A lifetime of letters, documents and photos from a global Haudenosaunee diplomat will be made available to scholars, at SU.
Sean Kirst
Sean Kirst is a columnist with The Central Current. He has been an Upstate journalist for more than 50 years. He held his first reporting job as a teenager and worked for newspapers in Dunkirk, Niagara Falls, Rochester and Syracuse, where he spent 27 years before joining the Buffalo News in 2016.
He is the recipient of many national and state journalism awards, including the Ernie Pyle Award, given annually to one American journalist for writing about the dreams and struggles of everyday people. He received the national excellence in column writing award from the Society for Professional Journalists, Capitolbeat's top national award for column writing about state government and the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence national media award. Between 2016 and 2025, in Buffalo, he received the New York News Publishers Association distinguished column writing award eight times, often in its largest circulation category.
Kirst, who serves as a journalist-in-residence at Le Moyne College, was named a civic Wisdom Keeper by FOCUS Greater Syracuse and his name was placed on a Wall of Distinction by the Syracuse Press Club for lifetime achievement in journalism. Kirst has been honored by the federal Department of Justice for sensitivity to victims of violent crime. He has received honorary degrees from Le Moyne and Onondaga Community College, and was honored by SUNY Fredonia in 2022 for outstanding achievement by alumni. He is a recipient of the Onondaga Historical Association medal, the OHA's highest award for preserving and interpreting local heritage.
Kirst, a TedX speaker, has given many talks about the importance of storytelling in journalism, especially in a digital age, and he is the author of three books: The Ashes of Lou Gehrig, Moonfixer, and The Soul of Central New York, published in 2016, the fastest-selling book in the more-than-80-year history of the Syracuse University Press. The England-based Tolkien Society credits Kirst with serving as founder of international Tolkien Reading Day, now celebrated around the world.
Kirst and his wife Nora, a retired city schoolteacher, have three grown children: Sarah, Seamus and Liam.
Sean can be reached at skirst@centralcurrent.org
Posted inSean Kirst
Sean Kirst: In Elmwood Saturday, a memorial cleanup to reinforce how ‘we need to be community’
At 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, a group of Syracuse residents will gather for an annual peace cleanup in the memory of Jim Gifford, who was killed 12 years ago.
Posted inNews
Sean Kirst: In a restored high school full of wonder, beams of sunlight become Central
In the last days before students return, workers hustle to prepare the new Syracuse Regional STEAM High School.
Posted inSean Kirst
Sean Kirst: For Oren Lyons and Roy Simmons Jr., Alfie Jacques Award all about his knowledge of true value
Two old friends speak to the spiritual and natural meaning lived out by a legendary artisan of wooden lacrosse sticks.
Posted inNews
Sean Kirst: From kindergarten to college, an oldest kid, a farewell, the aching glory of late summer
Wistful moments, as August becomes September, every parent understands.
Posted inNews
Sean Kirst: With dad’s ashes scattered in dust of ‘Moody Mile,’ Syracuse family dreams of monument to revered dirt track, at state fair
It’s been 10 years since the last race, concert and demolition derby were held on that historic track, before it was torn out.
Posted inSean Kirst
Sean Kirst: When beloved Central High reopens as STEAM school, Minerva will wrap together dreams of then and now
In barely two weeks, that statue will keep vigil when 250 students — representing 28 regional middle schools — bring life back to that high school, after 50 years.
Posted inPeople
Sean Kirst: As a World War II veteran turns 103, a chance for all of us to say collective thanks
On a monumental birthday, asking readers to send a note or card in honor of a legendary life.
Posted inSean Kirst's Upstate Journal
Sean Kirst: For Norway maples in Syracuse, even before ‘State Fair Time,’ an early fall
A cosmetic disease called ‘tar spot’ affects this common tree, due to our wet, cold spring.
Posted inSean Kirst
Sean Kirst: A half-century after the Landmark Theatre was almost lost, Syracuse will see it again in its true colors
The detailed, high-profile restoration of much of the grand theater becomes an emotional symbol of a key preservation victory.