Canisius University received significant media attention on Monday, April 21, following the passing of Pope Francis, the first Jesuit pope in history. Local media outlets covered the memorial Mass held on campus to honor the pope’s life and legacy, highlighting the institution’s Jesuit connection to Rome.
President Steve Stoute, Rev. Fred Betti, SJ, chaplain for mission and ministry, and Jonathan Lawrence, PhD, professor of religious studies, all provided insights for the local media.
Father Betti also spoke with WBEN-AM Radio 930on Monday, April 21 and Buffalo-Toronto Public Media (formerly WBFO Radio).
WGRZ-TV Channel 2 interviewed Associate Professor of Psychology and IAR Researcher Jonathan Rodgers, PhD, on Thursday, April 17 following several controversial comments about autism from Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. During his 30-minute address, RFK remarked that individuals with autism would be unable to lead fulfilling lives, including holding jobs or having relationships. Rodgers condemned RFK’s comments and warned that they increase the stigma surrounding autism. Click here to watch the story.
Rodgers’ IAR colleague and Psychology Professor Marcus Thomeer, PhD, was recently interviewed by digital creator and holistic health coach Danielle Ufland-Westfield for her Facebook Live program. Thomeer spoke about the work and the research conducted at the Institute for Autism Research, as well as its upcoming summerMAX program. This comprehensive social development program teaches social skills to 7-12-year old autistic children and also works with them on interest expansion, interpretation of non-literal language (idioms), and face and affect recognition. Ufland-Westfield’s son participated in summerMAX and now she is helping to raise money for the program. Click here to watch Thomeer’s interview using passcode: 2hvZ9$&&.
Denim Day is celebrated world wide to show support for survivors of sexual violence. It originated when a alleged perpetrator in Italy was found not guilty. The reason: the jeans the woman was wearing were considered tight, in fact so tight, that there was no way that the alleged perpetrator could have removed them without help from the woman.
The next day, women in the Italy’s parliament came to work in jeans to show their disapproval of the ruling and their support of the survivor.
Please join the entire community by wearing jeans, and your Griffs Supporting Griffs T-shirt if you have one, on Wednesday, April 30.
Submitted by: Debbie Owens, Title IX Coordinator/Associate Dean of Students
Pictured above: ASN 2025 Honorary Inductees (left to right) Shawn O’Rourke, PhD, Bridget E. Niland, PhD, Joshua Russell, PhD.
Pictured above: ASN 2025 Student inductees, top row (far right) Deacon Timothy E. Chriswell, middle row (l-r) Gabby Kaderli, Gabrielle Myers, Kaitlin O’Meara, Fred Piwko, Cloe Armstrong, (bottom row, l-r) Ryan Harrington, Delaney Hayden, Mikayla Boyd, Sophie Asher, Sydney Umstead.
The Alpha Sigma Nu Honor Society of Jesuit Colleges and Universities extends its heartiest congratulations to its new Alpha Sigma Nu inductees. A total of 14 students and three honorary inductees were inducted at the Alpha Sigma Nu Induction Ceremony on Thursday, April 10, 2025, in Christ the King Chapel. (Three student inductees were unable to attend the ceremony.)
Alpha Sigma Nu recognizes those students who distinguish themselves in scholarship, loyalty and service. The only honor society permitted to bear the name Jesuit, Alpha Sigma Nu encourages its members to a lifetime pursuit of intellectual development, deepening Ignatian spirituality, service to others, and a commitment to the core principles of Jesuit education. Selection to Alpha Sigma Nu is one of the highest honors awarded to students in the top 15 percent of the class on a Jesuit campus.
Submitted by: Veronica Serwacki, Canisius University chapter coordinator, Alpha Sigma Nu, and executive associate, College of Arts & Sciences
Canisius is taking another important step in its progress toward achieving the goals outlined in the university’s strategic plan: Answer The Call. The university is exploring a debt offering that would generate resources needed to invest in initiatives to fuel academic excellence and innovation, and student success and engagement. As part of this process, a public hearing will take place on April 30, 2025, conducted by the Buffalo and Erie County Industrial Land Development Corporation—the issuer of the debt.
In addition to debt funding for strategic initiatives, Canisius will refinance approximately $40 million in existing debt from previous campus improvement projects. If approved, this debt offering will result in substantial cost savings for the university, and provide capital to reinvest into several important projects including the:
Renovation of approximately 45,000 square feet of academic space in Old Main Hall
Rehabilitation of approximately 26,000 square feet of space in Science Hall
Creation of a new student success center
This potential debt offering represents an opportunity to maximize the university’s resources while continuing to enhance campus facilities for students and faculty, in furtherance of the strategic goals outlined in Answer The Call.
Commencement is Saturday, May 17, 2025, in the Koessler Athletic Center (KAC). Graduate and undergraduate degrees will be conferred at the following ceremonies:
College of Arts & Sciences Degrees Conferred – 10:00 a.m.
School of Education and Wehle Business School Degrees Conferred – 1:30 p.m.
This event marks the culmination of years of hard work, dedication, and the unwavering perseverance of our students, who are now filled with pride, hope, and the promise of a bright future.
Each of us has played a role in their transformation, and we hope you’ll join us in celebrating this exciting milestone. Watching our graduates and their families come together is a powerful reminder of the purpose behind our efforts every day.
To volunteer, please click HERE by Thursday, May 8, 2025.
More information on commencement week events can be found HERE. Please do not hesitate to contact Maggie Burkard at burkardm@canisius.edu with additional questions or concerns.
