How Syracuse University’s next chancellor made helping vets a $300M pillar of the school Syracuse University’s new chancellor, Michael Haynie, has transformed the D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families into a cornerstone of the university, securing over $300 million in external funding since its founding in 2007. The institute, which began as a small class of 17 veterans, now operates from a state-of-the-art $63 million facility and has become a national symbol of Syracuse’s commitment to veteran support. Haynie, who has led the institute since 2011, has also revitalized the university’s business school and expanded its role as a hub for veteran education. Nick Ripplinger, a 39-year-old veteran and founder of Battle Sight Technologies, credits Haynie with helping him launch his multimillion-dollar company. Ripplinger participated in the institute’s training programs in 2017, which equipped him with the skills to develop products for military and search-and-rescue operations. He describes Haynie as a mentor who consistently provides resources to veteran entrepreneurs, even reconnecting with him over coffee at the institute’s annual training conference in Dallas. Haynie’s impact extends beyond veterans. As vice chancellor for strategic initiatives and innovation, executive dean of the Whitman School of Management, and director of the IVMF, he has reshaped Syracuse’s academic and administrative landscape. His leadership during the pandemic, as a key advisor to former Chancellor Kent Syverud, further solidified his reputation as a problem-solver. Despite his busy schedule—often rising at 4:30 a.m.—Haynie prioritizes engaging with students, frequently joining them for lunch at campus dining halls.#syracuse_university #michael_haynie #d_aniello_institute #battle_sight_technologies #whitman_school_of_management
