Associate Professor Richard Reitsma recently published an article examining queer narratives and national identity in the peer-reviewed Polish Journal for American Studies. His work, titled “A Queer Romance, Queering the National Romance: LatinX Narratives of Belonging from ‘The Squatter and the Don’ to ‘Red, White, and Royal Blue” marks another significant contribution by Reitsma to the field.
His publication also comes at the end of an exceptionally busy fall semester for Reitsma, who maintained a hectic schedule of international speaking engagements and campus leadership responsibilities.
During Thanksgiving break, Reitsma traveled to Alcalá de Henares, Spain, to present his research on “Ghosts, Magic Realism, and Superheroes: Love & Hope in the Graphic Novels of Julio Anta” at an international conference exploring American identity. He followed this with a virtual presentation for the WNY Refugee Film Festival, discussing the films “Nos Vemos Pronto” and “I Come from Away” in an event sponsored by Journey’s End. On Dec. 18, Reitsma delivered a lecture on “Teaching, Service, and Activism: Borders and Migrations” to an international audience at the University Marie Curie Skłodowska in Lublin, Poland, as part of the Erasmus-sponsored MigraMedia Project.
Here on campus, the director of the international relations program organized the 46th Model UN, which brought more than 400 high school students to Canisius in early November. As founding director of the Borders and Migrations Initiative (BMI), Reitsma hosted a screening of “Green Border” with award-winning director Agnieszka Holland, a presentation of “My Partner” with scriptwriter Lance D. Collins, and a discussion on migration’s root causes featuring Agros International President Alberto Solano and President Emeritus John J. Hurley.
Reitsma is taking a well-earned sabbatical in the coming year.
In partnership with Gay & Lesbian Youth Services of Western New York, the Office of Diversity and Inclusion will offer Safe Space Training on Wednesday, Feb. 5, from 2:30-4:30 p.m. in Student Center Regis Room. The session will increase knowledge of LGBTQ+ issues, share local and national history, and provide guidelines for offering friendlier and more inclusive programming and services.
Faith Winship (she/her) is the community programs manager and GSA advisor liaison for GLYS Western New York. Her background is in psychology and women, gender and sexualities studies with a focus on queer history.
Gi Swords (they/them), LMSW, is GLYS Western New York’s program manager. They hold a master’s in social work from the University at Buffalo and are a field educator for students at the University at Buffalo and Daemen University.
Submitted by: Amy Beiter, Curriculum and Student Support Project Associate, Academic Affairs
Our colleague, Sarah Sterzinger, will be leaving Canisius as she has accepted a new job at the University at Buffalo. Her last day will be Tuesday, Jan. 21.
Sarah has been an integral part of the Advancement team for over six years, and her contributions have been invaluable. She has worn all the hats during her time on the Alumni & Constituent Engagement team while supporting many functions including regional chapter recruitment, event management, social media strategy and so much more. We will certainly miss her positive attitude and blue-and-gold spirit at George Martin Hall, but we know she will continue to do great things in her new position and join us for future alumni events.
Please join me in congratulating Sarah for her years of dedication and service at a farewell happy hour on Thursday, Jan. 16, from 3:30 to 5 p.m. in the George Martin Hall lobby area.
Thank you, Sarah, for all your support at Canisius University over the past 6 years. We will miss you!
Submitted by: Lauren Orlowski, Director of Alumni & Constituent Engagement, Advancement Division
A blessed Christmas season was had at Christ the King Chapel this year, as the campus community, alumni and families gathered to celebrate.
Assistant Athletic Director Mike Kochczynski and his family Assistant Vice President for Institutional Advancement Anne Marie Haumesser and her daughter
Christmas Eve Mass saw a remarkable turnout with nearly 300 attendees. The service was a true homecoming for alumni, some of whom traveled from as far away as Ohio, New Jersey, Chicago, Colorado and California to be with their Buffalo families for the holiday. Notable ‘family reunions’ included the Bierons, the Heffernans, the Lyons, and the Burns family, among others.
Christ the King Chapel also celebrated several baptisms during the Christmas season and a wedding on New Year’s Eve.