| January 17, 2007 | Vol 8. No. 8 |
Nearly 75 Canisius Students Participate in Winter Service Week (WSW)
Christopher Morse '07, pictured with Marcel, one of the students at Mercy Center in the Bronx, during Winter Service Week.
Sixty-one Canisius students and four campus ministry staff members returned from New York City January 13 following Winter Service Week (WSW). Accompanied by Campus Ministry Director John P. Bucki, S.J., Campus Minister Rev. Thomas Colgan, S.J., and Campus Minister Joe Van Volkenburg, the students served at 16 different sites throughout the city, including homeless shelters, afterschool programs, hospitals and soup kitchens.
In addition, Sarah A. Signorino '04, associate campus minister led a contingent of 13 students to New Orleans. The group worked with Catholic Charities in the Archdiocese of New Orleans to focus on the demolition of several houses near the upper Ninth Ward. These residents, affected by Hurricane Katrina, wish to rebuild but do not have the means.
"The New Orleans trip, part of WSW for the first time this year, was a powerful experience, especially because of all the special connections we were able to make through the Jesuits in New Orleans," adds Father Bucki.
Canisius students on WSW in New Orleans gutted homes down to the studs to help prepare them for rebuilding. This is one of three homes completed during the project.
"Our students had the chance to meet the residents whose houses they worked on and hear their stories, including one man lost his wife during Hurricane Katrina," says Signorino.
Father Bucki, who founded winter service week, is pleased to see its growth.
"In six years, we have grown from 23 to 78 people. The experience makes real our Canisius commitment to serve, to be men and women for and with others."
Among the various service WSW projects in New York City: students created an afterschool camp for kids in grades k-8 at the Mercy Center in the Bronx; provided pastoral care to patients at North Central Bronx Hospital and Lincoln Medical Center, and volunteered at STEPS to End Family Violence and North Manhattan Improvement Corp., both agencies which provide legal advocacy.
Teresa Golebiewski '10, who worked at Mercy Center, says she switched her major to elementary education because her experience was so significant.
"We could actually see the impact we made on these kids faces, and the impact that they had on us was tremendous," says Golebiewski.
"Not only do our students have an opportunity to serve the poor of New York City, but they get to work alongside amazing people who are committed to serving the poor all year round," says Joe Van Volkenburg, assistant director of campus ministry.
Communication studies/international relations major Christian Dingethal '09 volunteered with the homeless at Life Experiences and Faith Sharing.
"I really didn't understand homelessness before, and this experience helped me understand it much better, and more in terms what I can do to help," says Dingethal. "The people who work at Life Experiences and Faith Sharing are dedicated, and it is very powerful to be a part of that even for just a week."
A service experience over winter break, WSW is an opportunity for Canisius students to experience the rich diversity of New York City in the context of community living and service to others. This is the sixth consecutive year that Campus Ministry has hosted a Winter Service Week for students.
Hurley Promoted to Executive Vice President
John J. Hurley '78 has been promoted to executive vice president and vice president for college relations, effective January 1, 2007. College President Rev. Vincent M. Cooke, S.J., made the announcement in mid-December. In his new role, Hurley is responsible for the college's strategic planning, integrated marketing and compliance while managing the agenda for the senior executive team. He retains his roles in the college relations division in which he oversees development, public relations, alumni relations, government relations and community relations. Hurley also serves as secretary to the college's Board of Trustees.
"In his ten years at Canisius, John has made outstanding contributions to our fund raising, public relations and external relations efforts," said Father Cooke. "He has been a key member of the senior management of the college as we have pursued a very ambitious agenda for Canisius. He brings tremendous vision and energy to Canisius and I look forward to working with him in this new role."
Hurley joined Canisius as vice president in 1997 after more than 16 years in private commercial law practice, including 13 with the Buffalo law firm Phillips Lytle LLP.
He led the college's Imagine Canisius capital campaign which raised $39 million, 30 percent over goal by its June 2000 completion date. The campaign was recognized as the top fund-raising accomplishment of the nation's 28 Jesuit colleges and universities by the Jesuit Advancement Administrators in 2001.
Hurley is currently the national chair of the Jesuit Advancement Administrators, a professional association of advancement professionals serving Jesuit higher education in the United States.
For more information, click here.
Media Experts Guide Reminder
The Public Relations Office is in the process of updating the Media Experts Guide.
The Experts Guide is a valuable tool for the public relations team when they assist members of the media in preparing news and feature stories. Our Canisius experts continue to capture the attention of local, regional, national and international media. Our media placements grow in numbers each year and serve to heighten the college’s visibility and increase its name recognition. You can view the Media Guide here.
If you would like to be included in our Experts List, or if you would like to update your current information, please click here and complete the on-line questionnaire.
CANISIUS EVENTS
CBS News Terrorism Analyst and Former Senior CIA Officer is Fitzpatrick Speaker
Michael F. Scheuer '74, PhD, CBS News terrorism analyst and former senior Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) officer, will speak at Canisius College on Thursday, February 1, 2007 at 8:00 p.m. in the Montante Cultural Center.The lecture, entitled "America, Osama bin Laden and the War that has Barely Begun," is free and open to the public. The evening is presented under the auspices of the William H. Fitzpatrick Chair of Political Science Lecture Series. Seating is limited. Doors open at 7:30 p.m.
A 22-year veteran of the Central Intelligence Agency, Scheuer ran the CIA's Osama bin Laden Unit from 1996 to 1999 and served as the unit's senior advisor from 2001 to 2004. He resigned from the CIA in 2004 with more than two decades of experience in national security issues related to Afghanistan, South Asia and the Middle East.
He is the author of the New York Times and Washington Post bestseller Imperial Hubris: Why the West is Losing the War on Terror and also authored Through Our Enemies' Eyes: Osama bin Laden, Radical Islam, and the Future of America. Both books were originally published anonymously, as required by the CIA. His most recent book, From Pandora's Box: America and Militant Islam After Iraq, will be available for purchase later this year.
For more information about the lecture, contact the Office of Public Relations at Ext. 2790 or click here.
Steps to Wellness Begins Speakers Series
Craig Newton, head strength and conditioning coordinator for athletics, will inaugurate the "Steps to Wellness" brown bag lunch series developed by the STEPS Committee. On Thursday, January 25 from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. in the Regis Room South, Newton will discuss how to get started and stay motivated in a fitness routine, select proper footwear, breathing techniques, calorie counting and much more. Chartwells will provide information on healthy selections in all campus food service locations, as well as a delicious and healthy dessert. Bring your own lunch or pre-register for Chartwells balanced choice option: a sandwich (chicken and Portobello baguette or vegetarian croissant), fresh fruit, bottled water, chef's dessert and bottled water for only $3.
The Canisius College STEPS Committee, in collaboration with the Department of Athletics, Chartwells and Human Resources invites all Canisius employees to participate in "Steps to Wellness," a new program to increase your daily wellness routines with a goal of walking, running or jogging in the 2007 Shoes for Shelter Run/Walk on April 15.
For more information on STEPS to Wellness, or to pre-register for the Chartwells lunch, contact Diane Wolfe at Ext. 2475.
CSW Hosts Dessert and Conversation
All women and men are welcome to join the Committee on the Status of Women (CSW) for Dessert and Conversation on Tuesday, February 6 from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. in the Regis Room South. Bring or buy your lunch in the dining hall, dessert and beverages are provided. For more information, contact Claudia Hojnacki at Ext. 2181 or send an E-mail to hojnackc@canisius.edu.
Contemporary Writers Series Welcomes Saunders
Fiction writer George Saunders will speak on Thursday, February 8 in the Montante Cultural Center as part of the Canisius College Contemporary Writers Series. The event is free and open to the public. Saunders, winner of a prestigious 2006 MacArthur Foundation Fellowship, is the author of three collections of short fiction: CivilWarLand in Bad Decline, a finalist for the PEN/Hemingway Award for First Fiction in 1997; Pastoralia, a New York Times Notable Book for 2000; and the recently published In Persuasion Nation. Saunders work has also appeared in The New Yorker, Harper's, Kenyon Review and Esquire. He currently teaches creative writing at Syracuse University.
For more information, contact Mick Cochrane, PhD, professor of English at Ext. 2662 or click here.
Studio Art Faculty V Show
Come view the recent works of Canisius studio art faculty now through February 16 in the Peter and Mary Lou Vogt Gallery in the Andrew L. Bouwhuis Library. The gallery is open during regular library hours. For library hours, click here.
A reception will be held February 9 from 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. in the gallery, when you can enjoy light refreshments and visit with the artists. For more information, contact Michael F. Tunney, S.J., professor of fine arts and director of studio art, at Ext. 3752.
Conversations in Christ and Culture Series Hosts Johnson
Luke Timothy Johnson, Robert W. Woodruff Professor of New Testament and Christian Origins at Emory University's Candler School of Theology in Atlanta, will speak on Thursday, February 22, at 7:30 p.m. in the Regis Room as part of the Conversations in Christ Lecture Series. His lecture, entitled "Can We Know the Historical Jesus?" is free and open to the public.
A former Benedictine monk, Johnson the author of more than 20 books, including The Real Jesus: The Misguided Quest for the Historical Jesus and the Truth of the Traditional Gospels and The Writings of the New Testament: An Interpretation, which is used widely as a textbook. He is the recipient of many awards, including the President's Award for Distinguished Teaching at Indiana University.
For more information, contact Timothy Wadkins, PhD, associate professor of religious studies, at Ext. 2824 or click here.
Kid's Day at the KAC
More than 1,000 elementary school children from Buffalo public and private schools cheered on the Canisius women's basketball team during the 7th annual Kids Day at the Koessler Athletic Center on Friday, January 12. The Griffs lost to Marist, 54-63.
Burhans Demonstrates Robots for Middle School Students
Debra T. Burhans, PhD, assistant professor of computer science and director of the bioinformatics program, demonstrates robots for Albion Middle School Students in the robotics lab in Wehle Technology Center on Thursday, January 11. Channel 2 did a story on the students' visit to the robotics lab, which ran on Saturday, January 13 as part of their Daybreak program.
Canisius Celebrates at Holiday Luncheon
Canisius President Rev. Vincent M. Cooke, S.J., welcomes Canisius faculty, staff and administrators to the annual holiday luncheon on December 22 and wishes everyone a Merry Christmas and blessed New Year.
Marie K. McMullen, office manager for enrollment management communication and technology; Anne Marie Moscovic, director of admissions and Mike George, director of enrollment management communication and technology.
Partygoers enjoy the Chartwells' lunch at this year's holiday party. Left row (front to back): Eleanor C. Ash, adjunct professor of religious studies and theology; Steve Molvarec '02 and Rev. John P. Bucki, S.J., director of campus ministry. Right side of table (front to back): Eileen T. Warner, adjunct professor of religious studies and theology, Sarah E. Signorino '04, associate campus minister and Luanne C. Tunmore, associate campus minister.
CANISIUS KUDOS
Public Safety Needy Drive
Scott Becker, officer for public safety; Bryce Luker '08; Connie M. Pileri, director of campus programming; Rev. Michael F. Tunney, S.J., professor of fine arts and director of studio art, Roland J. Lavigne, officer for public safety; Susan D’Archangelo, officer for public safety; Van Powell, dispatcher for public safety; Jess Stackhouse '08; Patricia A. Grasso, secretary, associate dean for residence life; Gary Everett, director for public safety; and Sue Everett and Spike.
Thanks to the efforts of the Department of Public Safety, members of St. Mary of Sorrow’s Church had a much brighter Christmas and New Year. This year’s Holiday Need Drive was a tremendous success, according to Gary Everett, director of public safety.
“Our conference room was literally overflowing with donations of warm clothes, blankets non-perishable food, and toys for the parishioners of St. Mary’s,” says Everett. “It is a testament to the dedication of our officers and the generosity of the college community.”
Before the donations were delivered on December 14, a ceremony was held in the Office of Public Safety. Rev. Michael F. Tunney, S.J., professor of fine arts and director of studio art blessed the donations and prayed for the staff and student-athletes who delivered them.
This is the sixth year that public safety has held its annual Holiday Needy Drive for St. Mary of Sorrows, which is located on Guilford Street in Buffalo.
Clark Examines Commerce in Old-Regime France
A new book by History Professor Henry C. Clark, PhD, tells the story of how early-modern commentators in Europe’s most powerful state put aside their country’s historic prejudices against merchants and money with the growth of local and global trade. Compass of Society: Commerce and Absolutism in Old-Regime shows how French observers looked to the expansion of a market-based society for solutions to problems such as France’s low-trust culture, statutory privilege and strategic insecurity. The book also sheds light on the broader phenomenon of social adjustment to economic modernization in an era of increasing trade. Compass of Society is Clark’s second book. It is available here for $29.71.
Gansworth Published in University Review
“Billy the Chicken,” a story by Eric L. Gansworth, professor of English and Lowery Writer in Residence, is included in the winter 2006 issue of Shenandoah: The Washington and Lee University Review. Edited by R.T. Smith, Shenandoah has published award-winning fiction, poetry, essays and interviews since 1950.