Here are four Syracuse news stories you could have missed over spring break.

TEDx speakers announced

Syracuse University student organizers announced eight speakers scheduled to present at the 2019 TEDx Syracuse University Conference. The annual event, which will be held on April 6, will take place in the Slocum Hall auditorium.

The speakers include:

• Jennifer Barrett, ’94, chief education officer of a financial wellness app
• Steven Grunwald, a senior environmental biology student at SUNY-ESF
• April Tam Smith, philanthropist and finance professional
• Param Srikantia, author and professor at the Baldwin Wallace University’s School of Business
• Brandon Steiner, ’81, CEO of Steiner Sports
• Renée Stevens, a motion and augmented reality designer and researcher, assistant professor and associate chair of the Visual Communications Department at SU
• Jay Veal, CEO of INC Tutoring
• Ryan Williams, an entrepreneur, personal trainer and serviceman.

This year’s speakers will address topics such as living with vitality, the potentials of augmented reality and self-awareness, among others, per an SU News release.

Staff members appointed to diversity committee

SU named three staff members to the University College Diversity Committee, which will work with the Syracuse University Inclusivity Leaders Assembly to help reach SU’s diversity and inclusion goals, according to a SU News release.

Margaret Thompson, an associate professor at the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, Marsha Senior, director of SU’s Higher Education Opportunity Program and Christina Huerta, an international student adviser at SU’s English Language Institute were appointed, according to the release.

The staff members were selected by their peers, University College Dean Michael Frasciello said in the release. University College Diversity Committee members will serve a one-year term, per the release.

Police members skip St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Several Syracuse police officers did not walk in Saturday’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade in order to publicly show their disapproval of new Police Chief Kenton Buckner, Syracuse.com reported.

Twenty-four active and retired officers walked during the parade. Normally, around 100 officers march for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, according to Syracuse.com.

Buckner, who was chosen to lead the Syracuse Police Department in December after a yearlong search by Mayor Ben Walsh, said after the parade that there were disagreements regarding overtime and officer discipline, Syracuse.com reported.

Police conduct underage drinking initiative

The New York state police checked 20 retail stores in Onondaga County townships Salina, Clay and Cicero, as well as the village of North Syracuse, for underage drinking, according to a press release. They also checked several locations in the city of Syracuse.

The state police conducted the initiative during the evening of March 15, according to the release. All stores were found to be compliant with state laws regarding underage drinking, per the release.

Police checked five Speedway and two Rite Aid locations, as well as a Wegmans, multiple liquor stores and various gas stations, per the release.

“The State Police would like to commend these businesses for their compliance during this initiative and is grateful for their support in helping to prevent underage drinking,” the release stated.

Published on March 17, 2019 at 7:20 pm

Contact Gabe: gkstern@syr.edu | @gabestern326