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The People’s (Place) Choice Awards: Vegan Pastries Ranked from Better to Best

By Georgia Hudson ’28 

As a long-time vegan and brand-new Communications Associate at Hendricks Chapel, I was super excited to rank the People’s Place vegan pastries. Even though I love some more than others, they’re all amazing and great options! People’s Place receives their vegan pastry shipments from Fatcat Bakery on Tuesdays and Thursdays around 9:00 a.m. They usually sell out within the day, so make sure to head over quickly, especially for those seasonal pastries! Read the rankings below (#1 is my all-time fave) along with a drink pairing. Below the rankings, you’ll find more info about People’s Place and Fatcat Bakery. 

People’s Place barista (also known as a Peep), Grace, offers the writer her favorite vegan Lemon Basil Scone!

 
10. Lemon Basil Scone 

You can’t go wrong with any of the scones. In my opinion, this one is a little bit more geared toward an adventurous palate, like People’s Place barista Grace Stecher, who loves it! The basil is just a little too culinarily sophisticated for me in a sweet pastry, but it’s balanced out nicely with the lemon icing. This is Fatcat’s most popular flavor, though, so maybe I need to try it again! 

Pairs best with: Earl Grey Tea 

9. Pumpkin Seed Muffin 

This muffin is the pastry equivalent to a hug from your grandparents. It’s the epitome of autumnal comfort, and the pumpkin flavor is not overpowering at all. The muffin itself is not crumbly, which is one of my biggest pet peeves with the texture of vegan baked goods. So don’t be scared to grab this one for an on-the-go breakfast! The pumpkin seeds on top are a prefect addition for a little crunch and are evenly salted to add some flavor. 

Pairs best with: Hot Coffee with Almond Milk 

8. Mixed Berry Poptart 

Confession, I did not grow up in a Poptart family. If I did though, I think this would have been my go-to as a ten-year-old. In fact, it might have been the one thing to drag me out of bed back in those fifth-grade mornings. Maybe I would have even gotten a couple less tardies. It’s super sugary, but the flakey crust evens out the sweetness. The founder of Fatcat, says someone once approached them at a farmers market asking if they sold gallon sizes of the berry filling- so he could drink it. If that’s not a ringing endorsement, I don’t know what is. 

Pairs best with: Iced Green Tea  

7. Snickerdoodle Cookie 

Veganism doesn’t have to mean giving up the things you love; I think this classic cookie is a perfect example of that. So many family recipes can easily be adapted to a plant-based version, that’s something the Rydzek’s, who own Fatcat, are always working toward. Sometimes, the new version turns out even better—which is the case with these sweet treats. Vegan butter often has a nutty element, usually when it’s made from oat milk, that lends itself to spices like cinnamon more naturally than dairy does. 

Pairs best with: Iced Chai with Oat Milk 

6. Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Scone 

If you ever felt left out of fall festivities because you cannot stand the taste of pumpkin spice, this is the perfect pastry for you to finally join in on the fun. The chocolate chip scone, spoiler alert, is one of my favorites, and this is like its cousin visiting for the holidays. The pumpkin flavor is subtle in the icing, and unlike the lattes that litter cafe menu boards this season, it tastes like it is made from a natural purée. So, don’t hesitate to pick one up and take a stroll in the crisp October air. This is Gigi’s favorite and you must trust the experts (she’s a People’s Place manager!). 

Pairs best with: Apple Cider 

5. Vanilla Cupcake with Sprinkles 

Ever have an exam that takes every bit of academic confidence out of you? Or maybe a paper that makes you envy your elementary school days when writing your name at the top of the paper was enough to get an A+? First, my condolences. Second, I have just the thing to cheer you up! This cupcake is perfectly playful and reminds you not to take college too seriously. The consistency is just fluffy enough without venturing into flavorless air territory. And, really, you can’t be too sad when there are sprinkles involved.  

Pairs best with: Iced Coffee with Oat Milk and Vanilla Syrup 

4. Brown Sugar Poptart 

Me and the Brown Sugar Poptart go way back. This was the first pastry I ever tried, and it’s how I found out People’s Place had vegan options. The icing on top is silky smooth, and again, the crust is perfectly buttery and flakey. The inside is what really sets this recipe apart though, it’s the consistency and taste of that gooey, center of a cinnamon roll without making you go through all the work to get there. 

Pairs best with: Hot Black Coffee  

3. Chocolate Chip Scone 

As mentioned in the Pumkin prequel, this is my favorite of the scone trilogy. Growing up, my summer camp treated us to chocolate chip scones once during our month-long term; it was always my favorite morning. When I went vegan six years ago, I was especially pained to give them up. So, these have a special place in my heart. The chocolate chips melt in your mouth, even when the pastries sit at room temperature, and Fatcat said it best when they called the consistency, “A cross between a biscuit and a muffin top.” 

Pairs best with: Iced Coffee with Almond Milk 

2. Oreo Cupcake 

Did you know Oreos are already vegan? The iconic shelf staple doesn’t advertise it often, but they are one of the few name brand snacks that don’t contain milk or eggs. Turning an already great cookie into a cupcake is a recipe for perfection! The cake part of the pastry is a vanilla base with bits of Oreo incorporated, meaning the chocolate does not overpower it at all. The bakers carefully dust the icing with finely crushed Oreo, which is my favorite part for aesthetics and taste.  

Pairs best with: Pepsi (Add oat milk for my favorite ‘dirty soda’ drink!) 

And, here’s my all-time favorite! 

1. Apple Cinamon Poptart  

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. So, naturally, this pastry was destined to be my favorite. With real apple pieces in the filling that have been caramelized with sugar and cinnamon, it’s the perfect substitute for the traditional pie without all the work. When finals have begun and it’s getting to the point of cold that pushes past cardigans and into puffer jackets, homesickness often creeps in. Stop by People’s Place for one of these, close your eyes and take a bite, I promise it will transport you the coziest place you know for at least a few moments.                                                                                         

Pairs best with: Iced Coffee with Oat Milk and Hazelnut Syrup 

The Hidden Gem of People’s Place Café: Vegan Pastries  

By Georgia Hudson ’28

People’s Place Café is one of Syracuse University’s “best kept secrets,” but the vegan pastries they offer might just be their own hidden gem. 

It all started in 2020, when the café noticed a rise in demand for plant-based milks in their beverages. If you time it right, the chorus of “I’ll take an iced coffee with oat milk” is nearly constant throughout the day. 

Hendricks Chapel is “a home for all faiths and place for all people.” The stewards of People’s Place want to ensure that the café echoes the same sentiment. 

“Most people order their drinks with oat or almond milk,” said Gianna Taft, People’s Place manager. Taft orders the baked goods for People’s Place and she keeps a close eye on the pastry shelves. 

She looks out for the customers who have allergies and dietary needs. “We want to be inclusive. It really sucks if you go somewhere and they don’t have any options for you,” Taft said. “It’s nice to know that everyone can eat at People’s Place.” 

The pastries are created at Fatcat Bakery, a local wholesale bakery founded by Megan Rydzak. Megan’s husband, Alex Rydzak, is a Syracuse alum who spent many of his undergrad days taking refuge in the café. 

People’s Place has a standing order for Tuesdays and Thursdays, and the bakery gives students first access to seasonal flavors, like Taft’s favorite, the Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Scone. 

Both People’s Place and Fatcat have debated whether to prominently label the baked goods as vegan. While Fatcat continues to go back and forth on the decision, Taft wants to ensure that students with allergies or those who follow a plant-based diet know their options are available. She keeps a printed ingredient list at the counter for anyone who asks. 

“It’s not just vegan, it’s good,” Alex said. 

Faith as a Bridge: Hendricks Chapel attends Interfaith America Leadership Summit 


By Dara Harper 

A dedicated group of chaplains, students and staff from Hendricks Chapel attended the Interfaith America Leadership Summit in Chicago from Aug. 8-10, 2025. The multifaith cohort from Syracuse University joined more than 700 participants to bridge divides and forge friendships across lines of religious and spiritual differences. Through the theme of “The Chords of Democracy,” the summit was the largest gathering of interfaith leaders in the world for 2025.  

From the left, back row: Ronit Hizgiaev ’28, Omar Mohammed ’27, Imam Amir Durić, Assistant Dean for Religious and Spiritual Life at Hendricks Chapel; Rabbi Dr. Natan Levy, Campus Rabbi at Syracuse Hillel and Jewish Chaplain at Hendricks Chapel; Aubrie Methven ’26. Front row: Dara Harper, Communications Manager at Hendricks Chapel; Kaleya Scott, Engagement Coordinator at Hendricks Chapel. Not pictured: Sofiya Ivanova ’27. 

Interfaith America, which was founded as Interfaith Youth Core (IFYC) in 2002, is “based on the idea that religious difference should serve as a bridge of cooperation rather than a barrier of division.” Through a research-backed approach, Interfaith America works on college campuses, in the corporate field, and across civic spaces. The founder and president of Interfaith America, Eboo Patel, visited Syracuse University in February of 2025, where he met with campus leaders and participated in a public conversation in Hendricks Chapel with Dean Brian Konkol.  

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Haudenosaunee Welcome Gathering: An Invitation to Celebrate on Sacred Land

Diane Schenandoah ’11, Honwadiyenawa’sek (“One who helps them”), will host a Haudenosaunee Welcome Gathering on the Kenneth A. Shaw Quadrangle on Monday, Aug. 25, from 4 to 5 p.m.

The Haudenosaunee Welcome Gathering is an event held on campus to welcome all incoming and returning students, faculty and staff for the 2025-26 academic year, and for all to show respect for the Indigenous people on whose ancestral lands Syracuse University now stands. Schenandoah is a citizen of the Oneida Nation and a Wolf Clan Faithkeeper, as well as staff member in the Barnes Center. The Haudenosaunee Confederacy is comprised of Six Nations: Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, Seneca and Tuscarora.

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Photo Story: Chaplain and Staff Retreat 2025

That’s a wrap for the Hendricks Chapel staff and chaplain retreat! Thanks so much to all who attended and shared wise words and kindness. We’re ready to welcome all the Syracuse University students to campus starting this coming week!

Our team sought to reflect, renew, and grow together as we chart a shared course for the academic year and beyond. This year we offered special attention to our 2026-2030 strategic plan, which leads to the 100th anniversary of Hendricks Chapel in 2030!

Imam Hamza Gürsoy appointed as Muslim Chaplain at Hendricks Chapel

The University has appointed Imam Hamza Gürsoy as Muslim chaplain and advisor for the Muslim Student Association at Hendricks Chapel. In his role, Gürsoy will serve students by expanding the impact of Hendricks Chapel as “a home for all faiths and place for all people.”

Imam Hamza Gürsoy

“We at Hendricks Chapel are overjoyed to welcome Imam Hamza Gürsoy to the Syracuse University campus community,” says the Rev. Brian Konkol, vice president and dean of Hendricks Chapel. “As a dynamic Islamic leader with meaningful interfaith experience, Chaplain Gürsoy will help to prepare our students for a changing global society. I am excited to witness all the ways he will support our Muslim students and many others, to inspire all to lead in service to our common good.”

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Imam Amir Durić Appointed Assistant Dean for Religious and Spiritual Life at Hendricks Chapel

By Dara Harper

The University has appointed Imam Amir Durić as assistant dean for religious and spiritual life at Hendricks Chapel. Durić, who has served as Muslim chaplain at Hendricks Chapel since 2017, will provide visionary, inclusive and compassionate leadership to advance interfaith engagement, spiritual wellness and ethical development throughout the University community.  

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Spelman College Glee Club to perform at Hendricks Chapel

As the grand finale of the 2025 Syracuse International Jazz Fest, the Spelman College Glee Club of Atlanta will perform at Hendricks Chapel of Syracuse University on Sunday, June 29, 2025. The Spelman College Glee Club, now in its historic 100th year, is the oldest collegiate choir of African American women in the United States. Directed by Dr. Kevin P. Johnson since 1999, the Glee Club has achieved national and international acclaim, performing at the White House, Carnegie Hall, the Vatican, and across Europe. With the motto ‘to amaze and inspire,’ the Spelman College Glee Club uplifts audiences with artistry rooted in tradition and shaped by innovation.

“Return to Community: A Sunday Gospel Jazz Service” will feature performances by The Spelman College Glee Club, The Black Celestial Choral Ensemble (BCCE) of Syracuse University, and a community choir comprised of Syracuse-area residents.

Following highly successful events in 2023 and 2024, the 2025 Syracuse International Jazz Fest finale at Hendricks Chapel will once again offer a dynamic and inclusive spiritual experience that fuses and celebrates Gospel and Jazz, includes a pre-event welcome luncheon, and seeks to spark and sustain renewal in our local community and beyond. The 3:00 P.M. program and 12:30 P.M. luncheon are both free of charge and open to the first 1,000 attendees.

“Return to Community: A Sunday Gospel Jazz Service”
Sunday, June 29, 2025
Program: 3:00 P.M.
Pre-Event Luncheon: 12:30-2:30 P.M.
Hendricks Chapel of Syracuse University
There is no fee to attend the program or lunch. All are welcome.
Attendance capacity: 1,000 with overflow seating available outdoors

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Building Bridges: A Multifaith Journey at Hendricks Chapel of Syracuse University

By Dara Harper

(This story was originally published on the Interfaith America website.)

When Rev. Devon Bartholomew first toured Syracuse University as a prospective undergraduate student, he glanced at Hendricks Chapel and said aloud, “That building has nothing to offer me.”  

Today, he serves as Hendricks Chapel’s Non-Denominational Christian chaplain. What he once discounted has become a space of deep community, spiritual growth, and even surprising connections, like his long-time friendship with Sensei JoAnn Cooke, the Buddhist chaplain at Hendricks Chapel. 

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How Hendricks Chapel Became My Home Away from Home

By Asil Bascal ’25

When I first started school at Syracuse University, I remember wandering around campus alone, just after my dad dropped me off. I stared down at my phone following Google Maps as I nervously made my way to Hendricks Chapel, searching for the pre-welcome event for Muslim students. That week I met some of my closest friends, and after only a short time, I felt like maybe college wouldn’t be so intimidating after all. 

Over time, I became more involved with the Muslim Students Association (MSA), eventually joining the executive board (e-board) as social media strategist. What began as a side commitment quickly became a defining part of my college experience, and I remained on e-board for the next three years. One afternoon, after spending time in the Muslim prayer room, I wandered over to People’s Place Café, which is also located on the lower level of Hendricks Chapel, and loved it so much that I decided to apply for a job. That little café became a cornerstone of my routine and a space where I queued up playlists and shared laughs with friends. 

Through my work with MSA and my constant presence in Hendricks, I met Dara Harper, whose warm energy and encouragement introduced me to the Communications Associate role. That opportunity helped me grow professionally and uncover talents I may never have explored as a pre-med biotechnology student. 

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