News

Stories of Service: Amanda Sullivan ’21 and Ken Marfilius ’11

In celebration of Veterans Week 2019, the University is recognizing stories of student veterans and faculty/staff who are veterans or have especially strong connections to the military. These stories are just some of the many from the veteran and military-connected community on campus whom the University is dedicated to supporting. From welcoming veterans to campus as far back as World War I, and having the longest consecutively running ROTC program in the country, the University is committed to being the “best place for veterans.”

Today, read the stories of Whitman School student Amanda Sullivan ’21 and Ken Marfilius ’11, visiting teaching professor in the Falk College’s School of Social Work.

Continue Reading

Inside Higher Ed calls Syracuse University ‘A Shining Exception’

Syracuse University had the privilege of welcoming Wick Sloane to our campus to meet and discuss Syracuse University’s initiative to support veterans. Sloane spent two days on campus interviewing many including Chancellor Kent Syverud, Vice-Chancellor and IVMF Executive Director Michael Haynie, and OVMA Executive Director Ron Novack. 

Hometown Hero: Amanda Sullivan

United States Army Veteran Amanda Sullivan was born and raised in the Chicago suburb of Aurora, IL. In 2014, she enlisted in the Army and attended basic training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina and received military occupation training as a supply specialist at Fort Lee, Virginia.

Kwang G. Tan G’73 Donates $5 Million in Support of National Veteran Resource Center

When Kwang G. Tan G’73, Ph.D. learned about the National Veterans Resource Center at the Daniel and Gayle D’Aniello Building (NVRC), he knew he wanted to support this new innovative center of research and hub of veteran life on campus. Tan is providing a $5 million gift toward this first-of-its-kind facility dedicated to academic research, programming and thought leadership that will address the social, economic and wellness concerns of the nation’s veterans and families.

Hometown Hero: Kent Redmond

U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Kent Redmond hails from Minneapolis, Minnesota and enlisted in the United States Army in 2007 as a broadcast journalist. In 2008, he married his wonderful wife, Tara.

Hometown Hero: George Canino


U.S. Army veteran and Syracuse University Army ROTC Cadet George Canino was born in Madrid, Spain while his father was serving in the United States Air Force. After George’s father retired from the Air Force, his family remained in Spain where George attended Schiller International University and received an associate degree. After living in Spain for 21 years, George moved to the United States and enlisted in the U.S. Army. He was stationed with the 3rd Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment in the 3rd Infantry Division at Fort Stewart, Georgia. His unit deployed to East Africa to assume the Quick Reactionary Force mission covering nine countries in the region.

In 2017, George was assigned to the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum, New York. There, he applied for and was accepted into the Army’s “Green to Gold” Program and chose to attend Syracuse University. Today, George is a senior at Syracuse University and he will earn his commission as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army this spring.

In April 2019, Canino was featured as our Military-Connected Student of the Month. Read his full story here.

Theater of War: A Powerful and Innovative Health Project

On Oct. 17, members of the Syracuse-area professional community gathered on Syracuse University’s South Campus for a full day of veteran cultural competency training followed by “Theater of War,” an innovative public health project designed to encourage thought and discussion around the impact of war and its challenges faced by military service members, veterans, their caregivers and their families.

Hometown Hero: Greg Baird

United States Air Force Senior Master Sergeant Greg Baird hails from Baldwinsville, New York, and he enlisted in the Air Force in December 1987. He married his wife, Deanna, in 1992 and they have two children: son Sean, and daughter Lauren.