Skip to main content
  • Home
  • About
  • Faculty Experts
  • For The Media
  • ’Cuse Conversations Podcast
  • Topics
    • Alumni
    • Events
    • Faculty
    • Students
    • All Topics
  • Contact
  • Submit
Campus & Community
  • All News
  • Arts & Culture
  • Business & Economy
  • Campus & Community
  • Health & Society
  • Media, Law & Policy
  • STEM
  • Veterans
  • University Statements
  • Syracuse University Impact
  • |
  • The Peel
  • Athletics
Sections
  • All News
  • Arts & Culture
  • Business & Economy
  • Campus & Community
  • Health & Society
  • Media, Law & Policy
  • STEM
  • Veterans
  • University Statements
  • Syracuse University Impact
  • |
  • The Peel
  • Athletics
  • Home
  • About
  • Faculty Experts
  • For The Media
  • ’Cuse Conversations Podcast
  • Topics
    • Alumni
    • Events
    • Faculty
    • Students
    • All Topics
  • Contact
  • Submit
Campus & Community

Chancellor’s Medals Awarded to University, Community Leaders for Their Guidance and Expertise

Tuesday, December 7, 2021, By Kathleen Haley
Share
Chancellor Kent SyverudCOVID 19facultystaff

A group of University and community leaders, including the University’s Public Health Team and COVID-19 Project Management Office, were recently honored with the Chancellor’s Medal for their extraordinary leadership during the pandemic, working as a team and as individuals to help guide the University community through an unprecedented and challenging time. Their efforts made it possible for Syracuse University to offer an in-person experience during the 2020-21 academic year.

The Chancellor’s Medal was recently presented to a group of University and community leaders for their extraordinary leadership during the pandemic.

During recent ceremonies, Chancellor Kent Syverud presented the individuals with the medal, which is awarded to individuals in honor of their trailblazing and extraordinary contributions to society or to the University.

The medals for the leaders were initially announced at the 2021 Commencement ceremony in May. During his Commencement address, Chancellor Syverud recognized the individuals for their exceptional efforts that led to changes in how the University had to operate to adapt to public health guidelines and ensure the safety of the campus community in dealing with COVID-19.

At one of the medal ceremonies to honor several of the University leaders on Oct. 27, Chancellor Syverud said, “Leadership is difficult under the best of circumstances. The global pandemic created circumstances that none of these leaders—or their teams—had seen in their lifetimes. Nonetheless, these individuals showed up for leadership in each of their areas of responsibility.

“They supported teams who often faced obstacles. They encouraged each other. They withstood being critiqued and second-guessed. They made decisions that at times, weren’t popular but that in retrospect, were correct. They changed course when they needed to. And they helped Syracuse accomplish what many institutions couldn’t.”

University leaders who were presented with the medal were the following:

  • Lisa Dolak, senior vice president and secretary to the Board of Trustees
  • Michael Haynie, vice chancellor for strategic initiatives and innovation, executive director of the Institute for Veterans and Military Families, and Barnes Professor of Entrepreneurship
  • Robert Hradsky, vice president for the student experience
  • Candace E. Campbell Jackson, senior vice president and chief of staff
  • Gwenn Judge, interim senior vice president and chief financial officer
  • John Liu, vice president for international programs
  • Ramesh Raina, interim vice president for research
  • Pete Sala, vice president and chief facilities officer
  • John Wildhack, director of athletics
  • Brittany Grimes Zaehringer, senior associate vice president of operations and strategy, enrollment and the student experience

In another ceremony in early October, the Public Health Team was recognized for its work to ensure a safe, healthy and rewarding residential and work environment for students, faculty and staff. This included developing and implementing testing and contact tracing protocols; implementing a robust wastewater surveillance program in residence halls; developing and executing detailed quarantine procedures; and ensuring University compliance with rapidly changing public health guidelines and directives. The team oversaw a comprehensive on-campus testing program that administered more than 365,000 COVID-19 tests during the 2020-21 academic year.

Members of the Public Health Team are the following:

  • Urvashi Bhattacharya, director of strategic initiatives and project management for the Division of Business, Finance and Administrative Services
  • Kathleen Coughlin, director of health center operations and administration at the Barnes Center
  • Adam (A.J.) Florkowski, operations program manager with the Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF)
  • Adam Hepburn, executive director of operations in the Office of Strategic Initiatives and Innovation
  • Joseph Hernon, former director of emergency management and business continuity planning
  • Pruthvi Kilaru, program manager in the Department of Public Health in the David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics
  • Brittany Kmush, assistant professor of public health in the Falk College
  • David Larsen, associate professor of public health in the Falk College
  • Madeline Mackowski, lab supervisor in the Office of Strategic Initiatives and Innovation
  • Karen Nardella, University medical director
  • Mandy Patti, project manager, Enterprise Process Support, Information Technology Services
  • Deepjyoti Singh, postdoctoral researcher, Department of Biology, College of Arts and Sciences

Members of the COVID Project Management Office were also recognized separately for their work. The members are Bhattacharya, Florkowski, Haynie, Hepburn, Hernon and Patti.

Community leaders recognized were the following:

  • Indu Gupta, Onondaga County health commissioner
  • Mantosh Dewan, president of SUNY Upstate Medical University and a SUNY Distinguished Service Professor in the Department of Psychiatry
  • Ryan McMahon, Onondaga County executive
  • Ann Rooney, Onondaga County deputy county executive

The Chancellor’s Medal for Outstanding Achievement was first presented in 1967 as the Centennial Medal on the occasion of Chancellor William P. Tolley’s 25th anniversary as chancellor. The Centennial Medal, given to recognize service to higher education and society, was presented in the years 1967-71. The name of the award was changed to the Chancellor’s Medal in 1972.

  • Author

Kathleen Haley

  • Recent
  • Syracuse Pride on Display: Limited-Edition Poster Supports Future Generations
    Thursday, May 29, 2025, By News Staff
  • Maxwell Advisory Board Welcomes New Leadership
    Thursday, May 29, 2025, By Jessica Youngman
  • Syracuse Stage Hosts Inaugural Julie Lutz New Play Festival
    Wednesday, May 28, 2025, By News Staff
  • Timur Hammond’s ‘Placing Islam’ Receives Journal’s Honorable Mention
    Tuesday, May 27, 2025, By News Staff
  • Expert Available to Discuss DOD Acceptance of Qatari Jet
    Thursday, May 22, 2025, By Vanessa Marquette

More In Campus & Community

Syracuse Pride on Display: Limited-Edition Poster Supports Future Generations

The third annual fiscal-year end poster campaign is a wonderful way to celebrate Syracuse pride, expand your art collection and make a meaningful impact on the Orange community. As a token of appreciation for their generosity, the first 500 donors…

Maxwell Advisory Board Welcomes New Leadership

A Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs alumna who has supported student and faculty excellence through volunteer service and philanthropy has taken the helm of the Maxwell Advisory Board. Cathy Daicoff  G’79 began her term as chair at the…

Michael J. Bunker Appointed Associate Vice President and Chief of Campus Safety and Emergency Management Services

Syracuse University today announced the appointment of Michael J. Bunker as the new associate vice president and chief of Campus Safety and Emergency Management Services following a national search. Bunker will begin his new role on July 1, 2025. He…

Syracuse University, Lockerbie Academy Reimagine Partnership, Strengthen Bond

Syracuse University and Lockerbie Academy are renewing and strengthening their longstanding partnership through a reimagined initiative that will bring Lockerbie students to Syracuse for a full academic year. This enhanced program deepens the bond between the two communities, forged in…

Syracuse University 2025-26 Budget to Include Significant Expansion of Student Financial Aid

Syracuse University today announced a major investment in student financial support as part of its 2025-26 budget, allocating more than $391 million to financial aid, scholarships, grants and related assistance. This represents a 7% increase over last year and reflects…

Subscribe to SU Today

If you need help with your subscription, contact sunews@syr.edu.

Connect With Us

  • X
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
Social Media Directory

For the Media

Find an Expert Follow @SyracuseUNews
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
  • @SyracuseU
  • @SyracuseUNews
  • Social Media Directory
  • Accessibility
  • Privacy
  • Campus Status
  • Syracuse.edu
© 2025 Syracuse University News. All Rights Reserved.