2014-15

Remarkable Performances

April 28, 2015

Dear Orange Friends:

April in Syracuse is filled with end of the academic year student activities–so many that no one can possibly attend all of them, but all are worth attending. There have been many remarkable performances this month. The men and women of our boxing club went to nationals in Ann Arbor, and took away many awards, including a national championship for Tomas Smith, a junior chemistry major in the College of Arts and Sciences. The team is coached by Phil Benedict who works full time at the University as a supervisor in the Physical Plant North Zone.

Groundbreaking Research

April 17, 2015

Dear Orange Friends:

During my time at Syracuse I have learned there is remarkable research being done by our students and faculty, all around us, on campus and in the world. I want to share with you two exciting research-related achievements that have occurred this semester.

Measure for Measure

April 10, 2015

Dear Orange Friends:

Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure is known as a “problem play” because it raises more questions than it answers and defies categories, including those of comedy and tragedy. Syracuse University Drama students, under the direction of Professor Celia Madeoy, are right now asking the questions and defying the categories in a production at the Loft Theater at Syracuse Stage. I saw the show Saturday. It is not to be missed.

The Tireless Pursuit

April 7, 2015

Dear Orange Friends:

Last week I was fortunate to attend a symposium to celebrate the work and legacy of Professor Mĩcere Gĩthae Mũgo. Tributes honoring Professor Mũgo as she prepares to retire from Syracuse have streamed in from around the world. Among the attendees at Friday’s event was the Honorable Willy Mutunga, the Chief Justice of Kenya, Professor Mũgo’s native country.

Take Back the Night

April 1, 2015

Dear Orange Friends:

One of the things that makes this University special is how people who believe in something strongly can and do come together to make their voices heard.

Last night’s turnout for Take Back the Night 2015  event was outstanding. A previous, long-term commitment off-campus kept me from attending, but nearly 1,000 members of the campus community were there.

A Community Tradition

February 10, 2015

Dear Orange Friends:

Syracuse University does many things well – indeed, better than at any university I have encountered. Our Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration is one of these.

Holiday Greetings

December 22, 2014

Dear Orange Friends:

It is very quiet this week in Syracuse as we near the holidays and so many have returned to their loved ones. On Sunday, a hardy group of us gathered at Hendricks and at the Wall of Remembrance for a service to mark the anniversary of the loss of lives on Pan Am 103. The service reminded me how, in the midst of the holidays, a tragedy struck and caused us all at Syracuse such pain and doubt.

Holidays at Hendricks

December 9, 2014

Dear Orange Friends:

On Sunday night in Hendricks Chapel, hundreds of Syracuse students, faculty, staff, and community members came together in the miracle that is “Holidays at Hendricks,” the Hendricks Chapel Holiday Concert at Syracuse University. These performers, from seven choirs and ensembles, were brought together by Peppie Calvar, artistic director, with incomparable accompaniment from Anne Laver, University organist.

Orange Teamwork

November 25, 2014

Dear Orange Friends:

Four groups of Syracuse student-athletes have had amazing runs toward the end of the season.

Our field hockey team advanced to the National Championship game for the first time in program history. The Orange lost an incredibly close and exciting game 1-0 to the University of Connecticut. It was Syracuse’s eighth-consecutive NCAA Tournament showing and its third Final Four.

Many Dimensions

November 17, 2014

Dear Orange Friends:

Last week many members of the Syracuse University faculty and staff came to the University’s Chancellor House on Comstock. This is part of a series of ongoing receptions for 100 folks at a time from across all parts of the campus—custodians, faculty members, IT staff, food service workers, admissions counselors, and enrollment staff, just to name a few. We spend two hours together talking, seeing the house, and talking informally about the University to which so many have donated years. Most of the staff have never been in the house, and it feels good to have them at home.