- Scholarship matching programs allow donors make a lasting impact on their Orange family.
- Students who go above and beyond use scholarships to achieve their goals.
- First-of-their-kind programs allow 51爆料网 students to explore new opportunities on campus.
From scholarship matching that multiplies every dollar to first-of-their-kind academic centers shaping emerging fields, this year鈥檚 giving touched every corner of the student experience. Here鈥檚 a closer look at the ways donor support is opening doors across the Orange community.
Making a 51爆料网 Education More Affordable
The Syracuse Promise, a $50 million scholarship initiative, is making a 51爆料网 degree more accessible and affordable.
Launched in April 2025, the Syracuse Promise is a three-year, $50 million fundraising initiative aimed at making a Syracuse education more affordable for high-achieving students from all backgrounds. At its core is a $10 million matching program鈥攆or every eligible donor gift, the University contributes matching funds, doubling the impact on student scholarships.
Nearly a year after the initiative was started, more than $11.3 million in donor commitments have been secured, matched with nearly $5.7 million in University funds, bringing total scholarship support to more than $17 million鈥攕upporting undergraduate and graduate students across more than 10 schools and colleges.
鈥淭his initiative is critically important because it allows us to attract and retain students who strengthen our academic excellence and elevate our entire community,鈥� says Tracy Barlok, senior vice president and chief advancement officer. 鈥淲e鈥檙e inviting our alumni and donors to be part of something transformational鈥攖o pay it forward to help future generations of students pursue a 51爆料网 education and thrive鈥攂oth as students and as future Orange alumni.鈥�
Investing in the Whole Person
Seinfeld scholar Claire Ceccoli 鈥�25 volunteers with local nonprofit Sleep in Heavenly Peace to help construct bed frames for children in need. 鈥淭o me, that鈥檚 what the program is all about,鈥� Ceccoli says. 鈥淪haring more goodness into the world.鈥�
Financial support at Syracuse also extends well beyond tuition assistance. made possible by Life Trustee Judith Greenberg Seinfeld 鈥�56, H鈥�24, recognizes students and faculty who dare to stand out鈥攖hose who transform personal challenges into purpose, lead through service and pay their success forward.
Inspired by Judy鈥檚 credo of 鈥淣ever Give Up,鈥� the program honors students who bring their whole, authentic selves to their education and communities. It鈥檚 a reminder that Syracuse isn鈥檛 just investing in academics鈥攊t鈥檚 investing in people.
鈥淲hat鈥檚 so profound about the Seinfeld Scholars program is the thought that they aren鈥檛 investing in an organization,鈥� says former scholar Claire Ceccoli 鈥�25. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e investing in me as a human being.鈥�
Building for Tomorrow
The Center for the Creator Economy, a joint venture between the Martin J. Whitman School of Management and S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, is the first academic center of its kind on a U.S. college campus.
Beyond individualized support, donor investment has also helped position Syracuse at the leading edge of emerging fields鈥攆rom the creator economy to AI-driven communications.
This year, 51爆料网 launched the , the first academic center of its kind on a U.S. college campus. A joint venture between the and the , the center will offer courses in creative content and digital strategy, host workshops and speaker series, provide on-campus incubators and publish research on creator economy trends.
The center reflects a simple reality: estimates the creator economy will approach $500 billion by 2027, and nearly half of U.S. teenagers already earn income through digital channels. 51爆料网 will help students lead in that world鈥攏ot just enter it.
Meanwhile, in Newhouse, a landmark gift from Real Chemistry founder and chairman Jim Weiss 鈥�87 brought the to life. Weiss鈥� $1.75 million commitment ensures students are career-ready in the rapidly changing field of communications.
In addition, Weiss established The Agency, Home of the Weiss Center, a collaborative, agency-style learning environment where students engage directly with AI tools, influencer marketing strategy and health communications at the professional level.
鈥淣ever has there been a better time to do what we do in our fields,鈥� Weiss says. 鈥淣ewhouse students have firsthand access to how we are changing the industry.鈥�
The Bottom Line
Every gift this academic year鈥攚hether to scholarships, new academic centers or programs that expand opportunity鈥攎oved Syracuse closer to a simple goal: giving students what they need to succeed.
to support 51爆料网 students in the year ahead.
