With an extraordinary and unique gift valued at more than $1.2 million, the School of Design in the is likely to become a travel destination for fashion researchers, haute couture designers and sewing enthusiasts worldwide. The school has received thousands of stunning designer garments, books, patterns and accessories that once belonged to an iconic figure in the fashion industry: Claire B. Shaeffer.

Shaeffer鈥檚 career path, from aspiring circus performer to couture expert and educator, is fascinating. Her relationship with 性视界 University is equally intriguing, given that it began when she was 80 years old after she reached out to a professor who shared her passion 鈥渇or reading garments,鈥� including every stitch, hem and buttonhole.

鈥淐laire was all about delving one layer deeper to understand and show how each garment was constructed,鈥� says Jeffrey Mayer, professor of fashion design and coordinator for the fashion design program. Shaeffer reached out to Mayer after seeing a book he co-authored, 鈥淰intage Details: A Fashion Sourcebook,鈥� which documents 160 garments found within the Sue Ann Genet Costume Collection at 性视界 University.

Shaeffer was impressed by the detailed photography, from hems to buttons. She told Mayer she wanted her next book to have similar photography. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 what fascinated Claire, how things were created,鈥� Mayer says. 鈥淪he went down rabbit holes to understand every detail of design.鈥�

A Collection of Garments, Patterns and Books

Shaeffer鈥檚 relationship with Mayer blossomed, and when she began to think seriously of where she might want her collection of more than 2,500 garments, patterns and books to end up after her lifetime, she chose 性视界 University, a teaching institution where students could learn from the study of each garment and pattern.

Shaeffer began her own studies in fashion design in the early 1960s after initially exploring the idea of circus performance. Proficient in acrobatics, she enrolled in the circus curriculum at Florida State University after high school. Her broad shoulders and slight build made it difficult to find clothes that fit, so she began to sew her own wardrobe. After realizing that basic patterns just wouldn鈥檛 fit her frame, she switched her academic interests and professional pursuits, turning a fascination with detail into a distinguished career.

Throughout her life, Shaeffer collected examples of haute couture and designer ready-to-wear and studied others in museum collections, design workrooms and factories. She excelled at the analysis of garment construction details and sewing techniques.

Shaeffer taught classes at the College of the Desert in Palm Springs, gave workshops, wrote dozens of magazine articles and books, developed instructional videos, had her own , and created the Claire Shaeffer Custom Couture Collection of patterns for Vogue Patterns. She received the Professional Association of Custom Clothiers Lifetime Achievement Award and the American Sewing Guild Sewing Hall of Fame Award.

A Dedication to Precision

Mayer was a former designer of women鈥檚 wear himself and a specialist in 20th-century fashion and construction techniques. He knew of Shaeffer鈥檚 history and stature, but never foresaw working so closely with this icon of industry. Given his personal history, though, it seemed destined. Mayer was the son of a seamstress.

鈥淚 would sneak into my mother鈥檚 room and, at the age of 6, I would start cutting out patterns,鈥� Mayer says. When his mother saw him so engaged with very pointy scissors, she told him: 鈥業f you鈥檙e going to do this, you鈥檙e going to do this right.鈥欌��

Similarly, Shaeffer taught countless students of fashion how to do things right and came to believe that 性视界 University鈥檚 program was similarly dedicated.

Before her passing in January 2025, she had shipped close to 1,000 pieces from her collection to the school. Afterward, Mayer and Kirsten Schoonmaker, fashion design collections manager, flew out to Palm Springs and worked with Shaeffer鈥檚 sons to pack up another 1,500 pieces.

The gift perfectly matched the mission of the Sue Ann Genet Costume Collection and Research Center: 鈥溾�o provide the University and broader community with access to exemplary garments and accessories that reflect high standards of craftsmanship, design and stylistic significance. With a sustained focus on the object itself and its material, structural, and aesthetic integrity the collections advance the preservation, study and interpretation of these works.鈥�

Pieces of History

Among the many works that will be available for study is a Chanel suit recognized around the world and a part of American history. It is the 鈥渢win鈥� of the suit worn by First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated.

There are dozens of Chanel pieces in the collection, along with pieces by many other iconic designers like Yves Saint Laurent, Dior, Givenchy and McQueen, and such American designers as Adrian, Norman Norell, James Galanos, Geoffrey Beene and Bill Blass.

鈥淭his collection is a unique gem,鈥� says Michael Tick, dean of the College of Visual and Performing Arts. 鈥淚ts value is truly priceless. I had the pleasure to visit with Claire and her late husband many times in Palm Springs. More than once I expressed to them how excited our students and visitors to the collection will be to learn from her extensive body of work.鈥�

Mayer says that Shaeffer received offers from other academic institutions to house pieces of her collection, but 性视界 University was the one place willing to keep her collection together, including all the clothes, patterns, books and even handbags from her personal closet. That willingness means generations of students will be the beneficiaries of an extraordinary woman鈥檚 talents, determination and dedication.

鈥淥ur students don鈥檛 just design, they learn to actually make things, from concept to garment,鈥� says Mayer. 鈥淲e fall into that 鈥榤aker space鈥� in our approach and we are honoring Claire鈥檚 commitment to detail, process, research and design.鈥�

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.

has spent her career studying how the world moves鈥攖he migration of people across borders, the evolution of international norms and the political forces that shape both. Now, the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs professor of political science has been named the inaugural Heighberger Family Faculty Fellow of Public Service, a recognition of scholarship that has influenced both academic debate and real-world policy.

鈥淎udie鈥檚 research on migration and international norms addresses some of the most consequential questions in global politics,鈥� says Dean David M. Van Slyke. 鈥淭his fellowship recognizes her work and provides resources to support it. We鈥檙e thrilled to honor her, and grateful for the generosity that made it possible.鈥�

A specialist in global migration, Klotz has shaped scholarly debates and public understanding of pressing issues in international politics. She has authored five books and contributed to an additional 15. Her work has been supported by the National Science Foundation, the Social Science Research Council, the MacArthur Foundation and the Fulbright Program.

Klotz鈥檚 many honors include Maxwell鈥檚 2023 Wasserstrom Prize for excellence in teaching and mentoring. She is the incoming president of the International Studies Association, one of the world鈥檚 oldest and largest interdisciplinary organizations devoted to the study of international and global affairs.

Klotz will hold the fellowship for three years.

Decades of Public Service

The fellowship takes its name from Eric Heighberger, a 1993 graduate of Maxwell’s international relations undergraduate program, and his spouse, Genevieve, whose combined careers span decades of public service. Eric held roles with the White House Homeland Security Council and Senate and House committees on homeland security, before serving as chief of staff at FEMA from 2017-21. He is now senior director of federal affairs for LA28, the organizing committee for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Genevieve has spent more than 20 years in public sector consulting, focused on FEMA and the local governments it serves.

鈥淏eing named the first Heighberger Family Faculty Fellow of Public Service is especially meaningful to me,鈥� Klotz says. 鈥淭heir careers using expertise in the service of others is how I think of my efforts to foster greater equity in academic communities. I am also grateful to the donors for recognizing the crucial place of public service within a school of citizenship.鈥�

The Heighbergers鈥� commitment to public service traces back to a pivotal time in their careers. After the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, Eric joined his longtime friend and fellow Maxwell alumnus Stephen Hagerty 鈥�93 M.P.A. at PricewaterhouseCoopers, where their team helped New York City access $8.8 billion in federal recovery funding. Genevieve joined them.

鈥淲orking on the World Trade Center recovery efforts gave both of us a sense of professional purpose that has stayed with us ever since,鈥� Eric says. 鈥淕enevieve and I are motivated by using our skills in the service of others, and Steve played a big role in shaping that, as a friend and as a mentor.鈥�

The fellowship was established through a gift from Hagerty, a Maxwell Advisory Board member and 性视界 University Trustee, and his spouse and fellow alumnus Lisa Altenbernd 鈥�93 M.P.A. With combined funds from the University’s Forever Orange Faculty Excellence Program, it totals $1 million.

鈥淣either of us would have had the careers we have had without Steve and Lisa鈥檚 friendship and mentorship,鈥� says Eric. 鈥淲e are so honored by their decision to include us in this gift.聽 Having our family name on a fellowship at Maxwell is a genuine honor, as the school shaped my professional path in ways I couldn’t have anticipated. To see it given to someone like Audie Klotz鈥攚hose work and mentorship embody everything Maxwell stands for鈥攎akes it even more meaningful.鈥�

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.

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.

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.

Get ready! Tuesday, March 24, marks 156 years since 性视界 University was founded鈥擜ND it鈥檚 性视界 Giving Day, a 24-hour burst of Orange spirit, generosity and collective impact. Whether you鈥檙e on campus or celebrating from afar, this is your moment to show the world what Orange can do.

Here鈥檚 how to be part of #CuseGivingDay:

• to support students, programs and campus life. Every dollar fuels success.
• . We鈥檒l send you an exclusive 性视界 gift wrap set.
• . Create an account and share your personal Giving Day link to rally others and earn 性视界 keyboard stickers.

And if you鈥檙e on campus March 24, the celebration gets even bigger:

• Free food and giveaways in Schine from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Make a gift, grab treats and fill your stamp card to get an Otto straw topper.
• Student Organization Showcase in Goldstein Auditorium from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Meet student orgs, support your favorite, earn stamps and win prizes.
• Go behind-the-scenes with student-created stories, live shows and new challenges throughout the day.
• Content Creator Stations in Schine. Record your own Giving Day video or snap a photobooth pic. Grab a branded ring light while you鈥檙e at it!
• Support what matters to you. Give to your favorite school, college or program and help unlock challenge dollars.
• Class of 2026 exclusive party. Make your class gift, earn your grad cord and join Otto鈥檚 After Party from 6 to 8 p.m.

Give 性视界 a birthday gift and help keep the Orange family thriving!

early and watch the #CuseGivingDay magic unfold!

Gabriel 鈥淛oey鈥� Merrin, assistant professor of human development and family science in the College of Arts and Sciences, has been selected as the inaugural 性视界 Association of Zeta Psi Endowed Faculty Fellow.

The fellowship was established with a gift from the 性视界 Association of Zeta Psi under the umbrella of the Forever Orange Faculty Excellence Program and matched by the University to create a $1 million endowment. The five-year, renewable appointment is intended to support faculty members whose scholarly work focuses on men鈥檚 mental health and related issues.

鈥淲e believe the most meaningful investments in mental health are those that begin early and produce measurable impact across a lifetime,鈥� says Stanley P. Gorski Jr. 鈥�86, president of the 性视界 Association of Zeta Psi and executive director of ZP Gamma Foundation. 鈥淏y strengthening prevention efforts early on, Dr. Merrin鈥檚 work helps build resilience that can change long-term outcomes鈥攅specially for those men who face the highest suicide risk later in life. This fellowship supports hard research that aims to not just respond to the crisis, but to reduce it before it begins. The SU alumni brothers of Zeta Psi Fraternity are pleased to be part of this long-term partnership.鈥�

A prevention scientist and applied developmental methodologist, Merrin examines how risk and protective processes interact to shape adolescent development and the transition to young adulthood. His research looks at the influence of individual, peer, family, school and community contexts on developmental pathways related to harassment, victimization, mental health and risk behaviors including substance use and aggression. His work explores how distinct adverse childhood experiences differentially shape peer relationships, mental health and resilience, informing more effective prevention strategies for diverse youth populations.

鈥淚’m deeply honored to be selected as the inaugural Zeta Psi Endowed Faculty Fellow,鈥� Merrin says. 鈥淭his fellowship will enable me to expand my research on adolescent and young adult mental health during a time when young people鈥檚 mental health issues are at historic highs. The support will enable me to develop a new undergraduate course on mental health across the lifespan, launch a longitudinal study of mental health and help-seeking behaviors among college students, and strengthen partnerships with community organizations. I’m grateful for the support to expand research that can make a positive impact on the lives of young people and their communities.鈥�

Merrin is director of the Methodology, Adolescent Development, and Prevention (MAP) Lab, which addresses critical questions about healthy adolescent development. His work employs sophisticated longitudinal analytical approaches to understand when and for whom developmental processes differ, and how empirical findings can be effectively translated into prevention and intervention efforts. The MAP Lab has produced 14 student-led peer-reviewed publications.

Merrin was co-investigator and lead methodologist on a National Institute of Justice-funded multi-site investigation examining bias-based harassment and its prevention in U.S. schools. He has also developed innovative methodological tools, including the CATAcode R package, which advances principled approaches to demographic measurement and analysis in social science research.

Merrin serves on the board of directors at Elmcrest Children鈥檚 Center in 性视界 and collaborates with schools and community organizations serving vulnerable youth.

He earned a Ph.D. in educational psychology, an M.E.D. in human resource development and a B.A. in sociology, all from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He joined the 性视界 faculty in 2021.

Rich and Janice Fialka-Feldman have established the Opening Doors Fund for InclusiveU as part of the Center on Disability and Inclusion鈥檚 . The fund will provide critical financial support for students in the School of Education’s , ensuring that students with intellectual disability can pursue their college dreams without financial barriers.

The fund’s name carries deep personal significance. When their son, Micah Fialka-Feldman, entered his first-grade special education classroom, he noticed he had to enter through a different door than the rest of the grade. He came home with a simple but powerful request to his parents: “I want to go through the same door as my friends.” That moment when their child sought belonging has become the family’s guiding principle.

Genuine Understanding

With the support of his parents and many others, Micah grew up determined to pave his own path in life. That determination led him to become the first student in the country to win a lawsuit securing access to university housing, at Oakland University, a landmark victory that opened doors not just for himself but for students with disabilities across the nation.

After graduation, his commitment to advocacy only deepened when he accepted a paid internship with Michigan Roundtable, a social justice organization working throughout the state.

It was during this internship that Micah was invited to speak at 性视界 University, where he shared his experiences, advocacy and vision for disability inclusion. The connections he made during that visit were immediate and profound. He felt something different in the room; a genuine understanding that resonated with him.

Micah called his parents with certainty in his voice: “They get me here,” he said, referring to the 性视界 community’s warmth and embrace for exactly who he is. It was a moment that validated his journey and reinforced that he had found a place where he truly belonged.

What began as a peer trainer position has grown into Micah鈥檚 current role as outreach coordinator for InclusiveU, as well as a co-teacher for disability studies classes, continuing to champion the same access and inclusion he once had to fight for.

Inspire and Motivate

The Opening Doors Fund for InclusiveU will be administered at the discretion of the , with support for housing, meals, textbooks and other essential expenses that help students to remain enrolled and succeed in the program.

Micah is also the author of 鈥�“, published by Inclusion Press, the same organization that supported his parents’ efforts in learning about inclusion when he was born. Co-written with his friend and colleague, Lynn Albee, he tells his story of advocacy, disability pride, circles of support and determination.

The Fialka-Feldmans emphasize that their support for inclusive higher education is more than just rhetoric. They have witnessed firsthand how life-changing it can be, not just for InclusiveU students, but for the University鈥檚 matriculated students, faculty and staff, who learn alongside them.

Their hope is that the Opening Doors Fund for InclusiveU will help ensure no student has to leave the program due to financial need, and that their fund will both inspire and motivate others to take action toward making their own gift.

Learn more on the or by visiting Micah鈥檚 website at .

More than two decades before his passing, Dr. Kedar Karim Adour made a decision about how he wanted his family name to be remembered. That kind of focus and planning has resulted in a $7.6 million gift to the University in the form of a scholarship that will benefit countless students.

Working with the Office of Gift Planning back in 2002, Adour established the Zina Adour Endowed Scholarship Fund in memory of his mother. Kedar Adour passed away Nov. 1, 2024, and now the scholarship has been fully funded through his charitable gift annuities, trust and beneficiary distributions.

鈥淐haritable planned giving is thoughtful and a smart way to give a gift that can benefit you during your lifetime and benefit others afterwards,鈥� says Jason Tripp, executive director of the Office of Gift Planning. Well-planned giving can bring income to the donor, reduce their tax burden and ultimately 鈥渓eave a tremendous charitable legacy.鈥�

鈥淲hen you鈥檙e leaving a legacy, you鈥檙e trying to make a statement about what鈥檚 really important to you, and that鈥檚 exactly what my great-uncle Kedar did,鈥� says Jason Adour, who remembers his great-uncle as a dedicated physician who wanted his research and work to be meaningful, even groundbreaking. Jason says Kedar鈥檚 work ethic, focus and determination to educate other physicians and patients helped 鈥渃hange the world鈥� specifically in the treatment of Bell鈥檚 Palsy, a neurologic disorder that affects the facial nerve and is often managed by both neurologists and otolaryngologists (ENTs).

A Passion for Education and Health Care

Adour attended 性视界 University as an undergraduate for one year, and completed his medical degree there (before the medical college evolved into today鈥檚 SUNY Upstate Medical University). An ENT specialist, Adour鈥檚 focus on education and health care defined his life鈥檚 work鈥攁nd his passion for both wasn鈥檛 lost on his relatives.

Jason鈥檚 mom still has the teddy bears dressed as doctors that Adour gave her two sons. 鈥淯ncle Kedar wanted my sons to go to 性视界 University and to become doctors,鈥� says Colleen Adour. Though Jason pursued a different path in health care, becoming a doctor of physical therapy, he appreciated his great-uncle鈥檚 influence. When he was a young boy, Kedar gave him an anatomical model of the inner ear. 鈥淔orty years later, I still have it in my clinic and use it to educate patients,鈥� says Jason, a recognized expert in vestibular disorders and a preferred provider for ENT physicians. 鈥淚 use that model weekly and think of Kedar often.鈥�

Kedar Adour鈥檚 journey to professional and financial success was not easy and that, too, was motivation for his desire to create a scholarship in his mother鈥檚 name. His parents had emigrated in 1912 to Clark Mills in Oneida County, New York, seeking opportunity and the freedom to marry. Zina Abraham was from Syria and a Christian; Abdel-Karim 鈥淪am鈥� Adour was from Lebanon and a Muslim. Marriage was forbidden for the couple. They came to America to marry, settled in a farming community and had 10 children, including Kedar.

鈥淢y mother drummed it into our heads that education is the pathway to a better life,鈥� Adour told a writer for 性视界 University Magazine in 2003. 鈥淯nfortunately, my mother died while I was in high school, but I know she would have been absolutely thrilled that I became a doctor.鈥�

Honoring Family

Growing up, Adour was especially sensitive to the challenges facing Arab American children, particularly those desiring higher education. The scholarship in his mother鈥檚 name was designed to help others overcome those same hardships. 鈥淓ducation is what takes you ahead,鈥� Adour said in the article. 鈥淚f people want to leave something of importance behind when they die they should leave a legacy of education.鈥�

Adour鈥檚 philosophy is especially poignant today, with institutions nationwide working to make higher education more accessible and affordable for students. Endowed scholarship gifts like Adour鈥檚 are particularly valuable, as they provide permanent financial support for future generations.

鈥淲e are deeply grateful to Dr. Adour for having the foresight to create this scholarship and the incredible opportunities it will provide students as a result,鈥� says Tracy Barlok, senior vice president and chief advancement officer. 鈥淭he Adour family legacy will be forever woven into the fabric of 性视界 University, and it鈥檚 an honor to carry his vision forward.鈥�

Prolific Researcher

A story Adour told about his medical school experience captures the intensity with which he approached his studies and was written in a letter to the editor in the Upstate Medical Alumni Journal (Winter 2019). 鈥淎 favorite Upstate memory involves Dr. Phillip Armstrong, professor of anatomy at Upstate, who had the charming habit of taping a penny to the blue book of superior test answers. I desperately wanted one of those pennies and on the final written exam, I wrote pages and pages. When my blue book was returned, I had earned a penny, along with the comment, 鈥楴ot for quality but for quantity!鈥� When I finally write my autobiography, I will call it 鈥楢 Penny for the Doctor.鈥欌��

Though Adour never authored his own biography, his published research was prolific, including papers titled聽 鈥淭he Bell Tolls for Bell鈥檚 Palsy鈥� and 鈥淢ona Lisa Syndrome: Solving the Enigma of the Geoconda Smile.鈥澛� 鈥淢y great-uncle knew how to artfully construct the title of a paper, how to make things 鈥榮ticky鈥� and compelling in the way he wrote up his research results, which made them more memorable,鈥� says Jason Adour.

In the medical field, Kedar Adour will be remembered for those 鈥渟ticky鈥� titles and the ground-breaking research that transformed treatment for countless patients. At 性视界 University, he will be remembered for a well-planned gift that will transform the lives of countless students through the Zina Adour Endowed Scholarship Fund.

The in the raised $76,540 for at its 21st Annual Charity Sports Auction. The ceremonial check was presented to Golisano officials Jan. 13 before the Orange men鈥檚 basketball game at the JMA Wireless Dome.

During the 性视界 men鈥檚 basketball game on Nov. 18, supporters purchased items and placed bids on sports memorabilia, electronics, jewelry, gift baskets, experiences and trips, among other items. In addition to the in-person event, an online auction ran through Nov. 23, allowing supporters to bid on hundreds of items.

served as Title Sponsor for the 2025 auction.

Proceeds from this year鈥檚 Charity Sports Auction benefited the Upstate Pediatric and Adolescent Center (UPAC) at the . UPAC is a full-service pediatric and adolescent primary care clinic that provides well-child care, adolescent medicine, foster care support through its ENHANCE program, behavioral health integration, immunizations, and other family-centered services to children, adolescents and young adults.

鈥淎t Upstate Pediatric and Adolescent Center, we take care of 11,000 patients from 25,000 visits every year,鈥� says UPAC Director Dr. Steven Blatt. 鈥淭hese are children and families like every other family in the community, but often with economic or logistical challenges in their life. We at UPAC have done many things to help them, but the money the students have raised will help with the extras.”

The auction donation will create a Sport Management Club of 性视界 University Endowment in honor of Blatt and is being highlighted by recognition at the playground at , and naming in the UPAC elevator lobby on the fourth floor of the Nappi Wellness Institute.

鈥淲e are incredibly grateful to the Falk College Sport Management Club for their extraordinary generosity and commitment to Upstate Golisano Children鈥檚 Hospital,鈥� says Dave Bartell, assistant vice president of development for The Upstate Foundation. 鈥淭hrough their leadership, dedication and passion for service, these students are making a meaningful difference for the children and families served by the Upstate Pediatric and Adolescent Center, and we are honored to partner with them in this important work.鈥�

The Sport Management Club is a student-run organization. Since its founding in 2004, the club has raised more than $849,000 for local charities.

Previous beneficiaries of the club鈥檚 annual charity auction include Boys & Girls Clubs, the Ronald McDonald House Charities of CNY, the Central New York SPCA, Upstate Cancer Center, Special Olympics New York, Food Bank of CNY, the Salvation Army, Rescue Mission Alliance, American Diabetes Association, Make A Wish CNY, Meals on Wheels, the Jim and Juli Boeheim Foundation, McMahon/Ryan Child Advocacy Center, Vera House and Tillie鈥檚 Touch.

Over the years, the club has contributed more than $125,000 to , a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation. Notable gifts include $20,000 to Upstate Golisano Children鈥檚 Hospital in 2009鈥�10 and $30,444 to the Upstate Cancer Center in 2011鈥�12.

鈥淪tudents from the Sport Management Club, for the past 20 years, have done what I think is one of the most important activities you will do, not only in college but in your life, and that鈥檚 making efforts to help people in your community,鈥� Blatt says.

The Sport Management Club meets weekly during the academic year. For more information about the annual charity auction, visit , , or the .

Story by James Stickel

The Libraries鈥� (SCRC) was recently gifted the personal papers of notable artist and University alumnus Warren Kimble 鈥�57. The collection includes original sketches, personal correspondence, exhibition materials, product catalogs, press clippings, photographs and other unique materials that trace Kimble鈥檚 artistic evolution and entrepreneurial journey.

Kimble, who turned 90 in 2025, began his artistic training at 性视界 University, where he studied fine art in the . Under the guidance of accomplished faculty, he developed strong foundational skills and experimented with new techniques and mediums, laying the groundwork for his long and varied career.

As an undergraduate, Kimble was deeply engaged in campus life鈥攕erving as president of both his junior and senior classes, joining Lambda Chi Alpha and leading the cheerleading squad during the era of athletics聽 that included Jim Brown 鈥�57 helping propel the football team to the 1957 Cotton Bowl. Beyond his student leadership roles, Kimble immersed himself in the University鈥檚 vibrant artistic community.

Tracing an Artistic Journey From 性视界 to National Recognition

Following graduation, Kimble taught art for many years before settling in Vermont in the early 1970s. At age 50, he was 鈥渄iscovered鈥� while selling his folk-inspired art at a local gallery in Woodstock, Vermont, which launched his national career.

At the height of his success, Kimble partnered with more than 50 companies to produce home d茅cor and household goods featuring his artwork. Today, Kimble maintains an active studio and gallery where he continues to paint, create new works and engage with the arts community. He currently lives in Brandon, Vermont, with his wife, Lorraine, whom he credits as a significant partner in the success of his business and career.

Kimble鈥檚 artistic journey has taken him from the traditional to the contemporary, with recurring motifs such as weathered barns, farm animals and New England landscapes鈥攐ften inspired by his rural Vermont surroundings.

With formats ranging from paintings to assemblages and sculptural works, his work has appeared in reputable galleries in New York and Boston and across New England, as well as in homes across the world via prints, ceramics, furniture, wallpaper and more. The newly donated collection documents the transition of his work from sketches to mass production, and from small gallery showings to national commercial fame.

A Legacy Preserved

Kimble says his decision to donate his papers to 性视界 University Libraries was easy. Drawn to 性视界 University in 1953 without even taking an entrance exam, Kimble still speaks of the University鈥檚 early support with gratitude. 鈥淭hey took a chance,鈥� he says. 鈥溞允咏� gave me everything: direction, mentors and a belief in what I could become. I owe so much to this place, and I am forever grateful. This is my way of giving back and inspiring future artists and creative entrepreneurs.鈥�

鈥淲e are honored and delighted to receive Warren Kimble鈥檚 papers,鈥� says David Seaman, Libraries dean and University librarian. 鈥淏eyond Warren鈥檚 affection for 性视界, he has been a good friend to the Libraries. We were fortunate to capture his story in his own words through SCRC鈥檚 Access Audio production of ‘.’ He created an original owl painting for Bird Library that we used in our holiday card. He has even welcomed our Libraries team to his home and studio in Brandon, Vermont. He is a beloved friend of the Libraries, and we are grateful for his generous gift.鈥�

As an undergraduate at 性视界, Kimble was inducted into Orange Key, a Junior Men鈥檚 honorary, and Tau Theta Upsilon, a Senior Men鈥檚 Honorary. Throughout his life, Kimble has remained one of the University鈥檚 most enthusiastic and engaged alumni.

The University awarded him the George Arents Pioneer Medal, the highest alumni honor, in 2002 and the Melvin A. Eggers Senior Alumni Award in 2017. The archival donation, Kimble notes, is a homecoming of sorts. 鈥淭hese are the stories behind the work, the trial and error, the joy, the doubts, the breakthroughs. It is my whole journey. And I am thrilled that it will live on at the university that believed in me first.鈥�

James 鈥淛im鈥� Weiss 鈥�87 has a diploma from the , but he says he feels like he never really graduated: 鈥淚 feel like I鈥檓 a perpetual college student! I get energy from being around students. The reverse mentoring that you get out of it is pretty incredible.鈥�

That energy is a driving force behind Weiss鈥� recent $1.75 million gift to 性视界 University, with $1.25 million directed to enhancing programs at the Newhouse School to ensure that students are career-ready in the rapidly changing field of communications.

With a degree in public relations, Weiss 鈥渇ell into鈥� health care communications (he worked at Genentech a few years after graduating) and ultimately built a company that is now the largest public relations firm in the nation. provides artificial intelligence-driven data, analytics, marketing and communications to advance the science of communications and the communication of science.

鈥淐ommunications is leadership and leadership is communications,鈥� Weiss likes to say, and he鈥檚 committed to ensuring that his business remains at the leading edge of the evolution in communications. He believes that Newhouse students can help him do that. 鈥淲hen I was building a firm, it made sense to me to go back to the school that gave me such amazing preparation for the world.鈥�

It was 2012 when Weiss鈥� former professor and mentor Maria P. Russell G鈥�72 invited him back to campus. Russell, now professor emerita in public relations, says that visit was life-changing for Weiss and the Newhouse School: 鈥淭hat walk down memory lane has led to a fully engaged commitment to philanthropy. Proud of the school鈥檚 educational foundation, Jim saw an opportunity to help current and future students be prepared for the world and a profession that was changing dramatically.鈥�

Weiss and his late wife, Audra 鈥�89, began making gifts that expanded experiential learning in social commerce, the use of data, AI and rapidly changing technologies to help communications and marketing students refine communication strategies. The was borne out of those meaningful conversations with Russell, an initiative that brings experts to Newhouse to meet frequently with students, run simulations, and review resum茅s and portfolios.

鈥淛im brought in Real Chemistry鈥檚 to a workshop that taught students聽 how to use AI to weed out bias and unfounded claims and how to segment audiences and customers for targeted marketing,鈥� says Beth Egan 鈥�88, co-director of the Weiss Center and associate professor of advertising. 鈥淚n another workshop, they learned about influencer marketing and the science behind finding the right influencers for each market segment. For the students, these experiences have been a great opportunity to move at the speed of industry.鈥� In turn, Real Chemistry has hired many Newhouse graduates.

鈥淛im has never forgotten his Orange roots and has championed initiatives to help students transition seamlessly into jobs in strategic communications, fields that are constantly evolving because of technology,鈥� says Newhouse Dean Mark J. Lodato. 鈥淲e are so thankful for Jim鈥檚 generosity and devotion to helping Newhouse students succeed.鈥�

Where Theory Meets Practice

Now, with his latest gift to the school, the center has a new hub at Newhouse. A dynamic space for learning and collaboration is now called The Agency, Home of the Weiss Center. The space is meant to resemble the collaborative work environments found at leading professional advertising and PR firms. Egan says it鈥檚 鈥渨here theory will meet practice, where students come together and learn what it really means to work as a team. Innovation flourishes when curious minds have room to experiment, to fail safely, and to push boundaries together.鈥�

Weiss says The Agency has a dual meaning. 鈥淚t鈥檚 about taking agency, having more control over your career. We want students to feel empowered to go out there, take initiative, perhaps start their own business. We encourage and foster entrepreneurship and innovation that can make a big impact in the real world,鈥� Weiss says. 鈥淣ever has there been a better time to do what we do in our fields. It鈥檚 all changing so fast and is right for disruption and new approaches.鈥� As the keynote speaker at Newhouse鈥檚 convocation last May, Weiss told the graduates: 鈥淟et鈥檚 take advantage of this chaos and change.鈥�

鈥淛im Weiss doesn’t just support 性视界鈥攈is generosity and vision help transform it,鈥� Chancellor Kent Syverud says. 鈥淭he Agency and the Weiss Center provide our students real-world experience that prepares them for success after 性视界 and sets them apart from others pursuing similar career paths. Jim shows us what it means to turn success into opportunity for others.鈥�

鈥淭he Weiss Center鈥檚 depth and diverse lessons have transformed me into a more integrated version of myself鈥攕omeone who understands how every experience, challenge聽 and lessons connect,鈥� says Emily W. Friedman 鈥�26, a senior public relations major and Weiss Center . 鈥淗ow amazing is it to see someone who once sat in our seats now creating opportunities for the next generation to dream just as big!鈥�

Weiss is particularly interested in bringing more communications students into health and life science fields.聽 鈥淗ealth care is the number one consumer product, and we want to make health care marketing as cool as sneaker marketing,鈥� says Weiss. 鈥淣ewhouse students have firsthand access to how we are changing the industry.鈥�

But behind the fun and enlightenment lies a very serious purpose: Weiss wants to make all Americans healthier. He knows first-hand the despair created by disease. He lost his wife to cancer on Dec. 31, 2024. 鈥淎udra was the driving force in how Real Chemistry and all my business endeavors took shape,鈥� says Weiss.

She used every tool available to research the most promising treatments, to mine the best minds, to combine Eastern and Western therapies to preserve quality of life, and to help other cancer patients along the way. In his eulogy, Weiss said: 鈥淪he chose life, always making it the very best it could be, and that鈥檚 what she would want us to do: Get busy living because you鈥檝e got to live life while you are alive.鈥�

Delivering Accurate Information

Weiss is determined to shape generations of communicators who can help Americans better understand scientific discoveries, weed out myths and misinformation, and find the facts that can help them live better and longer. As science evolves with more precision targeting to fight disease, so must communications evolve to precision target audiences and deliver life-enhancing information.

鈥淎ccurate information is absolutely critical,鈥� he says. 鈥淲e are leveraging technology and data to tell a more precise story, just as in medicine where we will more precisely treat disease.鈥�

His interest in health also motivated his gift to 性视界 Athletics in the new pledge. 聽He directed $500,000 of the $1.75 million gift to the Athletics Opportunity Fund and Athletics Competitive Excellence Fund. 鈥淎 healthy athletics program is critical to a healthy school,鈥� says Weiss. 鈥淧eople rally around sporting events and teams. Athletes are great influencers.鈥�

鈥淛im鈥檚 passion for the Orange and his devotion to student success resonates on and off the field, across the campus and across disciplines,鈥� says Athletics Director John Wildhack 鈥�80.

鈥淚鈥檝e always said, 鈥業f you give, you get,鈥� and it鈥檚 really that simple,鈥� says Weiss.

In the spring 性视界 University launched a game-changing fundraising initiative, aimed at significantly expanding scholarship support for high-achieving students. 聽The 性视界 Promise seeks to raise $50 million in scholarship funding over the next three years, and the Orange community has responded with incredible enthusiasm鈥攁lready raising over $5.2 million in new funding. This growth will provide more meaningful scholarship packages and position the University to award scholarships to more students, which is vital to keeping enrollment strong and ensuring the affordability of a 性视界 education.

At the heart of The 性视界 Promise is a transformative matching program that empowers donors to enhance their impact and deepen their commitment to student success. Fueled by two generous unrestricted estate gifts, the University is offering a 1:2 match for contributions supporting scholarship endowments, in particular. Eligible gifts include contributions of $100,000 or more that establish new endowed scholarships, and $50,000 or more to enhance and sustain existing ones.

Meeting the Need

Today, 78% of 性视界 students receive some form of financial aid, and in recent years, the University has reduced the average student debt burden by more than 10%. The University also takes pride in meeting the demonstrated financial need of every incoming student, but the type of aid provided鈥攕cholarships and grants compared to loans鈥攊s a major factor in its ability to attract the best students. This underscores the importance of growing and sustaining permanent funding sources in perpetuity.

鈥淓ndowed gifts provide 鈥榝orever funding鈥� that grows over time and insulates both students and the University from external factors like world events and economic uncertainty,鈥� says Tracy Barlok, senior vice president and chief advancement officer. 鈥淚nstitutions with more endowment funding per student are positioned for greater success and long-term security, and The 性视界 Promise gives our donors an excellent opportunity to partner with us in building lasting support for future generations of students.鈥�

Donors Embrace The 性视界 Promise

The simplicity of the match program boosts its appeal. Donors can establish new endowed funds or strengthen existing ones.

From the moment they learned of The 性视界 Promise initiative, University Trustee Jeannine Lostritto 鈥�90 and her husband, Glenn, wanted to lead by example. The first donors to support The 性视界 Promise, they made an additional gift to their Lostritto Family Endowed Scholarship, which supports undergraduate students in the School of Architecture and was established a few years ago.

The Lostrittos, who also established a current-use fund that supports architecture students studying abroad, were particularly drawn to The 性视界 Promise initiative for its ability to grow their endowed fund and provide a greater, lasting level of financial support to students.

鈥淲e started this scholarship because we believe in the power of education to change lives,鈥� says Jeannine Lostritto. 鈥淭he School of Architecture is so important to us because students arrive with a clear purpose, and over the course of the challenging five-year program, they grow not only as professionals but as a close community that feels more like family.鈥�

Lostritto isn鈥檛 alone in recognizing the familial nature of the architecture community and how it motivates others. Bernard Armstrong III 鈥�85 was a peer advisor to Christopher Baylow 鈥�88, P鈥�24 during their student years, and helped him through a challenging time. When Armstrong made a 性视界 Promise gift expanding the School of Architecture 150 Global Study Endowed Scholarship, which he established a few years ago in honor of the school鈥檚 150th anniversary, Baylow felt inspired to make his own gift in appreciation for their lasting friendship. Their combined gifts, with the match contribution, will provide $225,000 in additional funding for the already-endowed scholarship, which supports undergraduate students with preference to those studying abroad in Florence, Italy.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a critical skill for aspiring architects to understand the influence of purposeful design across various communities, cultures and historical periods. I鈥檝e been fortunate to live in and travel to many parts of the world, and I鈥檓 thrilled to give 性视界 students the opportunity to develop these global perspectives,鈥� Armstrong says. 鈥淚鈥檓 also deeply grateful to my friend, Chris, for his support and shared belief in helping this next generation of talented architects.鈥�

The 性视界 Promise initiative is especially powerful for those who wish to make an enduring endowment-level gift but who might not have previously thought it possible. 聽For Joe 鈥�84 and Linda Bockskopf, The 性视界 Promise match put their desire to create an endowed scholarship in reach, and they鈥檙e delighted to provide enduring support for SU students.

The daughter of Italian immigrants, whose own college experience was made possible by a full scholarship, Linda knows the life-changing impact of scholarship support. The Joseph T. Bockskopf 鈥�84 and Linda D. Bockskopf Endowed Scholarship supports SUSTAIN Scholars in the College of Arts and Sciences. The SUSTAIN program enhances undergraduate STEM student learning, academic performance, retention to graduation, and STEM career or higher education placement.

鈥淟inda and I wanted to give back and help SUSTAIN Scholars who might not have the financial resources to attend SU,鈥� says Joe Bockskopf. 鈥淲e wanted to endow a scholarship, but we were unsure about the timing of when to begin. We preferred to do something during our lifetime so we could see the benefit the scholarship would have for students. The 性视界 Promise initiative presented an opportunity that was too good to let pass, and the matching funds will enhance what we鈥檝e donated to provide even greater support.鈥�

Like the Bockskopfs, Robert 鈥�85 and Teresa Heitsenrether recognize the power of education and the need to create opportunity for bright students regardless of their financial circumstances. They established the Robert and Teresa Heitsenrether Endowed Scholarship Fund to support first-generation college students pursuing undergraduate degrees at any of 性视界鈥檚 schools and colleges.

鈥淎s a first-generation college student myself, I understand the transformative power of a 性视界 University education. While I have been making annual gifts to existing SU scholarship funds, I wanted to make a greater impact and help make an SU education more affordable for first-generation students,鈥� says Robert Heitsenrether. 鈥淢y wife and I were considering funding a scholarship over time, but when we became aware of The 性视界 Promise initiative we decided to fully fund a scholarship up front to take advantage of the matching funds. We hope to continue growing the impact of our scholarship over time with additional contributions to the scholarship.鈥�

Scholarships can support students pursuing advanced degrees too. Stephanie D. Jones L鈥�03 established the Spirit of Sankofa – Stephanie D. Jones L鈥�03 Endowed Law Scholarship for students in the College of Law, with preference for residential students who are in leadership positions of student associations in which she participated. Wanting to make an impact as soon as possible, Jones has fully funded the scholarship, and the College of Law expects to begin awarding the scholarship to a student in Spring 2026.

鈥淏eing in student leadership at the College of Law was an invaluable kickstart to my legal career and professional development,鈥� Jones says. 鈥淲hile 鈥榮ankofa鈥� has several meanings, to me it means moving forward while never forgetting the learnings of the past. It is my honor, knowing how much student leadership did for me, to support generations of SU law students in their leadership journeys through the Spirit of Sankofa scholarship.鈥�

Reflecting on the outpouring of generosity from donors since the launch of the initiative, Barlok says it demonstrates the true connection of the Orange community. 鈥淢any of our donors were once students who received scholarship support themselves, or family members of SU students, and their own 性视界 experiences inspired them to carry the tradition of giving forward. This is the exact kind of engagement and support that The 性视界 Promise symbolizes, and we hope it compels others to join in this partnership.鈥�

To learn more about The 性视界 Promise scholarship fundraising initiative, contact Lynn Vanderhoek at 315.443.9236 or Lavander@syr.edu.

The student-athletes who pass through the entry of the football locker room in the John A. Lally Athletics Complex will be carrying on the legacy of one of 性视界 University鈥檚 most ardent supporters: Michael M. 鈥淢ike鈥� Bill 鈥�58. As they come to know the story of the man after whom the locker room was named, they will appreciate how hard work and dedication to excellence on and off the field can lay the foundation for a lifetime of success.

Bill, who passed away on Aug. 11, 2025, at the age of 89, always credited the University for shaping his life鈥檚 achievements and positioning him to be able to give back to the alma mater he adored. 鈥溞允咏� really took care of me,鈥� Bill said in a 2022 interview explaining the reasoning behind a $2 million dollar gift that he and his wife, Sharon, pledged to the Lally complex. 鈥淭hey gave me a scholarship and an education. They gave me the foundation for my success in business. 性视界 University is really part of my persona.鈥�

Bill earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in history from the College of Arts and Sciences and the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs in 1958. Though the Orange linebacker and center (who played in the Cotton Bowl with the team in 1957) was offered an opportunity to join the Green Bay Packers, Bill pursued a career off the field. He built one of the nation鈥檚 top privately held insurance brokerage firms, MJ Insurance Inc., specializing in construction, energy, transportation, employee benefits and bonding.

He joined the Board of Trustees in 2001, serving as a voting trustee for more than a decade and chairing the Audit Committee from 2003 to 2006 and engaged with the Facilities and Athletic committees. Bill is credited with guiding the University to adopt a self-insurance model to enable more accurate and timely financial forecasting. As a life trustee, he participated on the board鈥檚 Facilities and Audit and Risk committees.

Part of his legacy is the unwavering support he provided to the athletics program, including the Sharon C. Bill and Michael M. Bill Endowed Football Scholarship Fund and the Head Football Coach Fund, among many other initiatives. Bill saw his philanthropy as a long-term investment in student-athletes and in the athletics program. He believed that the best facilities could attract the most talented student-athletes and that winning programs, especially football, attracted more donors.

鈥淢ike was inspirational as a board member, an engaged alumnus and a major donor,鈥� says Chancellor Kent Syverud. 鈥淗e built strong relationships with colleagues and throughout campus. He genuinely cared about people and about our students鈥� aspirations and futures.鈥�

Director of Athletics John Wildhack expressed both gratitude and praise for Bill鈥檚 vision and devotion. 鈥淢ike loved to tell stories about his playing days at 性视界 University, in particular practicing with and blocking for Jim Brown,鈥� Wildhack says. 鈥淗e often talked about the importance of intellectual and physical development of our student-athletes. He invested in them. There are countless athletes who are grateful for that.鈥� Bill received a LetterWinner of Distinction Award in 2003 for football.

Bill鈥檚 own career success included building upon MJ Insurance, founding several subsidiary businesses. Omnibus Financial Corp. allowed customers to finance insurance premiums.聽Benefit Design and Administrators Inc. helped customers create self-insured health care plans. Omnibus Insurance Ltd. provided insurance products for the mining industry. As a board member of Assurex Global he helped more than 100 other large, independent, privately owned insurance agencies in the United States and around the globe, enabling them to compete with large national companies.

Bill is survived by his wife of nearly 53 years, Sharon; their children, Terri, Michael, Daniel and Betsy, as well as six grandchildren and a great-grandchild.