The event began with an invocation by W. Dennis McCunney, associate campus minister.  Pre-event entertainment was provided by Canisius Brass Quartet members Joel Cohen, PhD, associate vice president for library and information services; Larry Deni, technical computing administrator; Tim Hauser ’05; and Bill Kaputa ’05.   Directed by Jane Cary, associate professor of fine arts/music, Cantio Sacra members Mary Ellen Carver, secretary to the dean of the Wehle School of Business; Johanna Fisher, adjunct professor of English; Rev. Benjamin Fiore, S.J., chair of the Department of Religious Studies and Theology; James Huard, PhD, professor of mathematics and statistics; Patricia Hutton, Sharon Lotterer, secretary for the Department of Psychology; Rev. Daniel Liderbach, S.J., professor of religious studies and theology; and Veronica Serwacki, secretary to the dean of arts and sciences, performed a musical interlude.  Father Cooke presented the honorees with gifts in appreciation of their years of service and Sister Patricia Brady, SSMN, associate campus minister and director of service learning, closed the event with a benediction.  Following the ceremony, the honorees, family and friends enjoyed a reception.

To read a complete list of honorees by years of service, click here.

This is the fourth year that Canisius has held its Service Recognition Ceremony to commemorate significant milestones in employee service.  In the spring, employees who have reached 20 or more years of service, as well as retirees, are recognized at the annual Celebration of Service.

Below is a sampling of photos and reflections from some of the honorees:

Eileen A. Niland, director, counseling center
When I took the job at Canisius, it was supposed to be a “transition institution” for me.  “Two years,” I said.  Look at me now, 15 years later.

When I started here, I was moving back to my hometown, Buffalo, after spending two years working professionally at New York University in Greenwich Village, (talk about reverse culture shock!).  Since I was working in residence life at the time, I was to be living on campus, in “Phase 1” of the new Main Humboldt townhouses.  Since construction was behind schedule, my apartment was not complete so I had to move back in with my parents.  So not only did I move back to “Little Old Buffalo” from the Big Apple but I was a single, young professional living with my parents back in my old bedroom.  Needless to say, I didn't start off on the right foot.  “Two years.  No more than two years!!”  I do recall Father Demske being very apologetic about the situation!

When I was hired as assistant director of residence life in 1989, Tom Miller was vice president for student affairs and Pat Rissmeyer, dean of students.  Matt Mulville, Brian Smith and I were the three assistant directors of residence life at the time.  We all worked very hard for the Office of Residence Life.

The student affairs staff at Canisius College is genuinely invested in the well-being of the community and in the welfare of our students. My colleagues in student affairs invest themselves fully in the well-being of our students and are the heart of student life at Canisius College. I love being part of that.

Ten-year honorees Barbara Jann, technician for the Annual Fund; Patricia Johnson, adjunct professor of accounting; and Lynda Kuhlmann, circulation coordinator for the library, wait for the ceremony to begin.

Jane E. Fisher, PhD, associate professor of English
There’s a Chinese proverb that says “To teach is to learn” and I’ve found this to be true over the last 15 years.  When I began teaching at the college, I was a young woman who looked even younger than her 30 years.  I had a brand-new PhD and four years of teaching experience in a very competitive intellectual atmosphere.  I had learned a great deal but I had so very much more to learn!

At Canisius, I’ve learned the virtues of community and of working with many different people towards a common goal.  I’ve learned the necessity of perspective and respect for others, especially when you disagree.  I’ve also learned a tremendous amount about the world, literature, my students and myself.  My life has grown because I teach and I know that I am so much the richer because of it.  (I also have excellent material for an academic novel set in an English Department at an unnamed Jesuit college, but that’s another story entirely!)

The weekly discipline of teaching is a challenge but rewarding as well.  It changes you and forces you to always be thinking and planning.  As a teacher, you are always balanced between reflection and communication, trying to figure out what your students need to understand versus what they already understand.  The intensity of teaching is valuable because it tests you constantly, and brings out your best and your worst qualities; yet it also gives you the hope of another chance, next year, next semester to do it all over again and make it even better.  I like the belief in human perfectibility that higher education depends on.  It makes me feel young even as I mature.

So, thank you, Canisius, for 15 years of challenge and hard work.  I look forward to at least another 15.

Mary Pat Leahy (seated), secretary to the vice president for academic affairs, was honored for 10 years of service, and Paula Jachimiak, secretary, Graduate Business Programs, was honored for five years of service.

Paula Dehn, PhD, chair of the Biology Department, celebrated 15 years at Canisius.

Gerald Lauck, housekeeper, facilities management Lauck, housekeeper in Bosch and Frisch Hall, underwent cardiac by-pass surgery about a year ago.  Lauck rebounded quite well, and at 78 is back on the job. According to Lauck, “I would rather be working than sitting home retired.”  He enjoys running around with his grandsons during his time off.

Thanks to Andrew Chaplin, systems administrator II (10 years); Tracey Wass, programmer/analyst III (15 years); Timothy McAllister, telecommunications technician II (10 years); and Roseann Cancilla, programmer/analyst III (10 years) for their service to the college.

Lucille Paolini, secretary, dean of education and human services
Looking back over the years, there was the desire to return to the job market once my daughters were settled in both elementary and middle school.  I had the privilege of being a stay-at-home mom until then and felt the need to do something on a part-time basis.  And at that time, working in a nice place was my main objective.

L to R:  Lucille Paolini, secretary to the dean of education and human services (15 years), poses with Diana (DeDe) Johnson (five years), assistant to the Peter Canisius Distinguished Professor. 

As for humorous moments, it was late afternoon in the fall of 1992 and I was quite new to my now full-time position in the Education Department, where I was part of a two-person team in Wehle.  Father Demske, who was strolling by our office on the second floor, stopped in and after a friendly hello, took a look around and noticed the well-worn draperies that were in full view.  He commented on the holes in the fabric, we both laughed and sometime afterwards, new shades made their way to our office.  That visit, however brief, is a special memory.

It’s always exciting to see the physical changes taking place on campus, remembering what used to be, but more importantly, developing friendships with wonderful people, some now retired.  Each day carries both challenges and responsibility but I’ve enjoyed the community of the campus, and the pride and privilege of being a part of it.

Rene De La Pedraja, PhD, professor of history and Dena Bowman, secretary for the History Department, celebrated 15 years of service to Canisius.

Patricia A. Greene		Anna Wisniewski

Patricia A. Greene and Anna Wisniewski, housekeepers for facilities management, both say the remodeling of Old Main, Bosch, Frisch and Lyons Hall are the most significant events in their 15-year Canisius careers. They say they very much enjoy working for the college and hope to stay for at least 15 more years!

 

 

Michael Odojewski, assistant director of the Richard E. Winter ’42 Student Center, has spent the last 10 years making sure events on campus run smoothly, including the Celebration of Service.

Congratulations to all Service Recognition Ceremony honorees!

Did You Know? In 1989, the same year that the 15-year service honorees joined the Canisius family: The Berlin Wall came down in Germany; The San Francisco 49ers won the Superbowl; The first World Wide Web server was developed; and Rain Man won Best Picture at the Oscars.