A number of campus construction projects totaling more than $1.3 million are underway this summer bringing a variety of improvements to the Canisius campus.

The following summer projects will be completed in time to welcome students, faculty and staff back to campus for the fall semester:

Tim Hortons in the Bouwhuis Library is being updated and expanded. The $425,000 renovation upgrades the mechanical systems, provides additional preparation stations, adds an additional register for coffee only, increasing throughput and capacity, and refreshes finishes including the walls, floors and ceilings.

A $375,000 renovation to the Koessler Athletic Center’s pool includes the removal and replacement of the entire pool deck tile system, as well as a regrout and power wash of the interior of the pool. New ladders and starting platforms are being installed, and the pool’s drains and piping replaced.

The area previously occupied by the Offices of Student Records and Human Resources in Bagen Hall is being reconfigured to create a suite for the new Student Records and Financial Services Center. The $275,000 renovation includes an updated look with a new service counter, furnishings, technological upgrades, and wall, floor and ceiling finishes. The Center enhances the overall student experience by streamlining services for students.

And finally, a $250,000 upgrade to the Student Center’s main dining hall replaces the entire kitchen exhaust system, ductwork and fans.

Total cost of the campus renovations is $1.325 million.

Submitted by College Communications

Rev. Thomas R. Slon, SJ, is the new rector of the Canisius College Jesuit Community.  Appointed by Superior General of the Society of Jesus, Rev. Adolfo Nicolas, SJ, Father Slon fosters the spiritual well-being of the community and its members, ensures the efficient operation of the Jesuit community, and assists the directors of the apostolic works where the Jesuits of the community minister.

Most recently, Father Slon served as the executive assistant (Socius) for the New York/Northeast Jesuit Provincial.

Read more about Father Slon here.

Submitted by: College Communications

Liz Culliton Washo is the new director of alumni engagement. Charged with building a strategic and sustainable alumni program, Washo will reconnect the college’s graduates with alma mater through new career development, student recruitment, philanthropic and mission-driven initiatives.

Washo comes to Canisius from the University of Pennsylvania’s Office of Undergraduate Admissions.

In addition to having worked in admissions at Penn, Washo is the former associate director of alumni relations at the university’s renowned Wharton School of Finance. In this role, she helped grow reunion weekend attendance by as much as 18 percent through her strategic coordination of volunteer committees.  Washo also worked closely with class ambassadors to conceive and implement activities and programs to sustain class identity and reinforce the concept of lifelong connections to Wharton.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in communications and the history of art and architecture from the University of Pittsburgh, and a master’s degree in higher education from the University of Pennsylvania.  Washo has strong ties to Canisius as her father, two uncles and grandfather all attended the college.

Read more about Washo here.

Submitted by: College Communications

The Canisius Fund team is the recipient of the 2016 George M. Martin Award. Erin Hartnett, director of the Canisius Fund, Summer Handzlik, assistant director of the Canisius Fund and Kim Walkow, Canisius Fund associate, were honored during a celebration on July 14. This is the second time Hartnett received the Martin Award. She was also honored in 2005.

Established by the late George M. Martin when he was executive vice president for administrative affairs at Canisius, the Martin Award is presented annually to a member or members of the college’s advancement staff whose initiative, creativity and teamwork brings distinction to themselves and the college.

Hartnett, Handzlik and Walko were honored for the performance of the 2016 Canisius Fund, which improved in total money raised, total donors, new donors, donors retained, Leadership Society members and call center success. The team was also instrumental in the extraordinary success of the college’s first Giving Day on April 27. During the historic, 24-hour social media and email fundraising campaign, 1,093 alumni, friends, parents, faculty and staff raised $223,038.

Pictured L-R: Erin Hartnett, director of the Canisius Fund; Summer Handzlik, assistant director of the Canisius Fund; Kim Walkow, Canisius Fund associate

Katherine Huck, director of advancement services, Carol Lower, advancement services coordinator and Linda Rahner, advancement services associate, were also recognized for their efforts in the success of Giving Day and for their efficiency and productivity throughout the year. The team processed more than 12,000 transactions this year.

Pictured L-R: Linda Rahner, advancement services associate; Katie Huck, director of advancement services; Carol Lower, advancement services coordinator

Submitted by: College Communications