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Nazrun Chowdhury can’t believe that the Charles Hayden Foundation was willing to spend its money sponsoring “a kid from the Bronx.” The foundation provides grants that focus on helping youth develop the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in school and lay the foundation for satisfying and productive lives. This year, the foundation sponsored 20 Syracuse University Summer College students.

Chowdhury, a senior at Marble Hill School for International Studies, says this was not his first experience in a Summer College Program. “Last summer I took classes at Marist College for two weeks,” he says. “Although that was fun and challenging, it was nowhere near as rigorous and exciting as the Summer College program at Syracuse University.”

The Summer College Program offers both credit and non-credit options for students to engage in rigorous college courses over a two to six-week period. The students sponsored by the Charles Hayden Foundation earned college credits during their six weeks on campus. While many of the students found the coursework demanding, they also learned the skills they need to be successful in college and in life. Chowdhury says the benefits of the Summer College program far outweighed the challenges he faced balancing homework, the rigors of schoolwork and socializing with his new friends. “The classes I took forced students to be open with their own opinions and creative minds. I was forced to listen to different perspectives—something I wasn’t normally exposed to in the Bronx,” says Chowdhury. “Listening to other people’s thoughts and experiences from around the world molded me into a more mature and critical-thinking individual.”

This year, 501 students from 35 U.S. states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands—as well as 70 students representing 19 foreign countries—attended Summer College.

Epiphany Adams, a senior at Frederick Douglass Academy in New York City, agrees that the Summer College experience was more difficult than expected. She thought that taking Advanced Placement courses in high school prepared her for the coursework and academic requirements of college but soon learned that she was not as prepared as she hoped.

“My eyes were opened to the realistic rigors of college life,” she says. “The program is not an imitation of college, it iscollege.” When she was feeling overwhelmed, Adams took Professor Jeffery Mangram’s daily advice to heart: “just keep going.”

Adams was also concerned she wouldn’t fit in, but found that attending the program helped her become a more social person. “I was immediately accepted for who I was. I wasn’t afraid to be myself,” she adds.

“Summer at Syracuse not only opens a window of experience for rising seniors to see what college demands from you and what it takes for you to go the distance, it really opens your eyes what college life is like,” adds Chowdhury. “I was excited and humbled that the Charles Hayden Foundation gave me this opportunity. I know not everyone receives this privilege.”

After experiencing Summer College, Adams and Chowdhury returned home with an arsenal of tools to succeed in college—time management, discipline and discovering that they could be comfortable in a global culture.

“I’m so thankful for a program that helped me grow personally and academically,” says Adams. “If I could, I would rewind time and do it all over again.

Alexander N. Charters, Ph.D., former dean of University College and creator of Syracuse University’s Charters Library for Educators of Adults, died on August 7, just before his 102nd birthday.

Alex was an international expert in the field of adult and continuing education. A native of Alberta, Canada, Alex’s career path was inspired by his aunt and uncle, Jessie and W.W. Charters, who were active in the field of adult education. During college, Alex spent a summer working in a logging camp. He tutored immigrants in the evening, confirming his lifelong path.

In 1948, Alex’s career in adult education began when he was appointed assistant to the dean of University College. He served Syracuse University for more than 30 years in various positions, including dean of University College, assistant vice president for continuing education, and professor of adult education. After retiring in 1983, he continued to be an outspoken advocate for adult education. In 1986, he was awarded Syracuse University’s prestigious William Pearson Tolley Award for Distinguished Leadership in Adult Education.

Alex encouraged his fellow academics and members of professional organizations to donate their personal papers and organizational records to Syracuse University’s Special Collections Research Center. This assembly of books, pamphlets, photos, dissertations, audiovisual items, and journals became part of the Alexander Charters Library of Resources for Educators of Adults, and is considered the largest English-language archive of adult and continuing education materials in the world.

In 2016, Alex and his wife Margaret, an SU alum and former SU faculty member, made a donation to the Syracuse University Libraries to create the Alexander N. Charters Library Initiative Fund. These funds were used to develop and expand the Charters Library on campus and in the field.

Alex is survived by his wife Margaret, three sons, a daughter, and many grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Memorial donations may be made to the Syracuse University Libraries in support of the Charters Library of Resources for Educators of Adults.

Dian Purwanti, from Indonesia, was most impressed with the clean tap water. For Cyrille Zongo, from Burkina Faso in West Africa, it was the clean streets. Rawan Badarna, from Palestine, was amazed by the technology and diversity.

These bright, motivated individuals were among the 37 Fulbright Scholars who arrived on July 14 for a four-week English for Graduate Studies program administered through University College’s English Language Institute (ELI).

Zongo says he could see how much more developed the U.S. was as soon as the plane landed in Syracuse. These differences are dramatic for many of the participants, who came from 23 countries, including Algeria, Brazil, Cambodia, Ecuador, Mongolia, Russia and Turkey. Most noticeable of all, Zongo says, is the hospitality. “People in Syracuse are very friendly and welcoming.”

This is the first year of a renewed five-year contract between ELI and the Institute of International Education, which manages Fulbright for the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs (ECA).

Participants are professionals who will remain in the U.S. to pursue graduate work following their Syracuse University sojourn. The ELI offers academic English, designed for students who are conditionally admitted to Syracuse University, students who wish to study at another university in the United States and professionals who would like to improve their English to better succeed in their careers.

While on campus, the students study a wide range of topics, including academic integrity, the U.S. political system, copyright laws and building a respectful environment. Interaction with their peers provides a glimpse into different cultures and faith traditions throughout the world.

The students took note of the teaching style they found in the U.S. “I was forced to share my opinion, discuss topics with my peers and work in a group,” says Purwanti. “It made me grateful to be in this program and prepared me for my graduate studies.” Purwanti will be staying on at Syracuse University to earn a master’s degree in teaching and curriculum in the School of Education.

“The academic rigor is very high compared to my country,” says Zongo. “This shows how effective and efficient the education system in the United States is and I’m glad I can learn though this system.”

Badarna notes that her classes were student-oriented and interactive. “Because the students were from different countries, my experience was much more enriching,” she says. “The instructor and student relationship is open and friendly–you can express your opinions and criticize politely. This improves a student’s critical thinking skills.”

When not in class or studying, the Fulbright students explored the rich history of Upstate New York. They participated in a guided tour of historic downtown Syracuse and visited Alexandria Bay.

Badarna was especially impressed with seeing a ship from Canada during a boat tour. “I was surprised to see how easy it is to move between two countries freely,” she says. “We don’t have freedom of movement in Palestine.” Badarna says that when she went to see her family in Palestine, she often had to go through checkpoints. “It’s difficult and time consuming to travel from one city to another, which discourages us from traveling.”

Purwanti says a highlight of her Syracuse visit was visiting Green Lakes State Park and Alexandria Bay. “My jaw dropped when I saw how clean every place is. I hope that someday Bali can be that clean.”

Zongo was struck by the beauty of Syracuse and the important role the city played in the history of the United States, particularly in the Underground Railroad. “The city has been able to keep symbols of important moments of Syracuse’s life. This is incredible,” he says.

The students admit that it was difficult to be away from family, but Bardarna feels much better prepared now to move on to Loyola University in New Orleans to obtain an MBA. She found the English Language Institute program to be comprehensive and holistic, blending instruction, socialization and engagement opportunities with American society.

Purwanti was a bit afraid that her Indonesian dress would isolate her from the other students on campus. “But all the people here greet you, even though you don’t know them. They are very welcoming. The people in my group are open to our culture and our differences, which made it easier to adjust.”

Zongo, who will be earning an M.B.A. at Rochester Institute for Technology, says “Syracuse University’s English Language Institute is the best. In a short period of time, they were able to teach us the essential English skills we need as graduate students. I was very happy with my experience here,” he says. “I will miss Syracuse.”

When Horane Daley from DeWitt Clinton High School in Bronx, New York, learned he was selected to participate in Syracuse University’s Summer College Program for High School Students, he was very grateful for the opportunity. “I was ecstatic (when I was chosen),” he says. “I was proud of myself for doing the essay and getting through the interview.”

Daley was one of 25 students selected to attend Syracuse University through the generosity of the Price Family Foundation.

The Price Family Foundation, a philanthropic organization based in New York, provides funding for higher education, children’s services and hospitals. For three years, the foundation has provided opportunity to New York City students to attend the Summer College Program.

Summer College offers both credit and non-credit options for students to engage in rigorous college courses over a six-week period. While many of the students found the coursework challenging, they also learned the skills they need to be successful―managing their time, working hard, and having the discipline to follow through on assignments in a short period. This year, 501 students from 35 U.S. states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands―as well as 70 students representing 19 foreign countries―attended Summer College.

Daley took part in the Team and Leadership and Launching a Business programs. The Team and Leadership Academy challenges students to safely expand their comfort zone, test their understanding of what it means to be a member of a team, and develop communication skills. “The experience has been amazing,” says Daley. “I’ve met great people and have formed bonds in a short period of time. I’ve made friends that will last a lifetime.” Daley says the high ropes course taught him how to communicate in a team setting: “I learned to be a leader.”

Isaiah Hoyte, from New Explorer’s High School in the Bronx, took 3D Art Studio and Computer Animation and Game Design through Summer College.

Hoyte, who plans to major in computer engineering, thoroughly enjoyed making a 3D Bluetooth device in ComArt in the College of Visual and Performing Arts. “The creativity of the course allowed me to open my mind to different things,” Hoyte says. “The experience also gave me the opportunity to do a lot of networking. It’s been a wonderful experience, and I’ve met some wonderful friends.”

Both students believe that being away from home will help them navigate a college campus in the future. “The experience teaches you college readiness and the maturity you need to do the work,” Hoyte says. “The opportunity given to me by the Price Family Foundation warms my heart.”