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As a member of our alumni community, I want you to know that you are very much in our thoughts. Your twelve years of leadership at Syracuse have left a lasting mark — not just on the University, but on all of us connected to this community.
Your courage and openness in sharing this journey with the Orange community is a reflection of the same integrity that defined your time at SU. Please know that you have an entire alumni family rooting for you.
Wishing you strength, healing, and every good thing ahead. My thoughts are with you and your family at this time.
With deep admiration and warm regards,
Liz
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Chancellor Syverud and Dr. Chen,
Relentless. I have seen both in person and from afar your relentless support of our students and our Syracuse community. And while you will be relentless in fighting this battle, we will be relentless in our support of you both. Perhaps not always in ways you can readily see- our thoughts, our prayers, our spirit, our gratitude- demonstrating all the ways one can "Be Orange." I am so grateful for all you both have done and all that you are and I look forward to affirming that in person someday soon.
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Dear Chancellor Syverud and Dr. Chen,
I want you to know how much I appreciate both of you and wish you the very best during this challenging time. I will keep you and your family in my heart and prayers as you navigate the circumstances of your recent health challenges,
I know that I am only one of throngs of people who will be praying and sending positive energy to you for peace of mind, health and healing in the coming days.
Warm regards,
Carrie Jefferson Smith
School of Social Work
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Our thoughts and prayers are with you, Chancellor Syverud for a full and speedy recovery! God Bless.
From the Fong Family, Class 2024
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Chancellor Syverud,
Sending prayers of healing to you. May you be blessed with a full recovery!
Sincerely,
The Harris Twins
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Dear Chancellor Syverud,
We were deeply saddened to learn of your diagnosis, and want you to know that you are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
I had the privilege of meeting you alongside Darryl and Madison ('29) in the Chancellor's suite at the October 31st game against Duke. Darryl and I were so fortunate to spend some time with you, having a lovely conversation, as well as with Dr. Chen. Though the Orange didn't get the result we hoped for that evening, the warmth and graciousness you showed us made it a truly memorable experience. That moment has stayed with us, and it is with that memory in mind that I write to you now.
You have dedicated yourself so fully to Syracuse University and to the people within it. We hope that in this season, you are able to receive even a fraction of the care and support you have given to so many others.
Please know that you have people rooting for you far beyond the walls of Syracuse University. Wishing you strength, healing, and brighter days ahead.
With sincere warmth and hope,
Stefanie Romanoff
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For me personally, and for the team in Florence, you have been a source of genuine inspiration, and you made us feel seen and counting. In a large, complex university, that is not a small thing. Thank you. Thank you for everything you have built and made possible. The respect and affection of the people whose work you have shaped does not pause for illness, and neither does our gratitude. We are thinking of you and your family. From Florence with warmth and with every wish for your strength, your healing, and your peace.
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Wishing you all the best Chancellor Kent. Take care and keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.
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Your leadership shines in this moment. Even while facing a deeply personal challenge, you turned outward to the Syracuse University community with openness, honesty, and strength. That speaks volumes about your character and the way you have led with steadiness and care.
Please know that so many stand with you now, just as you have stood for others over the years. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Thank you for your years of service, and for the example you continue to set.
This is a time to turn some of that generosity inward, and to allow the community you have supported to lift you in return.
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Dear Chancellor Syverud,
The news of your diagnosis has touched us all, but your characteristic spirit of optimism and determination resonates clearly in your message. For over twelve years, you have led this community with a steady hand and a dedicated heart; now, it is our turn to offer that same strength back to you. Thinking of you and your family during this time. Thank you for your courage.
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Dear Chancellor Syverud,
On behalf of myself and Syracuse Hillel, we wish you a refuah shleima - a full and speedy recovery. We will keep you, Dr. Chen, and your family in our thoughts and prayers as you navigate through this challenging time.
Our community has been made better by your support and partnership throughout these past 12 years. We are forever grateful to the impact that your leadership has had on our Jewish community. As we continue to grow and thrive, we will give thanks to you for the dedication you have shown to our purpose-driven work.
I am personally grateful for the outreach, caring, and guidance I’ve received from you. In my 7 years here, we navigated some incredibly joyful and challenging moments. I could not have asked for a better partner and it has been an honor to work with you.
With gratitude and compassion,
Jillian
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Chancellor Seyverud,
May God provide you and Dr. Ruth Chen the resilience and grace to weather this storm, and cement the belief within that you will be stronger on the other side of this diagnosis.
With all my best wishes for your health and wellness,
Jessica Kershaw ‘07
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Chancellor Kent Seyverud and Dr. Ruth Chen, thank you for reviewing the Dixit & Pindyke book with me and confirming the corrections that I made in the key proof and extensions across six chapters. Please know that you are in my prayers.
Thomas Murphy, Ph.D.,JD, MBA, Chemical Engineer.
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Dear Chancellor Syverud, Syracuse University has always been a deeply caring community. Pulling together in good times and rough times runs deep. As you undergo this aggressive treatment, you are in my prayers. More importantly, you are in SU's collective prayers that wishes you a full recovery. You have truly made a difference during your time at SU. So, it only follows that our hopes and prayers and best wishes will make a difference to you as we support you through this challenging time. We are a better community because of you and we hope that our spirit will champion you through these difficult days ahead. Take good care.
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Dear Kent. You are my good friend and I am so very sorry to hear this news. One of my favorite moments with you is our conversation about your faith journey and how it impacted your life. Your life has been a positive example of how God plants his seeds of grace and mercy throughout your career and within your personal life. My prayers for you are that you will continue to experience the saving grace of Jesus in the days ahead as you work through your treatments. Here is a quote from Scripture that has served me well in difficult times, I hope you will find it a blessing. Lamentations 3: 22-26 NIV “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.” The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.”
God bless you, my friend.
You are in His Grip.
Alan
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In 2016, I had the pleasure of being invited to the Chancellor's house as a part of a reception for members of campus organization E-boards (I was with the Kumquat, Syracuse's premiere satirical publication). I got to meet Chancellor Syverud, his wife Dr. Ruth Chen, and their late dog Lucky. Chancellor Syverud took me and a couple of my friends into the kitchen to meet Lucky, who was both blind and deaf at the time, and I still think about that sweet dog regularly. He also took us to the dining room and showed us how there's a hidden wall that opens and closes and I remember that moment as being so sweet and silly, there was such an element of both his humor and playfulness and his genuine attentiveness to get to know us as individual students of the school. Dr. Ruth Chen was similarly attentive to me and my friends and gave us interesting historical information about the house. It's one of my favorite memories from undergrad, to have been invited into the Chancellor's home and have had such heartwarmingly silly but genuine interactions with him and his family. I was very sad to hear the news and I am sending truly all my well wishes and thoughts to Chancellor Syverud and his family at this time!
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Dear Chancellor Syverud,
My thoughts are with you and your family during this incredibly challenging time. Your dedication to Syracuse University; your vision, leadership, and your genuine concern for every student, faculty member, and staff has left a lasting mark on all of us. I wish you and your family strength and healing in the days ahead.
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Dear Chancellor Syverud,
I am a new faculty member here at SU where I am teaching at both the Setnor School of Music and the African American Studies program and I am grateful for being a part of this wonderful community.
We have never met, but I know the frightening hardships of an illness that impedes on ones life which brings challenges beyond one's control. I see the immense love and support this community has for you and I send my best thoughts and positive energy for your complete recovery.
Fondly, Sarina Bachleitner
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feel better wish you a fast recovery
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I hope you feel better from this difficult time. I really appreciate seeing you everywhere on campus and you are the supporter of InclusiveU. I wish you and your family the best of luck in Michigan. You will always be Forever Orange.
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i will be extra good for my syracuse graduation party get well soon, love to kent and his family.
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Thank you for all that you did! I am sending you well wishes. - Kate Allyn, InclusiveU Class of 2026
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All prayers guided to a Syracuse legend, lots of love to you
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Chancellor Syverud,
My first thought when I read your message was: Life happens, when you're making plans. I always admire the grace and humility you bring to every encounter no matter the medium, and those qualities will continue to serve you well as you execute this new plan. I pray for you to receive the best care possible from your medical team as you place your trust in them.
After meeting a portion of the Syverud clan at the SU - Stonehill basketball game last December, I am glad you will have such a strong contingent to rally around you and Dr. Chen as you undergo your treatment regimen. May you all make an effort to capture these times together with pictures, videos, etc. and focus on the here and now. Once your treatment is complete, I hope you can celebrate the same way you would celebrate the submission of your students' grades: a nice glass of wine!
I also hope we, the SU community, will be able to give you the send off you so deserved and was planned for your final semester as Chancellor. I look forward to seeing you back on our campus to thank you for all you have done for our university.
May God continue to bless you and your family. Go Orange and Go Blue!!
Joyce Zadzilka
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Dear Kent,
Thank you for believing in me. Your support has had a thoroughly profound impact on me. The camera you helped me access has been a huge boon and I thank you for helping me achieve that level of quality in my work. But what has truly kept me going and striving for perfection has been your words of wisdom and support over the past year. That has truly been invaluable. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Please know that you are consistently in my thoughts and have my full support as you battle this thing. You got this !!!
Much love,
Malcolm Taylor
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Dear Chancellor Syverud
I’m sending my sincere prayers to you and your family during this most difficult time. It has been an honor since 2018 to be a part of the Orange family at Syracuse University. You probably don’t remember me but I usually greeted you and Dr. Chen at the Dome for numerous sporting and other events. You both were always so kind to me and took the time to say hello. You both have been such an inspiration and an asset to the Syracuse family. We will all miss your faces on campus and at the Dome.
Know that you will be always in all our prayers. We pray for a quick recovery and look forward to hearing from you in the future
God Bless you
David
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Dear Chancellor Syverud,
Every time I've heard you speak, you have the power to have people be fully present, including myself, in the heartfelt, honest and inspiring words you are saying. I recently found myself telling my mom just that. Your work and dedication to this University will forever be cherished, and having been a part of the IVMF since its inception, I have to thank you for all that you have done for the veteran and military-connected community.
Your news last week was very hard to take. I was sad for you that as you were about to close this chapter and begin a new one at the University of Michigan, you hit this unexpected challenge. Life can do this to us. And yet, your words last week and yesterday left me feeling optimistic and inspired. You are already showing that strength and inspiring our Orange community.
I have no doubt you'll face this with the same grace and strength you bring to everything. You’ve got this.
Keeping you and your family close to my heart,
Ellie Komanecky
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Chancellor Syverud,
I wanted to take a moment to share how deeply honored I am to be recognized with the Chancellor's Citation for Excellence, Outstanding Contributions to the Student Experience and University Initiatives award. It is incredibly meaningful to be acknowledged by an institution that I care so much about.
My work at Syracuse—particularly supporting our military and veteran community—has been among the most fulfilling chapters of my professional life. After a career of service in the Army, finding equally meaningful opportunities is not always a given, but I have truly found that purpose here at Syracuse University. It is a privilege to contribute to our students’ growth and to the broader mission of the University.
While I’m sorry you weren’t able to be there to present the award yourself, I have to say Chancellor-elect Mike Haynie did a pretty good job stepping in. Syracuse University is in good hands.
I also want to extend my very best wishes to you and your family as you begin treatment. You are in my thoughts, and I am wishing you strength, comfort and support in the days ahead.
With gratitude and support, Professor Beth Kubala
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Chancellor, My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. As someone who has valued serving on the Maxwell Advisory Board, I wanted to share a brief note of support. I know you will approach treatment with the same strength, resolve, and thoughtfulness that you have brought to your leadership roles. Wishing you steadiness and a smooth path forward.
Nicole Collier, MPA '00, Maxwell Advisory Board
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Dear Chancellor Syverud,
You have had a profound impact on this community. Thank you for modeling thoughtful, compassionate leadership these last twelve years. You have navigated the celebrations and the crises with grace and I have been proud to be a part of the Syracuse University community because of your leadership.
Thank you especially for your support for music and spirituality on campus. Every time I walk into the beautiful new Catholic Center chapel, every time I play the organ there or listen to students play, I think of you and give thanks. Your legacy will live on in so many ways, and this is one of them.
I will be praying for you and your family. I know this is an incredibly difficult time for you, but I hope you feel the love we are all sending your way.
Yours, Anne Laver