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During the annual Blessing of Students on May 3, 2026, Mian Hamid ’25, G’26, gave his own blessing to Hendricks Chapel. His heartfelt remarks resonated deeply with the audience, as they were filled with meaning and integrity. We invite you to read through this “love letter” and let it wash over you as students graduate and we move into summer’s beauty and fall’s bounty.

Here is Mian’s blessing:

Assalam Alaikum—may peace and blessings be upon you all—and good evening to our esteemed guests, graduating students, and dedicated staff. 

As some of you may know, this moment is a little unique for me—I am graduating for the second time. Last year, I completed my undergraduate degree, and this year, my master’s. And I can say with full certainty that I would not be standing here today without the love, support, and community I found right here at Hendricks Chapel. 

“I think the true blessing is when students like myself come here to Syracuse University and find out that they belong. To find a community of people who look like you, eat like you, and pray with you. But here at Hendricks Chapel, they took it a step further, to help us all feel just as much at home with people who look different to us, who speak a different language, who call out to God by another name,” said Sahana Anand, president of the Hindu Student Association at SU. “Whatever name we call him by, God brought us together here for a purpose, and it has been a privilege to walk this purpose with you all during my time here at Syracuse University. I really believe that gratitude can get you out of the darkest times and I would like to thank you all for giving us so much to be grateful for.”

“But here at Hendricks Chapel, they took it a step further, to help us all feel just as much at home with people who look different to us, who speak a different language, who call out to God by another name.” —Sahana Anand, president of the Hindu Student Association at SU

The Annual Blessing of Students at Hendricks Chapel is the kick-off for all commencement activities. Our many chaplains came together to bless our seniors with prayers and chants from their own faith traditions. Thanks to all who attended. It was a remarkable and memorable event.

Photos by Md Zobayer Hossain Joati

On May 12, The Hendricks Chapel Choir of Syracuse University, a 50-person premier mixed ensemble, will arrive in South Africa. This tour marks the first trip to the African continent for the choir. In each city visited, the students will have the chance to perform and learn alongside local artists.  

The choir’s appearances in South Africa will include an eclectic collection of music crafted for choir and organ, including compositions by Antonio Vivaldi, Cecilia McDowall, Paul Basler, Jennifer Lucy Cook, Jeffrey Ames and Hendricks Chapel Choir Director José “Peppie” Calvar. Additionally, the Hendricks Chapel Choir will perform arrangements of traditional South African tunes to honor their host country. 

A Malmgren Concert on March 29 will include the dedication of the newly installed organ and feature works by professors from the Setnor School of Music.

The Global Interfaith Leadership Project combines religious and spiritual formation with practical civic engagement.

by Dara Harper

In a world increasingly shaped by both connection and division, a diverse group of students is embarking on a distinctive journey of leadership and learning. The Global Interfaith Leadership Project (GILP), housed at Hendricks Chapel, represents a pioneering approach to preparing tomorrow’s leaders by combining religious and spiritual formation with practical civic engagement.

Read more!