This week the Syracuse University community came together to
dedicate and formally open the National Veterans Resource Center
(NVRC) at the Daniel and Gayle D’Aniello Building, and to celebrate
the 10-year anniversary of the Institute for Veterans and Military
Families (IVMF). At the dedication event, U.S. Navy veteran and
Life Trustee Daniel D’Aniello ’68, H’20 and his wife, Gayle,
announced a $30 million gift to secure the future and long-term
success of the IVMF. The gift, which builds on the D’Aniello
family’s $20 million gift in 2018 to help construct the NVRC, will
support the creation of an endowment to provide annual operational
support for the IVMF, ensuring it remains the nation’s leading
academic institute focused on the concerns of America’s more than
20 million veterans and their families. With this latest gift,
Forever Orange: The Campaign for Syracuse University, a $1.5
billion fundraising campaign exceeded $1.048 billion in funds
raised.
“Dan’s love for Syracuse University goes beyond alumni loyalty
or the responsibility as a trustee,” says Chancellor Kent Syverud.
“The D’Aniellos are invested in our vision for serving veterans and
military-connected families. It is impossible to measure the ripple
effect that his leadership and support have had on our community.
Thanks to the D’Aniellos, Syracuse University’s commitment to
veterans will continue to grow, to aspire to new and better
programs, and to make a tangible difference to those who have
served our nation.”
Founded in 2011, over the past 10 years the IVMF has grown to
become one of the most influential centers of thought leadership,
research and programming focused on the nation’s veterans and
military families. The IVMF designs and delivers programs—at no
cost to veterans, military-connected individuals and
families—focused on vocational skills training, career preparation
and business ownership, while also conducting actionable research,
policy analysis and advocacy. With the support of public- and
private-sector partners, the IVMF also works in communities across
the U.S., supporting efforts to help veterans and their families
navigate the transition from military to civilian life.
The D’Aniello family’s commitment to service is at the heart of
the decision to extend support of IVMF, the NVRC and other
veterans-focused initiatives at Syracuse University.
“The IVMF is doing the kind of groundbreaking work that is vital
to understanding and breaking down the barriers facing veterans and
their families as they transition from military service to civilian
life,” says D’Aniello. “The institute’s innovative programs and
services provide veterans an opportunity to find a meaningful
career or launch their own business. In turn, our nation’s veterans
and their families contribute to their communities and serve their
country in new and profound ways. Gayle and I are honored to
support this work that is taking place at the University that means
so much to us.
Daniel D’Aniello, a U.S. Navy veteran and co-founder and chair
emeritus of The Carlyle Group, serves as co-chair of the IVMF
Advisory Board and was recognized during the Class of 2020
Commencement with an honorary doctor of humane letters. He also
serves as chairman of the American Enterprise Institute (AEI) and
the Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts. He earned a
bachelor’s degree in 1968 from what is now the Martin J. Whitman
School of Management and was later named alumnus of the year. He
was drafted into the U.S. Navy in 1968 and spent three years
serving as a supply officer aboard the USS Wasp (CVS 18). Following
his military service, D’Aniello continued his education at Harvard
Business School, where he earned an MBA and was also a Teagle
Foundation Fellow. In 2016, D’Aniello was awarded the U.S. Navy
Memorial Foundation’s Lone Sailor Award for drawing upon his Sea
Service experience to achieve success in his personal and
professional life while exemplifying the core values of honor,
courage and commitment.
J. Michael Haynie, vice chancellor for strategic initiatives and
innovation, created the IVMF at Syracuse University in 2011. Haynie
credits the support the University has received from the D’Aniello
family for making it possible for the IVMF to provide training,
educational programming and community-based services to more than
160,000 veterans and military families since its founding in
2007.
“Dan’s commitment to our work has been transformative, and now
his commitment to create an endowment ensures that the work of the
IVMF can continue for generations to come,” says Haynie. “Dan’s
support also enables the IVMF team to act entrepreneurially, in
pursuit of innovative opportunities. Our ability to pursue new
initiatives will be enabled by Dan’s ongoing support and his
commitment to seeding innovation across the IVMF’s programs,
services and research,” says Haynie.
The D’Aniello family has given back in meaningful ways in
support of many organizations and communities. His philanthropic
work is far-reaching, with a focus on education, mental health, the
performing arts, veterans, entrepreneurship and faith-based
organizations.
In addition to his service to the University’s Board of
Trustees, D’Aniello is a member of the Chancellor’s Council and the
Whitman Advisory Council and serves as co-chairman of the IVMF
advisory board. D’Aniello received the George Arents Award in 2017,
the University’s highest alumni honor.
About the Institute for Veterans and Military Families at
Syracuse University
The Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) is the
first interdisciplinary national institute in higher education
focused on the social, economic, education and policy issues
impacting veterans and their families. Through its professional
staff and experts, the IVMF delivers leading programs in career,
vocational and entrepreneurship education and training while also
conducting actionable research, policy analysis and program
evaluations. The IVMF also supports communities through collective
impact efforts that enhance delivery and access to services and
care. The institute, supported by a distinguished advisory board,
along with public and private partners, is committed to advancing
the lives of those who have served in America’s armed forces and
their families. For more information, visit ivmf.syracuse.edu and
follow IVMF on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
About the National Veterans Resource Center
The National Veterans Resource Center (NVRC) at the Daniel and
Gayle D’Aniello Building is a class-leading exemplar of academic,
government and community collaboration. The NVRC functions as the
center of veteran life on the campus of Syracuse University, in the
local community, and across Central New York. Specifically, the
NVRC leverages a public-private sector partnership model to nurture
academic research, actionable programming, and collaborative
thought leadership positioned to impact veterans and their families
on the campus of Syracuse University, in New York State, and in
communities across the U.S. Home to the Institute for Veterans and
Military Families, the NVRC houses state-of-the-art vocational and
educational programs designed to advance the economic success of
the region’s and the nation’s veterans and military families, and
also serves as a platform through which to seed, nurture, and
coordinate veteran-connected academic research and technology
commercialization. To learn more about the NVRC, visit
nvrc.syr.edu.
About Syracuse University
Syracuse University is a private research university that
advances knowledge across disciplines to drive breakthrough
discoveries and breakout leadership. Our collection of 13 schools
and colleges with over 200 customizable majors closes the gap
between education and action, so students can take on the world. In
and beyond the classroom, we connect people, perspectives and
practices to solve interconnected challenges with interdisciplinary
approaches. Together, we’re a powerful community that moves ideas,
individuals and impact beyond what’s possible.
About Forever Orange: The Campaign for Syracuse
University
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 foreverorange.syr.edu to learn
more.
Daryl Lovell
Syracuse University
315-380-0206
dalovell@syr.edu