FALKTALK | ISSUE 18 | AUG. 5, 2023

Dear Falk College Family,

When I was asked more than 20 years ago to serve as dean of the newly merged Falk College, I knew there would be many paths to failure, but only one path to success: We would move forward as the collective “we” — the faculty, scholars, and staff of the joined legacy colleges.

Together, we built on the historical excellence of our professional schools alongside the development of sport management, sport analytics, and now esports. And as you’ll read below, all our programs continue to grow and thrive.

As you may know, my tenure as dean is ending. I am proud of what we’ve built, but my greatest joy is the legacy of our students who come to Falk College because they want to build a better future for our world. Thank you for your continued support of our students.

Diane Lyden Murphy, M.A., M.S.W., Ph.D.
Dean, Falk College

Changing the World

Inspired by the death of her older brother, public health major Kiersten Edwards spent an exceptional four years at Syracuse and was named a 2023 Syracuse University Scholar–the highest academic accolade given to graduating seniors.

Savoring College Life

Mackenzie Gleason is pursuing her passion for food through Falk’s Food Studies program and InclusiveU, an initiative that welcomes students with intellectual and developmental disabilities to experience college life in a fully inclusive setting.

High-Altitude Health Study

To teach students how the human body adapts to extreme high-altitude environments, Exercise Science professor Tom Brutsaert led a team with several Syracuse University students to the base of Mount Everest.

Preventing Childhood Obesity

Nutrition and Food Studies Professor Latha Ramalingam and Nutrition Science students Junhui “Carol” Yang and Mariana Pérez Lugo spent the spring semester researching how a father’s obesity adversely effects his children.

Roots of Social Work

For 18 undergraduate students from the School of Social Work, discovering the past and how it connects to the present was the purpose of their “Roots of Social Work” Onondaga Historical Association tour of the City of Syracuse.

Equity, Beauty and Culture

Thalía Henao ’16, who majored in Child and Family Studies (now Human Development and Family Science), is a freelance beauty and culture writer who advocates for equity by celebrating diverse identities and cultures.

Trans Support Day

About 250 people, including individuals, couples, parents, and children, attended Trans Support Day hosted by the Trans and Gender Expansive Support Team and Falk’s Department of Marriage and Family Therapy.

Remembering Alice Honig

Alice Sterling Honig, Professor Emerita of child and family studies (now Human Development and Family Science) in the Falk College, died March 7. “The college has lost a giant in her field,” said Professor of Practice Thom deLara.

Orange Central and Family Weekend

Reconnect with old friends, visit favorite campus spots and immerse yourself in the Orange experience during Orange Central weekend Sept. 28-Oct. 1. And make your plans now for Family Weekend Nov. 3-5 filled with family, fun and football!