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| Dorothy Suchan '52 at the time of her reception of the LaSalle Medal at the 1973 Commencement Ceremony. |
Dorothy Suchan '52 was one of many women who took evening classes at Canisius College during World War II. Women's enrollment at Canisius was important to keeping the College open during the severe decline in attendance due to World War II.
Ms. Suchan wrote about her experiences at Canisius College in a letter which the Rev. J. Clayton Murray, S.J. Archives received on Sept. 15, 2006. Ms. Suchan, who describes the delicate balance of work and school, provides an unusual but important look at Canisius during WWII from a woman's point of view. Ms. Suchan served as the 1947 President of the Tekakwitha Club, an organization started by women students for women students at Canisius. The Tekakwitha Club is mentioned in her letter.
Here is a transcript of the letter by Ms. Suchan. (MS Word)
After graduating from the College in 1952, Ms. Suchan went on to serve as the Corporate Secretary of Hesse Industrial Sales, Inc. In 1971, she received the rating of Certified Professional Secretary and was named Secretary of the Year for the Buffalo Chapter of the Professional Secretaries International. Ms. Suchan also remained active in her alma mater where she served as President of the Canisius College Alumnae Association, for three years on the Canisius Board of Trustees (1981-87) and for a year on the Canisius Board of Regents (1979-80). Canisius College recognized her great dedication by presenting her with the LaSalle Medal at the 1973 Commencement ceremony, an honor given by the Alumni Association to those who make substantial contributions to the College.
Ms. Suchan's brother, Charles A. Suchan, Jr., was a graduate of the Canisius class of 1939. Two other brothers, Robert J. Suchan and William T. Suchan, joined the Jesuit order after spending one year at Canisius College. Robert and William served as missionaries in Manila, Philippines and the Caroline Islands respectively. Another sister, Sr. Mary Luke, joined the Marist Sisters in Waltham, Massachusetts.
One of eleven children of Charles A. Suchan, Sr. and his wife Pauline P. Suchan, Ms. Suchan endowed a scholarship in memory of her parents to honor their support of Canisius College. The eleven children were:
Charles A. Jr, '39
Paula
Dorothy M. Suchan '52
Jeanne
William T.
Robert J.
Richard C.
Mary Ann
Eleanor P.
Sister Mary Luke
Patricia A.
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