Outgoing Syracuse University Chancellor Kent Syverud is beginning aggressive treatment for his brain cancer in Michigan this week.
In an email to the SU community Wednesday, he said he’s disappointed because he envisioned spending his final weeks leading up to commencement personally thanking the hundreds for their roles building the University to what it’s become during his 12-year tenure.
Syverud expressed his sincere gratitude for the “overwhelming wave of support, love and care” he’s received from Central New Yorkers since his diagnosis. He said the kind thoughts and prayers have given him comfort and strength during the hard moments.
Syverud was slated to become President of the University of Michigan. Instead, when able, he'll serve as a tenured faculty member earning his $2 million presidential salary, reported the Detroit News.
His letter to the SU community is below:
Dear Syracuse University Community:
It has been a week since I shared news of my diagnosis, and I wanted to update you on how I am doing.
One of the most remarkable things about this past week has been the overwhelming wave of support, love, and care I have received from every corner of Syracuse and the Central New York community. Your prayers, your kind thoughts, and your expressions of concern have given me comfort, strength, and inspiration in ways that have profoundly affected my care—especially in the hard moments. I have heard from and felt the presence of everyone, from the Otto team to the marching band, from my brothers at Delta Kappa Epsilon to students, faculty, staff, and trustees from across the University. Your words and deeds have meant more than you know. I am so grateful. Thank you.
As I shared last week, I have been receiving extraordinary care at the University of Michigan from an exceptional team of medical professionals, surrounded by family and friends in Ann Arbor. This week I will begin aggressive treatment that requires me to remain in Michigan. This saddens me, because I had envisioned spending these final weeks before Commencement thanking hundreds of you individually for your acts of brilliance, kindness, and judgment in building the extraordinary community that Syracuse University has become over these past 12 years. Those conversations may not be possible now, and that weighs on me. Please know that if I could be there, I would take each of you aside and tell you why what you did for Syracuse matters so much to so many, and to me, personally.
I am very fortunate that the Board of Trustees, led by Chairman Jeff Scruggs, has transitioned leadership of the University to now Acting Chancellor Mike Haynie. Mike is fully ready to lead. He understands what the essence of Syracuse University truly is and why it is special. I know better than anyone how daunting it is to be responsible for the whole of Syracuse University. That is why I ask that you give him your full support. Syracuse University is in the right hands.
In recent weeks, there have been two moments of extraordinary grace that have stayed with me through this time. The first was last week when the College of Law unveiled a new portrait of our alumnus President Joseph Biden. I marvel at the artistry and am so deeply proud of the University that produced President Biden. The second was the dedication of the Harrold Organ at the new Catholic Center chapel last month. It captures a university that can bring together great architecture, performing arts, scholarly pursuits, and faith in a way that is uniquely Syracuse. I am grateful to Hendricks Chapel and all our chaplaincies for their leadership.
I hope you take time to watch these two videos and feel, as I did, the full promise of what a great university can be: a place that holds the arts and humanities alongside the professions and the STEM fields and brings new discoveries to bear in service of all. In the coming months, I will be at one of those great universities, and I will be fighting my battle with everything I have. Based on the outpouring of love I have received, I know I have an Orange army with me always. Please finish strong and have a wonderful Commencement season. God bless you all, and Go Orange!
Kent Syverud
12th Chancellor and President
Syracuse University
