Syracuse Sun

Members of the Kehr/Hirsh family (from left to right): Steven Hirsh, Samantha Hirsh, Michael Kehr, Alice Hirsh, Ryan Kehr, Jonathan Hirsh and Rebecca Hirsh.

On an overcast Mother’s Day in 2018, a photo was taken outside of the Hall of Languages depicting a proud Syracuse University graduate, Ryan Kehr ’18, surrounded by happy family members.

It’s the kind of photo that gets taken repeatedly during Commencement weekend. This particular photo tells the story of the Kehr/Hirsh family—a proud collection of alumni whose connections to Syracuse date back to the fall of 1966. That’s when Alice (Musikar) Hirsh ’70 began her pursuit of a nursing degree from the College of Nursing.

Hirsh is the matriarch of an Orange legacy family that currently boasts seven alumni members:

Alice and her husband, Steven ’70 (philosophy, College of Arts and Sciences); Alice’s children, Jonathan ’99 (marketing management, Martin J. Whitman School of Management) and Samantha Hirsh ’10 (inclusive elementary and special education, School of Education); along with Jonathan’s wife, Rebecca (Rosenstein) Hirsh ’99 (child development in what is now the David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics); Hirsh’s nephew, Michael Kehr ’86 (political science, Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs and the College of Arts and Sciences), and his son, Ryan (information management and technology, School of Information Studies).

The family will add another branch to the tree when Julia Kehr ’26, Michael’s daughter graduates in May 2026 with dual degrees in international relations (Maxwell School) and information management and technology (iSchool).

Alice, Ryan and Julia sat down with SU News to discuss their love for the University, the Orange bonds that connect them and the impact Syracuse has had on their lives.

Alice Hirsh

What drew you to Syracuse University? “The College of Nursing had a stellar reputation. It was hard to get into it was exactly what I wanted academically. When it came to choosing Syracuse I wanted a big school one with great sports teams Greek life. It was everything I wanted more...the College did a great job teaching preparing us.”

Involvement on campus: A member Alpha Epsilon Phi sorority Alice met her husband Steven during fall semester sophomore year they married few months after graduation.

How strong is your affinity for Syracuse? “I had such positive experience at Syracuse University. It was important part my life...I'm still very close friends group 15 women graduated from...College Nursing me...we still communicate get together every couple years for Orange gatherings plan ourselves....seeing so many members my family go on study earn degrees from Syracuse really warms my heart....Everyone has had their own great experiences....My family knows everything I own orange they know how important Syracuse University is me.”

What makes Syracuse special? “Each one us found something different focus our attention on...For me it was Greek life...Jonathan he passionate about...Syracuse University Ambulance Samantha she was women's soccer team....We each discovered our passions interests because our time campus as family we all believe Syracuse great place.”

Ryan Kehr

What drew you to Syracuse University? “It wasn’t instilled me that I had attend Syracuse but...Syracuse my number one choice...Plus anyone ever talked about...always mentioned how great their experiences were how strong alumni network was....I didn’t know what wanted study first so applied iSchool completely fell love tight-knit community.”

Involvement on campus: An iSchool peer advisor Ryan also worked for SIDEARM Sports eventually running student team workers. “Working under SIDEARM Sports’ founder Jeff Rubin invaluable owe much career success lessons learned from Jeff classes....first class took from Jeff made fall love technology career.”

Current job: Ryan third year product manager NFL helps league build up electronic medical records platform athletic trainers team physicians players.

How did Syracuse set you up for career success? “The iSchool gives students so many opportunities learn grow pick their own career path learned how be good communicator good problem-solver good team player....Another key lesson learned take advantage every opportunity meet with alumni....We did these iSchool road trips where would go Silicon Valley New York City Boston meet different companies had alumni....hear about their career journeys helped know what wanted do when graduated thankful all those opportunities shaped person today.”

Julia Kehr

What drew you to Syracuse University? “When we were all on campus for Ryan's graduation saw all my family members together that really cool see everyone who shared Orange connection knew right then meant be at applied early decision senior year high school didn’t visit any other colleges.”

Involvement on campus: A member Delta Gamma sorority Julia became involved Slice Consulting student-run consulting firm provides pro bono services clients nonprofits in currently serves project manager.

Career ambitions: “I interned Community FoodBank New Jersey summer really enjoyed experience solidified interest working nonprofit which Maxwell definitely instilled enhanced through work Slice Consulting feel like working public sector consulting or working project manager nonprofit would be great fit.”

What makes Syracuse special? “I always saw closely tied my family never realized what meant until enrolled second came back campus winter break freshman year understood how special it we all shared same values because were same place college learned such valuable life lessons.”