Canisius Crowned “Best Local University”

by Emeri Krawczyk | Sep 26, 2025 | Staff

Canisius University has once again claimed the top spot in Western New York’s higher education landscape, earning the title of “Best Local University” in The Buffalo News’ annual Best of 716 contest for the second year in a row. The back-to-back recognition reflects growing public confidence in Canisius as the region’s leading private university and affirms its mission to serve as a place where students come to succeed – in the classroom, in their careers and in their communities.

The Best of 716 is a community-driven initiative that invites Western New Yorkers to nominate and vote for their favorite local institutions, organizations and businesses. Canisius competed against the State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo State University, Niagara University and D’Youville University, among others, in the “Best Local University” category.

“To be recognized two years in a row by our community is an honor and a meaningful validation of the momentum we’re building at Canisius,” said President Steve Stoute. “This distinction affirms the vision we’ve set forth, which is to be the place where students come to succeed and where values-based leadership is formed. We are delivering on that promise and people are taking notice.”

The “Best Local University” distinction comes at a significant time for Canisius, as the university advances key initiatives focused on academic innovation, access and student support. In just the past year:

• Canisius welcomed its largest freshman class in three years (fall 2025), with a 15% increase in first-year students and a 16.6% increase in total new undergraduates.
• The Buffalo Promise Scholarship launched in fall 2024, expanding access to higher education by covering 100% of undergraduate tuition for eligible students from 142- ZIP codes.
• Construction is underway on a new Golisano Center for Student Success, a centralized hub for academic support, career development and advising – made possible by a transformational $5 million gift from philanthropist B. Thomas Golisano.
• Canisius introduced several new career-focused academic degree and advanced certificate programs to meet emerging workforce needs.

31 Griffs Support Remote Area Medical Clinic in Olean

by Allyson Backstrom | Sep 26, 2025 | Staff

Instead of cheering on the Bills versus the Jets, a team of 31 Griffs — students and young alumni — rolled up their sleeves and donned their gowns in Olean, NY, the weekend of Sept. 12-14, volunteering a combined 750 hours to support a Remote Area Medical free clinic.

This clinic registered over 400 patients and provided over $235,000 in free medical, dental, and vision care. This is the 15th RAM clinic that Griffs have supported, and as always, the community host team in Olean and the RAM staff cannot say enough about our students.

We appreciate two alumni volunteers who were part of our very first RAM trip in 2018, and are now practicing dentists: Laura Cavallari ’18, DDS, MS, recently completed her periodontics residency and joined Cornerstone Periodontics, and Jenna Sauter ’18, DMD, who practices at Neighborhood Health Center.

2018 Then – student volunteer, Jenna Sauter, serving on the “bucket brigade” to sanitize dental stations between patients	2025 Now – Dr. Sauter, with current Griffs: Shafay Shahzad (pre-med) and David Iskander (pre-dental)

This service trip was sponsored by The Society of PreHealth Professionals student organization and the Dr. George E. Schreiner ’43 Pre-Medical Center.

Submitted by Allyson Backstrom, Director, PreMedical Center

Final Call: Register to Present at the Celebration of Faculty Scholarship

by Emeri Krawczyk | Sep 26, 2025 | Staff

The Celebration of Faculty Scholarship is a campus-wide event hosted by the IMPACT Center that highlights the diverse research, creative works, and scholarly contributions of Canisius faculty through lightning talks and a scholarship showcase.

Event Date: Wednesday, October 22
Time: 4:00 – 6:00 PM
Location: Science Hall

Faculty interested in presenting at the Celebration of Faculty Scholarship must register by Wednesday, Oct 1.

Click here to register.