In August, Syracuse University launched its new signature student orientation program, Syracuse Welcome 2003: A Slice of SU Life. The initiative gives students the chance to meet their new classmates before the beginning of the academic year, take care of organizational details, and get a taste of campus life and culture. “Syracuse Welcome celebrates our new students’ arrival to campus, helps them make an easy transition to the University, and unites us as a community that believes in scholarship and Orange pride,” says Mariana Lebron, director of the recently established Office of Orientation and Transitions Services in the Division of Student Affairs. “This program involves students, faculty, staff, administrators, and alumni working collaboratively to implement programs and initiatives that will challenge students’ thinking processes, facilitate their academic and social engagements, and help them know the resources and people available to assist them.”

Aside from the traditional activities, the new program spiced up orientation with such events as a “carnivale” and comedy show, a shopping trip for last-minute items, an assortment of recreational activities, a visit to the New York State Fair, and From Home to the Dome: Orangefest 2003, a picnic featuring activities and spirit events in the Carrier Dome.

Hoop Mania

For those of you who are still savoring the Orangemen’s NCAA basketball championship, here are a couple mementos to help you continue the celebration:

Orange Odyssey: The Championship Season—This documentary film, released by the University, includes highlights from the regular season and the Big East and NCAA tournaments, Final Four festivities and championship celebrations in Syracuse, and interviews with coaches and players. The film was produced by Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Roger Springfield and is narrated by sportscaster Marv Albert ’63. Available in DVD or VHS format, the documentary can be ordered online at www.suathletics.com for $19.95 (plus $5 for shipping and handling) or by calling 800-416-4800. For mail orders, send a check or money order for $24.95 payable to Syracuse Basketball Video, 100 Pine Avenue, Holmes PA 19043. A portion of the sales proceeds will be donated to the Coaches vs. Cancer Fund of the American Cancer Society.

Custom license plates—SU, in cooperation with the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), is offering “2003 National Champions” license plates for state-registered passenger and commercial class vehicles, as well as those that have the International Symbol of Access for any registrant with a disability. A standard “National Champions” plate costs $53, and a personalized one is $78 (both include a one-time $10 fee to benefit general and educational programs at SU). Both plates also carry annual renewal fees above DMV registration costs. To order the plates, or for more information, call the SU Custom License Plate Program, Office of Trademark Licensing, at 315-443-2838. Those who already have SU custom plates and want to convert to National Champions plates should call the DMV’s Custom Plates Unit at 800-364-PLATES.

News MAKERS
SU Trustee David Flaum ’75 was appointed by President George W. Bush to serve a five-year term on the United States Holocaust Memorial Council, which supports the U.S. Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C.

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President George W. Bush nominated Judge Sandra L. Townes G’76 to the U.S. District Court for New York State’s Eastern District. Townes, a member of the College of Law Board of Visitors, currently serves as a justice on the New York State Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Second Judicial Department, in Brooklyn.

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Professor Alejandro Garcia of the College of Human Services and Health Professions was named a Social Work Pioneer by the National Association of Social Workers.

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SU lacrosse player Michael Powell ’04 received the Jack Turnbull Award (attackman of the year) for the third consecutive season from the U.S. Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association.

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The Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association named Anna Goodale ’05 a first-team All-American and honored her as a 2003 Division I National Scholar-Athlete.

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African American studies professor Janis Mayes of the College of Arts and Sciences was named president of the African Literature Association, an international organization of scholars, teachers, literary critics, and writers of African and African diaspora literature.

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School of Architecture professor Francisco Sanin won first place in a design competition in Seoul, South Korea. He collaborated with Korean architect Joh Sung Yong to design a new temple complex to accompany the famous 8th-century Buddhist Haeinsa temple.

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Keith Cieplicki was named head coach of the SU women’s basketball team. Cieplicki, who coached the University of Vermont women’s team for the past six seasons, takes over for Marianna Freeman, who resigned last spring after guiding the Orangewomen for 10 seasons.