On Monday, 50 members of the Hendricks Chapel Choir , carrying with them years of rehearsal, a deep repertoire of music and a mission that stretches well beyond the concert hall. For most of them, it will be their first international tour with the choir. For all of them, it will be something they will carry for the rest of their lives.

The trip is part of a goal set by , director of the choir and professor and assistant director of choral activities in the Setnor School of Music in the . In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Calvar set a goal to bring the ensemble to every inhabited continent by the time Hendricks Chapel celebrates its centennial in 2030. The choir has performed in China (2005); Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay (2009); Poland and Germany, including Auschwitz (2013); Mexico (2018); and London and Lockerbie and Edinburgh, Scotland (2023).

South Africa represents the fifth such continent, with Oceania still on the horizon. The destination was chosen in no small part thanks to a longstanding connection. Former Vice President and Hendricks Chapel Dean Brian Konkol completed a Ph.D. at the University of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa with connections in South African musical and academic circles. Two years ago, Calvar traveled there to deliver a guest lecture, laying the groundwork for what would become a collaborative itinerary.

“Musically, I feel like the ensemble is as ready as it’s ever been,” Calvar says. “The choir is next level.”

International audiences, he says, want to hear American choirs perform American music, so that forms the backbone of the program. But woven throughout are selections that speak to a broader worldliness: pieces chosen to demonstrate the choir’s versatility, its appreciation of global traditions and its genuine desire to connect. Three South African pieces are on the program, including one of the country’s de facto national anthems.

A Diverse Range of Performance Partners

The choir will perform alongside a diverse range of South African ensembles鈥攈igh school, university and community choirs鈥攁nd performances are scheduled in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Drakensberg, Pietermaritzburg and Cape Town.

鈥淚t doesn’t get any more diverse,鈥� says Calvar. 鈥淪outh Africa is a place where they’ve found ways of celebrating their own diversity and finding ways to unify and connect, and I think that it’s so very critically important that we show them our own brand of that.鈥�

Life Lessons

For the students making the journey, the significance of the trip is both personal and expansive. Caiyan Bass 鈥�26 is the choir鈥檚 president and one of two choir members who also toured with the ensemble in the UK in 2023. Being open to the unexpected, she says, is not just a musical lesson, it’s a life one.

“You never know what kind of relationship may come from music,” she says. “I find that in performance spaces, people connect effortlessly.”

The trip coincides with her first two weeks as a 性视界 University graduate, making it a threshold experience in every sense. After the trip, she will head to the University of Wisconsin-Madison to pursue a master’s degree in speech-language pathology, and she already sees the connection. Working with students from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds, she says, will require exactly the kind of empathy and openness that international travel cultivates.

For other students on the trip, like Mathena Rush 鈥�27, an environmental health major at the , the South Africa experience carries a different but equally powerful resonance.

Rush is heading into a career in environmental remediation, specifically focused on brownfield development. “Having these international experiences allows me to understand the struggles different communities go through and learn what needs to be done to fix them,” Rush says.

Rush also speaks about what the choir itself has meant to her beyond the tour. As an ESF student, she arrived at 性视界 without the built-in liberal arts community that many of her peers enjoy. Choir became her outlet, her anchor and one of the defining experiences of her college years.

Calvar, when asked to reflect on what these tours mean to students, points to the exit interviews conducted with seniors each year. “The Hendricks Chapel Choir international tour is always on the top of the list,” he says. It is consistently named among the significant moments of students’ time at 性视界.

They came walking en masse down the Einhorn Family Walk鈥攁 250-person strong contingent of students, faculty, staff and senior leaders led by Otto the Orange. They walked past the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications complex and past tulips wobbling in a brisk spring wind. They walked toward Crouse-Hinds Hall with a single, steady purpose: to rally in support of Chancellor Kent Syverud.

The 鈥淕o Gray in May Walk鈥� was conceived by the Student Government Association (SGA) and held with the support of more than 60 recognized student organizations. The walk on April 28, had a dual purpose: to raise funds for the , in honor of Brain Cancer Awareness Month, and to support Chancellor Syverud, who announced on April 15 that he has been diagnosed with brain cancer and is undergoing treatment at University of Michigan Medicine.

Staff members of 性视界 University in DC also walked on April 28 in support of Chancellor Syverud and in solidarity with the 性视界 campus.

Letters and Messages of Support

In front of the Schine Student Center, before the walk, University community members, many clad in in gray, gathered to write personal letters of caring to Chancellor Syverud and Dr. Ruth Chen. Large posters with such messages as 鈥淔acilities Services (heart) U!,鈥� 鈥淪tand With Our Orange Family鈥� and 鈥淣o One Fights Alone鈥� were displayed on the fa莽ade of Schine.

鈥淏eing here is a deeply meaningful experience for me on both a personal and community level. It gives me the opportunity to stand in support of my first University boss and Chancellor during an incredibly difficult time, while also honoring the memory of my uncle, who lost his life to this disease,鈥� said Liz Costa, office coordinator with Facilities Services. 鈥淏eing surrounded by others who are here for similar reasons creates a strong sense of connection and shared purpose.鈥�

Offering Prayers

Once gathered at Crouse-Hinds Hall, the Rev. Devon Bartholomew, Christian Protestant chaplain at Hendricks Chapel, thanked those assembled.

鈥淭hank you all for coming today. Thank you Student Government Association for responding to Chancellor Syverud鈥檚 diagnosis by asking the right question: How do we respond? You have responded well with conscience and clarity,鈥� Barthlomew said.

He then asked those gathered to join arms in prayer. 鈥淲e pray for Chancellor Syverud and Dr. Chen and for their continued strength when they feel weakest. Let them experience peace and rest when things are uncertain. Give their sons courage as they support their father and mother. Fill each one with the love and the support that we are sending them from 性视界 when they feel alone.鈥�

Bartholomew asked for prayers for all who are involved in the fight against cancer: for the diagnosed and the undiagnosed, for the families and friends, for the support services, for the doctors and nurses, for the counselors and chaplains, for the researchers and innovators. 鈥淲e pray that progress is made in the advances of cancer research to prevent cancer and detect it early. We pray for treatments that will give longer life to those fighting cancer. We pray for families who support their loved ones,鈥� he said.

鈥淟astly, I pray for those in our Orange Family who have been impacted by brain cancer, that they would be cared for by us as they work or study at 性视界 University and ESF,鈥� Bartholomew said.

Max Lachut 鈥�28, vice president-elect of SGA, was one of the walk鈥檚 organizers and leaders in the walk to Crouse-Hinds. He wanted to support Chancellor Syverud, appreciative of the Chancellor鈥檚 leadership and care for students.

鈥淐hancellor Syverud has been extremely receptive and approachable. I emailed him after a University Senate meeting about a topic I was concerned about. He heard me out and provided valuable insight, and I felt truly heard,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hat level of accessibility shapes the culture of an entire institution. It showed me how he views shared governance, and it is a standard I carry into my own leadership.鈥�

More than 50 of Theta Chi鈥檚 性视界 membership turned out to participate in the walk and posed for a group photo outside Crouse-Hinds Hall afterwards.

鈥淲e have had several members in the house whose family and friends have dealt with cancer or had cancer scares themselves, so we recognize the importance,鈥� said Jake Karedes 鈥�27. 鈥淲e really wanted to come out here and show support for the community.鈥�

SGA President German Nolivos estimated that more than $1,000 has been raised for the Brain Tumor Foundation, with donations continuing to come in. 鈥淲hat happened here on Tuesday is uniquely 性视界鈥攚e show up for each other, we care and we are a family,鈥� he said.

Well wishes for Chancellor Syverud and Dr. Chen can be shared on the .

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.

In 2016, Father Gerry Waterman, OFM Conv., was considering taking the role of Catholic chaplain at 性视界 University. It was not an easy decision, he says.

For starters, he loved his work at Elon University in North Carolina, where he served as Catholic chaplain for 11 years. 性视界 University is a much bigger institution, and he was not crazy about the idea of long, cold winters.

Waterman embarked on a three-day trip to 性视界 in April that year to meet with Chancellor Kent Syverud and other leaders. On an early-morning run on the Onondaga Creekwalk, he asked God to send him a sign.

Waterman stopped in front of a covered iron storm drain embossed with letters and numbers. The letters spelled out his last name and the numbers, 84 and 55, were the year he was ordained and the year he was born, respectively. He had his answer.

The decision to come to 性视界 has been one of his best, Waterman says. Now his 性视界 chapter is coming to a close, as he is retiring from campus ministry after Commencement. A farewell reception will be held on Thursday, April 16, from 5-7 p.m. at the Catholic Center, followed by Mass at 7 p.m.

鈥淚t鈥檚 bittersweet. I have been doing campus ministry for 21 years鈥攊t鈥檚 a long time,鈥� he says. 鈥淚 said it’s time, but there is going to be a huge hole in my heart. I love these kids; they are the salt of the Earth.鈥�

A Spirit and Energy Unrivaled

Waterman has brought an infectious spirit and boundless energy to his role as the University鈥檚 Catholic chaplain. During his tenure, attendance for Catholic Masses and activities has exploded. Masses that once saw 20 students now see more than 200. Attendance at the recent Easter Masses was close to 1,100,

With a transformational gift from Daniel 鈥�68, H鈥�20 and Gayle D鈥橝niello through the Forever Orange campaign, a new chapel was built and renovations done to make the Catholic Center space more conducive to the activities held there. Thursday night Mass and dinner, monthly sandwich-making community outreach and social activities draw record numbers of students. A newly installed organ, a gift from a donor, fills the space with beautiful music.

Waterman鈥檚 greatest legacy, though, is the people within the space. He attributes the expanding numbers to the students. 鈥淚 was able to get the students so comfortable and confident in their faith that they were willing to evangelize their friends,鈥� he says. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 how our numbers have grown. Not by me inviting them, by their friends inviting them.鈥�

His Greatest Legacy

The connection with students is what has nourished Waterman over the past decade.

鈥淔ather Gerry truly is one of a kind, never have I met such a welcoming priest who somehow knows every student’s name,鈥� says Anthony Iannazzone 鈥�28. 鈥淗is homilies hit me differently than any other priest that I have listened to; he gets the message across unlike anybody I’ve ever heard. He has had a true impact on my time here at 性视界.鈥�

Anna Lupardo 鈥�26 tragically lost her dad at age 12, and in the ensuing years stopped going to church. 鈥淚 remained a spiritual person after I lost my father, but I struggled to find a place for faith in my life,鈥� she says. During her junior year, a couple of friends brought her along to the Catholic Center on a Sunday.

鈥淔ather Gerry gave me a big hug and told me he was so excited to have me there,鈥� Lupado says. 鈥淚 had never felt more welcomed into a community of believers as I did in that moment.鈥�

Lupado began attending Mass weekly. 鈥淔ather Gerry is somehow always capable of telling me exactly what I need to hear. As someone who never saw a place for my Catholic roots after my father died, Father Gerry showed me that there is always a place for Jesus in my heart, no matter how connected or ready I might feel at the time.鈥�

Mikie Jantz 鈥�28 says Waterman is unique in his ability to help students have their faith be at the center of their life, as opposed to just a part of their life.

鈥淔ather Gerry has built such a great community at this school and done so humbly, and with an intent to point everyone to Jesus,鈥� Jantz says, 鈥淚 have gone to Mass with friends that have been Catholics their whole lives, and friends that are not Catholic at all. In all situations, he has made them feel welcomed and at home.鈥�

鈥淔ather Gerry Waterman has provided steadfast and dynamic leadership to the University鈥檚 Catholic community, dramatically altering the physical space at the Catholic Center and greatly increasing participation in worship, programs and community service,” says Rebecca Reed Kantrowitz, interim dean of Hendricks Chapel. 鈥淔ather Gerry has also served as a strong and collaborative partner to his fellow chaplains and staff at Hendricks Chapel. We are deeply appreciative of his many contributions to 性视界 University over the past decade.鈥�

Leaving 性视界 With a Full Heart

Waterman calls his new chapter semi-retirement. He will be based in Washington, D.C., but, in the spirit of St. Francis, will go where he is needed and called鈥攃overing for vacations, leading spiritual retreats and helping to oversee outreach activities. He also plans to travel; hiking the Camino de Santiago in Europe is one of his bucket list items.

In his time in 性视界, Waterman learned to live鈥攁nd thrive鈥攊n winter. 鈥淲inter never mattered because I have had the warmth and love of so many around me,鈥� he says.

No matter where he goes, memories of 性视界 will always hold a special place in his heart鈥攈is students, this campus and, being the foodie he is, 性视界鈥檚 iconic Columbus bread.

is offering an end-of-semester opportunity for students to help others while reducing their library fines. 鈥淔ood for Fines鈥� will run from Monday, April 20, through the end of the spring semester.

All Libraries patrons with overdue circulation fines can reduce their fines by donating healthy, nonperishable food and hygiene items to the . Donations will be accepted at the circulation desks of Bird, Carnegie, Law, Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial and King + King Architecture Libraries. Fine reductions exclude interlibrary loan and lost book fees. Even those without library fees are encouraged to donate!

Fines will be reduced by:

• $1 per item for canned beans and vegetables;
• $2 per item for soap, canned fish/soup, single serving cereal or oatmeal, lip balm, pasta, sauce, tissue, toilet paper or toothbrush;
• $3 per item for baked beans, cereal, canned meat/fruit, oatmeal, ramen noodles, rice, shampoo/conditioner or toothpaste;
• $4 per item for granola bars, deodorant, jam/jelly, hot chocolate, peanut butter or tea; and
• $5 per item for coffee or lotion. Contributions should not be open or expired and single-use items are preferred.

Bird Library is a donation point for contributions to the Coach Mac Food Pantry year-round to support its mission to serve individuals who experience hunger, food insecurity and a lack of resources. The Libraries will accept any sealed, non-expired and non-perishable food or personal care items at the first floor checkout desk at Bird Library during regular . Visit the for more information. With questions, email circulation@syr.edu.

性视界 University Chancellor Kent Syverud and Chancellor-Elect J. Michael Haynie today announced the members of the search committee charged with identifying the next dean of , the University鈥檚 center for religious and spiritual life. The search comes as Hendricks Chapel approaches its centennial in 2030 and prepares to complete a new strategic plan under incoming leadership.

“Hendricks Chapel touches every corner of campus life,鈥� says Chancellor Syverud. 鈥淚t is our center for faith and spiritual life, hosts some of our most treasured ceremonies and events, and is home to our world-class choir and music program. And every day, it is a place where students have found connection and belonging. We need a strong leader who will build on what makes Hendricks Chapel special and bring people together in new ways.”

“Hendricks Chapel’s next dean will inherit a remarkable legacy and a profound responsibility,鈥� says Chancellor-elect Haynie. 鈥淲e are looking for a leader who understands the spiritual, cultural and communal dimensions of this role, who can steward our traditions with care and imagination and who will inspire the next generation of students to find their place within this community. The next dean comes to this role with a clear and exciting charge: complete a new strategic plan and lead Hendricks Chapel toward its centennial in 2030.鈥�

Search Committee Members

The committee is co-chaired by Dawn Singleton, vice president for the student experience, and David Aitken 鈥�94, G鈥�97, chair of the Hendricks Chapel Advisory Board.

Other members of the search committee are:

• Gisele Marcus 鈥�89, voting trustee, Board of Trustees
• Joan Nicholson ’71, G’89, life trustee, Board of Trustees, and member, Hendricks Chapel Advisory Board
• John Papazoglou, senior vice president and chief operations officer
• Ingrid Coutts 鈥�92, member, Hendricks Chapel Advisory Board
• Jillian Juni, executive director, 性视界 Hillel
• Gerry Waterman, Catholic chaplain
• Martha Sutter G鈥�83, teaching professor, Setnor School of Music, and senior associate dean of academic affairs, College of Visual and Performing Arts
• Tom Barkley, professor, Whitman School of Management, and advisor, Christian Staff and Faculty Association
• Mian Muhammad Abdul Hamid 鈥�25, graduate student and convener, Student Assembly of Interfaith Leaders
• Alana Mitchell 鈥�27, undergraduate student, Christian Outreach member and Hendricks Chapel hospitality associate

Campus Engagement Opportunities

The committee will lead a series of Zoom listening sessions with campus and community stakeholders as follows:

• Friday, April 10, 2:30-3:30 p.m. (open to all constituencies)
• Monday, April 13, 3-4 p.m. (student-focused)
• Wednesday, April 15, 2-3 p.m. (open to all constituencies)

All community members are welcome to for any session that fits their schedule.

Community members can also provide . Both exercises will help the search committee develop a clear picture of what the community needs most from the chapel鈥檚 next dean. That input will directly inform the recruitment process and candidate interviews.

The search firm WittKieffer will work with the committee to identify finalist candidates. The committee will engage with each finalist and provide Chancellor-Elect Haynie with input to support his final decision. The goal is to have a new dean in place by the start of the Fall 2026 semester.

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.

The 10th Annual One University Awards Ceremony, an event to honor members of the 性视界 University community who are making a difference through academics, scholarship, creative work and dedicated service, will be held Friday, April 17, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. in Hendricks Chapel.

Two major awards鈥攖he Chancellor鈥檚 Medal and the Chancellor鈥檚 Citation for Excellence鈥攚ill be bestowed. The ceremony will also include the presentation of the Student-Athlete Award, the Seinfeld Scholar Award, the Meredith Professorship for Teaching Excellence, the Meredith Teaching Recognition Award, the Enduring Values Award, the William Pearson Tolley Medal and the Chancellor’s Forever Orange Award.

Emeriti faculty who retired in 2025 and employees who celebrated years of service milestone anniversaries in 2025 will also be recognized. This year’s University Scholars, Senior Class and School and College Marshals, and Remembrance and Lockerbie Scholars will also be honored.

All members of the University community are invited and encouraged to attend. A reception will follow in the lobby of the Heroy Geology Laboratory.

American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation and Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) will be provided at the ceremony. For questions about accessibility or to request accommodations, contact University and Advancement Events at聽UAevents@syr.edu.

What does it mean to cultivate a campus welcoming to all? That question sits at the heart of the annual Creating Community Retreat, a one-of-a-kind experience for campus members.

Hosted by the and , the retreat brings together a cohort of faculty, staff and students for an immersive, multi-day, off-campus experience designed to explore connection, community-building and how to cultivate a campus culture that truly welcomes everyone.

Set apart from the rhythms of daily campus life, the retreat gives participants the time and space to engage in meaningful dialogue, collaborate on skills-building activities and reflect on their shared responsibility to one another.

The Creating Community Retreat, which will next be held in the fall of 2026, is centered around the belief that community must be intentionally built, practiced and sustained. It is intended to gather leaders and those looking for community into a shared space.

Through facilitated discussions and interactive activities, participants are challenged to examine their understanding of community, learn from varying perspectives and foster new relationships. 鈥淢ost importantly, we strive to build a network that cultivates connections during and following the retreat,鈥� says Armando Martinez, director of community and connection in the Office of People and Culture and retreat facilitator.

The most recent retreat was hosted Nov. 7-9, 2025, at Greek Peak Mountain Resort with participation of more than 30 campus members.

For Renee Yu 鈥�26, an undergraduate student participant, the 2025 retreat was one of the most memorable experiences she has had at 性视界 University. 鈥淭hrough storytelling and collaborative activities, we began to see how each of us contributes to building bridges within a community,鈥� says Yu, 鈥渁nd the retreat created a space where people felt safe enough to be vulnerable, to listen deeply and to be heard.鈥� Yu studies policy studies in the | .

The results demonstrate a clear impact: 100% of participants at the 2025 retreat reported that they:

• connected with someone new during the retreat experience;
• learned inclusive practices to foster community in their daily campus roles; and
• expanded their understanding of what it means to make 性视界 University welcoming to all.

Lasting Connections

Aylin Gonzalez, director of belonging and student success in the division, expressed gratitude for the shared vulnerability that was met with affirmation. 鈥淚 left this retreat feeling seen by students, faculty, and staff I may never have crossed paths with otherwise,鈥� says Gonzalez. 鈥淚鈥檓 grateful to see these people on campus as a reminder of what we experienced.鈥�

The skills and relationships cultivated at the retreat do not end when participants return to campus. The Creating Community Retreat is designed to send attendees back with concrete tools: practices for cultivating community, frameworks for dialogue and a renewed sense of purpose around shaping a welcoming culture at 性视界 and beyond.

Be a Champion for the Next Retreat

In the spirit of on March 24, the Office of People and Culture is raising funds specifically to support the next Creating Community Retreat. Donations will directly cover the meal, lodging and related costs that make this retreat experience possible, removing financial barriers for participants to sustain this program for years to come.

鈥淲hether you attended the 2025 retreat or simply believe in the value of building a connected community, your contribution directly supports the University鈥檚 efforts to create a campus that is welcoming to all,鈥� says Mary Grace Almandrez, vice president for people and culture. .

If you are a student, staff or faculty member interested in attending the next retreat, please email the Office of People and Culture to receive more information as details are finalized.

Story by Rachel Scalisi

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.

The candles were lit, and then the names were read. White carnations and stones were laid upon the Hendricks Chapel stage one by one, each flower and stone a quiet act of devotion, a life made tangible. On Tuesday afternoon, members of the 性视界 University and SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry communities came together to honor and remember individuals from both communities who passed away from Jan. 1, 2025, to the present.

During the 10th annual Service of Commemoration, recently deceased students, faculty, staff, emeriti faculty, retirees, Board of Trustees members, advisory board members and honorary degree recipients were remembered. The 115 individuals honored included two World War II veterans; longtime faculty members who devoted careers to the classroom, their research and the mentorship of countless students; and staff members who kept students nourished, supported and cared for and who worked behind the scenes to keep campus running smoothly. Each made their respective campus鈥攁nd their world鈥攁 better place.

Chancellor Kent Syverud offered remarks and read the names of the faculty, staff, emeriti, retirees, Board of Trustees members and honorary degree recipients remembered by the University. Student Government Association President German Nolivos 鈥�26 read the names of the students who had passed.

Joanie Mahoney, president of SUNY ESF, read the names of faculty, staff, emeriti, retirees and advisory board members remembered by SUNY ESF.

The service began in 2017 and was inspired by the Remembrance Scholars mission to 鈥淟ook Back and Act Forward.鈥�

Rohan Bangalore 鈥�26, a 2025-26 Remembrance Scholar, offered remarks on the theme of remembrance.

鈥淩eflecting on loss reinforces for me the importance of public service and responsibility toward one another,鈥� Bangalore said. 鈥淚t reminds me that the people we honor today each played a role in shaping this community鈥攊n ways both visible and unseen.鈥�

Musical selections were provided by the Hendricks Chapel Choir, directed by Jose “Peppie” Calvar, professor and chair in the Setnor School of Music, and University Organist Anne Laver, associate professor in the Setnor School. Those selections included a performance of “Danny Boy” by Calvar.

At the conclusion of the service, a light reception was held in the Noble Room for family, friends and chaplains to gather.

性视界 University is now the proud home of a truly unique pipe organ. Crafted in 1994 by renowned organ builder Greg Harrold for scientist Alan Kay, the Harrold Organ made quite the journey from California to its new place in the 性视界 University Catholic Center chapel. Generously donated to the University, this magnificent instrument will enrich both the Catholic community and the University’s organ program for years to come.

The 24-stop organ is modeled on 18th-century building practices and sounds, and is a visually and aurally stunning complement to the Catholic Center鈥檚 new St. Thomas More Chapel.

The Malmgren Concert Series will host the dedication of the organ and the first public concert on Sunday, March 29, from 4-5:30 p.m. The Catholic Center is located at 110 Walnut Place in 性视界. Visit the to register for the concert (required).

University Organist Anne Laver, associate professor in the Setnor School of Music in the College of Visual and Performing Arts (VPA), will perform with the Hendricks Chapel Choir and dancers from the Meagan Woods Collaborative, featuring music by Bach; Buxtehude; Vivaldi; Natalie Draper, associate professor in the Setnor School; and a new work by Jos茅 鈥淧eppie鈥� Calvar, professor in the Setnor School.

The concert is the culminating event in the third annual 性视界 Pipe Organ Festival, co-sponsored by the 性视界 Chapter of the American Guild of Organists and the Setnor School of Music.

In a world increasingly shaped by both connection and division, a diverse group of students is embarking on a distinctive journey of leadership and learning. The Global Interfaith Leadership Project (GILP), housed at Hendricks Chapel, represents a pioneering approach to preparing tomorrow’s leaders by combining religious and spiritual formation with practical civic engagement.

The program’s inaugural cohort, selected from across the University’s schools and colleges, brings together undergraduate and graduate students from varied faith traditions and backgrounds. From a Somali Banti student working to address food insecurity, to a chemical engineer coordinating interfaith dialogue, to a public administration student with White House experience, these scholars represent the rich tapestry of perspectives that GILP seeks to cultivate.

A Distinctive Approach to Leadership

What sets GILP apart is its “Roots, Reach and Results” framework鈥攁 holistic approach that moves beyond traditional interfaith dialogue. The program deepens students’ own religious or spiritual foundations (Roots), expands understanding and collaboration across traditions (Reach) and works to create tangible positive change in communities (Results).

“This project addresses a crucial need we’re seeing among students today,” explains Imam Amir Duri膰, GILP project director and assistant dean for religious and spiritual life at Hendricks Chapel. “Students are seeking meaningful opportunities to make a positive and profound impact. At the same time, we’ve witnessed a 150% increase in student participation in religious and spiritual programs at Hendricks Chapel over the past eight years. GILP brings these two trends together in a way that prepares leaders who can heal divides, imagine new possibilities and empower others in service to the common good.”

Diverse Backgrounds, Shared Commitment

The 2026 cohort members come from nine schools and colleges across the University and SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, spanning architecture, engineering, public policy and environmental science. Their varied academic pursuits reflect the program’s commitment to interfaith leadership across all disciplines.

Among the cohort is Abdirahman Abdi, a senior majoring in African American Studies from the South Side of 性视界. Drawing on his lived experience as a refugee, he co-founded the Sadaqa Foundation to address food insecurity in Kenya’s Dagahaley Refugee Camp鈥攅xemplifying the program’s emphasis on translating spiritual values into concrete community action.

Ronit Hizgiaev, a sophomore in the Maxwell School studying international relations and law, society and policy, brings her experience as multifaith chair for 性视界 Hillel. She has been instrumental in the Salaam Shalom program, where students learn Hebrew and Arabic to find common ground through language. “Ensuring everyone’s voices are heard and accounted for is a crucial value I hold,” she says.

Mian Hamid, a graduate student in the iSchool, serves as Hendricks Chapel’s interfaith engagement coordinator and convener of the Student Assembly of Interfaith Leaders. His role bridges the program’s academic learning with hands-on leadership development, rooted in both empathy and shared action for the common good.

Graduate student Gianna Juarez, pursuing a master of public administration in the Maxwell School, previously served in the Biden-Harris Administration and at United Way Worldwide. Her background in strategic implementation adds depth to discussions about translating interfaith values into policy and practice.

Beyond Dialogue: A Comprehensive Learning Experience

Scholars participate in weekly interactive sessions, civic projects and visits to local and regional faith communities. The program culminates in an international study journey and participation in the Interfaith America Leadership Summit.

The planned trip to Germany and Bosnia-Herzegovina will offer particularly powerful learning opportunities. Students will examine Holocaust memory in Germany and the aftermath of the Bosnian War and Srebrenica Genocide. In Sarajevo鈥攐ften called the “European Jerusalem”鈥攖hey will explore centuries of interfaith coexistence at the crossroads of East and West, examining how religious and moral frameworks shape both the best and worst outcomes of human history.

A Tapestry of Faith and Purpose

The cohort spans a wide spectrum of religious and spiritual identities. Sandy Smith, studying forest ecosystem science at SUNY-ESF, brings a spirituality rooted in nature. “Nature teaches us that diversity is our greatest strength,” she notes, “and I believe that through interfaith collaboration, we will bring humanity to its greatest potential.”

Each of the 16 scholars is also developing a civic engagement project aimed at creating lasting change in the 性视界 community and beyond鈥攁ll grounded in the Roots, Reach and Results framework.

The GILP is a timely response to the challenges of our interconnected yet divided world. These scholars aren’t just learning about interfaith leadership鈥攖hey are living it, demonstrating that differences can be sources of strength and that a shared commitment to the common good can overcome division.

For more information about GILP at Hendricks Chapel, visit the .

A January snowstorm may have forced the cancellation of an in-person event but did little to dampen the spirit of 性视界 University’s 41st Annual .

Organized by the Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Planning Committee and hosted by 性视界 Athletics digital reporter and alumnus Sean Dorcellus 鈥�21, the virtual program brought together students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members from across Central New York and from wherever else they happened to be watching.

This year’s theme, “The Dream Lives Here,” served as both a declaration and a challenge. Rebecca Reed Kantrowitz, interim dean of , who opened the program, framed it as a living call to action. “We hope this program leaves you feeling inspired, feeling hopeful and feeling the urgency of Dr. King’s dream,” she said, “not as a distant memory, but as a living call to action right here in our community.”

Chancellor Kent Syverud noted the form of the gathering was changed but not its purpose. 鈥淭his celebration brings together champions of justice from across Central New York. Your participation and your commitment to serving our community carries forward Dr. King’s vision of a more just society. These ideals align with 性视界 University’s commitment to making our community a more welcoming place to all,鈥� Chancellor Syverud said. 鈥淲e encourage our talented students, our faculty, our staff, to volunteer their time, their energy and their expertise beyond the borders of our campus. When they do, amazing things happen.鈥�

He recognized keynote speaker Mayor Sharon Owens 鈥�85, a former standout on the track and field team, as a living embodiment of that purpose. Elected with 73.8% of the vote, Owens became the 55th mayor of 性视界, this year, making history in the city she has called home for more than four decades.

In her keynote address, Mayor Owens reflected on the through-line connecting Dr. King’s legacy to today. Recalling the recent death of Rev. Jesse Jackson, a King prot茅g茅, she described how those who came before her instilled in her a drive to serve. “The dream exists,” she said, “and it is multifaceted鈥攁cross all generations, across all races.”

The celebration also featured the presentation of 2026 Unsung Hero Awards, recognizing those who make a lasting difference without seeking applause. This year鈥檚 honorees were Jamie Sterling 鈥�26, Eman Tadros, Pass Da R.O.C.K. and Bettie Graham.

Performances throughout the program gave the celebration its heartbeat. The Hendricks Chapel Choir, Community Choir and Black Celestial Choral Ensemble lifted their voices in song and praise. The Delta Zeta chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, the same organization King proudly belonged to, offered a powerful tribute accompanied by audio excerpts from King鈥檚 1965 visit to campus. Adanfo, the University’s African drumming and dance ensemble, and Creations Dance Company, founded on campus in 1977, rounded out the program with vibrant performances rooted in culture and community.

There鈥檚 warmth emanating from the Noble Room in the lower level of Hendricks Chapel every Monday night whenever classes are in session.

Every sewing machine buzzes and hums as the members of the make handmade quilts that will keep vulnerable Central New Yorkers warm during the winter months.

鈥淭hose are chaotic nights. Everybody is working on a project that will end up at one of our partner charities,鈥� says quilting enthusiast Judy O鈥橰ourke 鈥�75, G鈥�10. 鈥淚t鈥檚 nice knowing you鈥檙e helping someone out, and it鈥檚 nice knowing that something I enjoy doing is giving somebody else comfort.鈥�

O鈥橰ourke is one of 10-15 active members of the Hendricks Chapel Quilters鈥攃onsisting of students, staff, faculty and community members鈥攚ho put their love of sewing to good use weekly to produce beautiful quilts.

The common threads that keep members coming back? A love of quilting, a desire to find connection and a willingness to give back to the community.

鈥淭here鈥檚 a real camaraderie around this group,鈥� says George Athanas, the associate director for the Center for Learning and Student Success, who first joined the club 21 years ago. 鈥淭his reminds me of what quilting circles and quilting guilds used to be like, folks coming together to engage with their community, meet new people and learn along the way.鈥�

Helping Vulnerable People Feel Seen and Valued

Quilts are most frequently donated to the local chapter of , which builds beds for children in the community, to chaplains at SUNY Upstate Medical University, who deliver the quilts to terminally ill patients, and to food pantries who partner with聽 on their community outreach efforts.

During last year鈥檚 weekly meetings, the Hendricks Chapel Quilters produced 59 quilts that were donated. Each finished product is signed with a tag noting that the quilt was created with love by the Hendricks Chapel Quilters. O鈥橰ourke says nearly 95% of the fabric, sewing machines and other materials used have been donated by generous community members.

鈥淭his reflects what service is all about, investing time and energy to make the world a better place,鈥� Athanas says.

Besides the added source of warmth, Jennie Prouty, InterFaith Works鈥� community engagement manager, says the recipients are often touched by the kindness and generosity of strangers who make time to create and then donate these intricate quilts.

鈥淭hese quilts are an opportunity for individuals and families in our communities, who often feel unseen, to know there are people who care deeply about their well-being,鈥� Prouty says. 鈥淭he element of them being handmade is a level of intentionality that many clients don鈥檛 typically receive.鈥�

Made With Love

In the fall, students in Liz Lance鈥檚 one-credit honors class, Quilting for Fun and Community, learn how to quilt alongside the Hendricks Chapel Quilters, who provide support and offer advice to the novice quilters.

鈥淭his is a unique offering,鈥� says Lance, who started teaching the course in the Fall 2024 semester. 鈥淭he average age of quilters is older and retired, but here, we have 20-, 21- and 22-year-old college students learning alongside our quilting guild. Spanning that age gap and bringing these people together is the most special part about this because it represents intergenerational learning, which can be hard to find.鈥�

O鈥橰ourke, who started sewing in childhood, picked up quilting in 1998 as the advisor to that year鈥檚 cohort of Remembrance Scholars. Those students wanted to make a Remembrance Quilt to honor the 35 性视界 University students who died in the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland, in 1988.

Current Remembrance Scholar Joy Mao 鈥�26 had no prior experience quilting or sewing, so she was nervous when she walked into the Noble Room for her first class last fall.

Those nerves quickly melted away. On the first night, students were introduced to their sewing machine, which they would use throughout the semester. Mao learned about the tools she鈥檇 be using鈥攔anging from a needle and thread to a seam ripper and cutters鈥攁nd became more familiar with her machine as the course progressed.

Starting with four-by-four-inch quilting squares, Mao and her classmates are tasked with identifying the colors and patterns that will tell the story of their quilt. Each square consists of nine patches, and each finished quilt consists of 81 total squares. If time allows, students add borders, known as sashes, as filler between the squares.

During their last class, students stand before their peers and present their quilt, knowing their finished product will provide warmth to someone in need.

“You get to make with your hands and give with your hearts, and these quilts are all made with love,鈥� says Mao, who is studying television, radio and film in the and policy studies in the . 鈥淚t was great knowing we were creating something that would have an impact on and give back to the greater 性视界 community.鈥�

The hold meetings from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Monday evenings when classes are in session. No previous sewing experience is required, and all materials, as well as access to a sewing machine, are provided during the club鈥檚 weekly meetings. For more information about joining or donating fabric or sewing machines, please contact Judy O鈥橰ourke.