SU Graduation, The Social Network, and 400 Horses

Always looking for an opportunity to take a road trip, especially with a new car, I drove to Syracuse. The car - a Porsche Carrera S Cabriolet - transforms from luxury GT to ballistic missile with just a touch of the gas pedal.  Those 400 horses wake up with a growl, but they’re not too hungry - I averaged over 26 mpg.  It was a great trip, and I drove the whole way with the top down!

The ceremony was in the Carrier Dome.  Everybody marched into the dome, and those of us who were trustees got to sit on the stage, which was very nice and offered a special view of the ceremonies.  The chancellor opened up with a nice speech talking about “Scholarship in Action.”  Brian Spector, a fellow trustee and the head of the alumni association, spoke for a little bit about what it means to be an alum and how to stay connected with the Syracuse community.  

Aaron Sorkin, a 1983 graduate from Syracuse’s College of the Performing Arts, also spoke.  He has written and produced many films and television shows including: A Few G ood Men, The West Wing, and The Social Network.  A down to earth speaker, Aaron talked about how he has failed in his life, picked himself up, and then worked to succeed.  Most notably, he told us about his battle with cocaine addiction and how he got beyond that.  He urged the graduates to be open to meeting other people.  He said, “Be open minded when you meet people who aren’t like you and who don’t think like you.”  Then he went and joked, “Except if those people are from Georgetown!”  There was a very big standing ovation for that remark.   

Aaron Sorkin Commencement Address Video:

Then, college by college, all the candidates for graduation stood, and the degrees were conferred upon them.  Everyone cheered, and off they went!

I would just like to echo what Aaron Sorkin said: “Decisions are made by people who get involved.”  If you’re frustrated with people who get elected to Congress or get elected to be president, you’ve got to vote.  If you’re frustrated with the way things are going in any area, then get involved.  If your voice isn’t heard, then things aren’t going to change the way you want them to change.  Rely on your Syracuse network; there are many people who will help you out.  Overall, it is important that you get involved with whatever it is you’re interested in.

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SU Connective Corridor Creating Opportunities

I traveled to Syracuse last week for a meeting of the University’s Board of Trustees and to attend the University’s 158th commencement ceremonies.  The Board meeting went very well, with reviews of the University’s operations and budget, approval of new majors, and confirmation of new tenured faculty.  These meetings are wonderful opportunities to learn about the workings of alma mater, sitting on her hilltop high.

One of the very interesting findings is the economic developments Syracuse has created for its community.  There is a bus route, for example, that connects the university with the city called the Connective Corridor.  It goes through a section of the city that had historically been underdeveloped.  It has been kind of barren, and now the corridor is blossoming.  There’s a lot of wonderful growth going on: new houses, new businesses, and new developments.

This growth is not displacing the current residents, but rather helping them.  Another thing that is really neat about the Connective Corridor is the development is being led, and in many cases completed, by Syracuse professors and Syracuse students.

This is a great opportunity for engineering, architecture, and organic development students to have real hands on learning experiences.  This goes along well the university’s strategy of “Scholarship in Action.”  In other words, this strategy promotes the practice of theory being learned in class.  Imagine majoring in architecture, engineering or ubran development and working on improving the city using the skills you’re learning in class.  That’s “Scholarship in Action.”

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