Syracuse University honors veterans with a day of celebratory events

On Wednesday morning, Syracuse University recognized the service and sacrifices of military veterans during its twelfth annual Veterans Day Celebration. Chancellor and President J. Michael Haynie, whose work in veterans affairs has helped shape Syracuse’s commitment to serving military-connected students and families, delivered the keynote address. The event brought together university leaders, student veterans and community members to recognize those who have served in the Armed Forces.

The ceremony, held at the National Veterans Resource Center, featured remarks from university leaders, student veterans and Haynie. The ceremony also included a performance by the Hendrick’s Chapel Choir, as well as a reflection on the history of Veterans Day and recognition of the university’s longstanding connection to its military community.

Chancellor Haynie was recognized as the keynote speaker for his contributions to veteran affairs. The chancellor founded the D’Aniello Institute, served as its executive director, and was the visionary behind the National Veterans Resource Center and the Daniel and Gayle D’Aniello Building on campus. He remains committed to providing the best opportunities for the military community.

“Syracuse will remain the best place for military veterans,” Haynie said.

Dwayne Murray, deputy director of the Office of Veteran and Military Affairs and a retired Army lieutenant colonel, opened his remarks by thanking the gathered service members.

“We’re here today for one simple reason: to say thank you,” Murray said.

The ceremony began with the national anthem, performed by Francis J. Caravita, an SU Army ROTC cadet, followed by an invocation from Rev. Corey S. MacPherson, dean of Hendricks Chapel.

Honoring the history behind the celebration, Jackson Capenos, president of the Veterans Affinity Group and a Marine Corps Veteran, spoke about how Veterans Day originated. Varun Gollapudi, an Army Reserve member and president of the Student Veteran Organization, followed, reflecting on the university’s long history with veterans and his own experience with both.

Gollapudi said the military provided him with the guidance that ultimately led him to higher education. 

“The military gave me what I couldn’t find on my own: a sense of purpose,” Gollapudi said.

He emphasized the importance of coming to a university that understands and supports the experiences of military-connected students.   

“I knew I was coming to an institution that understood the culture of service,” Gollapudi said.

Through the Office of Veterans and Military Affairs and the D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families, the university provides resources and programming designed to support veterans, service members and their families.

The D’Aniello Institute officially launched in 2011 as an advocate for the nation’s veterans and military families, working to create opportunities in careers and community impact. Founded in 2015, the Office of Veterans and Military Affairs was established to serve as Syracuse’s sole point of entry for all veteran- and military-related initiatives.

Ray Toenniessen, executive director of the D’Aniello Institute, said veterans entering higher education often seek many of the same things as other students, such as a welcoming campus culture and opportunities to connect with their peers. But he said military-connected students often have additional concerns. 

“Many of them [veterans] come in with credits from the time they were on active duty,” Toenniessen said. “They want to know those credits are going to come in, that they can transfer, that they can complete their degree in four years or however long they have left. And they’re looking for other veterans on campus to connect with.”

He said a strong veteran resource center, a student veteran organization and faculty and staff who understand the military-connected population are essential.

While Veterans Day provides an opportunity to recognize veterans nationally, Toeniessen said the university’s support of the military community extends well beyond a single day.

“For us, we like to say Veterans Day is every day, not just one day in November,” he said. “We have programming going all year round.”

 The D’Aniello Institute runs programs serving between 10,000 and 20,000 service members and their families. Upcoming programming includes an entrepreneurship initiative in New York City supporting veteran business owners, along with events planned across the county in the new year.

Following Gollapudi and the Hendrick’s Chapel Choir, Executive Director of the Office of Veteran and Military Affairs and retired Colonel in the U.S. Army, Ron Novack took the stage, introducing Chancellor Haynie as the keynote speaker.

Novack noted Haynie’s personal connection to the veteran community as an Air Force Veteran who has worked to provide opportunities for people leaving military service.

“No one in this nation has done more to change what it means for a veteran to come home than J. Michael Haynie,” Novack said.

The ceremony ended with the Armed Forces Anthems, performed by the 198th Army Band, and a benediction by MacPherson. It was followed by a catered lunch reception for all guests.

With runners saluting the flag and high-fiving Otto at the starting line, people gathered alongside to cheer at the 11th annual Veteran’s Day Fun Run and Walk on Wednesday morning — a celebration of veterans on and beyond SU’s campus. More than 100 students, faculty members and ROTC members lined up outside Hendricks Chapel at 6:30 a.m. to participate.

The race consisted of three laps (3.1 miles) around a designated campus route for runners and one lap (1 mile) for walkers. Runners carrying American and Syracuse University flags led the way.

ROTC cadets organized the event, handing out shirts, directing traffic and pointing out the path for participants. Army cadet Jiya Gumaste said they enjoyed helping participants get ready for the early morning run.

“I love seeing people just come out to support veterans. Seeing that people really care and show up for the veterans is awesome to see,” Gumaste said. 

Chancellor Michael Haynie, an Air Force veteran, cheered on participants at this year’s 5K, prior to delivering the keynote speech at the Office of Veteran and Military Affairs Veteran’s Day ceremony. Haynie has been in attendance at the annual run since its first year and noted that participation has grown with each one. 

“The first one we did was maybe 30 or 40 people, and it gets bigger every year, and it really has become more than a university celebration of veterans, but a community celebration event,” Haynie said.

Photo by Sophia Braun

A runner carries an American flag during the Veterans Day 5K Fun Run on Wednesday.

Runners affiliated with SU’s ROTC program, like Gumaste, said this run is a time to show not only gratitude to veterans, but also a challenge to get into the mind and body of those who served. 

“It’s really important that we note that members of our community served, and they put their lives on the line for this country,” Gumaste said. “I’m excited to go into that service.”

Other participants, like first-time runner and Dean of Students Sheriah Dixon, were present to honor veterans beyond the Syracuse community.    

“My grandfather is a veteran. He served in the Vietnam War. He’s still living, but doesn’t live in Syracuse anymore,” Dixon said. “This is a way to salute him, and getting out here and supporting our veterans and those who served is important to me.”

Past the finish line, just beside Hendricks Chapel’s stairs, music, cheers and refreshments greeted runners and walkers. They gathered in flag-emblazoned T-shirts for a group photo as the sun rose over the quad.

The participants included both active-duty and former service members, and Haynie said the event’s theme reflects the choice each of them made to take on something difficult.

“The military in the United States today is one composed of all volunteers,” Haynie said. “That small minority of volunteers serves the cause of this country’s defense on behalf of everyone.”