A busy, generous, and fruitful spring!

There are so many things to celebrate on campus—the arrival of spring, our recent flock of graduates ready to make their way in the world, and the deep passion and commitment demonstrated by our alumni and friends in support of SU.

We end April with a healthy campaign tally of $868 million and a continuous wave of impact created in the classroom and beyond. We're nearly 87% of the way to our five-year, $1 billion goal, and with just under 18 months left to get there, our vision of Scholarship in Action propels us forward.

Longtime SU friends David ’72 and Rhonda Falk ’74 continue their transformational support with a $15 million naming gift—one of the largest single gifts to SU ever—to the David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics, fomerly the College of Human Ecology.

The Campaign for Syracuse University continues to travel the country rallying alumni and friends in Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles. Read about D.C.-area alums Ken ’84 and Fran Finkelstein '84 and the ties that bind them to SU.

Then catch up with LA alum Doug Frye L’74, who's never lost touch with the University.

In another example of student philanthropy, the Class of 2011 is making its mark with the Palmer Challenge.

Read the many stories that enable us to make our vision a reality, celebrate those who make it all possible, and consider the incredible stories yet to come.

Your campaign co-chairs,

Melanie Gray L’81         Howie Phanstiel ’70, G’71         Deryck Palmer ’78

May xx, 2011

The Campaign for Syracuse University

Total as of 4/30/11:
$868,166,173

Save the Date!

Syracuse University's Orange Central 2011—an annual celebration of class reunions, special group reunions, and homecoming, all rolled into one exciting weekend—will take place November 10–13.

Leave a Legacy

Consider leaving a deferred gift to Syracuse University in your will.

View Our D.C. Photo Gallery!

SU's Washington, D.C.-area alumni and friends have had their pick of recent events. Check out our photo gallery.

Supercharge Your Gift with Faculty Today

The Faculty Today gift challenge program "supercharges" qualifying endowment gifts every year for five years, multiplying our buying power and enabling us to hire that outstanding educator today—not years from now.

Ray von Dran Awards Fund Student Business Startups

Thanks to the Ray von Dran Awards, a dozen Syracuse University student startup businesses received a combined $70,000 in seed funding to get their fledgling companies unde rway. The startups will be able to use the funds to cover salaries; space rental; marketing, legal, and web services; and proof-of-concept development.

The Ray von Dran IDEA Awards are supported by the IDEA Fund, established in memory of Raymond F. von Dran. The former iSchool dean started many innovative programs in higher education and supported student innovation and entrepreneurship. The fund was created and endowed by von Dran's wife and SU alum Gisela von Dran, as well as many other alumni and friends, SU Chancellor Nancy Cantor, and the Kauffman Foundation via Enitiative. Read more...

Discovery Communications Funds Scholarships for Newhouse Students

Discovery Communications has established a scholarship to be awarded to two graduate students from underrepresented groups pursuing master's degrees full-time at the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications. After completing their degree requirements, Discovery Communications Scholars will have the opportunity for a paid internship at a Discovery Communications property.

When asked about the importance of the scholarship, Tyler Benjamin, Discovery Communications' vice president of global talent management, says, "As a global company, diversity and inclusion are critical links to our viewers, communities, and stakeholders. The most innovative and creative ideas and solutions come from the widest range of thoughts and ideas, and it is the diverse minds, experiences, cultures, and unique points of view of our workforce that give Discovery a competitive advantage."

Earlier this year, John Hendricks, founder and chairman of Discovery Communications, worked with SU faculty to contribute to Hendricks's newest project, CURIOSITY: The Questions of Our Life, a landmark 60-episode television series exploring the fundamental questions of our time.

SU Considered Home Away from Home for Huo-Bing Yin ’50

Embarking on his voyage from China to America to study at SU, H.B. Yin could not have known the opportunities that awaited him. Meeting his future wife, Lillian, on the trip over and dedicating years to the study of electrical and mechanical engineering at the L.C. Smith College of Engineering and Computer Science yielded a long, fruitful career and many fond memories of his life in America—and at SU.

Yin's time at SU was so significant that he created two endowed scholarships with over $2 million in charitable gift annuities and a realized estate gift. Both Yin scholarships will benefit future generations of undergraduate engineering students at L.C. Smith. Read more about H.B. Yin and his experience.

Former VPA Professor Answers the Faculty Today Challenge

The College of Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) has announced the creation of the Iris Magidson Professor of Practice in Design Innovation. VPA's first fully endowed faculty position will be based in the college's Department of Design, and was established through a $1 million commitment from Iris Magidson ’64, a VPA alumna, former professor, and current member of the college's advisory council.

The Magidson gift will be bolstered through Faculty Today, a gift challenge program designed to accelerate the University's ability to recruit and retain world-class faculty. Read more about the Magidson Professor of Practice and see the current list of Faculty Today endowments.

Say Yes Syracuse Benefits from Milestone Giving and Celebrates Celebrity Student Authors

SRC Inc., a Syracuse-based not-for-profit research and development company, has made a $5 million gift to the Syracuse Say Yes to Education Program—Syracuse University's unique partnership with Say Yes to Education Inc., and the Syracuse City School District. The funding—the largest single external gift to the program—will help to ensure current and future students in the Syracuse City School District have the resources to attend college. Additional recent donors to Say Yes Syracuse include the Reisman Foundation and the Allyn Foundation, each of which gave $300,000 to the program. Read more... 

Recently, the Say Yes to Education Author Series honored 33 Syracuse City School District third-grade students who had the thrill of seeing their names listed as authors on the cover of a book. The young writers created three books that were illustrated by students from the College of Visual and Performing Arts. Production and publication of the books were made possible by a $50,000 grant from the National Grid Foundation. Read more...