Maxwell School News and Commentary

Doris “Dottie” Payson ’57 passed away on Feb. 12, 2024, at the age of 87. She served on the Maxwell Advisory Board from 1998 to 2013 and was a life member of the University’s Board of Trustees, which she joined in 2000.

Ralph Hockley ’49 B.A. (RusSt) passed away on Nov. 8, 2023. He was 98. He fought valiantly to defend the U.S. and other allied countries against Nazis and threats to democracy through two wars and beyond. 

Roland Droitsch ’65 M.A. (PSc), who served as the deputy assistant secretary in the U.S. Department of Labor, passed away in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Jan. 26, 2024. He was 82.

Susan M. Walter ’69 B.A. (Hist)/’71 M.A. (PSc) passed away on April, 23, 2023, at the age of 75. She had a distinguished career in government and private industry and authored two books.

Chris Snow ’03 B.A. (PSt) passed away on Sept. 30, 2023, at the age of 42. He had a successful career in professional hockey and publicly lobbied, fundraised and raised awareness to help find a cure for ALS. 

Thomas P. Lauth ’76 Ph.D. (PSc) passed away on May 13, 2023, at the age of 85. He was a highly regarded professor and administrator.

Through his generosity to Syracuse University, he had a profound impact on the reputation of the Department of Philosophy and advanced the careers of some of the nation’s brightest philosophy scholars. Sutton passed away on May 31, 2023, in his home in Rancho Santa Fe, California, at the age of 90.

After graduating with a degree in history from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs and the College of Arts and Sciences, Goekjian remained an engaged alumnus, a trusted advisor to leadership, and an active board trustee and philanthropist—all in service to his alma mater. Goekjian passed away on Dec. 9, 2022, at the age of 95.

Public service isn’t about something you do today and then you’re done. It’s about improving our society, improving the world…for the people that live in it.” Words attributed to Walter Broadnax G’75 that defined the way he approached life, education, work and volunteer service. The esteemed Syracuse University alumnus, professor, trustee and benefactor passed away on Dec. 2, 2022, at the age of 78.