It’s hard not to notice Rev. Michael Tunney, SJ. From the trademark colorful Crocs he sports around Loyola Hall to his energy and compassionate care he shows on campus, Father Tunney brings a real joy wherever he goes. His engaging smile, ability to laugh and sense of mission are ever apparent across his 22 years at Canisius. This is a good thing in his role as director of mission and identity and his time in the Studio Art program’s classrooms.
From daily Ignatian Moments and videos on Ignatius Loyola, Jesuit history, Ignatian spirituality and Jesuit Education on the webpage, Father Tunney has offered all of our campus constituencies a fresh appreciation of Jesuit education. His time teaching students is spent not only learning the discipline-specifics of hand-to-eye coordination and perceptual 2D rendering, but also the thoughtful written and spoken articulation of personal insights and reflections on the art his students create. And in recent years, he appreciates his students’ sharing their talents in the Buffalo community through their service learning.
The 2014 myMAGIS campaign Father Tunney crafted with photography professor Tom Wolf and COM/RST double major Katie Cosgrove ’14, reflects his dedication to creativity, the personal experience of our colleagues and students and the detail work involved in a project that still has legs online and nationally in the AJCU media network. He helped each author get his and her spiritual message concisely, crisply and powerfully communicated.
Did you know…Father Tunney served as rector for the Jesuit community from 2007-13. He has kept sacramental and pastoral ties on campus and in the diocese, currently at St. Luke’s Mission of Mercy and St. Joseph’s University Parish. Father Tunney keeps up his painting chops in the studio and on local gallery walls, carrying on the Jesuit tradition of excellence in the arts. Father Tunney’s newest venture is making iPhone videos posted to YouTube, keeping his family connected to the world!
Submitted by: Public Relations
