The Dome
Canisius Celebrates National Truth & Reconciliation Day
The ALANA Student Center and the Office of Diversity & Inclusion will be sponsoring a day of events recognizing National Truth & Reconciliation day also know as Orange Shirt Day on Monday, October 2 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. in the ALANA Student Center.
Orange Shirt Day is a legacy of the St. Joseph Mission (SJM) Residential School (1891-1981) Commemoration Project and Reunion events that took place in Williams Lake, BC, Canada, in May 2013.
Throughout the day, students, faculty, and staff will be able to receive information, watch educational documentaries, and receive a free orange t-shirt (while supplies last). Please be on the look out for the run down of events throughout the day. There will be many opportunities where you can answer trivia questions and win educational prizes.
If you have any questions or concerns, please email asc@canisius.edu.
Submitted by: Bennie D. Williams, Assistant Dean of Students, ALANA Student Center
Wild Hope Screening and Panel Discussion
The Animal Behavior, Conservation & Ecology Department (ABEC) in partnership with Buffalo Toronto Public Media, present a screening and discussion of “Wild Hope” on Wednesday, October 4, 2023 from 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. in the Science Hall Commons.
At a time when news about the environment is filled with doom and people around the world feel fearful about the future, “Wild Hope” is changing the narrative with surprising stories that show we can still change course. Each 30-minute episode highlights the intrepid changemakers working to restore and protect our planet and inspires audiences with stories of bold interventions, unexpected alliances, and nature’s resilience.
The screening will be followed by a panel discussion and audience Q&A. Sue Margulis, PhD, ABEC professor, will serve as moderator. Panelists include: Genevieve Fontana ’24, ABEC and digital media arts major, Robin L. Foster, PhD, assistant professor of ABEC and Jon O’Brien, PhD, associate professor of Biology.
Submitted by: Malini Suchak, PhD, chair and professor, ABEC
2023 Archives Speaker Series Lecture
The Archives Speaker Series, presented by Archives and Special Collections, continues its tradition of hosting a lecture during October in commemoration of American Archives Month and Banned Book Week. This year’s theme, Let Freedom Read, addresses choice, tolerance and education as librarians and archivists confront a growing worldwide effort to challenge, censor or ban books and historic collections from their institutions.
Professor emeritus, Larry Eugene Jones, PhD, department of History, will deliver his lecture John LaFarge, S.J., and the Secret Encyclical on Racism and Antisemitism, 1938-39, on Tuesday, October 3, 2023, at 2:30 p.m. in the Andrew L. Bouwhuis Library.
LaFarge, comfortably raised in Rhode Island among an artistic family, entered the Jesuit seminary in Innsbruck, Austria in 1901. He studied theology after a successful completion of classical studies in Greek and Latin at Harvard. Upon ordination, he returned to the U.S., and in 1907 earned his first teaching post in philosophy at Canisius.
Jesuits transferred him to Loyola University Maryland, where he earned a master’s degree in philosophy at Woodstock College. There, his life transformed when his health redirected him from academics to pastoral work. Over fifteen years, Father LaFarge worked and ministered in the St. Mary’s County, Maryland, where desperately impoverished populations of black and immigrant communities endured extreme socioeconomic discrimination. LaFarge found the appalling conditions and treatment of the people “sinful” and regularly spoke out about these inhumanities. He wrote articles and encouraged social activism throughout his life, especially in his 30-year career as the editor of AMERICA magazine, a Jesuit publication.
After his enlightenment in Maryland, LaFarge transferred to the Vatican where he regularly interfaced with the curia. His gifted scholarship led to a challenging assignment that placed him directly with Pope Pius XI. That assignment–developing and writing an encyclical on social justice– would haunt him. This document, and the controversy over its mysterious disappearance, is the focus of Dr. Jones’ lecture.
Submitted by: Kathleen Delaney, archivist and special collections librarian
Canisius in the News
Celebration of Service 2023
The Human Resources Department is pleased to invite faculty and staff to support and celebrate all honorees for their service to Canisius University at the 2023 Celebration of Service on Thursday, September 28 at 3:00 p.m. in Grupp Fireside Lounge. Please RSVP here by Thursday, September 21 if you would like to attend. We hope you can make it!
Click here to add this event to your calendar.
Submitted by: Bethany Voorhees, executive associate, President’s Office
Contemporary Writers Series Welcomes Clint Smith

The Canisius University Contemporary Writers Series will welcome bestselling author, poet and scholar Clint Smith to campus on Tuesday, October 17. The event, which is free and open to the public, will take place at 7:00 p.m. in the Montante Cultural Center. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and seating is first come, first served. A question-and-answer session and reception will follow the reading.
Smith was born and raised in New Orleans, and earned a BA in English from Davidson College and a PhD in education from Harvard University. He is the author of How the World is Passed: A Reckoning with the History of Slavery Across America, a #1 New York Times bestseller and 2021 National Book Critics Circle Award-winner for nonfiction. Smith is also the author of two poetry collections: Counting Descent and Above Ground. His essays, poems and scholarly writings have been published in The New Yorker, The New York Times Magazine, The New Republic and the Paris Review. He is currently a staff writer at The Atlantic.
For more information or to watch a live stream of the event, Email Mick Cochrane, professor of English and coordinator of the Contemporary Writers Series, at cochrane@canisius.edu.
Submitted by: Mick Cochrane, professor, English; coordinator, Contemporary Writers Series
Canisius Commemorates Constitution Day
The Frank G. Raichle Pre-Law Center and the Political Science Department at Canisius University will welcome former New York State Attorney General Dennis Vacco to campus on Tuesday, September 26 at 6:00 pm in the Grupp Fireside Lounge, Richard E. Winter Student Center. Vacco will analyze and critique the criminal charges brought against former President Donald Trump by Special Counsel Jack Smith in federal court and by district attorneys in Manhattan and Atlanta in state court.
The event, which is free and open to the public, commemorates Constitution Day 2023, a day on which colleges and universities, as mandated by federal law, recognize and celebrate the signing of the United States Constitution in Philadelphia on September 17, 1787.
Vacco, a partner at Lippes Mathias LLP, also served as United States Attorney for the Western District of New York.
Professor Robert Klump, director of the Frank G. Raichle Pre-Law Center, will comment on the theory that Trump is constitutionally disqualified from serving as president under the insurrection clause of the 14th Amendment.
Desmond Society board member and adjunct professor Stacey Moar, Esq., will moderate the event.
Click here to add this event to your digital calendar.
Submitted by: Robert Klump, director, Raichle Pre-Law Center
COPE Offers New Programs
The Canisius Opportunity Programs for Education (COPE) has been providing support to students from underrepresented backgrounds since 1970. The department currently houses the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Service Scholarship, the Arthur O. Eve Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP), and Academic Talent Search, which serve a combined 800 students annually.
Canisius is excited to add two new programs to the department; the Foster Youth College Success Initiative and the Upward Bound Math & Science program.
The Foster Youth College Success Initiative (FYCSI) provides financial and academic support to New York State residents who received foster care, were orphan, or a ward of the court at the age of 13 or older. Funds may be used toward tuition, books, housing, etc. The FYCSI program is open to all students. For more information, please contact Fatima Rodriguez Johnson at rodrig23@canisius.edu.
Upward Bound Math & Science Program (UBMS), is a federally funded TRIO program serving 60 students at MST High School in Buffalo. UBMS offers academic and cultural activities throughout the year. Participants receive academic advising, tutoring services, and assistance with the college admissions process. Originally housed at Medaille University, UBMS joined the Canisius community in June and hosted a summer program for 30 students in grades 9 -12. Located on the first floor of Horan O’Donnell, UBMS will provide after school programming Monday-Friday, from 3:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
In addition to welcoming UBMS students, we would also like to recognize our new colleagues, Shahreen Alom, director; Colleen Lauer, college advisor and Cerrwida Brown, academic advisor. If you would like to learn more about Upward Bound, please email aloms@canisius.edu or stop by Horan O’Donnell, room 102.
Submitted by: Fatima Rodriguez Johnson, Associate Dean for Diversity & Inclusion, Academic Affairs
Canisius in the News

For the second consecutive year, Business First named Canisius University President Steve Stoute to its list of “Power 100 Business Leaders of Color.” The ranking, released this week, recognizes those who have “risen to the top as leader of Western New York companies and organizations, are trusted board members and have set inspirational examples for the next generation.”
Click here to view the full list of recipients.
Submitted by: University Communications
State of the University
Mark your calendars for Wednesday, October 11, 2023 for the State of the University address. The event will take place in the Montante Cultural Center, beginning at 3:30 p.m. followed by a reception.
The State of the University address is an opportunity for all members of our campus community to come together and gain insight into the most pressing matters that shape the trajectory of our beloved institution. President Stoute, alongside the senior leadership team, will be addressing a wide range of topics that impact our university’s future.
This year, we have a particular focus on the implementation of our new strategic plan, Answer the Call, which will serve as the compass guiding our actions and decisions. We will delve into the strategic initiatives that will shape our academic programs, student experiences, campus facilities and community engagement efforts in the initial years of the plan.
There will be an opportunity for a question-and-answer session at the conclusion of the address, and the leadership team will endeavor to answer as many questions as possible in the allotted time. We encourage you to save the date and join in the discussion as together we build a stronger and more vibrant Canisius.
Click here to add this event to your calendar.
Submitted by: Cecelia R. Gotham, Chief of Staff, President’s Office
Wehle School Earns High Marks from U.S. News
The Richard J. Wehle School of Business (WSB) earned high marks on the U.S. News & World Report 2024 rankings for “Best Undergraduate Business Programs.” Among the more than 500 business programs in the country, the university’s Finance and Accounting programs received numerous accolades.
The Canisius finance program ranked in the top 5 percent nationally at No. 23, No. 1 in Western New York and No. 4 in New York State.
Job placement for Canisius finance majors is consistently at or near 100 percent. This includes students participating in the university’s Golden Griffin Fund (GGF) program who are heavily recruited each year by financial firms in Western New York and throughout the country. The GGF is an investment-management course for both undergraduate seniors and MBA finance majors. The student-run, real-money investment fund grew from its initial $200,000 investment from the university’s endowment, and is now valued at approximately $750,000.
The university received similarly commendable rankings on the U.S. News & World Report list of “Best Undergraduate Accounting Programs.” The publication ranks the Canisius Accounting Program No. 1 in Western New York, No. 4 in New York State and No. 38 nationally. Job placement for Canisius accounting majors is consistently at or near 100 percent. Additionally, graduates of the program are continuously top performers on the New York State CPA exam.
To be considered for the U.S. News & World Report list of “Best Undergraduate Business Programs,” colleges and universities must be accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). The WSB is proud to hold AACSB international accreditation, the premier accrediting agency for business programs in the world. Canisius holds accreditation longer than any other private business school in Western New York.
Submitted by: University Communications
Celebrate Angela Butler!
Please join the Canisius University Advancement Team on Thursday, September 21 for a drop-in celebration from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the George Martin House to send off Angela Butler!
We will gather as a community to congratulate her on her years of service and wish her well in her new endeavors!
Hope to see you there!
Submitted by: Shannon Lyons, Advancement
Care for our Common Home
We invite all members of our campus community to join in caring for our common home through our Canisius Laudato Si’ initiative.
In the interest of maximizing accessibility to everyone in our campus community, we will rotate the location of Laudato Si’ meetings around campus this semester. We are also trying to meet in visible, public places on campus so that folks can see and hear what we are up to and maybe get involved! Here are the specific dates and locations for our monthly meetings:
- Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2:00 p.m., main floor of the library – preliminary agenda: action plan & migration-friendly actions
- Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2:00 p.m., first floor lobby area of Health Science – preliminary agenda: how can you implement action plan actions & makerspace
- Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2:00 p.m., Science Hall café – preliminary agenda: spring 2024 planning & winter sowing
All are welcome! To learn more about our campus Laudato Si’, please visit https://sites.google.com/my.canisius.edu/canisiuslaudatosi/home and make sure to check out Genevieve Fontana’s CEEP project to share out the great things our campus is doing and celebrate the people doing sustainability work via the following resources:
Submitted by: Jennifer Lodi-Smith, AVPAA & Professor, Psychology
Midterms in D2L
With midterms coming up, it may be useful to review these features of D2L Quizzes and Dropboxes.
D2L Quizzes provides a robust tool to grade quizzes easier and quicker. Some features can help prevent cheating to a degree, like basic question randomization and advanced question randomization. If you want to use questions from a previous exam or quiz, the Question Library lets you copy questions to the mid-term. Connect your midterm exam directly to the grade book for faster grading. Click here for a tutorial. You can also have your students sign an Academic Integrity Pledge before continuing to the Midterm. Customize the Quiz Result display to show students what questions they got and see where they need to brush up on their studying.
Please note that if you allow automatic grading of your exam, D2L will not automatically grade written responses. Those need to be graded manually. Inform your students that the grade they have immediately after completing the exam is not reflective of their overall grade. If you want to see all of the tutorials on the D2L Quiz tool that COLI has compiled, click here.
D2L Dropboxes are a great way to receive student work in various formats but more notably PDFs, Microsoft Office files, JPGs or PNGs. You can also restrict the types of files the dropbox will accept. Attach the dropbox to the grade book or use a D2L Rubric and attach it to the dropbox for faster grading.
For more information on D2L Dropboxes, click here. For tutorials on D2L Rubrics, click here. Or sign up for one of our many workshops here.
COLI has compiled other resources on the various tool sets in D2L. Click here to access those.
Submitted by: Tyler Kron-Piatek, Instructional Designer, COLI
Outlook Tutorials
Here are a few tutorials for Microsoft Outlook:
Update your Signature
This tutorial goes through quickly updating email signatures. The focus is on updating it for Canisius University, but can be used if there are other changes needed.
Update the Outlook Dictionary
In Outlook, we may need to update the Outlook Dictionary. The focus is updating Canisius College to auto-correct to Canisius University. This tutorial is broken into two parts:
The first tutorial focuses on updating the Dictionary in Chrome, Edge, and the Desktop app.
The second one is focused on updating the Dictionary in Firefox, which is a bit more involved to update.
These tutorials are available on the Microsoft Support Wiki Page.
Submitted by: Tyler Kron-Piatek, Instructional Designer, COLI
U.S. News Ranks Canisius in Top Tier of “Best Colleges”
Canisius has once again reaffirmed its position among the leading institutions of higher education, according to the recently released U.S. News & World Report’s 2024 rankings of America’s “Best Colleges.” Canisius secured its place in the top tier at No. 33 among 150 regional universities in the North.
The U.S. News & World Report rankings are a comprehensive assessment of nearly 1,500 U.S. four-year bachelor’s degree-granting institutions. These rankings consider various factors including first-year student retention rate, graduation rate and student-faculty ratio, providing a holistic view of an institution’s academic excellence and commitment to student success.
In addition to its “Best Colleges” recognition, Canisius ranked No. 12, among regional universities in the North, on the U.S. News list of “Best Value Schools.” The “Best Value Schools” ranking takes into account an institution’s academic quality based on U.S. News’ “Best Colleges” ranking, and the net cost of attendance for a student who received the average level of need-based financial aid. The average discount from the school’s total sticker price for full-time undergraduates is also considered.
Canisius further solidified its reputation as a leader in undergraduate education by securing the No. 8 spot among regional universities in the North on the U.S. News & World Report’s list of “Best Undergraduate Teaching.” This ranking focuses on schools whose faculty and administrators arecommitted to excellence in teaching undergraduate students..
In recognition of its commitment to serving veterans and active-duty service members, Canisius earned the No. 14 spot, among regional universities in the North, on the 2024 U.S. News list for “Best Colleges for Veterans.” To be considered for this ranking, colleges and universities must participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program, be certified for the GI Bill® and have 20 or more enrolled undergraduate veterans or active service members. Qualifying schools must also be included in the top half of U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Colleges” rankings.
Click here to read more about the rankings.
Submitted by: University Communications
Cyber Security Awareness Training
In accordance with several regulatory agencies (FERPA, NYS Shield, GLBA, etc), accreditation, and for cyber insurance purposes, Canisius will require all faculty and staff to complete cyber security awareness training every academic year. You may fulfill the requirement via online training, or by attending an in-person, 1-hour session in October.
The University is partnering with Foxpointe Solutions to provide our in-person training opportunity. You are only required to register for one of the sessions listed below.
The following sessions are scheduled in our Student Center, upstairs in the Regis Room:
- Wednesday, October 11 from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
- Thursday, October 12 from 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
If you prefer to take the online training, please watch for additional information regarding this option later this fall.
To allow for better attendance tracking: Please register for either of these sessions by clicking here
If you have any questions, please contact the ITS Help Desk at 716-888-8340.
Submitted by: Michele Folsom, Director of Administrative Computing, ITS
A Look at Cultural Tourism in Buffalo
On Thursday, October 12 at 7:00 p.m., Canisius alumnus Joseph Blatz will share his insight into the work needed to create cultural tourism in Buffalo with a special look at house museums.
He will also look at his present project: The Rohlfs Home and Museum in the Allentown district.
Please join us in the Grupp Fireside Lounge. This talk is free and open to the public.
Submitted by: Kristina Laun, Social Media & Website Administrator, CALLI
Celebrate Angela Butler!
Please join the Canisius University Advancement Team on Thursday, September 21 for a drop-in Happy Hour from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the George Martin House to send off Angela Butler!
We will gather as a community to congratulate her on her years of service and wish her well in her new endeavors!
Hope to see you there!
Submitted by: Shannon Lyons, Advancement
Palisano Fitness Center
The Palisano Fitness Center hours of operation will be changing starting today, Monday, September 18.
The new hours will be as follows:
Monday – Friday – 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday – 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Submitted by: Pat Clarke, Director of Athletic Facilities
Campus Candids

The Canisius University community gathered in the Montante Cultural Center on Wednesday, September 13 to celebrate the Mass of the Holy Spirit. The long-held tradition marks the start of the academic year, and reminds us that we are united in the pursuit of truth, value and the myriad of cultures that make us a diverse community of higher learning.
University Chaplain Rev. Fred Betti, SJ, presided over the Mass of the Holy Spirit, along with concelebrants Rev. Daniel Jamros, SJ; Rev. Patrick Lynch, SJ; Rev. Joseph McShane, SJ; Rev. Thomas Slon, SJ; and Rev. Michael Tunney, SJ. Deacon Gary Andelora also assisted with the Mass.





Demonstrating that Canisius University is Where Leaders are Made is this group of pre-med and pre-health students who recently traveled to Olean, NY to volunteer with Remote Area Medical (RAM).
During their 3-day stay, students provided medical, dental and vision healthcare services to 300+ patients.




Submitted by: Allyson Backstrom, PhD, director, Pre-Medical Center
Canisius in the News

Canisius President Steve Stoute is featured on the cover of the September issue of CIO Views magazine. This month’s issue focuses on “The 10 Most Visionary Leaders Transforming Education.” The story highlights President Stoute’s journey into higher education and his pioneering leadership of the institution, to date. Click here to read the story.
CIO Views is a print and digital publication that focuses mainly on emerging executives, their journeys and their transformative leadership in their industries.
Submitted by: University Communications
Rosh Hashanah

Tonight marks the start of Rosh Hashanah. To those in the campus community who celebrate, Canisius University wishes you a happy, sweet and healthy new year.
Rosh Hashanah begins at sunset this evening and ends at nightfall on Sunday, September 17. The terms means “head of the year” and marks the Jewish New Year. It is the first of the Jewish High Holy Days and a time to reflect on the past year and set intentions for the new one ahead.
Several customs traditionally accompany the celebration of Rosh Hashanah. They include the blowing and listening to “shofar” (an ancient instrument made from a ram’s horn), attending synagogue services and reciting special prayers of “teshuva” (repentance), and enjoying festive meals with many sweets.
If you were to greet someone during Rosh Hashanah, you might say “Shana Tova” (Good Year), “Chag Sameach” (Happy Holiday) or Happy Rosh Hashanah.
Submitted by: University Communications
Digital Business Cards
As part of the new environmental and operational sustainability efforts outlined in the recently-unveiled strategic plan, Canisius is transitioning to digital business cards.
Digital business cards are stored in your Apple or Google wallet on your mobile phone and allow people to scan the QR code to view your contact details and save that information on their mobile device. More information about the capabilities of digital business cards can be found here.
If you would like to request a digital business card, please fill out this form. Please note, the cost is $48 per year. You will be prompted to provide your budget index and account number on the form to be charged via budget transfer.
Submitted by: Stephanie Masood, Marketing Project Manager, Marketing
Richard J. Wehle School of Business Awards Dinner
The annual Canisius College Business Awards Dinner will be held October 10, at Salvatore’s Italian Gardens. Cocktails begin at 5:30 p.m. with dinner at 6:30 p.m. followed by the awards presentation.
Nancy W. Ware ’78, MBA ’85, president of Ware Property Services LLC (former founder and owner of EDUKIDS), will receive the Business Executive of the Year Award.
The Dr. Richard A Shick Award will be presented to David C. Wagner ’00, executive vice president Roosevelt and Cross Inc.
To learn more about the event and our awardees click here.
Submitted by: Kimberly Walkow, Wehle School of Business
Canisius Commemorates Constitution Day
The Frank G. Raichle Pre-Law Center and the Political Science Department at Canisius University will welcome former New York State Attorney General Dennis Vacco to campus on Tuesday, September 26 at 6:00 pm in the Grupp Fireside Lounge, Richard E. Winter Student Center. Vacco will analyze and critique the criminal charges brought against former President Donald Trump by Special Counsel Jack Smith in federal court and by district attorneys in Manhattan and Atlanta in state court.
The event, which is free and open to the public, commemorates Constitution Day 2023, a day on which colleges and universities, as mandated by federal law, recognize and celebrate the signing of the United States Constitution in Philadelphia on September 17, 1787.
Vacco, a partner at Lippes Mathias LLP, also served as United States Attorney for the Western District of New York.
Professor Robert Klump, director of the Frank G. Raichle Pre-Law Center, will comment on the theory that Trump is constitutionally disqualified from serving as president under the insurrection clause of the 14th Amendment.
Desmond Society board member and adjunct professor Stacey Moar, Esq., will moderate the event.
Click here to add this event to your digital calendar.
Submitted by: Robert Klump, director, Raichle Pre-Law Center
Benefits of Being A Griff
Canisius Athletics is happy to offer our constituents exclusive benefits and perks on behalf of our local and regional partners. All Canisius employees are eligible for the following perks offered by our corporate sponsors on the “Benefit’s of Being a Griff” page located here on gogriffs.com.
The newest sponsors added to this list are Zio’s Deli and Cleve-Hill Auto and Tire. You can now show your Canisius ID to receive 10% off on your order at Zio’s Deli located at 1055 Elmwood Ave in Buffalo.
Cleve-Hill Auto and Tire is offering a plethora of discounts as well, including 10% off on automotive services and parts as well as 5% of any tire purchase. They are located at 1050 Main Street in Buffalo, which is just a short drive down from the Koessler Athletic Center, across the street from the Original Anchor Bar.
Stay tuned for updates, as more “Benefits of Being a Griff” will be added soon!
Submitted by: Ethan Clarke, Director of Sponsorship Sales and Marketing, Athletics
Walk for Suicide Prevention
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On September 23, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) will host the Buffalo Out of the Darkness community walk at Canalside in downtown Buffalo. Canisius University will be participating. Please consider walking with us to support suicide prevention and education.
Join Team Canisius as we raise awareness and funds to bring suicide “Out of the Darkness.” On-line registration is now available at www.outofthedarkness.org or see flier below for details.
Submitted by: Eileen Niland, Director, Counseling Center
Career Development Recruiters on Campus – September
Bouwhuis Library Hosts Explore Buffalo Tour
The Bouwhuis Library welcomed an enthusiastic group of 28 cultural heritage tourists to Canisius on Saturday, September 9, 2023. Through collaboration with Explore Buffalo, the Polish Arts Club of Buffalo and Buffalo Architecture & History, we were featured in a city-wide tour of the murals of Józef Sławiński (1905-1983). Canisius’ mural was donated by James Lawicki ’88 and installed on the library’s main floor during fall 2021.
Sławiński, a Polish immigrant to Buffalo, created large murals using a technique known as sgriffito. He used multiple layers of concrete alternating those with layers of different colored paint. Then, he scratched through to lower surfaces to reveal colors that he formed into shapes or images.
Robert J. Fronckowiak, First VP. and Board Member of the American Council for Polish Culture spoke about Sławiński’s work and legacy sharing the cultural heritage of Poland, and how the Canisius’ mural, created in Buffalo, informed his passion. The artwork depicts Polish individuals whose contributions to the arts and sciences are widely celebrated throughout the world: Frederic Chopin, Nicholas Copernicus, Marie Skłodowska Curie, and Adam Mickiewicz. Those figures center on an image of the University of Krakow, or Jagiellonian University, established in 1364.
Canisius’ Archives and Special Collections prepared an exhibit of newspaper clippings from the Collection of the Permanent Chair of Polish Culture. One article illustrated and described Sławiński at work; another, with photo, described a 1977 donation to Canisius of a rare edition, Polish-language family bible.
University archivist and special collections librarian, Kathleen DeLaney ’73 showcased the Bible, noted its history, and explained how use by the family gave clues to its current condition. The Bible, originally printed in 1599, was reprinted only twice from the original Latin Vulgate. Our edition, published in 1911, is from the second reprinting.
Explore Buffalo volunteer tour guide, Chuck LaChiusa ’63, assisted with the development of the Sławiński program. His website Buffalo Architecture and History is a well-researched guide to the historic built environment in Buffalo and Western New York. Visit him at BufffaloAH.com.
Submitted by: Kathleen DeLaney, University Archivist and Special Collections Librarian
Art History Professor an Environmental Heroine
Yvonne Widener is an active member of the Canisius campus community, holding multiple key positions such as director of the Art History and Music Program, director of ArtsCanisius and curator of Makerspace. She serves on various committees, including Laudato Si, which aims to promote climate and ecological justice. Widener strongly advocates for Canisius’ study abroad programs and supports adopting Earth-friendly ideas from other cultures.
At Canisius Makerspace, students can explore their creative side and escape the demands of their academic schedules. She promotes several Earth-friendly projects, such as teaching simple mending stitches to students to help them repair their clothes and reduce textile waste.
Makerspace has facilitated the NGO Community Service event painting rocks for the campus garden spaces, combining art and gardening.
Widener aims to do more with the pollinator garden and have a maker space where students can start the seeds in their room and practice keeping something alive. This way, at the end of the semester, they can plant them outside. She loves planting things on campus and seeing them grow.
Additionally, one of the most notable maker spaces was inspired by turning “trash” into art. The Canisius community created art using the caps of used plastic bottles sorted by color. These projects can be an eye-opening experience for the community to see how many bottles they use.
Widener would be interested in having more active discussions, such as book clubs and expanding the Laudato Si meeting to a more accessible space. This way, anyone can learn more about how to positively impact the planet and approach this topic more gently in their homes.
Widener speaks about the travel courses she holds for students and notes how sustainability is implemented in other cultures different than in the U.S. With her interest in the art space, she reflects on her trip to Berlin, where she touches on the small-scale art that was made from sustainable materials that degrade over time, becoming part of the earth which then opens up other opportunities for another layer of art on top of the deteriorating pieces. She also encourages students to buy local and in-season produce and takes time to garden with her family.
Widener believes sustainability should be an active conversation with faculty in the humanities, not just the sciences. She says, “… it is crucial because without sustaining our environment, we will not have a history to study or cultures to investigate”. The wildlife around us is essential to her, and she hopes to bring to light a window art project that will prevent birds from flying into clear windows. She would like to have bat and insect houses on campus. Being a devoted cat mom, she hopes encouraging the presence of community cats will cut down on any mice issues, especially in the dorms.
Widener is passionate about making earth-friendly choices in her home. She hopes that in time, her family members will join her in transitioning to shampoo bars, toothpaste tabs, using scarves for holiday and birthday wrapping, and rechargeable batteries for electronics. Growing up with an eco-conscious father, she has become more aware of sorting her recycling and will often pick up materials she finds at the curb. She even brings up a friend who will do the same, but will count how many steps it takes to get to the garbage can to see how many steps that person had to take to help keep our planet clean.
If you are interested in learning more about Widener, you can listen to the Canisius University podcast with her on the Canisius Eco Heroines Youtube page @canisius_ecoheroines and for any more information about makerspace and other programs mentioned in this article email widenory@canisius.edu.
Submitted by: Genevieve Fontana, USA Sustainability President
Campus Candids

It wasn’t the outcome we wanted but Canisius University certainly rallied ahead of the Buffalo Bills season opener on Monday night. Thanks to those departments that shared pictures of the team spirit – and please, keep them coming. (Share them with Audrey Browka, in the Office of University Communications, at browkaa@canisius.edu)

Librarians Ryan J. Grimmer and Lisa M. Sullivan
As previously reported in The Dome, the Canisius community is invited to wear their favorite Bills gear on Fridays for any weekend games – or – on Mondays and Thursdays when the Bills play.
Submitted by: University Communications
Griffs Accepted to Medical School
The Dr. George E. Schreiner ’43 Pre-Medical Center is proud to have had 28 Griffs accepted to medical school this year. Fourteen are attending the Jacobs School of Medicine here in Buffalo, including two sets of twins recently featured in a story on the medical school’s website.
Hannah and Josef Iqbal (pictured above) and Marisa and Camryn Warren, all from the Canisius Class of 2023, were leaders in our premed student organizations: Society of PreHealth Professionals and Minority Association of PreMed Students. CNN then picked up the story and added some extra cute childhood pictures. Click here to read the story.
Submitted by: Allyson Backstrom, Director, Dr. George E. Schreiner ’43 Pre-Medical Center
Mass of the Holy Spirit

Just a reminder that Canisius will celebrate the Mass of the Holy Spirit today, Wednesday, September 13 at 10:00 a.m. in the Montante Cultural Center. All campus community members are welcome to attend, regardless of their faith tradition.
As a Catholic, Jesuit University, one of Canisius’ annual traditions is to celebrate the Mass of the Holy Spirit at the beginning of each academic year. This wonderful tradition allows us to celebrate our solidarity as a campus community and ask the spirit of God to bless our studies, work, and activities throughout the academic year. Our academic calendar includes a special break in the class schedule on this day so that all members of our campus community (students, faculty, and staff) have the opportunity to attend and participate in the Mass. As a reminder, any classes that normally meet on a Monday, Wednesday, and Friday pattern do not meet on this day. Classes that normally meet on Wednesday only or on a Monday and Wednesday pattern will still meet on this day.
Part of our tradition includes a formal procession of faculty members in their academic regalia.
After the mass, brunch will be served in the Richard E. Winter ’42 Student Center Economou Dining Hall.
Submitted by: University Communications
Virtual Professional Development Series
The Office of Human Resources is pleased to announce its continued partnership with Lindsey Zajac from Career Partners International to offer a virtual professional development series this semester!
This program is open to all faculty and staff who may be interested in any of the topics throughout the semester.
Fall Schedule
Session 1: Improving your Emotional Intelligence through Self-Awareness
Tuesday, September 19 -10:00 -11:00 a.m.
Session 2: Stress Reduction for the Busy Professional
Tuesday, October 17 – 2:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Session 3: Resolving Conflict and Mastering Difficult Conversations
Tuesday, November14 – 2:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Session 4: Navigating Procrastination and Managing your Time Effectively
Thursday, December 7 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Session 1-Improving Your Emotional Intelligence Through Self-Awareness
Description:
Success in our professional and personal lives is largely dependent on having a good amount of emotional intelligence, also known as EQ. In fact, 90% of top performers also have high EQ. According to Dr. Travis Bradberry, “Emotional Intelligence is the ability to recognize emotions in yourself and others, and your ability to use this awareness to manage your behavior and relationships.” Some of the characteristics of people with high emotional intelligence include, the ability to remain calm under pressure, the ability to effectively manage conflict, the ability to be empathetic to team members, and the ability to be thoughtful decision-makers. The good news is emotional intelligence skills can be improved with a strong commitment to increased self-awareness and a willingness to make small behavior changes.
Self-Awareness is integral to improving our Emotional Intelligence. Research suggests that when we see ourselves clearly, we are more confident and creative. We make sounder decisions, build stronger relationships, and communicate more effectively. We are better workers who get more promotions and we’re more effective leaders with more-satisfied employees.
Tuesday, September 19 – 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9515719440?pwd=ek90S0Z3cnR0Qjl4dkQzOEwrd3ZHdz09
Meeting ID: 951 571 9440
Passcode: 9409
—
One tap mobile
+16469313860,,9515719440#,,,,*9409# US
+19292056099,,9515719440#,,,,*9409# US (New York)
Registration is not required and you can participate in any of the sessions that interest you. Watch for additional information regarding future sessions each month. Please contact the Office of Human Resources with any questions at Ext. 2240.
Submitted by: Mary Braun, Employment Manager, Human Resources
Flu Shots on Campus
canisius-university-all-clinics-flyer
The best way to protect yourself and your loved ones against influenza (flu) is to get a flu vaccine every flu season.
Wegmans pharmacists will be in Science Hall Atrium proving flu vaccines on the following dates:
- Wednesday October 4 from 9:30AM-3:30PM
- Thursday October 19 from 9:30AM-3:30PM
- Tuesday October 31 from 9:30AM-3:30PM
- Thursday November 16 from 9:30AM-1:30PM
Click here to sign-up for an appointment. Walk-ins will also be accepted.
Bring your photo ID and insurance card to the appointment.
Submitted by: Tracie Barletta, director, Student Health
In Memoriam
I am saddened to share the news that one of our Clinical Mental Health Counseling bridge certificate students, Lisa Visone-Gentzler, passed away last week. Lisa’s family has shared that those interested can make donations in her memory to the Western New York Alzheimer’s Association. More information can be found here.
During this challenging time, our heartfelt prayers and sincere condolences are with Lisa’s family and friends.
Submitted by: Harold O. Fields, EdD, vice president, Student Affairs; dean of students
Lightboard Studio
Canisius University now has a lightboard studio on campus! This allows for efficient lecture recording for faculty who teach primarily using a chalkboard or whiteboard. Here is a quick demonstration of how you can teach in recordings using the LightBoard. You can view other examples of lightboard video here and here.
COLI is looking for volunteers who might try out the lightboard studio! If you plan on recording lecture or would just like to try it out, Email us to try it out! We’ll set up times for you to record!
Submitted by: Tyler Kron-Piatek, Instructional Designer, COLI
COLI Microcreds
COLI has two microcreds that faculty and/or staff can get: D2L Mastery and Accessibility.
What is a MicroCred?
A MicroCred is a credential that shows mastery of a specific topic, according to a program of professional development. MicroCreds can be used in a professional portfolios, including tenure and promotion, as well as yearly performance evaluations and even academic program reports. Upon completion of these MicroCreds, you will receive both a certificate or letter for portfolios as well as an optional badge for use in places on the web showcasing your professional accomplishments. If you previously completed the OFDC, you are familiar with this.
Our MicroCreds are often partnerships between COLI and other offices on campus, to ensure that the best expertise Canisius has to offer is available in our faculty development program. Our first example of this is the Accessibility MicroCred, developed in consultation with the Student Accessibility Services Office.
How do these MicroCreds work?
Our current MicroCreds use a combination of online self-paced training lessons and other web-based resources. Each MicroCred has its own D2L course space with associated lessons broken down into modules. We give a brief description of both MicroCreds below with more information available in the Introduction modules of each MicroCred.
Both MicroCreds are entirely self-paced and most components are asynchronous. Future MicroCreds may contain “synchronous” components, where appropriate, with ample opportunities to participate. These synchronous components will be made available via the Faculty Development Opportunities Wiki Page.
D2L Essentials MicroCred
This MicroCred will show that you have mastery over some the most powerful features in D2L. You may or may not immediately use all aspects of D2L that you learn while completing this MicroCred, but you will be in a greater position to suggest features to colleagues, and explore new possibilities as curriculum evolves. If you previously completed the OFDC, you already have a headstart in this MicroCred.

Accessibility MicroCred
Our Accessibility MicroCredential is a partnership project between the Student Accessibility Services office and COLI. Here, you learn to develop course content and activities that are fully accessible to students across a range of impairments, neurodiversity, and other circumstances. This readies you and your courses to teach students who register for academic accommodations to support disabilities. In the process, you will produce and teach courses that also support better learning by any student, in accordance with Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles.


How to Get Started
If you are interested in completeing either of the new MicroCreds, please enroll via our Faculty Development Events form. From here on, if you enroll in a workshop built into a MicroCredential, you will automatically be enrolled in that MicroCred’s D2L space. This means you can see what additional is needed for the MicroCredential, and track your progress toward completion. Check the Workshop tab of the My Courses widget on the D2L Homepage. In the future, any workshop that is part of a MicroCred will have the associated preview badge.
Submitted by: Tyler Kron-Piatek, Instructional Designer, COLI
Canisius Remembers 9/11
Please join the Canisius community to remember and reflect on this 22nd Anniversary of 9/11.
The Canisius Quadrangle was lined with American flags over the weekend to honor each of the lives lost in the September 11th terrorist attacks. The flags will be on display throughout today.
Today’s daily Mass (Monday, September 11, 2023) in Christ the King Chapel is at 12:05pm and will be offered in remembrance of 9/11.
Submitted by: Dr. Mark Harrington, assistant vice president, student success & assistant professor, department of teacher education and leadership; Sierra Bonerb, director of support services
Canisius Unveils New Commercial

Canisius has always been the place where leaders are made but now, we’re putting our stake in the ground.
Beginning this week, Canisius University will take the next steps in the public rollout of its re-energized brand with the broadcast debut of a new commercial. The spot will air on local TV channels and in digital ads throughout the months ahead, and showcases what it is that the institution does best: Develop purpose-driven leaders who think big, take chances and lead with integrity.
Click here to get a sneak peak.
The world deserves to know the spirit of Canisius University – and we’re ready to share it!
Submitted by: University Communications
Irish Star Celebrates Joe Hassett’s Friendship with Seamus Heaney
The Irish Star recently featured a profile of Joseph Hassett ’64, with a special focus on his friendship with the late poet and Nobel Laureate Seamus Heaney. Click here to read the story. https://www.irishstar.com/news/us-news/joseph-hassett-irish-american-scholars-30835166?utm_source=linkCopy&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=sharebar
Hassett, who holds a law degree from Harvard and a PhD from University College Dublin, was the recipient in 2022 of Ireland’s Presidential Distinguished Service Award for the Irish Abroad. He is a former Canisius trustee and founder of the Hassett Reading, which brings prominent Irish literary figures to campus to read from their works. Past Hassett readers readers include Heaney, Marina Carr, Alice McDermott, Eamon Grennan, and Paul Muldoon.
Submitted by: Mick Cochrane, professor, English
Conversations on AI

SEPTEMBER 12, 6:00 – 8:00 PM, AT CANISIUS UNIVERSITY
The Canisius AI and Society Initiative continues its Conversations on AI symposia series with another dual-track event. Each of two sessions features a discussion focused on AI’s critical implications for education (K-12 and higher ed), or business and government. These sessions are followed by a mixer where all participants can gather to discuss considerations and implications of artificial intelligence for their fields and sectors.
Light refreshments will be served.
TRACK 1: EDUCATION, K-12 AND HIGHER ED
PANELISTS
David Rogalski: Instructional Support Specialist & Media Arts Teacher, Kenmore-Tonawanda UFSD
Andrew Lavoie: Design Challenge Coordinator, University at Buffalo
Ken Fujichui: Head of Information Commons & Emerging Technology Librarian, E.H. Butler Library, SUNY Buffalo State
Location: Science Hall 1013A
TRACK 2: BUSINESS, GOVERNMENT AND HEALTHCARE
ETHICS OF ROBOTICS AND AI
PRESENTED BY
Dr. Stephen Petersen: Professor of Philosophy, Niagara University
Location: Science Hall Commons
Zoom Registration Tool
The Zoom Registration feature, a relatively simple feature to activate in a Zoom meeting, may be useful for instructors that are hosting meet-and-greets or similar events. Zoom will automatically create a webpage where interested participants can register and answer questions. You can then see who signed up, what the answers were to the questions you asked, and see a few other details as well.
Part 1: https://youtu.be/AbI2ignFSJk
In this second part, we cover more options of the Registration feature. Some examples of these options include changing the contact email and to personalize the confirmation email and registration pages.
Part 2: https://youtu.be/aGp9Bo2v2aU
If you are interested in exporting the registration list, you can follow the steps listed here.
For more Zoom tutorials, check out the Zoom Wiki Page.
Submitted by: Tyler Kron-Piatek, Instructional Designer, COLI
D2L Chat Tool: End of Life
D2L will be turning off the Chat Tool feature on December 31, 2023. For more information, see D2L’s post about discontinuing the Chat Tool.
If you used this feature and wish to continue using similar services, check out the alternatives below:
- Microsoft Teams
- Teams is a secure way to create text chats. Particularly useful if you use the chat feature for student work and/or evaluations. All faculty, staff, and students have access to Teams via their Canisius Microsoft 365 accounts. To access this account, go to My Canisius. Then find and click on My Applications. Find and click on Microsoft 365. On the Microsoft 365 Dashboard, find and click on the Teams icon in the left-hand sidebar.
- Google Chat
- Similar to Teams, this is a secure chat tool offered by Google. All faculty, staff, and students have access to Google Chat via My Canisius. Then, find and click on My Applications. Find and click on Google Drive. Click on the grid of squares in the upper-right corner, to the left of your name. In the menu that appears, click on Chat.
If there are any questions or concerns, contact COLI via Helpdesk.
Submitted by: Tyler Kron-Piatek, Instructional Designer, COLI
Canisius in the News
Dave Sheets, PhD, director of the graduate program in data analytics and professor of physics, was interviewed by the National Catholic Register for a story, titled “Artificial Intelligence is Making Research Faster; Can it Also Help Make Catholic Colleges More Catholic?” In the article, Sheets weighs in on the concerns surrounding student use of ChatGPT to produce essays and papers. Click here to read the story.
Canisius student Brittany Upshaw ’23, MBA ’25 was featured in the September 5 edition of Buffalo Rising. The story focused on a new non-proft, Get Out and About, which Upshaw launched. The initiative helps to provide students in underserved and low income communities with the same educational and recreational benefits and opportunities other children have. Click here to read the story.
(Upshaw is one of 13 Canisius University students recently awarded a Western New York Prosperity Fellowship. See story below.)
Submitted by: University Communications
Canisius Announces Updates to Administrative Items
Canisius University Faculty and Staff,
We hope this message finds you well and energized by the return of students to our campus and the start of the new academic year. The following information highlights some important updates regarding various administrative items that have been implemented or will be effected this academic year to enhance the institution’s operational efficiency and better align with its strategic goals.
1. Reporting Structure Changes:
Human Resources: The Office of Human Resources now reports directly to the Office of the President.
Registrar: The Registrar’s Office is now under the sole purview of Academic Affairs.
Griff Center: The Griff Center for Student Success now falls under the sole oversight of Student Affairs.
Financial Aid: The Financial Aid Office is now under the sole purview of Enrollment Management.
2. New Office Locations:
Admissions, Marketing and University Communications: The Admissions, Marketing and University Communications departments are now located on the third floor of Science Hall.
Office of Mission & Ministry: The Mission & Ministry staff has moved to the second floor of Old Main.
Institutional Research and WSB Executive Education Leadership Development: The Office of Institutional Research and the Wehle School of Business Executive Education Leadership Development team have switched locations on the second floor of Bagen Hall.
3. Senior Leadership Team Update:
The search for a new vice president for advancement is ongoing. In the interim, Dianna Civello is overseeing the Office of Advancement.
Canisius leadership is preparing to launch the search for its next vice president for finance and administration. The representative search committee for this effort will be chaired by Dr. Harold Fields, vice president for student affairs and dean of students.
While changes in the way we work can sometimes be a challenge, these updates will positively impact the way the institution serves the campus community and help move Canisius closer to achieving the shared goals for the university.
Thank you for your ongoing commitment to Canisius.
Submitted by: University Communications
Thirteen Awarded WNY Prosperity Fellowships

Thirteen Canisius University students are recipients of the 2023-24 Western New York Prosperity Fellowship. Supported by the Prentice Family Foundation, Western New York Prosperity Fellowships assist graduate students who show entrepreneurial drive and want to make a difference in Western New York. The fellowship program identifies the most promising talent in the region and engages them in a robust educational and professional development program with the goal of developing economic leaders within the community.
The Western New York Prosperity Fellowship also combines financial assistance in the form of scholarships with paid, credit-bearing internships to assist fellows acquiring both academic and practical experiences in their intended professions. Fellows intern in their chosen fields of study, where they work alongside and are mentored by leaders in upper-level management. In addition, the fellowship provides a year-long series of events designed to enhance students’ skills and network development.
Click here to view the list of fellowship recipients.
Submitted by: University Communications
Dependent Tuition Exchange/Canisius Waiver for a New/First Time Student
Faculty and staff interested in using the Dependent Tuition Exchange (attending another institution) or the Canisius Dependent Tuition Waiver (attending Canisius) for academic year 2024-25 are encouraged to attend one of the following zoom information sessions. Information sessions are primarily for those faculty/staff who will have a new/first time student in 2024-25.
Session Days and Times:
Thursday, September 21 from 2-3:00 p.m.
or
Friday, September 22 from 11-12:00 p.m.
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://canisius.zoom.us/j/7168888501
In the meantime, feel free to use the information below to start the process.
First Steps:
-
- Complete the Canisius dependent child application located in the portal under Human Resources -> Tuition Waiver and Benefits.
- Select a beneficiary -> Canisius Tuition Waiver/Initial Certification(stop here if only applying for the Canisius Waiver).
- Complete the Tuition Exchange/Fachex EZ application and select each school your child is applying to.
- Complete the Canisius dependent child application located in the portal under Human Resources -> Tuition Waiver and Benefits.
If you have questions regarding:
Tuition Exchange/Fachex contact Kevin Smith at x8501 or smithk@canisius.edu
Canisius Tuition Waiver/Dependent Child contact Human Resources at x2240 or HR@canisius.edu
General Tuition Exchange website. Visit the Families tab.
Search for TE/Fachex Member Schools on the TE website: https://telo.tuitionexchange.org/schools.cfm. Every TE member school has its own calendar, including application deadlines.
Required information to complete the TE/Fachex on-line EZ application:
Link to the on-line application: https://telo.tuitionexchange.org/apply.cfm
Student full name
Student address
Student phone#
Student last 4 SSN#
Student e-mail
Application year – 2024-2025
Student birthdate
Employee full name
Employee title
Employee years of employment
Employee e-mail
Employee category – faculty/non-faculty
Total number of academic years – enter 4 (unless transfer)
Total number of semesters – enter 8 (unless transfer)
Filing the FAFSA – yes/no/unknown
Entry class – enter freshman (unless transfer)
Submitted by: Kevin Smith, AVP and Director SRFS Center
Canisius Colleagues
Canisius Colleagues is an opportunity for members of the faculty and staff who want to learn more about what it means to work at a Jesuit institution.
Participants gather once a month over lunch to learn more about our Jesuit heritage and to discuss how our own work in whatever we do connects to our mission as a Jesuit institution and serves the students who attend Canisius. Cohorts meet either on Thursdays or Fridays from noon to 1:00.
The first sessions are on September 21 and 22. We have a few more spaces available. Contact Dr. Sandy Estanek, interim vice president for mission integration, at estaneks@canisius.edu or at Ext. 2760 if you are interested or would like more information.
Submitted by: Dr. Sandra Estanek, vice president for mission integration, Office of Mission and Ministry
Sexual Harassment Prevention Training
Dear Campus Community,
Many of you have enrolled in the Sexual Harassment Prevention training session on September 13 at noon in the Regis Room.
As announced last week, offices are closed from 9:45am to noon on September 13 for the Mass of the Holy Spirit. We are still planning to host the training session and will move the start of the session to 12:15 p.m. in the Regis Room.
You are only required to register for one of the sessions listed below to meet the training requirement. Please note if you attended the training on June 15, you have met your requirements for 2023 and do not need to enroll again or take the online training.
The following sessions are scheduled for the fall semester in the Regis Room:
Wednesday, September 13 from 12:15 -1:15pm
Thursday, September 14 from 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
To register for either of these sessions, please select the link below:
If you prefer to take the online training again, please watch for additional information regarding this option. If you have any questions, please contact the Office of Human Resources at 716-888-2240.
Submitted by: Linda M. Walleshauser, SPHR-SHRM-CP, Associate Vice President for Human Resources & Compliance
Faculty/Staff Night at Men’s Soccer Game
Please Email Lynn Incardona at incardo1@canisius.edu or call her at 716-888-2246 to let her know if you or any family members will be attending.
Please come out and cheer on the team!
Submitted by: Lynn Incardona, HR Associate, Human Resources
Borders & Migrations Fall Series
Join the Borders & Migrations Initiative (BMI) as it launches the fall 2023 season of events.
The series kicks off on Monday, September 25 with Filipino author Noel Alumit. He will read from his new collection of short stories, Music Heard in Hi-Fi & Other Stories, published this month. The event begins at 5:30 p.m. in the Library Learning Center.
And mark your calendars now for the second event in the Borders and Migrations fall 2023 series, which takes place Monday, October 16 at 12:00 noon in the Library Learning Center. The event, titled “Fleeting, Waiting, Hoping,” will feature a researchers from Xavier University, who will share their findings about life at the border as seen through the eyes of women and children asylum seekers, as they wait in Nogales, Mexico. The panel discussion will be accompanied by an art exhibit, which will run in the library art gallery through November 15.
Submitted by: Richard D. Reitsma, PhD, associate professor of Spanish, Department of Modern Languages, Literatures, & Cultures
Kairos Retreat Fall 2023
Campus Ministry is inviting faculty and staff members to participate in the Kairos Retreat this semester. The Kairos Retreat is taking place November 10-12 beginning late-afternoon Friday until mid-afternoon Sunday.
Participants need to commit to being present for the duration of the two-night, overnight experience at Cradle Beach Retreat Center, present a retreat talk from assigned topics, and fully participate in a small group with students during the course of the weekend.
No prior retreat experience is necessary. We are looking for faculty and staff who are willing to be vulnerable and share deeply, personally, and appropriately with students as well as receive and listen to the sharing of others and provide a supportive presence during the course of the weekend. Preference is given to those who have not attended the retreat before.
If you are interested or have questions, please contact Spencer Liechty at liechtys@canisius.edu with the following information as soon as possible:
- Name, role at the college
- Kairos experience: if you have attended or led before, if so what year?
- Any questions you have
Even if you are not able to personally participate, we would appreciate you encouraging students to sign up to attend the retreat. Students can sign up using the link here.
Thank you for your support of this meaningful Canisius tradition!
Submitted by: Spencer Liechty, director, Campus Ministry
Palisano Fitness Center
The Palisano Fitness Center is now open for business.
Hours of operation* are:
- Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Saturday and Sunday 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
*Hours are subject to change.
Submitted by: Pat Clarke, director, Athletic Facilities
Lavender Welcome
Come join the student organization UNITY and the ALANA Student Center as they collaborate to host our first Lavender Welcome on Thursday, September 7, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. in Old Main 223.
This is a great opportunity to learn about the resources and supports for those who identify within the LGBTQIA+ community and their allies. Refreshments will be provided. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to email asc@canisius.edu.
Submitted by: Bennie D. Williams, assistant dean of students, ALANA Student Center
Can Generative AI Solve My Math Homework?
The Canisius community is invited to sit in on what is sure to be an engaging and thought-provoking talk, titled “Can Generative AI Solve My Math Homework.” The event is set for Friday, September 8, from 2:10 – 3:10 p.m. in Science Hall, Room 1053.
The discussion will delve into the realm of generative AI and its potential to tackle one of the most common challenges students face: math homework. With the advent of powerful AI models like GPT-3.5, we explore the capabilities and limitations of AI in assisting with mathematical problem-solving tasks.
The presentation begins by introducing the audience to the concept of generative AI, showcasing its remarkable ability to understand and generate human-like text. We then embark on a journey through the world of mathematics, highlighting the diversity of problems students encounter in their homework assignments, from basic arithmetic to advanced calculus.
The talk is presented at the Engineering and Physics Seminar.
Submitted by: Michael Wood, PhD, professor, Physics; chair, Department of Quantitative Sciences
Conversations on AI
SEPTEMBER 12, 6:00 – 8:00 PM, AT CANISIUS UNIVERSITY
The Canisius AI and Society Initiative continues its Conversations on AI symposia series with another dual-track event. Each of two sessions features a discussion focused on AI’s critical implications for education (K-12 and higher ed), or business and government. These sessions are followed by a mixer where all participants can gather to discuss considerations and implications of artificial intelligence for their fields and sectors.
Light refreshments will be served.
TRACK 1: EDUCATION, K-12 AND HIGHER ED
PANELISTS
David Rogalski: Instructional Support Specialist & Media Arts Teacher, Kenmore-Tonawanda UFSD
Andrew Lavoie: Design Challenge Coordinator, University at Buffalo
Ken Fujichui: Head of Information Commons & Emerging Technology Librarian, E.H. Butler Library, SUNY Buffalo State
Location: Science Hall 1013A
TRACK 2: BUSINESS, GOVERNMENT AND HEALTHCARE
ETHICS OF ROBOTICS AND AI
PRESENTED BY
Dr. Stephen Petersen: Professor of Philosophy, Niagara University
Location: Science Hall Commons
“Wielka Droga/The Great Way” Film Screening & Reception
The Permanent Chair of Polish Culture at Canisius University co-presents “Wielka Droga/The Great Way” on Sunday, September 10 at 1:00 p.m. in the Downtown Central Library. The event is free and open to the public, and made possible in cooperation with the Polish National Archives – Audiovisual Institute (FINA) as part of its Polish Film Festival 2023.
“Wielka Droga/The Great Way” (1946), directed by Michal Waszynski, was the first Polish post-World War II feature film, recently digitally remastered by the Polish National Archives – Audiovisual Institute (FINA). Put together by the best film artists of pre-war Poland, many of whom served in the Anders Army, “The Great Way” includes significant documentary footage and retelling of the Army’s formation through the epic journey of thousands from USSR to reach Italy and new lives. The film was for many years forgotten and prohibited by the Communist authorities, and is a rediscovered story important to Polish heritage that many are not aware of.
The film, showing in the Downtown Central Library’s main floor Ring of Knowledge, will be followed by a reception hosted by the Permanent Chair of Polish Culture at Canisius University.
A related visiting exhibit put together by FINA which tells the history behind the Anders Army is on view on the Downtown Central Library’s main floor through October 17.
Submitted by: Margaret Stefanski, chair, MLLC
Preserve Projector Bulbs!
Classroom projector bulbs are surprisingly expensive! Depending on the model they can reach $400.00, and have a limited lifespan. Leaving projectors on, unused, for long periods of time burn these bulbs out, as well as apply heat wear on the projectors themselves, shortening the life of the whole machine.
At the end of your class, event, or other classroom use, if the projector is on, please turn it off. This makes a big budgetary difference, and we’d all rather the college spend money on other things. It’s tempting to leave it on if you think someone will use it later in the day, but classes are canceled or moved frequently enough that this isn’t as helpful as it seems.
Classroom projectors, as well as other classroom technologies are maintained by our Media Center, who are happy to help faculty with classroom IT needs. They have a great guide to all the classrooms on campus, which include instructions on how to operate each projector. The can also record a quick tutorial if you have questions concerning a particular classroom. Email helpdesk@canisius.edu for questions directed toward our Media Center (as well as other IT-related topics.)
Submitted by: Tyler Kron-Piatek, Instructional Designer, COLI
Reminder about Email Security Measures
ITS would like to remind the campus about safe Email practices. Some of the more recent “spoofed” Emails make it appear that someone from Canisius has Emailed you requesting information, but remember, malicious senders are creative and make it look like someone you may know. Remember to look at the actual Email address (using your mouse, hover over the sender’s name in the FROM line) to better identify valid email requests.
From time to time, Canisius accounts can be compromised and then used to send out a phishing email to other Canisius accounts. If you are questioning a request or links in any Email, reach out to the person directly or contact the ITS Helpdesk to verify authenticity. Here’s a quick video with tips on avoiding email scams: https://youtu.be/82NrZ8R05ts
Also keep in mind that ITS will never send an Email concerning authentication (e.g., password expiration) that contains a link.
For faculty/staff, additional measures were deployed in early 2020 for Microsoft Exchange to help identify “safe” vs. “unsafe” Emails. Outside Emails will be easily identifiable via one of the following colored alerts. This includes some of the email found in your “Junk” folder that is already marked as “SPAM”.
NOTE: These banners will be displayed as PLAIN TEXT for email messages placed in your junk folder, but if you move it to any one of your other mailbox folders, you will see the full color versions of the above alerts.
We have identified “trusted” emails sent from some of our partner vendors (Slate, Adirondack, Medicat, emails sent by Advancement through Benchmark, etc.) so they will not get this type of header. If you discover we have missed a vendor that should be trusted, please email the ITS Help Desk at helpdesk@canisius.edu.
Submitted by: Tyler Kron-Piatek, Instructional Designer, COLI
Manage and Save Emails Indefinitely
Due to a recent policy change, Emails sent and received by faculty and staff have a default life of 180 days in our inboxes or sent mail folders. Previously, this limit was 120 days.
In any case, we can easily extend the life of emails, indefinitely, with a simple procedure that also helps us organize emails for later retrieval if needed. We simply create folders in our account (but not in our inbox or sent mail folders), named and arranged however we find most convenient!
In our first Email Management Tutorial (Click the button below), we show how to do these procedures in Outlook Web, which is available to all faculty and staff, regardless of whether they use PC or Mac. In future tutorials we’ll look at Outlook Desktop and Mac Mail, but the procedures there are quite similar.
You can view the Faculty/Staff Email Management Tutorial Video here.
Submitted by: Tyler Kron-Piatek, Instructional Designer, COLI
D2L Essentials and Accessibility MicroCreds Available
What is a MicroCred?
A MicroCred is a credential that shows mastery of a specific topic, according to a program of professional development. MicroCreds can be used in a professional portfolios, including tenure and promotion, as well as yearly performance evaluations and even academic program reports. Upon completion of these MicroCreds, you will receive both a certificate or letter for portfolios as well as an optional badge for use in places on the web showcasing your professional accomplishments. If you previously completed the OFDC, you are familiar with this.
Our MicroCreds are often partnerships between COLI and other offices on campus, to ensure that the best expertise Canisius has to offer is available in our faculty development program. Our first example of this is the Accessibility MicroCred, developed in consultation with the Student Accessibility Services Office.
How do these MicroCreds work?
Our current MicroCreds use a combination of online self-paced training lessons and other web-based resources. Each MicroCred has its own D2L course space with associated lessons broken down into modules. We give a brief description of both MicroCreds below with more information available in the Introduction modules of each MicroCred.
Both MicroCreds are entirely self-paced and most components are asynchronous. Future MicroCreds may contain “synchronous” components, where appropriate, with ample opportunities to participate. These synchronous components will be made available via the Faculty Development Opportunities Wiki Page.
D2L Essentials MicroCred
This MicroCred will show that you have mastery over some the most powerful features in D2L. You may or may not immediately use all aspects of D2L that you learn while completing this MicroCred, but you will be in a greater position to suggest features to colleagues, and explore new possibilities as curriculum evolves. If you previously completed the OFDC, you already have a headstart in this MicroCred.

Accessibility MicroCred
Our Accessibility MicroCredential is a partnership project between the Student Accessibility Services office and COLI. Here, you learn to develop course content and activities that are fully accessible to students across a range of impairments, neurodiversity, and other circumstances. This readies you and your courses to teach students who register for academic accommodations to support disabilities. In the process, you will produce and teach courses that also support better learning by any student, in accordance with Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles.


How to Get Started
If you are interested in completeing either of the new MicroCreds, please enroll via our Faculty Development Events form. From here on, if you enroll in a workshop built into a MicroCredential, you will automatically be enrolled in that MicroCred’s D2L space. This means you can see what additional is needed for the MicroCredential, and track your progress toward completion. Check the Workshop tab of the My Courses widget on the D2L Homepage. In the future, any workshop that is part of a MicroCred will have the associated preview badge.
Submitted by: Tyler Kron-Piatek, Instructional Designer, COLI
Show Your Buffalo Bills Spirit!
The Buffalo Bills kick off the NFL season against the New York Jets on Monday, September 11 at 8:15 p.m. so let’s show some team spirit!
The campus community is invited to wear their favorite Bills gear on game day. While you’re at it, why not snap a few photos of you and your colleagues sporting some Bills pride. Send the pictures to Audrey Browka (browkaa@canisius.edu) and they’ll be published in The Dome.
For the remainder of the season, feel free to wear your Bills gear on Fridays for any games scheduled over the weekend or on the actual game day for Monday or Thursday games!
Go Bills!
Submitted by: Linda M. Walleshauser, SPHR-SHRM-CP, associate vice president, Human Resources & Compliance
Kinesiology Student to Compete in Rowing World Championships
Madison “Maddy” Eberhard, current student at Canisius University will be competing in the 2023 World Rowing Championships in Belgrade, Serbia. The championships will take place from September 3 – 10, 2023. Eberhard will be competing in the PR2 mixed double sculls with Russell Gernaat. With a top six finish, they will qualify for a spot in the 2024 Paralympic Games to be held in Paris, France. Eberhard previously competed in the 2019 World Rowing Championships placing 4th in both the PR2 Women’s Single Sculls (X1) and the PR2 Women’s Single Sculls (FA).
Eberhard is from Getzville, NY and a student in the Department of Kinesiology currently a senior pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Sports and Exercise Health Care.
The senior World Rowing Championships are held every year at the end of the international rowing season and World Champions are crowned in 14 Olympic boat classes – seven for men and seven for women, as well as six International boat classes for lightweight rowers.
The Department of Kinesiology at Canisius University also administers an undergraduate program in Health and Wellness, an undergraduate minor in Strength and Conditioning and graduate programs in Health and Human Performance, Exercise Science and Applied Nutrition.
The members of the Department of Kinesiology very proud and excited for Maddy and we would like to wish her the best of luck in her competitions. Please help us cheer her on and show her your support for this great achievement! Congratulations Maddy!!
Submitted by: Karl F. Kozlowski, professor and chair, Department of Kinesiology
Canisius Open Swim
Canisius Open Swim is back for the 2023-24 school year!
Hours are as follows:
- Monday through Friday 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
- Tuesdays and Thursdays 8:30 -9:30 p.m.
- Sundays 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Submitted by: Pat Clarke, director, Athletic Facilities
Campus Candids

Campus Ministry welcomed the university’s newest Griffs at Sunday evening’s first Mass of the academic year. The liturgy unites students in fellowship, faith formation and service.



Pictured above (l-r) Father Betti with students; Spencer J. Liechty, director of Campus Ministry; and Jonathan D. Lawrence, PhD, associate professor of religious studies and theology
Another beloved Canisius tradition followed Sunday’s Mass. The annual C-Block bonfire drums up school spirit at the start of each academic year. There’s also the favorite “purple swap” – anyone who brings something in the color of our Niagara University rival, receives some Canisius swag.



Submitted by: University Communications
Canisius in the News

Executive Director of the Golden Griffin Fund Steven A. Gattuso is featured in the latest edition of WalletHub’s “Ask the Experts” series. In this edition, Gattuso discusses how many credit card accounts the average person should have. Click here to read the story.
Submitted by: University Communications
Labor Day Holiday
The University will be closed on Monday, September 4 in recognition of the Labor Day holiday. We will reopen on Tuesday, September 5.
We wish you a safe and enjoyable weekend with your families and friends!
Submitted by: Linda M. Walleshauser, SPHR-SHRM-CP, associate vice president, Human Resources & Compliance
Attend the MSCHE Campus Forum TODAY
Dr. Anne Wahl, our Middle States Vice President Liaison will hold an open forum for faculty, staff and students today, August 30, 2023, from 12:30 – 1:30 pm in the Science Hall Commons. This is the next step of our reaccreditation process which began last fall. This process will require involvement across all areas of the university, so broad participation will facilitate a comprehensive and inclusive self-study report and if your schedule permits, we strongly encourage you to make arrangements to join the open forum.
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) accreditation is essential for Canisius to access U.S. Department of Education Title IV funding (federal financial aid, including PELL grants, GI Bill) and state funding (including TAP, HEOP, Bundy Aid, HECap grants) that afford so many of our students the opportunity to attend Canisius.
Submitted by: Office of the President
Richard E. Stanton, PhD
I’m saddened to share that Professor Emeritus Richard E. Stanton, PhD, passed away on August 23. He was 91 years old.
Dr. Stanton came to Canisius in 1957 as an assistant professor of chemistry and achieved emeritus status in 1996. During nearly four decades at Canisius, he was an advocate and mentor, and shared his love of science with thousands of students.
Respected by his peers, Dr. Stanton was a leading researcher in theoretical chemistry. Credited for the concept of “kinetic balance,” he was a frequent contributor to scientific journals. He served as a member of the American Chemical Society, the American Physical Society and the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
Dr. Stanton earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry summa cum laude from Niagara University, a master’s degree from the University of Notre Dame and completed his doctorate in theoretical chemistry from Notre Dame in 1957.
For more information, find Dr. Stanton’s obituary here. Please keep Dr. Stanton, his family and friends in your prayers.
Submitted by: Sara R. Morris, PhD, vice president, Academic Affairs
Sexual Harassment Prevention Training
Canisius is committed to maintaining a workplace free from sexual harassment. Every employer in New York State is required to provide employees with sexual harassment prevention training on an annual basis. As an alternative to the online training option, the College is partnering with Phillips Lytle to provide this in-person training option to meet the requirement for 2023. You are only required to register for one of the sessions listed below to meet the training requirement.
The following sessions are scheduled for the fall semester in the Regis Room:
Wednesday, September 13 from 12:00 -1:00 p.m.
Thursday, September 14 from 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Our training discussion will include:
- an explanation of sexual harassment consistent with guidance issued by the Department of Labor in consultation with the Division of Human Rights
- examples of conduct that would constitute unlawful sexual harassment
- information concerning the federal and state statutory provisions concerning sexual harassment and remedies available to victims of sexual harassment
- information regarding filing a complaint and all available forums for adjudicating complaints
- information addressing conduct by supervisors and any additional responsibilities for such supervisors
- information regarding our Title IX policies and protocols on campus
To register for either of these sessions, please select the link below:
If you prefer to take the online training again, please watch for additional information regarding this option later this fall.
If you have any questions, please contact the Human Resources Office at 716-888-2240.
Submitted by: Mary Braun, employment manager, Human Resources
Faculty/Staff Night at Men’s Soccer Game
Swimming will follow in the KAC pool from 6:00 -7:00 p.m.
Please Email Lynn Incardona at incardo1@canisius.edu or call her at 716-888-2246 to let her know if you or any family members will be attending.
Please come out and cheer on the team!
Submitted by: Lynn Incardona, associate, Human Resources
Today@Canisius Submission
We have a new process for Today@Canisius submissions this year! All event flyers may be submitted at the link below:
https://canisius.presence.io/form/today-canisius-submission
Submissions must be in a JPEG or PNG format.
Submitted by: Jason Francey, director of student engagement and leadership development, The Center for Student Engagement and Leadership Development
Campus Candids

A little rain couldn’t dampen the excitement of Move-In Day 2023 on Wednesday, August 23 when Canisius welcomed the Class of 2027. The incoming class includes more than 600 first-year and transfer students – and marks the institution’s largest group of new Griffs in the last three years. The Class of 2027 is also comprised of 53 legacy students, whose parents or grandparents have graduated from Canisius, and several international and exchange students who hail from countries across the globe such as Australia, France, Germany, Nepal, Nigeria, South Korea and Spain.
Thanks to the efforts of Student Life and our student-athletes (below) – who lent so many helping hands – so that Move-In Day could go smoothly for students and their families.






Demonstrating that Canisius truly is one family, President Steve Stoute, his wife, Alison and their daughters, joined the Move-In Day activities (below) meeting and greeting with new students and their families, as they moved into their home-away-from-home in Bosch and Frisch Halls.





Wednesday’s Move-In Day was followed on Thursday with New Student Convocation, an annual tradition for the campus community to collectively celebrate and embrace our newest Griffs and their families. As part of the celebration, faculty and staff lined the entrance to the gym in the Koessler Athletic Center to cheer on the new students as they entered and provide a show of support as they begin their academic journey (below).




Submitted by: University Communications
Canisius in the News

Move-In Day 2023 garnered the attention of the local media, which came to campus to capture the first class of Canisius University students unloading, unpacking and setting up their residence hall rooms. Channel 2 and the Buffalo News also spoke with President Steve Stoute about the excitement of a new academic year.
Associate Professor of Economics and Finance Julie Anna Golebiewski, PhD, spoke with The Buffalo News for two separate business stories related to Buffalo Niagara’s job market. In an August 22 article, titled “Local Unemployment Remains Low,” Golebiewski indicated that previously retired workers “may be returning to the workforce following a steep rise in prices over the past two years.” In August 17 article, titled “Buffalo Niagara Region’s Job Count Rose 2.7% in July,” Golebiewski noted that though a lack of available workers continues to dampen the region’s overall job growth, manufacturing is holding its own, “which is generally a good sign of the economy as a whole.”
Submitted by: University Communications
Invitation to Attend the MSCHE Campus Forum
Canisius is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) and this accreditation is essential for Canisius to access U.S. Department of Education Title IV funding (federal financial aid, including PELL grants, GI Bill) and state funding (including TAP, HEOP, Bundy Aid, HECap grants) that afford so many of our students the opportunity to attend Canisius. Last fall, we initiated the reaccreditation process by identifying our team members, attending trainings and developing the self-study design.
The next step of our reaccreditation process is a visit by our Middle States Vice President Liaison, Dr. Anne Wahl. She will hold an open forum for faculty, staff and students on Wednesday, August 30, 2023, from 12:30 – 1:30 pm in the Science Hall Commons, which is the beginning of our critical self-study process. This process will require involvement across all areas of the university, so broad participation will facilitate a comprehensive and inclusive self-study report.
If your schedule permits, we strongly encourage you to make arrangements to join the open forum.
Submitted by: Office of the President
New Campus Projects
It’s been another busy summer on campus with several projects completed in time for the first day of classes. Thank you to the Facilities Management team for all of their hard work!
Demske Sports Complex
Check out the new turf! The Demske Sports Complex was covered with 123,00 square feet of A-Turf, a multi-purpose, all-weather synthetic playing surface that is virtually unaffected by adverse weather conditions.
Science Hall 3rd Floor
The Office of Admissions has a new home on the 3rd floor of Science Hall. Stop in and see the updated office and meeting spaces, reception area and lounge for students and families. The Offices of Marketing and University Communications have also moved to the 3rd floor.
Economou Dining Hall
There’s a new look in the Dining Hall just in time for the start of the semester. Summer renovations include new kitchen equipment, furniture, and digital signage over all stations which provides daily menu items, nutrition information and sustainability icons. A fully renovated Global Kitchen Station features a diverse menu of international cuisine and healthy options.
Market at Old Main
The Market at Old Main was completely renovated including new flooring, ceiling, lighting, signage, equipment and furniture. In addition to your favorite snacks, soups and grab-and-go salads and sandwiches, you can now enjoy a make-to-order taco bar!
Located on the lower level of Old Main, hours are Monday-Thursday from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. and Friday from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Submitted by: University Communications
Professional Development Fall Series
The Office of Human Resources is pleased to announce its continued partnership with Lindsey Zajac from Career Partners International to offer a virtual professional development series this semester!
This program is open to all faculty and staff who may be interested in any of the topics throughout the semester.
Fall Schedule
Session 1: Improving your Emotional Intelligence through Self-Awareness
Tuesday, September 19 – 10:00 -11:00 a.m.
Session 2: Stress Reduction for the Busy Professional
Tuesday, October 17 – 2:00 -3:00 p.m.
Session 3: Resolving Conflict and Mastering Difficult Conversations
Tuesday, November 14 – 2:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Session 4: Navigating Procrastination and Managing Your Time Effectively
Thursday, December 7 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Program Description-Session 1-Improving Your Emotional Intelligence Through Self-Awareness
Success in our professional and personal lives is largely dependent on having a good amount of emotional intelligence, also known as EQ. In fact, 90% of top performers also have high EQ. According to Dr. Travis Bradberry, “Emotional Intelligence is the ability to recognize emotions in yourself and others, and your ability to use this awareness to manage your behavior and relationships.” Some of the characteristics of people with high emotional intelligence include, the ability to remain calm under pressure, the ability to effectively manage conflict, the ability to be empathetic to team members, and the ability to be thoughtful decision-makers. The good news is emotional intelligence skills can be improved with a strong commitment to increased self-awareness and a willingness to make small behavior changes.
Self-Awareness is integral to improving our Emotional Intelligence. Research suggests that when we see ourselves clearly, we are more confident and creative. We make sounder decisions, build stronger relationships, and communicate more effectively. We are better workers who get more promotions and we’re more effective leaders with more-satisfied employees.
Tuesday, September 19 – 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9515719440?pwd=ek90S0Z3cnR0Qjl4dkQzOEwrd3ZHdz09
Meeting ID: 951 571 9440
Passcode: 9409
—
One tap mobile
+16469313860,,9515719440#,,,,*9409# US
+19292056099,,9515719440#,,,,*9409# US (New York)
Registration is not required and you can participate in any of the sessions that interest you. Watch for additional information regarding future sessions each month. Please contact the Office of Human Resources with any questions at Ext. 2240.
Submitted by: Linda M. Walleshauser, SPHR-SHRM-CP, associate vice president, Human Resources & Compliance
CALLI Book Club Meets in September
The fall 2023 session of the Canisius Adult Lifelong Learning Institute (CALLI) Book Club will meet at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 27, in OM 219.
This semester, we will examine Adrienne Mayor’s The First Fossil Hunters: Paleontology in Greek and Roman Times. Mayor’s book examines how the discovery of prehistoric fossils affected ancient Mediterranean culture and society. Bring your lunch and join the conversation.
Submitted by: Kristina Laun, social media & website administrator, CALLI
Canisius in the News
Julie Anna Golebiewski, PhD, associate professor of Economics and Finance, offered expert comment to Compsmag regarding Upstate New York competing to secure tech hub funds. Read the article here.
Submitted by: University Communications
Freshmen Check-in Today
Join us today, Wednesday August 23, to help welcome our newest Griffs and their families!!
Feel free to stop by the Quad in front of the Palisano Pavilion, from now until 2:00 p.m., to be a part of the action. You don’t need to lift any boxes. Just bring your positive attitude. There will be a Tim Hortons stand, roaming trivia contests, and a lot excitement as more than 160 volunteers help move everyone in.
Go Griffs!
Submitted by: Al Pilato, associate director, Student Life
Final Food Truck of the Season
The end of summer may be approaching, but we’re not saying goodbye without a mouthwatering send-off!
The Great Aussie Bite will be here on Thursday, August 24 in the Bagen Lot from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
If you have any questions, please contact Rachel Lapinski at Ext. 2132 or Lynn Incardona at Ext. 2246.
We hope that you’ve enjoyed this summer’s food trucks!
Save The Date
The Office of Undergraduate and Graduate Admissions is excited to welcome prospective freshman, transfer and graduate students and families to campus for a Fall Open House event on Saturday, November 11!
Please keep an eye out for Emails with more information as we get closer to the event.
Submitted by: Rachel Massaro, senior admissions counselor, Undergraduate Admissions
Buy Nothing Canisius
In keeping with our Jesuit values of Caring for Our Common Home, we have created a space where you can bring unwanted office supplies OR shop around for items you or someone you know needs before you make a new purchase.
Located in Churchill Tower – Room 201, this space provides a resource for you to take items that you no longer need but still feel have useful life, and pick up things you may need. This is our way of creating a “buy nothing – free cycle” space at Canisius. EVERYTHING in the room is available to take (special arrangements will be made for furniture if wanted).
The door will remain unlocked so you are free to access the space at your convenience. If it does get locked, please contact our office at x2120 for access.
Please feel free to rearrange items to make space for yours, we will adjust as we go!
Submitted by: Maggie Burkard, support manager, Academic Affairs
Paid Research Assistant Positions Available
The Institute for Autism Research (IAR) is offering an opportunity for energetic, enthusiastic, and dedicated students to gain valuable research experience in our clinical trial of an afterschool social skills program and school-based program.
Research assistant intern positions play a critical role in supporting and evaluating our social skills interventions for school-age autistic students (7-12). Responsibilities include monitoring program fidelity, supporting program facilitators, collecting and scoring research assessments, and managing databases. There is also the opportunity for direct assessment of autistic children applying to participate in our intervention programs.
Recruitment is competitive and interviews are held on a rolling basis.
For more information about these positions, please click here or email rodgers1@canisius.edu. To apply, use the link from our Internships Page or go to: www.canisius.edu/IAR
Submitted by: Jonathan Rodgers, PhD, associate professor, Psychology
Help Desk Hours
The ITS Help Desk hours for fall 2023 are as follows:
Monday – Thursday from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Friday – 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
If you have any questions, you may visit the Help Desk in Horan O’Donnell, Room 016, Email helpdesk@canisius.edu or call Ext. 8340.
To create a help desk ticket please visit http://helpdesk.canisius.edu
Canisius in the News
Economics and Finance Professor Steve Gattuso recently provided his expert advice to WalletHub regarding umbrella insurance. Click here to read the story.
Submitted by: University Communications
The Dome Returns to Regular Schedule
Beginning Monday, August 28, The Dome will return to its regular publication schedule of three times per week (Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays). Submissions must be received no later than 2:00 p.m. on the day prior to publication (by 2:00 p.m. on Fridays if submitting for a Monday publication). Just a reminder that a single post cannot appear more than once per week and three times per month. Click here to learn about how to submit a story.
Submitted by: University Communications
Campus Parking Updates
Throughout the spring semester, an ad hoc working group comprised of faculty, staff, students, and administrators met to discuss changes to parking on campus and offer recommendations for ways the university could improve parking. Following the review of a campus-wide survey, the working group presented three potential plans for consideration this summer. The principles identified in these three recommendations were used to create the final plan, which will be adopted for the upcoming academic year. Parking passes will go on sale Thursday, August 17.
The most significant change is the retirement of the A & B pass model for employees.
This model did not meet campus needs last year, as it oversubscribed employee parking lots significantly. Instead, we are introducing Employee Reserved, Employee General, and Spillman-only employee permits this year:
Employee Reserved permits will be limited to roughly 70 employees on a first come, first served basis to better align with the availability of parking close to academic and administrative buildings on campus proper. The cost for this parking permit is $200. Employee reserved lots include (2) Old Main, (3) Main-Eastwood, (4) Loyola (shared with the Jesuit community) & (14) Main-Jefferson.
Employee General permits make various parking lots available across campus and is available for $95. Individuals with Employee General Permits may park in all lots except those listed above as reserved, and they may not park in residential lots ((5) Eastwood, (6) Loring, (11-13) Villages & (21) Delevan).
This year, a new pass, the Spillman-only permit, has been created, which employees and commuters are eligible to purchase. This permit is offered at a lower cost ($50) than the Employee General permit to provide a more affordable option and better utilize a sizeable parking lot owned by the university.
Look for new signage to reflect these parking lot changes in the coming weeks.
Canisius-Campus-Map_2023Employee Reserved | Employee General | Commuter | Residential | Spillman Only |
(2) Old Main | (7-10, BBB) Lyons Hall Lots | (7-10, BBB) Lyons Hall Lots | (5) Eastwood | (18) Spillman |
(3) Main-Eastwood | (15) Science Hall/(16) New Science Hall Lot* | (15) Science Hall/(16) New Science Hall Lot* | (6) Loring | |
(4) Loyola | (17) Health Science/(AAA) Rear Health Science | (17) Health Science / (AAA) Rear Health Science | (11-13) Villages | |
(14) Main-Jefferson | (19) Upper KAC | (19) Upper KAC | (21) Delevan) | |
(20) Lower KAC | (20) Lower KAC |
*Updated maps accurately depicting this lot are in progress
This change in approach is accompanied by a re-balancing of lots. Previously, Canisius designated distinct lots for commuter students. Moving forward, lot designations proportionately assign parking spaces to support commuting students and employees in the same lots. This provides additional options and flexibility to our campus constituents who drive vehicles to campus.
The changes to our parking plan this year will be contemporaneous with a commitment to improving campus enforcement practices. In the future, Canisius intends to adopt License Plate reading technology to better manage parking on campus, and we hope to have a solution identified and selected in the next 12 months.
Thank you to the members of the working group for all the time and energy invested in this process. Their effort has clarified our previous challenges and identified opportunities to improve the campus community’s parking experience.
FAQs:
Q: The announcement of the new plan includes a statement that there will be roughly 70 reserved passes. Are there 70 spots?
A: In 2022-2023, employee parking was not sufficiently allocated. Subsequently, this year we are striving for a ratio close to 1:1 in lots designated Employee Reserved. Our facilities team is currently striping several parking areas on campus in preparation for the start of the academic year and some lot occupancies may vary slightly from last year as this work is completed.
Q: If an employee has an Employee Reserved permit and cannot find a reserved spot, can they park in an employee general lot?
A: Yes.
Q: Is there a reduced rate for adjuncts?
A: Yes. This year the adjunct rate is $60.
Q: Is there a one-semester rate available?
A: Parking pass sales are ongoing and prorated for the remainder of the active permit life cycle.
Q: If I don’t get an Employee Reserved permit when sales begin and they sell out, am I out of luck this year?
A: There will be a waitlist for Employee Reserved parking if/once all of the initial allocations are purchased. Should an Employee Reserved permit become available later in the academic year, the waitlist will be utilized to offer that permit to another employee. The sale of Employee General permits is not capped and all employees who are interested in one will be able to purchase one.
Q: Where can visitors park?
A: Admissions visitors will be invited to park in marked spots near the Main Street Entrance to Science Hall. If you are hosting an event or an individual guest, please coordinate your visitors’ parking needs with Public Safety in advance of your visitors’ date of arrival to ensure a plan that meets the needs of you, your event, and your guest(s) are appropriately accommodated. As has been our practice, large-scale events that require significant parking resources will be coordinated by Public Safety and Event Services in conjunction with those making the request.
Q: Does the new plan include any short-term parking that a faculty member could use to park closer to their office to pick up or drop off items from their office?
A: It does not currently, but if this is an area of interest, we can explore the feasibility of identifying a few spots for this purpose in future iterations of the parking plan.
Q: Are all components of the plan enforced 24/7 365?
A: On weeknights, enforcement will be relaxed at 5:00 p.m. daily. Enforcement of no overnight parking in non-residential lots will begin after 11:00 p.m. each evening.
Q: Is anyone automatically given an Employee Reserved parking permit? Are the Vice Presidents, Assistant Vice Presidents, and Deans all participating in the first come/first serve process?
A: None of the Employee Reserved permits are being set aside.
Q: Was a lottery considered for Employee Reserved Parking instead of a first come, first serve approach?
A: This was not a part of any of the recommendations put forward by the parking working group. This idea can be considered for future iterations of the parking plan.
Q: The Dome announcement didn’t include any mention of a Campus Shuttle or of safety measures regarding the parking lots. What is available for employees?
A: We have decided to suspend campus shuttle service this year because data from the last two years’ ridership indicated very little use by our community members. All of our parking lots are equipped with lighting as well as cameras. Our campus also is equipped with several blue light emergency phones. If a student, faculty or staff member is ever concerned about their safety on campus, don’t hesitate to contact Public Safety for assistance or to request an escort.
Q: Is the new Science Hall parking lot going to be finished?
A: The surface lot at Science Hall is complete, striped and available to use. There have been 200 spots created in this lot.
Q: Are there any changes for parking during winter break, spring break and summer?
A: The current plan will be in effect for the next year. If there is a formal relaxing of enforcement efforts during a break week or summer it will be communicated as appropriate.
Q: Is there a parking permit for Emeriti faculty?
A: Emeriti faculty will receive complimentary employee general parking permits.
Submitted by: Harold Fields, EdD, vice president, Student Affairs; Dean of students
PA Studies Student Selected for Fellowship
The physician assistant program is proud to announce that another one of its students has been selected for a prestige fellowship.
Marissa Minopoli, of the class of 2024, was chosen for the PAEA (Physician Assistant Education Association) Student Health Policy Fellowship. This fellowship program is designed to develop leadership and advocacy skills to help students better represent PA education at the local, state and national levels. The fellowship consists of a three-day conference to learn about advocacy and policy-making processes, interact with fellow leaders and to meet with their representatives and staff on Capitol Hill. Each participant then completes an advocacy project under the guidance of a program faculty mentor.
What a great way to represent Canisius University, Marissa!
Submitted by: Aimee Larson, program director, PA Studies
Sexual Harassment Prevention Training- Reminder to Register
Canisius is committed to maintaining a workplace free from sexual harassment. Every employer in New York State is required to provide employees with sexual harassment prevention training on an annual basis. As an alternative to the online training option, the College is partnering with Phillips Lytle to provide this in-person training option to meet the requirement for 2023. You are only required to register for one of the sessions listed below to meet the training requirement.
The following sessions are scheduled for the fall semester in the Regis Room:
Wednesday, September 13 from 12:00 -1:00 p.m.
Thursday, September 14 from 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Our training discussion will include:
- an explanation of sexual harassment consistent with guidance issued by the Department of Labor in consultation with the Division of Human Rights
- examples of conduct that would constitute unlawful sexual harassment
- information concerning the federal and state statutory provisions concerning sexual harassment and remedies available to victims of sexual harassment
- information regarding filing a complaint and all available forums for adjudicating complaints
- information addressing conduct by supervisors and any additional responsibilities for such supervisors
- information regarding our Title IX policies and protocols on campus
To register for either of these sessions, please select the link below:
If you prefer to take the online training again, please watch for additional information regarding this option later this summer.
If you have any questions, please contact the Human Resources Office at 716-888-2240.
Russell Scarbrough Big Band Brings “Fun Times” to Campus
ArtsCanisius is overjoyed to invite you to an album release concert for the Russell Scarbrough Big Band.
This contemporary 18-piece big band will celebrate the release of its new record, FUN TIMES, on Thursday, September 21, 2023 at 7:30 o.m. in Montante Cultural Center. Featuring Western New York’s hottest musicians and award-winning originals, this concert will be an immersive and inspiring musical experience.
This is a particularly exciting event as Russell Scarbrough is the director of the Canisius Jazz Ensemble and is a nine-time ASCAP Plus Award recipient.
His compositions and arrangements have been performed by the Fort Worth Symphony, Grand Rapids Symphony, Santa Rosa Symphony, Columbus Symphony,Anchorage Concert Chorus & Orchestra, Erie Chamber Orchestra, Eastman Studio Orchestra, Bemus Bay Pops Orchestra, American Jazz Composers Orchestra, Dublin City Jazz Orchestra, Jazz Flute Big Band UK, Baltimore Jazz Alliance Big Band, the US Army Blues Jazz Ensemble, and the US Naval Academy Jazz Ensemble. Soloists Terri Lyne Carrington, Randy Brecker, Jon Faddis, Ali Ryerson, Eric Alexander, and Stefon Harris are among those who have performed his arrangements. Scarbrough studied composition with Hank Levy at Towson State, and Bill Dobbins at the Eastman School.
Tickets are $20 general admission, $10 for seniors, faculty and staff, and $5 for students. They are available at canisius.edu/artscanisius or at the door. For more information, please contact Yvonne Widenor, director of ArtsCanisius, at widenory@canisius.edu
Submitted by: Yvonne K. Widenor, Assistant Professor and Program Director, Art History and Music Programs, MLLC Department, Director and Studio Art Galleries Director, ArtsCanisius
Start of Semester Checklist
The start of a new academic year is almost upon us! Here is a quick checklist of things to do before the start of the fall 2023 semester:
- If you are teaching two sections with identical content, you can have these sections merged within Desire2Learn (D2L) for easier management. See our resource for Merging your Courses in D2L.
- We recommend you install your course syllabus into a module with the content area of your course.
- You can also install it into the “Overview” area within content, but be aware that this will not appear if students choose the Table of Contents view.
- In D2L, your course has start and end dates, between which your students can enter the course and access content within. At least a week before a course begins, you should check these dates, and change them as you see fit. This tutorial video shows you how.
- By default, your course in D2L “starts” or opens the Friday before the course begins.
- For summer sections and J-Term: course dates occasionally change as these courses are organized the semester prior. Be sure the section start and end dates within D2L correspond with the class meeting time.
- Check all links to files, outside websites, and other resources within your course content, to make certain they still work or need to be replaced.
- If you want to start using Start and End dates on your course Activities, this video shows you how.
- If you have start dates, due dates, or end dates attached to course content, be sure that they are updated to reflect the current semester’s calendar, so that content is visible to students when you want it to be, and due dates are properly reported.
- Do you want students to see their calculated grade within D2L’s grades area? See this video on Final Grade Release.
- (Optional) Email your students a quick welcoming message with a brief outline of the course (due dates for important activities, projects, and quizzes should suffice) and expectations (both what you expect from your students and what students can expect from you) one week before courses begin.
- Use either the D2L Email Feature or the Class Listproc. See this page for tips and an example email.
- If you use the D2L Email Feature, there are a few extra steps to save emails sent this way.
- This is separate from the 10-minute course Introduction video or whenever and however you choose to do the Introduction of your course, which can be used to go over the syllabus and the structure/layout of your course, etc.
- Use either the D2L Email Feature or the Class Listproc. See this page for tips and an example email.
- Your students are responsible for learning to use D2L, their Canisius email, and Google Workspace. Put this quick link to the ITS Guide for Students into your syllabus, so they know where to go for technical assistance.
- Quick Message (Feel Free to insert into your Syllabus or as a link in your Syllabus Module):
- You are responsible for knowing how to use D2L, your Canisius Email, and Google WorkSpace. If you need technical assistance please either go to the ITS Guide for Students or contact the ITS helpdesk by emailing them at helpdesk@canisius.edu.
Submitted by: Tyler Kron-Piatek, Instructional Designer, COLI
Conversations on AI Symposium 2
AUGUST 17, 6:00 – 8:00 PM, AT CANISIUS UNIVERSITY
The Canisius AI and Society Initiative continues its Conversations on AI symposia series with a second event that kicks off a dual-track program.
Two simultaneous panel sessions focus on education (K-12 and higher education), and business and government. In each, panelists and attendees consider the implications of generated AI for their enterprises. These sessions are followed by a mixer where all participants can gather to discuss artificial intelligence for their fields and sectors. By considering AI (and other emerging concerns in technology and society) across disciplines, professions and sectors, we might discover more helpful perspectives and opportunities.
Light refreshments will be served.
TRACK 1: EDUCATION, K-12 AND HIGHER ED
PANELISTS
Paul McAfee, PhD, instructor of business, University at Buffalo School of Management, Singapore, and adjunct professor, Daemen University MBA Program.
Humberto Hernandez, director of online learning and instructional design and assistant professor for the School of Business and Pharmacy at D’Youville University
Joshua Kovacich, director of information technology, Buffalo Public Schools
Location: Old Main 104
TRACK 2: BUSINESS AND GOVERNMENT (INCLUDING HEALTHCARE)
PANELISTS
Jacob Michalski, software engineer, Moog Inc.
Justin Del Vecchio, PhD, assistant professor, Cybersecurity and Computer Science, Canisius University
Jamie Bono, co-founder and chief analytics officer, Wellconnected
Location: Old Main 223
THE MIXER FOLLOWS SESSIONS, IN THE OLD MAIN FACULTY LOUNGE (OM 109)
Submitted by: Tyler Kron-Piatek, Instructional Designer, COLI
Summer Faculty Development Week
Note: Several updates have been made since August 15, 9:00 a.m. Please review the SFDW web page for these changes.
The web page for the 2023 Summer Faculty Development Week (SFDW) is now live! Take a look at the various sessions we have! Some of our highlights include:
- Code Switching/Acting White
- Title IX/Clery/VAWA: “I Have So Many Questions”
- Cura Personalis in Action
- Retirement & TIAA
- Teaching with Hypothes.is
Additional sessions include the Canisius mission, AI, pedagogy and more! Bookmark the SFDW webpage to stay up-to-date and RSVP for sessions today!
Submitted by: Tyler Kron-Piatek, Instructional Designer, COLI
Canisius in the News

WGRZ-TV Channel 2 reported on the institution’s formal transition from Canisius College to Canisius University on August 1. Click here to read the story.
Economics and Finance Professor Steve Gattuso recently provided his expert advice to Money Geek, on a series of topics. Gattuso offered commentary on affordable car insurance in New York; finding the best personal loans for excellent credit; and a children’s guide to debit and credit cards.
Submitted by: University Communications
Update Your LinkedIn to Canisius University
Canisius employees who maintain a LinkedIn page are encouraged to update their profiles to reflect the institution’s new name, Canisius University. Generally, these changes will need to be made in the Introduction area at the top of your LinkedIn page, where you profile picture appears, and under the Experience header, further down on the page.
To make these edits, simply follow the steps below:
- Click the “Me” icon at top of your LinkedIn homepage, then “View Profile.”
- In the “Introduction” area (where you profile picture appears), click the Edit icon, which looks like a pencil.
- Scroll down to the area(s) where your current professional title and/or place of employment appears, and make changes to Canisius University where applicable.
- After editing, click Save and you will be redirected back to your LinkedIn profile.
- Once here, scroll down to Experience.
- Click the Edit icon.
- Scroll down to the area(s) where your professional title(s) and/or place of employment appears, and make changes to Canisius University where applicable.
- After editing, click Save. Identify the areas that need to be updated to Canisius University
Please feel free to contact Audrey Browka in the Communications Office with any questions, at browkaa@canisius.edu.
Submitted by: University Communications
Brandon Bielecki Named Director, Annual Giving

Brandon T. Bielecki ’15, MS ’19 has been named the new director of annual giving.
An integral member of the institutional advancement team, Bielecki is responsible for the overall strategic planning, implementation and evaluation of annual fundraising initiatives at Canisius. In addition to managing a comprehensive fundraising program, he is charged with meeting institutional fundraising and donor participation goals in both unrestricted and restricted annual support. Bielecki also leads fundraising efforts for the athletic division’s Blue & Gold Fund, reunion giving and the university’s annual crowdfunding effort on Giving Day.
Prior to being appointed director of annual giving, Bielecki was a major gifts officer on the university’s institutional advancement team. In this role, which he will retain, Bielecki manages a portfolio of 170 major gift donors, effectively communicating Canisius’ mission, impact and funding priorities to inspire philanthropic support.
Click here to read more about Brandon.
Submitted by: University Communications
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