Syracuse University Appoints Imam Hamza Gürsoy as the New Muslim Chaplain

Hamza Gürsoy, originally from Turkey, has been appointed Muslim Chaplain and Advisor for the Muslim Student Association at Hendricks Chapel. In this role, Gürsoy will serve students by expanding the impact of Hendricks Chapel as “a home for all faiths and place for all people.”

This summer, Syracuse MENAT Student Ambassadors welcome the incoming freshmen and their families from the UAE at Syracuse University’s Dubai office. Current Syracuse students shared personal experiences, practical tips, and insights that helped ease the move from United Arab Emirates to Syracuse for Fall 2025.

Elias Habayeb ’93, P’29 was raised in Lebanon by Palestinian parents and attended high school in Greece. When he began considering universities, Syracuse was a top choice because he had several relatives who attended. According Habayeb, his Whitman education gave him a strong foundation in the financial industry. Habayeb, along with his wife, Michelle, created a new fund to give future students the same foundation.

Christopher Tompkins G’00 is a veteran of independent and international education who currently serves as the Principal of Horizon Private School – American Branch in Abu Dhabi. Tompkins is a member of The Hill Society International, a dedicated network of leadership annual donors who share a common goal of supporting Syracuse University’s highest priorities.