CANISIUS COLLEGE MAGAZINE • FALL 2014
The The Professor
WhoPROFESSOR
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JOHN J. HURLEY
Canisius College Magazine FALL 2014 VOLUME 15, ISSUE 3
President John J. Hurley Vice President, Advancement William M. Collins
In higher education circles and elsewhere today, there is renewed talk about the value of a college education, a discussion that often focuses on the issues of cost, outcomes and alternatives. Part of this discussion includes a school of thought that “other providers” may soon encroach upon the turf of colleges and universities and offer attractive alternatives to what higher education institutions offer. We see evidence of this already in the open course movement, which promotes the ideas of “badges,” which are, in fact, a kind of credential or certification of knowledge, not unlike grades and diplomas, obtained in free and open courses. As with most forms of competition, it should force colleges and universities to examine what they do and how they can do it better. As we look at what a Canisius education seeks to provide, knowledge in a particular discipline is at the very top of the list. But there is so much more. It’s an opportunity to be part of a learning community, and to be mentored by faculty who take a real and personal interest in the student’s development. I think graduates of the college know that their time at Canisius was a time of tremendous growth, development and maturity: intellectually, emotionally and spiritually. At the center of that experience is that critical relationship between faculty and students, a relationship in which the faculty member seeks to unlock a student’s passion for learning and inspire the student to achieve something that he or she never realized was possible. In short, this is what we mean when we say that a Canisius education is transformational. In this issue of Canisius Magazine, we celebrate those faculty-student relationships with great stories
Director of Public Relations & Executive Editor Eileen C. Herbert Managing Editor Audrey R. Browka Director of Creative Services & Layout Editor David Courtney Designer Bill Zulewski Contributing Writers Allison Braun ’13 Kristin E. Etu ’91 Photography David Courtney Eric Frick Tom Wolf ’86 To Contact Us We are eager to hear your comments about Canisius College Magazine. Please send correspondence to: Canisius College Magazine 2001 Main Street, Lyons Hall Room 209, Buffalo, NY 14208 Phone 716-888-2790 Fax 716-888-2778
of the differences that faculty-mentors made in the lives of students (page 12). These are inspiring stories that reaffirm for us the value of a Canisius education and convince us that we are up to the challenge of meeting whatever competitive threats lie ahead.
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I was reminded of the importance of the faculty-student relationship this summer when Rev. Robert A. Haus, S.J., passed away at the age of 90 (page 9). He served 54 years at Canisius College. At his memorial Mass here on campus last month, I noted that Father Haus did not have the large, outsized personality of Revs. Paul Dugan, Gene Finnegan or Charlie Lemkuhl but there was a remarkable consistency to him and his life was a wonderful commitment to his vocation as a Jesuit priest. When I think of the Jesuit identity of Canisius College, I think of humble, wise and holy men, like Father Haus, who have served as shining exemplars for thousands of Canisius students. Rest in peace Father Robert Haus!
Canisius Magazine is an award-winning alumni publication. The winter 2014 issue received a Platinum Hermes Award for overall concept, writing and design. The winter 2013 issue won a Gold Hermes Award for overall writing. Hermes is an international awards competition administered by the Association of Marketing and Communications Professionals.
Postmaster send change of address to: Canisius College, 2001 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14208
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contents FALL 2014
12 | Cover Story
10 | Academic Achievement
THE PROFESSOR WHO INFLUENCED MY LIFE
CROSS CULTURAL EDUCATION A Canisius alumna and professor are the latest recipients of prestigious Fulbright grants.
Canisius alumni write about the faculty members who changed the trajectory of their lives.
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4 6 4 | Blue & Gold Briefs FACE OFF The Griffs get ready to take the ice at HARBORCENTER.
departments 4
BLUE & GOLD BRIEFS
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FACULTY NOTES
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ADVANCEMENT
Jesuits commemorate the 200th anniversary of their restoration with reflection and contemplation.
FACULTY NEWS AND UPDATES
DEVELOPMENT NEWS AND UPDATES
6 | Mission & Identity A SOCIETY REBORN
CAMPUS NEWS AND NOTES
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CANISIUS CONNECTIONS A LUMNI NE WS A ND NOTE S
William M. Collins
Collins Named Vice President, Advancement
Face Off: Griffs Ready to Take Ice at HARBORCENTER The Canisius hockey team debuts its new home at HARBORCENTER on October 31, when the Golden Griffins face off against Ohio State. As the primary tenant of the $172 million hockey and entertainment complex, Canisius will play all its home games on HARBORCENTER’s feature rink, which holds a capacity crowd of 1,800. The state-of-the-art complex also serves as the program’s full-time practice facility, gives the Griffs access to the center’s high-performance training center and houses the team’s permanent locker room, which includes a student-athlete lounge, a coaches’ suite and the team’s athletic training facility. The $250,000 space has been made possible by the generous support of Blue and Gold Fund members Martin J. Berardi ’80; John A. Christiano ’57; Nelson D. Civello ’67; Cory D. Conacher ’11; as well as Mark J. Grundtisch (Holiday Twin Rinks); The Knee Center of Western New York; The NOCO Foundation; and Towne Automotive Group. WEB EXTRA
Visit GoGriffs.com to view the Golden Griffins’ 2014-15 hockey schedule or to purchase tickets. You can also follow Canisius hockey on Twitter @GriffsHockey.
Play Ball: Baron ’14 Signs in Lithuania Billy Baron’s hoop dreams are taking him overseas. The former Canisius guard signed a one-year contract to play professional basketball for Lietuvos Rytas, the highestranked team in Lithuania and the fourth-ranked team in all of Europe. Baron is the first American rookie to sign with the team. The 2013-2014 MAAC Player of the Year finished his senior campaign at Canisius ranked fourth in the nation in scoring average with 24.1 points per game. He is the third member of the Golden Griffins’ 2014 senior class to sign a pro contract. Jordan Heath ’14 is playing for Willebroek in the Belgium-Ethias League. Chris Perez ’14 joined Leones de Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic.
A new partnership with Timeless WECK means you can now follow men’s basketball on the AM (1230) and FM (102.9) dials. The Golden Griffin Broadcast Network will also continue to be streamed online at gogriffs.com
He made a name for himself in the marketing and communication industry and now William M. Collins is bringing that expertise to Canisius. Collins is the new vice president for advancement, responsible for marketing, public relations, creative and web services, as well as alumni engagement and fundraising. He also serves as Canisius’ chief development and external relations officer. Collins is the former principal of Travers Collins which, prior to its sale in July, was one of Western New York’s leading marketing and communication agencies. He co-founded the company with Bob Travers in 1995. “I am honored and delighted to join Canisius College, which I consider to be one of the bedrock institutions in Buffalo,” says Collins. “I look forward to working with President Hurley, the trustees, faculty and staff as we endeavor to raise funds for Canisius and spread the good word about the impressive work that occurs on campus every day.” A native of Buffalo, Collins graduated from St. Bonaventure University with a bachelor of arts degree in journalism.
blue&goldbriefs
Board of Trustees Elects Four New Members Four new members joined the Canisius Board of Trustees on July 1. The Board, which is chaired by Edward Burke Carey ’69, formulates and recommends policy to Canisius President John J. Hurley. The new members fill outgoing positions and serve three-year terms. They are:
End of an Era: Rappl ’77 Retires from Coaching
Board of Regents
Canisius softball marked the end of an era with the retirement of head coach Mike Rappl ’77. The only head coach in the program’s 35-year history, Rappl scored 831 career wins, 12 MAAC Championships and 11 NCAA Tournament berths, which make him the winningest head coach in any sport in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference history.
The Canisius Board of Regents appointed seven new members to fill outgoing positions. The Board serves as an advisory group to Canisius President John J. Hurley, as well as the Board of Trustees. New members serve three-year terms. They are:
Kim Griffin is the program’s new head coach. She has been a member of Rappl’s coaching staff for the past seven seasons.
Rev. John T. Butler, S.J. Vice President, University Mission and Ministry Boston College
Bernd G. Heinze ’78 President, CEO The Heinze Group
Rev. D. Scott Hendrickson, S.J. Assistant Professor, SpanishGraduate Program Director Loyola University Chicago
Lee C. Wortham ’79 Partner Barrantys LLC
WEB EXTRA
Read more about Coach Rappl’s winning career and send him a personal message by visiting canisius.edu/magazine.
Timothy P. Balkin ‘81 Treasurer Moog Inc.
Salvatore M. Calandra ’80, MD Cardiologist/Physician Cardiology Group of WNY
Paul T. Courtney ‘94 President/Co-founder The Buffalo Group
Bonnie L. (Zmuda) Cywinski ’87 Vice President, Sales Zenacomp Inc.
Canisius College continues to secure its spot among the top tier of regional schools in the North. The latest college rankings by U.S. News & World Report place Canisius 27th out of the 135 universities in this category.
Albert E. Gress ‘85 Vice President, Business Development TransGlobe Energy Corporation
Wendy L. (Daigler) Montante ’89 Community Volunteer
Brian M. Murphy ‘95 Partner Lawley Service Inc.
U.S. News also ranked Canisius eighth (8th) in its “Great Schools, Great Price” category, among regional universities in the North. This is the third consecutive year Canisius earned a spot in the top 10 of this category. The annual rankings are one resource that potential students and their parents use to evaluate their college choices. C ANISIUS COLLEGE MAGA ZINE • FALL 2014 |
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Reborn Jesuits commemorate the 2oo th anniversary of their restoration with reflection and contemplation story by audrey r. browka
Much has been written about the origins and influence of the Society of Jesus throughout its nearly 500-year history. One of the most astounding chapters in the Order’s past, however, is also one of its least documented. “The Jesuit suppression of 1773 was one of the Society’s most humbling times in its history,” explains Rev. Michael F. Tunney, S.J., director of mission and identity at Canisius. The suppression, issued by Pope Clement XIV in the papal brief Dominus ac Redemptor (Our Lord and Redeemer), “dissolved, extinguished and abolished” the Society of Jesus, its constitutions and authority, as well as its schools, parishes and apostolic works from every Catholic country, worldwide. It wasn’t until four decades later, August 7, 1814, that Pope Pius VII officially restored the Order.
play,” explains Jesuit historian and Le Moyne College Professor Robert E. Scully, S.J. But many of the events that led up to the suppression played out during the Age of Enlightenment. “Intellectual fashions were changing a lot during this period,” says Julie S. Gibert, PhD, associate professor of history at Canisius. “There was this flowering of new philosophical ideas, which supported reason, facts and research, and which questioned the traditional religious and government institutions, and how much control one had over the other.” As head of the international church, the Pope claimed supremacy over everything and everyone, including Catholic monarchs. Conversely, monarchs believed they reigned supreme and became emboldened by their Protestant neighbors who had already rejected papal control.
This year commemorates the 200th anniversary of the Society’s renewal. Jesuits across the globe are using the occasion to reflect on their past and contemplate their place in the future.
The Society of Jesus held preeminent roles among both these spiritual and secular powers-that-be. But by the mid-18th century, lay and clerical adversaries, alike, became suspicious of the Society and the excessive power it held religiously, politically and culturally.
“Our charge now, from Superior General Nicolás Adolfo, S.J., is to learn from our mistakes and use those lessons to improve upon our works with renewed vigor and zeal,” says Father Tunney.
“The Society was seen as using its influence for its own internal advancement,” explains Father Tunney. “As Jesuits, we are to labor for God’s greater glory, not our own gain.”
A P E R F E C T S T OR M There is no simple explanation for the Jesuit suppression. In fact, “several individuals, interests and ideologies were simultaneously at
Catholic monarchs in Portugal, France and Spain doubted the allegiance of their Jesuit advisors, since the Order is ultimately sworn to serve the Holy See. Enlightenment philosophers disparaged the Jesuits as C ANISIUS COLLEGE MAGA ZINE • FALL 2014 |
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defenders of tradition and obstacles to progress. Even various Church factions found fault with the Jesuits: Dominicans and Franciscans condemned the Society because it accommodated the non-Christian cultures it was trying to evangelize at its missions in Asia and Latin America. Rigid Jansenists and Gallicans denounced the Jesuits “for being too lax in the confessional,” notes Father Scully. AN EXILED SOCIET Y One by one, Catholic countries expelled the Society. First, Portugal then France and Spain. What followed was a unified campaign, demanding the entire destruction of the Society of Jesus. These efforts crested in July 1773. Under extreme pressure from Catholic monarchs and the growing burden to keep peace within the church, a reluctant Pope Clement issued the papal brief that formally extinguished the Society of Jesus. “Pope Clement finally surrendered, rationalizing that it was better to cut off an arm than to let the whole church body die,” says Father Scully. The consequences were fast and far-reaching. The papacy ordered the imprisonment of Jesuit Superior General Lorenzo Ricci and his advisors. Officials from the church and state closed Jesuit colleges, seized the Society’s properties, and destroyed its missions and ministries. In all, approximately 20,000 Jesuits disbanded from 41 provinces, 61 novitiates, 609 colleges, 171 seminaries and 270 missions. Their banishment lasted more than four decades. Yet the lack of a formal Jesuit presence never truly negated the Society’s existence – nor its commitment to carry out St. Ignatius’ vision. “Ignatius of Loyola understood and insisted upon ‘adaptation to circumstances.’ This became essential to the Jesuits during the suppression,” says Father Tunney. S U P P R E S S E D BU T N O T S T RUC K D O W N Lay sodalities kept the Society’s spiritual vocation alive throughout Europe. Formed prior to the suppression, these sodalities continued the important charitable and mission works of the Jesuits, under their own energies. “Even back then, the Order recognized the importance of handing its mission and ideals on to the laity so that the spirit of the Society could live on in very real and practical ways,” notes Father Tunney.
While some Jesuits found asylum in Orthodox Russia, others sought spiritual and educational refuge in the growing and more tolerant United States of America. Here, the Jesuit mission was complicated by the suppression but not halted by it. Georgetown University is a striking example. The nation’s oldest Jesuit institution was established during the height of the suppression by John Carroll, S.J. America’s first Catholic bishop loyally carried out his Order’s mission to educate the faithful and provide proper training for priests. “In one way, shape or form, all the Jesuit missions – the pastoral, the sacramental, the educational – continued during the suppression but in less formal ways and in more far-flung regions of the world,” notes Father Tunney. In fact, the viability of the vocation survived throughout its 40-year exile not because it was beholden to a particular place or institution but because the Order’s singular mission was – and always will be – to serve God. “Jesuits are guided solely by God’s grace and therefore we will always find ways to revitalize the mission of the Society so that we may always care for people, tend to their souls and help them flourish as human beings,” adds Father Tunney. R E N E W E D V IG OR A N D Z E A L Though this year marks the 200th anniversary of the Society’s restoration, its ultimate redemption may be yet to come. For the first time in the Order’s history, a Jesuit sits in the chair of Saint Peter. Pope Francis’ vision for the Catholic Church is an inclusive one, focused on simplicity, mercy and service to others. He leads with humility and an open spirit, ready to share the Jesuit charism with Catholics and all people of good will. In pursuit of this, Pope Francis is challenging the Society of Jesus to consider its place in and relationship to the modern world. It’s an examination that compels Jesuits to reflect on their past in order to determine their future. “This is an opportunity for us to live out our calling more completely and more deeply,” says Father Tunney. “We aim to make something good out of this experience from our history and live the magis going forward.”
An unlikely savior similarly helped preserve the Society of Jesus in Eastern Europe. Catherine the Great of Orthodox Russia had absorbed portions of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. Eager to foster the loyalty of her newfound Catholic subjects, the Empress refused to endorse the brief of suppression and encouraged the Jesuits to continue operating their schools in new lands. “Catherine the Great admired the Jesuits’ work, particularly in the sphere of education, and realized the need for expanded educational opportunities in her realm,” explains Father Scully.
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WEB ExTRA
Read the full history of the Jesuit suppression, as documented by Rev. Robert E. Scully, S.J., in “The Suppression of the Society of Jesus: A Perfect Storm in the Age of Enlightenment.” His study can be found at canisius.edu/magazine.
In each of our lives, there are special people who never leave us – even after they are gone. Rev. Robert A. Haus, S.J., is one such person. Canisius’ beloved Jesuit and emeritus professor of mathematics passed away on July 12 at the age of 90. “For 54 years, Father Haus was a wise and enduring presence on the Canisius campus,” said Canisius President John J. Hurley. “His humble and holy example captured the Jesuit essence of this place and he was an inspiration to his students and colleagues. I will miss him greatly.”
Rest in Peace
Canisius says goodbye to beloved Jesuit and professor
An undergraduate and graduate philosophy major at Boston College, Father Haus was pursuing a second master’s degree in mathematics at Notre Dame when, in 1959, the Provincial for the Society of Jesus assigned him to Canisius College. Father Haus spent more than four decades in the classroom before retiring in 2004. “He never gave you the answer,” recalls Mark G. Evans ’83, director of global leadership and organizational development for Colgate-Palmolive. “Instead he coached you through the process to develop the muscle of thinking.” “Father Haus always taught students to be inquisitive, to ask questions and to work through problems,” adds Dennis F. Strigl ’74, former chair of the Canisius Board of Trustees. “Calculus was a very tough subject but I actually enjoyed his class tremendously because he made it so easy to understand.” During Father Haus’ tenure, he served as dean of the college’s evening division, and faculty advisor to student government, the student affairs council, the Azuwur yearbook committee and the DiGamma Honor Society. Father Haus was also a Jesuit counselor in Bosch Hall, his home since 1968. In this role, he became a trusted friend and father figure to countless Canisius students. “He never judged,” says Evans. “He just listened and asked questions, and my conversations with him always left me inspired, motivated and reflective.” “Father Haus was a quiet and calming presence in the dormitory,” recalls Anthony B. Maglione ’67, a partner at Winter Wyman & Company. “He was a true ‘gentle man’ in the way he carried himself and the way he lived his faith.” Father Haus was called to the priesthood during high school in Bronx, NY. Impressed by the holiness and towering intellect of his Jesuit educators, he entered the Society of Jesus after graduation in 1942, and lived every day for the greater glory of God. “He inspired me as a Catholic,” says Kevin Fields ’08, a seminarian at the Archdiocese of Washington. “The love I saw between Father Haus and the Eucharist will always serve as a humbling reminder to me as I pursue my calling.” Father Haus is survived by a nephew, Douglas A. Bangert Jr. and niece, Betty Spradlin.
Notes of condolences may be sent to Father Haus’ nephew: Douglas A. Bangert Jr. 1145 Beach View Drive St. Simon’s Island, GA 31522
To make a gift in memory of Father Haus, visit canisius.edu/canisiusfund
Educating Abroad: Mark Van Kerkhoven ’12, MS ’14 selected to spend year teaching English in Austria Mark Van Kerkhoven ’12, MS ’14 began studying German in middle school but discovered his true passion for the language during his undergraduate years at Canisius. His interest in the country and its culture grew when Van Kerkhoven spent a year studying abroad at the Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt in Eichstätt, Germany.
Women’s Affairs, the program brings young educators from around the world into schools across Austria, to make learning a foreign language a lively, cross-cultural experience.
Van Kerkhoven is teaching English to secondary school students at the Federal Institute for Social Education. He will remain in Austria through This fall, Van Kerkhoven became one of only 130 students, nationwide, May, and then pursue a career as a German and English teacher. selected to participate in the prestigious Foreign Language Teaching Van Kerkhoven earned bachelor’s degrees in German and international Assistantship. Awarded by the Austrian Ministry of Education and relations, and a master’s degree in adolescence education from Canisius.
Fulbright Scholar Fosters Cross-Cultural Learning Aryn Keyel ’13 travels to Malta to teach English language and culture Aryn Keyel ’13 fell in love with teaching the minute her Jeepney pulled up to a neighborhood in Quezon City, Manila and was swarmed by a group of Filipino children. The small bus was carrying school supplies, instructional materials and educators, such as Keyel, to the remote Philippine village, as part of UNICEF’s Mobile Education project. The project brings education to children in some of the most remote areas of developing countries. “Oftentimes, a set of chairs on a bamboo mat is the only school these children know, still they never miss an opportunity to learn something new,” explains Keyel, who participated in the project during her study abroad senior year. “The whole experience reminded me of the power of learning to better oneself.” Keyel now applies what she learned in the Philippines to a new cross-cultural and educational experience. She is participating in an English Teaching Assistantship in Malta, as the college’s latest recipient of a J. William Fulbright Scholarship. “By learning English, Maltese children will be better prepared to build social, economic or political connections within their country and beyond,” says Keyel, who is pursuing her certification in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL). Prior to beginning her teaching assistantship, Keyel worked as an educator at Westminster Charter School in Buffalo. Her goal is to one day open a school or exchange program focused on religious and ethnic cooperation. “Diversity can be a beneficial tool for young students to explore history, language, literature, even geography or religion, and to become more well-rounded and accepting individuals,” she says. “My aim is to teach children the importance of tolerance and collaboration while giving them the necessary skills to become innovators in their chosen fields.” As a way for students to experience language and culture, simultaneously, Keyel is developing a modern-day pen pal program, during her 10 months in Malta. The idea is to pair students from a Maltese school with those at Westminster Community Charter School. Students will read the same English-language book and then, via video chat, discuss what they read in English. “This gives students the opportunity to learn and connect with their peers in another country.” Keyel graduated from Canisius in 2013 with degrees in communication studies and religious studies. She is grateful to Christopher R. Lee, PhD, her former religious studies professor and director of graduate fellowships, for his unwavering guidance. WEB EXTRA
Canisius students make the world their classroom. Read more at canisius.edu/magazine. 10
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“Dr. Lee encouraged me throughout the Fulbright process and during my time at Canisius,” says Keyel. “He pushed me to be better in everything and I couldn’t have received this Fulbright without him.” Keyel’s scholarship brings the total number of Fulbrights awarded to Canisius students or alumni to 37, since 1987.
facultynotes
Michael J. Forest, PhD
Steinbacher Takes Aim at Cancer with NSF Grant Researchers used to take a shotgun approach to killing cancer cells but Jeremy L. Steinbacher, PhD, is working to improve its aim. The assistant professor of chemistry/biochemistry received a three-year, $136,500 grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to study biomedical agents that more accurately target and attack cancer cells.
Comparative Philosophy Forest uses Fulbright to teach American thought in Beijing Michael J. Forest, PhD, is spending the 2014-2015 academic year half-a-world away from Canisius. Forest is in Beijing, China participating in the J. William Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of State (Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs), the program deploys American faculty and professionals to more than 125 countries around the world, each year, to teach or conduct research. Forest is an associate professor of philosophy assigned to work at Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU). He will teach undergraduate and graduate students about American philosophy. The subjects Forest will teach are related to his scholarship and include American transcendentalism of the 19th century and American pragmatism in the 19th and 20th centuries. His goal, however, is to not only introduce Chinese students to American philosophy but “to introduce them to the style of teaching that is typical at American colleges and universities.” He explains that the American educational system is fundamentally different from the Chinese. “Ours is about getting students to interpret information and critically evaluate it through discussion and questions.” The educational background of Chinese culture, explains Forest, emphasizes memorization and the ability to perform on standardized tests. “There is very little, if any, interaction between students and their professors,” he adds. “Part of my challenge will be to break down those barriers and encourage the Chinese students to engage critically in classroom discussions.” This is Forest’s second Fulbright. He received a similar grant in 2007, which he used to teach American philosophy at Xiamen University in the Fujian province of southeast China. The J. William Fulbright Scholarship is named for Senator J. William Fulbright and is designed to foster mutual understanding among nations through educational and cultural exchanges.
“The toxicity of many drugs limits the amount that can be administered, especially for many chemotherapies used to treat cancer,” says Jeremy L. Steinbacher, PhD Steinbacher. His research involves microscopic nano-vehicles, known as drug-delivery agents, which package up chemotherapeutics and deliver higher doses of the drug to just the tumor “so patients won’t suffer side effects or damage to healthy tissue.” Such state-of-the-art drug-delivery agents also contain imaging agents, like a dye, to allow for the simultaneous pinpointing of diseased tissue and delivery to it. One imaging agent, minimally used to date, is fluorine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Steinbacher plans to create a new class of MRI contrast agents to develop a combined drug-delivery and imaging agent. “Given the limitations of traditional chemotherapies, many have predicted that the future of cancer treatments will lie with smart, multifunctional materials,” adds Steinbacher. “The development of new fluorine MRI contrast agents could open up an entirely new branch in the field that brings a host of advantages.” Steinbacher will conduct his research alongside undergraduate students, in order to provide aspiring chemists with important training and collaboration opportunities.
Andy Smith ’89 Inducted to Hall of Fame The New York State Athletic Trainers’ Association (NYSATA) inducted Andy Smith ’89 into its Hall of Fame. Smith is head athletic trainer at Canisius and an adjunct professor in the Athletic Training Education Program. He oversees the college’s 20 athletic teams, and works directly with the women’s lacrosse and cross country/ track programs. Smith also administers the NCAA and Canisius drug testing programs. Andy Smith
He holds a BS in athletic training and physical education from Canisius and an MS in kinesiology and athletic training from the University of Illinois.
WEB EXTRA
Read more about Andy Smith’s accomplishments at canisius.edu/magazine.
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PROFESSOR y who y INFLUENCED MY LIFE
For many of us, memories of our college years remain persistent reference points throughout our lives. Oftentimes, those memories include an educator: someone who inspired a passion to learn; provoked our curiosity about a particular subject; or gave us a glimpse of who we could become. Canisius Magazine asked readers to submit essays about the professor who influenced their lives. The responses spanned 30 years and included almost every academic discipline. They are a testament to the Canisius experience and exemplify how one person can change the trajectory of our lives. As you read the essays that follow, we invite you to reflect on the Canisius professor who changed your life and share your story at canisius.edu/magazine. WEB EXTRA
Read more essays from “The Professor Who Influenced My Life” at canisius.edu/magazine.
Pictured (l-r-): Professor Eric Gansworth with Joy (McElligott) McGuire ’06, MS ’07 12
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Thanks to Professor Eric Gansworth, I am incapable of reading a book, watching a film or viewing any art without analyzing it to death! I returned to school in my late 30s. Because Eric Gansworth was a new professor at the time, he had the honor of teaching evening classes. (If I recall correctly – I think I took five of his English classes.) Big on the idea of film as literature, Professor Gansworth’s classes were both challenging and interesting. He always had a knack for creating plagiarism-proof assignments that combined a unique mix of film and literature: Laurie Anderson, Milos Forman, John Cheever, Raymond Carver, graphic novels ... I loved his classes. I am most grateful to Professor Gansworth for teaching me how to understand and appreciate art in all forms. My life is indeed richer because of him.
Joy (McElligott) McGuire ’06, MS ’07 IT Quality Manager Citi
Julia W
In academia, many people come and go. As the years pass, one thing I say with confidence is that we as students never forget the people who help us to pick the path we are on in life. For this reason, Julia L. Wescott, PhD, now retired professor of modern languages, is one of those people who will always be remembered by many. In providing effortless guidance and encouragement to so many students who have entered her classroom, she is the type of woman who makes the world go round. Dr. Wescott not only opened doors to life-changing opportunities for students, she guided and encouraged them to walk through. In some instances, with reluctant individuals, she even pushed them through the door knowing that they would soon see what adventure and experience lies in front of them.
Throughout both my undergraduate and graduate years at Canisus, Dr. Wescott helped open doors and provided me with the skills that allowed me to live, study and work in France, Spain, Mexico, French Canada and Brazil. With two years of classes and internships in these countries, Dr. Wescott helped me understand the true value of an international education in a modern, globalized world. These experiences that Dr. Wescott motivated me to pursue, along with the skills she taught me in and out of the classroom, have now helped me to obtain my dream career. I proudly work for Rich Products Corporation as a regional manager in its Latin America Division.
Dr. Julia Wescott is a wonderfully influential person who always left students better off than the way she found them. She has prepared generations of students for the adventures of their personal and professional lives, and I have the highest appreciation for the mark she has left on me. She has contributed to many of the legacies that have come out of the college. She is a special person to her students, and there are many of us who feel this way about her. Thank you Dr. Wescott!
Brian M. Sas ’06, MBA ’12 Regional Manager, Latin American Division Rich Products Corp.
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Marguerite Ke
Flashback 1978:
Marguerite Kermis, PhD, professor of psychology, asked me if I would be interested in enrolling in a new certificate program in gerontology. Though I didn’t know how such a curriculum would benefit me, I enrolled. As part of the curriculum, I had to complete practica at a couple of facilities for the elderly, in the community. So I completed my studies and graduated in 1980 with a BA and certificate in gerontology. Now the rest of the story.
As mundane as it may seem, that request by Dr. Kermis changed my life both personally and professionally. Here is the outcome of that brief encounter: I signed up to do an administrative practicum at the former Downtown Nursing Home on Seventh Street in Buffalo. There, a patient named Harry introduced me to a beautiful nurse's aide who was going to be a registered nurse. We began talking and of course Harry was fueling the fire. He would talk to us individually inching us on. We began dating and married in 1983. Dr. Kermis, thank you.
Pictured (l-r-): Psychology Professor Marguerite Kermis, PhD, with John L. Lomeo ’80
During my studies at Canisius, my career goal was to study clinical psychology. Upon graduation, I enrolled at the New School for Social Research in New York City. While there, I worked part-time at one of the nation's leading geriatric centers. The CEO advised me that my calling was in administration. Ultimately, long-term care administration became my career. Thank you, Dr. Kermis, for that first taste of administration at the Downtown Nursing Home. Fast forward to 2014, 36 years after the first request. I have been married to that beautiful aide for almost 31 years and we have been blessed with two amazing children, Angelo and Antonina. I have had the opportunity to live, study and work in New York City, which steered my career in a direction maybe only Dr. Kermis knew in 1978. I returned to school for an MBA and now have the greatest job one could have: president and chief executive officer of the Hospice and Palliative Care Group in Niagara County. There is no question in my mind that the encounter - a friendly request by Dr. Kermis in 1978 - changed my life in immeasurable ways. I write this letter in honor of her, as she probably doesn't realize the ramifications of her ask. "Influencing" is quite the understatement. Dr. Kermis changed my life, giving me the opportunity to impact others. Thank you Canisius College and Dr. Kermis.
John L. Lomeo ’80 President & CEO The HomeCare Partners (Niagara Hospice, First Choice Health, Liberty Home Care and Niagara Hospice Alliance) 16
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Accounting Professors Robert Davis, PhD, George Kermis, PhD, and Joseph O’Donnell, PhD, introduced me to the well-known academic rigors of the courses offered by the department. What I appreciated most during my undergraduate career was the passion they all possessed for the practice of accounting. Dr. Davis taught me the fundamentals of accounting and auditing. These tenets have been invaluable throughout my career thus far. I credit him for the confidence I have in identifying and evaluating the controls necessary to mitigate accounting risks within an organization. Dr. Kermis showed me how invaluable accounting is to an organization. He instilled in me a strong appreciation for how a series of transactions ultimately tell the story of a business through the financial statements. His enthusiasm is infectious and I credit him with making me think more critically about the interconnectedness of a business system. Dr. O’Donnell taught me about the interdependency between accounting and information systems. He provided the tools necessary for me to understand the structure of an organization and the degree to which information systems can pose risks or create efficiencies within processes. His ability to seamlessly navigate between these two areas provided me with the missing piece to my academic course plan and was the reason why I chose to add accounting information systems as a major. Equally admirable is the willingness and desire of these professors to assist students in the development of their careers. This assistance extends far beyond the classroom. They’re of the mindset that this type of relationship is a lifetime guarantee. They have all assisted me during my career and continue to serve as trusted advisors. I am quite fortunate to have such a strong support network.
These professors of the Wehle School of Business embody the Jesuit philosophy, magis. They are the reason why I continue to offer my time to Canisius in hopes that I may be a resource to current and future students.
Jennifer A. (Moore) Kartychak ’03
George Kermis
My first experience with the Wehle School was with the late associate dean, Dr. James Valone. I met with him to discuss my course schedule for my first semester. In that meeting, I presented my plan to complete my course load over eight semesters in order to graduate as a member of the All-College Honors Program, with a major in accounting and a minor in computer science. Although he was initially hesitant as to whether I could successfully complete this plan, he agreed to support my goals. As I progressed through my college career, Dr. Valone continued to support my academic aspirations, including when I decided to add a second major, accounting information systems. His interest and encouragement resulted in a deeper appreciation for the successful partnership that was my collegiate experience.
Robert Davis
O’Donnell
I knew that Canisius College had a reputable accounting curriculum but never envisioned the extent to which my career would be shaped by the academic regimen, as well as the faculty in the Wehle School of Business.
Manager, Corporate Accounting Moog Inc.
Pictured (l-r-): Accounting Professor Joseph O’Donnell, PhD and Jennifer A. (Moore) Kartychak ’03 with Accounting Professor George Kermis, PhD C ANISIUS COLLEGE MAGA ZINE • SPRING 2014 |
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ul Sauer
If you’ve ever been working on something and thought “If I could get paid for this, that would be amazing,” then you understand the gift Marketing Professor Paul Sauer, PhD, gave me during my graduate business studies at Canisius: the gift of knowing there is something so enticing in the world that you could have fun every day at work. Coming into the Canisius MBA program with an undergraduate degree in engineering and looking to round my education out with a graduate marketing degree, I landed in Professor Sauer’s class, New Product Marketing, not knowing what I was in for. RateMyProfessor.com had some stormy ratings for this professor I had never met and several peopled indicated that the class wasn’t an easy “A.” Not expecting an easy class but wanting to learn, I sat in a classroom with a new textbook, Marketing Engineering, and found myself in the presence of a brilliant, enthusiastic lecturer. I was soon hooked. And so were several of my fellow classmates. We began working on homework assignments together, looking into life-like case studies, running analysis after analysis, and getting guidance at a level that brought our learning to life. For someone who loves numbers and thrives on collaboration and learning, it was a trifecta. One of the analysis techniques we learned in Professor Sauer’s class was applied in my capstone project, where a conjoint analysis helped the Canisius Women’s Business Center understand its members’ needs. Professor Sauer was readily available at that time to give guidance in our application of what he taught. Today, as I work in new product development in a large research and development organization, I see marketing from several perspectives. I have ongoing opportunities to speak with Professor Sauer’s classes in New Product Marketing and catch up with him on what’s new in the field. He is someone I know as a resource in gaining market insights, and understanding mathematical modeling and its applications in the field. Most importantly, every day of my life I hold that gift of knowing how incredibly fun work can be - especially when it’s not an easy “A.”
Ann Seyboldt MBA ’09 Technology Business Analyst, Research & Development Praxair Inc.
Pictured (l-r-): Marketing Professor Paul Sauer, PhD, with Ann Seyboldt MBA ’09
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Pictured (l-r-): Education Professor Betsy DelleBovi, PhD and Tiffany M. Nyachae ‘05
Betsy DelleBovi, PhD, associate professor of teacher education, is a witty lady with comments that are right on cue. And although she is brilliant in the field of English, I felt perfectly in my own skin whenever I was around her. She fully accepted me but wildly compelled me to be something greater, and to question the purpose of it all while in her presence. I do not know how it is possible to accomplish both. Dr. DelleBovi was able to support the beauty she saw in me and challenge me to push myself to be better and want more. First, I was impressed with the way she could prove a perspective in an intelligent way while remaining cool and casual, never losing my attention. Experiencing this engagement made me want to be this type of theorist and educator. I wanted to be able to sustain my students’ attention while provoking them to think through a new lens.
Dr. DelleBovi was able to support the beauty she saw in me and challenge me to push myself to be better and want more.
An everyday conversation with Dr. DelleBovi was honest, clear, reflective and studentcentered. I remember working with her over a few summers, helping with freshman orientation, and in the midst of it all I was always searching for answers, clarity and purpose. She understood this and assumed her role as one who was meant to be on my life path to give me a little nudge here and there. One day I asked her, “What does it mean to be a doctor in any particular field?” I shared with her how I wanted to receive my doctorate having barely completed my undergraduate degree. Dr. DelleBovi replied by saying, “Well, it means that you’re an expert in the field. You must add to the field by studying it and seeing what area you want to improve.” From that point on, I knew that I had to be on the lookout for how I could improve the field of education if I wanted to receive a doctorate. This conversation, which took place many years ago, led me to begin the application process for a doctoral program in reading. After several years of teaching, I knew what I wanted to add to the field. I refused to rush into it beforehand because of the expert advice I received from Dr. DelleBovi. To this day, I can email or call Betsy for career or life advice, earning the right to the name change over time. She gave me the confidence I needed when I wasn’t so sure and the constant drive I needed to push me to the next level. I can never take for granted the woman who influenced me to take the life course I am on now, which will push me into the next phase of greatness. I am so fortunate to still have such an endearing relationship with such an amazing individual.
Tiffany M. Nyachae ’05 Classroom Coach Buffalo Partnership Project: A Common Core Collaborative PhD Candidate University at Buffalo
Pay tribute to the professor who influenced your life by making a gift to Canisius in his/her name. Simply visit canisius.edu/gift, use the enclosed envelope, or contact Dianna Civello, associate vice president for advancement, at civellod@canisius.edu or 716-888-8220. Be sure to indicate the professor’s name when you make your gift.
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The Downing Magis Challenge “Magis,” from the Latin term “more,” is a Jesuit principle that invites us to do more, be more and achieve more for the greater glory of God. Franklin Downing HON ’11 embodied this Jesuit ideal. Best known as the founder and longtime owner of F.G. Downing’s Towne Automotive Group, Downing grew the auto retail dealer into the third largest in the region, with 10 franchises, 360 employees and gross sales of $250 million. But Downing considered his professional success a gift to be shared with the community that supported him and his business. In his own quiet and understated way, he played a prominent role in so much that is good in Western New York. Canisius College is one of many organizations fortunate to be a beneficiary of Downing’s time and generosity. He placed a high value on education, particularly Catholic school education, and that spirit has become his legacy.
Frank Downing Jr. visits campus to kick off the Downing Magis Challenge.
Thanks to a very generous gift made possible through Frank Downing’s estate, a portion of his bequest will be used to match new and increased gifts to the Canisius Fund through May 31, 2015, up to $250,000. By giving more, you help our students be more and do more on behalf of others. That’s how Downing lived his life. It’s how he’s inspiring us in his passing.
Library Renovations Become Reality Generous donations help transform the space into a technology-rich learning commons The next chapter of the Andrew L. Bouwhuis Library is fast becoming a reality. Canisius has secured more than $4 million in gifts and pledges to transform the space into a technology-rich learning commons. A recent $1 million gift from the estate of the late Philip C. Lombardo ’48, along with his previous contribution of $500,000, will enable Canisius to begin work on the third phase of the project in summer 2015. Lombardo’s gift will be used to overhaul the central computer workstation and study areas on the main floor. The Philip C. ’48 and Josephine Lombardo Collaborative Learning Center was named in memory of the Lombardos. Phases I and II of the library renovation were made possible by the generous contributions of the late Walter Kosiba ’43, PhD; Michael ’63 and Christine Ryan; along with the George I. Alden Trust. In addition, Carmelo ’51 and Lynn Scaccia pledged $2 million toward the library project.
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The first two phases added a new group-study lounge, more flexible student seating, laptop workstations, and state-of-the-art collaborative technology facilities, which supply students with the digital tools necessary to create multi-media class presentations. The library’s Curriculum Center was also expanded and redesigned to house a comprehensive collection of educational materials to help teachers-in-training enrich their lesson plans.
Pictured (left): Brian M. Sas ’06, MBA ’12 with (Retired) Professor of Modern Languages Julia Wescott, PhD Pictured (bottom left): History Professors Julie Gibert, PhD, Walter Sharrow, PhD, René De La Pedraja, PhD and David Devereux, PhD with Sarah Foels ’05
Canisius College was not the first place that I attended for undergraduate school but transferring to this institution turned out to be the best decision of my life. At the time I entered the college during my sophomore year, I knew I wanted to pursue a degree in adolescent education but I was debating between a concentration in social studies and another content area. The professors in the History Department quickly helped me to develop an insatiable love for the subject matter. Together, they not only transformed my understanding of the past but taught me to be a more confident person.
Walter Shar
It is impossible to select just one professor from the History Department as the most influential simply because each contributed something vital to my professional life, as well as my personal life. Dr. René De La Pedraja’s observations on life in Latin America opened my eyes to a region of the world that I once knew very little about. His demanding coursework taught me about the importance of setting high expectations for my students. I still have a peculiar fondness for the whirl-and-click of a microfilm reel on the reading machine, which I learned to use during the summers I worked as his research assistant. As much as I continue to enjoy learning about current developments in Latin America, anyone looking at my library, home décor or classroom will instantly recognize my obsession with Chinese history and culture. With his lively lectures, thoughtprovoking reading selections and great sense of humor, Dr. David Devereux helped ignite my passion for studying the complex past of this nation. As advisor to Phi Alpha Theta, he also encouraged me to present my essays at regional conferences, working to dissolve my fears of public speaking. In fact, thanks to Dr. Walter Sharrow’s gregarious personality, now I never hesitate to embarrass myself in front of my students in order to create a memorable learning experience. Whenever I develop an activity that involves music or artwork, Dr. Sharrow’s enthusiastic teaching methods serve as my inspiration. I have yet to find a way to cleverly insert his exclamation – “It’s Friday all across America!” – into my lessons but I am working on it. There certainly has never been a shortage of materials for my classroom. I have frequently used notes, documents and film clips from classes I took with Dr. Nancy Rosenbloom and Dr. Julie Gibert. Furthermore, through their professional congeniality, they demonstrated to me the importance of getting to know students both as learners and as individuals. Aspiring to follow the lead of these amazing women, I make sure to incorporate a great deal of social history into my courses and try to connect the past to students’ lives. Finally, I learned to never underestimate the power of telling an interesting story or the value of showing students how to question historical accounts. While Dr. Tom Banchich always recounted the most unusual and humorous narratives to illustrate certain aspects of life in the ancient world, the late Dr. James Valone’s discussions and intensive research project enlightened me about the inherently subjective nature of history. The lessons that both men shared have become an integral part of who I am as a teacher and a lifelong learner.
It is impossible to select just one professor from the History Department as the most influential simply because each contributed something vital to my professional life, as well as my personal life.
Nearly a decade after graduating, even on the most challenging days in my work as a social studies teacher, I recognize that each of these individuals helped me to choose the most rewarding career path possible. I cannot imagine what my life would be like without having had them as my professors.
Sarah Foels ’05 Social Studies Teacher Depew High School
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advancement
Michael C. Lauria ’80 Enriching the lives of others, in life and in death
“Never better!” That’s how Michael C. Lauria ’80 always responded anytime anyone asked how he was doing. Those two simple words speak volumes about a man who refused to take life for granted. A career pilot, Lauria served briefly in the U.S. Air Force before becoming a commercial flight captain for United Airlines, out of Chicago. “Our childhood home, on Shoshone Street, was on the direct landing path for the Buffalo airport,” recalls brother Jerry Lauria, MD. “Whenever a plane flew over, Mike looked up and said, ‘I’m going to fly those someday.’” Lauria lived his dream as a pilot but it was a new business venture, in the emerging e-commerce market, that led him to explore his entrepreneurial spirit. He launched Applied Merchant Systems, a credit card processing company for small business owners. “Back then, mom-and-pop shops could only accept payment in cash or checks because the banks weren’t interested in doing business with them,” explains Lauria’s eldest brother, Thomas Jr. “Mike saw an opportunity. He went after it and the company thrived.” Bitten by the entrepreneurial bug, Lauria invested in several start-up businesses. Along the way, he developed an astute interest in the stock market. Specifically, Lauria developed his own strategy for trading tricky stock options. His approach yielded lucrative returns. “What’s fascinating is that Mike had no formal finance training; he was completely self-taught,” says Professor of Finance Richard A. Wall ’78, PhD. He and Lauria became friends as undergraduates but in recent years, Lauria flew to Buffalo two times a week to audit Wall’s class and serve as an occasional guest lecturer. “I teach theory but Mike shared his practical experiences with the students and they just responded to him so well.”
Lauria’s varied professional ventures took him around the world and introduced him to an assorted cast of characters, from Brad Richdale, of infomercial fame, to musical mastermind Frank Zappa. But “everyday people” are who impressed Lauria most. “My brother thrived on meeting different people from different backgrounds and planned to one day return to his ‘favorite all-time job’ – driving a cab, which he did briefly after graduating from Canisius,” says Jerry. Lauria didn’t get that chance. He passed away in February 2013 after a brief illness. Lauria was 54. “Mike was a forever happy individual,” recalls longtime friend Rocco Lucente ’80. “He was a deeply loving person whose devout faith in God guided him personally and professionally, and whose sensational sense of humor made everyone smile.” Lauria’s legacy lives on through the many organizations and institutions that were important to him, during his lifetime. He bequeathed portions of his estate to the Roman Catholic order affectionately known as the Grey Nuns, who taught Lauria in elementary school, and PAWS-Chicago, which works to end the unnecessary killing of homeless animals. Lauria also left a significant, unrestricted gift to Canisius, in support of the college’s academic programs, scholarships and educational experiences. “Mike developed an attachment to Canisius unlike that of many commuter students who, at that time, just wanted to go to class and go home,” says Lucente. “He loved Canisius, he loved the people he met through Canisius and he tried to stay connected best he could.” Now, Lauria’s generosity will keep him connected to Canisius and its students for generations to come.
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canisiusconnections Seven Join Alumni Board of Directors The Alumni Association Board of Directors elected seven new members for the 2014-2015 academic year (see below). The Board works alongside the Office of Alumni Engagement to help foster volunteerism, mentoring and participation among alumni at alma mater. Members serve three-year terms. The Board is led by President Mark J. Manuele ’92, First Vice President Nicholas Fiume ’01 and Second Vice President Judy Bassanello ’83. Ann Woloszynski ’90, MBA ’94 serves as immediate past president.
Class of ’64 Makes Record Reunion Gift The Canisius Class of 1964 commemorated its 50th reunion year with a special weekend of events. Following a Friday night social, Jubiliarians donned cap and gown to lead the Class of 2014 in the academic procession at undergraduate commencement. The weekend also included a wine tasting event, campus tours and a dinner dance, at which representatives from the Class of 1964 presented a check in the amount of $381,700 to Canisius President John Hurley. The Class of 1964 reunion gift is the largest ever presented to the college.
Myles M. Abbott ’03, MBAAC ’04 Senior Manager PricewaterhouseCoopers
Thomas F. Keenan ’75, MBA ’81 Vice President M&T Bank
Nina M. Barone ’06 Marie E. Hojnacki ’83, PhD Director, Admissions, Associate Professor Marketing & Communications Penn State University Nichols School
Susan M. Swarts MBA ’99 (Retired) Project Manager National Grid
Mark A. Johnson ’94 Vice President, Community Development Manager SunTrust Bank
David C. Wagner ’00 Senior Vice President Roosevelt & Cross Inc.
At-Large Alumni Association Board of Directors The Alumni Association is accepting nominations for new at-large members of the Board of Directors. To submit a nomination, visit canisius.edu/alumni/awards.
Forty-Ninth Annual Canisius College
Regents Scholarship Ball Ii
SAT URDAY, M AY 9, 2015 For sponsorship opportunities or ticket information, visit canisius.edu/RegentsBall or contact Rachel Flammer, director of stewardship, at 716-888-8217 or flammerr@canisius.edu.
CALL FOR NOMINATIONS The Canisius Alumni Association is seeking nominations for inductees to the 2015 Distinguished Alumni Award, as well as honorees for the LaSalle Medal, and the Distinguished Faculty and Distinguished Senior awards. 22
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For more information on nomination criteria or to nominate an individual, visit canisius.edu/alumni/awards.
classnotes 1960s ’60 BS Peter X. Bellanti, senior tax manager at Amato, Fox, & Company PC, will present a federal tax update at the upcoming 61st Annual Institute on Taxation. ’66 BA Hon. William M. Skretny announced his retirement as Chief Federal Judge in Western New York after 25 years of service. He will take the position of “Senior Judge Status” in March 2015. ’67 BA John M. Antkowiak, MD, retired family practitioner, was named to Buffalo’s Business First 2014 Health Care 50 List. ’67 BS John W. Dorn, attorney at Nesper, Ferber and DiGiacomo LLP, was elected president of the Frank Lloyd Wright Fontana Boathouse Corporation. ’67 BA Joseph A. Stoeckle is the new special counsel at Jaeckle Fleischmann & Mugel. He previously served at Kennedy, Stoeckle & Martin. ’68 BS, MBA ’77 Vincent J. Mancuso Sr., retired senior executive vice president for HSBC Bank, was elected treasurer of the Health Foundation for Western and Central New York Board of Directors. ’69 BA, HON ’07 Hon. Robin Schimminger, state assemblyman for the 140th District of New York State, received the Legislator of the Year Award from the American Council of Engineering Companies of New York.
1970s ’70 BS Doreen (Muth) Canton, partner at Taft Stettinius and Hollister LLP, was elected Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers. Inductees are experienced trial lawyers whose professional careers have been marked by the highest standards of ethical conduct, professionalism, civility and collegiality. ’70 BA Hon. Mark F. Fitzgibbons was reappointed to a four-year term as a summary court judge in Beaufort County, SC by Governor Nikki R. Haley.
’72 BS Rocco Termini, CEO of Signature Development LLC, received the Community Impact Award at the Values Awards Luncheon hosted by Leadership Buffalo.
’77 BS John M. Kalinowski is the new vice president of mission integration at Mercy Hospital of Buffalo. He previously served as the owner of JK Marketing Specialists LLC.
’72 BA Ellen M. (Fleming) Zupa is the new legal nurse consultant at Faraci Lange. She previously served as vice president of the Department of Nursing at Roswell Park Cancer Institute.
’78 MS Mary (Eder) Hurley, PhD, a physician assistant at HealthWorksWNY LLP, was named to Buffalo’s Business First 2014 Health Care 50 List.
’73 MS Sister Janet DiPasquale, executive director of the Teaching and Restoring Youth Program in Buffalo, received the Social Worker of the Year Award by the National Association of Social Workers, New York State Chapters. ’73 BA Kathleen M. DeLaney, archivist and special collections librarian at Canisius College, delivered the commencement address to the graduating class of the Buffalo Academy of the Sacred Heart in June 2014. She was also reappointed to the New York State Archives Conference Board of Directors. ’74 MS Mary P. Barth is the new vice president of mission integration for Kenmore Mercy Hospital. She previously served as director of campus ministry at Our Lady of Holy Cross College. ’74 BA Hon. Mary Grace Diehl, federal bankruptcy judge for the Northern District of Georgia, received the Atlanta Bar Association’s David W. Pollard Award for sustained service to the bankruptcy bar and for professionalism in practice. ’74 MS Nancy A. Stone is the new operations manager at Bank of Akron. She previously served as compliance and Bank Secrecy Act officer. ’75 BS Gary M. Crosby, president and CEO of First Niagara Financial Group Inc, was elected to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s Upstate New York Regional Advisory Board. ’75 BS Thomas R. Emmerling, managing partner at Dopkins and Company LLP, was appointed to the newly-formed Buffalo advisory board for Western New York’s Make-A-Wish Foundation.
’70 BS Nicholas B. Winiewicz is the new chief financial officer at Donelly Communications Inc. He previously served as senior vice president of business planning and analysis at TRG Customer Solutions.
’76 BA Peter F. Brady is the new senior counsel at Faraci Lange. He previously served as partner at Brady & Schaeffer.
’71 BA Thomas G. Smith, partner at Harter Secrest and Emery LLP, spearheaded the 13th annual Law Day mock trial play, “Goldy Locks vs. Mama Bear and Papa Bear.” The annual event shares memorable lessons in law with local students.
’76 BA Rev. Michael H. Burzynski, PhD, pastor at St. John Gualbert Parish, celebrated his 25th ordination to the priesthood. He has been the pastor of St. John Gualbert Parish since May 2011.
’71 BA Kevin W. Spitler, attorney at the Law Office of Kevin W. Spitler, was elected vice president of the Bar Association of Erie County.
’76 BS Brian L. Schulz retired as district treasurer of the West Seneca School District after nearly 25 years of service.
’76 MBA Andrew W. Dorn Jr., chair and CEO at Demand Response Partners Inc. and founder of Great Lakes Bancorp, was nominated to the Financial Institutions Inc. Board of Directors.
’72 BA Patrick J. Keem, retired dentist, was elected Orchard Park Town Supervisor.
’76 BA Joseph A. Sciandra, a podiatrist at Joseph A. Sciandra DPM, was elected president of the New York State Podiatric Medical Association.
’72 BS James C. Metzler was named ofcounsel at Tronconi Segarra & Associates. He also founded the Metzler Advisory Group to provide independent consulting services to organizations nationally associated within the CPA profession.
’77 MS Gayle L. Eagan, partner at Jaeckle Fleischmann and Mugel LLP, received the Community Leader Award from the National Federation for Just Communities of Western New York Inc.
’78 BA John C. Plante is the new sales director at Welke Custom Brokers. He previously served as account executive at Time Warner Cable. ’79 BS Mark LiPuma, president and CEO at Lender Consulting Services, was elected to the Aspire of Western New York’s Board of Directors. ’79 BS Garry R. Lubi, senior vice president at Ameris Bank, was appointed by Florida Governor Rick Scott to the Daytona State College Board of Trustees. ’79 BS David J. Nasca, president and CEO of Evans Bancorp Inc., was named to the Univera Healthcare Governing Board. He also serves on the Regional Advisory Board. ’79 BA Norma J. Nowak, PhD, director of science and technology at the New York State Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics and Life Sciences, was named to Buffalo’s Business First 2014 Health Care 50 List. ’79 MBA Robert W. Smith III was promoted to group vice president at M&T Bank. He has been with the bank for 34 years and most recently served as administrative vice president. ’79 BS, ’86 BA Mary Lou T. Wyrobek, adjunct professor of religious studies at Canisius College, was honored at the Polish American Congress, Western New York Division, annual awards dinner. ’79 BA Charles D. Esposito earned the degree of master’s in pastoral ministry from Christ the King Seminary. He was ordained into the permanent diaconate for the Diocese of Buffalo by Bishop Richard Malone and was assigned as deacon to St. Peter and Paul’s Parish. He is serving his ministry of charity in the Pastoral Care Office at Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital.
1980s ’80 MS Joseph J. Cozzo, chief executive officer for Buffalo Hearing and Speech Center, was elected vice chair of the Health Foundation for Western and Central New York Board of Directors. ’80 BS Peter D. Farstad, chief administrative officer at LifeSource, was elected to a two-year term as secretary and treasurer of the Association of Organ Procurement Organization Board of Directors. ’80 BS, MBA ’90 Kenneth P. Houseknecht, executive director of the Mental Health Association of Erie County, was named to Buffalo’s Business First 2014 Health Care 50 List. He also received the Executive of the Year Award from the Public Relations Society of America Buffalo-Niagara Chapter.
’80 BS William J. Lechowicz is the new senior accountant at Tronconi Segarra & Associates LLP. He previously served as a systems analyst for Key Bank. ’80 BS Rocco Lucente II, president and managing partner at Cohen and Lombardo PC, was named to Strathmore’s “Who’s Who” registry of global professionals for the second consecutive year. ’80 BA Mary V. (Travers) Murphy, executive director for the Family Justice Center, received the Service Award at the Values Awards Luncheon hosted by Leadership Buffalo. ’81 BS Christine A. (Bald) Newhouse, controller at the American Bureau of Collections, was elected vice chair of the Western Division Federal Credit Union’s Board of Directors. ’81 BA Karen M. Utz is the new director of program admission for the University at Buffalo Office for Economic Development. She previously served as director of operations for bioinformatics and life sciences for the New York State Center of Excellence. ’82 MBA Anthony J. Carroll is the new business banking market manager at RBS Citizens and Citizens Bank in Buffalo, Rochester and Albany locations. He previously served as the regional business banking executive at HSBC. ’83 MBA Nancy M. Blaschak, regional CEO of the American Red Cross, received the Community Leader Award from the National Federation for Just Communities of Western New York Inc. for her work at the American Red Cross. ’83 BS, MS ’87 Scott R. Burt retired from his position as a teacher for the Keshequa Central School District after 32 years of service. In his retirement, he will continue to serve as an estate auctioneer and has been elected as a legislator for Allegany County. ’83 BS, MBA ’94 James F. Dentinger, president of McGuire Development Co. LLC, was named president of The Buffalo Renaissance Foundation. ’83 BA Frank A. Sedita III, district attorney for Erie County, was named the 2014 Outstanding Prosecutor by the Criminal Justice Section of the New York State Bar Association. ’84 BS Francis M. Conway was promoted to group vice president for commercial service management at HSBC Bank. He previously served as first vice president. ’84 BS Norman J. Orlowski Jr., vice president and treasurer for Erie and Niagara Insurance Association, received the Service to Mankind Award by the Western and Central New York Chapter of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Orlowski was recognized for his outstanding leadership and dedication to advance the mission to cure leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma and Hodgkins’ disease. ’84 BS Jeffrey P. Steinig, MD, general and vascular surgeon at Vascular Associates of WNY, was appointed a governor of the American College of Surgeons. His six-year term starts in 2015.
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classnotes ’85 BS Lynn A. (Dobmeier) Pullano is the new chief executive officer at Child Care Resource Network. She previously served as program director of education for United Way of Buffalo and Erie County. She was also honored by the Child Care Resource Network for her dedication to improving the lives of children in Erie County. ’85 BS Peter F. Seitz, sales support specialist at National Grid, was named to the Western Division Federal Credit Union’s Board of Directors. ’85 BA, MS ’99 Susan M. Marchione, EdD, was promoted to director of new program development and strategic initiatives for academic affairs at Daemen College. She previously served as director of service learning. ’86 BS James A. Gallo is the new chief financial officer at LakeShore Behavioral Health. He previously served as director of operations at University Pediatric Dentistry and UB Associates. ’86 BS Rev. Robert E. Reiser, S.J., is the new president at McQuaid Jesuit High School in Rochester, NY. He previously served as president at St. Peter’s Preparatory School in Jersey City, NJ. ’86 BA Laura A. (Montante) Zaepfel, vice president of corporate relations at Uniland Development Company, was named a member-at-large for the Amherst Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. ’87 BS Rev. Leon J. Biernat was named pastor of St. Gregory the Great Parish. He previously served as pastor at Our Lady of Pompeii. He also served as honorary chair of this year’s Catholic Communication Campaign. ’87 BA Brian D. Rapp was promoted to vice president, creative director at Roberts Communications. He previously served as creative director. ’87 MBA Stephen F. Walter, corporate controller overseeing financial reporting, information technology at M&T Bank and the M&T Insurance Agency, was promoted to administrative vice president. ’88 BA, MBA ’96 Trevor J. Foote was promoted to group vice president at M&T Bank. He previously served as mortgage trading and servicing analytics manager. ’88 BA Cherylyn Harley LeBon, president and chief executive officer of KLAR Strategies, received the 2014 Distinguished Alumni Award from Lockport High School. ’88 BA Jeffrey F. Swiatek, partner at Hodgson Russ, joined David A. Farmelo to co-lead Hodgson Russ’ Education Law Practice.
boy’s journey as he experiments with sorcery. ’89 BA Michele D. Lamont-Juda is the new executive director at Parent to Parent NYS, a statewide non-profit organization that connects and supports families of individuals with special needs. She previously served as a social worker at Eddy Conoes Rehabilitation Center. ’89 BS Cronan P. Long is the new major gifts officer at Our Lady of Victory Homes of Charity. He previously served as executive director of the American Heart Association.
’95 BS Anthony B. Habib, former president and CEO at Petri Baking Products, was appointed to the newly-formed Buffalo advisory board for Western New York’s Make-A-Wish Foundation.
’92 BA Hon. John W. Greenan is the new chief of administrative services for the Erie County Sherriff’s Office. He previously served as Erie County personnel commissioner.
’95 BA Brian Kantz, publications director at SUNY Buffalo State, was elected president of the Child Care Resource Network Board of Directors and president of the Central Amherst Little League Board of Directors.
’92 BA Brian M. Melber, partner at Personius Melber, was elected to the Buffalo Niagara Brewers Association Board of Directors.
’89 BS Daniel P. Powers is the new assistant special agent in charge for the Federal Bureau of Investigation in San Antonio, TX. He previously served as the FBI Legal Attaché at the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok, Thailand.
’92 BA Sarah (Ireland) Milko is the new executive director for AutismUp, an autism awareness and advocacy organization in Rochester, NY. She previously served as president of the organization’s Board of Directors.
1990s
’92 BS John T. Nettina Jr. was promoted to president at Installs Inc. He previously served as senior vice president and chief operating officer.
’90 BS Richard M. Argentieri was promoted to vice president of commercial sales at Independent Health. He previously served as director of commercial sales. Argentieri will also serve another term on the Leadership Buffalo Board of Directors. ’90 BS Michael D. Caimano was appointed physician relations liaison at Roswell Park Cancer Institute. He previously served as a hospital clinical aide. ’90 BA Julie M. Loesch, director of the Center for Resolution and Justice and the Employee Assistant Program at Child and Family Services in Buffalo, received the Special Service Award from the Bar Association of Erie County. ’90 BA Ronald A. Raccuia, president of ADPRO Sports, was elected to the Erie County Medical Center Lifeline Foundation Board of Directors. ’90 BS Christopher Zarra achieved private wealth advisor status at Ameriprise Financial, where he ranks among the top seven percent of the firm’s nearly 10,000 financial advisors. ’91 MBA Phillip M. Galbo, vice president and secretary at Watts Architecture and Engineering PC, was named Engineering Manager of the Year by the Erie Niagara Chapter of the New York State Society or Professional Engineers. ’91 BA Heather (Gordon) Hebeler, an English teacher at Frontier Central High School, received National Board Certification in English Language Arts from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.
’89 BS Thomas P. Cunningham, managing partner at Rupp Baase Pfalzgraf Cunningham & Coppola LLC, was elected to the Roswell Park Cancer Institute Board of Directors.
’91 BS Maureen T. (McMahon) Lynch was promoted to vice president of speed-to-market process and portfolio management at Rich Products Corporation. She previously served as plant manager. Lynch was also named to the second annual “Making Their Mark” list by the Women’s Food Service Forum.
’89 MS David L. Harten, Skynet software developer at Cyberdyne Systems Corporation, authored Magic Teacher’s Son, a young adult fantasy novel, about a
’91 BS Michael J. Montante, vice president at Uniland Development Co., was named vice president of The Buffalo Renaissance Foundation.
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’92 MPA Ellen R. Christy, consultant and trainer at Secure Environment Solutions LLC, was named chair of the Western Division Federal Credit Union Supervisory Committee Board of Directors.
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’92 BA, MS ’02 Anthony S. Pecoraro, attorney at Anthony S. Pecoraro Attorney at Law, was appointed as the new parttime Cheektowaga town prosecutor. ’92 BS Glenn P. Weber is the new director of alumni engagement at Canisius College. He comes to Canisius from Novo Nordisk, a global healthcare company that specializes in diabetes care. ’93 MSED Melissa K. Bertrand is the new job developer for education programs at Autism Services Inc. ’93 BS Gerald G. Grabner was promoted to manager of credit underwriting at ParMed Pharmaceuticals. He previously served as credit and corrections supervisor. ’93 BS, MBA ’96 Allegra C. (Thompson) Jaros was promoted to president of Women & Children’s Hospital of Buffalo. She previously served as vice president and chief operating officer. ’93 BA Lisa Mendonza-Mineo, MD, a family practitioner at Kenmore Family Medicine, was named a Doctor of Distinction by Kenmore Mercy Hospital. ’94 BA, MS ’98 James W. Murphy was promoted to senior human capital management at ADP, LLC. He previously served as business consultant. Murphy was also awarded the ADP President’s Club Award. ’94 BA Jennifer A. (Woods) O’Donnell was promoted to senior vice president at Wells Fargo Advisors. She previously served as first vice president, investment officer. ’95 Randal R. Boivin, owner of Boivin Family Chiropractic, was appointed the official team chiropractor for the Syracuse Chiefs Baseball Club in Syracuse, NY. The Chiefs are the Triple A club of the Washington Nationals. ’95 BA Bethany M. (Puglia) Ciardi is the new special events and fundraising manager for AutismUp, an autism awareness and advocacy organization in Rochester, NY.
’96 BS Kevin M. Corcoran is the new president of Gemko Information Inc. He previously served as sales manager at ComDoc Inc. ’96 BS Craig M. Horbinski, MD, PhD, was promoted to associate professor with tenure of pathology and laboratory medicine at the University of Kentucky. He previously served as assistant professor. Horbinski also serves as director of the Molecular Anatomic Pathology Laboratory and the Markey Cancer Center Biospecimen and Tissue Procurement Shared Resource Facility at the university. ’96 BA Mark Morin was promoted to solution sales manager of the North American corporate markets at Elsevier. He previously served as corporate sales manager. ’96 BS Lisa M. Palladino was promoted to principal at the Bonadio Group. She previously served as manager. ’97 BS Gregory D. Fein was promoted to partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. He previously served as tax director. ’97 BA Christopher J. Spriegel, chief technology officer for General Electric Company, received the Hero of IT Award from General Electric. ’98 BA Claire (D’Addario) McCarthy was promoted to administrative vice president at M&T Bank. She previously served as securities regional sales manager. ’98 BS Amy L. Rappold, dentist at Rappold Family Dentistry, was named president of the Erie County Dental Society. ’99 BA Alicia L. Delmont-Vorburger was promoted to vice president of claims operations at Fidelis Care New York. She previously served as associate vice president of government relations. ’99 BA David W. Gannon, partner at Ellenberg & Partners LLP, was named a 2014 New Jersey Super Lawyers Rising Star. ’99 MBA Joseph M. Hassett was promoted to administrative vice president at M&T Bank. He previously served as mortgage servicing manager. ’99 BA, MS ’02 Luke M. Mekker was promoted to executive director of university arenas at Rochester Institute of Technology. He previously served as field house events and operations director. ’99 MBA Jeffrey G. Wagner, lead shift supervisor at National Grid, was named to the Western Division FCU Board of Directors.
NEW JOB? NEWLY MARRIED? NEW ARRIVAL? Visit canisius.edu/magazine and click on “KEEP UP WITH CANISIUS.”
2000s ’00 MBA Blythe C. (Harkness) Kaczmarczyk is the new director of career services for Villa Maria College. She previously served as an assistant director of quality improvement. ’00 BS Keith Kaplan, MD, is a new physician at Southtowns Radiology. He previously practiced at a medical center in the Northtowns. ’00 BS Jamie L. Karek is the new founding partner at Commonwealth Law Group in Richmond, VA. She previously served as an attorney at the Legal Aid Justice Center of Virginia. ’00 BA Gerald G. Kellar is the new chief of Pacific Northwest Armed Services Blood Bank Center and Western region medical command blood manager at Lewis McChord, WA. He previously served as a company commander for the U.S. Army. ’00 BS, MS ’04 Aaron Kemp is the new commissioner of the women’s Western Collegiate Hockey Association. He previously served as senior associate athletic director at Mercyhurst College. ’00 BA Matthew J. Low, vice president and associate director at Crowley Webb & Associates, was elected to the Bishop Timon-St. Jude High School Board of Trustees. ’00 BS Timothy M. Neuner is the new sales project consultant at Sears Home Improvement Products. He previously served as sales representative at Pfizer. ’01 BA Nicholas J. DiCesare was promoted to partner at Hiscock & Barclay LLP. He previously served as an associate. ’01 BS Glenn T. Hart is the new director of finance at Delaware North Companies Sportservice. He previously served as an accounting manager for Northrop Grumman Corp. ’02 BS Katie Ellis, associate relationship manager at M&T Bank Corporation, was named to the Emerging Business Leaders Advisory Board. ’02 BS, MS ’05 Stephen R. Fabiilli is the new women’s hockey coach at Concordia University. He spent the last nine years as the men’s coach at Northland College. ’02 BA Jeffrey C. Keller was promoted to ClearView team lead at SoftTrek Corp. He previously served as project lead. ’02 MSED Christopher A. Robins, dean of students at the Niagara Falls Board of Education, was named to the Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center Board of Directors. ’02 MBA Todd H. Vahue was promoted to administrative vice president at M&T Bank. He previously served as credit manager. ’03 MPA Rhonda A. Frederick, chief operating officer at People Inc., was named to Buffalo’s Business First 2014 Health Care 50 List. ’03 BA Amanda Lee Winkelsas was promoted to director of educational systems development at PLS (Performance Learning Systems) 3rd Learning.
She previously served as curriculum and instructional specialist. ’04 MS Anthony J. Giacobbe is the new major account manager and energy consultant for EnergyMark LLC. He previously served as the clinical practice consultant for Optos Inc. ’04 BS Michael I. Hanzly Jr., MD, was selected to participate in a two-year Urologic Oncology Fellowship at Roswell Park Cancer Center. ’04 BS, MBA ’05 Joseph G. Kick was promoted to audit senior manager at Deloitte & Touche. He previously served as a staff accountant. ’04 BA Wendy A. (Eichorst) Naus is the new executive director at the Consortium of Social Sciences Associations in Washington, DC. She previously served as a lobbyist at Lewis Burke Associates LLC. ’04 BS Susan A. (Lundquist) O’Sullivan, executive director VAR sales in the Commercial Markets Division at Ingram Micro Inc., was named a member-at-large for the Amherst Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. ’04 BA Julia R. (Cimino) Walsh is the new principal at Annapolis Elementary School in Maryland. She previously served as assistant principal at Germantown Elementary School. ’05 BA Erin D. Casell was promoted to marketing communications manager at Uniland Development Company. She previously served as the marketing and online specialist. ’05 BA Derik Kane is the new senior planner for Genesee County. He previously served as a senior service representative for New York Derivatives at Citigroup. ’05 BA Matthew J. Kibler was promoted to partner at Feldman Kieffer LLP. He previously served as an associate. ’06 BS Benjamin S. Harrington is the new vice principal at Dr. James Craik Elementary School in Charles County, MD. He previously served as a special education teacher for the Charles County Public Schools. ’06 BA Jessica M. (Masciello) Kane is the new assistant director of operations at the University at Buffalo Office of International Admissions. ’06 BA Micelle M. Ragusa is the new personal case injury attorney at William Mattar PC. She previously served as the medical representative for Merck and Company Inc. ’06 BA Christopher S. Safulko is a new associate attorney at Chelus, Herdzik, Speyer and Monte. ’06 BA Demario A. Strickland, assistant principal at Buffalo Public School Frank Sedita #30, was named to Buffalo’s Business First “Thirty Under 30” list. ’07 BS, MBA ’09 Mindy Rose (Miller) Elinski, assurance supervising senior at Lougen Valenti Bookbinder & Weintraub LLP, was named to Buffalo’s Business First “Thirty Under 30” list.
’07 BA Joseph P. Heins is a new associate at Lippes Mathias Wexler and Friedman LLP. He previously served as an associate at Phillips Lytle LLP. ’07 BS Sydney W. Hunte Jr. is the new pre-sales solutions engineer at Blue Acorn. He previously served as the website support engineer at Accrinet Corporation. ’08 MBA Penny E. Armitage, architect and owner of Armitage Architecture, was named a member architect by the Buffalo Design Collaborative. ’08 MBA Joseph W. Benedict Jr. was promoted to executive director at the Construction Exchange of Buffalo and Western New York. He previously served as associate director. ’08 BA Jennifer L. Eberhart is the new director of member services at St. Peter’s Church in New York City. She also serves as project coordinator for ACT (Action by Churches Together) Alliance and World Council of Churches, at the Ecumenical U.N. Office. ’08 BS James M. McKenna is the new audit manager at Deloitte & Touche. He previously served as a senior auditor. ’09 BA Mark J. Dauria is the new production assistant at Nina McLemore LLC. He previously served as an apparel allocator at Jordache. ’09 BA Meagan C. Walker is a new copywriter at Crowley Webb and Associates. She previously served as a copywriter at Travers Collins.
coordinator for the Jane Goodall Institute. The program brings together youth of all ages to work on environmental, conservation and humanitarian issues. Bermingham is also the lead organizer of TEDxBuffalo 2014. ’11 BS Michael A. Brignone is the new technical services chemist at Evonik Corporation in Horsham, PA. ’11 MS Holly A. (Leszyk) McNelis is a new counselor at Odessa-Montour Middle School and High School. ’11 BA Christopher Schichtel, senior recruiter at SelectOne Search LLC, was named to Buffalo’s Business First “Thirty Under 30” list. ’12 BS, MBAA ’13 Andrew R. Borowski was promoted to in-charge accountant at the Bonadio Group. He previously served as an experienced accountant. ’12 BA Katherine M. Costello is the new marketing and communications manager at the Amherst Chamber of Commerce. She previously served as a digital audience specialist at The Buffalo News. ’12 BA Danielle M. DelMonte is a new account executive at e3communications. She previously served as public relations account coordinator for Traver Collins. ’12 MBAPA Louis Disarno is a new staff accountant for Freed Maxick CPAs. ’12 MS Kahli N. Martin is a new account coordinator at Cenergy Marketing & Communications.
2010s ’10 BA Phillip J. Cunningham is a new development associate and sustainable funding coordinator at Explore and More Children’s Museum. ’10 BS, MBAA ’11 Peter J. DeSabio was promoted to senior accountant in the Auditing Department at Lumsden & McCormick LLP. He previously served as a staff accountant. ’10 BS, MBAACC ’11 Patrick J. Hanavan was promoted to senior accountant in the Auditing Department at Lumsden & McCormick LLP. He previously served as a staff accountant. ’10 BA, MBA ’11 Joseph E. Robinson, vice president of corporate development at ColoCrossing, was named to Buffalo’s Business First “Thirty Under 30” list. ’10 BS Mallory C. Ronan was promoted to rehab specialist II for individual placement and support at Lake Shore Behavioral Health. She previously served as a customer service representative. ’11 BS, MS ’12 Nicole Alexander was promoted to senior accountant in the Auditing Department at Lumsden & McCormick LLP. She previously served as a staff accountant. ’11 BS Jeffery Amplement is the new assistant manager of grants and government affairs at the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority. ’11 BA, MS ’14 Adrienne M. Bermingham is the new Roots & Shoots program C ANISIUS COLLEGE MAGA ZINE • FALL 2014 |
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classnotes Weber ’92 Named Director of Alumni Engagement Canisius welcomed alumnus Glenn P. Weber ’92 to campus this fall as the college’s new director of alumni engagement. In this recently modified role, Weber will strengthen the connection between Canisius and its alumni in four key areas: He will identify, recruit and increase participation among young alumni. Weber will organize and coordinate with key affinity groups to grow their engagement with alma mater. He will also work to further educate and engage alumni in the Canisius Fund, and collaborate with Canisius’ career advisement team to elevate networking, mentoring and internship opportunities for all alumni.
“Canisius has always been about a robust alumni network, which is what brought me here in 1988 and has kept me connected to the college ever since,” says Weber. “I look forward to giving back to Canisius in this new role and engaging all of our illustrious alumni.” Weber holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Canisius and a master’s degree in business administration from Capella University in Minneapolis, MN. He is experienced in strategic planning, team building, leadership and performance management. Weber comes to Canisius from Novo Nordisk, a global healthcare company that specializes in diabetes care.
IN MEMORIAM William J. Sweeney ’35 February 23, 2014
Andrew N. Smith ’51 March 3, 2014
George J. Dixon Jr ’58 April 19, 2014
Robert J. Maher ’67 May 1, 2014
James P. Brady ’77 March 25, 2014
Daniel J. McCue ’37, MD February 20, 2014
Donald F. Talty ’51 June 29, 2014
Cmdr. Henry R. McShane ’58 June 3, 2014
William M. Malia ’67 May 12, 2014
Edna S. (Sorendo) Keefe MS ’77 July 3, 2014
Russell F. Castilone ’40 February 16, 2014
Capt. John F. Feist ’52 March 23, 2014
John J. Otoka ’59 February 17, 2014
James P. Nagy MSED ’67 February 26, 2014
John O. Culbert Jr. ’80 June 3, 2014
James G. Healy ’40 March 20, 2014
Thomas W. Kenny ’53 March 22, 2014
Kevin G. Mugridge ’60, MSED ’65 June 16, 2014
H. Joseph Mummery III ’68 March 24, 2014
Dennis J. Mead ’81 March 26, 2014
Rosemary E. (Maloney) Twist ’40 April 1, 2014
Charles E. Rath ’53 June 14, 2014
Gerald E. Hund MSED ’61 April 13, 2014
John C. Picone ’68 June 15, 2014
Teresa M. Coppola MA ’83 June 14, 2014
Ferdinand J. Ciccarelli ’42 May 6, 2014
Eugene B. Zyga ’53 March 24, 2014
Jeremiah J. McQuillen ’62 June 21, 2014
William L. Sauer ’68 February 13, 2014
Richard A. Runfola ’83, MBA ’88 March 28, 2014
Francis M. Phelan ’42, MSED ’49 June 5, 2014
John E. Clement Sr. ’54 April 11, 2014
Joseph F. Baer MSED ’63 February 16, 2014
Peter W. Allen MSED ’69 March 5, 2014
Donna L. Palmer MS ’84 March 26, 2014
William D. Heagney Sr. ’43 June 2, 2014
Mary R. Fitzpatrick ’54, MSED ’58 February 10, 2013
Melvin H. Kent ’63 May 2, 2014
John C. Tronolone ’69 May 24, 2014
Barbara L. Ashley AA ’85, BA ’89 October 27, 2013
John J. Lewandowski ’43 May 25, 2014
Donald C. McMoil ’54 January 28, 2014
Mark Kolkowicz MSED ’63 March 4, 2014
Gregory H. Collins ’70 March 13, 2014
Paul A. Morris MBA ’85 November 21, 2013
Joseph R. Nasal ’47, MSED ’48 December 19, 2013
Leonard J. Swierat ’54 January 14, 2014
David P. Zimolong ’63 November 20, 2013
Dorothy G. Blake MSED ’71, HON ’86 Thomas M. Barrett ’90 June 22, 2014 April 14, 2014
Nicholas A. Pierino ’47 May 28, 2014
Frederick R. Dentinger ’55 April 8, 2014
Joseph Bossert ’64 July 9, 2014
Zygmund A. Swider MSED ’72 November 27, 2013
Josephine B. (Bella) Letizia ’91 June 5, 2014
John J. Fahey ’48 March 29, 2014
Charles E. Ganey ’55 December 22, 2013
Kevin P. Cummings ’64 June 5, 2014
Arline O. Waagen MSED ’72 March 7, 2013
Dean M. Germele ’93 February 27, 2014
Theodore W. Batt ’49 December 3, 2013
Robert J. VanValkenburgh ’55 March 18, 2014
Cmdr. James W. McHale ’64 May 19, 2014
Robert J. Glass ’73 May 31, 2014
Mary K. Partridge ’94, MS ’05 March 21, 2014
Samuel N. Block MSED ’49 March 10, 2014
Stephen G. Gessner ’56 May 4, 2014
John L. Tworek ’64 March 14, 2014
Kevin P. Husband ’74 April 18, 2014
Susan M. Jarosch MSED ’99 May 30, 2014
Norman D. Bishara ’50 January 18, 2014
Donald E. McCarthy ’56 May 27, 2014
Edmund W. Burke ’65 March 18, 2014
Maureen T. Mockler MSED ’74 February 7, 2014
Jennifer Krawczyk ’07 May 16, 2014
Peter A. Grandits ’50 May 1, 2014
Salvatore S. Nicastro ’56 June 9, 2014
Richard P. Siegel ’65 April 21, 2014
Andrew J. Gancarz MSED ’75 April 24, 2014
Franklin G. Downing HON ’11 May 17, 2014
Paul P. Hickey ’50 April 27, 2014
Frank J. Schwindler ’56 June 14, 2014
Kenneth R. Jaromin ’66, MSED ’70 Marion F. (Hahn) Huebsch MSED ’75 June 14, 2014 April 22, 2014
Thomas P. Keane ’50 April 3, 2014
John Bewick Jr. ’57 April 25, 2014
Daniel P. Mattimore MA ’66 June 4, 2014
Philip F. Ellian ’51 March 13, 2014
James N. Dunn ’57 March 21, 2014
Charles F. Rosenow ’66
James F. Ryan ’51 February 8, 2013
Harry S. Rosinski ’57 May 19, 2014
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David A. Rapp ’75 June 4, 2014
George J. Styn III ’75 May 29, 2014 Nancilu B. (Butler) Burdick MSED ’67 June 28, 2014 Francine D. Fecteau ’76, MS ’77 February 10, 2013
Katherine A. Battaglia-Pogorzelski ’02, MS ’09 and Daniel Pogorzelski, a son, Zeke Riley, born December 7, 2013
Maureen (Caito) McDonald ’92 and Paul McDonald, a son, Louis Paul, born June 25, 2013
Laura A. (Blersch) Boeing ’06 and Andrew R. Boeing ’05, a daughter, Nora Elizabeth, born February 3, 2014
Kara N. (Cassetta) Oakes ’08 and David Oakes, a son, Connor Michael, born December 16, 2013
Benjamin A. Cranston ’09 and Nicole DominguezCranston, a daughter, Isabella Manuela, born October 3, 2013 Meghann L. Drury-Grogan ’01 and Terence Grogan, a son, Thomas Joseph, born October 15, 2013
Sarah E. Signorino ’04, MS ’08, BA ’12 and Jerod J. Sikorskyj ’04, BS ’13, a daughter, Clare Signorino, born February 13, 2014
John S. Ginty ’05, MS ’12 and Kathleen Whitten, a daughter, Miranda Rose, born March 27, 2014
Julie M. Teprovich ’99 and Mark E. Ciemcioch ’97, a daughter, Natasha Emme, born February 10, 2014
Lindsay A. (Hathaway) Goulette '07 and William C. Goulette '06, MBA '11, a daughter, Callie Alaina, born March 17, 2014
Julia (Cimino) Walsh '04 and Dan Walsh '02, a son, Jackson Daniel, born August 3, 2013
Daniel M. Hogan ’04 and Laura Ugarte Rubio, a son, Daniel Martin, born March 9, 2014
Benjamin John
Kellie M. (Jeffrey) Kotwicki ’07, MS ’10 and Michael J. Kotwicki ’07, a son, Camden John, born December 27, 2013
Snowbirds:
Save the Dates! If you’re a snowbird who spends the winter months in Florida, then plan to attend one of the following alumni receptions in the Sunshine State. WEST PALM BEACH
Thursday, February 26 NAPLES
Casey J. (Simmons) Westby ’05 and Geoff Westby, a son, Harrison Russell, born December 6, 2013 Rebecca S. Whittington ’98 and Evan Edwards, a daughter, Lauren, born September 3, 2013
T H I S I S S U E ’ S F E AT U R E D B A B Y G R I F F
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Samantha (Bell) Pennell ’08 and Thomas Pennell, a son, Hunter Thomas, born October 25, 2013
Gregory G. Flammer ’97, MBA ’04 and Rachel Flammer, a son, Chase Bradley, born June 23, 2014
Carla (Smith) Graves ’07, MSED ’09 and Jonathan Graves ’07, MS ’09, a daughter, Giana Marie, born March 3, 2014
born to Carolyn M. Dudek ’93, PhD and Mark L. Nowak ’92, PhD on October 26, 2013
Lisa M. Mendonza-Mineo ’93, MD and David Mineo ’83, twins, David Christopher Jr. and Francesca Lekha, born January 22, 2014
Kristin N. Zirnheld ’00 and John Zirnheld, a son, Matthew Richard, born January 20, 2014
David M. Marsh ’07 and Jolee Fedak, a daughter, Annemarie Catherine, born February 10, 2014
*Rebecca Awald ’03, MSED ’04 and Ryan Rajk ’01, MS ’06 on April 12, 2014
Ashley A. Kasper ’08 and Brian M. Engl MBA ’08 on November 8, 2013
Rebecca Ballaron ’05, MS ’10 and Stephen A. Spillman ’07, MBA ’14 on November 23, 2013
*Megan E. Kelly ’11, MSED ’13 and Daniel Bryden on February 15, 2014
*Kathleen Coughlin ’06 and Jeremy Nevins on May 3, 2014 *Nandor Forgach ’14 and Ashley Maison on May 3, 2014 Maura E. Galante ’96, MBA ’09 and Eoin Gregg on December 14, 2013 *Jessica R. Hall ’08, MSED ’10 and Zachary R. Jenkins ’08 on April 12, 2014 Alice Louise Harvey ’02 and Robert Pellegrine on November 29, 2013
*Alison LaMancuso ’11 and Mark Tortelli ’10 on May 31, 2014 Lindsay I. Lessard ’09 and Jaime Glass on October 19, 2013 Holly A. Leszyk ’11 and Kevin McNelis on June 8, 2013 *Christin LoFaso ’07 and Ryan Culligan on May 30, 2014 *Christina McMahon ’02 and Marc Gatti on May 31, 2014 *Royston Mendonza ’01 and Cassie Olsen on October 19, 2013 Audrey M. Myszka ’05 and Gregory Schultz on March 1, 2014
VENICE
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Tuesday, March 3
Wednesday, March 4
For more information, call 1-800-201-4952 or visit canisius.edu/alumni.
*Indicates married at Christ the King Chapel
Canisius College Magazine 2001 Main Street | Buffalo, NY 14208 | canisius.edu
HOMECOMING WEEKEND
More than 1,000 Canisius alumni, family and friends came back to campus for Homecoming Weekend 2014. The four-day event kicked off with a celebratory ‘splash’ on September 25, when the Niagara Falls Illumination Board lit the American and Canadian sides of Niagara Falls in Canisius colors: blue and gold. Visit canisius.edu/magazine to view the Homecoming Weekend photo gallery and video.
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