The Dome

Starting next week, The Dome Newsletter will shift to its adjusted schedule for the winter break with one weekly recap message on Friday mornings. This schedule will continue through Jan. 10. There will be no sends during the administrative shutdown from Dec. 23-Jan. 1.

As always, you can stay up to date with Canisius news and updates between newsletters by checking back here on The Dome on the web.

Submitted by: University Communications

On behalf of Petey’s Pantry, I would like to extend our deepest gratitude for your generous support during our recent Griff Hygiene Drive. Your contributions are making a significant impact on our campus community, providing essential hygiene products to students in need.

It is through the kindness and dedication of individuals like you that we are able to continue our mission of supporting our students and ensuring they have the resources they need to thrive at Canisius. Your willingness to give and make a difference is truly appreciated, and we are so thankful for your involvement.

Thank you again for your generosity. Together, we are making a real difference.

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

During the Makerspace Creator Lab’s Finals Week Open Hours, students decorated cookies with Three Little Hens Baking Company cookie kits. Thanks to Rachel at Three Little Hens and the Lewiston Artisan Farmers Market for supplying a relaxing project for Canisius students as they complete their fall semester.

Submitted by: Mark Gallimore, Director, Center for Online Learning and Innovation

Joshua Russell, professor in the Animal Behavior, Ecology and Conservation Department, has agreed to serve as interim associate dean for the College of Arts & Sciences. Josh begins his one-semester term on Jan. 8, 2025. Thank you, Josh, for your willingness to step into this important role that fosters student success.

Note that from now until Jan. 8, Dean Tom Chambers will be fulfilling the associate dean functions.

Submitted by: Tom Chambers, Dean, College of Arts & Sciences

As we approach the close of the semester and the holiday season, I want to take a moment to share an update on our undergraduate admissions efforts for the incoming freshman and transfer classes.

The excitement is building — we’ve already received 47 freshman deposits up over 17% compared to this time last year! To date, we are also up 110 in total freshman applications (2,400 total) and have received more than 80 transfer applications for fall 2025, with many more expected in the coming weeks.

The months ahead are filled with opportunities to engage with prospective and admitted students. Highlights include two Buffalo Promise Scholarship panel events, a combined alumni and admissions gathering in Tysons, Virginia, two fan tailgates for accepted students at men’s basketball and hockey games, and a variety of weekday and Saturday visit options.

After the holiday break, we’ll direct our efforts to yielding our class with targeted admitted student outreach efforts, inviting faculty to connect directly with students. Details on how to participate will be shared soon.

Thank you all for your dedication and hard work throughout this busy season. Wishing you a restful holiday season filled with joy and warmth!

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

WalletHub recently spoke with Steven Gattuso, assistant professor of economics and finance, about the best ways to shop and save on car insurance prices. Click here to read his insights.

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.

The IRS has announced the new limits for 2025 employee retirement contributions.

For employees who are below age 50, the maximum contribution is increasing from $23,000 to $23,500. Employees who are over age 50 have the opportunity to contribute more based on the list below:

• Age 50-59: an additional $7,500 for a total of $31,000
• Age 60-63: an additional $11,250 for a total of $34,750
• Age 64 or older: an additional $7,500 for a total of $31,000
  

To be eligible to contribute the additional amounts listed, the employee must turn age 50 or age 63 during the 2025 calendar year. These limits apply to the employee contribution only.

Any changes to contribution amounts must be made online and may be made at anytime during the year by following the attached information.

Submitted by: Dawn Rotterman, Benefits and HRIS Manager, Human Resources

December’s Wellness Newsletter from Uprise Health focuses on celebrating International Day of Persons with Disabilities, boosting your holiday spirit through volunteering, and managing holiday stress. You can also view the newsletter in your browser by clicking here.

Submitted by: Bethany Voorhees, HR Coordinator, Human Resources

Canisius University is committed to maintaining a workplace free from sexual harassment. The university is partnering with Puzzle HR through CollaborNation to provide state-mandated harassment prevention training. Every employer in New York is required to provide employees with this training on an annual basis.

You should have received an email from Puzzle HR (the initial email may be from “admin@collaboration.net” and may have a subject line stating “Daniel Villa Jones invited you to join them on CollaborNation”) requesting that you complete mandatory harassment training. The course titled “How to Combat Sexual Harassment in the Workplace” is the mandatory training that needs to be completed by Jan. 31, 2025. Human Resources was previously informed and shared that the email would state the training was assigned by Canisius University and apologizes for any confusion this may have caused.

If you did not yet receive an email for this training, please keep an eye out for it over the coming days and take the time to complete the training. The training should take approximately 30 minutes, and it is an important step in ensuring that we maintain a positive and inclusive work environment for everyone.

If you have any questions or experience any issues with the training, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Human Resources by emailing the HR mailbox at hr@canisius.edu.

Thank you for your attention to this important matter and for your ongoing commitment to upholding our values.

Submitted by: Bethany Voorhees, HR Coordinator, Human Resources

ITS Help Desk hours for the winter break (Monday, Dec. 16, through Friday, Jan. 10) will be as follows:

• Mondays-Fridays: 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
• Monday, Dec. 23-Wednesday, Jan. 1: closed for campus shutdown

On Monday, Jan. 13, we will commence regular hours:

• Monday-Thursday: 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
• Friday: 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

If you have any questions, contact the Help Desk in Horan O’Donnell, Room 016, via email at helpdesk@canisius.edu or phone at ext. 8340.

To create a help desk ticket please visit helpdesk.canisius.edu.

Submitted by: Grant Guzda, Help Desk Manager, User Services

Every employer in New York state is required to provide employees with sexual harassment prevention training on an annual basis. Canisius University is committed to maintaining a workplace free from sexual harassment and is partnering with Puzzle HR to provide this training. The training must be completed by Jan. 31, 2025.

You will soon receive an email from Puzzle HR requesting that you complete mandatory harassment training. This training is designed to enhance awareness and ensure that all employees understand our policies and expectations regarding workplace behavior.

Please keep an eye out for the email and take the time to complete the training “How to Combat Sexual Harassment in the Workplace” as soon as possible. The training should take approximately 30 minutes, and it is an important step in ensuring that we maintain a positive and inclusive work environment for everyone.

If you have any questions or experience any issues with the training, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Human Resources by emailing the HR mailbox at hr@canisius.edu.

Thank you for your attention to this important matter and for your ongoing commitment to upholding our values.

Submitted by: Dawn Rotterman, Benefits and HRIS Manager, Human Resources

It’s a great weekend of Canisius sporting events!

Friday, Dec. 6, at 7 p.m.: John Beilein Replica Jerseys at Canisius Men’s Basketball. The Griffs host Merrimack for their conference home opener. The first 500 fans receive 1990’s John Beilein-era replica jerseys courtesy of Reimer Home Services and Brandon Bieron ’09.

Saturday, Dec. 7, at 6 p.m.: Canisius Hockey vs. Sacred Heart. Canisius Hockey is 5-2-1 in Atlantic Hockey America as they take on Sacred Heart, who is currently second in the conference standings. Game time is 6 p.m. at Harborcenter.

Sunday, Dec. 8, at 1  p.m.: Canisius Wrapping Paper at Canisius Men’s Basketball as they take on Syracuse basketball legend and new Siena head coach Gerry McNamara. Canisius will give out Canisius-themed wrapping paper to the first 500 fans in attendance.

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

Monday, Dec. 9, is the observance of the Solemnity of Mary, the Immaculate Conception.

Masses will be offered in Christ the King Chapel on that day at 12:05 p.m. and 5:15 p.m.

The regular observance (on Dec. 8) is moved in deference to the Sunday of Advent.

Since the Immaculate Conception is the patroness of the United States, the obligation to attend Mass remains in effect for Dec. 9.

Submitted by: Rev. Fred Betti, SJ, chaplain, Mission and Ministry

Now that winter is here, take additional precautions while driving to protect yourself and other motorists.

Submitted by: Matthew Moje, Safety Coordinator, Facilities

The Higher Education Leadership and Administration (HELA) graduate students are cosponsoring a holiday toy drive with the Office of Mission and Ministry. HELA students are focused on doing good works to help those in our neighborhood. This toy drive is for the Resource Council of WNY, located less than one mile from campus. After the toy drive ends on campus, donations will be dropped off to the community partner, and on Saturday, Dec. 14, the toys collected from the Canisius Community will be given out to our neighborhood community.

In the season of giving, in the City of Good Neighbors, please consider buying a new toy for a child who might not receive one otherwise. The drive started Monday, Dec. 2, and concludes Tuesday, Dec. 10. You will see the toy donation boxes decorated by kids, in the Old Main faculty lounge, the ALANA Student Center and Christ the King Chapel.

If you have questions, reach out to Tiare Baird (baird4@canisisus.edu) or Phil Reutter (reutterp@canisius.edu).

Submitted by: Office of Mission and Ministry

Assistant Vice President for Student Records and Financial Services Kevin Smith appeared on the 4:00 p.m. broadcast of WIVB-TV Channel 4 News on Dec. 3 to share strategies on how best to secure financial aid and where students and families can find support throughout the process. Click here to watch the story.

University Business interviewed Smith about the relative seamless rollout of this year’s FAFSA process, which opened publicly two weeks earlier than the Dec. 1 schedule. He also appeared on the Dec. 4 morning show of WBEN-AM Radio 930 to discuss how students and families can navigate the FAFSA process. Click the audio link below to listen to the full interview.

Vice President for Student Affairs Harold Fields spoke with the Financial Times for a Dec. 3 story on why employers need to learn how to hire, train and retain Gen Z workers before it’s too late. The story (which is behind a paywall) can be read here.

Assistant Professor of Economics and Finance Jeffrey Oxman shared his insights on the best ways to shop and save on car insurance prices for a recent WalletHub feature. Click here to read the story.

Submitted by: University Communications

ITS will be applying Banner upgrades to our production environment on Sunday, Dec. 8, from 5:00 a.m. to around noon. During this maintenance window, the Banner Application, Self-Service Banner (Student Profile, registration, time sheets, leave balances, etc.) will be unavailable. These upgrades have already been applied to TST1, TST2 and PPRD databases for testing purposes and are required in order to keep our systems up to date.

The ITS systems status page, found in dark blue top section of the portal, will be updated accordingly.

If you encounter any issues post upgrade, please contact the help desk via email at helpdesk@canisius.edu or phone at 716-888-8340.

Submitted by: Michele Folsom Director of Administrative Computing, ITS

Final exams are fast approaching. It may be useful to review these features of D2L Quizzes and Dropboxes.

D2L Quizzes

Between semesters, why not try something new? Using the Lightboard Studio is easy. Professors and staff can develop professional-quality videos using this innovative recording method that captures very traditional teaching – lecturing or demonstrating while writing on a board – in a new and visually engaging way.

Visit the Lightboard Wiki Page to see more demos or book time in the studio. Contact COLI for a one-on-one tutorial on how to get started!

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

Due to a back-end problem, surveys using the Qualtrics email distribution tool may have experienced errors sending. This issue seems to have started Nov. 14 and was resolved Dec. 3.

Example error message when sending Qualtrics Survey

If you sent surveys using Qualtrics during this time period, please double check that they were delivered. You may need to resend the survey. Additionally, if Qualtrics was used for an assignment (i.e., students being required to fill out a survey or were required to create their own survey), we advise that you alert students as needed.

Any further questions can be directed to the ITS Helpdesk at helpdesk@canisius.edu.

Submitted by: Tyler Kron-Piatek, Instructional Designer, COLI, on behalf of ITS

The faith community at Christ the King Chapel and the Loyola Hall Jesuit community celebrated its annual Thanksgiving Day Mass and Open House Brunch. 

Four generations of alumni, family, friends, students and the chapel’s parishioners celebrated Thanksgiving Day Mass before attending brunch in Loyola Hall, the Jesuit residence. The chapel faith community makes a special effort to invite the many students who remain on campus during the holiday break, especially international students who have never celebrated Thanksgiving Day.

In addition to a delicious meal in the Loyola dining room, students were provided with all sorts of grocery items to help them stock up during the campus shut down. Rev. Fred Betti, SJ, university chaplain, noted, “This is a wonderful way in which we’re building a strong faith community for our students, alumni and our Chapel parishioners.” 

Submitted by: Rev. Fred Betti, SJ, University Chaplain

Please take a moment to review the university’s procedures and plans for communication of any impact of weather on normal university activities.

There are several possible options for altering the university’s regular operation due to weather:

1. Cancellation of all in-person classes; staff expected to report.
2. Closing the university; only essential operating personnel should report.
3. Delay of opening; essential operating personnel should report at their regular time, and other personnel should report once the university is open.
4. Early closing of the university .

Decisions about changes to the university’s operations are based on evaluating the effects of current and forecasted conditions on the safety of students, faculty, and staff. There are generally two decision points each day – one in the early morning and a second in the afternoon.

Early Morning Decisions

The decision to close or delay the opening of the university will be made by a group that represents Facilities, Public Safety, Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, University Communications, and Business and Finance. This group will assess the current conditions, the weather forecast, and the likely effects on university operation and safety. Any decision to alter the regular operations of the university will be communicated to the Canisius community by 6:00 a.m. through the following methods/outlets:

• Canisius Website: www.canisius.edu
• Canisius Portal: https://my.canisius.edu/
• Canisius Alert System
• TV Stations (Channel 2, WGRZ; Channel 4, WIVB; Channel 7, WKBW; Spectrum News 1)

Afternoon Decisions

Daytime decisions for early dismissal or cancellation of remaining classes will be made no later than 2:30 p.m. If a decision is made to cancel evening classes (classes beginning after 4:00 p.m.), it will be communicated no later than 2:45 p.m. via the methods/outlets listed above.

Additional Considerations

Cancellation During Final Exam Period

This year, final exams will occur from Monday, Dec. 9, to Friday, Dec. 13. If classes are canceled for a day during the final exam period, the closing announcement will include information about the rescheduled exams, which will generally occur on Saturday, Dec. 14, for weekday exams. The university will not cancel exams unless there is a driving ban in Buffalo.

Individual Class Cancellations

Individual course instructors may cancel or choose to hold specific courses remotely when the university is operating normally. Full-time faculty should communicate such changes directly to students via the D2L email feature and/or the class listproc. Department chairs may request notification of any unplanned individual class changes. Adjunct faculty should communicate such changes directly to students via the D2L email feature and/or class listproc and inform their department chair. Faculty should specify their planned cancellation procedure in their syllabus. Students have a responsibility to regularly check their D2L email feature as well as any communication from their instructors.

Campus Events and Other Offices

For campus events during evening hours, weekends and holidays, please see the Severe Weather Cancellation Procedures from the Office of Events Services for directions. Except under special circumstances, the Women’s Business Center and the Center for Professional Development will follow the decision made by the main campus. Admissions (716 -888-2200) and Alumni Relations will control any scheduled weekend events. For Library operations and hours during inclement weather closings, please visit the Library’s website at https://library.canisius.edu/.

Event Cancellations Due to Severe Weather Policy

 Academic Preparedness

Faculty are encouraged to consult the Preparedness for Academic Continuity guide, which describes ways that professors can use online resources to replace classroom class sessions rather than lose time and force adjustments to course schedules.

Important Numbers

Main switchboard: 716-883-7000

Public Safety (watch commander): 716-888-2330

NYS Thruway (1610 AM): 1-800-847-8929

Canisius Alert System

If you have not signed up for the Canisius Alert System, please sign up at MyCanisius under the Campus Services quick links. You may receive notifications by text, phone call, and/or email.

Please visit the Academic Affairs University Closing or Delay Due to Weather wiki page for further details on university policies.

Submitted by: Amy Beiter, Curriculum and Student Support Project Associate, Academic Affairs

Join us for a great night of basketball!

Canisius Women’s Basketball hosts the 19th-ranked Illinois Fighting Illini on Monday, Dec. 2, at 6 p.m. Tonight’s game is Alumnae Night and will celebrate the incredible contributions of Women’s Basketball Alumnae to Canisius. Shauna Geronzin Green ’02 is the head coach of the visiting Fighting Illini and will be honored before the game.

The Marketing Team in Athletics has a 50% off promotion for nearly every game in December. Buy your tickets before the game.

The game will also feature a homecoming for Williamsville’s Gretchen Dolan, daughter of Michael and Kristen Dolan.

Students and faculty from the Physical and Health Education Teacher Education (P/HETE) program attended the 86th annual New York State Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (NYS AHPERD) conference, held Thursday, Nov. 21, through Saturday, Nov. 23, in Verona, NY.

Current teacher candidates Alexis Deluca and Jackson Strong along with Catherine Quinlan MS ’24 were honored as P/HETE Major Award Winners during the Amazing Persons Ceremony on Thursday. Just two undergraduate students and one graduate student are given this award for outstanding performance related to their preparation for the health, physical education, recreation or dance professions.

Additionally, four noteworthy P/HETE alums received awards for their efforts in K-12 health and physical education. Shelby Grigg-Hosmer, John Strong, Jonathan Connelly and Timothy Mondello all took home Amazing Person honors. John Strong and his wife, Kelly, are both alums of Canisius P/HETE and former student-athletes. Their son, Jackson, mentioned above, is a Canisius outfielder and was recently selected by the Detroit Lyons during the Major League Baseball draft.

Alum Brianne Blaszak was awarded Middle School Physical Educator of the Year award at the Jay B. Nash Banquet Friday evening, and Canisius professor Clancy Seymour received the Distinguished Service Award, one of NYS AHPERD’s highest honors. 

The conference culminated with fireworks to mark the 100th anniversary of the organization.

Submitted by: Clancy M. Seymour, Associate Professor and Director, Health, Physical Education, and Sport Pedagogy, and Teacher Education and Leadership

Thanks to all who participated in the faculty and staff transportation survey for our Clean Mobility Project. Rose Hise, administrative specialist in the School of Education and Human Services, pictured here with Yvonne Widenor, AVPAA, was the lucky recipient of a basket full of Canisius swag.

Stay tuned for updates about the project that are announced in The Dome. As a reminder, all are invited to join Laudato Sí sustainability meetings next semester to learn more about the project. Kindly email Yvonne Widenor at widenory@canisius.edu for more information about the Clean Mobility Project and Laudato Sí.

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

The Office of Student Life is excited to announce that it is now accepting applications for resident assistants for 2025-2026 and orientation leaders for summer 2025.   

These positions offer an incredible opportunity for student leaders to develop essential skills, enhance their resumes, and have a positive impact on their peers and the campus community. We encourage faculty and staff to recommend and support students who exhibit strong leadership qualities, effective communication skills, and a genuine passion for helping others. 

If you know any students who would thrive in these leadership roles, please encourage them to apply! Your support can make a significant difference in their decision to apply to these important positions. Please feel free to recommend a student in the following ways: 

Option 1: Communicate with the student directly and share the link to the 2025-2026 Student Leader Application.

Option 2: Email Mark Piatkowski at Student Life at piatkowm@canisius.edu with the student’s name and ID number. A member of the RA/OL selection committee will send the student a personal invitation to apply and let them know that they were recommended.   

Applications are open until Jan. 17! While there is plenty of time, we are encouraging students to apply early.  This period before breaks is a great opportunity for students start thinking about becoming a resident assistant or orientation leader. Please support our recruitment efforts for future leaders and assist them in taking the first steps toward a rewarding experience.   

If you have any questions regarding the Resident Assistant or Orientation Leader Positions, please reach out to me directly at 716-888-8300 or piatkowm@canisius.edu. 

Submitted by: Mark Piatkowski, Associate Director of Student Life

Meg Keller-Cogan weighed in with WBEN-AM Radio 930 on Nov. 25 about the potential impacts of disbanding the Department of Education, as proposed by President-elect Trump. The director of Canisius’ graduate program in educational leadership and supervision emphasized the critical role of the department in establishing high educational standards and preparing students to compete in a global marketplace, underscoring that certain functions should remain at the federal level to ensure consistent and effective educational support. Read the article and listen to the interview here.

Physics professor and chair Michael Wood recently spoke with Live Science about the mechanics of atmospheric pressure and human survival. In the article, Wood explains why humans are not crushed by the weight of the Earth’s atmosphere, noting that our bodies are able to withstand massive atmospheric forces through internal pressure balance and evolutionary adaptation. Read the full story here. Live Science is one of the largest and most trusted popular science media outlets, reporting on the latest discoveries, research and breakthroughs.

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.

President Stoute cordially invites you to attend Canisius University’s Annual Holiday Celebration on Monday, Dec. 16.

Mass will be held at 11:30 a.m. in Christ the King Chapel followed by lunch at noon in the Economou Dining Hall.

RSVP via Google Sheets by Monday, Dec. 9.

Hope to see you there!

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

The Buffalo News interviewed Julie Anna Golebiewski for a Nov. 19 story about the region’s rising unemployment rate, which increased to 3.6% in October. The assistant professor of economics and finance in the Wehle Business School explained that the shrinking labor force, driven by retirements and workers leaving the area as remote work opportunities fade, is contributing to the increase in joblessness. Read the full story here. 

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

Students in Erin Robinson’s EVST 250 Narratives of Nature and Culture course embarked on an interpretive nature excursion at Tifft Nature Preserve. Students used the experience as a reflective moment to consider the role of regenerative nature in urban spaces. It was a true experiential learning opportunity to consider urban rehabilitation as a form of nature narrative, reflecting how we as a society think and act toward our environment. 

Submitted by: Erin Robinson, Professor, Department of Sociology, Criminal Justice, and Environmental Studies

It’s coming up to the end of the semester again. Here are some actions you should take by the week after grades are due:

• Enter your final grades through MyCanisius. Check out the Entering Final Grades at the End of Semester wiki page for tutorials.
• If you want students to see their final calculated grade, check out either the video tutorial on releasing final grades or the Calculate and Release Final Grades wiki page.
• Export your gradebook to archive the grades for your personal record. See the video tutorial to exporting a student roster, email list, or grades from D2L.
• Archive your entire D2L course in the Brightspace format at the end of each term for your personal record. Here is a video tutorial to export your D2L course.
• If you are teaching courses in the next semester, copy course content so you do not have to rush through it and have time to work on it in between semesters. Check out the Copying/Importing Course Content wiki page.
• If you have not already, inform the bookstore of any books or Cengage Unlimited products you intend to use. If you are not planning on using books or Cengage Unlimited products, let the bookstore know that as well. The bookstore’s contact information is available here.
• Copy your Panopto videos from the previous semester to the upcoming semester.
• If you plan on using student assignments from your class for later review or appraisal, download them now.

Additionally, make sure to download any relevant Turnitin reports before Turnitin is phased out after this semester Turnitin will be replaced by Copyleaks.

For more information on end-of-semester academic housekeeping, visit the COLI checklist wiki page and watch the end-of-semester checklist overview video.

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

Paperscorer is an efficient tool to score bubble-fill answer sheets for multiple-choice and similar types of questions for in-class quizzes and exams. Paperscorer is affordably priced to help departments, programs and schools budget a few seats for their faculty who use bubble-fill quizzes or exams. COLI has developed a series of tutorials for faculty and departments interested in trying out Paperscorer.

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

COLI is offering a new workshop for Canisius faculty that introduces the artificial intelligence tools they are most likely to encounter while preparing and teaching their courses, and describes some methods for teaching with and around generative AI. This workshop will be hosted on Zoom.

Campus Ministry along with the Jesuit and Christ the King faith communities will host a Give Thanks Mass and Brunch on Thanksgiving morning, Nov. 28. All are invited.

Mass is at 9:30 a.m. in Christ the King Chapel followed by brunch at 10:30 a.m. in Loyola Hall.

Submitted by: Rev. Fred Betti, SJ, chaplain, Mission and Ministry

Meg Keller-Cogan joined WKBW-TV Channel 7 for a live interview on Nov. 20 to discuss the potential impact of President-elect Trump’s proposal to dismantle the Department of Education.

The director of Canisius’ graduate program in educational leadership and supervision spoke about the possible challenges of maintaining consistent educational quality across state lines and risks to educational equity and accountability in the absence of a federal framework.

Click here to watch the video.

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 Sociology Department has brought the Buffalo-Niagara LGBTQ History Exhibit to the Canisius Library. The exhibit highlights the origins, key members, and accomplishments of the Mattachine Society of the Niagara Frontier, Buffalo’s first gay rights organization. Following the exhibit’s opening, students attended a lecture by Adrienne Hill, co-founder of the LGBTQ History Project. The exhibit will remain on display for the community until the library closes on Friday.

Submitted by: Secil Ertorer, Chair, Department of Sociology, Criminal Justice, and Environmental Studies

As a reminder, Turnitin will be phased out after the fall 2024 semester and replaced by Copyleaks, which is now available in D2L for faculty to use. To get started, go to Add Existing Activities in a D2L Module, then choose either of the two new Copyleaks Tools.

The Assignment Tool allows faculty to create Copyleaks Assignment Dropboxes where students can upload their written assignments. Faculty can set the Copyleaks Assignment Tool to scan the student’s work as soon as they submit or after the due date. The Copyleaks Teacher Scan Tool also allows faculty to upload individual documents for scanning. We recommend creating a new course module for this tool and hiding it from students, or at least hiding the tool itself.

Interested in learning more about Copyleaks? Check out the available tutorials on the Copyleaks Wiki page. As the tool is still new to Canisius, more tutorials will be coming in the future. Questions about Copyleaks? Please contact helpdesk@canisius.edu.

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

The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry is saddened to share the news that Professor Emeritus Frank J. Dinan passed away on Oct. 14 at the age of 90.

Frank received his doctorate in organic chemistry from the University at Buffalo in 1965 and started his career as a faculty member at Canisius in the same year. Frank taught organic chemistry in the department for 45 years. He also taught courses in the All-College Honors Program. Frank was an outstanding professor and scientist, and an inspiration to generations of students. He was always kind, encouraging and caring, and possessed a deep and wonderful humanistic view of life. Frank was a pioneer in the development and implementation of collaborative teaching methods, earning the Koessler Distinguished Faculty Award in part for these efforts. Always quick with a joke, he had at least five on any subject and could put a smile on anyone’s face. Frank’s multiple “letters to the editor” published by the Buffalo News spanned a range of topics mostly related to how proposed changes could result in the betterment of society and the human condition. Frank loved teaching and life, and it showed. He was also a most avid reader, delving into such topics as the origins of the English language and quantum physics. A lifelong Buffalo Bills and New York Yankees fan, Frank could quote stats and team history with the best of them. Although we mourn his passing, the lessons he taught us will always be remembered.

Read Frank Dinan’s obituary in the Buffalo News.

Submitted by: Phillip Sheridan, Professor and Chair, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry

The 2025 Winter Faculty Development Promotional Page is live! Read more about scheduled sessions and workshops, including presenters and times, by visiting the page here.

Stay tuned to The Dome and the COLI blog for when the RSVP becomes available.

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

Hypothes.is will be undergoing scheduled maintenance on Saturday, Nov. 30, from 3-5 a.m. Hypothes.is will not be available during this time frame, and we apologize for any inconvenience.

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

On behalf of the Office of Admissions, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to each of you for making our recent open house a tremendous success. Your hard work, enthusiasm, and commitment to showcasing the best of our campus truly shone through.

We had 161 students attend, and the positive feedback from our guests was a direct reflection of your efforts and the warm, welcoming atmosphere that you created. It’s moments like these that remind us of the incredible impact we have when we work together.

As we head into the spring, we’ll be busy forming our incoming class through more accepted student events and initiatives. Please save the dates for our two Accepted Student Days on March 29 and April 12. More details will be coming soon.

Thank you again for your dedication and for going above and beyond. I’m grateful for all you do to make our campus a place we’re proud to share with others.

Submitted by: Sarah Calzonetti, Director of Undergraduate Admissions

Are you a student in a cybersecurity, computer science or data analytics course, or have a basic understanding of these fields? You could help improve digital defense training methods by participating in a cybersecurity study – and earn a $35 gift card along the way. The study will run from Jan. 6-17, and participants will utilize the state-of-the-art cybersecurity training software in the university’s Cybersecurity Lab. To demonstrate interest, complete this online form.

Submitted by: Justin Del Vecchio, Assistant Professor, Cybersecurity

Professor Timothy Gregg of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry is the recipient of the 94th Jacob F. Schoellkopf Medal. The Schoellkopf Medal is presented by the Western New York local section of the American Chemical Society in honor of chemical industry entrepreneur Jacob F. Schoellkopf, founder of National Aniline Works. It is the oldest ACS local section award. Tim was selected for this honor “in recognition of his outstanding dedication to teaching and mentoring and his selfless service to the Western New York Section of the American Chemical Society.” The society presented Gregg with the award at a dinner banquet at the Hotel at the Lafayette in Buffalo on Wednesday, Oct. 16.

During his time at Canisius, Tim has taught the sophomore Organic Chemistry I and II courses, Intermediate Organic Chemistry, Seminar, and Spectrometric Analysis, among others. He has also mentored more than 25 chemistry and biochemistry majors in his research lab. Several of these students have been co-authors on research publications with Tim and have since completed doctorates in organic chemistry or are practicing MDs. Tim has served in numerous roles in the WNY ACS. He has been the editor of the WNY ACS newsletter, the Double Bond, since 2005, served on the Undergraduate Research Symposium Committee since its inception, hosted the event at Canisius three times, and has served on the Schoellkopf Medal nominating committee a record number of times.

Tim joins the company of other Schoellkopf Medal recipients from the Canisius faculty, Prof. Ray Anino (1983) and Prof. Joseph Bieron ’59 (1993), and Canisius chemistry alumni Thomas Dougherty ’57 (1998), David Nalewajek ’74 (2003) and David Hangauer ’74 (2021).

Above, Tim Gregg (center) is presented with the Schoellkopf Medal.

Above, Canisius Chemistry and Biochemistry students and faculty celebrate Tim Gregg being awarded the Schoellkopf Medal.

Submitted by: Phil Sheridan, Professor and Chair, Chemistry and Biochemistry

In an effort to raise awareness about the growing opioid crisis, the Hilary Grace Foundation has donated a rainbow-colored bench, which has been installed behind Christ the King Chapel in Bart Mitchell Quad. This is one of ten benches that the foundation is placing throughout the Western New York. Each bench is dedicated to the memory of Hilary Grace White, who tragically passed away from an opioid addiction in 2017 at the age of 27.

The benches serve as a reminder of Hilary’s story, which is shared on the foundation’s website, with the URL printed on a plaque on each bench.

Hilary, who graduated from Canisius in 2012 with a bachelor’s in psychology and was pursuing a master’s in clinical mental health counseling at the time of her death, had initially been prescribed medication for a health condition. Despite working hard to overcome her addiction and maintaining sobriety for nearly a year, she relapsed and died after consuming an opioid laced with fentanyl. Hilary’s goal was to help others facing similar struggles. In her honor, the foundation funds an annual scholarship for students in the university’s clinical mental health counseling master’s program, supporting the mission to help others in need.

For more information, visit hilarygracefoundation.org.

Submitted by: Mary Ellen Bakowski, Director of Legacy Giving and Stewardship

As announced by President Stoute, campus will close at noon on Wednesday, Nov. 27.

The university will also be closed on Thanksgiving (Thursday, Nov. 28) and the day after, Friday, Nov. 29. Offices will reopen on Monday, Dec. 2.

As many of our campus community will travel or are planning to host family and friends, this additional time will assist you as you as we prepare for a long holiday weekend! We wish you a safe and happy Thanksgiving!

Submitted by: Lynn Incardona, HR Associate, Human Resources

Last week, Colin Dabkowski and Graham Stowe returned to the Conversations on AI Symposia Series for a panel focused on teaching students to write with generative artificial intelligence. A recording of the discussion is now available on the Canisius COLI YouTube channel.

Colin is in his fifth year at Alden High School, where he teaches English 12, creative writing, acting, and multimedia production. He is also the adviser of Alden High School’s Theater Club, its gender-sexuality alliance, and its creative writing club. Before becoming a teacher, he spent 12 years as the arts critic of The Buffalo News.

Graham is assistant professor of English at Canisius and director of the Writing Center. He has taught a variety of university courses focused on writing pedagogy, American literature, cultural studies, and Harry Potter. His research currently focuses on writing pedagogy and Paulo Freire’s theories on education.

The AI and Society Initiative thanks Colin and Graham for their time, insights, and an excellent discussion on the relationship between student writing and AI chatbots!

The Conversations on AI Symposia are organized by the AI and Society Initiative, a multi-disciplinary community of schools, centers, departments and faculty at Canisius University that’s dedicated to understanding generative artificial intelligence, its implications, and applications for our disciplines and professions.

Submitted by: Mark Gallimore, Director, Center for Online Learning and Innovation

Winter is right around the corner. Do you have your shovels accessible? Snowblower unburied from the back of the garage? Snow tires on the car? Boots pulled out from storage? There are so many things we need to do as Buffalonians to get prepared for winter weather, and the biggest one is to not wait until it’s already here. Waiting until the snow is falling risks unnecessary rushing and increasing the chance of injury. Here’s some tips for safely walking in winter.

Submitted by: Matthew Moje, Safety Coordinator, Facilities

Join Raichle Pre-Law Center for an engaging panel discussion titled “From Classroom to Courtroom” on Nov. 20 at 6.00 p.m. in Science Hall Commons.

Dive into key insights from leading professionals in the legal field about navigating a successful career in law. This event will feature:

• Marla Greenberg – Privacy and Compliance, Capital One
• LeRoi Johnson – Entertainment Law Attorney, Solo Practitioner
• Matt Matzek – U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
• Brian Melber – Partner, Personius Melber LLP
• Melissa Nickson – ADR Program Director, NYS Courts

The discussion will be followed by a networking reception with light refreshments.

Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with legal experts and gain invaluable knowledge that bridges the gap between academic learning and real-world legal practice.

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

Canisius University’s graduate programs are among the best in the U.S. according to Intelligent.com’s 2025 rankings. Using a data-driven methodology, Intelligent.com evaluated programs across a variety of criteria including academic quality, graduation rates, cost and return on investment (ROI) and student resources.  Each program was then scored on a proprietary scale of 0 to 100, drawing on such sources as the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard, U.S. News and World Report, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics.  This comprehensive analysis was employed to ensure that only programs with a proven track record of academic rigor and strong career outcomes were recognized.  

The following Canisius University programs were ranked among the best in the U.S. by Intelligent.com for 2025: 

#2: Best One-Year Master’s in Education Degree Programs

#11: Best Online One-Year MBA Programs

#27: Best Online Master’s in Sports Management/Administration

Click here to learn more.

Submitted by: University Communications

The Office of Diversity and Inclusion will host a DEI workshop titled Embedding Equity: Practical Strategies and Tools on Tuesday, Nov. 19, from 2:30-4:00 p.m. in the Grupp Fireside Lounge of the Richard E. Winter ’42 Student Center. The workshop will be presented by Angell Howard, a two-time graduate of Illinois State University with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in social work.

Join us as we delve into the essential concepts of equity, offering actionable strategies for staff and faculty members to embed equity principles into every aspect of their roles. Through interactive discussions and real-world case studies, attendees will acquire practical strategies to recognize and address challenges in supporting students and colleagues effectively.  By the end of the session, participants will be equipped with the tools needed to foster an equitable academic environment that nurtures student, staff, and faculty success and champions a culture of diversity and inclusion.

Register here.

Submitted by: Amy Beiter, curriculum and student support project associate, Academic Affairs

ArtsCanisius and the Fine Arts Program, DMLLC, welcomes everyone to attend the upcoming student ensemble concerts. All three concerts occur in Montante Cultural Center, begin at 7:30 PM, are free, and are open to the public.

Jazz Ensemble directed by Russell Scarbrough will perform Friday, November 22nd. Our Chamber Orchestra will take the stage on Sunday, December 1st with Ansgarius Aylward conducting.  Led by Dr. Brad Wingert, the Canisius University Chorale will conclude this concert series on Monday, December 2.

For more information about these and other ArtsCanisius events, please visit canisius.edu/artscanisius or contact Yvonne Widenor, Director of ArtsCanisius at widenory@canisius.edu

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

The Canisius University DiGamma Honor Society inducted 12 new student members during ceremonies at Christ the King Chapel on Wednesday, November 13. The prestigious honor society is comprised of Canisius students, alumni, faculty and administrators who have distinguished themselves working for the advancement of the university and/or through exemplary service on behalf of students and alumni, over an extended period of time.  The DiGamma Honor Society is proud to induct the following new student members:

•    Jasmeen Brar ’25, of Clovis, CA, philosophy; 
•    Analee DeGlopper ’26, of Kenmore, criminal justice; 
•    Brandon Gaspar ’25, of Hamburg, finance; 
•    Nicholas Grebenok ’26, of Amherst, animal behavior, ecology and conservation; 
•    Megan Greenberg ’26, Roswell, GA, animal behavior, ecology and conservation; 
•    Ava Green ’25, of Herkimer, NY, journalism; 
•    Gabrielle Kaderli ’25, of Williamsville, finance; 
•    Christianna Konczal ’25, of Cheektowaga, adolescence education; 
•    Madelynn Lockwood ’25, of Derby, childhood education; 
•    Zoya Shahzad ’26, of Buffalo (14208), biology; 
•    Michaela Staskiewicz ’26, of Lockport, English; and
•    Kaycee Viator MS ’25, of Rochester, NY, higher education leadership and administration. 

The Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) honored J. Patrick Greenwald, of Canisius University, with its Earle Hannel Professional Fundraiser Award on National Philanthropy Day, Thursday, November 14.  The prestigious award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated outstanding career achievements, leadership and a commitment to the fundraising profession.  

Greenwald is director emeritus of donor engagement at Canisius. He retired from the university in May 2023 following a 45-year career at the institution, serving primarily as a principal gift officer.  During his remarkable tenure, Greenwald secured millions of dollars in philanthropic support, which helped transform Canisius physically and academically, and elevate the university into one of Western New York’s premier educational institutions.  

Click here to read more.

Steve Gattuso recently provided expert commentary to MoneyGeek about personal loans. The assistant professor of economics and finance shared key features individuals should consider when selecting personal loan providers and how consumers can increase their chances of loan approval. Click here to read more.

Emerita Professor Barb Irwin spoke with Spectrum News 1 in Los Angeles, CA, about the latest TV milestone hit by “The Young and the Restless.” The iconic soap opera aired its 13,000th episode on Nov. 13 after originally debuting in 1973. Irwin noted that “soap operas continued to hold a unique place in the entertainment industry.” Click here to read the story.

Submitted by: University Communications

The fall series of the Joseph J. Naples Conversations in Christ and Culture Lecture Series at Canisius University continues Tuesday, November 19 when it welcomes author Michael Rizzi, EdD, to campus.  Rizzi’s lecture, titled “An Americanized Jesuit Tradition of Education: Canisius’ Place in the Jesuit College Network,” takes place at 12:00 p.m. in the Regis Room of the Richard E. Winter ’42 Student Center and is free and open to the public.

Rizzi is the author of Jesuit Colleges and Universities in the United States.  The book provides a comprehensive history of Jesuit higher education in the United States.

No food will be served at this event. Please bring a brown bag lunch.

Submitted by: Phillip Reed, PhD, philosophy

Please join us in wishing farewell to Dr. Jennifer Desiderio, associate dean of the College of Arts & Sciences and associate professor of English today, Wednesday, Nov. 13, from 3:15 – 4:15 p.m. in the Dean’s Office Suite, Bagen Hall 202.

Everyone is welcome to stop by to say a quick “thank you” to Jen for her 20 years of service to Canisius University.  She’s off to a new stage of her career at the University at Buffalo.

(There will be cake!)

Submitted by:  Tom Chambers, dean, College of Arts & Sciences

The Office of Diversity and Inclusion will host a DEI workshop titled Embedding Equity: Practical Strategies and Tools on Tuesday, Nov. 19, from 2:30-4:00 p.m. in the Grupp Fireside Lounge of the Richard E. Winter ’42 Student Center. The workshop will be presented by Angell Howard, a two-time graduate of Illinois State University with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in social work.

Join us as we delve into the essential concepts of equity, offering actionable strategies for staff and faculty members to embed equity principles into every aspect of their roles. Through interactive discussions and real-world case studies, attendees will acquire practical strategies to recognize and address challenges in supporting students and colleagues effectively.  By the end of the session, participants will be equipped with the tools needed to foster an equitable academic environment that nurtures student, staff, and faculty success and champions a culture of diversity and inclusion.

Register here.

Submitted by: Amy Beiter, curriculum and student support project associate, Academic Affairs

Vice President for Student Affairs Harold Fields, EdD, was quoted in a Nov. 10 Forbes article on strategies employers can use to support and empower Gen Z employees. The article highlights Fields’ insights on the importance of building authentic relationships to foster continuous growth and development for Gen Z workers as they enter the workforce.

Click here to read the story.

Submitted by: University Communications

Submitted by: Matthew Moje, Safety Coordinator, Facilities

Effective Monday, Nov. 11, Monika McFoy will begin serving as the interim associate dean of students, assuming leadership of the ALANA Student Center and directing the Urban Leadership Learning Community (ULLC) program. Monika has been a member of the Center for Student Success here at Canisius for more than seven years, most recently serving as the associate director of support services and the program director of Pathfinders: Academic Exploration Program.

Please join me in congratulating Monika on this appointment!

Submitted by: Harold Fields, Ed.D Vice President for Student Affairs

Political science expert Shyam Sriram spoke to WBFO for a Nov. 7 story titled “Questions Loom About Immigration After Flip of 143rd District.” The story discusses the impact of the New York State Assembly race in Erie County, which saw a shift to a Republican representative. A key focus was the candidates’ positions on immigration and refugees. Sriram provided commentary on the potential consequences decreased immigration and the dangers of separating immigrants into “good” and “bad” categories. Listen to or read the story here.

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 Physician Assistant Studies program is proud to announce the recent publication of one of our clinical year students. Matthew Levenson, PAS-2, had his graduate research article on “Developing a Treatment Protocol for Shark Attack Victims” accepted for publication in the Open Journal of Emergency Medicine. Levenson’s fascinating article will appear in their December 2024 volume — read it here.

Submitted by: Aimee Larson, Program Director, Physician Assistant Studies

Campus Ministry and three student organizations — Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, Sustainability Committee and Alpha Sigma Nu Jesuit Honor Society — are organizing a sports gear collection drive. The collected gear will go to Leveling the Playing Field (LPF), which works towards equity in sports. Acquiring equipment is a major barrier to sports participation. LPF has a warehouse of donated equipment that they give to youth sports leagues to enable more kids to get in the game.

WHEN: Monday, Nov. 4-Sunday, Nov. 17

WHERE: Donation bins are located at the Koessler Athletic Center first floor lobby, inside Christ the King Chapel, and outside of Griff Thrifts, and equipment can also be dropped off inside the Office of Mission and Ministry in Old Main 101

WHAT: Used and new sports equipment (a list of accepted equipment can be found on the collection bins)

CONTACT: If you have any questions, contact Tiare Baird, GA in Campus Ministry (Old Main 101) at baird4@canisius.edu or 716-888-2420

Submitted by: Spencer Liechty, Director of Campus Ministry

Recruiting new students and retaining current students are essential to institutional success. These forums offer opportunities to dive into trends and projections, learn more about current strategies and future initiatives, and ask questions. All forums are open to the campus community. The first two will focus on undergraduate and graduate recruitment and feature Vice President for Enrollment Management Danielle Ianni. The forum on student success and retention will feature Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students Harold Fields.

Undergraduate Enrollment Strategy Forum
Tuesday, Nov. 12, 1-2 p.m.
Grupp Fireside Lounge, Student Center

Graduate Enrollment Strategy Forum
Wednesday, Nov. 20, 1-2 p.m.
Grupp Fireside Lounge, Student Center

Student Success Forum
Thursday, Nov. 21, 2-3 p.m.
Grupp Fireside Lounge, Student Center

Canisius has earned the 2024-2025 Military Friendly® School designation. Institutions earning the Military Friendly® School designation were evaluated using both public data sources and responses from a proprietary survey. More than 1,800 schools participated in the 2024-2025 survey, with 537 earning special awards for going above the standard. Only 10% of schools earn the Gold standard. The 2024-2025 Military Friendly® Schools list was published in the October issue of G.I. Jobs Magazine and can be found at www.militaryfriendly.com. Methodology, criteria, and weightings were determined by Viqtory with input from the Military Friendly® Advisory Council of independent leaders in the higher education and military recruitment community.

Final ratings were determined by combining the institution’s survey scores with the assessment of the institution’s ability to meet thresholds for student retention, graduation, job placement, loan repayment, persistence (degree advancement or transfer), and loan default rates for all students and specifically student-veterans.

Scott Badman, Student Records and Financial Services VA School certifying official, was instrumental in achieving this Gold status. Said Badman, “As our university continues to grow, it’s crucial that we support and educate each of our veterans through their educational journey. With the combined efforts of each member of our Canisius community, our university will be a great place for our veteran students.”

“Military Friendly® is committed to transparency and providing consistent data-driven standards in our designation process,” says Kayla Lopez, national director of military partnerships at Military Friendly®. “Our standards provide a benchmark that promotes positive outcomes and support services that better the educational landscape and provide opportunity for the military community. This creates a competitive atmosphere that encourages Institutions to evolve and invest in their programs consistently. Schools who achieve awards designation show true commitment in their efforts, going over and above that standard.”

Submitted by: Jim Ayers, Director of Financial Aid, Student Records and Financial Services

More than 400 high school students from 20 local schools descended upon the Canisius campus on Wednesday, Nov. 6, for the university’s annual Model United Nations (UN) Conference. The conference was organized and hosted entirely by members of MUNDO (Model UN Development Organization). The student club is dedicated to promoting awareness of international affairs and exploring concepts of peace and security, and human rights. 

“As a university committed to developing global citizens, Canisius University is proud to host this annual Model UN Conference and share our passion for international affairs with high school students from across Western New York,” said Richard Reitsma, director of the International Relations program. “Watching the young delegates engage in dynamic debates and work collaboratively to address complex global challenges is tremendously rewarding because these students will be the next generation of leaders and problem-solvers on the world stage.”  

Model UN is a popular extracurricular activity in which students roleplay as delegates to the United Nations, simulating UN committees and learning about diplomacy, international relations, current world issues and the UN itself. During the day-long conference, student delegates were assigned to represent specific countries and tasked with debating global issues from the perspective of their assigned country. Working collaboratively, the delegates drafted and passed resolutions, while developing valuable skills in public speaking, writing and critical thinking.

“The Model UN Conference offers a unique opportunity for high school students to gain firsthand experience with the principles and functions of the United Nations,” added Reitsma. “Students not only learn about diplomacy and international relations but develop essential skills that will serve them well in and out of the classroom.” 

Submitted by: University Communications

Join us for HomeCOMing, an inspiring evening of networking hosted by the Department of Communication! This event takes place on Thursday, Nov. 7, from 5-7 p.m. in the Grupp Fireside Lounge. HomeCOMing offers a unique opportunity for current students to connect with Canisius alumni who are established in fields like communication, digital media arts, journalism, and marketing communication.

Meet alumni who can share their career journeys and offer guidance on landing internships or jobs. Get advice on building a career, ask questions about industry trends, and learn what it takes to succeed from those who’ve been in your shoes. Don’t miss this valuable opportunity to gain insights and expand your professional network.

Mark your calendars and join us for an evening of conversation, connections, and career inspiration!

Submitted by: Department of Communication

We are thrilled to share the news that Benjamin Hickey, Class of 2004 with a degree in history and minors in classics and art history, has been appointed the new executive director of CEPA Gallery.From CEPA Gallery’s Facebook post: “After an extensive national search, the board of trustees for The Center for Exploratory & Perceptual Arts (CEPA Gallery) announces the hiring of its next Executive Director, Ben Hickey. A skilled administrator with an excellent curatorial pedigree, Hickey brings 19 years of experience to CEPA. Most recently, he served as Interim Director at the Hilliard Art Museum in Lafayette, Louisiana. During his seven years as Curator at the Hilliard, he also served as a member of the leadership team responsible for the museum’s inaugural American Alliance of Museums accreditation. Hickey’s biography is available here.

As an artist-founded gallery, CEPA has a long history of supporting experimental and ground-breaking artists who have changed the world of photography. Hickey’s hire will kick off a year-long 50th anniversary celebration. Community outreach and education, as well as access to excellent studio facilities for photographic artists, will continue to be a point of emphasis for CEPA.

Hickey will work for an engaged board of directors and lead a talented staff composed of some of Western New York’s most up-and-coming arts professionals. Hickey says, “Our capacity for collaboration is amazing. Current partners include Roswell Park, WNY Council on Occupational Safety and Health, and the Buffalo AKG Art Museum among others.”

Hickey concluded, “I am especially eager to begin a new era of robust, boundary-pushing exhibitions with strong educational components. I want CEPA to thrive and turn heads.”

We are so proud of Ben’s accomplishments and eagerly await his return to Western New York!

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

Spectrum News interviewed political science professor Kevin Hardwick for a Nov. 4 story examining voter participation and the impact of undecided and nonvoters. Hardwick emphasized the importance of voting in local and state elections to help shape government at all levels. Click here to watch the story.

Submitted by: University Communications

A joint funeral will be held for Walter G. Sharrow HON ’13, who died on Saturday, Oct. 26, and his wife Mary Louise Sharrow, who died on Saturday, Nov. 2. The service will take place at St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church at 1085 Englewood Ave. in Tonawanda on Saturday, Nov. 9, at 1:00 p.m. with burial in Forest Lawn Cemetery. Services will be followed by a reception at the Buffalo Club.

Dr. Sharrow was a beloved professor emeritus of history who dedicated a half century of exemplary service to our institution. He was a transformative figure who shaped the lives of thousands of students and left an indelible mark on the campus community.

Memorials may be made to the Walter and Mary Louise scholarship fund at Canisius University, Nardin Academy or a charity of choice.

Submitted by: Academic Affairs

The annual Thanksgiving Sit-Down is scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 21, from 4:00-7:00 p.m. in the Student Center Dining Hall. For those of you new to the Canisius community, the sit-down is an annual event at which faculty and staff come together to serve a Thanksgiving dinner to students.

Anyone who is available and interested in being a server for this year’s dinner should sign up here.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out.

Thank you in advance for your assistance in making this special event happen for our students!

Submitted by: Jason Francey, Director, Student Engagement and Leadership

Pharmacists from Wegmans will be in Science Hall providing flu and COVID-19 vaccinations on Wednesday, Nov. 6, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. No appointment necessary – walk-ups are welcome. If you prefer an appointment, please use the Wegmans chatbot to schedule.

Submitted by: Tracie Barletta, Director of Student Health

The Office of Diversity and Inclusion will host a DEI workshop titled Embedding Equity: Practical Strategies and Tools on Tuesday, Nov. 19, from 2:30-4 p.m. in Grupp Fireside Lounge, Richard E. Winter ’42 Student Center. The workshop will be presented by Angell Howard, a two-time graduate of Illinois State University with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in social work

Join us as we delve into the essential concepts of equity, offering actionable strategies for staff and faculty members to embed equity principles into every aspect of their roles. Through interactive discussions and real-world case studies, attendees will acquire practical strategies to recognize and address challenges in supporting students and colleagues effectively.  By the end of the session, participants will be equipped with the tools needed to foster an equitable academic environment that nurtures student, staff, and faculty success and champions a culture of diversity and inclusion.

Register here.

Submitted by: Amy Beiter, curriculum and student support project associate, Academic Affairs

Please join us in welcoming Linda Ambrus Broenniman, author of “The Politzer Saga,” a captivating memoir in which Broenniman delves in to the discovery of her own, previously hidden, Jewish identity, and pieces together the history of eight generations of Jewish ancestors.

Wednesday, Nov. 13, Grupp Fireside Lounge in the Richard E. Winter Student Center.

Presentation will begin at noon. A light lunch will be available.

Please confirm your attendance with Shannon Lyons at lyonss@canisius.edu.

Submitted by: Nicole Zienty, Donor Engagement Coordinator, Advancement

Campus Ministry hosted its Kairos Retreat last weekend, Nov. 1-3, at Cradle Beach. This was the 70th time Kairos has been held at Canisius, and approximately 30 students participated in the weekend.

Rooted in Ignatian Spirituality but open to students of all faith traditions, the Kairos Retreat calls students to a greater awareness of God in the world around them and creates space to reflect on significant moments in their life. Participants have the opportunity to hear from others, share about their own journey in small groups, form community, and deepen their sense of belonging.

Submitted by: University Communications

The students enrolled in ABEC404, Wildlife Ecology and Conservation in Africa, are hosting a “movie night” fundraiser in support of the Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in South Africa. Please join us on Monday, Nov. 11, at 7 p.m. in Regis, Student Center. We will screen the film “Living with Leopards.” Admission is free, and we will be selling beautiful notecards created by the students as well as baked goods. If you prefer to just donate, you can use the QR code to make a donation or order notecards.

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

Faculty and staff are invited to attend a campus forum to discuss the MSCHE self-study draft and learn about next steps in the accreditation process. The forum will take place on Nov. 22 from 3-4 p.m. in the Student Center Regis Room. Faculty and staff logged into the portal may access the self-study draft here.

Submitted by: Jeffrey Lindauer, MSCHE Self-Study Co-Chair

On Wednesday, November 6, from 7:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., the International Relations Program will welcome to campus more than 400 students from numerous area high schools for the 46th Annual High School Model United Nations Conference.

Please take special care when driving in the area particularly from 7:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 – 3:30 p.m. as there may be student delegates and school busses doing drop off and pick up. Please also note that parking will be impacted.

Student delegates will represent countries from around the world to discuss, debate, and formulate resolutions on pressing issues of the day. Student volunteers from Canisius University will moderate and adjudicate the proceedings, which challenge participants to learn rules of parliamentary procedure as well as information about specific countries’ positions on controversial international issues. Our volunteer staff is largely drawn from our student club, the Model UN Diplomacy Organization (MUNDO).

There will be a significant number of young people milling about campus, particularly in the Chester HON ’01 and Diane Stranczek Science Hall Commons, the Richard E. Winter ’42 Student Center (Grupp, Regis, and Dining Hall), the 2^nd floor of Churchill Academic Tower, and Montante Cultural Center.  I thank you in advance for showing hospitality to our guests and welcoming them to our campus.  

The International Relations Program also thanks the Canisius University staff (including events management, public safety, dining services, admissions, and especially Rachel Lapinski and Nurul Abdul Salam for their invaluable assistance).  Thanks also to our hardworking student volunteers for making this stimulating and educational experience possible for our guests.

Submitted by: Richard Reitsma, PhD, associate professor, Modern Languages, Literatures and Cultures; director, International Relations

Assistant Professor of Cybersecurity Justin Del Vecchio, PhD, appeared on the Oct. 31 edition of WGRZ-TV’s “Most Buffalo.” Del Vecchio spoke about digital vulnerabilities and the evolving landscape of AI-driven influence campaigns in the elections.

Click here to view the interview. (Del Vecchio’s segment appears at the 20-minute mark.)

Submitted by: University Communications

When it comes to spooky season spirit, the amazing team from admissions, financial aid and enrollment brought their A-game (and their Z’s)! The crew dressed up for Halloween with a cozy PJ theme – complete with festive onesies down to fuzzy slippers.

Submitted by: University Communications

The Jesuits of Canisius University are sponsoring a concert of Viennese masters Mozart and Haydn on Thursday, Nov. 7,  at 7:00 p.m. in Montante Cultural Center.

The concert features Alexander Aylward, conductor and soloist, and Symphonia Niagara, who will perform Mozart’s Piano concerto No. 24 and Haydn’s Concerto No. 104. All are welcome to attend this freewill offering event.

Submitted by: Benjamin Fiore, SJ, Adjunct Professor of Religious Studies & Theology

On Thursday, Nov. 7, at 3:00 p.m. in the Student Center Conference Room, Director of International Education Kera Bush-Turner and Director of Graduate Admissions Amo Kubeyinje will host a campus discussion entitled, “Strategies for Supporting International Students.”

In recent years, the university’s recruitment efforts have yielded an increase in international undergraduate and graduate students. Students have reported experiences with adjusting to the culture, food, weather, and academic expectations. This cultural competency session will provide demographic information for our international student population, discuss key international student regulations for the F-1 Student Visa, and explore effective strategies for supporting students navigating their education in the United States.

Please RSVP HERE.

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

The fall series of the Joseph J. Naples Conversations in Christ and Culture Lecture Series at Canisius University continues Tuesday, November 19 when it welcomes author Michael Rizzi, EdD, to campus.  Rizzi’s lecture, titled “An Americanized Jesuit Tradition of Education: Canisius’ Place in the Jesuit College Network,” takes place at 12:00 p.m. in the Regis Room of the Richard E. Winter ’42 Student Center and is free and open to the public.

Rizzi is the author of “Jesuit Colleges and Universities in the United States.”  The book provides a comprehensive history of Jesuit higher education in the United States, weaving together the stories of the 54 colleges and universities that the Jesuits have operated, successfully and unsuccessfully, since 1789.  In it, Rizzi emphasizes the connections among the institutions, exploring how certain Jesuit schools such as Georgetown University gave birth to others like Boston College by sharing faculty, financial resources, accreditation, and even presidents throughout their history. The book also explores how the colleges responded to common challenges including anti-Catholic prejudice in the United States, the push from government authorities to modernize their shared curriculum, and the pull from Roman authorities to remain loyal to Catholic tradition.

Click here to learn more.

Submitted by: University Communications

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

The Northeast School of Health Sciences will be presenting in Koessler Athletic Center G18 classroom today, Wednesday, Oct. 30 at 1:00 p.m.

This event is sponsored by the Department of Kinesiology.

Retired Canisius University Archivist, Kathleen DeLaney received the Library All Star Award from the Western New York Library Resources Council. The award was presented at the council’s annual meeting on October 22, 2024.  The citation noted:

“Thanks to Kathleen’s efforts and her ability to forge relationships in the local community, the history and records of multiple community organizations including the Kalina Singing Society, Housing Opportunities Made Equal (HOME), and Ms. Constance Eve’s Women for Human Rights and Dignity, are now preserved. The breadth of knowledge she has regarding these collections demonstrate not only her commitment to preserving the history of Canisius, but also the history of Buffalo. Matt Kochan noted that Kathleen “bleeds blue and gold” and her love for the university is present in all that she has accomplished. As an active community member, she has worked closely with faculty and students on creating art exhibitions and utilizing primary sources for research. She also spent her own time working as a field reviewer with the Documentary Heritage Preservation Services for New York and as a valuable member of Western New York Archivists.”

Congratulations Kathleen!

Submitted by: Kristine Kasbohm, Library Director, Bouwhuis Library

Campus Ministry Director Spencer Liechty accompanied a group of four Canisius University students to the 27th annual Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice in Washington, D.C. this past weekend.

The students joined more than 1,700 attendees at the conference, which connects Catholic faith and justice to timely issues through two days of speakers, breakout sessions and networking opportunities.  This year’s event centered on the theme of “Steadfast Hope in Precarious Times” and examined issues including racial justice, immigration and environmental justice through the lens of Catholic Social teaching.  

The Teach-In is the largest annual Catholic social justice gathering in the U.S., attracting attendees from nearly 120 Jesuit and other Catholic universities, high schools, parishes and organizations in the U.S. and El Salvador.  

Click here to learn more.

Submitted by: University Communications

Canisius University announced the appointment of Sarah Calzonetti as its new director of undergraduate admissions. She brings to the role nearly a decade of higher education experience spanning admissions, recruitment, academic advising and accreditation, and a proven ability to drive strategic enrollment through data-driven decision making.  

As director of undergraduate admissions, Calzonetti leads the development and implementation of strategic recruitment initiatives for undergraduate enrollment.  Her responsibilities include establishing data-driven policies and processes, strengthening collaboration with the Financial Aid Office and building partnerships with educational institutions and community organizations to grow enrollment. 

Calzonetti comes to Canisius from Niagara University where she was director of graduate enrollment.  In this role, she managed application processes, led the institution’s Corporate Partner Program and supervised the accelerated master’s programs, implementing streamlined processes, managing prospective student outreach and coordinating dedicated events.  Calzonetti’s experience also includes successful roles as a recruitment and academic advisor at Loyola University Maryland and an admissions counselor at SUNY Oneonta. 

Click here to read more.

Submitted by: University Communications

Philip Reed, PhD, authored an article for The National Review titled “The Assisted-Suicide Bait and Switch.” In it, the professor and chair of the Philosophy Department argues that the trend of reducing or eliminating waiting periods for assisted suicide undermines the initial safeguards meant to protect patients from impulsive decisions. Click here to read the article.

Submitted by: University Communications

The Canisius AI and Society seminar series continues Tuesday, November 12 at 6:30 p.m. with “Writing Pedagogy & AI Composition.”  The series explores AI’s impact across education, business, healthcare and government, and showcases its diverse perspectives and real-world applications.  

The virtual seminar, which is free and open to the public, will be held by veteran writing instructors Graham Stowe, PhD, assistant professor of English and director of the Canisius University Writing Center, and Colin Dabkowski, an English teacher at Alden Senior High School.  The pair will discuss the implications of generative AI tools and how AI chatbots pose new challenges to writing instruction.  

To register for the “Conversations on AI: Writing Pedagogy & AI Composition” virtual seminar, click here.  

The Canisius University Borders and Migrations Event Series presents “Addressing the Root Causes of the Border Crisis in the United States” on Wednesday, November 6 at 12:00 p.m. The event will take place in the Andrew L. Bouwhuis Library Learning Center and is free and open to the public.  

The panel discussion will be led by Alberto Solano, president and executive director of Agros International and John J. Hurley, president emeritus of Canisius University and Agros supporter. Founded in 1984, Agros International advances a holistic model of economic and social development through key opportunity areas including land ownerships, market-led agriculture, financial empowerment and health and wellbeing.  

Click here to learn more.