Massive tents on the quad, painters in the main entrance of Hendrick’s Chapel and a walk-through balloon bouquet were all indications Thursday that something of significance will be happening soon at Syracuse University. A full day of events will coincide Friday with the inauguration of a new chancellor. As part of the celebrations, Kent Syverud wanted to involve students by encouraging them to submit ideas for projects they would like to launch to improve the campus and local community. Allie Curtis is one of the contestants.
“We’ll be training our emerging leaders here on campus, especially from the underclass in the fall and then taking those leaders, turning them around after they’ve had their own leadership training… and having a leadership training program for local girls who are in middle and high schools.”
As SU student Adrianna Kam points out, it’s important that young girls develop their inner strength.
“Before we even have those talks about career, we need to have the talks about confidence and going forth with what you want to do, not necessarily what someone’s told you to do or what you think is correct. But, you genuinely think this is who I am and this is what I want to do without discrimination, truly believing in yourself.”
Nearly 70 proposals were submitted, and I-School Spokesperson J-D Ross said other groups also want to improve lives of those less fortunate.
"And so this is everything from using your excess meal card swipes at the end of the week to donate a meal to a homeless person in Syracuse. Or, looking at different ways to combat homelessness in the city through building little houses or building little structures for the homeless in vacant lots."
Finalists will have a chance to win up to $1,500 and present their best pitch to Chancellor Syverud and Trustees Friday at 2:00 PM in the Hergenhan Auditorium at Newhouse III. The Chancellor’s inauguration will be held at Hendrick’s Chapel. Former U-S Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor will likely attend.
