The evening included tours, a rededication program, prayer blessing and the unveiling of the donor wall in the atrium that recognizes the major donors to the Imagine Canisius Old Main Kresge Challenge.  Rev. Vincent M. Cooke, S.J., also dedicated the new plaza behind Old Main in honor of the Koessler family, a familiar name on the Canisius campus, whose $1 million gift to the Old Main project virtually insured success for the fundraising effort.

The Old Main renovation project was funded in part with monies raised through the college's historic Imagine Canisius capital campaign. The project was fueled by an $850,000 challenge grant from the prestigious Kresge Foundation with lead gifts from the Kenneth L. & Katherine G. Koessler Foundation, the Fatta Foundation and Thomas H. O'Neill Jr. '63, a $298,000 technology grant from the United States Department of Education secured through Congressman John LaFalce '61 and the support of thousands of alumni from across the country. 

 

Father Cooke, Congressman John LaFalce '61 and Joseph Castiglia '55 test the new technology in Old Main Room 119.		A donor recognition plaque in honor of those who supported the Imagine Canisius campaign is unveiled by Father Cooke during the rededication

"For all of its architectural beauty, Old Main was not capable of responding to the demands of teaching and learning," said Father Cooke.  "Enter the college's Old Main Programming Committee led by Dr. Walter Sharrow, who worked closely with Dr. Joel Cohen and members of our faculty and staff and the college's architects on this project.  Together, they arrived at a finished product that makes words like 'state-of-the-art' seem inadequate."

Father also extended his appreciation to Dr. Larry Franz, for his supervision of the design and construction, along with Paul Myers.

Craig Costanzo '68 and his wife Mary Ann pose for a photo outside of Old Main Room 100, which they dedicated in honor of Tony Bellia, dean of enrollment management.		Tony Bellia and his wife Maureen also pose infront of Old Main 100.

The successful evening was also a major project!  Kudos to Eileen Herbert and Leslie Wise for their spectacular planning.  Special thanks also to Dr. Ray Clough, Dr. Ann Marie Lenhardt, Rev. Michael Tunney S.J., and the staffs of Admissions, Chartwells, Design and Publication Services, Development, Information Technology Services, Maintenance, The Media Center, Public Relations, Public Safety and Web Services.

We couldn't agree more!

The MS Dinner of Champions was founded in 1972 by two TV sports announcers, the late Howard Cossell and Frank Gifford. 

The college's Planning, Architectural and Construction team worked with Cannon Design to create a state-of-the-art cultural center that would function as an auditorium suitable for a variety of performances, while maintaining the architectural integrity of the historic building.

An excerpt from the American School and University gold citation reads,  "Excellent restoration!  Sensitivity to the original design while meeting the program. Innovative design in acoustical panels, seating and lighting."

Meet the masterminds behind AFRICANISIUS Lower left: Jill Wierchowski '02, Jennifer Snekser '03, Felicity Kelly '03, Alison Dockum '03 and Kim Oddo '04. Upper left: Adrienne Vargo '03, Laura Hovind '04, Jennifer Peterson '03, Celeste Czarniak '03, Stacy Choczynski '04, Dr. Micheal Noonan, Jenel Eckert'02 and Melissa King '04. Not pictured: Kim Snyder '02

"Over an intense five-day period, we toured the Toledo Zoo, the Brookfield Zoo, the Lincoln Park Zoo, the Shedds Aquarium and the Detroit Zoo.  And on the same trip, I walked the students through a number of conversations in which we planned our mini zoo project - everything from overall theme down to each and every detail that we can think of." said Noonan.

Ultimately, the students decided to turn Health Science, Room 316 into a mini Serengeti Kopje (Sar-en-geti Cope-ee) and Nocturnal Forest in Africa so they enlisted the expertise of Kevin Murphy '86, the curator of the Buffalo Zoo and exhibit designer. Kevin helped the students adapt and modify their plans as well as guide them through creative use of materials.

"I enjoy providing students with hands-on experience because the best lessons are taught by stepping out of the classroom and into a real life setting," said Kevin Murphy '86.  "I can not think of a better way for students to learn the challenges that exist in a zoo."

Pete (right) helps construct the zoo exhibit

Once the exhibit was complete, Kevin Murphy brought the animals from The Buffalo Zoo and he now helps the students oversee the care of the animals.

"Students learn how to exhibit animals in a captive setting and most importantly they walk away from this project knowing that there is no predicting what an animal will do," said Kevin Murphy.

Melissa King '04 feeds a spiny-tailed lizard

The stars of the exhibit will return to their home at the Buffalo Zoo on Friday, November 16 after which the demolition phase of the project begins. Noonan says this phase educates students on the importance of recycling, a major environmental conservation theme that is promoted by zoos worldwide.  Other materials will be kept in storage for the next mini zoo project. 

In 2003, when students use the materials to build the next exhibit, they will be able to see elements of AFRICANISIUS painted on some of the surfaces as well as elements of The Vanishing Amazon from 1999 and Zoostralia from 1997.  Material recycling allows students to leave their legacy and connect with future zoo biology students.

"Its been a great group to work with - everyone gives 100 percent. And despite the hours and hours of work in close corridors we all still like each other, " said Jennifer Snekser '03.  "I highly recommend this class.  It was a big time commitment but I learned a lot. I will definitely be back to see what students in 2003 design."