Sitting inside a Rochester hotel room during an ice storm, Lorna Rose’s eyes were glued to the television set. Syracuse University’s Hakim Warrick jumped up, his hand crashing the Kansas 3-point attempt to the court, sealing SU’s first national title and Rose’s desire to become an Orange.
Financial reasons kept Rose from attending SU her freshman year in 2006, as she decided to attend the University of Albany instead. However, Rose said she never felt right there. After her grandmother died, the Rochester native transferred to a community college, but again she didn’t feel at home.
Upon realizing this, and on a whim, Rose decided to attempt once again to attend Syracuse. During her interview, Rose recalled her mentioning to the adviser that she had gotten in before. When the advisor realized this, he said that Rose could reactivate her previous acceptance and did not need to reapply.
Finally, Rose got the chance to attend the school she had wanted to go to since that game-saving block by Warrick back in 2003.
Rose would spend the next three years at the SU, where she believes is the “best place to make a difference for yourself.” Now as an alumna, she wants to give back to the university and current students through her mentorship.
Rose claims SU changed her life and she now wants to be part of changing the lives of current and future SU students.
I don’t know of any other college that could be as wonderful, or engaging, as SU is.Lorna Rose
Rose graduated in 2011 as the final class of the College of Human Ecology before it was renamed the David B. Falk School of Sport and Human Dynamics.
Rose is currently finishing her second year as a law student at the New England School of Law in Boston, but Syracuse has left a permanent mark on her. This mark became a literal, physical representation when Rose tattooed a “permanent Pandora bracelet” on her left ankle, with charms that mark significant points in her life. She said her body is a canvas she loves decorating.
Alongside her favorite sports teams and her title crown, a Syracuse “S” is the only part of the tattoo that is in color.
“I told the tattoo artist that, ‘No, it has to be in orange,’” Rose said.
This passion for Syracuse runs deeper than skin surface, as Rose made the long trek from New England to Houston for the men’s basketball 2016 Final Four game.
It was like a big family reunion, but you actually wanted to know the aunt and uncle you never met before. It was one of the most incredible experiences to be surrounded by the energy and passion.Lorna Rose
Rose is described by her friend and fellow SU alumna Allie Curtis as “the craziest, most insane ‘Cuse fan” and “somebody who truly bleeds Orange.”
In addition to going to cheer on the men’s basketball team in its Final Four run, Rose attended the event to support a mentee of hers: the Syracuse Orange Girl, Meghan Sinisi.
The two met while Rose was a judge for Miss Syracuse in November 2015, where Sinisi ended up taking the crown.
Due to NCAA rule, Sinisi did not qualify to attend and twirl at the Final Four game, but Rose was not so quick to give up.
“I asked her that if she really wanted to go (to the Final Four game), I’d see that she would twirl one way or another,” Rose said. And both Sinisi, via the free student buses provided by SU’s Student Association, and Rose, by plane, arrived in Houston.
The two, through a lot of research and phone calls, were also able to get Sinisi a chance to twirl at the Lone Star Veteran Association 4-miler, where Rose recalled people from Hawaii going up to Sinisi and saying, “You’re the Orange Girl? I signed your petition to come here.”
Sinisi called Rose her role model, saying that Rose is always there to lend a helping hand.
“(Rose) is involved in so much, but she always puts others before herself,” Sinisi said.
This sentiment was echoed by Curtis, who said Rose puts her heart into everything she does for her mentees. So much so, that Rose made it over to Syracuse for a night to watch Sinisi receive the Syracuse University Spirit Award at the 44 Stars of Excellence Gala on April 20.
Rose said she found it to be incredibly satisfying seeing somebody she cares about and saw so much potential in live up to it.
In addition to being a support system in the crowd, Rose helps her mentees with writing resumes and brand building.
In Boston, Rose is the business manager for a DJ, where she helps find appearances and prepare media interviews, as well as give fitness and styling tips to help her mentees get the most out of their engagements.
While she no longer lives in Syracuse, Rose will always hold Syracuse close to her heart.
Said Rose: “‘Cuse, of course, is the love of my life and will always be my home.”
Banner photo by Bridget Williams | Staff Photographer
Published on April 25, 2016 at 12:29 am
Contact Ali: Ali Linan
