| July 16, 2008 | Vol 9. No. 16 |
Aronica Appointed Biology Chair
Susan M. Aronica, PhD, is the new chair of the college’s Department of Biology. An associate professor of biology, Aronica joined the college faculty in 1997. Since then, her coursework has included cell and subcellular biology, anatomy and physiology of animals and plants, and endocrinology. Aronica’s particular areas of interest are endocrinology and reproductive physiology. She conducts extensive research on the hormonal regulation, migratory behavior and metastasis of breast cancer cells.
“Susan has exceptional experience as an educator, a researcher and an administrator,” says Paula M. McNutt, PhD, dean of the School of Arts & Sciences. “I am confident her experience, along with her leadership style will serve the department well, particularly as the sciences at Canisius become more collaborative and the college introduces new interdisciplinary programs.”
Aronica is the advisor for the Society of Pre-Health Professionals at Canisius, a member of the faculty committee that awards CEEP/HHMI fellowships to science students and will become program director of the college’s Howard Hughes Medical Institute Undergraduate Biological Sciences Education Program this fall.
She holds a BS in animal science from Cornell University, and an MS and PhD in physiology from the University of Illinois-Urbana. Aronica takes over for Paula F. Dehn, PhD, who recently left Canisius to take the position of academic vice president at Kentucky Wesleyan College.
Herbert Named Director of Public Relations
Eileen C. Herbert has been named director of public relations at Canisius College. As director, Herbert maintains relationships with the college’s key publics to help advance the mission of the college. She oversees the Public Relations team and promotion of the college’s news and information to internal and external audiences. Herbert serves as the liaison between the college and local, regional, national and international media outlets; manages special events involving distinguished speakers and/or dignitaries; and plans and implements media coverage of the college’s news conferences.
With more than 20 years experience in public relations at the college, Herbert served as the department’s associate director since 2000. Her expertise is in media relations and special events planning.
Herbert holds a bachelor’s degree in communication studies from Canisius College.
Reppert Named Director of Annual Fund
Kirsten L. Reppert MS ’07 is the new director of the annual fund. She directs fundraising efforts in eight divisions, develops the annual giving plan, and manages the identification, cultivation and solicitation of annual fund and leadership gift prospects. Reppert joined the college in 2003 as assistant director of the annual fund. She developed and implemented creative fund-raising strategies including the Fidelis Circle, a multi-year leadership giving society with total gifts to date of more than $2 million. During her tenure at Canisius, telefund gifts more than doubled from $325,000 to $750,000, and overall annual contributions to the college increased nearly 20 percent.
Prior to Canisius, Reppert worked for Juniata College, first as assistant director of development and then assistant director of the annual fund. She holds a bachelor’s degree in politics and constitutional law from Juniata College, a master’s degree in communication and leadership from Canisius College, and is pursuing a master’s degree in business administration from Canisius.
Civello Receives Martin Award
(l-r) John J. Hurley, executive vice president and vice president for college relations, Dianna Civello, director of development, George M. Martin, special counsel to the president. (photo courtesy of Mike Etu '91)
Dianna Civello, director of development, is the recipient of the college’s 2008 George M. Martin Advancement Award. Civello accepted her award at the College Relations annual celebration on July 2.
Established in 1983 by George M. Martin, then executive vice president for administrative affairs at Canisius, the advancement award is presented annually to member/members of the college’s advancement staff whose initiative, creativity and teamwork brings distinction to him/herself and the college.
Video Institute Wins PRSA’s “Best in Show” Award
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| Barbara Irwin, PhD, chair of the Communication Studies Department and director of the Video Institute shows off the "Best of Show" award. |
Barbara Irwin, PhD, chair of the Communication Studies Department and director of the Video Institute, received this year’s Platinum Award for Central Terminal: Saving a Buffalo Landmark, a 30-minute video documentary produced for the Central Terminal Restoration Corporation (CTRC). The Central Terminal video was produced by digital media arts majors Kirsten Jahn ’07 and Scott Richardson ’09 under Irwin’s direction. The documentary traces the history of the Central Terminal, its architectural and social significance and the efforts of the CTRC to bring the building back to life.
The Video Institute also received a Silver Excalibur Award for a video documentary produced for the St. Augustine & St. Monica Scholars Program.
For more information about the video institute, click here. To view the Central Terminal documentary in iTunes, click here. To view the St. Augustine & St. Monica documentary in iTunes, click here.
Butler Co-Authors Encyclopedia
English Professor Robert J. Butler, PhD, co-authored “The Richard Wright Encyclopedia” with Jerry W. Ward Jr., PhD, professor of English and African World Studies at Dillard University. The reference encompasses the life, work and times of the late African American author, whose works helped redefine race relations in mid-20th century America. Butler also delivered a paper at the International Conference on Richard Wright in Paris in June. The paper was entitled “Richard Wright’s Uses of His Religious Background in Black Boy and American Hunger.”
Canisius Newest Public Safety Officer
Kenneth C. Kruly, (left), director of government relations, swears in Afshar Yusuf, the college’s newest public safety officer on June 23 in Lyons Hall. Yusuf was recently promoted from public safety dispatcher. He previously worked at the State University of New York at Buffalo as a public safety officer in student aid and as an EMT for Rural Metro. Yusuf will attend basic training at the Central Police Services Academy in August.