The �����dz����ܲԾ��ٲ� on May 21 for the annual Awards and Appreciation Event to honor the vital network that fuels student success.

The evening served as a thank you to the dedicated alumni, corporate partners and friends who invest their time and resources into mentoring, hosting student trips and providing critical philanthropic leadership. By bridging the gap between the classroom and the professional world, this exceptional network continues to create invaluable networking opportunities and pathways for the next generation of Whitman business leaders.

“The alumni and partners we recognize tonight represent the very best of what it means to be part of the Whitman community,” said Whitman Interim Dean Alex McKelvie. “Their careers, their service and their continued commitment to our students have a real and lasting impact on the strength of our network, on the opportunities available to our graduates and on the culture of this school. We are incredibly proud to call them our own.”

Thanks to the dedicated support of the school’s alumni and partners, the 2025–26 academic year was a resounding success, driving significant progress toward Whitman’s Transformation 2030 goals as it advances toward becoming a top 25 undergraduate business school. Some notable successes from the year include:

•  Improving its Poets&Quants undergraduate business school ranking by two spots to No. 37
• 555 internships completed in the 2025-26 academic year
• 98.1% full-time placement within 180 days of graduation for the Class of 2025
• 87 employers participating in recruiting events
• 260 alumni and friends serving in volunteer leadership roles over the past academic year

While the event celebrated the collective power of the Whitman network, the evening also shone a spotlight on the exceptional individuals leading the charge. A select group of alumni and partners whose extraordinary contributions set the standard for the entire Whitman community were honored. The following awards were presented:

Jonathan J. Holtz Alumnus of the Year Award: David Panasci ’80

The Holtz Award was established in 1986 by Jonathan J. Holtz ’78 to recognize alumni for their professional accomplishments and service to Syracuse University. The highest honor given to graduates of the Whitman School, the Jonathan J. Holtz Alumnus of the Year Award was presented to David Panasci ’80, founder and president of DHP Consulting LLC.

For years, Panasci has been a fixture in the Whitman School community. His exceptional mentorship and continued support have left an indelible mark on the student community. Through his longstanding involvement with the Panasci Business Plan Competition and his creation of the Panasci Local Leadership Initiative, he has helped establish unique experiential learning opportunities that distinguish the school’s programmatic offerings on a national level.

The Panasci Local Leadership Initiative is offered by Whitman in collaboration with Leadership Greater Syracuse. The program was launched in fall 2023 to cultivate the next generation of Central New York’s leaders and encourage Whitman students to explore and consider a future career in CNY.

One student participant reflected, “my experience in the Panasci Local Leadership Initiative was amazing … I know so much more about the community and all the wonderful things the leaders are doing to keep it going and improving it. The program allows us to build a deeper connection with our mentors. I was given the space and time to immerse myself in a community and truly understand how to build a solution-oriented mindset.”

The Panasci Business Plan Competition is a marquee annual entrepreneurship event offered by the Whitman School. The annual competition offers students across the  University community to present their entrepreneurial ventures and compete for $40,000 in start-up funding.

Prior to launching DHP Consulting, Panasci served as president and COO of Fay’s Incorporated, where the company achieved more than $1 billion in sales. With more than 40 years of executive and management experience spanning sales, marketing, real estate, mergers and acquisitions and turnaround scenarios, Panasci has consulted with organizations ranging from startups to Fortune 100 companies as well as local and regional nonprofits. He also serves as an adjunct assistant professor of pharmacy practice at the University at Buffalo.

Dean’s Citation for Exceptional Service: Barbara Ashkin ’74, G’77

The Dean’s Citation for Exceptional Service recognizes members of the Whitman community who exemplify a significant commitment to helping prepare and place future business leaders. Barbara Ashkin ’74, G’77 is a distinguished business leader whose career helped shape the economic and civic landscape of Central New York. She began in public accounting with Coopers & Lybrand before playing a pivotal role in the development of Carousel Center, now Destiny USA. She later joined CXtec (formerly CABLExpress) as vice president and CFO, helping grow the firm into a global provider of sustainable technology solutions.

As a dedicated alumna mentor, Ashkin engages with career exploration trips, on-campus panels and the Panasci Local Leadership Initiative, consistently investing her expertise in the next generation of Whitman students.

“Mentors like Barbara Ashkin, who actively share insights, provide guidance and help students build meaningful connections, create a much more impactful experience,” said one Whitman student.

Dean’s Citation for Exceptional Service: Jennifer Kreischer ’88

Jennifer Kreischer ’88 is a seasoned financial advisor with more than 35 years of experience in operational and financial due diligence. She began her career in the audit practice of what became PwC before becoming a partner in PwC’s Deals practice, guiding buyers and sellers through complex transactions. She also helped shape PwC’s approach to internal controls for power and utilities clients following the passage of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Today, she leads teams at Kreischer Miller, helping institutional investors assess and manage operational risk.

Since graduating from Syracuse, Kreischer has remained actively involved with the Whitman School, including serving as chair of the Lubin School of Accounting Advisory Board, hosting student interns and participating in career exploration events. As a third-generation Syracuse University graduate, Kreischer exemplifies what it means to “Be Orange.”

Orange Ovation Award: Margo Konugres ’12

The Orange Ovation Award is presented to young alumni who set a positive example to Whitman students through their professional success and service to the Whitman/Syracuse University community. Recipients of this award must have graduated within the past 15 years.

Margo Konugres ’12 began her career at IBM after interning there between her junior and senior years at the University. Over the past 13 years, she has grown into a strategic leader driving client engagement, alliances and large-scale business transformation across global organizations.

A proud alumna of the Whitman School, Konugres has demonstrated a sustained commitment to giving back as a founding member of the Young Whitman Advisory Board, former engagement chair and current member of the Marketing Management Engagement Board. Through monthly mentorship, classroom engagement and involvement with student organizations, she actively supports the next generation of Whitman leaders.

The University is again a proud sponsor of the , a four-day celebration of world-class jazz music and community spirit, taking place July 9-12 at Beak & Skiff Apple Orchards in LaFayette, New York, and on the Syracuse University campus.

As it marks its 40th anniversary, the Syracuse International Jazz Fest enters an exciting new era, expanding its footprint while staying true to its roots. This year’s lineup includes such internationally acclaimed artists as Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Tower of Power, Gunhild Carling, Hejira, Dumpstaphunk, and Nathan & the Zydeco Cha Chas, along with the University’s own student jazz ensemble, Orange Juice.

The grand finale of the Syracuse International Jazz Fest, Return to Community: A Sunday Gospel Jazz Service, will be held Sunday, July 12, at , featuring a special performance by the Winston-Salem State University Concert Choir and local ensembles.

Opening Night: Celebrating the Nation’s 250th Anniversary With the Airmen of Note

Syracuse University and the Syracuse International Jazz Fest are proud to co-present a special opening night on Thursday, July 9, at the National Veterans Resource Center at the Daniel and Gayle D’Aniello Building (NVRC), 101 Waverly Ave., Syracuse. The United States Air Force Band’s Airmen of Note will take the stage at 6 p.m.

Presented in association with the University’s , the evening will feature an exclusive Upstate New York regional performance by the world-renowned USAF Airmen of Note, an 18-piece jazz ensemble, musically celebrating the nation’s 250th anniversary.

Admission is free with priority given to Syracuse-area veterans; . Free parking is available in the University Avenue Garage, located at 1101 East Adams St.

Student Ensemble Performance: Orange Juice

Among the festival’s featured performers is the jazz combo, a standout student ensemble of instrumental and vocal performers from the College of Visual and Performing Arts’ . They will perform at 5 p.m. on Friday, July 10, in the tasting room at Beak & Skiff Apple Orchards in LaFayette.

The ensemble performs regularly in concerts on campus and at community events throughout the year. This will be the ensemble’s fourth appearance at the Syracuse International Jazz Fest under the musical direction of , director of jazz and commercial music in the Setnor School.

Fusing Gospel and Jazz

Wrapping up the festival, Hendricks Chapel’s will offer a unique blend of spiritual inspiration and musical artistry. The event will begin at 3 p.m., with a pre-event outdoor community luncheon preceding the service. Both are free.

Hendricks Chapel invites the community to this uplifting experience that fuses and celebrates gospel and jazz music, highlighted by special guests the Winston-Salem State University Concert Choir, the Syracuse Community Choir, composed of Syracuse-area residents and the Black Celestial Choral Ensemble.

All Syracuse International Jazz Fest events are free and open to the public.

For the full schedule and artist lineup, visit .

Three of Central New York’s most prominent champions for veterans, including Syracuse University ,  were honored May 28 at Madison County Distillery in Cazenovia, as WCNY launched its first “Mission: Honor Our Heroes”—an event raising funds to keep local veterans’ stories on the air.

Chancellor Haynie, Col. F. William (Bill) Smullen III, U.S. Army (Ret.), a Syracuse alumnus and former director of the University’s national security studies program, and Rear Admiral John Paddock, co-founder of Honor Flight Syracuse, were honored by WCNY.

The event secured funding for continued production and distribution of “Honor Flight Syracuse,” ensuring the voices and experiences of local veterans reach audiences across the region.

“‘Mission: Honor Our Heroes’ reflects �°䱷��’s deep commitment to telling the stories of those who have served our country and our community,” said Mitch Gelman, president and CEO of WCNY. “We are honored to recognize these extraordinary individuals while bringing our community together to celebrate their leadership, sacrifice and lasting impact.”

“I am humbled to be recognized as an advocate for Honor Flight Syracuse and Central New York veterans,” says Chancellor Haynie. “I have always believed that the debt we owe to those who have served and sacrificed for our nation’s defense can never be repaid, but it certainly can and should be acknowledged and honored. That’s what has driven Syracuse University to be a leader in veteran education, and that’s why I’m so proud to be a supporter of Honor Flight Syracuse.”

An influential researcher and scholar, Haynie assumed the chancellorship of Syracuse University on May 11. He is the founder of the and has an extensive record of national public service.

His advocacy for service members and veterans also includes serving as chairman of the U.S. Department of Labor’s Federal Advisory Committee on Veterans Employment, Training and Employer Outreach; vice chairman and later chairman of a White House Presidential Task Force on long-term reform at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA); and membership on the George W. Bush Institute Advisory Council and the VA’s Veterans’ Advisory Committee on Education. Before entering academia, Haynie served as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Air Force for 14 years.

Smullen G’74 is a Vietnam veteran who served in the U.S. Army and U.S. State Department for more than 32 years. His last assignment on active duty was special assistant to the 11th and 12th Chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral William J. Crowe Jr. and General Colin L. Powell. He served as director of Syracuse’s in the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs from 2003-21 and taught in the . He is the former CEO of Clear Path for Veterans.

“For so many years WCNY has been a partner in amplifying the Honor Flight mission, in telling the stories of Central New York veterans and in helping our community understand the contributions of those who have served,” Haynie says. “Today we’re working to ensure that mission can continue so every veteran who wants to be part of the Honor Flight experience has not only that opportunity but the chance to share their story through WCNY.”

, associate provost for academic programs, has been appointed interim dean for the (ECS).

Hasenwinkel, a Laura J. and L. Douglas Meredith Professor of Teaching Excellence, was previously chair of the Department of Biomedical and Chemical Engineering and a faculty affiliate of the . She has previously served as ECS associate dean for academic and student affairs and senior associate dean. She will continue to serve concurrently as associate provost for academic programs.

“Julie’s extensive leadership and administrative experience positions her well to lead ECS during this time of transition,” says Provost Lois Agnew. “I am grateful she has agreed to take on this expanded responsibility.”

“I’m excited for the opportunity to serve as interim dean of ECS. This college has been my professional home throughout my career, and I am deeply committed to its extraordinary faculty and staff, and most importantly, our students,” says Hasenwinkel.

Two additional appointments will expand leadership support for the college.

Biomedical and Chemical Engineering Professor will serve as senior associate dean for faculty affairs.

“ECS has outstanding people at every level and supporting them is what drives great outcomes for our students and our college,” says Henderson. “I’m grateful for the chance to serve in this role and look forward to working with Julie, Andria and the entire ECS community to strengthen the foundations that let our faculty, staff and students do their best work.”

Civil and Environmental Engineering Professor will serve as interim senior associate dean of academic operations while continuing to chair the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.

“I’m honored to have the opportunity to work with Julie, Jay, ECS faculty, staff and students to help our college continue to thrive, innovate and excel,” says Costello Staniec.

Agnew credited input from the broader ECS community, including department chairs, in shaping the transition plan.

“I am confident that under Julie’s leadership, the college will move forward with purpose and momentum,” says Agnew. “I am grateful to Julie, Jay and Andria for stepping up at an important moment and for their dedication to ECS and to Syracuse University.”

Cash Operations has set a deadline of 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 30, to receive deposits for credit in fiscal year 2026.

Deposits should be made as early in the day as possible on Tuesday, June 30. The Cash Operations office is located at 621 Skytop Rd., Suite 120.

Deposits received after June 30 will be processed as July (fiscal year 2027) business. The exception is for monies received on or before June 30 but not processed due to internal mail delays. Those deposits can be credited to fiscal year 2026 by indicating “JUNE BUSINESS” on the deposit slip in red ink.

Cash Operations can only accept deposits for June business (fiscal year 2026) until 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 2.

Questions or concerns may be directed to Tina Kelly at tkelly01@syr.edu.

Syracuse University has reaffirmed its test optional admissions policy, confirming that SAT and ACT scores will not be required for students applying for Fall 2027 and Spring 2028 admission.

The policy, in place since 2021, continues to ensure that students who opt not to submit standardized test scores are not penalized in the review process.

“Our admissions review has always looked well beyond standardized test scores,” says Maurice A. Harris, dean of Admissions. “Our test optional approach enables us to focus more heavily on factors such as academic success, challenging coursework and involvement outside the classroom.”

Merit scholarship eligibility remains open to all applicants, regardless of whether test scores are submitted.

Students who choose to submit test scores may share either self-reported or official scores. Students who self-report their scores will not be required to submit official score reports unless they are admitted and choose to enroll.

When Hadwen C. Fuller II crossed the stage at the Graduate Convocation this spring, the loudest cheers didn’t come from his wife and three sons.

They came from a group of classmates young enough to be his grandchildren.

A few months earlier, Fuller had walked into a weeklong January course in Washington, D.C., carrying a brand-new laptop he’d only recently learned how to use, a healthy dose of skepticism about artificial intelligence and unfinished business that dated back to the Nixon administration.

The three credits earned from that course—Public Management of Technology Development—finally allowed Fuller to complete the M.P.A. degree he had started at the Maxwell School more than 50 years ago.

“I’ve always liked to finish what I start,” Fuller says.

That persistence has defined much of his life.

He grew up in the Oswego County town of Parish, New York, population 411. His grandfather, despite never graduating from high school, climbed from local politics to the New York State Assembly and, eventually, Congress. Fuller absorbed that example and arrived at Syracuse University thinking seriously about a future in government.

After earning a political science degree from Maxwell in 1970, Fuller enrolled in the . In his second year, he added a public administration degree at Maxwell because it matched his interest in leadership and public service.

He finished law school in 1973. The M.P.A. stalled six credits short.

For many people, that unfinished degree would have faded into ancient history. Fuller carried it around like a pebble in his shoe.

“It just kind of gnawed at me that I never completed it,” he says.

Over the next five decades, Fuller built a varied and successful professional career. Shortly after law school, he served as justice of the peace in Parish, processing thousands of cases after state police flooded the area with traffic enforcement teams. He worked in his family’s Sunoco gasoline distributorship, eventually selling the business during the 1980 Lake Placid Olympics while helping coordinate corporate fundraising tied to the Games. Most of his professional life has been spent in the aviation fuel industry, launching and running companies of his own.

Along the way, he took another swipe at the Maxwell degree. In 1996, he petitioned to re-enroll and completed a three-credit course on management of the U.S. Forestry Service.

“I planned to enroll in another class to finish it up,” Fuller says. “It just never happened.”

A Chance Encounter

Until a dinner conversation changed everything.

Last fall, Fuller attended an event hosted by the Onondaga Historical Association, where he serves on the board. One of the guests was , newly arrived at Maxwell as professor of practice in public administration and international affairs and the Phanstiel Chair in Leadership.

At some point during the evening, Fuller casually mentioned he was “almost” a Maxwell alumnus. Parmeter quickly learned Fuller was only one course away from finishing the degree he had started in the early 1970s. By coincidence, Parmeter himself was teaching a one-week, three-credit course in Washington that January.

“Would you like to finish your degree?” Parmeter asked.

Fuller thought he was joking.

He wasn’t.

Soon, Assistant Dean of Online Programs was digging through decades-old records and untangling the academic equivalent of an archaeological dig. Expired credits needed reinstating. Approvals had to move through faculty leadership, the Graduate School and the registrar. Fuller had to be transferred into the executive M.P.A. program.

And then there was the technology.

“From soup to nuts, he needed help with everything,” Bartkowiak says with a laugh. “But he was a very good sport about it.”

Despite decades of business success, Fuller had largely managed to avoid becoming computer savvy. Bartkowiak convinced him he needed a laptop.

After a trip to Best Buy, Fuller launched into what amounted to a crash course in modern technology, teaching himself how to use the computer while diving headfirst into AI.

By January, he arrived in Washington equal parts prepared and panicked.

Back in the Classroom

His classmates included M.P.A. students, international relations students, law students and U.S. State Department fellows. Nearly all of them were decades younger. Fuller worried he would slow down group work or embarrass himself trying to keep up.

Instead, he became an integral member of the class.

Lauren Grosso G’26 initially thought Fuller was a guest speaker before realizing he was a fellow student. “I couldn’t believe that someone with that level of experience still wanted to be in a classroom, still wanting to learn,” she says. “That shifted something for me, not just how I saw Had, but how I see things in general. No matter how much experience you have or how much you know, there’s always more to learn.”

The course itself focused on public policy scenarios set in 2030, challenging students to use AI tools to solve complex problems while also evaluating the technology’s weaknesses and risks. For Fuller, it became a revelation.

“It’s like you have the smartest person in the world sitting next to you,” he says of AI. “They don’t get tired. They’re up all night. And you can ask them dumb questions because they don’t care.”

Still, Fuller wasn’t simply absorbing lessons. He was teaching them too.

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The , in partnership with CEO Maggie Mortali from the  New York City and CEO Marco Damiani from the , examined the development of digital Psychiatric Advance Directives (PADs) in New York state.

PADs are legal documents that promote individual rights and self-determination by allowing individuals to specify their treatment and support preferences in advance of a mental health crisis. The convening on May 12 explored how digital PADs can improve person-centered behavioral health support in New York.

The meeting brought together people affected by mental illness, peer supporters, CEOs and state leaders. Speakers included Ann Sullivan, commissioner for the NYS Office of Mental Health, and John Barbuto, NYS executive deputy commissioner of the Office for People With Developmental Disabilities. Also participating were representatives from nonprofit organizations, peer support networks, law enforcement and provider associations focused on behavioral health services.

“The convening resulted in a collaborative discussion among individuals dedicated to the rights of individuals affected by mental illness,” says Peter Blanck, University Professor and chair of BBI. “Digital PADs align with a core mission of BBI to ensure that new technologies are available to people with disabilities.”

“Digital PADs are a rights document that speaks for the individual during a mental health crisis to others such as family and mental health specialists that the individual voluntarily chooses,” says Kiran Sahota, project director for , the first in the country.

BBI and its partners are planning follow-up discussions and convenings to advance the use of digital PADs in New York State, with the shared goal of building more responsive, equitable and person-centered systems of care.

wrapped up participation in the 2025-26 academic year with the Student Library Advisory Board (SLAB), student representatives from across the University.

Participants in SLAB shared their ideas and feedback with Libraries management on the Libraries’ services, resources, spaces and programming in a structured format across the semester. Members also served as ambassadors for the Libraries, gaining leadership and skills in information literacy, communication, civic responsibility, research and creative thinking. Those who completed the Spring 2026 semester received an Engaged Citizenship Digital Badge.

Students are eligible to participate for two semesters. Those who participated in both Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 semesters included:

• Jivishaa Pandit ’26, College of Arts and Sciences (A&S) and Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs
• Andrea Jacob G’26, Newhouse School of Public Communications
• Delaney Hendrick ’26, A&S

For the Fall 2025 semester, SLAB students included:

• Min Paing Moe G’29, School of Education
• Phoebe Russell ’28, School of Information Studies
• Nafisa Jeilani ’26, Maxwell School
• Darika Djusupova ’28, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Students who participated in the Spring 2026 semester included:

• Olivia Wisner ’28, Whitman School of Management
• Nicole Balkissoon ’29, School of Information Studies
• Claudia Reto G’26, Maxwell School
• Zach Ehrenreich ’29, School of Architecture
• Mehmooda Shakoor ’27, School of Education
• Elizabeth Akeloko G’26, A&S

Some examples of input from SLAB members that resulted in Libraries improvements included:

• Improved signage around the self-check-out kiosk​s and printers in the library
• Navigation updates to the website​
• Information on size options for the plotter poster printer​
• Improved communication with international students​
• Increased number of hours to reserve some study rooms​

SLAB members shared their feedback on the experience, with one student saying, “Participating in SLAB this semester has been a great experience in professional collaboration and student advocacy. It provided a unique behind the scenes look at how the libraries function and gave me the platform to contribute to the campus culture in a tangible way.”​

Another student reflected, “… SLAB has been a really meaningful way to engage with the Libraries differently—less as a student researcher and more as a bridge between the institution and the people that it serves.”

The Libraries is currently soliciting members for the fall 2026 cohort. can be submitted online. Those with questions can contact libref@syr.edu. SLAB was funded in part through a grant from the Syracuse Office of Undergraduate Research and Creative Engagement  (SOURCE).

James Tarby Jr. ’27 took notice in 2021 when Syracuse University began partnering with his unit, the 174th Attack Wing of the Air National Guard. The new program offered guard members tuition assistance that brought the University’s cost down to no more than the SUNY tuition rate. A year later, the University on his base.

Tarby watched as a few of his fellow airmen enrolled to pursue their degrees. By 2022, he decided it was his turn to finish a bachelor’s with the College of Professional Studies, which he had attempted to complete elsewhere previously.

This time, it stuck, and Tarby’s persistence has paid off as he has worked toward his bachelor of science in cybersecurity administration, with a minor in knowledge management. He is this year’s recipient of the Dr. Frank E. Funk Military Student Excellence Award from the .

The award honors Funk, who served as a navigator with the 463rd Bomb Group of the 15th Air Corps during World War II. He was shot down over Czechoslovakia and spent the remainder of the war as a prisoner of war, later attending Syracuse on the G.I. Bill. The award recognizes Syracuse students who are current members of the military as they pursue their undergraduate degree with the College of Professional Studies, acknowledging those who exemplify the “highest standards of dedication, leadership and perseverance” as they balance the demands of their job and school.

Receiving the award is not something Tarby, who has served in the military for the last 26 years, takes lightly.

“That means a lot,” Tarby says. “My grandfathers were both military. One was World War II, one was in Korea, both in the Army. And for Dr. Frank Funk to have lived through what he lived through in World War II and persevering—it means a lot.”

Achieving What Felt Out of Reach

Tarby says it feels somewhat ironic to be recognized for his academic achievements now.

“I really was not a student who enjoyed school through high school,” he says. “I always was the kid that did the bare minimum, just to be able to play sports.”

After high school, he started out at SUNY Morrisville, but found it wasn’t right for him. He joined the Marines in 2000. He tried college again in the spring of 2005, after returning from a deployment to Africa, attending Columbia College of Missouri, which was on the base of the 174th Attack Wing.

In 2007, after his enlistment with the Marines ended, he joined the 174th Attack Wing, and attempted college again in 2017 through Southern New Hampshire University, but a deployment to Afghanistan interrupted his studies.

“To be here is just phenomenal,” Tarby says.

Tarby may not have considered himself a natural student, but Jonah Fugo, Tarby’s academic advisor, says his mentee “consistently stands out as a top student who approaches every class with dedication, balance and maturity.”

He always looked forward to meeting with Tarby, who he describes as “kind, flexible and responsive.”

“James is a model student in every sense,” Fugo says. “He embodies the qualities we hope to see in all of our learners, and it has been a privilege to support him in his academic journey.”

Tarby says settling on cybersecurity for a major was easy, given the work he does with the 174th Communication Squadron. He only recently learned he was just two classes short of having his minor in knowledge management, so he is pursuing those credits past this spring.

Tarby says he’s had an incredible experience with his advisors and instructors at Syracuse. Learning from teachers across the world with real-world knowledge who “genuinely care” has been a highlight, he says. One professor, he recalled, was in South Africa and was up at 3 a.m. to teach the class at 6 p.m. on the East Coast.

“It shows you how much they actually care to be doing it,” Tarby says. “There’s several other instructors that have provided information on getting certifications and pushing you into the real world, and they live the actual real world experience of the career field. So all around, it’s just been great.”

Setting An Example

Once he’s done with schoolwork, Tarby says he’s looking forward to being able to focus again on his family, bowling and coaching.  Tarby is an amateur bowler, playing in a national tournament yearly, and he also is the head coach for the Chittenango High School trap team.

“It’ll be nice to just relax a little bit and not have to worry about the rush to make sure I’m getting stuff done on time,” he says.

Tarby says the best advice he has for those considering returning to school while working and balancing other life responsibilities is to be persistent.

“Don’t give up,” he says. “Look to the people around you. My wife has several degrees and she’s pushed me quite a bit, so look to the people around you for support. That’s the biggest thing you’ll find, that even if you have kids, the kids will push you hard, too.”

Showing his own kids that he could return and finish his degree was a significant motivator, he says.

“I wanted them to be able to see that it can be done, even as I consider myself the old guy, being able to have it done,” Tarby says. “My daughter graduates from high school in ’28 so for me, it was a push to be like, ‘Alright, gotta get it done before she graduates high school.’ It’s just that push, that’s what the drive has been.”

hosted ’Cuse Collections this spring for the third year in a row, an event where students can drop off new and gently used items that they no longer need or are unable to take home at the end of the semester.

The collected items are provided to local organizations and nonprofits, and at the two collection sites on campus, Syracuse University and SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry students donated an estimated 85 bins of items.

Student volunteers helped oversee the drop-off sites and assist organizations in picking up the donated items.

The items (equivalent to over three dump-truck loads) were donated to seven local organizations, including the Boys & Girls Club of Syracuse, John 6:12, Lydia’s Attic, Rescue Mission, SEA Without Borders, Spanish Action League of Onondaga County and Huntington Family Centers, Inc.

“Donations collected through ’Cuse Collections help the Rescue Mission meet immediate needs in our community. Items like blankets, sheets and clothing are used directly in our emergency shelter services, while additional donations help stock Thrifty Shopper stores with affordable goods for local families,” says Luana Lovenguth, chief social enterprise officer at the Rescue Mission. “It’s a meaningful example of community impact and sustainability working together.”

These donations help keep items out of the waste stream, reduce the amount of energy used to create new products and benefit those in the Syracuse community.

If you’re interested in getting involved next year or are an organization that would like to partner with Sustainability Management, please reach out to sustain@syr.edu.

For Syracuse University’s seniors, Commencement is the culmination of years of hard work and dedication, a moment to celebrate earning their degrees.

But for the 10 seniors on the men’s lacrosse team, while the day was joyous, it was not a time for relaxing. They had to prepare for their next assignment: taking on Yale University in the first round of the NCAA Division I tournament.

In a seesaw contest featuring eight ties and five lead changes, it wasn’t until senior  ’26 came up with two crucial saves with 16 seconds left to that senior co-captains ’26 and ’26 could exhale and celebrate on the turf field inside the JMA Wireless Dome.

Thomson, an attacker, scored three goals and added a pair of assists, and Dwan, a defenseman, scooped up five groundballs and caused a turnover to help lift the Orange into the quarterfinals for the third straight season.

Among the highlights of Commencement weekend: each senior had their graduation photos taken, wearing their cap and gown over their jerseys.

“I felt excitement and happiness, but also a feeling of sadness,” says Thomson, who earned a communication and rhetorical studies degree from the . “The best four years of my life are coming to a close. Having my parents [Amanda and Tim] in the building made it more emotional. My mom has now seen her youngest child graduate. I felt so many emotions when I was sitting on the Dome turf with my cap and gown on.”

“It was a moment of reflection and gratitude for the great people and memories we’ve made at this place,” says Dwan, who also earned a communication and rhetorical studies degree.

Thomson and Dwan spoke with SU Today about the significance of graduating and winning an NCAA postseason game on the same day.

What were you more nervous about, Commencement or the first-round NCAA game?

Finn Thomson: I was more nervous about the game than graduation, because graduation is a celebration whereas the game’s outcome is out of my control. I knew I was going to graduate because I put the work in, but the game had yet to be played.

Billy Dwan III: For me, the playoff game where the season could have potentially ended was a more worrisome experience. Although graduation is a nerve-wracking time, I personally didn’t feel I graduated until our season was over.

How special is it to graduate in the morning and then kick off the quest for a championship in the afternoon?

Dwan: It hit me just how special of a day graduation would be during Selection Sunday the week before. We didn’t know whether we would be playing on Saturday or Sunday for the first round. When the bracket came out and we saw we were playing on the same day as graduation, it put everything into perspective. It’s a special experience.

Thomson: When I found out [Commencement] was the same weekend as our game against Yale, I was excited. There’s so much anticipation leading up to the day, and both events are about your hard work paying off. It was overwhelming, knowing that everything you’ve put into your classes and the team is coming to an end, but it was also a super fun day. Not everyone gets to experience graduation from that perspective.

What would it mean to you to guide this storied men’s lacrosse team to a national championship during your senior year?

Dwan: Everything this place has given me, from an education to the relationships I have built, will last a lifetime. Having that storybook ending for my senior year, going out the right way and winning a national championship would mean the world.

Thomson: Guiding this team to a national championship in my senior year would mean everything to me. Leaving this program in a better place than you found it is always the goal, and winning a national championship would do exactly that. Raising that trophy is always at the back of our minds. We know what it takes and we’re going to do everything we can to get there.

After the win over Yale, Syracuse (13-5) defeated North Carolina 13-11 in the quarterfinals to advance into Championship Weekend. The Orange will face Notre Dame (12-2) at 2:30 p.m. Saturday in the semifinals at Scott Stadium in Charlottesville, Virginia. Fans can , and .

If Syracuse wins, the Orange will play for the national championship at 1 p.m. on Monday.

Editor’s note: This is the last in a five-part series spotlighting ’s global centers.

Marion Patsalides ’28 didn’t just study in Strasbourg—she biked its backstreets, soaked in its baths and became a regular at the neighborhood patisserie. A mechanical engineering major in the , Patsalides studied abroad in the Fall 2025 semester and found Strasbourg to be more than she imagined.

“Studying abroad changed my perspective on myself and the world around me,” she says. Here’s how Patsalides made the most of every week abroad.

Get a Bike

“Strasbourg is a super bikeable city! My favorite way to explore was on my bike. It really enhanced my knowledge of how to get around and helped me feel more like a local.

“There are relatively cheap bike rentals or a biannual bike sale where you can get your own bike. Make sure to get bike locks, a helmet and a bell. It is illegal to ride a bike in Strasbourg without a bell, so that is an absolute essential.”

Spend a Weekend at Home

“Most people going to Strasbourg plan to travel around Europe almost every weekend. Since you have no classes on Friday (most of the time) and many exciting places to visit, it’s very enticing to book lots of travel every weekend once you get there. Plan a ‘staycation’ for at least one weekend.

“During the week, you will have work or studying to do, including your own classes. Make sure you allot a weekend to stay in Strasbourg and explore the whole city. Visit Homme de Fer for shopping and food and Petite France for the quaint atmosphere. Get to know your home base. It is a whole destination on its own, and it’s worth it to spend the time really getting to know it.

“I spent a few weekends in Strasbourg, including two at the end of the semester when I explored the famous Strasbourg Christmas markets with the millions of tourists in the city at the time.

“Mid-semester, I spent a weekend in Strasbourg touring around parts of the city I hadn’t been to before, and I visited the Strasbourg baths with my host mom. The spa experience was amazing and very relaxing. Experiences like this one can’t be beat, especially when they’re one block away from home!”

Take the Train

“Weekend travel is a huge part of this program. Many people choose to fly around Europe, since Strasbourg Entzheim Airport is just outside the city. I used the airport a few times (all three for the UK to visit family). However, the experience of riding the trains is so worthwhile too. Strasbourg is a major European train hub, so many places are easily accessible by train from the Gare Centrale, which is in turn easy to access by bus or by the A, C or D trams.

“However, if you’re looking to save a little money or visit more places in Germany, just over the border is another large train station in Kiel, Germany. The Strasbourg trams have a stop right over the border at that station (A or D).

“Train journeys provide a beautiful, aesthetic view while getting you to most places in Europe quickly. I remember taking the TGV (French bullet train) to Paris having large windows and gorgeous views of the French countryside. Bring your passport to go over the border, and travel like the locals do!”

Skip the Starbucks

Many of us are reliant on our morning Starbucks, but that isn’t the only option in Strasbourg. There are cafes and patisserie everywhere. While Starbucks, McDonald’s and other fast food do exist in France, there are so many more options at reasonable prices. Strasbourg has a lot of different types of food, and so many amazing restaurants and cafes.

“Some of us students in my French 101 class used to visit Patisserie Gerber Jean around the corner from the Strasbourg villa every day after class, and we became regulars! Explore around your neighborhood and visit local restaurants and cafes instead of the big chains.”

Bring the Travel Guide

“Bring an English guidebook from home for some of the places you think you might travel to (including France). Oftentimes, simply looking on Google for a good restaurant can ensure that you miss hidden gems and small businesses, especially in large cities like London or Paris. With guidebooks, someone has done the leg work and found delicious food for you.

“Also, sometimes guidebooks can find better hotels or hostels that fit your needs. Personally, a Rick Steves recommendation saved me a lot of money in London when he recommended a family-owned hotel a 5-minute walk from Victoria Station with reasonable prices. Better experiences and food can be found with an actual book than Google or ChatGPT can get you.”