GOLDEN GRIFFIN WOMEN GET A TASTE OF THE BIG DANCE
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Pictured l-r: Duke Center Alison Bales defends Canisius Forward Megan Lyte (Photo by Tom Wolf Imaging). |
For the first time in the women basketball team’s 16-year history in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference(MAAC), they won the MAAC Championship. They also became the first women's basketball team from WNY to advanced to the NCAA Division I Tournament. The party started on Sunday, March 13 at the viewing of ESPN’s bracket selection show in the Palisano Pavilion where hundreds of Golden Griffins fans learned that the women would play Duke in round one of the NCAA Division I Tournament in Chapel Hill, NC.
After a week of practices at the Koessler Athletic Center, Coach Terry Zeh’s team arrived in Chapel Hill on Friday, March 18 in time for a Raleigh Alumni Chapter-sponsored rally at Buffalo Brothers Pizza and Wing Co. Canisius alumni cheered on the Golden Griffins as a host of players, coaches and parents arrived at the restaurant.
While a busload of students departed from Canisius for a road trip to Chapel Hill on Saturday, the team was hard at work preparing for Sunday’s game. They attended a morning news conference followed by an open practice at the Smith Center and a regular practice at the Carmichael Center, former home court of the University of North Carolina (UNC) Tarheels. The team, coaches, parents and administrators ended Saturday at The Angus House for a steak dinner.
On Sunday, they were in Chapel Hill at UNC’s Smith Center preparing to play Duke, ranked fifth in the Associated Press (AP) Top 25 national poll – an impressive continuation of their championship season. The Golden Griffins scrapped with Duke for 40 minutes giving 100 percent until the end. After falling to a 17-point deficit at halftime, the women responded in the opening minutes of the second half with two three-pointers to cut Duke’s lead to 11 points. In the end, Duke proved to be too daunting an opponent for Canisius, beating the Golden Griffins 80-48.
Nonetheless, the front page of the following Monday’s morning edition of The Buffalo News captured a photo of basketball team members Jessie Lamparski (sophomore guard), Megan Lyte (sophomore forward) and Abby Radunske (sophomore guard/forward) smiling and laughing from the bench in the closing minutes of the game.
They have several reasons to be happy. Not only are they champions of the MAAC Conference and participants in the NCAA Division I Tournament, they are also returning all members of this year’s team. They will defend their title next year and very likely return to the NCAA tournament.
CLASS OF 1955 GEARS UP FOR GOLDEN JUBILEE
“Stay Alive With ‘55” was the motto for a legendary class of Canisius alumni. They bonded as students, stayed closely connected through the years and remained very loyal to alma mater. In May, they will celebrate 50 years of friendship at the 2005 Golden Jubilee Reunion Weekend, May 20 to 22.
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| Pictured l-r: Sando M. Ferrucci '55, Stephen E. LoJacano '55 and Anthony J. Colucci '55. |
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Pictured l-r: Anthony J. Colucci '55, Franklin J. Sciortino '56, Stephen E. LoJacano '55, Cy Alessi '55 and Anthony T. Buscaglia. |
The Class of 1955 is loaded with alumni who have gone on to become leaders in their professions and communities, and have also stayed connected with Canisius College. Joseph J. Castiglia ’55, Anthony J. Colucci ’55, Richard A. DiVita '55 and Gene F. Jankowski ’55 are all recipients of the alumni association’s Distinguished Alumni Award. The same group, along with Harrison R. Naylor ‘55, also served on the college’s Board of Trustees. Robert B. Adams ’55, Joseph F. Crangle ’55, Thomas J. Dougherty ’55, J. Francis Drea ’55 and Larry Felser ’55 are also past recipients of the Distinguished Alumni Award. Robert B. Adams ’55 and Robert D. Morgan ’55 went on to become major generals in the U.S. Army. Several classmates have also established endowed scholarships at Canisius: Charles Borzilleri, Joseph J. Castiglia, Anthony J. Colucci, Richard A. DiVita, Thomas J. Dougherty, Gene F. Jankowski, John D. Naples, Harrison R. Naylor and Hugh M. Neeson.
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Members of the Class of 1955 |
The 44-member planning committee looks forward to the weekend’s activities and gathering again with close friends. The weekend will commence on Friday afternoon, May 20, when 43 members from the Class of 1955 will be recognized as the first, four-year class to be commissioned in the United States Army through the Canisius ROTC program. That evening, they will hold campus tours and a Class of 1955 Stag. On Saturday, the class with process down the aisle for the 2005 undergraduate commencement ceremony, then dance the night away at the class’ reunion dinner dance at the Montante Cultural Center that evening. Sunday will close the weekend with the Golden Plus Mass and Brunch at the Christ the King Chapel and student center dining hall.
Be sure to visit the Class of 1955 Web site at www.canisius.edu/alumni/1955.asp for an updated schedule of events and "planning to attend" list. You may reserve for the weekend's activities at www.canisius.edu/alumni.
RAY BISSONETTE ’61 RECOUNTS THE LIFE OF BROTHER IN NEW BOOK
Joe’s Story: The quietly courageous life and violent death of an inner city priest, is the biography of the late Rev. A Joseph Bissonette ’54 written by his brother Raymond P. Bissonette ’61, PhD. In the book, Bissonette tracks his brother’s life from a well-achieved student athlete at Canisius High School and Canisius College to a diocesan priest who was murdered in 1987 in the kitchen of St. Barthlomew’s parish rectory in Buffalo, NY.
Dr. Bissonette writes of Father Bissonette’s mission against social injustices. He remembers that Father Bissonette never seemed to have time for himself. Rather he devoted his life to refugees and people of very little means, at any risk. Bissonette also recounts the final moments of his brother’s life in his book, from a firsthand story of convicted murderer Milton Jones.
Currently, the book is available at Talking Leaves and Catholic Union bookstores. You may also click here to purchase the book on-line. For more information, contact A. Joseph Bissonette Memorial Foundation, 74 Halwill Drive, Amherst, NY 14226. You may also call Bissonette at 716-839-3716 or E-mail rbissone@buffalo.edu
EASTWOOD RESIDENCE HALL DRAWS CLOSER TO COMPLETION
The new seven-floor Eastwood Residence Hall is on schedule to welcome its first class of Canisius students this fall. The facility will be home to 270 freshmen and sophomores. When finished, Eastwood will be one of 11 residence halls located on campus and 21 off-campus houses. It will meet the needs of a growing body of resident students at Canisius. Click here for updated construction photos, room layouts and renderings of the building’s façade.
A TRIBUTE TO DR. DONALD TOLLEFSON
For those who knew the late Donald L. Tollefson, PhD, professor emeritus of psychology, you might have special memories to share or find comfort in the memories of others who knew him well. The Canisius College Psychology Department dedicates an on-line memorial to its founder. Click here to visit Tollefson’s memorial Web page. There, visitors can share memories and read eulogies presented at his funeral.
Tollefson died from injuries received when he was hit by a car while walking near his home. Tollefson founded the psychology department at Canisius in 1966 and was its chair for many years. After retiring, he freely gave of his time and talents to many charitable causes. His energy, enthusiasm and thoughtfulness impacted both fellow faculty and students through many years of service, and we will miss him greatly.
The psychology department has scheduled a memorial celebration and service to be held in the Palisano Pavilion on Wednesday, May 11 at 4:30 p.m. All are invited. If you plan to attend, please contact Judith E. Larkin, PhD at 716-888-2508.
SEVENTH ANNUAL SHOES FOR SHELTER 5K RUN/WALK
Donate shoes to St. Vincent DePaul shelter and support the Canisius athletics program in the 2005 Shoes for Shelter on Sunday, April 10. Registration begins at 9:00 a.m. at the Patrick Lee Center (adjacent the Koessler Athletic Center). A Runner's Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. and the race begins at noon. This year's course runs through Forest Lawn Cemetary. Prizes are awarded to top finishers in all age categories from 10 & under to 70 plus, and male and female. For more information about the race including entry fees, please contact John Maddock at 716-888-2977.
APRIL’S GUEST SPEAKERS ON CAMPUS
Conversations in Christ and Culture Lecture Series
Lamin Sanneh, PhD, the D. Willis Professor of Missions and World Christianity at Yale University
“Christianity Outside the West”
Thursday, April 14 at 7:30 p.m. in Regis Room
John Hart, PhD, professor of ethics at Boston University
“St. Francis in the 21 Century: Creation, Compassion and Community”
Thursday, April 21 at 7:30 p.m. in Regis Room
Contact: Timothy Wadkins, PhD, 888-2824 or click here.
Canisius Program in the African American Experience
Lawrence Guyot, Civil rights leader and former head of the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party
“Organizing Freedom Summer”
Thursday, April 14 at 7:30 p.m. in the Horan O’Donnell Science Building, Room 107
David J. Garrow, presidential distinguished professor at Emory University School of Law
“Why the Movement Needed Martin Luther King Jr.”
Wednesday, April 20 in Regis Room
Contact: Bruce Dierenfield, PhD, professor of history, 888-2863 or click here.
Governmental Role in Effectuating the Corporal Works of Mercy Lecture Series
John Sweeney, President, American Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO)
Monday, April 11 at 5:30 p.m. in Grupp Fireside Lounge
Susan Schmidt Bies, PhD, member of the Board of Governors for the Federal Reserve System
Monday, April 18 at 4:00 p.m. in Grupp Fireside Lounge
Contact: Dede Johnson, 888-2162
DON’T FORGET TO REGISTER FOR THESE UPCOMING EVENTS
Canisius Distinguished Faculty Series in Central New York, Dr. Michael Noonan, professor of Psychology/Biology, April 6
Andy Anselmo A Star Crossed Life, April 16
Canisius Community Day in Atlanta, April 23
Canisius Community Day in Buffalo, April 23
Canisius Community Day in Rochester, April 23
Canisius Community Day in Central New York, April 23
Canisius Alumni Tour of CNN in Atlanta, Special Guest: Father Cooke, April 19
Regents Ball, May 14
Please stay tuned, we might add a few more alumni activities to the calendar.
CHECK YOUR MAILBOXES AND INBOXES FOR INVITATIONS TO…
Cleveland Alumni Chapter Endowed Scholarship Fundraiser, May 5
Canisius Alumni Night at Durham Bulls Athletic Park, Durham Bulls vs. Buffalo Bisons, May 12
Canisius Alumni Night at Knights Stadium, Charlotte Knights vs. Buffalo Bisons, May 13
Canisius Alumni Career-Building Seminar in Atlanta, May 17
Class of 1955 Stag, May 20
Alumni Night at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City, Tosca, May 21
Class of 1955 Reunion Evening Reception, May 21
Golden Plus Mass & Brunch, May 22
Alumni Weekend 2005, June 3 & 4
Class of 1950 Reunion Celebration, June 2005
Little Three Golf Tournament, June 20
WHAT’S HAPPENING IN YOUR AREA
Don't miss out on the alumni activities planned across the nation. Visit the alumni Web site's Calendar of Events and your regional chapter Web sites for the latest updates in your area.
Catch up with the Griffs when they visit your area. Check out the schedules of all your favorite teams at GoGriffs.com
Celebrate the arts, visit ArtsCanisius and the BPO/Informally-Formal Concert Series
Lectures, forums and literature readings are scheduled at Canisius all year round. Visit the Canisius College News and Events Web site for more information.
THANKS FOR YOUR FEEDBACK
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