The nation’s capital was the setting on April 26 for the first-ever networking reception for alumni and students from Syracuse University. Planning for the event was led by the College of Professional Studies.
“As the University has significantly expanded its commitment to access for learners, we were energized to greet our alumni in Washington, D.C. and share updates on how the college and Syracuse University Global are now positioned to provide global access and transformative educational opportunities,” says Michael Frasciello, Ph.D., dean of the College of Professional Studies.
More than 160 people registered to attend the evening of cocktails and hors d’oeuvres at the Mayflower Hotel. The reception was a joint partnership between the College of Professional Studies, the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, the Martin J. Whitman School of Management, the D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families, and Syracuse University in D.C.
J. Michael Haynie, Ph.D., Syracuse University’s vice chancellor for strategic initiatives and innovation, opened the program with brief remarks about the university’s presence in Washington, D.C. and its commitment to members of the military.
Dean Frasciello followed with comments about the College of Professional Studies and the Syracuse University Global initiative, and then introduced the evening’s special guest, former NASA administrator and University Professor Sean O’Keefe, who attended Syracuse University and has taught many post-traditional students. He currently holds the Howard G. and S. Louise Phanstiel Chair in Leadership at Syracuse University’s Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs; serves as distinguished senior advisor for the Center for Strategic and International Studies; and is senior research associate at the Campbell Public Affairs Institute.
There are more than 341,000 Syracuse University post-traditional alumni, with over 7,000 students and alumni residing in the Washington, D.C. metro area. Engagement with these important members of the Orange family will continue, with plans to visit New York City, Los Angeles and other cities where the Syracuse University presence is strong.
“Engaging post-traditional alums is a priority of the University,” says Jeffry Comanici, executive director of post-traditional advancement. “These graduates are proud of their University affiliation, as well as the plans to expand the experiences they had as students to a global community.”
For questions or more information, contact Comanici at jjcomani@syr.edu or 315.443.1409.
