Each Friday, we include historical facts about the college in The Dome, on Facebook and Twitter. Flashback Fridays are another part of our yearlong sesquicentennial celebration, which culminates in September 2020 when Canisius turns 150 years old.
Today, we flash back to May 1988 when Canisius College welcomed political satirist and comedian Mark Russell to serve as the college’s commencement speaker. At the time he spoke to graduates, Russell was best known for his series of comedy specials on PBS, and his routines that mixed political stand-up humor with current events and musical parodies. Russell is pictured (above) playing the piano and singing with Canisius President Rev. James M. Demske ’47, SJ, on trombone. The pair performed a duet for students at the conclusion of the commencement ceremony.
Reminder:Flashback Fridays become Throwback Thursdays next week when The Dome begins its summer publication schedule. Starting Tuesday, May 19, the employee E-letter will publish every Tuesday and Thursday throughout the summer until the first week of classes for the fall semester.
Pictured (l-r): Michaela Strobel; Nancy Wallace, interim dean, School of Education & Human Services with Nora Salemi; and RaiVen Jackson
Faculty from the School of Education & Human Services wanted to do something special for their seniors to show support for their hard work and commitment over the past four years. So, they printed and hand-delivered lawn signs to those graduates living in the immediate area. The signs read: Congratulations Graduate – Class of 2020 – Home of a Future Teacher & Golden Griffin.
WIVB-TV Channel 4 reported on the special delivery to education graduates on Wednesday, May 13. Click here to watch the story by Angelica Morrison.
And that’s not all.
Professors from the School of Education & Human Services, with a little help from Canisius President John Hurley, also produced a video of each reading an excerpt from the Dr. Seuss book Oh, the Places You’ll Go. This book has become a classic keepsake gift, often given to students at graduation time. Click the video link above to watch.
The Department of Communication couldn’t let this week go by without recognizing its outstanding seniors. The department is honoring several graduates in Communication Studies, Journalism and Digital Media Arts each day. Below are just a few profiles. To read them all, visit the Communication Studies Facebook page where every senior is being recognized.
Andrew Phelan
A talented writer, COM major Andrew Phelan has a passion for theater and enjoyed his time with the Canisius College Little Theatre and at his internship at the Kavinoky Theatre in Buffalo. He’s this year’s recipient of the Thalia Feldman Memorial Award in Art History and earned an Academic Achievement award in Communication Studies. Andrew shared two of his favorite quotes on the occasion of completing his degree:
“I did it all by myself … okay, nothing further from the truth.” (Allison Janney accepting her Oscar)
“One of the things I learned the hard way was that it doesn’t pay to get discouraged. Keeping busy and making optimism a way of life can restore your faith in yourself.” (Lucille Ball)
Rebecca Brandel
Rebecca Brandel is always going somewhere. She managed to get six separate internships, studied a semester in London and served as USA’s executive vice president senior year. It’s no surprise she was president of the Commuter Student Association. Now, Becca … just take a deep breath and get ready to jump into your new life. Let us know where you land.
Noah Cliff
JRN/COM major Noah Cliff worked as an intern for the Buffalo Bills Media Relations Department for two seasons, and also completed internships with Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center and Uniland Development. You can hear him on the “What the BUF” podcast that he started with fellow COM major Tessa Pszonak. Noah is president of the Canisius chapter of Lambda Pi Eta and this year’s recipient of the Academic Excellence in Journalism Award and an Academic Achievement award in Communication. He’s built life-long relationships with his professors in the COM department, and we look forward to the great things Noah will accomplish!
Christie Connelly
COM/PSY major Christie Connelly is the recipient of the Communication Studies Academic Excellence Award, which is given to the COM major with the highest grade-point-average. Christie was the secretary of The CrescenDON’Ts this year and has been an active member of this a cappella group since she transferred to Canisius in 2018. As part of a Gender class project, Christie was instrumental in helping to raise over $3,000 and collect over 100 sports bras for The Kitenga Girl’s School. Christie delivered an impressive standup comedy routine in her Humor class and is a member of Lambda Pi Eta. Congrats Christie!
Submitted by: Barbara Irwin, PhD and Melissa Wanzer, EdD, professors, Communication Studies
The Higher Education and Student Affairs Administration (HESAA) celebrated the Class of 2020 on zoom through tuning into the master’s degree conferral ceremony, announcing the annual awards winners (pictured below), and watching a video of congratulations from faculty, supervisors, administrators, student affairs staff, mentors and colleagues across campus. We are so grateful to the HESAA graduates for their hard work and dedication in their roles as graduate assistants across campus supporting student engagement and success.
Pictured above (left to right) Tasia Clemons, Outstanding Graduate Award Recipient Chandler Hawkins, Outstanding Contributor Award Recipient Jennifer Riccardi, Dr. Sandra Estanek Catholic, Jesuit Leadership Award Recipient Ursula Magsayo, Magis Award Recipient and Alpha Sigma Nu Inductee Samantha Shaffner, Magis Award Recipient and Alpha Sigma Nu Inductee
Submitted by: Mark Harrington, PhD, assistant vice president, Student Success; program director, HESAA; assistant professor, Graduate Education and Leadership
Alpha Sigma Nu, the honor society of Jesuit universities, hosted a (virtual) Lunch & Learn Series on Tuesday, May 12 featuring Michael Sheeran, SJ, president of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities (AJCU). Father Sheeran focused his talk on the future of Jesuit higher education and the challenges it faces in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis.
To view Father Sheeran’s talk, click the video link above.
