Ten student organizations were each awarded $5,000 engagement grants as winners of last month’s Boost the ’Cuse Student Organization Challenge during ceremonies held Nov. 10 in Hendricks Chapel. The honorees include Athletic Bands, CitrusTV, DanceWorks, First Year Players, OrangeSeeds, Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, Student Association, Syracuse Hillel, University Union and WeMedia Lab. The grants will be used to bolster each organization’s important campus community-building work.
The competition, supported by donors to Hendricks Chapel and Advancement and External Affairs, encouraged registered student organizations to rally their members and supporters to make a gift during Boost the ’Cuse in the organization’s honor.
“This friendly competition directly supports Hendricks Chapel’s mission to inspire, support and develop student leaders who work to build community on campus,” says Rev. Brian Konkol, dean of Hendricks Chapel. “We are thrilled to provide this opportunity for students to embrace philanthropy and strengthen belonging within the student community.”
Student leaders, faculty and staff advisors and University leaders gathered for the celebratory dinner in Hendricks Chapel’s Noble Room. The program included remarks by Dean Konkol, thanking the student organizations for their hard work and leadership.
Student leaders and advisors of the Student Organization Challenge winners gathered in Hendricks Chapel on Nov. 10 for a celebratory dinner.
Leaders of the recognized organizations have many ideas for how they will use the grants.
“Being an entirely student-run musical theatre organization, we are so thankful and excited to use this money toward funding our production of Grease this spring,” says Vivi Collymore ’22, First Year Players co-producer.
“It means a lot being able to allocate this money toward our show that provides first-year and transfer students the opportunity to continue their passion of theatre and find a sense of community on campus,” adds Sydni Tougas ’22, also a First Year Players co-producer.
“We will use this wonderful gift to continue the work that WeMedia Lab is doing. Our responsibility is to promote cultural exchanges on the Syracuse University campus using different social platforms,” says Ze Zeng ’22, director for WeMedia Lab. “WeMedia Lab is committed to using this gift to develop better communication channels between international students and the administration, having inclusive events and more.”
Many groups were also grateful for the contributions of the alumni and supporters who gave during Boost the ’Cuse and helped them earn this grant.
“This gift and the support from our alumni mean the world to us. They want to see our station grow just as much as we do,” says Alycia Cypress ’24, alumni relations director for CitrusTV.
Learn more about Hendricks Chapel’s mission and programs at chapel.syracuse.edu.
