November 2005
How Alumni, Parents, and Friends Make a Canisius Education Possible
Hi Gang!
I hope all is well with each and every one of you. My semester is currently going very amuck but I recently received some excellent advice from a friend/professor of mine: "Deep breaths and moments of silence go a long way." I will be taking this simple yet profound (pardon the oxymoron) advice to heart as I complete the many research papers, take home exams and tests I have before me.
On a mucho brighter note, I am going to use the rest of this entry talking about arguably the most important aspect of the College: the Canisius College Annual Fund! Just to provide you with a little background, the Annual Fund is the College's main fundraising arm (which last year, exceeded its $2,000,000.00 goal. Click here for more information.) and what we do best is provide opportunities of varying kinds to students, alumni and staff. I often hear students comment on the expensive nature of a Canisius education and while I can readily admit that its cost is not cheap, the experience and value of a Canisius degree is absolutely priceless on so many levels!
The best part of the Annual Fund is the Eberl Call Center which is where students and alumni alike call upon friends, parents and former students of the College in order to contribute financially to the College so that we can offer the many scholarship and financial aid opportunities we do to students. While Canisius is not the most inexpensive college around, the financial aid packages we offer are outstanding and rival those of our competition! The paid staff of the Call Center is composed entirely of students, from our representatives (who actually make the calls) to our management (Melissa "Missy" Bushey '06, Nicole "NikkiĄ" Totten '06 and I, who work under our LOVELY, SUPPORTIVE and FASHIONABLE boss, Kirsten Reppert, Assistant Director of the Annual Fund!).
These are my wonderful colleagues. They are (from l-r):
MelisssaBushey '06 (student manager); Kirsten Reppert,
Assistant Director of the Annual Fund; and Nicole Totten '06
(student manager).
The best job on campus, the Call Center is where all of the magic happens. For the most part, we are the reason why there are scholarships here, we are the reason why faculty members receive unique opportunities to conduct/present research, and we are the reason why a financed (albeit, partially financed!) education at the premier institute in Western New York is possible. To make a long story short, we are a big deal!
Working for the Annual Fund is both a learning experience and fun because of the unique opportunities I have. I not only get to connect personally with alumni who are leaders on so many different fronts, but I get to work beside some of the best and brightest students Canisius has to offer! Additionally, in keeping with the College's mission of being "men and women for others," I have the distinct privilege - alongside my fellow co-workers - of enriching the lives of so many through offering opportunities for success that they otherwise may not have had. So folks, the next time you think that Canisius costs too much, just think of two things: one, when you leave here, you will be armed with a diploma and education that will enable you to rise to the top of your career/academic aspirations and two, the College makes a sincere effort to minimize the financial burden experienced by the student body by offering generous financial aid packages that are a result of generous alumni, parents and friends of the College!
On a rather relaxed evening in the Eberl Call Center, students
call and ask questions up at the front desk.
Until next time...take care, laugh at least once a day, and send me some e-mail for goodness sake!
Bobby's January 2005 Journal
Bobby's March 2005 Journal
Bobby's September 2005 Journal
Bobby's October 2005 Journal