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
Former Syracuse Basketball Player Detained by Federal Immigration Agents Syracuse, N.Y. — A former Syracuse University basketball player who fled civil war in South Sudan has been arrested and detained by federal immigration agents. John Bol Ajak, 26, was held at the Moshannon Valley Processing Center, an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facility in Pennsylvania, according to ICE records. The incident marks another troubling chapter for the 6-foot-10 backup center, whose journey from conflict to college basketball had become a source of hope before recent legal complications. Ajak, who was still residing in Syracuse, was arrested by local police at least four times on campus for offenses such as trespassing and disorderly conduct. One incident occurred near the JMA Dome, and he reportedly had no stable address. The circumstances of his recent federal detention remain unclear, though his student visa had expired, according to university sources. He was no longer enrolled as a student but had been attempting to re-enter graduate courses. Ajak’s legal troubles escalated in early 2026. He was arrested twice in January for disorderly conduct and criminal trespass at the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communication, where he had previously studied. Recent records show he had been homeless and couch-surfing, a detail confirmed by a friend. His last arrest occurred on Feb. 18, after which he was released on pretrial conditions. However, he missed a scheduled court appearance, leading to a bench warrant for the trespass charge. Born in Natinga, South Sudan, Ajak’s family fled the country when he was 19 months old, seeking refuge in a Kenyan camp. There, he endured poverty and hunger, often writing in the sand during classes.#john_bol_ajak #syracuse_university #ice #moshannon_valley_processing_center #jma_dome
