The Dome

Canisius is in the final stages of our reaccreditation process with the Middle States Commission for Higher Education. A team of peer reviewers will be on campus from April 7-9 to meet with various members of the campus community. The schedule and participants are set by the review team. Members of campus are invited to the following open forums:

Faculty: Monday, April 7, from 2-2:45 p.m. (Student Center – Grupp Fireside Lounge)

Staff: Tuesday, April 8, from 2-2:45 p.m. (Student Center – Regis Room)

The open forums are a chance to have your voice heard. It is most helpful if you’ve reviewed the standards and self-study, as the visiting team will be focused on issues specific to the MSCHE standards.

The visiting team will report their findings to the campus community on Wednesday, April 9, from 9-9:30 a.m. in the Student Center Regis Room. This is an opportunity to hear directly from the visit team, but there is no interaction or opportunity for campus members to comment.

A link to the MSCHE standards, the self study report, and additional information can be found on the portal.

Join students, faculty, and staff together for our last Canisius Conversation of the semester this Thursday, April 3, from 4-5 p.m. in the Library Learning Center. This month, we will have Canisius alum Danessia Scott-Warren facilitate a conversation on how to engage with people who are different from you in a respectful way. All are invited and encouraged to take part in this community dialogue space.

Submitted by: Spencer Liechty, AVP for Mission Integration

In a continuing series of presentations tied to our strategic plan and campus operations, Vice President and Director of Athletics Bill Maher will discuss some of the key issues that have shaped the national landscape for intercollegiate athletics and understanding how Canisius is responding. The forum will also provide some perspective on Canisius relative to our conference peers, financial and academic profile information, and some of the key initiatives that are elements of our University’s strategic plan.

All are invited to attend this hourlong presentation followed by Q&A on Thursday, April 10, at 2 p.m. in Grupp Fireside Lounge. Hope to see you there!

Submitted by: Denise Flannery, Executive Associate, Office of the President

Join members from across the Buffalo community for an event to encourage public awareness and discussion of realities facing asylum seekers and refugee communities at the U.S. borders and in Western New York.

There will be a viewing of a new, 30-minute documentary with voices from the southern border, “Running to Stand Still: Migrants Search for Hope in the Promised Land,” followed by a community forum with the filmmaker, local resettlement agencies and activist organizations. The primary goal for this event is to provide a deeper understanding of practical and moral issues around migration and asylum. 

Montante Cultural Center at Canisius University on Saturday, April 5, from 2:30-4:30 p.m.

Submitted by: Spencer Liechty, AVP for Mission Integration

Congrats to Canisius University Class of 2017 alumnus and current Department of Kinesiology adjunct faculty member Alex Peters, PT, DPT, SCS, ATC on publication of a study on concussion in the Clinical Journal of Sports Medicine.

The study, “Practical Management: Guidelines to Perform the Pediatric Concussion Treadmill Test,” describe an age-appropriate treadmill test to help diagnose and treat concussions in young children aged 5 to 12. While existing tests are designed for teens and adults, the Pediatric Concussion Treadmill Test (PCTT) uses a child-friendly approach with appropriate walking speeds and symptom tracking. This test helps doctors assess how a concussion affects a child’s ability to exercise and guides personalized treatment plans to speed up recovery. By providing a safe and effective way to evaluate concussion symptoms in younger kids, the PCTT fills an important gap in concussion care.

Submitted by: Karl F. Kozlowski, Professor and Chair, Department of Kinesiology

Our next big opportunity to shape the Class of 2029 is Saturday at Accepted Students Day, and the momentum is building! We currently have 136 students registered and counting, and of those, 65 have already deposited. Accepted Student Day is a pivotal moment for students still deciding if Canisius is their future home, and your engagement can make all the difference.

This event is more than just a visit — it’s their chance to envision themselves here, feel the energy of our campus, and connect with the people who will shape their college experience. Their interactions with you in sessions, at lunch, or in casual conversations play a crucial part in their decision to enroll.

Applications and deposits update

Freshman applications are at 3,739, up by about 140. Transfer applications are at 276, which is up about 50. Additionally, we are up in readmit applications. Out of our applications, we are at 214 freshman deposits (up 40), 19 transfer deposits, and 3 readmit deposits, brining us to a total of 236 deposits towards our fall 2025 goal!

We are incredibly grateful for your time, enthusiasm, and commitment to making this day an unforgettable experience for our future Griffs. Thank you for bringing your passion into the day. It truly is an all-hands-on-deck effort, and we couldn’t do it without you.

Let’s make this a day that seals the deal!

Submitted by: Sarah Calzonetti, Director of Undergraduate Admissions, Admissions

Vice President for Academic Affairs Bridget Niland, PhD, spoke with The Buffalo News for a March 26 story about the growing trend of adult learners returning to college to complete their degrees. Niland highlighted how institutions like Canisius are increasing support for students who have some college credits but no degree, offering targeted scholarships, flexible class options, and personalized academic advising to help them succeed. Read the story on The Buffalo News.

Submitted by: University Communications

Join the Canisius Adult Lifelong Learners Institute at their Spring 2025 Book Club. This semester we are looking at David Gibbins’ A History of the World in Twelve Shipwrecks. Gibbins, an experienced scuba diver and archaeologist, creates “a narrative of human history told through the archaeological discoveries of twelve shipwrecks across time.” Bring your lunch and join the conversation. No prior reading of the book is required. No prior knowledge of the subject is required. We will meet in the Library Rm. 103 at 1:00 PM.

Submitted by: Kristina Laun, Book Club Hostess, CALLI

Please join ArtsCanisius as we celebrate the work of Helen Beckley-Forest. Six works by this local artist will be on view in the Peter A. and Mary Lou Vogt Gallery in the Andrew L. Bouwhuis, SJ Library beginning Wednesday, March 26. We will also host a reception outside the gallery from 2-3 p.m. Friday, March 28, and everyone is welcome. Light refreshments will be served, and the artist will be there to discuss her work.

Beckley-Forest noted, “This selection of abstracted landscapes explores the interiority of nature and self; I pursue the concentration of energy present in the natural world while creating a space safe from the anxieties of current events: eco-anxieties, pandemics, wars, etc. The forms in each piece are drawn from the familiarities of nature, yet are painted with a selection of soft, fantastical colors, whisking the viewer into a different realm. My work investigates the differences between painting on stretched vs. unstretched canvas and how that reveals or limits the expanse of a landscape. Like the processes of nature, my work is slow and patient. I take my time laying down each stitch and brushstroke, allowing the materials to guide me into a world of mindfulness and discovery. By peering into these small windows, I offer others a time and place to reflect, meditate and take a mental break.”

The exhibit will run from March 28 until May 30. For additional information, please contact Yvonne Widenor, Director of ArtsCanisius, at widenory@canisius.edu

Submitted by: Yvonne K. Widenor, Assistant Professor, Art History, MLLC, AVPAA, Director, ArtsCanisius

TIAA Financial Consultant Ed Haspett will be on campus again for one-on-one sessions on Thursday, April 3, in the Student Center Conference Room 205, and still has open spots. This is a great opportunity for employees to discuss their TIAA 403(b) retirement plans and receive personalized financial guidance.

Visit the TIAA website to schedule your session

Learn more about Ed Haspett

Submitted by: Bethany Voorhees, HR Coordinator, Human Resources

The new “View Schedule” button in iAdvise allows users to email or print student schedules

ITS is pleased to announce our migration from Self Service Banner 8 (SSB8) to version 9 (SSB9) is now complete. This vendor-mandated upgrade provides a modern user experience and is built on a more secure technology platform.

With the sunset of SSB8 Faculty Services, it was reported that the new SSB9 Faculty Dashboard does not allow for student schedule emailing/printing. Since that is important functionality when registering new students, ITS has programmed this feature into iAdvise. To email/print a student schedule from iAdvise, select your student, then navigate to Academics, Courses/Degree and use the purple button labeled View Schedule to select your term for viewing/printing. Please consider emailing student schedules when appropriate, rather than printing.

The Student Profile allows all registered students to email their schedule, or to create calendar files for upload to their digital calendar. View the “Look-up your Class Schedule” tutorial here to learn more.

All other functionalities previously found in SSB8 Faculty Services can be found in SSB9 Faculty Dashboard, including grade entry, class list, week at a glance, student search, and more, under Faculty Services, Faculty Dashboard link in the portal navigation menu.

If you have any question or concerns, or think your missing other functionality, please contact the help desk at helpdesk@canisius.edu or at 716-888-8340.

Submitted by: Michele Folsom, Director of Administrative Computing

The Buffalo Sewer Authority is currently working on Florida Street and has requested to use part of the Spillman Lot to hold equipment. This project will not interfere with the Canisius campus and should not hinder any parking. Should you have any concerns, please contact Student Affairs.

Submitted by: University Communications

TIAA, the university’s retirement plan provider, is hosting virtual information sessions. Check the attached PDF for a look at the 2025 list of days and times for the second quarter, and mark your calendars.

Visit the TIAA website for the full schedule of webinars for 2025 and to register

Submitted by: Bethany Voorhees, HR Coordinator, Human Resources

Did you know? Canisius alumnus Alex Sidare’s award-winning honors thesis estimated that between 700,000 and 2.5 million birds die annually in Western New York alone from residential window collisions. When commercial buildings are included in estimates, this would at least double. Recent research suggests these numbers may be underestimates. One of the ways that our community can be more bird friendly is to participate in the national Lights Out Program.

Adopting this practice here in WNY is particularly important as our region is a central place for migratory birds moving through our Niagara River Corridor Globally Significant Important Bird Area. In WNY, we have a particular responsibility for the impact of light pollution given our region’s history as “The City of Light” – one of the first places to have electricity in the world! Light pollution doesn’t just harm birds either – it plays a huge role in our ecology!

What can you do to help?

1. Visit BirdCast (co-developed by Canisius alumnus Kyle Horton!) to see peak migration times when these actions are most important but consider adopting them year-round to protect our local birds as well as those visiting on their migration journey.
2. Turn off all nonessential (don’t compromise safety) lights and close window blinds between 10 p.m. and dawn from April 15-May 31 and Aug. 15-Nov. 15.
3. Encourage your communities to adopt these practices (here is a sample letter adapted from National Audubon’s resources – also see https://birdcast.info/science-to-action/lights-out/).
4. Keep outdoor cats inside at least during peak times of bird activity. We also call attention to the role of outdoor cats in bird mortality annually with a staggering estimate of 1-4 BILLION birds killed by cats in the U.S. alone each year. And like window collisions, this is likely an underestimate. Research also suggests that staying indoors is better for your cat’s health. Read more about outdoor cats and their effects on birds.

What to do when you find:

• A dead bird: report tohttps://dbird.org/ and https://www.birdmapper.org/.
• An injured bird:
  • • See https://flap.org/finding-an-injured-bird/ for information.
    • In WNY, contact Messinger Woods or Erie County SPCA Wildlife Department.

Submitted by: Jenn Lodi-Smith, Professor, Psychology

JCPenney’s Suit-Up event is on Sunday, March 30, from 3-6 p.m. at the Galleria Mall! Canisius students, faculty, staff, and friends can enjoy exclusive discounts up to 45% on career wear, shoes and accessories.

Visit JCPenney Beauty for a FREE mini service, and get professionally measured for the perfect fit.

Stop by the Career Development’s table at the upper-level near the south entrance (facing Macy’s) to pick up your discount passes. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to upgrade your professional wardrobe!

Submitted by: Carol Cullinan, Associate Director, Career Development

Faculty and staff are invited attend a a presentation on the University’s Financial Sustainability and Future Forecast, led by Vice President for Finance and Administration Bob Baumet and Vice President for Advancement Dianna Civello. Topics to be covered include:

• A five-year lookback
• Current finances
• Projections for the future
• Strategic fundraising initiatives

Please join for this one-hour presentation on Thursday, March 27, at 1 p.m. in the Regis Room on the second floor of the Student Center.

Submitted by: Denise Flannery, Executive Associate, Office of the President

Example of a university name tag

Do you, your department, or a program that you run require official Canisius University name tags? Are you expecting a new member to join your team? Let the Makerspace Creator Lab create them for you! Here is what you need to know:

• We require a lead time of at least  two weeks for orders of 24 or fewer name tags. For orders greater than 24, contact COLI (email below).
• A material cost will also be incurred. Email COLI for more information.
• Name tags can have up to three lines (see the image above):
  • Name (maximum of 25 characters, but some modifications can be made to fit longer names).
    • Did you or the people you are ordering tags for graduate from Canisius/will graduate from Canisius or have an advanced degree? Add their Canisius graduation year (or expected graduation year) and/or degree abbreviation at the end of the name. Example: Dr. Petey Griffin ’25, or Dr. Petey C. Griffin or Petey Griffin, EdD.
  • The next two lines are optional:
    • Maximum of 36 characters.
    • Typically, one line is job title and the next is the department name or an abbreviation.
    • Or, you can put pronouns and/or degrees.

Submit a name tag request via Google Forms

If you email COLI, we can also accept Excel spreadsheets (preferred) or PDFs. Once we receive the list, we will begin the process of creating the proofs. Once the proofs are approved, student makerspace technicians will begin the process of stamping out name tags. We will email you once the tags are completed for pickup during Makerspace Creator Lab hours.

Questions or need more information? Email COLI at coli@canisius.edu.

Submitted by: Tyler Kron-Piatek, Instructional Designer, COLI

Canisius professor Sue Margulis and UB post-doctoral scholar Ari Hock

Last weekend, Sue Margulis participated in an outreach event hosted by the East Side Parkways Coalition (ESP). ESP is working to shift the focus of the planned Kensington Expressway “capping” to focus more strongly on restoring Humboldt Parkway, prioritizing community health and reconnecting a neighborhood that was bisected when the expressway was built in the 1960s. Sue worked with UB post-doctoral scholar Ari Hock to record the stories of community members sharing their experiences and remembrances about the old Humboldt Parkway, and how it transformed the community and the city of Buffalo.

Submitted by: Sue Margulis, Professor, ABEC and Anthrozoology, Biology

CEOWORLD magazine quoted Shawn O’Rourke, PhD, dean of the Wehle Business School, in an article about the skills shortage facing businesses, and how higher education can help prepare graduates who are workforce-ready. O’Rourke spoke about how experiential learning, which is core to Canisius’ academic experience, helps students develop skills such as critical thinking, teamwork and communication, all of which are critical to business success. Read the article in CEOWORLD

Submitted by: University Communications

The Canisius University Women & Gender Studies program is happy to announce the 2025 Lorch Award winners. The Dr. I. Joan Lorch Award for Women & Gender Studies honors a person who has made a significant contribution to women and who exemplifies the pursuit of liberation and justice regarding sex, gender, and sexuality.

In the category of Canisius University student, the winner is Brianna Nosal’25, strategic communication. In the category of Canisius University employee, the winner is: Dr. Anita Butera, associate professor of criminal justice. In the category of a community organization or person, the winner is Victoria Pérez, the co-founder and director of Buffalo’s bilingual Hispanic theatre, Raíces Theatre Company. We congratulate all of these deserving people who help to make our world a more equitable world each day.

We heartily welcome everyone to celebrate Women’s History Month — and these three awardees in particular — on Monday, March 24 from 4-6 p.m. in the Grupp Fireside Lounge.

The event will begin with students from the Diversity Committee honoring women on campus who have uplifted and empowered others, and end with the announcement and celebration of the Lorch winners. Please join us for feminist solidarity and inspiration.

Submitted by: Tanya Loughead, Professor, Department of Philosophy and Women & Gender Studies

Buffalo’s poet laureate Aitina Fareed-Cooke

On Thursday, April 3, at 7 PM, in Grupp Fireside lounge, Aitina Fareed-Cooke, the poet laureate of Buffalo, will perform under the auspices of the Canisius Contemporary Writers Series.

A question-and-answer session and reception will follow. The event will be livestreamed: For a link, email series coordinator Mick Cochrane: cochrane@canisius.edu

Aitina Fareed-Cooke was born and raised in Buffalo and earned a BA in English and MA in education from Buffalo State University. She is a multifaceted artist—wife, mother, creative arts strategist, national recording artist, and Buffalo’s current poet laureate. She founded Get Fokus’d Productions, an award-winning media arts company dedicated to collaborating with emerging and professional artists to produce “human-first” narratives through digital storytelling. Among her awards are 43 North’s Ignite Buffalo People’s Choice Award, Buffalo State University’s Young Alumnus Achievement Award, a Citizens Bank Community Champion award, and the Arts Services Inc. Trailblazer of the Arts Award.

Founded with a grant from the John R. Oishei Foundation and continued through the Peter Canisius Distinguished Teaching Professorship Program, the writer series is generously supported today by the Hassett, Scoma, and Lowery Endowments, and by gifts from its loyal patrons; cooperating partners are The Buffalo & Erie County Public Library, Just Buffalo Literary Center, and Talking Leaves Books.

Learn more about Aitina Fareed-Cooke and the writers series

Submitted by: Mick Cochrane, Professor, English

President Stoute was featured in the Viewpoints section of The Buffalo News on Sunday, March 16, with an op-ed addressing the growing inequality in college athletics and its impact on March Madness, the beloved NCAA basketball tournament. In the op-ed, titled “March Sadness: The Curtain Call for Cinderella Stories,” President Stoute examines how financial disparities between power conference schools and smaller institutions threaten the future of underdog runs that have long defined March Madness. Read the op-ed on The Buffalo News.

Julie Anna Golebiewski, PhD, weighed in with The Buffalo News on economic concerns facing the Buffalo Niagara region, warning that “an unwanted trade war is going to impact us disproportionately here, and in a negative way.” She cautioned that given the region’s slow recovery from pandemic job losses, combined with new threats from tariffs, stock market volatility, and federal job cuts, “it’s hard to see things continuing on the path that they had been on, with everything else that’s going on.” Read the story on The Buffalo News.

Submitted by: University Communications

Aidan Ryan ’14, creative writing, recently discussed his forthcoming first book I Am Here You Are Not I Love You (Univ. of Iowa Press) on the Fill to Capacity podcast, hosted by Pat Benincasa. The book is in part a biography of Ryan’s aunt and uncle, the visual artists Cindy Suffoletto and Andrew Topolski, and in part a memoir tracing their influence on Ryan’s own path into the arts and development as a writer.

The podcast episode, entitled “A Dialogue Across Time & Absence,” explores the turbulent and competitive New York art scene and touches on the topics of family, creativity, the sacrifices demanded by a life in the arts, and grief.

Listen to the episode on YouTube

Read more about Ryan’s book I Am Here You Are Not I Love You

Submitted by: Mick Cochrane, Professor, English

Coding was among the top activities offered to the Saturday Academy students.

Students enrolled in EDU 250, Foundation of Education, volunteered a weekend morning at a local Buffalo Public School Saturday Academy. Students were present at Hamlin Park Academy (BPS #74) on March 8 to assist children and families with games and activities. A big hit with the children was computer coding, sponsored by TechBuffalo. Other students were engaged in three-on-three basketball tournaments, country line dancing, crafts, yoga, and hair braiding. Canisius has committed to sending volunteers to assist with five Hamlin Park Saturday Academies during the 24-25 school year.

Submitted by: Elizabeth Turner, Director of Educational Partnerships

We are grateful for Dr. Jen Snekser as she shared a template for Ignatian Day Scholarship posters and recorded a video with poster creation suggestions and advice. Access the resources here and share with your students.

This year’s Ignatian Scholarship Day is April 2. The annual campuswide tradition offers our students an opportunity to showcase their research, creative talents, and distinctive collaborations with our faculty through the Canisius Earning Excellence Program.

Submitted by: Yvonne K. Widenor, Assistant Professor, Art History, MLLC, AVPAA

Petey’s Food Pantry is collecting donations of new and unopened hygiene items now through April. Make a difference in a student’s life today by donating to the pantry.

Submitted by: Dorcus Nzayisenga, Manager, Petey’s Pantry, Student Life

Canisius University’s Director of Graduate Admissions Amo Kubeyinje spoke about emerging trends in international student recruitment on the March 11 episode of Keystone Higher Ed Chats. During the conversation, Kubeyinje discussed the challenges and opportunities that are shaping higher education recruitment across the globe and specifically in Africa. Kubeyinje, who emigrated from Nigeria to the U.S., also shared insights into the evolving landscape of international student mobility in Africa.  Listen to the podcast on Spotify.

Submitted by: University Communications

The EdUp Experience podcast hosted President Steve Stoute on its March 10 episode. The hourlong interview focused on how the university’s first-gen president is working to make a Canisius education accessible. The conversation touched on how Canisius is eliminating barriers to student success and expanding student-centered education, and how institutions can best balance tradition and transformation. The EdUp Experience is considered America’s leading higher education podcast and a go-to resource for education leaders. Listen to the interview on the EdUp Experience.

Submitted by: University Communications

Richard Reitsma, PhD, has a new publication out in Spanish about the first LGBTQIA+ center in Cuba. The article is part of a first-of-its-kind anthology on gender studies of and for Latin America titled “Senderos de los Estudios Feministas del Género en América Latina” (“Pathways in Feminist Gender Studies in Latin America”). The volume is available as open access in both a digital live interactive volume (geocaching included) and as a traditional PDF.

Reitsma’s contribution, “De Santa Clara, Cuba para el Mundo: el poder del Centro Cultural El Mejunje de transformar a la gente solitaria en gente solidaria” (“From Santa Clara Cuba to the World: The Power of the Mejunje Cultural Center to Transform Solitary into Solidarity”), can be found on pages 234-250. The article focuses on some of the field research Reitsma did during his last sabbatical and includes interviews with the founders and participants of the center, including excursions to bring drag shows and other pedagogical theater to the countryside.

Read the open-access interactive article.

Submitted by: University Communications

The Canisius Borders and Migration Initiative, Department of Sociology, and Andrew L. Bouwhuis, SJ Library present a book launch and panel discussion. Dr. Secil Ertorer, associate professor in the Department of Sociology at Canisius, will be launching her new book “Racism and Identity in a Xenophobic World: A Post-Pandemic Perspective.” Her brief presentation will be followed by a thought-provoking panel discussion on the politics of identity, exclusion, and division. 

The panelists inbclude Dr. Richard Reitsma, director of the Borders and Migration Initiative, and Dr. Anita Butera, director of Criminal Justice Studies, and they will engage with some of the most pressing questions of policies of division. Join us for an insightful conversation on these urgent issues and their impact on our world today.

Date: March 25 at noon

Location: Library Learning Center at the Andrew L. Bouwhuis, SJ Library.

This event is free and open to the public

Submitted by: Makayla Cole, Administrative Associate, College of Arts & Sciences

WBFO reported on Canisius’ inaugural Women’s Leadership Summit, which took place on Friday, March 7. The event featured several notable female alumni speakers including WNBA’s New York Liberty CEO Keia Clarke ’03. The sold-out event highlighted the challenges women face in leadership roles and emphasized the importance of mentorship. Read or listen to the story.

Submitted by: University Communications

On Feb. 26, students in Prof. Mick Cochrane’s All-College Honors seminar “Bob Dylan, American Genius” were treated to a performance by Buffalo musicians Cathy Carfagna and Dave Meinzer.

Carfagna and Meinzer played a selection of Dylan songs—including “Girl from the North Country,” “My Back Pages,” “Ballad of a Thin,” and “Like A Rolling Stone”—as well as several of their own compositions. They discussed Dylan’s growth as a performer and songwriter, his increasing musical sophistication, and his many influences, such as Woody Guthrie, Buddy Holly, and Chuck Berry. A special highlight was their performance of “Subterranean Homesick Blues” with additional original verses written by members of the seminar.

“It is one thing to listen to Dylan’s music through videos and sound files,” one student commented, “but to hear and see it played live was another experience entirely.” Another remarked, “It was very cool to hear a musician’s perspective!”

Meinzer is a member of The Buffalo Music Hall of Fame who has released his own songs on a number of CDs, most recently Tambourine. Carfagna has performed and released music both as a solo artist and as a member of several groups, including the Jazzabels, the Vores, and the Black Rock Beatles.

The event was made possible through the support of the Thomas Connelly Endowment.

Submitted by: Mick Cochrane, Professor, English

The inaugural Women’s Leadership Summit, which is being held today, Friday, March 7, is generating some significant excitement, in part due to its keynote speaker, Keia Clarke. The 2003 alumna and CEO of the WNBA’s New York Liberty was featured in the March 5 edition of The Buffalo News. Clarke also shared her journey from Canisius to the mainstage of professional women’s sports with WBFO Radio. Listen to the interview on WBFO (starts at the 32-minute mark).

Assistant Professor of Political Science Shyam Sriram, PhD, spoke with WBFO Radio on March 5 about the potential challenges facing New York Governor Kathy Hochul in her 2024 re-election bid. Sriram discussed the growing tensions between Hochul and Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado, speculating that Delgado may step away from his role to possibly challenge Hochul in the upcoming election. Read or listen to the story on WBFO

WGRZ-TV Channel 2 interviewed Associate Accounting Professor Shannon Jemiolo, PhD, whose students are gaining valuable real-world experience by offering free tax preparation services through the IRS’ Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. The initiative helps community members with annual incomes of $67,000 or less, while providing students with hands-on training in tax laws, software and client interaction. Watch the story.

Submitted by: University Communications

Join CALLI for Part 2 of our adventure in Celtic medieval literature, this time featuring one of the most important texts from Wales, “The Mabinogian.” This text is from a golden age of Welsh literature that flourished in the late Middle Ages. No prior knowledge of the topic is necessary, and one need not have attended Part 1 of this course.

Led by Prof. Johanna Fisher, this six-week online course begins Tuesday, March 18, at noon.

Learn more about the course on the CALLI blog

Submitted by: Kristina Laun, Website and Social Media Administrator, CALLI

TIAA Financial Consultant Ed Haspett will be on campus for one-on-one sessions on Tuesday, March 11, in the Student Center Conference Room 205. This is a great opportunity for employees to discuss their TIAA 403(b) retirement plans and receive personalized financial guidance.

Visit the TIAA website to schedule your session

Learn more about Ed Haspett

Submitted by: Bethany Voorhees, HR coordinator, Human Resources

New York State requires employers to provide annual harassment training of all employees annually. The training for 2024-2025 needs to be completed by all employees by March 15, 2025.  The course can be taken by logging into CollaborNation and clicking on the course called “Combating Sexual Harassment in the Workplace (NY).” The course will have a blue banner that says “Not Started” (see attached picture).

To log in, the username is the employee’s Canisius email address and the initial password is Welcome123. Employees will be prompted to reset their password. If Welcome123 is not working, please click on forgot password and reset your password.

If you are experiencing problems with accessing the course, before contacting HR, verify that all pop-up blockers have been turned off and clear the cache. If there are still issues after trying these two items, please email HR at HR@canisius.edu . HR will speak with CollaborNation to address the issue and provide the employee with an update once the issue is resolved.

Submitted by: Bethany Voorhees, HR coordinator, Human Resources

Sip sip hooray! It’s Employee Appreciation Day on March 7! As a small token of our appreciation for all of the good work you do and your commitment to our campus community, please take a break and enjoy a medium-sized beverage from the Tim Hortons on campus! Faculty and staff can stop by Tim Hortons on Friday, March 7, or Monday, March 10, to receive your complimentary beverage. No voucher is required this year. If you have any questions, please contact the Office of Human Resources at hr@canisius.edu.

Submitted by: Lynn Incardona, HR Associate, Human Resources

With a win over Rider this Thursday night, March 6, at 6 p.m., Canisius Women’s Basketball qualifies for the MAAC Tournament.

While every game matters, this one matters just a bit more. We hope to see you (and especially hear you) at the Koessler Athletic Center on Thursday night. Coach Swafford and this team have over-achieved. They work incredibly hard and they will make you proud win or lose, but they could really use your support on Thursday night.

Get a discounted ticket to help sweeten the deal

Thanks and go Griffs!

Submitted by: Mike Kochczynski, Assistant Athletic Director, Department of Athletics

Ever wonder how university stories cut through the noise and into the headlines? Or how the Instagram post of Petey that you liked came together? Or even who produces this thing here, The Dome? Meet the communications professionals who tell the Canisius story and learn more about their work at the upcoming forum on public relations taking place Monday, March 31, at 1 p.m. in the Grupp Fireside Lounge. This hourlong forum will feature a presentation on University Communications’ strategy and products, helpful tips on improving your own communications and collaborating with the unit, and an open question-and-answer session.

Submitted by: University Communications

Danielle Ianni, PhD, discussed how to turn recruitment promises into real results with University Business. In a guest contributed article, the vice president for enrollment management and university communications shared how information gleaned during the recruitment process can be a strong indicator of a student’s ability to be successful. Read the article on University Business.

WBFO Radio reported on the inaugural Women’s Leadership Summit happening on Friday, March 7. Reporter Alex Simone highlighted interviews with alumnae Hon. Lenora Foote-Beavers ’92, a retired judge, and Teresa Amabile ’72, PhD, an emerita professor at Harvard University. Foote-Beavers emphasized the importance of networking in her success and expressed excitement about bringing such an opportunity to Buffalo, while Amabile shared her pride in participating in the summit and stressed the need for more women’s voices in leadership. Read or listen to the story on WBFO.

Submitted by: University Communications

Join students, faculty and staff for our monthly Canisius Conversation series this Thursday, March 6, from 4-5 p.m. in the Library Learning Center. Our topic will continue to be recent federal executive actions. We will discuss the differences between executive orders and legislation and ask, how should change occur in the United States?

The purpose of the Canisius Conversations series is to create space for faculty, staff and students to come together and discuss important issues that affect our community in a constructive respectful way. All are encouraged to take part in this community dialogue space.

Submitted by: Spencer Liechty, Assistant Vice President for Mission Integration

Faculty and staff are invited to the monthly AI and Pedagogy Lunch and Learn! No RSVP necessary! The first meeting will be on Tuesday, March 25, at 1 p.m.

During these Teams meetings, we discuss the current state of AI, new or interesting AI tools, how AI can be used in our pedagogy and more! Feel free to enjoy your lunch at the same time too.

If interested or have topics to suggest related to AI and Pedagogy, please email COLI at coli@canisius.edu for the calendar invitation. Once you receive it, feel free to share it with colleagues!

Submitted by: Tyler Kron-Piatek, Instructional Designer, COLI

COLI, in partnership with Academic Affairs, is looking for session leaders for the upcoming Summer Faculty Development Week, taking place Aug. 11-14. Topics usually are centered around pedagogy and range from novel practices to roundtable discussions on using particular tools, such as podcasting, using Panopto for videos, Hypothes.is for social annotations and more. We have also had sessions talking about best practices for internship courses and how to get started developing new programs and advanced certificates at Canisius.

Check out last year’s FacDev and the 2023 FacDev promotional pages for more ideas. Interested faculty (or staff!) can fill out the Session Information Form.

Those that are simply interested in attending Summer FacDev 2025, stay tuned to the COLI Blog and The Dome!

Questions? Contact COLI at coli@canisius.edu.

Submitted by: Tyler Kron-Piatek, Instructional Designer, COLI

Ramadan is a holiday practiced by Muslims* where they focus on introspection, communal prayer, and religious fasting. This year, Ramadan will take place from Feb. 28-March 29**.

Here is some information about Ramadan:

• Individuals refrain from eating, drinking, smoking, and intimate contact from dawn to sunset.
• Individuals increase their focus on personal restraint, proper conduct, and empathy with the less fortunate through giving to charity and engaging in local projects.
• Muslims who have reached puberty are obligated to fast. Individuals who are not at puberty may choose to fast anyway. Exemptions are made for individuals in situations where fasting would be a hardship, such as illness, pregnancy, nursing, etc.

In an effort to support the members of our community, here are some items for your consideration:

• New York Education Law section 224-A outlines the requirements for academic accommodations.
• Please be flexible with scheduling, as individuals may need to pray during class, meetings, etc.
• Due to fasting, individuals may struggle to concentrate. Consider allowing individuals to keep their cameras off during any virtual classes, meetings, etc., or to take a quick break if needed.
• Individuals may begin to wear hijabs during this month. Remember, it is not the individual’s responsibility to educate the community.
• Prayer rooms are available in the library for individuals to use if needed. Additionally, there is group prayer on Fridays from 12-1:00 p.m. in Science Hall Room 105. Offices may also want to consider identifying a designated space for prayer. If you would like signage to help identify these spaces, please reach out to the ALANA Student Center.

Chartwells will provide Halal sourced foods in the Social Dining Hall. Breakfast packs are available upon request. The dining hall will be open Sunday-Thursday until 9 p.m. and Friday-Saturday until 7 p.m.

Consistent with our institutional statement on diversity and inclusion, these efforts will help us achieve our goals of “creating a culture of acceptance, awareness, learning, respect, and understanding inside and outside of the classroom.”

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact Fatima Rodriguez Johnson, Associate Dean for Diversity & Inclusion, at rodrig23@canisius.edu.

*The term Muslim refers to individuals who practice the religion of Islam.

**Dates may vary depending on the individual’s religious school of thought.

Submitted by: Fatima Rodriguez Johnson, Associate Dean for Diversity & Inclusion, Academic Affairs

The digital displays around campus have been updated with new functionality to feature campus events and information, and faculty and staff can now submit event and club information for all to see on campus TVs. To help promote your event, create an event in GriffConnect will promote it to all students, faculty, and staff by sharing across the digital displays and Today@Canisius. 

The process requires the use of GriffConnect, a tool our students use that is now available to all. Follow the steps below to submit your event:

1. Log on to GriffConnect using your Canisius credentials. (Please note if you have not logged in before, it will ask you to complete a quick onboarding.)
2. To help promote events in Today@Canisius, you must have a department created on GriffConnect. If one hasn’t been made for your area yet, you can create one. 
   1. Creating a group will help you amplify your reach to everyone across campus and give you access to many different resources (attendance tracking, wider audience publishing, communication analytics, and direct student population communication).
   2. If you have any questions or need assistance, you can contact Jason Francey at franceyj@canisius.edu.
3. Now, going forward, to submit items for the campus digital signage, you will just need to submit a form. 
   1. Your department will need a GriffConnect page to complete this form.
4. To learn more about all the features GriffConnect has to offer to help your team engage students you can watch this short video.

The editorial team of members of University Communications or Student Life will reach out if anything needs to be fixed.

Please reach out to franceyj@canisius.edu with any questions.

Submitted by: Josh Kruk (krukj@canisius.edu) and Mike Yates (yatesm@canisius.edu)

COLI is offering two new 30-minute workshops dealing with Microsoft Teams:

The first is Microsoft Teams for Virtual Meetings. In this workshop, we will go over how to conduct virtual meetings with Microsoft Teams including starting a meeting, recording a meeting (and where to find said recording), screen sharing, and breakout rooms. If there is time, we will also go over how to share documents (that you and participants can edit live!) and Microsoft Whiteboard.

The second is Microsoft Teams: Chats and Teams. In this workshop, we go over how to start a chat in Microsoft Teams. Similar to text messaging, this helps prevent the need for a flood of emails, saving our inboxes. We will also go over how to create a Teams, which is useful for offices and departments for organizing chats, securely sharing files, and more.

To see dates and times (and other Workshops), check out the Faculty Development Opportunities Wiki Page. Can’t wait or want to get started with Teams now? Check out the Microsoft Office Support Wiki Page.

Submitted by: Tyler Kron-Piatek, Instructional Designer, COLI

Emerita Professor of Communications Barb Irwin spoke with Newsday for a Feb. 20 story about “Beyond the Gates,” the first new soap opera to debut since 1999 and the first to feature a largely Black cast. Read the story.

If you’re a faculty member interested in elevating your influence by sharing insights and expertise with the media, complete this brief form. Your information will be added to the University Communications database of individuals who have expertise in areas that may be of interest to local, regional and national media outlets.

Submitted by: University Communications

The Office of University Communications is inviting faculty and staff to elevate their influence by sharing their insights and expertise with a broader audience. Our team has developed a database of Canisius individuals who have expertise on topics that may be of interest to local, regional and national media outlets. 

To participate, simply complete the brief questionnaire (link below) detailing your areas of expertise and scholarship. Responses will be compiled into the database that will serve as a resource for journalists seeking knowledgeable sources for their stories.  And no worries if you’re new to media interviews.. The Office of University Communications is here to provide media tips and training so you can feel confident and prepared to share your expertise. 

Don’t miss this opportunity to amplify your impact and contribute to public discourse! Fill out the Media Expert questionnaire.

Submitted by: University Communications

The Canisius University Teacher Residency (CUTR) graduate program is on the hunt for future K-12 teachers! As part of the Teacher Residency Masters in Education Program, we ask supporters to identify potential teachers by referring them to our program.

What is the Canisius University Teacher Residency program? It is a graduate program for students who have completed their bachelor’s degree in any area and who want to become K-12 teachers. This program leads to dual certification in New York state in one of the following areas:

• Childhood Education (Grades 1-6)/Special Education (All Grades – PreK-12)
• Childhood Education (Grades 1-6)/TESOL (Grades K-12)
• Adolescence Education (Grades 7-12 in a content area)/Special Education (All Grades)

If you know of any students, colleagues, friends, or family who you think would make a great teacher, we would love to hear from you! This refer a resident form allows you to provide graduate admissions with the contact information of prospective graduate students for CUTR. New York State needs approximately 180,000 new teachers over the next decade to meet workforce needs (from NY.gov). Now is a great time to begin a career in teaching.

If you know of anyone interested in any of our graduate programs, I am happy to help. If you have any questions, please reach out to me at ruszczy3@canisius.edu or 716-888-2109.

Submitted by: Sara Ruszczyk, Assistant Director of Graduate Admissions, Office of Graduate Admissions

Online personal finance outlet WalletHub recently interviewed Steve Gattuso on how people can organize their budgets. The executive director of the Golden Griffin Fund weighed in on what the most important categories are to include in a budget and the categories people often forget to include when making a budget. Gattuso also shared tips that can help people organize their expenses better. Read the story on WalletHub.

Submitted by: University Communications

USA Sustainability and Makerspace are joining to host an opportunity for students, faculty, and staff to upcycle their clothing with embroidery, repair and revitalize a garment, or embellish an item from the Griff’s Thrifts store. Be a part of the event on Thursday, March 6 from noon to 3 p.m. on the main floor of the library. You are also welcome to bring your own artistic or creative practice as we inspire each other.

For more details, please contact Maddie Kotch at kotchm@canisius.edu , Gabrielle Stephens at stephe22@canisius.edu or Yvonne Widenor at widenory@canisius.edu.

Submitted by: Yvonne K. Widenor, Assistant Professor, Art History, MLLC, AVPAA, Director, ArtsCanisius

Faculty, staff, students and alumni are invited to receive ashes on Wednesday, March 5, as a tangible symbol of our shared journey through Lent. Ashes will be distributed at the following times and locations:

8-8:30 a.m. – Library / Tim Hortons
8:45-10 a.m. – Koessler Athletic Center
12:05 p.m. – Mass in Christ the King Chapel with ashes
12:45-2 p.m. – Science Hall Stranczek Commons
4:30-5:15 p.m. – Christ the King Chapel (confessions will also be offered)
5:15 p.m. – Mass in Christ the King Chapel with ashes
7:30 p.m. – Prayer Service in Christ the King Chapel with imposition of ashes

This Friday, Feb. 28, at 12:45 p.m. in Christ the King Chapel there will be a short prayer vigil for the health of Pope Francis. All are welcome to join as our community comes together to offer prayers of hope for the pope’s recovery, sorrow for his suffering, and gratitude for his efforts to steer the Catholic Church in new directions.

Submitted by: Spencer Liechty, Assistant Vice President for Mission Integration

Canisius Adult Lifelong Learners Institute is pleased to announce our new spring 2025 course “What’s in a Word? Literature about Friendship: Essays, Poems, & Koans.”

Join instructor John Kryder as he explores readings that feature how important friendship has been throughout human history. Past and present voices will converse with us as we contemplate our responses to and understanding about that essential question: What is a friend?

This in-person, six-week course begins Wednesday, March 12, at 1 p.m.

Learn more and register

Submitted by: Kristina Laun, Website & Social Media Administrator, CALLI

Congratulations to Housekeeper Nancy Mercado, who is retiring today, Feb. 21, after 18 years of service to the university.

Submitted by: Joseph Snodgrass, Director of Facilities, Facilities Management

The Black Catholic Messenger reported on President Stoute’s participation in “The Five Presidents Forum” hosted by Loyola University New Orleans on Feb. 17. The forum brought together distinguished leaders at a pivotal time when Catholic institutions are increasingly entrusting their educational apostolates to lay leadership. Read the story on Black Catholic Messenger. Watch the full panel discussion. 

Shawn O’Rourke, dean of the Wehle Business School, weighed in with Business First for a Feb. 19 story about how local colleges and universities are seeing steady enrollment in MBA programs. O’Rourke explained the degree program is becoming increasingly “applicable to a lot of different industries.” Read a copy of the story.

Submitted by: University Communications

It’s nearing that time of the semester again! It may be useful to review these features of D2L Quizzes and Dropboxes.

Over the President’s Day holiday break, a dedicated group of student leaders, graduate and undergraduate students, and staff members came together for a full-day professional development session hosted by Student Life. This training, facilitated by experts from the Erie County Department of Health’s Office of Health Equity, focused on mental health first aid (MHFA). Participants received a National MHFA Certification from the National Council for Mental Wellbeing. This certification is valid for three years and signifies that the individual has been trained to identify, understand, and respond to mental health and substance use challenges in others. A special thank you to the Office of Health Equity for their partnership in making this important training possible.

What is Mental Health First Aid?

MHFA is an evidence-based training that helps adults provide immediate and practical support to individuals experiencing a mental health or substance use challenge or crisis. The program aims to reduce fear and hesitation when discussing mental health by improving understanding and offering a clear action plan.

For those interested in learning more about Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) and future training opportunities, visit the National Council for Mental Wellbeing website or contact Mike Yates at yatesm@canisius.edu.

Submitted by: Michael Yates, Assistant Vice President and Dean of Students, Student Life

Brad Wales of the East Side Parkways Coalition will be visiting ANZ401 Integral Ecology: Caring for our Common Home on Monday, Feb. 24, at 1:30 p.m. in Health Science 219. The East Side Parkways Coalition is one of several community groups who successfully sued to force the completion of an environmental impact statement before any construction can begin on the proposed Kensington project. Don’t know anything about it? Come and learn! This is literally in Canisius’ backyard and impacts our community and our neighbors on the East Side.

Submitted by: Sue Margulis, Professor, ABEC, ANZ, BIO

The Canisius University Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program is back again this tax season! Get your income taxes prepared and e-filed for free without having to leave campus. This program is open to anyone (student or otherwise) with income below $67,000 last year. For appointments, email jemiolos@canisius.edu or call 716.888.2638.

On Saturday, March 1, at 1:00 p.m., Ryan Wolf ’12 will be signing copies of his new young adult novel, Songs For The Off Season, at Barnes and Noble on Niagara Falls Boulevard. Kirkus Reviews described the book as “a lyrical and sweet coming-of-age story,” a book that “creates an emotional tone that beckons to readers, inviting them to reflect on their own mortality and place in the world.”

Wolf is the author of three other young adult novels—Watches and Warnings, Control Room, and The Real Unreal—as well as the Creeper Critter Keepers chapter book series for children and Moving Through Walls and The Memory Vampires for middle graders. Wolf majored in creative writing, English, and communication studies at Canisius and earned his M.A. in the humanities from the University of Chicago.

You can read more about Ryan Wolf on his author website: https://www.ryanswolf.com

Submitted by: Mick Cochrane professor, English

This coming week is Canisius University Spirit Week, brought to you by Student Life, The Center for Student Engagement and Leadership Development, and Canisius University Athletics.

Wednesday, 2/19: Academic Day

-Students are encouraged to dress as their major (lab coats, business suits, all the professorial garb, etc.)
-Staff from Athletics and S.E.L.D. will also stop by offices and enter staff into Canisius raffles as well as a grand prize of access to the Canisius VIP Loge Box for a 2025-2026 Canisius Hockey Game.

Thursday, 2/20: Student Life Day

-Pajama Day for students
-Student Life will host pop-up events. Stay tuned for the surprises!

Friday, 2/21: Athletics Day

-Dress Like a Griff Day – Wear as much Blue and Gold as possible.
-Follow Petey the Griffin on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/peteythegriffin/) for a scavenger hunt featuring our favorite mascot and Hockey Coach Trevor Large.
-Pre-Game Pep Rally at 3:30 PM in the Patrick Lee Gym
-5 PM – Student Bus to the LECOM Harborcenter
-6 PM – Canisius vs. Niagara in a MASSIVE game for recruiting, Atlantic Hockey standing, and Battle of the Bridge points.

Get your exclusive discounted game tickets here.

Submitted by: Mike Kochczynski, Assistant Athletic Director – Department of Athletics

WGRZ-TV Channel 2, WBEN-AM Radio 930 and The Union Journal, an independent online financial news outlet, all reported on this year’s Golden Griffin Fund team securing first place in the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Institute Research Challenge, held at Canisius on Saturday, Feb. 15. The four-person team prevailed over strong competitors from SUNY Buffalo, SUNY Oswego, RIT, St. John Fisher University and Syracuse University.

Submitted by: University Communications

Submitted by: Tyler Kron-Piatek, Instructional Designer, COLI

The New York Times interviewed Emerita Professor of Communications Barb Irwin, PhD, for a Feb. 5 story about “Beyond the Gates,” a new soap opera that looks to rekindle the past while breaking new ground. Irwin, who has authored several books about the genre, says “there’s a parasocial relationship that viewers establish with soap opera characters, where these people come into their homes every day for decades and they come to love these characters or love to hate the characters.” Read the story in The New York Times.

Submitted by: University Communications

Please congratulate Adelina Metz, Class of 2025, as she embarks on a position at the Buffalo Arts Studio. Metz, an All-College Honors student about to earn a degree in philosophy with art history and English minors, completed an internship there during the spring 2024 semester. She noted in an email to her internship coordinator in January, “I am reaching out to you as I just finished my first day with an official position at Buffalo Arts Studio — I kept volunteering with them after my internship ended, and they just hired me as an administrative assistant. I just wanted to say thank you so much for working with me as my advisor and for helping me find BAS! Everyone there has been so wonderful to me, I have been really enjoying my time there, and I am super excited about my new position.”

We are incredibly proud of Adelina’s accomplishments and wish her every success as she embarks on career in a field that brings her so much joy and that benefits all who visit Buffalo Arts Studio.

Learn more about Buffalo Arts Studio

Submitted by: Yvonne K. Widenor, Assistant Professor, Art History, MLLC, AVPAA

Now until March 1, Career Development is accepting clean, gently used professional clothing for students to obtain free of charge in our annual pop-up. We are accepting donations of clothing, ties, scarves, jewelry, shoes and padfolios for interviews. Donations can be made during business hours in the career development office in Horan O’Donnell 014, and there is also a donation box located outside the office. Last year, over 85 students obtained professional and business-casual clothing for job and internship interviews and the Griff Career Fair. This year’s fair is scheduled for April 9.

Submitted by: Eileen Abbatoy, Executive Director, Career Development

TIAA, the university’s retirement plan provider, is hosting virtual information sessions. For the full schedule of webinars and to register, visit the TIAA website.

Submitted by: Bethany Voorhees, HR Coordinator, Human Resources

Join us for an evening of discussion of local environmental issues and how to participate in the solution. Members from local organizations including Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper and Niagara River Greenway will share a range of projects, such as shoreline restoration pollinator corridors, and provide opportunities to engage in working toward a greener Niagara region.

Learn more about Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper

Learn more about the Niagara River Greenway

Do you know students who take pride in Canisius and would be great representatives of our campus? We’re looking for enthusiastic, engaged students to join our Student Ambassador Program!

Student ambassadors play a key role in welcoming prospective students and families, leading campus tours, assisting with admissions events and more. This is a great opportunity for students to develop leadership, public speaking and interpersonal skills while sharing what makes Canisius special. International students are encouraged to apply!

Please help us spread the word and encourage students to apply. Prospective ambassadors can scan the QR code on the attached flyer, visit the MyCanisius portal, or email wavotev@canisius.edu for more details.

Thank you for your support in helping us build a strong team of ambassadors!

Submitted by: Sarah Calzonetti, Director of Undergraduate Admissions, Admissions

Join us for a multimedia extravaganza honoring the legacy of Frederic Chopin, presented by The Permanent Chair of Polish Culture at Canisius University.

📅 Date: Sunday, Feb. 23
⏰ Time: 2:30 p.m.
📍 Location: Montante Cultural Center
🎟️ Admission: Free, including a reception to follow

The event features:

• The combined choruses of the Chopin Singing Society and Canisius University Chorale
• Renowned pianists Melanie Bebak and Amelia Wroblewski, and more.

Don’t miss this enchanting afternoon of music and culture! We look forward to seeing you there.

Submitted by: Nurul Abdul Salam, Administrative Specialist, College of Arts & Sciences

Chirantana Mathkari

Dr. Chirantana Mathkari, assistant professor of animal behavior, ecology, and conservation and anthrozoology, published an article titled “The Cow Paradox—A Scoping Review of Dairy Bovine Welfare in India Using the Five Freedoms” in Animals, an international, peer-reviewed, open-access journal devoted entirely to animals.

Mathkari’s article analyzes the effects of socio-cultural norms on dairy cow and buffalo welfare in India, the largest producer and consumer of milk. Through her research, Mathkari argues that the compromised welfare of the animals presents itself as a paradoxical situation where the acclaimed sacrality of the cow shapes the welfare of the cows negatively, and nurtures a complete disregard for the welfare of the buffaloes, what Mathkari calls “the cow paradox.”

This study brings to light the largely ignored but crucial role that culturally shaped human influences play in the husbandry of dairy animals, creating grounds for studying the human-animal relationships through a holistic, interdisciplinary approach.

Read Mathkari’s article for free here

Submitted by: Chirantana Mathkari, Assistant Professor, Animal Behavior, Ecology, and Conservation and Anthrozoology

On Tuesday, Feb. 11, Canisius Women’s Basketball will look to sweep Niagara University for the first time since 2018 as the Griffs host rival Niagara Purple Eagles for Play 4 Kay Night. The game is also crucial in the Battle of the Bridge, with Canisius up 11-3 in the all-sports trophy heading towards the end of the winter sports season.

Come out and support the Griffs as well as the Kay Yow Cancer Fund. The first 50 students in attendance will receive special edition shirts, and faculty, staff and fans can purchase shirts for $30, with all funds going to the charity. There will also be a raffle for a special edition Canisius women’s basketball jersey, and the first 20 donors to the Kay Yow Cancer Fund will receive a Canisius University shirt.

Get your exclusive faculty/staff discount tickets here

Submitted by: Mike Kochczynski, Assistant Athletic Director, Department of Athletics

President Steve Stoute shared a sobering critique of contemporary collegiate sports during a recent panel discussion titled “The Cultural and Economic Impact of Sports,” hosted by the University of Toledo and The Toledo Blade newspaper. Stoute warned that fundamental educational values are being eroded by increasing commercialization. He was joined on the panel by such prominent sports figures as Kansas City Chiefs hall-of-famer Nick Lowery and former NFL quarterback Andrew Luck. Watch the full discussion. Read the recap in The Toledo Blade.

The Buffalo News and WGRZ-TV Channel 2 both reported on Canisius welcoming its largest spring freshman class in more than a decade. As previously communicated, new freshmen enrolling at Canisius this spring are at the highest rate since 2012, with new first-year students up 75% over 2024 and 133% over 2023. Read the full story in Canisius’ News Center.

Submitted by: University Communications

Learn more about plans for professional advising and share your thoughts at the upcoming focus group, Feb. 12, from 2:30-3:30 p.m. in Old Main 223.

Submitted by: Rachel Lapinski, Executive Associate, Student Affairs and Finance and Administration

The 18th annual Ignatian Scholarship Day (ISD) will take place on Wednesday, April 2, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. This campuswide tradition is an opportunity for students to submit and present accomplished work from the current or previous semester for an exhibit, presentation, or performance. Students can apply for ISD 2025 using the online application located in MyCanisius. Applications will be accepted until Monday, March 3, at 5 p.m., and faculty members are asked to review and endorse applications by Monday, March 10.

To apply for Ignatian Scholarship Day, please visit the Ignatian Scholarship Day page on the academic affairs community page. For more information, contact the Office of Event Services at extension 2180.

As a reminder, classes that normally meet on a Monday, Wednesday, and Friday pattern will not meet on Ignatian Scholarship Day. Classes that normally meet on Wednesday only or on a Monday and Wednesday pattern will still meet on Wednesday, April 2.

Submitted by: Connie M. Pileri, Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and Director, Event Services

ArtsCanisius invites you to the annual Festival of the Ensembles on Wednesday, Feb. 26, at 7:30 p.m. in Montante Cultural Center. This is a unique opportunity for Canisius students, faculty, staff and the public to enjoy performances by all three student ensembles – Chorale, Chamber Orchestra and Jazz Ensemble – in one evening. Purchase your $5 ticket in advance via the ArtsCanisius website (click on the Tickets and Donations button) or at the door.

For more information about this and other ArtsCanisius events, please visit the program’s webpage or email Yvonne Widenor, director of ArtsCanisius, at widenory@canisius.edu.

Submitted by: Yvonne K. Widenor, Assistant Professor, Art History, MLLC, AVPAA, Director, ArtsCanisius

ArtsCanisius welcomes you to explore the Canisius Zoological Society Photography exhibit in the Peter A. and Mary Lou Vogt Gallery in the Andrew L. Bouwhuis, SJ Library. The Canisius Zoological Society held a photography contest last semester that was open to all students. Each student could submit up to five photos within the categories of United States Wildlife, Global Wildlife, Domestic and Zoo Animals, and Wild Birds. Awards were given, and a delightful evening was had.

This exhibit will be on view until March 10, and we invite everyone to the reception on Friday, Feb. 21, from 2-3 p.m. outside the Vogt Gallery.

For more information about this and other ArtsCanisius events, please visit the program webpage or email Yvonne Widenor, ArtsCanisius director, at widenory@canisius.edu.

Submitted by: Yvonne K. Widenor, Assistant Professor, Art History, MLLC, AVPAA, Director, ArtsCanisius

In the course of identifying opportunities to reduce the deficit, the Institutional Sustainability Task Force has engaged with key stakeholders to gather input to ensure our recommendations align with the university’s strategic vision. We are pleased to report that we are making good progress toward developing specific recommendations as well as an implementation framework to guide the consideration of those recommendations

The task force members have been fully engaged in this process and are committed to finding ways to invest in our future by generating new revenue opportunities and reducing expenses. To date, we have met as a whole committee six times to review and discuss:

• The historical deficit.
• Financial statements.
• Enrollment projections.
• Athletics.
• Funding opportunities through the Advancement Office.

We have also established subcommittees, and members are conducting additional meetings with key stakeholders to gather input for a deeper review of specific areas. These include: 

• The academics and administrative structures subcommittee.
• The athletics subcommittee.
• The internships subcommittee.

In our next meetings, we plan to discuss our current facilities and reports from the various subcommittees to get us closer to making targeted recommendations and an implementation plan to the Board of Trustees and the President.  

Our timeline is tight, and the work ahead of the task force is significant. The work continues, and while we strive to make targeted recommendations by the March deadline, we anticipate that those recommendations will include additional timelines, resource requirements and key milestones that will extend over the course of several years. 

Our sincere gratitude to all who have dedicated time and energy to this effort. 

Submitted by: The Institutional Sustainability Task Force

The faith community at Christ the King Chapel invites all married couples to renew their vows on Valentine’s weekend. Mass will be held on Sunday, Feb.16, at 9:30 a.m., with a light brunch reception to follow in Loyola Hall.

Whether you were married one year or 50 years ago, in the chapel or elsewhere, all married couples are welcome to celebrate.

Submitted by: Rev. Fred Betti, SJ, chaplain

There will be plenty of time to attend Mass on Sunday, Feb. 9, ahead of the Super Bowl.

The Christ the King Chapel Faith Community will host its regular 9:30 a.m. Mass on Sunday. In lieu of the regular Sunday evening Mass at 7 p.m., Christ the King Chapel will hold its second Mass at 3 p.m. on Sunday so everyone can be home in time for kickoff.

Submitted by: Rev. Fred Betti, SJ, Chaplain

WBFO Radio interviewed Shyam Sriram for a Jan. 29 story focused on President Trump’s new immigration and deportation policies. The assistant professor of political science is an expert on immigration and shared his concerns about the proposed policy changes, the language being used and the harmful stereotype created by linking crime and immigration.

Read the story on WBFO

Submitted by: University Communications

The Canisius Adult Lifelong Learners Institute spring 2025 book club meeting will be Thursday, April 10, at 1 p.m in the Library room 103. This semester, we will look at David Gibbins’ “A History of the World in Twelve Shipwrecks.” Please note that the meeting location has changed.

Submitted by: Kristina Laun, Information Technology Services, Book Club Hostess, CALLI

Faculty and staff are invited to attend the next installment of the President’s Innovation Fund Forum, taking place Friday, Feb. 7, at 1 p.m. in the Regis Room of the Student Center. The forum, hosted by President Stoute, will focus on this year’s priorities for the President’s Innovation Fund. This is a valuable opportunity to learn how we plan to leverage the $1 million raised to spur innovation and propel Canisius to Answer the Call.

Submitted by: Denise Flannery, Executive Associate, Office of the President

Our MLK Celebration speaker this will is Dr. Shaun Nelms. The event will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 11, at 1 p.m. in the Regis Room of the Student Center.

Nelms is vice president for community partnerships and special advisor to the president at the University of Rochester, where he fosters collaborations aligned with the University’s strategic plan. During his tenure as superintendent, Nelms transformed East Upper and Lower Schools, raising the graduation rate from 29% to 85%. His innovative leadership model earned him the inaugural William and Sheila Konar directorship at the Center for Urban Education Success (CUES), where he advances national education reform.

As CEO of Nelms Consulting Group, Nelms advises on leadership systems and development. Known for reshaping educational practices and institutions, his work continues to drive leadership and organizational transformation across various sectors.

Submitted by: Monika McFoy, Interim Associate Dean of Students, ALANA Center

Nominations are being accepted for the 2025 I. Joan Lorch Award for Women & Gender Studies. This award honors “a person who has made a significant contribution to women and who exemplifies the pursuit of liberation and justice regarding sex, gender, and sexuality.”

2024 Lorch Award winners (from left to right): Adrienne Hill and Ana Grujić, Buffalo-Niagara LGBTQ History Project (community award); Bex Nagel ’25 (student award); Kim Griffin ’11, head coach of Women’s Softball (colleague award)

The three categories for the Lorch award are:

1. Student award, honoring any current undergraduate or graduate student at Canisius University.
2. Canisius colleague award, honoring any current Canisius University full- or part-time employee across faculty, staff and administration.
3. Community member award, honoring any member of the wider community who is not a current student or employee of Canisius University.

The celebration to honor the three awardees will take place in March, Women’s History Month.

The deadline for nominations is Feb. 17. All nominations should include your name, your nominee’s name and contact information, and a 100-200 word description as to why the nominee is a deserving recipient of the Lorch award.

Submit your nomination

Submitted by: Tanya Loughead, Professor, Department of Philosophy and Women & Gender Studies

This coming Saturday features two great events.

First up, Women’s Basketball, winners in three of their last five contests, hosts National Girls and Women in Sports Day. A free, pregame youth sports clinic runs from noon-1 p.m., followed by Women’s Basketball vs. MAAC newcomers the Merrimack Warriors. The team will sign autographs on complimentary team posters after the game.

Get an exclusive ticket discount to the basketball game

Then, Hockey plays the U.S. Air Force Academy at 4 p.m. at the LECOM Harborcenter in downtown Buffalo.

Get an exclusive ticket discount to the hockey game

Thank you for supporting Canisius University Athletics! See you at the games.

Submitted by: Mike Kochczynski, Assistant Athletic Director – Department of Athletics

Chemistry ACS major Alex Szczepankiewicz ’26 has been awarded an Undergraduate Student Research Grant from the Rochester Academy of Science for his proposal “Haloperoxidase Biomimicry: Toward the Generation of Electrophilic Species Utilizing Xerogel-Based Transition Metal Catalysts.” This grant will help support Alex’s continuing research in the laboratory of Prof. Corey Damon in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. Alex will be investigating the catalytic performance of a variety of xerogel-based transition-metal catalysts toward the generation of hypohalous acids. The production of hypohalous acids is of particular interest in the marine antifouling industry, which protects ships and boats from the settlement organisms that can impair performance and compromise their structural integrity.

Submitted by: Phil Sheridan, Professor, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry

The Canisius University Women’s Leadership Council is proud to announce the inaugural Women’s Leadership Summit,  “Joining One Another on the Journey,” taking place Friday, March 7, from noon-4:15p.m. in the Stranczek Commons in Science Hall. The Summit will include engaging speakers, thoughtful dialogue, and networking opportunities for all Women of Canisius. Highlights include:

• Keynote by Keia Clarke ’03, CEO of the New York Liberty
• Moderated Panel Discussion – “Junctures on the Journey”
• 4 educational breakout sessions to choose from
• Lunch, a relationship building reception, and access to women leaders of all backgrounds

Canisius University employees are invited to attend the event at a special discounted rate of just $25!

Visit the summit webpage for more information and to register

Registration closes Friday, Feb. 28, and space is limited!

Submitted by: AnneMarie Haumesser, Assistant Vice President for Advancement

Graham Stowe, assistant professor of English and director of the Canisius Writing Center, published an article in WLN: A Journal of Writing Center Scholarship (49.2, Winter 2025) titled “‘Everything Counts’: Impacts of Centering Social Justice in a Writing Center.”

The article explores the impact of social-justice-centered tutor-training courses, like the one Stowe teaches, on student-tutors.

Stowe’s ENG 390, Tutoring Writing, the course that Canisius tutors take in preparation for their work in the writing center, is grounded in Paulo Freire’s educational philosophy emphasizing radical empathy, dialogue and empowerment. Stowe’s research documents the positive outcomes of this approach. The students in the study showed evidence of personal growth, greater openness to diverse perspectives, and increased awareness of how writing center work connects with the kind of social justice and care for the whole person that is at the core of our Jesuit mission.

Stowe’s study suggests that “a writing center explicitly oriented towards justice shows extraordinary promise for nurturing more conscious, engaged citizens.”

Read Stowe’s essay

Submitted by: Mick Cochrane, Professor, English

TIAA Financial Consultant Ed Haspett will be on campus for one-on-one sessions on Thursday, Feb. 6, in the Student Center Conference Room. This is a great opportunity for employees to discuss their TIAA 403(b) retirement plans and receive personalized financial guidance. There are still appointment slots available! To schedule your session, please visit TIAA.org/schedulenow.

Learn more about Ed Haspett

Submitted by: Bethany Voorhees, HR Coordinator, Human Resources

It’s never too late to kick off the new year with healthier habits! Check out February’s “Live Well, Work Well” newsletter from Lawley Insurance Group. This issue dives into the Mediterranean diet, which is the top diet of 2025, as well as tips on building heart-healthy habits, the perks of strength training, and a nutritious, feel-good recipe: Confetti Grain Salad.

Submitted by: Bethany Voorhees, HR Coordinator, Human Resources