This letter is to thank the people in Syracuse who have helped my family deal with a tragic, spontaneous fire that burned our house of 22 years in Milford, Pa., to the ground two weekends ago.

After I reached out to her, Chancellor Nancy Cantor put into motion gracious support from the university. My family and I truly appreciate her and her office for their support.

The Parents Office, thanks to the outreach of its director, Colleen OÕConnor Bench, is offering financial assistance so my parents can still travel up to Syracuse for commencement.

My parents, as youÕd expect, had practically bought everything in the SU Bookstore over the past four years. Betsy English and Ronna Schindler from the bookstore helped put together a bag of ÕCuse gear for them, which I know will mean so much to them when they arrive on campus this weekend.

The empathy from my co-workers, friends and professors on campus has also meant a lot to me. The good people at DJÕs on the Hill down on Marshall Street made a donation to my familyÕs relief fund. My family and I are truly grateful for the support everyone at my home away from home has given us.

Ryan Balton

Senor television, radio and film and policy studies major

 

Published on May 10, 2011 at 12:00 pm