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Osaigbokan Paul Aihie Hometown: Benin-City, Nigeria
Class: 2013
Major(s) & Minor(s): Biology
Philosophy of life: Never give up. If you fail, try and try again
Activities: Supplemental Instructor for Freshman Biology, College campus sacristan, CPLD LEAD team member, writer for The Griffin
Favorite aspect of Honors: The classes
Community service: Volunteer at the Emergency Room in Buffalo General Hospital
Obstacles: Balancing my schedule and choosing the talents which I want to develop from a bunch which I believe I have
Fun thing(s) to do: Reading books, watching movies, hanging out with friends
Favorite book/movie: Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe
Accomplishments: Deans Honors list for every semester completed
Career goal(s): Hope to become an accomplished doctor and writer.
Ammar AlsalahiHometown: Victor, NY
Class: 2013
Major(s) & Minor(s): BioChemistry
Philosophy of life: Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss you’ll land among the stars
Activities: Research, volunteering, and community service
Favorite aspect of Honors: Small classes and bright students
Community service: I volunteer at Demay retirement facility.
Fun thing(s) to do: Going out with friends, watching movies and having a good time!
Career goal(s): Getting into Medical school and becoming a doctor
Sandy CaseyHometown: Canandaigua, NY
Class: 2012
Major(s) & Minor(s): Childhood & Special Education with a concentration in English
GPA: 3.9
Philosophy of life: Life is a great big canvas, and you should throw all the paint on it you can.
Activities: Canisius College Chorale, Little Theatre, Teacher Education Club, Kappa Delta Pi Honor Society, Resident Assistant for the Honors freshman floor
Favorite aspect of Honors: The challenging courses, small class sizes, and dedicated professors
Community service: Vive la Casa, Big Brother, Big Sister, Westminster Community Charter School
Fun thing(s) to do: Bake, Arts & Crafts, Bike-riding
Career goal(s): Elementary School or Special Education Teacher
Anne Continetti Hometown: Binghamton, NY
Class: 2014
Major(s) & Minor(s): Communication major with a minor in Spanish
Philosophy of life: “When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, ‘I used everything you gave me.’” - Erma Bombeck
Activities: Jazz Ensemble, Concert Band, Student Programming Board (SPB), CME, Campus Ministry, C-Block, The WIRE, and Students for Life
Favorite aspect of Honors: The classes are very interesting and all of the professors are passionate and dedicated. In addition, the trips and activities are a lot of fun and help to create a feeling of community between students in the program.
Fun thing(s) to do: Baking, reading, spending time with friends and family
Favorite book/movie: Book: Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen, Movie: Mean Girls
Career goal(s): After I graduate from Canisius, I hope to attend graduate school and eventually get a job as a broadcast journalist in Washington, DC.
Matthew DiStasioHometown: Amherst, NY
Class: 2013
Major(s) & Minor(s): English
Philosophy of life: Always do whatever’s next – George Carlin
Your life is yours to create. – Waking Life
Activities: Chorale, Griffinry, Fall 2011 semester abroad in the Philippines, American Chemical Society
Favorite aspect of Honors: Fun passionate professors that enjoy interacting with their students and the numerous trips to places such as Stratford.
Community service: Service trips to New Orleans and India
Obstacles: Waking up for class earlier than 10
Fun thing(s) to do: Reading, playing and writing music, traveling
Favorite book: Inherent Vice by Thomas Pynchon
Favorite movie: Taxi Driver
Career goal(s): Get my Masters in TESOL and teach English abroad in Southeast Asia or the Middle East.
Rachael FarleyHometown: Warsaw, NY
Class: 2014
Majors: Biochemistry and Spanish; pre-med program
Philosophy of life: Knowledge is power
Activities & Hobbies: Band, cooking, kayaking, reading, soccer, stamp collecting
Favorite aspect of Honors: Knowing that there are other people who also take their education seriously
Community service: volunteering at the Cloisters, an adult-care facility
Obstacles: Horrible eyesight? I accept obstacles as challenges, not hindrances
Favorite book/movie: Appointment in Samarra by John O’Hara; An American in Paris
Career goal(s): To become a neurosurgeon or neuropathologist
Tegan FoleyHometown: Lewiston, NY
Class: 2015
Major(s) & Minor(s): Accounting
Philosophy of life: “Rain or Shine, it’s Just a State of Mind”
Activities: Accounting Society, Residence Hall Association, Student Programing Board, C-Block, Colleges Against Cancer, Cheerleading
Favorite aspect of Honors: All the wonderful opportunities that I would not have if I was not in the program
Community service: Artpark Wheelchair Volunteer, Relay For Life Co-chair, Youngstown Coat Drive, Kiwanis Club Volunteer, Delivering Thanksgiving Food Boxes, Porter on the Lake Hospice Run Volunteer, Delivering Valentines to Fairchild Nursery
Obstacles: Keeping up with all my school work and outside activities, and still making time to just hang out with my friends.
Fun thing(s) to do: Spending time with my family, friends, and of course my dog and cats!
Favorite book/movie: - A Knight’s Tale
Accomplishments: Student Sage Award, Key Club Gold Award, Frontier House Design Contest Winner, National English Award
Career goal(s): Unsure at this time, something in the Accounting field.
Abby FronckowiakHometown: Cheektowaga
Class: 2014
Major(s) & Minor(s): Adolescent Education & History Dual Major
GPA (optional): 3.9
Philosophy of life: You must be the change you wish to see in the world.
Activities: Service Intern, CLC Leader, Service Trips, Liturgical Committee, Honors Student Board
Favorite aspect of Honors: The classes, and the trips!
Community service: Winter Service Week in NYC, Poland Trip, Service Intern at St. Monica’s Middle School, Habitat for Humanity, Lutheran Home, H.E.A.R.T., Vive La Casa
Fun thing(s) to do: Go for a run or bike ride in Delaware Park, travel, read a great book
Favorite book/movie: Book- Anything Nicholas Sparks Movie- Ocean’s Eleven
Career goal(s): Make my students feel that they have the ability to achieve whatever the aspire to, and that they matter.
Alexa HardkeHometown: Cazenovia, NY
Class: 2015
Major: Animal Behavior, Ecology, and Conservation
Philosophy of Life: “There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” – Albert Einstein
Activities: Chamber Orchestra, CME, Zoological Society, Campus Ministry, CLC participant
Favorite aspects of Honors: sense of community, travel and event opportunities
Community Service: Habitat for Humanity and eventually Campus Ministry service trips
Obstacles: balancing school, friends, organizational commitments, and family
Fun thing(s) to do: play violin, read, bike, ski, swim, spending time with friends
Favorite book/movies:
book: The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
movies: The Blindside, Avatar, and Crazy, Stupid Love
Career Goals: zookeeper or animal behavior researcher around the world.
Meghan JoyceHometown: Lancaster, NY
Class: 2012
Major(s) & Minor(s): Criminal Justice major with Computer Science and Computer Forensics minors
GPA: 3.85
Philosophy of life: “Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift, that’s why it’s called the present.”
Activities: Playing violin, learning foreign languages, playing field hockey, traveling, photography, attempting to make people laugh, snorkeling, rock climbing, pretty much anything and everything!
Favorite aspect of Honors: From my Honors classes, I have gained so much knowledge of such amazing, interesting things. I find that every day something I have learned from the Honors Program is applicable to a setting in which I’m in. I now possess an in-depth and diverse knowledge of many things I once knew very little about.
Obstacles: Feelings of stress and self-doubt occasionally get me down, but life is too short to not embrace the opportunities it provides and move past the negativity.
Favorite book/movie: Lord of the Flies – William Golding, Movie: Anything Disney or Pixar! My favorites are Aladdin and The Little Mermaid.
Accomplishments: Presidential Scholar, Robert and Elisabeth Wilmers Scholar, Marie Maday Scholar, was one of four applicants chosen to attend a REU (Research Experience for Undergraduates) in Computer Forensics at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and was offered an internship at HSBC in their Information Security department. One of my biggest accomplishments is when I was able to pursue a huge dream of mine, despite how fearful I was, by living in Florence, Italy and traveling throughout Europe.
Career goal(s): I aspire to work in the FBI’s Cybercrime lab or in a RCFL (Regional Computer Forensics Lab). After I gain enough experience as a digital forensic expert, I’d like to serve as an examiner for criminal cases.
Mariel KleinHometown: Warwick, NY
Class: 2013
Major(s) & Minor(s): ABEC, Anthrozoology and Studio Art
Philosophy of life: “The only thing we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us” - Gandalf
Activities: Canisius Jazz Ensemble, Canisius College Quidditch Team, College Democrats, Canisius Ambassadors for Conservation, ISHAR Fellow, The WIRE, USA Finance Committee, Orientation Leader, LEAD Team
Favorite aspect of Honors: The sense of community fostered through trips, small class sizes and dedicated teachers. Also the Honors floor which is a great way to make true and lasting friendships.
Community service: Meals on Wheels, Humane Societies
Obstacles: Life always throws obstacles. The important part is that you catch them and throw them back.
Fun thing(s) to do: sing, listen to music/concerts, play the flute, explore nature, photography, sketch, swim, bike, hike
Favorite book/movie: Book = Jonathan Livingston Seagull and Harry Potter. Movie = Into the Wild, Accepted
Accomplishments: My life is a pretty good accomplishment. We accomplish things everyday.
Career goal(s): Good question! Possibilities include animal lawyer, policy maker, or anything that involves helping the welfare of animals.
Ann KlementsHometown: Mayfield Village, OH
Class: 2012
Major(s) & Minor(s): Accounting
GPA: 3.86
Philosophy of life: Moral force gives a man both fearlessness and tranquility. – Emerson
Activities: Honors Program Student Assistant, President of College Republicans, Secretary of Accounting Society, Vice President of Community Service for Women in Business, Kairos participant
Favorite aspect of Honors: Getting along well with other Honors students, Dr. Butler's American Modernism class, and Dr. Hardwick's American Presidency class
Community Service: Tutoring girls at Burgard High School with Women in Business, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program with Accounting Society
Obstacles: Managing relationships with school work
Fun thing(s) to do: Running outdoors, reading, spending time with friends
Favorite movie: Friday Night Lights
Accomplishments: Being on the Dean’s List every semester, doing well in Dr. Davis' intro class
Career goal(s): I would like work for a Big Four accounting firm upon graduation and become licensed as a CPA so as to learn from and add value to the best of the profession. Eventually I would like to work in Washington, D.C.
Laura KnabHometown: Williamsville, NY
Class: 2012
Major(s) & Minor(s): Childhood Education with a concentration in History
Activities: Chorale, Campus Ministry, Tour Guide, Teacher’s Education Club, Little Theatre, Contemporary Music Ensemble
Favorite aspect of Honors: I LOVE the smaller, more intimate classes. It’s nice to be in a class with students that want to discuss and learn just as much as you do. Also, I really enjoy the honors activities – The Stratford Festival and Colden Tubing just to name a few!
Community service: Winter Service Weeks to NYC and New Orleans, International Service-Immersion Trip to Quito, Ecuador
Obstacles: Juggling pre-student teaching and writing my honors senior thesis this semester
Fun thing(s) to do: Bike, swim, water-ski, ping pong, sing
Favorite book/movie: Favorite book: The Hunger Games Series, Favorite movie: Forrest Gump
Career goal(s): After teaching for several years, I hope to someday earn my administrative degree and become the principal of an elementary school.
Natalia KuklichHometown: East Amherst, NY
Class: 2015
Major(s) & Minor(s): Major in Biology; Pre-medical program
Philosophy of life: “If you don't go after what you want, you'll never have it. If you don't ask, the answer is always no. If you don't step forward, you're always in the same place.” –Nora Roberts
Activities: Plast Ukrainian Scouting Organization, Colleges Against Cancer, Tri-Beta Honor Society, Honors Student Board, Society of Pre-Health Professionals, American Red Cross Society, Commuter Student Association, The Courier, Project Conservation
Favorite aspect of Honors: Being surrounded by individuals with similar goals and priorities in addition to the small class sizes and challenging environment that encourages creativity and ingenuity.
Community service: Plast Ukrainian Scouting Organization, Schofield Nursing Home, St. Gregory the Great Parish
Fun thing(s) to do: spend time with friends and family, travel, read, snowboard, and anything that has to do with the outdoors such as hiking and kayaking.
Favorite book/movie: Harry Potter Series, The Hunger Games Trilogy
Accomplishments: The equivalence of an Eagle Scout in Plast Ukrainian Scouting Organization
Career goal(s): I would like to achieve an M.D. degree and practice in the medical field.
Rebecca Krakowiak Hometown: Cheektowaga, NY
Class: 2014
Major(s) & Minor(s): Adolescence Education
Philosophy of life: People may not always remember what you said or what you did but they will always remember how you made them feel.
Activities: Chorus, Band, Intramurals, Volunteering
Favorite aspect of Honors: So far, being able to live in Dugan and meeting other motivated people!
Community service: Pet Connection of Marilla, NY, West Seneca Y.E.S. Program, ESG
Fun thing(s) to do: Hang with friends, Sing, Listen to music
Favorite book/movie: Harry Potter/Oliver & Co.
Career goal(s): High School History Teacher
Chase LaDueHometown: Plano, Texas
Class: 2014
Major and Minor: Animal Behavior, Ecology, and Conservation; Zoo Biology
GPA: 3.91
Philosophy of life: Remain focused to achieve your goals.
Activities: Primate Behavioral Research (CEEP), Science Scholars, Canisius Zoological Society, Biology Lab Assistant, Honors Freshman Peer Mentor
Favorite aspect of Honors: Acquiring a wide range of knowledge through professors from a variety of disciplines.
Obstacles: Going to school so far away from home, while balancing work and fun.
Fun things to do: Traveling to different countries, going to the zoo, running
Favorite book: Reflections of Eden by Biruté M.F. Galdikas
Accomplishments: Dean’s List with Special Merit, Canisius Earning Excellence Program, Acceptance into the Science Scholars program
Career goals: Earn a PhD in ethology or behavioral ecology and work at a zoological institution.
James R. Loomis, III (Trey)Hometown: Buffalo, N.Y.
Class: 2015
Major(s) and Minor(s): Biology/ Pre-Med Program; Communications
Philosophy of life: “Let us not be content to wait and see what will happen, but give us the determination to make the right things happen.” - Peter Marshall
Activities: Society for Pre-Health Professionals, Tri Beta Honors Society, Colleges Against Cancer, C-Block
Favorite aspect of Honors: The small class sizes with approachable professors, and the countless opportunities for involvement outside of the classroom.
Community Service: Canisius High School Habitat for Humanity House, St. Luke’s Mission of Mercy
Fun thing(s) to do: Ice Hockey, football, lacrosse, skiing, and going to the beach
Favorite book/movie: The Mosquito Coast/The Goodfellas
Accomplishments: Trustee’s Scholarship, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholarship
Career goal(s): I would like to attend Medical School, specializing in the field of dermatology or oncology.
Michael McClurkinHometown: Buffalo
Class: 2013
Major(s) & Minor(s): Philosophy major/Biology minor
GPA (optional) 3.51
Philosophy of life: Self-Overcoming
Activities: Studying, travel, and research
Favorite aspect of Honors: Travel opportunities
Community service: TEAM Buffalo and ECMC
Obstacles: Every obstacle is an opportunity to better oneself
Fun thing(s) to do: Travel and meet new people
Favorite book/movie: Kiki’s Delivery Service
Accomplishments: Being invited to assist with a research project with an MD/PHD from Yale School of Medicine
Career goal(s): Physician
Mary Mietlicki Hometown: Clifton Park, New York
Class: 2012
Major(s) & Minor(s): Childhood/Special Education Major, English Concentration
GPA (optional): 3.92
Philosophy of life: “Nothing is more practical than finding God. That is, than falling in love in a quite absolute, final way.” – Fr. Pedro Arrupe, S.J.
Activities & Hobbies: Campus Ministry Social Justice Intern, community service, and reading
Favorite aspect of Honors: The wide variety of courses and dedicated professors
Community service: St. Monica’s afterschool program, Campus Ministry International Service-Immersion Trips: Mexico (Summer 2010), Ecuador (Summer 2011), El Salvador (2012)
Favorite book/movie: Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt; The Sound of Music
Career goal(s): Elementary or Special Education Teacher
Eric MietzHometown: Medina, NY
Year: 2013
Major: International Relations
GPA: 3.89
Philosophy of life: Sometimes the best experiences and greatest lessons learned come from taking risks.
Activities:
- German Club—Secretary
- Honors Student Council— Representative
- OASIS Arab Culture Club
- International Affairs Society
- Honors Freshmen Peer Mentor
- Canisius C-Block
Community Service: I have volunteered for Habitat for Humanity and for my church.
Obstacles: Taking six courses simultaneously each semester and having to decide which course I want to take to fulfill each of my Honors credits. There are usually multiple ones that interest me.
Fun things to do: I like traveling, running through Forest Lawn Cemetery, reading, and spending time with friends.
Favorite books: All of Dan Brown's books
Favorite movies: Gladiator, Angels and Demons, Casino Royale
Accomplishments: Being on the Dean's List, having a successful first year at college, getting involved with the Honors Program.
Career Goals: After graduating from Canisius, I aspire to become a Foreign Service Officer with the United States Department of State. I also plan on attending graduate school for a degree in International Security Policy Studies.
Matt MullinHometown: North Tonawanda, NY
Class: 2014
Major(s) & Minor(s): Math/English with Spanish Minor
Philosophy of life: “All I can do is be me, whoever that is.”-Bob Dylan
Activities: Contemporary Music Ensemble, Math/Writing Tutor
Favorite aspect of Honors: Close bonds shared with classmates, who all help to flourish an overall greater learning environment.
Community service: St. Jude Youth Ministry, Northgate Nursing Home Volunteer
Favorite book/movie: One Hundred Years of Solitude or Absalom! Absalom!
Accomplishments: Dean's List every semester
Career goal(s): Go to Law School or earn my PhD in English
Zachary OstroffHometown: North Tonawanda
Class: 2014
Major(s) & Minor(s): Accounting / Accounting Information Systems
GPA (optional) 3.77
Philosophy of life: “A man who dares to waste one hour of time has not discovered the value of life.” –Charles Darwin
Activities: Canisius Men’s Rugby, SIFE, The Wire, Club Sports Finance Committee, Honors Mentor Program
Favorite aspect of Honors: Making long lasting friendships with those who you are going through the same educational enrichment process.
Community service: Kalieda Health Student Volunteer, Degraff Adult Daycare
Obstacles: Juggling school, work, relationships, and other activities
Fun thing(s) to do: Running, soccer, rugby, attending local Concerts, walking around Delaware Park.
Favorite book/movie: Favorite book: Brave New World Favorite Movie: Goodfellas
Accomplishments: Making the Dean’s List, making it to collegiate rugby state finals.
Career goal(s): Eventually become a CPA and practice accounting somewhere in the Buffalo area.
Aidan RyanHometown: Buffalo, NY
Class: 2015
Major(s) & Minor(s): Creative Writing and English dual major
Philosophy of life: “Oh, it isn't that I mind the glittering caste system. I like having a bunch of hot cats on top, but gosh, Kerry, I've got to be one of them.” - Amory Blaine, This Side of Paradise, by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Activities: Quadrangle Fiction Editor, The Griffin, The Wire – Canisius Radio
Favorite aspect of Honors: Passionate teachers, Honors community trips and events, and the wealth of opportunity.
Community service: I intend to go to Jamaica.
Obstacles: There’s never enough time in the day.
Fun thing(s) to do: Play the drums, listen to music, paint, read and write at every opportunity
Favorite book/movie: All of Fitzgerald’s works, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, I Am Charlotte Simmons, The Godfather Parts I & II, And Justice For All, Ginger Baker in Africa, Casino Royale
Accomplishments: Publication in Jersey Devil Press, Tangent, The Washington Pastime, Full of Crow Quarterly, and Grey Sparrow Journal; Eagle Scout; various things in high school which no longer seem to matter; playing in two professional bands
Career goal(s): To be an author, and God knows what else.
Steve Schrader Hometown: Elma, NY
Class: 2012
Major(s) & Minor(s): Major: Political Science. Minors: Classics, Law & Public Policy.
GPA: 3.90
Philosophy of life: Carpe diem quam minime credula postero.
Activities: President of Phi Alpha Delta, Pre-Law Fraternity. Member of Canisius College Mock Trial.
Favorite aspect of Honors: Small classes allow you to easily communicate with professors and students.
Community service: Volunteer at St. Vincent de Paul Soup Kitchen.
Obstacles: Trying to balance a job with my on-campus activates, in addition to taking both required courses for my major/minors, as well as Honors courses.
Fun thing(s) to do: Bandits lacrosse games, Working out, Hanging out with friends, Exploring Forest Lawn.
Favorite book/movie: The War of the Worlds - H. G. Wells. Pulp Fiction.
Accomplishments: Teaching myself to play drums. Making Dean's List every semester at Canisius. Holding leadership positions in various clubs.
Career goal(s): Become a lawyer and open my own firm in a major city.
Stephen SeelerHometown: Victor, NY
Class: 2012
Majors: Accounting, Economics, and Finance
GPA: 3.80
Philosophy of Life: “You must be the change you wish to see in the world” ~Gandhi
Activities:
Re-purposing Buffalo Plant Site Intern at Rich Products Corporation (Summer 2010)Favorite Aspect of Honors: The small class sizes, being in classes with passionate people who love to learn and explore, and classmates who are just as driven to succeed in school, life and their career as you are. Also, Traveling to El Salvador and Honduras for a month to take a class entitled Christianity in El Salvador.
Men’s Golf Team (NCAA Division I), Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC),
Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE), Can Do Society (CDS), Colleges Against Cancer (CAC),
Accounting Society, and Service Trips to New Orleans (January 2009),
Mexico City (January 2010) and India (January 2011).
Community Service: I volunteer for various activities that help the Buffalo community and surrounding area through Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) and have also been afford the opportunity to volunteer in and travel to Morelia, Mexico for the Building Economic Sustainability Overseas (BESO) Project with SIFE. In addition, I have been an active participant in Winter Service Week New Orleans (January 2009) and International Service Trips to Mexico City, Mexico (January 2010) and Chennai, India (January 2011).
Obstacles: Being a balanced student-athlete, with my rigorous academic schedule and passion for golf as a member of the Men’s Golf Team. Also, I work hard to balance my love of international travel and love for Spanish-speaking countries with my academic, athletics, and other life commitments.
Fun things to do: Golfing, Running, Traveling the World, Business, Reading, and Learning about the world
Favorite Book: Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell
Accomplishments: Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Men’s Golf All-Academic Team, Dean’s list every semester (with Special Distinction One Semester)
Career Goals: After college, I want to pursue my CPA and work in a public accounting firm, preferably one of the Big 4 accounting firms. Eventually, once I have obtained some experience in the field of public accounting and my CPA certification, I would like to go to graduate school to obtain my MBA and hopefully a Master of Arts in International Relations focusing on Economic Development as well. I have a strong interest in international affairs, especially those of Spanish-speaking countries (Central America, South America, and Spain). So far, I have traveled to and spent some time (from a couple weeks to a month and a half) in Belize, El Salvador, Honduras, Mexico, and Spain. One day, I hope to have a global business career and make a lasting contribution or impact on the world!
Bridget M. SendziakHometown: Buffalo, NY
Class: 2014
Major(s) & Minor(s): Majoring in History and English, minoring in French
GPA (optional): 3.9
Philosophy of life: “Envy is ignorance, imitation is suicide...It is easy in the world to live after the world’s opinion; it is easy in solitude to live after our own; but the great man is he who in the midst of the crowd keeps with perfect sweetness the independence of solitude...To be great is to be misunderstood.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson
Activities: Chorale, treasurer of history club
Favorite aspect of Honors: Small classes filled with dedicated students
Community service: Volunteer at the Lutheran Church home, Eucharistic minister
Obstacles: “It is our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.” -J.K. Rowling
Fun thing(s) to do: play guitar and dance ballet
Favorite book/movie: Book - The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. Movie - The Sound of Music
Accomplishments: Member of Nu Chi Chapter of Pi Delta Phi
Career goal(s): To have published a novel and achieved a doctorate in history by the time I’m 30.
Taryn Spencer Hometown: Buffalo, NY
Class: 2012
Major(s) & Minor(s): Biology
Philosophy of life: “Where there’s life…There’s hope.”
Activities: Urban Leadership Learning Community (ULLC), Dance, and Volunteering.
Favorite aspect of Honors: The small class size and the ability to work with others who like a bit of a challenge that Honors courses bring to Canisius.
Community service: Roswell Park Volunteer, Alternative Spring Break 2010 (Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia)
Obstacles: Balancing school and time for family and friends.
Fun thing(s) to do: Shopping, dancing, and spending time with family and friends.
Favorite book/movie: Tuesday’s with Morrie by Mitch Albom
Accomplishments: Making the dean’s list every semester at Canisius, being awarded a 10-week summer research fellowship at Case Western Reserve University, ULLC council member, English proctor, and orientation leader.
Career goal(s): To go to medical school in hopes to become a pediatrician.
James Zawodzinski, Jr.Hometown: Buffalo, New York
Class: 2015
Major(s) & Minor(s): Biology; Pre-Med Program
Philosophy of life: "Destiny is no matter of chance. It is a matter of choice: It is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved." - William Jennings Bryan
Activities: TriBeta Honors Society, Society for Pre-Health Professionals, Honors Student Board, recreational rowing
Favorite aspect of Honors: Not just learning in the classroom, but experiencing what you learn
Community service: Canisius High School Habitat for Humanity House, The Morlock Foundation
Fun thing(s) to do: Row, daily trips to Starbucks, running, experiencing the world through travel
Favorite book/movie: Taken with Liam Neeson
Accomplishments: Presidential Scholar
Career goal(s): I would like to do something with the fields of oncology and hematology, possibly involving surgery.
Brian ZylinskiHometown: Lake View, NY
Class: 2012
Major/Minor: Biology/Chemistry (Pre-med)
GPA: 3.66
Philosophies of life: “If a picture is worth a thousand words, then a memory is worth a thousand pictures.”
Activities on campus: Christian Life Communities, Commuter Student Association, Psychology Club, Society of Pre-Health Professionals
Favorite aspect of Honors: The challenges posed by the intensity and diversity of the curriculum
Community service: Winter Service Week 2011 (New York City), Alternative Spring Break 2011 (Erie, PA), Team India 2012, Community Day, Buffalo Plunge, Skating Association for the Blind and Handicapped (SABAH)
Greatest obstacle: Getting into medical school
Fun things to do: Playing guitar, going to concerts, watching Sabres and Bills games, spending time with family and friends
Favorite book: One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest by Ken Kasey
Career goal: To become a dedicated, talented, and well-respected surgeon