The University Alumni Association, in partnership with the Office of Alumni and Constituent Engagement, announced the names of six individuals who will be honored during the 2026 Alumni Awards Celebration. On April 23, the awardees—chosen by the SUAA’s Board of Directors for their embodiment of the Orange spirit through their remarkable achievements, leadership and service—will be honored in Hendricks Chapel.

The George Arents Award is the University’s highest alumni honor and recognizes individuals who have excelled in their fields. As they prepare to conclude their remarkable service to the University, this year’s Arents honorees are Chancellor Kent Syverud and Dr. Ruth Chen. Chancellor Syverud has led the University through a period of transformational change over the past 12 years, from record enrollment and a landmark fundraising campaign to establishing Syracuse as the nation’s best private university for veterans. Dr. Ruth Chen is a Professor of Practice in the College of Engineering and Computer Science, with a distinguished career in environmental toxicology spanning state government, the National Institutes of Health and academia.

Ronald J. Taylor ’15, G’16 will receive the Generation Orange Award, which recognizes graduates from the past decade for career success, community engagement and overall commitment to the University. Taylor has built a career at the intersection of education leadership, youth development and technology policy, including a role on TikTok’s global product policy team focused on youth safety. He currently serves as the inaugural executive director of the New York Collegiate Institute under the Institute for Responsible Citizenship.

Diana Wege ’76 will receive the Melvin A. Eggers Senior Alumni Award for her loyalty and service to the University. A New York-based conceptual artist, curator and activist, Wege has dedicated her career to raising awareness of environmental destruction and nonviolence. Her work appears in collections including the U.S. Department of the Interior Museum, and her educational initiative through nonprofit WOVEN has led to a meaningful partnership with SU’s School of Education.

Daniel A. D’Aniello ’68, H’20, P’04 will receive the Military/Veteran Alumni Award, which highlights exceptional meritorious service and achievement in the military and beyond. A U.S. Navy veteran and co-founder and chairman emeritus of The Carlyle Group, D’Aniello has been one of Syracuse University’s most transformative benefactors, a lifetime member of the Board of Trustees and co-chair of the D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families Advisory Board.

Akima H. Rogers ’92, P’29 will be awarded the Volunteer of the Year Award for his deep and enduring commitment to Syracuse University. Rogers, director of academic initiatives at Montgomery College, has remained actively engaged with SU as a member of the Multicultural Advancement Advisory Council and as co-founder of the annual DC Orange & Blue BBQ, which started in his backyard in 2009 and now draws hundreds of alumni from across the country.

The awards celebration is complimentary, but space is limited. Registration for the 2026 Alumni Awards Celebration is open now.