Bernard Kossar ’53, L’55: Distinguished in Life, Business, and Love of His Alma Mater
The Dean’s Distinguished Alumni Award recognizes both “extraordinary achievements and contributions” made by alumni. This year’s recipient believes the two are inseparable.
“I’ve had an extraordinary career,” says Bernard ‘Bernie’ Kossar ’53, L’55, and he credits Syracuse University and the College of Law. “The combination of a strong business undergraduate degree, especially focused on accounting and finance, together with a solid legal education, equipped me for almost anything and everything. It may sound silly, but I have a sense of a proprietary interest in the institution. I owe it. And that’s one of the reasons for my continued engagement.”
The Many Ways You Give Back
Alumni help the College of Law in many ways: you speak at orientation, host classes in your offices, sit on advisory boards, and so much more. Your generosity contributes to the success of our students and the College of Law.
Transforming Setbacks into Success: A Journey from Law School Challenges to Starbucks General Counsel
Zabrina Jenkins’ G’97, L’00 journey to become a lawyer was anything but conventional.
Arriving at Syracuse Law in the summer of 1994, she was full of hope and excitement for her future as the first person in her family to graduate from law school. She kept her head down, studied hard, and fully dedicated herself to her classes. Unfortunately, things did not go as planned.
Guiding the Next Generation of Orange Lawyers: 45+ Alumni Return as Mentors for Orientation and Fall 2023 Residencies
When students graduate from Syracuse Law, they become a part of something bigger than themselves. They join a global alumni network of over 11,000 alumni, representing every industry across the world. Some are C-suite executives at companies like Starbucks and JetBlue, others lead colleges, and many more are judges and attorneys in the court system. One of them is the President of the United States.
This fall, many of these celebrated alumni returned to the College of Law in the new role of teachers and mentors. They took time out of their busy schedules to impart wisdom and knowledge to our J.D. residential and JDinteractive students based on their decades of career experience.
Orange Counsel: Career Advice for Future Orange Lawyers
Through the exchange of professional knowledge, experiences, and insights, these alumni have played a part in influencing the next generation of Syracuse Law graduates. Their efforts help guide students in making informed career choices and navigating the complexities of the legal field.
Honor Roll of Donors
We password-protect this document, and you should see a postcard with the password in your mailbox soon. In the meantime, if you’d like to view the honor roll, please email Lisa Ladew for the password.
Law Firm Giving Challenge—The Winners Are In!
The dust has settled in another Law Firm Giving Challenge, with top honors going to Bond, Schoeneck & King, Bousquet Holstein, and Bottar Law in the large, medium, and small firm categories, respectively. The Law Firm Giving Challenge encourages College of Law alumni at Syracuse-area law firms to financially support the College in a friendly competition. Thank you to all Orange Lawyers in Central New York who made gifts in support of this effort, and special thanks to our Challenge Leaders at each firm. Go Orange!
You Make a Difference!
We can never say it enough—your support, input, and leadership significantly shape our community. Whether providing job or externship placements for students, serving as a distinguished lecturer, offering scholarships, engaging in mentorship, facilitating networking opportunities, demonstrating alumni leadership, serving on a committee, or contributing financially, your involvement makes a tremendous impact.
Your generosity serves as an investment in the future of your College and, more importantly, an investment in the next generation of leaders. Thank you for your ongoing commitment to the success and advancement of Syracuse Law.
Around the College of Law
Forever Orange & Class Act Updates
In our latest updates, we celebrate the vibrant spirit of Syracuse Law—where alumni engagement thrives and student philanthropy shines.
Record-Breaking Law Alumni Weekend 2023: Honoring Excellence and Uniting Our Orange Community
The College of Law welcomed a record number of alumni and friends back to campus for Law Alumni Weekend 2023, joined with Orange Central for the first time this year. From family-friendly events in the Quad to stargazing in Holden Observatory, new opportunities were abundant in addition to the traditional State of the College Address from Dean Boise, Lunch with the Judiciary, and U.S. Supreme Court Preview 2023-2024.
See Photos, Videos and Recap the Event
2L Tyriese Robinson Named as the Inaugural Recipient of the NDNY FCBA Hon. Norman A. Mordue ’66, L’71 Law Scholarship
The first recipient of a scholarship established in the honor of the Hon. Norman A. Mordue ’66, L’71 is 2L Tyriese Robinson.
The Northern District of New York (NDNY) Federal Court Bar Association (FCBA) Hon. Norman A. Mordue ’66, L’71 Law Scholarship provides a Syracuse University College of Law student with the means to pursue a legal education and follow in the footsteps of Judge Mordue, a decorated war hero who served as chief judge for the NDNY and taught trial practice at the College of Law as an adjunct professor. The NDNY FCBA established the scholarship after the passing of Judge Mordue in December 2022.
What’s New? Class Notes
See what’s new with your classmates, or submit your Class Note!
In Memoriam
Join us in remembrance: explore the In Memoriam list and honor the memories of our departed alumni who passed between July 1, 2022— June 30, 2023.