United States Army Staff Sergeant and Syracuse University Student Veteran Organization President, Varun Gollapudi was born and raised in San Jose, California.
News
Meet Syracuse Army ROTC’s New Commander
Lt. Col. Jared Larpenteur brings 19 years of Army leadership—and a personal affinity for Central and Northern New York— to his new role as professor of military science.
From Boxing Champions to CNY Entrepreneurs
From Boxing Champions to CNY Entrepreneurs
NVRC Hall of Honor Walk: Analice Baker
U.S. Navy Mass Communications Specialist 2nd Class (MC2) Analice Baker’s military lineage runs deep in her family. Raised in Red Bank, New Jersey by a U.S. Army Airborne Ranger and a mother whose talents matched her intelligence, she grew up surrounded by family members who collectively spent decades in uniform. After four years in Army Junior ROTC at Buena High School in Sierra Vista, Arizona, MC2 Baker earned a degree in Design Management from Arizona State University before enlisting in the U.S. Navy in 2021.
MC2 Baker completed U.S. Navy boot camp at Recruit Training Command (RTC), Great Lakes, Illinois. As a Mass Communication Specialist trained at the Defense Information School (DINFOS) in Fort Meade, Maryland, MC2 Baker joined the media department aboard the USS Carl Vinson, known as “America’s Favorite Carrier,” located at North Island, San Diego, California. On the Vinson, she led the photo department while managing print operations and heading the magazine team. MC2 Baker sailed with Carrier Strike Group ONE during Exercise Pacific Stellar and deployed as a part of Operation Rough Rider, earning two Navy Achievement Medals, and a Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal. In 2025, she re-enlisted aboard the same carrier for a second contract, becoming a career, Sailor.
Azimuth Check Program Helps Student Veterans Stay on Course to Graduation
Syracuse University’s Office of Veteran and Military Affairs (OVMA) is rolling out Azimuth Check, a new coaching program that connects student veterans and military-connected undergraduates with a dedicated Pathfinder Coach from the start of their academic journey through graduation.
Continue ReadingShe Charted a Course for Women in the Navy. Now, Her Legacy Has a Home
Maria Calabrese Murray’s WAVES uniform—and a hand-drawn map of Iwo Jima—are on display at the National Veterans Resource Center at the Daniel and Gayle D’Aniello Building.
Continue ReadingServing Twice: How 3 Student Veterans Became Researchers
Hunter Pyke ’27, Matthew Soukup ’27, and Varun Gollapudi ’27 spent eight weeks in research settings studying issues related to the mental health and well-being of veterans just like them.
Researchers Examine the Invisible Hearing Struggle of Student Veterans
Two University faculty, both certified audiologists, are the first to study how tinnitus impacts student veterans as they navigate college classrooms.
What University Community Members Value in Mike Haynie’s Leadership
The students, faculty and leaders who know Chancellor J. Michael Haynie describe someone who shows up, listens and follows through.
Continue ReadingNVRC Hall of Honor Walk: Victor Holman ’82
In this Hall of Honor Walk episode, meet retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Victor Holman ’82. Victor is a retired lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army, former secretary of the general staff for the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command and a veteran of service in Somalia.