Canisius faculty and students are back to classes today – the first day of the 2016-17 academic year. The Office of Student Life, along with some other spirited Canisius community members, welcomed new and returning students at the annual Griffin Welcome Walk outside of Old Main in the Koessler Plaza.

More than 400 freshmen and transfer students moved into the college’s residence halls last week. President John Hurley was on hand to greet new students and their parents, and student athletes pitched in by carrying boxes and luggage.

Click here to view the story on WIVB-TV, Channel 4.

The Griffin Welcome Rally was held Thursday, August 25 in the Koessler Athletic Center.  Terri Mangione, PhD, vice president for student affairs, President Hurley, and prominent alumni welcomed new students to the college.

The celebration continues. Be sure to check out some of the many “welcome back” activities going on during the first few weeks of classes.

Monday, August 29

Slide into #CanisiusLife – Join the party in the Bart Mitchell Quad from 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. An inflatable slide, rock wall, photo booth, the Macarollin’ food truck, sno-cones and live music are just part of the fun!

Thursday, September 1

Mass of the Holy Spirit – Like many Catholic colleges and universities across the country, Canisius celebrates the start of the school year with a Mass of the Holy Spirit.  Mass begins at 1:00 p.m. at the Montante Cultural Center.  Faculty will process in full academic regalia from Old Main at 12:45 p.m.

A Chiavetta’s chicken dinner will follow Mass in the Bart Mitchell Quad starting at 2:00 p.m. and continue through 7:00 p.m. with vegan and vegetarian options.

C-Block Bonfire – The annual bonfire will take place in the Bart Mitchell Quad from 7:00 – 10:00 p.m. Enjoy s’mores, Anderson’s ice cream, dancing, glow sticks, airbrush tattoos and a C-Block t-shirt exchange.

Friday, September 2

Outdoor Movie – “Captain America: Civil War” will be screened outside of the Bart Mitchell Quad starting at 9:00 p.m.

Wednesday, September 7

President’s Convocation – Come hear President John J. Hurley discuss the state of the college in the Montante Cultural Center at 2:30 p.m.  Refreshments will follow President Hurley’s talk.

Submitted by: College Communications

The Office of International Student Programs welcomed 50 new international students to the Canisius College community. The students participated in a five-day orientation program, leading into New Student Orientation on August 25.

As part of the orientation program, students took a tour of Buffalo, led by Kevin Heffernan ’08, co-founder of Rise Collaborative. Students explored various neighborhoods and landmarks throughout the city.

Submitted by: Kathleen Brucato, director, Office of International Student Programs

WBFO Reporter Eileen Buckley visited campus on Friday, August 26 to interview two of the college’s international students.

Freshman Annalyn Tareg and sophomore Krystal Saimon are originally from different islands within the Federated States of Micronesia – some 8,000 miles away.  Both were referred to Canisius College by Jesuit priests at their respective high schools.

Neither knew each other before arriving in Buffalo although the college introduced them via email last spring and the two students communicated during the summer months before meeting for the first time at Canisius, during Welcome Weekend activities.

Click here to read the WBFO story.

Submitted by: College Communications

Canisius students traveled to Oviedo, Spain this summer for three weeks to intern as English teachers at Colegio de San Ignacio. This year, a new twist was added to the experience. Our students hosted 65 fifth-graders for a three-day English immersion camp. However, this camp was hardly roughing it! Students stayed in a 70-room Jesuit compound in the town of Celoria on the northern coast of Spain, complete with a private beach and forest.

Canisius students planned the entire agenda, which was filled with creative indoor and outdoor American activities. They utilized best practices by identifying target vocabulary for each activity – using lots of props, body language and repetition to reinforce oral language skills.

Students played football on the beach, baked U.S.-themed cupcakes and played ‘pin the tail on the state.’ Each Canisius student was responsible for a group of nine students and each group was named after one of the 50 states. There was lots of good natured competition between the states!

Afterwards, Canisius students were responsible for completing assessment pieces, which they helped design. Nicki Calabrese, PhD, associate professor of teacher education, helped prepare the students for their internships during the spring semester. The internship was sponsored by the Office of Study Abroad and International Partnerships.

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

Tim Hortons

Due to some delays, the expansion of Tim Hortons in the library is ongoing. The popular spot is scheduled to reopen by the end of the week. Watch The Dome for updates.  The wait will be well worth it, as the renovated Tim Hortons will be able to serve more students, faculty and staff!

In the meantime, there is a temporary Tim Hortons kiosk on the first floor of the library where you can get your morning “cup of joe,” iced coffee, iced tea, donuts, muffins, and timbits from 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Breakfast options are also available at Subway, which opens this week at 7 a.m., Monday – Friday.  Other options include the Science Hall Café (Starbucks), which is open at 7:30 a.m., Monday – Friday and the Dining Hall, which is open for breakfast Monday – Friday from 7 a.m. – 9 a.m.

Student Records and Financial Services Center

The Offices of Student Accounts, Financial Aid and the Registrar are now housed under the Student Records and Financial Services Center, located on the main floor of Bagen Hall. The center, which allows for the streamlining of many services for students, received a major renovation over the summer.

Human Resources

The Human Resources Department is temporarily located in Horan O’Donnell 001. Renovations to their new offices in Old Main will be completed later this semester.

Submitted by: College Communications