Canisius Announces Parking Alternatives

Nearly 150 Canisius faculty members, staff and students gathered at the Montante Cultural Center on February 4 to hear news about the upcoming residence hall construction and new parking alternatives that will be put in place to accommodate the construction.

Matthew Mulville, associate dean and director of residence life explained the features of the 270 bed residence project that is set to break ground in mid-March.  Dr. Ellen Conley, vice president for student affairs, said the demand for on-campus housing has increased dramatically over the past five years with nearly 77 percent of the freshman applicants for fall 2004 indicating a desire to live on campus.

“Not only will this new residence hall help meet the demand for on-campus housing but it will also move us toward the college’s strategic goal of becoming a more residential college while meeting the needs of our valued commuter population,” said Conley.  The residence hall, which will house freshmen and sophomores, is slated to open in fall 2005.

The construction phase will reduce parking in the Eastwood lot to 47 spaces and those spaces will be designated for faculty and staff who car-pool. But Dr. Laurence Franz, vice president for business and finance, noted that one of the most significant parking changes will be the availability of free on-street parking on Main Street after 9 a.m. between Humboldt Parkway and the Koessler Athletic Center.  This will result in 109 additional spaces. 

Details of the various parking options are available on-line, along with a campus map, at www.canisius.edu/parking. The details will also be enclosed in all employee paychecks. 

Several members of the campus were on hand to help answer questions about the new project including: Dr. Herbert Nelson, vice president for academic affairs; Dr. Robert Davis, associate professor of accounting and chair of the parking committee; Dr. Cary Anderson, dean of students and Gary Everett, director of public safety.

Drs. Conley and Franz indicated that the parking reconfiguration will be monitored carefully and adjusted as needed. For questions or suggestions about parking, please contact Dr. Ellen Conley at Ext. 2130 or conley@canisius.edu.  

Women's Business Center Hosts Grand Opening Ceremony
The grand opening of the newly-established Women's Business Center (WBC) at Canisius College was held on Monday, January 26. More than 200 people were on hand including Buffalo's Mayor Anthony Masiello '69, Erie County Executive Joel Giambra and Franklin J. Sciortino '56, district director of the U.S. Small Business Administration. 

(l-r) Joel Giambra, Erie County executive; Franklin J. Sciortino, district director, U.S. Small Business Administration; Hon. John LaFalce '61, '90 Hon., Peter Canisius Distinguished Professor; Melinda Rath Sanderson, executive director, Women's Business Center; Dr. Antone (Joe) Alber, dean, Richard E. Wehle School of Business; Rev. Vincent M. Cooke, S.J., Canisius president; Maureen Millane-Rusk, associate dean, external business programs; Anthony Masiello, mayor, city of Buffalo.
 
"We were thrilled with the turnout at our grand opening," says Melinda Rath Sanderson, executive director of the WBC.  "Our expectations for attendance were exceeded, and we now have many people stopping in to inquire about our training programs, counseling sessions and business coaching."

Sanderson adds that the WBC is already taking registration for their "Basics for Success" training session which begins in March.

WBC staff(l-r): Sara Watson '06, Claire Oshei and Loretta Kaminsky. WBC Executive Director Melinda Rath Sanderson (at podium) gives the keynote address at the grand opening.

The WBC was established to support the success of women entrepreneurs and small business owners in the city of Buffalo.  It 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 WBC provides services in three areas: training, counseling and coaching; including a nine-session Women's Leadership Certificate program.   For more information on the WBC, call Ext. 6650 or click here. 

Richard E. Winter '42 Passes Away
Richard E. Winter '42 passed away on January 28, 2004. He was 84.

Winter was named a Distinguished Alumnus of Canisius in 1996 and in 1997, the Richard E. Winter '42 Student Center was dedicated in recognition of his generous, $2.25 million commitment to the college's Imagine Canisius campaign.  He was also a member of the DiGamma Honor Society.

Winter's family owned Winter Brothers Pepsi-Cola in Western New York. He graduated from Canisius with a bachelor's degree in social studies in 1942, and in 1943 he relocated to Ogdensburg, NY after purchasing the Pepsi franchise there. Winter was active in many community organizations including the St. Vincent de Paul Society, the Boys and Girls Club, the Ogdensburg Board of Education and the Ogdensburg Chamber of Commerce. 

He is survived by his daughter, Bonnie Wright, who serves on the Canisius Board of Trustees, and four grandchildren, including Scott Wright '98 and Shannon Wright '06. 

Canisius Surpasses United Way Goal for Fourth Straight Year

Dr. Ellen Conley, vice president for student affairs, accepts a plaque from Kathy Banks of the United Way.

For the fourth straight year, Canisius College has surpassed its goal for donations to the United Way.  Canisius employees donated $33,963.50 in 2003, exceeding the college's goal by nearly $4,000.   The United Way recently presented a plaque to Dr. Ellen Conley, vice president for student affairs, in appreciation of the college's fund raising efforts. 

For the past four years, Canisius has received top honors from the United Way for its on-campus campaigns, which all exceeded their goals. Kathie Devine, secretary to the dean of student affairs and Rosemary Sortino, secretary to the vice president of student affairs, have served as campaign co-coordinators.