In summer 2021, the University’s Office of Veteran and Military Affairs (OVMA) announced the launch of OVMA Connect, a mentoring platform powered by PeopleGrove that builds professional networks by connecting student veterans and alumni with career mentors in support of their career journey.
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Hometown Hero: Melvin Stith, U.S. ARMY Veteran and Dean Emeritus of Whitman
Melvin Stith was born in Portsmouth, Virginia to Florence Stith and Millard Stith. In 1964, Mel graduated from Central High School in Jarratt, Virginia, a rural farming community between Emporia and Petersburg. Mel went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in sociology at Norfolk State in 1968. After graduating from college, he was commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Army’s Military Intelligence Corps and was deployed to the Republic of Vietnam.
Syracuse Welcomes New Head of the Army ROTC Program, LTC Matthew Coyne
With more than 100 Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) cadets under his charge, LTC Matthew (Matt) Coyne has stepped into his new role as professor of military science at Syracuse University with gusto.
Hometown Hero: MSgt Alicia Gopee
United States Air Force, Master Sergeant, and Syracuse University Air Force ROTC Detachment 535 cadre member Alicia Gopee, hails from Brooklyn, New York. Master Sergeant Gopee enlisted into the United States Air Force on September 5, 2005, to become a Personnelist Journeyman, after residing in New York City and seeing firsthand, the direct impact of September 11th, 2001. She attended Basic Training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas, and Technical School at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi.
Hometown Hero: U.S. ARMY WWII Veteran and SU CoL Alumnus, Robert “Bob” Gang, Jr.
Robert “Bob” Gang, Jr. was born on June 6, 1918, in Syracuse, New York. He attended Christian Brothers Academy High School and entered Syracuse University in the fall of 1935. Bob joined the Syracuse University Army ROTC “Stalwart Battalion” program and was a member of the Pershing rifle team that practiced on a rifle range in the basement of Archbold Gymnasium. After graduation in 1939, Bob enrolled in the College of Law.
Hometown Hero: Lauren Pyland
United States Army veteran, Syracuse University Army ROTC and College of Arts and Sciences alum, and former university employee Lauren Pyland was born in Watertown, New York, and was raised in the north country town of Calcium, New York. Growing up near Fort Drum, New York, the daughter of two Army veterans, Lauren was well attuned to the unique needs of military service members and their families
Hometown Hero – Pei Ren
Syracuse University Army ROTC Cadet and U.S. Army veteran Pei Ren was born in New York City and grew up in Macon, Georgia. Cadet Ren enlisted in the U.S. Army in November 2015 and served on active duty from 2016 to 2019 as a 35N (November), Signal Intelligence Analyst.
Orange Pride Fuels Jordan Nuber’s ’19 Path From Syracuse to Japan
Jordan Nuber ’19 is stationed in Okinawa, Japan, more than 7,400 miles away from Syracuse University. Even though he’s more than half a world away from his alma mater, the impact Syracuse University had on Nuber is profound.
Hometown Hero – Anthony Ruscitto
United States Marine Corps Anthony Joseph Ruscitto was born in Syracuse, New York and graduated from Bishop Grimes high school in 2013. Tony enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 2013 at the age of 17 and would serve a total of five years on active duty. He completed Marine Corps Recruit Training and earned the title of United States Marine at Parris Island, South Carolina in February of 2014. He then completed Marine and Naval Aircrew flight training as a CH-53E Helicopter Crew Chief at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) New River, North Carolina in 2015.
SGM Justin Hood G’22 and 14 Other Fellows Graduate From IDDE Program at Fort Bliss
Mike Haynie, vice chancellor for strategic initiatives and innovation and executive director of the D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families, and retired U.S. Army Colonel Ron Novack, executive director of the Office of Veteran and Military Affairs, attended the annual graduation ceremony of 15 students in Fort Bliss, Texas.