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Canisius Mourns Loss of Tom Joyce

Canisius College is mourning the loss of Thomas C. Joyce.  The adjunct professor of English died on Wednesday, March 6 following a long illness.  He was 62.

A wake for Joyce will be held on Sunday, March 10, from 2:00 – 6:00 p.m. at the Perna, Dengler, Roberts Funeral Home located at 1306 Hertel Avenue in Buffalo. A Mass of Christian Burial is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. Monday, March 11 at St. Joseph’s University Church located at 3269 Main Street in Buffalo.

“Tom Joyce epitomized what is best about a Canisius education,” says Vice President for Student Affairs Ellen Conley, PhD. “In the classroom, he used literature to teach students about life but he was also their strongest supporter outside of class, attending students’ poetry readings and Honors events, and staying with The Griffin editors until the early morning hours to ensure the paper went out on time.”

Joyce came to Canisius in 1991 and spent the majority of his years here welcoming freshmen, in the All-College Honors Program, to the world of English literature. Although his position was considered part-time, Joyce was a full-time mentor to students.

“Tom was one of our stalwarts in the All-College Honors Program,” says Robert J. Butler, PhD, professor of English. “His courses were always challenging and lively but perhaps more significant, they sparked an excitement in students about literature.”

In addition to his coursework, Joyce served several years as moderator of The Griffin alongside his friend and colleague, the late Melvin (‘Mel’) Schroeder, associate professor of English. The student newspaper went through one of its most robust periods under their leadership.

Joyce was also a man of faith. He participated regularly in Kairos and Fourth Day retreats, often serving as an adult leader. Those who accompanied him describe Joyce as creative, playful, generous, inspiring, and someone who always found the best in people – and would tell them so.

“Tom was one of those rare individuals you meet who was always on a spiritual journey,” says Luanne Firestone, interim director of the Office of Campus Ministry. “He has touched the spirits and minds of countless people at Canisius and will be greatly missed.”

Joyce is survived by his wife, Linda, and their daughter, Gilbert Joyce.

Submitted by: Marketing and Communication

Celebration of Service 2013

The college takes pride in the commitment of its faculty, administration and staff and will recognize those individuals who have reached 20, 25, 30, 35 or more years of service at the annual Celebration of Service ceremony on Friday, April 26, 2013 at 3:00 p.m. in the Montante Cultural Center. Canisius is the excellent institution it is today because these colleagues have given of their time and talents over the years. This event is a way to celebrate their success and achievements and to honor them as well those who will be retiring from the college this year. Click here to view list of 2013 honorees. Please call Ext. 2247 if you are not on the list, but believe you should be.

Submitted by:  Deborah J. Winslow-Schaber, director, human resources

ArtsCanisius – Stecher Horowitz Winner

Pianist Chelsea Wang will perform on Saturday March 9 at 7:30 p.m. in the Montante Cultural Center. The event is free and open to the public.

Chelsea Wang, born in 1993, is the Second Prize Winner of the 2012 Sixth New York International Piano Competition, a biennial event presented under the auspices of The Stecher and Horowitz Foundation. From West Des Moines, Iowa, she has garnered many national and international awards. As a Prize-Winner of the New Orleans International Piano Institute Concerto Competition, the Des Moines Symphony Young Artist Concerto Competition, The Waterloo Cedar-Falls Symphony Young Artist Competition, and Fort Dodge Area Symphony Young Artist Competition, she appeared as soloist with these orchestras.

Chelsea performed at the 2010 and 2011 Piano Texas International Academy and Festival, formerly known as the Cliburn Piano Institute, as one of the youngest pianists. She participated in the Amalfi Coast Music and Arts Festival in Italy in 2011, and appeared on NPR’s radio show, “From the Top” hosted by Christopher O’Riley.

In 2008, Chelsea received the Presidential Academic Achievement and Excellence Award. She volunteers at various community activities and senior homes, and in 2011, was honored as an Iowa Youth of the Year. Chelsea currently studies with Meng-Chieh Liu and Ignat Solzhenitsyn at the Curtis Institute of Music.

The program will include works by Chopin, Beethoven, Rachmaninoff and Kapustin.

For more information, call the Fine Arts Office at x2542 or visit canisius.edu/artscanisius.

Submitted by: Martha Malkiewicz, adjunct professor, fine arts/music