Terry G’75 and John Skuse have a long history of supporting Syracuse University through philanthropy and engagement with schools, colleges and athletic programs across campus. Their sons, Jeffrey ’05 and Brian ’04, are alumni of the College of Visual and Performing Arts and have gone on to become leaders in the fields of business and design.
As industry leaders, the Skuse family has witnessed the rapid changes taking place in higher education as students prepare to compete in a global marketplace. With the announcement of Syracuse University Global, Terry was interested to learn about its mission to expand the University’s continuing and professional education programming for post-traditional and non-residential students. It is that strategic initiative that prompted the Skuse family to establish the scholarship for University College that will support online students enrolled in a Bachelor of Professional Studies Degree Program (BPS) beginning with the fall 2021 semester.
Being an alumna and proud parent of two SU graduates, Terry is happy to support Syracuse University. “The initiative that SU’s University College is launching to share the SU undergraduate educational experience online is so relevant and exciting,” she said. “We are proud to see Syracuse University continuing to expand and engage non-traditional students and grow educational programs with this introduction of Syracuse University Global.”
The portfolio of BPS online undergraduate degrees continues to grow as University College responds to the demand for programs such as cybersecurity administration, healthcare administration and computer programming. Currently, University College offers five online BPS degree programs. That portfolio will grow as Syracuse University Global scales to provide an SU education to non-traditional learners from anywhere in the world. “Now, more than ever, students from around the world are demanding rigorous, interactive and engaging online academic programs that prepare them for career success and advanced degree opportunities,” says Michael Frasciello, dean of University College.
“The total cost of attending Syracuse University is a barrier to entry for so many part-time continuing students. This generous donation from the Skuse family to create a scholarship will help our students lower, and in some cases remove, that barrier,” says Frasciello. “This is the mission of Syracuse University Global and we are exceedingly grateful to the Skuse family for this support and vision.” The gift boosts the ongoing Forever Orange Campaign which supports students from diverse backgrounds who aspire to be Orange.
About Forever Orange
Orange isn’t just our color. It’s our promise to leave the world better than we found it. Forever Orange: The Campaign for Syracuse University is poised to do just that. Fueled by 150 years of fearless firsts, together we can enhance academic excellence, transform the student experience and expand unique opportunities for learning and growth. Forever Orange endeavors to raise $1.5 billion in philanthropic support, inspire 125,000 individual donors to participate in the campaign, and actively engage one in five alumni in the life of the University. Now is the time to show the world what Orange can do. Visit syracuse.edu/foreverorange to learn more.