By John Boccacino ’03, G’20
Bill Vrooman '60 and Lee Kirk '60 are inseparable best friends. It’s been that way since they met six decades ago on the Syracuse University campus.
Their lives have changed since the dynamic duo first formed this lifelong friendship as brothers in the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity.
Vrooman started off as a physical education teacher after graduating before transitioning to a career in real estate, an occupation he still holds at age 82. Kirk considers himself blessed to have spent his entire career doing what he loves: working in the advertising and marketing fields, his field of study at Syracuse University.
The one constant has been their shared love of the Orange.
That school spirit was on display during Orange Central 2021, as Vrooman and Kirk were among the more than 1,600 alumni and friends of Syracuse University who returned home to celebrate all things Orange.
The two friends started making plans to come back to campus for their 60th reunion more than a year ago. Then COVID-19 happened, and their plans were delayed a year. The waiting only made the reunion sweeter when Vrooman and Kirk embraced upon seeing each other for the first time at Orange Central.
“I’ve been looking forward to this weekend for some time now. Lee and I have attended our 25th and 50th reunions together, and there was no way we were going to miss our 60th,” said Vrooman, who also reconnected with several of his former Syracuse baseball teammates at the weekend’s student-athlete reception.
For Vrooman, the first member of his family to attend college, his Orange affinity spread to his children, as two of his sons, Robert ’89 and Peter ’96, followed in his Orange footsteps.
“I guess I started an Orange legacy. When I was in high school, I wasn’t the greatest student in the world, but Syracuse saw something in me and gave me an opportunity. If it wasn’t for Syracuse University, I don’t know where I’d be or what I’d be doing. Syracuse means the world to me,” said Vrooman, fighting back tears.
Vrooman, who lives in Lewiston, N.Y., and Kirk, who lives in Rochester, N.Y., keep in touch, often discussing their fondness for Syracuse University while recounting their on-campus adventures.
“Syracuse sparked a lifelong friendship for us. I’ve always been proud of the education Syracuse gave to me and coming back this weekend has been a great trip down memory lane. Everyone was so welcoming to us, and this was a fabulous experience,” said Kirk.
Recalling A Life-Changing Education
Laura Hand ’71 has plenty of fond memories from her time on campus, but when she graduated with a dual degree in television and radio and political science, she recalled her parents feeling more school spirit than she did. Hand was more focused on launching her television news career, which she did as the first female television reporter on NBC3 News (WSTM-TV) in Syracuse.
Over the years, as Hand broke down barriers as one of the nation’s first female television journalists, her fondness for Syracuse University grew stronger. While she proudly carried her original alumni card from 1971 in her wallet, her Orange collection was missing something.
One day as she was sifting through her mother’s possessions, Hand came across a treasured (and forgotten) keepsake from her undergraduate days: the orange and blue beanie she wore as a freshman.
As Hand addressed alumni from the Classes of 1960, 1961, 1970 and 1971 during Orange Central’s Senior Alumni Brunch, she proudly wore her Class of 1971 button and clutched that beanie in her left hand.
“Every freshman says that first year on campus is life-changing, but they really inculcated the Orange traditions in us right away. It’s hard to believe I’m here for my 50th reunion. Time gallops, it really does. Syracuse taught me that you get what you need out of life based on what you put into it. You have to work for everything you get,” said Hand, who took great pride in mentoring current Syracuse students during her decorated broadcasting career.
Men’s Hoops Standout, Miss America Contestant Among Distinguished Guests
Leading up to Orange Central 2021, the last time Erich Santifer ’84, G’97 was on Syracuse University’s campus, he was earning his
Executive Master’s in Public Administration degree from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs. That was more than two decades ago.
A lot has changed since that proud moment for Santifer, but one thing remains the same: the prolific scorer who averaged nearly 15 points per game and graduated as the No. 2 scorer in men’s basketball history still gets emotional recalling his time on the Hill.
“It’s great being back on campus. I have so many great memories, especially being back on the Quad. I vividly remember walking through HBC (Huntington Beard Crouse) Hall as a freshman and seeing students gathering and laughing on the Quad. That’s when I found my comfort zone at Syracuse, and that’s the feelings I have here. I had a wonderful student-athlete experience, and the great thing is, I met great people, received a quality education and had a boatload of fun,” Santifer said.
The same can be said for Meghan Sinisi ’17, the former Orange Girl who entertained Syracuse fans at every home football game with her baton twirling routine from 2013-2017.
Sinisi displayed her hand-eye coordination and athleticism by once again entertaining fans of the Orange with a baton performance during an on-field performance at halftime of Syracuse’s 21-6 win over Boston College.
The feeling of twirling a baton and effortlessly plucking it out of the air brought back a rush of emotions for Sinisi, who was crowned Miss Pennsylvania in June and will compete for the title of Miss America in December.
“Being a Syracuse alumna means the world to me. It’s indescribable, honestly, to perform here at Orange Central. It’s so special to be a part of this celebration and to see so many alumni come home and celebrate their alma mater. Just hearing our fight song and hearing alumni singing along and cheering after what we went through the last year or so, this has been a lovely experience. I’m forever Orange in every way, shape and form.”
Orange Central featured something for everyone, including special milestone reunion gatherings for alumni celebrating their 25th, 35th, 50th and 60th reunions.
The
Alumni Awards Celebration honored ten distinguished alumni —
Keith Cartwright ’97,
María D. Meléndez ’89,
Dan Mezzalingua ’60,
Jim Morris ’77, G’78, Russell King '52, Col. Eileen Collins '78, H'01, Katie Hoole ’13, Nicole Osborne ’14, G’20, Ivan Robles ’15 and Leo Wong ’14 — for their decorated careers and their love of Syracuse University.
More than 60 programs — both in-person and virtual — connected alumni with their alma mater, while the always-popular ’Cuse Cookout on the Quad and pre-game tailgate were must-attend weekend staples.
Cap it all off with the football team’s big win over Boston College and Orange Central was a smashing success! Check out our
Facebook photo gallery from the weekend.
We’re looking forward to another successful and spirited Orange Central in 2022.