Hardwick Runs Unprecedented Campaign for Erie County Legislature Seat
Political Science Professor Kevin R. Hardwick, PhD, is making news this post-election day for the unprecedented political campaign he ran, for a seat in the Erie County Legislature’s 10th district.  In a narrow race, Hardwick lost his bid to democrat-turned-republican incumbent Charles Swanick, who was forced to run on the independent ticket after losing to Hardwick in the republican primary. 

In Tuesday’s general election, Hardwick garnered 35 percent of the district vote; Swanick 41 percent.  But it is of interesting note that more voters, combined, pulled the lever for Hardwick (5,874) and democratic challenger Patricia Ryan-Dudek (4,104) than for Swanick (6,877). 

The Hardwick-Swanick race proved to be one of the most competitive and closely watched in this year’s election.  Hardwick credits much of his hard-fought campaign to the support of the Canisius community, including Dr. Mike Haselswerdt, associate professor of political science, who crossed party lines to help his colleague campaign in both the primary and the general election.  

“Kevin’s theme has been reform – or change – and I think it’s something he is absolutely committed to,” says Haselswerdt.  “He really believed in his campaign and he really believes in reforming the Erie County Legislature.”

Hardwick adds, “Mike was a tremendous asset to this campaign. As a Democrat, he’s on the ‘other side of the aisle,’ but that was not an issue here.  He has a great deal of experience and lending that experience was very helpful.”

Noting that Hardwick “already knows an awful lot about campaigning,” Haselswerdt served primarily as a sounding board for his colleague and also assisted in some campaign writing, along with a few others. 

“There was a major Canisius connection here,” says Hardwick.  “Some of my former students worked very hard on the campaign and the College Republican’s Club, which endorsed Swanick in the primary helped stuff envelopes for me.” 

Hardwick, who took sabbatical this fall to campaign for the part-time legislature post, will return to work at Canisius in the spring semester.  And although he’s undecided as to whether he’ll continue his political career, Hardwick says his political run was an extremely rewarding experience.

“I met a lot of very nice people along the way.”

Canisius Mini-Zoo Celebrates the Animals of the Amazon Rainforest
Dr. Michael Noonan and his zoo biology students will bring the Amazon into Canisius on Monday, November 10 when they open “Canamazonisius,” a mini-zoo that celebrates the wildlife of the Amazon Rainforest.  Dr. Noonan, professor of biology and psychology, and his students spent weeks (and more than 800 man hours) constructing the zoo from the ground up.

Here's a preview one of the animal "guests" at the Amazoo. This cute little guy is a Cotton-Top Tamarin, a monkey native to the Amazon rainforest.

The mini-zoo features rainforest animals on loan from The Buffalo Zoo, including tamarins (little monkeys), a dourocouli (or night monkey), prehensile tailed porcupines, an emerald tree boa, poison dart frogs, pacu fish and tarantulas. 

To design the “Amazoo,” Noonan’s 12 students followed principles and lessons learned in the course and studied extensively at the Buffalo Zoo, as well as zoos in Toledo, Chicago and Detroit.  Construction involved carpentry, painting, concrete work, cutting fallen trees with a chainsaw and collecting lichens and moss. Pete Paufler, carpenter for maintenance, provided students with his expertise and guidance. 

Pete Paufler, carpenter for maintenance, takes a break from zoo construction to pose with Lauren Nalawajek '05.

“None of this would be possible without Pete’s coaching and tutelage, as well as the assistance of numerous other members of the maintenance staff,” says Noonan.  In addition, Kevin Murphy '86, curator at The Buffalo Zoo, lent his expertise to the students.

Canamazonisius is located in the Health Science Building Room 316 and will be open daily from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. until November 19.  For more information, contact Dr. Mike Noonan at Ext. 2518 or via E-mail at noonan@canisius.edu.

Canisius to Receive Community Partnership Award
Canisius College will be recognized for its outstanding commitment to the community when it receives a Community Partnership Award on November 8 from the United Neighborhoods Community Action Organization.  

Dr. Ellen Conley, vice president for student affairs, will accept the award on behalf of the college at the organization’s annual Block Club Conference at the Buffalo Science Magnet School. Conley currently serves as the college liaison with the Hamlin Park Community Taxpayer’s Association.