Pictured (l-r) Bennie Williams, Fatima Rodriguez-Johnson, graduate assistants Mariama McCoy and Hannah Davis, and Craig Rogers
The minority faculty and staff affinity group hosted a happy hour social on Thursday, December 16 at The Rose Bar & Grill in downtown Buffalo. This affinity group exists to help support faculty and staff members from underrepresented racial and ethnic backgrounds.
Pictured (left): Bennie Williams and Stephanie Masood; Pictured (right): Fatima Rodriguez-Johnson and Craig Rogers
If anyone is interested in more information about the group please contact co-chairs, Wil Green, director of school and community partnerships or Bennie Williams, assistant dean of students. A special thanks to Fatima Rodriguez Johnson, associate dean for diversity and inclusion, for sponsoring the gathering.
Pictured (l-r): Stephanie Masood, Gwen Baggs Ito and Reggie Witherspoon and Yanick Jenkins, African American Staff Association, Buffalo State College
Submitted by: Bennie D. Williams, assistant dean of students, ALANA Student Center
As announced by President Hurley, the college will close early at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 23, 2021. The College will be closed from December 24, 2021 – January 3, 2022. Following the holiday shutdown, administrative offices will resume on Tuesday, January 4, 2022. Essential operating personnel will continue to follow their schedules.
You may now access the 2022-23 holiday calendar under the Human Resources home page in the portal.
Best wishes for a safe and happy holiday!
Submitted by: Linda M. Walleshauser, associate vice president, Human Resources and Compliance
Our sincerest gratitude to all who shared their holiday traditions with us. This was a fun project to learn more about our fellow Canisius family and get us in the Christmas spirit!
Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and we hope everyone enjoys a safe and relaxing break!
The Human Resources Department is pleased to announce that Lisa Sullivan is the Canisius College Employee of Distinction for November 2021. Lisa currently works as a librarian for Collection & Instructional Services and has worked in the library for more than 20 years. Lisa was nominated for this award by Matt Kochan, who shared the following:
“Lisa Sullivan pretty much does everything here at the library. If you’ve ever checked out a book from our shelves, read an E-book online or used our databases, odds are that Lisa had a hand in getting that to you. Lisa has essentially been the modern languages librarian for about 10 years now. Sometimes finding non-U.S. resources is difficult but Lisa seems to be able to find them with ease. She scours the internet to locate these hard-to-find foreign items, and when the college had to pivot to online classes; Lisa was able to find electronic versions of resources so that professors didn’t have to worry about their students not being able to access what they needed. Lisa’s department has also seen a lot of turnover recently, and due to this, more responsibility has been given to her. Being the resourceful person she is, Lisa has been able to handle these new responsibilities with ease and grace. Her coworkers also appreciate her work ethic and personality..”
Please join the Human Resources Department in congratulating Lisa on this achievement!
To nominate a co worker for the upcoming months, click here. The deadline for December nominations will be Friday, January 7.
Canisius College is saddened to announce the passing of Rev. Michael R. Pastizzo, SJ. The former adjunct professor of religious studies and theology and user services specialist in IT, passed away on Thursday, December 16 at the Sacred Heart Jesuit Center in Los Gatos, CA. He was 87.
Father Pastizzo arrived at Canisius in 1996. He taught courses related to theology and Christian art, Christian faith through art, and theology and film. His scholarship focused on the legacy of American painter William G. Congdon, whose works became renowned for the persistent spiritual element that underpinned his art.
Father Pastizzo authored several books about Congdon, including The Works of William G. Congdon from 1935 – 1962, William Congdon: atlante dell’opera, and The Movement Toward Union with God in the Life of William G. Congdon.
Outside the classroom, Father Pastizzo was a great fan of the men’s basketball team and a longtime season ticket holder. He was also lover of foreign films, particularly Dekalog (pronounced [dɛˈkalɔg], also known as Dekalog: The Ten Commandments, a 1988 Polish drama series of films, which Father Pastizzo often incorporated into his classes.
Father Pastizzo earned a BS in mechanical engineering from the University at Buffalo, and a master of arts degree in teaching (mathematics) and licentiate in philosophy both from St. Louis University. He also held master and doctorate degrees in theology and spirituality, respectively.
Father Pastizzo remained at Canisius until spring 2017, when he moved to California.
