| March 11, 2009 | Vol 10. No. 8 |
The NetGazette features profiles of new and current faculty, staff and administrators. If you have an idea for a Canisius profile, please send an E-mail to Kristin Etu '91, NetGazette editor, at etuk@canisius.edu.
James A. Murphy III, Lieutenant for Public Safety
James Murphy’s father, James A. Murphy II, is a 27-year veteran of the Buffalo Police Department. So it seemed natural for James A., III to pursue a career in law enforcement. After several security jobs, he joined the Canisius Department of Public Safety in 1998 and was promoted to lieutenant in 2005.
“Honestly, I thought I would stay here for one year,” says Murphy, who is known affectionately around campus as “Murph.” “The Canisius billboard reads, ‘Where Leaders Are Made.’ I think it refers to students but actually it applies across the board. This place changes you.”
A leader in the college’s crime prevention efforts, Murphy spearheads many of the Department of Public Safety’s community outreach activities, including child fingerprint days and crime prevention days at local community centers. He also led the initiative to bring the office of the Crime Prevention Association of Western New York (CPAWNY) to Canisius College and serves as the organization’s president.
Canisius College Public Safety Lieutenant James A. Murphy III, fingerprints several neighborhood children at the first annual Child Fingerprint Program in August 2008.
“James is a go-to officer who will help with anything I need, 24/7,” says Gary Everett, director of public safety. “James cares about the college, the students and the community.”
Murphy is very involved in campus activities and traveled to Appalachia with the Office of Campus Ministry’s Alternative Spring Break (ASB) in March 2008.
“To work with the students for the benefit of others, under some adverse weather conditions, allowed me to witness their dedication to service,” says Murphy. “It really affected me.”
Murphy is also a familiar face in the Hamlin Park community. He regularly attends Hamlin Park Taxpayers’ Association Meetings and the annual Blaine Avenue Block Party, where he donates his time and talents by operating the sound system. He also notes that bike patrol is a great way for public safety officers to get to know neighbors and allows them to voice their concerns.
“It’s everyone’s responsibility to prevent crime,” he says. “I think it is important to let kids know that there are resources to help them stay on the right track.”
Most recently, Murphy along with five other members of the department, completed U.S. Department of Homeland Security Hazardous Material Training in 2006.
“When I took the training, I thought, ‘this is cool, the outfit looks like a spacesuit!’” he recalls with a laugh. “But this is serious stuff, when you sit and think about it. You hope you never get the call, but if you do, you have to be ready.”
Murphy and the rest of the HazMat team were successfully called into action for the first time in August 2008 at the college’s Health Science Building when a chemical spill required the evacuation of the building.
In his spare time (of which he says he has very little!) Murphy enjoys reading and watching movies, especially military films.
Barbara J. Wozniak, Assistant to the Director of Student Retention
Barbara J. Wozniak MS ’03 loves to work with students. And that’s a good thing, because there’s a constant stream of them in the Office of Student Retention.
“When I tried to explain my job to my mother, she said, ‘Oh, so you serve as the mom to the entire freshman class!’” “Maybe that’s a good way to put it,” says Wozniak.
In addition to the planning and coordination of the college’s annual Orientation Program, Wozniak provides guidance and referrals to students. She does dole out her share of advice.
Barb Wozniak (back row, far right) poses with the 2008 orientation staff.
“I think the gift of my life experience is what I can share with the students,” says Wozniak. “And they give me a good sense of what is going on in their generation.”
Wozniak serves as advisor to both the Canisius College Dance Griffs and for the college’s German Club. She and her family have served as a host family for several students from the University of Dortmund through the Office of International Programs. And, Wozniak is a mainstay at many college events, including International Fest and performances by the Canisius College Chorale.
“Students are very aware when you show up for their events,” she says. “Canisius is a very caring community and I appreciate being a part of that.”
Wozniak has also participated in the college’s Kairos and Women’s Spirituality retreats, and hopes to travel with the Office of Campus Ministry to New Orleans for their spring service trip in the future.
In the community, she serves in various leadership roles in her home congregation, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church on Main Street in Buffalo. Currently she is vice president of the church council, chair of the stewardship committee and recently initiated a prayer shawl ministry.
In her off time, Wozniak loves to read, especially books that college students are reading, so that she can converse with them. She plans to read Mick Cochrane’s latest book, The Girl Who Threw Butterflies, as soon as possible.