| May 20, 2009 | Vol 10. No. 12 |
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.
Patricia H. Alessi, Administrative Associate for the Koessler Athletic Center
Patty Alessi leads an active life. As a matter of fact, many recognize the administrative associate for the Koessler Athletic Center, as the petite blond who zips through the neighborhood on her daily walk.
“I love to be outside,” says Alessi, who walks at least three miles a day. “I have been doing it for it for 20 years. It is my quiet time.” She also loves to ice skate, boat and swim.
Alessi, who has worked at the college for nearly 17 years, worked in the Department of Physics part-time for five years before joining the staff at the KAC.
Working at the Koessler Athletic Center is a good fit for Alessi. “I attend the Kid's Day basketball game here and will sometimes watch baseball and softball games if it is nice outside,” she says.
Alessi says that people often confuse athletic facilities with athletics or physical education. She explains that her department is responsible for maintenance of the KAC (including equipment), scheduling of classrooms, gyms, conference rooms, and the Patrick Lee Center.
She notes that because all of the people who work in her department (Gordon Anthony ’99, director of athletic facilities, Jonathan Lyons ’01, assistant facilities director, and Julie Wysocki ’01, equipment room supervisor), started as work-study students, they know each other well and have a good working relationship.
“Everyone here knows the nature of our business,” says Alessi. “We serve faculty, staff, students and outside groups and everyone works very hard to do a good job.”
Alessi’s daughter, Lauren is a 2004 and 2006 graduate of Canisius College and teaches in the Starpoint School District. Her younger daughter, Jennifer graduated from Trocaire College on May 17. A Kenmore resident, Alessi is a devoted Buffalo Sabres fan (even though “those boys broke our hearts!”).
Kenneth C. Kruly ’70, Director of Government Relations
Kenneth C. Kruly ’70 says his interest in politics was ignited in the early 1960s when John F. Kennedy was president. To this day, Kruly, who is director of government relations, remains fascinated with Kennedy. In fact, his tea mug displays one of Kennedy’s famous quotes: “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.”
For Kruly, it’s not just a quote but words to live by.
“I still believe in that quote, in my work here at Canisius and in my service with the Erie County Control Board,” says Kruly. “I want to accomplish something, to have an impact. Politics is also very competitive, which can be fascinating and frustrating at the same time.”
Kruly decided to become actively involved in government and politics while he was a political science major at Canisius College. He volunteered for the campaign of a local congressional candidate. Nearly four decades later, his enthusiasm for the political game holds strong.
“I always joke that politics is like the Eagle’s song ‘Hotel California’,” says Kruly. “‘You can check out anytime you like but you can never leave.’ Once it is in your blood, you are always hooked.”
Kruly brought his vast political knowledge and experience to Canisius when he joined the College Relations Division in 2003. He previously worked as first deputy Erie County clerk, and director of budget and management under County Executive Dennis Gorski.
The political nature of Kruly’s career has enabled him to meet many various high profile politicians. Here he is pictured with President Clinton and Brenda McDuffie, president and CEO of the Buffalo Urban League.
As a “department of one” in an office tucked away on the second floor of Lyons Hall, Kruly has worked diligently over the last six years to seek government funding for capital projects at Canisius College. In June 2008, the college announced that it would receive two New York State appropriations totaling $7 million to be used toward the development of Science Hall.
“You have to be in the right place at the right time and have a good case for your project, but you also have to have good relationships with the legislators,” says Kruly, who worked with New York Senator Dale M. Volker ’64, HON ’01 (R-59th District) and Assemblyman Robin Schimminger ’69, HON ’07 (D-140th District) to secure the funding.
Kruly’s son, Charlie ’10, appears to be following in his father’s footsteps. A political science major at Canisius, Charlie gave 2008 election night commentary on WIVB-TV last November. His daughter, Genevieve, will attend LeMoyne College in the fall.
Kruly has loved baseball since he was a child and when he and his wife, Sophie and the children travel they are sure to visit the professional ballpark in town. He also occasionally watches the Buffalo Bills and Sabres and enjoys reading political biographies.