Canisius Magazine Summer 2017

CANISIUS COLLEGE MAGAZINE | SUMMER 2017

Kevin J. Heffernan ’08, Bridget M. Schaefer ’13 and Drew M. Brown ’08 Co-founders, Rise Collaborative

president’sperspective

The marketing campaign for Canisius College uses the two-word tagline “You Can.” It’s meant to inspire students with a vision of all the things that they can achieve as students and alumni of Canisius College. And our eye-catching banners and ads attempt to put this tagline into photos: You can be admitted to medical school. You can travel to the ends of the Earth to study animalhuman interactions. You can be part of an ESPN3 broadcast.

Our recent Commencement Exercises at Canisius demonstrate the extent to which we deliver on the You Can promise. Newly minted graduates bearing broad smiles of satisfaction and joy strode across the stage at Commencement, celebrating their accomplishments. They are off to exciting job opportunities (thankfully, there are so many more of those in the Buffalo Niagara region than just a few years ago), professional and graduate schools, or in the case of 25 of our seniors, a year of service around the world. I never tire of saying it: It is the most gratifying day of the year for me.

I also know that this celebration will not be short-lived. Our newest graduates will continue to excel and the stories in this issue of our alumni under the age of 40 are ample proof of that. We present to you inspiring stories of dedication, persistence, innovation and success - stories that had their roots in a Canisius education just a few years back. We’re proud of our young alumni because although the world has changed, the economy is certainly different, and the way these people view their place in the world bears little resemblance to our more experienced alumni, they nonetheless demonstrate the timeless benefits of a Canisius education.

Armed with a Jesuit education they are making a difference in the world in new and creative ways.

Most have predated the You Can tagline but they certainly are great exemplars of the things You Can do and You Can become with a Canisius education.

features

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Blue & Gold Briefs

Large in Charge

Canisius College welcomed the Class of 2017 to the alumni family during commencement ceremonies in May. Visit canisius.edu/magazine to view a full photo gallery.

Men’s hockey names Trevor Large as its new head coach.

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Cover story

Griffs Under 40 Canisius showcases alumni making names for themselves in their chosen professions and in their communities.

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Road Scholars

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Advancement

Epic Adventure Canisius students travel to the Antarctic Peninsula to study the world’s most pristine natural habitat.

Regents Ball Record-Breaker

JJ Zamaiko

A capacity crowd helps put the college’s annual scholarship fundraiser over the top.

In this special edition of Canisius Magazine, we celebrate Griffs Under 40 - a compilation of today’s young professionals who are proving themselves to be leaders of tomorrow.

They’re among the college’s best and brightest young alumni, which is why we couldn’t single out just one on the cover. Instead, the editors printed four different cover images for this special issue.

You’ll find their stories and many more inside.

blue&goldbriefs

College Magazine SUMMER 2017 I VOLUME 18, ISSUE 2

President John J. Hurley Vice President for Institutional Advancement William M. Collins Chief Communications Officer & Executive Editor Eileen C. Herbert ’04, MS ’15 Managing Editor Audrey R. Browka Creative Director Patty Herkey Art Director Cody Weiler Contributing Writers Kristin E. Etu ’91 Martin Haumesser Kate E. Lockhart Gary L. Steltermann ’10, MSA ’14 Photography Tom Wolf ’86 We are eager to hear your comments about Canisius College Magazine.

New Concentrations Offered in Business and Science Beginning in fall 2017, undergraduate and graduate students can deepen their knowledge in high-demand business and science fields by enrolling in two new degree concentrations.

The Richard J. Wehle School of Business introduced a concentration in health information technology (IT) within its Master of Business Administration (MBA) program. The concentration consists of three online courses presented in eight-week formats to provide flexibility for graduate students. Courses include introduction to health IT; planning, management and leadership for health IT; and health IT workflow.

Also this fall, the College of Arts & Sciences will offer chemistry with business. This new concentration combines the theoretical and technical instruction of chemistry and biochemistry with foundational business courses in economics, marketing, finance, management and accounting.

Both new concentrations will provide students with marketable knowledge and skills necessary to assume leadership roles in increasing areas of specialization.

Please send correspondence to: Canisius College Magazine 2001 Main Street, Lyons Hall Room 209, Buffalo, NY 14208

Young Alumni; High Earning Potential

Phone 716-888-2790 Fax 716-888-2778 Email ccmag@canisius.edu Postmaster send change of address to: Canisius College, 2001 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14208

$45,700

Here’s further proof that a Canisius education yields considerable returns: The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) reports that the college’s young undergraduate alumni have among the highest potential annual earnings in all of upstate New York. According to NCES, the median earning of Canisius alumni, who graduated in the last six years, is $45,700. That places Canisius among the top third of colleges and universities considered in the study.

blue&goldbriefs

Large in Charge

Men’s hockey gets new head coach Trevor Large became the seventh head coach in Canisius hockey history in May. Large looks to fill the skates of his predecessor, Dave Smith, who accepted the head coaching position at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI).

“I am very excited to be the next head coach here at Canisius and I cannot wait to get started. It is a great day to be a Griff,” said Large at his introductory press conference.

Large was an assistant coach under Smith for the last three seasons. He held the same position at Army West Point from 2008-14 and at American International College (AIC) from 2006-08.

“During his time with our program, Trevor has shown all the qualities to be a successful Division I head coach,” Canisius Director of Athletics Bill Maher ’89 said. “He has a proven track record of recruiting and coaching student-athletes who are successful both on the ice and in the classroom.

Large played hockey at Ferris State University in Big Rapids, MI, and earned his bachelor’s degree in computer information systems in 2004. He helped the Bulldogs capture the 2003 Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) regular-season championship and first NCAA Tournament appearance. While coaching at AIC, Large also earned his MBA.

#1

Accounting alumni earned the highest overall score on the 2016 New York State CPA exam*

The women’s lacrosse team captured its sixth Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) title in seven years at the 2017 MAAC Championship. Held on the Griffs’ home turf, the women defeated Fairfield 13-10.

(Results reflect alumni of undergraduate accounting program who sat for the CPA exam for the first time within one year of graduation.)

Boston College eliminated Canisius in the first round of the NCAA Tournament in a 21-9 loss to the nation’s 12th ranked team, which eventually reached the national championship game, losing to Maryland.

SUMMER 2017 CANISIUS COLLEGE M AGA ZINE

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L

ast fall, the editors of Canisius Magazine issued a call.

We asked our 48,000-plus alumni and members of the college community to help us compile a list of young graduates who – while still in the relatively early stages of their careers – are being innovative in their fields, inspiring their communities and leading by example.

The response was overwhelming and narrowing the list was no easy task for the internal selection committee.

So, in this special issue of Canisius Magazine, we introduce you to some (but by no means all) of the entrepreneurs, executives, doctors, lawyers, educators and advocates who demonstrate that Canisius graduates young leaders - vested with the knowledge that who they become is every bit as important as what they become.

They are Canisius Magazine’s inaugural Griffs Under 40.

SUMMER 2017 CANISIUS COLLEGE M AGA ZINE

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Alana M. (Keppler) Welker ’12 Age 27 | BS, Entrepreneurship, Management Manager, SK Herefords Farm

Alana (Keppler) Welker is the modern-day face of the American farmer. She has grit, gumption and grace, all of which she uses to manage SK Herefords, a 1,200-acre cattle farm in Medina, NY. Being a female farmer may go against the grain in this male-dominated industry but Welker knew what she was getting into. She is the fifth generation in her family to manage the farm, which calves nearly 300 females every spring and breeds more than 300 head every summer. In addition, SK Herefords grows 100 percent of its feed.

Aside from some seasonal part-time help, it’s just Welker, her father and a close family friend working long days nearly every day - “calving, feeding, planting, plowing and bailing hay.”

Welker is accustomed to the physical labor that accompanies farming. Her Canisius degree, she says, helps her navigate the business aspect of the homestead.

Following the 2012 drought, which affected all Western New York farmers, Welker implemented the business plan she wrote for her senior capstone project. The plan sought to capitalize on the growth of the farm-to-table movement by introducing SK Herefords beef at farmers markets.

“That business plan has helped the farm generate additional cash flow and get our name out in the community,” Welker says. “Today’s consumers want to be more connected with where their food comes from and this can help make the future strong.”

That is both for the benefit of the industry and for the next generation of farmers at SK Herefords.

Jessica Matthews MSEd ’08 Age 33 | Physical Education (Online) Health & Wellness Educator, Author

Jessica Matthews knows a thing or two about balance -literally and figuratively.

She is an industry leader in health and wellness, a seasoned yoga instructor and an innovative college professor.

“I love the idea of being able to motivate and educate people on their health and fitness journeys,” Matthews says.

Much like the Canisius education she received, Matthews champions a holistic method to wellness that “integrates a healthy body, a sound mind and a connected spirit.”

Her approach is grounded firmly in exercise science, nutrition and behavioral health.

Matthews is a senior advisor for health and fitness education for the American Council on Exercise (ACE). She develops educational content for the non-profit health and fitness certification organization.

Matthews is also the lead author and editor of the ACE Group Fitness Instructor Handbook and most recently Stretching to Stay Young.

Matthews’ expertise makes her a trusted and sought-after media resource. She is a regular contributor to Women’s Health and Men’s Fitness, and a contributing editor to SHAPE magazine.

Matthews conducts her most meaningful work not in the gym but in the classrooms at California’s Point Loma Nazarene University. It’s here that this professor of kinesiology teaches a healthy course load of health and exercise science classes.

It’s also here that Matthews will introduce her newly developed master’s of kinesiology in integrative wellness in fall 2017. Matthews spent the better part of last year developing the program which, she explains, “encompasses her passion and purpose to shape the lives of future health and wellness professionals and to truly integrate lifestyle medicine into the healthcare system.”

Matt Gossman

Daniel S. Paolini ’06 Age 33 | BS, Accounting, Accounting Information Systems Founder & Owner, NexxusPoint Management Consulting

When Daniel Paolini attended Canisius College, Accounting Professor Joseph B. O’Donnell, PhD, advised him to become a dual major in accounting and accounting information systems. The advice was career changing.

“Earning a dual major enabled me to do what I am doing and ultimately create NexxusPoint Management Consulting,” Paolini notes. “It gave me plenty of opportunities to learn about assessing and implementing IT solutions from an accounting standpoint, something I do every day.”

NexxusPoint is a Buffalo-based management consulting firm that helps businesses and organizations maximize their investments in technology, processes and people.

The company employs six full-time consultants and works with anywhere from 15 to 30 outside contractors to service clients.

A member of the Canisius College Board of Regents, Paolini worked with O’Donnell to start a unique software education initiative at the college that allows accounting information systems students to earn SAP (Systems, Applications, Products) recognition. SAP is the worldwide leader in enterprise resource planning software solutions and SAP recognition gives graduates an advantage in the job market.

Paolini and his company provided financial and consulting support to launch the program at Canisius. “Lending our support was a way to give back to Canisius for what the college gave me,” Paolini says.

Paolini also gives back to the Western New York community as a board member for Kenmore Mercy Hospital and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Western & Central New York chapter. He is also director of academic relations for St. Luke’s Mission of Mercy.

Elizabeth (Kocianski) Copeland ’02 Age 37 | BA, Communication Studies Four-time Champion, World Wrestling Entertainment

Joshua T. Hutter ’01 Age 38 | BS, Biology Partner, Western New York Dental Group

While most 30-something college graduates are just hitting stride in their careers, Elizabeth (Kocianski) Copeland is already retired. Better known by her stage name “Beth Phoenix,” the four-time champion of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) officially retired from the ring in 2012 at age 31.

Copeland spent her young adult life chasing her dream to compete in the world-wrestling arena.

Growing up, she recalls watching the WWE on Saturday mornings with her grandmother. In high school, Copeland joined the boys varsity wrestling team at Notre Dame High School in Elmira, NY.

The practice of dentistry is as much about providing outstanding care to patients as it is about educating them, according to Joshua Hutter. That philosophy helped this dentist secure a partnership at Western New York Dental Group at age 31.

Hutter’s practice includes all phases of dental care but he specializes in restorative, pediatric and cosmetic dentistry. Few things are as important to him as promoting good dentistry, which is why Hutter makes time to deliver pro bono dental care to Buffalo’s most underserved.

He is a regular volunteer at the Good Neighbors Health Care Clinic where he provides free, comprehensive care to patients in need of basic dental services. That includes cleanings and exams, as well as extractions and restorations.

Hutter’s first experience advocating for the less fortunate came during a dental school mission trip to Belize. He and his fellow students provided dental care and education to local residents, school children and prison inmates. Hutter says the experience was humbling because the Belize people were grateful for even the smallest gesture.

“I realized then that I could bring a smile to another person’s face,” he says.

In addition to volunteer work at the Good Neighbors Health Care Clinic, Hutter participates in Give Kids a Smile Day. Hosted by the University at Buffalo Dental School, where Hutter is an associate professor, the event offers free dental services to children who don’t have a dentist or health insurance.

After college, Copeland fought her way up through independent wrestling promotions.

Eventually, she landed at Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW) where the WWE signed Copeland to a developmental contract. But Copeland’s dominating physical style of wrestling didn’t fit with what Copeland called the “Cinderella” image the WWE wanted in its women’s division.

She caught a break in 2007 when the WWE needed an opponent to go up against then-women’s champion Candice Michelle. It was in that live, untelevised “make or break” event that Copeland showed off her muscle and power, which came to define her WWE career.

“The Glamazon,” as Copeland later dubbed herself, went on to dominate the women’s division and rid it of all Cinderellas. She earned three WWE Women’s Championship titles and a Divas Championship.

Earlier this year, Copeland made world-wrestling history. The WWE inducted her into its Hall of Fame, making Copeland the youngest inductee and the quickest to be inducted since retirement. Copeland and her husband, Adam “The Edge” Copeland, are also the first married couple to be inducted.

Finune O. Shaibi ’05 Age 32 | BA, Early Childhood/Childhood Education Supervisor, Multilingual Student Placement Buffalo Public Schools Starting at a new school can elicit unease in any child. But if that child does not speak the native language, he risks failure even before setting foot in a classroom. This has been a familiar story in the Buffalo Public School (BPS) District where more than 85 different languages are spoken.

The narrative is changing under the leadership of Finune Shaibi.

As supervisor of BPS’ Multilingual Student Placement, Shaibi and her team of nine multicultural specialists assess each incoming immigrant or refugee student and “purposefully place the child” within a city school most suited for their success.

Previously these children “were blended” into classrooms without a review of their prior educational histories, background experiences or native literacy level, Shaibi explains. Through the Language Assessment Center, Shaibi and her team now “properly assess the academic and linguistic needs” of each student and implement tailored academic plans.

Shaibi began advocating for a central registration center representative for multilingual students in 2012, while working as a supervisor of ESL (English as Second Language). She recalls “seeing herself” in the faces of children in the classroom.

World Wrestling Entertainment Inc.

Shaibi was born in the United States just weeks after her parents emigrated from Yemen. She began in the Buffalo Public Schools “without knowing a word of English.” Which is why Shaibi’s personal experience makes her uniquely qualified to serve the rising population of new Americans in the Buffalo Public Schools.

Mark R. Paradowski ’03, MBA ’04 Age 36 | BS, Computer Science, MBA Associate, Buffalo Young Preservationists Database analyst, Fluent Energy

What once was old is new again in Buffalo thanks, in part, to the efforts of Mark Paradowski – a rising change agent in the city.

Paradowski is a database analyst for Fluent Energy who devotes 30-plus hours a week working as a volunteer associate with Buffalo Young Preservationists (BYP). The non-profit agency advocates for the adaptive reuse of historic, architecturally and culturally significant buildings in Buffalo.

Paradowski led the BYP to its first great preservation victory in 2015 when the group saved the long vacant Wildroot Building from demolition, in the city’s Bailey-Walden section. The former hair tonic factory is now on the Seven to Save list of the Preservation League of New York State. A campaign is underway to fund the rehabilitation of the 1929 building.

Subsequent preservation projects with which Paradowski is involved include the Sattler/Broadway Theater on Broadway Avenue. He also participated in clean-up events at the former Immaculate Conception Church on Edward Street, the Central Terminal and the recently reopened Varsity Theatre on Bailey Avenue.

Paradowski is similarly involved with restoring and preserving forgotten homes in some of Buffalo’s oldest neighborhoods.

He purchased one on his former street at 100 Wood Avenue, saved it from demolition and is now bringing it back to its original 1920s form.

To make people aware of houses that are in imminent danger of being demolished, Paradowski created and maintains preservationready.org. His efforts to breathe new life into Buffalo landmarks earned Paradowski the 2016 Advocacy and Outreach Award, presented by Preservation Buffalo Niagara.

Katie L. Schlientz ’04 Age 35 | BA, Communication Studies, English Founder of IntoxiKate, Radio Host

Esther Ossei-Anto ’05 Age 33 | BS, Marketing Brand Manager IMC - International Market Centers For Esther Ossei-Anto, it’s never been about the role but rather the goal. And the goal for her is delivering results and making a difference.

Recently promoted to marketing manager for International Market Centers (IMC) in Las Vegas, NV, Ossei-Anto works “to bridge the gap between strategy and creative” to ensure that brand positioning for corporate clients such as Macy’s, Papaya and others aligns with their domestic and international stakeholders.

Ossei-Anto previously left her mark at George Little Management LLC where she was the youngest manager in the history of the national company, which markets trade shows, consumer shows and digital platforms for retail and product brands.

Perhaps most meaningful for Ossei-Anto is being able to put her marketing expertise to work for humanitarian efforts.

She recently helped start a factory to produce West African fabrics, handbags and accessories in her native nation of Ghana. The products, sold in the U.S. under the brand es n yaa, a combination of her name and her mother’s name, are made by citizens in impoverished areas of Ghana. The work helps to support more than 40 families.

In that same spirit, Ossei-Anto also hosts annual Zumbathons in Los Angeles and Las Vegas to raise money for local charities such as the YMCA. Camilla Sjodin

Katie Schlientz lives life deliciously. A self-described “foodie,” she turned a part-time job writing about Buffalo’s restaurant scene into a full-time (and flavorful) career.

Schlientz is the producer and host of “Fork This,” a weekly radio program that dishes on wine and culinary trends throughout New York City’s TriState area. She’s also the founder, editor and publisher of “IntoxiKate,” an online food magazine focused on local cuisine. Her blog by the same name serves up an innovative blend of food-related news and culinary innovations.

Though she “always had a love of food,” Schlientz began her career as a journalist.

The former editor-in-chief of The Griffin earned her master’s degree from Syracuse University’s Newhouse School of Public Communications and moved downstate to write for several magazines published by The Journal News.

The course of Schlientz’ career took an unexpected turn when her editor at In Town magazine asked her to write restaurant reviews. That job led to work as a features editor for Women’s World, where she covered food. Schlientz later created content for Wine Enthusiast.

Eventually though, she broke out on her own.

“There were so many interesting food-related stories that just couldn’t get covered because of traditional print deadlines.”

Schlientz recalls the chef who studied the art of noodle making with the world’s best ramen noodle maker; the entrepreneur who opened up New York’s first distillery since Prohibition; and the nutritionist whose holistic food recipes help people overcome digestive problems.

“These are the farm-to-table stories unique to our area that I always wanted to tell and am now able to.”

And with a following of 60,000-plus, it’s fair to say Schlientz’ audience has acquired a taste for her work.

SUMMER 2017 CANISIUS COLLEGE M AGA ZINE

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The journey to success for brothers Mark and Steven Leonard Jr. began on the lacrosse field in their hometown of Syracuse and continued at Canisius.

Mark played defense and served as team captain senior year. Steven (inset photo) was a mid-fielder and though he didn’t get much playing time, he was a crucial part of the Griffs, according to Mark.

“Steven was the most spirited member, always into the game, encouraging teammates and assisting coaches,” Mark recalls.

After graduation, their degrees took the Leonard brothers in separate directions.

The English Lacrosse Association drafted Mark to play and coach professionally in Manchester, England. He later returned to Buffalo to work as a market development executive at Ingram Micro, followed by a move to Virginia where he currently works in sales at Dell. He continues to coach high school varsity lacrosse in Fairfax, VA. Meantime, Steven, the elder Leonard brother, built a successful career in New York City. By day, he worked as a senior project manager at the global e-commerce company Redstage. At night, Steven launched two of his own Buffalo-inspired e-commerce businesses: 716 Renaissance Designs sells Buffalo-themed t-shirts and “Blurbs Against Buffalo” is a local version of the popular game “Cards Against Humanity.”

Mark S. Leonard ’09 Age 30 | BS, Marketing & Business Management Founder, Steven A. Leonard Jr. Foundation

Both of Steven’s entrepreneurial ventures were just beginning to thrive when doctors diagnosed him with a rare and aggressive form of cancer. Though he fought hard, “with the same spirit he showed on the lacrosse field,” Mark says, Steven passed away in November 2016 at age 31.

His success lives on, however, through Mark. The younger Leonard now oversees sales of "Blurbs Against Buffalo", which recently sold more than 1,000 decks of playing cards in three months. Mark also established the Steven Leonard Jr. Foundation to help fund research for muco epidermoid carcinoma. Longterm goals for the foundation include dedicating a treatment room at ECMC in Steven’s memory and establishing a non-athletic scholarship for a Canisius student who, like Steven, may not be the star of the team but is a distinctive shining light.

Michael R. Dlugosz ’07, MD Age 32 | BA, Psychology Primary Care Physician, Highgate Medical Group, PC

Dodji Modjinou’s journey in the U.S. has taken him a long way - in a short amount of time - from his native Togo, West Africa.

Inspired to pursue a career in medicine after accompanying his godfather on medical mission trips, Modjinou came to America in 2001 to study biology at Canisius. Hard work and a reverence for education now make him a leading specialist and scholar in the field of rheumatology.

In practice as an academic physician in Reno, NV, Modjinou provides relief to patients who suffer from musculoskeletal disease and systemic autoimmune conditions. His fluency in five languages enables Modjinou to deliver an added dose of personal care to his patients.

Dodji V. Modjinou ’05, MD Age 36 | BS, Biology Assistant Professor Department of Internal Medicine, University of Nevada

At the same time, Modjinou is engaged in cuttingedge research on crystal disease in order to develop effective treatments for patients who suffer from gout. He collaborates on his research with the Crystals Disease Study Group at New York University’s School of Medicine.

Modjinou, an assistant professor at the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, also makes time to mentor the next generation of medical students.

And though he is a long way from home, Modjinou works to further new health programs in Togo. As a liaison for the international nonprofit Advisors of Hope Through Health, Modjinou collaborates with the president of the Togolese Ministry of Health on ways to provide lifesaving services to HIV/AIDS patients, and to promote infantile and maternal health.

Camilla Sjodin

There is no such thing as a typical day in the life of Michael Dlugosz, MD. And, he wouldn’t have it any other way.

A primary care physician and newly named partner of Highgate Medical Group PC in Buffalo, Dlugosz treats all aspects of patient care, from delivering babies (including one in a hospital parking lot!) to tending to patients at Gardengate Health Care Facility.

“The patient-physician relationships that develop from caring for people as they transition through each stage of their lives is the key to maintaining long-term health and the reason I chose family medicine,” he says.

Dlugosz comes from a family of educators and shares their love of teaching. Still, he couldn’t dismiss his passion for medicine. He happily combines the two.

Dlugosz instructs physician assistant students at Daemen College and medical students and resident physicians at the University at Buffalo. A teacher and mentor, Dlugosz also shares his commitment

to community service with his students.

“One of the primary reasons I went into medicine was to give back,” he says.

Dlugosz spends Wednesday nights as the physician-in-charge at the Lighthouse Free Medical Clinic on Jefferson Avenue, where he supervises patient care provided by UB students. Dlugosz also leads a group of physician assistant students from Daemen on a medical mission trip to the Dominican Republic each year. There, he says, his family practice background serves him well.

“We see a little bit of everything and need to be prepared for anything,” Dlugosz says. The group sets up shop in the middle of a sugarcane field to treat more than 500 people during the stay.

“Exposing students to these experiences early in training helps them realize the true privilege of providing care for those who need it most and encourages them to become more compassionate doctors.”

Kevin J. Heffernan ’08

Bridget M. Schaefer ’13

Age 31 | BA, German, International Relations

Age 26 | BA, Communication Studies

Co-Founder, Rise Collaborative

Co-Founder, Rise Collaborative

Collaborative is the key word when referring to Drew Brown, Kevin Heffernan and Bridget Schaefer.

The Canisius trio founded Rise Collaborative, a for-profit organization that promotes locally owned small businesses, nonprofit agencies, artists and advocacy groups in Western New York. Rise Collaborative utilizes a comprehensive website, its No Boundaries newspaper and a variety of events to advocate for people, businesses and neighborhoods that may not be sharing in Buffalo’s renaissance.

“It’s said that a rising tide lifts all boats but we saw many areas in Buffalo that were not enjoying the economic resurgence in the same way as downtown and other places,” Brown explains. “Rise Collaborative emerged from our shared idea that the resurgent economy should involve everyone, including under-reported neighborhoods throughout the city.”

Brown and Heffernan met freshman year at Canisius; Heffernan and Schaefer worked together at a local marketing agency. Each one brings different skill sets and talents to Rise Collaborative to create a unique organization with a shared vision.

Brown currently works as a marketing manager with Visit Buffalo Niagara, the area’s lead agency for promoting tourism, conventions and cultural events, and came to love the city while growing up in the historic Polonia District. Heffernan is a freelance content strategist and social media manager, and has traveled extensively in Europe, studied in El Salvador and taught in India. He brings a worldview to the group. Schaefer is director of hospitality at Larkinville and previously worked in local TV news and communications. She has extensive capabilities in video and photography.

“Working in local television gave me the opportunity to see all different parts of the city,” Schaefer explains. “Now with Rise Collaborative, I can focus on helping to promote positive change in every area of our hometown.”

As part of its mission, Rise Collaborative brings the community together via Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and other social media posts from individuals, local businesses and organizations. The site also features a clothing and apparel section with items designed and printed in collaboration with local artists. The semi-annual No Boundaries newspaper - with a circulation of 10,000 - partners with local organizations that contribute to the content for the issue and then share in revenues generated by the paper’s sponsors.

Drew M. Brown ’08

“We have a small business focus to show that the renaissance in Buffalo is more than just big corporations,” Heffernan says. “We share an interest in social justice issues and a desire to positively promote those people, businesses and organizations in Buffalo that are not often in the spotlight.”

Age 30 | BS, Marketing Co-Founder, Rise Collaborative

Beth Insalaco

Chris Lee

Journalism is a tough assignment these days. It’s also an important one, according to Sarah (“SJ”) Velasquez.

“It will always be imperative to report on the facts, even when they’re not popular,” she says.

Velasquez is in her second year as a journalist and digital producer for BBC.com.

The British Broadcasting Corp. is the world’s oldest and largest news gathering operation. Though the BBC is headquartered in London, Velasquez works from the New York City office where her assignments vary from hard news to human interest.

Most recently, her bylines appeared on BBC.com’s travel and auto-related sites.

Velasquez describes herself as a “journalist with strong techie tendencies,” many of which she honed while at The Buffalo News. As multimedia content coordinator for Buffalo.com, she wrote daily stories, shot and edited video, implemented social strategy and edited the homepage. Velasquez later transitioned to the role of digital engagement editor for The Buffalo News, where she managed all the newsroom's social media accounts.

These roles at The News made Velasquez an attractive candidate at BBC.com where, in addition to reporting, she manages the homepage content for BBC.com worldwide.

“For the BBC, it’s not about ratings or click bait, it’s about delivering informative, in-depth and objective news stories,” she explains. “My job is to determine what content is relevant to our various online audiences and then populate those stories on the respective BBC.com homepages.”

Journalism is a 24/7 job but Velasquez “loves what she’s doing” and is excited to see where the job takes her.

Sarah (“SJ”) Velasquez ’07 Age 32 | BA, Communication Studies Journalist & Digital Producer, BBC.com

Myles Abbott’s accounting professors knew his drive and ambition as a student would take him far in the field. They just didn’t realize how far or how fast he would get there.

Today, less than 15 years after graduation, Abbott is senior manager of the energy, utilities and mining division at the Cleveland office of PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). He and his team help Fortune 500 clients grow revenues, reduce costs and deal with disruptive business challenges in order to deliver superior investor value. Abbott also develops new business opportunities to support PwC’s growth.

He began working at the Big 4 accounting firm after graduation. His first job was as an associate at PwC’s Buffalo office. But Abbott’s superiors soon saw in him the same qualities his Canisius professors did. That drive and ambition led Abbott to rise quickly within PwC’s ranks, before he eventually found his niche working in energy and utilities.

Indebted to the guidance and mentoring his Canisius education provided, Abbott gives back to both alma mater and the Cleveland community.

In the last 10 years, Abbott was a catalyst in recruiting more than 60 Canisius accounting students for internships and full-time positions at PwC. The alumni board member also started an annual gift matching campaign for the nearly 40 Canisius graduates who work at PwC offices nationwide. The initiative saw donations levels increase from 20 percent to 70 percent from 2015-16 with a number of these gifts meeting the threshold for membership in Leadership Society.

In addition to alma mater, Abbott is a board member for the Boys and Girls Club of Cleveland, helping to fundraise for the organization and identify scholarship opportunities for disadvantaged students. He also brainstorms solutions for community and civic issues as a member of the Cleveland Leadership Center Leadership Council.

Myles M. Abbott ’03, MBAACC ’04 Age 35 | BS, Accounting Senior Manager, PricewaterhouseCoopers

Michael W. Lanighan ’12 Age 27 | BS, Computer Science, Physics Doctoral Candidate, College of Information & Computer Science University of Massachusetts Amherst

John Solem

In the 1960s animated series “The Jetsons,” the family had a humanoid robot named Rosie who carried out the household duties. She was fictional but artificial intelligence is real says Michael Lanighan.

Lanighan’s current research involves developing robotic systems for healthcare applications, specifically eldercare and prosthetics. But the robotics research with which he is involved has applications in space, as well.

A PhD candidate at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Lanighan conducts high tech robotics research aimed at enabling robots to effectively manipulate objects and perform tasks using their senses.

Lanighan spent much of 2015 working as an intern for NASA. Assigned to the Johnson Space Center, he was an onsite contractor and created software for Robonaut 2. The humanoid prototype robot was developed by NASA in collaboration with General Motors, and is currently aboard the space station.

“Belief-space-planning research allows a robot to reason in terms of the data it receives,” says Lanighan. “Robots that have accurate data will act on it, while robots that may not have accurate data will act more cautiously and gather more information before taking certain actions.”

“I hope that the technologies I develop will be able to improve the quality of someone’s life some day,” he says.

Emilee C. Flynn ’08, MD Age 31 | BS, Biology Fellow, Pediatric Global Health, University of Massachusetts

Liberia has come a long way in the 14 years since the end of its brutal civil war. Still, the crippling impact on the country’s healthcare system remains on a road to recovery. Emilee Flynn is helping to revive this vulnerable West African region.

The graduate of Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine is in her first of a two-year fellowship in pediatric global health at the University of Massachusetts where she is also working towards her master’s degree in public health. Flynn’s current rotation is at the J.J. Dossen Memorial Hospital in Harper, Liberia, where she delivers clinical care to the youngest of patients.

“The infant and under-five mortality rate is among the highest in the world here,” explains Flynn, who treats children suffering from malaria, tuberculosis and HIV, as well as asthma, diabetes, kidney disease and heart disease. Conditions are worsened by the “incredibly limited resources in this very remote region.”

Though there are many challenges, Flynn is “constantly amazed by the determination and desire to learn that is displayed by so many of the staff at the hospital.”

As part of her fellowship, Flynn provides medical education to hospital staff and students. She teaches in the pediatric ward working with the nursing students and residents who rotate through the ward. Flynn is also a master trainer for the Helping Babies Breathe program, which teaches neonatal resuscitation in resource limited settings.

“Slowly, improvements are being made,” Flynn says. “I have cared for children with severe diabetes and asthma who likely would have died just a few months ago, as the hospital staff did not have the training or resources necessary to treat such conditions. Now, these children are surviving, managing their own conditions and thriving. It is incredibly humbling to witness.”

Justin S. Booth MSEd ’06 Age 39 | Physical Education Founder, GObike Buffalo

Buffalo’s resurgence is - quite literally - on a roll, courtesy of Justin Booth. The founder of GObike Buffalo steers the non-profit in its advocacy “to develop a healthy, environmentally sustainable, community-friendly infrastructure that encourages people to get out and ride,” Booth says.

Cycling was always a “healthy lifestyle choice” for this New York City native. But when Booth arrived in Buffalo to attend college, he discovered that navigating the city on two wheels wasn’t easy. Buffalo’s infrastructure, he says, lacked protected bike lanes, unobstructed routes and convenient and secure locations for cyclists to park their bikes.

Booth launched GObike Buffalo to turn things around.

The grassroots initiative started slowly, with commitments from the city to purchase 25 bike racks and the creation of Buffalo’s first bike-share system, Blue Bicycle. These “small infrastructure wins” set the wheels in motion for greater policy change.

In 2008, GObike Buffalo successfully advocated the city to adopt New York State’s first Complete Streets ordinance. The policy requires that all modes of transportation be accommodated when streets are planned, designed and maintained to enable safe access for everyone.

Under the Buffalo Green Code, bike parking is now required for any new, expanded or renovated developments. GObike Buffalo also worked in tandem with city officials to develop a Bicycle Master Plan that calls for the creation of 150 miles of bike lanes in the city by 2018.

“We’ve really made some significant strides towards putting Buffalo on the bicycle map in meaningful ways,” Booth says. “I’m excited to see what the next decade will bring.”

Martina M. (Ossei-Anto) Ocrah ’00 Age 38 | BS, Clinical Laboratory Science Doctoral Candidate, Epidemiology, University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry

Martina Ocrah vividly remembers the young girl who sat next to her in elementary school in her native Ghana, West Africa. She sold kerosene before school to make money for her family. Ocrah, who could smell the fuel on the girl’s clothing, came from a more privileged family. She and her sister, Esther Ossei-Anto ’05 (featured on page 15) vowed to use that opportunity to help others.

Now a third-year doctoral student in epidemiology at the University of Rochester, Ocrah conducts groundbreaking research that may impact patients in the United States and around the world.

Under the mentorship of Assistant Professor Jeff Bazarian, MD, Ocrah examines why women, compared to men, suffer more severe symptoms after head injuries and take longer to recover. She also found that emergency medicine providers tend to under-recognize concussions in women.

“When EMS is called, women are less likely to be transported to the appropriate care center and risk suffering a potentially life-threatening brain bleed,” Ocrah says.

Ocrah presented her findings at the first Pink Concussion Conference: International Summit on Female Concussions. Not only did she wow the audience but Ocrah received the Best Poster Award related to female concussions and traumatic brain injury.

Inspired by that success, Ocrah intends to pursue further research for underrepresented populations. She currently works with an interdisciplinary team of doctors in Northern Ghana to identify types, predictors and burden of injuries for patients seeking care at two local hospitals. Ocrah hopes her work will ultimately improve patient care and awareness on a global scale.

Kristen Campbell Eichhorn ’99, PhD Age 39 | BA, Communication Studies Dean of Graduate Studies, State University of New York at Oswego

Jim Russell

Jason Masker MS ’13 Age 35 | MS, Community Mental Health Counseling Wing Director of Psychological Health, U.S. Air National Guard

Jason Masker served six years as an engineer in the U.S. Army and completed a combat tour in Iraq. He retired in 2005. However, Masker continues to serve his country today.

He is the primary counselor for the 107th Attack Wing of the Air National Guard based at the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station, where he provides counseling, education and training for service men and women.

“I stayed in touch with the guys I served alongside and kept hearing more stories of friends who were struggling with mental health issues related to combat duty,” Masker recalls. “I wanted to do something with more purpose that could help our veterans so I decided to pursue a career in counseling.”

Following his military career, Masker returned to school, first earning a bachelor’s degree in management and organizational leadership from St. Petersburg College in Florida, followed by his MS in community mental health counseling from Canisius College.

While studying at Canisius, Masker gained clinical experience working at Gateway-Longview, a non-profit service organization dedicated to child and family mental health issues. From there he joined the 107th Attack Wing.

Kristen Campbell Eichhorn wanted to go into broadcasting when she arrived at Canisius. Then she took an interpersonal communication class with Melissa B. Wanzer, EdD. “It was an experience that changed the course of my life,” Eichhorn recalls. “Professor Wanzer was so passionate and effective in teaching, it was contagious.”

Today, Eichhorn is a professor of communication studies at SUNY Oswego, where she teaches courses in interpersonal communication and research methods. Eichhorn just completed her year as a fellow with the American Council on Education (ACE). The ACE Fellows program is designed to strengthen institutions and leadership in higher education by preparing future leaders for senior positions in college and university administrations. Eichhorn spent her year at

Cornell University participating on issues including strategic planning, public engagement and faculty development and diversity.

Earlier this month, she assumed the additional role of dean of graduate studies at SUNY Oswego.

As her student adviser at Canisius, Wanzer once suggested that Eichhorn needed to work on her writing in order to move ahead in graduate studies. Years later, the two would share authorship of a book on interpersonal communication. Eichhorn has also written extensively on the topic for leading research journals on human communication.

She holds a master’s degree from West Virginia University and earned her PhD from the University of Miami, Florida.

Heather Eidson

Three quarters of a century after the Holocaust, stories of survivors and previously unknown heroes continue to emerge. The responsibility to share the stories of these brave men and women falls to Kelley Szany.

Szany is nationally recognized as a leading Holocaust and contemporary genocide educator. Headquartered at the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center (IHMEC) in Skokie, IL, the director of education develops and oversees the museum’s public programming for educators, students, civic and business leaders and the broader community.

Szany travels the globe speaking to audiences not only about the Holocaust but genocides in Armenia, Cambodia, Bosnia, Rwanda and Darfur. Her objective, she says, is always to “engage in the influence of social change.”

Motivated by the courage and resilience of Holocaust survivors, Szany helped to develop IHMEC’s speaker bureau into the largest of its kind in the United States. As a recipient of a Carl Wilkens Fellowship, Szany worked with national leaders to create a permanent anti-genocide constituency in Illinois.

She successfully lobbied on Capitol Hill to bring attention to the atrocities in Syria and to aid in the massive refugee crisis.

Throughout her tenure, Szany helped to influence U.S. policy. She effectively petitioned lawmakers for the continued support and funding of the Genocide Atrocities and Prevention Board, an interagency committee established to assess and prevent the long-term risks of genocide.

Szany was similarly successful in securing support of the renewal of the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act, which enables the executive branch to more easily impose visa bans and target sanctions on individuals responsible for committing human rights violations.

Kelley (Hayes) Szany ’99 Age 39 | BA, History Director, Education Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center

Rachel N. Sikorski ’03 Age 35 | BA, Psychology, Art History and German New York State Licensed Creative Arts Therapist

Marie M. Schuster ’11 Age 27 | BS, International Relations, German Case Manager, BestSelf Behavioral Health Every year nearly 1,600 refugees from across the globe come to Western New York to start a new life. Marie Schuster is among the first friendly faces to greet them and help ease their transition to America.

Schuster is a case manager with BestSelf Behavioral Health (formerly Lakeshore Behavioral Health), where she connects refugees, newly accepted into the country, with key community and social support services.

Schuster is relatively new to the position but her background in the field makes her a practiced and proficient friend to foreign refugees.

Schuster is the former resettlement case manager for the International Institute of Buffalo. The nonprofit organization assists refugees primarily from Afghanistan, Somalia, Burma and Nepal - to become independent, informed and contributing members of the community.

Many of the refugees seek asylum from conflict, wars and persecution, Schuster explains.

“It is a difficult era politically but these folks are just trying to raise their families in peace like everyone else,” she says.

Schuster had many roles at the International Institute. She worked with refugees to find housing and assist with their applications for social services. She connected refugee families with primary care physicians, enrolled children in schools and their parents in English language classes and provided employment counseling.

Schuster’s job then - and now - involves long and non-traditional hours.

She remains inspired, she says, by the pursuit of social justice, thanks to her participation in many service-immersion trips while at Canisius.

Perhaps Pablo Picasso was onto something when he said the purpose of art is to wash the dust of daily life off our souls. Rachel Sikorski thinks so.

For her, creativity and self-expression are valuable tools in reducing stress, improving self-esteem and even overcoming trauma. She harnesses the healing power of art, every day, in her practice as a New York State Licensed Creative Arts Therapist and nationally registered and board-certified art therapist (ATR-BC).

Considered members of the mental health profession, art therapists like Sikorski combine drawing, painting or journaling with the creative process to help clients explore their feelings, reconcile emotional conflicts, foster self-awareness, manage behavior and addictions and develop social skills.

“The beauty of art therapy is it gives us a visual record,” Sikorski says. “We see progress and change in ways that perhaps a traditional psychotherapist would not.”

Because she believes so strongly in the benefits of art therapy, Sikorski advocates for increased access to it in the Buffalo-Niagara region. She is a founding member of Art Therapy Buffalo, a professional network of local art therapists.

“I want to ensure that our services are available for clients who want to use art to process their experiences or even for self care,” Sikorski says. “Nothing is more satisfying than to have someone who was initially resistant say at the end of their first session, ‘I want to do this again.’”

Jared Paul, PhD, recently wrote an editorial for an international research journal for inorganic chemistry in which he paid tribute to Mariusz M. Kozik, PhD, chair of the Chemistry/Biochemistry Department at Canisius.

“As a sophomore undergraduate student, I initially turned down a chance to do research in chemistry over a summer at Canisius,” Paul recalls. “Dr. Kozik called me into his office and suggested that I did not understand the opportunity I had been given. I did research that summer and it was truly a life-changing experience.”

Jared J. Paul ’00, PhD Age 38 | BS, Chemistry Associate Professor, Chemistry Villanova University, Philadelphia, PA

Paul switched from studying chemical engineering and became heavily involved in research in inorganic chemistry, working on issues such as carbon dioxide reduction. He went on to earn his PhD in inorganic chemistry at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The Williamsville native currently teaches chemistry at Villanova University and is also the former co-director of Villanova Center for Energy and Environmental Education.

He continues to do extensive research, particularly in the areas of artificial photosynthesis and light-activated anti-cancer drugs.

Last year, he was granted a U.S. patent on these types of drugs currently under development.

Paul is also known in academic circles as a proponent of teaching sustainability to chemistry students and the general public, focusing on products and processes that minimize the use and generation of hazardous materials.

Ask Bethany Vivian Crowe what she does in her job and her likely answer is, “Whatever it takes.”

Crowe is a Mentor-Teacher in the Buffalo Public Schools, charged with promoting the growth and development of young educators at the onset of their careers. The position is new to Crowe but her decade of experience as a special education teacher at PS 99, Stanley Makowski Early Childhood Center prepared her well.

This educator and advocate inspired students in their learning, gained their trust, counseled those with personal problems and educated parents about special education law to ensure her students always received the best services available.

Outside class, Crowe befriended her students and their families.

She attended church with them, invited them to hockey games and even took students for haircuts and clothes shopping. By doing whatever it takes, Crowe saw the academic performance of her students increase and their behavioral problems decrease.

Crowe now shares her experiences and outcomes with the next generation of educators, both in her new position within the city school district and as a member of the Canisius College JUSTICE Project Advisory Council. In this latter role, Crowe provides guidance to the Teacher Education Department about curriculum revision to better prepare graduates on how to best serve the needs of students with high-incidence disabilities in high-need schools.

Bethany Vivian Crowe ’07 Age 32 | BS, Special Education/Teacher Education Mentor-Teacher, Buffalo Public Schools

Carolina Panthers

Chris Manhertz ’14, MS ’15 Age 25 | BS, Health and Wellness MS, Sport Administration Tight End, Carolina Panthers

In 2016, Chris Manhertz accomplished something that would be a dream for most sports fans - he caught a pass in the National Football League. What makes that feat even more impressive is that the only football experience he had up until then was playing the Madden NFL video game.

The tight end for the NFL Carolina Panthers was a standout basketball player for the Golden Griffins. The 6-foot-6-inch forward led the men’s team in rebounds for three consecutive seasons and ranks fourth on Canisius’ all-time rebounds list.

It wasn’t until after graduation that Manhertz transitioned from the hardwood to the gridiron.

“It’s see ball, get ball,” Manhertz says. “It’s a different shaped ball but it’s pretty much the same concept.”

Manhertz signed originally with the Buffalo Bills. He didn’t make the preseason roster but the New Orleans Saints later signed Manhertz to the practice squad.

He cracked the team’s active roster in 2016, making his NFL debut on September 18 that year. Manhertz played three games and posted two starts for the Saints before the team released him. The Carolina Panthers pounced and claimed Manhertz off waivers the very next day.

Betsy (Mugo) Bevilacqua ’03, MBA ’06 Age 37 | BS, Information Systems Head of Security Programs & Operations Facebook If you’re like 1.8 billion other people around the world, you’re on Facebook. But while we communicate on the most widely used social media platform, Betsy (Mugo) Bevilacqua works behind the scenes to ensure that the posts, photos and purchases you make don’t fall into the wrong hands.

Bevilacqua is head of security programs and operations for Facebook in Menlo Park, CA. Her job is “to maximize the impact of the security team by centralizing business operations and driving strategic projects and programs,” she explains.

The position is the latest in Bevilacqua’s meteoric rise in the information security industry.

Early technical roles for this native of Nairobi, Kenya, included jobs at Sodexo and Independent Health. Bevilacqua always wanted to work in the technology industry, so when an opportunity arose to scale the information security risk program at eBay, Bevilacqua moved out west.

“As businesses grow and expand, so too does the nature of threats to systems and data security,” she says.

A secondary albeit equally vital threat is the field’s growing shortage of skilled professionals, which is expected to reach 1.5 million unfilled positions by 2020.

To help address this gap, Bevilacqua speaks at conferences aimed at attracting women and underrepresented minorities to pursue careers in information security. She mentors young women in the field and leads the Information Security Diversity and Pipeline Building Program at Facebook.

Bevilacqua and her team visit with middle school, high school and college students to host “Capture the Flag” hacking contests to inspire the next generation of information security professionals.

“Facebook is a global company and so it’s imperative it reflects the diversity of the people who use our technology and services especially when it comes to solving complex security problems," she says. "That includes geographical diversity, educational diversity as well as ethnic and gender diversity.”

Netta Conyers-Haynes

Brian P. Nicholson ’03 Age 35 | BS, Political Science Trial Attorney, U.S. Department of Justice

Mary Gardella

Brian Nicholson is not your average trial attorney, nor does he carry an average caseload.

He is a U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) trial attorney who handles criminal matters involving international investigations and extraditions.

Nicholson is new to the position but not the courtroom. He prosecuted dozens of cases to verdict, domestically and abroad, for kidnapping, child molestation, conspiracy and fraud.

After attending the University of Notre Dame Law School on full scholarship (where he also won a boxing championship), Nicholson accepted a position as litigation associate in Washington for a large international firm. He was lead associate on several high-profile cases but a calling to serve led him to leave for the military.

In the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s (JAG) Corps, he was deployed to Iraq for a year and was liaison between the Iraq Judiciary and U.S. Special Operations Forces, advising on counter-terror prosecution and international law.

Upon Nicholson’s return to the United States, he was senior prosecutor for the Military District of Washington, D.C. - a district that includes the Pentagon. Ultimately, he was assigned as military defense counsel for Khalid Shaikh Mohammad, the lead defendant in the death penalty case arising from the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Nicholson joined the DOJ upon completion of his military service.

Nicholson was selected as an outstanding public interest attorney by Harvard Law School, which named him a 2016-17 Wassertein Fellow. He has instructed law students at Notre Dame Law School and at Washington & Lee University School of Law in the Intensive Trial Advocacy Program and as a Professor of Practice, respectively.

Drew C. Monti ’16 Age 22 | BA, Economics Harness Racing Driver Financial Advisor, Buffalo Financial Associates

Driving a 1,200-pound horse at speeds of up to 35 miles per hour in heavy traffic requires athleticism, split-second decision-making and bravery. Drew Monti has all the right stuff.

The 22-year-old is one of the top drivers on the Western New York harness racing circuit, winning 649 races and bankrolling nearly $3.5 million in purses.

Monti applies his Canisius economics degree to his driving career. “Racing is my passion but make no mistake, it’s a business,” he said. “Drivers are self-employed and manage all aspects of their careers.”

Harness racing is in Drew Monti’s blood - literally. His father, Darrin Monti, and grandfather, Carl Monti, are longtime drivers still in the game as owners and trainers.

Monti took the reins at age 16 to drive the family’s Standardbreds on the New York fair circuit. He proudly wears the family’s silks - brown and gold, decorated with stars. A patch from the New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program marks Monti’s work with the organization and his commitment to horses well beyond their racing years.

Monti began driving regularly in 2013 during his freshman year at Canisius. He notched his first title in 2016 as Driver of the Season at Batavia Downs, the youngest to do so. In December 2016, Monti’s childhood dream came true when he was invited to line up next to the best in the business at the Meadowlands Racetrack. Monti won his fastest race ever on the legendary New Jersey oval.

It's the latest high in his burgeoning career.

“It’s always a thrill when you drive a long shot for a win, and there’s nothing like driving a $200,000 horse,” Monti said.

“When a driver and a horse come together at the top of their games, it’s magic, truly magic.”

Steve Roth

Lucian D. Sikorskyj ’04 Age 35 | BA, Political Science, English Director, Aviation & Surface Transportation Security National Security Council

Lucian Sikorskyj sums up his work in three words: planes, trains and automobiles. Although he’s not referring to the classic road comedy.

Sikorskyj is an FBI intelligence analyst currently assigned to the National Security Council in Washington, D.C. where he serves as director for aviation and surface transportation security. His job is to help protect the traveling public from criminals and terrorists who want to exploit or disrupt the U.S. transportation system. It is a role that he has served since June 2016 for two presidents.

With an office just steps from the White House, Sikorskyj provides counsel to the president and his advisors on national security matters related to aviation, mass transit, railroads and highways.

This includes coordinating and developing policies to counter terrorist threats to transportation and the use of improvised explosive devices; enable the safe and secure integration of unmanned aircraft systems into the national airspace; and transition the national airspace system from current technology to the next generation.

Understandably, much of Sikorskyj’s work is classified. However, his rapid ascent to the National Security Council and nearly 13 years as an intelligence analyst with the FBI have placed Sikorskyj at the center of several high-profile situations.

Late last year, he played a key role in coordinating the development of U.N. Security Council Resolution 2309. Unanimously adopted, it is the first U.N. resolution to focus on civil aviation security aimed at countering terrorist threats. During Sikorskyj’s tenure with the bureau, he specialized in counterterrorism analysis and investigations, such as the Boston Marathon bombing in 2013, and previously served as the daily briefer to then-Director Robert Mueller and Attorney General Michael Mukasey. While a supervisory intelligence analyst with the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force in Los Angeles, Sikorskyj led a squad that assisted in the response and investigation of the terrorist attacks in San Bernardino, CA, in 2015.

Mary Gardella

Mark D. Mambretti ’00, MSEd ’05, MS ’06 Age 39 | BA, History; MSEd Adolescence Education Grades 7-12 MS, Education/Administration Supervision Director, Evaluation, Assessment and Grants, East Aurora School District

For Mark Mambretti, educating students is more of an art than a science.

“We’re trying to inform, educate, nurture and inspire young people, not create a perfect product,” he says.

Mambretti is in his inaugural year as director of evaluation, assessment and grants for the East Aurora School District.

The newly created position is the latest leadership role for this educator-turned-administrator who is known nationwide for setting the pace, character and quality of education for children in his schools.

Mambretti began his career as a social studies teacher at the former Catholic Central School in Buffalo. He “fell into administration” when Catholic Central adopted a Nativity model and tasked Mambretti with developing the academic curriculum for at-risk boys in grades 6-8. Since then, Mambretti has been principal of St. Peter’s School in Lewiston, the elementary division of Nardin Academy and most recently, East Aurora Middle School.

Under his leadership, the school saw considerable changes in its culture, climate and most notably, academic performance. During Mambretti’s eight-year tenure, East Aurora Middle climbed from 13th to 5th among public schools on Buffalo Business First’s annual school rankings.

It was also one of only four public schools to win subject excellence awards in English language arts and math, according to the newspaper’s rankings.

The U.S. Department of Education recognized this academic excellence in 2012 by awarding East Aurora Middle a coveted National Blue Ribbon. The following year, the School Administrators Association of New York State and the National Association of Secondary School Principals named Mambretti the New York State Middle School Principal of the Year. And, the National Association of Middle School Principals recognized Mambretti as the National Principal of the Year in 2014.

U.S. Army

Rebecca A. Haslinger ’00 Age 39 | BS, Accounting Vice President of Finance, Kaleida Health

Brandon M. Bieron ’10 Age 29 | BA, Political Science Captain, U.S. Army

Military service is in Brandon Bieron’s DNA. The U.S. Army Captain leads Baker Company, 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment based in Anchorage, AK, and is a third generation member of the armed forces.

His grandfather, emeritus professor Joseph F. Bieron ’59, PhD, served stateside as an Army chemist during the Vietnam War. Bieron’s father, Paul J., is a retired Army National Guard Reservist who aided in 9/11 efforts and was deployed to Iraq.

It was that 2004 deployment that solidified Brandon’s decision to serve his country.

Commissioned as an infantry officer through Canisius’ ROTC program, Bieron completed the basic course and then graduated from U.S. Army Ranger School. Ranger School is a rigorous and demanding ordeal that has a more than 50 percent attrition rate. Less than one percent of the Army is Ranger qualified.

Prior to taking command of Baker Company, Bieron served in the elite 75th Ranger Regiment, a special operations unit that concentrates in surgical raids. Now, as Baker Company commander, Bieron leads more than 120 paratroopers and manages more than $16 million of property and equipment.

A highly decorated soldier, Bieron completed two tours of duty in Afghanistan and holds commendations such as a Bronze Star Medal, conferred for heroic achievement. Bieron is also the recipient of the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, awarded to those who fought in active ground combat and the Joint Service Commendation Medal, which recognizes meritorious service while assigned to a joint activity.

For anyone who thinks accounting is just about crunching numbers, the career of Rebecca Haslinger proves otherwise. Prior to becoming vice president of finance for Kaleida Health at the age of 37, Haslinger was performing audits on clients such as Trump Casinos in Atlantic City and ringing the bell on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) during an initial public offering (IPO).

“I always had an entrepreneurial spirit and my accounting degree opened up a unique career path,” Haslinger says. “To me, a job is more than just going to work every day. It’s about positively impacting people and our community with the work that we do.”

Haslinger earned her CPA after graduation from Canisius and went to work for E&Y (Ernst and Young), where she audited gaming, healthcare and manufacturing clients.

A national leader in financing - CIT - later recruited her as vice president of healthcare real estate. At CIT, Haslinger helped form a Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) that resulted in her NYSE experience. After CIT, she joined HealthNow NY, part of BlueCross BlueShield, as director of business finance.

Haslinger was recruited to join Kaleida Health in 2016 where her 50-plus associates on the finance team are now working on the move of Women & Children’s Hospital, among dozens of other hospital and healthcare-related projects.

Haslinger serves on the board of the YMCA Delaware Branch in Buffalo and volunteers with the High Hurdles Therapeutic Riding Program at Suburban Adult Services Inc. as well as the SPCA.

Molly A. Burhans ’14 Age 27 | BA, Philosophy Executive Director, Goodland Project and Catholic Geographic System Molly Burhans doesn’t define success by one’s social status or monetary worth.

“For me, success means leaving the world a better place, making a brighter future for our planet and creating hope.”

Burhans is doing just that as executive director of the Goodland Project and Catholic Geographic System based in Hartford, CT. The non-profit initiative, which she founded, works to increase the Catholic Church’s understanding and ecological planning of its landholdings. Burhans demonstrates how these lands can be a means for positive global environmental and social change. She helps the church map its lands using modern, multi-dimensional geographic information systems (GIS) technology.

Most people think of a map as a flat, two-dimensional representation of land but Burhans says that GIS maps are designed for the digital-age with overlay information about economics, social and health conditions, demographics, transportation and weather patterns.

Her newest endeavor, in collaboration with the Environmental Protection Agency/Esri Nation-wide Green Infrastructure Mapping Project, created the largest geodatabase of Catholic information in the world.

“Magis refers to the greater glory of God,” Burhans says. “Understanding the magis of Earth requires discerning what our land can do for us and for our world. We all have a responsibility to be better stewards of our properties and to plan for a better future.”

Julie Baum

Adam Budny's job is to keep people moving forward.

The foot and ankle surgeon is an established leader in the field, actively involved in medical research, published in peer-reviewed journals and textbooks, and a sought-after lecturer on new and innovative techniques. Yet there is not a hint of inflated ego that one might expect with such distinctions.

He started a counseling service for patients who have lost limbs due to diabetic medical complications and has served Thanksgiving dinner to the less fortunate.

Adam Budny ’00, DPM Age 39 | BS, Biology Foot and Ankle Surgeon, University Orthopedics Center

Christina L. Jimerson MBA ’16 Age 39 | MBA Special Assistant to the President Seneca Nation of Indians

After graduating with a degree in biology from Canisius, Budny went on to earn a DPM from the College of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery at Des Moines University and completed a three-year residency at St. Vincent Charity Medical Center in Cleveland, OH. Today, he practices medicine at University Orthopedics Center in Altoona, PA, and is co-owner of a surgery center. He designed the Budny Wire Drill Guide, an instrument used to insert pins in to bones during surgery.

When he is not helping patients, Budny is president of Marek Woodworking where he creates intricate and artistic pieces from cutting boards to corner cupboards. “I learned from my grandfather how to problem solve and create things,” he explains. “I apply that to woodworking, which I find very rewarding.”

Budny also applies his skills to photography. He studied under Tom Wolf ’86 at Canisius and has had his photographs published in the Altoona Mirror. He currently has a patent pending on a toolbox accessory kit for pickup trucks.

Caroline C. Robert ’12 Age 27 | BS, Criminal Justice/French Officer, Royal Canadian Mounted Police

Caroline Robert always knew she wanted to protect and serve her native Canada. So it was a proud moment, in 2013, when the former Canisius soccer scholar became a member of the famed Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and donned its iconic Red Serge uniform.

A junior in service with Canada’s national, provincial and municipal policing body, Robert patrols a 50-mile frontier that surrounds the rural farming community of Assiniboia, Saskatchewan, just north of Montana. Her responsibilities are similar to that of a U.S. police officer: to ensure the safety and security of those in the communities she serves.

Her training was rigorous and competitive.

Robert’s natural aptitude led her to score well on the highly competitive written test required for recruits (only one in six pass). She also excelled during the rigorous mental and physical training at the RCMP Academy, Depot Division.

The daughter of an Ottawa police officer, Robert was understandably attracted to a career in law enforcement. But the flexibility of rotating assignments coupled with more than 150 specialized areas of policing attracted Robert to the RCMP. She hopes to join the dive and underwater recovery team, once her general duty assignment is complete.

When the force was founded in 1873, RCMP officers wore the traditional Red Serge uniform and patrolled on horseback. Today, called the “musical ride,” this is just one specialty in the RCMP. While she never rode a horse, Roberts dons the Red Serge uniform for special occasions such as Canada Day and community policing.

She remains firmly dedicated and proud to be a part of a neary 150-year tradition.

Christina Jimerson didn’t plan her career path but through her advocacy for the Seneca Nation of Indians, she was elected into its leadership and is now a key adviser in the current administration.

Seneca Nation President Todd Gates asked Jimerson to serve as his special assistant in December 2016. “I was extremely honored to accept the position,” she says. “As the role of women leaders in the Nation continues to grow, it’s important to set an example of service in the community that our sons and daughters can be proud to fill.”

Jimerson focuses her time on policy work and external government relations for the 8,000-member Nation. She is also second vice president for the Board of Directors of the Native American Finance Officers Association (NAFOA).

Her Canisius MBA, she says, serves her well by providing her with the knowledge to analyze the financial impacts of policies and the ability to offer guidance on budget issues and financing.

Jimerson previously spent nine years at the Seneca Gaming Corporation. She worked her way up to become director of employee benefits where she oversaw the health and retirement plans for more than 4,000 employees.

She was elected to the Tribal Council for the Seneca Nation’s legislative branch in 2012 and served a four-year term. As a councillor, Jimerson often traveled to Washington, D.C. to speak with elected officials about matters important to the Nation, including advocacy for the Tribal General Welfare Exclusion Act, which passed in 2014.

For her leadership, the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development named Jimerson to its 2016 class of “Native American 40 Under 40.”

Abdallah Bitar ’03, MD, PhD Age 36 | BS, Biochemistry Cardiovascular Disease Fellow, Scripps Clinic

Sandy Huffaker

Abdallah Bitar conducted research in Dr. Mary O’Sullivan’s chemistry/ biochemistry lab at Canisius College where he created synthetic organic compounds to test against a unique enzyme found in trypanosomes. Trypanosomes are parasites - or agents - that cause illnesses such as African sleeping sickness and Chagas disease, a parasitic infection that can be life-threatening.

Bitar earned his MD and PhD at the University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry. An internal medicine and research residency at Scripps Clinic in La Jolla, CA followed and Bitar began to focus on cardiology. Today he is nearing completion of a cardiology fellowship at Scripps Clinic after which he will continue training to become an interventional cardiologist.

That experience put Bitar on a dual career path which now enables him to continue his research and also practice medicine.

Throughout his cardiology fellowship, Bitar volunteered at the Eric Paredes (EP) Save-a-Life Foundation, which offers free electrocardiogram screening for high school students in high poverty areas of San Diego. He also volunteered at clinics offering free healthcare and screenings for homeless, poor and uninsured patients.

“When I was an undergraduate, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do. I enjoyed the bench (research) but was always intrigued by the bedside, in the hospital,” Bitar recalls.

Venzella Joy Williams ’10

Age 29 | BA, Criminal Justice Drummer for Beyoncé

John Axford MS ’13

Age 34 | Sport Administration Pitcher, Oakland Athletics (MLB)

Erin E. Bagwell ’09

Age 30 | Digital Media Arts Producer and director | Brooklyn, NY

Adrienne M. Bermingham ’11, MS ’14 Age 27 | Political Science/MS Anthrozoology U.S. program coordinator for Roots & Shoots, Jane Goodall Institute (JGI)

Wendy M. Casey MSEd ’14

Age 32 | Education Member, Team USA Boxing | Colorado Springs, CO

Peter V. Cimino ’03

Age 36 | Teacher Education, Mathematics Founder, Lloyd Taco

Cory D. Conacher ’11

Age 27 | Management Forward, Syracuse Crunch (AHL) Tampa Bay Lightning (NHL)

Rev. Ryan G. Duns ’02, SJ Age 37 | Religious Studies Jesuit priest | Boston, MA

Troy M. Graziani ’08

Age 31 | Marketing and Management Manager, corporate strategy and financial planning, Toyota | Dallas, TX

Kris V. Kane ’04

Age 35 | Biology Owner, 21 Brix Winery | Portland, NY

Nikki M. Kane ’04

Age 34 | French, Marketing Owner, 21 Brix Winery | Portland, NY

Matthew H. Rath ’09

Age 29 | Communications Studies/DMA Founder, Worthy Portrait Productions | Boone, NC

U P DAT ES Canisius Magazine strives to share stories of young alumni who connect the early success in their careers back to their Canisius roots. To the right we list a few updates of notable young alumni previously featured in Canisius Magazine.

Visit canisius.edu/magazine to read more.

Thomas “TJ” Rogers ’11

Age 27 | Communication Studies Program Manager, Freedom House | Detroit, MI

Rev. Peter Francis Tassini Jr. ’10

Age 29 | Religious Studies and Theology Parochial vicar, St. Matthew Church, St. Francis of Assisi Church and St. Mary of the Assumption Church | Syracuse

Adam O. Zyglis ’04

Age 34 | Computer Science Pulitzer Prize-Winning Editorial Cartoonist, The Buffalo News

facultynotes

A “Classic” Educator & Scholar Thomas M. Banchich, PhD, became the 2017 recipient of the Kenneth L. Koessler Distinguished Faculty Award during Spring Honors Convocation in May. The prestigious award, presented by the Alumni Association, annually recognizes one faculty member for teaching excellence and outstanding contributions to the academic world.

Banchich is professor and chair of the Classics Department and renowned for keeping the study of Greek and Roman history alive and vital at Canisius. Whether introducing non-experts to Pagans and Christians or helping upper-level students grapple with the niceties of ancient languages, Banchich is equally adept at enlivening material that might otherwise seem intimidating.

The pace and breadth of his scholarship is similarly laudable. Banchich is the author of more than 50 published articles, reviews, encyclopedia entries and book chapters that range from Aristotle and Virgil to the early Church fathers.

Recommended Reading

by Tom Banchich Stoner by John Williams

Epic Adventure Canisius students explore the ecosystem of the world’s southernmost continent

“Stoner is the thoughtful, humane and bittersweet imagining of the life and quiet dignity of the title character, William Stoner.”

In Print The Global and the Local: Diverse Perspectives in Comparative Education M. Fernanda Astiz, PhD Professor, Teacher Education Beppo: A Calabrian Tale Frank P. Riga, PhD Emeritus Professor, English

Canisius ABEC students witnessed one of the world’s most pristine natural habitats during a three-week expedition to the Antarctic Peninsula.

Led by Michael Noonan, PhD, professor of animal behavior, ecology and conservation (ABEC), this tight band of explorers (five in all) received an up close look at the behavior of humpback whales, king penguins, elephant seals - and more - in the ecosystem where they thrive.

While there, the group also completed filming of “A World in Blue and White,” a documentary being produced by the Canisius Ambassadors for Conservation (CAC), which focuses on the flow of water across the planet and its central role in every ecosystem.

WEB EXTRA > Visit canisius.edu/magazine to view a photos of the Antarctica trip

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CANISIUS COLLEGE M AGA ZINE SUMMER 2017

alumninews The First Time I Should Have Died In his award-winning essay, Michael W. Shurgot ’65 ponders a particular mountain adventure that began with high hopes, nearly ended in disaster and taught him the value of taking risks - regardless of one’s age. An excerpt from “The First Time I Should Have Died” appears below. …We left South Lake camp ground in California’s Kings Canyon National Park at 8:00 a.m. We were on a five-day Sierra Club hike headed over Bishops Pass through the forbidding grandeur of Black Divide to Muir Pass, then through the equally rugged Evolution Basin to McClure Meadow. I was a strong, experienced hiker and well prepared but I had never climbed above 9,000 feet.

The trail rises steadily on the way to Bishop Lake near the pass, at 11,972 feet - the high point of the trek. Jagged rock formations mandate careful balance, especially with 25 pounds of gear and food crammed into one’s backpack. …At 8:30 a.m. on the third day, we headed up the combined John Muir/Pacific Crest Trail toward Muir Pass. About an hour after leaving the canyon, I began to walk more slowly than I had the first two days and I was not sure why. My legs began to feel heavy, though not painful, and I gradually began to realize that in order to move up the trail I had to tell myself how to walk. The normal nerve connections, or “wires,” between my brain and leg muscles that enabled me to walk without “thinking about walking” seemed strangely malfunctioning.

The further I walked, the more detached from my consciousness my legs and feet became and, although I did not yet realize it, the more impaired my mental functions were becoming. …It was only 10:30 a.m. but already the sun was blistering hot.

Perspiring heavily and immensely thirsty, I stood for several minutes staring down at the stream, aware only that I did not know how to open the water bottle. As earlier, my legs and feet had seemingly forgotten how to move me forward, so now my hands were suddenly immobile and I could not “tell them” what to do.

More “wires” were apparently malfunctioning. …What would have been frightening to a normal mind was now just a vague sensation that I could not perform a simple task I had done innumerable times. I was paralyzed.

WEB EXTRA > Visit canisius.edu/magazine to read “The First Time I Should Have Died” in its entirety.

DiGamma Inducts 10 into Honor Society The DiGamma Honor Society welcomed 10 new members into the prestigious association this spring. DiGamma, which originated as the Coffin Club in 1925, recognizes alumni, students, faculty and administrators who have rendered outstanding service to the college.

The 2017 DiGamma Honor Society inductees are (row 1, l-r): Erin H. Hartnett MS ’11 , director of the Canisius Fund; AnneMarie W. Block ’75, PhD, director of the Clinical Cytogenetics Laboratory at Roswell Park Cancer Institute; Henry J. Kaye ’60, past president of Professional Insurance Agents of New York State Inc.; Mary J. Bartels ’80, MBA ’85, controller for Greater Niagara Frontier Council Inc. - Boy Scouts of America Inc; (row 2, l-r): Brian M. Murphy ’95, partner at Lawley Benefits Group LLC; Carrie S. Aiello ’01, MBA ’03 (accepting for her father, Larry Aiello Jr. ’71) (stairs, bottom - top): Joseph B. O’Donnell, PhD, professor of accounting at Canisius College; Gary A. Kielich ’80, MBA ’85, president and co-founder of Systems Technology Group; Andrew D.W. Hill ’86, president and co-founder of Andrew Hill Investment Advisors Inc.; and William C. Thuman ’73, senior vice president of the Thuman Group, RBC Wealth Management.

Regents Ball a Record Success A capacity crowd filled the Hyatt Regency Buffalo Grand Ballroom in May when Canisius College hosted the 51st Board of Regents Scholarship Ball. The annual gala raises scholarship support for students who might not otherwise be able to take advantage of a Canisius education. In all, nearly 600 guests helped raise a record $190,535 for the Board of Regents Scholarship Fund.

WEB EXTRA > View the full Regents Ball photo gallery at canisius.edu/magazine

Above: The Board of Regents conferred its Distinguished Citizen Award upon New Era Cap President Christopher H. Koch during the Regents Ball. Pictured (l-r) Regents Ball co-chairs Tom ’82 and Mary Perna Greenwald ’84, MBA ’96; Lindsey and Chris Koch; Canisius President John J. Hurley and Maureen Hurley.

Right: Student speaker Tamara Miskovic ’17 explains to the crowd how her scholarship to Canisius “provided a chance for a better life and a brighter future.”

Above: Stephen M. Ulrich ’88 gets his groove on, dancing to Nik and the Nice Guys.

Mary Wilson, wife of the late Buffalo Bills owner Ralph C. Wilson Jr., visited Canisius in May to congratulate the newest recipients of the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Sports Scholarships.

Awarded annually, the scholarships assist academically deserving student-athletes from Western New York and Southern Ontario.

This year’s scholarship recipients are all members of the swim and dive teams. They are (pictured, l-r): Greg Staebell ’18, finance; Meghan Tyler ’18, information systems; Marissa Watroba ’17, marketing; and Christian Westermeier ’17, biology.

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CANISIUS COLLEGE M AGA ZINE SUMMER 2017

2,009 DONORS

$345,046.84 RAISED

1,000 more than Giving Day 2016

$120,000 more than Giving Day 2016

THANK YOU

Gina Trippe April 26

My time at Canisius has been a truly transformational one, and an experience that has afforded me countless opportunities to learn and grow. Without the experiences I have had here, I would not be who I am today and might not be taking the path I am following after graduation. All of this is made possible by the generous support of the donors, who give back to a wonderful school and continue to give students excellent opportunities. I am thankful to be a Griff, and I am thankful for the support. #CanisiusGivingDay #GratefulGriffin

Our students say it best.

#GratefulGriffins stormed social media on April 26, 2017, to express their gratitude to Giving Day donors. The following posts are just a few from the hundreds posted.

Giving Day has passed but the impact of your gifts has just begun.

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Jean Rios

peytonleigh143

April 26

tweeting24j7

Thankful for my opportunity to be in the ULLC program at Canisius. #CanisiusGivingDay #GratefulGriff

13 likes peytonleigh143 So lucky to go to such a wonderful school and be involved in so many great programs - thanks for all you've given me Canisius, you've helped me discover and pursue my passion and I'll always be thankful. #canisiusgivingday

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32 likes tweeting24j7 I’m thankful for the education and wonderful friends I’ve made @canisius_college. Thank you donors! #canisiuslife #canisiusgivingday #canisiusalumni #unselfie @canisiuscollegeisp @canisiusalumni

#C A N I S I U SG I V I N G DAY 2017 B RO KE A LL R ECO R DS !

1950s ’54 BA, HON ’14 Richard F. Griffin, partner with Kavinoky Cook LLP, was featured by Upstate Super Lawyers and Best Lawyers in America in the field of alternative dispute resolution, mediation and arbitration. ’55 BS, HON ’94 Joseph J. Castiglia, retired chief executive officer for Pratt & Lambert Paints, and his wife, Barbara, were among three couples chosen to co-chair the Catholic Diocese of Buffalo’s $100 million capital endowment campaign, Upon This Rock. ’57 BA Walter D. Webdale was named to the 2017 AHOME Housing Hall of Fame.

Webdale is president and CEO of AHC Inc., one of the largest developers of affordable and mixed-income housing in the Washington-Baltimore metro region.

’68 BA Brian E. Keating, retired managing partner for Dopkins Wealth Management LLC, was honored by WNED/WBFO for his service as chair of its Board of Trustees. ’69 MA Sister Fran Gangloff, a health insurance manager for the Sisters of Saint Francis in Western New York, was recognized by Western New York Catholic for her writings and ministry. ’69 BA Kenneth E. Kendall, PhD, professor of management at the Rutgers School of Business-Camden, was inducted into the PhD Project Hall of Fame for championing diversity in higher education. The PhD Project was founded to increase workplace diversity by encouraging minority professionals to become academics who in turn encourage, mentor, support and enhance the preparation of tomorrow's business leaders.

’75 BA John C. Corbelli, MD, a cardiologist, was elected president of the medical staff in the Veterans Affairs Western New York Healthcare System. ’75 MA Rev. Gregory M. Faulhaber, pastor for Queen of Heaven Parish, received the Curé of Ars Award from Christ the King Seminary for his roles as professor of moral theology, director of formation and vice rector at the seminary. He was also recognized for his commitment to the Diocese of Buffalo's Task Force on Health Care. ’75 BA Daniel P. Schaefer, MD, an associate at Atwal Eye Care, is the new vice president of the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ASOPRS). ’75 MS Robert T. Scott, president of St. Joseph's Collegiate Institute, received the Bishop's Medal at the 17th annual Gala 22:6, the Foundation of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Buffalo education dinner. ’77 BA Eileen M. Nosek, a certified special education teacher and service coordinator at Erie County Medical Center's Amherst office, is the new chair of Aspire of WNY's Board of Directors.

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’79 BS Daniel B. Duggan is vice president of residential lending for Five Star Bank, responsible for all preservicing mortgage banking operations.

Duggan was director of secondary market compliance with Lenders Compliance Group Inc.

Qualey is pictured with Major Steve Nigrelli, Troop A Commander - WNY.

Edward V. Qualey ’81 MS, Counseling & Human Services Career Highlight: Edward Qualey (pictured right) received The 100 Club of Buffalo Inc. Hero Award for Lifetime Achievement. Presented to first responders and civilians, the award recognizes Qualey’s dedicated services to the law enforcement community and emergency service providers.

Career Notes: Qualey is a retired associate professor of criminal justice at Hilbert College, where he helped develop one of the premier criminal justice programs in New York.

1960s ’60 BS, MS ’67 Vincent F. Saele, a retired fundraising executive, is a member of the President’s Select USA Working Group for the Catholic University Institute of Buea, CUIB, Cameroon West Africa. Founded in 2010, CUIB is the only entrepreneurialoriented university in Cameroon.

’69 William P. Sisler retired in June 2017 after nearly 27 years as director of the Harvard University Press.

1970s ’72 BA Richard F. Cronin is serving on the volunteer leadership team for the 2017 Catholic Charities appeal.

’79 BA Peter C. Eimer was promoted from chief operating officer to chief executive officer of the Brothers of Mercy Campus. ’79 BS Nancy J. (Gabalski) Gugino was promoted to director of business development for the Brothers of Mercy Campus. She will continue her duties as executive director of the Brothers of Mercy Foundation. ’79 BA Norma Nowak, PhD, executive director for UB's New York State Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics & Life Sciences, recieved the 2017 ATHENA Leadership Award. The ATHENA Awards recognize the professional accomplishments of exceptional individuals dedicated to the advancement of women in Western New York. ’79 BS Robert L. Zotara was named director of marketing and communications for the Brothers of Mercy Campus. He continues his work as president and owner of The PMA Group ad agency.

1980s ’80 BA James J. Trzaska was promoted from intake specialist to manager of long-term care for Fidelis Care New York.

’81 BA, MS ’88 Dennis R. DePerro became the 21st president of St. Bonaventure University on June 1, 2017. DePerro is the former dean of the Purcell School of Professional Studies at LeMoyne College in Syracuse. ’82 BA Mark S. Zirnheld was promoted from executive director to chief executive officer for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul of Buffalo. ’82 BS Thomas J. Zawadzki was promoted from new business manager to vice president of business development for Eastern Hospitality Advisors. ’83 BA, MS ’98 Michael P. Ciechoski, senior director of ticket sales for the Buffalo Bills, was named to the 2016-2017 Buffalo Niagara Sales & Marketing Executives. ’83 BS, MBA ’84 James F. Dentinger, president at McGuire Development Company LLC, is serving on the volunteer leadership team for the 2017 Catholic Charities appeal. ’83 BA Paula H. Finestone, PhD, was named associate professor of psychiatry at the Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia, PA. She is a former clinical psychologist for Bryn Mawr Rehabilitation Hospital. ’84 BS Norm J. Orlowski, president and chief executive officer for Erie & Niagara Insurance Association, was co-chair of the volunteer fundraising and planning committee for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's 25th Anniversary Diamond Ball. ’86 BS James H. Grant was appointed chief financial officer for Marrano Homes.

He was controller and secretary, then vice president for finance and secretary at Chapin International Inc. in Batavia, NY. ’87 BS, MBA ’98 Georgia B. (Bauman) Dachille was promoted from senior vice president of finance and business development to executive vice president of the global supply chain and technology division at Rich Products Corp. ’87 BS Gregory G. Emminger was appointed vice president of commercial lending operations for Bank on Buffalo, a division of CNB Financial Corp. He was vice president and relationship manager of business banking for First Niagara. ’87 BS Paula M. (Faso) Orlowski, tax and financial accounting analyst for Andreozzi Bluestein LLP, was co-chair of the volunteer fundraising and planning committee for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's 25th Anniversary Diamond Ball. ’87 BA Michael E. Harrington, a sports writer for The Buffalo News, became a member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame voting body and submitted his first ballot this year. ’89 Edward J. McDermid is a new licensed real estate salesperson at Hunt Real Estate ERA. He was a sales executive for Natale Builders.

alumninotes Advocacy Award for more than 20 years of service on the Erie County Medical Center Corp. (ECMC) Board of Directors.

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’95 BA Rev. David I. Richards, parochial vicar of Queen of Heaven Parish in West Seneca, is the host of a new YouTube series, “In a WORD,” which serves as a Catholic-minded teaching tool for youth, ages 13-19. ’96 BA, MS ’00 Kevin C. McGowan, superintendent of Brighton Central School District, was elected an officer of the executive committee of the New York State Council of School Superintendents.

He also received the Tikkun Olam Award from the Jewish Family Services of Rochester for co-founding the Brighton Food Cupboard.

J. Joseph Van Volkenburg ’88 BA, History Career Highlight: Joseph Van Volkenburg received the One Buffalo Community Award. Established by Pegula Sport and Entertainment (PSE) and presented by the New Era Cap Company, the award recognizes individuals who make Western New York a better place to be by going out of their way to positively impact the region.

Career Notes: Van Volkenburg is the senior associate campus minister at Canisius College, where he spearheads the Burrito Project, the Sandwich & Spirituality Ministry, Meals on Wheels, Habitat for Humanity. He also serves regularly at St. Luke’s Mission of Mercy.

’97 BS, MSED ’02 Edmund C. Kosiorek is the new superintendent of schools for the Hilton Central School District in Hilton, NY. He was the superintendent for the Byron-Bergen Central School District. ’98 MBA Robert D. Beckman was appointed vice president of finance for Delaware North's travel business. He is responsible for oversight and management of all financial operations within the travel business and ensuring compliance with corporate policies and accounting principles. Beckman was vice president of finance for Integer Holdings Corp.

’98 BA Michael D. Haven was promoted from director of key accounts to vice president of capital markets at U.S. Energy Development Corp. ’98 BS Matthew J. Lawless was named director of facilities at Fox Run Orchard Park. He is the former owner and operator of Delaware Franklin Inc. ’98 BS, MSEd ’04 Hilary B. (Nichols) Machemer, a physical education teacher in the Carmel Clay School District of Carmel, IN, was named to the executive leadership council of Play Like a Girl.

The national initiative works to advance the health and empowerment of girls through sport and physical activity. ’98 BA Audrey A. (Barr) Seeley is the new attorney advisor for the Environmental Management Consolidated Business Center in the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Chief Counsel. She will continue her work as partner for Hurwitz & Fine PC. ’98 MBA Frances Vaughan, owner of FMV Tax Professionals, was appointed treasurer of the Buffalo Niagara Sales & Marketing Executives.

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1990s ’90 BA Elizabeth (Catanese) Waite, a math teacher for the Union-Endicott Central School District, is serving a four-year term as a member of the Professional Standards and Practices Board for Teaching with the New York State Education Department. She recently completed a year as president of the Association of Mathematics Teachers of New York State. ’91 BS, MBA ’98 Martin P. Hurley was promoted to vice president of Global CS&L Contract Manufacturing, and TCCS Network at Rich Products Corp.

In his new role, Hurley supports Rich's five global business regions. Hurley was director of project integration at Rich Products Corp. ’92 BS, MBA ’98 David O. Faturos was promoted from vice president to senior vice president of the Finance and Business Development Department at Rich Products Corp. ’92 BA Kevin D. Szczepanski joined Barclay Damon as a partner in the law firm’s insurance coverage and regulation and commercial litigation practice areas. He previously spent 22 years as

a trial and appellate lawyer for Hodgson Russ LLP. ’93 MS Timothy P. Girard, vice president of education services for Gateway Longview, was appointed to the New York State Coalition of 853 Schools Board of Directors. ’94 BS Derek A. Boyko was named vice president of communications for the Buffalo Bills. He was director of public relations for the Philadelphia Eagles. ’95 MPA Richard C. Cleland became the new administrator of Ira Davenport Memorial Hospital and system vice president of post-acute services for Arnot Health, which operates Ira Davenport Memorial. He was chief executive officer of Erie County Medical Center. ’95 BA Ashli Dreher, a special education teacher in the Lewiston-Porter Central School District, was inducted into the National Teachers Hall of Fame. She is the first teacher in the Buffalo-Niagara region to earn the honor. ’95 BA Sharon L. Hanson, executive director at Deaf Access Services, received the Healthcare Trustees of New York State Trustee Leadership and

Lisa R. (Bell) Wilson ’91 BA, Communication Studies Career Highlight: Lisa Wilson is the new senior sports editor for The Undefeated, ESPN’s multiplatform initiative for sports, race and culture.

Career Notes: Wilson most recently was the executive sports editor at The Buffalo News and the only black female sports editor at a major metropolitan daily.

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alumninotes 2000s ’00 BS Sean P. McCabe was promoted from vice president to administrative vice president and loan product manager for M&T Bank. ’00 BS Michael P. Silverstein, a physical education teacher for Clarence High School, was named the All-Bee Publications Boys Soccer Coach of the Year. ’03 BA Kurt J. Felgemacher is a new licensed real estate salesperson at Hunt Real Estate ERA. He was a partner at Felgemacher Masonry. ’03 BA Caitlin C. (Waas) Zulewski was promoted from manager to director of corporate relations for HealthNow New York Inc. ’04 BS Robert G. Little is now an associate with Harter Secrest & Emery LLP. He was an associate with Haynes and Boone LLP in New York City. ’04 BA, MS ’06 Jeena A. Owens launched Debt-Free Scholars LLC (DFS), a comprehensive education consulting service for high school students, parents/guardians and college students.

’04 BA Derek J. Roller was named partner at Fitzgerald & Roller PC, where he concentrates his practice in the area of civil litigation representing injured plaintiffs in auto accidents, medical malpractice and nursing home negligence. ’05 MS Jason Campbell-Foster, EdD, completed his doctorate at Northeastern University where he currently serves as assistant dean of students. ’05 BA John F. Pitts became the director of public relations and special events for Our Lady of Victory Homes of Charity.

He was an account manager for Trellis Marketing Inc. ’06 BA Lindsay M. (Stoltman) Evans was promoted from marketing specialist to marketing communications coordinator with Lumsden & McCormick LLP. She was also elected vice president of the Young Audiences Western New York Board of Directors. ’06 BA Micelle M. Ragusa is a new associate in the Business and Corporate Department for Lipsitz Green Scime Cambria LLP. She was an associate attorney with Kenney Shelton Liptak Nowak LLP.

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’06 BS Jonathan M. Urban was promoted from software implementation specialist to senior implementation specialist for Lumsden & McCormick LLP. ’07 BA Jeremy J. Guida, a police and field training officer in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area, authored the book Proven: Tips and Techniques Every Police Officer Should Know. ’07 BS, MS ’09 Jeffrey Haft was hired as an assistant athletic trainer at Mercyhurst University. He was an assistant athletic trainer of the Penn State Behrend Lions. ’07 BS, MBA ’09 Andrew R. Hahn was appointed Northwest Bank’s regional financial services manager for New York. He was vice president and group financial officer for First Niagara. ’07 BS Amanda C. Herko-Prespolewski, DO, an internal medicine resident for the University at Buffalo, received the UB Graduate Medical Education Quality Improvement Award. She also received the American Society of Hematology Abstract Award for her research targeting innate and adaptive responses in acute myeloid leukemia. ’08 BS Matthew J. Ciminelli is the new development manager at Ciminelli Real Estate Corp. He was associate product manager for Moog Medical Devices Group in Salt Lake City, UT.

Career Highlight: Paige Burkard received the 2016 Elijah Watt Sells Award from the American Institute of CPAs. The prestigious award is conferred to CPA candidates who earned a cumulative average score above 95.5 across all four sections of the CPA Exam, passed all four sections of the exam on their first attempt and completed testing in 2016.

Career Notes: Burkard is a member of the assurance staff at EY (Ernst Young) LLP in Buffalo. Out of more than 102,000 candidates who sat for the exam, nationwide, Burkard was one of just 58 to receive the Elijah Watt Sells Award.

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CANISIUS COLLEGE M AGA ZINE SUMMER 2017

’10 BA Kaitlyn E. Niland was promoted from account executive to account director for Fifteen, formerly 15 Fingers. ’11 BS Brian R. Donovan received a PhD in polymer chemistry and engineering from Southern Mississippi University. He accepted a postdoctoral position at the U.S. Air Force Research Lab in Dayton, OH. Donovan also received a grant from the National Research Center. ’11 BA John R. Ewell was promoted from law clerk to associate for Hurwitz & Fine PC’s Insurance Coverage and Litigation Department. ’11 BA Jeffrey Hartinger is the new publications manager for the San Francisco International LGBTQ Film Festival. He was an account executive at Text100. ’11 BS Brett A. Koeppel, a financial advisor for Merrill Lynch, was appointed to the Habitat for Humanity Buffalo Board of Directors. ’11 BS Paul M. Maurer was promoted from graphic designer to art director for Abbey Mecca & Co. ’11 BS Ankit Pandley was promoted from senior accountant to supervisor for FreedMaxick CPAs PC.

’08 BS Anna K. (Bonkowski) Hofer is the director of media for Fifteen, formerly 15 Fingers. She was an account planner at Time Warner Media Services.

’11 BS Brian S. Weinzler is the new controller for Fifteen, formerly 15 Fingers. He was a senior tax accountant at Lumsden & McCormick LLP.

’08 BS, MBA ’10 Christine N. (Bigaj) Reynolds is the new implementation specialist for Mortgage Banking Management Solutions (MBMS) Inc. She was a national sales representative for Compu-Mail.

’12 BA Kristin E. Flick joined the law firm of Hodgson Russ as an associate in its Litigation Practice. She was a law clerk to U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo ’77.

’08 MBA Bobbi Sedor became the director of enterprise risk management for HealthNow New York. She was director of enterprise risk management with First Niagara.

Paige E. Burkard ’15, MBA ’16 BS, Accounting, Accounting Information Systems

’10 BS, MBAACC '11 Matthew D. Kostek was promoted from senior accountant to assurance manager for Ernst & Young LLP.

’09 BA Casey L. Higgins is the new benefit service coordinator for Walsh Duffield. She was a customer service and account manager for BlueCross BlueShield.

2010s ’10 BA Ashley M. Emery is a new associate attorney for Bennett Schechter Arcuri & Will. She was an attorney with William Mattar Law Firm. ’10 BA Emma L. Fabian was promoted from director of behavioral health to director of substance user health with Evergreen Health.

’12 BA Erika A. Fraas, a personal beauty advisor for Sephora, launched a website for her make-up artist business called "Gold Brush Artistry." ’12 BA Lauren E. (Sformo) Leavy is the new program coordinator for outreach and engagement at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA. She was the lead event coordinator for Agathi & Company in Rochester. ’12 BS Daniel P. Stephan was promoted from staff accountant to senior accountant at FreedMaxick CPAs PC. ’12 BS Megan R. Tafelski is the new director of marketing for McGuire Development Co. She was director of response marketing for Savills Studley in New York City.

13 BA Hannah L. Alt is an account executive at Fifteen, formerly 15 Fingers.

She was a development associate for Shea's Performing Arts Center.

’13 MS Kathleen MacLeay is a student services specialist at the University of Minnesota Medical School. She was director of fraternity and sorority life at Kansas State University. ’13 BS, MBA ’14 Jennifer L. Maloney is a senior accountant at Lougen, Valenti, Bookbinder & Weintraub LLP. ’13 MS James F. Millard was promoted from account executive to account director with Fifteen, formerly 15 Fingers. ’13 BS, MBAACC ’14 Andrew V. Scarcello is a new associate for Paramax Corp. He was an operations analyst for International Imaging Materials Inc. (IIMAK). ’14 MS Shieke Brown was promoted from staff accountant to senior manager for Ernst & Young LLP. ’14 MBA Vilona C. Trachtenberg, a customer service and logistics representative for Rich Products Corp., was appointed to the Danceability Board of Directors. ’15 BS, MBAACC ’16 Matthew D. Grazen became an assistant accountant in the Health Care Tax Exempt Division at the The Bonadio Group. ’15 BS Kevin B. Howard, a doctoral student in the Physics Department at the University of Notre Dame, was awarded an international fellowship from the Japan Society of the Promotion of Science. He will be employed as a research assistant at the Center for Nuclear Study at the University of Tokyo and at the RIKEN Nishina Center for Accelerator Based Science and Spin-Isospin Laboratory.

Weddings Alana M. Keppler ’12 and Zachery Welker December 31, 2016

*Melissa C. Owczarzak ’13 and Andrew J. Coddington ’13 November 5, 2016

*Moira D. Mahaney MS ’15 and William Smith October 8, 2016

*Rebecca L. Pullano MBAPA ’14 and Matthew Sauer October 29, 2016

*Colin M. Manley ’10 and Nicole Lewandowski October 7, 2016

Courtney E. Springer ’11 and James M. Graziano ’11, MS ’13 August 13, 2016

*Loretta Menchetti ’11 and Christian Schack October 8, 2016

Kathryn A. Toland ’05 and Christopher P. Bell October 1, 2016

*Sean P. Metz ’98 and Jill McDonough November 25, 2016

*Lindsey N. Zaffarano ’09 and Christopher DeMarchis October 15, 2016

*Indicates married at Christ the King Chapel

’15 BS Nick A. Russo is a medical student at Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine Class of 2020.

S AY

’16 BS Nicole Carroll is a lab technician in the Organic Department for TestAmerica Laboratory.

"CHEESE"

’16 BS Megan E. Cook is the new member engagement coordinator for the Elmwood Village Association. ’16 BA Matthew J. Lunghino is an account and social media coordinator for Fifteen, formerly 15 Fingers.

Canisius Magazine is now accepting photos for the Alumni Notes section. If you would like to submit a picture to coincide with your alumni note, baby Griff or wedding announcement, simply email it to alumnote@canisius.edu.

Due to space constraints we may not be able to publish all photos submitted.

Patrick W. Burke ’89 and Josephine Price October 10, 2016

Canisius College takes pride in its alumni, and joyfully shares the news of their lives and achievements. Supportive of our Catholic Church’s teachings, publication of announcements provided to us by our alumni does not necessarily imply an endorsement by Canisius College.

IN MEMORIAM It is with profound sadness that Canisius notes the passing of Hon. John T. Curtin ’46, HON ’78.

The U.S. District Judge for the Western District of New York died on April 14, 2017. He was 95.

Judge Curtin served 48 years on the bench, presiding over landmark cases such as the 1972 Buffalo Schools desegregation suit and the 1994 Love Canal ruling against Hooker Chemical.

Judge Curtin also oversaw the 1994 L.A. Boys gang case, in which he handed down two of the longest prison terms in local history.

In recognition of Judge Curtin’s fierce advocacy for civil and human rights, Canisius conferred upon him the President’s Medal in 2016.

The Buffalo News

Leo R. Futia ’40, HON ’09 January 23, 2017

Gerald L. Baskey ’55 February 2, 2017

Charles T. Kane ’64 November 24, 2016

John D. Kasperek ’78 November 30, 2016

Rev. Eldon K. Somers ’41 January 3, 2017

Donald P. Henry ’56 December 28, 2016

Paul E. Lang ’64 December 17, 2016

Virginia E. Lietz ’78 MS, MS ’84 December 3, 2016

Edwin Patricola ’43 September 5, 2016

Thomas V. Maher ’56 January 2, 2017

James M. VanTuyl ’64 January 21, 2017

Joseph E. Griffin ’45, MD November 18, 2016

Richard E. Sauter ’56, MSED ’64 October 9, 2016

Gerald J. Gaglione ’65 December 9, 2016

Rosanne M. (Murszewski) Keegan MBA ’80 November 18, 2016

Carmelo A. Privitera ’47, PhD December 11, 2016 Donald F. Bauer ’48 December 1, 2016 Edward J. Mack ’48 January 26, 2017 William R. Pfalzer ’48 February 7, 2017 Donald J. Barnett ’50 November 27, 2016 Richard G. Hehir ’50, EdD December 14, 2016 John E. Rahill ’50 November 3, 2016 Robert J. Ivory ’51, MSED ’52 December 24, 2016 John W. Jones ’51 January 25, 2017 Ivan R. Sauvageau ’51 February 11, 2017 Nestor Sozanski ’51 December 19, 2016 Samuel J. Sperrazza ’51 October 21, 2016 Nelson T. Weigel ’51 October 31, 2016 John H. Cassidy Jr. ’52 February 17, 2017 Edward L. Malcos MSED ’53 December 4, 2016 A. Charles Massaro ’53, MD December 24, 2016 Eugene T. Neill ’53 October 24, 2016

Laverne F. Fassl ’57, MA ’67, MS ’87 December 20, 2016 Joseph J. Jaworski ’57 December 22, 2016 Charles J. McAuliffe ’57, MSED ’60 December 17, 2016 Eugene J. Sommerfelt ’57 January 30, 2017 Gordon J. Miller ’58 November 2, 2016 Robert D. Balcerak ’59 January 25, 2017 John J. McGee ’59 November 28, 2016 Donald C. Robel ’60 November 3, 2016 Richard C. Short ’60, MA ’63 December 10, 2016 Florian R. Perini ’61, PhD November 1, 2016 Patrick T. Bodkin ’62 January 11, 2017 Joseph R. Heintzman MSED ’62 January 1, 2017 Kenneth R. Piech ’62, PhD December 20, 2016 John E. Bernacki Sr. ’63 December 12, 2016 Michael Beardi ’64 January 4, 2017

William J. Reid Jr. ’65 October 15, 2016 Maj. Gen. Thomas W. Sabo ’66 October 18, 2016 Rev. Deacon Paul F. Carmody ’68, MSED ’72 November 21, 2016 Verna R. (Thomas) Morton ’69 February 3, 2017 John F. Roche ’70 January 4, 2017 Patrick J. McDonald ’71 February 6, 2017 John Trojian Jr. MA ’72, MD April 24, 2016 Essio J. Baldelli MSED ’73 February 6, 2017 Marie M. (Magdelinskas) Baronick ’73 January 3, 2017 James P. Keane ’73 December 19, 2016 David K. Kelchlin ’74, MBA ’88 February 7, 2017 Wilma C. Morog MSED ’74 December 13, 2016 Dorotea S. Brach MSED ’75 December 21, 2016 Robert P. DiLuca ’77 January 11, 2017 Mary A. Bryant ’78 January 19, 2017 Marion A. Hebeler ’78 January 23, 2017

Patrick J. Artieri MBA ’81 January 14, 2017 Edward J. Silvestrini MBA ’82 November 19, 2016 Karen A. Carlson MS ’86 December 7, 2016 Donna M. Cummiskey ’86 December 6, 2016 Michele L. (Voelk) Maliwauki MS ’90 January 30, 2017 Mark J. Czarnecki MBA ’91 February 26, 2017 Maureen B. (Shanahan) Devin MSED ’91 January 4, 2017 Paul J. Gauthier ’91 October 26, 2016 J. Roger Hirl HON ’91 January 8, 2017 Joan P. Daniels MSED ’98 January 30, 2017 Margaret A. ShuttleworthHoeltke MS ’00 December 2, 2016 E. Anthony Stephens MS ’00 November 9, 2016 Deborah L. Anthone MSED ’02 December 13, 2016 Calvin G. Rand HON ’10 December 31, 2016 Edwin A. Mirand HON ’16, PhD, DSc March 1, 2017

babygriffs

Stephanie A. (Maher) Paterno ’07 and Joe Paterno, a son, Cameron Joseph, born September 8, 2016 Stacy M. (Walker) Ribbeck ’05 and Christopher Ribbeck, a son, Samuel Jack, born August 14, 2016 Meghan J. (Reilly) Sartain ’04 and Daniel Sartain, a son, Luke Reilly, born September 18, 2016 Jillian (Drake) Schottman MSEd ’11 and Stephen E. Schottman ’96, a daughter, Sophia Grace, born March 2, 2017

Keyla G. (Zinteck) Fisk ’09 and Daniel G. Fisk ’09, a daughter, Finley Jane, born March 2, 2016 Josh P. Heim ’01, MBA ’04 and Sarah Heim, a daughter, Ella Rose, born July 14, 2016

Justin J. Sledz ’04 and Joelle Sledz, a daughter, Taylor Elizabeth, born February 27, 2017 Elizabeth J. (Knab) Turner ’04, MSED ’08 and John E. Turner ’04, a son, James Edward, born March 4, 2016

Jill M. (Martek) Kean ’01, MSED ’04 and Benjamin D. Kean ’03, a son, Wesley Thomas, born January 30, 2016

Therese L. (Koprucki) Urban ’08 and Jonathan M. Urban ’06, a son, Benjamin Raymond, born February 20, 2017

Andrea K. (Natoli) Kochczynski ’07 and Michael A. Kochczynski ’08, MS ’12, a son, Bernard Philip born April 2, 2017

Frederick J. Wiatrowski ’00 and Lynn Wiatrowski, a son, Frederick James, born June 28, 2016

F E AT U R E D

B A B Y

G R I F F

Oliver David born January 8, 2017 to Kelly E. (Harris) Bernard ’10, MS ’12 and Jeffrey Bernard

Canisius proudly hosted the annual Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony on February 26. The formal recognition of the Sports Hall of Fame class took place during halftime of the final home game of the men’s basketball season, against Saint Peter’s University.

in Madison Square Garden, where the team lost to eventual champion Providence. James Lauffenburger ’60, PhD, received the Rev. Paul J. Dugan, SJ, Award, which recognizes individuals for their significant contributions to Canisius athletics.

This year’s Sports Hall of Fame inductees are Andrea (Bunten) Skyes ’05, softball; Kevin Downey ’05, MBA ’07, men’s basketball; Bryan Worosz ’05, hockey; and Becky Zak ’06, women’s basketball. Additionally, Canisius inducted the 1962-63 men’s basketball team into the Sports Hall of Fame.

The 1963 Griffs team went 19-7 overall and advanced to the NIT final

The Canisius Sports Hall of Fame began in 1963 and houses 192 individual members and five teams.

WEB EXTRA > Visit canisius.edu/magazine to read more about this year’s Sports Hall of Fame inductees.

SUMMER 2017 CANISIUS COLLEGE M AGA ZINE

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Canisius College Magazine 2001 Main Street | Buffalo, NY 14208 | canisius.edu

Welcome to the Family Congratulations to the Class of 2017, which joined the ranks of the very proud, loyal and global Canisius alumni network during commencement ceremonies in May. As you join the college’s 48,000 other impressive graduates who lead accomplished lives in their chosen professions and respective communities, know that Canisius will always be home to you.

WEB EXTRA > Visit canisius.edu/magazine to view a photo gallery from Commencement 2017.