Messages for Chancellor Syverud

Dear Chancellor Kent and Dear Roth,

We were deeply saddened to hear of your diagnosis, and our hearts go out to you both. You are strong, and love will carry you through this journey. We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers every day, and we are always here for you.

Wishing you courage, comfort, and healing with each passing day.

With love and support,

Beverly & Jensen

I was a student when your tenure started and now, have the privilege to be back at the University working as a staff member for the past two and a half years. I've seen what you've done for the University from multiple perspectives and believe we are so much better positioned as a private university because if it. You gave us a fighting chance during many crises in ways I don't think the average person realizes. Thank you for your unwavering dedication and commitment to Syracuse. My family, my church community and I are praying for your healing, recovery, strength, courage, and peace during this time. Forever Orange.

Dear Chancellor Syverud,

Chancellor Haynie's message this week reminded me of something I already knew to be true: that this community is at its best when it is called to show up for one another. I felt compelled to write and let you know how much your leadership has meant to my family and myself.

Although we do not have a close personal relationship, I have always felt your presence and care in my work. During my time at the IVMF, it was clear that your investment in the university's mission extended to every corner of campus. I was especially proud the day you came to speak to our team and personally handed me my ten-year service certificate. It was a small gesture that carried real weight, and it spoke to exactly the kind of leader you have always been. You showed up, and you meant it.

There is a thread in my own family's story that runs directly through your tenure. In 2015, you signed my Syracuse University master's degree, an accomplishment I had long dreamed of and worked toward while building my career here. Ten years later, you signed my son's bachelor's degree, the product of four hard-fought years. In both moments, your signature on those documents meant more than a formality. It was a reminder that this university cares for its students, traditional and nontraditional alike, and that care has been the defining quality of your leadership. Those degrees set us both on a path of future success and service to the community.

You have made Syracuse more successful, more sound, and more itself. What has always struck me is the breadth of your attention, from the grounds to the students, from the budget to faculty. No detail was beneath your notice, and no decision was made without care. That is no small thing, and it does not go unnoticed. My continued service to this university is, in no small part, a reflection of the culture of excellence and commitment you built. That is your legacy, and it lives on in the people you inspired.

I have had the privilege of seeing you and Dr. Chen together at campus events over the years. What always struck me was how genuinely engaged you both were, ready to meet anyone, learn their story, and make them feel seen. The strength behind a great leader is often found in the person beside them, and Dr. Chen's warmth and presence have been a gift to this community as well.

My family holds you and Dr. Chen in our prayers and wishes you strength, courage, and the clearest possible path through this time. We are cheering for a full recovery.

With gratitude and warm regards,

Tina

Tina Kapral G’15, P’24

Executive Director, Corporate Philanthropy

Advancement and External Affairs

Dear Chancellor Syverud and Dr. Chen,

I know this is an incredibly difficult time, and I want you both to know that you are in my thoughts. Since 2021, it has been my genuine pleasure to work on the teams that directly support you, and I have truly enjoyed the time we have spent together over these years. Your leadership, warmth, and dedication to Syracuse University have left a lasting impression on me personally and professionally. Chancellor, your optimism and determination come as no surprise to those of us who have seen your commitment to this university up close. Please know the entire Syracuse University family is behind you both.

With heartfelt support,

Peter Pflanz

Associate IT Director, Syracuse University

I am so sorry to hear this and will be thinking of you and praying for you and your family .

Hope you get well soon !!!

Dear Chancellor,

I wanted to take a moment to extend my heartfelt well wishes to you. As both a full-time staff member and a temporary employee at the Dome, I’ve had the opportunity to experience your leadership from different perspectives. In every encounter, you have consistently shown nothing less than respect.

In my full-time role, I’ve always felt your kindness and professionalism, and in my temporary position, I’ve truly appreciated not only your kindness but also your genuine gratitude for the efforts of those working across campus in all capacities. It means a great deal to be seen and recognized.

Please know that my thoughts are with you, Dr. Chen and your family during this time. You will remain in my thoughts and prayers.

With sincere respect and well wishes,

JoAnn L Rhoades

Dear Chancellor Syverud and Dr. Chen,

My thoughts are with you both during this challenging time. Thank you for all you have done for Syracuse University and our community.

With Orange pride,

Lisa L. Ladew G'15

Sending positivity and strength to you and your family in the coming weeks. Remember when the wind does fill your sails as planned you adjust your sails and find the wind that will. You got this.....

Sending prayers and good karma to you! Hoping that you will completely recover and continue your good work.

Sylvia

Chancellor Syverud, thinking of you and your family during this difficult time and sending many healing thoughts and prayers your way. Thank you for all you have done for Syracuse University.

Chancellor Syverud, I have shared this with you before: I once heard a college president say there are three best bosses you'll ever have: 1) the boss who took a chance on you, 2) the boss who held you to a higher standard, and 3) the boss who taught you how to be a boss. You have been all three to me. I am deeply grateful for your guidance, generosity, and steady leadership throughout my time at SU. Serving alongside you has been one of the greatest honors of my career. You are so brilliant, kind, and funny. I have learned more from you than I can accurately express in words. You are also incredibly strong and resilient. I know you have the fighting spirit, and you are surrounded by so many people who love you and care about you. My family and I are among them. The support you and Dr. Chen have shown to my family and me is something we will always carry with us. We will be forever Orange because of you. We continue to pray for you and keep you close to our hearts.

I have not been with University for very long; however in the time that I have been here, the incredible impact that Chancellor Syverud has had has been incredibly apparent. I am in the ITS organization and Chancellor Syverud's full throated support for modernizing our technology while maintaining our focus on the student experience has been our north star. That is what its all about; making sure our students have a positive experience while at Syracuse University and ensuring their needs are met as they work through their educational experience. ITS has benefited from Chancellor Syverud's clear guidance, unwavering commitment to the institution, and his ability to cut through the noise and get to what matters: our students.

I am so grateful that my career path has brought me to Syracuse University and that I had the pleasure of serving this community in Chancellor Syverud's final year of service here. Our goal is to keep the legacy going and continue to serve our students as best as we possibly can. Our many thanks, thoughts, and prayers go out to the Chancellor and his family.

Go 'Cuse!

All our thoughts and positive vibes are coming to you! Your strength and courage are unwavering! Fight that good fight and your Orange family is here for you always!

The entire IVMF/O2O team is thinking about you. We couldn't do what we do for the military connected community without you. The impact that you have had on Syracuse University and for veterans is like no other. Please take the time to focus on yourself and get better. And never hesitate to ask for support and help. Praying for both you and your family.

I've been with the O2O/IVMF team since 2017 and my husband's cousin is about to begin at Syracuse University in August. Thank you for inspiring myself along with so many others.

Dear Chancellor Syverud and Dr. Chen,

I wanted to take a moment to reach out personally and let you know that my thoughts are with you both and your family as you navigate this challenge together.

Your announcement was delivered with the same grace, transparency, and quiet strength that have defined your leadership of this University for more than a decade. It was characteristically you, and it reminded all of us why we are so fortunate to have had you at the helm of Syracuse.

I am deeply grateful for everything you have done for this institution and for me personally. Your leadership has shaped the culture of this University in ways that will endure long beyond your chancellorship, and I carry that with me every day in the work I do.

Fight hard. We are all behind you.

With sincere gratitude and warmest regards,

Joe

Chancellor Syverud,

I am sorry to hear about your diagnosis; however, I am happy that you are approaching this with "optimism, with determination..." as your attitude during this will play a big role. I know this first hand as I was diagnosed with cancer last summer and continue to be in active treatment. A cancer diagnosis brings a rollercoaster of emotions and challenges but I truly feel with the right support system and attitude, you can come out with a new appreciation for everything around you.

Thank you for all your service to this university and I wish you strength, support and prayers for a full recovery.

Take care and God bless.

Kind regards,

Tina M. Orlando

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Tina M. Orlando ‘94

Graduate Academic Coordinator

Biology Department

(pronouns: she, her, hers)

T 315.443.3722

tiorland@syr.edu | thecollege.syr.edu/biology

107 College Place LSC 114, Syracuse, NY 13244

Syracuse University

Chancellor Syverud,

Wishing you all the best and strength as you navigate the road ahead. I will never forget receiving a personal phone call from you out of the blue in the spring of 2020 — just to chat and thank me for everything I was doing to support the University as we worked through the pandemic. I was young and new to my career, and that call meant the world to me. It is one of the reasons I have stayed committed to serving this University for the last eight years: knowing that the leader at the top cared enough to reach out to a new staff member he had never met.

Thank you for the kind of leadership that stays with people. Sending strength to you and Dr. Chen.

Be well,

Peter Skomsky

I just wanted to take a moment to let you know that I’m praying for you during this time. I’ve been thinking about you, and I truly wish you strength and peace as you navigate everything.

I also want to thank you for something that meant a great deal to me. You were the only one who asked about my mom by her first name, and that stayed with me. The way you reached out and let me know you were praying for her meant more than I can fully express.

In the same way, please know that you are not alone—I am keeping you in my prayers as well. I deeply appreciate all that you have done, not just in your role, but in the way you show care and character. It speaks volumes.

With respect and gratitude, I’m wishing you continued strength and encouragement in the days ahead.

Lizy, CHH Welcome desk attendant

Dear Chancellor,

My thoughts and prayers are with you.

K. Joanne Reid

Wishing you the best possible outcome while you are battling this disease. This is just another bump in the road that you can overcome. Stay strong and positive. Best of luck to you and your wife.

Dear Chancellor,

Best of everything in this trying time - as a wise man once said ‘if you are going through hell, keep going ‘. Best wishes and hope we can meet up for a cup of tea soon? Amanda

Chancellor Syverud,

We are so sorry to hear about your diagnosis. Please know that the entire Orange community is thinking of you and standing with you during this time. We are wishing you strength, comfort and healing in the days ahead.

Your dedication to Syracuse University has left a lasting and meaningful impact, and we are deeply grateful for your leadership. In particular, thank you for your unwavering support of our veterans, service members and military families, and for helping make Syracuse the “Best Place for Veterans.” And now that you are officially in Michigan, we will miss seeing you run the 5K with us on those early (and often freezing) Veterans Day mornings.

Your love for this university will never be forgotten, and we feel incredibly fortunate to have been part of the Syracuse community during your leadership. We are keeping you in our thoughts and sending our very best wishes for your recovery.

Dr. Chen and family,

We are thinking of you and sending our love and strength. Your resilience and courage are deeply inspiring, and we have no doubt you are facing this moment with strength and grace. Thank you for all you have given to the Syracuse community. We are grateful you are surrounded by a strong support system in Michigan.

With love,

Vanessa Marquette G'19 and Ryan Marquette L’22

Chancellor Syverud, it has been an absolute honor to get to know you and witness the impact you have had on this campus. I will forever be grateful to you for the love and support into the veteran community, a group that needed you so much. So many people are better for knowing you and I wish you a quick and speedy recovery. I hope the hardest days of your journey are still surrounded by love and support, as well as knowing the last impact you made on this community. Wishing you and your family all the best. You will always be forever Orange 🍊🍊

Dear Chancellor Syverud,

Thank you for sharing with us the news of your diagnosis. I can't begin to imagine how difficult everything is for you and your family right now. Please know that we're holding you in our hearts and lifting you up in prayer. You're not making this journey alone.

All of us also appreciate the kind, intentional communication from your office regarding this matter. Honeycomb for the soul, as it were.

"Tayata Om Bekandze Bekandze Maha Bekandze Radza Samudgate Soha."

Chancellor Syverud,

Throughout your time at Syracuse University, you’ve accomplished extraordinary works and we are so grateful. I have no doubt that the blessings over you will continue to lead you through the challenges into the next remarkable phase of your life.

Warm wishes to you, Dr. Chen, and your family.

Christine

Sending my best wishes and warmest thoughts to Chancellor Syverud, Dr. Chen and their family.

Thank you for all that you and your family has done for the University and the community! I had the honor to witness your impact from the beginning, as you transitioned into this role when I was in undergrad. I was then able to see the other side of your work as I transitioned into a staff role at IVMF and then CPS. Thank you for leading the University during a rough time. I wish you and your family well as you navigate this next period.

Dear Chancellor Syverud,

Thank you for your steadfast and visionary leadership but especially for the many kindnesses that you have shown to the members of our SUPA team, our partner school communities, and students as Chancellor — from your very first visit to our offices at 400 Ostrom in the summer of 2015 to meet our staff, learn more about our program, and indulge some of the dogs wandering our office that day to our 50th anniversary celebrations.

You and your family are in our thoughts. We wish you much love and strength,

Christina

Dear Mr. Syverud,

You and your family are in our prayers. Pray for God’s healing, guidance, and peace along your way. We look forward to your coming back and visiting our beautiful campus again! We are deeply blessed to have you lead us. We are always grateful for your support and contribution to our Chinese Christian Fellowship. Thank you!

Jane

Dear Chancellor Syverud,

As someone who joined our campus community in 2011, I’ve had the privilege to witness your full tenure at Syracuse and admire the incredible ways the University has transformed under your leadership.

I’d like you to know that one of the most meaningful experiences I’ve had as a staff member was being invited to the Chancellor’s House during your first year, because you made a point of meeting all the Syracuse employees and thanking them for their dedication to our community. That visit remains one of my favorite experiences in nearly 15 years, and it meant the world to have a leader who genuinely wanted to meet those working here.

I wish you, Dr. Chen and your family strength and courage as you face the challenges ahead. Thank you for all you’ve done to make our beloved University even better.