Syracuse University Names 6 Alumni Award Recipients

Honorees recognized for embodying 'Orange spirit' through achievements, leadership and service.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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Syracuse University's alumni association has named six recipients of this year's Alumni Awards, including Chancellor Kent Syverud and his wife Ruth Chen. The awardees were selected by the association's board of directors for their 'embodiment of the Orange spirit' through their accomplishments, leadership and service to the university.

Why it matters

The Alumni Awards are the highest honors SU bestows upon its graduates, recognizing those who have made significant contributions and upheld the university's values. The awards showcase the diverse achievements and impact of SU alumni across various fields.

The details

The six recipients will be honored at a ceremony at Hendricks Chapel on April 23. Syverud and Chen will receive the prestigious George Arents Award, the highest alumni honor. Other awards include the Generation Orange Award, Melvin A. Eggers Senior Alumni Award, Military/Veteran Alumni Award, and Volunteer of the Year.

  • The alumni association announced the award recipients on February 25, 2026.
  • The awards ceremony will take place on April 23, 2026.

The players

Kent Syverud

Chancellor of Syracuse University, who will be leaving the university in August to become President of the University of Michigan.

Ruth Chen

Professor in SU's College of Engineering and Computer Sciences, focusing on environmental toxicology.

Ronald J. Taylor

A 2015 SU graduate and executive director of the New York Collegiate Institute, recipient of the Generation Orange Award.

Diana Wege

An artist and activist who founded the nonprofit WOVEN to end violence, recipient of the Melvin A. Eggers Senior Alumni Award.

Daniel A. D'Aniello

SU life trustee, U.S. Navy veteran, and one of the university's 'most transformative benefactors,' recipient of the Military/Veteran Alumni Award.

Akima Rogers

Member of SU's Multicultural Advancement Advisory Council and director of academic initiatives at Montgomery College, recipient of the Volunteer of the Year award.

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What’s next

Registration for the Alumni Awards ceremony on April 23 is currently open.

The takeaway

The Syracuse University Alumni Awards recognize the diverse accomplishments and contributions of SU graduates, showcasing the university's impact and the 'Orange spirit' that unites its alumni community.