A lot of the “unique” culture of Syracuse University comes from veterans and their families, Chancellor Kent Syverud said Wednesday.

While introducing the keynote speaker at this year’s Veterans Day Ceremony in Hendricks Chapel, Syverud discussed SU’s work in veterans affairs and praised the veterans in attendance and all veterans for their service.

“We here believe that the best way to show our thanks is to make every day Veterans Day at this university,” he said.

Syverud said all parts of the university have embraced the mission of making SU a leader in veterans affairs. Standing behind the same podium about a year and a half ago, Syverud said one of his main goals as chancellor is to make SU the best place in higher education for veterans.

The chancellor spoke for about five minutes before Brig. Gen. Michael Fantini, the keynote speaker who is the principal director for Middle East policy in the Office of the Secretary of Defense.

Fantini praised the university for its environment for veterans, calling it inclusive, and added that if he could bottle up the ceremony and what SU is doing and put it in the Middle East, “there’d be a lot less problems.”

The brigadier general, who spoke in front of a crowd that took up most of the lower bowl in Hendricks as well as part of the balcony, called on businesses and organizations to hire more veterans, saying it’s in the country’s best interest to continue investing in former service members.

He challenged the audience, in particular the students and young adults in attendance, to consider public service and quoted former President John F. Kennedy in saying, “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.”

The whole ceremony, which lasted about an hour, honored those who served — both SU veterans and non-SU veterans. Jordan Robinson, president of the Student Veterans Organization who also served as the master of ceremonies, called veterans “ordinary people who have made themselves extraordinary.”

The university has a strong relationship to veterans affairs, which Daniel Piston, vice president of the Student Veterans Organization, spoke on.

Following World War II, which ended 70 years ago, SU Chancellor William Tolley, enacted a uniform admissions program, which ensured all military personnel admission to SU upon their return from war. By the end of 1947, SU ranked first in New York state and 17th in the U.S. in veteran enrollment.

During his speech, Piston compared Syverud’s vision for veterans at SU to Tolley’s vision. SU is currently exploring the idea of a first-of-its-kind medical school that would be veteran-focused and train students to serve in Veterans Administration hospitals. The university has also proposed the creation of the National Veterans Resource Complex, which would serve as a “hub” for all veterans resources.

In rankings released last week, Syracuse was rated as the seventh-best metro area in the U.S. for veterans pursuing higher education opportunities.

Following the ceremony in Hendricks, the U.S. flag — delivered to Syverud by Fantini’s daughter, an Air Force ROTC cadet ­— was raised while onlookers saluted and placed their hands over their hearts.

Many veterans were in the crowd, at least one from each of the five branches. As the 198th Army Band played each anthem for each respective branch, veterans stood to applause.

“I think a typical veteran, whether they’re going to school here at Syracuse or in the community, you don’t see them and as a consequence, you don’t see them,” said Vice Chancellor for Veterans and Military Affairs Mike Haynie. “It’s tough to recognize them for their service but this is that one day a year where our veterans are more visible.”

Published on November 11, 2015 at 1:34 pm

Contact Justin: jmatting@syr.edu | @jmattingly306