The Dome

Each year, the United States celebrates Constitution Day to commemorate the day in 1787 when delegates signed the U.S. Constitution in Philadelphia, PA.

This year, U.S. District Court Judge and Canisius alumnus Hon. Lawrence J. Vilardo ’77 will address students, alumni and the campus community about the history and importance of this day.

Please join the Raichle Pre-Law Center and Phi Alpha Delta on Tuesday, September 15, from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. in the Grupp Fireside Lounge to learn more about Constitution Day. Food and drink will be provided!

Let the Reading Rivalry begin! Please join the Andrew L. Bouwhuis Library in out-reading Niagara University.

From now until December 4, the Andrew L. Bouwhuis library is hosting a campus-wide reading rivalry for students, faculty, and staff. If you can read it, it counts! Track your reading by scanning the QR code and filling out the form. The campus with the most logged chapters wins! Let’s beat Niagara. Go Griffs!

The Office of University Communications invites faculty and staff to elevate their influence by sharing their insights and expertise with a broader audience. Our team maintains 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.

Looking for a way to connect with the Canisius community through faith? Christ the King Chapel’s music ministry, Exalt, is welcoming new members of all experience levels and faith backgrounds.

Exalt performs between the 9:30 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Masses, alternately, on Sundays at Christ the King Chapel.

To join, simply scan the QR code above or Email smokowski.brodka@gmail.com.

Canisius University, in collaboration with Wegmans Pharmacy, will host a series of flu vaccination clinics on campus this fall, starting next Tuesday, September 15.

Interested individuals can register using the QR code provided above or by contacting Elizabeth Adu, wellness outreach coordinator, at adu1@my.canisius.edu

Please be sure to bring your insurance card (or a copy of the card) with you to the appointment.

New research led by Associate Professor of Psychology Jenn Lodi-Smith, PhD, has been published in Self and Identity, a scholarly journal dedicated to the study of social and psychological processes of the self.

Lodi-Smith and her co-authors conducted a meta-analysis of 144 studies involving more than 67,000 participants to examine the relationship between self-concept clarity – the perceived confidence, coherence and consistency of one’s self-concept – and self-esteem, or how positively they evaluate themselves.

The analysis found a strong positive relationship between the two, with people who reported greater self-concept clarity also tending to report higher self-esteem. The researchers also found that the strength of the relationship varied based on factors including country, language and the measures used in individual studies.

The findings underscore the importance of considering both self-concept clarity and self-esteem when studying how people understand and evaluate themselves and their relationship to life outcomes.

Click here to read the full study, “The relationship between self-concept clarity and self-esteem: A meta-analysis.”

There’s still time to sign up to present at the Celebration of Faculty Scholarship on Wednesday, October 21 from 4:00 – 6:00 PM in Science Hall!

This event will feature:

• Lightning Talks spotlighting the work of our vibrant faculty!
• A Scholarship Showcase, an informal session for faculty across all disciplines to share their current projects, publications, creative works and scholarly endeavors

We encourage all faculty to take part—whether you’re conducting scientific research, writing a book, producing art, or leading a community-based project.

Register by midnight on Monday September 28 .

On Friday, September 11, Campus Ministry and the Christ the King Faith Community will join together with our campus community to remember and honor the lives impacted by the tragic events of September 11, 2001.

Please join us throughout the day for opportunities for prayer, remembrance, and quiet reflection:

11:00 AM — Moment of Remembrance
A brief remembrance will be offered over the PA system in the Library and Golisano Center.

12:05 PM — Memorial Mass
Mass in Christ the King Chapel will be offered in remembrance of all those who lost their lives as a result of the attacks, as well as in prayer for the survivors and all those whose lives continue to be affected.

12:45 PM — Remembrance at the Peace Pole
A brief remembrance service will be held at the Peace Pole outside Christ the King Chapel.

Throughout the day, memorial candles and a prayer intention basket will be available in the Chapel for anyone who wishes to spend a few moments in quiet reflection and prayer.

As we mark this solemn anniversary, may we remember those we lost, honor the survivors, and seek spiritual strength, peace, and hope in the face of tragedy.

We invite our entire campus community to join us in remembrance.

As we begin a new academic year, we warmly invite you to join the Canisius University community for the Mass of the Holy Spirit on Wednesday, September 16 at 10:00 a.m. in Christ the King Chapel.

This longstanding Jesuit tradition offers us a meaningful opportunity to gather, reflect, and celebrate the beginning of the academic year together. Faculty are invited to meet in the Old Main Faculty Lounge at 9:40 a.m. so that we may process together to the chapel.

Academic regalia is encouraged for the Mass. The Office of Academic Affairs has a selection available for those faculty who need it; please email the Academic Affairs office directly at acafmail@canisius.edu, and we will do our best to arrange a convenient time for you to select regalia.

To allow our community to participate, classes that follow an MWF schedule will be suspended that day. Classes scheduled MW only or W only will continue as scheduled.

You are strongly encouraged to invite your students and advisees to attend, and to bring along a colleague from your department. This is a wonderful chance to share in a tradition that strengthens the connections at the heart of our university community.

Following Mass, please join for brunch in the Dining Hall, complimentary to all, courtesy of the President’s Office. All are welcome; simply bring your swipe ID card for entry.

Please RSVP for the Mass and Brunch using the following link: https://forms.gle/sEQqNzj86E63wdQN7

Each year, the United States celebrates Constitution Day to commemorate the day in 1787 when delegates signed the U.S. Constitution in Philadelphia, PA.

This year, U.S. District Court Judge and Canisius alumnus Lawrence J. Vilardo ’77 will address students, alumni and the campus community about the history and importance of this day.

Please join the Raichle Pre-Law Center and Phi Alpha Delta on Tuesday, September 15, from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. in the Grupp Fireside Lounge to learn more about Constitution Day.

Can ChatGPT pick stocks better than the market?  Canisius University Assistant Professor of Economics and Finance Marc LoGrasso, PhD, set out to answer that question, and his research is earning international recognition. 

LoGrasso is the recipient of the 2026 Best Paper Award from Modern Finance, an international peer-reviewed journal, for his research exploring whether ChatGPT could have generated abnormal returns through stock recommendations. His paper, “Could ChatGPT Have Earned Abnormal Returns? A Retrospective Test from the U.S. Stock Market,” examines the increasingly important intersection of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and financial markets. 

The Modern Finance Best Paper Award recognizes an outstanding article published in the journal during the preceding calendar year. For the 2026 award, five papers published in Modern Finance during 2025 were identified based on citation counts and readership before being evaluated by the journal’s Best Paper Award Committee. LoGrasso’s paper was selected as the winner.

Click here to read more about LoGrasso’s research.

The national magazine U.S. Catholic interviewed Canisius University Professors Shyam Sriram, Jonathan Lawrence and Aimee Larson for a September 1 feature examining how Catholic colleges are prioritizing mission over profit. Sriram discussed Canisius’ approach to service learning and the importance of engaging with communities in ways that address structural injustice, while Lawrence highlighted the university’s commitment to accompaniment and building lasting relationship within Buffalo neighborhoods. Larson spoke about the integration of justice, health equity and care for the whole person throughout the Physician Assistant Program. The article also features 2026 alumna Tarin Rietz, who shared how her Canisius education helped shape her calling to geriatric and end-of-life care. Read the story here.

As we begin the 2026-27 academic year, meet the faculty members who are joining Canisius and those returning to continue their work with our students and academic community.

Joel E. Baehler
Visiting Assistant Professor, History
BA, MA, Oklahoma State University; PhD, Kent State University
Joel E. Baehler joins Canisius University as a visiting assistant professor of history. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in history from Oklahoma State University and his PhD in United States history from Kent State University. Baehler brings teaching experience from Wofford College, Daemen University, Lake Erie College and Kent State University, where he has taught courses in U.S., world and African American history. His research focuses on modern U.S. history, citizenship, social movements and LGBTQ history, with scholarship examining identity, sexuality, politics and activism.

John Breckner MS ’08
Assistant Professor, Counseling & Human Services
BA, Syracuse University; MS, Canisius University; PhD, University of Tennessee
John Breckner MS ’08 joins Canisius University as an assistant professor of counseling and human services after serving as an adjunct professor at the university since 2015 and as a faculty research supervisor since 2016. A Canisius alumnus, he earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology from Syracuse University, his master’s degree in counseling from Canisius and his PhD in counselor education from the University of Tennessee. Breckner’s teaching and research interests include counselor education, school counseling, assessment, ethics and substance use. He received Canisius’ 2018 Adjunct Faculty Teaching Award for outstanding teaching in the School of Education and Human Services.

Carla Ciraco
Teaching Faculty, Kinesiology
BKin, University of Toronto; DC, D’Youville University
Carla Ciraco joins Canisius University as a teaching faculty member in kinesiology. She earned her Bachelor of Kinesiology from the University of Toronto and her Doctor of Chiropractic degree from D’Youville University, graduating summa cum laude. Ciraco brings clinical experience in musculoskeletal care, chronic pain and rehabilitation, with a focus on evidence-based practice. She also has experience in chiropractic research and has co-authored several peer-reviewed publications focused on chronic pain, chiropractic care and opioid use. Her research team received the 2025 Scott Haldeman Award for Outstanding Research for work examining the impact of chiropractic care on prescription opioid use.

Jillian Warner-Dombrowski ’01
Program Director of Criminal Justice Department
BA, Canisius University; MS, Buffalo State University; PhD State University of New York at Buffalo
Jillian Warner-Dombrowski was named program director of criminal justice in 2026 after previously serving as a visiting professor and adjunct professor at Canisius University. A Canisius alumna, she earned her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and psychology from Canisius, a master’s degree in criminal justice from Buffalo State University and a PhD in counselor education from the University at Buffalo. She brings extensive experience in criminal justice education and practice, with teaching interests in criminal law, corrections, policing and the U.S. court system. Her professional background includes leadership in probation services and community corrections, providing students with practical, real-world perspectives on the criminal justice system.

Christopher Mellor
Assistant Professor, Teacher Education & Leadership
BS, MS, University of Wyoming; PhD, University of New Mexico
Christopher Mellor joins Canisius University as an assistant professor of teacher education and leadership. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in kinesiology and health from the University of Wyoming and his PhD in curriculum and instruction from the University of New Mexico. Mellor brings extensive experience in physical education teacher education, including teaching at Arkansas State University, Adelphi University and the University of New Mexico. His teaching and research focus on teacher preparation, curriculum and instructional practices, with scholarship examining professional socialization, teacher development and culturally relevant physical education.

Jon Mrowczynski ’16
Teaching Faculty Quantitative Sciences Professor; Teaching Faculty Physics Professor
BS, Physics, Canisius University; MS, Computer Science and Engineering, University at Buffalo
Jon Mrowczynski joined the Canisius University faculty as an adjunct quantitative sciences professor in spring 2025 after serving the university in a variety of instructional roles since 2013, including as a teaching assistant, tutor and adjunct physics professor. A Canisius alumnus, he earned his bachelor’s degree in physics from Canisius, and his master’s degree in computer science and engineering, with a focus in artificial intelligence, from the University at Buffalo. Mrowczynski brings industry experience in software, hardware and AI, along with expertise in programming, data analysis and applied computing.

Jennifer Stowe
Assistant Professor Teacher Education & Leadership
BA, Bryan College; MA, University of Tennessee; PhD, University of South Carolina
Jennifer Stowe brings extensive experience in literacy education and teacher preparation to her role as adjunct faculty in literacy education at Canisius University. She holds a PhD in language and literacy from the University of South Carolina, as well as a master’s degree in English from the University of Tennessee and a bachelor’s degree in English, secondary education, from Bryan College. Stowe has taught literacy and education courses at Canisius and the University of South Carolina and brings more than a decade of experience teaching English and language arts. Her scholarship and presentations focus on literacy instruction, critical pedagogy, diverse learners and student agency.

Dersu E. Tanca
Visiting Assistant Professor, Political Science
BA, International Relations, Middle East Technical University; PhD, Political Science, George Mason University
Dersu E. Tanca rejoins Canisius University as an assistant professor of political science. He earned his PhD in political science from George Mason University and master’s degrees in political science and comparative politics from Middle East Technical University and the London School of Economics and Political Science, respectively. Tanca’s teaching and research focus on comparative politics, democratization and the politics of Turkey and the Middle East, with expertise in authoritarianism, political polarization, populism and elections.

Previously introduced in The Dome:

Amy Wilson
BS, Colorado State University; MS Western Illinois University; PhD, University at Buffalo

Kathleen Kinney
BA ’98, MS ’08 Canisius University; MA State University of New York at Buffalo; EdD University of the Cumberlands

Amy B. Wilson, PhD, and Kathleen Kinney join Canisius in new leadership roles within the School of Education & Leadership Studies. Wilson is the new director of the Higher Education Leadership & Administration program and faculty associate dean, while Kinney is director of the Canisius University Teacher Residency program. Both bring extensive experience in higher education and educator preparation. Read the story here.

Christopher Moellering
BA, Georgetown University; MS The London School of Economics and Political Science; JD, Fordham University Law School
Former federal attorney Christopher “Chris” Moellering, JD, has joined Canisius University as assistant vice president for legal and industry-aligned pathways. In his new role, Moellering will advise students exploring legal careers, teach law-related coursework, coordinate with the Mock Trial program and serve as a liaison to the Desmond Law Society, a network of more than 1,000 Canisius alumni attorneys and judges. He brings nearly two decades of legal experience, including work with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the University at Buffalo School of Law and the Legal Aid Society of Nassau County. Read the story here.

The Canisius University Contemporary Writers Series will welcome acclaimed Irish writer Doireann Ní Ghríofa and award-winning author Julie Schumacher to campus this fall for two free public readings.  

Ní Ghríofa will be the featured speaker at the 21st annual Hassett Reading, scheduled for Tuesday, October 20 at 7:00 p.m. in the Montante Cultural Center.  Schumacher will speak on Thursday, November 5 at 7:00 p.m. in the Grupp Fireside Lounge. Both events will include a question-and-answer session and reception.  Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and seating is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.  

Doireann Ní Ghríofa is an Irish writer devoted to exploring how the past makes itself felt within the present. Born in Galway and raised in County Clare, she is a bilingual writer and the author of seven critically acclaimed books of poetry.

Her prose debut, A Ghost in the Throat, was a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award and was named a New York Times Notable Book and an NPR Best Book of the Year. The book, which explores the life and work of an 18th-century Irish poet through the perspective of a young mother, won the James Tait Black Prize and was named the overall Book of the Year at the Irish Book Awards. It has been translated into more than 20 languages.

Julie Schumacher is the author of a dozen books, including the national bestseller Dear Committee Members, which won the Thurber Prize for American Humor.  Schumacher was the first woman to receive the award. 

Her writing has appeared in The Atlantic, The New York Times, Ms., The Chronicle of Higher Education, The Best American Short Stories and the O. Henry Awards anthologies.  Her first novel, The Body is Water, was an ALA Notable Book of the Year and a finalist for the PEN/Hemmingway Award.  She has also written five novels for young adults and a satirical coloring book, Doodling for Academics.  

Click here to read more.

Canisius Cheerleading Fundraiser Night
Friday, October 16
4:00pm-8:00pm
765 Elmwood Ave. Buffalo
Show Flyer in Store or Use Promo Code FUND4U at Online Checkout

Canisius University announced that Kevin M. Smith has been named vice president for enrollment management, moving from the interim role he has held since February 2026 into a permanent appointment.  As the university’s chief enrollment officer, Smith sets the strategic direction for undergraduate and graduate recruitment, admissions and financial aid.  He also works closely with the offices of Academic and Student Affairs to support retention and student success.

Smith joined Canisius in 1998 as director of student accounts and has held positions of increasing responsibility across the university’s enrollment and student financial services operations.  A Canisius alumnus, he holds a bachelor’s degree in education, a master’s degree in education and a master’s degree in business administration from the university.  

Since stepping into the interim position of vice president, Smith has led the implementation of a data-informed strategic enrollment plan and has also overseen a $33 million institutional financial aid budget and initiatives designed to strengthen recruitment, yield and partnerships.

Smith previously served as assistant vice president and director of student records and financial services. In this role, he oversaw student billing, financial aid, student records and related services, and led strategic initiatives involving tuition, financial aid, retention and student success. As co-chair of Canisius’ Student Retention Committee, he helped develop at-risk student modeling, outreach initiatives for unregistered and stop-out students, and a student success team model connecting students with faculty, financial aid, career and success support.

Click here to read more.

As we begin a new academic year, we warmly invite you to join the Canisius University community for the Mass of the Holy Spirit on Wednesday, September 16 at 10:00 a.m. in Christ the King Chapel.

This longstanding Jesuit tradition offers us a meaningful opportunity to gather, reflect, and celebrate the beginning of the academic year together. Faculty are invited to meet in the Old Main Faculty Lounge at 9:40 a.m. so that we may process together to the chapel.

Academic regalia is encouraged for the Mass. The Office of Academic Affairs has a selection available for those faculty who need it; please email the Academic Affairs office directly at acafmail@canisius.edu, and we will do our best to arrange a convenient time for you to select regalia.

To allow our community to participate, classes that follow an MWF schedule will be suspended that day. Classes scheduled MW only or W only will continue as scheduled.

You are strongly encouraged to invite your students and advisees to attend, and to bring along a colleague from your department. This is a wonderful chance to share in a tradition that strengthens the connections at the heart of our university community.

Following Mass, please join for brunch in the Dining Hall, complimentary to all, courtesy of the President’s Office. All are welcome; simply bring your swipe ID card for entry.

Please RSVP for the Mass and Brunch using the following link: https://forms.gle/sEQqNzj86E63wdQN7

The IMPACT Center invites all faculty to participate in the annual Celebration of Faculty Scholarship, taking place on Wednesday, October 21 from 4:00 – 6:00 PM in Science Hall.

This event will feature:

• Lightning Talks spotlighting the work of our vibrant faculty!
• A Scholarship Showcase, an informal session for faculty across all disciplines to share their current projects, publications, creative works and scholarly endeavors

We encourage all faculty to take part—whether you’re conducting scientific research, writing a book, producing art, or leading a community-based project.

To participate, please complete the short registration form by midnight on Monday, September 28 

We look forward to celebrating your work!

Please note that the Bike Field Trip that was offered to employees has been re-scheduled to Wednesday, September 16; you are welcome to sign up for one of two time slots (1-2 p.m. or 2:30-3:30 p.m.)

Please register in advance and let us know if you plan to rent a ReddyBike or need a bike helmet. For this trip, we are heading to Salud Market for a treat. Any questions can be sent to Yvonne Widenor at widenory@canisius.edu or Caroline King at king116@canisius.edu

Please note that we are going with the rain date of Tuesday, September 8, 2026 at 5:30 PM for Suzanne Fatta’s performance. We are eager to join her and the East West Community Garden volunteers in the garden. Light refreshments will be served, and please contact Yvonne Widenor, Director of ArtsCanisius at widenory@canisius.edu with any questions.

We are beginning the process of forming a Canisius Staff Council, and we’re inviting staff members who are interested in helping shape this new initiative.

The Staff Council will serve as a formal representative body for all staff at Canisius, grounded in our Jesuit values. This is an opportunity to bring staff voices to the table, help identify and address issues that are important to our community, and contribute to the future of our university.

Interested in getting involved? We’d love to have you join us. No prior experience is necessary—just a willingness to participate, share your perspective and help build a strong foundation for the council.

Please join us for our next meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 8 at 1 p.m., Science Hall Room 327. 

We hope to see you there!

On Wednesday September 2, at 2:30 p.m. in SH-1008, join an informal discussion with Molly Burhans.

Canisius alumnae Molly Burhans ’14, is an American cartographer, data scientist, and environmental activist. She is the founder of GoodLands, an initiative focused on supporting the Catholic Church’s use of its global landholdings for stewardship, conservation planning, social justice and humanitarian purposes.

Burhans earned her Master of Science in Ecological Design from the Conway School of Landscape Design in Massachusetts, where she was a Sustainable Communities Initiative Fellow. Before that she studied philosophy at Canisius University, where she also minored in dance.

An internationally recognized advocate for integral human development, Burhans is dedicated to promoting the common good through initiatives that combine technology, science, and design. She is a sought-after speaker who has delivered talks and keynote addresses at the United Nations, TEDxBoston, the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, and a variety of educational institutions, symposia, and conferences.

This event is free and open to all students and faculty.

ArtsCanisius invites you to join us as we welcome guitarist Liz Hogg to Canisius University on Wednesday, September 24 at 6:30 PM in the Black Box Theater (second floor, Richard E. Winter ’42 Student Center).

This concert will celebrate the release of “Goodbye World Hello Something.”

This album is described as ” a deeply personal record, and it is crafted to absolute perfection. It captures the quiet, scary courage it takes to leave your comfort zone and jump into the unknown. Liz Hogg uses her quiet, powerful alternative sound to create a natural, emotional experience that you can feel right in your chest. If you’ve been looking for a soundtrack for a big life change, this album will be right up your alley. Liz Hogg crushed it. Go clear your head, find a quiet place, and spend some serious time with this one. You won’t regret the ride.”
– Djordje Miladinović, Thoughts Words Action
(Source: Hogg’s press kit at https://lizhogg.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Press-Kit.pdf)

Hogg is a graduate of Mannes College, The New School for Music New York, NY with a Master of Music in Classical Guitar and of the Aaron Copland School of Music at Queens College Flushing, NY where she earned a Bachelor of Music in Classical Guitar.

Tickets are $5 for students, $7 for Canisius employees, and $10 for general admission. They can be purchased at the door or at canisius.edu/artscanisius

For more information about this or future ArtsCanisius events, please visit canisius.edu/artscanisius or contact Yvonne Widenor, Director or ArtsCanisius at widenory@canisius.edu

The Canisius University annual Bonfire kicked off the academic year on Sunday, Aug. 23, with a night of school spirit, community and tradition. Check out some photos from the night!

The Canisius University PA Studies program is pleased to announce that first-year student Victoria Pawlak was recently awarded a scholarship from the New York State Society of Physician Associates (NYSSPA).

Victoria entered the program with an outstanding academic record, earning a 4.0 undergraduate GPA from Nazareth University in biomedical sciences and public health. She has held multiple leadership roles both before and during her time at Canisius and has demonstrated a clear commitment to community health and caring for vulnerable populations. NYSSPA scholarship recipients are selected based on strong academic achievement, a commitment to service, and an understanding of the importance of professional advocacy for PAs in New York State.

Each year, NYSSPA awards up to three scholarships to students across the state’s 33 PA programs, making this a particularly competitive honor. Since its inception, the Canisius PA Studies program has had at least one NYSSPA scholarship recipient from every cohort.

We are incredibly proud of Victoria for earning this recognition and proud to continue a tradition of Canisius PA students being recognized for their academic excellence, service, and commitment to the profession.

ArtsCanisius and The East West Community Garden invite you to a free performance by local vocalist Suzanne Fatta as she celebrates the garden and the community it has created.

 Make Our Garden Grow: A Harvest Celebration with Suzanne Fatta,
Tuesday, Sept. 1 @ 5:30 PM
(Rain date of Tuesday, Sept. 8).

There are benches for seating, or you may bring a blanket or lawn chair.

Ms. Fatta holds a dual Bachelors with Honors in Musicology & Vocal Performance, and Religion, from Oberlin College & Conservatory of Music, and trained at the doctoral level in Historical Performance Practice at the Eastman School of Music and the University of York (UK).

In addition, she has a Masters in Medieval Studies from Harvard University, where she won a university-wide Teaching Award of Distinction for a Music Department course on Jazz, and held Research, Editorial and Personal Assistantships with the Chair of the Harvard Music Department” (https://www.suzannefatta.com/home) and has performed for Canisius’ All-College Honors classes and as part of the trio Pavana at Montante Cultural Center in 2021 and 2022. For more information about this and other ArtsCanisius events, please visit canisius.edu/artscanisius or contact the Director of ArtsCanisius, Yvonne Widenor, at widenory@canisius.edu

Join the Canisius University Alumni Association and Department of Athletics as they celebrate the 60th Sports Hall of Fame Induction Class. The event will honor outstanding former varsity athletes and individuals who have made significant contributions to Canisius athletics. Learn more about the honorees here.

For tickets, click HERE.

As we begin a new academic year, it’s always inspiring to see where our recent graduates are putting their Canisius education to work.

For Jill Galanti ’24 and Alexandra Hackett ’25 (pictured), that means answering a call to serve through careers in law enforcement—where empathy, ethical decision-making and public trust matter more than ever. Read the story here. 

A new academic year is underway and with it comes a fresh opportunity to learn, connect and make the most of Canisius. In his welcome back message, President Steve Stoute reflects on what’s ahead – from new reousrces and spaces to the traditions that bring our community together.

The Buffalo News and WBEN-AM Radio 930 reported on Canisius’ announcement earlier this week that it received a $2 million gift from Fidelma Fitzpatrick ’91 and the Fitzpatrick family. The university will use the gift to establish the Contemplatives in Action Living Learning Community, a new academic and residential program that will bring together an interdisciplinary cohort of students who will live together on campus and learn in community through a mission-centered academic experience.

Dear Canisius University Faculty and Staff, 

We are pleased to announce that the application window for the position of Provost is officially live. As the chief academic officer, the Provost will play a pivotal role in shaping the educational landscape of Canisius, fostering academic excellence, and advancing our Jesuit mission and strategic goals. 

We strongly encourage qualified internal candidates from our faculty and staff community with the required leadership experience, academic credentials, and deep commitment to student success to submit their applications. 

Additionally, we welcome and encourage our campus community to submit nominations or share this opportunity with external professional references and colleagues who would excel in this vital leadership role. 

More information is available at Academic Search. 

Please contact Aimee Larson or Bob Baumet with any questions.  

Best Regards,
Aimee Larson, Provost Search co-chair
Bob Baumet, Provost Search co-chair 

This past weekend, August 21-23, we celebrated the official start of our new academic year. We welcomed the members of the Class of 2030 and their families as they moved to campus, started their FYE classes and engaged in a host of activities that mark a new beginning. On Sunday, August 23, we celebrated our annual Welcome Back Mass in Christ the King Chapel and then gathered for the lighting of the bonfire in Bart Mitchell Park.

Just one week before the start of our new year we also observed an important beginning in our Faith Community and in our Ignatian Heritage. On August 15, we celebrated the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. On this date we also observe the Anniversary of Profession of Vows of St. Ignatius Loyola and the first Jesuits in 1534.

During his formative years of academic studies in Paris, St. Ignatius had gathered a group of young men around him who were also searching for God’s will in their lives. He guided each of them through his earliest version of the Spiritual Exercises and formed them into a small community of faith. Little by little the unlikely group of students, which included the headstrong Francis Xavier, prayed and discerned that they were called to become “companions in the Lord” who would serve the Church in whatever way God led them. Eventually Ignatius and his friends decided that they would take three vows: poverty, chastity and to travel on pilgrimage to Jerusalem. If the journey were to prove impossible, they would go to Rome to vow obedience to the pope’s service.

Ignatius had a very deep devotion to Our Lady and so he chose this special day on which to make this commitment. On The Feast of the Assumption in 1534, arrangements were made to use the crypt chapel of St. Denis on Montmartre. St. Peter Faber, their only priest, offered the Mass. At Communion Faber turned with the consecrated Host raised in his hand. The companions each in turn knelt before the Body of Christ and pronounced the vows which Ignatius himself had composed. Ignatius’s devotion to Our Lady and her Assumption is inserted into the formula which includes the phrase “ I vow… before the Blessed Virgin Mary and the entire heavenly court.” It was a moment of “unspeakable wonder” which none of them would ever forget. It was a moment that none of them realized was the beginning of something totally new that would transform the Church and history.

Rev. Fred Betti, SJ

Physics and pre-engineering have found a new home on the first floor of Horan O’Donnell. Dr. Mike Wood, Director of the Physics and Pre-Engineering programs, spent the summer transforming these areas into new physics and pre-engineering laboratories. The physics and pre-engineering faculty have ecstatically welcomed students this week into these new spaces. There’s a dedicated space for physics and pre-engineering, while Biochemistry has moved to the second floor of HOD.

On Friday, July 17, the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry hosted the 10th annual Joseph F. Bieron, PhD (’59) Chemistry and Biochemistry Undergraduate Research Symposium on the first-floor hallway of Horan O’Donnell. Ten students presented posters on the latest results from their summer research projects in the areas of chemistry, biochemistry and physics. More than 40 students, faculty, alumni and family members attended the celebration of our student researchers. 

The Women’s Business Center is launching our Readiness Standard Program next Tuesday, Sept 1!

If you’re a Canisius Staff/Faculty member who owns your own business, have been in operation for at least a year, and the business is owned by 51% women you qualify to attend this program for free!

The Readiness Standard™ is an eight-session accelerator developed in partnership with nationally recognized MWBE expert Talia Johnson-Huff and the Women’s Business Center at Canisius University, designed to prepare established businesses to genuinely compete for government, institutional, and supplier-diversity contract work, not just earn a certification. Participants strengthen every part of their business that procurement buyers actually evaluate while completing or advancing their MWBE/SDVOB certification, learning how buyers assess suppliers, building a professional capability statement, navigating procurement portals like SAM.gov and the NYS Contract Reporter, strengthening pricing, cash flow, documentation, and compliance readiness, and developing a bid/no-bid framework to pursue the right opportunities.

The program runs for eight weekly sessions, 2.5 hours each, from 5:30–8:00 p.m., and is designed for businesses that are ready for an honest readiness assessment and a real roadmap. not just another workshop.

Here is the link to learn more https://get.thewomensbusinesscenter.com/readiness

If you are interested please contact us as soon as possible wbcinfo@canisius.edu

Canisius University has transitioned away from Course ListProcs.

Faculty are now recommended to use the D2L Email Classlist Tool to email students directly through the Classlist tab in the Course Navbar of their D2L course.

Faculty are also encouraged to review their D2L Email Settings to set up an email signature and ensure that copies of messages sent through D2L are delivered to their Outlook inboxes.

Now that a new semester is underway, the Dome will be published Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Have a story to tell, an upcoming event or important campus information to share? Let us know. We want to stay connected to what’s happening throughout the university and help keep the campus community informed.

We’d also love to hear about what faculty are doing with students in the classroom. Hands-on projects, experiential learning opportunities, unique assignments and other engaging experiences can make great content for the Canisius website. Sharing these stories helps us showcase the distinctive educational opportunities our students have and demonstrate what sets a Canisius education apart.

If you have something you think we should know about, please send it our way! Submit it on the Dome dashboard by clicking here or on “Share an item with The Dome” at the bottom of this email.

Not sure if something is a good fit or have a question? Email Emeri Krawczyk at krawczy8@canisius.edu with “Dome Inquiry” in your subjectline. We hope to hear from you!

Psychology Professor Jenn Lodi-Smith, PhD, spoke with Fortune magazine for an August 23 article about how birding participation among 25-to-34-year-olds has quadrupled since 2016. Lodi-Smith is the founder and director of the Spark Bird Project, a community science initiative that collects birders’ origin stories. In the article, she explains how more than two-thirds of the roughly 600 stories in her data set – including 96 from Gen Z respondents – are interpersonal rather than about the bird themselves. Click here to read the article, which was also syndicated by Yahoo Life.

The Buffalo News interviewed Julie Anna Golebiewski, PhD, for an August 23 story about how to get the Buffalo Niagara job market moving again. As the region’s population gets older, the associate professor of economics suggested the area needs more immigrants to help fuel more hiring in healthcare, retail, leisure and hospitality and construction – sectors that have been growing locally over the past year and have struggled with worker shortages. Read the story here.

As a Catholic, Jesuit university, Canisius celebrates the long-standing tradition of the Mass of the Holy Spirit at the beginning of each academic year—a tradition dating back to the first Jesuit school in Messina, Italy, in 1548.

This year, the Mass will be held on Wednesday, September 16, at 10:00 a.m. in Christ the King Chapel.

All members of the campus community are welcome to join us, regardless of faith tradition or background. Together, we will ask the Holy Spirit to guide and inspire all who learn, teach, and work at Canisius, blessing our studies, work, relationships, and activities throughout the year and helping us see God’s presence in the world and in all that we do.

There’s still time to apply for the IMPACT Center’s new Grant Development Fellowship Program!

Fellows receive a $1,500 stipend, individualized grant mentorship, professional development, and support as they work toward developing a competitive proposal.

Mentors receive a $500 stipend and the opportunity to share their grant experience, support a faculty colleague, and strengthen connections across Canisius.

Applications are due September 16, 2026.

Don’t miss the opportunity to participate in this year’s inaugural cohort!

Apply here

For Syed Shah MBA ’25, a Canisius business education is helping turn a long-standing goal into a career serving public education and his community. Read the full story to learn how Shah is putting his financial expertise to work in school district leadership.

[Pictured above is the Class of 2030 with President Steve Stoute.]

Canisius University welcomed over 430 first-year students in the Class of 2030, along with more than 100 transfer students, at New Student Convocation on Friday, Aug. 21, in the Montante Cultural Center. The annual tradition formally welcomes new students into the Canisius community and marks the beginning of their college journey.

The University also welcomed international and exchange students representing more than 15 countries. The incoming class includes 36 legacy students whose parents and/or grandparents are Canisius alumni, including 10 students whose parents both attended Canisius.

President Steve Stoute spoke about Canisius as a family and the shared commitment between the University and its students. He told students that Canisius is “committed to your success, but also success as you determine it to be,” noting that this commitment drives faculty and staff to ensure students have the tools and support they need each day.

He also emphasized that students have a role to play in their own success, encouraging them “to lean in. To make the choice to show up and engage.”

Stoute concluded by telling the newest Griffs that they will do incredible things during their time at Canisius and thanking them for their commitment to the University.

The program featured remarks from Harold Fields, Karl Kozlowski, Spencer Liechty and Leyla Akil, president of the United Student Association at Canisius University, that focused on the value of a Canisius education, the importance of taking the next step and the community that supports students throughout their journey. Students also participated in the Canisius Student Promise, affirming their commitment to cura personalis, magis, community and service.

The ceremony concluded with the singing of the Canisius Alma Mater and a benediction welcoming the newest Griffs into the University’s Jesuit educational tradition.

Move-In Day for the Canisius University Class of 2030 garnered the attention of WGRZ-TV Channel 2 and Buffalo Toronto Public Media (BTPM). Both broadcast outlets visited campus on Friday, August 21 to interview first-year students as they joined the campus community. WGRZ-TV Channel 2 spoke with President Steve Stoute about how the university helps students reach their academic and personal potential. Channel 2 reporter Maura Vaughn did a separate story about how some students are taking the increased us of AI into account when picking their majors. WGRZ TV’s report was also syndicated by Yahoo News.

WKBW-TV Channel 7 interviewed Lauren Jenkins, executive director of the Women’s Business Center, about the center’s new Launch Lab, a boot-camp for women entrepreneurs, designed to support both product- and service-based businesses. The 15-week program focuses on “forming your business, figuring out your sales channels, understanding who your audience is, building your website and understanding how you would function as a CEO,” explained Jenkins. Click here to watch the story, which aired on August 20, which was also syndicated by Yahoo News.

Alumnus Erik Brady ’76 penned an article for the August 20 edition of The Buffalo News about Keia Clarke ’03 joining the Canisius University Board of Trustees. Clarke is CEO of the New York Liberty, a flagship franchise of the WNBA. “I’m super excited and really humbled to have been asked to serve at the school where I got so much of my start not just in sports but in life,” said Clarke of her Canisius appointment. Read the full story here.  

On Friday, students arrived on campus to a picture-perfect day as Canisius faculty, staff and returning students welcomed new students and their families. Here are just a few pictures of the day:

Canisius University is kicking off a new academic year with a $2 million investment in a new living, learning community.

Alumna Fidelma Fitzpatrick ’91 and the Fitzpatrick Family made the generous endowed gift to establish the Contemplatives in Action Living Learning Community. The new academic and residential program will bring together an interdisciplinary cohort of students who will live together on campus and learn in community through an engaging year-long, mission-centered academic experience. The Fitzpatrick Family gift is one of the largest endowed commitments dedicated to student formation in the university’s history.

Students will engage in a structured sequence of learning that includes academic study, guided reflection, and collaborative problem-solving consistent with the Jesuit value of being contemplatives in action – individuals who connect reflection and discernment with meaningful engagement in the world.  Through this experience, students will examine a selected societal challenge from multiple perspectives, develop potential solutions, and endeavor to implement a solution with one or more partner organizations. 

The experience will be led by the Fitzpatrick Family Professor, an endowed faculty position that will rotate among Canisius faculty based on the selected theme for each cohort. 

Maura Snyder, PhD, assistant professor of communications, has been appointed the inaugural Fitzpatrick Family Professor.  She will direct the first cohort of students in the living learning community, which begins in fall 2027 with a focus on media literacy: examining how information is produced, consumed and manipulated in contemporary society. 

Click here to read the full story.

Canisius University President Steve Stoute has announced the 12 projects selected to receive support from the President’s Innovation Fund (PIF) for the 2026-27 academic year. The awards include two new faculty-led projects and the renewal of 10 projects led by faculty and staff. The initiatives span professional development, research and experiential learning, with a shared focus on academic excellence and student success.

Established in 2024, the President’s Innovation Fund provides members of the Canisius community with resources to pursue ideas that can advance the university, enhance the educational experience and have a broader impact across campus.

The first new faculty-led project will establish the Center for Faculty Development and Innovation (CFDI), which will support faculty in exploring new approaches to teaching and learning.   

Building on the work of the university’s existing Center for Online Learning and Innovation (COLI), the CFDI will bring faculty together through professional learning communities to develop evidence-based teaching practices in areas including active learning, student engagement, inclusive teaching practices, technology and artificial intelligence.  

The project will be led by Assistant Professor of Communications and Fitzpatrick Family Professor Maura Snyder, PhD; COLI Instructional Designer Tyler Kron-Piatek; and Associate Vice Provost for Academic Operations Irene Holohan-Moyer, PhD.  

Expanding External Funding and Opportunities for Students 

The second new faculty-led project will help Canisius secure external funding to create new opportunities for students. Through the IMPACT Center, the project will develop two integrated initiatives to raise the visibility of faculty expertise, foster collaboration and expand the university’s ability to pursue support:    

The Canisius Institutional Expertise Commons will create a searchable faculty profile system that makes faculty expertise and research interests more visible, helping connect faculty across disciplines and facilitating engagement with outside partners.  

The Grantsmanship Onboarding Framework will enable faculty to identify funding opportunities, build interdisciplinary teams and develop proposals focused on student-centered initiatives.  

Together, the two initiatives will help advance support of student research, experiential learning and other high-impact educational opportunities.  

The project will be led by Psychology Professor and Interim Chair of Counseling and Human Services Jonathan Rodgers, PhD; Director of the Canisius Center for Analytics and Data Ecosystems Heather Campbell; and COLI Instructional Designer Tyler Kron-Piatek.  

Read more about the PIFs here.

As the fall semester begins, a friendly reminder that the ITS Department has moved to the lower level of the Andrew L. Bouwhuis, S.J. Library.

Hours are Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For ITS assistance, please email the Help Desk at helpdesk@canisius.edu.

Four new members join the Canisius University Board of Trustees this academic year. Each began their three-year term on July 1. The Board of Trustees serves as the university’s governing body and formulates and recommends policy to President Steve Stoute. The new trustees bring expertise in higher education, finance, healthcare, entrepreneurship and professional sports leadership. The new members of the Board of Trustees are: 

Keia K. Clarke ’03, of New York, NY – Clarke is chief executive officer of the New York Liberty, where she oversees all business operations, strategic planning and organizational performance for the WNBA franchise. A 14-year veteran of the Liberty organization, Clarke previously served as chief operating officer, vice president for team business development and director of marketing. She began her career with the NBA/WNBA League Office.

Clarke has been recognized by Adweek as one of the Most Powerful Women in Sports, named to Sports Business Journal’s Game Changers Class of 2023 and selected to CNBC’s inaugural Changemakers list in 2024. A former four-year member of the Canisius women’s basketball team, Clarke earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Canisius and a master’s degree in sports business from New York University. She also completed Harvard Business School’s Advanced Management Program in 2022.  Read more here  

Amelia H. Lyons ’93, PhD, of Orlando, FL – Lyons is an associate professor of history at the University of Central Florida, where her teaching and research focus on the origins of Algerian migration to France, the War for Algerian independence and the historical process of decolonization.  She has published extensively and is the author of The Civilizing Mission in the Metropole: Algerian Families and the French Welfare State during Decolonization.  Lyons is also the recipient of numerous teaching and research awards and has secured more than $1.8 million in grant funding for public-facing and student-centered research initiatives. 

A Canisius alumna, Lyons earned bachelor’s degrees in history and French from the university.  She also holds a Master of Arts degree in history and a doctorate degree in Modern European History from the University of California, Irvine.  Read more here 

Edward W. McGrogan ’88, of Chicago, IL – McGrogan is the retired chief accounting officer, controller and vice president of Discover Financial Services. During his tenure, he was responsible for the financial reporting and accounting policies of the Fortune 500 financial services company and its more than $80 billion bank holding company. Prior to Discover Financial, McGrogan held several senior finance and accounting leadership positions with LaSalle Bank Corporation and its successor organization, Bank Holding Corporation.  

A certified public accountant, McGrogan earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Canisius and an MBA from Loyola University Chicago. He currently serves on the board of United Way North/Northwest Chicago and has long supported numerous charitable and community organizations. Read more here

Michael R. Weinholtz ’87, of Midvale, UT – Weinholtz is the retired executive chairman of CHG Healthcare Services, one of the nation’s largest healthcare staffing firms. He joined the company in 1998 when it was CompHealth Group and as president and CEO helped transform it from a physician staffing firm with approximately $100 million in annual revenue into a healthcare staffing leader generating nearly $2 billion in annual revenue and employing more than 3,500 people nationwide. Prior to joining CHG, Weinholtz co-founded Therapists Unlimited and grew it into one of the nation’s largest healthcare staffing companies. 

Weinholtz’s extensive civic involvement includes service with the United Way of Salt Lake, Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce, Human Rights Campaign and numerous educational and community organizations. In 2016, Weinholtz was the Democratic nominee for governor of Utah. Read more here  

Canisius University dedicated the Scaccia Learning Commons on Thursday, August 13, honoring longtime alumnus and benefactor Carmelo A. Scaccia ’51 and his wife, Lynn, in recognition of their generous estate commitment to the university and their longstanding support of Canisius.  

Located in the new Golisano Center for Student Success on the second floor of the Andrew Bouwuis, SJ, Library, the Scaccia Learning Commons reflects Carmelo Scaccia’s lifelong belief in the power of libraries to inspire learning — a connection that dates to his days as a Canisius student.

Scaccia began his career while attending Canisius, working as a mail clerk at Hens & Kelly Department Store. After earning his accounting degree in 1951, he built a distinguished career in Buffalo’s retail industry, ultimately retiring as senior vice president and chief financial officer of AM&A’s in 1994.

Throughout his life, Scaccia has remained deeply connected to Canisius. He has served his alma mater in numerous capacities, including as a member of the alumni board of directors, and is a member of the university’s DiGamma Society. He and Lynn have also demonstrated a longstanding commitment to Jesuit education through their support of both Canisius University and Canisius High School.

The Scaccia Learning Commons carries forward Carmelo’s longstanding appreciation for libraries and learning while creating a lasting legacy for generations of Canisius students who will study, collaborate and pursue their own educational journeys.  

A plaque that was unveiled in the new space recognizes the couple’s generosity and their lasting connection to the university.  It reads: 

“In recognition of the generous support of Carmelo A. ’51 & Lynn L. Scaccia. For Carm, whose lifelong love of libraries reflects his belief in their power to inspire learning, and for Lynn, the architect of his legacy, who ensured his passion would be woven into the fabric of this university for generations to come.”

Dear Canisius colleagues,

Thank you to each person who participated so thoughtfully in our May 27 Town Hall. Your candor, ideas, and commitment to Canisius made the conversation both constructive and uplifting.

The feedback shared in the discussions (and voting) was carefully synthesized into a report by Dr. Josh Russell, which is now available for your review. I would like to extend my gratitude to Dr. Russell for his endeavors in preparing the report for our collective use.

The report makes clear that our community values stronger connection and collaboration across campus, as well as a more visible, lived expression of our Jesuit mission. In response to the strong desire for creating time and space for community-building and engagement, Canisius will implement a campus-wide regular common hour beginning in the Spring 2027 semester. Additional details will be shared as the logistics are finalized.

The University will continue to reflect on these findings to help inform our exploration of additional initiatives as we continue building a connected, mission-centered future for Canisius. I encourage you to read the full Town Hall Data Report for its complete findings and recommendations.

AMDG,
President Stoute

Erin Robinson, PhD, professor of sociology and environmental studies, was interviewed by WGRZ-TV Channel 2 on Tuesday, August 11 about the history of radioactive and industrial contamination in Niagara County. Robinson provided context on the decades-long environmental and public health concerns surrounding waste from the region’s World War II-era industrial and nuclear activities. Click here to watch the story. The Channel 2 story was also syndicated on Yahoo News.

The August 14 edition of the Jesuits USA East news included a story about Canisius alumnae Katie Castiglia ’25 and Delaney Hayden ’25, who spent the past year serving marginalized communities through the Jesuit Volunteer Corps. Castiglia supported youth education, employment and wellness initiatives in Oakland, while Hayden provided legal assistance and advocacy for immigrants in Baltimore. Both credit their Jesuit education at Canisius with preparing them to accompany others and continue lives rooted in service. Read more here.

The Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities (AJCU) reported on a pair of Canisius University students who spent the summer helping young readers strengthen their literacy skills while gaining valuable classroom experience of their own. Through a partnership with Say Yes Buffalo, Savannah Braden ’27 and Elizabeth Andrews ’29 spent six weeks at the Gloria J. Parks Community Center and First Shiloh Baptist Church, where they worked one-on-one with elementary-aged students four days a week. Read more here.

The IMPACT Center is launching a new Grant Development Fellowship Program to support Canisius faculty interested in developing their grant-writing skills and pursuing external funding opportunities.

Grant Development Fellows will participate in a structured grant development program that combines professional development, hands-on proposal development, and individualized support. Fellows will be paired with an experienced Grant Development Mentor who can serve as a resource for brainstorming, questions, feedback, and navigating the grant development process.

Grant Development Fellows receive:

• $1,500 stipend
• 1:1 grant mentorship
• Grant-writing and proposal development support
• Professional development and networking

Grant Development Mentors receive:

• $500 stipend
• Opportunity to support a faculty colleague
• Strengthen mentoring skills
• Share grant expertise and build cross-campus connections

Faculty interested in serving as either a Fellow or Mentor are encouraged to apply.

Applications are due September 16, 2026.

Learn more and apply

As the fall semester begins, please be aware of the following campus moves:

1. Biology Department – The Biology Department has moved to its new home on the lower level of Science Hall.
2. IT Department – The IT Department has moved to the lower level of the Andrew L. Bouwhuis, S.J. Library.
3. Canisius Campus Army ROTC – Following their summer assignment, Canisius Campus Army ROTC will move to the lower level of the Horan-O’Donnell Building.

Thank you!

Canisius alumnus Rev. Robert Reiser, SJ, begins his service as provincial of the USA East Province and reflects on how his Canisius experience continues to shape his vision for Jesuit education, service and student formation.

Read the full story here. 

Faculty and staff are invited to participate in one of two mission formation programs during the course of the 2026-2027 academic year. 

Canisius Colleagues is a monthly gathering for faculty, staff, and administrators to learn more about our Jesuit heritage, what it means to work at a Jesuit institution, and to discuss how our work connects to the mission and serves the students who attend Canisius. It is intended to be a low barrier, introductory program covering topics such as who are the Jesuits and the mission of Jesuit education, Catholic Social Teaching, and the Universal Apostolic Preferences. 

Click here to learn more and register your interest in taking part. 

The Ignatian Pedagogical Paradigm Certificate Program is a more robust certificate program developed by colleagues from across the AJCU, intended primarily for faculty who are interested in taking a deeper dive into Ignatian Pedagogy and its application in the classroom. This certificate program involves outside reading and prep work, in addition to monthly in person meetings.  

Click here to learn more and register your interest in taking part. 

Please register your interest by Friday, September 4 if you wish to take part. We will determine meeting dates and times based on availability of those who register. 

Join us in welcoming our incoming class at our annual New Student Convocation, Friday, August 21, at 3:30 p.m. in the Montante Cultural Center!

As a part of the event, new students will process in through two lines of faculty and staff beginning, weather permitting, from the Montante patio stairs, through the exterior doors, and through the archway leading to the main floor. Please plan to arrive by 2:45pm to welcome the class.

We encourage you to wear Canisius gear to show your Griff spirit!

New Student Convocation is a significant tradition marking the start of the fall semester for our incoming students. This special event commemorates the beginning of our students’ collegiate journey and celebrates their place within the Canisius community. It also symbolizes the University’s commitment to fostering meaningful connections among students, families, faculty, and staff.

Together, we will welcome our newest Golden Griffins and share in the pride of becoming part of this special community through this tradition that emphasizes academic excellence, service, and community.

We hope you will join us for this special event! For further information about Welcome Weekend, click here.

Thanks to the Western New York Library Resource Council, ArtsCanisius and the Rev. Andrew L. Bouwhuis, SJ Library staff invite you to visit “Louise Bethune: Every Woman Her Own Architect” on view in the Peter A. and Mary Lou Vogt Gallery in the Library (Main Floor) now through October 9, 2026.

“Louise Blanchard Bethune (1856–1913) is widely considered to be the first woman to practice as a professional architect in the United States. She played a key role in the architectural firm that she founded, and she went beyond simply designing buildings by supervising budgets and overseeing onsite work—a highly unusual role for a woman at that time. Bethune was a strong advocate of a woman’s right to work outside the home, she firmly believed in equitable compensation for women.

This exhibition allows viewers to know Bethune through not only her architectural works but also as a unique individual outside of them.” (information provided by the Western New York Library Resources Council website).

ArtsCanisius and The East West Community Garden invite you to a free performance by local vocalist Suzanne Fatta as she celebrates the garden and the community it has created.

 “Make Our Garden Grow: A Harvest Celebration with Suzanne Fatta,”
begins at 5:30 PM on Tuesday, Sept. 1 (rain date of Tuesday, Sept. 8).

There are benches for seating, or you may bring a blanket or lawn chair.

Ms. Fatta holds a dual Bachelors with Honors in Musicology & Vocal Performance, and Religion, from Oberlin College & Conservatory of Music, and trained at the doctoral level in Historical Performance Practice at the Eastman School of Music and the University of York (UK).

In addition, she has a Masters in Medieval Studies from Harvard University, where she won a university-wide Teaching Award of Distinction for a Music Department course on Jazz, and held Research, Editorial and Personal Assistantships with the Chair of the Harvard Music Department” (https://www.suzannefatta.com/home) and has performed for Canisius’ All-College Honors classes and as part of the trio Pavana at Montante Cultural Center in 2021 and 2022. For more information about this and other ArtsCanisius events, please visit canisius.edu/artscanisius or contact the Director of ArtsCanisius, Yvonne Widenor, at widenory@canisius.edu

Stephen Chanderbhan, PhD, associate professor of philosophy, recently participated in a panel discussion that explored Pope Leo XIV’s first encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas (“Magnificent Humanity”), with a particular focus on artificial intelligence through the lens of Catholic social teaching. Rather than presenting AI as simply a technological issue, the panel argues that the encyclical is fundamentally about what it means to be human. AI becomes a test case for broader questions of dignity, work, truth, justice, power, and the common good.

The discussion was interdisciplinary, bringing together theologians, philosophers, ethicists, mathematicians, and AI researchers. While the panelists occasionally disagreef—especially over the possibility of AI consciousness—they consistently returned to the Pope’s central message: society must deliberately discern how AI serves humanity rather than allowing technology alone to shape humanity’s future.

Here’s the link to the YouTube video of the panel discussion.

Dr. Timothy Sawicki published an article titled: When the “Perfect” Online Multiple-Choice Exam Stops Working: A Longitudinal Case Study of Assessment Validity in the Era of Generative Ai in the International Journal of Humanities Social Sciences and Education (July 2026).

Read the full article here.

The Buffalo News reported on Canisius bolstering its pre-law program with the appointment of Chris Moellering, a former federal attorney and Department of Homeland Security special council. Moellering is the new assistant vice president for legal and industry-aligned pathways at Canisius and will advise students exploring legal careers, teach law-related coursework and coordinate with the university’s mock-trial program. The article also mentions that Canisius as reached a five-year articulation agreement with Erie 1 BOCES. Read more here.

As a way of being engaged neighbors in our community and further our Jesuit mission of being people for and with others, we are offering staff and faculty the opportunity to participate in a day of service with Habitat for Humanity.

There are two available options to participate: Friday, September 11 and Friday, September 18, both from 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. The specific tasks for the day and build site are yet to be determined, but the build site location will be within a 10 minute drive of campus.

There are 8 available spots on each day. Please only sign up for 1 date so as many people as possible can participate. Confirmation of your spot and additional details will be emailed to those who register.

You can sign up here

Questions: contact Spencer Liechty (liechtys@canisius.edu).

In addition, the Athletics Department organizes a weekly meal delivery with FeedMore WNY (formerly Meals on Wheels) in North Buffalo every Thursday from approximately 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Be on the lookout for a call for volunteers for the upcoming fall schedule!

It’s that time of year! As we get ready to welcome students back to campus, here’s a quick look at some of the latest news from Griffin Athletics, from fall schedules and coaching staff updates to new student-athlete leadership. Cross country, volleyball and golf announced their upcoming schedules, while men’s lacrosse and men’s basketball shared staff updates.

The 2026-27 Metro Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) Executive Board was also announced. Canisius University’s Cassandra Ercoli was selected as Vice Chair. 

Canisius sports management graduate KeJuan Harmon ’20 is expanding opportunities for young people as statewide coordinator for New York State Parks’ Ladders to the Outdoors program. He credits his Canisius education, mentorship and hands-on experiences with preparing him for a career rooted in leadership, community engagement and service. Harmon also recently joined the Canisius University Alumni Association Board of Directors. Read the story here.

The sale of the 26-27 faculty/staff parking permits will begin on Tuesday, August 11 at 9 am.

On August 11, starting at 9 a.m., all employee permits will be available for purchase. Like last year, 75 employee reserved permits will be available with an option to be added to a waitlist.

*New for 26-27*
To park in the Science Hall lot, you need an employee reserved permit or the new employee premium permit for $150. The $100 general employee permit allows access to all other general lots, but no longer the Science Hall lot.

26-27 Parking Permit Options

• Employee Reserved Permit ($200):
  • Allows access to all employee reserved lots.
  • Includes access to the Science Hall lot.
  • Includes access to all employee general lots.
  • Limited number available.
• Employee Premium Permit ($150):
  • Includes access to the Science Hall lot.
  • Includes access to all employee general lots.
  • Limited number available.
• General Employee Permit ($100):
  • Works in all general employee lots.
  • Does not allow parking in the Science Hall lot.
• Spillman Only Permit ($50):
  • Only allows parking in the Spillman lot.

The Canisius parking system utilizes License Plate Recognition (LPR). Your license plate is your virtual permit to park on campus.  Canisius faculty and staff need to register their vehicle(s) to park in a campus parking lot.

The link to purchase your virtual parking permit is located in your myCanisius portal under SUPPORT SERVICES.

Additional information about Parking on campus can be found here.

Kevin Smith
Interim Vice President for Enrollment Management

Dr. Harold Fields (He/Him)
Vice President for Student Affairs & Dean of Students
Student Affairs

Water service will be temporarily shut off in Old Main, Churchill Tower and the Health Science Building on Wednesday, August 5, from 6:00 a.m. to approximately 4:00 p.m. to allow for the replacement of two fire hydrants as part of the Jefferson Project Phase 1. Bagen Hall and the Andrew L. Bouwhuis Library may also experience a temporary loss of water service.

During the outage, water, restrooms, and drinking fountains will be unavailable in affected buildings. Faculty and staff working in these buildings should bring drinking water and plan accordingly. Operations at The Market and Tim Hortons may also be affected. The cooling system in the Health Science Building will be shut down during the outage because it relies on the city’s water supply.

A detailed email with additional information has been sent to faculty and staff. In the event of an emergency during the outage, contact Campus Safety at Ext. 2330. Facilities will provide an update once water service has been restored.

On July 31, WBEN-AM Radio 930 reported on the university’s recent investments in its pre-law program. Canisius recently hired former federal attorney and DHS special counsel Chris Moellering as assistant vice president for legal and industry-aligned pathways. The university also reached a new agreement with Erie 1 BOCES that awards college credits to students interested in a law career. Listen to the story here.

WGRZ-TV spotlighted the New York Youth Law Academy, a free week-long program hosted at Canisius that introduces high school students to careers in the legal profession through hands-on learning and mentorship. Read the story here.

The Buffalo News featured recent Canisius graduate Evan Folsom ’26, who earned a double major in biochemistry and philosophy, in a story about how his experiences at Sloan Comfort Care Home inspired his interest in palliative care and shaped his path to the Center for Bioethics at Harvard Medical School. He begins the Harvard Master of Science in Bioethics program this fall. Read the full story here. The News also featured Canisius University in an aerial showcase, highlighting the campus through drone photography and video. Watch here. 

In addition to this local coverage, Canisius received the following mentions in Jesuit publications:

USA East Jesuit News showcased the university’s pop-up sandwich ministry hosted by Campus Ministry during New Griff Orientation, in its July 31 newsletter. The ministry brought together students from a wide range of backgrounds while introducing them to service opportunities, immersion trips, music ministry and other ways to get involved at Canisius.

The Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities (AJCU) reported on Canisius University being named to the 2026 Phi Theta Kappa Transfer Honor Roll in its July 31 newsletter.  The Honor Roll recognizes those colleges and universities that demonstrate exceptional success in creating pathways that help community college students complete their bachelor’s degrees. 

This summer, Canisius University education students Savannah Braden ’27 and Elizabeth Andrews ’29 are gaining valuable hands-on teaching experience while helping young Buffalo readers strengthen their literacy skills. Through a partnership with Say Yes Buffalo, the students are providing research-based Reading Ready instruction that helps children develop foundational reading skills while building confidence as learners.

Read how this summer experience is preparing future educators and making an impact in the community.

Students in Canisius University’s AUDIT Lab have published their second research briefing examining artificial intelligence adoption in the internal audit profession. Produced in collaboration with Cherry Hill Advisory, the study draws on responses from more than 3,000 internal audit professionals across 60 countries and identifies a growing gap between rapid AI adoption and the governance structures needed to support its responsible use. The research also introduces practitioner “adaptation personas” to help organizations better tailor AI training and implementation strategies.

The publication features AUDIT Lab Fellows Reilly Boyer ’25, Kelly Crous ’27, Ashley Hedges ’26, Keegan Langefels ’26, Bryce McCarthy ’27, Justin Morabito ’27 and Bella Peters ’28 alongside faculty and research collaborators.

Congratulations to the students on this latest publication!

The Permanent Chair of Polish Culture at Canisius University,
the Kosciuszko Foundation, and Just Buffalo Literary Center Present:

Dr. David A. Goldfarb
“Encounters with Polish Literature and Cultural Diplomacy”

Date: Friday, September 4
Time: 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.

Location: Richard E. Winter ’42 Student Center – Group Fireside Lounge

Join Dr. David A. Goldfarb for a discussion exploring the role of Polish literature in cultural diplomacy. Drawing on his experience as Curator of Literature and Humanities at the Polish Cultural Institute in New York and as host of the Encounters with Polish Literature series, Dr. Goldfarb will examine how cultural diplomacy differs from propaganda, the concept of “soft power,” and how cultural institutions can foster international understanding.

The presentation will also highlight his current interview series, Encounters with Polish and Ukrainian Literature, and discuss its educational and diplomatic impact.

This event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be provided.

For more information, please contact Dr. Margaret Stefanski at stefansm@canisius.edu.

Please note, as a reminder, the university’s early Friday closures will end August 7.
Normal Friday hours resume on August 14.
Questions? Contact Human Resources at Ext. 2240.

The Women’s Business Center is incorporating Vision Board making for our Fall Cohorts.
We are looking for magazines and other craft related items, such as:
Glue sticks
Scissors
Craft Paper
Stickers
Markers
Photos
Magazines

If you want to donate any of the following please leave it in the box outside our door in Science Hall Room 1005,
We ask for all donations by September 30. 

Canisius University announced today that it has appointed Amy B. Wilson, PhD, and Kathleen Kinney to key leadership roles within the School of Education & Leadership Studies, further strengthening the university’s position as a regional leader in educator preparation and higher education leadership development. 

Wilson is the new director of the university’s Higher Education Leadership & Administration (HELA) program and will also serve as faculty associate dean for the School of Education & Leadership Studies.  Kinney joins Canisius as director of the Canisius University Teacher Residency (CUTR) program. Both Kinney and Wilson will teach coursework in their respective programs.    

These appointments advance two of the university’s most successful graduate programs, each known for strong regional partnerships, immersive field-based learning and 100% job placement rates.  

Amy Wilson brings more than two decades of leadership experience in higher education administration, graduate program coordination and faculty development. She previously served as chair and coordinator of Higher Education Administration & Adult Education at SUNY Buffalo State University, where she led curriculum innovation, program revision, faculty assignments, and recruitment across multiple master’s and certificate programs. 

Kathleen Kinney joins Canisius with more than 20 years of experience in educator preparation, K–12 partnerships and workforce development. Most recently, she served as Advisor & Clinical Experience Coach at Daemen University. Prior to that, she co led a $9 million educator workforce development portfolio as program manager for the University at Buffalo Teacher Residency Program, overseeing partnerships across six districts, three charter schools and 22 public schools. 

Kinney brings extensive experience in curriculum alignment, clinical supervision, district partnership development, and management of more than $16 million in federal, state, foundation, and private investments supporting educator recruitment, preparation and retention. 

Read more here.

The Buffalo News reported on Canisus University’s newly launched student success initiative, Canisius Computes. The July 21 article details the 1:1 computing program, which equips incoming students with a MacBook Air and ensures access to reliable technology from day one. Read the full story here. 

The article was also syndicated in Government Technology.  

Canisius University is making a significant investment in the future of legal education by expanding the reach of its nationally respected Frank G. Raichle Pre-Law Program. The university has appointed former federal attorney and U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Special Counsel Christopher “Chris” Moellering, JD, as Assistant Vice President for Legal and Industry-aligned Pathways. The appointment coincides with a new articulation agreement between Canisius and Erie 1 BOCES that creates a college-credit pathway for aspiring legal professionals, and the recent announcement that the university will serve as the Erie County host site for the 2026 New York Youth Law Academy.  

Together, these initiatives strengthen a pipeline that introduces students to legal careers in high school, supports them through undergraduate study, and prepares them for success in law school and the legal profession.

Moellering brings nearly two decades of legal experience across a range of legal fields to his role as Assistant Vice President for Legal and Industry-aligned Pathways. He served most recently as Special Counsel to the Deputy Principal Legal Advisor at DHS, advising on legal, regulatory, and national security matters across 24 field locations and in support of more than 1,500 DHS attorneys nationwide. He previously directed the Domestic Violence and Women’s Rights Clinic at the University at Buffalo School of Law and served as a public defender with the Legal Aid Society of Nassau County, where he handled more than 2,000 misdemeanor and felony cases.

Moellering holds a juris doctor from Fordham University School of Law, a master of science from the London School of Economics and Political Science, and a bachelor of arts degree from Georgetown University.

In his new role, Moellering advises students exploring legal careers, teaches law-related coursework, and coordinates with the university’s Mock Trial program. He also serves as a key liaison to the Desmond Law Society, a network of more than 1,000 Canisius University alumni who are practicing, presiding, or retired attorneys and judges across Western New York and 35 states.  Named for the Hon. Charles S. Desmond ’17, former Chief Judge of the New York Court of Appeals, the Society mentors current students and connects Canisius with the broader legal community.

Click here to learn more about the new initiatives helping to expand the reach of the Raichle Pre-Law Program.

Canisius University has been named to Phi Theta Kappa’s (PTK) 2026 Transfer Honor Roll, marking the third consecutive year it has earned recognition. The honor was awarded to 275 colleges and universities nationwide that demonstrated exceptional success in creating pathways that help community college students complete their bachelor’s degrees. The ranking positions Canisius among the nation’s most transfer‑friendly institutions. 

The Transfer Honor Roll is one of the most comprehensive evaluations of transfer excellence in the country. Rather than measuring a single metric, PTK evaluates how well institutions support transfer students from admission through graduation, providing a national benchmark for colleges committed to transfer success. Institutions are assessed across five areas shown to influence transfer student success: outcomes, credit mobility and degree applicability, financial support, recruitment and admissions practices, and campus engagement and support.

Enrollment Momentum Driven by Transfer Students 
Transfer enrollment played a significant role in Canisius University’s enrollment gains this year.  The number of transfer students entering Canisius in spring 2026 increased 41% compared to spring 2025, reflecting both rising student interest and strengthened student pathways.  This follows a strong fall 2025 semester, when Canisius welcomed 567 new undergraduate students, including 456 first-year students and 111 transfer students.

Read more here.

On July 23, the Canisius University Physician Assistant Studies Program welcomed local high school students to campus for the annual “Empowering & Mentoring in Medicine” Pathways Program in partnership with Erie-Niagara AHEC. Throughout the day, PA students shared their own unique journeys into healthcare, introduced participants to the physician assistant profession, and led hands-on clinical activities designed to spark curiosity and confidence. The program reflects our ongoing commitment to expanding access to healthcare careers by fostering mentorship, creating a sense of belonging, and helping the next generation of healthcare professionals envision themselves in medicine.

Phil Reed, PhD, professor of philosophy, recently published a new paper in the Journal of Medical Ethics titled, “Autonomy-centred assisted death laws still avoid expressivism.” A link to the abstract is available here.

Anyone interested in learning more about the research is encouraged to contact Phil Reed directly.

Dr. Michael Wood, professor of physics, presented a talk about the proposed dark matter experiment at the biennial American Physical Society meeting of the Division of Particle and Fields.

The title of his talk was “A Light Mass Dark Matter Search with the Beam Dump eXperiment at Jefferson Lab”.  The meeting was held from July 20-24, 2026 at the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (FermiLab) in Batavia, IL, a short distance from Chicago.

Dr. Wood presented to the larger particle physics community the proposed Beam Dump eXperiment (BDX), which will use a high-intensity electron beam at Jefferson Lab (Lab) to see it if it possible to create dark matter particles from interactions of the high-energy electron with atoms in a beam dump at JLab.  Dr. Wood’s collaborators in the BDX Collaboration come from JLab, US universities, University of Mainz, and national labs in Italy.  FermiLab opened in 1974 with the largest particle accelerator in the USA.  Its crown jewel was the Tevatron that led to the discovery of the top quark.  Is current research program focuses on muon and neutrino experiments.

While he was visiting FermiLab, Dr. Wood got to tour various areas like the lab headquarters in Wilson Hall and the accelerator control center.

Here are some pictures.

The entrance and inside of Wilson Hall

Dr. Wood standing by the accelerator magnets and an aerial view of the FermiLab accelerators.

As part of the April Campus Bike Day, Makerspace sponsored a yarn bombing activity to decorate the newly installed bike racks around campus. Supplies are still available if you would like to make one or add to a preexisting one. Please contact Yvonne Widenor for materials and details at widenory@canisius.edu.

Many thanks to The Makerspace Creator Lab for providing these supplies.

Register here to join us for a group bike ride exclusively for Canisius faculty and staff led by GO Buffalo Niagara (GOBN) on Tuesday, August 11 from noon to 1 p.m, including a treat from our destination: The Juicery in Delaware Park!

Register by August 1 if you would like to use a Reddy Bike for the ride.

The rain date will be Tuesday, August 25—if you register, you will be notified by noon on August 3 if we are using the rain date.

Pro-tip: If you’re signed up for a Reddy Bikeshare membership but haven’t used one yet, stop by the GOBN table at Iggy Fest in the Bart Mitchell Quad from 12:30-2 p.m. after Mass on July 30 and take one for a test ride!

Canisius University will welcome high school students from across the region and around the world to campus next week for two summer enrichment programs.

The New York Youth Law Academy will run July 27-31, introducing students entering grades 9-12 to careers in law through workshops, classroom instruction and interactions with attorneys, judges and other legal professionals. Canisius is serving as a Western New York host site for the free program, which expands access to legal education and career pathways. Read more here. 

Also beginning next week is the Pre-College Applied STEM & Professional Program, a two-week experience running July 27-August 7. High school students will explore either a Medical or AI & Technology for Business track through hands-on learning, laboratory experiences, field trips and college-readiness activities while experiencing life on the Canisius campus. Find out more here.