‘I Want to Specifically Thank All the Graduates’: Chancellor Kent Syverud Speaks to the Class of 2023 (Video)

Syracuse University Chancellor and President Kent Syverud addressed the Class of 2023 during Commencement exercises Sunday, May 14, at the JMA Wireless Dome.

Chancellor Syverud noted the efforts of students during the challenges of the pandemic. “I don’t think there is any student body in the United States that did a better job throughout the pandemic in remaining open, in person, and safe. It was a heavy lift for all of us,” Chancellor Syverud said.

“I just want to remind you that we did remain open and in person for instruction and activities starting in the summer of 2020. Unlike almost all schools in the northeast, we did not close down in person for a year or more. Unlike almost all schools in the south and the midwest, we reopened and stayed open safely. We took so many steps, and enforced so many rules and restrictions, to contain the virus. For almost a year, we all lived under public health rules in New York State that said that if we had just 100 or more positive COVID tests among our 30,000-person campus population, we had to close down, most likely for the rest of the semester and the year. We came close to closing, but we made it, thanks to all of you and all of us.”

Finally, as Chancellor Syverud wrapped up his address to the Class of 2023, he also made the following favorable announcement, in the spirit of grace that so many showed during the pandemic, and to the delight of the Commencement audience: “As Chancellor of Syracuse University, I hereby declare and direct an amnesty for, and the expungement of all records concerning, COVID-19 related student conduct violations.”