Maxwell School News and Commentary

Pontarelli ’92 B.S. (Econ) credits the University for changing his life, opening up opportunities to pursue his passions and achieve professional success that allows him to focus on the public good. In return, he and his wife, Tracey, are paying it forward by supporting Syracuse students pursuing meaningful careers in the vital field of sustainability.

Mark Brockway, assistant teaching professor of political science, and Zach Huitink, associate teaching professor of public administration and international affairs, will work in partnership with the Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence and the associate provost for academic programs to address teaching topics identified by the vice chancellor, provost and chief academic officer.

In anticipation of America’s Semiquincentennial on July 4, 2026, Carol Faulkner, senior associate dean and professor of history professor, shares her insights on the historical themes of the document, our evolving understanding of that period of U.S. history and what she is looking forward to in this anniversary year of commemorations.

Morales, a double major in history and anthropology, is one of only 20 students nationwide to receive this prestigious award, which supports exceptional undergraduates in their pursuit of graduate studies in the arts, humanities and social sciences.

O’Keefe says his time as a Maxwell graduate student taught him the importance of employing a multidisciplinary approach to problem-solving, examining the wide range of possible outcomes and identifying what success looks like.

Katsitsatekanoniahkwa Destiny Lazore is one of 55 students nationwide selected this year. The Udall Foundation awards scholarships to college sophomores and juniors for leadership, public service and commitment to issues related to Native American nations or to the environment. 

Knight-Hennessy Scholars is a multidisciplinary, multicultural graduate scholarship program at Stanford University. Each Knight-Hennessy scholar receives up to three years of financial support to pursue graduate studies at Stanford while engaging in experiences that prepare them to be visionary, courageous and collaborative leaders who address complex challenges facing the world.

The designation is granted by the Board of Trustees to faculty who have achieved exceptionally distinguished stature in their academic specialties.

The scholarships, now in their 36th year, were founded as a tribute to—and means of remembering—the students studying in London and Florence through Syracuse University who were killed in the Dec. 21, 1988, bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland.

The One University Awards Ceremony, an annual event to honor members of the Syracuse University community who are making a difference through academics, scholarship, creative work and dedicated service, will be held Friday, April 11, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. in Hendricks Chapel.