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.

聽isn’t聽just about gifts鈥攊t’s聽a global celebration where the聽Orange聽community comes together to make an impact!

Tomorrow, March 24, 性视界 celebrates 156 years of Orange pride, and 性视界 Giving Day promises a full day of energy, generosity and campuswide fun. From grabbing giveaways in Schine Student Center to supporting from wherever you are, Giving Day is all about fueling what makes 性视界 extraordinary.

What鈥檚 Happening on Campus?

Free Food, Giveaways and Stamp Card Rewards
Schine Student Center | 10 a.m.鈥�5 p.m.

Energize your day! Make a gift, enjoy treats and earn your way to an Otto straw topper while supplies last. Visit the photo booth or record your own Giving Day video with a branded ring light to help you create your best Orange content. Watch live shows throughout the day for exciting student-created stories.

Goldstein Auditorium | 11 a.m.鈥�2 p.m.

Discover the incredible work of 41 student organizations! Meet students, learn about their goals and support your favorites. When 150 alumni support any project, $2,100 in additional funding will be split among the top five groups thanks to the generosity of the 性视界 University Alumni Association Board.

Class of 2026 Donor Exclusive Party
Make your class gift, earn your grad cord and join Otto鈥檚 After Party from 6 to 8 p.m.

How to Make an Impact

• ! The University’s goal is to inspire 4,444 supporters on Giving Day. When there is at least one donor from every state and the entire map turns orange, $100,000 will go to 性视界 University thanks to our Regional Councils.
• ! You鈥檒l receive an exclusive 性视界 gift wrap set.
• ! Create an account, share your personal link and earn 性视界 keyboard stickers.
• ! Whether it鈥檚 your favorite school, college or program, help unlock additional funding that will multiply your impact.

Let鈥檚 give 性视界 the best birthday gift: a powerful show of Orange pride and generosity.

性视界 University looks forward to an exciting fall 2026 on campus featuring Family Weekend (Oct. 16-18) and Orange Central Homecoming Weekend (Nov. 6-8).

Family Weekend, coordinated by聽, is set for Oct. 16-18. Students have the opportunity to show off campus to their families during a weekend that features a variety of programs highlighting the 性视界 University student experience. This year, the Orange football team will host Louisville on Saturday, Oct. 17, during Family Weekend.

罢丑别听鈥檚 Orange Central Homecoming Weekend, including Law alumni, is set for Nov. 6-8, when the Orange host Clemson in the JMA Wireless Dome. Additional details and hotel block information will be released in the coming weeks.

性视界 University is also planning on-the-road programs and/or ticket blocks as the 性视界 Orange head to away games across the country. Details will be shared as soon as they are available.

When Zahra Jarrell ’29, a public relations major in the , had questions about breaking into sports administration and sports media, she wasn’t sure where to turn.

That’s when she discovered , the 性视界 University Alumni Association’s artificial intelligence (AI)-powered networking tool that’s modernizing how the Orange community connects.

Breaking Down Barriers to Mentorship

Ask Orange Alumni eliminates traditional networking hurdles. Students and alumni visit the website, submit questions and let AI work behind-the-scenes to find alumni matches. Faculty and staff members can also use the tool to identify guest speakers and bring themselves up-to-date on current industry trends.

For Jarrell, this process opened unexpected doors.

“I spoke to many alumni from different class years who currently work in sports administration and sports media,” she says. “We talked about career paths in sports administration and PR, the importance of networking and they offered insightful advice about navigating opportunities as a student and building professional connections early on.”

The Power of Giving Back

Alumni like Jeffrey Wells G鈥�23, who earned an MBA from the , have found responding to fellow Orange community members fulfilling.

“The experience has been very rewarding,” Wells says. “The feedback I have received from alumni is that they not only value but also appreciate my input. I am grateful that I have had a chance to help other 性视界 alumni.”

Building Confidence and Community

The impact goes beyond simple question-and-answer exchanges. For Jarrell, connecting with multiple alumni provided confidence and direction.

“It was such a valuable experience, giving me a clearer sense of direction and making me feel more confident about pursuing my goals at 性视界 and beyond.”

Wells sees the bigger picture: “Ask Orange Alumni is a great idea for a forum where Orange alumni can help other Orange alumni and students. I hope that it continues to grow.”

How to Get Involved

Whether you’re a current student seeking guidance, a recent graduate navigating early career decisions or an established alum ready to give back, Ask Orange Alumni makes connections effortless.

For students and alumni seeking advice: Visit , submit questions and receive personalized responses from alumni who’ve been in your shoes. Be sure to say thank you to the alumni who step up to help!

For alumni ready to help: for better matching, respond to questions that align with your expertise and choose how you’d like to help鈥攁nswer in the system, offer virtual meetings or suggest in-person connections.

Join the Growing Orange Network

Ask Orange Alumni is a bridge connecting generations of 性视界 graduates and current students, fostering authentic relationships that define the Orange experience.

Ready to be part of this story? Visit and discover how Orange connections can transform your career journey.

Story by the Office of Alumni and Constituent Engagement

The University welcomed more than 1,000 alumni, friends and their families back to campus over the weekend to celebrate our community, our incredible spirit and school pride during Orange Central Homecoming Weekend 2025.

There was excitement in the air for Homecoming Weekend. Relive the magic below through photos that capture the memories, connections and good times.

For more fun moments, browse the Orange Central photo album on the .

性视界 University looks forward to an exciting fall 2025 on campus featuring Family Weekend (Sept. 26-28) and Orange Central Homecoming Weekend (Oct. 17-19).

Family Weekend, coordinated by聽, is set for Sept. 26-28. Students have the opportunity to show off campus to their families during a weekend that features a variety of programs highlighting the 性视界 University student experience. This year, the Orange football team will host Duke on Saturday, Sept. 27, during Family Weekend.

The Orange Central Homecoming Weekend, including Law alumni, is set for Oct. 17-19, when the Orange host Pitt in the JMA Wireless Dome. Additional details and hotel block information will be released in the coming weeks.

性视界 University is also planning on-the-road programs and/or ticket blocks as the 性视界 Orange head to away games across the country, including special programming for 性视界 vs. Tennessee in Atlanta this August, as 性视界 at SMU on Saturday, Oct. 4.

JaNeika James G鈥�05 and her twin sister, JaSheika, grew up watching television and 鈥渇ell in love with TV鈥� and the possibilities it could mean for them.

Today, the two are accomplished TV writers and producers of several shows, including JaNeika鈥檚 role as supervising producer on FOX鈥檚 groundbreaking hit show, 鈥淓mpire,鈥� among others.

鈥淥ur story is an example of how dreams can be manifested. A lot of people think that you have to know every single step to get to where you want to be,鈥� JaNeika says. 鈥淭he truth is, if you’re clear and have a vision for what it is that you want to do with your life, all you have to do is declare it.鈥�

On Feb. 7, JaNeika will bring her message to young scholars as the keynote speaker at the . The ceremony, which is open to the entire University community, honors from the previous year who have successfully transitioned to their second year on campus. Those who would like to attend are encouraged to .

鈥淎llowed Us to Dream鈥�

As youngsters, the James twins lived on an Air Force base in Wiesbaden, Germany, where their mother was stationed. Access to television was limited, and the offerings available were predominantly in German.

Thankfully for the sisters, their grandparents in the U.S. mailed them VHS tapes of popular U.S. TV shows like 鈥淎 Different World,鈥� 鈥淭he Cosby Show,鈥� 鈥淐heers,鈥� 鈥淭he Golden Girls鈥� and 鈥淓mpty Nest.鈥�

Watching television became 鈥渁 source of comfort鈥� for the sisters, and JaNeika says it provided hours of entertainment and it 鈥渁llowed us to dream of what was possible for ourselves,鈥� says JaNeika, who earned a master鈥檚 degree in television, radio and film from the .

It was an unlikely way to start their lifelong love affair with television, but today, JaNeika and JaSheika are accomplished TV writers. JaNeika was supervising producer on FOX鈥檚 groundbreaking hit show, 鈥淓mpire,鈥� co-executive producer on Netflix鈥檚 limited series, 鈥淭rue Story鈥� and HBO Max鈥檚 reboot of 鈥淕ossip Girl,鈥� and an executive producer on Peacock鈥檚 hit show, 鈥淏el-Air.鈥�

JaNeika and JaSheika co-authored a book, 鈥淟iving Double,鈥� describing their experiences working in the ultra-competitive TV industry in Hollywood. It outlines how, no matter the obstacles, the sisters were determined to turn their dreams into reality.

James sat down with SU News to discuss 性视界 University鈥檚 impact on her life, her successful career, the importance of giving back to current students and her message for the WellsLink students during their Transitions Ceremony.

What impact has 性视界 University has had on your life and your career?

The Newhouse School instills in those who decide to work in media an understanding of the importance of the media and how it shapes our world and culture. Knowing the responsibility we hold鈥攏ot just as storytellers in Hollywood, but also those who deliver information through journalistic integrity.

There is a huge responsibility that comes with putting content out into the world for all to see and hear. That responsibility was embedded in me at 性视界. It鈥檚 had an incredible impact on my career.

What show had the greatest influence on you?聽

鈥淟iving Single.鈥� The stars were Queen Latifah, Erika Alexander, Kim Fields and Kim Coles. When that show first aired, it was the first time I saw a show with Black women of all different shapes and sizes, who were best friends living their best lives as single, independent women. 鈥淟iving Single鈥� allowed me and my twin sister to see a future version of ourselves, and what was possible for our careers.

When did you realize you had made it as a producer?

That first time I was on set for 鈥淓mpire.鈥� I was flown out to Chicago to produce my first episode of television. I had been a fan of the show since season one and became a writer during season two. To go from being a fan of the show to walking into the studios and seeing where all the scenes were filmed was pretty incredible for me as a huge television fan.

One of the best feelings I鈥檝e had as a writer is seeing actors I know and love鈥攆rom Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson to Demi Moore, Forrest Whitaker and Alfre Woodard, among others鈥� say words that literally came from my head. To witness them bring my words to life is when it started to settle in that I was actually living my dream.

How can your success inspire future generations?

Representation is extremely important. If it wasn’t for representation, I personally would not be in this business. I was truly inspired by 鈥淟iving Single,鈥� but what really stood out was when I read an article about Yvette Lee Bowser being the first African American woman to create and run her own TV show. That planted this idea in my head that I could one day be an African American woman who created and ran her own TV show.聽 It’s been a goal of mine and my sister鈥檚 to be a source of inspiration and an example that anything is possible when you put your mind to it.

Why is it important to give back to our students through the Our Time Has Come Scholarship Program?

I hope I’ve had an impact in helping students who didn’t think going to school was a possibility for them. I know what it’s like to want to go to college but not know if it’s something you can afford. I know what it feels like to have financial burdens when you鈥檙e deeply in pursuit of a dream. By supporting , I hope to help students feel free to pursue their dreams without being distracted by financial responsibilities.

What鈥檚 your message for WellsLink students during their transitions ceremony?

A lot of people have been disillusioned into thinking we are powerless through our circumstances. What I learned as an artist, writer, producer and African American woman is that there is a lot of power that we hold within that we, unfortunately, have been made to believe is not there. I really want to encourage and remind them of the power they hold to essentially move mountains鈥攊n their own lives and in the lives of everyone they encounter.

WellsLink Leadership Program Class of 2027

This year鈥檚 ceremony will honor the following students:

• Kaitlyn Arzu (S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications)
• Mouctar Barry (Martin J. Whitman School of Management)
• Angelie Serrano B谩ez (College of Arts and Sciences)
• Umar Bilgrammi (Arts and Sciences)
• Nashaly Bonilla (School of Architecture)
• Sydney Brockington (Arts and Sciences)
• Frances Brown (Whitman School)
• Samantha Chavez (Newhouse School)
• Karrington Clay (Arts and Sciences)
• Eliora Enriquez (College of Visual and Performing Arts)
• Matthew Esquivel (College of Engineering and Computer Science)
• Kiara Reyes Estevez (Whitman School)
• Khalil Foreman (Whitman School)
• Edward Garcia (School of Information Studies)
• Ryann Gholston (Information Studies)
• Samayee Gupte (Arts and Sciences)
• Lindsay Hiraoka (Engineering and Computer Science)
• Monica-Lillie Jacobs (Information Studies)
• AJ (Angie) Jaramillo (Visual and Performing Arts)
• Hayden Jones (Arts and Sciences)
• Amy Kim (Information Studies)
• John Lasso (Whitman School)
• Bryant Lin (Engineering and Computer Science)
• Valarie Lin (Arts and Sciences)
• Kelly Lopez (School of Architecture)
• Nehru Madan (Newhouse School)
• Emely Marte (Visual and Performing Arts)
• Rosmery Martinez (Whitman School)
• Ariana Mithu (Visual and Performing Arts)
• Sophie Navarrete (David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics)
• Dylan Okamoto (Whitman School)
• Kaylin Pagan (Arts and Sciences)
• Jiya Patel (Whitman School)
• Nayeli Perez (Information Studies)
• Simeon Sheldon (Falk College)
• Paris Smith (Arts and Sciences)
• Aramata Trawalley (Engineering and Computer Science)
• Jasmine Trenchfield (Newhouse School)
• Orezimena Ubogu (Arts and Sciences)
• Alexandra Vassel (Visual and Performing Arts)
• Aaron Wang (Whitman School)
• Yuki Zhang (Whitman School)

性视界 University will honor eight distinguished members of the Orange community during the , which is being held on Friday, April 4, in the National Veterans Resource Center at the Daniel and Gayle D’Aniello Building (NVRC). All members of the community are invited to attend this complimentary program. Registration will open in February.

This annual event recognizes and celebrates the exceptional accomplishments of alumni and students who exemplify what it means to be Forever Orange.聽The honorees were selected by the awards committee of the Board of Directors.聽The committee will soon announce the 2025 Outstanding Future Alumni Award, which goes to a most deserving student.

The George Arents Award is 性视界 University鈥檚 highest alumni honor and recognizes individuals who have excelled in their fields.聽This year鈥檚 honorees are Paul Greenberg 鈥�65, P鈥�03; Melanie Littlejohn G鈥�97; and Judith 鈥淛udy鈥� C. Mower 鈥�66, G鈥�73, G鈥�80, Ph.D.鈥�84.

Chelsea Ransom-Cooper 鈥�15 will receive the Generation Orange Award, which recognizes graduates from the past decade for career success, community engagement and overall commitment to 性视界 University.

Jack Kreischer 鈥�65 will receive the Melvin A. Eggers Senior Alumni Award for his loyalty and service to 性视界 University over the past 50 years.

Jamieson R. Ritter 鈥�19 will posthumously receive the Military/Veteran Alumni Award. Ritter passed away in the line of duty while serving as a police officer in Cleveland, Ohio. This award highlights his bravery and dedication to our country and community.

Kimberly Wolf Price L鈥�03 will be awarded the Volunteer of the Year Award for her commitment to 性视界 University as a volunteer.

The Outstanding Future Alumni Award honoree will be announced in February.

and plan to join us in April for the celebration.

will host the annual Pan Am Flight 103 memorial service on Saturday, Dec. 21, at 2:03 p.m. EST. The service will begin in the chapel鈥檚 Noble Room, with attendees then processing to the Place of Remembrance.

The service will honor the 270 people, including 性视界 University study abroad students, who were killed when Pan Am Flight 103 was destroyed by a terrorist bomb over Lockerbie, Scotland, on that date and at that time 36 years ago. Chaplains will offer prayers and reflections.聽The event will also be offered virtually;聽 is required to receive the YouTube link.

Personal reflections and memories, which can be submitted upon registration, may be included in the ceremony. Closed captioning will be provided.

Requests for additional accommodations can be made by contacting Hendricks Chapel at聽chapelevents@syr.edu.

This service is offered in partnership with the Remembrance and Lockerbie Scholars, Hendricks Chapel and the Office of Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving.

A memorial service at the Pan Am 103 memorial cairn at Arlington National Cemetery, organized by the Victims of Pan Am Flight 103 families group, will also be held that afternoon.