Van Slyke congratulated the 41 new citizens as they came to the podium to receive their certificates. “At the Maxwell School, we take the notion of citizenship very seriously,” Van Slyke said in his comments. “It’s in our name and is the core focus of teaching, research and public impact mission.”

Van Slyke said that citizenship can become something of an abstract concept amid such dissection.

“We should never forget how real it is,” he said. “Citizenship is more than a concept; it is a very real, legal status that confers privileges and responsibilities. It is a license to be a full and participating member of the community in which you live and of our great nation. And it is a goal that is well earned.”

Contributions from people without current fines will also be accepted. Fines will be reduced by $1 per item for toilet paper, lip balm, rice, pasta, canned vegetables/fruits/beans and pasta sauce. Fines will be reduced by $2 per item for liquid soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, cereal and canned meats/fish. Fines will be reduced by $3 per item for lotion, oatmeal, canned soup/baked beans, peanut butter/jelly, tea, hot chocolate, ramen noodles and granola. And fines will be reduced by $4 per item for shampoo/conditioner, deodorant and coffee. Contributions should not be open or expired and single-use items are preferred.

For more information about “Food for Fines,” contact Nick Olivieri at naolivie@syr.edu.

Elizabeth Paulin

Student teams pitched their respective social impact ventures for a chance to win a total of $15,000 in prizes, supported by generous donations from Libraries’ donors. This year’s winners are:

• 1^st Place: $6,000 awarded to Elizabeth Paulin ’24 () of Paulin Capital.
• 2^nd place: $4,500 awarded to Jordan Pierre ’23, G’24 (), founder of Voice.
• 3^rd place: $3,000 awarded to Olutosin Alabi G’25 (), founder of Diabetech.
• Runner-Ups: $500 each awarded to Ava Lubkemann ’27 (), founder of ReVamped; Alie Savane ’25 (Arts and Sciences), founder of Beta Kola; and Dylan Bardsley ’26 (Whitman School) and Mark Leaf ’27 (Engineering and Computer Science), founders of Clarity.

These seniors have been involved as students taking the course in their first year of college, then as peer leaders for (FYS) for three subsequent years. The one-credit, 15-week required course engages students in��conversations, activities and assignments about making the transition to life on campus. It not only serves as an introductory course to Syracuse University, but also actively builds community, connects students to faculty/staff and each other, and encourages a positive transition to a new environment. Within that setting, students explore the topics of belonging, interdependence, wellness, development of identity, socialization, discrimination, bias and stereotypes.

First Year Seminar students Amya Jenkins, left, and Luis Gomez at an information table representing the program at Bird Library’s Welcome Fest. (Photo by Jimmy Luckman)

Since the program began in 2021, more than 500 faculty, staff and students have participated in FYS in various roles. They’ve served as����(faculty, staff and graduate students) or��as ��(undergraduate students). Lead instructors partner with peer leaders to guide seminar discussions for class sections. With some 4,000-plus new students in first-year classes, and with sections capped at 19 students to create an intimate, seminar atmosphere, 225 students were needed to fill the peer leader role in 2024.

Peer leaders are the embodiment of FYS and they are the connectors that are integral to the program, say , FYS director, and Jimmy Luckman, associate director. Peer leaders work in conjunction with lead instructors to guide discussions that are anchored around increasing students’ sense of belonging on campus.

“The program isn’t advanced only by faculty and staff; peer leaders are a big part of the FYS experience. They are connectors for FYS participants and they’re conduits who facilitate discussions on many issues while sharing the kinds of University resources that are available. They connect students where students want to be connected. Through discussions, they can transform the classroom experience, providing a space for sometimes difficult conversations, and that’s been a very strong thing,” Luckman says.

The past four years have been a time of growth for the program, as the previous FYS leaders, Schantz and her team have built “a great foundation,” she says. “Now, we are looking ahead and seeing how to enrich the peer leader experience.”

In addition to monthly leadership development meetings for peer leaders, Luckman says the team is considering creating a peer leader development model and potentially expanding leadership opportunities for the students. ��They are also conducting focus groups to obtain feedback on the peer leader role and may form a peer leader alumni group. They also hired a coordinator to supervise peer leaders and manage the myriad details of hiring and tracking a 200-plus student workforce.

In addition to working with First Year Seminar classes, peer leaders commit time to community service projects, such as a “Blessings in a Backpack” food initiative to help local school children.

While hundreds of peer leaders are needed each year, Luckman says it has not been difficult to recruit for those roles because students love working with fellow students and they understand the value community-building work adds to their background and experience. Many also recognize the role as a chance to develop leadership skills and want to take advantage of that, Luckman says.

The team asked for peer leader feedback to continue to enhance the position and the co-facilitation model the course follows. Schantz says the responses showed the importance of the lead instructor and peer leader in creating a positive atmosphere in the course. Another factor that influenced peer leaders returning to their roles in subsequent years is the respectful environment that peer leaders form with their students.

Four students who took FYS their first year on campus and then stayed on as peer leaders for the next three years are set to graduate this spring. They shared with SU News their reasons for deciding to remain in those roles and what the program has meant to them since their earliest days at the University.

Mariana Godinez-Andraca

Mariana Godinez-Andraca, a dual public relations/psychology major in the and the , is an international student from Mexico City. She likes that FYS embraces “uncomfortable” conversations, such as discussions about cultural awareness, microaggressions and learning to have empathy for others, she says.

“What I value most is that FYS embraces these conversations wholeheartedly, creating a space where students can open up, challenge their beliefs and grow into more empathetic individuals.” She says she has appreciated “sharing my experiences and cultural background…in a space where we actively listen to each other and where everyone’s stories and perspectives enrich our understanding, broadening my own cultural awareness while giving me a meaningful platform to share my journey. I hope I leave an impression that encourages others to embrace diversity and engage more thoughtfully with the world around them.”

Aaron Hong

Aaron Hong, a finance and accounting major in the , credits FYS for helping him overcome difficulty returning to in-person classes after almost two years of virtual learning during COVID. Coming from a mostly white community in Charlotte, North Carolina, Hong says he appreciated the focus on diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility. “As a person of Asian heritage, those conversations are very important to me. This experience gave me a different lens on diversity. Having the opportunity to have those conversations and to share those experiences is pretty important.”

Adira Ramirez

Adira Ramirez, a library studies and information management and technology student in the , says participating in FYS for four years has helped her become skilled in how to talk to people in different ways, confidently address a public audience and “better understand people and explain to them who I am in a more cohesive way.”

She says learning about the concept of intersectionality—where everyone has multiple layers of identity that comprise who they are—”has taken me by storm. It’s our lens. It teaches who your audience is, how we learn things, how we view the world and how the world views us.”

N​ehilah Grand-Pierre, a broadcast and digital journalism major in the Newhouse School, finds the give-and-take between FYS participants and peer leaders invigorating and gratifying.

Nehilah Grand-Pierre

When FYS participants were offered the opportunity to ask peer leaders any question about any topic, she says one participant asked how to discover one’s self-worth while in college. “I said the best way is to not define your self-worth through other people. I told how studying abroad in London forced me to stop defining myself by the activities and relationships I had on main campus, and instead define myself by my reactions to all the new things I was experiencing. I said what happens to you doesn’t define you, but how you react to those situations does. I recognized that as a senior, I had so much experience to pull from, and I saw how real experiences helped drive discussions.”

Applications for peer leader positions are now being accepted for the 2025 sessions, says Luckman. Interested students who want to become a peer leader can apply by early December through the Handshake website. More information is available by emailing�� firstyear@syr.edu��or contacting the program office at 315.443.9035.

Some items of note included within the policy:

• Trip interruption or cancellation insurance has been removed from the unallowable list of expenses.
• Further explanation has been added to clarify what is meant by “necessary and appropriate,” “reasonable” and “allowable expenses.”
• Travelers are asked to consider using the University’s in Manhattan when traveling to New York City.
• The daily limit of lodging gratuities increased from $5 to $10.
• The required receipt floor was raised from $50 to $75.
• A $25 floor was solidified in the policy for department sales tax recoupment efforts.
• Hotel and meal reimbursements for receipted travel have been limited to 2.5X the average federal per diem amount for that trip (dependent on location; as established by the U.S. GSA. This applied for both credit card activity and expense reimbursement when using the actual receipt method. Per diem method of travel is unchanged.
• Allowable business class flight upgrades have changed from time-based (six hours) to distance-based (2,200 miles) from origin to destination.
• The policy now notes that if charges are incurred for the benefit of a supervisor on a staff card, the next-level supervisor must approve.

The Comptroller’s Office will hold virtual training and information sessions. All University credit card holders and approvers will receive an invite to attend a Microsoft Teams session, which will also be recorded:

• Thursday, Dec. 5, at 1 p.m.
• Wednesday, Dec. 11, at 11 a.m.

Please contact Jean Gallipeau (jbgallip@syr.edu) or Brian Pendergast (bwpender@syr.edu) with any questions.

The Fall 2024 Orange Innovation Fund award winners are (from left to right): Brianna Gillfillian, Waqar Hussain, Emeka Ossai, Ava Lubkemann, and Tosin Alabi.

Syracuse University Libraries announced the seven award recipients for the Fall 2024 grant. Each of the following will receive a $5,000 grant to pursue research initiatives emerging from campus innovation programs. Recipients are:

• Angelo Niforatos G’25 (), founded Niffy Drone Solutions LLC, a drone operation and data analysis solution to improve decision-making, for its stage two prototype. “I finally pursued what I’d been discussing for five years thanks to Syracuse University,” says Niforatos. “I had no idea Syracuse offered so many opportunities like the Innovation Grant to help me gain enough confidence to take that leap and chase my dream.”
• Ava Lubkemann ’27 (), founded Revamped, an eco-conscious initiative reimagining thrift shopping and waste reduction through a mobile model using an upcycled school bus pop-up and donation platform. “This funding gives me the ability to create a venture that addresses the problem of textile waste, particularly on college campuses,” says Lubkemann. “I am excited to build my proof of concept this spring and become part of the projected $82 billion secondhand retail market,�� meeting the demand for sustainable and affordable fashion.”
• Brianna Gillfillian ’24, G’25 (Engineering and Computer Science), founded STEAMfluence, a Science Technology Engineering Art Math (STEAM) pilot summer program for students of color and students in underserved communities. “With the help of Orange Innovation Fund, I will be able to turn dreams into reality and take steps to make the change I aspire to see in the world,” says Gillfillian. “STEAMfluence is not just a venture, it is a pillar of hope for many young people who think they could not advance in a career in STEAM.”
• Emeka Christopher Ossai G’25 (Whitman), founded CampusLabs, which equips university students in developing economies with critical skills needed for entrepreneurship and work. After successfully piloting CampusLabs Nigeria incubator, Ossai is now focusing on creating a hybrid program to expand participation. “This Orange Innovation Fund allows me to bring to life a startup accelerator that’s the first of its kind for university students in Nigeria, combining virtual learning with a direct residency… now we can finally reach talented university founders who would not have had access before because of where they live,” Ossai says. “It’s a real opportunity to see how this model can work across different regions and make entrepreneurship support more accessible.”
• Tony Goncalves ’27 (Engineering and Computer Science), founded GymIn, a comprehensive hardware and digital platform solution to track the use of gym equipment in real-time, optimizing usage and user experience. Goncalves is collaborating with the Barnes Center on a pilot. “GymIn is revolutionizing the fitness industry by providing a comprehensive hardware and digital platform solution for gym owners and users,” says Goncalves. “This award will help us create our minimally viable product to test with gyms to optimize operations, reduce costs, and enhance the gym experience for members through data-driven insights.”
• Tosin Alabi G’25 (Whitman), founded Diabetech, a smart bandage solution for diabetes wound care. Alabi is working on a prototype that integrates an electronic sensor with mobile application and artificial intelligence analytics to detect diabetic ulcers. Alabi, who lost her father to diabetes at a young age, recently completed the NSF I-Corps program offered by Syracuse University and received EB-1 visa status based on her work on Diabetech. The EB-1 visa was issued by the U.S. government to Albert Einstein to extend protections of official residence. Now referred to as the “Einstein Visa,” it recognizes very select researchers with extraordinary talents for their potential to contribute to the American scientific community. “When we prevent a diabetic amputation, we’re not just saving a limb, we’re keeping families walking together longer,” Alabi says.
• Waqar Hussain G’25 (Whitman), founded Iconnic.cloud, an artificial intelligence-driven compute pricing arbitrage platform. “As a dedicated participant in the university’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, I am grateful for this award to help us build spot compute pricing arbitrage powered by AI,” says Hussain, a Fulbright Scholar.��We are confident that with the support of the Orange Innovation Fund we can revolutionize cloud management services for small and medium-sized businesses.”

The Orange Innovation Fund, a “concept to commercialization” grant fund, is intended to help move graduate and undergraduate student research or scholarly projects from ideation to proof of concept and commercialization. Initial funding came from a gift to Syracuse University Libraries from Raj-Ann Rekhi Gill ’98, a member of the Syracuse University Board of Trustees. The program is administered through Syracuse University Libraries, in collaboration with the University’s research and commercialization programs.

Student awardees submitted comprehensive grant proposals that outlined specific, tangible needs related to prototype development while assessing the product, service or technology they are developing. A multi-disciplinary team of University faculty and alumni founders who helped develop the concept for the fund made the award selections. Awards are tied to milestones associated with defined projects over a clear time with identified outcomes.

The spring 2025 funding round will open in winter 2025, with proposals due by March 28, 2025. For more information, email OrangeInnovation@syr.edu.

The cohort engages women in faculty and administrative positions, with three cohorts and nearly 75 participants since launching in the 2022-2023 academic year. Cohort 4 will begin meeting in January 2025 and will complete five experiential learning sessions by May. This newest cohort includes:

• Cathy Bottari
• Colleen Burton
• Rachel DuBois
• Lynn Farquhar
• Maria Ferrara
• Aileen Gallagher
• Tamara Hamilton
• Stephanie Jensen-Moulton
• Hua Jiang
• Veronica Jones
• Elizabeth Kubala
• Liz Lance
• Lisa Liparulo
• Yanhong Liu
• Ashley Lopez
• Jody Nyboer
• Andrea Persin
• Paula Possenti-Perez
• Farzana Rahman
• Kamala Ramadoss
• Anne Rauh
• Shannon Schantz
• Brianna Shults
• Yvonne Smith
• Emily Stewart
• Brooke Wears
• Melissa Young
• Michaline Younis

Cohort participants join capacity building sessions to practice and perfect essential leadership skills such as active listening, navigating change and how to inspire and influence others. Participants also gain institutional insights through presentations that afford a more comprehensive understanding of University operations and how to effectively manage cross-functional and inner disciplinary tasks.

One of the most important legacies of WiL and the cohorts, says co-founder Candace Campbell Jackson, lies in creating a true leadership community.

“Higher education demands and depends upon a team of collaborative leaders who can thoughtfully and authentically make decisions for the greater good,” says Campbell Jackson, senior vice president and chief of staff to Chancellor Kent Syverud. “This can happen when individual leaders know and respect how to engender mutual trust and show up, not just for themselves, but also for others. It’s incredibly rewarding to bring together women eager to cultivate those skillsets to make a difference for themselves while also lifting up their colleagues and collaborators.”

Co-founder Dara Royer, senior vice president and chief marketing officer, notes that WiL’s programs, such as Inspire speaking events and networking opportunities, are critical to the overall mission of the University.

“Syracuse wants to be known as a pacesetter in developing the talents and traits of tomorrow’s leaders,” says Royer. “WiL demonstrates the University’s significant commitment to fostering continued growth among women ready to influence all facets of higher education management.”

Steering Committee member Elisa Dekaney, who is associate provost for strategic initiatives, emphasizes that WiL represents an excellent opportunity for academic and administrative women to better understand their differing roles and work together.

“We’re bridging the divide that often exists between those who seek to lead in teaching and research and those who desire to head up the operational aspects of the University,” says Dekaney. “Further, it’s not just about career advancement. We want our graduates to be successful in their professional, personal and volunteer lives. Whatever their ‘next,’ we hope to be a catalyst that propelled women to grow and thrive.”

For more information, visit the����or email��womeninleadership@syr.edu. All community members can participate in WiL programming.

Reduced Health Plan Contributions

Faculty and staff are encouraged to carefully review the expanded eligibility guidelines for 2025 that outline how to apply for reduced payroll contributions for health coverage. Depending on an employee’s household income and size, reduced health plan contributions are available through Schedule B.��The application deadline is Dec. 6.��For more information and a copy of the application,��.

Dependent Care Subsidy

As part of ongoing efforts to support the changing needs of families, the University continues to offer subsidies to faculty and staff to assist with dependent care.��The application deadline is Dec. 6.��For more information and a copy of the application,��.

Supplemental Life Insurance and Long-Term Disability Insurance

Faculty and staff who chose to newly elect or increase supplemental life insurance during this year’s annual Open Enrollment period must complete the����and return it to MetLife. Individuals who newly elected long term disability insurance through The Standard must complete a����and return it to The Standard.

Questions? Visit the����or contact HR Shared Services at��hrservice@syr.edu��or 315.443.4042.

According to the FBI, the scammers:

• Contact the victim by phone, claiming that their personal information is linked to a financial fraud investigation;
• Transfer the phone call to what they claim to be the “Chinese police department”;
• Pose as a Chinese police officer and inform the victim that they are under investigation and must return to China or face arrest and/or a trial;
• Direct the victim to consent to 24/7 video and audio monitoring;
• Instruct the victim to avoid discussing details of the case, refrain from conducting internet searches on the case, and report all of their daily activities; and
• Direct victims to wire a large sum of money to a Chinese bank account to either prove their innocence or to post bail to avoid having to return to China.

To protect yourself, please take the following steps:��

• If an unknown individual contacts you and accuses you of a crime, immediately call the FBI or DPS. Do NOT release any personal or financial information and do not send any money.
• If you are contacted by someone claiming to be from a government agency, take down the name, title and contact information of the caller or email. Take steps to verify the contact by using public sources (internet) to locate the official government agency and then contact the agency yourself to confirm whether the outreach is legitimate.

��If you have received one of these phone calls, the best thing you can do is immediately contact the�����ǰ���.��

Bradford Smith (left) working with Danielle Lanphere (right) during a conversation club meeting at the Gebbie Speech, Language and Hearing Clinic. He and other individuals who use Alternative Augmentative Communication to help express themselves gather weekly to build community and expand their communication abilities.

“At each meeting, members share stories, thoughts and plans while participating in engaging and fun activities,” says Hammerle. “This allows them to grow the complexity of their language, increase efficiency with AAC use, and develop a sense of community and support through interaction with other individuals utilizing AAC.”

Michael Theobald (right) uses a Smartbox Gridpad speech-generating device to communicate with others at a conversation club meeting.

Practical Experience

Meetings revolve around a specific theme, and participants take part in various related activities, including games, trivia and guided discussions. Some recent group exercises have included filling out a March Madness bracket, participating in Syracuse history trivia and planning a cross-country road trip.

Each session is planned and facilitated by graduate students, with oversight from Hammerle and other faculty. Through this experience, students acquire transferable skills that will benefit their careers as speech-language pathologists after graduation. They learn how to:

• Use different types of high-tech alternative augmentative communication devices;
• Assist group members with programming and troubleshooting; and
• Operate various software used by each participant.

Alongside these practical skills, students also build relational competencies through their interactions with group members, allowing them to see AAC users as individuals rather than just focusing on their devices.

“By spending a semester in the group, they form great relationships with the AAC users that can help inform their empathy and clinical care in the field,” says Hammerle.

Spreading AAC Awareness

To help educate the public about Alternative Augmentative Communication, several organizations came together in 2007 to designate October as AAC Awareness Month. It marks a time to celebrate individuals who utilize AAC for communication and create supportive communities for AAC users. Each October, members of the conversation club create outreach initiatives to express their unique perspectives, and this year they produced a news article. According to Hammerle, the goal was to help make the public aware of what AAC is, provide tips for communicating with AAC users and express what AAC means to them.

Below are excerpts from the team’s news article, lightly edited for length and clarity:

The Significance of AAC Awareness Month

This month encourages advocacy, education and understanding, helping to raise awareness about the diverse methods of communication available. By promoting AAC, we aim to empower users, foster connections and enhance inclusivity, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to express themselves and be heard.

By raising awareness, we can break down barriers and misconceptions surrounding communication challenges, empowering individuals to express themselves fully. AAC awareness encourages empathy, patience and support from friends, family and the community, ultimately enhancing the quality of life for those who rely on these tools. As we advocate for AAC, we promote not only the right to communicate but also the celebration of diverse perspectives, reminding us that every individual’s voice matters.

The Advantages of AAC for its Users

Mike, an AAC user who comes to the Gebbie Speech, Language and Hearing Clinic for conversation club, says that AAC serves as a vital means of communication for him, as it helps him “get the thoughts out of [his] head. I don’t want them going into the ether.”

Shannon, another member of the conversation club, says that while some people may use AAC occasionally, for others, “it’s a lifeline to the rest of the world so we aren’t so encapsulated in our own heads with our own thoughts.”

Tips for Effective Communication with AAC Users

Brad, a member of the conversation club, says that AAC is “unpredictable technology. They want to work when they want to work.” Shannon added, “just because I use this to speak doesn’t mean I don’t understand what you say and do.” Brad says that AAC is akin to learning a foreign language, and often, the user may be the only person in their family fluent in this form of communication, highlighting the need for patience and empathy from those around them.

The group notes, “We want people communicating with AAC users to know that the process can be time-consuming.” Mike says, “Just give [us] time to speak. It may take a while, but [we] may have something important to say.”

The group notes that everyone deserves to have the time they need to express themselves fully, so patience is key. Rushing the conversation can lead to missed opportunities for deeper understanding, so allowing for that extra time can make all the difference in fostering genuine communication.

If you use AAC and would like to find out more about the conversation club or learn about the clinic’s other services, visit the website or contact them at gebbie@syr.edu.

PEACE, Inc.

is a nonprofit, community-based organization that serves nearly 10,000 clients in Syracuse, Onondaga County and portions of Oswego County. Its mission is to help people in the community realize their potential for becoming self-sufficient.

Give-A-Holiday

This program offers individuals and groups the opportunity to brighten up the holidays for families in need by supplying gifts during the holiday season through either a gift basket or a monetary donation. Syracuse University employees can . PEACE, Inc. will pick up baskets on campus on Monday, Dec. 16 from 9 to 10 a.m. and from 1:15 to 2:15 p.m. If you’re unable to drop off your gifts on campus, we invite you to visit the PEACE, Inc. Eastwood Community Center during the following times:

• • Friday, Dec. 13: 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Monday, Dec. 16: 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Monetary donations can also be made online on the��.

For more information or questions, please contact PEACE, Inc. at 315.634.3740 or��giveaholiday@peace-caa.org.

United Way of Central New York

is an innovative and collaborative local nonprofit organization that drives solutions to the most pressing human service community needs of Central New York.

��CNY Care Package Project

• The drive is now underway. Last year, this project collected enough donations to create 850 care packages. United Way needs your help to reach its 2024 goal of 1,000 care packages for people in need in our community. You can get involved by purchasing and donating personal care items at Syracuse-area Wegmans stores, via an Amazon wish list or by making a monetary donation at .

Salvation Army

��is a nonprofit organization dedicated to meeting human needs without discrimination and encouraging and empowering those in need to reach their full potential. Each year, The Salvation Army of Syracuse helps provide Christmas food and toys to nearly 10,000 people with the help of dozens of community partners.

Holiday Programs

• : Each year, more than 1,200 teens receive a gift at The Salvation Army’s Christmas Bureau. You can help by donating a gift for a teen (ages 13-18) that ensures everyone can experience the magic of the holidays. To support this goal, The Hayner Hoyt Corporation has generously agreed to match all donations up to $25,000.
• : Now through Christmas Eve, there are 24 Red Kettle locations across Onondaga County. Want to help ring the bell? Sign up now as an individual or as a group at .
• Monetary donations can also be made online through .

For additional information or questions, please contact Deanna Delmonico at 315.479.1162 or��deanna.delmonico@use.salvationarmy.org.

InterFaith Works

is a nonprofit organization that provides services to address the needs of people who are vulnerable, low-income, targets of oppression and refugees who arrive through the federal refugee resettlement programs, fleeing war, political repression and famine. InterFaith Works also strives to address the needs of the frail or elderly, those in prisons, hospitals, and nursing homes, and to address hunger and housing needs.

Gift Basket Initiative

This fiscal year, InterFaith Works has resettled 1,015 refugees. Through the initiative, donors are asked to create a gift basket that will be given to families they serve. Some gift ideas for the baskets include:

• Gift cards: $20 or more to Walmart, Target or Tops;
• Food items: Honey, jam, crackers, hot chocolate, sweets, chocolates, candies, tea, cookies or graham crackers;
• Warm items: Gender-neutral scarves/hats, warm socks/gloves or throw blankets;
• Personal/household items: Disposable razors, lotion, shaving cream, key chains, water bottles, laundry baskets, detergent, cutting boards, dish towels or towel sets;
• Fun items: Board games, cards or new toys.

This can be used to document the items being donated and should be included with the basket. All baskets must be delivered to the InterFaith Works offices (located at 1010 James Street, Syracuse, NY 13203) by Friday, Dec. 13, at 4 p.m. For more information, contact Rhonda Butler at 315.449.3552 ext. 127 or rbutler@ifwcny.org.

SU News reached out to some of the chaplains at to ask about gratitude—what gratitude means in their faith tradition; why gratitude is important in our lives and how it can be expressed to others. Learn more about their perspectives on gratitude.

Rabbi Ethan Bair—Jewish Chaplain

Jews are all about gratitude! Yehudim, “Jews” in Hebrew, has the same shoresh or “root” as ��ǻ岹’a��, gratitude. We are called “those who are grateful.” We have so much to be grateful for throughout Jewish history and memory.

Rabbi Ethan Bair

We start every day all year with prayers and songs of gratitude to God and Shabbat is a day of rest on which we reflect on all that matters most and our gratitude: spending time with friends and family, practicing Judaism and protecting a day of rest for ourselves and our community in a hectic, capitalist world. The first prayer we say each morning as we get out of bed is “Modeh Ani Lefanecha”—“I thank you”—”for restoring my soul to me with compassion and for “Your faithfulness, God!” On Shabbat dinner tables everywhere, family members often share what they’re most grateful for from the past week.

Gratitude is in our bones and defines who we are as a people.

Sensei JoAnn Cooke, Buddhist Chaplain

Sensei JoAnn Cooke

In Buddhist practice, we try to be aware of what we call “the Three Poisons:” greed, anger and delusions. They are called the three poisons because they are the root of all of our suffering.

To end all suffering, we must wake up to our involvement with these poisons. When we express our��gratitude, we transform those poisons. We cut through greed by not wanting more but being satisfied with what we have. We cut through anger, being grateful to our adversaries and the challenges they provide for opening our hearts.�� We cut through delusion about who we are and what matters.

No matter what the circumstances are, it is impossible to be suffering when you are grateful.

Imam Amir Durić—Muslim Chaplain

Imam Amir Durić

In Islam, gratitude starts with recognizing the countless blessings we enjoy every day and not taking them for granted. Two Arabic terms,��hamd�����Ի���shukr,��refer to expressing��gratitude��and praise.��Hamd��is about praising God Almighty, while��shukr��is about thanking our Creator for what He gives and expressing gratitude to others. We use the phrase “Alhamdulillah“—”All praise is due to God” frequently in gratitude when someone asks us how we are doing, when we wake up healthy, when something good happens, after meals, in each unit of daily prayers, and so on. The first verse of the Qur’an starts with the phrase “Alhamdulillah,”��highlighting the importance of gratitude. In other words, it is not just a feeling but an essential form of worship.

Gratitude is essential because it keeps our hearts connected to the source of all goodness and brings our attention to things we already possess. Rather than being desperate about something we don’t have, gratitude brings joy through appreciating and celebrating what we already have in our lives. Gratitude also fosters humility by acknowledging that we are not self-sufficient but depend on our Creator and the kindness of others around us. Gratefulness transforms our perspective and builds a positive mindset, making us more patient and resilient in challenging times.

We can express gratitude through small acts of kindness, helping others, sharing our resources, kind words, sincere thanks, smiles, praying and supplicating for those who have benefited us, and spreading good wherever we can.

Sanjay Mathur—Hindu Chaplain

Sanjay Mathur

Gratitude is difficult to define. It has been conceptualized as an emotion, an attitude, a moral virtue, a habit, a personality trait and a coping response. Gratitude is a sacred obligation (duty) that every Hindu is supposed to fulfill during their lifetime. This means appreciation for family, ancestors, cultural values, appreciation for God, appreciation for knowledge, skills and talents and appreciation for ecosystem. Gratitude is the appreciation of what is valuable and meaningful to oneself; it is a general state of thankfulness and/or appreciation.

Taking the time to feel gratitude may improve your emotional wellbeing by helping you cope with stress. It can help you learn to recognize the good things in your life despite our challenges. A good practice is to reflect on the good things that have happened. It can be as simple as enjoying a hot mug of coffee. It can also mean being grateful for a close friend’s compassionate support. Allowing yourself a moment to enjoy that you had the positive experience, no matter what negatives may exist in your life, lets positive feelings of gratitude bubble up. When we are grateful, we acknowledge the sacrifices of others and step up to make sacrifices when we are called to do so.

Simply giving thanks affects everything—the way we feel, think and act. This reminds us of all the things we have in life rather than focusing on what we lack.

Sophia Perez—Christian Protestant Assistant Chaplain, Non-Denominational

Sophia Perez

In my faith tradition, gratitude means taking a moment to pause and to thank God for what He has done for our lives. We often put praise and worship into practice to express to God how grateful we are for this gift of undeserving love.

Gratitude is important because we often live our lives in the fast lane; we wake up, go to work, sleep and do it again the next day. However, when we take a moment to be grateful and pause and give thanks to God, our friends or our family and all that they have done for us, it can often bring joy and encouragement into our lives, and motivation to do better and be better.

Gratitude can be expressed to others by simple things such as words of gratitude and/or a hug to a friend who has done something special for us or has lent us a hand in time of need. We can also be ready to help whenever our friend needs our assistance later in the future. Showing gratitude because someone has done something special for you can also be passed on to strangers whom you have not interacted with such as sharing a smile, holding the door, volunteering at a food pantry, etc.

Rev. Jee Hae Song—Christian Protestant Chaplain, United Methodist

Rev. Jee Hae Song

Every year when the holiday season for Christians is about to begin, we encounter the day of Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving lends itself to helping us name the many ways we are blessed, focusing on the source of all blessings.

Where can we find gratitude? In the United Methodist tradition, it is often encouraged to read one of the Creation Psalms on Thanksgiving Day. These Psalms remind us that all that we enjoy, all that we are blessed of, and all that we are thankful for are attributed to God who provides all. And this Creator loves us and blesses us. This theology is best embodied, as we Christians believe, in the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus.

We are thankful to God when we know that all we have and are blessed with is from the Creator of the Universe.

Father Gerry Waterman, OFM Conv.—Catholic Chaplain

Father Gerry Waterman

One of the Catholic Church’s favorite saints, St. Francis of Assisi, said that gratitude is the most perfect prayer since all we have is a gift from our loving God. Pope Francis said that gratitude can make the world a better place and that it can transmit hope. Gratitude can help us grow in charity, which according to St. Paul is the greatest virtue. Practicing gratitude can allow us to discover true Christian joy!

Gratitude can easily be expressed to others by acknowledging and thanking them for their presence in your life and for the difference they make in your world! Sometimes a smile does it most simply. I like to write (in cursive) thank you notes to share my gratitude.

I’d say what is clear to me, and I wanted folks to be clear that are in the Senate, is that the two clear changes that are coming is consolidation is continuing. It’s largely driven by media and where the money is, but conference realignment and consolidating into smaller numbers of schools that are receiving large amounts of revenue is continuing to occur.And if you want to compete at the highest level in intercollegiate sports, it’s going to cost a lot more money. What’s undecided and what’s really up for grabs is where that money is coming from, who it’s spent on and how it’s going to be spent. Those are issues that if this was just a professional sport league would be decided by the owners and the managers and the commissioners. That’s largely where this discussion has been occurring at colleges so far. But there are stakeholders that need to be at the table in that discussion, and those are the students themselves, and not just the student-athletes, but the students who come to college partly for this as part of the experience. It has to be the faculty that are responsible for teaching and curriculum related to these students. And a little more, it has to be the presidents owning up to responsibility for these decisions.

I’ve been trying to get that to happen, to get Syracuse to be at the table nationally for these discussions and here, to get all the University stakeholders at the table. I’m thrilled about this discussion and the involvement of this committee and these issues going forward. I have strong views on a lot of the questions that have been raised, including the role of collective bargaining going forward, including Title IX, including other things. But it’s not just my decision; it’s not the athletic director’s decision; it’s not athletics’ decision—on ��whether to impose a student fee, for example. It’s a more general discussion, and this is just the beginning of that discussion, but it’s going to be fairly active all year. That’s pretty much all I can say at the moment about the uncertainty.

I can give three other quick updates and then take questions. On benefits, open enrollment ended. WellNow has reached an agreement with Excellus, so that urgent care provider is now in network. Negotiation is still going on with FamilyCare Medical Group and St. Joseph’s Health. So we’ll keep you informed as that goes forward. I’m still hopeful that those agreements will happen by Jan. 1.

I do want to let people know that we are transitioning the management of the bookstore, University Campus Store, to Barnes & Noble, and that includes books and course materials. As part of that transition, Associate Provost for Academic Programs Julie Hasenwinkel and Senior Vice President and Chief Operations Officer John Papazoglou have created and convened and are leading a Textbook Affordability Working Group. That’s formed in response to student concerns, including from the Student Association, about the high cost of textbooks and the lack of advanced notice on what textbooks are required in particular courses. The group’s goals include getting faculty to disclose their textbook requirements before students register for classes if possible, giving students more time to seek affordable options like used books or rentals, exploring options for supporting faculty to select lower cost textbooks and streamlining the textbook adoption process. This has been requested by the students multiple times, including the Student Association leadership. The group is going to share its recommendations once it concludes his work and will be reported out in some way through the Senate.

And the last thing to say is, with all the changes in athletics, I’d also like to notice that some of our teams are having good success, including in football and basketball. And, I hope women’s basketball again tonight. We are opening formally for the first time to the public, the Miron Victory Court for the football game on Saturday. It is a new event space that stretches the length of the space between the Barnes Center and the JMA Wireless Dome. This is a fairly large space that is useful for all kinds of things, indoor tailgating, student events, public events, job fairs. It opens both into the Barnes Center and into the JMA Dome so it can be an adjunct space to either one or both, or neither. If you think of it as a space that could be used for all sorts of things, including things that have currently been restricted to using the Goldstein Auditorium because of size. It has good acoustics and good technology. I thank everybody in Campus Planning, Design and Construction, in Advancement, everybody, who helped get that open, and I encourage you to take a look at it this weekend and buy tickets for the Connecticut game.

Egyptologist Mark Lehner presented the Phanstiel Lecture, “The People Who Built the Pyramids—How We Know,” earlier this month in Maxwell Auditorium. (Photos by Chuck Wainwright)

For Egyptologist Mark Lehner, who has researched the monuments and environs of the Giza Plateau for decades, his question for most of his career has not been about how they were built but rather who crafted these enduring wonders.

“I was simply asking where are all the people? Where’s the settlement? What would it tell us about their lives if we could dig into it with scientific archaeology?” said Lehner, who presented the Phanstiel Lecture, “The People Who Built the Pyramids—How We Know,”��earlier this month in Maxwell Auditorium.

To get to those answers, “I realized that I had to turn my back to the pyramids and look beyond them, around them, to understand the pyramids themselves,” Lehner said. “Because if you don’t understand the elementary structures of everyday life of a people, of a culture, you don’t understand their monuments.”

A distinguished archeologist and founder and president of Ancient Egypt Research Associates (AERA), Lehner has over 40 years of experience studying Egypt’s ancient history. Founded in 1985, the AERA team expanded research on the infrastructure of the pyramid builders, revealing insights into the lives of the ancient workers.

Lehner’s work includes such groundbreaking projects as mapping the Great Sphinx and leading the Giza Plateau Mapping Project, an initiative that unearths and studies Old Kingdom settlements.

Sponsored by the , Lehner’s visit was one of the ’ centennial events.

“It’s a particular honor to be here celebrating 100 years of the Maxwell School, and I realize that we’re way deep into time here compared to a lot of studies here at the Maxwell School, and I’m just wondering if this deep dive into early civilization history might serve as some kind of notice about what is citizenship, what is public affairs, what was it 4,500 years ago?” Lehner said. “What does citizenship mean in these very early periods? And for that matter, was there even such a thing as public versus private?”

Lost City of the Pyramids

Presenting photos and diagrams of the Giza Plateau and its famous sites, Lehner spoke about his discoveries in the Lost City of the Pyramids, a site south of the Sphinx where the AERA team began excavating in 1988. The site stretches south from a colossal ancient stone wall known as Heit el-Ghurab (or “Wall of the Crow”). Here, AERA excavations are revealing an urban settlement that served those building the great pyramids 4,500 years ago.

Below the sands, AERA archeologists exposed the architectural footprint of their labor organization, Lehner said. They found small houses, streets, bakeries, a royal administrative building and a complex of galleries that would have housed the workers.

Egyptologist Mark Lehner presented the Phanstiel Lecture, “The People Who Built the Pyramids—How We Know,”��earlier this month in Maxwell Auditorium.

Animal bones, ancient plants and chips of stone tools—these tiny fragments, which they found through a meticulous sieving process—revealed everyday life.

“We had evidence from the ancient bone that up to several thousand people were eating meat every day, prime beef,” said Lehner, who also noted they found dozens of bakeries. “So we came up with the barracks hypothesis. The idea that people in the provinces were pulsed through the gallery complex during periods of obligatory labor.”

They also discovered wares and remnants of materials that would have been brought in from other parts of Africa and the Middle East.

Their findings and hypotheses have been substantiated by an important discovery in the desert caves at Wadi al-Jarf near the Red Sea. Fellow archeologist Pierre Tallet and his colleagues found the world’s oldest inscribed papyri, written accounts by the people who built the pyramids.

Lehner and Tallet collaborated to connect the writings with the physical remnants. “This is just one example of the evidence we used to reconstruct the pyramid builders’ floodplain and waterways,” Lehner said. “We think they actually dredged these harbors and waterways to the depths of the main trunk channel of the Nile, to a Western Nile branch, to bring water as close as possible to the foot of the Giza Plateau.”

Training the Next Generation of Archeologists

Lehner discussed another important aspect of AERA: training Egyptian archeologists to continue this important work. With funding from private sources and the U.S. Agency for International Development, AERA has trained 350 scholars over 19 years.

“We became one of the largest deployments in Egyptian archeology, and these students have gone on to become major officials and directors within the Ministry Tourism and of Antiquities,” Lehner said.

Following Lehner’s lecture, Maxwell School Dean David M. Van Slyke recognized the archeologist’s work and how his research “shines a light” on those who contributed to these monumental achievements but are often overlooked.

“Dr. Lehner uncovers not only the physical infrastructure that sustained these great undertakings but also the values, daily lives and ingenuity of the ancient workforce that powered them,” Van Slyke said. “The builder city stands as a tribute to these individuals and reminds us that behind every monumental structure are stories of human resilience and creativity.”

Egyptologist Mark Lehner presented the Phanstiel Lecture, “The People Who Built the Pyramids—How We Know,”��earlier this month in Maxwell Auditorium.

The competition will take place on April 3, 2025, and offers a unique platform for students and teams to propose their ideas for combating the spread of inaccurate or misleading health information among college students. Participants will have the opportunity to showcase their strategies in front of a distinguished panel of judges, including experts in public health, media and business innovation.

“We are living in an era where misinformation can have serious, even life-threatening consequences,” says Alexandra Punch, director of the Lerner Center. “This competition is not just about raising awareness but driving real, actionable ideas and solutions that can be implemented on a community or even national scale.”

Submissions for the upcoming competition will be judged based on four key criteria: creativity, feasibility, impact potential and scalability. The top team will be awarded cash prizes, mentorship opportunities and access to valuable resources to further refine and implement their project. Finalists will also gain the opportunity to connect with influential stakeholders in the fields of public health and entrepreneurship, opening doors for potential partnerships and ongoing support.

The Lerner Center and Blackstone LaunchPad are hosting information sessions for prospective participants. The next session will be , and will provide detailed guidance on the competition, offering tips on crafting an effective pitch and outlining the submission process.

The Social Impact Pitch Competition, which aims to attract both students and professionals, will focus this year on combating misinformation—an issue that has gained prominence in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, as misleading health narratives have proliferated on social media and other platforms. The competition seeks to inspire innovative solutions to the growing public health challenge.

For those interested in more information or to sign up for updates, visit the Lerner Center’s or attend one of the upcoming information sessions.

Through a new initiative called Lender Global, each year one of the University’s abroad centers will be designated as the Lender Global Partner. In addition, three research fellowships will be awarded to students studying at that location.

Lender Global begins in Spring 2025 at with a focus on social and environmental justice. The student fellows will examine the themes of biodiversity and the rights of nature; climate justice for people of the global majority; and meaningful engagement with ethical travel.

Lender Center Director says the extension of the Lender Center’s social justice initiative via the Syracuse Abroad platform makes sense because most social justice issues exist beyond the United States. “This initiative aligns with the University’s goals of preparing students to be responsible global citizens and addressing the social and scientific issues that affect people everywhere. It helps raise awareness that social justice issues don’t begin and end at a country’s borders and that solutions can come from innovative thinkers and dedicated researchers anywhere in the world.”

Assistant Provost and Syracuse Abroad Executive Director says, “We are pleased to partner with the Lender Center on this innovative concept that enhances our current programming and supports experiential learning, innovative research and human thriving. It’s an excellent way for students to include unique research opportunities while they study abroad.” ��

Climate Research

Students will be mentored and guided in their research by , an environmental activist-academic who is Syracuse Abroad’s London-based community engagement specialist, and Maggie Sardino ’23, a graduate of the College of Arts and Sciences and the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs and a Marshall Scholar. The fellows will be affiliated with Syracuse London’s Environment, Sustainability and Policy learning community, which allows students to take classes, live, intern, volunteer and engage in other activities alongside peers with similar interests.

In addition to working on their research and participating in the learning community, fellows will also collaboratively develop communication tools for future Syracuse Abroad students about how to be mindful of their ecological footprint and meaningfully engage with ethical travel, according to Farnum.

Spring 2024 students in the Syracuse Abroad London center program visit the Big Pit National Coal Museum in Wales as part of their examination of sustainable energy transitions and environmental heritage. (Photo by Syracuse London staff)

Farnum says London is an ideal location to study how major cities can creatively solve sustainability challenges. “London regularly ranks as one of the world’s Top 10 Sustainable Cities, is home to many of the world’s greenest buildings and is technically classified as a forest given its extensive green spaces, which comprise 47% of the city’s area. That’s why London makes a wonderful ‘living lab’ for this topic and why the London center provides a natural home for environmental, sustainability and policy studies.”

Troy Gordon, Syracuse Abroad director of global teaching and learning, says the social and environmental justice program is one of the Syracuse London center’s strengths. That focus comprises about 15% of the center’s curriculum—including a pre-semester traveling seminar on sustainability in Scandinavia, a course on climate change and environmental activism and a studio-based course on urban sustainability, in addition to its Learning Community for Environment, Sustainability and Policy. Students are also able to engage and learn in an exciting, green urban environment where social and environmental justice is a focal point and a true strength of the center, he says.

Students enrolled in the Spring 2025 London abroad program will be invited to apply for the fellowship.

Fall 2023 students from a geography course on environmental racism in the Syracuse London program volunteer at Calthorpe Community Garden. It is a green space in the heart of London supporting food security and cultural connection for migrant populations. (Photo by Syracuse London staff)

Lender Center Support

The Lender Center for Social Justice, made possible by a gift from , seeks to foster proactive, innovative and interdisciplinary approaches to social justice issues of equity and inclusion. The Lender Global program is designed to prompt development of novel approaches and creative solutions to global challenges while considering the needs and capacities of the partner program and its host community, Phillips says.

Syracuse Abroad shares many of the Lender Center’s values and commitments, according to Wilkens. Consistently ranked among top study abroad programs in the U.S., Syracuse Abroad has a long history of meaningful community engagement, experiential learning and cultural exchange around the world. Quality academic experiences across professional and liberal arts disciplines are offered at six overseas centers in Florence, London, Madrid, Santiago (Chile), Strasbourg (France) and through a program in Central Europe.

Phillips and Wilkens say Syracuse Santiago will likely be designated as the 2025-26 Lender Global Partner, which would enable students to do research in English, Spanish or both languages.

Requests received after Jan. 10 will be processed in the order they were received and are not guaranteed to be available by the first week of classes. Reserve requests can include library materials, items to be purchased or faculty’s personal copies. Course reserves are an excellent way to provide students with affordable and accessible course materials.

Libraries’ Collection Materials

For that require the Libraries to purchase a new item not currently in the collection, the Libraries will purchase the eBook version when available. This allows more students to use course material at the same time and provides students with easier access.

Faculty requesting a print copy in course reserves should indicate that in the notes section of the form. The Libraries may require four to six weeks to purchase and receive new physical items. All physical course reserve items will only be available at Bird Library. Please note that the Libraries does not offer course reserves for electronic articles from professional journals.

Faculty Personal Copies

Personal copies of materials on course reserve for student access should also be submitted through the Libraries’ . For faculty requesting that personal copies be picked up from faculty department offices, email reserves@syr.edu with faculty name, course number and number of items/books to be picked up in the email.

Accessible Files

As you compile the resources you will be putting on reserve this coming semester, please remember that these resources may need to be in a format that is accessible for students who need to use screen readers or text-to-speech software to access these resources. If you need an accessible file, please indicate that in the notes section on the or email reserve@syr.edu.

For more information about course reserves, visit the .

Transportation

has announced reduced campus shuttle services during the Thanksgiving break.��Safety escort services are available from 8 p.m.-6 a.m. from Nov. 23-Dec. 1 by using the .

For those students looking for help reaching their destinations over the break, Student Engagement provides roundtrip buses to select cities on the East Coast. The cities include: New York City; Boston, Massachusetts; Washington, D.C.; White Plains, New York; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and Rockaway, New Jersey. Bus tickets are $110 and seats are still available. Visit the for more information.

The University also provides complimentary roundtrip transportation to the Syracuse Hancock International Airport and the Regional Transportation Center (for buses and trains). Buses will run from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 22, with pickup from Goldstein Student Center (South Campus), College Place and the Brewster/Boland/Brockway Complex. On Sunday, Dec. 1, buses will provide return transportation from the Syracuse Airport/Regional Transportation Center from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Campus Dining

Many campus dining options will be closed or operate at limited hours over the break.��To see the hours of operation for all locations, ��. Here are some options for where to eat on campus each day.

• Saturday, Nov. 23
  • Sadler Dining Center, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
  • Orange Dining Center, 10:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
• Sunday, Nov. 24
  • Orange Dining Center, 10:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
• Monday, Nov. 25
  • Dunkin’, 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
  • Gerry’s Café, 8 a.m.-3 p.m.
  • Life Sciences Café, 8 a.m.-3 p.m.
  • Orange Dining Center, 10:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
  • Halal Shack, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
  • Tavola 44, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
• Tuesday, Nov. 26
  • Dunkin’, 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
  • Gerry’s Café, 8 a.m.-3 p.m.
  • Life Sciences Café, 8 a.m.-3 p.m.
  • Orange Dining Center, 10:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
  • Halal Shack, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
  • Tavola 44, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
• Wednesday, Nov. 27
  • Dunkin’, 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
  • Gerry’s Café, 8 a.m.-3 p.m.
  • Life Sciences Café, 8 a.m.-3 p.m.
  • Orange Dining Center, 10:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
  • Halal Shack, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
  • Tavola 44, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
• Thursday, Nov. 28
  • Orange Dining Center, 10:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
• Friday, Nov. 29
  • Orange Dining Center, 10:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
• Saturday, Nov. 30
  • Sadler Dining Center, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
  • Orange Dining Center, 10:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
• Sunday, Dec. 1
  • Brockway Dining Center, Ernie Davis Dining Center, Graham Dining Center, Orange Dining Center, Sadler Dining Center and Shaw Dining Center, all open standard hours.
  • Starbucks (West Campus), 7 a.m.-3 p.m.
  • Dunkin’, 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
  • Greens and Grains, noon-11 p.m.
  • Otto’s Juice Box (Goldstein), noon-11 p.m.
  • Starbucks (Goldstein), noon-8 p.m.
  • CoreLife Eatery, 1-7 p.m.
  • Halal Shack, 1-7 p.m.
  • Original Orange, 4-11 p.m.
  • Southbound, 4-11 p.m.
  • Tomato Wheel, 4-11 p.m.

Barnes Center at The Arch

Barnes Center at The Arch hours for health care, mental health, recreation and other facilities over Thanksgiving break are available on the��.

Reminder: Call 315.443.8000 for 24-Hour Support

Students experiencing a mental health crisis, seeking support for sexual assault or relationship violence, or needing urgent medical consultation can receive free, confidential services 24 hours a day, seven days a week, by calling 315.443.8000. Routine consultations should hold until the next business day.

Libraries

The hours for Syracuse University Libraries facilities are as follows:

• Saturday, Nov. 23
  • Bird Library, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
• Sunday, Nov. 24
  • Bird Library, noon-8 p.m.
• Monday, Nov. 25
  • Bird Library, 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
  • Carnegie Library, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
  • Law Library, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
  • King + King Architecture Library, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Tuesday, Nov. 26
  • Bird Library, 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
  • Carnegie Library, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
  • Law Library, 8 a.m.-5 p.m
  • King + King Architecture Library, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Wednesday, Nov. 27
  • Bird Library, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
  • Carnegie Library, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
  • Law Library, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Thursday, Nov. 28-Friday, Nov. 29
  • No libraries open
• Saturday, Nov. 30
  • Bird Library, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
• Sunday, Dec. 1
  • Bird Library, opens at 10 a.m.
  • Carnegie Library, noon-8 p.m.

Department of Public Safety

The Department of Public Safety is available to the campus community 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The department can be reached at 315.443.2224 or by dialing 711 from any campus phone.

This story was written by Student Experience communications intern Chloe Langerman ’25, S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications.

The application deadline for the 2025-26 Remembrance Scholarship cohort is Friday, Jan. 17, 2025.

The Remembrance Scholarship is one of the highest honors a Syracuse University student can receive. Those selected are chosen on the basis of leadership, creativity, thoughtful academic inquiry and community impact, including through service to the military, ROTC, first responder, student government, campus clubs or other community organizations.

The 35 rising seniors chosen are each awarded a $5,000 Remembrance Scholarship, and are charged with helping to educate the campus community about the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland, in 1988.

Scholars are expected to undertake meaningful service and to promote initiatives to combat hatred and extremism.��Through education, all 270 lost in the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103, especially our 35 students, are remembered and honored. The motto of the Remembrance Scholars is “Look Back and Act Forward.”

Who Can Apply?

Any Syracuse University undergraduate student who is in good academic standing and will graduate in either December 2025, May 2026 or summer 2026 is eligible to apply. Students self-nominate for this scholarship. This award is not tied to financial need.

Information Sessions

Information sessions will be held on the following dates and times:

• Thursday, Dec. 5, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. in Room 104, Whitman School of Management
• Tuesday, Dec. 10, from 4 to 5 p.m. on (registration required)

At each session, current Remembrance Scholars will provide an overview of their experience, from the application stage to their participation in Remembrance Week.

To request accommodations for the information sessions, contact Melissa Welshans at mlwelsha@syr.edu.

Application Deadline

The application deadline is Friday, Jan. 17, 2025.

Questions may be directed to remember@syr.edu.

2024 ※�������50 Alumni Entrepreneur Award winners (Photo by Chuck Wainwright)

For the second year in a row, the University honored Orange ingenuity with two days of celebration, networking and a friendly pitch competition as part of the ※�������50 Alumni Entrepreneur Awards.

Last Thursday, the ※�������50 Alumni Entrepreneur Awards ceremony recognized the 2024 honorees, culminating with a live reveal of the top 10 fastest-growing Orange businesses. The evening also included a conversation with , celebrity chef and baker from A&E’s hit shows “Cake Dynasty” and “Legends of the Fork,” who participated in a fireside chat, sharing the personal ingredients behind his entrepreneurial success.

The next day, honorees of the ※�������50 Alumni Entrepreneur Awards headlined the ※�������50 Summit. The summit allowed students to meet and network with top thinkers on engaging, practical and forward-thinking opportunities. The summit also included a “Six for Six” student pitch competition, where the top six campus innovation teams participated in a spirited “Shark Tank”-style format for a “winner take all” $6,000 grand prize selected by ※�������50 honorees.

Check out how the two days went:

※�������50 Alumni Entrepreneur Awards (Nov. 14)��

Thomas O’Brien ’25, student in the College of Visual and Performing Arts, kicked off the ceremony. (Photo by Chuck Wainwright)

J. Michael Haynie, vice chancellor for strategic initiatives and innovation and executive dean of the Martin J. Whitman School of Management, provided the welcoming remarks for the evening. (Photo by Chuck Wainwright)

Tracy Barlok, senior vice president and chief advancement officer, and Buddy Valastro, celebrity chef and baker, participated in a fireside chat. (Photo by Chuck Wainwright)

The University presented Valastro with an Otto the Orange cake as a thank you for participating in the evening’s festivities. (Photo by Chuck Wainwright)

Student attendees were invited on stage to take a photo with Valastro and Otto the Orange. (Photo by Angela Ryan)

Valastro posed for photos with attendees after the event. (Photo by Chuck Wainwright)

Valastro posed with Aaron Krause ’92 (center), founder of Scrub Daddy and Otto the Orange. (Photo by Chuck Wainwright)

Award winners and attendees had an opportunity to network after the awards portion of the evening. (Photo by Angela Ryan)

Award winners and attendees gathered together after the awards portion of the evening. (Photo by Chuck Wainwright)

Students enjoyed the networking event after the ceremony. (Photo by Chuck Wainwright)

Otto had fun joking around with the award winners. (Photo by Chuck Wainwright)

※�������50 Entrepreneurship Summit (Nov. 15)

The ※�������50 Summit included conversations and networking with the 50 fastest-growing alumni businesses. (Photo by Chuck Wainwright)

Alex McKelvie, professor of entrepreneurship and interim dean of the Whitman School, provided welcoming remarks at the summit. (Photo by Chuck Wainwright)

Students met and networked with alumni founders and top executives of leading innovation companies at the ‘CUSE50 Summit. (Photo by Marilyn Hesler)

Haynie addressed the ※�������50 Summit attendees. (Photo by Chuck Wainwright)

※�������50 honorees participated in various panel discussions. (Photo by Chuck Wainwright)

Students engaged with ※�������50 honorees. (Photo by Chuck Wainwright)

The ※�������50 Summit brought out great conversations and collaboration. (Photo by Chuck Wainwright)

Students participated in a spirited “Six for Six” student pitch competition. (Photo by Chuck Wainwright)

Nicolas Courbage ’26 (center), student in the Whitman School and founder of PapeX, won the “Six for Six” student pitch competition. (Photo by Chuck Wainwright)

The Student Library Advisory Board is an opportunity for students to share their ideas, needs and feedback to improve the Libraries’ services, resources, spaces and programming. Members will participate in user experience activities during once-a-month Friday meetings and will serve as ambassadors for the Libraries among their peers. Members will also gain leadership and skill-building experience, including in areas of information literacy, communication, civic responsibility, research and creative thinking, while helping to improve the Libraries through fun and interactive engagement. Applicants can anticipate a commitment of approximately three hours per month. Current library student employees are ineligible to participate.

The Student Library Advisory Board is being supported, in part, through a collaboration with . Those with questions can contact Seyvion Scott at sscott17@syr.edu.

The Department of Public Safety accepts their Advanced Accreditation during the Fall 2024 CALEA Conference. Pictured from left: CALEA Commissioner Marlon Lynch, DPS Director of Administration Donna Adams, Associate VP and Chief of Campus Safety and Emergency Management Craig A. Stone, DPS Accreditation Manager and Detective Chris Wood and CALEA Executive Director W. Craig Hartley, Jr. (Photo courtesy of CALEA)

The number one priority of the Department of Public Safety (DPS) is keeping the campus community safe. This is accomplished through adhearing to public safety standards set forth by the and the . DPS obtained both the IACLEA accreditation in 2015 and CALEA accreditation in 2020 and is pleased to announce being granted advanced accreditation by CALEA.

In April 2022, Craig A. Stone, associate vice president and chief of campus safety and emergency management services, directed DPS staff to work together to seek advanced accreditation knowing that this would not only enhance the delivery of public safety services but also build trust within the campus community. Advanced accreditation surpasses standard accreditation by requiring the DPS to meet an even more comprehensive set of rigorous standards. This level of accreditation is a testament to DPS’s dedication to adopting and following best recognized practices, maintaining high levels of professionalism, and ensuring that its operations are aligned with the most up-to-date and effective law enforcement methodologies.

“We appreciate the annual external file reviews, and the independent on-site assessment conducted by CALEA to verify our compliance with advanced accreditation,” says Chief Stone. “Obtaining advanced accreditation is a voluntary process, which we welcomed as an opportunity to demonstrate the highest level of public safety service in our commitment to keeping the campus community safe.”

During its assessment, DPS demonstrated compliance with CALEA’s advanced standards, addressing the requirements with minimal issues. Throughout the process, the department consistently met the stringent criteria set by CALEA, showcasing its commitment to maintaining the highest levels of professionalism, accountability and operational excellence.

“Obtaining advanced law enforcement accreditation from CALEA demonstrates the commitment the Syracuse University Department of Public Safety has for enhancing its operational efficiency, accountability and professionalism,” says Detective Christopher Wood, accreditation manager. “This accreditation provides opportunities for ongoing training and development, improving overall performance and helping to maintain a safe and secure campus environment.”

Through advanced accreditation, DPS has improved its operational capabilities that are designed to address the challenges of campus safety. This includes more innovative training programs for officers, better relationships with our law enforcement partners and the establishment of more robust risk management and crime analysis. These improvements enable the department to respond more effectively to emergencies, manage risks effectively and provide a greater level of security for the campus community.

DPS achieving advanced accreditation with CALEA represents a significant milestone in our commitment to excellence and highlights the department’s critical role as a partner in maintaining a safe and supportive campus, contributing to Syracuse University’s broader mission of ensuring a safe and secure living, learning and working environment in partnership with those it serves.

Photo courtesy of stock.adobe.com

Staying in Central New York for Thanksgiving break? Check out our guide for exciting activities and the best spots to order Thanksgiving take-out if you’d rather skip the cooking.

Local Takeout Options

Want to skip all the meal preparation? Many local restaurants are offering delicious takeout options for the holiday, but don’t wait, get your orders in ahead of time.

• (Orders due by 5 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 22)
• (Orders due by Friday, Nov. 22)
• (Orders are first come, first serve, once form is completed, someone will contact you to confirm)
• (take out available on Nov. 28 from 1-4 p.m.)
• , Onondaga Blvd location (Orders due by 5 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 25)
• (Orders due by 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 26)
• ��(Orders due 48 hours in advance, Wednesday and Thursday pick-up options available)

Fun Activities for All

If you’re looking for something fun and festive to do to kick off the holidays, this list of activities has something for everyone.

Photo courtesy of Critz Farms’ Facebook page

Address: 3232 Rippleton Rd.- State Route 13 South, Cazenovia
When: Friday, Nov. 29, through Sunday, Dec. 15, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Admission: Free
Details: Open for Christmas tree and wreath sales including cut-your-own trees complete with wagon rides and full service baling and tie-down. Don’t forget to stop by the cafe, gift shop and tap room while you are there!

Address: Clinton Square, 161 Genesee St., Syracuse��
When: Friday, Nov. 29, 6 p.m.
Admission: Free
Details: The celebration will include the lighting of the 42-foot tree in the heart of downtown Syracuse and performances by local musicians.

Photo courtesy of CNY Regional Market’s Facebook page

Address: CNY Regional Market, 2100 Park St., Syracuse
When: Saturday, Nov. 30, 7 a.m.-2 p.m.
Admission: Free
Details: Celebrate local artisans and producers while discovering a wide variety of fresh produce, handmade crafts and unique gifts just in time for the holiday season.

Photo courtesy of Lights on the Lake’s Facebook page

Address: 106 Lake Drive, Liverpool
When: Now through Monday, Jan. 13, 2025
Admission: Tickets range from $10-$20 per carload and are to be
Details: Lights on the Lake is a two-mile long drive-thru show featuring hundreds of holiday displays with over 600,000 lights! Sections include a larger-than life Land of Oz, a twinkling fantasy forest, holiday traditions, a fairy tale magic grand finale and more! Over 40,000 vehicles drive through the show each season, making Lights on the Lake one of Central New York’s favorite holiday traditions. Enjoy your favorite sounds of the season during your visit by tuning in to Sunny 102.1, the official radio station of Lights on the Lake.

Photo courtesy of The Wild Animal Park’s Facebook page

Location: 351 S. Clinton St., Syracuse
When: Saturday, Nov. 30, 3-9 p.m.
Admission: $5, tickets can be��
Details: SKY Armory makes small business Saturday shopping easy when they bring together 70+ of Central New York’s artisans and makers under one roof for an evening of entertainment, food, drinks and shopping.

Location: 201 East Washington St., Syracuse
When: Sunday, Dec. 1, 1-5 p.m.
Admission: Free
Details: Experience festive music, yummy treats and handmade gifts for all.

Photo courtesy of skaneateles.com

Location: 7621 Lakeport Rd., Chittenango
When: Now through Jan. 1, 2025 (dates vary, check the )
Admission: $16.99-$19.99 per person, pay at the door when you arrive
Details: Come take a walk through The Wild and see the animals who can tolerate the cold along with beautiful festive lighting displays.

Location: Village of Skaneateles
When: Every Saturday and Sunday from Nov. 30-Dec. 24, including Fri, Nov. 29, from noon-4 p.m. and Tuesday, Dec. 24, from noon-2:30 p.m.
Admission: Free
Details: Get into the holiday spirit with roasted chestnuts, theater, caroling, pictures with Father Christmas and more at Dickens Christmas in Skaneateles.

The celebration seeks to honor the life and legacy of individuals who exemplify the spirit, life and teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. yet have not received widespread recognition or been previously honored for their efforts. These individuals represent a direct expression of Syracuse University’s commitment to fostering and supporting a university welcoming to all.

If you know an individual who should be honored and celebrated, please consider for recognition at the 2025 celebration. Nominations must be a minimum of 250 words and a maximum��of 500 words. The nomination should be a written explanation of how the nominee embodies Dr. King’s legacy, and what makes them an Unsung Hero. ��included Syracuse community members, and Syracuse University faculty, students and staff.

Nominations may be made in any of the following categories:

• youth/teen from Onondaga, Madison, Oswego, Cayuga or Cortland counties
• adult from Onondaga, Madison, Oswego, Cayuga or Cortland counties
• currently enrolled student at Syracuse University or SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF)
• faculty or staff from Syracuse University or SUNY ESF

Nominations are due by Wednesday, Dec. 18, at 11:59 p.m. EST.

The 2025 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration will take place on Jan. 26, 2025, in the JMA Wireless Dome. Further information will be announced in the coming weeks at .

Questions regarding the Unsung Hero Awards can be directed to Hendricks Chapel at chapel@syr.edu.

Seyvion Scott

Seyvion Scott joined Syracuse University Libraries this fall as the student engagement librarian in Learning and Academic Engagement. In this role, Scott will lead user experience and student engagement activities and provide reference, instruction and outreach services.

Prior to joining the Libraries, Scott served as the first-year experience librarian at Monroe Community College in Rochester and Medaille University Library in Buffalo.

Scott received her master’s degree in information science with a concentration in library and information services from the University at Albany (SUNY Albany) and her bachelor’s degree in African and African American Studies from the University of Rochester.

Then he shared that when he poses that question in his classes, hardly anyone raises their hand. When he calls on students, they inevitably describe the feeling they have when around family or when doing something they like, he said.

Brooks tells them: “‘That’s beautiful. That’s lovely. That’s wrong!’”

New York Times bestselling author and former Maxwell professor Arthur C. Brooks discussed the secrets of happiness at an event held on Oct. 30 in the National Veterans Resource Center.

“And it’s good news that it’s wrong,” he explained. “Because if you’re looking for a feeling to get your happiness, you’re going after a vapor. You’re consigning your happiness to forces out of your control. You’re going to go to bed at night saying, boy I sure hope I feel happy tomorrow. And point of fact, that’s how a lot of people live.”

Brooks’ talk, “How to Get Happier in an Unhappy World,” was held in the K.G. Tan Auditorium in the National Veterans Resource Center on Oct. 30. It was hosted by the Maxwell School and sponsored by the D’Aniello Family Foundation, the Louis A. Bantle Chair in Business-Government Policy and the Howard G. and S. Louise Phanstiel Chair in Leadership.

Brooks taught at Maxwell from 2001 to 2009. In addition to serving on the faculty at Harvard, he writes the popular weekly “How to Build a Life” column for The Atlantic and he is the No. 1 New York Times bestselling author of 13 books, including “Build the Life You Want: The Art and Science of Getting Happier” (Penguin Random House, 2023), co-authored with Oprah Winfrey.

Brooks’ focus on the scientific study of happiness began as he ended his time as the president of the American Enterprise Institute, a think tank in Washington, D.C. His Harvard class on the subject typically has a waiting list of several hundred students.

“It’s the most oversubscribed elective at the business school,” Brooks told the Syracuse audience, “which is weird, when you think about it. I mean, it’s a business curriculum and I’m teaching about happiness.”

But Brooks contends it’s popular because he is teaching students the business of their lives.

“I reinforce the idea that their lives are an entrepreneurial endeavor and they’re the founders,” said Brooks. “They’re the people who are building this incredible enterprise. The fortune they’re trying to accumulate is in love and happiness, and that’s what I want to help them get better at.”

So, what are the secrets to happiness?

“What we know in this field, based on both behavioral science and neuroscience, is that the happiest people have in both balance and abundance three things,” Brooks said. “They are enjoyment, satisfaction and meaning. Those are the three parts to happiness. You want to be a happier person? Those are things to pursue.”

Brooks spoke in depth about each of the three and how individuals can work to improve the ingredients of happiness in their own lives. He also shared his four pillars for happiness: Faith, family, friendship and work. Faith, he explained, doesn’t require religion, but can also come from something as simple as taking in a beautiful moment in nature.

Brooks’ lecture ended a daylong visit that included lunch with Maxwell and Arts and Sciences leadership scholars, as well as meetings with faculty, staff and University leaders.

“It was such a pleasure to have Arthur back on campus, to not only speak to this audience, but to interact with our students and see many old friends,” said Maxwell Dean David M. Van Slyke. “His insights into achieving happiness are helping people around the globe, and I am hopeful everyone who heard his remarks and spent time with him learned something about this important subject and about themselves.”

Brooks’ work on happiness can be found at .

To support individuals on our campus and in the community, the University is hosting Operation Orange Warmup to collect winter coats. The collection to assist students in need is happening on campus now through Friday, Dec. 6.

“There is a greater need for warm coats on this campus now more than ever before and no one should go without during the winter months,”��says Dr. Ruth Chen, professor of practice in the��College of Engineering and Computer Science, who helped establish the Operation Orange Warmup initiative. “Through the work of many campus units, we are helping to ensure those in need are prepared for the cold with a winter coat, and we are proud to partner with InterFaith Works to also assist those in the broader Syracuse community.”

Ways to Donate

Donations can be made several different ways:

• First, happening now through Friday, Nov. 22, students can donate in their residence halls. Collection bins are available in Ernie Davis, Milton, Orange, Day and Brewster, Boland and Brockway halls.
• Next, on Saturday, Nov. 30, when the football team takes on Miami in the JMA Wireless Dome, attendees can bring coats with them to the game. Donation bins will be placed strategically around the JMA Dome at gates A, B, C, D, E, F, M and N.
• Finally, from Monday, Dec. 2, through Friday, Dec. 6, collection bins will be available at Hendricks Chapel, the Schine Student Center on North Campus, Goldstein Student Center on South Campus and the Nancy Cantor Warehouse.

Members of the JMA Dome staff will manage the laundering of the donations before they are given out. Additionally, all children’s coats that are collected will be donated to Interfaith Works.

Volunteer Opportunities

Students looking to volunteer can get involved with Operation Orange Warmup. Volunteers are needed for the following:

• Monitoring collections during the coat drive at the football game on Nov. 30
• Sorting coats at the Schine Student Center
• Administering the selection of coats at the Schine Student Center

For more information and to register to volunteer, students can .

Coat Selection Event

Students in need of a coat can for the coat selection event on Tuesday, Dec. 10, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in The Underground at the Schine Student Center.

Through the generosity of Orange fans and the entire Syracuse University community, we can share the warmth with those in need this winter!

Entirely student-run, the event will be hybrid, with bidding opening online via Classy Live on Dec. 8 and continuing in-person on Dec. 10, as the Orange men’s basketball team takes on Albany in the JMA Wireless Dome. Online bidding will close at 8 p.m. EST on Wednesday, Dec. 11.

A member of the Sport Management Club greets customers at the Charity Sports Auction

The Rescue Mission strives to put “Love into Action” through providing emergency shelter,
clothing and three meals a day every day of the year in Onondaga County. Services including spiritual care, access to mental health professionals, substance abuse programming and physical health services.

“Hearing about all of the great things the Rescue Mission does solidified my determination to
help those in need here at home,” says Paige Haines, director of events and community
engagement at the Rescue Mission.

Over the past 19 years, the auction has raised over $713,000 for central New York nonprofit organizations. Featured items this year include a Kareem Abdul-Jabbar signed playing card, a guitar signed by Sting, a Carmelo Anthony signed Syracuse University jersey, and much more.

To further the auction’s mission of community impact, this year’s auction title sponsor Apex Entertainment. Apex’s support underscores the commitment to making a meaningful difference in the CNY community.

Visit us at www.sucharitysportsauction.com or follow us on Twitter (@SPM_Auction) and
Instagram (@SPM_Auction) for the most up-to-date event information.

This story was submitted by students in the Sport Management Club.