| June 13, 2007 | Vol 8. No. 13 |
Forest is Fulbright Recipient
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Forest's Fulbright will run the full academic year, from August 2007 until June 2008. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, the Fulbright Scholar Program sends 800 U.S. faculty and professionals abroad each year to lecture or conduct research in various fields.
Canisius Fully Enrolled For Fall 2007 Freshman Class
Canisius College is no longer accepting applications for its fall 2007 incoming freshman class, according to Herbert J. Nelson, PhD, vice president for academic affairs.
“We anticipated a freshman class of 785 and now estimate that we will have a class of close to 800 freshmen attending the college in the fall,” said Nelson. “We are fully enrolled for the fall 2007 freshman class.”
“We are very pleased to welcome the Class of 2011,” said Jill E. Conlon, associate vice president for enrollment management. “We received more than 3,700 applications for a freshman class of 785.”
Applications are still being accepted from undergraduate transfer students for fall 2007 and for the spring 2008 semester. Conlon notes that the graduate programs in deaf education and college student personnel administration are also closed but all other graduate programs are still accepting applications.
Commencement 2007
The Canisius College Alumni Association welcomed more than 970 new members following commencement ceremonies in May. Family and friends filled UB's Alumni Arena to congratulate the undergraduate Class of 2007 on May 19. Marv Levy, general manager of the Buffalo Bills NFL football franchise and the team's former head coach, addressed the graduates. Levy told graduates that success is a journey, not a destination, and one that should be thoroughly enjoyed. He shared with them what he believes are the ingredients for success, which include persistence, resilience, unselfishness and leadership.
"Leadership is not manifested in getting others to follow you," said Levy, "but in getting others to join you."
Levy's full address is available on Canisius on iTunes. To view it, click here and click on the "Public Canisius iTunesU Site" banner.
Rev. Vincent M. Cooke, S.J., college president, presents Marv Levy with an honorary degree during undergraduate commencement ceremonies.
Levy also received an honorary degree during the ceremony, as did New York State Assemblyman (140th District) Hon. Robin Schimminger '69 and Thomas E. Baker, former president and executive director of the John R. Oishei Foundation. Derek D. LaClair '07 served as the student commencement speaker.
Graduates listen to Marv Levy and student speaker, Derek LaClair '07, before receiving their degrees.
Edward U. Kmiec, 13th bishop of the Diocese of Buffalo, spoke during graduate commencement ceremonies on Wednesday, May 16 in the Koessler Athletic Center. Bishop Kmiec told the graduates that hopefully and prayerfully, their total experience in the Catholic environment at Canisius has helped them to grow in recognition of their true self as a child of God. To read more about Kmiec's speech, click here.
Canisius Employee Graduates
Congratulations to the Canisius employees who were among the graduates at commencement ceremonies in May.
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| Mollie A. Strasser, senior assistant director, admissions; master's degree in college student personnel administration | James V. Jones, director, Career Center; master's degree in school/agency counseling | Kirsten L. Reppert, assistant director, annual fund; master's degree in communication and leadership |
(l-r) Michael R. Carletta, director of compliance for athletics; master's degree in business administration and Matthew E. Lozar, assistant director of athletic communications; master's degree in sport administration.
(l-r) Ronald J. Haberer, associate controller; master's degree in business administration and Daarla M. Groocock, loans technician, Controller's Office; bachelor's degree in communication studies.
ROTC Commissioning
Lt. Col. James Soos, chair of military science, commissioned 14 cadets as second lieutenants in the U.S. Army during the college's 54th ROTC Commissioning Ceremony on Friday, May 18 in the Montante Cultural Center. Six of the students graduated from Canisius College, six from the State University of New York at Buffalo, one from D'Youville College and one from Buffalo State College. Col. John M. Spiszer, Commander, Third Brigade, First Infantry Division, Fort Hood, Texas; was the guest speaker.
(l-r) Herbert J. Nelson, PhD, vice president for academic affairs, Cary M. Anderson, EdD, associate vice president for student affairs and dean of students, and Lt. Col. (Ret.) Robert Dickerson, a volunteer with the Golden Griffin Battalion and co-advisor of the Canisius College Rifle Club, received service awards at the ROTC Commissioning Ceremony.
Eadie Named Associate Vice President of Finance
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"Michael has grown into this position since becoming controller," says Patrick E. Richey, vice president for business and finance. "His commitment to excellence in the financial affairs of Canisius College provides solid footing for the education of our students and has earned him the respect of the Canisius community."
Eadie will retain his role as controller but will become more involved with the financial management of the college's endowment, and he will act as a resource for the Board of Trustees' audit committee and investment advisory committee.
Click here for news on more Canisius staff appointments.
Honeywell Continues Support for Chemistry Olympiad
(l-r) Mark Makar '10, Jane Arcadi '09, Beverly Eagan, human resource manager, Honeywell; David Nalewajek, '74 PhD, senior principal chemist, Honeywell; Mariuz M. Kozik, PhD, professor and chair of chemistry and biochemistry; Jay Kelly, site leader, Honeywell; Paula R. Valente, associate vice president for development.
The Honeywell Corporation recently awarded Mariusz M. Kozik, PhD, chair and professor of chemistry and biochemistry, a $16,000 grant extension for continued support of the Western New York (WNY) Chemistry Olympiad. Kozik is the coordinator of the local Olympiad, which is sponsored by the American Chemical Society at Canisius and part of an international chemistry competition aimed at identifying the best high school chemistry students in the world.
Each year, approximately 75 local chemistry students begin their Olympiad competition at Canisius in a series of qualifying exams, laboratory tests and other activities. The top students then qualify for the International Chemistry Olympiad. Local students have previously been named to the U.S. team, and have earned gold, silver and bronze medals.
Since 2003, the Honeywell Corporation has awarded nearly $100,000 to Kozik, in support of the WNY Chemistry Olympiad. A significant portion of the grant is used to support summer research by the Chemistry Olympiad students at Canisius.
Independence Day Shutdown
The college will be closed, except for essential operating personnel, on Wednesday, July 4 in observance of the Independence Day holiday.
CANISIUS EVENTS
Dempsey Retirement Party
During his retirement party on May 25, Physics Professor and Corvette owner Daniel F. Dempsey, PhD, received a Corvette model car and cologne in a Corvette-shaped bottle as a humorous gift from his friends in the Department of Physics. Far left, Paula M. McNutt, PhD, dean of arts and sciences, looks on.
Family, friends, and Canisius colleagues gathered in the Grupp Fireside Lounge on Friday, May 25 to wish Physics Professor Daniel F. Dempsey, PhD, all the best in his retirement. Dempsey joined the Canisius Department of Physics more than 50 years ago. Dempsey’s colleague, Physics Professor James C. Lauffenburger, PhD, reflected on their years together at Canisius, and shared the fact that he is a former student of Dempsey’s. Dempsey’s son, Patrick, also spoke at the event.
Canisius Corporate Challenge Team
Ellen M. Hamm, PhD, assistant professor of education and director of special education, was the college’s top female finisher with a time of 24:30.
Nearly 40 Canisius faculty, staff, administrators, family and friends turned out for the 2007 JP Morgan Corporate Challenge on Thursday, June 9. After the 5k, runners and walkers feasted on a Chartwells cookout in the Canisius tent. Congratulations to Ellen M. Hamm, PhD, assistant professor of education and director of special education, who was Canisius’ first female finisher with a time of 24:30. Michael C. Marino, stationary engineer I for facilities management, was the college’s top male finisher, with a time of 22:40.
(l-r) Julie B. Daniel, operations office manager, facilities managemen;, and Lynn Melonic, secretary, facilities management; hold up their Canisius College Corporate Challenge t-shirts. Behind them is Gary B. Lew, senior facilities operations manager, who organizes the event for the college.
CANISIUS KUDOS
Misko, Hartnett New to Development Team
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Misko is senior development officer, responsible for securing support for such campus-wide priorities as the interdisciplinary science center, academic programs, endowed chairs and professorships and endowed scholarships. A Canisius alumnus, he comes to the position with nearly 40 years experience in strategic planning, operations and turnaround situations.
Most recently, Misko was district manager of Burlington Coat Factory, where he oversaw merchandising and operations for the district’s 18 stores in New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Kentucky. Misko is former president and chair of the board for the Greater Erie Area Chamber of Commerce and former president of the Greater Erie Area Visitors and Convention Bureau.
Erin Hartnett is a new development officer in the Division of College Relations, also responsible for securing alumni support for campus-wide priorities.
Hartnett has served as director of alumni relations since 2002. In that role, she led the college’s local, regional and national alumni programs, further developed and increased the number of alumni chapters, and successfully organized and executed various alumni events.
Prior to Canisius, Hartnett was press secretary for U.S. Congressman Jack Quinn. She is an alumnus of John Carroll University.
Voerg is New Assistant Director of Alumni Relations
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A 2000 graduate of LeMoyne College, Voerg is now a student in the communication and leadership graduate program at Canisius. In her new role, Voerg assists with the implementation and management of the college’s local, regional and national alumni relations program.
The Battle Over School Prayer is Focus of New Dierenfield Book
History Professor Bruce J. Dierenfield, PhD, examines the first court case that addressed the constitutionality of prayer in public schools, in his new book The Battle Over School Prayer: How Engel v. Vitale Changed America. The landmark Supreme Court decision determined it is unconstitutional for state officials to compose an official school prayer and require its recitation in public schools.In his book, Dierenfield puts the decision in larger historical and political context by citing battles over a wide range of religious activities in public schools throughout American history. He also demonstrates the polarizing effect the case has had through subsequent decades.
Dierenfield is director of the All-College Honors Program. The Battle Over School Prayer is his fourth book. It is available at local bookstores and amazon.com for $35.00 (hardcover) and $15.95 (paperback). To read more about it, click here.
Castner Receives AJCU Service Award, Named Director of Braun Seismograph Station
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The O’Hearn Award is presented for exceptional service to the 28 U.S. Jesuit colleges and universities, which make up the AJCU conference, as well as to the recipient’s institution. Castner is the sixth recipient of the award. It was first presented in 1996 to Dr. William O’Hearn of John Carroll University. O’Hearn passed away last year.
Castner was cited particularly for his work on the programs for the annual meeting, and also for his organization and operation of the AJCU consortium license with Adobe.
Castner has also been named director of the Braun Seismograph Station at Canisius College, effective July 1. Previously the center’s associate director, he fills the position held by the late Rev. James J. Ruddick, S.J., professor emeritus of physics, who passed away in March.
Castner also teaches an undergraduate course in seismology. Students have the benefit of monitoring and analyzing data from the college’s seismographs, which gives them first-hand accounts of earthquake activity across the globe. The Braun Seismograph Station, located in the basement of Old Main, serves as a resource for local media, who often call to see whether major earthquakes that occurred across the world were detected here at Canisius College.
Canisius Public Safety Participates in Special Olympics Torch Run
Gary Everett, director of public safety (far right), along with officers from the Buffalo Police Department, took part in the New York Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics on Friday, June 1. (Not pictured) Lt. James A. Murphy III and Officer Andrew Nowak also participated (on police bike) and Rev. Paul J. Dugan, S.J., moderator of athletics, blessed the runners (and the torch!) during a water stop in front of the Koessler Athletic Center.
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Gary Everett, director of public safety, participated in the Western New York Law Enforcement Memorial Service on May 21 at St. Joseph’s Cathedral. Relatives and law enforcement officers from all over Western New York attended. This is the second year that Everett has been asked by Buffalo Police Commissioner H. McCarthy Gipson to serve on the memorial committee.