Former Astronaut F. Story Musgrave gave the keynote address for the dedication of the Patricia Myers Druger Astronomy Learning Center (Holden Observatory) on Saturday. The speech was at Hendricks Chapel. Musgrave is joined on stage by (right to left) A. Alan Middleton, Marvin Druger, Kent Syverud and Karin Ruhlandt.
Actor, humanist, Forest Whitaker visited Syracuse University on Wednesday.
Despite the fact that has an Academy Award, Golden Globe and a Screen Actors Guild Award, Forest Whitaker may still be one of the most underrated actors of his generation. The guy has always made an impression in film roles, such as Good Morning Vietnam, where he mixed-it up with Robin Williams to The Butler, where he embodied the class and stoic dignity of Cecil Gaines. And who can forget his more lighthearted characters like Jefferson (Fast Times at Ridgemont High) and Jackson (A Rage in Harlem).
We would have never predicted (more than a year before the election of Barack Obama) that Dr. Ben Carson would be a possible Republican presidential candidate. Carson visited Syracuse in 2007 and spoke to WellsLink Scholars.
Colton Jones kicks off the peaceful protest on the steps of Hendricks Chapel (Syracuse University).
We found out about last night’s march for social justice via social media (Thanks Syracuse Media Group’s Dave Tobin). The multi-generational, multi-cultural group of peaceful (but vocal) protesters began their journey at Hendricks Chapel, marched through campus (with a brief pause at Bird Library), then despite the wind chill near 20 degrees, hopped on the Connective Corridor before hitting Harrison Street, and eventually occupying a portion of Downtown Syracuse.
In appreciation for the march and the movement, with end with an album that was recorded on this day during the height of the Civil Right Movement (see below).
Dying-In, Bird Library
Activist read the names of victims who died in police custody
The march swelled as it reached the Connective Corridor (University Avenue).
Pastor Dexter, a leader from the local SCLC, became a vocal leader as the march exited the University-area.
Jones rallied the marchers as they head toward Almond Street (under Route I81)
The State Street sit-in (near the courthouse and justice center) brought downtown traffic to a standstill.
Actress, playwright, artist Anna Deavere Smith on stage at Hendricks Chapel.
Anna Deavere Smith breathed life into several characters during her lecture/performance at Syracuse University on Tuesday afternoon. She almost perfectly embodied the conversational cadence and idioms of former Gov. Anne Richards, Rep. John Lewis and theologian Peter Gomes for about an hour.
Maybe her most impressive role was portraying prisoner Paulette Jenkins for a piece called “Mirror to her Mouth”. This sobering tale, filled with domestic violence, murder and regret, moved the crowd toward an almost religious silence.
Main Campus, Syracuse University (144th Birthday Celebration)
The SU Zinda Dance Team participated in SU Rising last night. The program and candle light vigil, which was held at Hendricks Chapel, aims to raise awareness and stop violence against women.
Paul Russesabagina spoke at Hendricks Chapel nearly 10 years ago.
Former SU Dean and program namesake Barry Wells
Maybe it’s because I have two mentors who began educational transition programs that got me interested in finding out more about the WellsLink Leadership program at Syracuse University. It also could be the fact that I too was a member of a similar program. Either way, I was happy to hear that the organization celebrate its celebrating its 10th year anniversary on campus.
This year’s speaker was poet Nikki Giovanni. Giovanni was introduced by former-SU staffer Dr. Paul Buckley. There was also an appearance by former SU Dean Barry Wells, who started the program. To get an appreciation of what the WellsLink has done, and continues to achieve, listen to the sound clip from Paul Buckley below.
Featured speaker for the event poet and educator Nikki Giovanni read a few of her pieces during the Friday afternoon ceremony.
Dr. Paul Buckley, who currently serves as a dean for undergraduate students at Dartmouth College, worked closely with the WellsLink program when he was at Syracuse University.
SU Senior and Remembrance Scholar Erin Carhart (left) helped her classmates light candles on the stairs of Hendricks Chapel tonight.
This year will mark the 25th Anniversary of the Pan Am 103 Lockerbie Air Bombing.
The tragedy has permanently linked the city of Syracuse with Lockerbie.
At SU they call it Remembrance Week and events kicked off last weekend. Senior Erin Carhart helped organized a candlelight vigil tonight that began at Hendricks Chapel with speeches and concluded at the Wall of Remembrance with silence.
Educator Graham Herbert, of Lockerbie Academy, sick made the trip to Syracuse for this week’s activities.
Candlelight Vigil, Wall of Remembrance
To hear some of the audio from tonight’s program, click the link below (Orange Appeal Singers with senior Tim Chang on the beatbox).