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Canisius in the News

Marcus Thomeer, PhD, co-director of the Institute for Autism Research (IAR), and Jim Donnelly, PhD, director of measurement and statistics for the Institute, were guests on “Talk of the Town,” a weekly talk show on WBBZ-TV. Drs. Thomeer and Donnelly discussed programs offered, and research conducted, by the IAR during the show which aired on January 28 and 30. Watch the segment in its entirety here.

After the show, students from Clarence Middle School, Clarence High School and Nardin Academy Elementary, presented Drs. Thomeer and Donnelly with a $1,087 donation for the IAR. Read more in the article below.

Submitted by: Public Relations

Spotlight on Service

S-juno-spotlightIf you happen to be in the Andrew Bouwhuis Library and look up to see a smiling black Labrador retriever sauntering by, your eyes are not deceiving you. For nearly five years, Juno, a certified therapy dog, has been visiting the Canisius campus. She participates in Wellness Days and Stress Less Days, stops by the library at least once a month and is the center of attention in Griff 101-Canine Companions.

Dogs are proven to reduce stress; they provide comfort and companionship and enhance the health and well-being of others, including students on college campuses across the country. Canisius students look forward to Juno’s visits and consistently remark that she makes them feel more relaxed. Smiles abound, especially for students who miss their own dogs while they’re away at school.

Wherever Juno goes, you’ll also find Barbara Irwin, PhD, professor of communication studies, who has owned Juno since she was just eight weeks old. They are a dog/handler team certified by Therapy Dogs International, and also visit nursing homes and human service agencies in the Buffalo area. Juno shows that not just people are committed to service to others at Canisius.

Submitted by: Sara Morris, associate vice president, academic affairs

IAR Receives Donation From Team of Local Elementary, Middle and High School Students

Donation with guitar 2Marcus Thomeer, PhD, co-director of the Institute for Autism Research (IAR) and Jim Donnelly, PhD, director of measurement and statistics for the Institute, were presented with a $1,087 donation for the IAR from a team of students from Clarence Middle School, Clarence High School and Nardin Academy elementary.

The students, as part of a Destination Imagination (DI) challenge, raised the money by selling raffle tickets for an electric guitar signed by Johnny Rzeznik of the Goo Goo Dolls, Mary Ramsey of 10,000 Maniacs, and songwriter/singer Cassandra Kubinski. Beth Cornell, librarian at Clarence High School, was the lucky winner!

Destination Imagination is an extra-curricular club where students – elementary through high school – compete with other teams of students in themed challenges. The DI mission is to inspire and equip students to become the next generation of innovators and leaders. The Clarence team – Clarence High School sophomores Jacob Laczkowski and Gayle Petri; Clarence Middle School students Julius Merlino and AJ Petri; and Nardin Academy Elementary student Sophia Semo – chose a charity-themed challenge. They were charged with identifying a need in the community and supporting that need.

“The Institute for Autism Research was an easy choice for our team,” said Gayle Petri. Gayle’s brother, AJ, participated in programming offered by the IAR, so the group was familiar with the success of its programs. “We wanted to raise money so that others could participate and benefit from what the IAR offers,” she added.

“We are extremely grateful for the generous donation to the IAR,” said Thomeer. “We will use the donation to fund our research and treatment programs for children with autism spectrum disorder.”

Pictured above left to right: Gayle Petri, Sophia Semo, Julius Merlino and AJ Petri, Dr. Thomeer and Dr. Donnelly pose with the signed guitar.

Submitted by: Public Relations

Hockey Hosts Huge Series Against Sacred Heart

Backhouse_RIT1_0002It’s a big weekend for the Canisius hockey team as they continue to push forward in an attempt to earn home ice for the playoffs. The Griffs currently sit in sixth place and are in line to host first-round games, March 4, 5 and 6. A move into fifth place or better secures a first-round bye and the potential to host games the second weekend of March.

With four games left on the league schedule, Canisius trails fifth-place Mercyhurst University by two points and fourth-place Holy Cross by four points. The Griffs lead seventh-place Bentley University by three points and also own a game-in-hand over the Falcons. Sacred Heart University is two points out of the final first round, home playoff series.

Canisius meets Sacred Heart on Friday, February 19 and Saturday, February 20 at the HARBORCENTER. Game times are 7:35 p.m. each evening. A Fan Pack is available for Friday night and a Family Four Pack is on sale for Saturday. Call 888-TIXX for additional info.

Game information can be found at www.GoGriffs.com. Free mini-sticks will be given away on Saturday night.

Submitted by: John Maddock, associate athletic director, external affairs

Burich Publishes New Book

thomasCanisius College History Professor Keith R. Burich, PhD, recently released The Thomas Indian School and the “Irredeemable” Children of New York. Published by Syracuse University Press, the book tells the story of the Thomas Indian School, which has long been overlooked by history and historians, even though it predated, lasted longer and affected a larger number of Indian children than most of the more well-known federal boarding schools.

In the book, Burich explores the Iroquois people, and the suffering and despair of its children who found themselves trapped in an institution from which there was little chance for escape. “Although the school began as a refuge for children,” explains Burich, “it also served as a mechanism for ‘civilizing and converting native children to Christianity.’” Click here to read more about The Thomas Indian School and the “Irredeemable” Children of New York.

Submitted by: Public Relations