by Mary Ellen Bakowski | Nov 19, 2024 | Staff
In an effort to raise awareness about the growing opioid crisis, the Hilary Grace Foundation has donated a rainbow-colored bench, which has been installed behind Christ the King Chapel in Bart Mitchell Quad. This is one of ten benches that the foundation is placing throughout the Western New York. Each bench is dedicated to the memory of Hilary Grace White, who tragically passed away from an opioid addiction in 2017 at the age of 27.
The benches serve as a reminder of Hilary’s story, which is shared on the foundation’s website, with the URL printed on a plaque on each bench.
Hilary, who graduated from Canisius in 2012 with a bachelor’s in psychology and was pursuing a master’s in clinical mental health counseling at the time of her death, had initially been prescribed medication for a health condition. Despite working hard to overcome her addiction and maintaining sobriety for nearly a year, she relapsed and died after consuming an opioid laced with fentanyl. Hilary’s goal was to help others facing similar struggles. In her honor, the foundation funds an annual scholarship for students in the university’s clinical mental health counseling master’s program, supporting the mission to help others in need.
For more information, visit hilarygracefoundation.org.
Submitted by: Mary Ellen Bakowski, Director of Legacy Giving and Stewardship
by Lynn Incardona | Nov 19, 2024 | Staff
As announced by President Stoute, campus will close at noon on Wednesday, Nov. 27.
The university will also be closed on Thanksgiving (Thursday, Nov. 28) and the day after, Friday, Nov. 29. Offices will reopen on Monday, Dec. 2.
As many of our campus community will travel or are planning to host family and friends, this additional time will assist you as you as we prepare for a long holiday weekend! We wish you a safe and happy Thanksgiving!
Submitted by: Lynn Incardona, HR Associate, Human Resources
by Mark Gallimore | Nov 19, 2024 | Staff
Last week, Colin Dabkowski and Graham Stowe returned to the Conversations on AI Symposia Series for a panel focused on teaching students to write with generative artificial intelligence. A recording of the discussion is now available on the Canisius COLI YouTube channel.
Colin is in his fifth year at Alden High School, where he teaches English 12, creative writing, acting, and multimedia production. He is also the adviser of Alden High School’s Theater Club, its gender-sexuality alliance, and its creative writing club. Before becoming a teacher, he spent 12 years as the arts critic of The Buffalo News.
Graham is assistant professor of English at Canisius and director of the Writing Center. He has taught a variety of university courses focused on writing pedagogy, American literature, cultural studies, and Harry Potter. His research currently focuses on writing pedagogy and Paulo Freire’s theories on education.
The AI and Society Initiative thanks Colin and Graham for their time, insights, and an excellent discussion on the relationship between student writing and AI chatbots!
The Conversations on AI Symposia are organized by the AI and Society Initiative, a multi-disciplinary community of schools, centers, departments and faculty at Canisius University that’s dedicated to understanding generative artificial intelligence, its implications, and applications for our disciplines and professions.
Submitted by: Mark Gallimore, Director, Center for Online Learning and Innovation
