Alumni News

Charles Willie '57 Ph.D. (soc), former chair of sociology, received the Chancellor’s Citation Lifetime Achievement Award at the One University Awards ceremony.

Prior to his current role with FEMA, from 2013-2017, Heighberger was deputy staff director for the House Homeland Security Committee. He has also held other roles at FEMA; during the George W. Bush Administration he served as deputy director for legislative affairs, and later as advisor to former administrator David Paulison and deputy administrator Harvey Johnson.

Salkin '97 M.P.A., senior vice president of city solutions at 100 Resilient Cities, talks about how the organization, pioneered by the Rockefeller Foundation, helps urban leaders develop resilience strategies and share information across a diverse network of cities.

“It is amazing, of course, to see something I worked on for a year come to fruition. It is even more gratifying to know it is something that will help SU become more sustainable and subsequently make the world a little better!," says Elizabeth Hayes '16 B.A. (Geog/CCE). Her research for the Citizenship and Civic Engagement degree's senior Capstone Project provided the legwork for the SU Bookstore's reusable bag program.

Chris Meek '92 B.A. (PSc/Econ) is the co-founder and Chairman of SoldierStrong, an organization that provides state-of-the-art medical devices and scholarships to troops and returning veterans. 

Jack Manno G’03, professor of environmental studies at SUNY ESF and a faculty affiliate in Syracuse's Native American Studies program contends that, as a new political regime gets underway in the United States, the need for an effective governance system—one in step with climate change and the environment—is imperative.

"This ban leaves thousands of our wartime allies to fend for themselves against the very enemies we asked them to fight," writes Maxwell alumnus Matt Zeller, co-founder and CEO of No One Left Behind. "We are permanently harming the fabric of U.S. national security. Our credibility is forever tarnished if not eroded."

Camilla Campisi '05 M.A. (IR) was one of eight midcareer professionals recruited to the Empire State Fellowship, which aims to recruit private sector employees to join the next generation of state government leaders and policy makers.

“It’s a significant victory, but it’s temporary,” cautions Phil Arnold, who serves as associate professor and chair of religion in the College of Arts and Sciences, about the delay of the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) construction. "An Environmental Impact Statement hasn’t been done yet for the DAPL. Drillers may wait for President-elect Donald Trump, whose interests are aligned with fossil fuel development, to take office in January and reverse the decision.”

To be eligible for Academic All-America® honors, student-athletes must be a starter or key reserve, achieve sophomore standing at their current school, maintain a cumulative grade-point average of at least 3.3 and be nominated by his/her sports information director. Maxwell alumnus Cameron MacPherson '16 B.A. (IR) is one of the honorees.

Deborah Alexander ’82 M.S.Sc./’95 Ph.D. (SSc) represented the United States on an international delegation in Russia, where she observed the Federal Assembly of Russia’s State Duma elections. Alexander’s expertise in overseeing election procedures builds off of her long and distinguished career in international affairs and diplomacy.

Distinguished alumnus Ambassador James B. Cunningham '74 B.A. (PSc/Psych) was invited to speak at Syracuse University’s Orange Central celebrations. Reviewing mistakes made since 9/11, the Ambassador argued that—particularly in today's political atmosphere—America needs serious discussions that lead to a long-term, sustainable strategy in the region.