Graduating Indigenous students at the 15th annual Indigenous Student Graduation Reception on May 5. Photos by Steve Sartori
The Office of Multicultural Affairs’ Native Student Program celebrated graduating Indigenous students during the 15th annual Indigenous Student Graduation Reception on May 5.
The University’s Indigenous students earned 17 bachelor’s degrees, four master’s degrees, one J.D. and one Ph.D. It was the second largest group of graduates for the Native Student Program.
All graduating Indigenous students were presented with coffee mugs with the Indigenous Students at Syracuse logo, a Syracuse University Alumni pin; a Tuscarora Woodworks pen; and a congratulatory note from the Ongwehonwe Alumni Association welcoming students to the association and inviting them to become official Haudenosaunee / Indigenous Alumni Representatives. Several of the Indigenous students also wore “Respect Indigenous Women” and “No More Stolen Indigenous Sisters” red shirts at the event and at Commencement to raise awareness of the issue of missing and murdered Indigenous women.
Emily Porter received a stipend from the Ongwehonwe Alumni Association for receiving the highest GPA of the undergraduate graduating class.
Emily Porter received a stipend from the Ongwehonwe Alumni Association for receiving the highest GPA of the undergraduate graduating class.
Each of the graduates received a stole handcrafted by Tammy Beauvais Designs of Kahnawake, Canada, specific to their degrees and indigenous identities. Undergraduates received a purple stole while graduates received a white stole.
Those attending the event also included Chancellor Kent Syverud, Faithkeeper Oren Lyons (the first Haudenosaunee graduate from Syracuse University in 1958) and Tadodaho Sid Hill.
Several students earned individual awards, recognition and scholarships over their academic careers with the University, including:
Undergraduates:
Caleb Abrams, Seneca Nation, associate producer, “Lake of Betrayal: The Story of the Kinzua Dam” film
Kasey Chopito, Zuni Pueblo Nation, American Indian Services Scholarship and Pueblo of Zuni Higher Education scholarship
Janet Flores, Guachichil Nation, Chichiemeca Confederacy, Mexico, social justice advocate and activist, 2017 Revolutionary Award from the Latina sorority at Syracuse University
Gabrielle Hill, Tonawanda Seneca Nation, Florence B. Potter Award
Ginger Jacobs, Onondaga Nation, Dean’s List three semesters
Alyana Jimerson, Allegany Seneca Nation, Dean’s List three semesters
Jocelynn Martin, Mohawk Nation, Dean’s List, Magna Cum Laude
Jaiden Mitchell, St. Regis Mohawk Nation, Dean’s List Scholar
Emily Porter, Six Nations Cayuga, Valedictorian, Community Engagement Award (Food Studies Senior Award), and Roseane do Socorro Goncalves Viana Human Rights Award (Undergraduate Paper)
Paige Priest, Seneca Nation, Dean’s List
Jade Rhoades, Tuscarora Nation, Udall Scholarship 2017, Critical Language Scholarship-Russian 2017 & 2018, George B. Cressey Award 2018, Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship
Graduates:
Michael Abrams, Onondaga Nation, Undergraduate Haudenosaunee Promise Scholar; M.A. and Certificate of Advanced Studies/Linguistics/Language Teaching/College of Arts and Sciences
James K. Duah-Agyeman, director for the Office of Multicultural Affairs; graduate student Michael Abrams; Chancellor Kent Syverud
Michelle Shenandoah-Powless, Oneida Nation of New York, B.A. Cornell University 1999, Juris Doctor 2009, Master of Laws 2012 (LLM) in Taxation at NY Law School; M.S./Magazine, Newspaper and Online Journalism/S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications
Lori Tarbell, Akwesasne Mohawk Nation, NYS Office of Mental Health and Schools of Social Work, and Deans’ Consortium Project for Evidence-based Practice in Mental Health Award; M.S.W./Social Work/Certificate of Advanced Studies/Trauma-Informed Practice/David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics
Portia Skenandore-Wheelock, Oneida Nation of Wisconsin, J.D./Law/M.P.A./Public Administration/ Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs
Hayley Cavino, Ngati Whitikaupeka/Ngati Pukenga (Maori, New Zealand), He Kokonga Whare Postgraduate Fellowship (Independent Institute for Maori Research), and Ithaca College Diversity Pre-doctoral Fellowship, Ph.D./Sociology of Education/School of Education/Women’s and Gender Studies/College of Arts and Sciences
Trenna Hill, Mohawk Nation, M.S./Higher Postsecondary Education/School of Education/Certificate of Advanced Studies/Intercollegiate Advising/David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics
About Syracuse University
Syracuse University is a private, international research university with distinctive academics, diversely unique offerings and an undeniable spirit. Located in the geographic heart of New York State, with a global footprint, and nearly 150 years of history, Syracuse University offers a quintessential college experience. The scope of Syracuse University is a testament to its strengths: a pioneering history dating back to 1870; a choice of more than 200 majors and 100 minors offered through 13 schools and colleges; nearly 15,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students; more than a quarter of a million alumni in 160 countries; and a student population from all 50 U.S. states and 123 countries. For more information, please visit www.syracuse.edu.
