For 性视界 University’s seniors, Commencement is the culmination of years of hard work and dedication, a moment to celebrate earning their degrees.

But for the 10 seniors on the men鈥檚 lacrosse team, while the day was joyous, it was not a time for relaxing. They had to prepare for their next assignment: taking on Yale University in the first round of the NCAA Division I tournament.

In a seesaw contest featuring eight ties and five lead changes, it wasn鈥檛 until senior 听鈥�26 came up with two crucial saves with 16 seconds left to that senior co-captains 鈥�26 and 鈥�26 could exhale and celebrate on the turf field inside the JMA Wireless Dome.

Thomson, an attacker, scored three goals and added a pair of assists, and Dwan, a defenseman, scooped up five groundballs and caused a turnover to help lift the Orange into the quarterfinals for the third straight season.

Among the highlights of Commencement weekend: each senior had their graduation photos taken, wearing their cap and gown over their jerseys.

鈥淚 felt excitement and happiness, but also a feeling of sadness,鈥� says Thomson, who earned a communication and rhetorical studies degree from the . 鈥淭he best four years of my life are coming to a close. Having my parents [Amanda and Tim] in the building made it more emotional. My mom has now seen her youngest child graduate. I felt so many emotions when I was sitting on the Dome turf with my cap and gown on.鈥�

鈥淚t was a moment of reflection and gratitude for the great people and memories we鈥檝e made at this place,鈥� says Dwan, who also earned a communication and rhetorical studies degree.

Thomson and Dwan spoke with SU Today about the significance of graduating and winning an NCAA postseason game on the same day.

What were you more nervous about, Commencement or the first-round NCAA game?

Finn Thomson: I was more nervous about the game than graduation, because graduation is a celebration whereas the game鈥檚 outcome is out of my control. I knew I was going to graduate because I put the work in, but the game had yet to be played.

Billy Dwan III: For me, the playoff game where the season could have potentially ended was a more worrisome experience. Although graduation is a nerve-wracking time, I personally didn鈥檛 feel I graduated until our season was over.

How special is it to graduate in the morning and then kick off the quest for a championship in the afternoon?

Dwan: It hit me just how special of a day graduation would be during Selection Sunday the week before. We didn鈥檛 know whether we would be playing on Saturday or Sunday for the first round. When the bracket came out and we saw we were playing on the same day as graduation, it put everything into perspective. It鈥檚 a special experience.

Thomson: When I found out [Commencement] was the same weekend as our game against Yale, I was excited. There鈥檚 so much anticipation leading up to the day, and both events are about your hard work paying off. It was overwhelming, knowing that everything you鈥檝e put into your classes and the team is coming to an end, but it was also a super fun day. Not everyone gets to experience graduation from that perspective.

What would it mean to you to guide this storied men鈥檚 lacrosse team to a national championship during your senior year?

Dwan: Everything this place has given me, from an education to the relationships I have built, will last a lifetime. Having that storybook ending for my senior year, going out the right way and winning a national championship would mean the world.

Thomson: Guiding this team to a national championship in my senior year would mean everything to me. Leaving this program in a better place than you found it is always the goal, and winning a national championship would do exactly that. Raising that trophy is always at the back of our minds. We know what it takes and we’re going to do everything we can to get there.

After the win over Yale, 性视界 (13-5) defeated North Carolina 13-11 in the quarterfinals to advance into Championship Weekend. The Orange will face Notre Dame (12-2) at 2:30 p.m. Saturday in the semifinals at Scott Stadium in Charlottesville, Virginia. Fans can , and .

If 性视界 wins, the Orange will play for the national championship at 1 p.m. on Monday.

性视界 University Director of Athletics Bryan B. Blair today announced the appointment of three senior leaders to the Department of Athletics鈥� executive team. Nicole Harris, Charles Small, Ph.D., and Yulander Wells Jr. each bring extensive experience in intercollegiate athletics administration and will drive the department’s strategic priorities across operations, student-athlete development and institutional growth.

“Championship programs are built on elite people, and Nicole, Charles and Yulander are among the most accomplished leaders in college athletics today,鈥� says Blair. 鈥淭hey bring experience across the ACC, B1G, Big 12 and SEC, as well as at Notre Dame, with a proven track record of postseason success. What makes this group especially powerful is that they have lived this experience as student-athletes and led it at the highest administrative levels. They understand the demands, the opportunities and the responsibility we have to deliver an unmatched experience for our student-athletes, and the forward-thinking mindset required to compete in this modern era. I’m thrilled to welcome them and their families to this incredible community. This is a significant step forward for 性视界 Athletics鈥攐ne that reflects both our ambition and the level of talent we are able to attract. I’m grateful to Chancellor Haynie for his continued support as we position 性视界 for sustained national success.”

Nicole Harris, Deputy Director of Athletics and Senior Woman Administrator

Harris comes to 性视界 from the University of Toledo, where she served as deputy athletic director, chief operating officer and senior woman administrator. In her role, she provided executive leadership for strategic planning and daily operations across a 17-sport program and direct oversight of student-athlete support services, strength and conditioning, and NIL strategy and implementation. She served as sport administrator for football, women鈥檚 basketball and multiple other programs, while representing Toledo on the Mid-American Conference Administrators Council. During her tenure, Toledo experienced one of the most successful periods in department history, marked by sustained conference championship contention and postseason success. The football program鈥檚 performance included three top-65 NFL Draft selections over the past three years, one of just 13 programs nationally to achieve that distinction. Women鈥檚 basketball consistently led the conference in attendance and advanced to postseason play.

Prior to Toledo, Harris held senior leadership roles at Grand Canyon University and Florida Atlantic University, where she was recognized with the Award for Excellence and Innovation in Undergraduate Advising. She earned a master’s degree and bachelor’s degree in sport administration from the University of Louisville, where she was a four-year varsity student-athlete for the women’s rowing team.

“Bryan鈥檚 vision for 性视界 is truly inspiring, and I鈥檓 honored to have the opportunity to join the department during such an exciting time,鈥� says Harris. 鈥溞允咏� has an incredible tradition, strong momentum and a bright future ahead. I look forward to working alongside Bryan and the entire athletics team to support our student-athletes and help build sustained success. My family and I are excited to join the 性视界 community and contribute to the continued growth of Orange Athletics.”

Charles Small, Ph.D., Deputy Director of Athletics and Chief Strategy Officer

Small joins 性视界 from the University of Washington, where he served as senior associate athletic director for sport administration and led the Big Ten department’s post-House Settlement strategy, coordinating more than 67 strategy sessions to modernize operations and build new infrastructure for the revenue-sharing era.

Small previously served as director of athletics at Valparaiso University, where he led the planning for a $120 million capital project and guided the program to consecutive years of record academic performance. Prior to his time at Valpo, Small spent four years at Iowa State University, where he served as sport administrator for men’s basketball and wrestling while leading sports medicine, compliance, strength and conditioning, academic support services and former student-athlete relations. Earlier in his career, he also held positions at the University of Arkansas and the University of New Orleans. Small holds a doctor of education from the University of Pittsburgh, along with a master’s degree in social work and a bachelor’s degree in social work from Pitt. He was also a four-year member of the Pitt鈥檚 men鈥檚 basketball program, where he won a pair of Big East championships, advanced to four NCAA Tournaments and made two Sweet Sixteen appearances.

“The vision Bryan has laid out for 性视界 Athletics is not only compelling, it鈥檚 inspiring,鈥� says Small. 鈥淭he work ahead is exactly the kind of challenge I came to this profession to take on. I look forward to helping shape the strategy and the structures that allow this program to compete at the highest level, on and off the field.”

Yulander Wells Jr., Deputy Director of Athletics and Chief Operating Officer

Wells comes to 性视界 from the University of Notre Dame, where he has served as deputy athletics director for revenue, business and finance operations and most recently as deputy athletics director for athletics strategy. In those roles he had primary oversight of an operating budget in excess of $250 million, led the negotiation of a 10-year apparel partnership, provided strategic guidance for the department鈥檚 lucrative one-of-a-kind media rights extension with NBC and provided executive leadership oversight for more than $200 million in construction projects, as well as generating record ticket sales, and corporate partnership revenues. Additionally, he also helped lead a comprehensive NIL and revenue-sharing cap strategy for the department鈥檚 26 teams.

Prior to Notre Dame, Wells served as deputy athletic director for external operations and relations at Harvard University and held multiple senior roles at the University of South Florida, including chief financial officer. He began his career in intercollegiate athletics at the University of Florida and with Gator Boosters. Wells holds an MBA in operations and a bachelor of arts in finance from North Central College, where he was a three-year captain on the men’s basketball team.

“性视界 is a program with a national brand, an incredibly passionate fan base and a director of athletics with a clear vision for where it is headed,” says Wells. “I would like to thank Bryan Blair for selecting me to join him and the 性视界 community during this transformative time in college athletics. My family and I are excited, and I look forward to putting my experience to work building the business and operational foundation that gives our coaches and student-athletes every advantage and every resource they need to excel in the classroom, in the community and in competition.鈥�

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

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 性视界 University at the .

Dr. Ruth Chen, a professor of practice in biomedical and chemical engineering in the College of Engineering and Computer Science at 性视界 University; Dr. Mantosh Dewan, president, SUNY Distinguished Service Professor and the Alan and Marlene Norton Presidential Chair at Upstate Medical University; Clifford J. Ensley 鈥�69, 鈥�70, G鈥�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 鈥�87, L鈥�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 性视界 University, 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 性视界 University 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鈥檚 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 性视界 University, 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鈥檚 degree program and an international education program. At 性视界, 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鈥檚 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鈥檚 impact extends well beyond campus. She has served on the boards of United Way, Interfaith Works and 性视界 Stage. During the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, she helped procure masks for the community. She launched Operation Orange Warmup, the University鈥檚 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: 鈥淭he Difficult to Treat Psychiatric Patient鈥� and 鈥淭he Art and Science of Brief Psychotherapies,鈥� a best seller now in its third edition, translated into five languages and chosen for the American Psychiatric Association鈥檚 Core Competencies in Psychotherapy Series.

Dewan鈥檚 leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic was transformational. Under his direction, Upstate developed the world鈥檚 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. 性视界 University partnered directly with Upstate in this critical effort. Reflecting Dewan鈥檚 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鈥檚 George Tarjan Award, designation as an 鈥淓xemplary Chair鈥� by SUNY, 性视界 University鈥檚 Chancellor鈥檚 Medal in 2021 and an honorary degree from Onondaga Community College. He is also an affiliated professor at J枚nk枚ping University in Sweden.

Dewan鈥檚 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 鈥�69, 鈥�70, G鈥�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 性视界 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 性视界 University 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 性视界 University Athlete of the Year, joining a distinguished list that includes Jim Brown 鈥�57, Ernie Davis 鈥�62, Floyd Little 鈥�67, H鈥�19, Dave Bing 鈥�66, H鈥�06 and Larry Csonka 鈥�68. Ensley received the Letter Winner of Distinction Award from 性视界 University 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 性视界 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鈥橝niello 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鈥�83, G鈥�87
Doctor of Humane Letters

LeMura鈥檚 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鈥檚 degree (1983) in physical education and a Ph.D. (1987) in applied physiology from the at 性视界 University, 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鈥檚 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鈥檚 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鈥檚 efforts to bring Micron鈥檚 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 性视界 University Tolley Medal, selected by the School of Education; the 2019 性视界 Key4Women Achieve Award; the 2017 Temple Adath Yeshurun Citizen of the Year Award; the 2017 Bishop鈥檚 Award from the Diocese of 性视界 Catholic Charities and recognition as a 2016 New York State Senate Woman of Distinction.

The relationship between 性视界 University and Le Moyne College has grown in collaboration during LeMura鈥檚 presidency through joint academic initiatives, community engagement projects and shared commitments to excellence.

Joanne M. Mahoney 鈥�87, L鈥�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 性视界 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 性视界 University, 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鈥�75 Endowed Law Scholarship and WAER.

Chancellor Kent D. Syverud
Doctor of Laws

Chancellor Syverud has led 性视界 University through 12 years of transformational change, reshaping the campus, strengthening research and academic excellence, and expanding 性视界 University鈥檚 impact in Central New York and beyond.

Hailing from Irondequoit, New York, Chancellor Syverud earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree magna cum laude from Georgetown University鈥檚 School of Foreign Service, a law degree magna cum laude from the University of Michigan Law School and a master鈥檚 in economics from the University of Michigan. He counts among his closest mentors the late U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O鈥機onnor, 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鈥檚 mission. Under his leadership, 性视界 has seen record applications and enrollment, invested over $100 million in student life鈥攊ncluding the Barnes Center at The Arch, a renovated Schine Student Center, two new residence halls and a transformed JMA Wireless Dome鈥攁nd 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鈥檚 economic resurgence, including the University鈥檚 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鈥攖he largest fundraising effort in University history鈥攁s 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 性视界 University鈥檚 D鈥橝niello Institute for Veterans and Military Families and the creation of the National Veterans Resource Center at the Daniel and Gayle D鈥橝niello 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.

The Class of 2026 is wrapping up final assignments, studying for exams and gearing up for their next adventure. But the days before Commencement are a chance to take in everything campus has to offer one last time, whether it’s a final cup of coffee at People’s Place in Hendricks Chapel, a farewell slice of pizza at Varsity or a laughter-filled stroll through the Quad with friends.

Eight seniors shared with 性视界 University Today the one thing they need to do before they go.

Daniel Baris, a sport analytics and statistics major in the and the (A&S): 鈥淲in a championship in intramural wiffleball. My team has come close in the past, and I feel like this could be our year.鈥�

Caiyan Bass, a communication sciences and disorders major in A&S and a Remembrance Scholar: 鈥淭ake a trip up the Mount to visit Flint Hall, my freshman year residence hall. Walking through campus and the Quad to get to the top of the Mount steps was something I did every day when I first got to 性视界. Going back would serve as a fun moment to not only remember that uphill trek, but also to reflect on everything the past four years have taught and given me.鈥�

Juinkye Chiang, an architecture major in the : 鈥淚 want to build a full-scale mockup of my architectural design, as this will be one of the only opportunities I will ever have to access the advanced fabrication facilities in Slocum Hall.鈥�

Tommy DaSilva, a public health, policy studies and citizenship and civic engagement major in the and a Remembrance Scholar: 鈥淗ave a movie night with friends. With college ending, I know that there is a very low possibility that I will live so close to all my friends again, so I want to make the most of our last few weeks together through our film nights.鈥�

Janese Fayson, a marketing听and听finance听major in the听 and executive vice president of the (SGA): 鈥淰isit every academic building on campus. Somehow, there are still a few I鈥檝e never stepped foot in, and it feels important to experience all the spaces that make up the University before I leave. It鈥檚 a way of fully taking in everything 性视界 has to offer while closing this chapter feeling complete.鈥�

Joy Mao, a television, radio and film major in the听, policy studies major in the Maxwell School and A&S and a Remembrance Scholar: 鈥淚 took Fashion and Portraiture with Professor Gregory Heisler my sophomore year. It was an impactful class for my creative brain. One of the photographers we researched was Margaret Bourke-White, the first female photographer for Life magazine and the first female war correspondent. She gave her work to the University after she retired. I would like to visit the in Bird Library prior to graduation.鈥�

Emma Muchnick, a sport management major in the Falk College and a midfielder on the : 鈥淏efore I graduate, I want to win a national championship. To be able to bring back a national championship to 性视界 with this group would be so special and a perfect way to cap off my time as a student-athlete here. I’m so proud to represent this University and I want to do it on the biggest stage.鈥�

German Nolivos, a political science major in the Maxwell School and A&S, public relations major in the Newhouse School, SGA president and a Remembrance Scholar: 鈥淰isit the chimes in the bell tower in Crouse College. It鈥檚 such a meaningful and recognizable part of the University, representing the history and tradition that defines the 性视界 experience. Being able to stand there before graduating feels like a full-circle moment.鈥�

Before the day gets started for many, two professors are already putting in the miles.

, associate provost for academic programs and professor of biomedical and chemical engineering in the , and , associate teaching professor and director of undergraduate studies in chemistry in the , both have been running marathons for years.

For long-distance runners, the 26.2-mile race is one of the most iconic challenges in endurance sports, and March 1 saw the start of the 2026 season of the , with the . On April 20, the second world major will take place when thousands of runners depart the starting line of the in Hopkinton, Massachusetts.

Both French and Hasenwinkel qualified to run the Boston race this year. It will be Hasenwinkel鈥檚 first time running Boston, but she ran her first world major in the fall of 2024 in Chicago. She鈥檚 also already qualified to run New York City in November.

鈥淚’m excited about all of it,鈥� she says.

French has run the historic Boston course three times. He was qualified and set on running for a fourth time, but after a challenging winter for training, he decided not to compete this year.

鈥淭here is no other race like it,鈥� French says. 鈥淭he entire course is lined with spectators, the entire city comes out for it.鈥�

Between years of experience and countless miles on the road, both professors have picked up practical insights they can share with fellow runners, including those just starting to take on the distance.

How They Got Started

French ran his first marathon in college, after running competitively in both high school and college. He mostly competed in 5Ks and 10Ks, but on the weekends, would run closer to 16 or 18 miles.

鈥淚 ran distance, and just really seemed to enjoy the races more the longer they went,鈥� he says.

His first 26.2-mile race was the Vermont City Marathon, which he ran when a friend who had a bib was injured and French competed instead.

“I had a great time, finished in the top 15, really enjoyed the race, the experience and the city,” French says.

Hasenwinkel found her love of running later in life, after the COVID pandemic when her kids were in college.

鈥淚 literally started with a couch to 5K program, built up some endurance and kept going,鈥� she says.

Her first race was 性视界鈥檚 Mountain Goat Run, and she found by the end that not only did she enjoy the race experience, her time was competitive for her age group. She signed up for a marathon shortly after, encouraged by her brother, himself a marathoner and triathlete.

She ran her first 26.2-mile race exactly a year later.

鈥淚 love the camaraderie of marathons, and you can get that same kind of camaraderie in other races, but there’s something that’s significantly more challenging about a marathon than even a half or a 10-miler,鈥� she says.

What Training Can Look Like

French runs 70 to 80 miles per week, seven days a week, with one or two hard workouts mixed in鈥攁 shorter, faster midweek session or hill workout, and a longer, marathon-paced effort on the weekend. He also tries to bike a couple times a week as a low-impact alternative.

Hasenwinkel’s approach has steadily evolved since she ran her first marathon. She now runs five or six days a week, varying her workouts by distance and effort.

Central New York winters add an extra layer of complexity for spring marathon training, they agreed.

“Safety and avoiding injury is the primary factor,” Hasenwinkel says. “If it’s really icy or dangerously cold, I will throw in the towel and go on the treadmill.”

The Biggest Challenges

Ask either professor what the hardest part of marathon training is, and they’ll give you the same answer: time.

French, who has two young children, notes that a 20-mile run can take more than two hours.

鈥淚 might have run 20 miles in the morning but my kids still want to go to the zoo or the Museum of Science and Technology. I might want to just sit on the couch!鈥�

Hasenwinkel, who tries to run two marathons a year, agreed. She says sustaining the energy to train, work and show up for family requires deliberate prioritization, including sleep.

Injury is another constant concern, so knowing when to alter your training to avoid them is important.

Hasenwinkel hurt her foot, which set back her training for Boston.

鈥淚 want to give myself the grace to just be able to go and do it for fun and not worry about my time,鈥� she says.

听Final Words of Advice

French says if you want to take up running marathons, building gradually and being patient is key.

鈥淵ou can fake your fitness in shorter races,鈥� he says. 鈥淵ou can not fake your way through a marathon. You need to have done the training, you need to be prepared to run the distance and your desired pace. You need to have practiced your nutrition. A lot can change between mile 13 and mile 26.鈥�

If you do it consistently, you can trust your training on race day.

鈥淚’m a big believer that anybody could do this,鈥� Hasenwinkel says. 鈥淚 feel like my story is living proof of that. I was much older than the average runner when I started. Be persistent and disciplined about training. Gradually build your mileage and have a plan and really stick to it. 鈥�

Show your 性视界 spirit! Students are invited to enter the 2026 Football T-Shirt Design Contest. Submit your design today for a chance to see it featured next season.

The winning designer will receive a gift basket from The Campus Store, 性视界 Auxiliary Services and 性视界 Athletics, filled with merchandise, gift cards and more.

Creative Brief: The Campus Store is looking for a dynamic, athletic design for a shirt that carries the bold spirit of our 性视界 community. The design should highlight staple elements of the 性视界 community that make us who we are, such as notable buildings and traditions, with a tie to the 性视界 football team. Keep in mind that the design will be printed on a shirt and should be easily printable in a maximum of two colors.

The entry must be the original work of the contestant and must not include or derive from preexisting or third-party designs or copyrighted images. The entry may not depict inappropriate images or words and cannot include a recognizable likeness to any person unless given written approval.

How to Enter: Submit your design as a vector file to contests@syr.edu. The file name should include your first and last name and be 25 MB or smaller. Deadline to enter is May 1, 2026. The winner will be notified on May 7.

With any additional questions, email John Cusick, general manager of the 性视界 University Campus Store. Contest rules are .

A new documentary exploring the history of and the role of faith across the 性视界 University 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 性视界 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 性视界 University 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 性视界 University 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.

When Gerry McNamara 鈥�06 walked into the Dome the first time as a highly touted basketball recruit, he knew 性视界 University was the right place to play basketball and win championships.

Twenty-six years later, McNamara has a similar vision, only this time, McNamara is tasked with returning men鈥檚 basketball to national prominence as the program鈥檚 ninth head coach.

鈥淎nybody that knows me knows why I’m here. I’m here to win. It’s who I am and it’s who I will always be,鈥� McNamara said to more than 2,000 Orange fans who packed Miron Victory Court Monday afternoon for his introductory press conference.

Among those who offered remarks were Chancellor-elect J. Michael Haynie, incoming Director of Athletics Bryan Blair and Director of Athletics John Wildhack 鈥�80, who said McNamara was the perfect candidate because he 鈥渆pitomizes what 性视界 basketball is [all about].鈥�

鈥淕erry鈥檚 ready for this. We didn鈥檛 choose Gerry because he鈥檚 an alum, or his number 3 hangs from the rafters in the JMA Wireless Dome,鈥� Wildhack said. 鈥淗e鈥檚 the right person at the right time to lead our program.鈥�

Recognizing that 鈥溞允咏� basketball is embedded in the soul of this University,鈥� Chancellor-elect Haynie echoed Wildhack鈥檚 sentiment, welcoming McNamara 鈥渂ack where he belongs, back in Orange.鈥�

鈥淲hat stood out about Gerry wasn鈥檛 just his resume, which is impressive. It wasn鈥檛 just the results, though they speak for themselves,鈥� Haynie said. 鈥淓very person who worked with Gerry, every reference that we talked to said the same thing. They said he makes people better. He holds them to a high standard. He cares about them as people, not just as athletes. That he鈥檚 the kind of leader that we would want for our student-athletes.鈥�

McNamara expressed gratitude to return to the place where he starred for four years.

鈥淚 can鈥檛 even tell you how honored, how blessed I am for this moment to be here. It really is kind of a dream come true for us,鈥� said McNamara, who helped the Orange win the 2003 men鈥檚 basketball national championship.

It鈥檚 a dream McNamara wasn鈥檛 sure he鈥檇 ever get after leaving 性视界 in March of 2024. After 14 seasons as an assistant coach and one season as associate head coach, McNamara took over as Siena University鈥檚 head men鈥檚 basketball coach.

But following two successful seasons, including guiding the Saints into the 2026 NCAA Division I tournament for the first time in 16 years, McNamara is back with the Orange.

“During the four-year stretch of my [undergraduate] experience, my love grew for the people of this city, for the University that gave me the opportunity to showcase my gifts on the biggest stage,” said McNamara.

Get to know McNamara and his message for the Orange community.

Winning Is in G-Mac鈥檚 DNA

McNamara鈥檚 playing days at 性视界 were defined by wins. Not only did the Orange win the national title in 2003, 性视界 made the NCAA tournament in four consecutive seasons, compiling a 103-32 overall record with two Big East postseason championships.

Winning also matters to Bryan Blair, the Orange鈥檚 new director of athletics who was tasked with hiring a new basketball coach. After an initial phone conversation about the job, McNamara sat down for a face-to-face conversation with Blair, who leaned in close, looked him in the eyes and said 鈥淚 want to win. No matter what, I want to win.鈥�

鈥淭hat statement from Bryan, for me, was where this went from being like an interview to motivationally aligned,鈥� McNamara said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e lockstep: same mentality, same goals, same direction.鈥�

McNamara told current and future 性视界 students that, as part of their college experience, the basketball team 鈥渘eeds to be good. That should be non-negotiable. 鈥� That should be part of your journey as a student. It should be so much fun because the basketball team is so good. 鈥� I’m going to do my best to work my rear end off to change it.鈥�

Relationships Stand the Test of Time

McNamara credited his parents, Gerard and Joyce, for teaching him 鈥渆verything I feel like I am as a person, as a man, as a husband and a father.鈥�

After McNamara was offered the opportunity to take over at his alma mater, one of the first things McNamara did was FaceTime with his parents to let them know 鈥淚鈥檓 about to sign a contract to be the head coach at 性视界 University. [It was] one of the great things and memories of my life.鈥�

In the name, image and likeness (NIL) age, where student-athletes have agents and eye lucrative sponsorship deals, McNamara emphasized the importance of the relationships he builds.

鈥淔or me to truly be at my best, there’s that communication level and relationship building,鈥� McNamara said. 鈥淭o me, the relationships and the love for a place are always going to stand the test of time.鈥�

G-Mac Learned to Love Basketball From His Dad

Before he set school records for 性视界 University鈥攁nd before he was the two-time Associated Press Pennsylvania Boys High School Small School Player of the Year and the 2002 Pennsylvania Gatorade Player of the Year for Bishop Hannan (now known as Holy Cross)鈥擬cNamara was simply a basketball enthusiast.

鈥淚 loved basketball, and because I loved it, my father gave me as much of it as I could absorb, [from playing in] different leagues to [getting the] key to the gym at Holy Rosary Parish,鈥� said McNamara, the Orange鈥檚 leader in career three-pointers made, free throw percentage and minutes played.

Simple Formula for Success

Between frequent travel for games and recruiting trips and late nights at the office watching game film, the life of a college basketball coach can be complicated.

But at home, surrounded by sons, Gerry and Patrick, and daughters, Maggie and Grace, McNamara says he鈥檚 found a simple formula for success. It all starts with his wife, Katie, a fellow Scranton native.

鈥淕oing into the last job [at Siena], Katie said, 鈥極ur happiness is simple鈥�,鈥� Gerry said. 鈥淎nd the way I took that was, 鈥榊es, it is. It鈥檚 very simple because it鈥檚 us.鈥� It鈥檚 always going to be us. We鈥檙e in this together always. But as I take this job, it鈥檚 not as simple as that. Our happiness is simple because you make it so easy for us to be happy. There鈥檚 no one I love and truly admire more than you.鈥�

One of 性视界 University’s most celebrated alumni is coming home. The University today announced that Gerry McNamara ’06, a member of the 2003 National Championship-winning team, has been named head coach of the . A Scranton, Pennsylvania, native, McNamara returns to lead the storied program where his legendary career began, following two seasons as head coach at Siena University where he engineered one of the most dramatic turnarounds in Division I basketball. His appointment, effective immediately, was approved by the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees.

“I love this place. I love what 性视界 means: to the fans, to the players who have worn this jersey, to the people of Central New York. This program has given me everything, and I am ready to give everything back to it,” says McNamara. “College basketball has changed. How you build a program, recruit talent, compete for resources and win looks different than it did even five years ago. I know that. I’m ready for it. What hasn’t changed is what Orange Nation expects, and what this place deserves. We are going to build something special here.”

McNamara spent 14 seasons as an assistant coach on Jim Boeheim’s staff before serving as associate head coach under Adrian Autry in 2023-24, then departing for Siena in March 2024. In his first season leading Siena, he guided the Saints to a 14-18 record, a 10-win improvement over the previous season that ranked among the top 10 turnarounds nationally and earned him recognition as one of 16 finalists for the CollegeInsider.com Joe B. Hall Award, presented annually to the nation’s top first-time Division I head coach. He opened his tenure with three consecutive victories, becoming the first Siena coach to start with three straight wins in more than four decades.

“Gerry McNamara is who our storied basketball program needs at this important moment,” says Bryan B. Blair, incoming director of athletics. “In every conversation, his competitive fire and passion was undeniable鈥攊t’s simply part of his DNA. He returns to 性视界 as a proven Division I head coach who led a program through a turnaround and back to the NCAA Tournament. At every stop in his playing and coaching journey, he has elevated those around him鈥攕tudent-athletes, staff and the broader community鈥攖hrough his energy, his standards and his ability to connect. While Gerry’s deep connection to 性视界 is meaningful, it’s simply a bonus to what he brings as a coach and leader. He honors our past, but he is driven to build for the future. This is a critical moment for 性视界 basketball, and it will take all of us鈥攅veryone connected to 性视界 University, 性视界 Athletics and Central New York鈥攍ocking arms and supporting this program like never before. We welcome Gerry home and can’t wait to see where he takes our program.”

“Gerry is a leader who brings out the best in people,” says John Wildhack, outgoing director of athletics. “I watched him for years as an assistant: in the gym, on the road recruiting and in conversations with players and their families. What has always distinguished him is the trust he builds. He has proven in a short time as a head coach that he knows how to build a program. I am proud that this was among the final pieces of work I had a hand in, and I have no doubt that he will make 性视界 and all of Orange Nation proud.”

A four-year starter from 2002-06, McNamara is the program’s all-time career leader in made three-pointers (400), free throw percentage (.888) and minutes played (4,799) and ranks among the all-time leaders in assists, steals and scoring. He was part of the 2003 National Championship team, earning All-Final Four honors after hitting six three-pointers against Kansas in the title game as a freshman. As a senior in 2006, he earned Associated Press Honorable Mention All-American honors and was named the Dave Gavitt Award winner as tournament MVP after leading 性视界 to the Big East Championship. His No. 3 jersey was retired by the University in March 2023. Following his collegiate career, McNamara accepted an invitation to Utah Jazz training camp and played professionally in Europe before returning to 性视界 to begin his coaching career.

As an assistant at 性视界, McNamara was a cornerstone of the program’s recruiting operation for 15 seasons, helping guide the Orange to nine NCAA Tournament appearances, including Final Four runs in 2013 and 2016. He was a primary mentor for NBA players, including Michael Carter-Williams, Dion Waiters and Tyler Ennis, as well as Buddy Boeheim, Cole Swider, Michael Gbinije and Elijah Hughes.

“Gerry McNamara’s story is as authentically 性视界 as they come,” says Chancellor-elect J. Michael Haynie. “He came here from Scranton with something to prove and became one of the greatest players this program has ever seen and one of the most trusted coaches to sit on our bench. Now he’s coming home with a singular mission: to return 性视界 basketball to where it belongs, among the elite programs in the country. His coaching, recruiting and fundraising prowess, his passion and talent, and his deep belief in what it means to be Orange are exactly what we need. I could not be more excited to welcome Gerry, Katie and their family back to the Hill, and I can’t wait for the tip-off of the 2026-27 season.”

McNamara brings to the role deep and proven recruiting relationships, having spent well over a decade as the primary contact for elite guards and perimeter players nationally. During his time as an assistant, he was widely credited with building the pipeline of backcourt talent that kept 性视界 competitive at the highest level. Student-athletes who have played for McNamara consistently point to his accessibility, his direct communication style and his commitment to preparing players for life beyond basketball as hallmarks of his approach.

McNamara graduated from 性视界 in 2006 with a bachelor’s degree in speech communications. He earned two AP Pennsylvania State Player of the Year honors at Bishop Hannan High School and finished seventh all-time in Pennsylvania high school scoring history. He is a gold medalist with the United States national team at the 2005 World University Games. McNamara and his wife, Katie, have four children: sons Gerry and Patrick and daughters Maggie and Grace.

For spring break, March 9-13, students traveled to perform mission service, immersed themselves in learning experiences, took in new sights and dominated on the field.

Here are some of the ways they spent their spring break:

Bryan Blair spent his college years studying history, and he knows a storied program when he sees one. His job now is to build on the proud winning tradition of 性视界 University Athletics.

鈥淪eeing the heights this university had over time, seeing the constant brand and how it speaks to the entire country. Everybody knows when they see that block S that it means something special,鈥� Blair, the school鈥檚 12th athletics director, said Thursday morning during his introductory press conference inside the Miron Victory Court.

鈥淗ow do we harness that history, that excellence and the other intangibles we have?鈥� Blair said. 鈥淲e want to wake this sleeping beast 鈥� and take control of our destiny and make sure the world knows that 性视界 University is one of the top 10 brands in all of college athletics and we’re here to stay.鈥�

Before coming to 性视界, Blair served as vice president and director of athletics at the University of Toledo. He will officially take over as director of athletics on July 1.

Get to know Blair and his message for the Orange community.

No Silver Bullet for Success

In the ever-changing college athletics landscape, Blair admits there鈥檚 pressure for 性视界 to 鈥渨in, and we鈥檝e got to win a lot.鈥� But those lofty expectations come with the job, and Blair said he is embracing this latest challenge in his career.

Tapping into curiosity, one of his five core values, Blair is looking forward to challenging everything when it comes to leading the athletics department.

鈥淣othing is an easy silver bullet,鈥� he said. 鈥淏ecause this place is unique, it鈥檚 going to take a unique solution, unique collaboration and unique energy to pull this thing together to do what we collectively want to do and really leverage those unique assets.鈥�

Blair says he plans to 鈥渕odernize our enterprise,鈥� 鈥渁ttack revenue generation and NIL,鈥� because 鈥淣IL is one of the most, if not the most important aspects of what we do.鈥�

5 Core Guiding Values

Besides curiosity, Blair shared his core values that guide and shape how he runs an athletics department.

• Family: 鈥淢y family means the world to me.鈥� (More on that below.)
• Passion: 鈥淚 will match the passion and the energy of this fan base, and of our alumni and our supporters.鈥�
• Integrity: 鈥淲e鈥檙e going to do things in a way that always makes this university proud.鈥�
• Curiosity: 鈥淓verything we do can get better, it can be challenged, it can be thought of differently. Now is the time to lead from the front and think outside the box in terms of what [college athletics] should look like.鈥�
• Servanthood: 鈥淚 am the fullback of the athletic department, the guy 鈥� empowering somebody else鈥檚 success; doing the dirty work to clear the way.鈥�

鈥淚f we keep the student-athletes as that North Star, we鈥檒l be really successful and will also produce future leaders of this country from 性视界 University,鈥� Blair said.

Drawing Inspiration From Family

Blair says you鈥檒l see his 7-year-old daughter, Brielle, and 5-year-old son, William (Beau), around the office. That鈥檚 because he believes in blending family with work.

鈥淭hey鈥檙e my everything, they are my inspiration,鈥� Blair said.

Blair draws strength and inspiration from his family, especially his wife, Jenna, who he refers to as his 鈥渞ide-or-die.鈥�

鈥淸Jenna is] that person who speaks that power and that vision into you for you to make it possible. You鈥檇 love to say that you鈥檙e bulletproof and nothing bothers you, but all of us have those days, all of us need that support, that inspiration,鈥� Blair said.

A Learned Work Ethic

Growing up in the small town of Bennettsville, South Carolina, Blair learned firsthand from his parents the important lessons of finding success both on the football field and in the classroom.

His parents, Dannie and Woodrow, insisted that Blair had to earn all As on his report card if he wanted to play football.

After playing Division I football and graduating with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in history from Wofford College in 2007, Blair went on to earn a law degree from the University of South Carolina in 2010. He credits his successes to his parents, the biggest influences in his life and the hardest-working people he knows.

鈥淵ou cannot escape the work. You have to put in the time and the effort and even when it gets hard, you work harder,鈥� says Blair, who paused with emotion when talking about his parents.

Creating the Dome as an Experience

One of the best draws for the Orange is playing home games inside the raucous JMA Wireless Dome, or the Loud House. Blair got his first glimpse inside the JMA Dome with Chancellor-elect J. Michael Haynie, and the JMA Dome left an immediate and lasting impression.

鈥淲e can build a unique, immersive experience that鈥檚 unlike anything you see in this country outside of [Las] Vegas,鈥� Blair said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e going to think outside the box [about] what that experience looks like. How do we create that home court advantage for all our teams?鈥�

The ten women stand together in the gymnasium, faces serious, hands on their hips. With their shoulders squared, right feet turned in a split stance, their eyes stare into the camera in an unmoving challenge.

That鈥檚 the photo that accompanies an April 15, 1895, article titled 鈥淲omen鈥檚 Gymnasium Work鈥� in the University News, describing the activities of the 性视界 women students playing a unique sport on campus鈥攂attle-ball.

鈥淲e, too, have our college athletics,鈥� the article reads. 鈥淵ou have doubtless heard of the basketball teams of Wellesley, and other women鈥檚 colleges; but do you know that in our own University we have two teams of young women, not playing basket-ball but the splendid game of battle-ball? Vigorously do we practice on Tuesday and Thursday of each week, and so expert have we become that we quite belie the accusation that 鈥榓 girl can鈥檛 throw a ball.鈥�”

What exactly was battle-ball? According to the , there鈥檚 no other information on the game in the library’s collections.

But the article鈥檚 author Carrie S. Romer wrote that battle-ball was only 鈥渁 part of our work in the gymnasium.鈥�

鈥淥ur eyes have long since wearied of the statement鈥攐r we might almost say epitaph鈥攕o often seen in our college papers, 鈥楳iss 鈥� has been obliged to leave college because of ill-health,鈥� and we have determined that we, the members of the women鈥檚 gymnasium classes, will prevent, as far as we can, the possibility of such remarks concerning ourselves,鈥� she wrote. 鈥淗ence, two, three, or four times each week we repair to the gymnasium to enjoy our exercises and games.鈥�

A Higher Stakes Game

, professor of history and senior associate dean for academic affairs in the , reviewed the article for 性视界 University Today. She says the piece gives a glimpse of the experience of women attending college in the late 19th century.

Women鈥檚 education and college athletics both expanded dramatically in the United States after the Civil War, she says.

鈥淎mericans worried that men might become weak without the testing ground of war,鈥� Faulkner says.

There was particular concern at the time about 鈥渘eurasthenia鈥濃�攁 nervous disorder for both men and women, she says.

鈥淎s the article makes clear, there was concern that college might be too mentally (and physically) taxing for women, which could also be an argument to exclude them from education, careers, political and legal rights, etc.,鈥� Faulkner says.

According to the University News article, the women used 鈥渢raveling rings, horizontal bars and ladders鈥� during those gym sessions in the University鈥檚 , which was built in the early 1890s and demolished by 1965.

鈥淲e strengthen the various muscles of our bodies, and acquire a courage that we should not have dreamed of possessing a few years ago,鈥� Romer wrote.

In the 1895 article, the students made clear that their exercise wasn鈥檛 a chore.

鈥淲e should not be college women if we did not mingle a bit of fun with our work, and one of our chief pleasures has been to invent names for our various exercises,鈥� Romer states. 鈥淧erhaps you have heard of our 鈥榞ymnastic hop,鈥� 鈥榗hicken walk,鈥� 鈥榦strich walk鈥� and 鈥榝lying angel,鈥� but if you do not know what they are, we invite you to come and see for yourself鈥攊f you may. Should you be so unfortunate as to belong to the sex seldom admitted during 鈥榣adies hours,鈥� we can give you no better advice than to follow the suggestions given by the names and learn for yourself what we mean.鈥�

Faulkner says the article and accompanying photo make clear the women exercised separately from their male classmates, which is likely why their skirts are shorter. During the 1890s, women鈥檚 activities were “severely proscribed鈥� by fashion (corsets and long skirts), modesty and propriety of the Victorian era.

The 1890s saw those standards giving way to the era of the 鈥渘ew woman,鈥� Faulkner says, in which women discarded those restrictions as they embraced sports for the health and social benefits.

鈥淚 love the picture because their choice of clothing, especially the short skirts, shows how much athletics challenged the still powerful views that women should be modest,鈥� she says. 鈥淲omen鈥檚 fashion did not allow shorter (above the ankle) skirts for everyday wear until about WWI. Earlier, in the 1850s, women鈥檚 rights activists stopped wearing the 鈥樷�� because they were mocked so severely.鈥�

Beyond the Gymnasium

The article that follows the story on battle-ball also focuses on the experience of women in higher education at the time, titled 鈥淲hat is the College Woman Doing in the World?鈥�

鈥淲e can hardly imagine a woman who has had the inspiration of four years of college life as going out into the world and leaving behind her all the life and stir that have been hers for four years,鈥� the article by M.S. Coon says.

The second article delves into ways female graduates were making careers for themselves, namely with social activism or social work. Specifically, it mentions women college graduates founding and working in , which functioned as community-based centers in poor neighborhoods.

The two articles, side-by-side, give a clear look at how women on the 性视界 campus were advocating at the time for their own athletics, education and careers after graduation.

鈥淭he author and her fellow athletes were asserting their physical health along with their academic capabilities in hopes of creating or advancing post-college opportunities at a time when careers were still very limited for women and most women would still marry and have children,鈥� Faulkner says.

The articles from the University News are housed in the in the University Archives. Anyone can visit the Special Collections Research Center and request to see them.

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 性视界 University 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 性视界 University 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 (性视界, 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 性视界 University 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.

性视界 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 性视界 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 性视界 students fully enjoy campus life. This is your chance to invest in the people and communities that make 性视界 University 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 性视界 University 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 性视界 University, 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�

性视界 Giving Day is a great time for fans and alumni to support 性视界 University 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.

One of the nation’s rising stars in intercollegiate athletics will soon take the helm of 性视界 University Athletics. Chancellor-elect J. Michael Haynie today announced the appointment of Bryan B. Blair as the University’s next director of athletics. Blair has served as vice president and director of athletics at the University of Toledo since 2022. He is widely regarded as one of the most creative and accomplished leaders in college athletics: a builder of championship programs, a generator of innovative revenue strategies and a genuine believer in the transformative power of higher education. His appointment has been approved by the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees.

“Bryan Blair is the athletics leader for this moment and for the future of 性视界 University,” says Haynie. “He is a fierce competitor who knows how to build winning programs, a visionary who approaches the business of college athletics with genuine creativity and ingenuity, and a leader of exemplary character who understands that athletics exists to serve students and the broader University mission. He is exactly the right person to lead the new era of 性视界 University Athletics.”

Fierce Fundraiser and Innovative Revenue Generator

Blair has built a reputation across the industry for finding new and creative ways to grow programs, generate revenue and create experiences that connect athletics to its surrounding community. Under Blair鈥檚 leadership, the University of Toledo has accomplished the following:

• grew fundraising by 282% since FY22, including securing the second-largest gift in school history;
• built the Mid-American Conference’s most sophisticated NIL ecosystem, securing national partnerships with Powerade and pioneering auto-lease arrangements for women’s basketball;
• launched the 1923 Society, generating more than $13.6 million with nearly 50% first-time major gift donors;
• achieved 71% growth in Rocket Fund with more than $1 million-plus gifts in 13 months than the previous decade combined;
• secured KeyBank as the inaugural title sponsor of women鈥檚 athletics and launched the Venture Visionary Courtside Club, two transformational corporate partnerships that elevated the Toledo brand and increased revenue generation;
• established a departmentwide data and analytics initiative focused on 鈥淒ata Excellence,鈥� integrating advanced analytics and AI to drive decision-making, revenue growth and student-athlete support;
• partnered with Vu Technologies to create the first digital studio of its kind in college athletics and converted dormant facilities into active revenue and corporate activation assets;
• launched “Glass City Live,” the program’s first football stadium concert in more than 30 years, drawing 18,000 fans and establishing a new revenue stream;
• added rowing as a varsity sport through a novel partnership model projected to generate more than $1 million in annual net tuition; and
• led the development of a $75 million facilities master plan.

Blair says he looks forward to bringing his big ideas and bigger energy to 性视界 University.

鈥溞允咏� University is one of the most iconic programs in college athletics, with a proud championship history, world-class academics and an incredibly passionate fan base,鈥� says Blair. 鈥淭he opportunity to lead Orange Athletics at this moment is incredibly exciting because the potential ahead is extraordinary. With the clear alignment and shared ambition of Chancellor Haynie, the Board of Trustees, our campus leadership, coaches, student-athletes, alumni and the entire Central New York community, we will build a modern athletics enterprise that competes for championships, elevates the Orange brand and positions 性视界 as a national leader in the future of college athletics. The best days of 性视界 Athletics are ahead of us, and I am honored to have the opportunity to lead the program to new levels of excellence.鈥�

Blair also thanked the search committee for its work.

鈥淚 want to extend my sincere appreciation to Steve Ballentine for his leadership as chair of the search committee, to Mike Tirico, vice chair of the Board of Trustees, and to the entire committee for the time, care and thoughtfulness they invested throughout the process. Their passion for 性视界 was palpable throughout the process, and I鈥檓 excited to work together to move 性视界 Athletics forward.鈥�

Building Cultures of Success

During his tenure at Toledo, Blair built an unprecedented culture of success. He led Toledo to three consecutive MAC Cartwright Awards as the conference’s top overall athletics program and 16 conference championships in less than four years鈥攎ore than the program had won in the previous decade combined. His tenure included a MAC football title, two bowl wins, two championship game appearances and historic victories over Mississippi State and Pitt. Toledo鈥檚 football program also produced consecutive Top-65 NFL Draft picks and multiple AP Top-25 appearances, while leading all Group of Six programs in 2026 NFL combine invites. Toledo Athletics led the nation in combined football, men’s basketball and women’s basketball conference wins from 2022鈥�24 with 76, and finished second nationally in the Excellence in Management Cup. In the same year, Toledo became the first program in school history to win both the MAC’s Reese Trophy for top men’s programs and the Jacoby Trophy for top women’s programs. Toledo also secured the program’s first-ever volleyball championship, while nearly doubling attendance.

Search Committee Chairman Steve Ballentine 鈥�83 says Blair’s vision and track record combined with his business acumen position him to hit the ground running.

鈥淏ryan is an impressive leader who stood out in a pool of high-caliber candidates from across college athletics, professional sports and other relevant industries,鈥� says Ballentine. 鈥淗e is an innovator who finds opportunities others don’t see, a competitor who builds championship cultures and a leader who brings out the best in every member of his team. He is going to do big things at 性视界, and I am thrilled to welcome him to the Orange Nation.鈥�

Track Record of Success

Prior to Toledo, Blair served as deputy athletic director and chief operating officer at Washington State University (WSU), where he helped guide a Power Five program through one of the most visible periods in its history. While at WSU, the program:

• doubled annual fundraising to more than $30 million and secured an $11 million naming rights agreement;
• secured a Top-10 national finish and the program’s first 11-win season in football;
• made NCAA tournament appearances in six sports;
• had 35 All-Americans; and
• and accomplished record academic achievement.

Blair played a key role in hiring two future Power Four head coaches, including Kyle Smith, now at Stanford, and Jake Dickert, now at Wake Forest. He directed the program’s NIL strategy, including assisting in the recruitment of future No. 1 NFL Draft pick Cam Ward, who played two seasons at Washington State before transferring to the University of Miami. Before Washington State, Blair spent four years at Rice University as a senior associate athletics director, where he helped the department win 16 conference championships across nine sports, grow its annual fund by 73% and secure a record $3 million partnership with the Texas Medical Center. He also held a compliance role at the University of South Carolina, working closely with Dawn Staley’s Top-10 women’s basketball program during a formative period that included the recruitment of the nation’s top prospect and future WNBA star, Aja Wilson.

Commitment to the Academic Mission

What distinguishes Blair as much as his competitive and business record is his commitment to the mission of higher education. A lifelong learner with a law degree and a background as a Division I student-athlete, he has consistently integrated athletics into the academic and civic life of the institutions he has served. At Toledo, he co-chaired the search process for the university’s executive vice president and provost, a role rarely assumed by an athletics director. Student-athletes excelled in the classroom during Blair鈥檚 tenure producing 11 consecutive semesters above a 3.3 department GPA. Blair’s “Team Toledo” movement created a unified identity across the athletics department, the broader university and the Northwest Ohio region, aligning partners, fans and institutions around a shared mission and purpose.

In 2024, Blair was named to the Sports Business Journal (SBJ) Forty Under 40, one of only two MAC athletic directors ever to receive the honor. The SBJ Forty Under 40 is one of the sports industry鈥檚 premier executive honors, with previous alumni that include Adam Silver (NBA commissioner), Kevin Plank (founder, Under Armour), Brett Yormark (Big 12 commissioner) and Brian Rolapp (CEO, PGA Tour). Blair is also a member of the NCAA Division I Committee on Infractions, and formerly served on the Steering Committee of the National Sports Forum, one of the largest gatherings of revenue generation executives from a diverse array of teams, leagues, agencies and brands. Blair holds a juris doctorate from the University of South Carolina School of Law and a bachelor of arts in history from Wofford College, where he was a Division I football student-athlete.

Blair and his wife, Jenna, have two children, daughter Brielle and son Beau.