Off Campus

St. Bonaventure has eye on future with campus developments, student opportunities

By Kellen M. Quigley

ST. BONAVENTURE

— After a fast-paced first year as the 22nd president of St. Bonaventure University, Dr. Jeff Gingerich is feeling right at home.

And while the university campus has been seeing a steady amount of renovations and upgrades in recent years — with a few more proposed projects on the way — Gingerich says it’s the people who have truly made St. Bonaventure a great place.

“Things are going really well for the university right now,” he said in a recent interview. “We have a lot of challenges, as all colleges and universities have a lot of challenges, but our enrollment is looking strong again this fall, which is huge for us.”

Much of settling into his role during the past year was meeting everyone — from students and their families to the major stakeholders and supporters — listening to them, building relationships and brainstorming about the future of the university.

After attending several gatherings across the region with students and alumni alike, and hearing stories about their love for the university, Gingerich said he began to see what makes St. Bonaventure so special.

There’s a positive buzz around campus that is encouraging more students to attend as undergrads, and many are sticking

around for the ever-growing post-grad programs. Gingerich said the faculty and staff are excited for classes to resume at the end of August and busy preparing for students to arrive.

“We’re hoping to

bring in a class about as big if not bigger than last year’s, and that was a record-breaking class then,” he added. “Our residence halls are actually pretty full, which is a good problem to have.”

In addition to the usual campus events planned for the fall, Gingerich said planning for a few more student, alumni and community gatherings during the year are also in the works. They even started preliminary work on commencement, he said.

AS STUDENTS arrive on campus this month, they’ll see several changes as well as the continuation of some work begun when

many were there in the spring.

A complete makeover for Plassmann Hall, one of the central pillars of academics and campus life, is progressing smoothly after starting last summer, Gingerich said, though it’s not all ready for students yet.

“The basement will be open but that’s all we’ll be using, but we’ll be moving up from there,” he said. “It’s looking a lot better. We have new windows in, new A/C units in, and it’s looking really positive.”

In recent years, the campus also saw the Rathskeller, the student lounge located under

Dr. Jeff Gingerich

Kellen M. Quigley/Olean Times Herald

The major renovation work at Plassmann Hall continued over the summer at St. Bonaventure University, but its basement level will be in use this fall.

the Hickey Dining Hall, receive a major facelift as well as installations of a new “St. Bonaventure” sign and brick patio in front of Doyle Chapel and a pavilion in the lawn north of Devereux Hall.

The other thing Gingerich said students will see, though construction hasn’t started yet, is a graduate housing complex that will be in front of Francis Hall, especially with the recently established DePerro School of Health Professions and renovations to Francis from 2019-21.

“We have more graduate students who need to live in this area and would like to live on campus, but would also like to have their own space,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Bolder Bonaventure campaign, the university’s largest fundraising effort in its history, is progressing nicely. Gingerich said they’ve raised more than

$97 million of the $125 million goal, which includes more than $20 million raised this year.

“We’ll really be concentrating primarily on renovations for the Jandoli School of Communication and our athletics complex,” he said.

Reilly Center renovations include consideration for a new practice facility for basketball. Another addition to the sports program would be an air-supported facility with a turf field. The Jandoli School would see an addition built out east from its main entrance along with a new TV studio space and newsroom.

Gingerich said the university is also looking at starting programs for a master’s degree in social work, a doctorate in education and a speech and language pathology program.

“Those are going to be really important for us,

and it’s important that we continue the innovations that have been happening,” he said. “Do we have the programs that our students want and that the world needs for the jobs that need to be filled, and what do we need to do to get to that point?”

BEYOND LIFE in the classroom, Gingerich said the university has held conversations both internally and with the community about strengthening the partnership between St. Bonaventure and the greater Olean area.

“It serves us well for Allegany, Olean and Cattaraugus County to do well, and I think when we do well it serves the community,” he said.

The university is in the midst of compiling a list of what St. Bonaventure does in the community just because there is so much to do and become a part of, Gingerich said,

with hopes to strategize what they can do better going forward. He said he also participates in a couple community groups that regularly discuss the future and opportunities of Olean.

“It just comes down to people and community,” he said. “The faculty here are so devoted to our students who really do so much.”

One of the university’s most successful outreach programs, the Warming House, has received a good amount of funding recently and continues to do well, Gingerich said. A celebration of its 50th anniversary in 2024 will be held next year, he added.

Now in the postCOVID era, Gingerich said students and families are looking for a school where they feel they have a sense of belonging, something he said St. Bonaventure has a long tradition of providing students who end up engaged in the campus community and feel at home.

Whether it’s the Division I athletics ranging from men’s and women’s basketball to soccer, rugby, baseball and softball, or the continuous upgrades and expansions to the schools’ programs and facilities on campus, Gingerich said there’s something for everyone to get involved with.

“The residential experience here is key. It’s so important for us in so many ways,” he said. “Students stay here and bond and do fun stuff and get to know each other.”

Photo provided by St. Bonaventure University Students volunteer at The Warming House, located on North Union Street in Olean.

JCC continues rebound post-pandemic

By Bob Clark

OLEAN — Rebounding enrollment, new on-campus options and an improved workforce development and academic mix are in store for those returning to Jamestown Community College this fall.

“Preparations are in full swing,” said Kirk Young, JCC’s vice president for student affairs, who noted orientations began Aug. 14 and classes begin next week.

A rebound in enrollment that began before the global pandemic is continuing again at Jamestown Community College’s Cattaraugus County campus in downtown Olean, said campus Executive Director Paula Snyder and Young. One program in particular to fill a critical need in the

region rebounded quickly.

“We are nearly at capacity for our nursing program,” Snyder said, noting collaborative efforts with St. Bonaventure University have made the program very attractive.

“The nursing shortage … is critical across the country,” Snyder said, compounded by nurses leaving the field and decrease in enrollment in nursing programs from those who were dissuaded by the pandemic from taking up the career. “This is really exciting to see that trend reversed.”

Officials noted that many in the current cohort of students have faced challenges from the pandemic, including a shift to fully remote learning and back to the classroom again.

“What we learned coming out of COVID was our students have differ-

ent needs,” Snyder said, from first-time students straight out of high school to returning or later in life learners with full-time jobs and families.

Efforts are underway to continue online learning, Young said, while also working to bring students back to campus for in-person classes and support services. For both cases, Snyder said, the campus is “extra prepared” to serve students.

“We are a perfect choice to do that,” she said, with a variety of tools and services ranging from tutoring services to career planning and health issues.

Young noted that the pandemic crippled campus life programming, and “working to come out of that has been a priority.” Activities are planned to help students decompress and reduce stress for a

more successful time at the college, as well as to stay engaged and involved with the college community.

Efforts for workforce development have continued to grow, Snyder said, with more feedback from businesses on what training workers need and students on their goals and needs.

To facilitate that, “we are now literally marrying our workforce program with our academic,” Snyder said. “This is a new look at higher ed.”

“Part of that is working to smooth the on-ramp to a college degree,” Young said, doing more to give credit for prior learning like classes and certificates. “That training will translate into nine or more college credits -- almost a semester.”

File Photos

People wandered the grounds surrounding JCC’s Liberal Arts and Library building in October while attending the dedication of the new mural, “Vantage Point.”

Snyder noted that food service options have returned to campus this fall, with freshly packaged meals made by Charlie’s restaurant in Cuba. The machines will be located in the College Center and Manufacturing Technology Institute buildings.

The arena on campus opened last December and JCC competed in its first NJCAA season this past spring, and the program is led by coach Chris Swanson and athletic coordinator Jonathan Kowal, who was hired last fall to oversee sports operations on the Cattaraugus County Campus. An eSports club is also available to students who are not ready for the team-level competition. Kowal is also working on potentially adding a second sports NJCAA-sanctioned sports offering at the campus.

Many needed upgrades were made to Cutco Theater last year and more were made this summer, making it a viable venue

College things to do in Olean

By Beth Eberth Greater Olean Area Chamber of Commerce

It doesn’t matter if you call Cattaraugus County home or if it’s the next stop on your travel bucket list, the region is chock full of boredom busters! Here are things to do that are only a hopscotch jump away.

Music to the Ears

ally. The concert series was founded by Rintaro and Ritsuko Wada, who enthusiastically promote the next generation of classical musicians. The Keynote Chorus has been going strong for more than 30 years. This group of local residents share a common love of singing and perform two official concerts each year in the Olean area.

for many more community events and gatherings. A new video wall and soundboard were added last year to go with a new coat of paint on the walls. This summer, a new speaker system and lighting was added. Ther Remote Area Medical, a nonprofit provider of pop-up clinics delivering free, quality dental, vision and medical care, will again host a clinic on the campus Sept. 9-10.

In 2022, the campus brought out 250 volunteers to help, and staff and students are encouraged to volunteer, Snyder said.

“We were one of the largest volunteers RAM had,” Snyder said, thanking volunteers and Jim Mahar of BonaResponds for his group’s efforts to aid the project.

As a new addition this year, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center will bring its remote CT scan truck to help with early detection of lung cancer, she added.

The Seneca Allegany Resort & Casino (www. senecaalleganycasino. com) in Salamanca regularly hosts amazing performers, must-see concerts and the region’s best bands in its modern event center. If a symphony is more your style, the Southern Tier Symphony (www.southerntiersymphony.org) concert season features three concerts performed by accomplished musicians from the greater Western New York area. Along with the orchestra concerts, some smaller chamber events – Bach’s Lunches – are held to provide food for the soul through music. In nearby Cuba, the Palmer Opera House (www. palmeraoperahouse.com) is located in a vintage theater that celebrates its building’s rich history and features musical entertainment, plays and musicals. The Chamber Music Society of Olean hosts several free chamber music concerts annu-

Show Time

With 37 years of curtain calls in its repertoire, Olean Theatre Workshop (www.oleanworkshop. org) prides itself on enriching, educating and entertaining the community through family theater. The Theatre Workshop stages an annual performance season, summer Shakespeare in the Park shows, and a robust Kids’ Program for grades pre-K through high school. The Bradford Creative & Performing Arts Center (www.bcpac.com) brings the finest headlining entertainment to the Twin Tiers region making Bradford a destination for concerts, plays, comedy shows, musicals and dance performances. From a jazzy Christmas concert to summer tribute bands, BCPAC offers yearround delight. Season subscriptions and tickets for individual shows are available. Olean Com-

A graduate poses with family and friends in May following commencement exercises at Jamestown Community College’s Cattaraugus County Campus in Olean.

College things to do in Olean

>> Continued from page 6

in Olean, where they’ll find one-of-a-kind items; and take classes for all ages and skill levels.

Dance Dance Revolution

munity Theatre (www. oleancommunitytheatre. com) provides high quality on-stage and behind-thescenes theater experiences to individuals of all ages, backgrounds and experiences. Pitt-Bradford Arts (www.upb.pitt.edu) at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford provides culturally diverse and entertaining performances, exhibits, and presentations. Friends of Good Music (www. friendsofgoodmusic.com)

and The Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts at St. Bonaventure University have teamed up for years to bring exciting live performances of classical and international music to the Quick Center stage.

The Arts

With five inviting, spacious galleries as well as hanging spaces in its architecturally unique atrium and mezzanine, the

Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts offers a rich and varied collection of interesting and important works. The Tri-County Arts Council (www.myartscouncil.net) advocates for the creation and appreciation of arts and culture across Cattaraugus, Allegany, and Chautauqua counties. Visitors can stop by the council’s artisan market, art gallery and art studio on West State Street

The region is home to a number of dance schools with a long history of introducing a love of dance to new generations. Dance Arts Olean (www. danceartsolean.com) has been guiding dancers of all ages for nearly four decades. The Neighborhood School of Dance (www. nsdolean.com) offers classes in Olean and Port Allegany, Pa. Bradford Area Dance Center (www. bradfordareadancecenter.com) offers classes in ballet, hip-hop, tap, jazz, acrobatics and lyrical for ages 2 to 19.

History Lives

The African American Center for Cultural Development holds events and programs that tell the story of African American history in the Southern Tier, including a walking tour of African American history in Olean, including stations on the Under-

ground Railroad. Visit www.africanamericancenterforculturaldevelopment. org. Take a walk through the Victorian era of the late 1890s in one of Olean’s oldest and grandest houses – the Bartlett Historical House and Olean Point Museum, 302 Laurens St., Olean. The carriage house is home to Olean Point Museum, which display many artifact depicting various collections and special exhibitions. (www. cityofolean.org/history).

The Allegany Area Historical Association (www. Allegany.org) collects materials and artifacts pertaining to the history and development of the Allegany area in the former United Methodist Church at 25 N. Second St. in the village. You’ve heard of Airbnb, but take a tour, or stay overnight, if you dare, at the Haunted Hinsdale House. Private hunts and paranormal teams are welcome by appointment. www.hauntedhinsdalehouse.com.

Rocket Man

The Challenger Learning Center of the Twin Tier Region (drclc.org) in Allegany offers outof-this-world adventures while mentoring today’s students into tomorrow’s inventors.

Ice, Ice Baby

The city of Olean’s William O. Smith Recreation Center, located at 551 E. State St., bustles with activities year round, from swimming to skating.

File Photos

John Fogerty, a founding member of Creedence Clearwater Revival, sings at the Seneca Allegany Casino Events Center in Salamanca in 2021. Many shows, from community groups to national touring acts, create music in the area all year long.

The Enchanted Mountain Squirrel, one of the Woodland in the City squirrel statues lives in Oak Hill Park. Find its siblings around the community.

College things to do in Olean

During the Fall, winter and early spring months, lace up your skates for public ice skating or one of the skate & shoot sessions on the regulation ice arena.

The Great Outdoors

Row Your Boat

The Allegheny River hosts a number of prepared boat launches along its short segment in New York before turning toward the south for Pittsburgh and ultimately New Orleans. Boat launches include:

Allegany: Allegheny River, located off West River Road south of the village of Allegany. The hand launch is on the south side of the Allegheny River and has parking for eight vehicles.

Hinsdale: Olean Creek, located off Route 16 North on Giles Hollow Road six miles north of the town of Olean. The hand launch has parking for five vehicles.

Olean: Allegheny River, located off South Union Street and West River Road. The ramp launch has parking for 10 vehicles.

Portville: Allegheny River, located on Steam Valley Road off of Olean-Portville Road (Route 417), Portville. The hand launch has parking for six vehicles.

A web page of additional canoe launches throughout the region is available at www.enchantedmountains.com/ launches.

>> Continued from page 8

to grab a photo with Nutty O’ St. Nick, painted to celebrate the Chamber’s Santa Claus Lane Parade. Or, if you’re in Olean, you can catch a squirrel on any number of city streets. The squirrels have also inspired other ventures at the Chamber, including an annual photo contest and calendar. And the Chamber always has an assortment of squirrely products on hand.

Defy Gravity

Take a Hike!

The Allegheny River Valley Trail is a paved 5.6-mile recreational trail through Olean, Allegany and the St. Bonaventure University campus. The path is popular with hikers, runners, walkers, bikers and inline skaters in warmer weather and cross-country skiers during winter months. For a map of the trail, go to the Chamber’s website, www. oleanny.com. Rock City Park on Route 16 south of Olean boasts one of the largest natural displays of quartz conglomerate in the world. Open from May 1 through October 31, the park attracts thousands of global visitors each year to view the geological spectacles formed some 350 million years ago. Visit www.rockcitypark.com. Explore the old-growth forest on six miles of trails at Pfeiffer Nature Center (pfeiffernaturecenter.org) on Lillibridge Road in Portville. Traipse through the forest to view the

magnificent tree species, plants and wildlife. Open dawn to dusk at no charge, the nature center is also home to an American chestnut log cabin built between 1939 and 1941 as a family retreat. Allegany State Park, the largest state park in New York, receives around 1.5 million visitors a year between the Red House Area and Quaker Area. Enjoy one of the hundreds of campsites, cottages and cabins overnight; hike, bike or ski the many miles of trails; or enjoy a number of other outdoor activities in Western New York’s playground.

Going Nutty

The city is home to dozens of large painted squirrels as part of the Woodland in the City project, decorated by local artists. Maps outlining the squirrels’ locations are available at the Chamber office and website oleanny. com. If you stop at Chamber in person, don’t forget

Known to most as “the illusion” and “the gravity hill,” people drive down Promised Land Road in Portville, turn around, then drive back to the green 1015 address marker, putting the car into neutral. If done just right, the car will travel backward instead of forward, as if going up the hill.

Golf in the Graveyard

Once believed to be on the Ripley’s Believe It or Not listing... Do you have to drive through a cemetery to shoot nine holes of golf? Believe it or not, but it’s true at the Bonaventure Golf Course!

Explore More

If you’re looking for food and fun, Sprague’s Maple Farms (spraguesmaplefarms.com) in Portville makes every visit feel like a celebration on Route 305. Each season brings a new opportunity to explore Sprague’s, including an authentic old-fashioned sugarhouse during Maple in the Mountains each March.

File Photo

Kayakers head down the Allegheny River through South Olean. There’s many opportunities to get outside to walk, run, bike, boat or ski in the region.

JCC in Olean opened eSports program in 2022-23

By Kellen M. Quigley

The old train depot near North Union Street had been mostly sitting dormant for the last few years, but that’s all changed after a new college athletic team needed a place to play.

SUNY Jamestown Community College opened its new eSports stadium in the Dresser Rand Training & Conference Center on the Cattaraugus County Campus in December.

In 2022, the former train depot and home to JCC’s Workforce Development operations was transformed into a high-tech eSports gaming facility with an area for competitions, mezzanine spectator seating, a team meeting room, coach’s office and a space for casual console gameplay and concessions.

“This is our Field of Dreams,” said George Sisson, director of athletics and recreation at JCC, in December. “Our goal and ambition, our directive from our president, was build this thing so we can grow our program and grow our Olean campus.”

JCC partnered with Esport Supply, the official technology partner of the National Association of Collegiate Esports, to equip the building for competitive gaming, Sisson said. The build-

ing received new paint, carpeting, LED lighting and electrical and WiFi upgrades to handle the computer load that eSports gaming requires. The facility features modern furniture in addition to two dozen high-end gaming computers and chairs.

The college hired a coach, Chris Swanson, to lead the National Junior College Athletic Association-sanctioned program, and the team began competing against other colleges during the spring semester.

Swanson said he was drawn to JCC’s support of the new program and giving students an opportunity to compete on the collegiate level.

“JCC really cares about building an outstanding eSports program,” he said.

“I’m ready to start a new chapter in my coaching

career, and there was no better place to continue to grow than coming to JCC.”

Prior to coaching, Swanson competed in eSports tournaments at a young age, particularly “Call of Duty.” He improved by reviewing his game streams and competing in in-person tournaments.

“Playing just came natural to me,” he said. “Just like any other athlete, to get better you have to first see your mistakes. I would watch the streams over again just like any other athlete watching film.”

Esports has not only grown in colleges but professionally and in high schools, said Dr. Daniel DeMarte, JCC president. When looking at the possibility of bringing eSports to JCC more than three years ago, he said it was the fastest growing

sport for colleges and high schools alike.

“This is exciting for us for a lot of reasons, one of which is we have begun implementing a plan to reintroduce athletics to Cattaraugus County,” DeMarte said. “We know how important it is that students come here and have the opportunity to involved in activities outside the classroom.”

DeMarte said eSports will only be available at the campus in Olean and others will be introduced exclusively in Cattaraugus County as well, just as many are in Jamestown. He said the stadium can also serve as a host site for area high school competitions for the region.

“We will continue to expand what we’re doing in this arena with eSports,” he added.

Photo provided by SUNY JCC

The view from the balcony level at JCC’s eSports competition space.

Bona Buddies will be in its 49th year this fall

“These two hours are the best part of my week” has been heard from the mouths of both St. Bonaventure University students and the youth participating in Bona Buddies.

A youth mentoring program at SBU, Bona Buddies will be 49 years old when it begins again in September. Many generations of St. Bonaventure students have been mentors for Olean-area youth between the ages of 5 and 15. There is no cost to the families that participate in Bona Buddies. Funding for this program is supported by the United Way of Cattaraugus County along with other generous donors and organizations.

Bona Buddies welcomes buddies to campus for two hours once a week, Monday-Thursday, for 18 weeks each academic year. A Halloween party, ice skating and an end of the year party offer large group activities for the mentors and buddies. In 2023 the end-of-the-year celebration included a trip to Canticle Farm to learn about sustainable agriculture, tasting some fresh vegetables and an all-time favorite childhood activity — climbing and playing on the wood chip pile!

Alice Miller Nation, the director of the Franciscan Center for Social Concern loves the impact Bona Buddies has on both the

buddies and mentors.

“Every young person needs someone who completely believes in them and their potential,” she said. “Bona Buddies offers a healthy and fun relationship between a SBU student and a young person in the community. ... I find that when our students participate in clubs like Bona Buddies, they too are transformed. The buddies grow and have amazing experiences through this program, but they give as much to the SBU students as they receive.”

If one were to stop by Bona Buddies on any given day, you would witness buddies and mentors

reading to one another, working on homework, playing board games or making a craft the first hour. The second hour is a time when university clubs and organizations come to Bona Buddies to engage the buddies in activities that might be new to them.

The SBU Dance team taught a Monster Mash dance the week of Halloween, the SBU Food Pantry made pizza bagels with the buddies and taught about nutrition. Taekwondo, the SBU Biochemistry club, the SBU Step Team and the SBU Education Club also spent time with the buddies and mentors.

Miller Nation loves

to hear from SBU alumni that participated in Bona Buddies while at St. Bonaventure. Occasionally we hear about a match that continues to keep in touch, many years later.

“Our Franciscan values teach us that it is our relationships with others that offer richness to our lives,” she said. “Bona Buddies is just one of the ways life becomes sweet for our buddies and mentors.”

If you would like to find out more about Bona Buddies for your children between the ages of 5-15, please feel free to reach Alice Miller Nation at anation@sbu.edu or (716) 375-7813.

Bona Buddies closed out its 2022-23 program year with a trip to Canticle Farm to learn about sustainable agriculture.

Navy veteran named chaplain at St. Bonaventure

of the last ordination class of Holy Name Province, which will officially merge in October with other provinces to form a national Franciscan province.

He is a 2003 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, where he played Division I lacrosse.

officer on the USS Ronald Reagan from 2013-15.

Kuehn left active duty as a Navy pilot to pursue life as a Franciscan friar, joining Holy Name Province in 2015 to begin his postulancy.

Chicago, St. Francis Inn in Philadelphia, and St. Francis churches in Milwaukee and New York City. He was also a volunteer lacrosse coach at Mt. Carmel High School in Chicago for three years.

Father Steven Kuehn, a former U.S. Navy helicopter pilot, has been named chaplain at St. Bonaventure University and will begin work on Monday.

The appointment was announced Friday by St. Bonaventure’s president, Jeff Gingerich.

Before professing his final vows, Kuehn interned at St. Bonaventure in 202021, working with University Ministries, volunteering at the Warming House and serving as chaplain for the men’s lacrosse team.

“I’m so happy and grateful to be back on the St. Bonaventure campus,” he said. “I was here during the year of restrictions on campus due to the pandemic so I’m happy to be able to engage with the campus community in more ways as university chaplain.”

Kuehn was ordained April 29 in Silver Spring, Maryland, culminating eight years in priestly formation. He was a member

Kuehn held several positions in the Navy, from piloting 332 helicopter missions in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom to serving as a senior

He has volunteered at Missionaries of Charity and Little Sisters of the Poor in Washington, D.C., Arlington Food Assistance Center, Greater Chicago Food Depository, Kolbe House Jail Ministry and Marquard Soup Kitchen in

Kuehn holds a Master of Divinity degree from Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, an MBA from the University of Maryland, and a Bachelor of Science degree in systems engineering from the Naval Academy.

Enrolled JCC students get Olean Y membership

SUNY Jamestown Community College will hold open gym opportunities for students, faculty and staff at the Olean YMCA again during the fall semester.

The gym was open to JCC participants during the spring semester for

pickleball, indoor track walking and more activities on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

A YMCA membership is included in JCC student fees and is open to all currently enrolled in classes at the Cattaraugus County Campus. Students can

join by completing their membership application at the Y at 1101 Wayne St. A JCC ID or class schedule, and driver’s license or state ID are required. Contact Jon Kowal, campus athletic coordinator, at (716) 376-7535 for more information.

Father Steven Kuehn

Fresh meal options at JCC campus in Olean

OLEAN — New food options for students, faculty and staff will launch for the fall semester on the SUNY Jamestown Community College Cattaraugus County Campus.

A variety of fresh foods produced and packaged locally by Charlie’s restaurant in Cuba will be available in the campus’ College Center cafe and Manufacturing Technology Institute at the Olean location.

Paula Snyder, campus executive director, said individual caterers had provided meals through lunch hours until the start of the pandemic in 2020.

“As we have updated

our programs to accommodate our students’ ability to attend classes on our campus with mixed modalities of learning, we recognize that our students have busy lives outside of the classroom,” she said.

“Many who are enrolled in our manufacturing and industrial courses may be coming to classes in evening hours and some right from their regular jobs.

“We want fresh foods available at all times in the building where their courses are taught later in the afternoon and evening. Students will also be able to get this fresh food in our College Center cafe throughout the day where

you can sit with others and also work.”

Kevin Henzel, who runs Charlie’s and supplies similar high-end vending options to 35 regional business locations, said his machines are stocked with a variety of foods. They include chicken and biscuits, casseroles, lasagna, spaghetti and meatballs, loaded mashed potatoes, sandwiches, wraps, salads, and fresh fruit and vegetables.

“It’s a long list of anything you can dream up,” Henzel said. “We have a new menu everyday. We prepare fresh food daily, six days a week.”

Prices range from $1.25

for fresh fruit and yogurt up to $4 for entrees. Henzel said food is good for up to seven days and tagged with a use by date.

Charlie’s delivers vending services for many Olean-area businesses.

Clients include Sol Epoxy, Napoleon Engineering, HomeCare & Hospice and Total Senior Care, Eaton, Pierce Steel, the St. Elizabeth Motherhouse, along with others in Salamanca and in Pennsylvania.

Snyder is planning a grand opening for the new meal service for the start of the fall semester. The event will include offerings of fresh food made by Charlie’s.

Charlie’s restaurant of Cuba will provide fresh sandwiches, wraps and other food selections this fall at the College Center cafe and Manufacturing Technology Institute on the campus of SUNY Jamestown Community College in Olean.

Bona announces Bob Lanier reading endowment, RC mural

St. Bonaventure athletic director Joe Manhertz announced two initiatives this summer that will pay special tribute to the late Bob Lanier, Class of 1970.

The first will be the Bob Lanier Read To Achieve Endowment. This new fund will aim to continue one of Lanier’s passions and a program he helped create through his work as an NBA ambassador. The NBA’s Read To Achieve program is a year-round, league-wide initiative supported by all 30 NBA teams, 13 WNBA teams, and six NBDL teams that promotes the value of reading and online literacy while encouraging families and adults to read regularly with young children.

St. Bonaventure Athletics will implement its own program to be modeled after the NBA’s, but adapted to best impact the local community and area schools. Through this new endowment, St. Bonaventure student-athletes will have a platform for educational reading programs in perpetuity.

The goal for the Bob Lanier Read To Achieve Endowment is $25,000 as a starting point.

“Bob Lanier’s legacy of education as the foundation for a young person’s life will carry on here at St. Bonaventure through this endowment in his name,” Manhertz said in July. “This is a fitting way to honor him, but more importantly, it is something

we believe Bob would have loved to see become reality. I am confident that the Bob Lanier Read To Achieve Endowment will be supported generously.”

Preparations were underway to launch the program this fall. The Athletics Department is collaborating with the School of Education, led by Dr. Rene Hauser, dean of the school, on best practices such as grade-level books and tips on reading to young students that will help Bonnies student-athletes be prepared to be as effective as possible.

Manhertz also announced plans for a mural inside the Reilly Center as a permanent tribute to Lanier’s life, playing career

and impact to St. Bonaventure and his native Western New York.

The mural will have two nearly-life-sized photos of the 6-foot-11 Buffalo native, one from his playing days at Bona’s and one from his Hall of Fame NBA career. While the Reilly Center’s basketball court is already named for Lanier, this mural will share his many accomplishments with current and future generations of Bonnies fans.

Lanier passed away in May 2022, at the age of 73. The Reilly Center Arena court where the Bonnies have played since 1966 was named after Lanier in 2007. The No. 1 overall NBA Draft pick by the

Detroit Pistons in 1970, Lanier led the Bonnies to an undefeated regular season in 1968 (23-0) and the NCAA Final Four in 1970. An eight-time NBA All-Star and member of the 1970-71 All-Rookie team, Lanier scored more than 19,000 points over his 14-year career with Detroit and Milwaukee, averaging 20.1 points, 10.1 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.5 blocks, and 1.1 steals while shooting 51.4 percent from the field.

To make a contribution toward the mural or the Lanier Read To Achieve Endowment, contact Steve Mest, senior executive associate athletics director for advancement, at smest@sbu.edu or (716) 375-2319.

St. Bonaventure Athletics announced plans to memorialize 1970 graduate Bob Lanier, designing this mural, which will stand in the Reilly Center recognizing his legendary basketball career.

Warming House busier than ever serving meals

The need continues to be great. Not long ago, if the Warming House served 90 meals in one day, the student meal coordinators would talk about it for days. In the last several months, serving over 100 meals a day happens several times a week.

The St. Bonaventure University students who work as meal coordinators have gotten used to serving many more meals than in previous years.

Food insecurity continues to be a quiet crisis in many communities. Olean is no different. As defined by Oxford Languages, food insecurity is the condition of not having access to sufficient food, or food of an adequate quality, to meet one’s basic needs. It’s a quiet and often unnoticed challenge many of our neighbors and members of our community face each day.

The Warming House, believed to be the oldest student-run soup kitchen in the country, addresses this quiet crisis six days a week, year-round. Student meal coordinators and volunteers from St. Bonaventure welcome guests for a meal at 4 pm each afternoon, Sunday through Friday. All meals are prepared on-site by SBU students and community partners.

“Many students don’t come into the Warming House knowing how to

make a roux or stir fry,” said Alice Miller Nation, the director of the Franciscan Center for Social Concern. “We can teach cooking skills. When we hire meal coordinators, we are really looking for students with compassionate hearts.

“Our values of good nutrition, good dignity and good community is really what the Warming House is all about,” she said.

Mike Waseda, a 2023 MBA graduate of St. Bonaventure, has been the

Warming House student manager for the past two years. He will soon take over the role of assistant director of the Franciscan Center for Social Concern at St. Bonaventure and continue his involvement at the Warming House, supporting the team of student meal coordinators.

Waseda continually expresses his appreciation for the community support of the Warming House.

“Our community partners support the Warming House in so many ways,”

he said. “We could not serve all the meals we do each week without the support and great care from so many individuals and local businesses. Thank you for your generosity and commitment to others during this challenging time.”

The Warming House, located at 164 N. Union St., is open Sunday through Friday year-round. Meals are served in the dining room from 4 to 4:30 p.m. and a takeout meal is served from 4 to 4:45 p.m. All are welcome.

The Warming House in Olean is operated by St. Bonaventure University student volunteers.

How students can transition to life on a college campus

Much has been made of the challenges that have faced students and their families during the COVID-19 pandemic. The shift to remote learning and shortened school days was difficult for many families, forcing students to adapt to virtual school on the fly as their parents adjusted to working from home full-time while doing their best to keep kids engaged in their studies and occupied when school let out each day. Given those challenges, it’s no wonder so many families are looking forward to what figures to be a more normal school year in 2021-22. But that return will pose its own unique challenges as well.

Some students may be a little anxious as they prepare to return to campus this fall. That transition could be especially difficult for incoming college freshmen, who must overcome any pandemic-related concerns about returning to campus while

also making the transition to life on a college campus. The following are some ways to make that transition go smoothly.

• Engage in the community. The Health, Counseling and Disability Access Services at the University of MissouriSt. Louis urges students to take advantage of opportunities to engage in their new communities as early as possible. The HCDAS notes that first-year experiences are designed to help students connect with their new life on campus and make new friends. All incoming freshmen are facing the same set of unique circumstances as the 2021-22 school year begins. That includes the adjustment from remote learning with limited social contact with peers to a return to more traditional academic and social

settings. Navigating that transition alongside other incoming freshmen can make it a little easier to handle.

• Plan ahead. Parents and their college-bound children can prepare for the coming school year by learning about on-campus policies over the summer. Will masks be mandated? Will classrooms remain socially distanced? Are vaccinations required to attend class in person? The sooner families learn these policies, the sooner they can begin planning for life on campus. Parents also can look into on-campus resources designed to help students readjust to being back among their peers. Knowing where to go for help should students need it can ensure any issues that arise are addressed promptly.

• Encourage students to share their concerns. Opening up about any concerns they may have can help students as they emerge from the pandemic. Many parents were concerned about returning to the office in person, and they can share those concerns and the ultimate outcomes of their returns with students concerned about moving onto a college campus. Parents are urged to periodically check in with college students about any anxieties they may have about being on campus.

Returning to full-time, in-person learning after the pandemic may be especially challenging for incoming college freshmen. Such students can work with their parents over the summer to conquer their fears and prepare for the coming school year.

Explore these college savings strategies

Enrolling in a trade school or college is widely considered the next step after a student graduates from high school. College is especially popular, as the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that 62.7 percent of high school graduates went on to colleges and universities in 2020.

Finding ways to pay for higher education has long been a goal for students and their families. PrepScholar, a college testing preparation resource, calculates that, by 2033, students can expect to pay around $237,000 at in-state public universities and $464,000 at private colleges or universities for four-year degrees. That high cost is why so many families take proactive steps to set aside funds for college soon after their children are born. No matter the situation, taking the steps to plan and save helps to make schooling more affordable.

529 college savings plan

A 529 is a specialized savings account for college and university costs. Most plans can be opened by a U.S. citizen or resident alien age 18 and older. The individual opening the account can be a parent, grandparent, cousin, or even a friend. The student is the beneficiary of the ac-

count. Four-year schools, community colleges and vocational/trade schools accept 529 accounts as payment sources. The only requirement is that the school must participate in the U.S. Department of Education student financial aid programs.

Education savings account, or Education IRA

The financial experts at Ramsey Solutions say an ESA works like a Roth IRA but it is designed specifically for education expenses. Individuals can invest up to $2,000 (after tax) per year, per child. The account grows taxfree. The rate of growth varies based on investments in the account.

Ramsey estimates that at an average return rate of 12 percent on a $36,000 investment ($2,000 per year for 18 years) would grow to around $126,000 by the time the child starts college. An ESA also can be used to pay for K-12 private school tuition, school supplies, tutoring, or textbooks. It also can be transferred to a sibling if the money is not needed for a particular student.

UTMA/UGMA plan

This plan is different from ESAs and 529s because it is not specifically designed for college savings. The Uniform Transfer/Gift to Minors Act is in the child’s name but is controlled by a guardian until the child reaches age 18 or 21. This mutual fund

account can be used to save for college with reduced taxes, or funds can be used for other expenses, such as a car or housing.

Advanced placement classes

AP classes allow high school students to take college-level courses that can be converted into college credits. Each AP class reduces the need to pay for a class in college. This can add up to some significant savings. In addition, performing well in AP classes may make students more attractive to colleges and universities, helping students to earn academic scholarships.

Saving for college can start early and there are various vehicles for families to explore.

Tips for dorm room and campus safety

Life on a college campus can be exciting, especially for freshmen enjoying their first taste of life away from home. As exciting as campus life can be, it also can be a bit nervewracking for students who have never before had to fend for themselves.

Administrators and security personnel work to make school environments as safe as possible, but incidents can happen on any campus. A recent report from Campus Safety and Security, there were 38,100 reported criminal offenses, including burglary and identity theft, on college campuses in the United States in 2017.

Students need not live in fear on campus, but embracing various safety measures can make life at school that much safer.

• Hide or lock up valuables. You never know what may catch the eye of a thief. Devices and cash are near the top of lists of most commonly stolen possessions, but a desperate student may steal notes or even expensive textbooks if he or she is struggling. Always close doors and lock dorm rooms when leaving. Keep valuables out of sight at school. Consider buying a dorm room safe and lock your locker at all times.

• Prepare for emergencies. Research the school’s policies on emergency preparedness. Some have text alert systems for emergency situations like adverse weather conditions, while others have clear guidelines on what students should do if they feel threatened in any way. Participate in fire drills and learn the nearest exits and protocols for emergency evacuations.

• Utilize the buddy system. Most campuses are safe to move around, but it

can’t hurt to schedule certain classes, particularly if they take place after dark, with a friend so you can walk to and from classes together. Security experts say that elevators and stairwells are common places for assailants to target victims. If you ever feel uncomfortable, trust your instincts and err on the side of caution.

• Install window alarms. Many retailers sell battery-operated window alarms that can be adhered to windows. The alarms will activate if the

window is opened or the glass breaks. These alarms can provide extra security even if your dorm room isn’t on the ground floor.

• Be alert when ridesharing. The safety resource Safety. com says rideshare crimes are on the rise. Always identify your driver and vehicle before getting in and ask the driver to identify your name, as he or she will have it and your destination. Wait for the ride in a safe place, and try to avoid riding alone.

• Maintain personal health. Be sure to visit the doctor and stay current on necessary vaccinations, such as the one for meningococcal disease. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the risk for meningococcal disease in college students is slightly higher than the risk in other teens and young adults who are not attending college. Other communicative diseases can spread more easily on campus as well.

Campus and dorm safety is multifaceted. Informed students can reduce their risk of being involved in accidents or being targeted by criminals.

The various ways to pay off student loan debt

Students and families invest heavily in higher education. Many students rely on student loans to finance their educations. In fact, students amassed $1.56 trillion in student loan debt by 2020.

According to Forbes, American student loan debt is now the second highest consumer debt category, exceeded only by mortgage debt. The Institute for College Access and Success says the average student loan debt is $32,731, while the median student loan monthly payment is $222.

Some students feel like paying off student loan debt is impossible. Many loan repayment schedules kick in shortly after graduation, and certain borrowers may not yet be making enough money to afford even the minimum payments on their

student loans. Thankfully, there are ways to get out from under student loan pressure.

• Investigate incomedriven repayment. IDR will lower student loan payments based on your income, and some plans even promise to forgive any remaining balance once the repayment period is up. That period can take between 20 and 25 years.

• Make a move. The Rural Opportunity Zone program encourages Americans to move to rural Kansas to help discourage population decline and to give others the benefits of a lower cost of living. Seventy-seven Kansas counties have been authorized to offer student loan payment incentives.

• Work in public service. A Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, or PLSF, enables student loan forgiveness in exchange for working for a nonprofit or working in government.

• Refinance the loans. Graduates may not be aware that they can refinance their student loans at a lower rate or choose new loan terms, including variable or fixed rates. Maturity dates can even be renegotiated in certain instances. It’s possible to save thousands of dollars in interest by refinancing, particularly if borrowers have a credit score of at least 650.

• Make more than the minimum payment.

Financial advisor

Dave Ramsey says making the minimum payments on student loans will not get them paid off fast, and the interest could pile up as well. By paying more than the minimum payments, you can pay down the principal more quickly. Designate tax refunds and salary increases to pay down student loan debt.

• Ask for help. Speak with your boss about whether he or she can help pay off student loans. Some employers offer conditional student loan repayment to employees. These are some of the ways that student loan debts can be repaid quickly, efficiently and creatively.

Many people have a lot of demands on their time. There are only so many hours in a day, which means that the sooner a person can develop strategies for managing his or her time efficiently and effectively, the more successful that person can be.

It can be especially important for students to explore ways to improve their time management skills early in their academic careers. Time management involves planning, and that includes allotting time for specific tasks. The following strategies can be useful for anyone looking to manage their time more effectively.

Establish a daily schedule

Staying the course may require a guideline detailing how you will

spend your time. A good part of the day may be taken up by classes and assignments, but focusing on the other parts of the day also is key. Set up a plan for how you will treat each day. Block off specific times for exercise, meals, school, study, and any other responsibilities you have. Time blocking is a format by which you go through the moments of the day. You can block out by the hour or any amount of time you need.

Figure out where you’re losing time

You need to know how you’re currently spending your time before you can improve on time management strategies. Spend a few days jotting down a time log. This will help you determine if you’re working efficiently or where you are losing time.

Make time for breaks

Burnout can occur when you work yourself too hard. That makes breaks an important part of time management. Breaks allow for time to call loved ones, text with friends, meditate, or engage in other activities unrelated to school. According to sleep researcher Nathaniel Kleitman, people’s minds naturally crave breaks after 90 minutes of intense work. You may need breaks at different intervals. Learn to read your body’s cues.

Break projects down

Many students avoid projects they feel are huge tasks. Breaking down the larger job into smaller ones can help students stay focused and reward progress. For example,

if you need to write a 50-page research paper, make the first task finding source material, the next citing quotes and studies, and then resolve to write a set number of pages per day.

Schedule classes wisely

Some people are night owls while others thrive in the morning. Set up schedules so you’re in class when you are at your most productive; otherwise, you could lag and waste time. This may not be possible for high school students, but colleges allow for more flexibility in scheduling.

Time management is an important skill for students to develop. It will help in the classroom and later on when entering the workforce.

How students can better manage their time

Gift ideas for college students

College is the natural next step for many graduating high school students. According to Best Colleges, in 2022 there were 17.9 million students enrolled in degree-granting colleges and universities in the United States. Many other students began their college careers in the fall 2023 semester, joining the ranks of people working toward their degrees.

Holiday gifts that aim to meet the needs and interests of recipients can ensure presents will be enjoyed and utilized. Modern college students likely can use a few things to simplify life on campus.

Laptop or tablet

Gone are the days when students primarily utilize pen and paper for school assignments. Students are often introduced to tablets and other digital devices to complete assignments and take notes as early as elementary school. This reliance on paperless communication continues at the high school and university level. Most, if not all, assignments are posted online and then completed and submitted through various portals or cloud services. Therefore, college students will require a laptop or high functioning tablet with the right processing speed and memory capacity to handle the demand.

Student card funds

Colleges utilize different programs for paying for meal plans and incidentals purchased

on campus. This likely involves funds linked to a proprietary card that functions similarly to a debit or credit card. Savvy gift givers can deposit funds into students’ accounts so that they’ll have a little extra spending money to put toward books or that mocha latte at the campus coffee shop.

Parking pass

Although freshmen may be restricted from bringing cars to campus unless they are commuter students, sophomores and upperclassmen may be able to park in campus lots. Parking typically is an extra cost for students, meaning friends or relatives can gift the cost of annual parking passes to the college students in their lives.

Dorm gear

College students who opt to live in campus housing often want to make their dorm rooms a home away from home. They will need to outfit these tight quarters with items that won’t take up too much space. Small pod-type coffee pots, compact microwaves, mini fridges, under-bed storage shelving, area rugs, cozy comforters, and bathroom essentials can make college kids’ dorm rooms feel more like home.

Event tickets

Not every moment should be spent in classrooms or residence halls. College students may want to venture away from campus, and what better way to enjoy the

sights and offerings of what nearby venues have to offer than by attending various events? Gift-givers can offer tickets to art shows, music festivals, comedy club nights, amusement parks, or other events in college towns.

Travel assistance

Attending college far from home means that students will take planes, trains or automobiles to return home for holidays and other special events. Gifting college students airline or train fare, or providing gift cards for gas station fill-ups, means students will be able to afford trips home when needed.

College students can benefit from gifts geared to the college lifestyle.