Here are the biggest news stories from the Syracuse University campus and around the city you may have missed this weekend.

Joseph O. Lampe dies

A former chair of SU’s Board of Trustees died Thursday. Joseph O. Lampe, who graduated from the university with a bachelor’s degree in speech and dramatic arts in 1953, led the board from 1998 to 2004. Lampe also served as a Life participant on SU’s Facilities Committee.

“Joe was everything one could hope for in a Trustee, and then some,” said current Board of Trustees President Steve Barnes, in an SU News release published Sunday. “His deep commitment to the University spanned a lifetime, and his service and leadership on the Board stands as an example for all of us who were fortunate to know and work with him. On behalf of the Board, I offer our deepest condolences to his wife, Shawn, and their entire family.”

Lampe served on SU’s $300 million Commitment to Learning Campaign Executive Committee and the national committee for the Campaign for Syracuse, according to the news release.

The former board chair also served on the College of Law Board of Visitors and the Chancellor’s Council.

“Joe modeled ethical behavior in all his work and expected the same of all who were affiliated with his university,” said former SU Chancellor Kenneth “Buzz” Shaw. “As a leader, he understood and respected the unique and important roles of the chair, the Board, the Chancellor and the faculty.”

Mayor hosts inaugural ball

About 800 people crowded into the former Post-Standard building in downtown Syracuse on Saturday night for an inaugural ball hosted by Mayor Ben Walsh’s administration, according to Syracuse.com.

The ball was a fundraiser for Walsh’s campaign committee, which raked in more than $520,000 during the mayoral race last year, according to Syracuse.com. The newspaper reported that the mayor likely raised at least $100,000 thanks to the ball.

According to Syracuse.com, the committee spent about $10,000 two weeks ago for the event.

$2.28 million donation

A Syracuse University life trustee and his wife have donated more than $2 million to SU to help fund an “invention accelerator” and the establishment of a new research center at Link Hall.

The university on Friday announced that William “Bill” F. Allyn and his wife Janet “Penny” Jones gave $2.28 million to the university, inspired in part by the $100 million Invest Syracuse fundraising plan.

The money will be used by the College of Engineering and Computer Science as part of the college’s “Transforming Our Future” plan. The college wants to increase student enrollment on campus by 20 percent, “in areas demanded by the workforce” to more than 3,000 students, over the next 10 years, according to the plan.

The Allyn family’s donation will help fund the Bill and Penny Allyn Innovation Center, which will be situated in the southern portion of Link Hall, according to an SU News release. Of the total donation, $2 million will go toward the innovation center project, according to the release.

An additional $280,000 from the family will be used as funding for Invent@SU, a six-week invention program for undergraduate students to design, prototype and pitch product ideas.

“This gift advances two of our key institutional priorities. It strengthens services for student success and supports innovation,” SU Chancellor Kent Syverud said in the release.

Published on January 28, 2018 at 11:26 pm

Contact Sam: sfogozal@syr.edu | @SamOgozalek