Coming Full Circle: Jonathan Fenelon Returns to Syracuse to Finish What He Started

Jonathan Fenelon ’24 (CPS), ’26 MBA knows this. He’s been a sommelier, restauranteur, construction project manager, college dropout. Soon, he’ll add MBA to the list. 


Growing up, Fenelon’s favorite TV shows were “This Old House” and Julia Child’s programs on public television. “I could never decide between the two,” he recalls. “And it’s so funny how that worked out in life. One was a necessity and one was a passion in terms of my profession, but when you think about it, at the end of the day, [they’re both] really about critically thinking about pieces and how to creatively put it together.” 


After he graduated from high school, Fenelon headed to Syracuse to major in architecture. As he got close to graduation, however, a combination of personal and financial challenges forced him to drop out, “which sucked, to be frank.” 


Out of necessity, Fenelon pivoted into the hospitality industry. But what he thought would be a temporary gig turned into a new chapter. He worked his way up, becoming a sommelier and working as a general manager and wine director for popular Boston-area restaurants. Eventually, he combined his Julia Child/“This Old House”-inspired interests, helping design the critically acclaimed restaurant Ribelle, which opened in 2013. That experience helped him pivot again, this time becoming a project manager for bespoke construction projects. 

Open and authentic 

As he advanced in his career, Fenelon had unfinished business at Syracuse. So in the early 2020s, he returned to the University. At first, he says, he was “scared as hell.” But it became clear that his studies weren’t just about checking a box. “Instead of trying to prove myself, I started focusing on how I could show up more authentically, being open, asking better questions, and supporting the people around me,” he says. Soon, he was immersed in his classes and mentoring younger classmates. 


By the time Fenelon graduated, he “really couldn’t stop” learning, and enrolled in the online MBA program at the Whitman School of Management. He enjoyed interacting with the cohort of other working professionals in his program and appreciated how accessible his professors were. When the opportunity arose to visit Florence, Italy, with the Whitman School, he jumped at the chance to immerse himself in the city’s food and architecture.

Another setback, a new chapter 

A little less than a year ago, Fenelon’s life took another abrupt turn when he suffered a stroke. The go-getter project manager was suddenly stopped in his tracks. “The biggest challenge is the lack of control,” he says. “Anyone who knows me knows that I’m one to push forward, solve problems. I’m incredibly decisive and keep things moving. And this was different.” As he grappled with the frustrating loss of physical and cognitive abilities, he leaned into the vulnerability he’d practiced when finishing his undergraduate degree. 


In May 2026, 25 years after dropping out of Syracuse, Fenelon will walk across the graduation stage. Despite the setbacks, he is set to finish his capstone project in the summer. With his newfound business strategy knowledge, he has his sights set on the C-suite in the high-end, sustainable construction industry. 


“There’s a million reasons why this is emotional for me,” Fenelon says, pausing to reflect on his impending graduation. “There’s so much more meaning than just the ROI of an MBA. It’s truly a full-circle moment.” 



By Suzi Morales