Robert Klump was interviewed on WBEN-AM Radio 930’s “A New Morning” program on March 5.
The director of the Raichle Pre-Law Center and adjunct professor of political science provided analysis of the Supreme Court’s decision in Trump v. Anderson, in which the court ruled that states lack the power to remove former President Trump from the ballot on the grounds that he engaged in an insurrection against the U.S. on January 6, 2021.
Just a friendly reminder for all you creative minds: Canisius will host an information session on the President’s Innovation Fund today, Friday, March 8, from 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. in the Regis Room of the Richard E. Winter ’42 Student Center.
Click here to add this event to your digital calendar.
If you’ve been thinking about an innovative concept that has the potential to advance the university’s strategic agenda and achieve positive outcomes for students, then you will want to attend today’s event, which will focus on how to submit proposals for funding and the criteria that will be used in selecting applications. BONUS: Light refreshments will be provided.
Earlier this month, President Steve Stoute announced that the university will invest $1 million over the next five years toward the creation of a competitive grant program designed to “unleash the power of innovation.” The President’s Innovation Fund will support original and inventive concepts and practices that demonstrate creativity and ingenuity, and foster academic excellence and innovation as outlined in the first pillar of the strategic plan, Answer the Call.
Click here to read more about the President’s Innovation Fund.
I hope this letter finds you all well. As done in the past, I would like to share information about an upcoming religious holiday.
Ramadan is a holiday practiced by Muslims* where they focus on introspection, communal prayer, and observe religious fasting. This year Ramadan will take place from March 10-April 9**. Here is some information about Ramadan:
Individuals refrain from eating, drinking, smoking, and intimate contact from dawn to sunset
Individuals increase their focus on personal restraint, proper conduct, and empathy with the less fortunate through giving to charity and engagement in local projects
All Muslims who have reached puberty are obligated to fast. Individuals who are not at puberty, although are not obligated, may choose to fast anyway. Exemptions are made for individuals in situations where fasting would be a hardship such as illness, pregnancy, nursing, etc.
In an effort to support the members of our community, here are some items for your consideration:
Please be flexible with scheduling. Individuals may need to pray during class, meetings, etc.
Due to fasting, individuals may struggle concentrating. Consider allowing individuals to keep their cameras off during any virtual classes, meetings, etc. or to take a quick break if needed.
Individuals may begin to wear hijabs during this month. Remember it is not the individual’s responsibility to educate the community.
There are prayer rooms located in the library that individuals can use if needed. If you have space in your office, you may want to consider identifying a space that can be used for prayer. If you would like some signage to identify these spaces, please contact the ALANA Student Center.
Canisius Dining will also be offering a Ramadan dinner meal with a breakfast pack for any student who is observing the holiday. The meal will be available at the Global Station in the Social Hall Dining Hall and can be picked up until 7pm daily. Students will be asked to swipe in for dinner and receive a ticket that can be redeemed for the meal at the Global Station. You can contact abruzzia@canisius.edu with any questions or concerns.
Consistent with our institutional statement on diversity and inclusion, these efforts will help us achieve our goals of “creating a culture of acceptance, awareness, learning, respect, and understanding inside and outside of the classroom.” If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact the ALANA Student Center at asc@canisius.edu or you can contact me directly at willi100@canisius.edu. Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Go Griffs!
Bennie D. Williams
Assistant Dean of Students
*The term Muslim refers to individuals who practice the religion of Islam
**Dates may vary depending on individual’s religious school of thought
Submitted by: Bennie D. Williams, Assistant Dean of Students, ALANA Student Center
The Roger Tory Peterson Institute (RTPI) recently announced the naming of Psychology Professor Jennifer Lodi-Smith, PhD, and Associate Professor of English Janet McNally, as the inaugural RTPI Scholars-in-Residence.
As Scholars-in-Residence, Lodi-Smith and McNally will expand the focus of The Spark Bird Project to include the perspective of artists.
The Spark Bird Project (https://www.spark-bird.org/) is designed to gather and share the stories of people’s passion for birds while gaining scientific insights into a critical missing piece in the ecology of birds: birders themselves.
“When Roger Tory Peterson was 11 years old, he had an unexpectedly up-close encounter with a northern flicker,” said Arthur Pearson, CEO of the Roger Tory Peterson Institute. “That ‘spark bird’ experience changed his life, setting him on a course to becoming the father of the modern field guide and international ambassador for birds.”
In the United States, 45 million people identify themselves as birdwatchers. Many if not most of them had a similar “spark bird” experience – some encounter with a particular bird that transformed them into life-long lovers of birds. Along the way many of them also were sparked and supported by field guides like Peterson’s as well as specific individuals and their local community birding groups.
“As a professor of psychology,” Lodi-Smith shared, “I was struck by the spark bird story of Peterson and so many other birders but dismayed that there is scant academic scholarship on this topic. While we are doing a great job of understanding birds, we know very little about birders themselves. The Spark Bird Project aims to better understand who birders are and who potential birders may be – insights which can help shape how organizations such as RTPI engage more people in the beauty and wonder of birds.”
As part of the project, Lodi-Smith and McNally will host a series of podcasts with birders, environmentalists, educators, and artists, to share and discuss their spark bird experiences.
“Roger Tory Peterson is one of countless artists whose future careers were fueled by a spark bird experience,” Pearson added. “As a museum dedicated to nurturing the next generation of nature artists, RTPI is particularly looking forward to learning more about the artist perspective on spark birds – to further inform our mission, strategy and goals.”
Canisius alumnus Gregg Maday ’70 will visit campus on Thursday, March 21 at 1:30 p.m. in the Science Hall Stranczek Commons.
He will give an in-depth discussion about the creative process specific to screenwriting, from the perspective of a development executive. He has a decades-long, impressive career in the entertainment industry. He started out at CBS, then moved on to HBO, and ultimately spent 26 years with Warner Brothers. He has developed comedy and drama series, longform film, documentary, animation, live award and event programming, and was finally the founder of Warner Theatre Ventures.
Interesting fact: Gregg’s aunt, Marie Maday, is the namesake for our Marie Maday Theatre.
Gregg will not only talk about his career but will also discuss the creative process specific to screenwriting, from the perspective of a development executive. Regardless of your study or personal interests, this promises to be a very interesting and informative hour. Q&A to follow.
All are welcome. For more information, Email Sarah Galasso at galassos@canisius.edu.
Submitted by: Sarah Galasso, Associate Professor of Digital Media Arts/Department of Communication Internship Director
