The University’s honored five of its alumni on April 30Ìę ,Ìę the school’s signature alumni recognition event. Held at the Íű±ŹĂĆ Washington, D.C., Center, the evening brought together members of the Maxwell community—alumni, faculty, advisory board members and friends of the school—for a lively, standing-room only celebration of careers that have spanned climate finance, diplomacy, food security, public administration and the law.

Dean David M. Van Slyke welcomed guests and set the tone for the evening with remarks that acknowledged both the weight of the current moment and the enduring relevance of Maxwell’s mission.

“We are gathering tonight at a moment when the ideals that animate this school—free inquiry, rigorous evidence, the willingness to engage across differences—remain under considerable pressure,” Van Slyke said. “Taken together, these five careers span climate, diplomacy, food security, equity and the law, but they share something more fundamental: a willingness to engage the hardest problems of our time with rigor, integrity and a genuine sense of public responsibility. That is what Maxwell prepares people to do, and these honorees have done it at the highest levels.”

Emily Fredenberg | Compass Award

The evening’s first honoree was Emily Fredenberg G’16, recipient of the Maxwell Compass Award, which recognizes an early-career alumna for professional accomplishments and impact. As senior officer of programs and advocacy at the Global Child Nutrition Foundation, Fredenberg has spent the decade since earning her M.P.A. degree and a master’s degree in international relations at Maxwell working to ensure that the world’s most vulnerable children have access to school meals—serving with the World Food Programme in Lebanon and Rwanda before moving to her current global role.

Reflecting on her time at Maxwell, Fredenberg credited not only her education but the community it gave her. She also offered a personal note: her husband, Sean Mills, a Íű±ŹĂĆ College of Law graduate, was at home in Alaska caring for their five-month-old son, Rhys.

“Becoming a new mom, this past year has made my work feel even more urgent,” Fredenberg said. “Holding my infant son, I feel the weight—and the hope—of the world he will grow up in which continues to motivate me. Maxwell helped shape my compass. It’s the place that taught me that service is not just a career path. It’s a lifelong journey.”

Susan T. Gooden | Charles V. Willie Advocate Award

Susan T. Gooden ÌęG’95, G’96, who received a master’s degree and Ph.D. in political science from the Maxwell School, was awarded the Charles V. Willie Advocate Award, named for the late Maxwell scholar and community activist. The award honors individuals whose contributions reflect Maxwell’s commitment to an environment that is welcoming to all and oriented toward engaged citizenship. Gooden is dean of the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs at Virginia Commonwealth University, a founding editor of the Journal of Social Equity and Public Administration, and a past president of the American Society for Public Administration.

Accepting the award, Gooden reflected on what the honor meant in the context of its namesake’s legacy—and of what citizenship demands.

“Maxwell instilled in me the belief that scholarship must engage the world it seeks to improve, and that it must inform policy, strengthen institutions and expand opportunity,” she said. “I accept this award with gratitude and with a continued commitment to advancing a public service that is thoughtful, engaged, grounded in equity and worthy of the communities it serves.”

Jeff Eckel | Bridge Award

Jeff Eckel G’82, founder and longtime CEO of HASI, received the Maxwell Bridge Award, which honors outstanding, transformative leadership in business with a commitment to advancing the public good. Eckel, who earned an M.P.A. from Maxwell, pioneered the use of finance as a tool for accelerating the transition to a low-carbon economy, including overseeing HASI’s 2013 public offering as the first dedicated climate solutions investor and developing CarbonCount, a tool for measuring how efficiently capital investments reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

In his remarks, Eckel drew a direct line from his Maxwell education to the investment philosophy that has guided his career.

“The Maxwell School instilled in me the idea that the public and private sectors do not have to be opposing forces,” he said. “Our investment thesis is that in a world increasingly defined by climate change, we will make superior returns investing in climate solutions—that you can do well by doing good, and that capital can be a powerful tool in the transition to a low-carbon economy.”

On Jan. 2, Justin Dalaba’s phone rang.

It was his former professor, , who teaches photojournalism, documentary photography, filmmaking and visual storytelling at the , with a question.

Did Dalaba G’25 want to come with him on assignment for National Geographic to photograph turtles under the Canadian ice? Before he could second-guess himself, Dalaba said yes.

“It was definitely a rare opportunity,” Dalaba says. “Those kinds of stories don’t just happen in that way. And he pretty much said, ‘Well, we’ve got to leave in about an hour. So are you ready to go?’”

Luckily, Dalaba had his go-bag ready and the batteries for his cameras were charged. Later that day, the Newhouse graduate was driving to Canada with his former graduate advisor.

Peering Under the Ice

The January assignment Snyder brought Dalaba onboard for is part of work he’s been doing for the last three years for the Preserving Legacies project. The organization funded by the National Geographic Society highlights how World Heritage Sites, along with cultural heritage and natural heritage sites, can be adapted to climate change. Working on a long-term grant, Snyder tells the stories of communities working to adapt and preserve the sites.

One of the stories he was assigned to work on was about how biologist GrĂ©gory BultĂ© is studying a . The creatures are one of the world’s northernmost reptile species in the system, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that runs from Ottawa to Lake Ontario. During the winter months, the turtles live underwater and bring their body temperatures down to near-freezing. They don’t eat, breathe or mate, waiting under the ice until they can emerge in the spring.

BultĂ©, who has been studying the turtles for 20 years, has observed when ice thins during the winter, principally because of climate change, it allows river otters to slip under and eat the turtles. In 2022, he documented 10% of the turtle population in Ontario’s Opinicon Lake died, likely because of otters.

“Because they can’t move, it’s a free snack,” Snyder says.

In 2025, Snyder went up to do a story on Bulté and his work, but a blizzard prevented him from getting the images he needed.

For the return trip in January, Dalaba helped Snyder design a rig system to capture the images of the turtles under the ice. Not only was it freezing and underwater with low visibility, but they had to be sensitive to the turtles and avoid disturbing them.

“They’re not supposed to move very much,” Snyder says. “You have this tiny window to operate.”

The videos and photos they captured were published as part of a in National Geographic, one of the publication’s most-viewed stories of the month. The images may also be the first-ever published of turtles under the ice.

What Went Into the Shoot

Snyder says the recent Newhouse grad proved “instrumental” in helping him get video and photographs on the shoot.

“He’s both incredibly technically capable and he’s a very, very good image maker and storyteller,” Snyder says. “He can do that across platforms with photo, design, video, and that’s super, super important.”

The shoot required them to get up at 4 a.m. and trek through the snow, pulling their gear on a sled across the frozen lake. At one point, the equipment got too cold and the mount they were going to use to submerge the camera broke, so they had to remount their gear on the fly.

The pair also had to work closely and build trust with Bulté, listening when the scientist expressed concern about the impact on the turtles if they pushed the shoot longer.

“That’s a powerful learning opportunity for someone working in the documentary space to understand—it’s not all about you, it’s not even all about the image,” Snyder says. “At the end of the day, it is about the ethics that underlie this practice. It is about relationships, and it is about doing the maximum amount of good with the work you’re doing.”

He says Dalaba had the ability to be adaptive, not just with the changing weather around them and the physical demands of the assignment, but to be collaborative and responsive to the other people and species involved.

“Both the practice and the product of documentary work is relationship building,” Snyder says. “You need to be highly relational. It’s a soft skill in a lot of ways, and he has this aplomb.”

Dalaba and Snyder both came to photojournalism and documentary work with science backgrounds. Dalaba previously worked as a wildlife biologist in conservation, while Snyder is a geologist and climate scientist by training.

For Dalaba, working on the assignment felt like the culmination of his path as a wildlife biologist turned storyteller.

“Seeing that come together went beyond the personal gratification and more of that deep hearted feeling of this is what a collaboration feels like,” he says. “It was a collaboration between two storytellers, scientists, multiple climate custodians who are working to adapt their heritage in Canada.”

The experience also resulted in additional work for Dalaba with Preserving Legacies. The former wildlife biologist says he’s excited to continue that work, telling stories of hope and resilience related to climate change.

has called Super Bowls, NBA Finals, the Olympics and the Kentucky Derby from broadcast booths around the world. On Sunday, he returned to where it all started to send Íű±ŹĂĆ’s Class of 2026 off with a challenge: keep chasing your dreams, and “don’t leave your childlike wonder behind.”

“All of you have a Syracuse story,” Tirico told the approximately 6,679 graduating students inside the JMA Wireless Dome. “Here, you formed a foundation of resiliency. You learned to deal with the curves that the road ahead provides. I hope in years to come, when you tell your Syracuse story, it involves your dreams and it’s eventually going to include how you kept chasing them.”

Tirico, who serves as vice chair of the , is the of “Sunday Night Football” and “NBA on NBC,” and serves as the primetime host for NBCUniversal’s coverage of the Olympics. He has interviewed such elite athletes as Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks Tom Brady and Peyton Manning, four-time NBA champion LeBron James, and Olympic gold medalists Michael Phelps, Simone Biles and Lindsey Vonn.

Tirico compared the graduates to those world-class athletes, encouraging them to draw on the same traits that carried them through Syracuse to achieve professional success.

“They thrived because of their minds, their strength and their ability to out-plan, to outthink and to withstand the scrutiny,” said Tirico, a member of the . “They share a commonality [with you]. They loved what they did and love what they do. Go out and find what you love. Go find what makes you happy and let that fuel you to your future.”

With his mother, Maria, and his wife, Deborah Gibaratz Tirico ’89, in attendance, Tirico took a moment to celebrate the moms who were cheering on their graduating students. Tirico asked the Class of 2026 to get out of their seats and give the moms a round of applause and a big wave while wishing them a happy Mother’s Day.

Tirico recalled growing up in a single-parent household, crediting the support he received from “a village of amazing family members” with helping him become a first-generation college student. Tirico earned dual bachelor’s degrees in political science from theÌęÌęand theÌę,Ìęand in broadcast journalism from theÌę.

He emphasized maintaining the strong relationships the Class of 2026 formed with their friends and professors while on campus.

“Many of you are surrounded right now by your closest friends and you’re sitting with your crew. Forty years after starting the journey, for me, my life is still filled with my day ones from Syracuse. The people I met in that very first class at Newhouse. The people who I called games with on ,” Tirico said. “Many of those people are going to be your people for the rest of your life.”

Tirico closed by welcoming the newest members of the Íű±ŹĂĆ alumni network, consisting of more than 250,000 alumni worldwide.

“Since I live in the space of sports, today is one of the best game days of the year because we get a few thousand new teammates,” Tirico said. “You are now part of the Syracuse alumni team, and it’s the best team in the world.”

Caps off, Orange! has arrived! It’s time to celebrate your academic accomplishments with family, friends and the entire University community.

The University’s Commencement exercises will be held in the JMA Wireless Dome Sunday, May 10, beginning with the degree candidates’ procession at 9:30 a.m.

Mike Tirico ’88, NBC Sports broadcaster and vice chair of Íű±ŹĂĆ’s Board of Trustees, will deliver the Commencement address.

School and college convocations and Commencement will be livestreamed. Visit the to view the ceremonies online.

At Sunday’s Commencement, around 6,679 students are expected to graduate.

Íű±ŹĂĆ Acting Chancellor J. Michael Haynie will address the graduates and confer degrees. Vice Chancellor, Provost and Chief Academic Officer Lois Agnew will give the welcome.

The University will recognize six honorary degree recipients:

• Ruth Chen, a professor of practice in biomedical and chemical engineering in the ;
• Mantosh Dewan, president, SUNY Distinguished Service Professor and the Alan and Marlene Norton Presidential Chair at Upstate Medical University;
• Clifford J. Ensley ’69, ’70, G’71, founder and chief executive officer of Leisure Merchandising Corporation;
• Linda M. LeMura G’83, G’87, president of Le Moyne College;
• Joanne M. Mahoney ’87, L’90, president of the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry; and
• Chancellor Kent Syverud, the 12th chancellor and president of Íű±ŹĂĆ.

Sam Clemence, Laura J. and L. Douglas Meredith Professor Emeritus, is mace bearer.

Tadodaho Sidney Hill, of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, will give the ceremonial opening. Fr. Gerry Waterman, Hendricks Chapel chaplain, and advisor, Catholic Association, Roman Catholic Diocese of Syracuse, will give the invocation. Alonna D. Berry ’11, president of the Íű±ŹĂĆ Alumni Association, will welcome the newest alumni.

Student Marshals and Scholars

Representing the Class of 2026, Chidera Olalere and Silke Pion are the senior class marshals and will lead graduates during the ceremony.

Along with the all-University marshals, 23 student marshals represent the 13 schools and colleges at the University. The marshals will lead the degree candidates of their respective schools or colleges.

Twelve seniors have been designated as Íű±ŹĂĆ Scholars. This is the highest undergraduate honor the University bestows. University Scholar Sadie Shaula Meyer, College of Engineering and Computer Science and College of Arts and Sciences, was selected as the student speaker on behalf of the Class of 2026.

Retiring faculty members who have been recommended to receive the title of emeritus by the University Senate to the Íű±ŹĂĆ Board of Trustees will be recognized by Jamie L. Winders, vice provost for faculty affairs.

The University Marshal is Kira Reed, associate professor of management, Martin J. Whitman School of Management. Associate University Marshal is Tula Goenka G’86, professor and graduate program director, S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications.

Also during the ceremonies, Army and Air Force ROTC cadets will present the colors.

The Íű±ŹĂĆ Wind Ensemble will perform under the direction of conductors Timothy W. Diem and Bradley P. Ethington.

The national anthem will be sung by Bridget Backer ’26, College of Visual and Performing Arts, and Catherine Grace Cosenza ’26, College of Visual and Performing Arts, will sing the alma mater.

Security and Other Important Information

To ensure a safe and enjoyable event, all guests and degree candidates will go through , including metal detection, prior to entering all Convocation and Commencement venues. The University has a , which will be in effect for Commencement weekend.

Get the OrangeNow App for the Commencement Experience

Download the and choose the “Commencement Experience” for easy access to Commencement weekend details and to receive push notifications related to the weekend’s events.

Update Your Email Address

Congratulations, Class of 2026! You’re Forever Orange, and the team wants to stay in touch with you. It’s especially important to so we can reach you!

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Syracuse alumni are standing by to help as you take the next step. Make career connections without any app, sign-up or login information to remember. Just !

Stay Connected

Check out more ways to stay engaged with the Orange family in this .

Class of 2026 Giving Campaign

ÌębeforeÌęFriday, May 8, to receive special orange, white and silver cords to wear at Commencement!

Fill up the Wishing Well!

Are you a soon-to-be grad or a friend or family member of someone graduating? Mark the milestone with a gift in honor of the Class of 2026 and to have it featured on our Wishing Well website!

More information about Commencement 2026 can be found at .

Íű±ŹĂĆ Libraries’ LaunchPad hosted an inaugural Athletes for Data Sovereignty (A4DS) Summit and Pitch Competition, in partnership with UMiEconomy through its Charitable Foundation, , on April 24. The pitch competition was open to student-athletes, student-athlete alumni and student entrepreneurs with sports-related ideas. Winners of the pitch competition were:

• Gabriel Josefson ’28 (Martin J. Whitman School of Management), founder of XCHKR, won the grand prize of $2,000.
• Zach Richter ’26 (College of Arts and Sciences) and Taran Singh ’26 (Whitman School), founders of Wavelength, tied for second place, winning $750.
• Edouard Agbor G’27 (School of Information Studies), founder of GritGateway, also won $750 for second place.
• Marissa Johnson ’26 (S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications), founder of Gymify, won $250.
• Dylan McKinley ’26 (Newhouse School), founder of DylanDoesBasketball, won a Tier 1 Marketing Package from UMiEconomy.
• Jase Malloy ’27 (School of Information Studies), founder of ErgoCraft, won a Tier 2 Marketing Package from UMiEconomy.
• Ethan Barone ’26 (Whitman School), founder of CaneCLamp, won a Tier 1 Intellectual Property Legal Package
• Jonathan “Jack” Wren ’26 (Whitman School) and John “Trey ” Adams III ’26 (Whitman School), founders of Happy Duck, won a Tier 2 Intellectual Property Legal Package

In addition to the pitch competition, the summit included interactive games and workshops around the importance of data in industries such as sports, healthcare, media and finance, and how startups can build long-term value beyond short-term deals.

For many students, the path from a degree to a career can feel uncertain. Over spring break, 16 A&S | Maxwell undergraduates traded that uncertainty for firsthand experience in seeing exactly how their liberal arts education gives them an edge.

This spring, a cohort of students from the and the traveled to New York City for the 18th Winston Fisher Seminar, one of the A&S | Maxwell Office of Student Success’s signatureÌę.

This year’s group visited top firms in finance, law, sports, media, publishing and the arts, such as Fisher Brothers, Latham & Watkins, the National Basketball Association, AlphaSights, BBDO, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, WeWork, Teach For America, Penguin Random House, Morgan Stanley and Bloomberg. These experiences allowed students to gain exposure to the many different directions their degree can take them.

The weeklong experience gives undergraduate students from across all majors the opportunity to explore how a liberal arts education translates into real-world career success in the business world. Students spend their time developing and presenting business plans, meeting with industry leaders and building critical networking skills alongside Íű±ŹĂĆ alumni.

Founded in 2006 by Fisher Brothers partner, AREA15 CEO, Dean’s Advisory Board member and Life Trustee Winston Fisher ’96, the seminar has for nearly two decades connected students with a wide range of professional environments, helping them see the breadth of opportunities available to them after graduation.

“The Winston Fisher Seminar proves that a Syracuse liberal arts education opens doors,” says, director of employer and alumni engagement. “Students gain direct access to accomplished alumni and top employers in the world’s most competitive city. It builds connections that launch careers and a mindset that helps students thrive. For 18 years, Winston has delivered something no classroom can replicate—proof that a liberal arts education is a professional advantage.”

Take a peek at scenes from the 2026 Winston Fisher Seminar below.

John Riley was just 16 years old when he set foot on the Íű±ŹĂĆ campus. It was a dream come true for the young man of modest means, the first in his family to go to college. He was awarded a scholarship that allowed him to get a degree, but he couldn’t afford to live on campus, commuting all four years by bus from his family home on Syracuse’s North Side.

“John missed out on that total student experience, because he didn’t live on campus,” says his wife, Diane.Ìę “He couldn’t join a fraternity or participate in sports.” That’s why Diane decided that the best way to pay tribute to her late husband, who passed away on June 1, 2024, was with an extraordinary legacy gift to the Orange Hall Facilities Fund that ensures residential housing in the center of campus for generations of students.

In recognition of her generosity, Orange Hall will be renamed H. John Riley Hall. A dedication event is planned for Saturday, May 9, during Commencement Weekend. “John believed that Íű±ŹĂĆ gave him the education and opportunities to be successful,” says Diane. Riley graduated in 1961 with a degree in industrial engineering from the . “I think he would be proud—and humbled—to have his name on this beautiful building that provides a home to the students he loved to serve.”

“John was all about service to his alma mater, always looking for ways to provide opportunities that would position our students for personal and professional success,” says Chancellor Kent Syverud. “He was an engaged alumnus, a dedicated trustee and, along with Diane, a most generous and thoughtful benefactor.”

An Inspired Journey

Riley’s own journey from university graduate to successful businessman was inspiring, taking him from his first job in the mail room at Crouse-Hinds, the electrical products manufacturing company, to the executive suite as CEO of Cooper Industries, the multi-billion-dollar parent of Crouse-Hinds.

Riley was first elected to the Board of Trustees in 2004 and served as a voting trustee until 2016, chairing the Student Experience Committee from 2008 to 2012. He continued his service as a life trustee and, at the time of his passing, was tri-chair of the National Campaign Council Executive Committee for the University’s Forever Orange Campaign, which achieved its fundraising goal of more than $1.5 billion.

Over the years, the Rileys targeted their philanthropy to improving the student experience, both inside and outside the classroom. A 2017 endowed gift established the H. John and Diane M. Riley Dual Engineering/MBA Program Endowed Fund designed to give students a distinctive edge, allowing them to earn a bachelor’s degree in engineering along with an MBA in just five years. When the Rileys recognized the need for a new home for the University’s School of Management, they endowed a classroom in the state-of-the-art building, helping prepare future business leaders. They supported many other initiatives at the University, including Íű±ŹĂĆ Athletics and the Winnick Hillel Center for Jewish Life.

“John and I had been discussing what form our next gift should take, but he died before we could make a decision,” says Diane. She says it was Chancellor Syverud who proposed the idea for Riley Hall. “I felt incredibly honored and was so touched by his enthusiasm.” She took the idea to the family who ultimately decided that it was “a no brainer” and a fitting way to honor their father.

Family Stories

Son Patrick “Pat” E. Riley ’90, who graduated from the Newhouse School, says their father’s name will no doubt live on in the stories future students will tell about life in Riley Hall. That’s especially meaningful for the Riley family, which made many of its own memories at that same site when it was the Sheraton Íű±ŹĂĆ Hotel & Conference Center. “I think I had my first drink there when I was a senior and my sister came to visit and stayed at the hotel,” Pat says. “It was always the place where our family socialized.” The Sheraton was closed in 2024 for extensive renovations and transformation into a modern residence hall.

Diane also remembers gathering at the Sheraton bar and restaurant with the spouses of other board members while John was attending trustee meetings. And it was the place to stay when visiting their grandchildren who attended Íű±ŹĂĆ (Megan graduated in 2024; Tristan will graduate this year; and John will attend in the fall.).

“The location of Riley Hall at the center of campus is such a fitting tribute to John,” says Allen Groves, senior vice president and chief student experience officer. “As a trustee, John was always focused on how best to meet the evolving needs of students. He was both a visionary and a passionate champion for students.”

At his memorial service, Riley’s daughter Beth talked about the values her father taught to his family, values that clearly shaped his commitments to Íű±ŹĂĆ. “He was a rock of stability, good judgment, fun and common sense,” Beth said at the service. “My dad had a no-nonsense way about him that cherished truth over fanfare, responsibility over impulsiveness, long-term value over short-term gain.” Son Tom said, “He was a great executive, leader, servant. Along the way, he always had mom by his side.” Son Pat recalls his father reassuring his family that no matter what challenges they faced, “You’ll always make it through. You’ll all be OK.”

Recently, Diane and all the children and grandchildren (Beth, Marcus, Tom, Lizabeth, Pat, Beatrice, Emma, Charlotte, Matthew, Megan, Tristan, John and Connor) completed a trip to Egypt that John had been planning for them before his passing. “He was so detailed in his planning, and we carried out many of them on the trip,” says Pat. “As in life, here was Dad behind the scenes, telling us what to do
and how to do it right!”

Diane says that the life of Riley was defined by “doing things right the first time and doing the right things.” Riley Hall is one of those right things done right.

“Leaving the place I’ve called home for the past four years is truly bittersweet. While I am sad to say goodbye, I am incredibly proud of what my peers and I have accomplished,” says Kate Jackson ’26. “I look forward to more amazing opportunities and adventures ahead. Go Orange!”

Here are six things seniors should do before they receive their diploma on May 10.

1. : Don’t miss one of the last times on campus to celebrate with friends before graduation! Highlights include activities, food, giveaways and fun.
2. : Pay it forward by making your Class Giving Campaign gift of $26 and you’ll !
3. : Celebrate your next adventure and complete today!
4. : Acting like a printed time capsule, order a yearbook to preserve University photos, memories of friendships, trends and more.
5. : Including preparation instructions, a complete schedule of events, accessibility information and more, this is your one-stop for all Commencement Weekend information needs.
6. : Graduation marks the start of the alumni experience! Be sure to stay in touch through the Alumni Association’s expansive events, services, clubs and more!

“Seeing the hard work of the past four years wrap-up is hugely rewarding and likewise emotional,” says Nora Benko ’26. “Leaving behind this place is bittersweet but the upcoming celebrations will be a great way to close out this chapter in Syracuse.”

A distinguished scientist and educator, a physician and healthcare innovator, a pioneering entrepreneur, a ground-breaking academic leader, a distinguished public servant and a transformative national leader in higher education will be recognized with honorary degrees from Íű±ŹĂĆ at the .

Dr. Ruth Chen, a professor of practice in biomedical and chemical engineering in the College of Engineering and Computer Science at Íű±ŹĂĆ; Dr. Mantosh Dewan, president, SUNY Distinguished Service Professor and the Alan and Marlene Norton Presidential Chair at Upstate Medical University; Clifford J. Ensley ’69, ’70, G’71, founder and chief executive officer of Leisure Merchandising Corporation; Linda M. LeMura G’83, G’87, president of Le Moyne College; Joanne M. Mahoney ’87, L’90, president of the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry; and Chancellor Kent Syverud, the 12th chancellor and president of Íű±ŹĂĆ, will be honored for their outstanding professional contributions, achievements and service to their communities and the public good.

Dr. Ruth Chen
Doctor of Science

An environmental toxicologist, Dr. Chen has built a distinguished career at the intersection of environmental science, public health and policy, and has had an indelible impact on the Íű±ŹĂĆ community and Central New York through her commitment to students, scholarship, service and the public good.

Dr. Chen holds a Ph.D. and M.P.H. in environmental toxicology from the University of Michigan and an M.S. in biomedical sciences from the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston. Prior to academia, she served as state toxicologist for the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, where she was responsible for risk assessment and risk management decisions across programs in permit, remediation, corrective action, combustion facilities, toxic substances and landfills. She provided expert counsel to multiple state divisions on issues of human health and toxicology while simultaneously managing Tennessee’s Drinking Water Laboratory Certification Program. She secured federal funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Environmental Protection Agency, and was a staff fellow at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), working on pharmacokinetics.

Before joining Íű±ŹĂĆ, Dr. Chen served on the faculty at the School of Engineering and Applied Science, Washington University in St. Louis, where she led a professional engineering master’s degree program and an international education program. At Syracuse, she is admired for her ability to translate complex topics into accessible and inspiring learning experiences, with courses that bridge theory and application and empower students to see engineering as a vocation.

Beyond the classroom, Dr. Chen’s leadership has strengthened student and community life in extraordinary ways. She has championed an award-winning International Student Success Model and hosts an annual International Thanksgiving Celebration for students who cannot travel home for the holidays. She is an advocate for Women in Science and Engineering and a consistent presence at student performances and athletics, ensuring every student feels they have a place at the University.

Dr. Chen’s impact extends well beyond campus. She has served on the boards of United Way, Interfaith Works and Syracuse Stage. During the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, she helped procure masks for the community. She launched Operation Orange Warmup, the University’s winter coat drive, and through her support of local nonprofits, she has turned generosity into action across Central New York.

Dr. Mantosh Dewan
Doctor of Science

A physician scientist who has made significant contributions to clinical psychiatry, neuroimaging, psychotherapy and mental health systems, Dewan has dedicated his career to advancing medical education, expanding access to mental healthcare and serving the Central New York community.

Dewan began his career at SUNY Upstate in 1975 as a mixed medicine/psychiatry intern, becoming chief resident in psychiatry before joining the faculty as an assistant professor. Over the decades he has served as director of undergraduate education, director of residency training and chair of the Department of Psychiatry, and as interim dean of the College of Medicine from 2016 to 2017.

His scholarly output encompasses more than 80 papers, 35 books and book chapters, and hundreds of presentations on topics ranging from brain imaging and the economics of mental healthcare to psychotherapy and medical education. His research has been funded by the National Institute of Mental Health and the Health Resources and Services Administration. He is co-editor two books: “The Difficult to Treat Psychiatric Patient” and “The Art and Science of Brief Psychotherapies,” a best seller now in its third edition, translated into five languages and chosen for the American Psychiatric Association’s Core Competencies in Psychotherapy Series.

Dewan’s leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic was transformational. Under his direction, Upstate developed the world’s most sensitive saliva diagnostic test and provided over four million tests to 60 of the 64 SUNY campuses, enabling all of SUNY to remain open and in-person. Íű±ŹĂĆ partnered directly with Upstate in this critical effort. Reflecting Dewan’s vision for leveraging technology to expand access to care, Upstate provides tele-psychiatry diagnostic and treatment services to students at 56 SUNY campuses. More recently, Dewan launched Upstate Biotech Ventures with $6 million in seed funding to cultivate biotech companies incubated at the medical center.

Listed in The Best Doctors in America and a Distinguished Life Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association (APA), Dewan has received numerous honors, including the APA’s George Tarjan Award, designation as an “Exemplary Chair” by SUNY, Íű±ŹĂĆ’s Chancellor’s Medal in 2021 and an honorary degree from Onondaga Community College. He is also an affiliated professor at Jönköping University in Sweden.

Dewan’s career reflects intellectual curiosity, innovation, ethical leadership and a deep commitment to using science and medicine in service to society. His accolades and leadership reflect a career that has made profound contributions to science and to improve the well-being of the Central New York community.

Clifford J. Ensley ’69, ’70, G’71
Doctor of Humane Letters

A dedicated University trustee, accomplished entrepreneur and a celebrated student-athlete, Ensley has demonstrated a lifelong commitment to his alma mater through service, philanthropy and unwavering Orange spirit.

Ensley arrived at Syracuse as a walk-on with the football team after no Division I programs recruited him. His tenacity on the practice field earned him a scholarship from head coach Ben Schwartzwalder, and by his sophomore year he was starting on the varsity squad.

Ensley went on to become the last three-sport letter winner in Íű±ŹĂĆ history, earning letters in football, wrestling and lacrosse. He was an honorable mention All-American in football, set interception and special teams records as a defensive back and delivered a record-setting 76-yard punt return for a touchdown against Navy.

He was captain and most valuable player of the lacrosse team and was named the 1969 Íű±ŹĂĆ Athlete of the Year, joining a distinguished list that includes Jim Brown ’57, Ernie Davis ’62, Floyd Little ’67, H’19, Dave Bing ’66, H’06 and Larry Csonka ’68. Ensley received the Letter Winner of Distinction Award from Íű±ŹĂĆ Athletics and the Varsity Club in 1993 and the Dritz Rookie Trustee of the Year Award in 2018. A champion of volunteerism, he also founded Athletes Who Care in 2022, an organization that partners with Syracuse student-athletes to support charitable causes and community organizations in Central New York.

Ensley earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from the and the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering from the and an MBA from the . He was a member of the U.S. Army ROTC and Phi Delta Theta fraternity. After his military service, Ensley entered the luggage industry. Drawing on his education, his experience in retail luggage sales and a perseverance built on the playing fields, he launched his idea for a wholesale luggage and accessories manufacturing business in 1978 with $2,500. The founder and chief executive officer of Leisure Merchandising Corporation grew the business into a multimillion-dollar enterprise with a brand presence in thousands of retail locations.

Elected to the Board of Trustees in 2015, Ensley currently serves on the Athletics, Advancement and External Affairs, and Facilities committees. Together with his wife, Sue, he has provided lead gifts for the Ensley Athletic Center, the Chris Gedney Endowed Football Scholarship and the Orange Forever Endowed Memorial Fund, which provides keepsake blankets to the families of every deceased former student-athlete. They have also lent their support to initiatives in the College of Engineering and Computer Science, the D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families, the Whitman School, the Maxwell School, the Catholic Center and the Sala Family Plaza, among other numerous initiatives.

Linda M. LeMura G’83, G’87
Doctor of Humane Letters

LeMura’s career has been defined by groundbreaking leadership, scientific excellence and an unwavering commitment to educational equity and access.

LeMura graduated from Bishop Grimes High School as a three-sport athlete and honors student. She earned both a master’s degree (1983) in physical education and a Ph.D. (1987) in applied physiology from the at Íű±ŹĂĆ, where her academic training laid the foundation for a distinguished career. Her research in pediatric obesity, pediatric applied physiology and lipid and energy metabolism has produced more than 30 peer-reviewed articles, two books and 26 externally funded grant proposals. She has served as a research consultant for both the U.S. and Italian Olympic committees. She has consistently included students as co-investigators and co-authors in her work, highlighting her work as a mentor and a commitment to the next generation of scientists.

After serving as a professor, research scientist and graduate program director at Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, LeMura joined Le Moyne College in 2003 and held leadership roles as dean of arts and sciences and provost before making history in 2014 as the first female layperson to serve as president of a Jesuit institution of higher education in the U.S. Her appointment opened pathways for women’s leadership across Jesuit higher education, with 10 additional women now serving in presidential roles at Jesuit institutions.

Under her leadership, Le Moyne has raised roughly $200 million, achieved eight consecutive years of record enrollment and led the college’s strategic transition to NCAA Division I athletics as a full member of the Northeast Conference.

LeMura co-chairs the Central New York Regional Economic Development Council. She was actively engaged in the Central New York’s efforts to bring Micron’s microchip manufacturing facility to the area and has aligned Le Moyne to the resulting workforce demand through new semiconductor-focused programs and the college’s ERIE 21 partnership with Micron.

She holds board positions with the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities and the International Association of Jesuit Universities. Her awards include the 2023 Íű±ŹĂĆ Tolley Medal, selected by the School of Education; the 2019 Syracuse Key4Women Achieve Award; the 2017 Temple Adath Yeshurun Citizen of the Year Award; the 2017 Bishop’s Award from the Diocese of Syracuse Catholic Charities and recognition as a 2016 New York State Senate Woman of Distinction.

The relationship between Íű±ŹĂĆ and Le Moyne College has grown in collaboration during LeMura’s presidency through joint academic initiatives, community engagement projects and shared commitments to excellence.

Joanne M. Mahoney ’87, L’90
Doctor of Laws

Mahoney has built a career defined by her commitment to community, environmental stewardship and the advancement of Central New York. She earned a bachelor of science degree in marketing management from the Martin J. Whitman School of Management in 1987 and a juris doctor from the College of Law in 1990. She credits her legal education as the foundation of her career in public leadership. Her late father, Bernard J. Mahoney L’69, was also a graduate of the College of Law.

Mahoney began her legal career in private practice at Harris Beach before serving for five years as a criminal prosecutor in the Onondaga County District Attorney’s Office. She went on to serve on the Syracuse Common Council from 2000-03. In 2008, she became the first woman elected Onondaga County Executive, a position she held for three terms while overseeing a county government serving approximately 460,000 residents.

During her tenure, she created the nationally acclaimed Save the Rain green infrastructure program and helped lead efforts that transformed Onondaga Lake to swimmable water quality. She maintained the county’s highest bond ratings among all New York State counties and championed the Say Yes to Education partnership. Governing Magazine named her Public Official of the Year in 2011.

In November 2020, Mahoney was appointed president of the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY ESF), the first woman to lead the institution in its more than 110-year history. Under her leadership, SUNY ESF has risen in the Princeton Review’s rankings of the nation’s most environmentally responsible colleges.

She serves as co-chair of SUNY’s systemwide Sustainability Advisory Council and has sustained the historic partnership between SUNY ESF and Íű±ŹĂĆ, ensuring collaborative academic programs, shared student opportunities and joint diplomas.

Mahoney has also served as chair of the New York State Thruway Authority, where she oversaw completion of the Gov. Mario M. Cuomo Bridge, one of the nation’s largest infrastructure projects. She currently serves on the College of Law’s Board of Advisors and has supported the Hon. Theodore A. McKee L’75 Endowed Law Scholarship and WAER.

Chancellor Kent D. Syverud
Doctor of Laws

Chancellor Syverud has led Íű±ŹĂĆ through 12 years of transformational change, reshaping the campus, strengthening research and academic excellence, and expanding Íű±ŹĂĆ’s impact in Central New York and beyond.

Hailing from Irondequoit, New York, Chancellor Syverud earned a bachelor’s degree magna cum laude from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service, a law degree magna cum laude from the University of Michigan Law School and a master’s in economics from the University of Michigan. He counts among his closest mentors the late U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, for whom he clerked. His career in legal education spans three decades, including deanships at Vanderbilt University Law School and Washington University School of Law. An elected member of the American Law Institute, he received the 2024 TIAA Institute Theodore M. Hesburgh Award for Leadership Excellence, one of the highest national honors in higher education.

Since becoming chancellor in 2014, Chancellor Syverud has placed students at the center of the University’s mission. Under his leadership, Syracuse has seen record applications and enrollment, invested over $100 million in student life—including the Barnes Center at The Arch, a renovated Schine Student Center, two new residence halls and a transformed JMA Wireless Dome—and expanded global learning programs across five international centers and domestic sites in New York City, Los Angeles and Washington, D.C.

Chancellor Syverud played a central role in Central New York’s economic resurgence, including the University’s work to attract Micron Technology to build its largest American fabrication facility in the region. He directed the hiring of more than 700 faculty, helped the University achieve Research 1 status and oversaw the Forever Orange Campaign, which raised more than $1.59 billion—the largest fundraising effort in University history—as the endowment more than doubled to over $2 billion.

His dedication to veterans and military families stands among his most profound contributions. The expansion of Íű±ŹĂĆ’s D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families and the creation of the National Veterans Resource Center at the Daniel and Gayle D’Aniello Building set a national standard for research, policy development and support to those who have served, and veteran enrollment has more than tripled since 2014. Throughout his chancellorship, Chancellor Syverud has continued to teach negotiation courses at the College of Law and the Whitman School of Management, embodying the teacher-scholar ideal.

Chancellor Syverud’s commitment to service extends beyond the University. He serves as a member of the Board of Directors of the Atlantic Coast Conference, having previously served as its president, and as an ex officio trustee of the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry. He is a trustee of Crouse Hospital and of Le Moyne College, and, by appointment of the governor of New York, serves as a member of the Board of Directors of the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York.

Students everywhere commonly dream of gliding straight from a high-profile internship into a job with the same employer. That dream came true for three sport management majors from David B. Falk College of Sport who interned at The Montag Group in recent years.

Based in New York City, The Montag Group represents more than 200 of the nation’s top sports broadcasters, along with coaches, chefs, and entertainers (see accompanying story). Its Founder & President is Sandy Montag ’85, a highly respected 40-year veteran of the sports industry.

Using Falk College Connections

To get her internship, Caroline Johnson ’21 started by connecting with Kate Ruben ’15, who was The Montag Group’s intern coordinator. Today, Ruben is director of brand marketing for Excel Sports Management. She’s also a member of the , a group of Falk College’s most committed young alumni who provide guidance to current students.

Johnson interviewed and got the internship. But disaster hit only a few months before her start date. In March 2020, much of the country began shutting down due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Montag Group decided to continue its internships, but to make them remote.

“I was completely remote,” Johnson says, “but I still loved it. They did a great job of making me feel like I was still part of the team.”

The diverse projects helped her see what areas of sport management interested her the most,Ìę Johnson says.

She interned from June through December 2020, an unusually long time because The Montag Group let Johnson add her capstone project to the normal three-month internship. Then near the end came a surprise: Ruben told Johnson that Sandy Montag was looking for a new executive assistant and asked if she was interested in the job.

“I obviously said yes,” Johnson says.

She says she believes Ruben helped pave the way for her hiring.

Johnson still had to finish her final semester at Falk College, so between classes she had Zoom calls with Montag’s current assistant to learn the job. She started working at The Montag Group immediately after graduating.

The Montag Group was acquired in 2022 by THE·TEAM, and today, Johnson is senior manager of operations for the company’s in-house speaker’s bureau. Once a client signs a contract for a speaking appearance, Johnson takes over to handle all the logistics.

“No two events are the same,” Johnson says, “so it’s a lot of variation day-to-day, which I like.”

Falk College’s sport management program is “completely the reason I am where I am today in my career,” Johnson says.

“The attention you get as a student is just one of a kind, and the professors are so knowledgeable and they have real-world experience,” she says. “They really stressed the importance of putting yourself out there professionally, putting your best foot forward professionally, and making connections as early as possible with people in the industry.”

Johnson made many of those connections through her work with the Íű±ŹĂĆ chapter of , where she served as vice president and then president, and with the . In her junior year, Johnson co-chaired the club’s annual . Her work in both groups gave Johnson many opportunities to connect with Falk College alumni.

Creating His Own Job

As his remote internship at The Montag Group started winding down, Luca Giacobbe ’22 was on a companywide Zoom call when someone said the agency was going to hire a couple of entry-level people.

“I’m the only one on the call that wasn’t working for the company full time,” Giacobbe says, “So my alarm bells start going off. How can I get considered for one of these jobs?”

He told the agency’s internship coordinator that he was “super interested” in staying, and she told him to hang tight because they were early in the process. He continued working hard, both on projects and on developing his colleagues’ trust. Those efforts included spending a week in Manhattan at The Montag Group’s office so he could meet his colleagues in person.

A day or two before his internship ended, a new meeting suddenly appeared on Giacobbe’s calendar. It was with Sandy Montag.

Montag told Giacobbe that he’d done a great job, and a lot of his colleagues had advocated for hiring him. Would he like to be Montag’s executive assistant? After thinking it over, he said yes.

From that start, Giacobbe has risen to become the agency’s communications manager – a new position he created with guidance and support from his colleagues.

“There’s opportunity for our agents and our clients to be out talking about the sports industry and to position ourselves as thought leaders,” Giacobbe says.

Speaking engagements, panel discussions, podcasts, social media, article placements and other outlets all offer opportunities, he says.

At Falk College, Giacobbe remembers that professors and advisors, including advisors specifically dedicated to internships, emphasized networking and connecting students with alumni.

“The biggest thing that I learned from Syracuse was about relationships and building meaningful ones, not just having a call with someone and not talking to them again,” Giacobbe says.

When sportscaster Jason Benetti ’05 is on the microphone, he treats every game like it is Game 7 of the World Series—ready for anything to happen and prepared to tell the stories of the game.

“Sometimes the best moments are the things you’d never expect in a game,” Benetti says. “You have to be ready for the strategy and the tactics, discussing what pitch might be thrown to this batter or how a manager will handle his bullpen.”

For Benetti, that balance between preparation and the unpredictable is part of the sport’s charm.

“Baseball has this chess feel to it, and then it rapidly becomes like sitting in an airport food court people watching,” he says. “I love that about baseball.”

Benetti’s excitement reached a new level when he called the Cleveland Guardians/Seattle Mariners game on March 29 as part of NBC and Peacock’s new primetime “Sunday Night Baseball” coverage.

“This was an opportunity to be the lead broadcaster on something I grew up watching,” says Benetti, who also serves as the Detroit Tigers TV broadcaster. “‘Sunday Night Baseball’ games always felt like the game of the week. To be the lead announcer for something like this, it truly is the one thing that hadn’t yet happened in my career.”

Benetti, who has called Major League Baseball, National Football League, National Basketball Association and college football and basketball games, dreamt of this moment ever since his agent, Kevin Belbey ’13, G’16, L’16, and NBC Sports executive producer Sam Flood broached the subject.

“I get to see a lot more of the league and get to form relationships with players and managers through ‘Sunday Night Baseball’ that I like to think will help with my calling Tigers games. I’m very fortunate,” says Benetti, who earned bachelor’s degrees in broadcast journalism, economics and psychology.

Finding His Calling

Benetti says from an early age he had to navigate the world differently due to how people perceived his cerebral palsy. He has a drifting eye and walks with a limp but doesn’t live with chronic pain or major health complications.

“My hurdles are because I don’t look the same as everybody,” says Benetti, one of the leading advocates for those with cerebral palsy, including working with the to create a YouTube animated video series aimed at promoting awareness and inclusion.

Determined to become a sportscaster since high school, Benetti found his calling as a student broadcaster with .

“WAER teaches so many marvelous things about play-by-play. I wouldn’t be where I am today without Syracuse and WAER,” says Benetti, who called lacrosse and women’s basketball games for WAER.

Baseball Is the Perfect Sport for Sharing Stories

Benetti holds deep admiration for broadcasting legends like Vin Scully, Bob Costas and Ernie Harwell, who called Tigers games for 42 years.

Benetti and his broadcast team like to bring the fans into their telecasts, showing them attempting to catch a foul ball or sampling ballpark treats. Benetti will often say “message and data rates may apply” when featuring fans, because “anybody in the crowd can be a star, and when we show people on TV, their phones will blow up.”

Honoring a Broadcasting Legend

Calling Detroit’s playoff-clinching, 4-1 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Sept. 27, 2024, stands out as Benetti’s favorite baseball broadcasting moment. He paid homage to Harwell, who said a batter “stood there like a house by the side of the road” whenever he struck out.

Benetti was listening to Harwell’s old broadcasts as the season wound down, and as Tigers players and fans celebrated, Benetti told the audience that the rest of the American League “stood there like the house by the side of the road and let the Tigers go by.”

“That fan base hadn’t seen the team make the playoffs in a long time. There was so much joy and beauty watching the fans experience that playoff-clinching moment at Comerica Park,” Benetti says of the Tigers, who earned their first playoff berth in 10 years. “It’s a beautiful thing being able to connect history to the moment now.”

For more than a decade, The Montag Group, the New York City agency that represents many of the nation’s top sportscasters, has been a pipeline into sports broadcasting and management for interns from the and seniors pursuing their capstone projects.

Sandy Montag ’85, the company’s founder and president and a legend in the sports industry, admits he bleeds Orange. But Montag says he’s partial to Íű±ŹĂĆ students because they’re better prepared than students from other universities.

“I think with Syracuse interns you know what you’re getting,” Montag says. “They’re hardworking and they really have their finger on the pulse of the industry. They’ve studied it, they’ve asked the right questions, they’re industrious, they take charge and they don’t always need a lot of direction.”

That strong background is essential because interns at The Montag Group may undertake a variety of projects involving research, marketing, development and team building.

“I have found that Syracuse students are the best positioned to really jump into a company and do some real work while they’re here,” Montag says.

Some Falk College interns slide straight into full-time jobs at The Montag Group when their internships end.

Most of The Montag Group’s 200-plus clients are sportscasters, including industry leaders such as Bob Costas ’74, Mike Tirico ’88, Scott Van Pelt, Beth Mowins G’90, Jim Nantz, James Brown, Tracy Wolfson, Rebecca Lobo and Julie Foudy. It also represents entertainers, chefs, coaches and athletes in their off-the-field projects.

Communication is key to the agency’s business, and Montag says Syracuse students have better communications skills than most others.

“Some students that come in want to tell you everything that they know,” he says. “I was taught that you learn more by listening than by talking. Syracuse students ask really good questions, not just how I got started but questions specific to our industry about representation and what we look for in a good broadcaster. I like inquisitive people who ask good questions and who you can tell have a real interest in what you’re doing.”

A large majority of The Montag Group interns are from Syracuse, Montag says. Most are from Falk College, although some come from the . The agency typically has one or two interns each semester and two or three in the summer, along with capstone students.

Learning the Business With John Madden

Montag was a sports nut from a young age. He remembers at age 8 waiting after the end of basketball games at Madison Square Garden so he could snag the notes and stat sheets of his idol, Marv Albert ’63, commonly known as “the voice of basketball” for his broadcasts of NBA games. Ironically, years later Montag became Albert’s agent.

He was on the varsity basketball and soccer teams in high school but didn’t play much. While on the bench, he kept stats. He also started writing game stories for his local newspaper.

The powerful relationship between Montag and Íű±ŹĂĆ almost didn’t happen. Dreaming of a career in sports broadcasting, he applied for admission into Newhouse. The alternative that was presented to him by Syracuse was a degree in speech communications in the , which he accepted, knowing he could still take a few classes at Newhouse outside of his major.

“I quickly pivoted into production and stats work,” he says.

Montag honed his resourcefulness during his years at Syracuse. He got a job writing for the , the independent student newspaper. When a guy in his dorm who was the lead football manager said the team needed another manager, Montag jumped at the opportunity.

As he worked in the athletic office one day, someone said ESPN was on campus and needed a person to do stats for that night’s basketball game.

“I’m like, I’ll do that in a second,” Montag remembers.

He sat in the front row at the game next to broadcaster Dick Vitale, to whom he fed point and rebound stats. ESPN paid him $50. Forty years later, Vitale has been a longtime client and friend of Montag.

The ESPN producer said he’d pay Montag $100 the next week for two days’ work if he could get to Pittsburgh. Recalling that an upstart airline, People Express, had an ad in the Daily Orange offering an hourly wage and free travel to employees, Montag hustled to the Syracuse airport. He got a job doing reservations one day a week and made it to Pittsburgh.

It was the first of 100 such assignments that eventually found him working stats after graduation for John Madden, who had shifted from an accomplished NFL head coach to sportscaster. That led to him becoming Madden’s assistant, traveling with him from game to game by train (Madden’s preferred mode of travel). Without the distraction of cell phones and other electronic devices, they talked, played cards and drank beer.

“We hit it off and developed a relationship,” Montag says.

The Íű±ŹĂĆ Alumni Association will honor Chancellor Kent Syverud and Dr. Ruth Chen, professor of practice in the College of Engineering and Computer Science, with the George Arents Award, the University’s highest alumni honor, at the 2026 Alumni Awards Celebration on Thursday, April 23, in Hendricks Chapel. The event is free and open to all alumni, students, faculty, staff and friends of the University.

Check-in begins at 4:30 p.m., with the awards ceremony beginning at 5 p.m. A complimentary reception with food and refreshments follows from 6 to 7:30 p.m. inside the Miron Victory Court.

Chancellor Syverud has led Íű±ŹĂĆ through a period of transformational change over the past 12 years, overseeing record enrollment, a landmark fundraising campaign and the establishment of Syracuse as the nation’s premier private university for veterans and military-connected students. His leadership has reshaped the University’s academic profile, physical campus and national standing.

Dr. Chen has built a distinguished career in environmental toxicology spanning state government, the National Institutes of Health and higher education. Throughout her tenure at Syracuse, she has brought deep expertise and an unwavering commitment to students and the broader University community.

The 2026 Alumni Awards Celebration will also recognize four additional honorees: Ronald J. Taylor ’15, G’16, who will receive the Generation Orange Award for a career spanning education leadership, youth development and technology policy; Daniel A. D’Aniello ’68, H’20, who will receive the Military/Veteran Alumni Award in recognition of his distinguished U.S. Navy service and decades of transformative support for Íű±ŹĂĆ; Akima H. Rogers ’92, who will receive the Volunteer of the Year Award for his deep and enduring engagement with the University community; and Diana Wege ’76, who will receive the Melvin A. Eggers Senior Alumni Award for her loyalty, service and distinguished career as a conceptual artist, curator and activist.

The event is complimentary, but seating is limited. to join the University community in honoring this year’s recipients.

Renowned filmmaker Ron Howard recently spent an afternoon with students in the and the (VPA), offering an inside look at his latest film project and the creative decision-making that shapes work at the highest levels of Hollywood.Ìę

Howard, one of the industry’s most respected directors, was joined by producer Bill Connor ’89 and Doug Wilkinson G’87, both alumni of Íű±ŹĂĆ. Together, they engaged filmÌęand dramaÌęstudents in a discussion about storytelling and the realities of bringing a major motion picture from concept to completion.Ìę

“It’s always a pleasure to welcome alums back to campus, and this time around it was a double pleasure. We had not one but two of them accompany Ron Howard—one of Hollywood’s most well-known directors—to come and speak with our Newhouse and VPA students,” says , professor and graduate program director of the Department of Television, Radio and Film in the Newhouse School.Ìę

During the visit, HowardÌęscreenedÌęhis most recent project, inviting students into the filmmaking process at a stage rarely accessible outside the professional world.Ìę

“Howard asked our students what they thought and answered their questions with real candor,” says , professor of film and chair of the Department of Film and Media Arts in VPA. “Seeing an unfinished film and talking directly with the director, producer and editor about choices they’re still making is something you can’t replicate in a classroom. That’s what so special about being at Syracuse.”Ìę

For students aspiring to careers in film and media, the visit offered a unique opportunity to bridge theory and practice and connected classroom learning with firsthand perspectives from some of the industry’s most accomplished professionals.