Students passing through the Schine Student Center Monday afternoon might have noticed a swarm of cameras and students gathering around a new face on campus.

That face belonged to Kent Syverud, Syracuse University’s 12th chancellor, who spent his first official day on the job meeting students and staff at various locations around campus.

Syverud took time to speak with groups at several locations throughout the afternoon, including lunch with orientation leaders in Schine Student Center, a visit with students and staff at the Office of Multicultural Affairs, a tour of the Slutzker Center for International Services and a stop at the Syracuse Technology Garden downtown.

Many of those who spoke to Syverud personally came away with positive thoughts on the new chancellor.

“He seems like a very friendly guy, and he’s really making an effort to meet the student body,” said Tiffany Chu, a junior information management and technology and psychology major who spoke with Syverud at the Office of Multicultural Affairs.

Syverud’s wife, Dr. Ruth Chen, joined him for the afternoon events. Chu, a Texas native, said she discussed Texas with the pair since Chen lived in Houston. Chu added that Syverud was very personable and talking with students so early in his tenure made a good first impression.

Ira Huff, a senior English and textual studies major, also met the chancellor at the Office of Multicultural Affairs. Huff talked to Syverud for a few minutes and said he was pleasant and approachable.

“It shows he supports the student body, and I wanted to be here to show support for him,” Huff said. “I think it says a lot about his character that he’s willing to be a part of the community and jump right in.”

After making two stops in Schine, Syverud made his way to the Slutzker Center. He met with students in an English conversation group, which helps international students practice English, as well as students in the Connections Program, which helps foreign students adapt to college life.

Pimsiri Aroonsri, a graduate student in the School of Education, said it was a pleasure to meet the chancellor. She noted the importance of Syverud’s interactions with students from all over the world.

“I think he’ll have a great understanding of international students because of his versatile background, which is great because SU has so many international students,” Aroonsri said.

Jianglin Gui, a senior marketing and finance major, said Syverud was friendly. She was especially impressed that he made time to stop across campus and visit students on his first day.

Gui added that Syverud’s wife complimented the programs at the Slutzker Center.

Jai Yue, a public relations graduate student, said the opportunity to welcome the new chancellor excited her. She added she wants to see the strides Syverud makes with the international student program.

Syverud’s work abroad and his vision of the world impressed Pat Burak, director of the Slutzker Center. Burak said she talked with Syverud’s colleagues at Washington University at St. Louis and she knows both Syverud and his wife are engaged with the world.

Burak added that Syverud’s experience teaching abroad is important because international student enrollment has increased dramatically at SU during the last few years.

She went on to say that the Slutzker Center has grown, something she’s proud of, but she hopes it will continue to grow and improve under Syverud.

“I think he’s great,” Burak said. “I went to his speech when he was introduced and he kept saying, ‘I’m in, I’m in.’ With our international work, I think he’s in.”

Senior industrial design major Soo Kim said she appreciated Syverud visiting the Slutzker Center. She added that she had never met former Chancellor Nancy Cantor.

Said Kim: “There’s definitely a connection between us and him now.”

Published on January 14, 2014 at 3:03 am

Contact Brett: blsamuel@syr.edu | @Brett_Samuels27