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Wolf Blitzer, Jon Luther to Address Canisius Class of 2014

Two Western New York natives will return home in May to deliver the undergraduate and graduate commencement addresses to the Class of 2014.

CNN’s lead political anchor and former Kenmore resident, Wolf Blitzer, will address the undergraduate class, during ceremonies on Saturday, May 17 in the Koessler Athletic Center. The host of “The Situation Room” began his tenure at the network 20 years ago, as its Pentagon correspondent. He went on to cover the top news stories, at home and abroad.

Throughout his broadcasting career, which began in 1972, Blitzer has reported on some of history’s most notable national and international political figures. He has interviewed every sitting U.S. president since Gerald Ford. Blitzer has also interviewed such foreign leaders as Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev, South African President Nelson Mandela and the late British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.

In addition to politics, Blitzer is known for his in-depth reporting on international news. Most recently, he traveled to Cairo, Egypt to interview the country’s first democratically-elected leader, President Mohamed Morsy. In December 2010, Blitzer was granted rare access to travel to North Korea with former New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson. As the only network journalist, he took viewers inside the communist, totalitarian regime with reports from the rarely seen streets of Pyongyang and Kim II-sung University.

Jon Luther is also a Kenmore native and a veteran of the food-service industry. He is credited, most recently, with the transformation, revitalization and global expansion of Dunkin’ Brands, which owns, operates and franchises restaurants under the Dunkin’ Donuts and Baskin Robbins brands.

During his decade-long tenure with the corporation, Luther expanded the business from its core Northeast region to key markets in the U.S. and abroad. He modernized Dunkin’ Brands menus, and enhanced the quality, convenience and value of its quick-service restaurants.

A proven leader in creative brand development, Luther also re-energized the company’s marketing efforts, which led to Dunkin’ Donuts’ award-winning campaign “America Runs on Dunkin’.”

Canisius will confer honorary degrees upon Jon Luther and Wolf Blitzer during commencement ceremonies.

Submitted by: Marketing and Communication

ArtsCanisius, Cantio Sacra Concert, Today

Cantio Sacra Sings, directed by Bradley Wingert, today, Wednesday December 4 at 1:00 p.m. in Science Hall. The event is free and open to the public.

Come celebrate the season with Cantio Sacra – faculty, staff and students – as they sing songs for all.

Submitted by: Martha Malkiewicz, co-director of ArtsCanisius 

Concur Travel Site Updates

The Travel Team will be launching technology system upgrades to the Concur Travel site this Wednesday, December 4. The reservation system will remain active and no issues are anticipated during the transition. In the event that issues do arise, an emergency hotline has been set up. To report an issue please dial the Canisius dedicated number (716-332-5055) and press 8 (a hidden prompt) until 5:00 pm on Friday, December 6. You can also reach the team directly at 877-315-9878. The individuals responding to these calls are not reservation specialists, but customer care experts that are dedicated to ensuring that your concerns are prioritized and responded to as quickly as possible.

Thank you for your patience as The Travel Team works to enhance our booking experiences.

Submitted by: Deborah Winslow-Schaber, director of Human Resources

WGST Program Showing Film: MISS REPRESENTATION (2011)

As part of the Women and Gender Studies Film Festival, there will be a viewing and discussion of the 2011 documentary MISS REPRESENTATION on Thursday, December 5. The viewing starts at 6 p.m. in Lyons Hall Room # 418.

From the film’s website:
Like drawing back a curtain to let bright light stream in, Miss Representation (87 min; TV-14 DL) uncovers a glaring reality we live with every day but fail to see. Written and directed by Jennifer Siebel Newsom, the film exposes how mainstream media contribute to the under-representation of women in positions of power and influence in America. The film challenges the media’s limited and often disparaging portrayals of women and girls, which make it difficult for women to achieve leadership positions and for the average woman to feel powerful herself.

In a society where media is the most persuasive force shaping cultural norms, the collective message that our young women and men overwhelmingly receive is that a woman’s value and power lie in her youth, beauty, and sexuality, and not in her capacity as a leader. While women have made great strides in leadership over the past few decades, the United States is still 90th in the world for women in national legislatures, women hold only 3% of clout positions in mainstream media, and 65% of women and girls have disordered eating behaviors.

Stories from teenage girls and provocative interviews with politicians, journalists, entertainers, activists and academics, like Condoleezza Rice, Nancy Pelosi, Katie Couric, Rachel Maddow, Margaret Cho, Rosario Dawson and Gloria Steinem build momentum as Miss Representation accumulates startling facts and statistics that will leave the audience shaken and armed with a new perspective.

Contact Dr. Melissa Mosko for more information.

Submitted by: Melissa Mosko, assistant professor of philosophy

ArtsCanisius – Upcoming Ensemble Concerts

Come and relax as you enjoy the final student concerts of the semester. All concerts are in the Montante Cultural Center at 7:30 p.m.

Friday December 6, Canisius College Chorale, Frank Scinta, director

Saturday December 7, Canisius College Concert Band, Paul Biddle, director

Saturday, December 7, Canisius College Jazz Ensemble, Dave Schiavone, director

Sunday December 8, Canisius College Chamber Orchestra, Ansgarius Aylward, director and *Karen Schmid, piano soloist

All programs are free and open to the public. Except for the Loyola Lot, all parking in campus lots is open.

Submitted by: Martha Malkiewicz, co-director of ArtsCanisius