In Memoriam: John Marshall Townsend
Townsend joined the faculty in 1973, and through the decades served as a professor, mentor, writer and researcher in the Anthropology Department. He faced long-term health conditions but, so devoted to his craft and his students, he continued to teach through the spring of 2024. He passed away on Jan. 22, 2025, at the age of 83.
See related: In Memoriam
Maxwell Student and Alumna Selected for Prestigious Rangel and Pickering Fellowships
Linda Baguma ’25, an international relations and political science major, has been named a 2025 Rangel Fellow and Alexandria Johnson ’24, an international relations graduate, has been selected as a 2025 Pickering Fellow.
See related: Academic Scholarships, Alumni Experience, Student Experience
TV Producer Says Flexibility of Maxwell’s Executive Education Program Helped Propel His Career
Jake Herrle earned an executive master’s in international relations and a certificate of advanced study in leadership of international and non-governmental organizations from Maxwell, while also engaged in communications studies at Syracuse University’s Newhouse School of Public Communications.
See related: Student Experience
Claiming Citizenship: Race, Religion, and Political Mobilization among New Americans
Prema Kurien, professor of sociology, examines the political mobilization strategies of people of South Asian and Indian descent in the United States. She also traces how immigrants reshape the host society, both conforming to aspects of that society while also transforming it to meet their unique needs. (Oxford University Press, 2025)
See related: Asian-American, India, U.S. Immigration, United States
Maxwell Joins Initiative to Support Military Veterans in Public Service
Through Service to Service, it will connect veterans and military families with educational opportunities and post-graduate careers in public service.
See related: State & Local, Student Experience
Yoonseok Lee Named Vice President of the Korea-America Economic Association
The organization promotes academic collaboration, research and dialogue in the field of economics.
See related: Awards & Honors, Promotions & Appointments
Mothering in the Time of Coronavirus
Amy Lutz, associate professor of sociology, and co-authors, two Maxwell alumni, focus on remote and essential workers in Central New York, exploring the evolving demands on mothers as well as public policies that may have hindered their ability to balance work and caregiving. Published by University of Massachusetts Press.
See related: COVID-19, Education, Gender and Sex, Parenting & Family
Lamis Abdelaaty, Collaborators, Awarded $2 Million in ERC Funds for Refugee Law Research
The associate professor of political science is part of a three-person team that will investigate the conditions that make international refugee law effective.
See related: Grant Awards, International Affairs, Refugees
Maxwell Student Named 2025 MLK Unsung Hero
Andrea-Rose Oates, a policy studies major, was selected as one of the award winners. The Unsung Hero Award is given to community members, students, faculty and staff who have made a positive impact on the lives of others but are not widely recognized for their contributions.
See related: Awards & Honors, Student Experience
Audie Klotz Elected President of ISA
The prestigious professional association promotes research, education and practice of international studies.
See related: International Affairs, Promotions & Appointments
IDJC Launches Fellows Program for Thought Leaders in Journalism and Public Affairs
See related: Media & Journalism, School History
Maxwell Sociologist’s New Documentary Reveals Plight of Syracuse Tenants
Written and directed by Gretchen Purser, the film is the culmination of a research grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
See related: Grant Awards, Housing, New York State, Race & Ethnicity, Social Justice, Urban Issues
In Memoriam: B. Ben Baldanza
Baldanza, a longtime Maxwell supporter and innovative business leader who helped transform the airline industry, passed away on Nov. 5, 2024. He was 62.
See related: Giving, In Memoriam
Embodying Biodiversity: Sensory Conservation as Refuge and Sovereignty
Shannon Novak, professor of anthropology, has contributed to “Embodying Biodiversity: Sensory Conservation as Refuge and Sovereignty” (University of Arizona Press, 2024). The book was edited by Terese Gagnon ’18 M.A. (Anth)/’21 Ph.D. (Anth), a postdoctoral researcher at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
See related: Agriculture, Environment, India
Catherine Gerard Leaves Impact at Maxwell and Around the World
Gerard, well know for teaching one of the core courses of the Executive Education Program—PAI 895 Managerial Leadership—has retired after nearly three decades at Syracuse University.
See related: School History
Dean Van Slyke Visits Korea to Forge New Partnerships and Celebrate With Alumni
Dean David M. Van Slyke signed memorandum of understandings with two top Korean universities on a recent trip to the republic in an effort to increase academic collaboration.
See related: Centennial, East Asia, School History
Religious Change and Continuity Across Generations
See related: Aging, Canada, Europe, Parenting & Family, Religion, United States
Fulbright-Hays Fellowship Supports Catherine Herrold’s Study of Locally Led Development
The associate professor will spend three months in Serbia as she continues her research on civil society and grassroots development initiatives.
From the Alumni Director: A Year of Connections
Director of Alumni Relations Jess Murray's fall 2024 letter to alumni and friends.
Maxwell Scholars Examine ‘Always Fragile’ Democracy
Amid reports of democracy’s global decline, Maxwell faculty and students are gathering new insights into perception, polarization and other pressing concerns.