Nearly four decades after the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 claimed 35 网爆门 students, a new cohort of scholars is keeping their memory alive.

The Remembrance Scholarships, now in their 37th year, were founded as a tribute to鈥攁nd means of remembering鈥攖he students studying in London and Florence through 网爆门 who were killed in the Dec. 21, 1988, bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland. Those students were among the 270 people who perished in the bombing. The scholarships are funded through an endowment supported by gifts from alumni, friends, parents and corporations.

Significant support for the Remembrance Scholarships has been provided by Jean Thompson 鈥�66 and 网爆门 Life Trustee Richard L. Thompson G鈥�67 in memory of Jean Taylor Phelan Terry 鈥�43 and John F. Phelan, Jean Thompson鈥檚 parents; by Board of Trustees Chairman Emeritus Steven Barnes 鈥�82 and Deborah Barnes; by The Syracuse Association of Zeta Psi in memory of Alexander Lowenstein; and by the Fred L. Emerson Foundation.

Selection Process

Remembrance Scholars are chosen in their junior year through a competitive selection process. Applicants submitted an essay and a reflective response in multimedia, artistic, musical or written format as part of a comprehensive application. The application evaluation committee is composed of University faculty and staff and current Remembrance Scholars. The $5,000 scholarships are awarded on the basis of community impact, leadership, creativity and thoughtful academic inquiry.

鈥淭he Remembrance Scholars bring something exceptional to our University: a commitment to learning, to leading and to giving back. Through their accomplishments, they carry forward the legacy of the students for whom these scholarships were created. Recognizing them is both a privilege and a point of deep pride for 网爆门,鈥� says Lois Agnew, vice chancellor, provost and chief academic officer.

The Remembrance Scholars plan the Remembrance activities held at the University each year, and the cohort will be recognized during a convocation in the fall.

2026-27 Remembrance Scholars

The 2026-27 Remembrance Scholars, their hometowns, majors and schools and colleges are the following:

• Victoria Alwar of Homa Bay, Kenya, a biology major and neuroscience major in the College of Arts and Sciences (A&S) and a member of the Ren茅e Crown University Honors Program;
• Madiou Bah of Bronx, New York, a broadcast and digital journalism major in the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and an economics major in the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs and A&S;
• Sigourney Bell of Birmingham, Alabama, a broadcast and digital journalism major in the Newhouse School and member of the Ren茅e Crown University Honors Program;
• Nasya Simone Bellard of Concord, North Carolina, a political science major in the Maxwell School and A&S;
• Tyler Branigan of Delhi, New York, a policy studies major and economics major in the Maxwell School and A&S, an environment, sustainability and policy major in the Maxwell School and a member of the Ren茅e Crown University Honors Program;
• Teaghan Brostrom of Sacramento, Califorrnia, an international relations major in the Maxwell School and A&S, a broadcast and digital journalism major in the Newhouse School and a member of the Ren茅e Crown University Honors Program;
• Keona Bukhari-Adams of Springfield, New Jersey, a neuroscience major and psychology major in A&S;
• Mason Burley of Webster, New York, an inclusive adolescent education major in the School of Education and history major in the Maxwell School and A&S;
• Samuel Esteban Cornell of Houston, Texas, an international relations major in the Maxwell School and A&S and finance major in the Martin J. Whitman School of Management;
• Eliora Enriquez of Doon, Iowa, a film major in the College of Visual and Performing Arts (VPA);
• Quinn Gonzalez of Wantage, New Jersey, a nutrition major in the David B. Falk College of Sport and a member of the Ren茅e Crown University Honors Program;
• Jiya Gumaste of Ashburn, Virginia, a chemistry major and neuroscience major in A&S;
• Shivika Gupta of Rochester, New York, a political science major in the Maxwell School and A&S and law, society and policy major in the Maxwell School;
• Abigail (Abi) Handel of Newton, Massachusetts, a biology major in A&S and a member of the Ren茅e Crown University Honors Program;
• Alexis Heveron of Rochester, New York, a chemical engineering major in the College of Engineering and Computer Science (ECS);
• Emily Hunnewell of Chicago, Illinois, a policy studies major in the Maxwell School and A&S and a business management major in the Whitman School;
• Daniella Jacob of Millburn, New Jersey, a health and exercise science major in the Falk College and a member of the Ren茅e Crown University Honors Program;
• Sydney Kincaid of Seattle, Washington, a music education major in VPA and the School of Education;
• Kennedy King of Pasadena, California, an anthropology major and political science major in the Maxwell School and A&S, an art history major in A&S and a member of the Ren茅e Crown University Honors Program;
• Chloe Anjolie Kiser of Edinboro, Pennsylvania, an advertising major in the Newhouse School and a member of the Ren茅e Crown University Honors Program;
• Carmen Lee-Bennett of Buffalo, New York, a biology major in A&S and a member of the Ren茅e Crown University Honors Program;
• Aaron Lener of Homer, New York, a linguistic studies major in A&S, an international relations major in the Maxwell School and A&S and a member of the Ren茅e Crown University Honors Program;
• Haonan (Eric) Ma of Beijing, China, a student in the School of Architecture;
• Carter J. Moreland of Dallas, Texas, a political science major and an economics major in the Maxwell School and A&S;
• Darren Murphy of San Ramon, California, an applied mathematics major in A&S, an economics major in the Maxwell School and A&S and a member of the Ren茅e Crown University Honors Program;
• Sophia Hoyos Murray of Northborough, Massachusetts, a psychology major and biology major in A&S;
• Matilda Nichols of Fairfield, Connecticut, a chemistry major and forensic science major in A&S;
• Will Parsons of Albany, New York, a chemical engineering major in ECS;
• Alana Ramirez-Velez of Manati, Puerto Rico, a biology major and neuroscience major in A&S and a member of the Ren茅e Crown University Honors Program;
• Ella Roerden of Syracuse, New York, an anthropology major and international relations major in the Maxwell School and A&S;
• Sreshtha Thangaswamy of Edison, New Jersey, a political science major and economics major in the Maxwell School and A&S;
• Halle Varney of Potsdam, New York, a psychology major in A&S;
• Cara Williams of Greenwood, Indiana, an international relations major in the Maxwell School and A&S, a political philosophy major in A&S and a member of the Ren茅e Crown University Honors Program;
• Katie Wood of Clifton, Virginia, a musical theater major in VPA and a member of the Ren茅e Crown University Honors Program; and
• Chelsea Zhang of Suzhou, China, and Hayward, California, a student in the School of Architecture.

OlaRose Ndubuisi 鈥�29 knows from experience that disability looks different for everyone and the challenges a person is facing privately may not always be readily visible to those around them.

The first-year student, who is dual majoring in biology and journalism, has spent the last several years transforming some of the hardest experiences of her life into poetry, advocacy and community. Her poetry, which documented her own journey with scoliosis with raw honesty and hope, earned her the title of New York State Youth Poet Laureate for 2024-2025.

Ndubuisi, who is a Coronat Scholar and in the , is passionate about encouraging others to use creative outlets to positively express their own emotions and challenges. That will be the focus of an April 17 event hosted by the Disability Cultural Center,

Ndubuisi will discuss navigating her own experiences as a student with disabilities, including being born as a one-pound premature infant, having unilateral hearing loss and being diagnosed with severe scoliosis.

Ndubuisi says it means a lot to her to speak during Disability Pride Month.

鈥淎fter reading a poem about my own scoliosis journey, I’m going to show students how to use creative outlets to positively express themselves, their emotions and how we all can face our own invisible challenges by leading a fun writing and art workshop,鈥� she says.

Resiliency and Creativity After a Diagnosis

As a kid, Ndubuisi thought the medical challenges she experienced from being born prematurely, including unilateral hearing loss in her right ear, a perforated esophagus and weak muscles, would be the hardest experiences of her life.

鈥淒espite all of that, I played the piano and I was able to play tennis despite my hearing loss,鈥� she says. 鈥淚’m able to recite poetry, compose my own music.鈥�

But when Ndubuisi was 14, she says her world turned upside down when she went to the doctor for a routine checkup. She wanted to get cleared to play on her school鈥檚 tennis team, but when she mentioned to a stand-in doctor that she had been experiencing bursts of pain and that she felt she was shorter than her peers, the pediatrician decided to screen her for scoliosis and ordered an X-ray.

The results showed severe scoliosis鈥攁n S-shaped curvature of the spine, with her lower curve measuring in the surgical range. For the next year and a half, she wore a brace 22 to 23 hours a day and attended physical therapy and yoga every week. The pain was constant, and she often felt isolated from her peers.

鈥淚 was able to use writing, art and music to positively express my emotions and cope with my pain, turning my pain into something beautiful and relatable,鈥� she says.

At the age of 15, Ndubuisi underwent vertebral body tethering surgery, but complications left her with more pain than before. She used a wheelchair for five months as she recovered from the surgery, and she had to miss the second half of her 10th grade year.

鈥淚’m proud of my resilience and that I was able to work really hard and maintain all A’s, and I was able to go back to school for 11th grade and the rest of high school,鈥� Ndubuisi says.

An occupational therapist recommended a music therapist, who introduced Ndubuisi to music composition software during those difficult times. She now has more than 100 original compositions and has released several on Spotify.

From Personal Pain to Public Advocacy

Her experience with scoliosis inspired her to establish the (FiSK) Project, a nonprofit focused on awareness, education and support. Ndubuisi created an educational survey that has reached more than 25 states and 19 countries, and a T-shirt fundraiser featuring her artwork and lines from her poetry raised more than $5,000 to support free scoliosis screening in underserved communities.

Back home in the Rochester, New York, area, she founded a FiSK Club at her high school, running writing and art workshops, organizing music concerts and creating space for students to talk openly about invisible struggles.

The work Ndubuisi does with FiSK has dovetailed with her advocacy as New York State Youth Poet Laureate. In that role, she has led workshops for young people across the greater Rochester area and has been a featured reader at literary events statewide, including a headlining appearance at a poetry reading tied to artist at the Guggenheim Museum.

She also hopes people learn from her own experiences that the challenges or difficulties you face 鈥渄on鈥檛 have to negatively affect the trajectory of your life.鈥�

鈥淪coliosis has been a really difficult and painful challenge for me, but it’s also shaped me into who I am,鈥� she says. 鈥淚t’s definitely made me even more resilient and strong, even more compassionate through meeting other kids with scoliosis and being able to share my story.鈥�

takes place April 17 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Barner-McDuffie House.

Mike Tirico 鈥�88, acclaimed NBC Sports broadcaster and dedicated alumnus, will deliver 网爆门鈥檚 address Sunday, May 10, in the JMA Wireless Dome. The ceremony begins at 9:30 a.m.

Tirico, who serves as vice chair of 网爆门’s Board of Trustees, has built a career at the center of American sports broadcasting, calling play-by-play for 鈥淪unday Night Football鈥� and 鈥淣BA on NBC鈥� and serving as the primetime host for NBCUniversal鈥檚 coverage of the Olympics.

In February 2026, he became the first U.S. broadcaster ever to call the Super Bowl and host a Winter Olympics in the same year鈥攁 milestone that capped more than three decades in the profession he first pursued in the studios of WAER-FM, 网爆门’s public radio station.

“Mike Tirico is the definition of an Orange success story,” says Chancellor Kent Syverud. “He began his career right here on campus, and has gone on to become one of the most respected voices in sports broadcasting. His deep and lasting commitment to 网爆门 reflects the same values of excellence we hope to inspire in every graduate. We are honored and proud to welcome him home for this milestone celebration.”

鈥淭here is no place that has meant more to me than 网爆门,鈥� says Tirico. 鈥淧ersonally and professionally so much of what has defined my life traces back to SU. It is an incredible honor to be asked to address the Class of 2026 and welcome them to our proud family of Orange alums. I can鈥檛 wait to share this special day with the next group that joins our Forever Orange family.鈥�

Broadcast Start

Tirico earned a dual bachelor’s degree in 1988 in political science from the and the and in broadcast journalism from the . He launched his broadcasting career at WAER-FM before joining WTVH-TV in Syracuse as sports director and serving as the play-by-play voice for 网爆门 basketball, football, lacrosse and volleyball.

Tirico joined ESPN as a 鈥淪portsCenter鈥� anchor in 1991, eventually becoming the voice of 鈥淢onday Night Football鈥� from 2006-15, one of only four play-by-play announcers to call primetime NFL games for at least 10 seasons. Over 25 years at ESPN and ABC Sports, he called the NBA, college football, college basketball, golf’s Masters and The Open, the FIFA World Cup and tennis championships, the U.S. Open and Wimbledon. In July 2016, he joined NBC Sports.

At NBC, Tirico is the play-by-play voice of 鈥淪unday Night Football,鈥� primetime television鈥檚 most-watched show for an unprecedented 15 consecutive years, and has served as the network’s primetime host for the PyeongChang, Tokyo, Beijing, Paris and Milan Cortina Olympics. In February 2026, he called Super Bowl LX and then immediately shifted to host the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, an unmatched broadcasting double that drew widespread acclaim. He was named the 2010 Sportscaster of the Year by the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association and has won five Sports Emmy Awards. In the summer of 2025, he was inducted into the National Sports Media Association Hall of Fame by a vote of his peers.

Dedication to the University

Tirico has remained closely connected to the University throughout his career. Elected to the Board of Trustees in 2016, he was elected vice chair in 2025 and serves on the board鈥檚 Executive, Advancement and External Affairs and Student Experience Committees. He has served on the board鈥檚 search committees, including for the dean of the Newhouse School, the athletics director and, most recently, the chancellor. His University service also includes membership on the Newhouse Advisory Board and the Advisory Board.

He has been recognized with the George Arents Award, the University’s highest alumni honor, in 2005; the Outstanding Young Alumni Award in 1996; and the Newhouse School’s Marty Glickman Award for Leadership in Sports Media in 2017. He and his wife, Deborah Gibaratz Tirico 鈥�89 (Martin J. Whitman School of Management), established the Mike Tirico Scholarship Endowment and supported initiatives across the Maxwell, Newhouse and Whitman schools, WAER and 网爆门 Athletics.

Vice Chancellor, Provost and Chief Academic Officer today announced the appointment of as the inaugural Provost鈥檚 Innovation Fellow at 网爆门.

In this role, Horn will develop a Universitywide academic-industry strategy and support faculty in creating industry partnerships that provide experiential learning opportunities and professional connections for students. He will also work to develop new revenue streams through academic-industry initiatives and regularly assess their progress and success.

鈥淚 am excited to welcome Professor Horn into this role and know he is the perfect person to lead this important initiative,鈥� Agnew says. 鈥淗e has already demonstrated an exceptional ability to build meaningful bridges between academic and industry partners, creating opportunities that benefit our students and bolster experiential inquiry. I can think of no one better positioned to shape this strategy from the ground up and ensure that Syracuse remains at the forefront of academic-industry collaboration.鈥�

The two-year appointment begins Aug.听15, 2026,听and runs through June 15, 2028. Horn will report to Agnew and work closely with the academic affairs leadership team, the Division of Communications, deans and associate deans and faculty and career advisors across campus.

Horn has served as associate dean of strategic initiatives for the since July 2022, and as a professor of practice in public relations since August 2018. Over the last four years, Horn has led the development of numerous academic-industry partnerships for the Newhouse School, ranging from executive education immersion programs for corporations鈥攊ncluding Delta Air Lines and Lockheed Martin鈥攖o creating collaborative student-focused partnerships with Sony, Spectrum News, CBS News and Stations, Advance Local and American Airlines.

As a professor of practice, Horn has forged partnerships with several global sport organizations and communications firms, resulting in student-supported industry research and international projects. Each June, Horn leads a short-term study abroad course to Switzerland to foster hands-on, experiential learning for students with global organizations.

鈥淐onnecting students with innovative industry experiences has been the uniting passion of my work since joining the Newhouse faculty in 2018,鈥� Horn says. 鈥淚鈥檓 thankful to Provost Agnew for this high honor of serving as the inaugural Provost鈥檚 Innovation Fellow, as I鈥檓 thrilled to expand on the work we鈥檝e built at Newhouse, thanks to Dean Mark Lodato and his vision. I鈥檓 particularly looking forward to developing new relationships across the University to help unlock the potential for unique, meaningful and distinctive experiences for students across industries.鈥�

Prior to joining the Newhouse faculty, Horn spent more than 20 years in communications leadership roles in Major League Baseball and Olympic sport, most notably serving as vice president of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum and as head of communications for the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency. Horn earned a master鈥檚 degree in communications management from the Newhouse School.

A group of 网爆门 students has spent months working with Syracuse youth, guiding them through theater, design and media workshops that will culminate in a live public performance this spring.

The students are leading (Theater Workshop), an annual, bilingual creative arts program based at on Syracuse’s Near West Side.

The program, which involves and in addition to La Casita, delivers culturally oriented arts education for community youth, says , the University’s executive director of cultural engagement for the Hispanic community. The workshops build dual-language skills, artistic presentation abilities and stage-presence confidence for children ages 6 and up.

The public performance will be held on Saturday, , at La Casita as part of the annual Arte Joven/Young Art exhibition, a celebration of visual art, music and dance. The event is open to the public.

Mutual Benefits

Taller de Teatro benefits both the students who lead the workshops and the children who participate, Paniagua says. “This program creates meaningful opportunities for University students to engage directly with the community while developing professional skills.鈥�

The structure of the collaboration creates a dynamic environment where students and youngsters learn from one another, she says. 鈥淪everal of the student instructors are studying drama and they are facilitating workshops alongside students from the creative arts therapy graduate program. Other students are contributing through documentation, photography, video and communications skills. In this way, the program becomes a multidisciplinary learning experience where students apply their training in a real community setting.鈥�

For young actors and for theater students in particular, the chance to gain experience as instructors early in their careers can open important professional pathways, Paniagua says. 鈥淭hey are learning how to guide creative processes, work with children and adapt theater practices to educational and community contexts. Ultimately, the efforts of those involved are tremendous and they allow La Casita to offer high-quality theater programming to local youth.”

Kate Laissle, director of education at Syracuse Stage, says involving Syracuse students as teaching assistants for this program helps inspire and train the next generation of theater educators while providing programming that supports community connections.

‘For Everyone’

鈥淭he ability to partner with La Casita and build on our relationship and its well-established programming also helps show that theatre is for everyone,鈥� Laissle says. 鈥淲orking collaboratively between performance, design and storytelling, students get to experience the depth and breadth of theater. Using multiple capacities of theatrical art-making lets young people use their creativity in ways that serve them best. It is outstanding to see the growth of the students, both school- and college-aged, over the course of this program.鈥�

This year’s student participants, who lead acting workshops and provide media support and documentation, are: GB Bellamy 鈥�27 and Sofia Slaman 鈥�27, acting majors, Department of Drama, VPA; Nashaly Bonilla 鈥�28, major, Department of Drama, VPA; Catie Kobland 鈥�21, G鈥�26, fine arts graduate and master’s candidate in VPA; Iman Jamison G’26, master’s student in , School of Information Studies; Sara Oliveira 鈥�29, film and media arts major, Department of Film and Media Arts, VPA; and Sophia Domenicis 鈥�28, , Newhouse School of Public Communications.

Three Presenting Partners

The program is possible because of a collaboration among three university-connected organizations:

• La Casita Cultural Center is a program of 网爆门 established to advance an educational and cultural agenda of civic engagement through research, cultural heritage preservation, media and the arts, bridging the Hispanic communities of the University and Central New York.
• Punto de Contacto/Point of Contact, celebrating its 50th year, bridges cultures and disciplines through exhibitions, poetry and听 a permanent art collection. Its El Punto Art Studio has served youth since 2008.
• Syracuse Stage, the city’s leading professional theater, contributes expertise through acting and playwriting workshops that strengthen University-community connections and support literacy development.

Spectrum News and the are launching a dynamic partnership that will provide students with hands-on experiences and professional development opportunities in journalism and media production.

The new initiative reinforces the Newhouse School鈥檚 commitment to working with newsrooms on innovative ways to support local news. Student-produced content will enhance Spectrum News coverage across the country and provide viewers with a look at top issues from the perspective of Newhouse student journalists.

鈥淭his collaboration brings real-world experience to the classroom and underscores our commitment to fostering the next generation of journalists,鈥� says , executive vice president of Spectrum Networks. 鈥淲e鈥檙e supporting students as they embark on their journalism careers and providing a pathway to create a sustainable future for local news, supported by these talented emerging reporters.鈥�

Bair and听听announced the joint initiative March 23 at the Toner Prizes Celebration in Washington, D.C., an event that听honors the best political reporting. More than 40 Spectrum News journalists and executives then traveled to Newhouse for a March 26 panel discussion about the initiative, followed by about a dozen programs to help students better understand the challenges and opportunities of local newsrooms.

Sessions covered topics including investigative journalism, sports reporting, data analytics and building social media brands. Newhouse students also had the exclusive opportunity for reel and resume reviews with members of the Spectrum News team.

As part of the broader initiative, Spectrum News journalists will collaborate with Newhouse faculty to teach production and investigative journalism classes in Syracuse. Students will also have the opportunity to take part in an internship program that would place them in newsrooms across the country.

Organizers are also planning a distinctive field study program that will provide students the chance to report on significant events like the 2026 midterms from Washington, D.C., and coverage in Los Angeles of Major League Baseball and the 2028 Olympics.

鈥淭his unprecedented partnership with such a respected media platform will blaze a new trail in how news organizations and universities can work together to serve local communities,鈥� Lodato says.

As part of the initiative, student journalism will be showcased across Spectrum News social media channels, along with web and mobile platforms, starting in the fall.

鈥淓xperiential learning has always been at the heart of a Newhouse education,鈥� Lodato says. 鈥淭his collaboration, which places our students alongside some of the best journalists in the business while reporting for real audiences, is exactly the kind of transformative opportunity that defines Newhouse鈥檚 legacy of excellence in journalism education.鈥�

Students will produce local news coverage and an issues-based magazine show for Spectrum News networks, and student reporting will contribute to the Syracuse network鈥檚 daily on-air sports coverage. Additional content will be produced as the partnership develops, providing local student perspectives on the important issues of the day to Spectrum News viewers across the country.

鈥淲e are building a mutually beneficial partnership with the Newhouse School that supports both the professional development of emerging journalists and our recruiting efforts for Spectrum News,鈥� says Paul Marchand, executive vice president and chief human resources officer at Spectrum. 鈥淢any 网爆门 alumni have gone on to become leaders and journalists at Spectrum News, and this collaboration will deepen those connections while helping us identify and nurture new talent for our newsrooms.鈥�

A new documentary exploring the history of and the role of faith across the 网爆门 community premiered this week on Fox Nation.

鈥溾�� tells the story of Hendricks as the spiritual heart of campus, home to five world religions and 16 chaplains serving a diverse student body. The 25-minute film is hosted by Hall, a foreign affairs correspondent for Fox.

In the film, Chancellor Kent Syverud reflects on how faith at Syracuse extends well beyond the building itself. “It’s not the building,” he said. “This is a community, and it’s been a booming, vibrant community for all faiths, and that’s one of the reasons why we’ve had a solid community experience in recent years when many universities have been torn apart.”

Former Hendricks Dean Brian Konkol spoke with Hall about the chapel’s unique role as both a sacred space and a hub for campus life, from major performances and events to People’s Place coffee shop and the Coach Mac Food Pantry.

Faith, Leadership and Athletics

The documentary also captures the intersection of faith and athletics. Hall interviewed football coach Fran Brown and women’s basketball coach Felisha Legette-Jack about their personal faith journeys and how those experiences shape their leadership on and off the field. Athletics Chaplain William Payne discussed his work supporting student-athletes as they navigate the demands of academics and competition.

The film also turns to one of the most solemn chapters in the University鈥檚 history. The University’s connection to the Pan Am Flight 103 bombing over Lockerbie, Scotland, is woven into the film. The 1988 tragedy claimed the lives of 35 网爆门 students, one of the most devastating losses in the University’s history. The Fox team visited the Remembrance Wall on campus to honor their memory.

Visually, the documentary draws on a range of campus scenes: students studying outside on sunny days, the football team walking across the Quad on game days, candlelight vigils outside Hendricks, chaplains leading services and Otto’s Army rallying inside the JMA Wireless Dome.

In addition to the feature documentary, Fox Nation produced a on the renovated and expanded St. Thomas More Chapel and 网爆门 Catholic Center, which reopened in 2025. The crew also visited the .

Names on the Wall

Another stop on campus carried personal significance for Hall. At the , Hall visited a memorial wall honoring more than 2,500 journalists killed in the line of duty. While covering the war in Ukraine, he was severely injured in a missile attack that killed two of his colleagues. He lost a leg, part of his other foot, an eye and the use of one hand, and later documented his recovery in his books “” and “.” During his visit to the wall, he saw the names of his colleagues, photojournalist and Ukrainian journalist Oleksandra “Sasha” Kuvshynova, etched into the memorial.

The Newhouse connection runs deeper still for the production. Fox team members included alumni Tania Joseph ’18, a Newhouse graduate in broadcast and digital journalism, and Jayson Jones ’19, who earned a master’s degree in communications from Newhouse.

“” marks the series’ inaugural season. Alongside the Hendricks episode, the series features St. Louis Cathedral in New Orleans and the Brigade of Midshipmen Chapel at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. The documentary is available to stream with a paid Fox Nation subscription.

Peter and Aphrodite Tsairis turned grief into purpose following the death of their daughter Alexia in the 1988 bombing of Pan Am Flight 103.

Their commitment is galvanized through an initiative named after their daughter, honoring Alexia鈥檚 passion for photography and promoting the power of visual storytelling to shed light on significant issues around the world.

In recognition of the Tsairises鈥� dedication and generosity that dates back more than three decades, the presented the couple its highest honor, the Newhouse School Medal for Distinguished Service, during a ceremony held March 27 at the school.

It is thought to be the first time that Newhouse had awarded the medal since 1977, when legendary CBS News anchor Walter Cronkite received the award from publisher S.I. Newhouse, for whom the school is named.

鈥淚t is fitting and long overdue that we recognize Peter and Aphrodite for their contributions to the mission of the Newhouse School and their extraordinary efforts to promote the power of visual storytelling,鈥澨齭aid before awarding the medal.

The ceremony took place during this year鈥檚 judging weekend for The Alexia competition. Before an audience that included their family and friends, along with Chancellor Kent Syverud, Chancellor-elect J. Michael Haynie and Provost Lois Agnew, the Tsairises thanked Lodato and highlighted the decades-long collaboration with previous deans and visual communications faculty.

From Tragedy to Purpose: The Story Behind The Alexia

was a 20-year-old photography major in Newhouse when she was one of 35 听killed in the terrorist bombing over Lockerbie, Scotland, as they were returning home from a semester abroad in London. The victims are honored on campus in a memorial in front of the Hall of Languages.

Now in its 35th year, the initiative听听has become an internationally recognized granting organization that supports documentary photographers and filmmakers worldwide. Also, the听听is a marquee experiential learning opportunity at the University for visual communications students.

鈥淭he welcoming support extended from Newhouse to us for these 35 years is the glue that has held us all together, united in one goal鈥攖o inspire visual storytellers to go where we cannot, to bring us stories that enlarge our understanding and to give us hope in the future of humanity. Thank you so much,鈥� Aphrodite Tsairis said.

The Tsairises remain close with David Sutherland, professor emeritus of visual communications and the former Alexia Chair. Sutherland taught their daughter in London and worked with the couple to establish The Alexia following the tragedy.

A Legacy of Support for Visual Storytellers Worldwide

Over its history, the foundation has awarded about $1.7 million in grants to 170 student and professional photographers and filmmakers through annual competitions.

Peter and Aphrodite Tsairis 鈥渕ight not realize that they have affected [the lives] of that many students around the world,鈥� Sutherland said. 鈥淭he ones that they gave awards to obviously ended up with life-changing events鈥攇etting scholarships and grants.鈥�

The Alexia also has deep roots with the current Alexia Endowed Chair,听, an associate professor of visual communications.听 who also teaches graphic design and writing in the Newhouse School, is The Alexia鈥檚 curator of communications, design and exhibitions.

Aphrodite Tsairis said The Alexia will continue to thrive under the leadership of the Strongs.

鈥淵our story is not the darkness. You refused to stay there,鈥� Bruce Strong told the Tsairises from a podium. 鈥淵ou struck a match. That small act of creating light in a moment of overwhelming darkness became something far greater.鈥�

The Newhouse School Medal for Distinguished Service recognizes friends of the school whose contributions have a lasting impact on students, the Newhouse School鈥檚 mission and the wider world.

Stephen Kuusisto, Urayo谩n Noel and OlaRose Ndubuisi鈥攖hree poets whose work embody resilience, identity and the radical possibilities of language鈥攚ill present their work at the annual poetry reading on

The event, produced by Punto de Contacto/Point of Contact, takes place at the , where the 鈥�鈥� spring exhibition, which recognizes artists who live with disabilities, is currently displayed.

“This unique setting provides 听much excitement for our Cruel April series this year,” says , the University’s executive director of cultural engagement for the Hispanic community and Point of Contact director. “Just as the exhibition’s artistic expressions expand on ideas of creativity shaped by body, mind, culture and history, the works of the three poets enter into a dialogue across cultures and disciplines. Both forums offer varied perspectives on how artists navigate the world on their own terms.”

The poetry program begins at 5:30 p.m. and is free and open to the public.

Poet and essayist is a University Professor and director of the . Blind since birth, Kuusisto has built a celebrated body of work that redefines understandings of perception and beauty. His poetry collections, 鈥淥nly Bread, Only Light鈥� (2000) and 鈥淟etters to Borges鈥� (2013), along with memoirs including 鈥淧lanet of the Blind鈥� and 鈥淗ave Dog, Will Travel,鈥� have established him as one of the most compelling disability voices in American letters. His work has appeared in Harper’s, Poetry and The New York Times Magazine.

is an internationally recognized poet and scholar, an associate professor of English and Spanish at New York University and a defining voice in Latinx and Nuyorican literary traditions. He is the author of the landmark study 鈥淚n Visible Movement: Nuyorican Poetry from the Sixties to Slam鈥� (2014) and the poetry collections 鈥淏uzzing Hemisphere/Rumor Hemisf茅rico鈥� (2015) and 鈥淭ransversal鈥� (2021), which was a New York Public Library Book of the Year. He is also the winner of the LASA Latino Studies Book Award. His work explores neurodivergence, migration and the politics of language. Cruel April is presented in partnership with the , , , and the .

’29, the 2024鈥�25 New York State Youth Poet Laureate, is a Syracuse student pursuing dual majors in biology and journalism. She is also a Coronat Scholar and Ren茅e Crown honors student and is enrolled in SUNY Upstate Medical University鈥檚 B.S./M.D. program. Her poetry draws on her experience with scoliosis, her Nigerian heritage and her commitment to uplifting marginalized communities. A premature birth survivor, she is the founder of The Finding Scoliosis Kindly Project and a Prudential Emerging Visionaries award winner.

Twelve graduating seniors have earned the title of 2026 网爆门 Scholar鈥攖he highest undergraduate honor the University awards鈥攔ecognized for their academic excellence, independent research and creative work, and contributions to their fields. The scholars were selected by a Universitywide faculty committee.

“It is a great privilege to recognize our University Scholars and all they have accomplished鈥攆rom academics to research to service鈥攐ver the course of their undergraduate years,鈥� says Vice Chancellor, Provost and Chief Academic Officer Lois Agnew. 鈥淭hese graduating seniors have truly distinguished themselves, and I have no doubt that the contributions they make beyond Syracuse will be as remarkable as the ones they have made here.鈥�

The 2026 网爆门 Scholars are the following:

• Daniel Baris, a sport analytics major in the David B. Falk College of Sport, a statistics major in the College of Arts and Sciences and a member of the Ren茅e Crown University Honors Program;
• Juinkye Chiang, a student in the School of Architecture and a member of the Ren茅e Crown University Honors Program;
• Rylie DiMaio, a health and exercise major in the Falk College and a member of the Ren茅e Crown University Honors Program;
• Julia Fancher, a physics major and an applied mathematics major in the College of Arts and Sciences (A&S) and a member of the Ren茅e Crown University Honors Program;
• Edward Lu, a music composition major in the College of Visual and Performing Arts and a music history and cultures major in A&S;
• Gustavo Madero Carriles, a political science major in the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs and A&S and a public relations major in the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications;
• Sadie Meyer, a biomedical engineering major in the College of Engineering and Computer Science (ECS) and mathematics major in A&S;
• Jorge Morales, a history major and anthropology major in the Maxwell School and A&S and a member of the Ren茅e Crown University Honors Program;
• Maya Philips, a biology major and communication sciences and disorders major in A&S and a member of the Ren茅e Crown University Honors Program;
• Nathan Torabi, a political science, citizenship and civic engagement and law, society and policy major in the Maxwell School and A&S and a member of the Ren茅e Crown University Honors Program;
• Gianna Voce, a computer science major in ECS and a neuroscience major in A&S; and
• Qiong Wu, a general accounting, finance and business analytics major in the Martin J. Whitman School of Management; an economics major in the Maxwell School and A&S; a mathematics major in A&S and a member of the Ren茅e Crown University Honors Program.

The scholars will be recognized at the University鈥檚 Commencement ceremony on May 10 in the JMA Wireless Dome. The student Commencement speaker will be chosen from among their ranks.

鈥擬arch 24鈥攊s a day to celebrate all that it means to be Orange, to keep beloved traditions alive for students and keep building the community that makes 网爆门 extraordinary.

There are countless ways to support students鈥攖hrough greatest needs and deans鈥� funds in all of the University鈥檚 schools and colleges and through initiatives that benefit students Universitywide, across majors and disciplines.

Here are five unique ways you can make your impact on the Orange in support of experiences, community and traditions:

Since 23 students gathered at Crouse College on Feb. 4, 1901, the 网爆门 Marching Band has grown into one of the most celebrated collegiate bands in the nation. From its first football game appearance that fall to marching in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and performing at Super Bowl XLVIII, the band has represented the University on some of the world’s biggest stages.

The band earned its iconic nickname, The Pride of the Orange, in 1970, when an announcer introduced the band following its award-winning performance at the World Band Festival in Kerkrade, Netherlands. The name has defined the band ever since.

Today, with nearly 220 members drawn from five Central New York colleges (Syracuse, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Le Moyne College, SUNY Oswego and Onondaga Community College) and more than 80 majors, the band is far more than a performing ensemble. It is a cornerstone of 网爆门 life; it鈥檚 a community where students find lifelong friendships and carry the Orange spirit forward.

As the band marks its 125th anniversary, the College of Visual and Performing Arts is raising funds for new uniforms, which will debut at the Sept. 5, 2026, football home opener vs. New Hampshire. A generous donor has pledged an $85,000 matching gift, doubling every dollar contributed to this historic milestone.

Syracuse is home to more than 300 registered student organizations鈥攆rom performance groups and cultural organizations to service clubs and everything in between鈥攁nd they’re at the heart of what makes the Syracuse experience special.

On Giving Day, 41 student organizations are competing for a share of $3,500 in bonus funding through the Student Organization Challenge, rallying their communities to give, engage and show up. Winners are determined by unique donor count, social media engagement and on-campus spirit at Schine Student Center, so every gift, like and share genuinely moves the needle. The challenge dollars have been allocated via Senior Vice President Allen Groves and the Student Experience team.

Can’t find a group that speaks to you? A gift to the Student Experience Fund supports small grants that help all Syracuse students fully enjoy campus life. This is your chance to invest in the people and communities that make 网爆门 home.

The Center for the Creator Economy (CCE) is the first academic center of its kind on a U.S. college campus. Led jointly by the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and the Martin J. Whitman School of Management, the center reinforces the University鈥檚 commitment to bold, forward-looking academic leadership.

By aligning strengths in entrepreneurship, media, communications, athletics and digital infrastructure, the University is charting how higher education can prepare students for the 21st-century economy. The center will serve as a dynamic platform for teaching and learning; workshops and executive education; speaker series and showcases; on-campus incubators and makerspaces; research and thought leadership; and college athletics.

The fund will support many CCE initiatives, including The Vibe, a student-run creative agency providing students real-world experience through working with clients, and the 鈥機USE Creator Crew, which will support creator and brand collaborations and hands-on student learning.

Thomas O鈥橞rien 鈥�25, who helped launch the new center, will co-host six live shows from the Schine Student Center throughout the day to showcase 网爆门 creators.

In May, the Hendricks Chapel Choir will perform on the African continent for the first time. The choir travels internationally every four to five years, providing unique experiential learning opportunities to its members. The choir has previously performed in China (2005); Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay (2009); Europe (Poland and Germany, including Auschwitz, 2013); Mexico (2018); and London and Lockerbie and Edinburgh, Scotland (2023). With plans to visit Oceania in 2030, the choir will have performed on every habitable continent by the 100th anniversary of the chapel.

The performances on the South African tour include Johannesburg (performing with the University of Johannesburg Choir); Soweto (Apartheid Museum and Mandela House); Pretoria (University of Pretoria-Tuks Camerata); Drakensberg (performing with the Drakensberg Boys Choir); Pietermaritzburg (UKZN School of Religious Studies) and Cape Town (performing with the St. George鈥檚 Cathedral Choir).

鈥淲hen our graduating seniors consider the most impactful and meaningful moments of their time studying at 网爆门, international performing tours always top the list,鈥� says Jose 鈥淧eppie鈥� Calvar, professor and chair of applied music and performance and director of choral activities in the Setnor School of Music in the College of Visual and Performing Arts and director of the Hendricks Chapel Choir. 鈥淧erforming tours forge lifelong friendships and memories within our students. The experience of singing in front of an international audience confirms our shared humanity and our students鈥� place as citizens of a larger world and stewards of the world they鈥檙e shaping.鈥�

Syracuse Giving Day is a great time for fans and alumni to support 网爆门 Athletics. Make a gift to the athletic department鈥檚 top priorities through Athletics Competitive Excellence. Your support pushes our 20 varsity athletic programs to compete for championships and elevates the student-athlete experience for more than 550 student-athletes on campus.

Visit the for the complete Giving Day experience.

doesn鈥檛 remember who first bestowed the “Red Carpet” Ralphie nickname on him, but he remembers when. It was 2010, and Aversa was working as a radio show host for Citadel Communications when his program director finagled a press pass to cover the Video Music Awards.

鈥淎s someone who was an aspiring entertainment journalist at 网爆门, I couldn鈥檛 believe my luck being on the red carpet. The nickname just stuck through my 16 years of red-carpet coverage,鈥� says Aversa, who earned undergraduate degrees in broadcast journalism from the and marketing from the .

Aversa has carved out a decorated career as an entertainment reporter, covering everything from the Grammys and the Super Bowl to the Oscars鈥攁nd on Sunday night, as the senior entertainment correspondent for USA TODAY, he will earn his nickname once again, camping out on the red carpet at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles for the 98th Annual Academy Awards.

Here鈥檚 what he shared about his time in the press line for these star-studded events:

1. There鈥檚 Glitz and Glamour, and Chaos

Before the Oscars begin, another less glamorous scene unfolds under a tented structure at the corner of Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue. There, the reporters responsible for covering the Academy Awards jockey for position, hoping to land an interview with Oscar contenders like Timoth茅e Chalamet, Leonardo DiCaprio, Michael B. Jordan, Jessie Buckley, Kate Hudson and Teyana Taylor.

鈥淲here we鈥檙e set up is far from the glitz and glamour you will see if you tune in,鈥� Aversa says. 鈥淚t鈥檚 quite the scene between the security, the blocked-off roads and the tourists trying to get a glimpse of their favorite celebrity. It鈥檚 a circus environment.鈥�

2. When the Story Changes, You Change With It

Aversa may never have a more newsworthy night at the Oscars than his first time covering the red carpet. After landing interviews with stars like Jessica Chastain, Nicole Kidman, Andrew Garfield and Dame Judi Dench, those conversations paled in comparison to what happened inside the theater.

As comedian Chris Rock was making jokes about Jada Pinkett Smith, her husband, Will Smith, left his seat, walked onstage and delivered what Aversa remembers as 鈥渢he slap heard around the world.鈥�

鈥淎ll the great coverage and interviews we got on the red carpet didn鈥檛 matter anymore. All anyone was talking about was 鈥楾he Slap,鈥欌�� Aversa says. 鈥淲e were trying to figure out in real time whether we saw what we just saw. Was that scripted or unscripted? And how are we going to cover that? It was a very eventful first Oscars.鈥�

Aversa modified the coverage plan on the fly, re-filmed an open, a middle and a close for the package, then sprinted back to his hotel room and edited together a video segment blending red carpet interviews with highlights from the night.

鈥淭hat package had incredible viewership numbers because of the interest,鈥� Aversa says.

3. Snubs Are an Occupational Hazard

Red-carpet snubs happen every time and are 鈥渁n occupational hazard,鈥� but Aversa says entertainment reporters need to have a short memory and learn to not take a celebrity snub personally.

鈥淵ou have to move on. The worst thing you can do is dwell on the moment of a big name snubbing you, but if you wallow, you could miss another celebrity walking right past you who could give you that memorable quote,鈥� Aversa says.

4. Make Sure You Know the Fundamentals

Aversa says his must-have interviews are Chalamet, the star of 鈥淢arty Supreme,鈥� along with DiCaprio and Taylor, two of the talented stars from the Best Picture contender, 鈥淥ne Battle After Another.鈥�

As Aversa prepares for his fifth Oscars, he credits his ability to write across multiple platforms鈥攆rom video scripts and web stories to social media posts and photo captions鈥攖o his Newhouse School professors, who taught him the fundamentals of a great sentence and story structure.

5. One Question, So Make it Count

Aversa says the key to a good red-carpet interview is to keep it simple and make sure it鈥檚 not a yes-or-no question.

鈥淚f I鈥檓 lucky, I get to ask one question,鈥� Aversa says. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a matter of making sure that question can be answered in a quick manner, and then you hope the response is something the audience will care about.鈥�

The begins at 7 p.m. EDT Sunday evening. You can follow Aversa鈥檚 Red Carpet coverage on his and on the account.

As rain fell over the Luxembourg American Cemetery last summer, Kaitlyn Kushner 鈥�26 stood before a grave marker bearing a family member鈥檚 name she knew little about growing up, her great uncle. He died 80 years ago while serving as a private first class in the U.S. Army during World War II.

George T. Kushner Jr., who fought and survived the Battle of the Bulge during his time in the Army, died on March 18, 1945. Kaitlyn knew that his sudden death from battle wounds 鈥渨as a devastating loss鈥� and had 鈥済enerational impacts鈥� on her family.

鈥淓verything in my family was changed by his death and I had this light bulb moment that I needed to do more research on this,鈥� says Kushner, a television, radio and film (TRF) student in the .

Thanks to a 鈥渙nce-in-a-lifetime鈥� study abroad experience through a collaboration between the , Kushner walked the same streets he walked 80 years ago, developing a strong spiritual connection while producing a documentary honoring his life.

Partnering with the World War II Foundation, Newhouse professor Shaina Holmes brings students abroad to assist with the production of documentaries that tell the stories of World War II soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice.

鈥淲alking the same locations he walked brought up emotions I didn鈥檛 know were possible. I was processing and grieving someone I never knew,鈥� says Kushner, who participated in the . 鈥淭his was such an impactful journey, and I felt like being in the places where he was helped me get to know and better understand his life.鈥�

Assisting Documentary-Makers in Preserving the Past

On each trip, Holmes鈥� students serve as production assistants on sets spread across locations that played a pivotal role in the war. 网爆门 was the first higher education institution to partner with the World War II Foundation in the summer of 2022. This summer鈥檚 trip to Normandy will be the fifth.

Students work alongside seasoned crews of documentary makers, shooting video, conducting interviews with historians and surviving family members and lending a hand while learning valuable lessons and gaining one-on-one mentorship.

鈥淭his is a great educational experience that elevates what they’re understanding from the classroom,鈥� says Holmes, an associate TRF professor. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 the purpose of the World War II Foundation, for the next generation to hear these stories and keep these stories alive.鈥�

Holmes says students contribute to between two and three different documentaries while in Europe while also mapping out their own short- and longform content, which can take the form of听a documentary, articles, videos on YouTube, photo essays, podcasts or multimedia content for social media.

鈥淭he energy and the creative environment working alongside these professionals was just electric and I learned so much working with them,鈥� says Kushner, who wants to help clients bring their stories to life as an account manager at a video production agency once she graduates in May.

A First Hello, 80 Years Later

One of the prized family possessions Kaitlyn carried with her around Luxembourg was a digitized version of the binder containing the letters her great uncle wrote to family back home in Pennsylvania during the war, along with newspaper clippings and photos of George.

Through those letters home, in which George described his movements and the sights he saw along the way while awaiting updates from his family, Kaitlyn was able to 鈥渢rack his weekly movements through Europe.鈥�

“This experience brought him to life for me. I could imagine seeing what he saw when he fought in the Battle of the Bulge,”听Kushner says. 鈥淚 have specific letters where he mentioned certain locations and I was able to go there and picture things as he saw them. I really felt attached to my great uncle, even though nearly a century separates us.鈥�

The most moving and spiritual experience happened when, with some help from Holmes and director of photography Jim Karpeichik, Kushner was granted permission to film in the Luxembourg American Cemetery where her great uncle was buried.

As part of Kushner鈥檚 capstone and Ren茅e Crown University Honors Program thesis, she is working with Holmes to turn in her final project, a documentary about the life of her great uncle.

鈥淚 got to say my first hellos to my great uncle in his final resting place, and that鈥檚 when I took a moment to really feel his presence,鈥� Kushner says. 鈥淭hat was when I felt the closest to him and it was such an existential moment standing in the spot where he was buried and getting to meet him for the first time.鈥�

While applications have closed for this summer鈥檚 trip to Normandy, students interested in the 2027 summer trip to Poland can contact 听(shholmes@syr.edu) or 听(csbrody@syr.edu).

Milton Santiago, assistant professor of visual communications in the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, has received the 2026 Innovation in Teaching Award (BEA)鈥攐ne of the organization鈥檚 most prestigious honors for media educators.

The Washington Post won the 2026 Toner Prize for national political reporting for a series of stories that documented the impact of sweeping federal government policy changes.

The Chicago Tribune has won this year鈥檚 Toner Prize for local political reporting for 鈥�64 Days in Chicago: The story of Operation Midway Blitz,鈥� a series that examined how the Trump administration鈥檚 immigration policy unfolded in Chicago, including mass raids and public protests.

The winners of the annual were announced Feb. 27 by the听 . Awarded annually by the Newhouse School, the Toner Prizes recognize the best political reporting of the past year. They are named for Robin Toner 鈥�76, the first woman to hold the position of national political correspondent for The New York Times.

Toner Prizes Ceremony Set for March 23

The honors will be formally presented March 23 at the in Washington, D.C., where CBS justice correspondent Scott MacFarlane 鈥�98 will serve as master of ceremonies. The ceremony will be preceded by a conversation with award-winning journalist, podcaster and author Kara Swisher and moderator Shelly Palmer about political reporting in the age of technology, artificial intelligence and social media. Palmer is the at the Newhouse School.

In addition to the winners, ProPublica took an honorable mention in the national political reporting category for a story that was co-published with The New Yorker.

The judges were:

• Christina Bellantoni, journalism professor at the University of Southern California鈥檚 Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, columnist and former editor-in-chief at Roll Call.
• Ann Compton, retired Emmy Award-winning reporter for ABC News and the first woman to cover the White House for network television.
• Lucy Dalglish, professor and dean emeritus at the Phillip Merrill College of Journalism at the University of Maryland; former executive director of the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press; attorney and former reporter and editor at the St. Paul Pioneer Press.
• Beverly Kirk, director of Washington programs and professor of practice of broadcast and digital journalism at the Newhouse School, with more than two decades of experience in journalism working at national and local outlets.
• Rick Rodriguez, former executive editor and senior vice president of The Sacramento Bee. He later joined the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University as professor of the Southwest Borderlands Initiative.
• Maralee Schwartz, former national political editor and reporter at The Washington Post. She held fellowships at the Harvard Institute of Politics at the Kennedy School of Government, and the Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics and Public Policy at Harvard.
• Joseph B. Treaster, professor at the University of Miami School of Communication. A prize-winning reporter, he spent more than three decades as a reporter and foreign correspondent at The New York Times.

Toner Prize for Excellence in National Political Reporting

Winner: The Washington Post

Reporters: Hannah Natanson, William Wan and Meryl Kornfield

Entry: 鈥淭he year Trump broke the federal government鈥�
(Subscription may be required.)

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Judges鈥� Comments

鈥淭his series was powerful, vast, richly detailed and just gutting.鈥� (Bellantoni)

鈥淏eautifully written鈥he visuals are powerful.鈥� (Compton)

鈥淭he insight into the affected families was touching and horrifying.鈥� (Dalglish)

鈥淎n emotion-provoking account of the human impacts of the Trump/DOGE federal job cuts.鈥� (Rodriguez)

Honorable Mention: ProPublica and The New Yorker

Reporters: Andy Kroll, Lisa Riordan Seville, Katie Campbell and Mauricio Rodr铆guez Pons

Entry: 鈥淭he Shadow President鈥�

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Finalists

• Bloomberg News, 鈥淭rump Crypto Grift,鈥� Zeke Faux, Anthony Cormier, David Kocieniewski, Muyao Shen, Max Abelson and Leonardo Nicoletti
• The New York Times, 鈥�Holding Trump Accountable,鈥� Peter Baker, Charlie Savage, Eric Lipton, David Yaffe-Bellany, Bradley Hope, Tripp Mickle, Paul Mozur, Helene Cooper, Maggie Haberman and Eric Schmit
• NPR, 鈥淭rump鈥檚 revamped SAVE system,鈥� Jude Joffe-Block, Miles Parks, Ben Swasey and Brett Neely
• ProPublica, 鈥淭he Breakdown of Democracy in North Carolina,鈥� Doug Bock Clark
• Reuters, 鈥淭he Revenge of Donald Trump,鈥� Ned Parker, Peter Eisler, Linda So, Mike Spector, Joseph Tanfani, M.B. Pell, Benjamin Lesser, Isaac Vargas, Nate Raymond and the Reuters team

Toner Prize for Excellence in Local Political Reporting

Winner: Chicago Tribune

Reporters: Andrew Carter, Gregory Royal Pratt, Laura Rodr铆guez Presa, Caroline Kubzansky and Jason Meisner

Entry: 鈥�64 Days in Chicago: The story of Operation Midway Blitz鈥�

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Judges鈥� Comments

鈥淩iveting narratives documenting the human impacts of federal immigration raids on local communities. Stories like these take extensive research and effort to gain the trust of people in the super-charged environment. The writing was clear and compelling.鈥� (Rodriguez)

鈥淭he depth of reporting in a response to breaking news that drew national attention is impressive.鈥� (Bellantoni)

鈥淪pectacular work, beautifully written and reported鈥攎ade all the more powerful by the photography.鈥� (Schwartz)

Finalists

• CalMatters, 鈥淒igital Democracy,鈥� Ryan Sabalow
• Chicago Tribune, 鈥淚nside Illinois Senate President Don Harmon鈥檚 Campaign Contributions,鈥� Ray Long, Rick Pearson, Addison Wright, Dan Petrella and Jeremy Gorner
• The Indianapolis Star, 鈥淕od and politics,鈥� Alexandria Burris, Kayla Dwyer and Hayleigh Colombo
• The Texas Tribune, 鈥淎 billionaire megadonor鈥檚 political awakening,鈥� Kate McGee and Carla Astudillo
• (Albany) Times Union, 鈥淣ew York鈥檚 Public Campaign Finance Program,鈥� Emilie Munson

About the Toner Prizes

First presented in 2011, the Toner Prizes for Excellence in Political Reporting highlight and reinforce quality, fact-based political reporting鈥攚ork that illuminates the electoral process, reveals the politics of policy and engages the public in democracy.

They are named after Robin Toner, who covered five presidential campaigns, scores of Congressional and gubernatorial races and most of the country鈥檚 major political figures during her nearly 25-year career at The New York Times. A 1976 graduate of 网爆门, Toner earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree as a dual major in journalism from the Newhouse School and political science from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs.

Toner died in 2008, leaving a husband and two young children. To honor her legacy, family and friends established the Toner Program in Political Reporting at the Newhouse School.