University Hosts Veteran Commencement on Friday

Syracuse University will honor more than 160 graduating student veterans at its veteran commencement ceremony in Grant Auditorium on Friday, May 10, at 10 a.m.

Graduating students represent majors from all of the University’s schools and colleges, with the MBA program boasting the largest enrollment.

U.S. Air Force veteran Adam Legrand ’18, G’19, president of the Student Veterans Organization and Maxwell School master’s degree candidate will give the student remarks. The keynote speaker for the event, to be introduced by Vice Chancellor Mike Haynie, is U.S. Army Lt. Col. Pia Rogers ’98, M ’01, L ’01. Rogers is a captains career manager for the Personnel, Plans, and Training Office in the Office of The Judge Advocate General at the Pentagon.

“It is an honor to graduate this year’s class and welcome Lt. Col. Rogers back to campus,” says Ron Novack, executive director of the Office of Veteran and Military Affairs (OVMA.) “These students exemplify the excellence, dedication and citizenship that Syracuse University student veterans continue to demonstrate. It is a privilege to have these students as part of the Syracuse family.”

During her time at Syracuse, Rogers was an “Otto” and an ROTC cadet. She earned her undergraduate degree in journalism at the Newhouse School and completed a joint-degree program earning a juris doctor degree through the College of Law and a master of public administration degree through the Maxwell School in 2001.

During her military service, she has completed numerous military legal assignments at various installations. She has received several military awards, including the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters, the Army Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster, the Joint Service Achievement Medal, the Army Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster and the Korea Defense Service Medal.