Kristin Finn, PhD, professor in the Teacher Education Department, has recently been exploring the problem of childhood obesity.  Research consistently affirms the negative relationship between Body Mass Index (BMI) and academic outcomes, although the reasons for this relationship have not been adequately explained. One possible explanation is weight bias – prejudiced attitudes toward children who are obese.

Finn is currently conducting an investigation that examines whether weight bias among teachers leads to grade discrimination. Finn is collaborating with Drs. Clancy Seymour and Dennis Koch in the School of Education and Human Services (SEHS) on this investigation. They hypothesize that samples of students’ school work will be graded more harshly for obese than non-obese girls. This work is being supported by the SEHS Dean’s research support award and is being conducted at professional development schools that have established partnerships with the SEHS.  Dr. Finn’s upcoming sabbatical will be devoted to exploring mediating factors of the link between obesity and academic success.

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

Jonathan Lawrence, PhD, has served Canisius College well in his 11 years of service. Dr. Lawrence is the author of a monograph, Washing in Water: Trajectories of Ritual Bathing in the Hebrew Bible and Second Temple Literature, published in the Society of Biblical literature series. Since this work, Dr. Lawrence has, in recent years, expanded his interests to explore religious diversity and interfaith relationships in the Western New York region. This work is affiliated with the Pluralism Project based at Harvard University. Dr. Lawrence’s endeavors in this area were rewarded with the opportunity to give a TedXBuffalo talk stemming from this research.  He has also produced a YouTube video, Voices of Justice in Buffalo. In addition, Dr. Lawrence is a committed teacher as his many conference presentations and grants for workshops on pedagogy attest. Among his wide array of service to the college, most notable is perhaps his two years as Director of the Core Curriculum.

Did you know…that when Dr. Lawrence took students to India in 2010, he got a cameo in a Bengali movie named “Egaro.”  They dubbed over his voice but used his photo in the movie posters so he likes to say that he is now the face of British oppression. To read the description of the movie, click here.

Submitted by: Public Relations

Members of the Naples Alumni Chapter honored Patrick Greenwald, director of principal gifts, for his decades of service to the college.  During the surprise tribute, the group thanked Greenwald for his unfailing good nature, friendship and unwavering devotion to Canisius College and the Naples chapter. Greenwald’s wife, Becky, also received a shout out during the event.  The group presented Greenwald with a beautifully engraved Chelsea clock.

Pictured (L-R): Thomas Dipasquale ’51, Patrick Greenwald and Chester (Chet) Pawenska ’52 pose during the event.

Submitted by: Public Relations

Your Canisius Golden Griffin softball team opens the home portion of its 2016 schedule with a game on Wednesday, March 23, at the Demske Sports Complex, against the University at Buffalo at 4:00 p.m. The Griffs are coming off a season that saw them claim the MAAC regular season title.

For additional information, visit www.GoGriffs.com.

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