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Global Griff Mentor Program

The Office of Diversity & Inclusion and the Multicultural Student Center would like to invite international faculty and staff to participate in the Global Griff Mentor Program.

The purpose of the Global Griff Mentor Program is to connect new and returning international students with international faculty and staff.  Mentors will  meet with mentees at least twice a semester and serve as a resource for a graduate or an undergraduate student adjusting to Canisius University and the United States.

If you are interested in serving as a mentor for an international student (undergraduate or graduate) for the 2023-24 academic year, please consider signing up as a Global Griff Mentor.  If you have questions, please contact Fatima Rodriguez Johnson, rodrig23@canisius.edu or Bennie Williams, willi100@canisius.edu.

We would like to thank both Peace Action and Women & Gender Studies Clubs for hosting the International Student Panel during the Spring 2023.  Your voices have guided this effort!

Submitted by: Fatima Rodriguez Johnson, Associate Dean, Office of Diversity & Inclusion

 

Thankful Sit-Down Dinner

It’s that time of the year again… time for the Thankful Sit-Down Dinner.

Volunteers are still needed to assist in this great event so if you are available November 16 (4:30pm-7:00pm), please Email Jason Francey to sign up to help.

This year we are bringing back the canned food drive as part of this amazing event. Can donation bins have been set up at the Market at Old Main as well as in the Faculty Lounge on the first floor of Old Main. We are planning on donating the cans from this drive to the Resource Council, Delavan Grider Community Center, and Petey’s Pantry. The Market at Old Main will have nonperishable food available for $1 to be donated. Lets show the community what being a Griff is all about!

Submitted by: Aaron Abruzzino, Marketing Manager, Chartwells Higher Ed

November Career Events

The Career Development Office is hosting several employers on campus this month.  Recruiters are available outside the office (Horan O’Donnell 014) and opportunities are available for all majors.  Please encourage your students to stop by!

Submitted by: Eileen Abbatoy, Director, Career Development, Griff Center for Student Success

Benefits of Being a Griff

Canisius Staff,

We have a brand new offer from our partners here at DiBella’s subs that you can now all take advantage of.

Dibella’s is offering all Canisius constituents 10% off in-store purchases and 15% off all catering orders when you use the code CANGRIFF. When placing an online order, use the promo code when ordering through catering.dibellas.com.

Dibella’s is a proud sponsor of Canisius Athletics and is happy to offer the campus community this special offer. For more exclusive perks and benefits provided by our corporate sponsors, please visit our Benefits of Being a Griff page on gogriffs.com. Click below for more!

https://gogriffs.com/sports/2022/12/13/canisius-college-benefits-page.aspx

Submitted by: Ethan Clarke, Director of Sponsorship Sales and Marketing Fulfillment, Athletics

New Buffalo Institute Collecting Toys for Tots

In collaboration with the Resource Council of WNY, the New Buffalo Institute will be collecting donations for Toys for Tots. The toys will be given to local children and families who attend the Resource Council; families will be able to choose toys for their children from all the donations received, free of charge!

Toys must be new and in their original packaging, but can be of any size or price. Donations can be made from now until December 11th, and can be placed in any of the marked boxes in the following locations:

• Old Main vestibule
• Outside the library
• Student Center 1st floor lobby

This is a great opportunity for individuals or groups to help make the holiday season special for children in the community! Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Shana Richardson at willia23@canisius.edu or 716-888-2128.

Submitted by: Shana Richardson, Director, New Buffalo Institute

Leading the Way to a Greener Future

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President Steve Stoute of Canisius University is enthusiastic about the institution’s sustainable change makers. As the President of the University, his main responsibility is to provide support to the faculty, staff, and students. He considers spending time with the Canisius students as a source of energy and always prioritizes it on his to-do list. The theme of his presidency calls upon the entire Canisius community to RISE: Renew its commitment to justice; Inspire a new generation of leaders who challenge the status quo; Serve every person with love; and Empower others to act the same.

Stoute referenced Pedro Arrupe, S.J., “Men and Women for and with others” which is a core principle in Jesuit education. It expresses the idea that the purpose of education is not solely about individual achievement or personal success. Instead, it emphasizes the responsibility of educated individuals to use their knowledge, talents, and skills to serve others and make a positive impact on the world.

When it comes to the environment, Stoute thinks we should step up and take action. Drawing from his experience at other universities, he has discovered that involving students in environmental matters is essential. Studies show that Generation Z is deeply worried about the planet and environmental problems.

ESG is an abbreviation for Environmental, Social, and Governance. It refers to a framework that businesses use to assess a company’s sustainability and ethical impact. According to President Stoute, there is a division within the country regarding ESG. He suggests that we must challenge the status quo in order to become agents of change for our planet.

How is Canisius addressing the needs of the environment? He believes that the faculty of Canisius provides an active learning approach to education, therefore, inspiring CU’s change-makers. Together with our partnership with our Buffalo Community and Shaina Richardson, (See her Did you Know? Podcast.)the recently appointed Director of the New Buffalo Institute at Canisius University, environmental and social issues can be the priority.  Connecting people will make an exponential impact.  He further points out, Lodi-Smith,  Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs, leads the charge for greener life, with Laudato Si’, the Vatican-led initiative that guides Catholic institutions on ways to achieve an eco-sustainable environment.  Laudato Si’ goals, are to: respond to the cry of the Earth, respond to the cry of the poor, foster ecological economics, adopt a sustainable lifestyle, offering ecological education, develop ecological spirituality, and support local communities. Paper accounts for around 26% of total waste at landfills.  Stoute prefers to use index cards for his notes as he finds 8.5 x 11 paper to be wasteful. He proudly mentions the work of Janet Ellis, (See her Did you Know? Podcast.), the Director of Dining Services for Chartwell Food Vendors, whose mission is to prioritize environmental concerns. Additionally, clean energy powers most of our campus according to Stoute.  With the idea of “expanding our commitment to always do better”  Canisius impacts environmental sustainability.

Born and raised in Trinidad and Tobago, a dual-island Caribbean nation, Stoute immigrated to the United States in 2000 to attend Seton Hall University in New Jersey.  When asked about the environmental cultural views of Trinidad versus the United States his defining word was MODERATION.  Abundance and bigger is not always better.  We don’t need bigger. When we choose to live on less, it creates the potential to do much more for others.

In his own journey towards sustainability, Stoute would like to remember his reusable water bottle.  All of his decisions on where and what he eats are intentional.  At home, his children keep him honest about his choices.  Thanks to their Catholic education, his daughters have gained a deep appreciation for environmental sustainability. They understand the significance of recycling, nurturing plant life, consuming fresh fruits and vegetables, and safeguarding clean water. They even remind him to turn off the faucet when he’s brushing his teeth.

With President Stoute as our Eco- Hero we can as educated individuals use our knowledge, talents, and skills to serve others and make a positive impact on the natural world.

Check out the full interview:

 

Submitted by: Genevieve Fontana, USA Sustainability President