is offering an end-of-semester opportunity for students to help others while reducing their library fines. “Food for Fines” will run from Monday, April 20, through the end of the spring semester.

All Libraries patrons with overdue circulation fines can reduce their fines by donating healthy, nonperishable food and hygiene items to the . Donations will be accepted at the circulation desks of Bird, Carnegie, Law, Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial and King + King Architecture Libraries. Fine reductions exclude interlibrary loan and lost book fees. Even those without library fees are encouraged to donate!

Fines will be reduced by:

• $1 per item for canned beans and vegetables;
• $2 per item for soap, canned fish/soup, single serving cereal or oatmeal, lip balm, pasta, sauce, tissue, toilet paper or toothbrush;
• $3 per item for baked beans, cereal, canned meat/fruit, oatmeal, ramen noodles, rice, shampoo/conditioner or toothpaste;
• $4 per item for granola bars, deodorant, jam/jelly, hot chocolate, peanut butter or tea; and
• $5 per item for coffee or lotion. Contributions should not be open or expired and single-use items are preferred.

Bird Library is a donation point for contributions to the Coach Mac Food Pantry year-round to support its mission to serve individuals who experience hunger, food insecurity and a lack of resources. The Libraries will accept any sealed, non-expired and non-perishable food or personal care items at the first floor checkout desk at Bird Library during regular . Visit the for more information. With questions, email circulation@syr.edu.

Syracuse University Chancellor Kent Syverud and Chancellor-Elect J. Michael Haynie today announced the members of the search committee charged with identifying the next dean of , the University’s center for religious and spiritual life. The search comes as Hendricks Chapel approaches its centennial in 2030 and prepares to complete a new strategic plan under incoming leadership.

“Hendricks Chapel touches every corner of campus life,” says Chancellor Syverud. “It is our center for faith and spiritual life, hosts some of our most treasured ceremonies and events, and is home to our world-class choir and music program. And every day, it is a place where students have found connection and belonging. We need a strong leader who will build on what makes Hendricks Chapel special and bring people together in new ways.”

“Hendricks Chapel’s next dean will inherit a remarkable legacy and a profound responsibility,” says Chancellor-elect Haynie. “We are looking for a leader who understands the spiritual, cultural and communal dimensions of this role, who can steward our traditions with care and imagination and who will inspire the next generation of students to find their place within this community. The next dean comes to this role with a clear and exciting charge: complete a new strategic plan and lead Hendricks Chapel toward its centennial in 2030.”

Search Committee Members

The committee is co-chaired by Dawn Singleton, vice president for the student experience, and David Aitken ’94, G’97, chair of the Hendricks Chapel Advisory Board.

Other members of the search committee are:

• Gisele Marcus ’89, voting trustee, Board of Trustees
• Joan Nicholson ’71, G’89, life trustee, Board of Trustees, and member, Hendricks Chapel Advisory Board
• John Papazoglou, senior vice president and chief operations officer
• Ingrid Coutts ’92, member, Hendricks Chapel Advisory Board
• Jillian Juni, executive director, Syracuse Hillel
• Gerry Waterman, Catholic chaplain
• Martha Sutter G’83, teaching professor, Setnor School of Music, and senior associate dean of academic affairs, College of Visual and Performing Arts
• Tom Barkley, professor, Whitman School of Management, and advisor, Christian Staff and Faculty Association
• Mian Muhammad Abdul Hamid ’25, graduate student and convener, Student Assembly of Interfaith Leaders
• Alana Mitchell ’27, undergraduate student, Christian Outreach member and Hendricks Chapel hospitality associate

Campus Engagement Opportunities

The committee will lead a series of Zoom listening sessions with campus and community stakeholders as follows:

• Friday, April 10, 2:30-3:30 p.m. (open to all constituencies)
• Monday, April 13, 3-4 p.m. (student-focused)
• Wednesday, April 15, 2-3 p.m. (open to all constituencies)

All community members are welcome to for any session that fits their schedule.

Community members can also provide . Both exercises will help the search committee develop a clear picture of what the community needs most from the chapel’s next dean. That input will directly inform the recruitment process and candidate interviews.

The search firm WittKieffer will work with the committee to identify finalist candidates. The committee will engage with each finalist and provide Chancellor-Elect Haynie with input to support his final decision. The goal is to have a new dean in place by the start of the Fall 2026 semester.

A new documentary exploring the history of and the role of faith across the Syracuse University community premiered this week on Fox Nation.

“” tells the story of Hendricks as the spiritual heart of campus, home to five world religions and 16 chaplains serving a diverse student body. The 25-minute film is hosted by Hall, a foreign affairs correspondent for Fox.

In the film, Chancellor Kent Syverud reflects on how faith at Syracuse extends well beyond the building itself. “It’s not the building,” he said. “This is a community, and it’s been a booming, vibrant community for all faiths, and that’s one of the reasons why we’ve had a solid community experience in recent years when many universities have been torn apart.”

Former Hendricks Dean Brian Konkol spoke with Hall about the chapel’s unique role as both a sacred space and a hub for campus life, from major performances and events to People’s Place coffee shop and the Coach Mac Food Pantry.

Faith, Leadership and Athletics

The documentary also captures the intersection of faith and athletics. Hall interviewed football coach Fran Brown and women’s basketball coach Felisha Legette-Jack about their personal faith journeys and how those experiences shape their leadership on and off the field. Athletics Chaplain William Payne discussed his work supporting student-athletes as they navigate the demands of academics and competition.

The film also turns to one of the most solemn chapters in the University’s history. The University’s connection to the Pan Am Flight 103 bombing over Lockerbie, Scotland, is woven into the film. The 1988 tragedy claimed the lives of 35 Syracuse University students, one of the most devastating losses in the University’s history. The Fox team visited the Remembrance Wall on campus to honor their memory.

Visually, the documentary draws on a range of campus scenes: students studying outside on sunny days, the football team walking across the Quad on game days, candlelight vigils outside Hendricks, chaplains leading services and Otto’s Army rallying inside the JMA Wireless Dome.

In addition to the feature documentary, Fox Nation produced a on the renovated and expanded St. Thomas More Chapel and Syracuse University Catholic Center, which reopened in 2025. The crew also visited the .

Names on the Wall

Another stop on campus carried personal significance for Hall. At the , Hall visited a memorial wall honoring more than 2,500 journalists killed in the line of duty. While covering the war in Ukraine, he was severely injured in a missile attack that killed two of his colleagues. He lost a leg, part of his other foot, an eye and the use of one hand, and later documented his recovery in his books “” and “.” During his visit to the wall, he saw the names of his colleagues, photojournalist and Ukrainian journalist Oleksandra “Sasha” Kuvshynova, etched into the memorial.

The Newhouse connection runs deeper still for the production. Fox team members included alumni Tania Joseph ’18, a Newhouse graduate in broadcast and digital journalism, and Jayson Jones ’19, who earned a master’s degree in communications from Newhouse.

“” marks the series’ inaugural season. Alongside the Hendricks episode, the series features St. Louis Cathedral in New Orleans and the Brigade of Midshipmen Chapel at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. The documentary is available to stream with a paid Fox Nation subscription.

The 10th Annual One University Awards Ceremony, an event to honor members of the Syracuse University community who are making a difference through academics, scholarship, creative work and dedicated service, will be held Friday, April 17, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. in Hendricks Chapel.

Two major awards—the Chancellor’s Medal and the Chancellor’s Citation for Excellence—will be bestowed. The ceremony will also include the presentation of the Student-Athlete Award, the Seinfeld Scholar Award, the Meredith Professorship for Teaching Excellence, the Meredith Teaching Recognition Award, the Enduring Values Award, the William Pearson Tolley Medal and the Chancellor’s Forever Orange Award.

Emeriti faculty who retired in 2025 and employees who celebrated years of service milestone anniversaries in 2025 will also be recognized. This year’s University Scholars, Senior Class and School and College Marshals, and Remembrance and Lockerbie Scholars will also be honored.

All members of the University community are invited and encouraged to attend. A reception will follow in the lobby of the Heroy Geology Laboratory.

American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation and Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) will be provided at the ceremony. For questions about accessibility or to request accommodations, contact University and Advancement Events at UAevents@syr.edu.

What does it mean to cultivate a campus welcoming to all? That question sits at the heart of the annual Creating Community Retreat, a one-of-a-kind experience for campus members.

Hosted by the and , the retreat brings together a cohort of faculty, staff and students for an immersive, multi-day, off-campus experience designed to explore connection, community-building and how to cultivate a campus culture that truly welcomes everyone.

Set apart from the rhythms of daily campus life, the retreat gives participants the time and space to engage in meaningful dialogue, collaborate on skills-building activities and reflect on their shared responsibility to one another.

The Creating Community Retreat, which will next be held in the fall of 2026, is centered around the belief that community must be intentionally built, practiced and sustained. It is intended to gather leaders and those looking for community into a shared space.

Through facilitated discussions and interactive activities, participants are challenged to examine their understanding of community, learn from varying perspectives and foster new relationships. “Most importantly, we strive to build a network that cultivates connections during and following the retreat,” says Armando Martinez, director of community and connection in the Office of People and Culture and retreat facilitator.

The most recent retreat was hosted Nov. 7-9, 2025, at Greek Peak Mountain Resort with participation of more than 30 campus members.

For Renee Yu ’26, an undergraduate student participant, the 2025 retreat was one of the most memorable experiences she has had at Syracuse University. “Through storytelling and collaborative activities, we began to see how each of us contributes to building bridges within a community,” says Yu, “and the retreat created a space where people felt safe enough to be vulnerable, to listen deeply and to be heard.” Yu studies policy studies in the | .

The results demonstrate a clear impact: 100% of participants at the 2025 retreat reported that they:

• connected with someone new during the retreat experience;
• learned inclusive practices to foster community in their daily campus roles; and
• expanded their understanding of what it means to make Syracuse University welcoming to all.

Lasting Connections

Aylin Gonzalez, director of belonging and student success in the division, expressed gratitude for the shared vulnerability that was met with affirmation. “I left this retreat feeling seen by students, faculty, and staff I may never have crossed paths with otherwise,” says Gonzalez. “I’m grateful to see these people on campus as a reminder of what we experienced.”

The skills and relationships cultivated at the retreat do not end when participants return to campus. The Creating Community Retreat is designed to send attendees back with concrete tools: practices for cultivating community, frameworks for dialogue and a renewed sense of purpose around shaping a welcoming culture at Syracuse and beyond.

Be a Champion for the Next Retreat

In the spirit of on March 24, the Office of People and Culture is raising funds specifically to support the next Creating Community Retreat. Donations will directly cover the meal, lodging and related costs that make this retreat experience possible, removing financial barriers for participants to sustain this program for years to come.

“Whether you attended the 2025 retreat or simply believe in the value of building a connected community, your contribution directly supports the University’s efforts to create a campus that is welcoming to all,” says Mary Grace Almandrez, vice president for people and culture. .

If you are a student, staff or faculty member interested in attending the next retreat, please email the Office of People and Culture to receive more information as details are finalized.

Story by Rachel Scalisi

—March 24—is 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 Syracuse University extraordinary.

There are countless ways to support students—through greatest needs and deans’ funds in all of the University’s 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 Syracuse 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 (Syracuse, 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 Syracuse University life; it’s 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.

Syracuse is home to more than 300 registered student organizations—from performance groups and cultural organizations to service clubs and everything in between—and they’re at the heart of what makes the Syracuse 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 Syracuse students fully enjoy campus life. This is your chance to invest in the people and communities that make Syracuse 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’s 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 ’CUSE Creator Crew, which will support creator and brand collaborations and hands-on student learning.

Thomas O’Brien ’25, who helped launch the new center, will co-host six live shows from the Schine Student Center throughout the day to showcase Syracuse 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’s Cathedral Choir).

“When our graduating seniors consider the most impactful and meaningful moments of their time studying at Syracuse University, international performing tours always top the list,” says Jose “Peppie” 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. “Performing 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’ place as citizens of a larger world and stewards of the world they’re shaping.”

Syracuse Giving Day is a great time for fans and alumni to support Syracuse University Athletics. Make a gift to the athletic department’s 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.

The candles were lit, and then the names were read. White carnations and stones were laid upon the Hendricks Chapel stage one by one, each flower and stone a quiet act of devotion, a life made tangible. On Tuesday afternoon, members of the Syracuse University and SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry communities came together to honor and remember individuals from both communities who passed away from Jan. 1, 2025, to the present.

During the 10th annual Service of Commemoration, recently deceased students, faculty, staff, emeriti faculty, retirees, Board of Trustees members, advisory board members and honorary degree recipients were remembered. The 115 individuals honored included two World War II veterans; longtime faculty members who devoted careers to the classroom, their research and the mentorship of countless students; and staff members who kept students nourished, supported and cared for and who worked behind the scenes to keep campus running smoothly. Each made their respective campus—and their world—a better place.

Chancellor Kent Syverud offered remarks and read the names of the faculty, staff, emeriti, retirees, Board of Trustees members and honorary degree recipients remembered by the University. Student Government Association President German Nolivos ’26 read the names of the students who had passed.

Joanie Mahoney, president of SUNY ESF, read the names of faculty, staff, emeriti, retirees and advisory board members remembered by SUNY ESF.

The service began in 2017 and was inspired by the Remembrance Scholars mission to “Look Back and Act Forward.”

Rohan Bangalore ’26, a 2025-26 Remembrance Scholar, offered remarks on the theme of remembrance.

“Reflecting on loss reinforces for me the importance of public service and responsibility toward one another,” Bangalore said. “It reminds me that the people we honor today each played a role in shaping this community—in ways both visible and unseen.”

Musical selections were provided by the Hendricks Chapel Choir, directed by Jose “Peppie” Calvar, professor and chair in the Setnor School of Music, and University Organist Anne Laver, associate professor in the Setnor School. Those selections included a performance of “Danny Boy” by Calvar.

At the conclusion of the service, a light reception was held in the Noble Room for family, friends and chaplains to gather.

Syracuse 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 Syracuse 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’s 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 Syracuse. 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 José “Peppie” Calvar, professor in the Setnor School.

The concert is the culminating event in the third annual Syracuse Pipe Organ Festival, co-sponsored by the Syracuse Chapter of the American Guild of Organists and the Setnor School of Music.

In a world increasingly shaped by both connection and division, a diverse group of students is embarking on a distinctive journey of leadership and learning. The Global Interfaith Leadership Project (GILP), housed at Hendricks Chapel, represents a pioneering approach to preparing tomorrow’s leaders by combining religious and spiritual formation with practical civic engagement.

The program’s inaugural cohort, selected from across the University’s schools and colleges, brings together undergraduate and graduate students from varied faith traditions and backgrounds. From a Somali Banti student working to address food insecurity, to a chemical engineer coordinating interfaith dialogue, to a public administration student with White House experience, these scholars represent the rich tapestry of perspectives that GILP seeks to cultivate.

A Distinctive Approach to Leadership

What sets GILP apart is its “Roots, Reach and Results” framework—a holistic approach that moves beyond traditional interfaith dialogue. The program deepens students’ own religious or spiritual foundations (Roots), expands understanding and collaboration across traditions (Reach) and works to create tangible positive change in communities (Results).

“This project addresses a crucial need we’re seeing among students today,” explains Imam Amir Durić, GILP project director and assistant dean for religious and spiritual life at Hendricks Chapel. “Students are seeking meaningful opportunities to make a positive and profound impact. At the same time, we’ve witnessed a 150% increase in student participation in religious and spiritual programs at Hendricks Chapel over the past eight years. GILP brings these two trends together in a way that prepares leaders who can heal divides, imagine new possibilities and empower others in service to the common good.”

Diverse Backgrounds, Shared Commitment

The 2026 cohort members come from nine schools and colleges across the University and SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, spanning architecture, engineering, public policy and environmental science. Their varied academic pursuits reflect the program’s commitment to interfaith leadership across all disciplines.

Among the cohort is Abdirahman Abdi, a senior majoring in African American Studies from the South Side of Syracuse. Drawing on his lived experience as a refugee, he co-founded the Sadaqa Foundation to address food insecurity in Kenya’s Dagahaley Refugee Camp—exemplifying the program’s emphasis on translating spiritual values into concrete community action.

Ronit Hizgiaev, a sophomore in the Maxwell School studying international relations and law, society and policy, brings her experience as multifaith chair for Syracuse Hillel. She has been instrumental in the Salaam Shalom program, where students learn Hebrew and Arabic to find common ground through language. “Ensuring everyone’s voices are heard and accounted for is a crucial value I hold,” she says.

Mian Hamid, a graduate student in the iSchool, serves as Hendricks Chapel’s interfaith engagement coordinator and convener of the Student Assembly of Interfaith Leaders. His role bridges the program’s academic learning with hands-on leadership development, rooted in both empathy and shared action for the common good.

Graduate student Gianna Juarez, pursuing a master of public administration in the Maxwell School, previously served in the Biden-Harris Administration and at United Way Worldwide. Her background in strategic implementation adds depth to discussions about translating interfaith values into policy and practice.

Beyond Dialogue: A Comprehensive Learning Experience

Scholars participate in weekly interactive sessions, civic projects and visits to local and regional faith communities. The program culminates in an international study journey and participation in the Interfaith America Leadership Summit.

The planned trip to Germany and Bosnia-Herzegovina will offer particularly powerful learning opportunities. Students will examine Holocaust memory in Germany and the aftermath of the Bosnian War and Srebrenica Genocide. In Sarajevo—often called the “European Jerusalem”—they will explore centuries of interfaith coexistence at the crossroads of East and West, examining how religious and moral frameworks shape both the best and worst outcomes of human history.

A Tapestry of Faith and Purpose

The cohort spans a wide spectrum of religious and spiritual identities. Sandy Smith, studying forest ecosystem science at SUNY-ESF, brings a spirituality rooted in nature. “Nature teaches us that diversity is our greatest strength,” she notes, “and I believe that through interfaith collaboration, we will bring humanity to its greatest potential.”

Each of the 16 scholars is also developing a civic engagement project aimed at creating lasting change in the Syracuse community and beyond—all grounded in the Roots, Reach and Results framework.

The GILP is a timely response to the challenges of our interconnected yet divided world. These scholars aren’t just learning about interfaith leadership—they are living it, demonstrating that differences can be sources of strength and that a shared commitment to the common good can overcome division.

For more information about GILP at Hendricks Chapel, visit the .

A January snowstorm may have forced the cancellation of an in-person event but did little to dampen the spirit of Syracuse University’s 41st Annual .

Organized by the Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Planning Committee and hosted by Syracuse Athletics digital reporter and alumnus Sean Dorcellus ’21, the virtual program brought together students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members from across Central New York and from wherever else they happened to be watching.

This year’s theme, “The Dream Lives Here,” served as both a declaration and a challenge. Rebecca Reed Kantrowitz, interim dean of , who opened the program, framed it as a living call to action. “We hope this program leaves you feeling inspired, feeling hopeful and feeling the urgency of Dr. King’s dream,” she said, “not as a distant memory, but as a living call to action right here in our community.”

Chancellor Kent Syverud noted the form of the gathering was changed but not its purpose. “This celebration brings together champions of justice from across Central New York. Your participation and your commitment to serving our community carries forward Dr. King’s vision of a more just society. These ideals align with Syracuse University’s commitment to making our community a more welcoming place to all,” Chancellor Syverud said. “We encourage our talented students, our faculty, our staff, to volunteer their time, their energy and their expertise beyond the borders of our campus. When they do, amazing things happen.”

He recognized keynote speaker Mayor Sharon Owens ’85, a former standout on the track and field team, as a living embodiment of that purpose. Elected with 73.8% of the vote, Owens became the 55th mayor of Syracuse, this year, making history in the city she has called home for more than four decades.

In her keynote address, Mayor Owens reflected on the through-line connecting Dr. King’s legacy to today. Recalling the recent death of Rev. Jesse Jackson, a King protégé, she described how those who came before her instilled in her a drive to serve. “The dream exists,” she said, “and it is multifaceted—across all generations, across all races.”

The celebration also featured the presentation of 2026 Unsung Hero Awards, recognizing those who make a lasting difference without seeking applause. This year’s honorees were Jamie Sterling ’26, Eman Tadros, Pass Da R.O.C.K. and Bettie Graham.

Performances throughout the program gave the celebration its heartbeat. The Hendricks Chapel Choir, Community Choir and Black Celestial Choral Ensemble lifted their voices in song and praise. The Delta Zeta chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, the same organization King proudly belonged to, offered a powerful tribute accompanied by audio excerpts from King’s 1965 visit to campus. Adanfo, the University’s African drumming and dance ensemble, and Creations Dance Company, founded on campus in 1977, rounded out the program with vibrant performances rooted in culture and community.

There’s warmth emanating from the Noble Room in the lower level of Hendricks Chapel every Monday night whenever classes are in session.

Every sewing machine buzzes and hums as the members of the make handmade quilts that will keep vulnerable Central New Yorkers warm during the winter months.

“Those are chaotic nights. Everybody is working on a project that will end up at one of our partner charities,” says quilting enthusiast Judy O’Rourke ’75, G’10. “It’s nice knowing you’re helping someone out, and it’s nice knowing that something I enjoy doing is giving somebody else comfort.”

O’Rourke is one of 10-15 active members of the Hendricks Chapel Quilters—consisting of students, staff, faculty and community members—who put their love of sewing to good use weekly to produce beautiful quilts.

The common threads that keep members coming back? A love of quilting, a desire to find connection and a willingness to give back to the community.

“There’s a real camaraderie around this group,” says George Athanas, the associate director for the Center for Learning and Student Success, who first joined the club 21 years ago. “This reminds me of what quilting circles and quilting guilds used to be like, folks coming together to engage with their community, meet new people and learn along the way.”

Helping Vulnerable People Feel Seen and Valued

Quilts are most frequently donated to the local chapter of , which builds beds for children in the community, to chaplains at SUNY Upstate Medical University, who deliver the quilts to terminally ill patients, and to food pantries who partner with  on their community outreach efforts.

During last year’s weekly meetings, the Hendricks Chapel Quilters produced 59 quilts that were donated. Each finished product is signed with a tag noting that the quilt was created with love by the Hendricks Chapel Quilters. O’Rourke says nearly 95% of the fabric, sewing machines and other materials used have been donated by generous community members.

“This reflects what service is all about, investing time and energy to make the world a better place,” Athanas says.

Besides the added source of warmth, Jennie Prouty, InterFaith Works’ community engagement manager, says the recipients are often touched by the kindness and generosity of strangers who make time to create and then donate these intricate quilts.

“These quilts are an opportunity for individuals and families in our communities, who often feel unseen, to know there are people who care deeply about their well-being,” Prouty says. “The element of them being handmade is a level of intentionality that many clients don’t typically receive.”

Made With Love

In the fall, students in Liz Lance’s one-credit honors class, Quilting for Fun and Community, learn how to quilt alongside the Hendricks Chapel Quilters, who provide support and offer advice to the novice quilters.

“This is a unique offering,” says Lance, who started teaching the course in the Fall 2024 semester. “The average age of quilters is older and retired, but here, we have 20-, 21- and 22-year-old college students learning alongside our quilting guild. Spanning that age gap and bringing these people together is the most special part about this because it represents intergenerational learning, which can be hard to find.”

O’Rourke, who started sewing in childhood, picked up quilting in 1998 as the advisor to that year’s cohort of Remembrance Scholars. Those students wanted to make a Remembrance Quilt to honor the 35 Syracuse University students who died in the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland, in 1988.

Current Remembrance Scholar Joy Mao ’26 had no prior experience quilting or sewing, so she was nervous when she walked into the Noble Room for her first class last fall.

Those nerves quickly melted away. On the first night, students were introduced to their sewing machine, which they would use throughout the semester. Mao learned about the tools she’d be using—ranging from a needle and thread to a seam ripper and cutters—and became more familiar with her machine as the course progressed.

Starting with four-by-four-inch quilting squares, Mao and her classmates are tasked with identifying the colors and patterns that will tell the story of their quilt. Each square consists of nine patches, and each finished quilt consists of 81 total squares. If time allows, students add borders, known as sashes, as filler between the squares.

During their last class, students stand before their peers and present their quilt, knowing their finished product will provide warmth to someone in need.

“You get to make with your hands and give with your hearts, and these quilts are all made with love,” says Mao, who is studying television, radio and film in the and policy studies in the . “It was great knowing we were creating something that would have an impact on and give back to the greater Syracuse community.”

The hold meetings from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Monday evenings when classes are in session. No previous sewing experience is required, and all materials, as well as access to a sewing machine, are provided during the club’s weekly meetings. For more information about joining or donating fabric or sewing machines, please contact Judy O’Rourke.

Ash Wednesday is Feb. 18, marking the beginning of the Christian season of Lent. Lent is a 40-day period of reflection that guides people of Christian faith to Holy Week that begins on Palm Sunday and closes on Easter Sunday.

Ashes will be distributed at the times listed below at both Hendricks Chapel and the Catholic Center, located at 110 Walnut Place.

The noon ecumenical service at Hendricks Chapel will include clergy from a diversity of Christian traditions. The service will be held from noon to 12:30 p.m. in the Main Chapel.

The complete schedule includes:

• 8 a.m.: Catholic Mass and distribution of ashes, Catholic Center
• Noon: 30-minute ecumenical worship service with distribution of ashes, Hendricks Chapel
• 1:30 p.m.: Prayer service and distribution of ashes, Catholic Center
• 4 p.m.: Prayer service and distribution of ashes, Hendricks Chapel
• 5 p.m.: Prayer service and distribution of ashes, Hendricks Chapel
• 7 p.m.: Prayer service and distribution of ashes, Catholic Center

For more information, contact Hendricks Chapel at 315.443.2901 or chapel@syr.edu, or the Catholic Center at 315.443.2600.

Syracuse University will hold its annual Service of Commemoration—honoring students, faculty, staff, retirees, trustees and honorary degree recipients of the University, and SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry students, faculty, staff, retirees and trustees who passed during the period of Jan. 1, 2025, to the present—with a ceremony on Tuesday, March 17, at 4 p.m. in Hendricks Chapel.

The names of those who have passed away will be read and candles will be lit collectively in their memory. The service is inspired by the Remembrance Scholars’ motto of “Look Back, Act Forward,” a call to action to remember those we have lost and act forward in their memory.

All are welcome to attend and honor the important contributions of respected members of the University community. For more information about the service, contact Hendricks Chapel at chapel@syr.edu or 315.443.2901.

If you know of someone who passed away between Jan. 1, 2025, and the present who should be honored, please forward their name and affiliation to Hendricks Chapel at chapel@syr.edu by Thursday, Feb. 12.

Dear Syracuse University Community:

Due to forecasted severe weather conditions, including significant snow accumulation and dangerously cold temperatures, we have made the difficult decision to cancel Sunday’s 41st Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration. New York State has declared a state of emergency in response to these conditions.

We do not make this decision lightly and recognize how meaningful this annual gathering is for our campus, the city of Syracuse and Central New York. However, the safety and well-being of our community is our first priority. We will provide additional information next week about rescheduling the event or processing refunds.

Thank you for your understanding. Please stay warm and safe, and know that we look forward to gathering together soon to honor Dr. King’s extraordinary legacy.

Sincerely,

The Hendricks Chapel Team

[Editor’s Note (Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026): The 2026 Unsung Heroes will be recognized during the 41st Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Virtual Celebration, which will be available Saturday, Feb. 28, on .]

The 41st Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Planning Committee has announced the 2026 Unsung Hero Award winners: Jamie Sterling ’26, Eman Tadros, Pass Da R.O.C.K and Bettie Graham.

The Unsung Hero Award is given to community members, students, faculty and staff who have made a positive impact on the lives of others but are not widely recognized for their contributions. The awards were created to honor Dr. King’s vision of creating positive change in a troubled world.

The Unsung Heroes are the following:

Jamie Sterling ’26: Building Bridges Through Leadership

Sterling, an accounting major in the Martin J. Whitman School of Management, exemplifies leadership through his tireless work uplifting students across campus. As president of the Alpha Omicron chapter of Alpha Kappa Psi Professional Business Fraternity Inc. and sergeant at arms of the Distinguished Delta Zeta Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., the same organization Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. proudly served.

Sterling leads with humility, strengthening his organizations through inclusive decision-making and genuine care for each member’s growth.

His influence extends beyond Greek life. As senior advisor for the Black and Latinx Information Science and Technology Society, and through his involvement with the National Association of Black Accountants and Association of Latino Professionals for America, Sterling creates culturally affirming spaces and connects students to vital professional opportunities.

As a first-generation college student balancing academic excellence with community service, Sterling mirrors King’s vision of the “beloved community.” His contributions often occur behind the scenes—mentoring peers, volunteering locally and opening pathways for those who follow. Sterling embodies King’s conviction that true leadership is measured not by recognition but by impact, transforming lives through consistent, purposeful service.

Eman Tadros: Healing Families, Honoring King’s Dream

Eman Tadros, assistant professor of human development and family science in the College of Arts and Sciences, exemplifies King’s vision through her transformative work with incarcerated families and marginalized communities. As a first-generation Cuban and Jordanian scholar and licensed marriage and family therapist, she centers voices often silenced, conducting research that illuminates pathways for healing and reconnection among justice-involved families.

Tadros has testified before state legislatures, advocated on Capitol Hill for Medicare access for marriage and family therapists, and serves on the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration’s Minority Fellowship Program Advisory Committee. In the classroom, she amplifies diverse perspectives and equips future advocates to serve with compassion and integrity.

With 167 peer-reviewed publications and extensive policy work, Tadros translates scholarship into meaningful support for overlooked populations. Her humble yet impactful leadership embodies King’s belief that education liberates and that justice requires everyday courage.

Pass Da R.O.C.K.: Building Dreams Beyond the Court

Pass Da R.O.C.K. embodies the quiet heroism King envisioned—tireless work that transforms communities without seeking headlines. In neighborhoods where opportunities are scarce and institutional support limited, this organization shows up consistently, demonstrating the active love King taught was essential to social change.

Pass Da R.O.C.K. meets youth and families where they are, honoring their dignity and agency rather than imposing solutions from above. Through school-based partnerships improving behavior, attendance and academics, life empowerment programs introducing real-world career paths, and a travel basketball program broadening horizons beyond neighborhood boundaries, they create tangible pathways to success.

This grassroots approach reflects King’s vision of beloved community—democratic, inclusive, rooted in listening. The young leaders they nurture are becoming agents of change themselves, learning that service is a calling and their gifts belong to something greater.

Bettie Graham: A Quiet Force for Justice

For decades, Graham has embodied King’s vision that “everybody can be great because everybody can serve.” As founder and director of The Determination Center in Syracuse, she has created a safe haven where at-risk youth discover their worth, capability and power.

With a master’s degree in counseling and deep expertise in trauma-informed care, Graham transforms lives through academic support, mentoring and life-skills training that help young people resolve conflict peacefully and navigate systems that often overlook them.

Her servant leadership is profound yet humble—first to arrive, last to leave, quietly sweeping floors after everyone goes home. She leads with the moral courage King championed, becoming the trusted adult families call in crisis and youth confide their deepest worries to. Graham works not for recognition but because it is “the right thing to do.”

Through her steadfast commitment, she proves that ordinary people, grounded in love and justice, can transform communities. Her legacy lives in generations of young people who now know they are worthy of their dreams.