Syracuse Sun

Five exceptional alumni will be celebrated during an upcoming event in Washington, D.C., as part of the Maxwell School centennial celebration. The event, scheduled for Friday, May 31, at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Portrait Gallery, will mark the school's 100th anniversary and honor alumni and friends who embody Maxwell's commitment to engaged citizenship and public service.

The Awards of Excellence presentations will recognize the achievements of B. Ben Baldanza ’84, Carlisha Williams Bradley G’09, Mary Margaret Graham G’78, Lia Miller ’99, G’03, and Jessica Sun G’09. These alumni have demonstrated exceptional leadership and dedication to making a positive impact on society in various fields.

B. Ben Baldanza, the inaugural recipient of the Bridge Award, is recognized for his exemplary leadership in the airline industry and commitment to supporting undergraduate research and education policy initiatives at Maxwell.

Carlisha Williams Bradley, the recipient of the Charles V. Willie Advocate Award, has made significant contributions to advancing diversity and inclusive leadership development, particularly through her work with girls of color and women of color in leadership roles.

Mary Margaret Graham, honored with the Spirit of Public Service Award, is celebrated for her extensive experience in the intelligence community and her contributions to national security and intelligence gathering efforts.

Lia Miller, recipient of the 1924 Award, has demonstrated distinguished leadership as a foreign service officer, promoting peace, empowering women, and fostering cross-cultural understanding in her diplomatic roles.

Jessica Sun, the recipient of the Compass Award, has been acknowledged for her dedication to improving housing affordability and ending homelessness in the United States through her work in housing programs, budgeting, and policy analysis.

Dean David M. Van Slyke expressed his admiration for the honorees, stating, "The Awards of Excellence are an opportunity to share and celebrate Maxwell’s ideals in action and to inspire others."

The Maxwell School’s centennial celebration in Washington, D.C., will not only commemorate a significant milestone in the school's history but also recognize the outstanding achievements of its alumni who continue to uphold its values of engaged citizenship and public service.