Campaign News

Couple Loved Syracuse University and Embraced Maxwell School Mission

“My parents literally grew up with nothing. Their own parents were poor immigrants from Ukraine and Bessarabia—an area that is now Moldova and part of Ukraine,” says Mitch Katz ’88, of his parents, Stanley ’54, G’56 and Cecilia Katz ’55. “The University is where they met, fell in love and began their life journey together, which took them all over the globe. The Maxwell School opened a window into that world for my dad.”

“My folks were proud of the Maxwell School’s mission of educating students about their responsibilities as citizens of the world and directing them to use their talents and success to provide opportunities to others,” says Mitch. And now, through the Katz’s recent $2 million gift to Syracuse University’s Forever Orange campaign, graduates of the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs may be similarly inspired to make an impact on the world.

Helping Students Chase Their Dreams

Herbert L. Byrd Jr. G’75 and his wife, Beverly, are determined to help students overcome tough odds and achieve their dreams. The couple set up a $1 million bequest in their estate plan to establish the Herbert and Beverly Byrd Scholarship in the College of Engineering and Computer Science. A tribute to their son David, the scholarship was created with a preference to support Black students enrolled in Syracuse University’s engineering programs. Because the gift was created as part of the University’s Invest Syracuse initiative, the University created a second five-year scholarship that is currently active.

Painting the Globe Orange in a Virtual World

With more than 260,000 alumni living in 171 countries around the globe, the challenges posed by a global pandemic presented opportunities for those teams responsible for engaging alumni in programs and events.

Martin Bandier ’62 to Establish Marquee Scholarship Program for Students Pursuing Careers in the Music Industry

Legendary music publishing executive and Life Trustee Martin Bandier ’62 has made a substantial gift to establish the most prestigious scholarship program available to students aspiring to careers in the music industry.

The gift, the latest in support of Forever Orange: The Campaign for Syracuse University’s $1.5 billion goal, will support the creation of The Martin Bandier Scholarship. The scholarship will provide critical financial support for students from underrepresented populations who are enrolled in the Bandier Program in Recording and Entertainment Industries in the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications. Bandier founded the program in 2006.

Philanthropic Spirit that Never Loses Sight of the Goal

Brett Jefferson ’88 likes to cite the book titled “David and Goliath” by Malcolm Gladwell, when reflecting on life’s challenges that confronted him as a boy. The book explores the power of the underdog and the role of adversity in shaping our lives. Jefferson’s recent pledge of $2.5 million to the Syracuse University Men’s Lacrosse Coaches Endowed Fund and the Athletics Framework pays tribute to the program that shaped this “underdog” and kept him on a path to personal and professional success.

Inspired by Student-Athletes to Put Even More ‘Skin in the Game’

John Wildhack ’80 uses the word “connective tissue” to describe the ties that bind him and his family to Syracuse University. “It’s an incredibly unusual place that has been part of my family since the day I was born, with a passion for the Orange community that has persisted through the generations,” he says. His father, sister, brother and nephews all attended. His young son Tommy has his sights set on Syracuse. And that connective tissue grew even stronger this year, with a $1 million pledge from John and his wife, Amy, to the Athletics Framework supporting the future of the athletics program.

A Gift Grounded in Love and Advocacy

Their marriage certificate is framed and hangs on the wall in their home, a forever tribute to the love between Janet G. Jones and Syracuse University alumnus Dr. Faith (“Chris”) Maltby Cobb ’51, G’66, Ph.D. ’74. Though Dr. Cobb passed away in 2018, their commitment endures through a new gift of $2 million to the Forever Orange campaign to fund the Cobb-Jones Clinical Psychology Endowed Professorship within the Department of Psychology in the College of Arts and Sciences.

Law Alumnus Honors Parents Through ‘Living Legacy’ Scholarship Gift

“It’s a living, growing thing.” That’s how Syracuse University College of Law alumnus Andrew Greenberg L’84 describes his most recent $1 million gift to Syracuse University to establish the Sidney M. ’49 and Winifred E. Greenberg Scholarships in honor of his mother and late father.

Forever Orange Gift from Patricia H. ’64, G’66 and Louis A. ’61, G’62 Mautino Will Support Scholarships for Veteran Undergraduate Students

In the lives of Syracuse University Trustee Patricia H. ’64, G’66 and Louis A. ’61, G’62 Mautino, patriotism runs deep. Louis was a member of the Reserve Officer Training Corps while a student at Syracuse University in the late 1950s, and Patricia comes from a family deeply devoted to service to our nation—her uncles served in the U.S. Army, Air Force and Marine Corps.

Marylyn Turner ’56, G’57 and Chuck Klaus G’05 Give $15 Million to Support Art Scholarships, Immersion Experiences at Syracuse University

A $15 million gift from Marylyn Turner ’56, G’57 and her husband, Chuck Klaus G’05, will support the education of emerging artists in the College of Visual and Performing Arts’ (VPA) School of Art through scholarships and immersion experiences in the Los Angeles area. The announcement comes just days after Syracuse University publicly launched a historic $1.5 billion campaign—Forever Orange: The Campaign for Syracuse University, which seeks to build upon academic excellence, transform the student experience and expand unique opportunities for learning and growth.

Newhouse Foundation Plans to Pledge $75 Million to Syracuse University

The gift to the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications will support academic initiatives and continue to build upon the school’s proud legacy.

Beyond Lithium-Ion: Next Generation Battery Research Underway

Lithium-ion batteries power our present but the future of power may be in development in Biomedical and Chemical Engineering Professor Ian Hosein’s lab. Hosein and his material science research team are conducting research on materials that could be used in the next generation of batteries.

Professor Jian Tang Named a 2019 Distinguished Member by the Association for Computing Machinery

The Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) named Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Professor Jian Tang as a 2019 Distinguished Member for his outstanding scientific contributions to computing.

First-Year Bioengineering Students Build Assistive Technology Devices

At first glance it looked like first-year bioengineering major Olivia Kmito ’23 and her partner Kevin Place ’23 were just playing the video game Tetris in their ECS 101 class, but if you looked closely you could see they were not using a keyboard or mouse.

Enhancing the International Student Experience

As part of ongoing efforts to support and enhance the international student experience, the Division of Enrollment and the Student Experience has launched new initiatives this semester to strengthen international student support and promote, engage and celebrate our international community of students, scholars, staff and faculty.