Alumni E-Newsletter - December 2025

SUNY EMPIRE ALUMNI NEWS

December 2025

Let's honor our heroes!

Every year, the Empire State University community joins volunteers across the nation for Wreaths Across America. This event, held on Saturday, December 13 this year, remembers and celebrates those who fought for our nation. We honor these heroes by laying wreaths in cemeteries across the U.S. and abroad.

As part of the event this year, we invite you to share a story and upload a photo about a special veteran you know.

Learn how to give smarter this season.

The Most Powerful Gifts Come From Surprising Places

As you plan your year-end giving, consider donating appreciated stocks or making a gift from your IRA (if you’re 70-1/2 or older) to Empire State University.

These non-cash gifts are not only impactful to our mission but can offer meaningful tax advantages, such as reducing your taxable income and avoiding capital gains tax.

Thank you for your support of SUNY Empire and our students!

SUNY Empire Celebrates Commencement

Empire State University recently held two winter commencement ceremonies in Albany, graduating 360 students.

Among the graduates was Meg Connell, center, the daughter of Marian Conway, Ph.D., president of the Empire State University Foundation Board. On the left is Provost Rai Kathuria.

Read more about the ceremonies. Congratulations to the new graduates!

School Spirit on Parade

Janice Dannebaum ’24, a member of SUNY Empire’s Alumni Board, marched in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade this year, as part of the Spider-Man float.

Dannebaum’s participation is a fun coincidence, given that Peter Parker, the hero behind the mask, was a student at the fictional Empire State University in the Marvel comic book.