Canisius College

This year’s arrival of autumn came almost as a surprise as temperatures suddenly dipped below the 30 degree mark last week after being in the 60s and low 70s for most of October.  Nonetheless, the spirit of autumn lived on throughout this last month and it was clear that people were taking advantage of the season. 

Autumn is a busy time at Canisius as classes are in full swing, prospective high school students from all over are visiting the campus, and professors begin assigning papers that are due at the end of the semester.  The months of October and November are loaded with open house events and attending one is a great way to see the campus, garner a feel for life at a small urban college, and pick the brains of professors. 

The beginning of the month marked the coming of our annual fall break.  It’s always a nice reprieve from the frenzy of activity that characterizes the middle of a semester.  This year my dad flew in from Colorado and we, along with my uncle and cousin, drove out to Cooperstown for the weekend to visit the National Baseball Hall of Fame.  Seeing and experiencing the shrines to baseball’s greats was amazing!  My favorite exhibit was the corner devoted entirely to Babe Ruth.  Moreover, as I have discovered from the numerous drives I have taken through the state, this one included, New York is beautiful, especially this time of year.  I think that people, mainly those not from the Northeast, sometimes imagine all of New York State as one big city, whereas in reality it mainly consists of farms and forestry. 

Standing in front of a Yankees locker at the National Baseball Museum and Hall of Fame in Coopersotwn, NY

Every semester students are required to register, via computer, for the following semester’s classes on a specified Saturday morning and every experience is different.  This year’s registration was my best yet.  It took me less than five minutes and I experienced no difficulties getting into any of the classes I wanted.  Canisius has made vast improvements in many areas related to student services, including registration, and for this I am grateful!  I can’t imagine what it would be like to register in person and then still incur difficulties. 

During the final week of Christmas break Fr. Bucki, the director of Campus Ministry, takes a group of 50-60 students to New York City to do service at various sites in the five boroughs.  For the third straight year I am fortunate enough to be one of the trip leaders and a few weeks ago we began the whole process of organizing and arranging the trip.  This year’s trip will be my last Winter Service Week, which saddens me, but I am excitedly looking forward to the trek downstate. 

Halloween in Buffalo is always quite the scene to see.  The weekend prior to the actual Halloween day crowds merge on Chippewa Street downtown to celebrate the eve of All Saints’ Day.  On campus, there are always events held for the students, such as the Bosch/Frisch Hall Halloween bash.  Additionally, individuals participate in festive activities with their friends and/or floor mates.  The weekend prior to Halloween a few of my friends and I went to The Great Pumpkin farm in Clarence, NY to buy some pumpkins and gourds for my floor and have a general fun time.  While at the pumpkin farm we chose the best pumpkins we could find, drank warm apple cider, and snacked on pumpkin-spiced goodies.  The following few days were full of pumpkin carving as we, along with some friends, carved our best designs into our pumpkins.     

Here I am with my carved pumpkin!

Shawn's September 2007 Journal
Shawn's October 2007 Journal