Kenneth A. Shaw, Chancellor

Sandi Tams Mulconry ’75, Associate Vice President for University Communications; Publisher

Jeffrey Charboneau G’99, Executive Director of Creative Services;
Executive Editor

EDITOR
Jay Cox

ART DIRECTOR
Laurie Cronin ’81

ASSOCIATE EDITORS
Margaret Costello, Amy Speach Shires

ASSISTANT EDITORS
Kate Gaetano, David Marc

DESIGNER
Amy McVey

WEB PAGE DESIGNER
W. Michael McGrath

PRODUCTION COORDINATOR
Jennifer Merante

CLASS NOTES COORDINATOR
Velita Chapple

STUDENT INTERNS
Rachel Boll G’04, Tanya Fletcher G’04,
Sarah Khan G’04, Andrea Taylor G’04,
Samantha Whitehorne G’04

CONTRIBUTORS
Donna Arzt, Edward Byrnes, Kristiana Glavin ’04, Gerald Grant, Amy Mehringer, Kevin Morrow, Lauren Morth ’04, Sara Mortimer, Linda Ober ’05, Keith O’Brien ’01, Kelly Homan Rodoski ’92, John White, Christine Yackel G’75, Wanfeng Zhou G’04

Syracuse University Magazine (USPS 009-049, ISSN 1065-884X) Volume 21, Number 1, is an official bulletin of Syracuse University and is published four times yearly: spring, summer, fall, and winter by Syracuse University, Syracuse NY 13244. It is distributed free of charge to alumni, friends, faculty, and staff. Periodical postage paid at Syracuse, NY, and additional mailing offices.

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Contents © 2004 Syracuse University, except where noted. Opinions expressed in Syracuse University Magazine are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the opinions of its editors or policies of Syracuse University.

Postmaster: Send address corrections to 820 Comstock Avenue, Room 009, Syracuse NY 13244-5040.

• UNIVERSITY MISSION •

To promote learning through teaching, research, scholarship, creative accomplishment, and service.

• UNIVERSITY VISION •

To be the leading student-centered research university with faculty, students, and staff sharing responsibility and working together for academic, professional, and personal growth.

OpeningRemarks

Worldly Expectation

Even in the most brutal and unrelenting of winters, I often find myself optimistic about life in Central New York. This past winter—if we’ve even escaped it yet—surely broke a few spirits as winters do every year, but there’s always a refreshing aspect to surviving the season. Sub-zero temperatures make the 20s feel like a heat wave. When the lake-effect machine dumps three feet of snow in one local community, I feel as if I’ve won the lottery when I step outside and see only a dusting on my car. And when all other reasoning fails, there is always the prospect of spring.

I’m sure many of you have endured worse winters in less hospitable places, while others haven’t seen the likes of a Syracuse winter since they left the Hill years ago. But, like any of the thousands of alumni who’ve called Central New York home for part of their lives, you also know that this area has the charm of four seasons. As a native Central New Yorker, I’ve always been captivated by the rolling green hills; the shimmering lakes, rivers, and streams; the vivid colors bursting from blooming trees and flowers; and crisp air and autumn leaves. Even the slow muggy days of summer and the dreary gray days of winter hold their own gifts.

Beyond the shifting seasons and weather, Central New York has a vigorous personality that’s hard to ignore. It has a rich history that’s full of characters and innovative contributions to society. There’s a pleasant mix of urban, suburban, and rural environments. There are plenty of educational, recreational, and cultural activities, and few of us ever spend half the day stuck in our cars on a treacherous commute. As Chancellor Kenneth A. Shaw, who’s completing a 13-year tenure leading the University, told associate editor Amy Speach Shires during an interview, “There’s something very appealing about Syracuse that reminds me of the Midwest. The people are friendly, they work hard, love their families, and love the institutions they work for.” This comment reminded me of a conversation I had with the Chancellor several years ago about Central New York and how much he liked it here. “It’s a beautiful area,” he said.

Now, in reflecting on the hard work and guidance the Chancellor and Mary Ann Shaw have given this University and the community, we should celebrate the fact that they consider Syracuse their home. It’s nice to know they enjoy it here and plan to continue contributing to SU and Central New York. For they have served as role models, showing us the possibilities of what can be accomplished when we work together toward common goals. Their commitment to SU and the community should be applauded; it’s a sure bet that, even in “retirement,” they will remain active forces.

Winter will always influence life here, sharing its lessons of unpredictability and persistence. It teaches us to take one day at a time, stay positive, and remember that spring lies ahead. Likewise, the Shaws have taught us that, with the right mindset, SU and Central New York can weather just about anything and, like spring, eternally emerge with a robust sense of purpose.

—Jay Cox
Editor