Once again, the 19th annual Ignatian Scholarship Day highlighted the achievements of undergraduate and graduate students through a wide range of expression, including poster sessions, digital presentations, artistic displays and performances. To recognize the efforts and exceptional work of our students, the campus community and guests gathered on Wednesday, April 15 to celebrate their accomplishments.
Topics ranged from “Melodies of Motivation: Music Treatment for Motivation in Patients with Depression” and “Attitudes Toward Immigration: Xenophobia in the United States” to “Lead in Shore Samples Along the Buffalo River” and “I Remember Clifford,” a beautiful trumpet performance of the jazz standard written by Benny Golson in 1956–57 as a tribute to trumpeter Clifford Brown, performed in the Chapel.
The breadth and depth of research and creative expression on display reflected the intellectual curiosity and talent of Canisius students, capturing just a glimpse of the day’s energy and impact. Here’s a look at how students reflected on the event on LinkedIn:
Close to 500 undergraduate and graduate students will receive their degrees from Canisius University on Saturday, May 16, when the Class of 2026 is celebrated during commencement ceremonies in the Koessler Athletic Center.
Kelly Ryan, president of Jesuit Refugee Service/USA, will deliver the commencement address to students from the Division of Arts, Education and Sciences at 10:00 a.m.
Award-winning writer and Canisius alumnus Damon J. Young ’02 will address students from the Division of Business, Communications and Health Studies at 1:30 p.m.
Kelly Ryan leads global efforts to serve nearly one million displaced people across 58 countries through education, emergency assistance, mental health support and advocacy. She has spent nearly three decades working at the intersection of law, diplomacy and humanitarian policy, including senior roles with the U.S. Department of State and the Department of Homeland Security. Ryan has also served as an advisor to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and held leadership roles in international migration policy coordination in Geneva, helping shape global responses to refugee and asylum issues.
For Ryan, it is a life’s work built on the belief that compassion, courage and justice are not abstract ideals but guiding principles that shape action on behalf of those most in need. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal and the BBC.
Damon Young is known for giving an honest and probing voice to the Black American experience.
He is co-founder and editor-in-chief of Very Smart Brothas, a widely read digital publication that shapes national conversations on Black culture and contemporary life. His writing has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post and GQ, among other national outlets.
Young is the author of What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Blacker, winner of the Thurber Prize for American Humor. He also hosts the podcast “Stuck with Damon Young” and will release his debut novel, Snowdrop, in 2027.
A native of Pittsburgh, Young arrived at Canisius on a basketball scholarship and initially intended to pursue a professional athletic career. Instead, he discovered his voice as a writer through poetry and student publications, launching his path as a storyteller.
He has since spent his career speaking to complexity – challenging audiences to confront uncomfortable truths and arrive at a more honest understanding of culture, identity and shared responsibility.
Click here to read more about this year’s commencement speakers.
Through a grant from the Cullen Foundation, high school students from Tapestry Charter School and BuffSci Charter School have been spending the 2025-26 school year exploring the teaching profession. The partnership with Canisius aims to introduce the teaching profession as an achievable and rewarding career to high school students and transition them into a teacher preparation program with the hope that the students will return to teach in their alma mater.
The students are enrolled in EDU 100 (Exploring the Teaching Profession) within their high school schedule. They are awarded Canisius University credit upon successful completion of the course and a 15-hour internship in their K-8 buildings alongside certified teachers.
On March 30, 19 high school students spent the day learning about teaching pathways, sitting in on classes with professors, eating in the dining hall, touring campus, and listening to a panel of current education majors. There is already one Tapestry student committed to pursuing a career in teaching at Canisius next year.
The Ignite Awards are back and this year, they’re bigger, bolder, and designed to be one of the most exciting nights for women in business across Western New York.
On May 8 at Canisius University, we’re celebrating women who are building, leading, and shaping what’s next.
And this year, we’re thrilled to have Maddy Glab of the Buffalo Bills hosting the evening—bringing even more energy to a night that’s all about celebrating women in business.
Here’s what to expect:
A red carpet arrival.
A champagne welcome to kick off the night.
A live awards show recognizing standout women entrepreneurs.
And a room filled with connection, conversation, and opportunity.
