Syracuse University

IVMF hosts formal ribbon cutting ceremony, public open house during the week of Veterans Day

Jaime Winne Alvarez
(315) 443-3834

The Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) at Syracuse University will celebrate its founding and dedicate its physical location on campus with a formal ribbon-cutting ceremony and public open house during the week of Veterans Day.

Launched in June 2011 by founding members Syracuse University and JPMorgan Chase & Co., the IVMF is built on the University’s longstanding commitment to the nation’s veterans and service members. It is the first national center in higher education focused on the social, economic, education and policy issues impacting veterans and military families post-service. Through the pillars of educational programming, employment and actionable research, the institute provides in-depth analysis of the challenges facing veterans, captures best practices and serves as a forum to facilitate new partnerships and strong relationships between the individuals and organizations committed to making a difference in the lives of the veterans and family members who are part of this community.

A formal ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 8, beginning at 1 p.m. in Lender Auditorium, located on the concourse level of the Whitman School of Management building, 721 University Ave. Invited guests include SU, IVMF and JPMorgan Chase leadership and staff; SU student veterans and members of the campus ROTC; additional corporate sponsors and affiliates; the IVMF Advisory Board; and IVMF Fellows.

The ceremony will include remarks by:

• Mike Haynie, executive director of the IVMF, Barnes Professor of Entrepreneurship in the Whitman School of Management and an Air Force veteran;
• SU Chancellor and President Nancy Cantor, a member of the IVMF Advisory Board;
• Frank Bisignano, JPMorgan Chase chief administrative officer, CEO of Chase Mortgage Banking, and co-chairman of the IVMF Advisory Board;
• Sean Galloway, president of the SU Student Veterans Club; and
• SMA Kenneth O. Preston (retired), former sergeant major of the U.S. Army (the most senior enlisted member of the Army) and a member of the IVMF Advisory Board.

Immediately following the ribbon-cutting ceremony, the official ribbon cutting will take place at the front entrance of the University College building, 700 University Ave. (The IVMF is located in Suite 303.) A private reception will be held in the IVMF office following the ribbon cutting.

On Veterans Day, Friday, Nov. 11, following the University’s second annual Veterans Day Ceremony at Hendricks Chapel, the IVMF will host a public open house from 1-3 p.m. The University and Syracuse community are invited to attend. Refreshments will be served. Visitors will have a chance to tour the IVMF and hear from leadership and staff about current activities and upcoming projects. Paid parking for both events is available in the University Avenue Garage.

In addition, IVMF leadership, staff, affiliates, sponsors and graduates of the University’s portfolio of veteran entrepreneurship programs will take part in a number of Veterans Day-related activities during the week, both in Syracuse and across the country. Activities to date include the BNY Mellon Veterans Day Event in New York City, a visit to Walmart corporate offices in Bentonville, Ark., a presentation on the history of veterans at the University to spouses of the SU Board of Trustees, the Pepsi Dream Machine: Keep Texas Beautiful event, the Walmart Veterans Day Event in Bentonville and pregame and halftime festivities, as part of the USF Bulls vs. Syracuse Orange football game during Orange Central.

The IVMF events will take place during the University’s Orange Central celebration, which includes reunions, special events and Homecoming rolled into one weekend.