Editor鈥檚 note: This is the last in a five-part series spotlighting 鈥檚 global centers.

Marion Patsalides 鈥�28 didn’t just study in Strasbourg鈥攕he biked its backstreets, soaked in its baths and became a regular at the neighborhood patisserie. A mechanical engineering major in the , Patsalides studied abroad in the Fall 2025 semester and found Strasbourg to be more than she imagined.

鈥淪tudying abroad changed my perspective on myself and the world around me,鈥� she says. Here’s how Patsalides made the most of every week abroad.

Get a Bike

鈥淪trasbourg is a super bikeable city! My favorite way to explore was on my bike. It really enhanced my knowledge of how to get around and helped me feel more like a local.

鈥淭here are relatively cheap bike rentals or a biannual bike sale where you can get your own bike. Make sure to get bike locks, a helmet and a bell. It is illegal to ride a bike in Strasbourg without a bell, so that is an absolute essential.”

Spend a Weekend at Home

鈥淢ost people going to Strasbourg plan to travel around Europe almost every weekend. Since you have no classes on Friday (most of the time) and many exciting places to visit, it鈥檚 very enticing to book lots of travel every weekend once you get there. Plan a 鈥榮taycation鈥� for at least one weekend.

鈥淒uring the week, you will have work or studying to do, including your own classes. Make sure you allot a weekend to stay in Strasbourg and explore the whole city. Visit Homme de Fer for shopping and food and Petite France for the quaint atmosphere. Get to know your home base. It is a whole destination on its own, and it鈥檚 worth it to spend the time really getting to know it.

鈥淚 spent a few weekends in Strasbourg, including two at the end of the semester when I explored the famous Strasbourg Christmas markets with the millions of tourists in the city at the time.

鈥淢id-semester, I spent a weekend in Strasbourg touring around parts of the city I hadn鈥檛 been to before, and I visited the Strasbourg baths with my host mom. The spa experience was amazing and very relaxing. Experiences like this one can鈥檛 be beat, especially when they鈥檙e one block away from home!鈥�

Take the Train

鈥淲eekend travel is a huge part of this program. Many people choose to fly around Europe, since Strasbourg Entzheim Airport is just outside the city. I used the airport a few times (all three for the UK to visit family). However, the experience of riding the trains is so worthwhile too. Strasbourg is a major European train hub, so many places are easily accessible by train from the Gare Centrale, which is in turn easy to access by bus or by the A, C or D trams.

鈥淗owever, if you鈥檙e looking to save a little money or visit more places in Germany, just over the border is another large train station in Kiel, Germany. The Strasbourg trams have a stop right over the border at that station (A or D).

鈥淭rain journeys provide a beautiful, aesthetic view while getting you to most places in Europe quickly. I remember taking the TGV (French bullet train) to Paris having large windows and gorgeous views of the French countryside. Bring your passport to go over the border, and travel like the locals do!鈥�

Skip the Starbucks

Many of us are reliant on our morning Starbucks, but that isn鈥檛 the only option in Strasbourg. There are cafes and patisserie everywhere. While Starbucks, McDonald’s and other fast food do exist in France, there are so many more options at reasonable prices. Strasbourg has a lot of different types of food, and so many amazing restaurants and cafes.

鈥淪ome of us students in my French 101 class used to visit Patisserie Gerber Jean around the corner from the Strasbourg villa every day after class, and we became regulars! Explore around your neighborhood and visit local restaurants and cafes instead of the big chains.鈥�

Bring the Travel Guide

鈥淏ring an English guidebook from home for some of the places you think you might travel to (including France). Oftentimes, simply looking on Google for a good restaurant can ensure that you miss hidden gems and small businesses, especially in large cities like London or Paris. With guidebooks, someone has done the leg work and found delicious food for you.

鈥淎lso, sometimes guidebooks can find better hotels or hostels that fit your needs. Personally, a Rick Steves recommendation saved me a lot of money in London when he recommended a family-owned hotel a 5-minute walk from Victoria Station with reasonable prices. Better experiences and food can be found with an actual book than Google or ChatGPT can get you.鈥�

Artificial intelligence (AI) is already making substantial changes in every industry, shifting how we work, learn and organize our daily lives. But how can AI tools shape the field of building science? That was the central question at the Industry Summit on Artificial Intelligence for the Built Environment, organized by , Traugott Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering in the College of Engineering and Computer Science and co-director of the (性视界CoE).

Structured as a working session, the May 4 summit featured expert panelists from industry, academia and government agencies, with 12 companies represented and a total of 35 participants. After opening remarks from Professor Dong, the first panel of the day explored AI applications in smart and human-centered buildings. Presentations included:

• From Equipment to Ecosystem: An AI Strategy for Thermal Energy Systems and the Built Environment, presented by Josiah Johnston, senior director of data science at Daikin Open Innovation Lab Silicon Valley
• AI in Buildings: A Perspective From the Field, presented by William Healy, senior director at TRC Companies
• Using AI for Building Optimization, presented by Evan Torkos, vice president for strategy at Nantum AI
• The Restoration of a Building or Home鈥檚 Comfort, a New Set of Opportunities With AI, presented by Michael Birnkrant, chief architect, service and aftermarket at Carrier Corporation

A moderated discussion led by 性视界CoE鈥檚 executive director, , gave attendees a chance to dig deeper into these AI advances before breaking for a student poster session and lunch.

The afternoon panel widened the lens to AI鈥檚 role in building-connected infrastructure, covering the following topics:

• Load Flexibility and Electrified Commercial Buildings, presented by Mark Bremer and Julia Griffith from National Grid
• Hallucination of AI in Critical Infrastructure, presented by Herbert Dwyer, founder and CEO of EMPEQ
• A Semantic Foundation Unlocks Rapid Deployment of AI in the Built Environment, presented by Andrew Rodgers, co-founder of ACE IoT Solutions
• AI-Powered Communities: From Data to Resilience, presented by Nancy Min, co-founder and CEO of ecoLong
• Using GenAI to Accelerate Decarbonizing NYC Commercial Real Estate, presented by Thomas Yeh, consulting technical advisor, NYSERDA

The summit concluded with small group discussions: four breakout groups each co-facilitated by 性视界 University faculty and populated with a cross-section of academic and industry voices. This format ensured that the day鈥檚 themes were stress-tested in conversation and built the foundation for future collaborations. Dong plans to apply for funding for an interdisciplinary research center, such as a National Science Foundation Engineering Research Center, that will advance university-industry partnerships in the healthy buildings field.

The summit made clear that AI鈥檚 role in the built environment is no longer speculative鈥攊t is operational and growing rapidly. From smarter HVAC to grid-scale flexibility to community resilience, the challenge now is deploying these tools thoughtfully, sustainably and at scale.

This event was supported by the University鈥檚 聽through their Team Building for Large, Collaborative Grants program.

To be notified of future events and opportunities, sign up for 性视界CoE’s 听辞谤听.

Lucas Heffler 鈥�26 is heading to one of the most storied research institutions in the world. The chemical engineering senior has accepted a position at (LANL) in Los Alamos, New Mexico鈥攁 facility synonymous with scientific breakthroughs and home to some of the brightest minds in the country. One of 17 National Laboratories supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, LANL has long stood at the frontier of discovery in science, engineering and national security.

Born out of the Manhattan Project during World War II, LANL made history as the birthplace of the atomic bomb. Today, the lab鈥檚 primary focus is to modernize the United States鈥� nuclear stockpile and maintain its safety, security and reliability. LANL鈥檚 scientists and engineers conduct advanced research in areas including national security, energy, geophysics and supercomputing.

Heffler will begin his position as a research and development engineer at LANL this summer. He became interested in the National Labs system through connections with (ECS) alumni and gained valuable industry experience through internships and the Nuclear Chemistry Summer Schools (NCSS), a Department of Energy workforce development program administered by the American Chemical Society. Heffler completed a six-week NCSS program at San Jose State University in California, where participants attend lectures, visit research facilities聽 and conduct hands-on laboratory exercises to build their expertise in nuclear chemistry.

Heffler took advantage of ECS resources like attending resume reviews and employer information sessions offered through Career Services.

鈥淕etting that experience of just being comfortable talking to employers definitely helps while on job interviews,鈥� says Heffler.

Looking back on his coursework, Heffler says that Chemical Engineering Laboratory I and II helped him discern his career interests and prepare to enter the workforce. Setting up experiments, analyzing data and writing technical reports are all skills he will rely on in his work as an research and development engineer.

Heffler found supportive faculty in the Department of Biomedical and Chemical Engineering, including Program Director Katie Cadwell and his advisor, Distinguished Professor of Chemical Engineering Radhakrishna Sureshkumar. He also appreciated the opportunity to take classes with professor Theodore Walker, who draws on his experience as a senior scientist for ExxonMobil.

鈥淗aving professors that have worked in industry and can look at things from an industry standpoint is enlightening,鈥� Heffler says.

鈥淟ucas possesses a rare combination of technical depth, creative insight and problem-solving skills,鈥� says Sureshkumar. 鈥淎fter working closely with him as his advisor and instructor, I am delighted by his highly deserving appointment at LANL. He is a natural leader who will undoubtedly make major contributions to the profession.鈥�

Before Charity Hosler 鈥�27 and Somya Chakraborty 鈥�28 decided to study biomedical engineering, they were once wide-eyed children discovering science through hands-on experiments and the possibilities in STEM.

Now, enrolled in the (ECS) and serving as the president and vice president, respectively, of the (BMES), Hosler and Chakraborty are doing their part to educate future generations of STEM enthusiasts.

Each year, one of the main events organized by the BMES is STEM Day, which allows current engineering students to teach lessons about the core principles of aerospace, biomedical, chemical and civil engineering to Central New York children in kindergarten through sixth grade.

鈥淛ust the excitement of learning about science. It鈥檚 really cool being able to give back for the next generation,鈥� Hosler says. 鈥淎nd it鈥檚 really cool to think we could be the reason some kid decides to come to 性视界 to study biomedical engineering.鈥�

Hosler, Chakraborty and other BMES members organize activities at four stations, each focused on a particular field of engineering.

During this year鈥檚 STEM Day on Feb. 28, students made slime at the chemical engineering station, learning about polymers and the chemical phase changes the substances undergo as the slime is formed. At the civil engineering station, students built structures that were mechanically sound and could withstand the elements like wind and water.

At the biomedical engineering station, students encountered a hand grabber, which simulated the bones and muscles in a hand, using straws and string to depict how hand muscles move. They also participated in a candy DNA activity, where, using Twizzlers and gummy bears, children learned how the base pairs of DNA match up with each other and what DNA looks like and why.

Demonstrating aerospace engineering, students launched cups into the air, observing Newton’s Third Law, that every action has an equal and opposite reaction.

鈥淚 was brought up being exposed to science at a young age, and that鈥檚 part of what made me want to become a biomedical engineer. You can really tell how much these kids love science,鈥� Chakraborty says. 鈥淲atching the gears in their brains turn in real time while they鈥檙e trying to figure something out is fascinating to me. This brings me a lot of joy because that鈥檚 how I felt as a kid when I went to these sessions.鈥�

What Is Biomedical Engineering?

BMES aims to answer that question, helping students connect with each other, discover potential research opportunities, explore possible career paths and develop their networking skills.

Both Hosler and Chakraborty say their organization feels a responsibility to share why biomedical engineering is a timely, important and interdisciplinary specialty.

Biomedical engineers can be responsible for developing, processing and mass-producing drugs and potential life-saving medications, and often they鈥檙e tasked with ensuring quality control when a drug is produced. Or they could be charged with improving how medical devices like pacemakers, heart implants and stents that are going to be used by medical professionals worldwide are sanitized. They鈥檙e also involved with biomaterials, such as studying how to install a device into a patient without causing negative responses.

鈥淏iomedical engineering is an important field, and I think it鈥檚 important for students to get connected with other biomedical engineers and form connections with the people in your major,鈥� Hosler says. 鈥淭hrough the Biomedical Engineering Society, we become more well-rounded, better biomedical engineers who have a desire to serve our communities.鈥�

鈥淚 love that this field allows me to be involved in medicine and have an impact on someone’s life behind the scenes,鈥� Chakraborty says. 鈥淵ou鈥檙e dedicating your life to solving a problem that a lot of people are dealing with by trying to find a solution.鈥�

Connecting Students to Research and Career Opportunities

BMES holds study nights each semester and organizes volunteer activities in the community each month. The organization also serves as a bridge between academia and the related industries in the medical field, conducting site visits at different local biomedical engineering facilities.

Partnering with the Chemical Engineering Society, members visited Lotte Biologics, a biopharmaceutical production facility in East 性视界, touring the space and connecting with industry professionals.

BMES also hosts professors for informal gatherings where students can learn about potential research opportunities across campus.

鈥淎 lot of our students are interested in doing research, but they don’t really know how to get started. We help bridge that gap, introducing freshmen and sophomores who are looking to start their research journey to faculty who are involved with relevant research,鈥� Chakraborty says. 鈥淲e鈥檙e making a difference by connecting students with each other while helping to advance our major.鈥�

性视界 University Libraries recognized its student employees with an awards celebration on April 20. The Libraries typically employs about 150 undergraduate and graduate students each year to contribute to the safety of Libraries鈥� spaces, the quality and repair of collections, and service support to patrons and student entrepreneurs.

Supervisors nominate student employees who have demonstrated dedicated service over time and significant contributions that have made a lasting impact on the Libraries.

The Libraries recognize these students through the generous support of Kathy and Stanley Walters, the family of Patricia Kutner Strait and the many donors to the Libraries Dean鈥檚 Fund.

In addition, this year the Libraries acknowledges Carole and Glenn Johnston for their gift in honor of their daughter, Beth Ann Johnson, who was killed in the Dec. 21, 1988, bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland.

鈥淲e are incredibly fortunate to work alongside our library student employees, whose energy, commitment and talent strengthen our community every day. In my role, I see firsthand the meaningful impact they have across our organization. Many of these students stay with us throughout their time at 性视界 University, growing into trusted and valued members of the SU Libraries community,鈥� says David Seaman, dean of the Libraries and University Librarian.

2026 student award recipients and their respective Libraries departments are:

Kathy and Stanley Walters Student Employee Scholarship Awards

• Souleymane Bah 鈥�26 (College of Arts and Sciences and Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs), floor monitor, Libraries Facilities and Security
• Niah Edwards 鈥�26 (S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications), public services student, Special Collections Research Center
• Grace Hoffman G鈥�26 (College of Law), graduate assistant, Access and Resource Sharing
• Ava Lubkemann 鈥�27 (College of Engineering and Computer Science), Orange Innovation Scholar, Strategic Initiatives
• Duyen Thum Pham 鈥�26 (College of Visual and Performing Arts), student assistant, Access and Resource Sharing
• Katie Ryder 鈥�26 (College of Visual and Performing Arts), preservation assistant, Access and Resource Sharing
• Alexander Schulz G鈥�26 (School of Information Studies), Information Literacy Scholar, Information Literacy

Patricia Kutner Strait Student Scholarship Awards

• Mason Burley 鈥�27 (School of Education), preservation assistant, Access and Resource Sharing
• Alani Henderson 鈥�26 (College of Arts and Sciences and Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs), floor monitor, Libraries Facilities and Security
• Anna Shuff G鈥�26 (School of Information Studies), graduate student archivist, Special Collections Research Center
• Anthony Thomas 鈥�26 (School of Information Studies), innovation mentor/marketing team lead, LaunchPad
• Sreynoch 鈥楯ess鈥� Van 鈥�26 (S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications), photographer/videographer, Marketing and Communications

Dean鈥檚 Commendations Awards (in memory of Pan Am 103 victim Beth Ann Johnson)

• Hadja Fatoumata Barry 鈥�26 (School of Information Studies), floor monitor, Libraries Facilities and Security
• Joel Carpenter G鈥�26 (School of Information Studies), Information Literacy Scholar, Information Literacy
• James Harman 鈥�26 (School of Information Studies), student worker, Access and Resource Sharing
• Iman Jamison G鈥�26 (School of Information Studies), graduate instruction assistant, Special Collections Research Center
• Calvin Silver 鈥�26 (School of Information Studies), public services reference, Special Collections Research Center
• Grace Suhadolnik 鈥�26 (School of Information Studies), student worker, Learning and Academic Engagement
• Camren Wych鈥�26 (College of Visual and Performing Arts), floor monitor, Libraries Facilities and Security

Honorable Recognitions:

• Khadija Kante 鈥�26 (Arts and Sciences), floor monitor, Libraries Facilities and Security
• Philomena Kern鈥�26 (School of Information Studies), student archival processing assistant, Special Collections Research Center
• Hannah Marosi G鈥�26 (School of Information Studies), collections team graduate student worker, Department of Research and Scholarship
• Alexus Rowe 鈥�26 (Arts and Sciences), floor monitor, Libraries Facilities and Security
• Mera Singh 鈥�26 (School of Information Studies), floor monitor, Libraries Facilities and Security
• Fatumata 鈥楴ima鈥� Sow 鈥�26 (School of Information Studies), floor monitor, Libraries Facilities and Security
• Haven Travis G鈥�26 (School of Information Studies), graduate student assistant, Access and Resource Sharing
• Jiaying Wang 鈥�26 (Arts and Sciences), public services student employee, Special Collections Research Center

John Riley was just 16 years old when he set foot on the 性视界 University campus. It was a dream come true for the young man of modest means, the first in his family to go to college. He was awarded a scholarship that allowed him to get a degree, but he couldn鈥檛 afford to live on campus, commuting all four years by bus from his family home on 性视界鈥檚 North Side.

鈥淛ohn missed out on that total student experience, because he didn鈥檛 live on campus,鈥� says his wife, Diane.聽 鈥淗e couldn鈥檛 join a fraternity or participate in sports.鈥� That鈥檚 why Diane decided that the best way to pay tribute to her late husband, who passed away on June 1, 2024, was with an extraordinary legacy gift to the Orange Hall Facilities Fund that ensures residential housing in the center of campus for generations of students.

In recognition of her generosity, Orange Hall will be renamed H. John Riley Hall. A dedication event is planned for Saturday, May 9, during Commencement Weekend. 鈥淛ohn believed that 性视界 University gave him the education and opportunities to be successful,鈥� says Diane. Riley graduated in 1961 with a degree in industrial engineering from the . 鈥淚 think he would be proud鈥攁nd humbled鈥攖o have his name on this beautiful building that provides a home to the students he loved to serve.鈥�

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

An Inspired Journey

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

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

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

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

Family Stories

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

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

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

At his memorial service, Riley鈥檚 daughter Beth talked about the values her father taught to his family, values that clearly shaped his commitments to 性视界 University. 鈥淗e was a rock of stability, good judgment, fun and common sense,鈥� Beth said at the service. 鈥淢y dad had a no-nonsense way about him that cherished truth over fanfare, responsibility over impulsiveness, long-term value over short-term gain.鈥� Son Tom said, 鈥淗e was a great executive, leader, servant. Along the way, he always had mom by his side.鈥� Son Pat recalls his father reassuring his family that no matter what challenges they faced, 鈥淵ou鈥檒l always make it through. You鈥檒l all be OK.鈥�

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

Diane says that the life of Riley was defined by 鈥渄oing things right the first time and doing the right things.鈥� Riley Hall is one of those right things done right.

Three 性视界 University Libraries鈥� LaunchPad student start-up teams won prizes in the finals of the ,听powered by Upstate Capital Association of NY, held in Albany on April 22.

Celes Buffard 鈥�27 (School of Information Studies), founder of SecondWave, won the $10,000 first prize in the learn, work and live category. SecondWave combines financial literacy education with fractional real estate investing, starting with fix-and-flip properties and community development.

Nathan Brekke 鈥�26 (College of Engineering and Computer Science), co-founder of Phloat LLC, won the $2,000 second prize in the products and hardware category. Phloat is a phone case that has an ultra-compact, deployable flotation feature that triggers in the event of a phone falling and sinking into deep water.

Frederick Zindell G鈥�27 (Martin J. Whitman School of Management), founder of Renewed Roots, won a $500 best concept stage award in the health and wellbeing category. Renewed Roots is a sustainable alternative to traditional burial options.

The NYBPC attracts some of New York state鈥檚 best student entrepreneurs. The competition promotes entrepreneurial opportunities for college students from across the state who pitch their business plans to seasoned investors. Students also get to engage with mentors and judges from the business community.

The finals event connects students with business professionals, provides experiential learning opportunities through competitions, introduces entrepreneurs to available resources through the Entrepreneurship Expo and awards up to $100,000 in cash prizes to help seed new ventures.

This year 60 finalist teams from across the state participated in the competition.

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.

, associate professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering in the College of Engineering and Computer Science (ECS), has been selected for the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Visiting Faculty Research Program (VFRP), a competitive initiative that embeds university faculty in AFRL facilities to advance cutting-edge research alongside the nation鈥檚 top defense scientists and engineers.

This summer, Sanyal will conduct research focused on estimating and predicting the trajectories of resident space objects (RSOs) using intermittent 鈥渟hort arc鈥� measurements鈥攁 critical challenge in space domain awareness as the number of objects in Earth鈥檚 orbit continues to grow.

The AFRL VFRP fosters long-term collaborations between academic researchers and the Air Force Research Laboratory, strengthening ties between university expertise and national defense priorities.

The research will expand on previous research Sanyal did through the VFRP program in summer 2024. During that work, Sanyal worked with his AFRL mentor, Andrew Dianetti, to develop an orbit and uncertainty prediction scheme that is stable and robust to time-varying uncertainties on the dynamics of RSOs.

These uncertainties are primarily due to interactions between the upper atmosphere, the solar wind and the geomagnetic field. Those factors pose challenges to long-term accurate prediction of RSO trajectories from measurements carried out by ground and space-based sensors. These sensors can only view a short segment of an RSO鈥檚 trajectory.

鈥淭his summer, I will develop this research further by developing a novel machine learning approach to model the uncertain dynamics and find patterns in the uncertainties,鈥� says Sanyal. 鈥淭he goal is to use this summer research as preliminary research for a future research proposal to AFOSR [the Air Force Office of Scientific Research] on formation maneuvers involving multiple spacecraft doing active maneuvering for capturing potentially hazardous and inactive RSOs, which will involve energy and momentum interchange between the active spacecraft and inactive RSO. It can also be used by the Space Surveillance Network to predict RSO orbits and potentially identify actively maneuvering targets.鈥�

鈥淧rofessor Sanyal鈥檚 selection for the AFRL Visiting Faculty Research Program is a strong endorsement of his leadership in space systems and uncertainty-aware dynamics,鈥� says , interim associate dean for research in ECS. 鈥淗is work addresses a critical national need in space domain awareness, and it exemplifies how fundamental research at the University can translate into impactful solutions for national defense and space safety.鈥�

鈥淧rofessor Sanyal鈥檚 work contributes directly to the advancement of the mechanical and aerospace engineering department鈥檚 strategic research area of aerospace exploration, robotics and autonomous systems. Congratulations to Professor Sanyal for receiving this prestigious award,鈥� says , interim chair of mechanical and aerospace engineering.

From partnering with students in the classroom to building cross-campus collaboration that led to real-time improvements, the University鈥檚 commitment to meaningful assessment took center stage at the seventh annual One University Assessment Celebration on April 10. The event, hosted by Academic Affairs and the Office of Institutional Effectiveness (OIE), included awards and poster presentations.

In her opening remarks, Julie Hasenwinkel, associate provost for academic programs, highlighted the importance of celebrating the many ways faculty, staff and students engaged in assessment across the University over the past year.

Awards were given in five categories.

• Institutional Effectiveness Champions: This award honors campus community members who champion meaningful assessment and who have made outstanding contributions to the University鈥檚 culture of improvement. The recipients were:
  • Academic programs: Xiyuan Liu, associate teaching professor, Dean鈥檚 Faculty Fellow for Academic Affairs, College of Engineering and Computer Science
  • Co-curricular programs: Emily Dittman, director, 性视界 University Art Museum
  • Course feedback: Magdel铆n Montenegro, part-time instructor, Spanish, College of Arts and Sciences
  • Shared competencies: ‘Cuse Works
  • Shared competencies student champion: Fetch Collective magazine
• Outstanding Assessment: This award recognizes a distinguished academic, co-curricular and functional area for overall robust assessment. The recipients were:
  • Academic: Library and information science master’s degree program, School of Information Studies
  • Co-curricular: Disability Cultural Center
  • Functional: Office of Pre-College Programs
• Best Engagement Strategies: This award recognizes the engagement of faculty, staff and students in the assessment process. The recipients were:
  • Faculty engagement: Ash Heim and Vera McIlvain, the biology department, College of Arts and Sciences
  • Staff engagement: Arts at SU
  • Student engagement: Linguistic studies master’s degree program, College of Arts and Sciences
• Best Use of Results: This award recognizes an academic, co-curricular and functional area for how assessment results are used in making decisions. The recipients were:
  • Academic: Bachelor’s of biomedical engineering degree program, College of Engineering and Computer Science
  • Co-curricular: LGBTQ+ Resource Center
  • Functional: 性视界 University Libraries
• Collaborative Inquiry and Action: This award recognizes a partnership that extends beyond a single school, college, division or unit and uses strong assessment methods and data as a catalyst for improvement. The recipient was:
  • First Year Seminar

Following the awards, 2025 poster presenters were acknowledged for their efforts to collaborate, experiment, reflect and innovate in their areas over this academic year. Assessment Leadership Institute faculty participants included:

• Ben Akih Kumgeh, Xiyuan Liu, Karen Martinez Soto, Anupam Pandey and Mehmet Sarimurat, mechanical and aerospace engineering, College of Engineering and Computer Science
• Alex M茅ndez Giner, film and media arts, College of Visual and Performing Arts
• Ash Heim and Vera McIlvain, biology, College of Arts and Sciences
• Jane Read, geography and the environment, Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs
• Nancy Rindfuss, nutrition and food studies, Falk College of Sport

Recipients of the 2025-26 鈥淪tudent Engagement in Assessment鈥� grant included:

• Civil and environmental engineering: Yilei Shi
• Civil and environmental engineering: Svetoslava Todorova
• Communication sciences and disorders: Charles Nudelman
• Environment, sustainability and policy: Jane Read
• Nutrition science: Claire Cooney, Nikki Beckwith
• Setnor School of Music: Klark Johnson
• School of Social Work: Nadaya Brantley
• The Writing Center: Collie Fulford

Closing the event, Laura Harrington, director of institutional effectiveness, reflected on the deeper meaning of the work: “At its root, the word 鈥榓ssess鈥� comes from Latin, meaning 鈥榯o sit beside.鈥� This is what it asks of us: to sit beside our work, take stock of what we see, and take action鈥� Assessment isn鈥檛 a requirement. It鈥檚 a practice,” Harrington said.

Explore photos, award highlights and full poster presentations on the .

Story by A鈥檡la James

What happens when students are allowed to use artificial intelligence to solve cybersecurity challenges? That question took center stage as (EECS) Professor hosted a capture-the-flag (CTF) cybersecurity competition at the , bringing together 20 undergraduate, master鈥檚, and Ph.D. students.

Unlike traditional CTF competitions, participants in this event were allowed to use modern AI assistants, such as ChatGPT and Claude, while solving challenges. The competition was designed not only to test technical skills, but also to explore how AI is transforming the way students learn and approach complex cybersecurity problems.

鈥淐ybersecurity education is evolving rapidly with the rise of AI tools,鈥� Hoque says. 鈥淭his competition gave us a unique opportunity to observe how students use AI in real time鈥攚hether it helps them think more deeply about problems or simply speeds up solutions. Understanding that distinction is critical for the future of computer science discipline.鈥�

Participants competed individually across 10 challenges spanning beginner, intermediate and advanced levels. The top three performers鈥擶eixiang Wang (first place), Annepu Sai Charan (second place) and Armani Isonguyo (third place)鈥攚ere ranked based on the number of challenges solved and the speed at which they completed them. Students described the experience as both exciting and challenging, noting that AI could guide their thinking but still required careful verification.

鈥淭his reflects how we approach computer science and cybersecurity education at 性视界 University,鈥� says Alex Jones, the Klaus Schroder Professor and chair of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences. 鈥淎I tools are only as effective as their operators. They do not replace expertise. Dr. Hoque鈥檚 work is a great illustration of this approach. We emphasize deep fundamental knowledge while also encouraging the use of AI. This ensures our graduates can effectively use, evaluate, guide, and validate AI-driven solutions.鈥�

To better understand the educational impact of AI-assisted problem solving, Hoque collaborated with Farzana Rahman, an expert in computing and AI education. Together, they are investigating how students use AI tools, whether those tools support meaningful learning and how they influence confidence and problem-solving strategies.

鈥淲e鈥檙e seeing a fundamental shift in how students engage with complex technical tasks,鈥� says Rahman. 鈥淎I can be a powerful learning aid, but we need to understand how to use it without compromising deep technical learning.”

Hoque plans to expand the CTF initiative by offering additional training sessions and forming student teams for regional and national competitions, further strengthening cybersecurity engagement within the EECS community.

The event is part of Hoque鈥檚 broader efforts, including , to advance education at the intersection of cybersecurity and artificial intelligence.

On April 19, 2026, a humanoid robot developed by Chinese smartphone maker Honor completed a Beijing half-marathon in 50 minutes and 26 seconds, faster than the human world record by almost seven minutes. The improvement from 2025鈥檚 inaugural race has generated widespread attention. But what does it tell us about the future of robotics off the track?

is an assistant professor in the College of Engineering and Computer Science and director of the Dynamic Locomotion and Robotics Lab, where he researches legged locomotion. He is a for his research on how animals transition seamlessly between movement patterns and how to give robots that same kind of physical intelligence. Gan helped put the race results in context.

On the Technological Improvements

• “Last year’s winning robot took over two hours, with few teams finishing. This year, a much larger field saw many completions, and the fastest robot surpassed human racers. This reflects advances in energy efficiency, control and morphology, especially with a known benchmark.”

On the Work Still to Be Done

• 鈥淭he race highlights that humanoid robotics is progressing rapidly in task-specific dynamic locomotion. However, these are structured conditions. We still have work ahead before achieving robust, general performance in everyday scenarios.”

On the Limits of Controlled Conditions

• “While controlled settings allow us to test locomotion in isolation, real-world applications are far more complex. Uneven terrain, obstacles and safety factors require significant advances in perception and adaptability.”

On What to Expect in the Near Future

• “In the next decade, we’ll likely see humanoid robots in well-defined roles鈥攆or example, industrial inspections, logistics or hazardous environments鈥攚here tasks are repeatable and structured to their strengths.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

As two silver robotic dogs chased each other around the turf field inside the Ensley Athletic Center, 20 school-aged children reacted with excitement as they watched a robotics demonstration put on by .

Closer to the middle of the field, a Central New York high school student picked up a video game controller to steer a metallic robot with pointy spikes toward a target of balloons set up by .

These hands-on demos were just two of dozens of exhibits as part of the second Micron Day on Tuesday. The day鈥檚 events brought together more than 700 students鈥攁long with families, educators, industry leaders and community partners鈥攖o spotlight聽 potential career opportunities available in STEM.

鈥淭hese programs give these students an invaluable opportunity to see what’s next for them,鈥� says Kim Burnett 鈥�91, Micron鈥檚 lead for social impact and community development. 鈥淭hey leave feeling like they can pursue a career in STEM and that they belong in the STEM field. When you give kids opportunities to have fun and learn while being meaningfully engaged, it adds up to a great day.鈥�

The most popular exhibit at the Micron Day Tech Expo was the virtual reality (VR) education table. Students lined up to wear VR headsets that took them inside Cornell University鈥檚 cleanroom and introduced them to the semiconductor industry.

鈥淭his is a unique educational opportunity. These students are face-to-face with me in the cleanroom,鈥� says Tom Pennell, Cornell Nanoscale Facility鈥檚 workforce development program manager. 鈥淎ll day I kept hearing students say, 鈥榯hat鈥檚 so cool!鈥� We鈥檝e created scalable educational content that gets students excited about the possibilities by blending curiosity with the fun aspects of STEM.鈥�

Getting Excited 性视界 STEM Possibilities

There were exhibitors conducting demonstrations and answering questions from 35 different organizations鈥攊ncluding 13 representing 性视界 University鈥攁s well as Micron camps and activities, community partner organizations, military and emergency response partners, higher education institutions and local tech employers.

For students like Om Vaidya, a freshman at the in the 性视界 City School District, the day sparked something. Vaidya envisions a career in STEM and hopes to one day work in robotics.

鈥淭his has been a great learning experience. I鈥檓 always excited about STEM possibilities, and after today, I know more about what it will take to get a job in STEM,鈥� Vaidya says. 鈥淭he robotic dogs were really cool, and it tied back to what we鈥檙e learning in school about how the sensors and actuators work to power the robots.鈥�

The STEAM High School was among the dozens of schools that attended Micron Day. For educators like Jody Manning, executive director of STEAM High School, the hands-on, interactive activities served to enhance and complement the lessons being taught in the classroom, creating a more authentic learning environment.

鈥淪tudents need to realize just how many opportunities are available for them in STEM fields. Having 性视界 University and Micron serve as those key collaborators to make everything work for a day like this is crucial,鈥� Manning says. 鈥淭his sends a very clear message that we鈥檙e all in this together when it comes to creating STEM opportunities for the greater 性视界 area.鈥�

Anyone Can Do This

After the robot dog demonstration, the middle and high school students were quick to approach Jiayu Ding G鈥�26 and his classmates, eager to learn more about how the robots were able to easily move and chase after each other.

Over the summer, Ding helps run a six-week program where high school students gain coding skills and build robots from scratch.

Sharing the lessons from those classes with the students at Micron Day was a rewarding experience for Ding, who will graduate with a Ph.D. in mechanical and aerospace engineering in May.

鈥淓veryone loved the demonstrations with the robot dogs, that was definitely making many of the students curious about the technology,鈥� says Ding, a member of the . 鈥淚t makes me happy seeing how excited the students are about STEM. They want to know everything there is to know about this technology. The great part is anyone can do this.鈥�

After the expo, Micron Day featured additional programming focused on the families and caregivers of young people in the region. There was an esports competition in the University鈥檚 new Esports Classroom, followed by a town hall that educated parents and students about the clubs, campus and programs available at both the University and elsewhere in the region.