Syracuse University

Syracuse University, often called "Cuse" or "SU," is a private research university in Syracuse, New York. It was founded in 1870 and has roots in the Methodist Episcopal Church, though it became nonsectarian in 1920. The campus is in the University Hill neighborhood and has a mix of old and new buildings.

The university has 13 schools and colleges and is known for its research. Its athletic teams, called the Orange, play in 20 sports and are part of the Atlantic Coast Conference, except for men's rowing and women's ice hockey. Many famous people have been connected to Syracuse University, including former President Joe Biden and winners of Academy, Emmy, and Grammy Awards.

History

Founding

The history of Syracuse University started with the Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, founded in 1831 in Lima, New York. It grew into Genesee College. The college moved to Syracuse in 1870 and became Syracuse University. The city helped, and the university opened in 1871.

Expansion

Syracuse University grew quickly from the start. It added new programs and buildings, including one of the first architecture programs in the U.S. and the first Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. Donations helped the university grow and become known for its strong programs.

Modern

After World War II, Syracuse University became a major research institution. More students returned to study, and the university added new programs and campuses. It kept growing into the twenty-first century, facing changes along the way.

1988 crash of Pan Am Flight 103

On December 21, 1988, Pan Am Flight 103 was bombed over Lockerbie, Scotland. Thirty-five students from Syracuse University were among those who died. The university holds a memorial each year to honor them.

Twenty-first century

In recent years, Syracuse University has faced challenges, including harmful language and symbols on campus. Students have worked together to address these issues and make the university a better place. The university continues to support its community.

Campuses

The university is on a big campus with many buildings, some old and some new. The center of campus has green spaces, paths for walking, and art, giving students a nice place to relax. The campus looks out over downtown Syracuse, a city with about 150,000 people.

The Main Campus, also called North Campus, has most of the classrooms and student homes. The main square, called The Quad, is surrounded by important buildings. Many students live in campus housing, and first-year students must stay on campus. There are many places to eat, including dining halls and cafes. There are also theaters for performances.

South Campus is a bit farther away and has more homes for students, plus places like an ice skating rink and art spaces. Downtown Syracuse has some university programs, including design classes, in buildings that were once warehouses. The university also has offices and learning centers in cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Washington D.C.

The university has many art pieces, including famous works by artists like Picasso and Rembrandt, shown around campus. Students can see art in galleries and also study special collections of rare items in the university libraries.

Academics

Syracuse is a large research university where many students live on campus. Most students join a four-year program that includes both arts and sciences and professional studies. The university also has many graduate students and does a lot of research.

Popular majors at Syracuse include Communication, Journalism, Social Sciences, Business, Visual and Performing Arts, and Engineering. The university has over 200 majors to choose from and offers Bachelor’s, Master’s, and doctoral degrees. Students can also study abroad in more than 40 countries.

Research

Syracuse University is known for its strong research work. It is one of the top universities in the United States for research. Researchers at Syracuse study important topics, including business, science, engineering, education, and the environment.

The university has many special centers for research, such as the Burton Blatt Institute, which helps people with disabilities, and the Martin J. Whitman School of Management, which has several centers for business studies. In 2015, Syracuse researchers helped discover gravitational waves for the first time, a major scientific achievement. The university also works with famous science labs around the world. In 2022, it started a new center in Washington D.C. to study ways to improve democracy and trust in news reporting.

Syracuse University Press

The Syracuse University Press focuses on many areas of study, including cultures from the Middle East and Native America, peace studies, Irish and Jewish cultures, New York State, television, and sports. It was started in 1943 and is part of a group of leading university presses in the United States.

Student life

Syracuse University has students from every US state and more than 127 countries. About half of the students are women, and many are from outside the United States.

Media

CitrusTV is a television studio run by students. There are also many student magazines and newspapers, such as The Daily Orange, which has been published since 1903. WAER is a radio station that plays jazz, news, and sports. Other student radio stations exist too.

Student government

The Student Association represents students and elects leaders each year. Graduate and law students have their own groups.

Fraternities and sororities

The university has many fraternity and sorority groups that follow fair rules for all members.

Syracuse University Ambulance

Syracuse University Ambulance is a student group that helps with medical emergencies on campus. It started in 1973 and now has many volunteers who help keep students safe.

Programming board

University Union plans fun events for students, like concerts and movies. The Goon Squad helps welcome new students.

Spiritual life

Main article: Hendricks Chapel

Hendricks Chapel is a place where students can meet for many different kinds of spiritual groups. There are also other places on and off campus for students to gather.

Campus food

The university has many places to eat, including dining halls and cafes. Some of these places have won awards for their food. Students help share extra food with people who need it, and they grow some of their own vegetables too.

Athletics

Main article: Syracuse Orange

Syracuse Orange

Syracuse University's sports teams are called "the Orange." They have eight men's teams and twelve women's teams. Popular teams include men's and women's basketball, football, and men's and women's lacrosse. These teams play in the JMA Dome, also called the Carrier Dome. Other sports play at Manley Field House, except for ice hockey, which is at the Tennity Ice Skating Pavilion. Most teams compete in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

Syracuse has won many team national championships. The men's lacrosse team has won many titles, and the men's rowing team has won several. The men's basketball team, led by coach Jim Boeheim, has won many games and a national championship. The football team won its first national championship in 1959.

Syracuse began playing lacrosse in 1916 and has won many championships since then. The women's lacrosse team reached the national championship game for the first time in 2012.

JMA Dome

Main article: JMA Wireless Dome

In the late 1970s, Syracuse University needed a better stadium for its football team. The old Archbold Stadium was too small. So, the university built the Carrier Dome, which opened in 1980. It could hold many fans and also became the home for the men's basketball team.

In 2022, the Carrier Dome was renamed the JMA Wireless Dome after a naming rights deal. The Dome has had many upgrades, including a new fixed roof, air conditioning, better Wi‑Fi, and new seating. These changes make it a modern sports venue for fans to enjoy games.

Alumni

For a more comprehensive list, see List of Syracuse University people § Notable alumni.

Syracuse University has many graduates from all over the world. Some famous people went to the university. They include Joe Biden, the 46th president of the United States, and Kathy Hochul, the 57th governor of New York.

Other well-known graduates are Aaron Sorkin, a writer, and Eileen Collins, the first woman to lead a Space Shuttle. The university’s alumni also include sports stars like Carmelo Anthony, a basketball player, and Dick Clark, a television host.

Alumni work in many different areas. In politics, there is Donna Shalala. In sports, there is Donovan McNabb, a former football player. The university has also trained successful journalists such as Bob Costas and Ted Koppel.

Affiliations

Affiliated institutions

State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry

Main article: State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry

The College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) works with Syracuse University. They share many resources and have campuses next to each other. ESF started in 1911 and was once part of Syracuse University. Now, ESF is its own school, but students from both can take classes at the other school. They also share libraries, sports facilities, and student clubs.

State University of New York Upstate Medical University

Main article: State University of New York Upstate Medical University

This medical school used to be part of Syracuse University but became separate in 1950. The two schools are close to each other and offer some joint programs together.

Formerly affiliated institutions

State University of New York at Binghamton

Main article: Binghamton University

Binghamton University started in 1946 to help veterans returning from World War II. It was first a branch of Syracuse University. In 1950, it joined the State University of New York system.

Utica University

Main article: Utica University

Utica University was founded by Syracuse University in 1946. It became independent in 1995 but still has a special relationship with Syracuse University.