Syracuse University Alumni Awards

The Office of Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving, in partnership with the Syracuse University Alumni Association Board of Directors, will host the annual Syracuse University Alumni Awards Celebration on Friday, April 12 from 4:30-8:30 p.m. at the National Veterans Resource Center | Daniel & Gayle D’Aniello Building | 101 Waverly Ave, Syracuse, NY 13244

Complimentary parking is available in the University Avenue Garage, entrance on E Adams St, Syracuse, NY 13210. Guests will not need a parking pass to access the garage; simply alert the parking attendant that you are here for the Alumni Awards. Please note that this is just a short 5-minute walk the Daniel & Gayle D’Aniello Building. A van will depart University Avenue Garage at 4:30 p.m. to bring guest to the Daniel & Gayle D’Aniello Building if they need assistance.

NEW in 2024:

We will celebrate at an earlier time to allow more members of our University and local community to attend.
The event will be offered FREE of charge so all can participate.
Two *NEW* awards will be presented: the Volunteer of the Year Award and the Outstanding Future Alumni Award.
Student leaders, faculty, staff and community members are invited to attend!

Scroll down to learn more about each honoree.

The Syracuse University Alumni Awards recognize alumni and future alumni who embody what it means to be Forever Orange. The following honors will be awarded at the celebration:

Arents Award - Syracuse University’s highest alumni honor, the Arents Award recognizes alumni who have excelled in their respective fields.
Melvin A Eggers Senior Alumni Award - The Melvin A. Eggers Senior Alumni Award is presented to those alumni who have graduated more than 50 years ago and have demonstrated loyalty and service to Syracuse University.
Military/Veteran Award - The Military-Veteran Alumni Award is presented to U.S. military service members or veteran alumni who have distinguished themselves through exceptional meritorious service and achievement while serving in the United States military and/or in their post-service careers in the private, business, government or philanthropic sectors.
Generation Orange Award - The Generation Orange Award recognizes graduates of the last 10 years for their tremendous contributions to their profession and their community and for their overall commitment and loyalty to Syracuse University.
Volunteer of the Year Award - Newly established in 2023, this award is the greatest expression of appreciation for alumni who have devoted themselves to long-term and consistent volunteerism and service to Syracuse University.
Outstanding Future Alumni Award - Newly established in 2023, this award recognizes a Syracuse University student who displays exemplary commitment to both the campus and local community through leadership, service and/or involvement outside of the classroom.

George Arents Award

Thomas Wilmot ’70

Thomas Wilmot is president and chairman of the board of Wilmorite, a leading commercial real estate development and management company that has developed 16 regional shopping centers in eight states encompassing more than 20 million feet of retail space. Wilmot began his career as an assistant project manager for Wilmorite by overseeing the construction of several regional projects. Over the years, he continued his dedication to the family business by creating and successfully managing other companies such as Page Airways, Genesee Management, Wilmorite Properties and Wilmorite Construction. As Wilmorite’s chairman, he oversees the day-to-day activities of the company and takes part in every major business decision. During his career and the evolution of Wilmorite, the company has successfully developed over 35 million square feet of premium space in nine states, including retail, hotel, office, health, housing, airport, convention facilities and casinos.

Wilmot is a leading member of the Rochester community serving as a member of the Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce and as a trustee of Rochester Institute of Technology, University of Rochester, Syracuse University, Nazareth College of Rochester, St. Bernard Institute and the James P. Wilmot Cancer Center. He is also a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers.

Wilmot would like to thank Kent Syverud and the Syracuse University community for this award and his wife Colleen for all her effort.

Melanie Gray L’81

After graduating from the Syracuse University College of Law in 1981, Melanie Gray spent the majority of her 40-year career with Weil, Gotshal & Manges in Houston, Texas, focusing her practice on complex bankruptcy litigation before retiring in 2020. Most notably, Gray was one of the lead attorneys in Enron’s Chapter 11 reorganization. Additional past clients include American Airlines, General Electric and General Motors.

Gray has worked tirelessly leading many nonprofits, including serving on the boards of Syracuse University, Baylor College of Medicine, Girls Inc., Legacy Community Health Services, and the Greater Houston Community Foundation. In 2011, Gray received the Distinguished Alumna Achievement Award from the College of Law. In Dineen Hall, the Melanie Gray Ceremonial Courtroom bears her name and is a visible showcase of her philanthropy to Syracuse University. She currently serves as the first woman to chair the College of Law Board of Advisors and is a Life Trustee.

Gray credits her successes to her husband and three children who unwaveringly supported her commitment to her career and public service—and, importantly, the education she received from the College of Law.

Donovan McNabb ’98

Donovan McNabb played 13 seasons as an NFL quarterback, primarily with the Philadelphia Eagles. He was the second overall pick in the 1999 draft and went on to lead the organization to eight postseasons, including five NFC East Division championships, five NFC Championship Games and the team’s first Super Bowl appearance in 24 years. McNabb was selected to six Pro Bowls, was twice named a finalist for the NFL’s Man of the Year Award and finished second in the MVP voting following the 2000 season.

An iconic player and one of the most impactful in Eagles’ franchise history, he was named to the club’s 75th Anniversary Team and was immortalized at a halftime ceremony in September 2013, when the organization retired his No. 5 jersey. McNabb holds Syracuse University records for career touchdown passes and yards gained. He earned All-Big East honors all four seasons of his collegiate career and was named the league's Offensive Player of the Year three times. McNabb was recognized as the Big East's Offensive Player of the Decade for the 1990s and received the honor of having the No. 5 jersey number retired by the University in 2013. Donovan currently hosts "The Five Spot" podcast on Fox's newest network, OutKick sports.

The Donovan McNabb Fund, which has pledged support to raise awareness of diabetes, has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for the American Diabetes Association, as well as provided scholarships to many students.

McNabb’s wife Raquel “Roxi” McNabb, a Syracuse University Trustee, was also a star athlete on Syracuse University’s women’s basketball team. The couple has four children; daughter Lexi is a current player on the women’s basketball team.

Outstanding Future Alumni Award

Leondra Tyler ’24

Leondra Tyler is a post-traditional student attending Syracuse University for neuroscience and psychology through the part-time Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP). She has an associate of arts in liberal arts, cum laude, from Syracuse University. Tyler’s academic achievements include consistently making Dean’s List nearly every semester of her academic career and being a McNair and Our Time Has Come (OTHC) scholar. She serves as an advocate for student aid funding, specifically for HEOP programs, directly meeting with senators, legislators and assemblymen to discuss the importance of funding for these programs and supporting marginalized and underprivileged communities. At Hendricks Chapel, Tyler has been involved in managing the campus food pantries, combating food insecurity on campus. She connects with Syracuse University students and creates a safe space for them to flourish. In her free time, you’ll find her hiking, cooking, traveling and taking photographs of nature and architecture.

Tyler would like to thank Hendricks Chapel Dean Rev. Brian Konkol, Hendricks’ Rebecca Reed Kantrowitz, HEOP’s Marsha Senior and Maria Lopez (Office of Multicultural Advancement) and everyone in the Syracuse University community for all the support and encouragement. Without the love and support of Hendricks Chapel, HEOP and OTHC, she says she would not be where she is today and doing the amazing work she does on campus.

Generation Orange Award

Amanda Quick ’14, G’16

Amanda Quick is a senior manager at American Express. She graduated magna cum laude from the S.I. Newhouse School of Communications with a degree in broadcast and digital journalism with minors in marketing and Chinese studies. Quick also received an M.S. in information management from the School of Information Studies in 2016.

She is passionate about both mentorship and giving back to her community. Quick served on the Generation Orange Leadership Council for six years and is currently a member of the Newhouse Emerging Leaders Board. She is also a breast cancer thriver and is on the board of directors for The Pink Agenda where she supports and educates young women who are living with breast cancer while raising awareness nationally for the disease. Quick has shared her story with Good Morning America and participated in the Ann Taylor LOFT and BCRF campaigns. In her free time, she loves to read, creative write, travel and cheer for the Kansas City Chiefs.

Quick would like to thank God, her family, friends and the nominating committee. She is grateful for the opportunity to be honored with the Generation Orange Award and looks forward to continuing to serve both her Syracuse and local communities.

Melvin A. Eggers Senior Alumni Award

Marc Malfitano ’74, L’78

Marc A. Malfitano is a graduate of the College of Arts and Sciences, where he majored in political science and psychology, as well as the College of Law, where he obtained his Juris Doctor. He applied his skills as a real estate partner, general counsel and chief operating officer at a Syracuse-based developer which was one of the largest privately held portfolios of shopping centers in the U.S. He was recognized as an expert and sought-after speaker at seminars and conferences for his knowledge of complex real estate transactions.

Malfitano became re-engaged with the University when he was asked to teach a class at the College of Law in commercial real estate transactions. During more than 25 years as an adjunct professor, he also joined the College of Law Board of Advisors and served as the chair for 10 years. He was a key member of the team that guided the development of Dineen Hall, and with his wife Jeanette has been a major donor to Dineen Hall and other law school programs. Malfitano has continued to give back to the community by serving on various boards and foundations and as the longtime chairman of the town planning board in the community in which he lives. Malfitano shares his affinity for cars with his wife and he enjoys time as an amateur auto racer and as a performance driving instructor.

Malfitano would like to thank the Alumni Association for this award and to dedicate the receipt of this award to the memory of his father Dr. Anthony A. Malfitano, a Syracuse grad, and to his friend and mentor, the late Hannah A. Arterian, former dean of the College of Law.

Military/Veteran Award

Maj. Gen. Peggy C. Combs ’85, H’21 USA, Ret.

Major General (MG) Peggy Combs hails from Oriskany, NY, and was commissioned as a Regular Army 2nd LT in the United States Army Chemical Corps in May 1985, as a distinguished military graduate of the ROTC program at Syracuse University. Throughout her 33-year service tenure, MG Combs served in a variety of leadership and staff positions at the tactical, operational and strategic levels. General Officer assignments included the Deputy Commanding General, U.S. Army Cadet Command (ROTC) and Fort Knox, Fort Knox, Kentucky; the 27th Chief of Chemical and Commandant, U.S. Army Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear School at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri; Acting Commanding General, U.S. Army Training Center at Fort Jackson, Fort Jackson, South Carolina; The Commanding General of U.S. Army Cadet Command and Fort Knox, Kentucky; and the Chief of Staff, North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command, Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado.

MG Combs holds a B.S. from Syracuse University, M.S. from Saint Mary College, a M.S.A. from the U.S. Army War College, and in 2021 was awarded a Doctorate of Laws Honoris Causa from Syracuse University. MG Combs retired from the U.S. Army in December 2018 and now serves as the president of the Army and Navy Academy, Carlsbad, CA. She is honored and extremely humbled to accept this prestigious award, but most proud to be a proud alumna of Syracuse University—as its dedication to veterans and their families leads our great nation. Our University's commitment to veterans transcends gratitude; it honors the selfless sacrifice made by all veterans and family members. Thank you to Chancellor Syverud for making SU the best place for Veterans.

Volunteer of the Year Award

Tracy Barash ’89

Tracy Barash has enjoyed a successful career building, managing and marketing some of the world’s greatest brands in the entertainment, sports and consumer goods industries. In 2023, Barash completed a 19-year tenure at Warner Bros. Discovery, working for three divisions at the company. Her career has also included roles at Diageo, as well as a small housewares company. Barash currently employs her extensive experience in an advisory capacity in the media and entertainment industries. She graduated from Syracuse University with a B.S. in business from the Whitman School of Management and has an MBA from the Goizueta Business School at Emory University. Barash currently chairs Whitman’s Advisory Council and is a member of the Atlanta Regional Council. She is a former president of the Syracuse University national alumni board, as well as a former trustee.

Barash wants to thank Chancellor Syverud, the Office of Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving and the National Alumni Board for this prestigious honor. She would also like to thank Karen Spear in development, and Alex McKelvie and Mike Haynie at Whitman for making volunteering so enjoyable! Her fellow volunteers past and present, on the Whitman Advisory Council, Atlanta Regional Council, National Alumni Board and Board of Trustees, continue to inspire her with their generosity. Her Syracuse friends of almost four decades remind her of why our University is so meaningful. And finally, thank you to her mom, dad and brother. Her parents taught her the importance, if not the obligation, of using the gifts and abilities she has been afforded to make the world a better place. Barash says it is a privilege to do so for Syracuse University.