Veterans
Soaring Over Barriers: Cindy Boyd G’04 Reflects on Navigating an Aeronautical Career
Despite the Hollywood portrayal of combat aviation as a glamorous and glitzy environment, military aviators operate in highly perilous conditions, facing challenges that many civilian pilots wouldn’t dare encounter. Nevertheless, the inherent risks do not deter numerous young men and…
Veteran Eric Watson’s ’91 Journey From Marine Corps Aviator to Information Technology Manager
Eric Watson ’91 wasn’t envisioning himself as a U.S. Marine Corps aviator when he first came to Syracuse University. The Washington D.C., native originally intended on studying computer science, but as is the case with many college students, Watson realized…
Generosity of Soldiers Inspired Benetta Dousuah G’25 to Enlist in the Army
U.S. Army veteran Benetta Dousuah G’25, currently a graduate student in the Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics, vividly recalls her family’s escape from Liberia during the back-to-back civil wars that ravaged the nation between 1989 and 2003. Initially…
OVMA Hosts First Veteran Career-Ready Bootcamp
The Office of Veteran and Military Affairs (OVMA) recently hosted its inaugural Veteran Career-Ready Bootcamp at the National Veterans Resource Center at the Daniel and Gayle D’Aniello Building (NVRC). This career-preparation event brought together student veterans for a daylong series…
Music City Welcomes 16th Annual Conference for Student Veterans
Before the start of the spring semester, members of Syracuse University’s military-connected community, including students, faculty and staff, journeyed to Tennessee for the 16th Annual Student Veterans of America (SVA) National Conference (NATCON). This year, the Office of Veteran and…
OVMA’s Kari Mickinkle Named a National Leader in Veterans’ Education
Kari Mickinkle ’11, G’22, a school certifying official with the Office of Veteran Success in the Office of Veteran and Military Affairs (OVMA), has been appointed vice president of the Association of Veterans Education Certifying Officials (AVECO). “It’s basically a…
University Civilian Champions Wall of Honor Receives 3 New Additions
Syracuse University has made significant accomplishments in providing access to higher education for veterans and military family members since the days of World War I. While the overall impact of those efforts is immeasurable, they did pave the way for…
From Quad to Commission: Kristen Northrop Reflects on Raising 2 US Army Officers at Syracuse University
While her sons were training to become officers in the military, Kristen Northrop had a rare vantage point to observe their development from her office at the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications. Two of Kristen’s three sons, William Northrop…
Meet Lt. Col. Michael Skarda, Syracuse University’s Air Force ROTC Detachment Commander
When Michael Skarda started the journey of becoming a commissioned officer in the U.S. Air Force, there were no indications that his military career was beginning amidst two decades of conflict. In 2002, Skarda joined the Air Force’s Reserve Officer…
Veterans Day Weekend Celebrated at the Best Place for Veterans
According to Ron Novack, executive director of Syracuse University’s Office of Veteran and Military Affairs (OVMA), “Every day is Veterans Day at Syracuse University.” Given the University’s historic commitment to veterans and military families, it’s no surprise that the OVMA…