Last week, the University and Central New York communities converged on campus to celebrate a defining moment in campus history: the inauguration of J. Michael Haynie as Syracuse University’s 13th chancellor  and president.

Relive the excitement and energy of the festivities, which started with The Summit: Syracuse University Into the Future, a daylong event held Thursday, and concluded Friday with the historic Investiture Ceremony and school-spirit-laden Orange Fest inside the JMA Wireless Dome.

wasn’t supposed to be the one standing at the podium in the JMA Wireless Dome on Sunday, May 10. And he said so.

Haynie opened Syracuse University’s Class of 2026 Commencement with a solemn moment, noting that his tenure as the University’s 13th chancellor and president was officially set to begin the following day. The man who had earned the right to preside over this ceremony was not there to do it.

“It is Chancellor Kent Syverud who should be here today,” Haynie said. “He earned this moment.”

Chancellor Syverud, who led the University for 12 years, recently disclosed his brain cancer diagnosis and is currently undergoing treatment in Michigan. Haynie asked those assembled to join him in wishing the outgoing Chancellor well. He acknowledged Dr. Ruth Chen, Chancellor Syverud’s wife, who traveled to Syracuse to accept an honorary degree.

In celebrating the graduates, Haynie acknowledged their families and loved ones and the University’s faculty and staff who supported the students through their Syracuse journeys.

“While the achievements we celebrate here today are those of our graduates, those achievements were made possible because of you. Thank you,” Haynie said.

“To every person who played a role in getting these graduates to this moment, whether you coached them, counseled them or simply loved them, thank you for being here,” Haynie said. “This day belongs to you as well.”

A Class That Persisted and Showed Up

Haynie then turned his attention to the graduates.

“You are taking your place in a world that many describe as uncertain and divided and sometimes even unkind,” he said. “And they’re not wrong. But here’s what those people don’t fully appreciate: you’ve been here before.”

The Class of 2026 had their high school years deeply affected by a global pandemic that canceled their proms, upended their routines and rewrote the world they thought they were growing up into. They arrived at Syracuse amid political polarization, economic volatility and international conflict.

And yet, Haynie said, they did not collapse. They adapted and persisted.

“When things got hard, you didn’t retreat, you recalibrated, you found a way. You carry something no generation before you has quite mastered and that is a fierce authenticity and uncompromising demand for honesty, for inclusion and the rare willingness not to just call things out for what they are, but to roll up your sleeves and play a role in fixing them,” Haynie said.

The Class of 2026 is uniquely built for the moment they’re entering. While industries debate artificial intelligence and digital transformation, he said, these graduates are already fluent. They set the curve rather than chasing it.

Haynie encouraged them not to coast on that advantage. “Wherever you go next—a workplace, a graduate program, a studio, a community, a stage that the world has not even built yet—make it better than you found it. Don’t lower the bar. Raise it.”

Haynie told the graduates that when someone tells them they can’t, they won’t or they never will, remind them where they came from. Remind them what house built them.

He asked the crowd what color that house is painted. And the response, of course, “Orange!”

A distinguished scientist and educator, a physician and healthcare innovator, a pioneering entrepreneur, a ground-breaking academic leader, a distinguished public servant and a transformative national leader in higher education will be recognized with honorary degrees from Syracuse University at the .

Dr. Ruth Chen, a professor of practice in biomedical and chemical engineering in the College of Engineering and Computer Science at Syracuse University; Dr. Mantosh Dewan, president, SUNY Distinguished Service Professor and the Alan and Marlene Norton Presidential Chair at Upstate Medical University; Clifford J. Ensley ’69, ’70, G’71, founder and chief executive officer of Leisure Merchandising Corporation; Linda M. LeMura G’83, G’87, president of Le Moyne College; Joanne M. Mahoney ’87, L’90, president of the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry; and Chancellor Kent Syverud, the 12th chancellor and president of Syracuse University, will be honored for their outstanding professional contributions, achievements and service to their communities and the public good.

Dr. Ruth Chen
Doctor of Science

An environmental toxicologist, Dr. Chen has built a distinguished career at the intersection of environmental science, public health and policy, and has had an indelible impact on the Syracuse University community and Central New York through her commitment to students, scholarship, service and the public good.

Dr. Chen holds a Ph.D. and M.P.H. in environmental toxicology from the University of Michigan and an M.S. in biomedical sciences from the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston. Prior to academia, she served as state toxicologist for the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, where she was responsible for risk assessment and risk management decisions across programs in permit, remediation, corrective action, combustion facilities, toxic substances and landfills. She provided expert counsel to multiple state divisions on issues of human health and toxicology while simultaneously managing Tennessee’s Drinking Water Laboratory Certification Program. She secured federal funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Environmental Protection Agency, and was a staff fellow at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), working on pharmacokinetics.

Before joining Syracuse University, Dr. Chen served on the faculty at the School of Engineering and Applied Science, Washington University in St. Louis, where she led a professional engineering master’s degree program and an international education program. At Syracuse, she is admired for her ability to translate complex topics into accessible and inspiring learning experiences, with courses that bridge theory and application and empower students to see engineering as a vocation.

Beyond the classroom, Dr. Chen’s leadership has strengthened student and community life in extraordinary ways. She has championed an award-winning International Student Success Model and hosts an annual International Thanksgiving Celebration for students who cannot travel home for the holidays. She is an advocate for Women in Science and Engineering and a consistent presence at student performances and athletics, ensuring every student feels they have a place at the University.

Dr. Chen’s impact extends well beyond campus. She has served on the boards of United Way, Interfaith Works and Syracuse Stage. During the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, she helped procure masks for the community. She launched Operation Orange Warmup, the University’s winter coat drive, and through her support of local nonprofits, she has turned generosity into action across Central New York.

Dr. Mantosh Dewan
Doctor of Science

A physician scientist who has made significant contributions to clinical psychiatry, neuroimaging, psychotherapy and mental health systems, Dewan has dedicated his career to advancing medical education, expanding access to mental healthcare and serving the Central New York community.

Dewan began his career at SUNY Upstate in 1975 as a mixed medicine/psychiatry intern, becoming chief resident in psychiatry before joining the faculty as an assistant professor. Over the decades he has served as director of undergraduate education, director of residency training and chair of the Department of Psychiatry, and as interim dean of the College of Medicine from 2016 to 2017.

His scholarly output encompasses more than 80 papers, 35 books and book chapters, and hundreds of presentations on topics ranging from brain imaging and the economics of mental healthcare to psychotherapy and medical education. His research has been funded by the National Institute of Mental Health and the Health Resources and Services Administration. He is co-editor two books: “The Difficult to Treat Psychiatric Patient” and “The Art and Science of Brief Psychotherapies,” a best seller now in its third edition, translated into five languages and chosen for the American Psychiatric Association’s Core Competencies in Psychotherapy Series.

Dewan’s leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic was transformational. Under his direction, Upstate developed the world’s most sensitive saliva diagnostic test and provided over four million tests to 60 of the 64 SUNY campuses, enabling all of SUNY to remain open and in-person. Syracuse University partnered directly with Upstate in this critical effort. Reflecting Dewan’s vision for leveraging technology to expand access to care, Upstate provides tele-psychiatry diagnostic and treatment services to students at 56 SUNY campuses. More recently, Dewan launched Upstate Biotech Ventures with $6 million in seed funding to cultivate biotech companies incubated at the medical center.

Listed in The Best Doctors in America and a Distinguished Life Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association (APA), Dewan has received numerous honors, including the APA’s George Tarjan Award, designation as an “Exemplary Chair” by SUNY, Syracuse University’s Chancellor’s Medal in 2021 and an honorary degree from Onondaga Community College. He is also an affiliated professor at Jönköping University in Sweden.

Dewan’s career reflects intellectual curiosity, innovation, ethical leadership and a deep commitment to using science and medicine in service to society. His accolades and leadership reflect a career that has made profound contributions to science and to improve the well-being of the Central New York community.

Clifford J. Ensley ’69, ’70, G’71
Doctor of Humane Letters

A dedicated University trustee, accomplished entrepreneur and a celebrated student-athlete, Ensley has demonstrated a lifelong commitment to his alma mater through service, philanthropy and unwavering Orange spirit.

Ensley arrived at Syracuse as a walk-on with the football team after no Division I programs recruited him. His tenacity on the practice field earned him a scholarship from head coach Ben Schwartzwalder, and by his sophomore year he was starting on the varsity squad.

Ensley went on to become the last three-sport letter winner in Syracuse University history, earning letters in football, wrestling and lacrosse. He was an honorable mention All-American in football, set interception and special teams records as a defensive back and delivered a record-setting 76-yard punt return for a touchdown against Navy.

He was captain and most valuable player of the lacrosse team and was named the 1969 Syracuse University Athlete of the Year, joining a distinguished list that includes Jim Brown ’57, Ernie Davis ’62, Floyd Little ’67, H’19, Dave Bing ’66, H’06 and Larry Csonka ’68. Ensley received the Letter Winner of Distinction Award from Syracuse University Athletics and the Varsity Club in 1993 and the Dritz Rookie Trustee of the Year Award in 2018. A champion of volunteerism, he also founded Athletes Who Care in 2022, an organization that partners with Syracuse student-athletes to support charitable causes and community organizations in Central New York.

Ensley earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from the and the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering from the and an MBA from the . He was a member of the U.S. Army ROTC and Phi Delta Theta fraternity. After his military service, Ensley entered the luggage industry. Drawing on his education, his experience in retail luggage sales and a perseverance built on the playing fields, he launched his idea for a wholesale luggage and accessories manufacturing business in 1978 with $2,500. The founder and chief executive officer of Leisure Merchandising Corporation grew the business into a multimillion-dollar enterprise with a brand presence in thousands of retail locations.

Elected to the Board of Trustees in 2015, Ensley currently serves on the Athletics, Advancement and External Affairs, and Facilities committees. Together with his wife, Sue, he has provided lead gifts for the Ensley Athletic Center, the Chris Gedney Endowed Football Scholarship and the Orange Forever Endowed Memorial Fund, which provides keepsake blankets to the families of every deceased former student-athlete. They have also lent their support to initiatives in the College of Engineering and Computer Science, the D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families, the Whitman School, the Maxwell School, the Catholic Center and the Sala Family Plaza, among other numerous initiatives.

Linda M. LeMura G’83, G’87
Doctor of Humane Letters

LeMura’s career has been defined by groundbreaking leadership, scientific excellence and an unwavering commitment to educational equity and access.

LeMura graduated from Bishop Grimes High School as a three-sport athlete and honors student. She earned both a master’s degree (1983) in physical education and a Ph.D. (1987) in applied physiology from the at Syracuse University, where her academic training laid the foundation for a distinguished career. Her research in pediatric obesity, pediatric applied physiology and lipid and energy metabolism has produced more than 30 peer-reviewed articles, two books and 26 externally funded grant proposals. She has served as a research consultant for both the U.S. and Italian Olympic committees. She has consistently included students as co-investigators and co-authors in her work, highlighting her work as a mentor and a commitment to the next generation of scientists.

After serving as a professor, research scientist and graduate program director at Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, LeMura joined Le Moyne College in 2003 and held leadership roles as dean of arts and sciences and provost before making history in 2014 as the first female layperson to serve as president of a Jesuit institution of higher education in the U.S. Her appointment opened pathways for women’s leadership across Jesuit higher education, with 10 additional women now serving in presidential roles at Jesuit institutions.

Under her leadership, Le Moyne has raised roughly $200 million, achieved eight consecutive years of record enrollment and led the college’s strategic transition to NCAA Division I athletics as a full member of the Northeast Conference.

LeMura co-chairs the Central New York Regional Economic Development Council. She was actively engaged in the Central New York’s efforts to bring Micron’s microchip manufacturing facility to the area and has aligned Le Moyne to the resulting workforce demand through new semiconductor-focused programs and the college’s ERIE 21 partnership with Micron.

She holds board positions with the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities and the International Association of Jesuit Universities. Her awards include the 2023 Syracuse University Tolley Medal, selected by the School of Education; the 2019 Syracuse Key4Women Achieve Award; the 2017 Temple Adath Yeshurun Citizen of the Year Award; the 2017 Bishop’s Award from the Diocese of Syracuse Catholic Charities and recognition as a 2016 New York State Senate Woman of Distinction.

The relationship between Syracuse University and Le Moyne College has grown in collaboration during LeMura’s presidency through joint academic initiatives, community engagement projects and shared commitments to excellence.

Joanne M. Mahoney ’87, L’90
Doctor of Laws

Mahoney has built a career defined by her commitment to community, environmental stewardship and the advancement of Central New York. She earned a bachelor of science degree in marketing management from the Martin J. Whitman School of Management in 1987 and a juris doctor from the College of Law in 1990. She credits her legal education as the foundation of her career in public leadership. Her late father, Bernard J. Mahoney L’69, was also a graduate of the College of Law.

Mahoney began her legal career in private practice at Harris Beach before serving for five years as a criminal prosecutor in the Onondaga County District Attorney’s Office. She went on to serve on the Syracuse Common Council from 2000-03. In 2008, she became the first woman elected Onondaga County Executive, a position she held for three terms while overseeing a county government serving approximately 460,000 residents.

During her tenure, she created the nationally acclaimed Save the Rain green infrastructure program and helped lead efforts that transformed Onondaga Lake to swimmable water quality. She maintained the county’s highest bond ratings among all New York State counties and championed the Say Yes to Education partnership. Governing Magazine named her Public Official of the Year in 2011.

In November 2020, Mahoney was appointed president of the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY ESF), the first woman to lead the institution in its more than 110-year history. Under her leadership, SUNY ESF has risen in the Princeton Review’s rankings of the nation’s most environmentally responsible colleges.

She serves as co-chair of SUNY’s systemwide Sustainability Advisory Council and has sustained the historic partnership between SUNY ESF and Syracuse University, ensuring collaborative academic programs, shared student opportunities and joint diplomas.

Mahoney has also served as chair of the New York State Thruway Authority, where she oversaw completion of the Gov. Mario M. Cuomo Bridge, one of the nation’s largest infrastructure projects. She currently serves on the College of Law’s Board of Advisors and has supported the Hon. Theodore A. McKee L’75 Endowed Law Scholarship and WAER.

Chancellor Kent D. Syverud
Doctor of Laws

Chancellor Syverud has led Syracuse University through 12 years of transformational change, reshaping the campus, strengthening research and academic excellence, and expanding Syracuse University’s impact in Central New York and beyond.

Hailing from Irondequoit, New York, Chancellor Syverud earned a bachelor’s degree magna cum laude from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service, a law degree magna cum laude from the University of Michigan Law School and a master’s in economics from the University of Michigan. He counts among his closest mentors the late U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, for whom he clerked. His career in legal education spans three decades, including deanships at Vanderbilt University Law School and Washington University School of Law. An elected member of the American Law Institute, he received the 2024 TIAA Institute Theodore M. Hesburgh Award for Leadership Excellence, one of the highest national honors in higher education.

Since becoming chancellor in 2014, Chancellor Syverud has placed students at the center of the University’s mission. Under his leadership, Syracuse has seen record applications and enrollment, invested over $100 million in student life—including the Barnes Center at The Arch, a renovated Schine Student Center, two new residence halls and a transformed JMA Wireless Dome—and expanded global learning programs across five international centers and domestic sites in New York City, Los Angeles and Washington, D.C.

Chancellor Syverud played a central role in Central New York’s economic resurgence, including the University’s work to attract Micron Technology to build its largest American fabrication facility in the region. He directed the hiring of more than 700 faculty, helped the University achieve Research 1 status and oversaw the Forever Orange Campaign, which raised more than $1.59 billion—the largest fundraising effort in University history—as the endowment more than doubled to over $2 billion.

His dedication to veterans and military families stands among his most profound contributions. The expansion of Syracuse University’s D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families and the creation of the National Veterans Resource Center at the Daniel and Gayle D’Aniello Building set a national standard for research, policy development and support to those who have served, and veteran enrollment has more than tripled since 2014. Throughout his chancellorship, Chancellor Syverud has continued to teach negotiation courses at the College of Law and the Whitman School of Management, embodying the teacher-scholar ideal.

Chancellor Syverud’s commitment to service extends beyond the University. He serves as a member of the Board of Directors of the Atlantic Coast Conference, having previously served as its president, and as an ex officio trustee of the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry. He is a trustee of Crouse Hospital and of Le Moyne College, and, by appointment of the governor of New York, serves as a member of the Board of Directors of the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York.

A time-honored celebration of academic achievement, leadership and military history was on full display at the JMA Wireless Dome during the 109th Chancellor’s Review and Awards Ceremony on March 27.

The annual tradition brought together students, faculty, staff, alumni and University stakeholders to recognize the accomplishments and success of cadets from the University’s Army and Air Force Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) programs.

The event is one of Syracuse University’s oldest traditions, originating in 1917 under the direction of then-Chancellor James R. Day. Among the cadets reviewed in that inaugural ceremony was future Chancellor William Pearson Tolley, who would later play a critical role in expanding access to higher education for veterans through his contributions to the Servicemen’s Readjustment Act of 1944, better known as the G.I. Bill.

This year’s ceremony featured a formal inspection of the troops by Chancellor Kent Syverud,  and the presentation of awards recognizing academic, leadership and civic excellence. Both University leadership and representatives from local veteran service organizations were on hand to present awards to the deserving cadets.

“Over the course of time our success is attributed to our military-connected students, and how they achieve their post-graduation goals,” says retired U.S. Army Colonel Ron Novack, executive director of the (OVMA). “Those ROTC cadets who are graduating in five weeks are going to take a very big step in their personal and professional lives. They’re going to go out and lead, they’re going to take the values that they learn from their families, their parents, the values they learn here at Syracuse University, and the values of the Army and the Air Force, and they’re going to go out and lead with distinction.  We couldn’t be prouder of them as they go out and embark on their careers.”

Top Cadets Recognized for Leadership and Academic Excellence

Among the highest honors presented were the General Edward C. Meyer Leadership Award and the Professor John A. and Dean Marion Meyer Scholar Award, given to top-performing cadets in the Army and Air Force ROTC respectively.

This year, the General Edward C. Meyer Leadership Award was presented to Sophia Terlecky ’26, a U.S. Army ROTC cadet, for demonstrating exceptional officer potential and leadership. Terlecky, a Buffalo, New York,  native, is enrolled  in the . She also serves as the cadet battalion commander for the Stalwart Battalion, and will receive a commission in the U.S. Army alongside 24 other Syracuse University Army ROTC cadets in May.

For the Air Force, The Professor John A. and Dean Marion Meyer Scholar Award was presented to Matthew Gratch, a cross-town ROTC cadet from Le Moyne College, for exemplary performance and inspirational leadership. Gratch, who is studying political science at Le Moyne, also serves as the mission support flight commander for Detachment 535 and will commission into the Air Force as an acquisitions manager.

“Being my fourth and final one, it hits a little different than it did in other years,” says U.S. Air Force ROTC Cadet James Hrdy ’26, a senior in the . “This program really challenges you, it’s taught me to appreciate certain things and I’m looking forward to working in the U.S. Air Force.”

The ceremony closed with a formal pass in review, a military tradition symbolizing honor and respect, as the cadets marched in formation across the field in front of their families and University leaders to showcase the military precision of basic unit drill and individual standards of each cadet.

To view a photo gallery of this year’s event, visit the .

When Sgt. First Class Andrew Zellar began basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, on June 6, 2006, he thought he knew what his career in military service would look like.

Twenty years later, as he moves on from years as a military science instructor at Syracuse University and prepares to retire later this year from the New York Army National Guard, he reflects on a career that took unexpected turns and allowed him to impact hundreds of lives in ways he never imagined.

“The most unexpected part was the chance to have the assignment at ROTC. I had a vague understanding of what I would be doing, but my experience was a lot more rewarding than I expected,” Zellar says. “The thing I am most proud of is seeing past soldiers and cadets performing in the Army and in life.”

Zellar’s journey began like many of his generation, shaped by the events of Sept. 11, 2001. Fresh out of high school in 2004, the Cazenovia native wanted to serve, but his parents encouraged him to pursue college first.

After two years, the pull toward service won out. He enlisted in the Army National Guard as a military police officer, initially planning to combine service with the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC).

When plans to deploy overseas did not materialize, Zellar found himself in limbo—until an opportunity emerged that would define his career.

Finding His Calling in Recruiting

In 2007, during one of the most challenging periods for military recruiting, Zellar stepped into a role that would test every interpersonal skill he possessed. The economy was collapsing, wars in Iraq and Afghanistan were intensifying, and the National Guard needed people who could connect with potential recruits and their families.

“Most people that join the military always have a desire to do it,” Zellar says. “It’s just that the opportunity to do it has to intersect with the motivation.”

He saw this firsthand at career fairs, where he met not teenagers but 25- and 30-year-old adults with impressive resumes who simply had no jobs. The 2008 economic crisis had created both challenges and opportunities for recruiting.

His approach was simple but demanding: show up.

“I probably failed more than I succeeded in a lot of things, but I would just show up,” he says. That first year, he worked every single day, meeting potential recruits whenever and wherever they needed—late nights, weekends, holidays.

His work in St. Lawrence County, located along New York’s northern border, juxtaposed recruiting Clarkson University, SUNY Potsdam, SUNY Canton and St. Lawrence University with the county’s rural residents.

One memory stands out in particular. Zellar visited a young man living in dire poverty—a home heated with wood pallets, with essentially nothing. “You need this. You got to get out of here,” he remembers thinking. The National Guard gave the young man a path forward.

The rural assignment taught Zellar invaluable lessons, sharpening his skills and deepening his understanding of how people struggle.

Preparing the Next Generation

In 2018, Zellar was chosen for a new role with the New York Army National Guard. He joined Syracuse University as a military science instructor with the Army ROTC program, a position that joined his recruiting expertise with a deeper mission of developing young leaders.

Over the next eight years, he worked with more than 325 cadets and contributed to the commissioning of 215 Army second lieutenants.

“The thing I’ll look back on and enjoy the most is watching them achieve what they’re capable of achieving,” Zellar says. He remembers helping a cadet, an Iraqi refugee, obtain her citizenship, presenting her with a pocket Constitution at the ceremony.

His teaching philosophy challenges students to expand their perspectives.

“Whatever news source you get, whatever stuff you like to read, read the opposite,” he tells first-year students. “Just for no other reason than to see something a little bit different.”

His advice extends beyond tactics and strategy. “Swing at the pitch. If you get an opportunity, you can strike out. I’ll deal with it. We will figure it out. But nothing’s worse than watching the pitch go by,” he says.

A Legacy Beyond the Uniform

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Zellar and his ROTC colleagues proved indispensable, running testing sites and helping keep the University operational. It exemplified what he values most about service: being there when it matters.

As Zellar retires from military service later this year, he leaves behind more than statistics. He leaves young officers commissioned and ready to lead, recruits who found purpose and opportunity, and countless individuals whose lives changed because one person was willing to show up every time, without fail.

As he moves forward, Zellar will continue to pursue his real estate career. And he is looking forward to spending more time on what matters most: his wife Gloriann, daughters Audrey and Gabriella, and son Andrew Jr.

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.

When Brian Tarrant’s email arrived in the inbox of design faculty in the (VPA), it carried with it more than a simple project proposal. It carried the weight of history, the story of college football’s most famed number—the legendary 44—and those who wore it.

Tarrant ’96, a former Orange football player and senior vice president with MC2, a brand experience solutions agency, reached out to partner with the University. He sought help curating the memorabilia and developing the storytelling for the Legend of 44 exhibition, which his company designed.

The primary stakeholder, Rob Konrad ’02, the last Syracuse football player to wear the number before it was retired in 2005, invested a significant amount of time and personal resources to help acquire the iconic memorabilia. “His generosity and deep love for the University truly made this project possible,” Tarrant says.

The is not just a jersey at Syracuse; it is part of the University’s identity. From 1954 to 1998, 11 players wore the number, beginning with Pro Football Hall of Fame running back Jim Brown ’57, who ushered in the modern era and transformed it into a symbol of excellence.

The most notable players to follow Brown include Ernie Davis ’62, the first African American Heisman Trophy winner in 1961; Floyd Little ’67, H’16, a three-time All-American at Syracuse and Hall of Fame running back with the Denver Broncos; Michael Owens ’90; Terry Richardson ’94; and Konrad, who went on to play six seasons with the Miami Dolphins.

Honoring the Legend of 44

To create the exhibition, environmental and interior design students Trisha Mohta ’28, Katja Wetzel ’27, Carmela Garcia ’26, Isabel Lamporte ’26 and Holly Ishiro-Randall ’26—along with museum studies graduate student Daniel Griffaton G’26—worked alongside faculty members Zoriana Dunham, assistant teaching professor, Andrew Saluti, associate professor, and Tarrant and his team.

The students learned the stories behind the artifacts, including game-worn helmets from Brown and Konrad and cleats from Davis’ Heisman season. They visited the storage site to measure objects and examine them firsthand. The challenge was to translate decades of achievement, sacrifice and cultural significance into a cohesive narrative that would resonate with fans across generations.

Within the exhibition’s design, larger cases feature Brown, Davis and Little, and smaller cases feature Owens, Richardson and Konrad. A backlit 44 display lists all 25 players who were known to wear the number on the football field.

A Rewarding Experience for Students

As the project progressed, the team saw how individual stories wove together into something larger—a tapestry of excellence that transcended any single student-athlete. They collaborated through shared digital whiteboards, collecting sketches and concepts, refining their vision through multiple meetings with Tarrant’s team.

Garcia has focused on big-scale design in her studies, and this project taught her that human-centered design must prioritize the small scale.

“It was so exciting to see this project come to life within the course of a few weeks,” Garcia says. “And it made me realize the power of cooperation, various skills and a shared interest.”

Randall says the students were involved in the full design process. “For the first time, we were able to follow a project from initial ideation through installation, and I am proud to have been able to contribute to a project that celebrates Syracuse’s legacy,” she says.

“A particularly meaningful element for the students was shaping the ‘legend story’ of the iconic number 44,” says Dunham. “They worked to design a display that would connect fans across generations while preserving the legacy and significance of the number within the school community.”

When installation week arrived in mid-November, the students and faculty completed the hands-on work. The exhibition, now permanently situated outside Club 44 at Gate C in the JMA Wireless Dome, features the artifacts alongside a timeline honoring every player who wore the number, plus video and photo displays that bring the legacy to life.

“Working with students from the environmental and interior design and museum studies programs was an incredible opportunity,” says Tarrant. “The students assumed ownership of the storytelling, including image selection, artifact descriptions and overall layout, which became a major asset to the project’s success. I could not be more proud of this project and the role the students played in bringing it to life.”

The unveiling ceremony in November was attended by Konrad and William Schoonover ’65, who also wore the 44, along with the families of the legendary players and Chancellor Kent Syverud.

For Dunham and Saluti, watching their students succeed was deeply rewarding. “The students gained experience in artifact research, narrative development, client collaboration, iterative design and team project management,” says Dunham. “It is a rare opportunity for students to leave a permanent mark on campus while applying the skills they are learning—what could be more powerful than that?”

For Rano Dilmurodova G’26, her first American Thanksgiving didn’t happen at a family table in someone’s home. Instead, the international relations student from Uzbekistan found herself among 600 others at the International Thanksgiving Celebration, in the JMA Wireless Dome on Nov. 20, discovering what she calls “one of my most memorable moments at Syracuse.”

“It made me feel truly connected to our international community. I had the chance to meet brilliant students and experts, exchange ideas about global development and learn more about each other’s cultures,” says Dilmurodova. “It was a beautiful moment to reflect on the past year and feel grateful for all of our collective efforts and experiences.”

She’s not alone in that sentiment. For 41 years, Syracuse University’s International Thanksgiving Celebration has transformed homesickness into community for thousands of international students—a tradition believed to be unique among U.S. universities.

A Legacy of Welcome

The celebration traces back to the 1980s when the late Rev. T.E. Koshy, then the University’s Evangelical Christian chaplain, and his wife, Dr. Indira Koshy, recognized a simple need: international students missed home during the holidays.

As an international student himself, Koshy understood the challenges of being far from home and family. Today, the family’s involvement continues through their son Jay, current Evangelical Christian chaplain, and grandson Josh ’24, both serving as table hosts at the event.

This year’s event, sponsored by the and the , honored Dr. Ruth Chen, professor of practice in the College of Engineering and Computer Science, with a tribute video and ceramic bowl created by Peter Beasecker, professor in the College of Visual and Performing Arts.

Dr. Chen has overseen the International Thanksgiving Celebration and championed international students throughout her 12 years at Syracuse. Dr. Chen and Chancellor Kent Syverud will conclude their service to the University in June 2026.

“I really feel that I am home, even though I am on the other side of the earth,” says Ruohan Xu ’23, G’24, reflecting on Chen’s impact.

More Than a Meal

While Food Services served traditional turkey and fixings—including Kosher, Halal and vegetarian options—the evening also offered a spirit of community and family. Table hosts from faculty, staff and community members engaged students in conversations about both American traditions and their own cultures.

The ceremonial turkey carving by Associate Director Joe Sidoni drew eager photographers, while the Hendricks Chapel Choir performed under Professor José “Peppie” Calvar’s direction. Regina Jones of the Oneida Nation Turtle Clan delivered the Native American blessing, acknowledging the land’s original inhabitants.

Joseph Cobbinah, a linguistics master’s student from Ghana who emceed the event, had only heard about Thanksgiving from afar before experiencing it firsthand. “I realized the importance of spending quality time with loved ones and sharing warmth with friends,” he says. “I’m proud to be part of the Syracuse University Orange family.”

For longtime table hosts like Suresh and Ramani Thiagarajan, the joy comes from watching students recognize they’re valued. “They appreciate all the effort put in to make them special and acknowledge that they are a special gift to the University from various parts of the world,” Suresh says.

As international students navigate being thousands of miles from home, this uniquely Syracuse tradition proves that family isn’t just about who you’re born to—it’s also about the tables where you’re welcomed.