graduation

Staying connected
By Alyssa McKinley
May 13, 2012 - 11:26pm
Students at the 158th annual commencement ceremony in the Carrier Dome on May 13 utilized social media outlets such as Twitter and YouTube to document the ceremony that honored more than 5,000 graduates.

An air of anticipation was felt as students, families and faculty entered the Carrier Dome for the annual spring commencement. This year, the university awarded diplomas to 5,056 Syracuse University students, as well as 637 students from the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry.

Chancellor Nancy Cantor was greeted with abundant applause to preface her address to the graduating students. However, the highlight of the ceremony was undoubtedly the speech delivered by honored commencement speaker, Aaron Sorkin.

SU alum Aaron Sorkin named 2012 commencement speaker
By Angela Hu
March 8, 2012 - 12:15pm
Award-winning screenwriter for 'The Social Network' will talk to graduates May 13.

Syracuse University announced today SU alum Aaron Sorkin, well-known in the entertainment industry as a powerhouse screenwriter, filmmaker and playwright, will be the commencement speaker for the class of 2012.

Sorkin, who graduated from SU in 1983, has held a sustaining relationship with the university since the College of Visual and Performing Arts established the Sorkin in Los Angeles Learning Practicum in 2006.

Networking at the SU and SUNY-ESF commencement
By NewsHouse Staff
May 15, 2011 - 1:33am
The annual spring exercise honors nearly 5,500 SU graduates, many of whom stayed connected with Facebook, Twitter and their social networks throughout the ceremony.

As has been a tradition for more than a century, the school year on The Hill concluded Sunday with a graduation ceremony.

This year, 5,459 degrees were awarded to Syracuse University students while the joint commencement with SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry students honored 475 of its students as well.

SU's commencement speaker selection explained
By Alexandra Spychalsky
May 12, 2011 - 12:13pm
With uncertainty among some as to why science pioneer J. Craig Venter will be delivering this year's commencement speech to graduates, a school official breaks down the student-driven process.

Just how is a commencement speaker selected?

That question surfaces almost annually around the time when a notable national or world figure is announced as the person who will deliver the address to thousands of Syracuse University graduates, their family and friends.

For the past 16 years, Susan Germain has been an integral part of the commencement arrangements. As executive director of the Office of Special Events, Germain works with marshals, scholars and the guest with the biggest spotlight -- the commencement speaker.

At Commencement, students cut Dimon slack
By Paul Brockwell
May 16, 2010 - 4:46pm
Protesters don’t come to bear; accountability was the major theme of JPMorgan Chase CEO's address.

Jamie Dimon doesn’t mind being held accountable. In fact, he wants to be. For Dimon, the CEO of JP Morgan Chase & Co., it’s a crucial element of achieving success.

“It is completely appropriate to hold me accountable for those things I am responsible for,” Dimon, CEO of JP Morgan Chase & Co., told students in his commencement address. “We all should be held accountable.

Senior Celebration glows up
By Evan B. Brown
May 14, 2010 - 3:24pm
More than 2,000 light up one of their last SU nights at a new location for the annual year-end party.

Instead of going out with a bang, Syracuse University seniors were glowing at the 2010 Senior Celebration

Heavy rain and lighting did not stop more than 2,000 seniors from enjoying one of their last night as college students at a party themed, "Glowing the Night Away."  In addition to free food and drink at Manley Field House, seniors played glow-in-the-dark mini golf, got airbrush tattoos and got to hang with Otto the Orange one last time.

Unconventional postgraduate plans
By Darren Benda
May 12, 2010 - 5:46pm
After graduation, Syracuse University seniors will move across the United States and around the world in order to pursue their dreams.

The date has been circled on many seniors’ calendars. For the graduating class of 2010, May 16 marked the end of their academic career at Syracuse University.

For most, four years have come and gone quickly. Now, it all comes down to graduation, when a new beginning occurs. Whether it takes place in new cities, new states or new countries — geographic changes are in store.

Commencement controversy
By Matthew Ehalt
April 15, 2010 - 8:23pm
Student protests against JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon gain attention from university administration, national media outlets.

The debate over Chancellor Nancy Cantor’s choice for Syracuse University’s 2010 commencement speaker continues to rage on.

After JPMorgan Chase & Co. Chairman and CEO Jamie Dimon was announced as this year's commencement speaker, a group of students protested the decision and don’t seem ready to cease action any time soon.