As the university begins the 2026-27 academic year, Canisius Rising: A Year in Review looks back at the milestones, achievements and momentum that defined 2025-26.
From welcoming the largest incoming class in three years and expanding access through the Buffalo Promise Scholarship to making strategic investments in student success, earning national recognition and creating transformative learning experiences, the publication highlights the mission-driven work taking place across campus that continues to position Canisius as a university on the rise. Read the full Canisius Rising here.
Canisius University has entered into a new articulation agreement with St. Bonaventure University to create a direct pathway for students to earn a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT). Under the agreement, qualified Canisius students are guaranteed admission to St. Bonaventure University’s nationally accredited MSOT program after completing their undergraduate degree.
The agreement comes as demand for occupational therapists accelerates. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, an aging population and the growing prevalence of chronic conditions are expected to drive a 14% growth in the field through 2034, with roughly 10,200 job openings anticipated annual over that period. The median annual wage for occupational therapists was $98,340 in May 2024.
The partnership is open to Canisius University students majoring in Health & Wellness or Sports & Exercise Health Care. Students who maintain a minimum 3.2 GPA, complete required prerequisite coursework, and are nominated by the Canisius Department of Kinesiology will receive guaranteed admission to St. Bonaventure’s program.
St. Bonaventure’s MSOT program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education. The 23-month, full-time program (five semesters) prepares students for licensure as occupational therapists through a combination of classroom instruction, clinical experiences and fieldwork placements. Students graduate equipped to work in a variety of healthcare, educational and community settings, and to help individuals overcome physical, cognitive and developmental challenges.
Canisius University is saddened to report the passing of Rosemary Murray, EdD, on June 17, 2026.
Dr. Murray joined Canisius University in 2000 as an associate professor in the Graduate Literacy Program within the Department of Graduate Education and Leadership. From 2007 until her retirement in 2018, she served as director of the Literacy Center and chair of the Graduate Education and Leadership Department. She also contributed her service as a member of the College and Faculty Senates at both institutions.
Visitation will be held Thursday, July 16, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the D. Lawrence Ginnane Funeral Home, D. Lawrence Ginnane Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday, July 17, at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph University Parish.
Twenty-four Canisius University students have been selected as recipients of the 2026-27 Western New York Prosperity Fellowship, a program designed to cultivate the next generation of professionals, entrepreneurs and changemakers committed to contributing to the region’s economic growth and long-term viability. Supported by the Prentice Family Foundation, the fellowship combines scholarship assistance, paid internships, mentorship and professional development opportunities that encourage talented young students to live, work and lead in the eight-county region of Western New York.
Each Prosperity Fellow receives up to $25,000 in combined scholarship and internship support for the academic year, based on demonstrated financial need. The program also provides paid, credit-bearing summer internships of up to 200 hours at $20 per hour, allowing fellows to work alongside senior leaders in their chosen fields. In return, fellows commit to working in Western New York for at least two of the 10 years following graduation.
Beyond scholarship support, fellows participate in a cohort-based experience designed to deepen their understanding of Western New York’s economic landscape. Programming includes professional development seminars, networking opportunities and mentorship from program alumni who remain committed to strengthening the region and supporting the next generation of leaders.
Established by Bryan and Joan Prentice in 2007, the Prentice Family Foundation was created to make a multi-generational economic impact on Western New York by investing in entrepreneurial-minded students and helping them translate their talents into careers that benefit the region.
The Alumni Association Board of Directors announced new leadership and welcomed nine new members who will begin their terms on July 1, 2026. The board assists the university and specifically the Office of Alumni & Constituent Engagement in achieving its mission to involve alumni in direct and meaningful ways to develop lasting relationships between alumni and alma mater. Members serve three-year terms.
Connor Rosenecker ’18 is the newly appointed president of the Alumni Association Board of Directors. The Buffalo resident is founder and managing director of Covenant Wealth and earned bachelor’s degrees in economics, finance, management and psychology from Canisius. He has served on the Alumni Association Board of Directors since 2019, most recently as first vice president, and is a member of the Wehle Business School Advisory Council. Rosenecker succeeds Jeff Bogart ’93 as president.
David Reid ’92 will become vice president of the Alumni Association Board of Directors, effective July 1. Reid resides in Folsom, CA, and is general counsel for Receivables Management Association International. He earned a BA in history and political science from Canisius and previously served as second vice president of the Alumni Association Board of Directors.
Click here to read more about the nine new members.
