is an innovative, interdisciplinary initiative at ���ϲ����� focused on inclusive entrepreneurship, design and community. It is a partnership between ���ϲ����� Libraries, the School of Design and , a program of the��. Intelligence ++ is supported through a generous donation by Gianfranco Zaccai ’70 H’09 and the��.

Trey Augliano

Augliano is the founder of Flamingo Brands, a global e-commerce company. During the past academic year, he served as an Orange Innovation Scholar for ���ϲ����� Libraries and worked with the and as a tech commercialization specialist. Augliano was a member of the student steering committee for the inaugural program. He previously interned as an angel investment portfolio manager at Shaw Harbor Holdings, a private equity and asset management firm, where he worked alongside the founder and CEO.

As the Intelligence ++ Innovation Scholar, Augliano will assist with , a funding program to help students across campus commercialize products, services and technologies that support people with intellectual disability or who are neurodivergent. The Intelligence ++ Scholar serves as a peer mentor to students from across all disciplines and academic units to help bring their ideas to life and engages with SU alumni who are innovators in this field who can serve as subject matter experts.

Benetta Dousuah (left), Jude Akpunku (center) and Zahra Johnson were named 2024 Tillman Scholars as the next generation of public and private sector leaders committed to service beyond self.

Three talented and passionate ���ϲ����� student veterans—Benetta Dousuah G’25, second-year law student Jude Akpunku and Zahra Johnson G’25—were recognized as 2024 Tillman Scholars by the .

The award unites and empowers remarkable military service members, veterans and spouses as the next generation of public and private sector leaders committed to service beyond self. Dousuah, Akpunku and Johnson were selected out of nearly 1,600 applicants.

are provided academic scholarships, leadership development opportunities and access to a supportive national network as they embark on career journeys in the fields of health care, public service, business, STEM, law, the humanities and education.

The fellowship program honors Pat Tillman, a starting safety for the National Football League’s Arizona Cardinals, who in 2002 put his football career on hold to serve his country with the U.S. Army’s 75th Ranger Regiment in Afghanistan. Tillman’s family and friends established the Pat Tillman Foundation following Tillman’s death in April 2004.

���ϲ����� was invited to become a Pat Tillman Foundation University Partner in 2017. To date, the University has seen .

Dousuah, Akpunko and Johnson sat down with SU News to discuss why they wanted to become Tillman Scholars, reflect on the prestigious honor and share how they will use the scholarship to make a difference in their communities.

Benetta Dousuah G’25, U.S. Army

Academic major: Social work ()

Benetta Dousuah

What drew you to study at ���ϲ�����? “I chose ���ϲ����� because it’s known for being a veteran-friendly school. While transitioning out of the military, I visited and was impressed by how much they support student veterans. The National Veterans Resource Center at the Daniel and Gayle D’Aniello Building showed me how much the school cares about their veteran community.”

Where did your interest and passion for your field of study come from? “My aim is to challenge and transform the existing stigma surrounding mental health and well-being in the military. My goal is to become a social worker and serve as Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention (SHARP) representative at a behavioral health clinic on a military installation, particularly regarding sexual assault and harassment. This position will allow me to address significant issues related to mental health and advocate for policy changes within the SHARP program.”

How does it feel to be recognized as a Tillman Scholar? “It’s an honor to be surrounded by people dedicated to making a difference in our military. My passion is to change how investigations are done in the SHARP program. I am excited to bring this idea to other scholars and see what the future holds.”

What motivated you to apply to be a Tillman Scholar, and why do you think you were selected? “Pat’s story is incredible. It demonstrates selfless service and leadership, two of the Army’s core values. As a Tillman Scholar, I am honored to carry on Pat Tillman’s legacy. I’m inspired by these exceptional individuals who are making a difference. I was chosen as a Tillman Scholar because of my dedication to making a positive impact. Despite facing a traumatic experience, my goal is to reform the system that failed me, ensuring a safer military for future generations.”

How do you plan to use this scholarship and this experience to make an impact in your community? “I aim to use the education and experiences from ���ϲ����� and the Tillman Scholar program to advocate for significant policy changes, specifically to reform the investigative process within the SHARP program.”

Jude Akpunku, U.S. Naval Academy

Academic major: Online J.D. program, JDinteractive ()

Jude Akpunku

What drew you to study at ���ϲ�����? “The University’s strong commitment to veterans and its renowned law program attracted me, aligning perfectly with my aspirations in law and public service.”

Where did your interest and passion for your field of study come from? “My interest in law developed from my experiences in the military and as a Defense Legislative Fellow [with U.S. Rep. Marc Veasey], where I saw firsthand the impact of policy and law on service members’ lives and national security.”

How does it feel to be recognized as a Tillman Scholar? “It is a profound honor. It validates my commitment to service and leadership and inspires me to continue advocating for justice and equity.”

What motivated you to apply to be a Tillman Scholar, and why do you think you were selected? “I was motivated by the program’s focus on leadership and service, which resonate deeply with my personal values and experiences. I believe I was selected due to my demonstrated commitment to these principles through my military and legislative roles.”

How do you plan to use this scholarship and this experience to make an impact in your community? “I will advance my legal education, focusing on public policy issues that affect veterans and underrepresented communities. I aim to leverage this opportunity to advocate for policies that provide greater support and resources to these groups.”

Zahra Johnson G’25, U.S. Army

Academic major: Biomedical forensic science ()

Zahra Johnson

What drew you to study at ���ϲ�����? “While stationed at Fort Drum, New York, I applied to an Army program called Green to Gold Active Duty, which allows active-duty soldiers to continue their education. I was looking for a school that offered graduate degrees in forensic science, and since ���ϲ����� offered an M.S in different aspects of forensic science, such as medicolegal death investigation and biomedical forensic science, that was my top pick!”

Where did your interest and passion for your field of study come from? “In the wake of a tragedy in my family [the death of my uncle], I was prompted to study forensic science and specifically focus on death investigation. My mother never felt the closure she needed. I hope to help families find some closure by providing them as much knowledge and information as possible through scientific methods and proper and timely investigations.”

How does it feel to be recognized as a Tillman Scholar? “Pat Tillman was one-of-a-kind, someone who believed in impacting the world in a positive way. As a girl growing up in Afghanistan, I would have had little to no opportunities to seek education and follow my dreams and ambitions. The sacrifice of heroes such as Pat allowed me to go to high school, and to have freedom and opportunities that led me to where I am today. The honor is beyond words; I’m extremely proud.”

What motivated you to apply to be a Tillman Scholar, and why do you think you were selected? “The Tillman community shares the same values I believe in my core and was a great opportunity to become part of a community that will help me in my journey to become a better leader.”

How do you plan to use this scholarship and this experience to make an impact in your community? “This scholarship is not only going to help me grow intellectually but will also connect me to a supportive community that can help me improve my service. My goal is also to advocate for soldiers to pursue an education while serving, since education holds the key to a successful and healthy nation.”

Five ���ϲ����� students have been selected for the 2024 Goldwater Scholarship, the preeminent undergraduate scholarship awarded in the natural sciences, engineering and mathematics in the U.S. This is the first time ���ϲ����� has had five students selected for the cohort and the third consecutive year the University has had at least three scholars selected in one year.

The recipients are:

• Julia Fancher, a sophomore physics and mathematics major in the (A&S) and a member of the ;
• Sadie Meyer, a sophomore biomedical engineering major in the (ECS) and mathematics major in A&S;
• Kerrin O’Grady, a junior biomedical engineering major in ECS and neuroscience integrated learning major in A&S;
• Serena Peters, a junior chemistry major in A&S; and
• Gianna Voce, a sophomore computer science major in ECS and neuroscience Integrated learning major in A&S.

“The fact that five students from ���ϲ����� were selected as Goldwater Scholars this year is a testament to our University’s robust support for undergraduate research and the high quality of faculty mentoring here.” Jolynn Parker, director, Center for Fellowship and Scholarship Advising

All five are research grant recipients from the .

�ճ������was established by Congress in 1986 to honor U.S. Sen. Barry Goldwater, the five-term senator from Arizona. The purpose of the program is to provide a continuing source of highly qualified scientists, mathematicians and engineers by awarding scholarships to students who intend to pursue research careers in these fields.

The Goldwater Foundation received 1,353 nominations this year from around the country and 438 students were selected for the scholarship.

Each ���ϲ����� Goldwater Scholarship nominee worked with the (CFSA) to prepare their application. A faculty committee, headed by James Spencer, professor of chemistry in A&S, selected ���ϲ�����’s nominees for the national competition.

“We’re so proud of Julia, Sadie, Kerrin, Serena and Gianna. They are exceptional young scientists and it is gratifying to see them honored with this award,” says Jolynn Parker, CFSA director. “The fact that five students from ���ϲ����� were selected as Goldwater Scholars this year is a testament to our University’s robust support for undergraduate research and the high quality of faculty mentoring here.”

Julia Fancher

Fancher, a physics major, is also minoring in computer science and draws on those skills to create effective theoretical models of astrophysical phenomena.

“I have always loved space, and I now get to use physics and math to learn more about distant galaxies and black holes,” she says.

As a first-year student, Fancher joined the high-energy astrophysics lab of Eric Coughlin, assistant professor of physics. With Coughlin’s guidance, Fancher researches tidal disruption events, which occur when a star is destroyed by the tidal field of a black hole.

Fancher has published two papers in national journals on this topic and presented her research at the local Conference for Undergraduate Women in Physics and the national American Astronomical Society conference in January 2024, and was a finalist in the undergraduate AAS Chambliss poster competition. She participated in the “Education and Inclusion in Post-Apartheid South Africa” program through ���ϲ����� Abroad last summer.

Fancher plans to enroll in a doctoral program that focuses on computational and analytical astrophysics, with the goal of becoming a professor at a research university to conduct research in theoretical high-energy astrophysics.

“I aim to build my own astrophysics lab focusing on discovering possible mechanisms of observed astrophysical transients through a combination of analytical methods and computational modeling,” Fancher says.

Sadie Meyer

Meyer grew up surrounded by research with widespread impacts on healthcare and recognized the importance of such work early on. She developed a strong purpose to advance new approaches to women’s health and infertility, specifically with a biomedical engineering perspective.

In her first semester on campus, wanting to get more involved with research, Meyer joined the laboratory of James Henderson, professor of biomedical and chemical engineering and director of the . The lab specializes in functional shape-memory materials and biocompatible platform development.

Meyer has learned material synthesis and combined mathematical approaches with experimental design to conduct characterizations of programmed shape memory polymer topography to serve as a dynamic cell culture substrate. Her current project analyzes bacterial response to shape-memory actuated 3D silk wrinkled surfaces as a strategy for biofilm prevention. Meyer is third author on a manuscript published in February 2024 in the Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute journal, “Polymers.”��She will present her research at the 50th Northeast Bioengineering Conference on April 4 at the Stevens Institute of Technology. This summer, she will participate in a National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) at Northwestern University’s Soft and Hybrid Nanotechnology Experimental Resource Facility. There, she will study the ultrastructure of yeast mitochondria, working toward a better understanding of cellular function, health and evolution.

Meyer plans to enroll in a Ph.D. program with strengths in regenerative medicine, biomaterials and mechanobiology. “After earning my Ph.D., I will pursue a faculty position where I can oversee a lab of my own and conduct research to address challenges in fertility and reproductive health,” she says.

“Being selected for the Goldwater Scholarship encourages and supports my ambitions for further inquiry in my fields and makes a tremendous difference to my development as a researcher,” she says.

Kerrin O’Grady

In high school, O’Grady volunteered at a camp for neurodivergent children and adults. “I have seen the need for adaptive and customizable everyday devices for individuals with impaired motor control,” she says.

She is now pursuing degrees in biomedical engineering and neuroscience, with a minor in philosophy. “As a bioengineer, I am eager to support communities that may not have the same opportunities I have been afforded,” she says.

O’Grady has engaged in research in the Henderson Lab since the beginning of her sophomore year. There, she has focused on creating silk-wrinkled topographies on 3D shape-memory polymeric scaffolds and optimizing the attachment and proliferation of mammalian, specifically neuronal, cells on the scaffolds. Her current work focuses on using silk-wrinkled shape-memory polymeric conduits to aid in peripheral nerve injury repair.

O’Grady plans to enroll in a Ph.D. program in biomedical engineering, focusing on neuro-engineering. After completing her Ph.D., she aims to pursue a career focused on neural engineering research, working closely with the neurodivergent and physically disabled communities.

“I want to lead experiments and to create devices and repair in vivo damage, similar to the work that Argonne National Laboratory is conducting on repairing spinal cord damage by injecting a treatment directly into paralyzed mice,” she says. O’Grady will continue this work at the University of Victoria this summer through a Fulbright MITACS research internship. There, she will work in a lab on 3D bioprinting neural tissues from stem cells.

“The Goldwater Scholarship will help me in a financial sense and will provide me with a community of dedicated students who have similar passions and goals as me,” she says.

Serena Peters

Peters is pursuing a major in chemistry because of her interest in applications for environmental sustainability. She has contributed to a research project with Professor Jonathan French quantifying students’ sense of belonging in general chemistry courses. Currently, in Professor Timothy Korter’s lab, she is using high-complexity experimental and computational techniques to study the polymorphism of two antiviral compounds, acyclovir and ganciclovir.

Peters purposefully chooses assignments that allow her to delve deeper into the realm of sustainable chemistry. “Whether presenting on how zeolites can be employed for nuclear waste cleanup or writing a paper on innovative carbon capture strategies, I consistently integrate environmental chemistry into my academic pursuits,” she says.

Peters plans to pursue a Ph.D. in chemistry with a concentration on applications for environmental sustainability. Her career goal is to work in aquatic cleanup as a research professor at a university.

“I aspire to guide undergraduates who, much like myself, may harbor uncertainties about venturing into the field of research. I hope to continue researching in the field of environmental chemistry, specifically using different forms of spectroscopy to analyze water contaminants. My goal is to foster a research environment that demonstrates that research is an inclusive pursuit open to anyone, regardless of their background or identity,” she says.

“The Goldwater Scholarship has helped me build my confidence. I long wondered if research was for me, partially since it’s such a male-dominated field. However, receiving this scholarship has shown me that I am capable and I deserve to be a researcher as much as anyone else,” Peters says.

Gianna Voce

Voce has always loved the problem-solving of computer science and its endless possibilities to intersect with other fields. “Computer science was originally inspired by the human brain and continues to be influenced by neuroscience, so seeing the parallels between my two majors is fascinating to me,” she says. “I love seeing the ways two seemingly disconnected fields interact and discovering new ways for them to do so.”

Voce transferred to ���ϲ����� from Clarkson University; she has sought out research opportunities since the summer before her freshman year, when she participated in a PreFrosh Summer Research Experience through Clarkson’s Honors Program. There, she studied the effects of commonly used fluorescent dyes on tendon mechanics, research that was published in the Journal of the Mechanics of Biomedical Materials.

In the summer of 2022, she participated in an REU at Texas State University focused on cybersecurity in connected vehicles. She helped create a reinforcement learning algorithm that could successfully identify which vehicles had been compromised by a cyberattack for networks that were more than 90% corrupted. She published and presented this research at the Association for Computing Machinery REUNS 2023 conference in Washington, D.C., and at the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers’ International Conference on Consumer Electronics 2024 in Las Vegas. She will be studying abroad in Florence this summer through ���ϲ����� Abroad.

After transferring to ���ϲ�����, Voce joined the lab of Qinru Qiu, professor of electrical engineering and computer science, where she researches algorithms for neuromorphic computing. Her team focuses on developing software and artificial neural networks to run on Intel chips.

Voce plans to pursue a Ph.D. in computer science or neuroscience with a concentration in computational neuroscience. After obtaining her degrees, she plans to take a research position within the tech industry, working as either a computational neuroscientist or a machine learning engineer. “I aim to contribute novel insights toward the development of artificial intelligence systems that mimic the qualities of biological neural networks with the goal of increasing efficiency and accuracy in AI learning,” she says.

“The Goldwater Scholarship is an incredible honor that will not only assist me in my education but provide the opportunity to be a part of an amazing network of researchers that offer inspiration to pursue this career path,” Voce says.

CFSA seeks applicants for the Goldwater Scholarship each fall; the campus deadline is mid-November each year. Interested students should contact CFSA at��cfsa@syr.edu.

Himself.

Steiner, who graduated from ���ϲ����� in 1981 and is now chairman of the , grew up in a low-income neighborhood in Brooklyn, New York. His father left the family when he was 5, and while his mother, Evelyn, operated a beauty salon, it was a struggle financially for her to raise Brandon and his two brothers.

After 30 years as founder and chairman of Steiner Sports Marketing and Memorabilia, Brandon Steiner is running two new companies, The Steiner Agency and Collectible Xchange.

Despite a low SAT score, Steiner convinced a ���ϲ����� admissions counselor that she “will never regret letting me in,” he wrote in his 2012 book “You Gotta Have Balls.” Steiner was admitted and his family did receive enough financial aid to pay for tuition, but there was still one problem: He didn’t have any additional money to live from day to day.

Steiner has never forgotten those days. Working with Falk College Assistant Dean for Advancement and Sport Management Chair and Director , Steiner has created the Brandon S. Steiner Sport Management Student Support Fund that “supports health, housing, education and overall well-being of ���ϲ����� undergraduate students enrolled in the Department of Sport Management in Falk College.”

“Look at a kid like me,” Steiner says. “I was willing to work full-time in college; otherwise, going to ���ϲ����� probably wouldn’t work. If I just went up and wasn’t willing to work full-time–and I’m not talking about work study, I’m talking about a 40-hour-a-week job–I don’t think I could have made it up there.

“But I don’t know if that can work in today’s age,” he continues. “I want to focus on poorer kids who have something special going on and if we can get them additional help, they would come.”

The Steiner Student Support Fund awards support for a single academic year, and students can apply for funds by completing . A student can’t be awarded funding more than twice.

Students in the Department of Sport Management, including sport analytics and sport venue and event management students, are encouraged to apply for internships and work as much as they can in the sport industry while they’re attending school. As part of their degree requirements, they complete a 12-credit Senior Capstone with a full-semester experience at a sport organization.

The new Steiner Support Fund is the latest of several ways Brandon Steiner (far right) has given back to ���ϲ�����. In the spring 2023 semester, Steiner connected Sport Management student Tracey Edson (second from right) and public relations major Samantha Messina with New York Yankees player Oswaldo Cabrera to create a marketing deck for Cabrera.

With the rigorous demands of the program, it can be difficult for students to work the kind of hours that Steiner worked as a student to help pay for food, housing, fees and supplies, and other critical student needs. Steiner says he hopes his fund will help all students, but particularly underrepresented students who, like Steiner, might need support but are future stars in the sport industry.

“We have to make it easier for them to come here,” Steiner says. “And the reality is, the teams, leagues and players are all diverse and we want to be diverse with the students we’re sending into the industry.”

At ���ϲ�����, Steiner attended the because his mother suggested he major in accounting. Utilizing his work ethic, ingenuity and ability to make an impression on people, Steiner served as founder and chairman of Steiner Sports Marketing and Memorabilia for more than 30 years.

In 2019, he launched two new companies: , the nation’s premiere independent athlete procurement source, and , an online platform for fans, collectors, store owners, celebrities, athletes and teams to buy and sell collectibles.

The Steiner Student Support Fund is the latest way Steiner has given back to ���ϲ����� and Falk College’s Sport Management program, which he played a key role in creating more than 20 years ago. He says attending ���ϲ����� “gave me the biggest break I ever got,” and he wants his fund to provide opportunities for students like him who will become the next generation of sports marketing trailblazers.

“There’s nothing like the feeling of pride you get from passing the torch to the next generation,” Steiner wrote in his book. “I can’t wait to see all the innovative products they come up with.”

In addition to the Steiner Student Support Fund, there are other opportunities and awards available to students in Falk College. Visit the page on the Falk website for more information on how to apply.

Founded in 1953, the Marshall Scholarships finance young Americans of high ability to study for a graduate degree at an institution in the United Kingdom in any field of study. Volynets was one of 51 students selected from around the country and is ���ϲ�����’s sixth Marshall Scholar.

Volynets is minoring in museum studies in the�� and Russian in the College of Arts and Sciences. They are a Coronat Scholar and a member of the��.

“To me, being a Marshall Scholar means having an incredible opportunity that I am so grateful for. It means that I get to be a citizen ambassador to the U.K.,” Volynets says. “The U.K. has a very different approach to heritage management than the U.S. does, which I’m very excited to learn from—and I’m looking forward to seeing all of the U.K.’s really interesting heritage sites.”

Volynets plans to pursue a career in safeguarding Ukrainian cultural heritage. They are applying to Oxford University’s master of philosophy program in visual, material and museum anthropology. They plan to write their thesis on the role that Ukrainian cultural institutions have played in the fight for Ukrainian independence.

“Oxford is such an amazing fit for this goal, because of its very active Ukrainian Student Society (including the Oxford-Kharkiv association), work being done by professors to preserve Ukrainian cultural heritage amidst the war, its new Ukrainian archives and the fantastic Slavonic studies department, which hosts weekly open discussions,” they say.

“In addition, the Pitt Rivers Museum at Oxford is doing sector-leading work in museum decolonization, and I’d really love to get involved. Pursuing these opportunities will help me get the skills, experience and knowledge to prepare me to work at an institution safeguarding Ukrainian and other threatened cultural heritages,” Volynets says. “I can’t express how excited I am to become involved with these communities and opportunities next fall.”

“Iona’s extraordinary record of service and leadership in the field of managing and safeguarding cultural heritage made them an outstanding candidate for the Marshall Scholarship,” says Jolynn Parker, director of the (CFSA), which worked with Volynets on their application. “The U.K. is a global leader in heritage management. The opportunity to pursue a master’s at Oxford in this field will position Iona superbly for the career they plan.”

In October 2022, Volynets was named one of three ���ϲ����� recipients of the Voyager Scholarship: the Obama-Chesky Scholarship for Public Service, a new award for juniors committed to public service funded by the Obama Foundation. In April, they were named a 2023 Truman Scholar in recognition of their leadership, service, academic accomplishment and commitment to a career of public service.

In recent months, Volynets studied Russian for eight weeks in Tbilisi, Georgia, on the Critical Language Scholarship. They also visited six other post-Soviet states through the Voyager Scholarship to conduct research for their senior thesis on the diversity of national memory in post-Soviet states. They visited around 70 museums between their Voyager Scholarship and time in Tbilisi.

Volynets recently completed their time as a Lender Center Fellow, where they and other fellows were engaged in a project focused on migrant women’s wellness in the Northside neighborhood. They presented their work on culturally appropriate food bank services at the Environmental Design Research Association conference in Mexico City last June and are working to get funding to expand their research on food banks to other neighborhoods next semester.

Volynets has also served as a service-learning intern at the University’s Shaw Center. “I’ve continued working with the Environmental Design class, which this semester has meant learning a lot about ���ϲ�����’s Southside and the history of the 15th Ward,” they say. “I’ve also been researching how to identify and prevent volunteer burnout so that we can update our volunteer and service-learning guides.” Volynets has also been working in the archives at the Onondaga Historical Association, creating finding guides for their Underground Railroad and Zonta Group collections.

Additionally, they were an intern with Save the Children and the Council of Europe and a Teen Council member for the Smithsonian Galleries of Asian Art. During winter break, they will be working for Save the Children’s Disability Inclusion department again.

Students interested in applying for national scholarships that require University endorsement, such as the Marshall Scholarship, should complete an “intent to apply” form with Center for Fellowship and Scholarship Advising by the end of June 2024 and plan to work with��.

The offers study abroad awards of up to $5,000 to undergraduate students in good standing who are U.S. citizens and Pell Grant (federal financial aid) recipients, and up to $8,000 for undergraduates studying abroad and learning critical need languages (such as Mandarin Chinese or Arabic).

Yasmin Nayrouz in London

The opportunities that the Gilman Scholarship provides align well with the University’s newly released academic strategic plan, “.”

“���ϲ����� has long prioritized study abroad as fundamental to our mission of preparing students to be globally engaged citizens. We are also committed to increasing the diversity of our study abroad cohorts and to making international education an option for all of our students, regardless of their financial circumstances. The Gilman Scholarship sits at the intersection of these goals,” says Vice Chancellor, Provost and Chief Academic Officer .

The University has prioritized the Gilman Scholarship as it supports meaningful international experiences for students and allows the University to increase equity in global programs. “���ϲ����� is honored to be recognized for our work with the Gilman Scholarship. This award has allowed even more of our students to have deep—and often life-changing—global experiences,” Ritter says.

Gilman applications are a collaborative effort between the University’s (CFSA) and offices. ���ϲ����� Abroad is dedicated to helping students choose study abroad programs that align with their academic and cultural interests, and CFSA has taken the lead on planning outreach to eligible students and working with Gilman applicants through writing workshops and one-on-one advising meetings to review drafts of their application materials.

Nayrouz on a hike in Scotland

“Studying abroad provides students with unparalleled opportunities to advance their studies, personal growth and professional skills in ways that help them to thrive in diverse local and global communities and workplaces,” says , assistant provost and executive director of ���ϲ����� Abroad. “Helping students apply for prestigious scholarships like the Gilman is one way to advance our commitment to making international study available to all students.”

“The Gilman application process provides students an opportunity outside of the classroom to strengthen their writing skills and refine their academic and professional interests,” says Adam Crowley, scholarship advisor with CFSA.�� “Supporting our Gilman applicants is a campuswide effort. We are proud of the success of our students and honored by this recognition.”

Yasmin Nayrouz ’24, an English major in the and public relations major in the , received a Gilman Scholarship and studied abroad in London in the Fall 2022 semester.

“It was the best semester I’ve ever had. I got to take such interesting courses and immersed myself in the city,” she says. Nayrouz took a Shakespeare class; a class about multicultural London, where she learned about the city’s diverse history and neighborhoods; a class about America from a foreign perspective; and a class about race and gender in British media.

On weekends, Nayrouz took the opportunity to visit other countries. “My semester abroad also opened my eyes to how the U.K. and other European countries have helped refugees, as I spoke and volunteered with some. This reinforced my interest in helping migrant populations,” she says.

Eligible students interested in the Gilman Scholarship should reach out to CFSA at cfsa@syr.edu. The deadline for spring applications is March 7, 2024.

It’s her first time studying abroad, but she’s adjusted to campus life with ease. On the weekends, she explores South Korea, while weekdays are reserved for studying sociology, psychology and Korean literature and language.

Leondra Tyler, a HEOP student, is capitalizing on a study abroad experience in South Korea to enjoy new research perspectives.

Tyler, a student of the University’s part-time is the first part-time HEOP student to receive the .

Back home, Tyler is a part-time neuroscience and psychology student in the at ���ϲ�����. Scholarships like the OTHC scholarship have allowed Tyler to push the limits of post-traditional learning and take part in studying abroad.

“What drew me into the OTHC scholarship program was that I really wanted an academically focused program for Black and brown students. This has given me a great opportunity to connect with Black and brown alumni and hear about their experiences and their post-academic lives,” Tyler says. “Although I just got the scholarship this semester, it’s been really nice knowing that I have a support system, not only at ���ϲ����� but also here at Yonsei.”

A Diverse Learning Experience

Scholarships have not only offered Tyler access to an abundance of networking opportunities, but they have also opened doors that diversify her learning portfolio.

When Tyler wraps up classes for the day, she heads across campus to a PC café, a popular hangout spot for people to eat while they play computer games. While she waits for a game to download, Tyler orders lunch and reviews notes from her class about the history of Korean cinema.

For Tyler, studying abroad has allowed her access to an array of engaging academic experiences and even expanded her viewpoint.

Leondra Tyler.

“We’re learning Korean history through film,” Tyler says. “I took the course because I wanted to learn more analytic skills, because that can translate into my research. But also, I wanted to learn more about Korea outside of pop culture.”

However, South Korea’s pop culture has also given Tyler a chance to analyze sociology and psychology from a new perspective. As the popularity of K-pop and K-dramas make their way into American media, Tyler uses K-pop artists like SHINee and 2PM in the course “Understanding K-pop” to examine global trends and parasocial relationships.

“Studying abroad has given me more opportunities to be creative with different projects,” Tyler says. “Sociology courses I’ve taken in the past have been about Western culture, so it’s been nice to learn about it through the lens of Korean society.”

Embracing Communities and Cultures

From attending K-pop concerts to taking part in traditional Korean practices, Tyler has also learned the value of community and the importance of embracing different cultures.��Students from 53 different countries gathered at Yonsei University to participate in the study abroad program, giving Tyler the chance to learn about a myriad of cultures.

“I’m not just experiencing Korean culture but also culture from my friends that I met here that are from Australia, New Zealand, and Germany,” Tyler says.

On the weekends, Tyler and her friends take public transportation across South Korea and learn about the history of the country through its landscape. From visiting the coastal city of Busan to exploring the assortment of districts throughout Seoul, Tyler documents it all on her instant film camera and soaks up the unforgettable moments.

While studying on the other side of the world has been a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, friendship has made Tyler’s study abroad trip an even richer experience.

“Even though we’re all from different parts of the world, I’m going to stay connected with the people I’ve met here for years to come,” Tyler says. “That’s what makes this experience so special.”

Chance Baggett, a rising senior in the studying physics and mathematics and a member of the Renée Crown University Honors Program, has been named a 2023-24 Astronaut Scholar by the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation (ASF).

Founded by the Mercury 7 astronauts, the foundation awards scholarships to students in their junior or senior year who are pursuing a science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) degree with intentions to pursue research or advance their field upon completion of their degrees. Astronaut Scholars are among the best and brightest minds in STEM who show initiative, creativity and excellence in their chosen field.

After graduating from ���ϲ�����, Baggett plans to pursue a doctoral degree and research career in the field of physics. His current research, under the mentorship of , focuses on theoretical self-folding origami, an emerging branch of soft matter physics, with a particular focus on the role of elasticity in origami, which helps shed light on how certain physical materials function. Future implications of this work include in the fields of medicine, such as determining how misfolded proteins contribute to diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, and space science, helping researchers engineer unique solutions to solar array deployment.

“I find soft matter physics incredibly exciting because it gives me the opportunity to research systems at a scale I can hold in my hand. Paper-folding, beyond a scientific pursuit, allows me to express my creativity in my work,” says Baggett. In addition to his scientific aptitude and curiosity, he has had a personal interest in paper craft since middle school, when he used specialized software to create 3D models of props found in movies or video games from paper. “That’s one thing that excited me about being nominated for the Astronaut Scholarship—it mentioned the role of creativity and the artistic aspect of science, which is really cool to see.”

The Astronaut Scholarship includes funding of up to $15,000 toward educational expenses, a paid trip to the ASF Innovators Week and Gala in Orlando in August, where Baggett will receive the award, and lifelong mentoring and engagement opportunities with the astronauts, Astronaut Scholar alumni, industry leaders and the ASF.

“Chance’s commitment to a research career, and his pursuit of research opportunities in mathematics and physics since his first year at SU, made him an excellent candidate for the Astronaut Scholarship,” says Jolynn Parker, director of the .�� “We’re delighted this award will support him in the work he aims to do in soft matter physics.”

Studying remotely in his first year at ���ϲ�����, Baggett became interested in theoretical particle physics and conducted research with . After taking nuclear physics, he embarked on a research project modeling gamma flux through lead using Geant4 software simulations. This work culminated in an oral presentation at the ���ϲ����� Office of Undergraduate Research and Creative Engagement (SOURCE) Research Festival this past spring, where Baggett illustrated a counterintuitive relationship between particle flux and lead thickness.

For the next phase of his research career, Baggett will continue his exploration of soft matter physics and hopes to pursue study in atomic molecular and optical (AMO) physics at the graduate level. This summer, he received funding to conduct a National Science Foundation REU (research experience for undergraduates) project on theoretical ultracold atomic physics at Washington State University and plans to use the opportunity to explore the critical role that atomic physics plays in nano-scale origami mechanisms.

“I really love physics, and even after four years of studying, it feels like I’m only at the surface,” Baggett says. “I’m still itching to learn more, and there’s so much more to explore, so I’m compelled to keep learning physics for as long as I can.”

“The 2023 Class of Astronaut Scholars is truly exceptional and embodies the passion, dedication and innovation that will propel us into the future of STEM,” says Caroline Schumacher, ASF’s president and CEO. “We are excited to support these outstanding individuals in their endeavors and cannot wait to witness their achievements as the game-changers of tomorrow.”

Created in 1984, ASF awarded its first seven scholarships in honor of its founding members, Scott Carpenter, Gordon Cooper, John Glenn, Virgil “Gus” Grissom, Walter Schirra, Alan Shepard and Deke Slayton. Each founding member sponsored a $1,000 scholarship and began to fundraise to support future scholarships by donating proceeds from their speaking engagements. The incredible efforts of these legends have shaped ASF’s mission to support and reward exceptional college students pursuing degrees in STEM fields. Over the past 39 years, more than $8.3 million has been awarded to nearly 800 students.

As a university partner of the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation, ���ϲ����� can nominate two students for the Astronaut Scholarship each year. Interested students should contact CFSA for information on the nomination process (cfsa@syr.edu; 315.443.2759). More information on the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation can be found on .

Two “last dollar” scholarships will cover tuition expenses after a member uses all available tuition assistance (TA) funding each fiscal year, meaning there are no out-of-pocket tuition expenses between TA funding cycles. The scholarships apply to any ���ϲ����� online bachelor of professional studies degree in the and are open only to EANGUS members of the New York Army and Air National Guard (one scholarship for each service).

Two “full-tuition” scholarships cover all tuition expenses for any ���ϲ����� online undergraduate credit certificate (15 credits) in the College of Professional Studies. The scholarships are open to EANGUS members and their spouses of the New York Army and Air National Guard (one scholarship for each service).

“Our support of EANGUS and its New York state members is an extension of ���ϲ�����’s position as a national leader in supporting current and prior members and family members of the United States military,” says , dean of the College of Professional Studies. “These four scholarships dramatically expand access to ���ϲ����� for New York State Army and Air National Guard members who otherwise could not study with us full time on campus.”

The University’s enduring commitment to veteran and military-connected students dates back more than 100 years. Dedicated to being the and rated one of the best private schools for military-connected students, ���ϲ����� is the only private university in the Northeast that offers online and residential part-time undergraduate study to active-duty military, guard and reservists at their respective tuition assistance rates beyond the member’s annual benefit.

“We are excited to partner with ���ϲ����� and proud to offer our NY Enlisted Association members these wonderful scholarships,” says James M. Hokkanen, vice president (air) of the New York Enlisted Association of the National Guard. “The Enlisted Association knows how impactful these scholarships will be to our members and their families.”

New York State Army and Air National Guard members and family members interested in the scholarships will complete a competitive application with EANGUS. Finalists will be forwarded to the University to determine admissibility into an online undergraduate degree or undergraduate certificate. The scholarships will be awarded each academic year, with the first four scholarships for the Fall 2023 semester.

“���ϲ����� is excited to further its collaboration with the New York Air and Army National Guard,” says Liz Green, executive director of online student success and ���ϲ�����’s coordinator for New York Guard partnerships. “We’re committed to providing an unsurpassed academic experience for military-connected students, and these scholarships are a small but impactful way for us to extend that experience to Guard members in the state.”

Bernard Rostker G’66, G’70 (right) speaks in the K.G. Tan Auditorium during “The All Volunteer Force at 50: Higher Education and America’s Volunteer Military” summit at the National Veterans Resource Center.

Applications for the 2023 Bernard D. and Louis C. Rostker IVMF Dissertation Research Fund are open through May 26. Doctoral candidates at ���ϲ����� who are doing dissertation research pertaining to veterans, or military family-related topics, are encouraged to apply. The fund is open to Ph.D. candidates from all schools and colleges and can be used for travel expenses, software, equipment and conferences, as well as fieldwork and data gathering.

Last year, five students received a total of $50,000 in funding through the Rostker Fund. Their doctoral research ranged in topic from women veteran’s health and employment to understanding how prior military experience impacts law enforcement officers who are veterans.

One of the 2022 Rostker Scholars, Mariah Brennan, works at the D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) in the research and evaluation division. Her research contributed to the most recent Military Families Lifetime Survey (MFLS), a bi-annual research publication that focuses on the current hardships and situations military families face.

Brennan

“As a student, I have received incredible support from the IVMF including mentorship, valuable research experience and generous funding from the Rostker Dissertation Fellowship. Working with colleagues on the annual MFLS has been such a positive experience, and I am grateful for the opportunity to hone my research skills by working on impactful military and veteran research,” says Brennan, who worked extensively with Blue Star Families, one of the IVMF’s partners in delivering insightful research and data analysis on topics pertaining to veterans and their families.

“Each year is different, keeping things fresh and exciting. The MFLS is an opportunity to inform policy and practice, and I am thrilled to be a part of it. I look forward to continuing my worked with the IVMF and making progress on my dissertation,” she says.

The funding for the program is provided entirely through the generosity of Bernard Rostker G’66, G’70 and his wife, Louise Rostker G’68, both of whom pursued their advanced degrees at ���ϲ����� amidst myriad setbacks as military-connected students. Bernard earned a master’s degree and a doctoral degree in economics, while Louise earned a master’s degree in social work.

Bernard, a U.S. Army Veteran, was recently honored by the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at the second annual Maxwell Awards of Excellence in Washington, D.C., where he was presented the Spirit of Public Service Award. Earlier in the month, he was a guest speaker during “The All-Volunteer Force at 50: Higher Education and America’s Volunteer Military” summit.

Linsner

During the summit, the 2022 Rostker Scholars had the opportunity to present their work to the Rostkers and show the impact of their research so far. Rachel Linsner, a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Human Development and Family Science in the Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics, spoke about her dissertation examining the relationships between military spouse employment status, attitudes toward the military, individual well-being and family functioning.

“I am very grateful to the Rostkers and I am making progress on my dissertation because of their generosity and this program,” says Linsner. “The scholars had the opportunity to meet with the Rostkers and present our work to them. It was a delight to hear their feedback and learn from their expertise.”

���ϲ����� Ph.D. candidates interested in applying must , including one reference letter, by midnight (EST) on May 26, 2023. Applicants can anticipate receiving notification later in the year at the end of August. Potential applicants who have questions may contact ivmresearch@syr.edu.

Khloe Gage ’25

Established in 1986, the Month of the Military Child is observed each April to honor and celebrate the children of service members from all branches of the Department of Defense.

Khloe Gage ’25, a military-connected student studying economics in the , is the daughter of Lt. Col. Kim Lee Gage, who served in the U.S. Army. She was also recently selected as the recipient of the James Lyons ’03 Sons and Daughters Memorial Scholarship.

Originally from Honolulu, Hawaii, Gage says she set her eyes on ���ϲ����� after visiting Central New York throughout her childhood. Her aunt was a professor at Ithaca College and the appeal of having family nearby was a strong influence for her to come to ���ϲ�����.

“I grew up coming to Central New York during Christmases or over the summer. I knew I wanted to go to a larger school, so it was either Indiana University, since that’s where everyone in my family went, or ���ϲ����� because it was close by to my aunt,” says Gage.

Gage and her father, U.S. Army Lt. Col. Kim Gage, attend a school event circa 2011. (Photo courtesy of Khloe Gage)

The James Lyons ’03 Sons and Daughters Memorial Scholarship is named after ���ϲ����� alumnus 1st Lt. James Lyons, who graduated with an undergraduate degree in biochemistry. Lyons was killed in action in southern Baghdad during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2006 and is believed to be the first ���ϲ����� graduate killed in the conflict. His friends and family established the scholarship to provide aid for the children of fallen or disabled veterans.

“A few people from [the Office of Veteran and Military Affairs] reached out to me and asked me to lunch. At first I thought they were trying to enlist me or something, but then they offered me the Lyons Scholarship and, honestly, I found it surprising they chose me,” says Gage. “They just opened up a door that I definitely wouldn’t have even known about.”

As a child of an active-duty officer in the Army, Gage says her childhood required a lot of moving, and many experiences of being the “new girl” in school. Before she had turned a year old, she had already experienced her first move, a process that would repeat seven more times before she graduated high school.

“Moving out of state, and even internationally, was my normal. Moving around made me more extroverted though, which I enjoy. It’s easier for me to talk to new people and I don’t get as nervous because I had to do that to make friends,” Gage says.

One instance of checking into a new school stood stands out. Gage recalls a time when her father was dropping her off at her new school, and because he was in his uniform they both kept getting held up while trying to get to her classroom.��“Everyone was stopping us and thanking him for his service. I remember I was so freaked out about being late to class,” she says.

When Gage was sixteen years old, she joined roughly 15,000 other military children who share a unique experience: Her family went from being a Blue Star Family, a family with an immediate family member currently serving, to a Gold Star Family, the family of a fallen service member.

“A month after my 16th birthday, my father passed away, which left me with an incredible sense of loneliness. I spent my junior year of high school questioning every personal connection I had,” says Gage. “As I walked down the hallways, smiling at my peers, I was solely going through the physical motions of trying to express myself as the happiest person in the room, even though internally I was spiraling.”

While the scholarship may open doors, figuratively, the opportunity literally opened new doors here on campus. Prior to finding out she was selected as a Lyons Scholar, she had never stepped inside of the on campus. Now she says she finds herself spending quite a bit of time there.

Gage is becoming oriented with her new job working with Veteran Career Services Director Jennifer Pluta.

“My selection for the scholarship has broadened my outlook and my awareness. It’s exposed me to opportunities I otherwise would not have had,” says Gage, who along with the scholarship was also offered a position in the OVMA working with Jennifer Pluta, director of veteran career services at ���ϲ�����.

“Initially, all I saw was everyone in uniform going in and no one coming out, I thought it was a booby trap or something. I also didn’t know how big it was, but there are so many areas regular students can go that no one outside of the doors seem to know about,” Gage says.

Gage is still open-minded about what the future has in store for her, or her for it. While she knows she doesn’t want to serve in the military, she hasn’t ruled out service all together. While at ���ϲ����� she’s started looking at different opportunities, including working with the FBI.

“Since enrolling at ���ϲ�����, the support and connections I have made have been positively overwhelming. As a sophomore, I know ���ϲ����� supports my growth and exploration not only a student, but as a person,” says Gage. “Right now I’m excited for the immediate future with the OVMA. I’m excited for new connections, more laughter, greater experiences and the unknown that I cannot wait for.”

The Pat Tillman Foundation is named after the professional National Football League (NFL) football player Patrick Tillman, who played defensive back for the Arizona Cardinals prior to Sept. 11, 2001. Tillman later turned down a multimillion-dollar football contract to enlist in the U.S. Army, ultimately becoming a U.S. Army Ranger who deployed to both Iraq and Afghanistan.

Tillman was killed in action while on a mission in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in 2004, but months after his death it was discovered that the incident was the result of friendly fire. Tillman’s friends and family picked up his mantle to continue honoring those committed to service beyond self and launched the Patrick Tillman Foundation.

���ϲ����� is one of 16 colleges and universities recognized as a University Partner by the Tillman Foundation, and the University typically has at least one Tillman Scholar each year. In 2022, ���ϲ����� had its largest cohort of Tillman Scholars to date, with four military-connected students honored.

“���ϲ����� takes a lot of pride in its Tillman Scholars, as they often go on to be some of our most accomplished military-connected alumni. We want to see everyone who is interested in becoming a Tillman Scholar submit an application. It really does come down to showing passion for service beyond self,” says Ron Novack, executive director of the Office of Veteran and Military Affairs (OVMA).

From the University’s first Tillman Scholar in 2017, to the four most recent additions to the University’s cohort, a common suggestion for those interested in applying is to start early and take advantage of the available resources at ���ϲ�����, like the .

“The first step for any scholarship application is to understand the scholarship’s selection criteria and be prepared to demonstrate how you meet those criteria. The Tillman Scholars Program selects scholars based on service, scholarship, humble leadership and potential for impact,” says Jolynn Parker, director of CFSA. “In the application, you have two short essays—one focused on your past experiences and the other on your future goals—to demonstrate your fit with their criteria. Make sure you craft a coherent narrative that connects those two essays, and make sure you articulate clear and compelling future goals.”

When asked what challenges they faced, and what recommendations they have for this year’s potential applicants, the 2022 Tillman Scholars from ���ϲ����� provided the following advice.

Higginson

Amanda Higginson
U.S. Navy Veteran
College of Law, JDinteractive (JDi) program (2L)

“You have to do the legwork and you have to be organized about it. Use the checklists that are built into the application system to keep you on track. Definitely do not wait until the last minute because it will be overwhelming and not something you can just throw together.”

Ornelaz

Anthony Ornelaz
U.S. Air Force Veteran
College of Arts and Sciences, Creative Writing Fellow

“One of the biggest challenges when applying for the Tillman scholarship was, I had to get into a conversation with myself about how much information I wanted to put out there. I questioned if my story was worth telling. I had to overcome those feelings of insecurity.”

Rielly

Bill Rielly
U.S. Army Veteran
College of Law, JDi program (3L)

“For anyone who is considering applying, it takes a lot of time to prepare a competitive application. It takes a lot of iterations and really refining your application package. I found it to be an opportunity to learn more about myself, I knew what I wanted to do, but the Tillman process helped me refine that and really sharpen it.”

DeLeon

Natasha DeLeon
U.S. Marine Corps Veteran
College of Law, JDi program (1L)

“I think the biggest challenge for me was the imposter syndrome of having to write a letter about things that I have accomplished. I know that I’ve accomplished a lot, but it’s hard for me to write about those things. I was obviously able to do it, but that was a mental challenge for me.”

The Tillman Scholarship program is open to veterans and active-duty service members, including the National Guard, who have served in both pre-and post-9/11 eras. Spouses of veteran or active-duty service members are also eligible. Applicants must be enrolled as a full-time student pursuing an undergraduate, graduate or professional degree at a private or public, U.S.-based, accredited institution for the upcoming academic year. To see other criteria and apply to be a 2023 Tillman Scholar, .

The application window opened in October 2022 and will close the evening of Feb. 28. Those military-connected students who are interested in applying are highly encouraged to contact the Center for Fellowship and Scholarship. For more information on resources available, and other scholarship opportunities for military-connected students, visit the .

These scholarships, along with others offered throughout the academic year, support military-connected students and are made possible entirely through the generosity of donors and stakeholders.

Since 2017, the OVMA has distributed more than a half million dollars in financial scholarships to military-connected students and has $1.2 million available to continue making these scholarships available in future semesters.

For the spring semester, the OVMA is proud to make the following scholarships available.

Office of Veteran and Military Affairs Undergraduate Student Veteran Scholarship

• $5,000 awarded to one eligible applicant
• Must be a currently enrolled undergraduate student veteran

Office of Veteran and Military Affairs Military Family Member Scholarship

• $5,000 awarded to one eligible applicant
• Must be a currently enrolled student who identifies as a military family member and/or dependent

Gerald B. Faigle Jr. and Roberta M. Faigle Student Veteran Endowed Scholarship��

• $3,000 for one eligible applicant
• Must be a currently enrolled veteran and/or military-connected student
• Preference will be given to graduate students

Lucy and Joseph Napoli Veteran Endowed Scholarship

• $3,100 awarded to one eligible applicant
• Must be a currently enrolled undergraduate student veteran

Louis A. and Patricia H. Mautino Veteran Endowed Scholarship

• $3,000 awarded to one eligible applicant
• Must be a currently enrolled undergraduate student veteran

Richardson Family Scholarship for Military Family Members and Dependents

• $2,500 for one eligible applicant
• Must be a currently enrolled undergraduate student who identifies as a military family member and/or dependent

For application instructions and submission, visit . Those interested in learning how they can support military-connected students at ���ϲ����� are encouraged to .

April Lopez G’23 was able to pursue a summer internship in the food justice movement thanks to the Mark and Pearle Clements Internship Award.

Awards may range from $1,500 to $6,000, crucial for students who may not have the money needed to pay for internship-related travel, accommodations, required materials or living expenses. , knows how pivotal this award is for ambitious students.

“The Mark and Pearle Clements Award is a special honor for ���ϲ����� students who go above and beyond by proactively planning for and creating unique summer experiences,” says Smith. “It is a privilege to oversee the application process for such an impactful award.”

Applying for the 2022-23 Mark and Pearle Clements Internship Award

In addition to being responsible for self-securing internships, students interested in applying are also required to secure a faculty or staff sponsor letter, complete a Handshake application, Clements Internship Award Qualtrics Survey and more by the application deadline, Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023, 11:55 p.m. (ET). The provides complete details.

Exceptional Opportunities for Exceptional Students��

2021-22 winning students were able to use the award to pursue unique internships that directly related to their professional interests. In doing so, they received extraordinary hands-on opportunities that would not have been possible otherwise. Among all awardees, gratitude is expressed not only for the support of the award but also for the experiences and industry connections gained along the way.

April Lopez G’23 Grows Food Activism

“Moving across the country in pursuit of my master’s degree in food studies was a very risky but meaningful decision. I wanted to get more involved in the local workers’ movement, as much of my academic interests and personal background align with labor rights of agricultural migrant workers,” says April Lopez G’23.

The Mark and Pearle Clements Internship Award allowed her to pursue a summer internship combining her passions of food and activism. “Bridging that connection led to an internship where I was responsible for assisting different efforts focused on improving working conditions for immigrant low-wage workers in the state of New York, who were severely and negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic,” Lopez says. “This would not have been possible without the Clements Award. The funding made it possible for me to stay in ���ϲ����� for the summer, lobbying for a permanent unemployment fund for excluded workers, health care for all and legal services for immigrant workers.”

Activists, including Lopez, campaign on behalf of migrant workers.

Nedine Abdelhamid ’23 Explores Cutting-Edge Medical Advancements

The Mark and Pearle Clements Internship Award allowed Nedine Abdelhamid ’23, an undergraduate studying biotechnology at ���ϲ�����, to gain real-world medical experience she would not have gotten anywhere else.

“This summer I was fortunate enough to receive the Clements Award and intern at the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health,” Abdelhamid says. “My project involved elucidating the role of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in brain metastasis. I was able to master numerous cutting-edge techniques as well as acquire additional scientific knowledge. Working with professionals in the field to solve real-life problems was absolutely mesmerizing. This training solidified my desire to continue in the field of immunology.”

Abdelhamid spent her summer conducting medical research as an intern with the National Cancer Institute.

“If I could give advice to students applying to the Clements Award, I would say seek opportunities that fascinate you,” says Abdelhamid. “Your passion will enable you to overcome any obstacles and achieve your dreams.”

With questions, , email ���ϲ����� Career Services or call 315.443.3616. Students are also encouraged to , scheduled to open applications on Monday, Feb. 13, 2023.

Story by Student Experience communications intern Madison Manczko ’24, Newhouse School

Yasmin Nayrouz

Yasmin Nayrouz is a junior, studying�� in the Newhouse School and in the College of Arts and Sciences.

This October, she received the Voyager Scholarship��from the Obama Foundation, awarded to students who bridge divides and work to solve some of the world’s biggest challenges.

Inspired by misconceptions surrounding migration, she’s currently working toward a career in policy advocacy for refugees and displaced families.

Matt Cufari, a senior physics major in the College of Arts and Sciences, a computer science major in the College of Engineering and Computer Science, a Coronat Scholar and a member of the Renée Crown University Honors Program, has been named the recipient of the 2022 LeRoy Apker Award from the American Physical Society.

The prestigious award, given to just two students per year, recognizes outstanding undergraduate research and is the highest honor awarded to undergraduate physicists in the United States. Cufari is the first ���ϲ����� student to receive the award in its 44-year history.

“Receiving the Apker award is a tremendous honor. I’m incredibly grateful for the encouragement from Professor Coughlin and Professor Ross in pursuing physics at SU and in applying for this award,” says Cufari. “The support and contributions of Professors Coughlin and Ross, and Professor Chris Nixon at the University of Leicester, cannot be overstated.”

Cufari is recognized for verifying the Hills Mechanism as a viable method to generate repeating partial tidal disruption events (TDEs). At ���ϲ�����, he studies TDEs under the supervision of , assistant professor of physics in the College of Arts and Sciences.

His work investigates an exciting new field of repeating partial TDEs—where a star is on a bound orbit about a supermassive black hole in a distant galaxy and is repeatedly stripped of its outer envelope through tidal interactions with the black hole. “The mass lost by the star feeds the black hole and generates an ‘accretion flare’ that illuminates the galaxy,” says Coughlin. “The detection of these events—now numbering on the order of tens per year but predicted to be many more in the future as survey science becomes more advanced—yields fundamental insight into the properties of black holes and stars in galactic nuclei.”

Cufari’s work highlights a mechanism for placing the star onto its tightly bound orbit, where the star was originally part of a binary star system and “captured” by the black hole—the Hills Mechanism. In an article in the April 20, 2022, issue of Astrophysical Journal Letters, Cufari used a combination of analytic arguments and numerical simulations to demonstrate that this mechanism can generate repeating partial tidal disruption events and applied it to a specific system, known as ASASSN-14ko. “This work is fundamental and theoretical and promotes a new pathway for creating periodic and energetic outbursts from supermassive black holes,” says Coughlin.

This summer, with undergraduate research grant funding from , Cufari traveled to the University of Leicester in the United Kingdom. There, under the direction of Chris Nixon, associate professor of theoretical astrophysics, he performed simulations of partial TDEs and analyzed the properties of partially disrupted stars.

“Matt Cufari is a superstar student. As with previous Apker winners, we anticipate a long and distinguished career in physics,” says , professor and chair of physics in the College of Arts and Sciences, who nominated Cufari for the award. “We anticipate that Matt will not be the last ���ϲ����� Apker winner, but he is an extraordinary first one.”

Cufari developed a passion for plasma theory and nuclear fusion as a high school student when he began doing research at the University of Rochester Laboratory for Laser Energetics. There, he worked on a project to develop a theoretical framework for images of charged fusion products.

His studies at ���ϲ����� have given him skills in designing physical models of complex systems and solving problems mathematically. “In addition to my work in physics, my coursework in computer science has helped me to understand technologies like reinforcement learning and apply them to my research,” he says.

In his first semester at ���ϲ�����, Cufari joined a research project in the quantum information lab of , professor of physics, developing a parameter estimation software for superconducting circuits. Since his sophomore year, Cufari has worked with Coughlin researching theoretical astrophysics.

In May, Cufari was named a 2022-23 Astronaut Scholar by the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation. Earlier this year, he was selected for a 2022 Goldwater Scholarship.

He is a member of the Tau Beta Pi engineering honor society, the American Astronomical Society and the Society of Physics Students. Cufari plans to earn a Ph.D. in physics and pursue a career in astrophysics research.

Matt Cufari, a senior physics major in the College of Arts and Sciences (A&S), a computer science major in the College of Engineering and Computer Science, a Coronat Scholar and a member of the Renée Crown University Honors Program, has been named 2022-23 Astronaut Scholar by the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation (ASF).

Founded by the Mercury 7 astronauts, the foundation awards scholarships to students in their junior or senior year who are pursuing studies in science, technology, engineering or mathematics and who plan to pursue research or advance their field upon completion of their final degree. Nominees are selected based on their exemplary academic performance, ingenuity and unique aptitude for research.

In addition to funding for educational expenses of up to $15,000, the scholarship includes the opportunity for scholars to represent their institutions and present their research at the Scholar Technical Conference; professional mentoring for one year by scholarship alumni, a C-suite executive or an astronaut; the opportunity to participate in a professional development program and foundation events; and membership in the Astronaut Scholar Honor Society.

Cufari will receive the award during the ASF Innovators Week and Gala held Aug. 24-28 in Orlando, Florida.��

“I’m very honored to be named an Astronaut Scholar. I’m grateful for the help I’ve received from my mentors here at ���ϲ����� and in Rochester; they have guided and supported me in my scientific endeavors, and I would not have had the opportunity to apply for and receive this award without their help,” says Cufari. “I’m also thankful for the Center for Fellowship and Scholarship Advising (CFSA) staff’s encouragement and assistance in applying for the Astronaut Scholarship.”

The Astronaut Scholarship is the latest nationally competitive scholarship Cufari has received. Earlier this year, he was selected for a 2022 Goldwater Scholarship.

“Matt’s extraordinary research profile, and presentation and publication record, made him an outstanding nominee for the Astronaut Scholarship,” says Jolynn Parker, director of the CFSA. “We’re thrilled that this award will support him in the important work he aims to do in astrophysics.”

A member of Tau Beta Pi, Cufari plans to earn a Ph.D. in physics and pursue a career in astrophysics research. His research interests are in drawing connections between laboratory plasmas and astrophysical plasmas to better understand phenomena like tidal disruption events and accretion disk formation.

“I’m interested in the dynamics of highly energetic phenomena that don’t readily occur in our solar system, like accretion onto black holes, the tidal disruption of stars and supernovae,” Cufari says. “These phenomena are exciting, luminous and abundant in the universe. Studying these phenomena is necessary to improve our understanding of the behavior of matter in exotic states and the physical processes which drive those behaviors.”

Cufari developed a passion for plasma theory and nuclear fusion as a high school student when he began doing research at the University of Rochester Laboratory for Laser Energetics (LLE). There, he worked on a project to develop a theoretical framework for images of charged fusion products.

His studies at ���ϲ����� have given him skills in designing physical models of complex systems and solving problems mathematically. “In addition to my work in physics, my coursework in computer science has helped me to understand technologies like reinforcement learning and apply them to my research,” he says.

In his first semester at ���ϲ�����, Cufari joined a research project in the quantum information lab of Britton Plourde, professor of physics, developing a parameter estimation software for superconducting circuits. Since his sophomore year, Cufari has worked with Eric Coughlin, assistant professor of physics, researching theoretical astrophysics.

Cufari’s first project with Professor Coughlin, on eccentric tidal disruption events, culminated in a paper which was accepted for publication in the Astrophysics Journal. He presented his results to the broader community of astrophysicists this month at the conference of the High Energy Astrophysics Division of the American Astronomical Society.

Cufari and Coughlin are currently investigating chaotic three-body interactions between a supermassive black hole and a binary star system through a National Science Foundation REU. They recently had an article accepted for publication in The Astrophysical Journal Letters that explains how to reproduce the periodic nuclear transient ASASSN-14ko using these encounters. Cufari was also recently awarded a ���ϲ����� undergraduate research grant (via The SOURCE) to fund his research this summer.

As a university partner of the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation, ���ϲ����� can nominate two students for the Astronaut Scholarship each year. Interested students should contact the CFSA for information on the nomination process (cfsa@syr.edu; 315.443.2759). More information on the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation can be found on .

Emma Liptrap’s passion for environmental engineering began in a parking lot.

In her junior year of high school, she set up a shadowing experience with a local engineering firm in her hometown of Salem, New Hampshire. Engineers brought her to a parking lot they were redesigning to mitigate stormwater runoff. They explained how water from large storms can become polluted from deposits on the ground and then flow directly into the nearby river.

“I had never thought much about parking lots or impervious surfaces before my shadowing experience, but after learning about their relationship to pollution and flooding I became fascinated—and committed—to learning more about stormwater management,” Liptrap says

Liptrap, a sophomore civil engineering major in the College of Engineering and Computer Science (ECS) and member of the Renée Crown University Honors Program, is a recipient of a 2022 , which will help support her studies.

Named for Sen. Ernest “Fritz” Hollings of South Carolina, the prestigious award provides tuition support ($9,500 per year) and paid summer internships with NOAA to recipients. The award is designed to support students working in areas related to NOAA’s programs and mission. Students apply as sophomores, do an internship in their junior year, and receive support and mentorship throughout their undergraduate career.

In high school, Liptrap began her environmental and stormwater work by creating a sustainability club. In the first year, she gave presentations about water conservation to elementary school students, organized trash pickups at local parks, distributed water barrels to town residents and led a project planting a garden at a local park to promote wildlife.

She also worked as an intern with an architect who prioritized reusing materials and building for the future. “I loved learning about LEED certification and analyzing how we could make each build more sustainable,” she says. In her senior year, she won the New Hampshire Department of Education’s Work-Based Learning Award for her work in the internship.

Liptrap enrolled at ���ϲ����� because of the University’s civil and environmental engineering program, SOURCE undergraduate research funding program and research focus on the smart management of water systems. “I had also read about how Onondaga Lake used to be one of the most polluted lakes in the country, and the opportunity to learn more about how it is being restored excited me,” she says.

Her coursework involves technical engineering classes along with classes in social sciences to broaden her understanding of climate change. “Through my classes, it has been made clear to me that the work I will do in the future will require cooperation with many stakeholders, including scientists, policymakers and the public. I understand how crucial effective communication will be throughout my career and am developing those skills by learning how to give presentations and engaging in team projects,” she says.

Liptrap is working in the research lab of Cliff Davidson, Thomas and Colleen Wilmot Professor of Engineering in ECS. She is engaged in research using HYDRUS, a computer program that models the movement of water at different levels of saturation. The research is done on the 60,000-square-foot green roof of the Onondaga County Convention Center (ONCenter) in ���ϲ�����, studying its capacity to prevent stormwater from overflowing ���ϲ�����’s combined sewer system.

“Having a reliable program like HYDRUS to model stormwater runoff will help engineers designing��green��roofs in the future so that they can be built to fit an area’s specific needs,” Liptrap says.

Liptrap also joined the University’s Water Chemistry lab last summer, focusing on determining the rate at which pollutants in the air settle on surfaces in ���ϲ�����. “This project will help provide a blueprint for how to measure dry deposition in urban environments so that these pollutants can be better studied in cities,” she says.

She currently serves as outreach chair for the University’s student chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers. She is also a member of Engineering Ambassadors, a club that facilitates engineering projects for middle school students to introduce them to key engineering concepts.

In the future, Liptrap wants to design and implement green infrastructure in cities as a civil engineer with a private consulting firm. “Many cities across the United States have plans to become more sustainable, and water management through green infrastructure will be crucial to this work,” she says. “The Hollings Scholarship’s mentorship and internship opportunities will be invaluable in helping me better understand the state of the field and explore career paths.”

Liptrap worked with the�� to apply for the NOAA scholarship. CFSA offers candidates advising and assistance with applications and interview preparation for nationally competitive scholarships. “Emma’s sustained focus on environmental issues, and her specific interest in managing stormwater runoff, made her a terrific candidate for the NOAA-Hollings Scholarship. Her interests and goals are clearly aligned with NOAA’s mission,” says Jolynn Parker, director of CFSA. “We’re thrilled she’s won this award and will benefit from mentorship and internship opportunities through NOAA.”

The 2023 NOAA-Hollings Scholarship application will open in September Interested students should contact CFSA for more information: 315.443.2759 or cfsa@syr.edu.

• $5,000 awarded to one eligible applicant
• Must be a currently enrolled undergraduate student veteran

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• $5,000 awarded to one eligible applicant
• Must be a currently enrolled student who identifies as a military family member and/or dependent

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• $3,500 for one eligible applicant
• Must be a currently enrolled veteran and/or military-connected student
• Preference will be given to graduate students

• $3,500 awarded to one eligible applicant
• Must be a currently enrolled undergraduate student veteran

• $2,000 awarded to two eligible applicants
• Must be a currently enrolled undergraduate veteran and/or military-connected student
• Preference will be given to students studying science or engineering

• $2,000 awarded to one eligible applicant
• Must be a currently enrolled undergraduate veteran

• $2,500 for one eligible applicant
• Must be a currently enrolled undergraduate student who identifies as a military family member and/or dependent

��For more information and application instructions visit .

*Military-connected defined as active duty, Reserve/National Guard service members, ROTC cadets and family members/dependents.

The University presented Duke University’s men’s basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski with a framed photo printed on a piece of the former Carrier Dome roof and announced the creation of a new scholarship in Krzyzewski’s name, recognizing his commitment to service and his military service.

The game was the last time that Duke’s Mike Krzyzewski would coach at the stadium against his good friend Coach Jim Boeheim. In honor of this final ���ϲ����� meetup, Boeheim and the University presented “Coach K” with a framed photo printed on a piece of the former Carrier Dome roof and announced the creation of a new scholarship in Krzyzewski’s name, recognizing his commitment to service and his military service. Krzyzewski separated from the military in 1974 as a captain, following his graduation from West Point in 1969.

The Captain Michael William Krzyzewski Award for Leadership and Civic Engagement will now be presented annually to a ���ϲ����� student veteran, serving military member or a military family member enrolled here, who through their actions and aspirations embodies Krzyzewski’s public and demonstrated commitment to the virtues of honor, empathy and servant-leadership. The Krzyzewski Award honoree will be not only be an exceptional student but also a leader on the campus and in the community.

“The honor they bestowed on me today was absolutely amazing,” said Krzyzewski, who is the winningest coach in the NCAA Division I. “Wow. So, thank you, thank you. Very, very much appreciated.”

An annual gift from Jim Lee ’75 and his wife Lou Ann Lee has made The Captain Michael William Krzyzewski Award for Leadership and Civic Engagement possible. Jim graduated with a math degree from the College of Arts and Sciences and a degree in math education from the School of Education. Jim served as co-captain of the ���ϲ����� men’s basketball 1975 Final Four team, received ���ϲ�����’s Vic Hanson Medal of Excellence Award, served as a member of ���ϲ�����’s All Century Basketball Team and received the ���ϲ����� Letter Winner of Distinction Award. Jim currently serves on the Advisory Board of ���ϲ�����’s Office of Veteran and Military Affairs (OVMA), which supports, assists and empowers veteran and military-connected students and employees and serves as the University’s point of entry for all veteran and military-related programs and initiatives.

“As a former ���ϲ����� men’s basketball player and now a season ticket holder, it is my pleasure to step up and honor Coach K for his service in the United States Army,” says Jim. “Since my father Harold Lee, a United States Coast Guard veteran, passed away, I’ve made it a personal mission of mine to support veterans and military-connected students through my support of the University and my role on the OVMA Advisory Board.”

The University honored Fiserv President and CEO Frank Bisignano, along with his wife Tracy and other family members, with the unveiling of the Bisignano Grand Hall and the Bisignano Family Programs and Services Wing at the National Veterans Resource Center.

Before the game, the University honored Fiserv President and CEO and proud ���ϲ����� parent Frank Bisignano, along with his wife Tracy and other family members, including Sam ’11 and Morgan Lituchy ’11, with the unveiling of the Bisignano Grand Hall and the Bisignano Family Programs and Services Wing at the National Veterans Resource Center (NVRC) at the Daniel and Gayle D’Aniello Building on campus.

The family was also recognized during the game with a signed game ball, presented by Chancellor Kent Syverud, Vice Chancellor J. Michael Haynie, Director of Athletics John Wildhack, Senior Deputy Athletics Director Herm Frazier and Chief Advancement Officer Matt Ter Molen. The recognition is an expression of gratitude to Bisignano for his personal support and the corporate commitment of Fiserv to the University’s D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF), as well as the NVRC. Their latest giving totals more than $10 million.

“On behalf of ���ϲ�����, we are grateful to Frank for his leadership and dedication to veterans and military communities,” says Chancellor Kent Syverud. “He has spent his lifetime supporting veterans and the military, both philanthropically and personally. His generosity has had a transformative impact at ���ϲ�����, among veterans and on our whole country. His support of programming for veterans to develop as leaders and entrepreneurs provides the knowledge and critical thinking skills they need to succeed.”

“I had the good fortune to meet Frank Bisignano back in 2010, when a few of us on campus were just beginning to think about the opportunity to create an academic institute at ���ϲ�����, focused on the economic and wellness issues impacting veterans and military-connected families” says Vice Chancellor Haynie. “When I had the chance to pitch the idea to Frank, he did not hesitate. He said, ‘let me help you make this institute a reality.’ Fast forward 10 years later, the IVMF’s programs have directly impacted more than 170,000 veterans and military family members, and ���ϲ����� is nationally acknowledged as a leader in research, policy and programs aligned with the military-connected community. I’m grateful to Frank and his family for their personal commitment to those who have served, and to Fiserv for the firm’s extraordinary efforts to empower veterans and military spouses through the IVMF’s business ownership training programs.”

Frank Bisignano, center, was recognized at the men’s basketball game Saturday for his personal support and the corporate commitment of Fiserv to the University’s D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families, as well as the National Veterans Resource Center.

“My family and I are proud to be part of the ���ϲ����� community and are honored to contribute to the advancement of the D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families and the new National Veterans Resource Center,” says Bisignano. “Being an advocate for the military community and ensuring they have the best opportunities to achieve success is incredibly important to me personally and is also reflected in the Fiserv values and the company’s steadfast commitment to the military and veteran community.”

Office of Veteran and Military Affairs Undergraduate Student Veteran Scholarship

John Nipper ’23

John Nipper is from Fort Myers, Florida and is majoring in comparative religion. Nipper transferred to ���ϲ����� from Florida Southwestern State College and says his first semester was overwhelmingly positive. While a member of the U.S. Navy from 2011 to 2015, Nipper worked as a cryptologic technician. Nipper says his ultimate goal is to make a lasting difference. “That is more important to me than anything else. I want to be a positive force for change in our lifetime,” he says.

Charlie Poag ’22

Charlie Poag is majoring in public relations at the Newhouse School and is considering graduate school. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps for more than 15 years. While serving on active duty, he attended the Military Visual Journalism program at Newhouse from 2008 to 2009. “Prior to attending the program, I held a belief that higher education wasn’t for me,” says Poag. “I had struggled through high school and held onto the idea that I wasn’t cut out for education. Going through those two semesters proved to me how wrong I was and just how much I value this opportunity to learn at an incredible institution.”

Office of Veteran and Military Affairs Military Family Member Scholarship

Sarah Hoag L ’23

Sarah Hoag is a first year law student and is also pursuing a master’s degree in public administration at the Maxwell School. Originally from Phoenix. New York, Hoag’s goal after graduation is to serve as an active-duty judge advocate general for the U.S. Army. As a student, she’s participated in the University’s Syrian Accountability Project. “It has taught me that I can make a difference right where I am. I don’t need to wait until I have my law degree to get involved,” she says. Hoag’s father served in the Navy.

Britney Kokesh ��’22

As an integrated learning major in neuroscience with an integration in psychology, Britney Kokesh is a member of the Renée Crown Honors Program. After completing her degree, she would like to pursue graduate school and study clinical psychology. Kokesh says with benefits from her father’s GI Bill aid ending soon, this scholarship will help her cover expenses and may help offset any funding needed for her Honors thesis. In the past, Kokesh has tutored English language learners and refugee students as part of the University’s Literacy Corps.

Lucy and Joseph Napoli Veterans Scholarship

Michael Griffin ’21

A first- generation college student, Michael Griffin is majoring in public health with a concentration in healthcare management. Griffin is a cadet in the University’s Army ROTC and is planning to commission into the New York National Guard. This summer, he plans to pursue an internship with a prominent trauma physician’s assistant and eventually earn a master’s degree in physician’s assistant science. “It is my personal opinion there is no better university than ���ϲ����� in terms of veteran success,” he says.

Dania Tompkins ’24

As an electrician’s mate first class in the U.S. Navy Nuclear Program, Dania Tompkins served on board the USS Ronald Reagan in the reactor department and was the first and only female division leading petty officer when she ended her assignment. She says working with the young and passionate students in her classes has challenged her perceptions and broadened her understanding. After earning a bachelor’ degree in liberal arts, Tompkins intends to pursue a master’s degree and bring more green energy solutions to New York in her current position as project manager at National Grid.

Wilder J. Leavitt and Mary P. Morningstar Scholarship for Military-Connected Students

Jarod Okamura ��’22

An aerospace, aeronautical and astronautical engineering major in the College of Engineering and Computer Science, Jarod Okamura is from Honolulu, Hawaii. He is an Air Force ROTC cadet and is interested in sculpting, photography and music production. “My experience at SU has been really great,” says Okamura. “Because of my involvement in several different organizations, I interact with a truly diverse group of people�� who have different outlooks on life than I do. I have made some friends for life.”

Hanna McNabb ’21

A political science major at the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, Hanna McNabb is commissioning as a medical services officer in the U.S. Army this spring. McNabb visited the University because it is located relatively close to where her active-duty husband is stationed and fell in love with the beauty of the campus. She says since enrolling, her experience has been incredible. “The community at this university is incredibly supportive and caring. The faculty and teaching staff care a lot for the students and their academic success,” she says.

��Louis A. and Patricia H. Mautino Veteran Endowed Scholarship

Michael Hahn-Rauch ’22

A biology major in the College of Arts and Sciences, Michael Hahn-Rauch served on active duty in the U.S. Navy for more than five years. He was a childhood fan of ���ϲ����� sports while growing up in Red Hook, New York, and would eventually like to pursue a nursing degree. Hahn-Rauch’s proudest accomplishment is saving a woman from drowning while deployed. “Coming from a military family myself, I truly appreciate the support and dedication SU shows to our veterans returning home,” says Hahn-Rauch. He says the University has created an environment where veterans are able to make connections with peers who share similar experiences.

Amanda Lalonde ’23

Amanda Lalonde is a psychology major and U.S. Navy veteran. She recently accepted a position with the orientation leader team to welcome future new students to campus this fall. “I was stepping out of my comfort zone in looking to join an organization where I knew I’d likely be one of the older students taking part,” she says. However, she adds that worry was unfounded. “I initially didn’t feel like I would fit in, but I could not have been more wrong!” Off campus, Lalonde volunteers with the CNY RockaBetties, an organization of women who dress up in retro pinup style fashion and volunteer their time with local veterans’ organizations for fundraisers, events, Honor Flight welcome home celebrations and visiting hospitalized veterans

Flanik Family Scholarship for Student Veterans

Brian Keith Mixon ’23

A Marine Corps and Army veteran, Brian Keith Mixon is majoring in cybersecurity administration. He is pursuing a degree part-time while working full time in federal cybersecurity. Mixon appreciates how much his family has enabled him to serve his country. “In my mind though, when I hear ‘thank you for your service,’ I consider ‘you’ to include my family,” he says. “They have also sacrificed quite a bit over the years in support of our great nation. My job was always to grab my pack and go, while they each had to make huge adjustments to their lives.”

Applications for each scholarship are open March 11-18. Scholarship recipients will be announced in April.

• $5,000 awarded to two eligible applicants
• Must be a currently enrolled undergraduate student veteran

• $5,000 awarded to two eligible applicants
• Must be a currently enrolled student who identifies as a military family member and/or dependent

• $2,500 for one eligible applicant
• Must be a currently enrolled undergraduate student veteran

• $3,500 awarded to two eligible applicants
• Must be a currently enrolled undergraduate student veteran

• $2,500 awarded to two eligible applicants
• Must be a currently enrolled undergraduate veteran and/or military-connected student

• $4,000 awarded to two eligible applicants
• Must be a currently enrolled undergraduate student veteran

For more information and application instructions, visit .

PTF has opened the application process for the Tillman Scholar program. The program supports eligible military service members, veterans and spouses with academic scholarships, leadership development opportunities and a national network so they are empowered to make an impact in the fields of health care, public service, business, STEM, law, the humanities and education. The application to join the 2021 class of Tillman Scholars will remain open until Feb. 28.

The fellowship program honors Pat Tillman, a starting safety for the National Football League’s Arizona Cardinals, who in 2002 put his football career on hold to serve his country. Family and friends established the Pat Tillman Foundation following Tillman’s death in April 2004 while serving with the U.S. Army’s 75th Ranger Regiment in Afghanistan.

Each year, up to 60 applicants nationwide are selected to be Tillman Scholars based on the core values of service, scholarship, humble leadership and impact. Active-duty service members and student veterans attending a four-year institution full time, as well as the current or surviving spouses of veterans or active-duty service members, are eligible to apply. Now in its fifth year as one of 15 PTF University Partners, ���ϲ����� was selected for its innovative veteran services, strong culture of support for military veterans and spouses and rigorous academic programs.

“We are honored and privileged to be entering another year as a Tillman Foundation University Partner,” says retired Col. Ron Novack, executive director of the Office of Veteran and Military Affairs. “The entire ���ϲ����� community is exceptionally proud of our past University Tillman Scholars and all of the impacts they have made on campus, in their communities and our nation. As we enter our fifth year of this tremendous partnership with the Tillman Foundation, the University remains deeply committed to providing myriad programmatic support that empower our veterans, active-duty service members and their spouses to achieve success at the highest levels. This partnership emboldens the enduring commitment by so many and affirms why ���ϲ����� is the best place for veterans and their families.”

The University’s previous include , an Air Force veteran and master of social work major in the (2020); , a Marine Corps veteran and current management and program analyst with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (2019); Katie Piston, a Navy spouse and doctoral candidate in the bioengineering program in the����(2018); Robin Evans G’21, an Army veteran and a library and information science master’s degree student in the (2018); and , an Army veteran and now a senior intelligence analyst for the Defense Intelligence Agency (2017).

To date, PTF has invested more than $20 million in academic support and named 695 Tillman Scholars at over 166 academic institutions nationwide.

Eligible full-time students pursuing a degree at ���ϲ�����, or planning to enroll full time at the school, may apply to be ���ϲ����� Tillman Scholars. Currently enrolled ���ϲ����� students who plan to pursue graduate studies at an institution that is not a University Partner may still apply to be a Tillman Scholar by applying “at large.”

Interested students should visit the to start an application. The application requires a resume, valid military service record, financial worksheet, a character recommendation and two essays detailing military and public service experiences as well as future academic and career goals.

Applications must be submitted by Feb. 28. Finalists will be interviewed by the Pat Tillman Foundation and asked to submit additional materials.

The Center for Fellowship and Scholarship Advising (CFSA) is eager to help students with their Tillman Scholar application materials. “Our office exists to help students navigate the process of applying for nationally competitive scholarships,” says Jolynn Parker, director of CFSA. “We’re here to help with and personal statements. I’m looking forward to working with our student veterans on this extraordinary opportunity.”

The following scholarships, which are provided by our generous donors, help student veterans and military-connected students reach their fullest potential. Applications for each scholarship below are open now through Oct. 23, 2020. Scholarship recipients will be announced on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, 2020.

Louis A. and Patricia H. Mautino Veteran Endowed Scholarship

• $3,500 for one eligible applicant
• Must be a current undergraduate student veteran

Gerald B. Faigle Jr. and Roberta M. Faigle Student Veteran Endowed Scholarship

• $6,500 for one eligible applicant
• Must be a current veteran and/or military-connected student
• Preference will be given to graduate students

Wilder J. Leavitt and Mary P. Morningstar Scholarship for Military-Connected Students

• $2,500 awarded to two eligible applicants
• Must be a current veteran and/or military-connected student

Lucy and Joseph Napoli Veterans Scholarship Endowed Fund

• $4,000 awarded to one eligible applicant
• Must be a current undergraduate student veteran

For more information, please visit or contact vma@syr.edu.

*military-connected defined as active duty, Reserve/National Guard servicemembers, ROTC cadets and family members/dependents.

Fred Wilpon, Chancellor Kent Syverud and Judy Wilpon look on as Robin Wilpon Wachtler signs the agreement for ���ϲ����� to join the Irene and Morris B. Kessler Presidential Scholars Program.

What started as a scholarship to support students with financial need has evolved into a transformative model to support first-generation college students. The Irene and Morris B. Kessler Presidential Scholars Program was first established by Fred and Judy Wilpon in 2007 at the University of Michigan. Now, through the generosity of the Wilpons, ���ϲ����� will join the consortium of colleges and universities who are transforming the first-generation student experience by welcoming its first cohort of Kessler Presidential Scholars in fall 2020.

“I am grateful to Fred and Judy Wilpon for establishing a Kessler Presidential Scholars Program at ���ϲ�����. Their bold vision to transform the first-generation college student experience advances ���ϲ�����’s ongoing commitment to access, opportunity and inclusion, and support of first-generation student success,” says Chancellor Kent Syverud.

Administered by the Division of Enrollment and the Student Experience, the inaugural group of Kessler Scholars will consist of 15 academically talented, well-rounded and diverse incoming undergraduates across ���ϲ�����’s schools and colleges who identify as first-generation college students. These students will not only receive scholarship awards but will also have access to holistic services that enhance their experience on campus. In addition to programs and events hosted to build community among the Kessler Scholars, each student will also be connected to a peer mentor, participate in career-enrichment opportunities, engage in community projects and study abroad.

Ensuring an unsurpassed student experience is paramount to the University and is a top priority of Forever Orange: The Campaign for ���ϲ�����. The Kessler Scholars Program is well-aligned with this priority as it aims to support students in all facets of their lives—in and outside of the classroom.

With about 17 percent of the undergraduate student body identifying as first generation, the Kessler Scholars Program deepens the University’s commitment to creating pathways to higher education for students across the socioeconomic spectrum who are the first in their family to go to college.

“The Wilpons’ commitment to access to higher education for first-generation students and their support of enhancing the student experience is unmatched,” says Dolan Evanovich, senior vice president for enrollment and the student experience. “The network they are building through this national model for first-generation students will undoubtedly have far reaching impact not only for the scholars, but first-generation college student success across the country.”

First established at the University of Michigan College of Literature, Science and Arts, the Kessler Scholars Program has grown into a network of colleges and universities. As the leading scholarship program for first-generation students, the program is distinct in that it provides comprehensive support through wrap-around, multi-tiered services to ensure students’ success from the moment they enroll to after graduation.

The approach behind the model is not only based on sound research in student success, but was the lived experience of Fred Wilpon, who, as a first-generation college student, found success with the support of mentors and a community of friends. Wilpon, who has had a long career as a businessman and chairman and CEO of the New York Mets, and his wife, Judy, look forward to expanding the program at ���ϲ����� and providing even more first-generation college students with the same support and community to help them thrive.

The University will notify the inaugural cohort of Kessler Scholars of their selection for the program later this month.

The University of Michigan officially announced national expansion of the Kessler Scholars Program in a May 12 .

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 close 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
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 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 to learn more.