History

The late William Shemin, World War I veteran, is an alumnus of the New York State College of Forestry at Syracuse University. You should know his story because it’s a Syracuse University story—one that speaks to our past, our present, and our future.

Syracuse University, the Office of Veteran and Military Affairs, and the Institute for Veterans and Military Families at Syracuse University (IVMF) are proud to commemorate Sergeant William Shemin of the U.S. Army, a 1924 graduate of the New York State College of Forestry at Syracuse University. To our knowledge, William Shemin will be Syracuse University’s first and only graduate to earn the Medal of Honor.

On May 14, 2015, President Barack Obama announced that he would posthumously bestow the Medal of Honor, the U.S. military’s highest decoration for valor, to Sergeant William Shemin of Bayonne, New Jersey and Private William Henry Johnson of Harlem, New York for their heroic efforts on the Western front in World War I. President Obama will present the medal to Shemin’s daughter, Elsie Shemin-Roth, in Washington on June 2, 2015. Shemin-Roth, an SU alumna from the class of 1951, has been advocating for this recognition for the past decade.

Imagine the vast fields of northern France during the Great War—earthen trenches for miles, overwhelming German fire across the Vesle River, and your comrades falling victim to German bullets. Sergeant Shemin, a nineteen-year-old soldier from just outside New York City, was thrown into that very fearful situation. There he was, fighting with the Company G, 2^nd Battalion, 47^th Infantry Regiment, 4^th Infantry Division of the American Expeditionary Forces. Engrained with a commitment to brotherhood, Shemin repeatedly exposed himself to heavy machine gun and rifle fire, crossing out of the trenches into no-man’s land to save his wounded comrades. After the officers and senior non-commissioned officers fell victim to this terror, Shemin took control of the platoon and displayed quick instinct and impressive initiative under fire, during which he was wounded by a machine gun bullet that pierced his helmet and was lodged behind his left ear. The Allied American-French forces fought valiantly and successfully pushed the Germans back across the Vesle and Aisne Rivers, eliminating the threat of the Germans taking Paris. Within the larger Allied victory of the Aisne-Marne campaign, Sergeant Shemin exemplified the highest degree of valor, bravery, and loyalty to his wounded and fallen comrades, which resulted in Shemin being awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, the nation’s second-highest decoration for combat valor.

After his honorable discharge in 1919, Shemin returned to Syracuse, having been previously stationed locally with the 47^th Infantry Regiment. He enrolled in Syracuse University and graduated in 1924 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Forestry from the New York State College of Forestry at Syracuse University (now the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry). While at Syracuse, Shemin showed great promise in the classroom but also on the fields of friendlier strife, playing football and lacrosse. After graduating from Syracuse, Shemin launched a landscaping and gardening business in the Bronx, New York. He raised three children, Elsie Shemin-Roth ‘51, Emanuel “Manny” Shemin ‘52, and Ina Shemin-Bass ’53 before passing away in the Bronx in 1973 at the age of 77.

Sergeant Shemin left a long legacy of service to our country and a legacy of Orange Pride at Syracuse University. All three of his children, Elsie, Emanuel, and Ina, attended Syracuse. His daughter-in-law, Rhoda Lee Zisman Shemin, graduated in 1953, and met her future husband Emanuel Shemin ‘52, a former University Trustee from 1997-2009, while at Syracuse. Four of Sergeant Shemin’s great-grandchildren have attended Syracuse; they are Rachel Forman ’05, William Cass ’08 (co-chair of the University’s Metro New York Leadership Council), Samuel Cass ’13 and Scott Bass ’15, in addition to one of his granddaughters Leslie Shemin-Lester ’84, who now serves on the Dean’s Advisory Council of the College of Visual and Performing Arts (VPA).

The Shemin family has been incredibly generous to the University over the past fifty years. A highlight is the Shemin Family Lecture Series in the College of Visual and Performing Arts’ fashion design program, which is designed to bring young alumni and other industry professionals to campus to meet students and help them understand the business of fashion. A collaborative effort between VPA and Syracuse University’s Martin J. Whitman School of Management, the Shemin Family Lecture Series focuses on fashion and business, and the promotion of interdisciplinary study. The Series was created with the generous support of the late Emanuel “Manny” Shemin ‘52, his wife, Rhoda Zisman Shemin ‘53, and their daughter Leslie Shemin-Lester ’84.

Manny and Rhoda Shemin have been particularly engaged in the life of Syracuse University, the College of Visual and Performing Arts, and the Whitman School of Management. Their philanthropy has supported scholarships to students enrolled in the Whitman School and they helped fund the 300-seat Emanuel and Rhoda Shemin Auditorium in the Shaffer Art Building in 1990. They also donated funds to build the Rhoda Shemin Student Lounge in the Winnick Hillel Center for Jewish Life, in addition to funding the creation of the Manny Shemin Resource Room in the Stevenson Education Center for the academic support of athletes at Manley Field House in 1995. Their service to the university is also evident in Emanuel’s twelve-year tenure on the Syracuse University Board of Trustees, including nine years on its executive committee and service on the Board’s Academic Affairs and Facilities Committees. Manny was an integral contributor to campus beautification at SU; over the last ten years of his life, Manny annually selected from the Netherlands 1,000 daffodil and 200 tulip bulbs and donated them to Syracuse University.

Following service in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War, Manny created Shemin Nurseries from his father’s retail nursery in the Bronx in 1955. The company pioneered the concept of the international nursery and garden supply distribution center and became the largest wholesale horticulture distribution business in the world, with centers throughout the United States, Canada, and Holland. Louis G Marcoccia, executive vice president and chief financial officer remarked, “Manny was a thoughtful person and successful businessman with an engaging personality. I always enjoyed our conversations about University matters.”

Marcoccia’s sentiments about the Shemin family are also shared by Thomas J Foley, the executive associate dean for Institutional Advancement at the Whitman School of Management. Foley remarks how Manny’s passion for landscaping and plants was also transferred to SU Athletics. For example, Manny donated dozens of trees that frame the athletic fields around Manley Field House. Foley highlights Manny’s connection with the university: “Manny was the salt of the earth; his father’s values were instilled in him and he passed those values on to future generations. The Shemin family (four generations of SU alumni) epitomize what you hope a Syracuse University family would be. They became part of the SU community and we became part of their philanthropic fabric.”

Before passing away in 2009, Manny also served on the Corporate Advisory Board of the Martin J. Whitman School of Management. Both he and Rhoda were integral supporters of the Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans with Disabilities (EBV), a national initiative run by the Institute for Veterans and Military Families at Syracuse University, designed to offer cutting-edge, experiential training in entrepreneurship and small business management to post-9/11 veterans with service-related disabilities.

The Shemin family has steadfastly supported Syracuse University over four generations and exemplifies the idea of service to one’s alma mater. We sincerely appreciate all that the Shemin family has done for our university.

There were many influential forces pushing to award the Medal of Honor to Sergeant Shemin, including pressure from veterans groups to Department of Defense investigators. Over the past several years, the Department of Defense has been investigating, back as far as WWI, instances of combat heroism that would warrant awarding of the nation’s highest military decoration for valor—the Medal of Honor—but where the Medal of Honor was not awarded given possible discrimination based on race or religion. One of the cases under investigation was that of our alumnus, William Shemin, who was Jewish. Due to bipartisan support, the U.S. Congress passed the William Shemin World War I Veterans Act, signed into law by President Obama, which allowed the Department of Defense to investigate any discrimination in the designation of awards to Jewish service members, which effectively allowed Shemin to receive the Medal of Honor. Elsie Shemin-Roth ‘51 spearheaded this campaign, joined by Representative Blaine Leutkemeyer (R-MO) and Senators Claire McCaskill (D-MO), Dean Heller (R-NV), Roy Blunt (R-MO), and John Boozman (R-AR). Upon receiving news that President Obama would bestow the medal, Senator McCaskill said in a statement, “Discrimination should never play a role when our country pays tribute to extraordinary acts of courage and selfless sacrifice. I couldn’t be prouder that we were able to correct these past injustices and that William Shemin and other Jewish heroes will get the recognition they deserve, and the national gratitude they earned.”

Syracuse University, the Office of Veteran and Military Affairs, and the Institute for Veterans and Military Families are very proud to collaboratively commemorate Sergeant William Shemin and deeply appreciate his service to our nation. Syracuse University has a long and proud history of helping veterans and our military personnel succeed when they come back from service. We are honored to include Sergeant William Shemin ‘24 and his family of Syracuse University alumni as integral members of the larger story of America’s veterans, the U.S. military, and Syracuse University.

Sergeant William Shemin ’24 is an alumnus of the New York State College of Forestry at Syracuse University and the only graduate to receive the Medal of Honor. You should know his story.

 

 

John M. McHugh, the 21^st Secretary of the Army, is an alumnus of Syracuse University. You should know his story because it’s a Syracuse University story—one that speaks to our past, our present, and our future.

           

McHugh is a native Central New Yorker—born in Watertown in 1948 and a graduate of Watertown High School. After high school, McHugh attended Utica College, a satellite campus of Syracuse University at the time, and received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science in 1970. He later attended the Nelson A. Rockefeller Graduate School of Public Affairs at the State University of New York at Albany, where he received a Master of Public Administration in 1977.

 

McHugh started out working in city government in Watertown, but quickly engaged himself in political service after graduate school as an aide to State Senator H. Douglas Barclay from 1977 to 1984. After Barclay stepped down from the New York State Senate in 1984, McHugh won Barclay’s seat and represented the 46^th NYS Senate district. After eight successful years in the state senate, McHugh decided to run for New York’s 24^th Congressional District in 1993, ultimately winning the predominately conservative district. McHugh served for nine terms as representative for the 24^th (now 23^rd) congressional district from 1993 to 2009.

 

As ranking Republican on the House Armed Services Committee, McHugh fought vigorously to protect Fort Drum from budget cuts, support major acquisition projects, and attract new military-related jobs to the district. He served on the House Committee on International Relations and Committee on Oversight and Government Reform; he also chaired the Subcommittee on the Postal Service. In addition, McHugh co-chaired the House Army Caucus, a bipartisan organization that educates other Representatives and their staffs about Army-related issues and programs.

 

Viewed as a pragmatic, centrist Republican, a 2009 New York Times article stated, “Mr. McHugh … is part of a vanishing breed in the House: centrist Republicans from Northeastern states.” His ability to work across the aisle with Democrats and Republicans garnered great respect from top party members on both sides, including President Barack Obama. Most notably, President Obama nominated McHugh in 2009 to succeed Pete Geren as the Secretary of the Army. As Secretary, McHugh is responsible for the U.S. Army’s annual budget of over $200 billion, the health and welfare of more than 1.1 million active duty, Army National Guard, and Army Reserve soldiers, and nearly half a million civilian employees and contractors.

 

John M. McHugh is an alumnus of Syracuse University and the Secretary of the Army. You should know his story.

Alan Gerry is a longtime benefactor and steward of Syracuse University, and also a military veteran. You should know his story, because it’s a Syracuse University story – one that speaks to our past, our present, and our future.

The son of Russian immigrants, Alan Gerry’s hometown was Liberty, NY. During WWII, Gerry dropped out of high school to join the United States Marine Corps and was placed in its electronics program.

After the war and with funding through the G.I. Bill, Mr. Gerry received vocational training that enabled him to start a tiny television repair business in 1951. Four years later in 1956, Gerry took $1,500 from his business and borrowed another $20,000 from seven local businessmen to create a cable TV company. He named the company Liberty Video initially, but after expansion into Pennsylvania and Massachusetts, he renamed it to Cablevision Industries grew it into a major enterprise.

Gerry’s company filled a clear market demand and became the country’s eighth-largest cable provider and largest privately owned cable company in the U.S., with 64 cable systems, 2,500 employees and 1.3 million subscribers in 18 states. In 1996, Alan Gerry sold Cablevision Industries to Time Warner Cable (TWC) for $2.7 billion, which landed him on the Forbes list of wealthiest people in America. Business Insider named him one of the 20 top billionaires to start literally from nothing.

Alan Gerry later founded Granite Associates, LP, an investment company focused on startup companies and emerging technologies in telephony and communications. He currently serves as chairman and CEO, assisting others hoping to make an impact in the communications industry as he had done.

Alan Gerry’s philanthropic and civic engagement goes on, as he created the Gerry Foundation, an organization dedicated to stimulating the economic revitalization of Sullivan County, NY. In addition, Gerry purchased and resurrected the original 1969 Woodstock festival site, renaming it the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts; established the Paul Gerry Dialysis Center in Sayre, Pennsylvania; and, along with other medical donations, is involved in Boston University’s research program in finding a cure for amyloidosis, a rare disease of the kidneys and heart. Alan Gerry continues to be a major benefactor of schools, colleges, medical institutions, and investment companies.

Accolades in the communications industry include his Vanguard Award in 1995 and induction into the Cable Television Hall of Fame in 2000. Gerry also received the Entrepreneur-of-the-Year Award from the New England chapter of the Institute of American Entrepreneurs, the Distinguished Citizen Award from the Boy Scouts of America, and the Americanism Award from the Anti-Defamation League. He received an Honorary Doctorate in Business Administration from Roger Williams University and one in Humane Letters from the State University of New York.

Notably, Alan Gerry maintains a long-standing philanthropic affiliation with Syracuse University, serves on our Board of Trustees, and is the namesake of the Alan Gerry Center for Media Innovation at the Newhouse School of Public Communications. Alan Gerry is an innovator, a philanthropist, and a family man, exemplifying dedication to the progression of communication and technological advances.

Alan Gerry is a benefactor and steward of Syracuse University and a veteran of the U.S. military. You should know his story.

Franklin Story Musgrave is an alumnus of Syracuse, and also a military veteran. You should know his story, because it’s a Syracuse University Story—one that speaks to our past, our present, and our future.

Born in Boston in 1935, Musgrave boasts an impressive record of scholastic achievement. His secondary education at Dexter School in Brookline, Massachusetts provided him a solid educational foundation. He later attended Syracuse University and earned a bachelor of science in math and statistics in 1958. Still, his insatiable thirst for knowledge led him to complete an impressive five additional degrees throughout his career including an M.B.A. from UCLA (1959), B.A. in chemistry from Marietta College (1960), M.D. from Columbia University (1964), M.S. in physiology and biophysics from the University of Kentucky (1966), and an M.A. in literature from the University of Houston-Clear Lake (1987).

Before entering college, however, Dr. Musgrave enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1953. During his enlistment, he served as an aviation electrician and instrument technician before receiving promotion to aircraft crew chief. In this time, he travelled to Korea, Japan, and Hawaii, and he explored East Asia aboard the USS Wasp. In addition to his travels, Musgrave was an accomplished pilot who flew more than 17,700 hours in 160 different aircrafts and participated in more than 800 free-falls as a daring parachutist.

Among his numerous accomplishments and achievements, Musgrave was selected to work for NASA as a scientist-astronaut in 1967. He was instrumental in designing and developing the Skylab Program and all of the Space Shuttle extravehicular activity equipment. In his roles as a spacecraft communicator, mission specialist, and payload commander, he spent 53 days, 9 hours, and 55 minutes in space during his time with NASA. He became the second astronaut to take six spaceflights after his completion of the STS-80 mission in 1996, and the only astronaut to fly missions on all five of the Space Shuttles before retiring in 1997.

As he clearly demonstrated throughout his remarkable career, Dr. Musgrave firmly believes that the key to exploration is “getting out of the comfortable path.” Today, Dr. Musgrave enjoys his well-earned retirement by consulting with Disney’s Imagineering and Applied Minds in California. Musgrave is also a 1995 inductee of the International Space Hall of Fame and a 1997 recipient of Syracuse University’s highest alumni honor, the George Arents Award.

Dr. Franklin Story Musgrave is an alumnus of Syracuse University and a veteran of the U.S. military. You should know his story.

Richard M. Jones is an alumnus of Syracuse University, and also a military veteran. You should know his story, because it’s a Syracuse University story—one that speaks to our past, our present, and our future.

Influenced by the passion for service instilled in his family lineage, Jones enlisted in the United States Army after high school, in part as a promise to his ailing father to support the family. Jones had grown up in a military family and hoped to make the Army his career. He joined as an infantryman and achieved his ultimate goal of becoming an Airborne Ranger. Jones considers graduating from the U.S. Army’s Ranger School his high point, a testament to his perseverance and hard work since an injury near the end forced him to be recycled back to the beginning of the 61-day course. For four years, he served with both the 75^th Ranger Regiment and 10^th Mountain Division as a squad leader. Unfortunately, a parachute malfunction during an airborne assault training exercise drastically altered his career plans.

After taking an occupational test while convalescing from severe fractures to his legs and back, the potential of becoming an accountant renewed Jones’ sense of drive. With the mentorship of Professor Horace Landry, head of the accounting program and a WWII Navy veteran, Jones was accepted to Syracuse University’s Whitman School of Management. He graduated in 1992 summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. But Ranger Jones wasn’t finished. He drove on, earning his law degree and master’s in accounting from Syracuse University in 1995 as well as a Master of Laws from Boston University. Jones was admitted to the Order of the Barristers, a U.S. National Honor Society through law school oral advocacy programs, for excelling in his academia, advocacy, and service to Syracuse.

By 2005, Jones had spent over 10 years as a certified public account and tax lawyer with Ernst & Young, working in its department of media and entertainment transaction advisory services. In addition, Jones served as a law clerk for the New York State Supreme Court, Appellate Division, in the chambers of the Honorable Judge John P. Balio. 2005 was marked by several important positions for Jones served as vice president, senior tax counsel, and assistant treasurer for General Electric (NBC Universal), where his responsibilities included all domestic and international tax planning, structuring, mergers and acquisitions, and operations. As a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the NY Society of CPAs, Jones has served, and continues to, on the Corporate and Partnership Taxation Committees. He is a member of the American Bar Association, NY State Bar Association, and the American Association of Attorney-Certified Public Accountants. A frequent and noted lecturer, Jones has become a faculty member of the Practicing Law Institute.

Currently, Richard M. Jones serves as the Executive Vice President, general tax counsel, and chief veteran officer for CBS Corporation, responsible for oversight on global tax planning, strategy, operations, litigation and legislative matters—in addition to CBS’s veteran-related initiatives. Jones tries to ensure the sacrifices of veterans and their families are never left unnoticed and recognized by promoting wellbeing through these programs and benefits. Jones works closely with several veteran organizations and is a life member of both the American Legion and DAV (Disabled American Veterans). He also serves on the congressionally mandated federal Advisory Committee on Veterans’ Employment, Training, and Employer Outreach (ACVETEO) for the U.S. Department of Labor.

Jones’ devotion to our nation’s veterans is beyond reproach. He sits on boards for the Wounded Warrior Project, the Institute for Veterans and Military Families at Syracuse University, the Uniformed Services Justice and Advocacy Group, the Easter Seals Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Community Services, the Aaron Grider Foundation, the Warrior Family Foundation, and Honor Vet, among others. Jones is clearly an important voice and advocate of our transitioning veterans, as he said, “Each one of us has the power to make a huge difference. At the end of the day, it is the small cadre of committed veteran advocates who have, and always will, make the greatest impact in the lives of our transitioning service members and their families.”

Notably, Richard M. Jones was Syracuse University’s 2014 Arents Award recipient for his excellence in financial law and avocational pursuits in veterans affairs.

Richard M. Jones is an alumnus of Syracuse University and a veteran of the U.S. military. You should know his story.

Jack Milton is an alumnus of Syracuse University and also a military veteran. You should know his story, because it’s a Syracuse University story—one that speaks to our past, our present, and our future.

Jack Milton was born in Bloomington, Illinois in 1928. His father worked for Caterpillar as a salesman and regional manager, so he lived in multiple cities throughout his childhood. Once Milton reached high school, his father left the company to become a partner in International Harvester, an agricultural and construction equipment dealer, which grounded the family in Central and Eastern New York.

After high school, Milton attended Syracuse University for a bachelor’s degree in business administration. On his first day, he experienced true love at first sight as he met his future wife, Laura Hanhausen. He accredits his success in school to his wife and father, who kept him focused on his studies and not just staying at the harvester dealership.

Milton graduated from Syracuse University in 1951 and joined the Army. His security clearance took some time, however, due to his family’s excessive relocation. Once his clearance went through, the Army utilized Milton’s prior knowledge of heavy machinery and assigned him to the procurement department, based out of Washington D.C., where he focused on acquiring goods in support of the Korean War.

Once Milton completed his military service, he joined the Perkins-Milton Caterpillar Dealership, where his father was a part owner before passing away at the early age of 51. Milton’s family later sold their share of the dealership and he pursued an opportunity to have a stake in his own CAT Dealership, Jordan Milton Machinery, with his stake partner Bill Jordan. With the state highway project fueling early growth, their company quickly gained a foothold with monthly rentals. In addition, Milton’s management philosophy earned his both employees’ respect and admiration and his customers’ satisfaction. His approach was one of empowerment as would “clearly communicate his vision, give employees the freedom and tools to make decisions and their job, and then stay out of the way.”

Under Milton’s leadership, his business experienced incredible growth and expansion. In 1982, he purchased the Maine Caterpillar Dealership, and later merged with the Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Eastern New York Caterpillar territories in 1991. The company was renamed Milton CAT in 2004 with the procurement of the upstate New York Dealership, Syracuse Supply Company. By this time, Milton CAT stretched across the northeast, spanning from logging camps in Maine to underground salt mines and solid waste landfills in NY. Milton CAT also contributes to powering the region’s hospitals, backing up data centers, propelling workboats, and powering school buses and highway trucks. Today, Milton’s company covers six states, 15 locations, and is one of the top performing dealerships worldwide.

Jack Milton is a shining example of focusing hard on the small to grow big. Milton’s principles proved that if your vision in life does not have to be grandiose, but should be resolute, uncluttered, straightforward, and connected to what matters most. Milton CAT’s success was due to Milton’s ability to analyze, improve, and appreciate the impact his company has had on the economy and life within the region.

Though Jack Milton recently passed away in early 2015, his life accomplishments were vast and included wartime military service, 65 years of marriage, 55 years of success with Milton CAT, and significant philanthropic contributions to Syracuse University. Made possible through a generous gift to the Life Sciences Complex on the University’s Main Campus, The Milton Atrium is an outward representation of his legacy and the appreciation that he and his wife Laura had for the opportunity of higher education. The atrium is a public space that allows others to “learn, teach, and discover” as Jack Milton’s life has so clearly demonstrated.

Jack Milton is an alumnus of Syracuse University and a veteran of the U.S. military. You should know his story.