Hannah Payne G’26 has been named the Syracuse University Art Museum’s 2025-26 Louise ’44 and Bernard Palitz Graduate Art Scholar.

Payne is pursuing dual master’s degrees in art history in the College of Arts and Sciences and museum studies in the College of Visual and Performing Arts, with research focusing on the intersection of ancient Greek and Etruscan cultures through pottery and trade networks, ceramic iconography, burial and feasting rituals, and human-animal relationships.

Last summer, she served as assistant lab director at the San Guiliano Archaeological Research Project (SGARP) in Italy, where her expertise proved critical in identifying large, intact vessels discovered in a recently excavated, unlooted Etruscan tomb.

As the 2025-26 Palitz Art Scholar, Payne will pursue formal research on Etruscan vessels in the museum’s collection, illuminating the histories of the objects held since the mid-20th century. She will also develop an education program proposal to engage the campus community with these artifacts and deepen interdepartmental appreciation for their historical significance.

“I am incredibly honored and blessed that the museum sees potential in me and that they want to come alongside me and partner with me as I partner with them to do research on the collection,” says Payne. “I feel very excited that I get this opportunity to come in every week and engage hands on with vessels that have been mostly on the shelves and rediscovering them in a way, and getting to stretch my muscles as I grow as a scholar.”

Payne emphasized her commitment to making the collection accessible beyond the museum’s walls. “I am a really big advocate for bridging the gap between academia and the public and giving people an opportunity to engage with the ancient world to form critical thinking skills, but also be able to have or form some kind of personal connection through experiential learning.”

The Louise and Bernard Palitz Endowed Fund was established in 2011 by longtime music advocate Louise Beringer Palitz and Bernard Palitz to support outstanding students in art history and museum studies who demonstrate exceptional accomplishments and potential in their fields.