Photo by Chuck Pustelnik BA ’91, MS ’04

After Saturday night’s “Artists for Autism” concert, the musicians pose with the $25,000 check presented to Canisius to benefit the Institute for Autism Research (IAR). From left to right: Robby Takac, Goo Goo Dolls; President John Hurley; Singer-songwriter Cassandra Kubinski; Chis Lopata, PsyD, Co-director of the IAR; Marcus Thomeer, PhD, Co-director of the IAR; Armand Petri, music producer; Mary Ramsey, 10,000 Maniacs and John Rzeznik, Goo Goo Dolls.

The Goo Goo Dolls headlined a concert to benefit the Canisius College Institute for Autism Research (IAR) on Saturday in Buffalo State’s Performing Arts Center at Rockwell Hall. The concert, “Artists for Autism,” also included performances by Mary Ramsey of 10,000 Maniacs and singer-songwriter Cassandra Kubinski.

The concert was the vision of famed music producer Armand Petri. Petri’s son, AJ, is autistic and participated in one of the IAR’s programs. After seeing great improvement in his son’s social and communication skills, Petri wanted to help create greater awareness of this resource in the community.

Watch a video clip of Dr. Thomeer and President Hurley accepting the check for the IAR during the concert.

Submitted by: Public Relations

One of the essential skills in the sciences field is to be able to critically read and assess scientific literature, including determining whether the data presented warrants the conclusions drawn. The Biology Department expects students to develop problem-solving skills applicable to the biological sciences, including how to critically analyze an article from the original scientific literature, accurately interpret data and design an experiment to address a specific hypothesis.

As part of the annual assessment of student learning, the department administers a senior assessment exam during the required senior seminar. Students are required to read a primary literature article and answer questions regarding the methodology, interpret the data, analyze the article and design a future experiment.

After the first assessment, the department modified the structure of senior seminar to provide students with more practice for each of these skills. When they repeated the assessment, 85 percent of the students met or exceeded expectations in all but one of the categories. The assessment results shed light on areas where the students needed more instruction on how to carefully read and interpret information in the scientific literature.

The department continues to look for additional places within the curriculum to teach these critical skills to provide students with more practice to prepare them as professional scientists.

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

Sandra Miller is the new director of corporate and foundation relations. Miller is responsible for securing funding from foundations, corporations, vendors and other grant-making organizations to support institutional priorities.  She is also charged with designing, implementing and managing a comprehensive development plan focused on expanding and enhancing corporate and foundation relationships.

Miller comes to Canisius with more than a decade of leadership experience in higher education and government. She was director of grants, foundation and community relations at Trocaire College.

Read more about Miller here.

Submitted by: Public Relations

The Canisius College Bookstore will hold its annual spring sale Tuesday, April 19 and Wednesday, April 20! All long and short sleeved t-shirts, tanks, and hats, caps and visors will be marked 25 percent off. Drinkware, totes and headphones will also be 25 percent off!

Stop in and take advantage of some great spring savings on lots of awesome apparel!

Submitted by: Andrew Thomas, store manager, bookstore