Dear Orange Friends:
Matthew Kellar and Michael Kennedy are two University locksmiths. Between them they have spent more than 60 years at the University changing keys, fixing locks, installing locks, and helping a few thousand of us out when we are stranded at our office and front doors.
I met Matt and Mike on Monday morning at the Salute to Service Breakfast, in which 185 faculty and staff were recognized for the 25th, 30th, 35th, 40th, and 45th anniversaries of their starting work at Syracuse University. Altogether, the people in the ballroom at the Sheraton had given 5,380 years of kind assistance to our University community, working across all units of the University. I found the folks knew Syracuse better than anyone. I was again reminded that, more than the guy on the top floor of Crouse-Hinds, they are what keeps this place going and going well.
Which brings me back to those two locksmiths, Matt and Mike . They told me they love their craft, and particularly have enjoyed working with the locks and keys from before 1900 that are still in use at the Chancellor’s house. I will remember them each time I turn a key in the house (where there seem to be locks and even skeleton keys everywhere). I hope to show you their craft, on exhibit in the house, as Ruth and I welcome you in over the coming months.
Chancellor Kent Syverud