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The Jan. 17 session of the Institute for Retired People (IRP) will feature Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner. Miner will discuss the challenges the city faces and what needs to be done to address them.

Miner attended Syracuse University, graduating magna cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in political science and journalism in 1992. After college, she worked as the assistant upstate coordinator for Geraldine Ferraro for U.S. Senate, and then served as Central New York Regional Representative to Gov. Mario Cuomo in 1994. In 1999, Miner earned her juris doctorate from SUNY-Buffalo and began working at Blitman & King, LLP as a labor lawyer, representing unions and employees.

Miner became a Syracuse common councilor-at-large in 2002, and was re-elected in 2005. During her tenure on the council, Miner established a reputation as a principled leader who asks tough questions. This led the Syracuse Post-Standard to endorse Mayor Miner’s 2009 candidacy for mayor.

The IRP program runs from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., and is free and open to the public. IRP sessions are held at the First Baptist Church of Syracuse, 5833 East Seneca Turnpike, Jamesville. For more information, visit uc.syr.edu/irp, call 315-443-4846, or e-mail cmkarlho@syr.edu.

Eileen Jevis, manager of public relations at University College of Syracuse University, was elected unanimously to the board of directors for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Syracuse.

Jevis currently serves on the board of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Syracuse Chapter, and is a member of the Corporate Volunteer Council of Syracuse. She also served as a member of the planning committee for the Syracuse Habitat for Humanity Veterans Build.

As the coordinator of the annual Veterans Day Ceremony at Syracuse University, Jevis was awarded a bronze medal and the U.S. Army Commander’s Award for Public Service in 2010. This is the fourth highest honor the United States Department of the Army can bestow upon a civilian.

During her tenure as a writer at the Catholic Sun, Jevis won several writing awards from the Catholic Press Association, the Syracuse Press Club and the Archbishop Edward T. O’Meara Award for coverage of world mission news in a diocesan newspaper.

Jevis earned a bachelor’s degree in English writing arts from SUNY Oswego and a master’s degree in general education from Le Moyne College.

The Dec. 20 session of the Institute for Retired People (IRP) will feature Liz Ayers, director of development and grants at WCNY TV.

Ayers will share the details of her recent trip to Italy with a group from Central New York that traveled with the television production team that was working on a documentary on the canonization of Mother Marianne Cope.
Ayers has been a television staple for 26 years in Syracuse. She worked as a news anchor for WTVH for nearly 20 years, and for the past seven years has found a home at WCNY, channel 24.1.

Ayers hosts WCNY auctions and this year she also participated in the WCNY documentary “A Saint for Central New York.” As director of development and grants, Ayers searches for funding for television documentaries and educational programs. She has won numerous achievement awards for her commitment to community.

The IRP program runs from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., and is free and open to the public. IRP sessions are held at the First Baptist Church of Syracuse, 5833 E. Seneca Turnpike, Jamesville. For more information, visit uc.syr.edu/irp, call 315-443-4846, or e-mail cmkarlho@syr.edu.

IRP is a community program established by University College of Syracuse University, dedicated to the principle of lifelong learning.

Geraldine de Berly,  senior associate dean and director of the English Language Institute at University College, was selected unanimously by the board of directors of the International Center of Syracuse to receive its International Educator Award.  The award was presented at the 2012 International Citizen Award Dinner held on Nov. 9 at Onondaga Community College.

The International Educator Award recognizes an outstanding faculty member or administrator who has made a significant impact in the promotion of educational and intercultural exchange, and whose commitment to international education is truly remarkable.

Emmanuel Awuah, president of the International Center of Syracuse, said the board recognizes de Berly’s long-term professional and personal interest in developing international education and global engagement programs and support services for students from around the world. “We are aware of her outstanding leadership in providing quality success-centered services for students and scholars through the English Language Institute at Syracuse University for many years,” stated Awuah. “Some students have gone on to successful careers and have ascended to leadership positions in the U.S. and in their native countries.

“Gerry’s commitment and leadership has long been recognized by her colleagues at University College and Syracuse University,” said Dean Bea González. “She has continually grown the program, and its success reflects her personalized, interactive approach. We are so pleased that she is being acknowledged by her colleagues for being a dedicated ambassador for international education.”

The Nov. 15 session of the Institute for Retired People (IRP) will feature Robert McClure, a political science and public affairs professor and Chapple Family Professor of Citizenship and Democracy Emeritus at Syracuse University’s Maxwell School. The session is open to the public.

McClure will talk about the presidential and congressional elections and provide his perspective on how the results will affect Central New York and the nation.

The IRP program runs from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. and is free and open to the public. IRP sessions are held at the First Baptist Church of Syracuse, 5833 E. Seneca Turnpike, Jamesville. For more information, visit uc.syr.edu/irp, call 315-443-4846, or e-mail cmkarlho@syr.edu.

IRP is a community program established by University College of Syracuse University, dedicated to the principle of lifelong learning.