High temperatures and humidity couldn鈥檛 dampen the enthusiasm of workers from across Central New York, including members of the University community, who gathered at Onondaga Lake Parkway on June 9 for the annual Syracuse WorkForce Run.

Due to the heat, organizers adjusted the format from a 5K run to a 2-mile walk. The event raised funds for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central New York.

网爆门 turned out in force with 340 participants鈥攖he second-highest total among all competing companies and organizations. Otto the Orange was on hand to rally the Orange team members.

Each June, the in the Office of Human Resources sponsors the University鈥檚 participation in the WorkForce Run as part of its mission to empower employees to live balanced, healthy lives.

鈥淲e were thrilled to have record numbers of 网爆门 employees celebrating health, teamwork and Orange pride,鈥� says Alex Dietrich, interim chief human resources officer. 鈥淭he WorkForce Run embodies what we believe at the University鈥攖hat focusing on well-being is essential to who we are as an institution. When our employees thrive, our entire university community benefits.鈥�

For many, the WorkForce Run is an annual tradition. Jon French, associate teaching professor and undergraduate director of chemistry in the College of Arts and Sciences, has participated since 2018, when the event was known as the JPMorgan Chase Corporate Challenge. He keeps coming back for the sense of community it creates.

鈥淚t鈥檚 fun to get out with friends and colleagues in a different setting鈥攖o see people off campus, outside of a conference room or a Zoom meeting,鈥� he says. 鈥淵ou connect with others who maybe you didn鈥檛 realize also had an interest in running. It鈥檚 also great that it鈥檚 open to all ability levels.鈥�

The event also drew first-timers, including Elisha Glover, a custodian with Facilities Services who had signed up three years in a row but was finally able to participate this year.

鈥淚 was determined to get it done this year,鈥� she says. 鈥淚 found the event because I鈥檓 always trying to stay healthy and informed, so I often sign up for things through the Wellness Initiative. My motto: if you fail, keep on trying!鈥�

Go back in time with this selection of historic images from the . The photos capture the evolution of the campus, student life and the community that has defined the University through the years.

To learn more about materials and photos in the University Archives, part of the in the , visit its .

Chancellor J. Michael Haynie today announced the appointment of Jeff Stoecker to senior vice president, chief of staff to the chancellor and chief communications and marketing officer. His appointment, effective July 1, was approved by the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees. Stoecker most recently served as senior vice president and chief communications officer.

In his expanded role, Stoecker will serve as the chancellor鈥檚 chief of staff, working at the center of the University’s executive leadership, while overseeing a unified Division of Communications and Marketing, bringing together two functions that are critical to Syracuse鈥檚 ability to tell its story effectively. It is a structure built for this moment in higher education.

“The chief of staff role requires someone with sound judgment, deep institutional knowledge and the kind of character that holds up under pressure. In more than six years at Syracuse, Jeff has demonstrated all of that,” says Chancellor Haynie. “Reuniting communications and marketing under a single, trusted leader is the right move for this University at this moment. Enrollment, fundraising, reputation鈥攖hese are not separate conversations. They require a coordinated voice and a clear strategy. Jeff is the right person to lead it.”

The reunification of the communications and marketing divisions reflects a deliberate effort to ensure those functions operate as a single, coordinated team in direct service of the University’s highest strategic priorities.

“I’ve spent my career at the intersection of storytelling and strategy, and I can’t think of a better place to put that to work than here,” says Stoecker. “Serving as chief of staff means making sure this University’s leadership is focused, aligned and moving in the same direction. Bringing communications and marketing together is a big part of how we do that, telling Syracuse’s story with one clear, focused voice. I’m excited about what this team is going to accomplish.”

Stoecker has been a central figure on 网爆门’s executive leadership team, guiding high-impact decisions on the institution’s communications operations and strategic vision. He played an especially instrumental role during the University’s recent leadership transition. In his unified role, he will lead a team of communications and marketing professionals across the institution, with a focus on elevating the University’s visibility, strengthening its brand and driving outcomes in enrollment and philanthropic support.

Stoecker succeeds Candace Campbell Jackson as chief of staff, a role she has served in for 11 years. Stoecker also assumes the marketing portfolio following the departure of Dara Royer, who served as the University’s chief marketing officer for nine years.

Stoecker brings to his expanded role a career spanning journalism, public relations and higher education communications. Before joining 网爆门, he served as vice president at FleishmanHillard, a global public relations and strategic marketing agency that specializes in brand marketing, corporate communication, crisis management and public affairs services. There he provided strategic counsel and media relations support to clients in the education, technology, healthcare and consumer sectors, including Harvard University, Babson College and Massachusetts General Hospital. His nearly 13 years as a broadcast journalist earned him two Emmy Awards, several AP Awards and a Peabody Award as part of the team recognized for coverage of the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. Stoecker grew up in Cazenovia, New York, and is a graduate of Le Moyne College.

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A recent major investment in 网爆门 research infrastructure has resulted in the installation of a field emission scanning electron microscope in the University鈥檚 (MRC) facility. The instrument has introduced dramatic new imaging capabilities to researchers at the University and at partner institutions in the region.

The new instrument demonstrates the University鈥檚 commitment to supporting and enabling cutting-edge research in important fields like biomedical engineering, materials science and quantum computing, says , director of research operations in the .

The Zeiss will serve researchers across disciplines and career stages, from advanced undergraduates and graduate students to postdoctoral scholars and faculty. The Zeiss also supports the campus research group and Central New York鈥檚 rapidly expanding semiconductor and quantum technology ecosystem. The instrument was funded by a $335,000 investment by the Office of Research, the and individual faculty contributors.

On Campus and Beyond

The microscope is part of the Office of Research鈥檚 efforts to build shared, core facilities available to users across the University and the greater Syracuse region, says , vice president for research. 鈥淪trong core facilities are a force multiplier for our outstanding faculty and student researchers, providing access to state-of-the-art scientific instruments without the burden of having to purchase and maintain them individually.”

鈥淔or researchers who once drove an hour to use a scanning electron microscope, that capability is now right here, benefiting researchers on our campus, in our community and throughout the region,鈥� Steinbacher says. It also serves as a recruiting tool because it demonstrates to prospective graduate students, postdoctoral scholars and faculty that state-of-the-art instrumentation is readily accessible at Syracuse, he says.

A Billionth of a Meter

Its resolution of 1.6 nanometers means the Zeiss can zoom down to the nanoscale, revealing details as small as a billionth of a meter, sharp enough to capture images of computer chip components, nanoparticles, bacteria and living cells, Steinbacher says.

It captures the shape and texture of an object鈥檚 surface in detailed, three-dimensional images versus thin cross-sections of materials. Because its electron beam works at lower energy levels, the microscope also offers highly detailed viewing of soft or non-metallic materials that typically are difficult or impossible to examine with older equipment, Steinbacher says.

Conventional electron microscopes require samples to be stripped of all moisture and placed under high vacuum, but some materials fall apart or change when dried out. Zeiss permits variable pressure imaging, so air pressure inside the imaging chamber can be adjusted to view samples that aren鈥檛 bone-dry. That lets researchers examine hydrogels, drug-delivery particles and biological samples in a more natural state. That capacity did not previously exist at 网爆门 or other area institutions, according to Steinbacher.

Who Will Use It

Biomedical and chemical engineering researchers can use the microscope to examine polymer film morphology. Environmental scientists can image rocks and fossils. Others will use it for battery technology research and catalyst design. The group and scientists in electrical engineering, computer science and physics can conduct device characterization鈥攖esting device effectiveness and checking for flaws.

, technical director of the , says the Zeiss enables exciting new levels of research. 鈥淚t lets researchers image the surface appearance of synthetic materials, such as polymers or other engineered materials, and biological samples, such as cells, tissues and organisms, at higher resolution and better definition compared to existing instruments in the area.鈥�

The instrument 鈥渋s a critical addition to Syracuse’s growing suite of fabrication and characterization tools for next-generation quantum technologies,鈥� says , assistant professor of electrical engineering and computer science in the College of Engineering and Computer Science. 鈥淲e’ll use it to image our superconducting devices at the nanometer scale, hunting down the surface defects and contaminants that limit their performance.鈥�

, assistant professor of physics in the College of Arts and Sciences, says the Zeiss will assist in prescreening superconducting qubit devices鈥攖he tiny, ultra-cold circuits that are the building blocks of quantum computers鈥攆rom device batches fabricated elsewhere. 鈥淭hat will help us focus on the most promising devices聽and let students make the connection between the abstract shapes they draw on computer screens and聽the actual footprints of the tiny electrical circuits their designs imprint聽on the chips.鈥�

For more information about of University instruments and facilities, visit the Core Facilities webpage.

When Candace Campbell Jackson arrived on the 网爆门 campus in 2015, she was uniquely qualified to take on the role of vice president and chief of staff on then-Chancellor Kent Syverud鈥檚 senior leadership team.

The chief of staff (COS) role was not common at universities at the time; it was most often found in the military and government. This was a role Campbell Jackson essentially defined in 2004 at the University of Akron, at a time when no other Ohio university had a COS and there were few in the nation.

Campbell Jackson brought to Syracuse deep insight into the significant impact a COS could have on a campus community and beyond. Now, after 11 years, she is concluding her term as and transitioning to a senior advisor to the chancellor role that will support Chancellor J. Michael Haynie鈥檚 new leadership team.

鈥淭hese chief of staff jobs are all-consuming, as they should be,鈥� says Campbell Jackson. 鈥淚t demands your whole self and you give it, because a university changes lives by nourishing minds, igniting passions, shaping careers, inspiring entrepreneurship and artistic endeavors and enriching communities.鈥�

The trusting relationships Campbell Jackson built with Syverud and the leadership team were the foundation for success. 鈥淭he leaders you work with deserve your honest assessment of the situation,鈥� says Campbell Jackson. 鈥淵ou have to master team dynamics and seek out the opinions of the entire team. I love it when someone tells me something I didn鈥檛 expect to hear and this new knowledge or perspective inspires more thought and deliberation. And if that results in an 11th-hour change of heart or mind, that鈥檚 good decision-making.鈥�

“Candace has been one of the most important people in my professional life,鈥� says Chancellor Emeritus Kent Syverud, who ended his tenure as chancellor in April. 鈥淲hen the hardest decisions were in front of us, I always wanted to know what she thought鈥攏ot because she told me what I wanted to hear, but because I could always trust that she never would. We have navigated some of the most consequential moments in this university’s recent history together, and at every turn she brought clarity, honesty and an unwavering commitment to doing right by Syracuse and its people. Syracuse is better because of her candor, her steadiness and her judgment under pressure. And so am I for having worked alongside her.”

Cultivating Leadership on Campus

In her role as COS, Campbell Jackson facilitated and co-chaired the 150-person , comprising key executives from multiple departments. Her role was to ensure that each team member was able to articulate decisions with clarity and confidence, strengthening internal communications across campus.

“I have known Candace as a colleague and as a friend, and both of those experiences have made me a better professional,鈥� says , who became the University鈥檚 13th chancellor and president in April. 鈥淪he is the kind of person who makes an institution work through an extraordinary dedication to the people and its mission. She brings a level of genuine care that is rare, and Syracuse has been the beneficiary of that for a long time. I have no doubt Candace will invest herself in her new role of advising me on leadership development, strategic partnerships and community impact matters with the same commitment and heart she brought to this place for the last decade.”

Campbell Jackson also cultivated leadership in new ways on campus, launching the (WiL) Initiative in 2018 to advance professional development for faculty and staff through education, awareness and mentorship. Reflecting on Campbell Jackson鈥檚 leadership, WiL participants praised her 鈥済enuine appreciation for people and commitment to creating opportunities for growth.鈥�

Despite the enormous pressures on higher education, Campbell Jackson is optimistic for the students, faculty and staff at 网爆门. 鈥淚 believe the leadership is poised to take the University to new heights. It has been a pacesetter in so many ways and I can鈥檛 wait to see what lies just beyond the horizon.鈥�

Forging Partnerships Beyond Campus

Campbell Jackson extended the impact of WiL well beyond the campus, spearheading a partnership between the and the nationally recognized Women Leaders in Sports organization, which is dedicated to accelerating the potential of women to positively impact sports. The partnership provides Falk students with mentoring, learning and internships, and supports professional development for Falk faculty.

According to , CEO of , 鈥淐andace has demonstrated an extraordinary ability to build聽meaningful partnerships, connect people around a shared vision and create opportunities that leave a lasting legacy. She approaches every conversation with a forward-looking, 鈥榥ext play鈥� mindset that inspires progress, growth and meaningful change.聽Her legacy will be measured not only by her accomplishments, but by the people and communities she has strengthened along the way, especially her聽commitment to investing in women leaders.鈥�

It鈥檚 the 鈥渘ext play鈥� mindset that has become a mantra of sorts for Campbell Jackson and a fundamental principle in her efforts to cultivate leaders and mentor students. 鈥淚t is my absolute joy to develop relationships and watch my mentees flourish,鈥� she says.

Car Shapiro 鈥�23, who met Campbell Jackson when visiting Syracuse as a high school student, says, 鈥淪he took me under her wing and helped time and time again at school, giving me the confidence to be myself. She often said, 鈥楾ake care of your people and they鈥檒l take care of you.鈥欌�� Shapiro is pursuing a career in New York City with a degree in entrepreneurship and emerging enterprises from the and a portfolio of connections.

Nurturing Creativity

The partnerships forged by Campbell Jackson during her tenure at Syracuse run deep in the arts community as well, reflecting her desire to nurture the creative talents and aspirations of students. After learning that the internationally renowned photographer Carrie Mae Weems lives in Syracuse, Campbell Jackson approached Syverud with the idea of creating an Artist-in-Residence program to bring prominent and emerging artists to campus to collaborate with faculty and students.

Syverud gave his full support, and Weems became the inaugural Artist-in-Residence in 2020, recently concluding her residency. She worked with students on several projects, providing new outlets for creative energies on campus and beyond and bringing national attention to the University.

Similarly, Campbell Jackson saw an opportunity to renew a partnership between the University and the prestigious Syracuse International Jazz Fest, now in its 40th year. 鈥淚t was a chance to spotlight our talented students and faculty and bring them closer to famous artists like Kenny G, Gladys Knight, Herbie Hancock and Trombone Shorty.”

This year, the 网爆门 National Veterans Resource Center at the Daniel and Gayle D鈥橝niello Building will host the U.S. Air Force Band鈥檚 Airmen of Note on the festival鈥檚 opening night. The festival closes with a hosted by , featuring students and community singers. 鈥淭his partnership is a gift to campus and community, and the opportunity for the connection and collaboration has just been magical,鈥� says Campbell Jackson.

鈥淐andace is a philanthropist in every sense,鈥� says , president and CEO of the Central New York Community Foundation. 鈥淪he is beyond generous and unselfishly gives her time, treasure and expertise to so many. Her core belief is that relationships are foundational to building long-lasting partnerships. I have seen this demonstrated time and time again in her tenure at 网爆门. She leans into innovation, problem-solving and collaboration in ways that have built and sustained relationships. This is her superpower.鈥�

Leaving a Legacy and Looking Ahead

Campbell Jackson has been recognized for her contributions and impact with 网爆门鈥檚 Chancellor鈥檚 Medal for Leadership (2021); the Trailblazer Award from Women Leaders in Sports (2022); by the Syracuse chapter of the American Heart Association (2023); the Fortitude Award from Delta Sigma Theta Syracuse Alumnae (2026); and the Higher Education Opportunity Program Robert L. Boney Service in Perpetuity Award (2026).

She continues to serve institutions beyond the University, as a trustee of Manlius Pebble High School; board of advisory member for the School of Education at her alma mater, Howard University; board member of Women Leaders in Sports and the National Grid Foundation; and member of the Central New York Regional Economic Development Council.

Looking back at serving as chief of staff for Chancellor Emeritus Syverud for more than a decade, Campbell Jackson says, 鈥淚 had a front-row view of his deep commitment to our entire 网爆门 family鈥攕tudents, faculty, staff, alumni, community and global partners. Chancellor Syverud is personally very modest, but he was so bold and ambitious about 网爆门鈥檚 mission and role in this world. It has been the privilege of my career to serve alongside him on his executive team and be inspired by his leadership.鈥�

Campbell Jackson鈥檚 鈥渘ext play鈥� has her looking forward to spending more time with her husband, family and close friends, whom she credits for guiding, inspiring, grounding and supporting her. In the true spirit of the quote, 鈥淛oyful is the accumulation of good work,鈥� Campbell Jackson says she has been 鈥渂lessed with opportunities to have done professionally and personally meaningful work at 网爆门 with people I so love and admire. It has brought me infinite joy and gratitude.鈥�

The 听肠辞尘尘耻苍颈迟测 on May 21 for the annual Awards and Appreciation Event to honor the vital network that fuels student success.

The evening served as a thank you to the dedicated alumni, corporate partners and friends who invest their time and resources into mentoring, hosting student trips and providing critical philanthropic leadership. By bridging the gap between the classroom and the professional world, this exceptional network continues to create invaluable networking opportunities and pathways for the next generation of Whitman business leaders.

鈥淭he alumni and partners we recognize tonight represent the very best of what it means to be part of the Whitman community,鈥� said Whitman Interim Dean Alex McKelvie. 鈥淭heir careers, their service and their continued commitment to our students have a real and lasting impact on the strength of our network, on the opportunities available to our graduates and on the culture of this school. We are incredibly proud to call them our own.鈥�

Thanks to the dedicated support of the school’s alumni and partners, the 2025鈥�26 academic year was a resounding success, driving significant progress toward Whitman’s Transformation 2030 goals as it advances toward becoming a top 25 undergraduate business school. Some notable successes from the year include:

• 聽Improving its Poets&Quants undergraduate business school ranking by two spots to No. 37
• 555 internships completed in the 2025-26 academic year
• 98.1% full-time placement within 180 days of graduation for the Class of 2025
• 87 employers participating in recruiting events
• 260 alumni and friends serving in volunteer leadership roles over the past academic year

While the event celebrated the collective power of the Whitman network, the evening also shone a spotlight on the exceptional individuals leading the charge. A select group of alumni and partners whose extraordinary contributions set the standard for the entire Whitman community were honored. The following awards were presented:

Jonathan J. Holtz Alumnus of the Year Award: David Panasci 鈥�80

The Holtz Award was established in 1986 by Jonathan J. Holtz 鈥�78 to recognize alumni for their professional accomplishments and service to 网爆门. The highest honor given to graduates of the Whitman School, the Jonathan J. Holtz Alumnus of the Year Award was presented to David Panasci 鈥�80, founder and president of DHP Consulting LLC.

For years, Panasci has been a fixture in the Whitman School community. His exceptional mentorship and continued support have left an indelible mark on the student community. Through his longstanding involvement with the Panasci Business Plan Competition and his creation of the Panasci Local Leadership Initiative, he has helped establish unique experiential learning opportunities that distinguish the school鈥檚 programmatic offerings on a national level.

The Panasci Local Leadership Initiative is offered by Whitman in collaboration with Leadership Greater Syracuse. The program was launched in fall 2023 to cultivate the next generation of Central New York鈥檚 leaders and encourage Whitman students to explore and consider a future career in CNY.

One student participant reflected, 鈥渕y experience in the Panasci Local Leadership Initiative was amazing … I know so much more about the community and all the wonderful things the leaders are doing to keep it going and improving it. The program allows us to build a deeper connection with our mentors. I was given the space and time to immerse myself in a community and truly understand how to build a solution-oriented mindset.鈥�

The Panasci Business Plan Competition is a marquee annual entrepreneurship event offered by the Whitman School. The annual competition offers students across the聽 University community to present their entrepreneurial ventures and compete for $40,000 in start-up funding.

Prior to launching DHP Consulting, Panasci served as president and COO of Fay鈥檚 Incorporated, where the company achieved more than $1 billion in sales. With more than 40 years of executive and management experience spanning sales, marketing, real estate, mergers and acquisitions and turnaround scenarios, Panasci has consulted with organizations ranging from startups to Fortune 100 companies as well as local and regional nonprofits. He also serves as an adjunct assistant professor of pharmacy practice at the University at Buffalo.

Dean鈥檚 Citation for Exceptional Service: Barbara Ashkin 鈥�74, G鈥�77

The Dean鈥檚 Citation for Exceptional Service recognizes members of the Whitman community who exemplify a significant commitment to helping prepare and place future business leaders. Barbara Ashkin 鈥�74, G鈥�77 is a distinguished business leader whose career helped shape the economic and civic landscape of Central New York. She began in public accounting with Coopers & Lybrand before playing a pivotal role in the development of Carousel Center, now Destiny USA. She later joined CXtec (formerly CABLExpress) as vice president and CFO, helping grow the firm into a global provider of sustainable technology solutions.

As a dedicated alumna mentor, Ashkin engages with career exploration trips, on-campus panels and the Panasci Local Leadership Initiative, consistently investing her expertise in the next generation of Whitman students.

鈥淢entors like Barbara Ashkin, who actively share insights, provide guidance and help students build meaningful connections, create a much more impactful experience,鈥� said one Whitman student.

Dean鈥檚 Citation for Exceptional Service: Jennifer Kreischer 鈥�88

Jennifer Kreischer 鈥�88 is a seasoned financial advisor with more than 35 years of experience in operational and financial due diligence. She began her career in the audit practice of what became PwC before becoming a partner in PwC鈥檚 Deals practice, guiding buyers and sellers through complex transactions. She also helped shape PwC鈥檚 approach to internal controls for power and utilities clients following the passage of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Today, she leads teams at Kreischer Miller, helping institutional investors assess and manage operational risk.

Since graduating from Syracuse, Kreischer has remained actively involved with the Whitman School, including serving as chair of the Lubin School of Accounting Advisory Board, hosting student interns and participating in career exploration events. As a third-generation 网爆门 graduate, Kreischer exemplifies what it means to 鈥淏e Orange.鈥�

Orange Ovation Award: Margo Konugres 鈥�12

The Orange Ovation Award is presented to young alumni who set a positive example to Whitman students through their professional success and service to the Whitman/网爆门 community. Recipients of this award must have graduated within the past 15 years.

Margo Konugres 鈥�12 began her career at IBM after interning there between her junior and senior years at the University. Over the past 13 years, she has grown into a strategic leader driving client engagement, alliances and large-scale business transformation across global organizations.

A proud alumna of the Whitman School, Konugres has demonstrated a sustained commitment to giving back as a founding member of the Young Whitman Advisory Board, former engagement chair and current member of the Marketing Management Engagement Board. Through monthly mentorship, classroom engagement and involvement with student organizations, she actively supports the next generation of Whitman leaders.

The University is again a proud sponsor of the , a four-day celebration of world-class jazz music and community spirit, taking place July 9-12 at Beak & Skiff Apple Orchards in LaFayette, New York, and on the 网爆门 campus.

As it marks its 40th anniversary, the Syracuse International Jazz Fest enters an exciting new era, expanding its footprint while staying true to its roots. This year鈥檚 lineup includes such internationally acclaimed artists as Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Tower of Power, Gunhild Carling, Hejira, Dumpstaphunk, and Nathan & the Zydeco Cha Chas, along with the University鈥檚 own student jazz ensemble, Orange Juice.

The grand finale of the Syracuse International Jazz Fest, Return to Community: A Sunday Gospel Jazz Service, will be held Sunday, July 12, at , featuring a special performance by the Winston-Salem State University Concert Choir and local ensembles.

Opening Night: Celebrating the Nation鈥檚 250th Anniversary With the Airmen of Note

网爆门 and the Syracuse International Jazz Fest are proud to co-present a special opening night on Thursday, July 9, at the National Veterans Resource Center at the Daniel and Gayle D鈥橝niello Building (NVRC), 101 Waverly Ave., Syracuse. The United States Air Force Band鈥檚 Airmen of Note will take the stage at 6 p.m.

Presented in association with the University鈥檚 , the evening will feature an exclusive Upstate New York regional performance by the world-renowned USAF Airmen of Note, an 18-piece jazz ensemble, musically celebrating the nation鈥檚 250th anniversary.

Admission is free with priority given to Syracuse-area veterans; . Free parking is available in the University Avenue Garage, located at 1101 East Adams St.

Student Ensemble Performance: Orange Juice

Among the festival鈥檚 featured performers is the jazz combo, a standout student ensemble of instrumental and vocal performers from the College of Visual and Performing Arts鈥� . They will perform at 5 p.m. on Friday, July 10, in the tasting room at Beak & Skiff Apple Orchards in LaFayette.

The ensemble performs regularly in concerts on campus and at community events throughout the year. This will be the ensemble鈥檚 fourth appearance at the Syracuse International Jazz Fest under the musical direction of , director of jazz and commercial music in the Setnor School.

Fusing Gospel and Jazz

Wrapping up the festival, Hendricks Chapel鈥檚 will offer a unique blend of spiritual inspiration and musical artistry. The event will begin at 3 p.m., with a pre-event outdoor community luncheon preceding the service. Both are free.

Hendricks Chapel invites the community to this uplifting experience that fuses and celebrates gospel and jazz music, highlighted by special guests the Winston-Salem State University Concert Choir, the Syracuse Community Choir, composed of Syracuse-area residents, and the Black Celestial Choral Ensemble.

All Syracuse International Jazz Fest events are free and open to the public.

For the full schedule and artist lineup, visit .

Three of Central New York’s most prominent champions for veterans, including 网爆门 ,聽 were honored May 28 at Madison County Distillery in Cazenovia, as WCNY launched its first “Mission: Honor Our Heroes”鈥攁n event raising funds to keep local veterans’ stories on the air.

Chancellor Haynie, Col. F. William (Bill) Smullen III, U.S. Army (Ret.), a Syracuse alumnus and former director of the University鈥檚 national security studies program, and Rear Admiral John Paddock, co-founder of Honor Flight Syracuse, were honored by WCNY.

The event secured funding for continued production and distribution of 鈥淗onor Flight Syracuse,鈥� ensuring the voices and experiences of local veterans reach audiences across the region.

鈥溾�楳ission: Honor Our Heroes鈥� reflects 奥颁狈驰鈥檚 deep commitment to telling the stories of those who have served our country and our community,鈥� said Mitch Gelman, president and CEO of WCNY. 鈥淲e are honored to recognize these extraordinary individuals while bringing our community together to celebrate their leadership, sacrifice and lasting impact.鈥�

鈥淚 am humbled to be recognized as an advocate for Honor Flight Syracuse and Central New York veterans,鈥� says Chancellor Haynie. 鈥淚 have always believed that the debt we owe to those who have served and sacrificed for our nation鈥檚 defense can never be repaid, but it certainly can and should be acknowledged and honored. That鈥檚 what has driven 网爆门 to be a leader in veteran education, and that鈥檚 why I鈥檓 so proud to be a supporter of Honor Flight Syracuse.鈥�

An influential researcher and scholar, Haynie assumed the chancellorship of 网爆门 on May 11. He is the founder of the and has an extensive record of national public service.

His advocacy for service members and veterans also includes serving as chairman of the U.S. Department of Labor’s Federal Advisory Committee on Veterans Employment, Training and Employer Outreach; vice chairman and later chairman of a White House Presidential Task Force on long-term reform at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA); and membership on the George W. Bush Institute Advisory Council and the VA’s Veterans’ Advisory Committee on Education. Before entering academia, Haynie served as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Air Force for 14 years.

Smullen G鈥�74 is a Vietnam veteran who served in the U.S. Army and U.S. State Department for more than 32 years. His last assignment on active duty was special assistant to the 11th and 12th Chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral William J. Crowe Jr. and General Colin L. Powell. He served as director of Syracuse鈥檚 in the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs from 2003-21 and taught in the . He is the former CEO of Clear Path for Veterans.

鈥淔or so many years WCNY has been a partner in amplifying the Honor Flight mission, in telling the stories of Central New York veterans and in helping our community understand the contributions of those who have served,鈥� Haynie says. 鈥淭oday we鈥檙e working to ensure that mission can continue so every veteran who wants to be part of the Honor Flight experience has not only that opportunity but the chance to share their story through WCNY.鈥�

, associate provost for academic programs, has been appointed interim dean for the (ECS).

Hasenwinkel, a Laura J. and L. Douglas Meredith Professor of Teaching Excellence, was previously chair of the Department of Biomedical and Chemical Engineering and a faculty affiliate of the聽. She has previously served as ECS associate dean for academic and student affairs and senior associate dean. She will continue to serve concurrently as associate provost for academic programs.

鈥淛ulie鈥檚 extensive leadership and administrative experience positions her well to lead ECS during this time of transition,鈥� says Provost Lois Agnew. 鈥淚 am grateful she has agreed to take on this expanded responsibility.鈥�

鈥淚鈥檓 excited for the opportunity to serve as interim dean of ECS. This college has been my professional home throughout my career, and I am deeply committed to its extraordinary faculty and staff, and most importantly, our students,鈥� says Hasenwinkel.

Two additional appointments will expand leadership support for the college.

Biomedical and Chemical Engineering Professor will serve as senior associate dean for faculty affairs.

鈥淓CS has outstanding people at every level and supporting them is what drives great outcomes for our students and our college,鈥� says Henderson. 鈥淚鈥檓 grateful for the chance to serve in this role and look forward to working with Julie, Andria and the entire ECS community to strengthen the foundations that let our faculty, staff and students do their best work.鈥�

Civil and Environmental Engineering Professor will serve as interim senior associate dean of academic operations while continuing to chair the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.

鈥淚鈥檓 honored to have the opportunity to work with Julie, Jay, ECS faculty, staff and students to help our college continue to thrive, innovate and excel,鈥� says Costello Staniec.

Agnew credited input from the broader ECS community, including department chairs, in shaping the transition plan.

鈥淚 am confident that under Julie鈥檚 leadership, the college will move forward with purpose and momentum,鈥� says Agnew. 鈥淚 am grateful to Julie, Jay and Andria for stepping up at an important moment and for their dedication to ECS and to 网爆门.鈥�

Cash Operations has set a deadline of 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 30, to receive deposits for credit in fiscal year 2026.

Deposits should be made as early in the day as possible on Tuesday, June 30. The Cash Operations office is located at 621 Skytop Rd., Suite 120.

Deposits received after June 30 will be processed as July (fiscal year 2027) business. The exception is for monies received on or before June 30 but not processed due to internal mail delays. Those deposits can be credited to fiscal year 2026 by indicating 鈥淛UNE BUSINESS鈥� on the deposit slip in red ink.

Cash Operations can only accept deposits for June business (fiscal year 2026) until 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 2.

Questions or concerns may be directed to Tina Kelly at tkelly01@syr.edu.

网爆门 has reaffirmed its test optional admissions policy, confirming that SAT and ACT scores will not be required for students applying for Fall 2027 and Spring 2028 admission.

The policy, in place since 2021, continues to ensure that students who opt not to submit standardized test scores are not penalized in the review process.

鈥淥ur admissions review has always looked well beyond standardized test scores,鈥� says Maurice A. Harris, dean of Admissions. 鈥淥ur test optional approach enables us to focus more heavily on factors such as academic success, challenging coursework and involvement outside the classroom.鈥�

Merit scholarship eligibility remains open to all applicants, regardless of whether test scores are submitted.

Students who choose to submit test scores may share either self-reported or official scores. Students who self-report their scores will not be required to submit official score reports unless they are admitted and choose to enroll.

When Hadwen C. Fuller II crossed the stage at the Graduate Convocation this spring, the loudest cheers didn鈥檛 come from his wife and three sons.

They came from a group of classmates young enough to be his grandchildren.

A few months earlier, Fuller had walked into a weeklong January course in Washington, D.C., carrying a brand-new laptop he鈥檇 only recently learned how to use, a healthy dose of skepticism about artificial intelligence and unfinished business that dated back to the Nixon administration.

The three credits earned from that course鈥擯ublic Management of Technology Development鈥攆inally allowed Fuller to complete the M.P.A. degree he had started at the Maxwell School more than 50 years ago.

鈥淚鈥檝e always liked to finish what I start,鈥� Fuller says.

That persistence has defined much of his life.

He grew up in the Oswego County town of Parish, New York, population 411. His grandfather, despite never graduating from high school, climbed from local politics to the New York State Assembly and, eventually, Congress. Fuller absorbed that example and arrived at 网爆门 thinking seriously about a future in government.

After earning a political science degree from Maxwell in 1970, Fuller enrolled in the . In his second year, he added a public administration degree at Maxwell because it matched his interest in leadership and public service.

He finished law school in 1973. The M.P.A. stalled six credits short.

For many people, that unfinished degree would have faded into ancient history. Fuller carried it around like a pebble in his shoe.

鈥淚t just kind of gnawed at me that I never completed it,鈥� he says.

Over the next five decades, Fuller built a varied and successful professional career. Shortly after law school, he served as justice of the peace in Parish, processing thousands of cases after state police flooded the area with traffic enforcement teams. He worked in his family鈥檚 Sunoco gasoline distributorship, eventually selling the business during the 1980 Lake Placid Olympics while helping coordinate corporate fundraising tied to the Games. Most of his professional life has been spent in the aviation fuel industry, launching and running companies of his own.

Along the way, he took another swipe at the Maxwell degree. In 1996, he petitioned to re-enroll and completed a three-credit course on management of the U.S. Forestry Service.

鈥淚 planned to enroll in another class to finish it up,鈥� Fuller says. 鈥淚t just never happened.鈥�

A Chance Encounter

Until a dinner conversation changed everything.

Last fall, Fuller attended an event hosted by the Onondaga Historical Association, where he serves on the board. One of the guests was , newly arrived at Maxwell as professor of practice in public administration and international affairs and the Phanstiel Chair in Leadership.

At some point during the evening, Fuller casually mentioned he was 鈥渁lmost鈥� a Maxwell alumnus. Parmeter quickly learned Fuller was only one course away from finishing the degree he had started in the early 1970s. By coincidence, Parmeter himself was teaching a one-week, three-credit course in Washington that January.

鈥淲ould you like to finish your degree?鈥� Parmeter asked.

Fuller thought he was joking.

He wasn鈥檛.

Soon, Assistant Dean of Online Programs was digging through decades-old records and untangling the academic equivalent of an archaeological dig. Expired credits needed reinstating. Approvals had to move through faculty leadership, the Graduate School and the registrar. Fuller had to be transferred into the executive M.P.A. program.

And then there was the technology.

鈥淔rom soup to nuts, he needed help with everything,鈥� Bartkowiak says with a laugh. 鈥淏ut he was a very good sport about it.鈥�

Despite decades of business success, Fuller had largely managed to avoid becoming computer savvy. Bartkowiak convinced him he needed a laptop.

After a trip to Best Buy, Fuller launched into what amounted to a crash course in modern technology, teaching himself how to use the computer while diving headfirst into AI.

By January, he arrived in Washington equal parts prepared and panicked.

Back in the Classroom

His classmates included M.P.A. students, international relations students, law students and U.S. State Department fellows. Nearly all of them were decades younger. Fuller worried he would slow down group work or embarrass himself trying to keep up.

Instead, he became an integral member of the class.

Lauren Grosso G鈥�26 initially thought Fuller was a guest speaker before realizing he was a fellow student. 鈥淚 couldn鈥檛 believe that someone with that level of experience still wanted to be in a classroom, still wanting to learn,鈥� she says. 鈥淭hat shifted something for me, not just how I saw Had, but how I see things in general. No matter how much experience you have or how much you know, there鈥檚 always more to learn.鈥�

The course itself focused on public policy scenarios set in 2030, challenging students to use AI tools to solve complex problems while also evaluating the technology鈥檚 weaknesses and risks. For Fuller, it became a revelation.

鈥淚t鈥檚 like you have the smartest person in the world sitting next to you,鈥� he says of AI. 鈥淭hey don鈥檛 get tired. They鈥檙e up all night. And you can ask them dumb questions because they don鈥檛 care.鈥�

Still, Fuller wasn鈥檛 simply absorbing lessons. He was teaching them too.

The , in partnership with CEO Maggie Mortali from the聽聽New York City and CEO Marco Damiani from the , examined the development of digital Psychiatric Advance Directives (PADs) in New York state.

PADs are legal documents that promote individual rights and self-determination by allowing individuals to specify their treatment and support preferences in advance of a mental health crisis. The convening on May 12 explored how digital PADs can improve person-centered behavioral health support in New York.

The meeting brought together people affected by mental illness, peer supporters, CEOs and state leaders. Speakers included Ann Sullivan, commissioner for the NYS Office of Mental Health, and John Barbuto, NYS executive deputy commissioner of the Office for People With Developmental Disabilities. Also participating were representatives from nonprofit organizations, peer support networks, law enforcement and provider associations focused on behavioral health services.

鈥淭he convening resulted in a collaborative discussion among individuals dedicated to the rights of individuals affected by mental illness,鈥� says Peter Blanck, University Professor and chair of BBI. 鈥淒igital PADs align with a core mission of BBI to ensure that new technologies are available to people with disabilities.鈥�

鈥淒igital PADs are a rights document that speaks for the individual during a mental health crisis to others such as family and mental health specialists that the individual voluntarily chooses,鈥� says Kiran Sahota, project director for聽, the first in the country.

BBI and its partners are planning follow-up discussions and convenings to advance the use of digital PADs in New York State, with the shared goal of building more responsive, equitable and person-centered systems of care.

wrapped up participation in the 2025-26 academic year with the Student Library Advisory Board (SLAB), student representatives from across the University.

Participants in SLAB shared their ideas and feedback with Libraries management on the Libraries鈥� services, resources, spaces and programming in a structured format across the semester. Members also served as ambassadors for the Libraries, gaining leadership and skills in information literacy, communication, civic responsibility, research and creative thinking. Those who completed the Spring 2026 semester received an Engaged Citizenship Digital Badge.

Students are eligible to participate for two semesters. Those who participated in both Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 semesters included:

• Jivishaa Pandit 鈥�26, College of Arts and Sciences (A&S) and Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs
• Andrea Jacob G鈥�26, Newhouse School of Public Communications
• Delaney Hendrick 鈥�26, A&S

For the Fall 2025 semester, SLAB students included:

• Min Paing Moe G鈥�29, School of Education
• Phoebe Russell 鈥�28, School of Information Studies
• Nafisa Jeilani 鈥�26, Maxwell School
• Darika Djusupova 鈥�28, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Students who participated in the Spring 2026 semester included:

• Olivia Wisner 鈥�28, Whitman School of Management
• Nicole Balkissoon 鈥�29, School of Information Studies
• Claudia Reto G鈥�26, Maxwell School
• Zach Ehrenreich 鈥�29, School of Architecture
• Mehmooda Shakoor 鈥�27, School of Education
• Elizabeth Akeloko G鈥�26, A&S

Some examples of input from SLAB members that resulted in Libraries improvements included:

• Improved signage around the self-check-out kiosk鈥媠 and printers in the library
• Navigation updates to the website鈥�
• Information on size options for the plotter poster printer鈥�
• Improved communication with international students鈥�
• Increased number of hours to reserve some study rooms鈥�

SLAB members shared their feedback on the experience, with one student saying, “Participating in SLAB this semester has been a great experience in professional collaboration and student advocacy. It provided a unique behind the scenes look at how the libraries function and gave me the platform to contribute to the campus culture in a tangible way.”鈥�

Another student reflected, 鈥�… SLAB has been a really meaningful way to engage with the Libraries differently鈥攍ess as a student researcher and more as a bridge between the institution and the people that it serves.”

The Libraries is currently soliciting members for the fall 2026 cohort. can be submitted online. Those with questions can contact libref@syr.edu. SLAB was funded in part through a grant from the Syracuse Office of Undergraduate Research and Creative Engagement聽 (SOURCE).