The Forever Orange Campaign raised nearly $1.6 billion that is transforming the University’s campus, accelerating academic excellence and expanding access to talented students from across the socioeconomic spectrum. (Photo by Joey Heslin)

With its most ambitious fundraising campaign in history now complete, ���ϲ����� today announced it surpassed the $1.5 billion goal of Forever Orange: The Campaign for ���ϲ�����, raising nearly $1.6 billion by the time it closed on Dec. 31, 2024. The funds generated have already had an unprecedented impact on ���ϲ�����—creating and transforming the University’s facilities and spaces, accelerating academic excellence and discovery, and expanding access to talented students from across the socioeconomic spectrum.

“I am grateful to everyone who helped us reach and exceed the ambitious goals of the Forever Orange Campaign,” says Chancellor Kent Syverud. “The extraordinary generosity of so many is already having a profound impact—transforming our campus, driving academic excellence and providing life-changing opportunities for our students. The Forever Orange Campaign was a catalyst to convert big ideas into exciting realities. But none of it would have been possible without the passion, support and commitment of our Orange community.”

Mission Accomplished

Forever Orange fundraising eclipsed that of ���ϲ�����’s last three campaigns combined—a testament to the tenacity, spirit of giving and dedication of the Orange community. Launched five years ago, Forever Orange sought to raise $1.5 billion in philanthropic support from 125,000 donors and meaningfully engage 20% of alumni—and all three goals were exceeded. At campaign close, thanks to the generosity of 125,699 individual donors—including trustees, alumni, faculty, staff, students, parents, families and friends—the Forever Orange Campaign raised a total of $1,590,234,203, and meaningful alumni engagement now exceeds 20.5%.

Accomplishments of Note

The funds raised will fuel research, support faculty recruitment, enhance world-class teaching and learning, expand financial aid, increase access to experiential learning and immersion programs, elevate the success of Orange Athletics, foster entrepreneurship and innovation and more for generations to come. As a result of the campaign:

• The University’s endowment more than doubled to $2.1 billion.
• The amount of financial support available to students dramatically increased due to the creation of more than 800 new scholarships.
• Bolstered by the Faculty Excellence Program, 117 faculty positions and fellowships were created, helping to advance ���ϲ�����’s status as a top-tier international research university.
• The schools, colleges and special units received more than $1.3 billion in direct support.
• The Lender Center for Social Justice and the Institute for Democracy, Journalism and Citizenship in Washington, D.C., were established.
• More than 200,000 veterans and members of the military-connected community benefited from the learning opportunities and programs offered through the D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families.
• The S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications was the recipient of the largest gift in ���ϲ�����’s history from the Newhouse family, cementing its position as the premier public communications school in the country.

Beyond the classroom, sweeping physical changes have transformed ���ϲ����� since the onset of the campaign. Among those are:

• The creation of the National Veterans Resource Center at the Daniel and Gayle D’Aniello Building—the first, best and only facility on a college campus dedicated solely to the well-being of veterans, service members and their families.
• The transformation of Manley Field House into the John A. Lally Athletics Complex, a best-in-class facility dedicated to the personal, academic and athletic success of the University’s 600 Division 1 student-athletes.
• The revitalization of the Hildegarde and J. Myer Schine Student Center into a vibrant new center for student life with centralized student services, contemporary food offerings and collaborative gathering spaces and study areas.
• The renovation of the JMA Wireless Dome to create an unmatched student-athlete and fan experience; this includes the Miron Victory Court, which was dedicated in November and is now a dynamic space for gathering ahead of athletic events.
• The consolidation of all student health, wellness and recreation services into the new Barnes Center at The Arch, making access to holistic student resources and supports a more seamless experience.
• The construction of the Einhorn Family Walk, a pedestrian-focused promenade that eliminated a busy road and created a more functional, connected campus.
• The conversion of an existing campus space into the Barner-McDuffie House, a dynamic and community-oriented space that celebrates the Black student experience.

Powerful Orange Network

Growing and formalizing the University’s volunteer leadership structure was critical to the campaign’s success. Since the campaign’s launch in November 2019, the University’s alumni engagement office hosted more than 3,700 events and programs, which collectively engaged over 30,000 alumni. The campaign also relied on a powerful network of nearly 15,000 leadership volunteers who served on alumni club boards, advisory boards, regional councils and more. Many of these individuals worked behind the scenes for years before the campaign launch to galvanize their own networks—often including alumni, parents, families and friends.

“When we talk about a campaign’s success, we often focus on the goals and metrics. But campaigns are really built on relationships, trust and a shared belief in one’s mission,” says Tracy Barlok, senior vice president and chief advancement officer. “The Forever Orange Campaign didn’t begin with a dollar goal; it began with people who loved ���ϲ����� deeply enough to imagine its future and then make it real.”

The campaign was chaired by trustees Patricia Mautino ’64, G’66, Mike Thonis ’72 and the late H. John Riley Jr. ’61. Barlok expressed her deep appreciation for their partnership.

“Pat, Mike and John were recruited because our leadership sought ambitious people—visionaries and influencers who had a conviction that audacious goals were part of the Orange DNA. And I can’t imagine three individuals who better embodied these characteristics,” Barlok says. “We are grateful to them, to all our campaign volunteers and to our supporters. And we’re so excited for what’s ahead.”

About ���ϲ�����

���ϲ����� is a private research university that advances knowledge across disciplines to drive breakthrough discoveries and breakout leadership. Our collection of 13 schools and colleges with over 200 customizable majors closes the gap between education and action, so students can take on the world. In and beyond the classroom, we connect people, perspectives and practices to solve interconnected challenges with interdisciplinary approaches. Together, we’re a powerful community that moves ideas, individuals and impact beyond what’s possible.

Robert J. Miron ’59  and his wife, Diane, lead the ribbon cutting with Chancellor Kent Syverud as Miron Victory Court welcomes its first guests.

On Friday, Nov. 8, members of the ���ϲ����� community gathered to celebrate the dedication of Miron Victory Court, a new dynamic campus space that physically connects two of the University’s most visited campus facilities—the JMA Wireless Dome and the Barnes Center at The Arch. Named for Life Trustee Robert “Bob” J. Miron ’59 and his wife, Diane, Miron Victory Court is a living testament to their dedication to the University and their support of the Forever Orange Campaign.

“Bob and Diane Miron’s generosity brought this amazing new event space to life,” said Chancellor Kent Syverud. “The Miron Victory Court is the latest example of how transformational gifts through the Forever Orange Campaign create new opportunities for our Orange community to come together. Whether we’re welcoming fans for an indoor tailgate, celebrating an important University milestone or hosting a communitywide event, this will be a place to engage, connect and celebrate for generations to come.”

Miron Victory Court

The enclosed pedestrian concourse is part of the University’s multi-million-dollar project that reimagined and transformed the JMA Wireless Dome experience. Miron Victory Court expands and redefines the JMA Dome’s footprint and will provide a more seamless navigational experience between the Barnes Center and the JMA Dome.

During his remarks, Bob Miron said he was “blown away by the whole thing” [Miron Victory Court] and extended his deep appreciation to the Chancellor; Pete Sala, vice president and chief facilities officer; and several fellow trustees for their support of this vision.

“It’s pretty impressive to see this space in person,” said Bob Miron. “We’ve always had the philosophy, Diane and I, of wanting to give back, and to give back while you can appreciate and see the value of doing it. ���ϲ����� is where I grew up so it’s been a pleasure for us to enjoy the fruits of our philanthropy.”

The Mirons have supported many academic programs, University priorities and athletic initiatives over the years through service and philanthropy. The Diane and Bob Miron Fund for Academic Success supports academic and student success initiatives within the ���ϲ����� Libraries, including entrepreneurship efforts like the Blackstone LaunchPad, student services, technology enhancements and the creation and maintenance of student spaces. The Miron Learning Commons on the first floor of Bird Library was dedicated in their honor in 2022.

Members of the University community gathered to celebrate the dedication of Miron Victory Court.

Prior to his retirement, Bob Miron served as chairman and CEO of Advance/Newhouse Communications, where he oversaw the company’s cable television interests. Diane Miron serves on the Libraries Advisory Board. She is a graduate of Kean (then Newark State) College and holds a degree in elementary education and an honorary doctorate degree. Diane taught elementary school for 25 years, then became a teacher advisor on using technology and cable television in the classroom. The Mirons’ daughter, Nomi Bergman, was elected to the University’s Board of Trustees in May and installed on Thursday, Nov. 7—continuing the Miron family’s service to the University.

At the dedication event, several other generous donors were recognized for their support of Miron Victory Court and the JMA Dome transformation, including Trustee Clifford J. Ensley ’69, ’70, G’71 and his wife, Susan; Trustee Edward J. Pettinella G’76, P’09 and his family; and the State of New York.

About ���ϲ�����

���ϲ����� is a private research university that advances knowledge across disciplines to drive breakthrough discoveries and breakout leadership. Our collection of 13 schools and colleges with over 200 customizable majors closes the gap between education and action, so students can take on the world. In and beyond the classroom, we connect people, perspectives and practices to solve interconnected challenges with interdisciplinary approaches. Together, we’re a powerful community that moves ideas, individuals and impact beyond what’s possible.

About Forever Orange: The Campaign for ���ϲ�����

Orange isn’t just our color. It’s our promise to leave the world better than we found it. Forever Orange: The Campaign for ���ϲ����� is poised to do just that. Fueled by more than 150 years of fearless firsts, together we can enhance academic excellence, transform the student experience and expand unique opportunities for learning and growth. Forever Orange endeavors to raise $1.5 billion in philanthropic support, inspire 125,000 individual donors to participate in the campaign, and actively engage one in five alumni in the life of the University. Now is the time to show the world what Orange can do. Visit foreverorange.syr.edu to learn more.