CANISIUS CANISIUSCOLLEGE COLLEGEMAGAZINE MAGAZINE WINTER SPRING 2013
BREAKAWAY Cory Conacher ’11 battles on and off the ice to make his mark in the NHL
president’sperspective
JOHN J. HURLEY
Canisius College Magazine SPRING 2013 VOLUME 14, ISSUE 2
President John J. Hurley
As this edition of Canisius Magazine went into production, we became aware of the developing story of former Golden Griffin hockey great Cory Conacher, who was setting the NHL on fire as an undrafted rookie with the Tampa Bay
Associate Vice President for Marketing and Communication & Executive Editor Debra S. Park MS ’06 Managing Editor Audrey R. Browka
Lightning and more recently the Ottawa Senators. Cory’s amazing story was making its way into the national media and our editor quickly moved the story to the cover of this issue. Little did we realize that there was more – much more – in store. Our Canisius hockey team entered the post-season tournament for the Atlantic Hockey Conference as a decided underdog but six wins later – including a big win over arch rival and nationally-ranked Niagara in the semi-finals – we were crowned as conference champions. We were on our way to the NCAA Tournament, a 16 team playoff in which just two wins puts you into the Frozen Four. The media attention both here in Buffalo and in the national media was amazing. The New York Times ran a lengthy piece on Conacher and noted that Canisius was on its way to the NCAA Tournament. The Wall Street Journal ran an article on the teams in the tournament. There were large spreads in The Buffalo News. And although our team came up just short in a 4-3 loss to the tournament’s number one seed, Quinnipiac, our hockey team and our now most famous alumnus had combined to put Canisius on the map. For me, the best part of the hockey story is that the hockey team ranked number one among Canisius sports teams in grade point average during the fall 2012 semester. Student-athletes, to be sure!
Director of Creative Services & Layout Editor Andalyn Courtney Contributing Designer James Neiler Contributing Writers Elizabeth M. Bohen ’74, MS ’76 Meg Devine Maxwell Kristin E. Etu ’91 Rachel L. Flammer Martin J. Haumesser Eileen C. Herbert ’04 Lisa Murray Roselli Photography Eric Frick Shaun Maciejewski MS ’11 Tom Wolf ’86 Yung Gen Yang Photography 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
The excitement over hockey was nearly matched by our men’s basketball team’s march into the quarterfinals of the CollegeInsider.com postseason tournament. Jim Baron’s team lost narrowly to Evansville at home but achieved the program’s first 20-win campaign in 12 years. These stories are what we had in mind back in 2002 when we reduced the size of our athletics program to 16 sports and made the decision to concentrate our resources in fewer programs. Full-time coaches, more scholarship money and improved facilities have translated into athletic success. And we’ve made sure that athletic success is matched by academic success. When our teams succeed on the ice, on the courts, on the fields and in the classrooms, they generate important media attention for Canisius in recruiting markets. We’re all winners in that game.
Postmaster send change of address to: Canisius College, 2001 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14208
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contents SPRING 2013
9 | Cover Story
6 | Jesuit Mission
BREAKAWAY!
EXPRESS YOURSELF Artistic and personal expressions of cura personalis.
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Cory Conacher ’11 proves he’s a playmaker in his NHL debut.
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PHOTO COURTESY: BILL WIPPERT/BUFFALO SABRES
4 | Blue & Gold Briefs ROADIES FOR A DAY Bon Jovi gives Canisius students a backstage pass to “Because We Can.”
departments 8
FACULTY NOTES
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INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT
FACULT Y NE WS A ND UPDATE S
DE VELOPMENT NE WS A ND UPDATE S
25 25 | Alumni Profile NATURAL BORN HEALER Kathleen Rosenblatt ’68 is an American pioneer in the ancient practice of acupuncture.
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CANISIUS CONNECTIONS
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AS YOU WERE
A LUMNI NE WS A ND NOTE S
S TO R IE S FROM THE PA S T
ON THE COVER Cory Conacher ’11 plays his first game as an Ottawa Senator on April 5 against the Buffalo Sabres. PHOTO COURTESY: BILL WIPPERT/BUFFALO SABRES
>> Pictured (l-r): Brock Wilkinson ’14, Michael Jaoude ’13, Jamie Hitro ’13, Tanner Gelatt ’13, Melissa Gretzler ’13 and Mariel Klein ’13. Photo courtesy of Katrina Cosgrove ’15.
Buffalo’s Bishop; Best-Selling Author, Journalist Serve as Commencement Speakers Best-selling author, journalist and television host Laura Pedersen will come home to Buffalo on Wednesday, May 15 to deliver the keynote address at graduate commencement ceremonies, scheduled for 7:00 p.m. in the Koessler Athletic Center. Pedersen was just 18-years old when she landed an entry-level job on the trading floor of the American Stock Exchange. Within four years, she became the youngest person in history to get a seat Laura M. Pedersen on the Stock Exchange and was a partner in a Wall Street firm. Pedersen left Wall Street at age 23 to make history again, becoming the youngest columnist for The New York Times. She later went on to host “Your Money and Your Life” on the Oxygen Network. Today, Pedersen is the author of several books, including two about her native Buffalo. Bishop Richard J. Malone will address the undergraduate class of 2013 at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 18 in U.B.’s Alumni Arena. Installed in August 2012, Bishop Malone is shepherd to more than 700,000 Western New York Catholics. Prior to Buffalo, Bishop Malone served eight years as bishop of Portland, ME. During that time, his faith, courage, compassion and leadership saw the diocese through an ambitious consolidation of the state’s parishes and the challenges Bishop Malone of declining Mass attendance, which proved essential to improve the functioning of the diocese in a rural state such as Maine. Bishop Malone and Laura Pedersen will receive honorary degrees during commencement ceremonies, as will Walter Sharrow, PhD, emeritus professor of history at Canisius College and Donald L. Trump, MD, president/CEO of Roswell Park Cancer Institute.
Backstage Pass A select group of Canisius students played ‘roadie for a day’ when the Bon Jovi “Because We Can” tour came to town. Students learned the ins and outs of the touring industry and worked alongside the band’s production crew to help put together one of the largest live shows in entertainment. Later that night, they watched it all come together from the audience, as guests of the band. The students’ backstage pass was part of Bon Jovi’s Community Service College Campaign, which rewards college students who work to make positive changes in their communities. The Canisius students were the only local college students chosen to participate.
Military Friendly School Canisius College earned a place in the 2013 “Guide to Military Friendly Colleges & Universities,” released by Military Advanced Education magazine. The guide provides potential students with information about institutions that go out of their way to implement military-friendly policies in support of men and women in uniform. Canisius was recognized for its flexibility of online learning options, the extent of transfer credits accepted, its on-campus ROTC and participation in Servicemember Opportunity Colleges (SOC), as well as veteran assistance support. Canisius instituted an Office of Veterans Services to meet the needs of a growing veteran student population, which has more than doubled since 2007. In addition to this recent designation, G.I. Jobs magazine has recognized Canisius on its Military Friendly School list, for the past three years.
Canisius Introduces Master’s in Health Information Technology Canisius will add a new master’s degree program to its Office of Professional Studies next fall. The MS in Health Information Technology is an online program that combines healthcare, business and information technology to advance healthcare professionals’ understanding of increasingly complex healthcare operations.
social aspects of the health information technology field. Graduates will be qualified for work wherever health information is collected, organized and analyzed, including hospitals, physicians’ offices, nursing homes, ambulatory care clinics, insurance companies, research and government agencies, and consulting firms.
Core courses focus on health services and information systems, clinical The program, which may be completed in less than two years, is for computing, information technology security and privacy, healthcare individuals with bachelor’s degrees who are currently working in healthreporting and information exchange, as well as business operations care or related fields. and project management. The curriculum also examines the moral and
blue&goldbriefs Prestigious Fulbrights Awarded Canisius students Eric Mietz ’13 and Jonathan Beck ’13 and alumna Kaela Glenn ’11 are the college’s most recent recipients of J. William Fulbright Scholarships. Mietz is an international relations, German and European studies major. His Fulbright takes him to the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna, Austria to further the research he began in his All-College Honors thesis. Mietz will examine Austrian policies regarding European security policy and integration, specifically how Austria’s implementation of non-military foreign policy operations is carried out by intergovernmental organizations, such as the European Union, NATO and the U.S. “Vienna is the home of many international organizations and offers a unique perspective for both advance study in international relations, Kaela Glenn ’11 as well as my interests in European security institutions and relations between the United States and Austria,” says Mietz, who plans to pursue a diplomatic career. teaching assistant in Malaysia. Her primary role was to help students improve their English conversation skills. Beck is also an All-College Honors student who will use his Fulbright to continue his thesis research at Eberhard Karls Universität Tubingen, Glenn’s application ranked first among the Fulbright’s alternate Germany. Here, the German, European studies and political science list, and six months following her initial application, the J. William major will examine how the German Federal Constitutional Court’s Fulbright Program, in collaboration with the Institute of International decisions and interpretations of European Union (EU) treaties influence Education, offered Glenn the opportunity in Malaysia. the development of future EU treaties and European integration. “I literally had 24 hours to accept or decline,” recalls Glenn. “The “These questions are important even in the United States, particularly choice was obvious, as working abroad has been a dream of mine for because we have such a strong relationship with the EU,” says Beck. so long. So I packed up and moved to a country of which I had little to “The Fulbright scholarship is the perfect avenue to bridge the gaps no knowledge. It was my first time out of the United States.” between Europe and the U.S., and to help more people understand Named for Senator J. William Fulbright, the scholarship is the U.S. how foreign governments work and what works best.” government’s premier scholarship program designed to foster mutual Beck is fluent in German and plans to pursue a PhD in political science/ understanding among nations through educational and cultural government. exchanges. Glenn’s Fulbright afforded the early childhood/childhood education A total of 37 Fulbright Scholarships have been awarded to Canisius alumna to spend 10 months working and learning as an English students and alumni since 1987.
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YOUR
There are many ways today's college students express themselves.
Fashion, music and art come to mind first. But this spring, Canisius students shared their stories in a strikingly unique way, as part of the Cura Personalis Project. The campus initiative invited students, faculty and staff to express the Ignatian spiritual principle – care for the individual - in writing on their arms, faces and hands. Their responses, though all different, speak of strength, love and acceptance. They were photographed by student Allina Santiago ’13 (sociology).The portraits went on display throughout the tunnel system of the Richard E. Winter ’42 Student Center. Canisius Magazine features of few of the many images on the following pages. The Cura Personalis project was part of a larger programming effort to celebrate the Lenten and Easter seasons at Canisius. Its inspiration came from Robert Fogerty, the creator of “Dear World,” a photography venture that invites individuals to express themselves to the world through distinct messages and portraits. WEB EXTRA
Check out the Cura Personalis photo project at canisius.edu/magazine.
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facultynotes In Memoriam Canisius is saddened to announce the deaths of Rev. Edward T. Dunn, S.J. and Thomas C. Joyce. Father Dunn died March 24 at Murray-Weigel Hall in Bronx, NY. He was 88. A retired scholar and educator, Father Dunn originally taught theology when he came to Canisius in 1958. He later joined the History Department, where his course load focused on American history.
The student group, led by Burich, celebrated at Crow Fair, which is the largest Northern Native American gathering. Students also learned about life on the reservation through first-hand experiences and conversations with members of the Crow tribe.
“Ned was an extremely engaging writer and lecturer,” recalls Lawrence Jones, PhD, professor of history. “He was also a good story teller and had a crusty sense of humor that many people didn’t realize.”
Communications major Ashley Fike ’13 and digital media arts major Lauren Mosier ’13 traveled with Burich and the Canisius contingent to produce the documentary.
A published historian, Father Dunn authored Buffalo’s Delaware Avenue Mansions and Families and A History of Railroads in Western New York.
The American Indian Center offers Canisius students and the Western New York community unique opportunities to learn about Native American history and culture from Native Americans.
Thomas Joyce passed away on March 6 following a long illness. He was 62.
WEB EXTRA
Joyce was an adjunct professor of English at Canisius who spent the majority of his years welcoming freshmen in the All-College Honors Program to the world of English literature. “Tom was one of our stalwarts in the All-College Honors Program,” says Robert J. Butler, PhD, professor of English. “His courses were always challenging and lively but perhaps more significant, they sparked an excitement in students about literature.” In addition to his coursework, Joyce served several years as moderator of The Griffin. He also participated regularly in campus ministry’s Kairos and Fourth Day retreats.
Dierenfield Receives Distinguished Faculty Award Bruce J. Dierenfield, PhD, is the 2013 recipient of the Kenneth L. Koessler Distinguished Faculty Award. Conferred by the Alumni Association, the award annually recognizes a faculty member for teaching excellence and outstanding contributions to the academic world. Dierenfield is a professor of history, and renowned among students for his rich academic knowledge on U.S. history and specifically the Civil Rights Movement, about which he has authored four books. His coursework is intellectually rigorous yet complemented by the great care and creativity he takes to bring his lectures to life. Dierenfield is also the dynamic and innovative director of the AllCollege Honors Program. Under his leadership, it’s reached new levels of excellence, introducing students to educational and cultural experiences that can only be discovered outside the classroom. A graduate of St. Olaf College, Dierenfield holds a PhD in American history from the University of Virginia.
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The American Indian Center, under the direction of History Professor Keith R. Burich, PhD, premiered a 30-minute documentary that explores the history of the Native American Crow tribe and life on its reservation. “Where the Crow Will Be Forever” is the culmination of a student trip to the Montana Crow reservation, produced by the Canisius Video Institute.
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Keith R. Burich, PhD
Watch “Where the Crow Will Be Forever” at canisius.edu/magazine.
Fitz is the latest novel to be released by Professor of English and Lowery Writer-in-Residence Mick Cochrane, PhD.
The book tells the story of Fitzgerald, a 15-year old who learns that his father, whom he has never met, lives nearby. Fitz begins to follow his father, watch him and study him, until one day he executes a plan to force his father, at gunpoint, to be with him. Over the course of a day, Fitz learns about his father, why he chose to remain distant, and what really happened between his mother and Father. Fitz’s father learns what sort of boy his son has grown to become. Fitz is Cochrane’s fourth novel but his first young adult novel. Professor Emeritus Charles Schmidtke takes readers on his personal journey of grieving in his new book Riding the Subway with Heidi. The book is a culmination of Schmidtke’s thoughts and experiences about the loss of his daughter, Heidi, at age 21.
“Despite my academic training in death, dying, spirituality and cultural values, I struggled with finding the meaning in her death and understanding what it means to grieve,” says Schmidtke. With a focus on finding balance, health and meaning in life, rather than “chasing for closure” or “going through stages,” Riding the Subway with Heidi provides new perspective on what it means to grieve and creates a healthier dialog for individuals affected by grief.
BREAKAWAY Cory Conacher ’11 battles on and off the ice to make his mark in the NHL , Story: Kristin E. Etu 91 | Photos: Getty Images/Scott Audette
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, CORY CONACHER 11 scored his first National Hockey League (NHL) goal in his debut game in January 2013. It was a moment he will never forget. “It was so exciting to have so many of my family and friends at that game and to share that milestone with them,” says Conacher, who is the first former Canisius ice hockey player to appear in an NHL game and the first Atlantic Association Player to score an NHL goal. Conacher played for the Tampa Bay Lightning at the time but was traded to the Ottawa Senators in early April. Most hockey fans watched the slick two-on-one play as Tampa Bay Lightning forward Teddy Purcell fed Conacher the pass that enabled him to beat Washington Capitals goaltender Braden Holtby up high. Cory’s parents, Dave and Debbie Conacher, however, saw their own personal miracle on ice. “We probably over-celebrated,” recalls Dave Conacher. “My family ran over and we jumped up and down and hugged each other. It was crazy. We almost lost our balance and fell to the lower level because we were so caught up in the moment.” You can’t blame the Conachers for getting emotional. The skill, talent and perseverance necessary to be a professional athlete are so rare that a select few actually make it. Factor in the obstacles that Cory Conacher overcame to make the NHL and it’s as if he’s already conquered Mount Everest several times over. A native of Burlington, Ontario, Conacher, 23, was born with bladder exstrophy, a rare defect in which the bladder is outside of the body. When he was just five days old, doctors performed a 10-hour operation to reconstruct Conacher’s pelvis and place the bladder inside of his body. He spent 10 weeks in traction as a newborn. He endured subsequent surgeries
followed by traction at ages three, five and seven. But the surgery at age three had an unexpected side effect. “Cory forgot how to walk,” recalls Debbie Conacher. “They never told us this could happen. I freaked out. I cried myself to sleep.” Doctors assured the Conachers that Cory would be fine. His muscles atrophied due to the traction. However it took months for Conacher to regain his strength and walk again. By seven his parents say Conacher thrived. He played hockey and zoomed around the house on his roller blades. But at eight something went seriously wrong. “I had no idea what was going on,” says Conacher. “I just knew I was really thirsty and would get up several times during the night to get a drink of water.” Doctors diagnosed Conacher with Type I diabetes. He learned to test his own blood sugar and to give himself insulin shots several times a day. Today, when he is not playing hockey, he uses an insulin pump about the size of an MP3 player to monitor his blood sugar levels. “It’s all about getting enough sleep and making sure I eat when I am supposed to in order to keep my blood sugar at the proper levels, especially on game days,” adds Conacher. If his levels get too low, Conacher could slip into a diabetic coma, which can be fatal if left untreated. “Cory has been found unconscious several times when away from home,” says Dave Conacher. “The paramedics stayed on the phone with me while they worked on him. It was very scary for us.” Keeping their 17 year-old son healthy was the Conacher’s primary focus when they chose Canisius College – just a little more than an hour drive from their home across the border in Burlington, Ontario.
Cory Conacher ’11 paid close attention to his alma mater this
Tournament. In the first round, after taking an aggressive 3-1
season. Following a record-breaking eight-game winning
lead over top-seeded Quinnipiac, the Griffs lost 4-3 in the final
streak (the longest active winning streak in Division I hockey),
12 minutes of the game. However the team’s valiant efforts
the Golden Griffins ice hockey team beat Mercyhurst 7-2 to
are not in vain. Its success has garnered national attention
win its first Atlantic Hockey Association Championship. The
for both the team and the college. And it’s a formidable
victory also earned the team its first ever bid to the NCAA
foundation to build on for next year and beyond.
Conacher's first NHL goal
The fact that he had the opportunity to play hockey was just a bonus. “We never directed Cory. It was never about him playing in the NHL or anything like that,” says Dave Conacher. “We wanted him to take care of himself, deal with his diabetes properly and play hockey because he loves the game. I think that is why he excelled.” Unlike many of his Burlington Cougars (Junior A teammates, Conacher was not drafted into the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). Conacher was likely passed over because of his size (5’ 8”, 180 pounds). It’s something he has battled his entire career. At 14, Conacher was cut from the Burlington Eagles Minor Bantam AAA team. The
Eagles’ coach sent him down to the AA team because he was too small and the coach had concerns about Conacher being diabetic. Rather than discourage Conacher, it fueled him. “I don’t have bad feelings for that coach but ever since then, I am motivated to prove people wrong,” says Conacher. “Your size doesn’t matter. As long as you have that grit and fearlessness on the ice, you can play through it.” And while others may have noticed Conacher’s shortcomings Canisius Head Ice Hockey Coach Dave Smith spotted his talent and potential.
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“I really enjoyed the community service projects we did, whether it was Meals on Wheels or Habitat for Humanity,” says Conacher, who plans to run a camp for children with diabetes this summer. “It’s so important in the NHL to interact with fans and give back to the community.” The management major also volunteered locally with Hasek’s Heroes, the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation and as a coach for Buffalo Shamrock’s Hockey. “I want our players to have a balance of high-level of academics, high-level of hockey, and high-level of what I call social commitment,” says Smith. “For a young athlete like Cory to pass along such positive values is so valuable.” But did Smith see NHL potential in Conacher and work to draw it out? “One of my favorite quotes is ‘The teacher will appear when the student is ready.’ Cory was always ready,” says Smith. “We challenged him to use his hockey gifts, to shoot the puck more and to play faster. Cory Conacher is solely responsible for his own success.” “We recruited Cory to Canisius because we saw speed, skill and competiveness,” says Smith. “We saw a need for our hockey team and Cory provided the answer.” Debbie and Dave Conacher entrusted Smith to keep close tabs on their diabetic son who had battled so hard to get to this level. Their instincts proved to be right. Conacher thrived under Smith’s tutelage. At Canisius, Conacher became the school’s all-time leader in points (147), goals (62), assists (85) and game winning-goals (12) in 129 games. That’s despite missing the first half of his freshman year with a broken arm. In 2009-10, he was named the Atlantic Hockey Association Player of the Year and a first-team All-Atlantic Hockey honoree. In 2010-2011, Conacher was named a secondteam All-Atlantic Hockey Honoree and a First Team Lowe’s Senior CLASS All-America Award winner. Most recently, in April 2013, he was named to the All-Atlantic Hockey 10th Anniversary first team. But perhaps more influential than any award, he is described as the spark who inspired his teammates. “Cory made me a better player. I knew if he had the puck on his stick something great was going to happen,” says forward Vincent J. Scarcella ’11, who played on the same line with Conacher for three and half years and now plays for the Kallinge/Ronneby IF (Division 1 hockey) for the Swedish League. “Cory brings an incredible amount of energy and emotion to the game. He was the heart and soul of the team.” Conacher says that in Coach Smith’s program he developed as a player and worked on his defensive play, which is extremely important in the NHL. But he says he learned just as much off the ice.
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Despite Conacher’s accolades and stellar performance at Canisius, no NHL team drafted him. He finished out the 2010-2011 season with brief stints with the Rochester Americans American Hockey League (AHL) team, the Cincinnati Cyclones of the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) and the Milwaukee Admirals (AHL). Then in July 2011, Conacher was offered a one-way contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning to play for their AHL affiliate (the Norfolk Admirals). “Cory was so excited. He finally had the chance to prove himself,” says Dave Conacher. “He said, ‘Who cares where it is, or how much money it is. I have one year to show them what I can do.’” Conacher wasted no time. In 2011-2012, he led the Norfolk Admirals to the Calder Cup Championship. He had 80 points in 75 games, was named AHL Rookie of the Year and won the Les Cunningham Award as the league’s Most Valuable Player. He is the first player in AHL history to win all three in one year. It was also in Norfolk where he earned the nickname “Honey Badger” for being small but fierce – and willing to go into the “dirty areas” around the net in order to get the goal. “The trainer in Norfolk showed us a YouTube video of the honey badger, a ferocious weasel-like animal. The commentator says, ‘The honey badger takes what he wants. He does what he wants,” says Conacher. “On the ice, I play the corners and go in front of the net. I take the heat. I try to do the things that help the team win.”
Conacher’s relentless efforts didn’t go unnoticed. Halfway through the 2011-2012 AHL season, he was signed to a one-year, two-way contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning, which meant he could play for either the AHL or NHL team. After starting the 20122013 season with the AHL’s Syracuse Crunch, he was invited to the Lightning’s abbreviated training camp (due to the NHL lockout). It was long enough for Conacher to make his mark – and achieve his dream of playing in the NHL. “It was so incredible to be in the same room with guys like Vinny LaCavalier and Martin St. Louis,” says Conacher. “St. Louis is someone I have idolized my whole life.” Lightning forward St. Louis, 37, is of similar stature (5’ 8’’, 180 lbs) to Conacher. He served as a mentor to Cory on the ice. “Marty helped to calm me down during the games and he gave me little pointers,” adds Conacher. “It’s important for a young player to have someone throughout the game to keep you confident.”
The Conachers are beaming with pride given Cory’s recent success in the NHL. But they never lose focus of how tenuous his health can be. “Our dream was always for Cory to live a normal life and be happy. Our dream is for a cure for diabetes. We’re sure that’s his dream as well. This is the one that matters most.” WEB EXTRA
See more of Canisius Magazine’s interview with Dave and Debbie Conacher at canisius.edu/magazine.
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The admiration is mutual. “I love his game. I love his energy,” St. Louis told the Tampa Bay Times regarding Conacher. “’It’s not because he is small. People compare him to me and it’s not like I try to talk to him more because of that. Every guy that comes in here, if I see something, I want to help.” As this issue goes to print, Conacher is the Senators’ scoring leader and is tied for the lead in NHL rookie points. He is a leading candidate for the Calder Trophy (Rookie of the Year), which he believes is within reach if his team is successful. Like most NHL players, winning the Stanley Cup is also on Conacher’s to-do-list. He is inspired to these lofty goals by some of his famous relatives. Lionel, Charlie and Roy Conacher, cousins of Conacher’s great-grandfather — are each in the Hockey Hall of Fame. Lionel, also a champion in boxing, wrestling, football, baseball and lacrosse, was voted Canada’s top athlete of the first half of the 20th century. “Cory sets his goals, and if he wants to win a Stanley Cup, and get to the Hockey Hall of Fame, and be with his relatives, we want that for him too,” say the Conachers, whose other children, Kelin, 25, and Jaclyn, 20 also play hockey. The youngest, 18 year old Shane, will follow in his brother’s footsteps. He will attend Canisius in the fall and play for the Ice Griffs.
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1 | Conacher at 6 months old. 2 | Conacher at 14 years old holding his trophy after the Burlington Eagles won the Bantam OMHA (Ontario Minor Hockey Association) Championship. 3 | (l-r) Conacher at 3 years old with his brother, Kelin; sister, Jaclyn; and father, Dave.
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A Higher Calling Eberl Call Center Gets Technology Upgrade New technology is now an integral part of the Canisius College Eberl Call Center. An upgraded computer system, recently installed, automatically dials, enables immediate and efficient record keeping, and electronically processes Canisius Fund pledges safely and securely. Perhaps more significant, the capital improvement enables Canisius to extend its reach to more alumni and friends, and increase the overall number of calls that can be made. That means more support to the areas that have the greatest impact on students, from scholarships and programming, to library books and lab equipment. Currently, 45 percent of Canisius Fund donors make their annual gifts through the Eberl Call Center. The Eberl Call Center is named for the late Frank J. and Rita Eberl, whose sons, Frank ’67, MS ’75, MBA ‘78 and George ’68, made a generous donation, in recognition of their parents, to the Imagine Canisius capital campaign. To make your annual gift to the Canisius Fund, simply answer the call or visit canisius.edu/alumni/give.
Save Tax Dollars; Support Canisius The IRA Charitable Rollover is back! The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012, passed by Congress at the end of the year, reinstated the popular tax incentive that allows individuals age 70 ½ or older to transfer any portion of a mandatory distribution from an IRA (up to $100,000 per year) directly to a tax-exempt charity, free of federal income tax, through December 31, 2013. For more information, contact Dianna Civello, interim vice president for institutional advancement, at 716-888-8220 or at civellod@canisius.edu.
Albert Gress ’85: From Canisius to Cairo - and Back Again
Albert E. Gress ’85
It’s been more than 20 years since Albert E. Gress company headquartered in Calgary, Canada. With ’85 attended Canisius but he continues to “carry the company since 2007, Gress is instrumental in his education with him every day.” It’s a journey growing the business in Egypt. that has taken him around the world. He plays a similarly instrumental role in the lives The Gress family moved to Buffalo from Cairo, of Canisius students. Egypt in 1976 to escape the Arab-Israeli War. Gress established the Simba & Sparky Scholarship Edward Gress, PhD, accepted a position in the at Canisius. The scholarship supports an accounting Canisius College Department of Accounting. major who maintains a qualified grade point average, Following his father’s advice, Al Gress studied and who has and cares for a pet. accounting at Canisius, as well. He also became Gress and his wife also contribute to a new area engaged in the life of the college. Gress played on of study at Canisius, which is close to their hearts. the tennis team, helped found a social fraternity The couple recently made a generous gift to and served as president of the Accounting the Animal Behavior Program, which educates Society. The well-rounded education he received, students as to how animal behaviors evolve and particularly from professors John Murphy, PhD, relate to the biology and ecology of a species. The economics, and Larry Jones, PhD, history, remains Gress’ sponsored an international symposium on a strong influence in his life. the future of zoos. Hosted by Canisius, the event “I still talk about Dr. Jones’ class to this day,” says brought visionaries from leading zoological parks, Gress. “It was about concepts that drive history conservation societies and architecture firms, and attracted national media attention. and the decisions people make.” Hired after graduation by the accounting firm of PriceWaterhouse, Gress’ career took him to live in Egypt, Kuwait and Spain. Another position with a different accounting firm found him back in Cairo, where he met his wife, Noura.
The Gress’ made their gifts in memory of their late cats, Simba and Sparky.
“We are fascinated by the animal behavior program at Canisius and wanted to do something to help,” says Al Gress. “I am proud of Canisius – this is my Today, Gress is vice president of business development family, not just my father, but all the people I have for TransGlobe Energy Corporation, an oil and gas known here.”
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canisius advancement Robert Gioia Receives Distinguished Citizen Achievement Award Robert D. Gioia is the 2013 recipient of the Distinguished Citizen Achievement Award. Presented by the Canisius College Board of Regents, the award recognizes an individual whose economic, civic and cultural contributions have enhanced the Western New York community. The Board recognized Gioia at its 47th annual Regents Scholarship Ball held on Saturday, May 4. The event was sponsored by Independent Health.
Robert D. Gioia
A Buffalo native, Gioia began his career in 1970 as part of the third generation of the Gioia family operating the Gioia Macaroni Company. He held subsequent leadership positions at The Red Wing Co. Inc. and with the Food Group of Strategic Investments and Holdings. Gioia’s business acumen, political savvy and strength of character have since made him one of the region’s most engaged and influential leaders, often called upon to guide community initiatives through difficult tasks.
As chair of the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority, Gioia led the completion of the multi-million dollar Buffalo-Niagara International Airport. A similar role with the Western New York Health System resulted in the successful implementation of hospital streamlining plans for the state Berger Commission. Gioia currently steers the momentum to develop a world-class Canalside and Outer Harbor district, as chair of the Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation. But it is his longtime leadership role with the charitable John R. Oishei Foundation that has enabled Gioia to affect positive change in all areas of the community, from cultural to educational, health and medical research. The Regents Scholarship Ball provides vital financial support to promising young students, who otherwise would not be able to take advantage of a Canisius education.
Bouwhuis Library Turns the Page; Becomes Technology-Based Learning Commons The Andrew L. Bouwhuis Library is about to enter the next chapter in its history, as it moves forward with renovations to become a technology-based learning commons. Continued support from restricted gifts to the Canisius Fund will make this necessity a reality. “Today’s students expect more than a great book collection from the library,” says Kristine Kasbohm, director of the library. She explains that they check out laptops, e-readers, tablets, headphones and cameras. Students use these digital tools to create multimedia class presentations and come to the library to practice those presentations with their peers. “The re-imagined teaching and learning environment for the library combines the best of traditional academic content and collections with new information technologies in an environment that supports the ways in which our students collect, process and share information.” Early changes to the library include more collaborative study spaces with flexible seating so students may move about easily to be near their peers or to access instructional technology. Computer clusters replaced the card catalogs and there is now one central location for circulation, reference and technology services.
Books will still have a role but the future of the new library learning commons includes e-books, MP3 books, graphic novels and other media-rich collections are available.
To make your contribution to the next chapter in the library’s history, Future upgrades will feature more flexible student seating, more group visit canisius.edu/gift and fill in “Library” in the “Other Gift study spaces and computer workstations, state-of-the-art media creation Designation” box, or contact Dianna Civello, interim vice president facilities, as well as instructional support to ensure functionality. for institutional advancement, at 716-888-8220 or civellod@canisius.edu. 8 6C>H>JH 8DAA:<: B 6<6 O>C: HEG>C< '%&( q 15
Troy Graziani ’08: In the driver’s seat
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ROY GRAZIANI ’08 SAYS IT SEEMS LIKE JUST
yesterday that he lived in a small apartment on Hughes Avenue and attended classes at Canisius College. Today, he can be found sitting in Toyota’s corporate offices in downtown Nagoya-Shi, Japan, where he works as a senior business analyst, project manager and regional coordinator for the multinational car company. Graziani is a liaison between Japan and North America operations, responsible for communication on key developments and projects. An ambitious student, Graziani was fueled by his drive to succeed and perhaps a bit of parental influence. (His mother, Lynne (Walker) ’78 and father, John P. ’78 are also Canisius alumni). The marketing and business management major collaborated with students at the University de Chile to launch the Travel USA tourism company. Graziani also participated in a project on how to launch a hybrid electric car company, CC Electric. He was active in the Business Honors Society and received both the college’s Marketing Excellence and Management Excellence awards during his senior year. Graziani credits his Canisius professors for fine-tuning his business interests. “The teachers in the business program were great – they knew you by name in a small classroom setting, which helped in learning,” he recalls. “On the whole, my Canisius experience and the Jesuit tradition of teaching gave me a more-worldly point of view, which comes into play at my job in Japan.” After Canisius, Graziani pursued his MBA from the University of Rochester, where he concentrated on finance and corporate accounting. An internship with Toyota Industries North America, outside of Binghamton, NY, ultimately led to a fulltime financial analyst position with a division of the company that manufactures electric forklift trucks. Graziani’s experience, education and enthusiasm earned him his current three-year assignment in Japan. The goal, he says, is to learn Toyota’s company culture firsthand. Upon completion, Graziani will return to North America in a management role. The assignment, he notes, leaves him little time to explore Nagoya-Shi, a city of nearly nine million, but the people and his co-workers are very welcoming. “My assignment with Toyota is going well and I am confident it can grow into a senior level management position,” Graziani concludes. “Looking back, Canisius College is an exceptional institution that gave me some great opportunities to start this career."
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canisiusconnections LaSalle Medal to be Conferred upon JB Walsh ’50 The Canisius Alumni Association will confer its LaSalle Medal upon John B. (JB) Walsh ’50 in recognition of his many generous contributions to advance the interests of the college. Walsh will receive the LaSalle Medal during undergraduate commencement ceremonies on May 18.
Well-respected and widely known among the Western New York legal community, Walsh is special counsel and lobbyist for Ecology and Environment Inc., where he practices government, environmental, immigration and negligence law. His reputation in the legal community is paralleled by his loyalty to alma mater. Walsh is a past volunteer for the Canisius Fund, the college’s annual giving campaign which helps raise financial support for student scholarships and programming. Canisius students are also the beneficiaries of the Greatest Generation Scholarship which Walsh, a World War II veteran, helped establish and fund along with fellow alumni from the Canisius classes of 1941-1953. Walsh similarly led the effort to plan and promote the Greatest Generation Reunion. The event brought together Canisius alumni and veterans who served in World War II and the Korean War, and culminated with the bestowment of the Greatest Generation Memorial, a permanent tribute to those Canisius alumni who served their country during the war years.
John B. (JB) Walsh ’50
Canisius Inducts Six into Sports Hall of Fame Canisius inducted its 50th class into the school’s Sports Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony honors former outstanding varsity athletes of Canisius who competed in intercollegiate athletics, as well as individuals who made outstanding contributions to Canisius athletics in a non-playing capacity. This year’s six inductees are (pictured l-r): former baseball head coach Don Colpoys; Lynn Stoczynski ’01 (softball); Kristy Grossman ’02, MS ’07 (lacrosse); Brian Swatland ’98, MS ’02 (football); Shauna (Geronzin) Green ’02 (basketball); and Bruce Fenn, father of inductee Darren Fenn ’01 (basketball), who was unable to attend.
DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI
Six Canisius graduates are the latest to receive the college’s Distinguished Alumni Award. Presented annually by the Alumni Association Board of Directors, the award recognizes graduates who demonstrate leadership and have made significant contributions to their chosen professions. The Distinguished Alumni Award honorees are: PETRINA V. GENCO ’70, PHD
Director | Human Leukocyte Antigen Lab
Dr. Petrina Genco’s drive toward scientific discovery related to pathology is integral to thousands of life-saving bone marrow and organ transplants. As director of the Human Leukocyte Antigen Lab at Mayo Clinic Florida, she matches patients with donor marrow and manipulates immune responses to increase the chances that patients’ bodies accept transplanted organs. She collaborates with physicians and scientists to determine treatment plans for patients as a consultant in the Mayo Clinic’s Laboratory and Transplant Medicine divisions. Genco also mentors the next generation of medical innovators, in her role as assistant professor of pathology at the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine.
CHRISTOPHER M. KELLY ’83
Partner-in-Charge-Cleveland | Jones Day
Christopher M. Kelly is partner-in-charge at the Cleveland office of Jones Day, one of the world’s largest and most respected law firms. He oversees the firm’s capital markets practice, representing companies that seek to raise money in private and public capital markets, and advising corporate boards of directors on regulatory and governance concerns. Kelly’s intelligence, insight and experience ensure that his clients are represented incisively, ethically and, above all, successfully. His efforts consistently earn him a place in the annual Best Lawyers in America guide and on Chambers U.S.A. list of “America’s Leading Lawyers for Business.”
HON. ANTHONY M. MASIELLO ’69, HON ’96
President and Partner Masiello, Martucci, Calabrese & Associates
Hon. Anthony M. Masiello left an indelible mark on the region’s physical, cultural and economic landscapes, throughout his three terms as mayor of the city of Buffalo. He doubled the amount of state aid to Buffalo and marshaled the re-engineering of the Buffalo Police and Fire Departments. Masiello also secured state and local funding for projects like the HSBC Arena and the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus. Now president of Masiello, Martucci, Calabrese and Associates, Masiello puts his formidable government experience and contacts to work for his clients, earning his reputation as an effective, results-oriented lobbyist.
JAMES C. METZLER ’72
AICPA Vice President, Small Firm Interests American Institute of CPAs
James C. Metzler is vice president for small firm interests for the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). With nearly 400,000 members, the AICPA sets the standards for private companies and ethical standards for the accounting profession. Metzler shoulders responsibility for some 45,000 firms in the country, and is an advocate for small firms on standard-setting, legislative matters, practice issues. This past year, Accounting Today magazine named Metlzer among the top 10 most influential accountants in the U.S., recognizing him as a gifted communicator who listens to the needs of members to steer AICPA priorities.
J. DONALD SCHUMACHER ’72, HON ’92, PSYD President and CEO National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization J. Donald Schumacher is an eloquent voice in the national conversation about end-of-life care. As president and CEO of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, he spearheads efforts to improve and expand access to hospice care, and enhance quality of life for the terminally ill and their loved ones. A long-time standard-bearer for hospice and palliative care, Schumacher founded Hospice West Inc. in Waltham, MA and Hospice of Mission Hill in Boston. In 1989, he assumed leadership of the Center for Hospice and Palliative Care in Cheektowaga, and increased its services exponentially throughout his 13-year tenure.
WILLIAM P. SISLER ’69, PHD
Director | Harvard University Press
William P. Sisler is director of Harvard University Press (HUP), one of the most selective and prestigious scholarly presses in the world. In his 22-year tenure, Sisler piloted the esteemed press to bring notable and enduring works in the sciences, humanities and social sciences to print, while taking bold steps in new directions. From innovative partnerships to a diverse, translation program, Sisler’s contributions enrich the academic world. Most recently, he instituted a secondary publishing model at HUP that markets scholarly books with popular appeal in the virtual world, further expanding and facilitating scholarly conversation around the globe.
Eight Inducted into DiGamma The Canisius College DiGamma Honor Society inducted eight new members in March. The prestigious society is comprised of men and women who distinguish themselves in their service on behalf of students and alumni, and the advancement of the college. The 2013 inductees are (front row, l-r): Judy A. Bassanello ’83, senior vice president at Citigroup; Robert H. Maloney ’71, founder and principal of Maloney Government Relations LLC; Pauline C. Will ’93, partner at Watson, Bennett LLP; (middle row, l-r) Daniel J. Zimmer ’83, MBA ’87, vice president of corporate finance and development at Delaware North Companies; Michael Noonan, PhD, chair of the Animal Behavior, Ecology and Conservation Department at Canisius; Mary E. Belle ’73, president of licensing at Jones Apparel Group; Rocco Lucente II ’80, managing partner at Cohen & Lombardo PC Attorneys; and (back row) Mark Manuele ’92, AVP and portfolio underwriter in commercial real estate for First Niagara Bank.
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1940s BA John J. Carrigg, PhD, retired from his position as professor at the Franciscan University of Steubenville, OH after more than 50 years of teaching. ’45 BA Andy T. Anselmo, founder of New York City’s Singers Forum and voice coach to the stars, was the guest of honor at 88 Keys: Celebrating 88 Years of Buffalo’s Community Music School.
1950s ’52 BA John D. Cahill, attorney at Rodi, Pollock, Pettker, Galbraith & Cahill, received the Benjamin F. Miller Award from the taxation section of the State Bar of California. ’56 BA, HON ’81 R. Carlos Carballada, city commissioner of the Department of Neighborhood & Business Development in Rochester, NY, was named a National Philanthropy Day Distinguished Honoree, presented by the WNY Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. ’58 BS George J. Dixon Jr., retired senior sales representative of major accounts at The Buffalo News, received the Canisius College Ray Gordon Award for 40 years of outstanding service as the 1950s decade chair for the Canisius Fund.
1960s ’61 BS Gerald H. Greene Jr., attorney at the Legal Aid Society of Greater Cincinnati, was inducted into the St. Joseph’s Collegiate Institute Signum Fidei Society. Inductees have distinguished themselves in their professional careers and community activities, and share in the spirit characteristic of the Christian Brothers. ’62 BS Paul E. Scully, president of Scully Insurance Agency Inc., was inducted into the Bishop Fallon High School and Holy Angels Collegiate Institute Hall of Fame. ’63 MSED Amy M. (Joseph) Habib and her family received the Reflections Award from Trocaire College in honor of their impact on the WNY community as volunteers and philanthropists. ’66 BA Donald A. Alessi, owner of Alessi Law Firm, was re-elected chairman of the Buffalo and Erie County Naval and Military Park Board of Directors. ’66 BA Brendan D. Thomson, MD, was selected as a Fulbright Senior Specialist. He will participate in an innovative medical education program at Patan Academy of Health Sciences in Nepal, teaching undergraduate and post-graduate medical students and inspiring them to serve the underprivileged in rural communities. ’67 BS Thomas M. Cryan is the new managing director in the National Tax Office of WTAS LLC in Washington, D.C. ’67 MSED Joseph P. Wolf, retired teacher, coach and athletic director at St. Joseph’s Collegiate Institute, was inducted into the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame. ’68 BA Carmen D Gentile, U.S. Army Lt. Col. (ret.), was appointed to a three-year term on the Joint Leadership Council of Veterans Service Organizations by Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell. The Joint Leadership Council provides a vehicle for veterans service organizations to collaborate with the Department of Veterans Services on meeting the needs of Virginia’s veterans.
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’68 BA, MSED ’73 Anthony P. Maggiotto, retired chartered life underwriter for Allstate Financial Services, was inducted into the Bishop Fallon High School and Holy Angels Collegiate Institute Hall of Fame. ’69 BS, MBA ’72 Anthony N. Diina, president and chief executive officer of Metrodata Services Inc., was elected vice chair of the Buffalo and Erie County Naval and Military Park Board of Directors. ’69 BS, MBA ’73 Paul J. Harder, chief executive officer of Clinical Support Services and managing partner at CHEPII LLC, was inducted into the St. Joseph’s Collegiate Institute Signum Fidei Society. Inductees have distinguished themselves in their professional careers and community activities, and share in the spirit characteristic of the Christian Brothers. ’69 BA Harry F. Mooney, partner at Hurwitz & Fine PC, was elected vice chair of the American Bar Association’s Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section, Commercial Transportation Litigation General Committee.
1970s ’70 BA James L. Budny, MD, clinical associate professor of neurosurgery and clinical assistant professor of radiology at the University at Buffalo, traveled to Landstuhl, Germany to work alongside the U.S. Army Reserve Medical Corps at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, where he treated soldiers wounded in combat in Afghanistan. ’71 BA Mark J. Lema, MD, PhD, professor and chair of the Department of Anesthesiology at the University at Buffalo and Roswell Park Cancer Institute, received the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Faculty Service. ’72 Catherine M. Burzik, chair of the Canisius College Board of Trustees and former president and CEO of Kinetic Concepts Inc., was appointed chair of the VitaPath Genetics Inc. Board of Directors. ’72 BA Richard F. Cronin, volunteer union representative and executive officer for the American Federation of Government Employees, was inducted into the St. Joseph’s Collegiate Institute Signum Fidei Society. Inductees have distinguished themselves in their professional careers and community activities, and share in the spirit characteristic of the Christian Brothers. ’72 BA James F. Mendola, retired federal librarian, was named Library Advocate of the Year by the Western New York Library Resources Council for his work as a volunteer with the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy archives and the New York Heritage website. ‘72 BA, MSED ’77 William E. Wilkin, history teacher at Stone Bridge High School, was named chairman of the Heritage Commission of Loudoun County. ’73 BA Sharon L. (Richardson) Amos, PhD, associate English professor at the University at Buffalo, co-edited Open Doors: Western New York African American Houses of Worship. It chronicles the histories of 60 houses of worship in Buffalo, Lackawanna, Lockport and Niagara Falls. ’74 BA Philip A. Mariani is the new marketing analyst at Compu-Mail. He previously served as director of education at Sylvan Learning Center and assistant principal for Erie 1 BOCES. ’74 BS Joseph W. Miner is the new vice president of sales for WebbMason’s
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Buffalo/Rochester office. He previously served as a senior account executive at Workflowone. ’76 BA Thomas M. Kaminska, OD, owner of Dr. Thomas M. Kaminska, optometrist, was elected to the New York State Board of Optometry by the New York State Board of Regents. ’76 MS George E. Karalus, a former New York State Trooper, authored a book entitled The Real Teflon Don: How an Elite Team of New York State Troopers Helped Take Down America’s Most Powerful Mafia Family. ’76 BA Sharon A. Savannah, church historian at New Hope Baptist Church, co-edited Open Doors: Western New York African American Houses of Worship. It chronicles the histories of 60 houses of worship in Buffalo, Lackawanna, Lockport and Niagara Falls. ’76 BA Maria B. Scrivani, writer for Buffalo Spree Magazine, co-authored The Park School of Buffalo, A Centennial History. The book was printed in conjunction with the school’s centennial celebrations. ’77 BS Michael S. Constantino is the new career agent at Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company, Buffalo. He previously served as a financial planner at Legend Equities. ’77 MS Gayle L. Eagan, partner at Jaeckle Fleishmann & Mugel LLP, received the Vision Award from Legal Services for the Elderly, Disabled or Disadvantaged of Western New York at its Champions for Justice Event. The award is presented to members dedicated to identifying and responding to trends in aging. ’77 BA, MS ’86 Joseph J. Lucenti, principal of Akron High School, received the Bill Grobe High School Principal of the Year Award from the State Administrators of New York. ’77 BA Gregory P. Rabb was promoted to full professor of political science at Jamestown Community College (JCC), where he also serves as JCC’s global studies coordinator. ’78 BS Thomas E. Fennell was promoted to chief operating officer of National Property Management Associates. He previously served as senior vice president of operations. ’78 BA, MBA ’85 Nancy (Wutz) Ware, president EduKids Early Childhood, was named a Woman of Distinction in the entrepreneur category at the Girl Scouts of Western New York annual Women of Distinction Award Ceremony. ’78 BS Deborah Witkowski Leaper successfully completed the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board Examination. The certification program enables pharmacy technicians to work more effectively with pharmacists to offer greater patient care and service. ’79 BA Paula R. Dhanda, MD, chair and medical director of Worldwide Healing Hands, led a team of medical volunteers to Nepal, where they trained midwives, performed numerous births and surgeries, and treated more than 1,000 women. ’79 BS Robert W. Keating, director of the division of budget and management of Erie County, was inducted into the Bishop Fallon High School and Holy Angels Collegiate Institute Hall of Fame. ’79 BS David J. Nasca, president and chief executive officer of Evans Bank N.A., was inducted into the St. Joseph’s Collegiate Institute Signum Fidei Society. Inductees have distinguished themselves in their professional careers and community
activities, and share in the spirit characteristic of the Christian Brothers. ’79 BS Michael Osika, vice president of finance and operations at Buffalo Home Furnishings Group, received the Clara Barton Award from the American Red Cross (Erie/Niagara Counties) at its event “In Celebration of Giving.” ’79 BS James S. Smyczynski was promoted to general manager, operational compliance at National Fuel Gas Co. He previously served as chief auditor. ’79 BA Hon. Gerald J. Whalen, JSC, NYS was named Associate Justice of the NYS Appellate Division, Fourth Department by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo. Hon. Whalen was also awarded the Trial Justice of the Year Award by the NYS Trial Lawyers Association, WNY Regional Affiliate.
1980s ’80 BS Michael D. Bartz is the new senior accountant at Clark Nihill & High LLP. He previously served as manager at Paulus & Co. ’80 BS, MS ’08 Judith (Russo) Caserta was promoted to assistant athletic director for business operations at Canisius College. She previously served as athletics business manager. ’80 BS, MS ’85 Kim P. Kaul, physical education teacher and softball and volleyball coach at Orchard Park Central School District, was inducted into the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame. ’80 BS, MBA ’87 Anthony B. Spada Jr. was appointed president and chief executive officer of AAA Western and Central New York. He has been with the organization for 31 years, and previously served as vice president of finance and chief financial officer. ’81 BA Irene E. (Gapinski) Adamski, interior designer, was honored at the Canisius College Scholarship Associates’ 50th Anniversary Celebration luncheon in recognition of her work as founder of the Scholarship Associates. ’81 BA Kevin J. English, partner at Phillips Lytle LLP, was selected for fellowship in the Litigation Counsel of America. The LCA is an honorary trial lawyer society composed of less than one-half of one percent of American lawyers. ’81 MBA William N. Freeman is the new vice president and director of marketing at ESL Federal Credit Union. He previously served as a senior marketing executive at First Niagara Bank. ’81 BS, MBA ’89 Ronald J. Nicolas Jr. is the new executive vice president and chief financial officer of First PacTrust Bancorp Inc. He previously served as executive vice president and chief financial officer of Carrington Holding Company LLC. ’81 BS Billy D. Pray, auto claims supervisor at Metropolitan Life Insurance Co., celebrated his 25th year with the company. ’81 BS, BS ’86 Kenneth S. Suski is the new deputy chief business officer at Georgetown University. He previously served as associate vice president of finance and administration at Oregon State Univeristy. ’82 BS Senator Patrick M. Gallivan, NYS senator for the 59th district, was appointed chair of the Senate Standing Committee on Commerce, Economic Development and Small Business, which oversees and develops legislation relating to state regulations, mandates, tax credit programs and growth incentives for state business sectors.
’82 BA Karen M. (Lewis) Jackson wrote an autobiographical essay that was published in the inspirational series Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Power of Positive. ’82 BS William A. Kraus is the new associate provost for enrollment management at Lakeland Community College. He previously served as associate vice president for strategic enrollment at the University of Akron. ’82 BS Vincent G. LoTempio, partner at Kloss, Stenger and LoTempio, co-authored the book Patent Fundamentals for Scientists and Engineers. ’82 BA Clotilde Perez-Bode Dedecker, president and chief executive officer of the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo, received the Stewardship Award from the Amherst Chamber of Commerce for her continued efforts to strengthen the quality of life in WNY. ’82 BS Sharon A. Swift, associate at Jaeckle Fleischmann & Mugel LLP, was elected president of the Vive Inc. Board of Directors. Vive Inc. is the largest refugee center in North America and has served more than 86,000 asylum seekers since 1984. ’82 BA Shirley A. (Fraas) Turner was promoted to associate director of individual and community support services at Heritage Centers. She previously served as coordinator. ’83 BS G. Scott Murray, firm administrator at Lumsden & McCormick LLP, was elected to the Young Audiences of Western New York Board of Directors. ’83 BS Maddalena G. (Lamattina) Prohaska was promoted to regional banking director for CNY at First Niagara Financial Group. She previously served as small business leader for First Niagara’s WNY team. ’83 BS Alan E. Runkel, division manager and financial associate at Independent Financial Resources LLC and bowling coach at St. Xavier High School in Cincinnati, OH, was named to the Bowlers Journal International “Top 100 Bowling Coaches” list for the second consecutive year. ’83 BA MaryLynn Ryan, bureau chief of the Southeast region at CNN/U.S. and director of the weather unit at CNN, was inducted into the Buffalo Broadcasting Hall of Fame. ’84 BS, MBA ’95 William Schaffstall is the new chief financial officer of National Property Management Associates. He previously served as controller at ESL Federal Credit Union in Rochester, NY. ’85 BA Caroline A. (Criscuolo) Croen is the new vice president, chief financial officer and treasurer at WNET New York Public Media. She previously served as chief financial officer at Jazz at Lincoln Center. ’85 BA Bruce T. Frankiewich is a new partner at Phillips Lytle LLP in Rochester. He previously served as general counsel and vice president of regulatory affairs at American Fiber Systems. ’85 BA, MS ’99 Susan M. Marchione earned the degree of doctor of education in educational leadership from D’Youville College. ’85 BS Lynn A. (Dobmeier) Pullano is the new program director of education at the United Way of Buffalo and Erie County. She previously served as assessment and marketing coordinator of career services at the University at Buffalo. ’86 BS Joseph C. DiStasio is the new controller for Orleans Community Health/ Medina Memorial Hospital. He previously
served as controller for The Center for Hospice and Palliative Care. ’86 BA Laura A. (Montante) Zaepfel, vice president of corporate relations at Uniland Development, was named a Woman of Distinction in the business category by the Girl Scouts of Western New York. ’87 MS James Biryla retired as principal of Holland High School after 32 years of service. He served 15 of those years as principal. ’87 BA Joseph R. Emhof is the new regional director of the Pacific Northwest and Alaska regions for Davis Advisors. ’87 BS, MBA ’96 Kevin C. Galvin is the new vice president of information technology at Fidelis Care. He previously served as vice president of information technology at Sodexo. ’88 BA Robert M. Buscaglia is the new senior planner at internet retailer Hayneedle.com. He previously served as manager of consumer insight and business analytics at Pamida. ’88 BS Adam J. Diglio was promoted to managing director of Neil Cerbone Associates. He previously served as director of organizational development. ’88 BA Natalie A. Napierala merged her firm Rosner & Napierala LLP with Carlton Fields to establish Carlton Fields’ new New York City office. She is a member of Carlton Fields’ business litigation and trade regulation practice group. ’88 BS Paul R. Shosho is the new associate controller and director of financial systems and analysis at Yeshiva University. He previously served as director of financial systems and analysis at The New School. ’89 BS David J. Lavin was promoted to vice president of operations at Great Lakes Orthodontics. ’89 BA Wendy L. (Daigler) Montante is the new director of Read to Succeed Buffalo. ’89 BA Philip Seymore is the new associate director of athletics and The Wellness Center at the College of New Rochelle. He previously served as head coach of women’s basketball at Providence College.
1990s ’90 BA Emily B. Eberhardt is the new vice president of business development at Valient Market Research. She previously served as director of client services at Segmedica. ’90 BS, MBA ’94, MSED ’02 Michael P. Hoeflich is the new registered representative and investment adviser at The Financial Guys in Williamsville, NY. ’90 BS, MBA ’02 Zachary S. Krajacic is the new vice president of development, marketing and public relations at The Station of the Cross Catholic Radio Network. He previously served as a senior public relations coordinator at Independent Health. ’90 BS Albert A. Nigro was promoted to partner at Dopkins & Co. LLP. He previously served as director of the tax advisory group. ’91 BA Kurt C. Carroll was promoted to chief of the Collection Services Division for the Law Library at the Library of Congress. He previously served as a collection development librarian. ’91 BS Kristen A. (Scheuermann) Dolan is the new head coach of the Williamsville South High School girls’ varsity basketball team.
’91 BA Fidelma L. Fitzpatrick, attorney at Motley Rice LLC, is included in The Best Lawyers in America 2013 in the mass tort litigation/class actions-plaintiffs category. She was also named to the Rhode Island Super Lawyers list, which recognizes only five percent of lawyers in the United States. ’91 MBA Richard C. Hamister was promoted to first vice president in the private client services group at First Niagara Bank. ’91 BA Marya J. Propis is the new chiefregional industry practice group officer of the U.S. and Canada Region at Chartis. She previously served as vice president of Lexington Insurance Co. ’91 BA Michelle M. (Tesseyman) Skelley, director of 10 & under tennis at the Miller Tennis Center, co-developed Tennis Whizz, a preschool tennis program to help children develop fundamental motor and tennis skills through play. ’92 BA Rev. Arthur E. Mattulke was appointed pastor of SS. Peter and Paul Parish in Hamburg. He previously served as pastor at St. Padre Pio in Oakfield. ’92 MPA Susan E. (Whittemore) Mentecki is the new vice president of developmental disabilities programs at Baker Victory Services. ’92 MSED Sarah E. (Misener) Tollner is a new partner at Webster Szanyi LLP. She previously served as legal counsel for HealthNow New York. ’93 BS, MBA ’97 Jeffrey J. Maddigan was promoted to treasurer of First Niagara Financial Group Inc. He previously served as the bank’s senior director of balance sheet strategy. ’93 BA James J. Sobol, PhD, was promoted to associate professor of criminal justice at Buffalo State College. ’93 BS, MS ’01 Anthony S. Truilizio is the new head football coach at North Tonawanda High School. ’94 BA Jeffrey O. Burnett, DO, clinical assistant professor at the University at Buffalo, is a new faculty member at Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center’s Osteopathic Family Practice Residency Program. ’94 BS, MS ’04 David T. Penafeather, physical education teacher and baseball coach in the Baldwinsville Central School District, received the Believe to Achieve Coach Award from the Syracuse Sports Corporation. ’94 BS, MBA ’95 Heath J. Szymczak, a partner in the law firm of Jaeckle Fleischmann & Mugel LLP, was appointed national co-chair of the American Bar Association Business Torts Litigation SubCommittee. He also served as contributor and editor for the most recent edition of the ABA’s Business Torts handbook. ’94 BA Jennifer A. Woods O’Donnell was promoted to first vice president, investment officer at Wells Fargo Advisors. ’95 BA Randal R. Boivin, DC, opened Boivin Family Chiropractic in Baldwinsville, NY. ’95 BA, MSED ’99 Jodi (Quatroche) Johnston is the new multi-bank director of corporate media relations and first vice president at First Niagara Financial Group Inc. She previously served as news anchor and reporter at WGRZ-TV. ’96 BA Heidi B. (Nadel) Henzler is the new communications coordinator at the Buffalo Academy of the Sacred Heart. She previously served as communications specialist at CIPA Western New York IRA Inc.
’96 MBA Jennifer Jarvis Hamberger is the new chief marketing officer for Freed Maxick CPAs. She previously served as director of brand communications for Mentholatum Co. Inc. ’96 MBA Judith P. O’Mara, adoption director at Baker Victory Services, received Buffalo’s Business First Woman of Influence Award in the nonprofit leadership category. ’96 BS Lisa M. Palladino was promoted to manager at Gaines Kriner Elliott LLP. She previously served as supervisor. ’96 BA, MS ’00 Thomas P. Watts, director of exceptional education at TST BOCES, received the Cornell Civic Leaders Fellowship, which he will use to develop a university-based program for students with developmental disabilities. ’97 BS Derek T. Johnson was promoted to branch manager at M&T Bank. ’97 BA Steven J. Walters, supervisor in the Town of Hamburg, was named to Buffalo’s Business First “40 under Forty” list. ’98 BS Todd N. Faddoul is the new head men’s lacrosse coach at Niagara County Community College. He previously served as head men’s lacrosse coach at North Tonawanda High School. ’98 BA Michael D. Haven was promoted to key account manager at U.S. Energy Development Corporation. ’98 BA Audrey A. (Barr) Seeley, attorney at Hurwitz & Fine PC, was appointed vice chair of the Defense Research Institute’s Insurance Law Committee. ’98 BA, MSED ’01 Dennis A. Wilson Jr., high school history teacher for the Buffalo Public Schools, founder of King of Spades Graphics and co-owner of The Oakk Room Restaurant, was honored at the Black Achievers in Industry awards dinner. ’99 BA William G. Cansdale Jr. is the new Village of Lancaster superintendent of public works. He previously served for 19 years as the village’s mayor. ’99 BA Colleen K. (Dougherty) Faupel is the new educational technology services specialist for the New Jersey Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired South Jersey region. ’99 BA Heather A. (McKinney) Filipowicz, executive director at the WNY Women’s Foundation, was named to Buffalo’s Business First “40 under Forty” list. ’99 BA John P. Ford was promoted to partner at Damon Morey LLP. ’99 BA Karrie L. Fucillo-Rose received her master’s degree in child psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. ’99 BA Erin E. Grajek, director of marketing at the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens, was named to Buffalo’s Business First “40 under Forty” list. ’99 MS Marya Maggiotto Grande, PhD, associate professor of education at Canisius College, was inducted into the St. Joseph’s Collegiate Institute Fine Arts Wall of Honor. ’99 BS Damian K. Jones, DDS, is in practice with Philip J. Leta, DDS, LLC ’99 BA, MS ’07 Jeffrey S. Mochrie is the new principal of Theodore Roosevelt Elementary School in the CheektowagaSloan School District. He previously served as the elementary principal in the Holland Central School District.
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’99 BA Jon A. Nichols Jr., partner at Harman, Claytor, Corrigan & Wellman, was named a member of Virginia’s Legal Elite and a Virginia Super Lawyers Rising Star. He is also the youngest incoming president of the Henrico County Bar Association. ’99 BA, MS ’08 Dean L. Ramirez is the new principal of Lewiston-Porter Middle School. He previously served as assistant principal in the Maryvale School District. ’99 BS Barbara A. Santillo, administrative assistant at Edward Jones, received her Project Management Professional certification through the Project Management Institute. ’99 MBA Catherine F. Schweitzer, executive director of the Baird Foundation, was named chair of the Erie County Arts and Cultural Advisory Board, which distributes county funds to arts and cultural organizations. ’99 BA Kevin F. Yost authored The Last Days of Silver Stadium, which is included in the story-walk portion of the city of Rochester’s ArtWalk, a permanent urban art trail that connects the city’s art centers and public spaces., located on University Avenue between the Memorial Art Gallery and the George Eastman House.
2000s ’00 BS Nicholas R. Knab is the new vice president of finance at LocalEdge. He previously served as senior vice president and controller at Meritain Health. ’00 BS Bree C. Kramer, DO, is a new pediatric intensivist at Texas Tech University Health Science Center’s Children’s Hospital. She previously served in the division of critical care at Women and Children’s Hospital of Buffalo. ’00 BS Jeffrey C. Miecznikowski was promoted to associate dean for faculty affairs and diversity for the School of Public Health and Health Professions at the University at Buffalo. He previously served as an associate professor for the Department of Biostatistics. ’00 BA Robert J. Scarpello is a new associate in the commercial real estate group at Lippes Mathias Wexler Friedman LLP. He previously served as in-house counsel for Benderson Development Co. Inc. ’01 BS, MS ’04 Erin E. Lingle is the new national school wellness coordinator at BWI National Health Promotion Training Institute. She also serves as a physical education and health teacher at Septima P. Clark Academy in Charleston, SC. ’01 BA John J. Marciano III was promoted to partner at Chadbourne & Parke LLP. ’01 BA Royston Mendonza is a new associate at Andreozzi, Bluestein, Fickess, Muhlbauer, Weber, Brown. He previously served as assistant vice president and claims counsel at Fidelity National Title Group. ’01 BS Michelle D. Mullen was promoted to senior account manager of employee benefits at Stahlka Agency Inc. ’01 BS Michael R. Nazareth, MD, PhD, is a new board-certified dermatologist at the Center for Plastic Surgery in Williamsville. ’01 BA Bethany A. Solek was named a local director of the WNY Chapter of the Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York. ’01 BS Matthew J. Welsh is the new Foreign Service Officer for Kingston, Jamaica at the United States Agency for International Development.
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’02 BA Christopher M. Grant was appointed chief of staff for U.S. Representative Chris Collins of New York's 27th Congressional District. He is also president and chief executive officer of Herd Solutions.
of Buffalo’s First Ward. The book tells of the struggles and triumphs of the Irish, German, Italian and Polish immigrants who settled in Buffalo’s First Ward.
’02 MS Timothy G. Hale retired as athletics director at SUNY Oswego after more than 40 years as a coach or administrator in various athletics departments.
’06 BA Lindsay M. (Stoltman) Evans is the new training and software implementation specialist at Brisbane Consulting Group LLC. She previously served as a teacher at St. Amelia School in Tonawanda, NY.
’02 BS Gerald R. Jeyapalan, MD, is a new otolaryngologist at Buffalo Medical Group PC. He recently completed his residency in otolaryngology head and neck surgery at Wayne State University.
’06 MS Julie (McHugh) Gajewski is the new assistant principal with K-12 curriculum, instruction and assessment duties at Union Pleasant Elementary School in the Hamburg Central School District.
’02 BA Rev. James W. Kirkpatrick Jr. is the new pastor of St. Padre Pio Parish. He previously served as parochial vicar at SS. Peter and Paul Parish and St. Philip the Apostle.
’06 BA, MS ’08 Adam L. Noto is the new athletics director at Cristo Rey Jesuit High School. He previously served as an admissions counselor and the junior varsity basketball coach at Medaille College.
’02 MSED Heather M. McClain is the new assistant principal at Community Charter School in Buffalo, NY. She previously served as an English teacher.
’06 BA Christopher S. Safulko, Captain in the U.S. Army Reserves, was featured in The Outpost: An Untold Story of American Valor, a book by Jake Tapper that focuses on battles that occurred at Combat Outpost Keating in Afghanistan, where Safulko was stationed.
’03 BA John J. Crangle III is the new assistant principal at Hamburg Middle School. He previously served as a social studies teacher at Hamburg High School. ’03 BS Tara L. Halliwell-Kemp, DDS, MD, is the new oral and maxillofacial surgeon at Northtowns Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. ’03, MS ’06 Patrick A. Jones is a financial services representative and financial advisor at Metropolitan Life Insurance. ’03 BA, MBA ’08 David P. Lipinoga is the new president and chief executive officer of Angry Patriots, which designs and markets video games for the iPad, Android and Kindle devices. ’03 BA, MBA ’04 Dawn M. Schaefer is a new representative at Mutual of Omaha, where she provides financial planning services. ’04 BS Sarah L. (Jay) DeWald, controller and corporate secretary at WATT Fuel Cell, was elected to the WATT Fuel Cell Board of Directors. ’04 MS Matthew C. Reitnour was promoted to assistant athletics director for communications at Canisius College. ’04 MS Benjamin B. Roberts, senior account manager at E-3 Communications, was named to Buffalo’s Business First “40 under Forty” list. ’04 BA John E. Turner is the new K-8 vice principal of Tapestry Charter School. He previously served as a Spanish teacher at the school. ’04 BS James H. Wahl was promoted to senior director of clinical development in the oncology and hematology division at INC Research. ’05 MBA James M. T. Foster, MBA, is the new professor and chair in the Department of Anesthesiology at SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, NY. He previously served as chief medical officer at Women and Children’s Hospital of Buffalo. ’05 BS Jennifer L. Hasse is the new director of human resources and recruiting at EduKids Early Childhood Centers. She previously served as senior recruiting manager for Supplemental Health Care Traveling Nursing. ’05 MBAPA Brian E. Zdrowak, investment advisor at Dopkins Wealth Management, became a member of the Financial Planning Association of Western New York. ’06 MBA Timothy J. Bohen Jr., clinical specialist at Genentech Corporation, authored Against the Grain: The History
| C ANISIUS COLLEGE M AGA ZINE SPRING 2013
’07 MS Erik T. Bohen, special education teacher at Hamlin Park Public School #74, was named to Buffalo’s Business First “40 under Forty” list. ’07 MS Tracy L. McGee is the new principal at Global Concepts Charter High School. ’07 BS, MBAPA ’09 Mindy R. Miller was promoted to assurance senior at Lougen, Valenti, Bookbinder & Weintraub LLP. ’07 BA Margherita G. (Truncali) Montagnola is the new production manager at SKM Group. She previously served as an account executive at Marketing Technologies of WNY LLC. ’07 BS, MSED ’11 Derrick V. Rose is the new assistant men’s lacrosse coach for Florida Southern College. ’08 BA, MS ’10 Benjamin L. Fabian is the new assistant director for residential life at the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NY. He previously served as a resident director at Wagner College. ’08 BA Kevin A. Fields is the new seminarian for the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C. He is enrolled in pre-theology formation for the priesthood at the Blessed John Paul II Seminary. ’08 BS Juliette M. Gauthier, staff accountant at Lumsden & McCormick LLP, successfully completed the requirements to practice as a Certified Public Accountant. ’08 MBA Rachel N. (George) Leidenfrost is the new director of strategic communications at Meals on Wheels for Western New York. She previously served as vice president of strategic internal communications at M&T Bank. ’08 BA, MSED ’10 Joseph J. Spencer is the new prep social studies teacher at Holy Angels Academy. He previously taught at Depew High School and Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary School. ’09 BA Moira H. Giammaresi was promoted to director of admissions at Buffalo Seminary. ’09 MSED T.J. Manastersky is the new men’s hockey head coach at Curry College. He previously served as assistant men’s hockey coach at SUNY Fredonia. ’09 BS Emma L. Perrott is the new assistant director of the Canisius Fund at Canisius College. She previously served as development coordinator at the Girl Scouts of Western New York.
2010s ’10 BS, MSED ’11 Marissa L. Brown is the new physical education teacher at Holy Angels Academy. She previously taught at a boarding school in England and coached the Holy Angels Academy varsity lacrosse team.
’10 MS Peter G. Frank is the new assistant high school principal in the Maryvale School District. He previously served as an assistant high school principal in the Frontier Central School District. ’10 MS Donna M. Grant was promoted to career services specialist for Genesee Community College’s Perkins IV Grant program. ’10 BS, MBAACC ’11 Patrick J. Hanavan, staff accountant at Lumsden & McCormick LLP, successfully completed the requirements to practice as a Certified Public Accountant. ’10 BS Nancy A. Hilliker is the new equity research associate of luxury and specialty retail at Citi. She previously served as a consultant at Bates White LLC. ’10 MS Justin M. Johnston is the new associate director for the Bonaventure Fund at St. Bonaventure University. He previously served as assistant director of reunion and class campaigns at Hobart and William Smith Colleges. ’10 BS, MS ’11 Rebecca L. Muench is a new staff accountant at Chiampou Travis Besaw & Kershner LLP. ’10 MBA Daniel A. Spada was promoted to senior accountant at Tronconi Segarra & Associates LLP. ’10 BS Mark J. Tortelli is a new credit analyst at Hyland Software in Westlake, Ohio. He previously served as a credit and portfolio analyst at Citigroup. ’10 BS Michael J. Ziemer is a new athletic trainer at St. Lawrence University. ’11 BS, MBAACC ’12 Ashley L. Kippley is a new staff accountant in the accounting and tax section of Schunk, Wilson & Co. Certified Public Accountants’ Amherst office. ’11 BS, MBAACC ’12 Kristina M. Molina is the new staff accountant at Chiampou Travis Besaw & Kershner LLP. ’11 MS Cecily Rodriguez, organizational development program specialist at First Niagara Bank, was a featured speaker at the inaugural TEDx Buffalo Women. ’12 MBAPA Adam J. Ferrante is a new staff accountant at Chiampou Travis Besaw & Kershner. ’12 MS Marisa M. Mauro is the new director of athletics at Holy Angels Academy. She previously served as a teacher in Buffalo Public Schools and the Lackawanna City School District. ’12 BS Joshua T. Onderdonk is a full-time volunteer with Jesuit Volunteer Corps Northwest, assigned in Ashland, MT. ’12 MSED Erin J. Robson is the new women’s lacrosse coach and staff assistant in the Athletics Department at Hilbert College. She previously served as the junior varsity head lacrosse coach at Nichols High School. ’12 BS Patrick T. Saladyga is the new project coordinator of TV Everywhere at Synacor Inc. ’12 BA John Alex Tufts is a new player for the Australian baseball team the Chelsea Dolphins. He spent this past summer playing for the Kentville Senior Wildcats.
Elaine S. (Fadgen) Carder ’02 and Brandon Carder, a daughter, Gracelyn Elyse, born June 21, 2012
Alma Maria Rinasz ’00 and Alejandro Lopez-Urquiza, a son, Tadeo Vasily, born April 1, 2012
Daakeia K. (McFadden) Clarke ’03 and Brian Clarke, a daughter, Avery Rose, born April 3, 2012
Jason J. Scibor ’92 and Melissa (Boyette) Scibor, a daughter, Genevieve Christine, born July 11, 2012
Danielle T. (Veltz) Dankey ’00 and Greg Dankey, a daughter, Sienna Elizabeth, born November 7, 2012
Craig M. Smith MSED ’10 and Veronika Smith, a daughter, Eva Veronika, born September 8, 2012
Sheila (Cotto) Davis ’08 and William Davis, a son, Caleb George, born May 25, 2012
Michelle K. (Carver) Spellman ’04 and Daniel T. Spellman ’04, MBA ’09, a son, Riley Daniel, born July 25, 2012
Alicia L. Delmont-Vorburger ’99 and Thomas Vorburger, a son, August Raymond, born July 16, 2012 Benjamin M. Fantaske ’07 and Courtney A. Fantaske, a daughter, Mackenzie Grace, born May 6, 2012 Lisa M. (Polovick) Flaherty ’04 and Kevin Flaherty, a daughter, Emma Rosemary, born May 19, 2012 Jennifer L. (Dylag) Gillard ’02, MSED ’06 and Shawn Gillard, a daughter, Lydia Irene, born June 30, 2012 Teresa K. (Boyer) Fleischmann ’03 and Derek Fleishmann, a daughter, Cora Grace, born November 19, 2012 Julia M. (Foy) Hilliker ’02 and Ray A. Hilliker, a daughter, Emery Rae, born May 14, 2012 Lisa M. (Kaminska) Krueger MS ’04 and Ciaran Krueger, a daughter, Maisie Joy, born May 14, 2012
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
Mikal J. Krueger ’00 and Emily C. Krueger, a son, Conrad Mikal, born September 9, 2012 Karen L. (Thiebolt) Mikols ’99, MBA ’04 and Adam F. Mikols ’97, MBA ’04, a son, Joshua Daniel, born July 7, 2012
Santino Jordan born to Julie (DeMaunda) Hall ’00 and Gary Hall | December 22, 2012
Robin P. (Sroka) Orluk ’00, MSED ’03 and James E. Orluk, a daughter, Madelyn Carey, born November 26, 2012
Aimee J. (Wertman) Swartz ’03, MD and Michael Swartz, a son, William Frederick, born May 17, 2012 Julie M. Teprovich ’99 and Mark E. Ciemcioch ’97, a daughter, Eliza Cristine, born April 4, 2012 Elizabeth J. (Knab) Turner ’04, MSED ’08 and Jack E. Turner ’04, a daughter, Maria Rose, born March 26, 2012 Leonard R. Weber III ’99 and Kelly (Tierney) Weber, a son, Coleman Henry, born June 4, 2012 Melissa S. (Pleban) Whitten ’01 and Daniel Whitten, a son, Aiden Graham, born July 6, 2012 Katherine A. (Guidie) Zoratti ’01, MS ’04, MBA ’10 and Anthony D. Zoratti ’99, a son, Anthony David, born July 3, 2012 Marie S. (Rooth) Zorrilla ’01 and Daniel R. Zorrilla, a daughter, Siena Marie, born February 17, 2012
Think your baby ought to be in pictures? Send us a photo of your newborn with his/her name and date of birth. Each issue, we will draw from the entries. If your child’s picture is chosen, he/she will be featured as the next “Baby Griff.” To send photos, visit canisius.edu/ magazine and click on “KEEP UP WITH CANISIUS.”
*Anna C. Braunscheidel ’10 and Ryan Henesey on September 1, 2012
*Nikki L. Gabrielli ’09, MS ’11 and Matthew F. Butters ’10 on July 21, 2012
Kathryn S. Mori MS ’07 and Nicholas C. Heidinger ’03, MS ’08 on July 28, 2012
*Kari A. Brossard ’01, PhD and Brian Stoos on September 29, 2012
*Maria M. Gambino ’07, MSED ’08 and Joseph P. Heins ’07 on July 14, 2012
Hilary B. Nichols ’98, MSED ’04 and Scott Machemer on August 11, 2012
*Tonia P. Burgess ’02 and Daniel Etoh on December 8, 2012
*Rachel M. Hawkins ’09, MSED ’10 and Michael J. Leone ’09 on August 18, 2012
*Diane Noble ’08 and Neil G. Genco ’11 on October 13, 2012
* Nicole M. Bzibziak ’07, MBAPA ’08 and Andrew Bodemer on November 3, 2012
Patrick A. Jones ’03, MS ’06 and Kelly Ann Pitz on September 15, 2012
*Elizabeth A. Rosic ’07 and Derek A. Mosher ’07 on August 11, 2012
*Anna M. Carr ’00, DO and Justin C. Kanaley ’99, MD, on December 8, 2012
Katie L. Jozwiak ’07, MBAACC ’08 and Ryan M. O’Neill on September 15, 2012
Kelly R. Schultz ’06 and Mark A. Wetzler on June 23, 2012
*Catherine E. Klass ’07 and Matthew J. Robson ’07 on October 20, 2012
*Katherine A. Shea MSED ’12 and Daniel Rabb on August 10, 2012
Melanie A. Koch ’02, MSED ’03, MS ’05 and Michael S. Benham on August 11, 2012
*Carla J. Smith ’07, MSED ’09 and Johnathan A. Graves ’07, MS ’09 on October 6, 2012
*Erin M. Lawless ’00, MS ’04 and Kevin J. Zack on December 15, 2012
*Kimberly A. Smith ’06 and Eli Bojorquez on August 4, 2012
Sean K. LeBeau ’02 and Elyse Benamati on July 27, 2012
Rachel A. Smith ’08, MSED ’09 and Fredrick W. Sponholz on September 15, 2012
*Robert A. Makin ’12 and Nadean Bettilyon on August 11, 2012
Scott L. Sroka ’94 and Marla L. Greenberg on September 22, 2012
*Christopher T. McGinley ’02, MBA ’05, MS ’07 and Kara Feather on July 7, 2012
Lindsay M. Stoltman ’06 and Lee Evans on October 27, 2012
*Mindy R. Miller ’07, MBAPA ’09 and Peter Elniski MBA ’12 on September 22, 2012
*Emily L. Trompeter ’10 and Thomas Sullivan on July 21, 2012
Heather M. Mitchell ’09 and Benjamin D. Cobbett on June 9, 2012
*Brian J. Webb MSED ’09 and Lindsay Delaney on July 14, 2012
*Michael J. Cavanaugh MSED ’05, MS ’12 and Andrea Rich on August 4, 2012 Christine L. Collins ’02, MBA ’08 and Jason Schwinger on October 6, 2012 Megan E. DiCamillo ’08, MSED ’09 and Nicholas R. Hill ’08, MSED ’09 on June 23, 2012 *Dimitra R. Dilimone ’99 and Christian Kondal on September 22, 2012 *Jennifer A. Dodd ’08 and Rey Sully on September 22, 2012 *Stephanie E. Doktor ’09 and Jared M. Smith ’10 on August 11, 2012 *Kevin M. Downey ’05, MBA ’06 and Kimberly Librera on August 18, 2012
*Indicates married at Christ the King Chapel
IN MEMORIAM Edward J. Kuczmarski ’38 November 8, 2012
James E. McGowan ’50, MSED ’54 July 25, 2012
Rev. John G. Sturm ’39, S.J. September 22, 2012
Robert E. Moynihan ’50 November 25, 2012
J. Walter Y. Knapp ’40, MD August 22, 2012
Daniel P. Olczak ’50, MSED ’55 December 20, 2012
Merwin S. Adler ’42, MD September 29, 2012
Thomas J. Pfohl ’50, MA ’51 September 29, 2012
Charles H. Clifford ’43 July 17, 2012
Melvin L. Schuster ’50 July 18, 2012
William E. Kenline ’43, MS ’48 October 18, 2012
Lewis R. Smith ’50 December 26, 2012
Samuel S. Nigrelli ’43 November 8, 2012
Leo F. Swistak ’50 November 22, 2012
Joseph A. Scime ’46 July 23, 2012
George D. Terhaar Sr. ’50 September 8, 2012
Charles J. Kam ’48 August 20, 2012
Paul G. Criqui ’51 April 16, 2012
Joseph V. Duane ’49 August 3, 2012
Douglas G. Dymond ’51 September 29, 2012
William J. Hymes Jr. ’49 December 22, 2012
John S. Leuer ’51 June 28, 2012
Robert D. Roach Jr. ’49 July 27, 2012
Michael J. McCormick MSED ’51 July 10, 2012
Thomas Schwindler ’49 September 24, 2012
Minot H. Ortolani ’51 October 26, 2012
William W. Heuer Sr. ’50 November 18, 2012
Rev. Robert J. Biesinger ’52 July 22, 2012
Donald R. Hope ’50 July 16, 2012
Joseph L. Jastrzemski ’52 December 14, 2012
John V. McCabe ’50 August 28, 2012
Eugene E. Maloney ’52 August 29, 2012
Robert J. Stoetzel ’52 July 27, 2012
Rachel M. (Mancuso) Cecchini ’63 May 3, 2012
Michael A. Buchheit MSED ’77 December 1, 2012
Kevin F. Arundel ’53, MA ’57, PhD December 16, 2012
Beatrice K. (Stockman) Hickey MSED ’63 October 6, 2012
Ronald R. Fierle MBA ’77 October 5, 2012
Daniel W. Collins ’54 September 6, 2012
John B. Sweeney III ’63 March 16, 2012
Linda A. Hertel MS ’77 July 5, 2012
Myles R. Firey Sr. ’54 July 4, 2012
Ellwood F. Friedrich MSED ’65 November 5, 2012
Kathleen M. (Riordan) Lamm ’77 June 22, 2012
Arthur G. Gates ’54 December 25, 2012
Rev. Roman M. Chwaliszewski MSED ’66 September 29, 2012
Sister Mary Sidonia MS ’77 September 22, 2012
Richard M. Nowak ’54, MD December 13, 2012
James E. Rolls ’66 October 15, 2012
E. Jane (Wiederhold) Snowden MS ’77 November 14, 2012
Michael G. Connelly ’55 November 17, 2012
George K. Szabo MA ’66 December 23, 2012
Evelyn (DeWalt) Kemp ’78 December 14, 2012
Betty J. Short MSED ’55 December 2, 2012
Robert A. Liebler ’68 August 27, 2012
David J. Schaus ’79 September 26, 2012
John F. Lettieri ’56 October 28, 2012
Thomas S. Rozek ’69 November 25, 2012
Sybil S. (Logier) Foote MA ’82 December 19, 2012
Robert M. Miller ’56 November 12, 2012
Rev. Msgr. Leonard E. Biniszkiewicz Mary A. (Collini) Nowicki ’85 MSED ’70 August 10, 2012 October 18, 2012
Joseph Carrubba MSED ’57 September 6, 2012
Sophie (Thomas) Mueller MSED ’71 Katherine A. (Komosa) Guarino ’87 December 23, 2012 April 4, 2012
Sister Mary Juliana Deinhart ’58 June 27, 2012
Rev. Gary E. Becker MS ’72 December 13, 2012
Marlene L. (Kwitowski) Kalenak ’87, MBA ’90 July 26, 2012
Thaddeus L. Obark MSED ’58 September 20, 2012
Steven E. Klemczyk ’72 September 11, 2012
John C. Daigler ’88 September 3, 2012
Martha T. Kilpela MSED ’60 December 31, 2012
Frank R. LaManna MS ’72 December 20, 2012
Mark J. Bernas ’92 October 11, 2012
Wilson L. Marcy Jr. ’60 July 5, 2012
Jacob C. Mohr MBA ’73 October 22, 2012
Louis C. Benton MS ’97 November 2, 2012
Peter J. Andrulis Jr. ’61, MS ’64, PhD July 30, 2012
Joseph J. Robak MSED ’74 September 11, 2012
Patricia A. (Dyrda) Kelly MS ’98 September 25, 2012
Thomas H. Overfield MSED ’61, MBA ’76 August 22, 2012
Robert J. Mendola MBA ’75 November 26, 2012
Shawn M. O’Brien ’00 August 29, 2012
Sister Mary Brigid Hartigan ’62 September 30, 2012
Patrick J. Donohue ’76 May 9, 2012
Therese M. McGreevy MS ’03 September 10, 2012
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Visit canisius.edu/magazine and click on “KEEP UP WITH CANISIUS.” 24
| C ANISIUS COLLEGE M AGA ZINE SPRING 2013
ALUMNI WEEKEND 2013
5/31/13 – 6/2/13
canisius.edu/alumniweekend
!ea!e" N AT U R A L
BORN
Kathleen Rosenblatt ’68 is an American pioneer in the ancient practice of acupuncture. STORY: KRISTIN E. ETU ’91 | PHOTOGRAPHY: CHARLES WALDORF
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ancy Simpson, 77, could barely take a step without suffering agonizing pain in her legs and hips. Painkillers offered little relief and she feared that a hip replacement loomed. As a last resort, the Los Angeles resident visited licensed acupuncturist Kathleen Rosenblatt ’68, PhD. Simpson has been pain free ever since. “I felt relief right after the first visit,” recalls Simpson. “I am extremely mobile now and feel great. Dr. Rosenblatt is a miracle worker.” Rosenblatt has been working such miracles for nearly four decades. She is an American pioneer in the ancient practice, which is increasingly incorporated into modern medicine. According to the government’s National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, nearly 3.2 million American adults have undergone acupuncture. Meantime, the number of acupuncturists in the U.S. (16,000) nearly tripled over the past decade. Rosenblatt, however, was among the first. She and her husband, Steven, traveled to Hong Kong in 1972 to study the science and art of the ancient Chinese practice, which is used to restore and maintain health through the stimulation of specific points on the body. Upon their return, the couple founded the New England College of Acupuncture, the very first acupuncture college in the United States. They also established the country’s first acupuncture clinic at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Today it is home to the most prestigious acupuncture training program in the U.S. “The clinic was experimental but our patients included such actors as Katherine Hepburn and Rhonda Fleming and five-star U.S. Army General Omar Bradley,” recalls Rosenblatt. She laughs, “I was honored to work on his knees.” It may sound mystifying but acupuncture is proven to have real effects on the human body. The National Institutes of Health approved the Asian practice to treat nausea, pain, addiction, asthma, carpal tunnel syndrome, to name a few. It is also FDA approved for anxiety and depression. Traditional Chinese acupuncture maintains that psychological, emotional and physical pain can be eliminated by getting at the underlying cause. It is achieved by penetrating an individual’s invisible life force called qi (pronounced chee). Qi travels up and down the body in 14 meridians (pathways along which the body’s vital energy flows). Illness and pain are due to blockages or imbalances in qi. The insertion of extremely fine needles into the body unblocks the meridians; releases endorphins, the body’s natural painkilling chemicals; and influences serotonin levels, which affect mood. 26
| C ANISIUS COLLEGE M AGA ZINE SPRING 2013
“Balancing the energy throughout a person’s body is the key to acupuncture,” says Rosenblatt. She explains that the human body is wired in much the same way as household appliances. Both are powered by electrical currents. “Because we are electromagnetic beings, an imbalance in the electromagnetic field is always the underlying cause for our ailments.” Major medical centers now use acupuncture to help counteract chemotherapy side effects. Professional athletes undergo acupuncture to treat sport injuries. Even the U.S. military uses acupuncture to treat musculoskeletal problems, pain and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). “It’s a pandemic among our returning war veterans and we need to address the problem,” says Rosenblatt. “Drugs can give temporary relief but they are not the final answer.” Rosenblatt produced “Stress Release for Veterans.” The self-help CD offers cognitive and behavioral advice to help individuals with PTSD recognize and adjust trauma-related thoughts. She also takes time out of her busy complementary medicine practice in Los Angeles to provide relief to veterans. “I was scared, I cried all the time and eventually became addicted to drugs,” recalls (Ret.) U.S. Army Specialist Crescent Terry. Rosenblatt used a combination of holistic therapies to treat Terry. Acupuncture, guided meditation and pulsed electro-magnetic frequency stimulation (PEMF), which stimulates cellular repair, all helped Terry regain a happy, healthy and productive life. “Dr. Rosenblatt was so calm and soothing. She fixed the parts of my body that were tied to my emotions. It was a fantastic experience.”
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the energy throughout a person’s body is the key to acupuncture
Rosenblatt is a natural born healer, although she didn’t realize her gift until her post-graduate years. The Buffalo native went to Sacred Heart Academy, where the nuns “heavily influenced” her spirituality. She was among the first women to enroll in the college’s day division, and although Rosenblatt was in the minority, the memories and friendships she made were plentiful. “There was such humor and creativity in the conversations, even in the cafeteria,” Rosenblatt recalls. “I have never had the same sense of community and intellectual stimulation anywhere else.” After graduating with a degree in French, Rosenblatt thought she wanted to become a French professor. She went on to earn a master’s degree and PhD in comparative literature from the University of Connecticut. It was here, while writing her dissertation on the French spiritual and metaphysical writer Rene Daumal, that Rosenblatt was exposed to many ancient forms of healing and became fascinated by the idea that the mind and body operate as one. “I realized that if your mind truly connects with your body, you can affect positive change,” says Rosenblatt, author of Rene Daumal: The Life and Work of a Mystic Guide. The benefits, she says, are twofold. “You not only feel better but your immune system begins to function better. You optimize your health.” Rosenblatt has built her life and a successful business around her belief in the mind-body connection.
In her practice, she applies Eastern and Western, as well as more modern approaches, to pathology, pain and mental and emotional dysfunction. In addition to acupuncture, healing therapies include massage, heat treatments, herbal medicine, homeopathy, directed relaxation therapy and PEMF. Though Rosenblatt’s treatments are not currently considered part of conventional medicine, “they can be used in tandem with it,” she says. Her study of Chinese medicine and philosophies of ancient cultures also led her to produce “Cellular Meditation.” The self-help CD provides innovative exercises to help people improve focus and well-being. “It’s so satisfying to see people get that ‘natural high’ once they learn they have the ability to induce a state of high energy and well-being via some simple steps,” says Rosenblatt, who is living proof of the mind-body connection. She is fluent in French, Italian and Spanish. A mixed-media artist, Rosenblatt travels the world to exhibit her works. She is a talented pianist and trained in the sacred Sufi (or dervish) dance. Rosenblatt’s creative expression is balanced by her commitment to service. As a member of the non-profit Earth Harmony Foundation, she organizes a nightly food collection program for Los Angeles’ poor and homeless. Rosenblatt is also past co-president of the Iraq Rose Foundation, a non-profit group of licensed practitioners who work to enhance mental healthcare for veterans. And she often shares her expertise on health and wellness at seminars across the country. “When you can help rid someone of pain or relieve their anxiety or depression, it is a transformational experience,” says Rosenblatt. Nancy Simpson counts herself among those whose life was transformed by Rosenblatt’s healing hands. In addition to her hip ailment, “She cured a 15-year long sinus infection and relieved her severe neuropathy,” says Simpson. “I can feel the carpet on my feet for the first time in years!” 8 6C>H>JH 8DAA:<: B 6<6 O>C: HEG>C< '%&( q 2
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Non-Profit Org U.S. Postage PAID Buffalo NY Permit No 794
Canisius College Magazine 2001 Main Street | Buffalo, NY 14208 | canisius.edu
The Canisius student body served as the canvas for a unique art initiative celebrating the Lenten and Easter seasons on campus. The Cura Personalis Project invited students, as well as faculty and staff, to express what the Ignatian spiritual principal means to them by writing it on their arms, faces and hands. Their responses, captured on camera, are pictured here, on page 8 of Canisius Magazine and at canisius.edu/magazine.
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