For the Syracuse University community, 2025 was a time of tradition, transition and transformation. We welcomed new students, celebrated timeless traditions and launched a search for the University’s 13th Chancellor following Kent Syverud’s announcement that he will retire in June 2026.
Micron Technology’s Central New York expansion came to life as Micron Day on campus showcased the tech company’s partnership with the University and region. The Center for Advanced Semiconductor Manufacturing opened to support research and training at the convergence of robotics, automation and semiconductor technologies. And, with a focus on the 21st century economy, the University celebrated the opening of the Center for the Creator Economy, the first of its kind on a U.S. college campus.
Falk College evolved into the Falk College of Sport, and the debut of the new Gaming and Esports Center in the Schine Student Center fired up student gamers. The John A. Lally Athletics Complex continued to take shape with the opening of the Football Performance Center. And the Sala Family Plaza—complete with football turf, hash marks and 44 highlighted in orange—now welcomes visitors outside the JMA Wireless Dome.
Syracuse basketball legend Carmelo Anthony scored with his Commencement address to the Class of 2025, and his son, Kiyan Anthony ’29, arrived at ’Cuse to suit up for the Orange. Syracuse teams delivered memorable moments throughout the year. The men’s lacrosse team advanced to the NCAA Tournament semifinals, and the men’s cross country team placed fourth in the NCAA Championships, marking its fourth straight top-12 finish in the national meet. Field hockey great Alyssa Manley ’16 saw her jersey retired, and men’s soccer coach Ian McIntyre became the winningest coach in program history. In another sign of the times, Falk College students organized a Name, Image, Likeness (NIL) Summit for Syracuse student-athletes, and Otto the Orange inked an NIL deal.
The ink of literary acclaim continued to flow for English professor George Saunders G’88, who was awarded the Medal for Distinguished Contributions to American Letters, a lifetime achievement, at the National Book Awards ceremony. Saunders’ fellow Creative Writing Program alumnus and visiting scholar Mosab Abu Toha G’23 was awarded a Pulitzer Prize for Commentary for a series of essays featured in The New Yorker.
Students continued to contribute to the local community in numerous ways, and the University was named a Fulbright Top Producing Institution for U.S. students for the third straight year, with 17 students selected for research, study and teaching awards for academic year 2024-25.
From the JMA Dome to the world stage, Orange pride never looked brighter—here’s to 2026!
