Canisius College

The family of Carl J. and Carol Ann Montante has committed $5.1 million to the creation of an interdisciplinary science center at Canisius College, the largest gift in the college's 136-year history.  College President Rev. Vincent M. Cooke, S.J., made the announcement at a news conference at the Montante Cultural Center on Monday.  More than 150 members of the college community, Board of Trustees and many members of the Montante family were on hand for the announcement.

"This is an historic day for Canisius College," said Father Cooke.  "Our highest priority is the development of state of the art academic sciences so that we can continue our ascent among the top regional comprehensive universities in the United States."

"Our interdisciplinary science center is an essential project that will allow us to capitalize on the phenomenal strength of our undergraduate science programs," added Father Cooke.  "We take a giant step today toward making this center a reality with the largest gift in history of the college from a family that has given so much to Canisius over the past 40 years."

"This gift is a measure of our family's appreciation and deep affection for Canisius College, which has provided members of our family with a sound Jesuit education and with opportunities, which quite frankly, I could not have imagined 45 years ago," said Carl J. Montante '64. 

In addition to Carl and Carol Montante, the family includes Laura '86 and Greg Zaepfel, Wendy '89 and Carl J. Montante Jr., Alejandra and Michael J. Montante '91 and Timothy I. Montante. 

"As a local business owner, the impact Canisius College has on the community is very important to our family," added Montante.  "For the last decade the college has spent $115 million on new facilities, which has encouraged other investments in the city." 

The interdisciplinary science center will be developed in what is presently the HealthNow building and parking pavilion at 1901 Main Street.  HealthNow consists of a four-story building with 237,000 total square feet (170,000 usable square feet) set on three and a half acres.  It includes a three-level parking ramp with 1,350 spaces.  The center will bring together the college's biology, chemistry, biochemistry, bioinformatics, environmental science, physics, psychology, computer science and mathematics programs.  In addition to classrooms, laboratories, offices and other support space to accommodate faculty with research programs, the building will also have five interdisciplinary research training groups in bioinformatics, quantitative sciences, cellular molecular biology, analytical chemistry and neuroscience.

"We have a very rich history in science education here at Canisius," said Paula F. Dehn, PhD, chair and professor of biology.  "The interdisciplinary science center will give us the opportunity to effectively train future generations of scientists and professionals, many of whom will and work and live in Buffalo." 

The anticipated cost of the project is $45 million.  The college is scheduled to acquire the building in late 2007 and will begin construction as soon as possible after acquisition of the property. 

In his remarks, Father Cooke said that the Montante's gift establishes a new benchmark for Canisius, its loyal alumni and friends.

"We hope that the Montante gift will be a transformational gift for Canisius, that will cause others to step forward and join us in our efforts to build a great university here in the center of the city."

In 1998, Carol and Carl Montante donated $1.5 million to the college's Imagine Canisius campaign for the renovation of the former St. Vincent de Paul Church into the Carol and Carl Montante Cultural Center.

Carl Montante has undertaken numerous leadership roles at Canisius, including serving as chair of the Canisius College Board of Trustees from 1997-2001.

Carol Ann (Lyons) Montante is also an active member of the college where she serves on the Canisius College Scholarship Associates, a volunteer fundraising group for the college. Carol and Carl J. Montante were recognized in 2001 as the Western New York Philanthropists of the Year by the Association of Fundraising Professionals of Western New York.

Laura Montante Zaepfel, a 1986 graduate of the college, is a current trustee of Canisius, and has also served as president of the college’s alumni association and as a leader for the college’s annual fund. Michael Montante, a 1991 graduate of the college, has been active in several aspects of the college’s annual fund as well.