Syracuse Sun

Chancellor Kent Syverud and Newhouse School Dean Mark J. Lodato flanked Donald Newhouse as the plaza at the Newhouse complex was renamed in honor of his family to celebrate the school’s 60th anniversary.

The S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications welcomed Donald Newhouse and his family back to Syracuse University for an afternoon of celebratory events, highlighted by the renaming of the plaza between the school’s three buildings.

The festivities included a special luncheon, a tour of the complex for the family, and a ceremony on the plaza where Chancellor Kent Syverud and Dean Mark J. Lodato unveiled the new name as hundreds watched from the Einhorn Family Walk.

Donald Newhouse, owner of Advance Publications, is part of one of America's first families in publishing. Advance was founded by his father, Samuel I. Newhouse, in 1922.

In remarks on the plaza, Donald Newhouse recounted observing a meeting in the late 1950s between his father and then-University Chancellor William P. Tolley during which the idea for what would become the Newhouse School was conceived.

Donald Newhouse was among honored guests on Aug. 5, 1964, when President Lyndon B. Johnson joined S.I. Newhouse to formally open the Newhouse 1 building. That day also marked Donald Newhouse’s 35th birthday.

“I am fortunate to have the chance in the same month that I celebrate my 95th birthday to look back with overwhelming pride at the record of the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications. It is one of the great joys of my life,” Donald Newhouse said Wednesday.

“Thank you all for helping me celebrate this anniversary and for your role in realizing the dream of my father and Chancellor Tolley.”

The Newhouse family is one of Syracuse University's largest donors, including a $75 million pledge by the Samuel I. Newhouse Foundation to the school in 2020—the single largest gift in University history.

“There are so many amazing alumni of this school that I’ve met all over—editors, broadcasters, leaders in print, cable news and network newsrooms," Syverud said before unveiling the plaza’s new name.

“All made possible because of transformational gifts from Donald Newhouse and The Newhouse Foundation,” he added. “You’ve shaped not only our University but also tens of thousands of careers.”

Today, The Newhouse School offers seven undergraduate programs and more than a dozen graduate programs covering various fields in media and communications. This year saw its first fully online bachelor’s program launch in strategic communications.

Dean Lodato emphasized an unwavering dedication to journalism education despite changes within media industries.

Lodato pledged continued collaboration with newsrooms on key issues like filling news deserts and ensuring newsroom diversity reflects communities served.

He mentioned expanded opportunities for students through study-away semesters or special trips such as covering presidential nominating conventions for professional media outlets.

New academic structures were introduced this fall following state approval: combining broadcast/digital journalism with magazine/news/digital journalism into one major while maintaining two tracks under it—reflecting industry needs for multi-platform storytelling skills among journalists.

“I can think no better way recognizing vision generosity Mr.New house extraordinary family than reinforcing our steadfast commitment journalism education,” Lodato said

Hundreds gathered on Einhorn Family Walk honoring school's milestone celebration

Joining Donald were sons Steven Michael co-presidents Advance Larry Kramer ’72 vice chair University Board Trustees offered remarks luncheon alongside Dean Emeritus David Rubin Margaret Talev Director Institute Democracy Journalism Citizenship professor practice journalism

David Zaslav president CEO Warner Bros Discovery spoke via videotaped message

Marie Achkar senior broadcast digital journalism represented students luncheon Jada Knight senior television radio film spoke behalf students during plaza ceremony followed reception family students faculty staff alumni