Syracuse University has developed a strong relationship with veterans and their families since the 1940s. Pushing millions of dollars into improving veteran resources, SU has become one of the highest-ranked private university for veterans, according to Military Times.

During World War II, roughly 4,000 students were enrolled at SU. By the end of the war, then-Chancellor William Pearson Tolley declared a “uniform admissions policy” that brought in almost 9,500 veterans. Since then, dozens of programs and projects have been launched across campus in more than five different schools, including the Martin J. Whitman School of Management and the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications.

Emma Comtois | Senior staff designer

In Chancellor Kent Syverud’s 2014 inaugural address, he said service members, veterans and their families were a university priority. He incorporated these groups into his Academic Strategic Plan and the Campus Framework initiative.

Each year, Hendricks Chapel hosts a Veteran’s Day ceremony that brings in hundreds of people, including veterans and their family members.

Though veterans are a relatively small on-campus population, veterans have remained at the forefront of the university’s radar. SU has maintained a 70-year long commitment to veterans and has invested more than $60 million into veteran-related facilities since the end of WWII.

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

The Institute for Veterans and Military Families launched in 2011, with JP Morgan Chase & Co. as a founding partner. The IVMF was created to provide programs and services for military veterans and their families. The IVMF is “higher education’s first interdisciplinary academic institute, singularly focused on advancing the lives of the nation’s military veterans and their families,” according to its website.

In the 2017 alone, more than 23,000 transitioning service members, veterans and military family members participated in IVMF programs, per the IVMF website.

Founded by Mike Haynie, SU’s vice chancellor for strategic initiatives and innovation, the institute offers more than a dozen programs in career preparation, entrepreneurship and community education, including an entrepreneurship bootcamp for veterans with disabilities and a veterans career transition program.

The IVMF is a soft money institution, which means it is solely funded by donations. JP Morgan has given tens of millions of dollars to the institute. The company was crucial to the IVMF’s creation, not only in its $7 million founding gift and its additional $13 million donation, but also in leveraging respect from other companies. High-ranking company executives for JP Morgan also serve on the veteran-related center’s advisory board.

Other IVMF advisory board members include SU alumnus Brian Iglesias, head of sports for Verizon Entertainment; Frank Bisignano, chief executive officer of First Data Corporation; and Bruce Mosler, chairman of global brokerage for Cushman & Wakefield Inc.

The IVMF has attempted to expand as a research institution in recent months, including by dedicating additional resources to policy research. Its policy research efforts have received more than $49 million in the past three budget years, according to a report from SU’s Office of Personnel Management.

National Veterans Resource Complex

Courtesy of Syracuse University

The National Veterans Resource Complex, a $62.5 million, 115 thousand-square foot center near Waverly and South Crouse Avenues, was designed to house all military- and veteran-connected programs at SU under one roof. Set for completion in spring 2020, university officials estimate the NVRC will generate more than 300 jobs and $300 million in regional economic activity.

All funds for the complex are being privately donated by individuals and corporations. Daniel D’Aniello, co-chairman of the external advisory board of the IVMF, gave $20 million to the NVRC in one of the largest single donations in the university’s history.

Talia Trackim | Senior Design Editor

Though NVRC funding took longer than originally anticipated, construction began in January 2018. A New York state grant of $12.5 million came from Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Upstate Revitalization Initiative.

Local business leaders say they believe the development of the multi-million dollar complex will bring in more foot traffic, but they also fear the complex will make parking more difficult on Marshall Street and South Crouse Avenue.

Student Veterans Organization

The Student Veterans Organization is a group designed to provide resources and camaraderie for the more than 1,000 military-connected students on campus, according to former SVO president Kierston Whaley.

The SVO lounge, currently housed in the University College building, provides a space where veterans can work or relax. The lounge will be housed in the NVRC when the building is completed.

SVO has annual events such as a chili cook-off, a formal ball and a play based on SU veterans’ stories, which bring together about 100 veterans on campus.

Published on July 10, 2016 at 1:28 pm

Contact Catherine: ccleffer@syr.edu | @ccleffert