Canisius to Open Women’s Business Center

Canisius College President Rev. Vincent M. Cooke, S.J., (right) makes the announcement. Joining him were (from left to right) Rep. Jack Quinn (R-27, NY); Franklin J. Sciortino, district director of the U.S. Small Business Administration; Maureen Millane-Rusk, associate dean, external business programs; and Dr. Antone (Joe) Alber, dean of the Wehle School of Business
 
Canisius College once again further its commitment to improving the quality of life for Buffalo residents with its new Women’s Business Center (WBC) in Demerly Hall. The announcement was made by Canisius President Rev. Vincent M. Cooke, S.J., at a news conference last week. The center is funded by a five-year, $750,000 grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration. Canisius will also raise $600,000 in cash and in-kind gifts over the next five years to support the center. 

“The Canisius College Women’s Business Center was specifically created to provide services to women business owners and potential women business owners in the city of Buffalo but it will provide services to any small business owner or entrepreneur in Western New York,” said Father Cooke. “We are grateful to the Small Business Administration for providing Canisius with this opportunity to continue our commitment to improve the economic development of our region.”

“The mission of the WBC is very well aligned with the mission of the college – to be a good neighbor, and to help promote economic success and vitality for Buffalo,” said Maureen Millane-Rusk, assistant dean of external business programs.  “The funding could have been awarded to another city, but Buffalo received it.  Now we can use the WBC as a way to reach out into the community.”

Canisius was one of 40 colleges and universities competing for this grant.  The WBC will provide services in three areas - training, counseling and mentoring. Training will include a nine-session Women’s Leadership Certificate program, which will provide workshops on leadership skill development, teambuilding and communication skills.  Workshops will be held at the WBC, the Center for Professional Development in Amherst and at sites throughout the community.

Also on hand at the news conference were Franklin Sciortino '56, district director of the small business administration; Rep. Jack Quinn R- Hamburg; Dr. Antone (Joe) Alber, dean of the of Richard J. Wehle School of Business, Maureen Millane-Rusk, assistant dean of external business programs; and Melinda Rath Sanderson, who serves as executive director of the WBC. Representatives from the offices of Rep. Thomas Reynolds (R-26) and Rep. Louise M. Slaughter (D-28) also attended.

For more information about the Canisius College Women’s Business Center, call Ext. 6650 or click here.

Holiday Plant Care Tips from Canisius’ “Green Thumb”
Steve Herniak, head groundskeeper for maintenance, shares seasonal plant care tips on the Grounds Department Web page in his “Green Thumb” column. This month, he shares some Christmas plant care tips with NetGazette.

How to Pick a Christmas Tree:
When you buy a Christmas tree, consider the size.  You don’t want to buy a tree that is too big for the area you in which you will display it.  There are also a variety of Christmas tree species: Balsam Fir, Concolor or White Fir, Fraser Fir, White Pine, Colorado Blue Spruce and White Spruce.  Of those trees, I prefer the Fraser Fir and the Concolor Fir, as they have a nice aroma and have very good needle retention.  Once you bring your tree home:

• Keep the tree in a cool, shady place until ready to use
• Cut one inch from the bottom of the tree trunk before placing in tree stand with water
• Make cut perpendicular to axis of the tree stem
• Immediately place tree in stand after cut is made
• Use warm water for the first fill of the stand
• Maintain the water level.  Check water level every day and twice per day for the first few days
• Make sure the tree is displayed away from heat sources and always check electrical devices like lights and other decorations before placing on tree

Christmas Plant Care Tips

• Poinsettia – Select plants in full color.  To prevent leaf drop, keep plants moist and protected from drafts. They also require direct sunlight and cool night temperatures.
• Amaryllis – Keep on dry side until buds appear, then water more freely. 
• Christmas Cactus – Christmas cactuses and Thanksgiving cactuses are two commonly sold holiday plants.  Thanksgiving cactuses flower in early winter and have pointed leaves. Christmas cactuses have rounded leaves with no points.  Water occasionally, add light fertilizer occasionally. 
• Chrysanthemum – Place potted plant in full sunlight. Water frequently and keep in temperatures between 60 and 70 degrees.  Most Christmas chrystanthemums are not suitable for later use. 
• Cyclamen – Flowers last about two weeks if temperature is kept at 70 degrees.  If the temperature is kept at 50 to 55 degrees, they will last longer.  Do not let water stand in crown, it will rot. Discard after flowers and leaves pass.

Merry Christmas and have a happy and safe new year from the Canisius grounds crew!

Faculty and Staff Holiday Party Set for December 23
The Canisius College Annual Holiday Luncheon will be held on Tuesday, December 23 at 11:30 a.m. in the Student Center Cafeteria. Don’t forget to RSVP to Kathie or Rosemary in Student Affairs at Ext. 2130.  Return your RSVP slip by December 19 and receive five tickets for the Chinese auction.

A continuous feed Power Point presentation of photos from "Christmas Past" will be projected on a screen during the lunch. Send hard copies of your department or family photos to Mary Pat Leahy in Academic Affairs, Bagen 205 for scanning. They will be returned to you. Photos can also be send as an E-mail attachment to leahy1@canisius.edu. See you there! 

Canisius Students Create “An Optical Experience” at Albright-Knox

Students in the museum students class taught by adjunct professor of fine arts Holly Hughes can be credited for the newest exhibit on display at the Albright-Knox Art Gallery (pictured above). “An Optical Experience: Works on Paper from the Permanent Collection” features stellar print portfolios by artists such as Victor Vasarely, Bridget Riley and Richard Anuszkiewicz. Canisius students were responsible for all aspects of the exhibit, including the preliminary research, the wall text and installation. "An Optical Experience" is on display at the Albright-Knox Clifton Hall Link through February 22, 2004.

Holiday Shutdown
The college will be closed, except for essential operating personnel, from Wednesday, December 24 – Friday, January 2, 2004.  Offices will reopen on Monday, January 5, 2004.