A five-person team from the Canisius University Golden Griffin Fund (GGF) will advance to the Americas Regional competition after securing first place in the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Institute Research Challenge of Western New York. The competition was held Saturday, February 7, 2026, at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT).
This year’s win marks an unprecedented 16th consecutive victory for Canisius finance students, who have dominated the regional competition since its inception in 2010.
“This 16th consecutive win reflects the consistency and dedication of our students and faculty,” said Steve Gattuso, GGF director. “It also speaks directly to the strength of the Golden Griffin Fund, which gives students hands-on exposure to professional-level financial analysis, teamwork and decision-making, preparing them to excel in competitive careers in finance and beyond.”
The Golden Griffin Fund team prevailed over strong competitors from SUNY Buffalo, SUNY Oswego, Niagara University, RIT, St. John Fisher University, University of Rochester and SUNY Geneseo. The team will now advance to the Americas Sub-Regional level, with winners to be announced in March.
This year’s winning Golden Griffin Fund team includes Hunter Andrew ’26, Joseph Ferreira ’26 (team captain), Cayden Jackson ’26, Robert Kincaid ’26 and Ashton Pfeil ’26.Steve Gattuso ’87, MBA ’88 served as this year’s faculty advisor. He was joined by Cameron Rosenecker ’19, MBA ’20, who advised the team as an industry mentor.
Nominations are being accepted for the 2026 I. Joan Lorch Award for Women & Gender Studies.
This award honors “a person who has made a significant contribution to women and who exemplifies the pursuit of liberation and justice regarding sex, gender and sexuality.”
The three categories for the Lorch award are: (1) Student award: This award honors any current undergraduate or graduate student at Canisius University; (2) Canisius colleague award: This award honors any current Canisius University employee (faculty, staff, or administrator — full or part time), and; (3) Community member award: This award honors any member of the wider community who is not a current student or employee of Canisius University.
The celebration to honor the three awardees will take place during the month of March — Women’s History Month.
Deadline for nominations is February 22. All nominations should include: your name, your nominee’s name and contact information, and a 100-word description as to why the nominee is a deserving recipient of the Lorch award. The nomination form can be filled out here:
WGRZ-TV Channel 2 reported on Canisius University’s February 9 announcement that it is partnering with Western Atlantic University School of Medicine to launch a new accelerated pathway that enables students to earn their bachelor’s degree in science and doctor of medicine degree in six years, versus the traditional eight. Allyson Backstrom, PhD, director of the George E. Schreiner ’43, MD, Pre-Medical Center, was interviewed for the story, which can be viewed here.
Canisius University announced today the promotion of Joseph Snodgrass ’90 to assistant vice president for operations, effective immediately. Snodgrass has served as director of facilities management since April 2023. His expanded responsibilities will include oversight of Campus Safety, the university’s Print Shop and the Young Adult Life Transitions (YALT) program.
Under Snodgrass’ leadership as director of facilities management, Canisius has completed several transformative projects that directly support student success and the university’s academic mission, while minimizing disruption to academic programs and classroom operations. Most notably, he is overseeing the development of the new Golisano Center for Student Success, a 30,000-square-foot renovation on the second floor of the Andrew L. Bouwhuis, SJ, Library. Named for the Rochester philanthropist B. Thomas Golisano, whose $5 million gift is helping support the project, the center will centralize academic, career and wellness services when it opens in spring 2026.
Snodgrass is also leading the multi-phase modernization of Old Main, converting approximately 45,000 square feet of the university’s primary classroom building into state-of-the-art HyFlex classrooms. When complete, the new space will be equipped for collaborative, technology-enabled learning and feature mobile furniture, interactive whiteboards and advanced audiovisual systems.
Additional projects under Snodgrass’ direction included the relocation of the Animal Behavior, Ecology and Conservation (ABEC) Program to Science Hall, complete with repurposed lab spaces and state-of-the-art facilities for research and teaching, and the establishment of new athletic facilities for the acrobatics and tumbling program.
In his new role, Snodgrass will oversee Campus Safety. The department is committed to providing a safe and secure campus environment for students, faculty, staff and visitors, with an emphasis on crime prevention and deterrence, personal safety education, and service to the university community.
Snodgrass will also assume responsibility for the university’s Print Shop and the Young Adult Life Transitions (YALT) program. YALT is a community-based program that offers young adults with developmental disabilities opportunities to experience life on a college campus while developing functional skills focused on independence and employment preparation.
