Messages for Chancellor Syverud

We stand with you. ’Cuse wouldn't be what it is without you. Thank you and fight on Chancellor. 🧡💙

Dear Chancellor Syverud,

I have only been at Syracuse for a year for my MPA program at the Maxwell School. In that time, I have had the chance to meet some of the most fascinating and intelligent people this world has to offer. You have built an environment of creativity, truth-seeking, and service in Syracuse students, and for that our world will benefit for generations.

I cannot imagine how difficult this is for you and your family. I wish you the best of luck with cancer treatment, but I wanted you to know how grateful I am to be a Syracuse student and to be a part of a University whose foundation you have built upon.

Thank you for serving Syracuse steadfastly for over a decade, Chancellor. No matter what happens, we are all Forever Orange.

Lots of Love,

Kristen Scanlon

MPA Class of 2026

I am deeply grateful for the kindness and support I have received from Chancellor Syverud and his family during their time at Syracuse University. I had the privilege of speaking with the Chancellor at the SU Catholic Center and again during the 2025 Catholic retreat at Minnowsbrook, where we shared meaningful conversations over meals. His humility, openness, and genuine interest in students left a lasting impact on me.

I am especially thankful to his wife, Dr. Ruth Chen, whose compassion and care supported me through a difficult period with my vertebral column. She made sure I received a new bed so I could rest and recover comfortably, and she consistently checked on both my health and my research progress. Her kindness went far beyond the classroom, and I will always remember it.

I wish Chancellor Syverud strength and a smooth recovery. His leadership and the support of his family have made a profound difference in my journey at Syracuse University as a PhD student, and I remain sincerely appreciative.

God's Strength🧡🙏

Chancellor Syverud, the past 4 years I have seen the true love and support you hold for our Orange Family. Your commitment to strong leadership has guided this university into an amazing future. Your interest in the Otto program and the importance you place in the work it has done has directly impacted my student experience in a hugely positive way. I hope you know, you reside in the hearts and minds of all of us as you go through this difficult journey. I’m praying you and Dr. Chen find the strength and perseverance to get through these difficult times.

Thank you for sharing something so personal with us.

I’m wishing you strength, healing, and peace as you go through treatment.

Your courage and outlook are truly inspiring.

We are rooting for you.

As both an employee and a student of this University, I am thankful to have joined the Orange Community during your tenure. Although I unfortunately never had a chance you meet you, everyone always spoke so highly of you. The warmth, kindness, and care you brought to your leadership went beyond those who knew you personally-- it is in the stories people shared, the pride felt in this institution, and the way your name is spoken.

I wish you and your family strength, comfort, and healing in the coming days.

I was so sorry to hear this news and wanted to share that I am thinking of you. What stayed with me from my one opportunity to meet with you is your gentle, unassuming way of moving through the world. You have a rare gift for being soft-spoken and easygoing while remaining such an outstanding leader—a balance that has been a true inspiration. Please know that I, along with so many other students, am rooting for you and sending strength your way.

Dear Chancellor Syverud and Dr. Chen,

I am deeply grateful for my time studying and living at Syracuse University. I truly appreciate seeing you and Dr. Chen's presence at so many important occasions—thank you for your care, dedication, and support for the students.

I have photos of myself with the Chancellor on my phone, and they are something I truly cherish.

You carry the love and support of so many people, and I sincerely wish you peace, safety, and happiness. We are behind you.

Chancellor Syverud,

When I walked on campus as a freshman in 2019 for the new students welcome, I can’t express how excited I was to officially be a Syracuse student and carry on the torch that my grandmother lit when she began her time as a student in the class of 1947! From my time throughout Syracuse, there were many changes - a new dome, a new Schine Student Center, the opening of the improved Barnes Center at the Arch, the first snow day in decades, and, of course, COVID.

Throughout all of that change, there was one constant - you. You have provided exceptional leadership, availability, and friendship to all of the students fortunate enough to attend Syracuse University with you as Chancellor.

From the 19 year old freshman who was slightly embarrassed because his father flagged you down so his son could take a picture with the Chancellor to the near-MBA graduate who was able to take part in your Negotiations residency, thank you for all that you have done for me, my family, and for Syracuse University.

I wish you nothing but blessings and love. You will be in my prayers and, as always, I will be rooting for you!

All the very best,

Luke Eckel (‘23 and ‘26MBA)

I know that this message was not the typical "get better" message, although I certainly cannot express to you how much I want you to get better. I just felt like there were better, more impactful, more life changing and necessary words that I had the opportunity to tell you. And why keep the hope, peace, joy, and truth from you when the Lord has blessed me with a life to tell others about Him. Pushing Jesus onto anyone is the last thing I want to do. But I am telling you, if you do the things of which I told you in this message, even though you may not feel His presence during that day, week month, or year, I promise you the Lord will freely give you His Holy Spirit and will make sure that you get to heaven.

Stay strong, stay hopeful, and stay joyful. We are all praying for a speedy recovery!

I hope this message finds you well,

Kind regards,

Ethan W.

(next part) With that being said, I do not know if you know the Lord personally and have made Him your Lord and Savior. However, if you have not, all you need to do is repent of your sins and declare, with your heart and with your mouth, that Jesus is your Lord and Saviour. When you are by yourself in the room you are in (no one else in the room), just talk to Him. Verbally. Lay all of your secret struggles, desires of the world, excuses for sin, and other things you would like to talk to someone about and talk directly to Him. And know this: If you are interested in doing this, meaning you desire to want to live a better life for Christ, and you want to invite Someone into your life who will never forsake you, ever, then you are on a path to living the best life one could possibly live. You might not realize or feel it in the moment, the next week, the next month, or even the next year, but if you continuously read the Bible (His word), seek to live a life anchored by the Bible, and desire to be guided by the Holy Spirit in every action and thought you have, you will undoubtedly experience the most loving, peaceful, joyful, and truthful presence (I would not be saying all of this if I knew it weren't true). And you should also know (more so be reminded) of this: He made you in your mother's womb, and you were one in 4 trillion. He crafted every single strand of DNA, even atom, in you. He knows you that well. That isn't a mistake or a coincidence. That was, and still is, God's magnificent plan. I'm saying this to remind you that He knows everyone on this earth, but not everybody knows Him. He desires everyone to know Him (not just go to church, pray, read the Bible, but actively seek who He is every single day and hunger for being more like Christ, the Saviour of the world, every single day). He loves you, but He is just waiting for you to love Him back, and He gave us free will, so He forces absolutely no one to follow Him, regardless of how much we sin.

I am writing this message not only as a desire for you to accept Jesus as your Lord and Saviour, but for you to do so in this time in your life right now. I believe that everything happens for a reason (just like you and I were born for fulfilling God's plan in our lives). I wasn't interested in this university by accident. I wasn't accepted into this university by accident. I didn't meet the incredible people who positively influence my life by accident. And I didn't receive your message to the university by accident. It is all a part of God's plan, and I strongly believe that God put it on my heart today to write this letter of hope, peace, joy, and truth to you today so that you can walk in assurance and not in fear as your uncertain future continues to unfold. So that you know where you will be going in case you do not get to live to be the age you once thought you were going to live. (another part next)

Dear Kent,

I'm a student here at SU, and I have just read your message to the university. I just want to start this letter off by saying how sorry I am that you're facing this immense struggle in your life. I cannot imagine what you and your family are dealing with right now. I couldn't help myself from reaching out to you, however, because I would love to send a message of hope, a message of peace, a message of love, and a message of truth. If you don't mind, I'd like to share with you my faith in Jesus Christ and how He has dramatically changed my life for the better (I would not be writing this letter if it weren't for Him in my life).

Before I share, I thought it'd be great for you to know that I've heard you speak this past September at the Catholic Center's annual Lake Retreat. I'm not sure you remember me, but your talk about your love for Syracuse University, the community, and the people within it showed me how caring of a person you are. I also loved how you tied your faith into your talk as well, which is why I think this message will reach you appropriately.

A little bit about my faith walk, just so you know where I come from and who it is who is writing this letter to you: Growing up, I had a religious family. We would always go to church and Sunday School, read the Bible, and do family prayers. However, the name "Jesus" always went in one ear and out the other, and none of His teachings, wisdom, or presence was something I was seeking in my life. To make a long story short, I went through a really rough period in my life about one year ago (February 1st, 2025) that pushed me over the edge and forced me to think about why I was born into the world. With no one I felt like I could talk to and with emotions suppressed as if I were at the depths of the ocean, I just whispered "God." At this exact moment, a physical but supernatural warm feeling filled me from the inside out, and later I would come to know that this was the Holy Spirit entering me. Ever since that day, I haven't just been going to church or reading the Bible, but I have been actively pursuing the Lord with all of my heart and mind, giving up even the littlest of sins through obedience and faith so that I can draw closer to the One who saved me. The results of this for me doing this were life changing: I felt a presence in my life that can only be described as the most loving, joyful, peaceful, and truthful one I have ever experienced, and I know it's here to stay. Of course, I'm not on a spiritual high 24/7, and there are definitely moments where I feel farther apart from Jesus than I want to. But to tell you that He changed my life for the better is an understatement, and if there's one thing that I wish people could know in this world, it's to make Jesus their Lord and Savior. (another part to this message next)

Dear Chancellor Syverud and Dr. Chen,

I was very sorry to hear this news. There aren’t really words that feel quite right, but I wanted to reach out and let you know you’re in my thoughts and prayers.

Syracuse University misses you, and so many people are hoping for your steady recovery and keeping you in their hearts during this time.

Wishing you peace, hope, love, and faith in the days ahead.

Warmly,

Halyna Rudych

I am so sorry to hear about your diagnosis. I wanted to reach out to let you know you are truly in my family's thoughts and prayers.

My mom went through stage 4 multiple myeloma, and while it was an incredibly difficult journey, being surrounded by love, support, and hope made all the difference in her recovery. I hope you’re able to lean on those around you and feel that same sense of strength and comfort.

Please know that so many people are rooting for you and holding you close in their hearts. Wishing you strength, peace, and healing in the days ahead.

Rachael & Joan DiLieto

Dear Chancellor Syverud,

You may not remember me, I am Joanna from Panama, and we once shared a brief conversation in Spanish. That moment stayed with me as a small picture of who you are: someone who sees people.

When I read your letter, what struck me most was your courage and grateful heart. You are not facing this alone, and the Orange community is holding you and your family close.

As someone of faith, I want to offer you these words as prayers:

"I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me — I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace" — Philippians 4:13

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." — Jeremiah 29:11

Que el Señor te sostenga con Su mano poderosa en cada paso de este camino, y que Su paz que sobrepasa todo entendimiento guarde tu corazón y tu mente (1 Peter 5:6, Isaiah 41:10, Philippians 4:7).

Con gratitud y esperanza,

Joanna Lumbsden-Pinto, Ph.D.

Graduate Christian Fellowship SU/ESF

“But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5. As we just finished celebrating the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ and the free gift of salvation through the acceptance of Jesus, I am sending this message. I am standing on God’s promise of healing and believing that God will heal you as He has said He will in Isaiah 53:5. I am also believing that you will fulfill your life’s purpose that God has created for you to do in Jesus Name. You are in my prayers and so is your family. Wishing you continued success, Chancellor!

Dear Chancellor Syverud,

I want to express my sincere support and well wishes to you during this difficult time. Your leadership, dedication, and commitment to the Syracuse University community have made a lasting impact on so many of us.

Please know that you are not facing this challenge alone. You have the strength, care, and support of an entire community standing behind you.

Wishing you and Dr. Chen strength, comfort, and the very best in the days ahead.

With respect and support,

Farzad Amiri

President of Muslim Student Association

Syracuse University

I am so sorry to hear about your diagnosis. Please know you're in my thoughts, and I'm wishing you strength as you focus on your health. Thank you for your dedicated leadership at Syracuse University.

Chancellor Syverud, it was difficult to take in your health news this week, and you have remained very much in my thoughts. The same strength and sense of purpose that came through in your leadership at Syracuse was on full display in your remarkable letter to us. Wishing you successful treatment, favorable recovery, and a rewarding professional and personal journey ahead.

Warmly, Marc

Thank you for all of your help over the years. Getting to help build out the esports program was truly the highlight of experience, and it wouldn’t have been possible without your humility, leadership, and curiosity. You’ve made Syracuse a place I can be proud to represent as I go off into the world.

I’m so sorry to hear about what you’re going through. Please know you have my full support, and I’m keeping you in my thoughts. Wishing you strength and the very best in the days ahead. Thank you again for everything!

Thinking of you! You did an incredible job leading Syracuse! Go orange!

Well wishes!!

Sending love to you and your family ❤️

I don’t have a specific memory or interaction with you, but my time at Syracuse has been fantastic. Thank you for fostering that environment. Get well soon!

Thank you for your dedication to Syracuse, sending healing thoughts and wishing you a speedy recovery.

As a data science major, I’m trained to make predictions from past data, but being at Syracuse has taught me that with the right amount of willpower and support, I can beat any odds. You’ve made this campus a place to grow beyond the limitations we have set for ourselves. You’ve shown us by example how to overcome challenges, however large. The inspiration you’ve cultivated here will drive generations of students to pursue what they once thought impossible.

Wishing you strength, healing, and brighter days ahead. You’ve got this 🧡

Dear Chancellor Syverud,

Receiving that news yesterday was so sad. I am so grateful for the moments we got to interact which most times were moments of reflection and celebration of being proud to be Orange! I am praying for healing for you and a speedy recovery through your care process. Thanks for your leadership through the years that you have led the Orange family. Keeping you and Dr. Chen in my prayers with hope that we hear some good news soon. Forever Orange!

Chancellor Syverud, thank you so much for your timeless and unwavering dedication to the Orange community. Your kindness from the couple of times that we've spoken will always be a fond memory from my time here at Syracuse University. I, nor anyone else who has studied at SU over your time here, would not be the people we are if it were not for your leadership, dedication and kindness. You and your family are in our thoughts and hearts – thank you so much for all that you have done for us.

Syracuse University feels like a second home to me. I am Korean, and for many years I worked as a government official in South Korea. Through a government scholarship, I had the opportunity to come study at Syracuse - and that experience changed my life in more ways than I can count.

Here, I met extraordinary classmates, professors, and staffs who turned my world completely upside down, in the best possible way. I completed my master's degree last year, and while I was supposed to return to Korea and continue my service in government, I will instead be returning to Syracuse this fall to begin my doctoral studies. I want to keep learning here, and to be reborn as a full member of this academic community.

Syracuse has been the turning point of my life, and I am so proud to be part of the Orange community.

I don't know you personally, but I know Syracuse University - the place we both represent. Syracuse is open, passionate about new ideas, full of opportunity. It is a place that doesn't hand you answers, but sits with you in the deepest questions. It thinks alongside you. And I believe that a university takes on the character of those who lead it. The openness, the warmth, the spirit of genuine inquiry that defines Syracuse - I think that reflects you, and the community you have carefully nurtured over more than twelve years. During your tenure as Chancellor, Syracuse has been a truly beautiful place for me. I believe it will continue to be.

I still remember the cool breeze and crips air the first I stepped onto campus. Standing there, on the other side of the world from where I grew up, everything felt surreal. I wasn't sure I could find my footing. But Syracuse pulled me in completely, and I became part of this community in a way I never expected.

I cherish the two years I've already spent here, and I look forward deeply to the four or five more that lie ahead.

I hope your own memories of Syracuse are filled with hope, happiness, and pride. As a fellow member of this university, I am cheering for you with all my heart.

Please get well. I sincerely hope that you will walk across this campus again, healthy and strong.