| August 27, 2007 | Vol 9. No. 1 |
Welcome Back
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| Nick Brodnicki '08, resident assistant from the sixth floor of Frisch Hall, and members of the women's softball team help a new Canisius College family move their daughter into Eastwood Hall. Approximately 600 freshmen moved into the college residence halls during "Move-in Day" on Friday, August 24. |
Classes for the 2007-2008 academic year began today and the fall semester is underway at Canisius College. Freshmen enrollment for fall 2007, which closed in early June, is one of the highest in the college’s recent history at 845, as reported on the front page of today's Buffalo News.
The School of Education and Human Services closed enrollment for fall 2007 graduate programs in mid-August. And, graduate programs in deaf education and college student personnel administration closed earlier this summer.
“We have much to celebrate as a community as we open the fall semester,” said Scott A. Chadwick, PhD, vice president for academic affairs. “New student enrollment goals at the undergraduate and graduate levels were exceeded, and we closed admission earlier than ever.” Chadwick says the strong enrollment speaks to the great work of faculty and staff, who offer high-quality, innovative experiences to Canisius students. “It is evident that we are realizing our vision to become a ‘major regional university.’”
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| (l-r) Benjamin Lafko '08, president of the Canisius College chapter of Habitat for Humanity and Rev. John P. Bucki, S.J., director of campus ministry. Nearly 25 Canisius students participated in the Welcome Weekend community service project at the Habitat for Humanity House at 44 Brinkman Ave. in Buffalo on Sunday, August 26. |
This past weekend, nearly 1,500 incoming freshmen and their parents attended “Team Canisius – Keep Your Eye on the Goal,” the athletic-themed Welcome Weekend 2007. Organized by the Office of Campus Programming and Leadership Development, Welcome Weekend provided an introduction to campus services, a family Mass and blessing, community service project, social activities and entertainment.
The start of the academic year will be commemorated at the Mass of the Holy Spirit on Thursday, August 30 at 1 p.m. in Christ the King Chapel. The Mass will be followed by a chicken barbeque in the Quad at approximately 2:00 p.m., sponsored by the Senate Programming Board (SPB). In the event of rain, the barbeque will be held in the Penfold Commons of the Palisano Pavilion.
Campus Parking Options Expanded
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| Science Hall-Main Street Lot, Science Hall Parking and the lot adjacent to the Mount St. Joseph’s School will give faculty and staff additional parking options. |
The on-campus parking crunch is over. Approximately 450 new parking spaces are now available to faculty, administrators and staff, as a result of the college’s pending acquisition of the BlueCross BlueShield (BCBS) building and parking pavilion and the move by the Mount St. Joseph’s School to its new location.
The following new lots are now open to those who hold A and B permits:
- The second floor of the BlueCross BlueShield ramp (425 spaces)
- The surface lot adjacent to the BlueCross BlueShield ramp, across from M&T Bank (25 spaces)
The first floor of the BlueCross BlueShield ramp is designated for students. The third floor of the ramp will remain closed as a cost-effective measure until it is determined that parking needs warrant its use.
“I think we are going to see a tremendous shift in parking patterns on campus,” says Ellen O. Conley, PhD, vice president for student affairs. “We anticipate that the availability of these new parking spaces, particularly in the ramp, should alleviate most of the parking concerns on campus.”
According to Public Safety Director Gary M. Everett, the college has also acquired the BlueCross BlueShield ramp camera security system.
“The system, which includes four cameras located throughout the ramp, is compatible with our public safety surveillance system,” says Everett. “In addition, we have a public safety officer on staff in the ramp, Monday through Friday, from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., and the Buffalo Police Department also includes the ramp on its regular patrols.”
Shuttle service also resumes this semester with departures every 10 minutes. The shuttle runs between the Delavan Townhouses, the Health Science Building, the Richard E. Winter ’42 Student Center and Old Main. The evening shuttle also continues its regular schedule between 5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. For a compete list of evening shuttle stops, click here.
To view the updated campus parking map, click here.(.pdf)
Canisius Ranks in U.S. News & World Report’s Top Tier
Canisius College earned its highest ranking in the college’s history, when it listed 22nd in the top tier in U.S. News and World Report’s 2008 rankings of America’s Best Colleges, Northern Universities – Master’s. Consistently ranked among the top regional colleges in the northeast, Canisius jumped seven spots in the 2008 listing.
“This significant increase in our rank is a testament to our excellent teaching faculty and the high-quality learning experiences they provide for our students,” said Scott A. Chadwick, PhD, vice president for academic affairs. “Our investments in learning and living spaces, such as our new residence halls, provide a vibrant residential campus and increased recognition that Canisius College is successful in producing well- educated, highly sought after students who are also grounded in concern for others.”
Canisius also ranked 12th in the Great Schools, Great Prices category. “This indicates a measure of value based on academic quality, as indicated by a school’s U.S. News ranking, relative to the average cost of attending the school,” added Chadwick. “Thus, Canisius is rightly perceived as a high-quality, high-value school.”
The rankings are published in the magazine’s August 27 issue, on newsstands today. They are also available online at www.usnews.com/colleges.
For more information, click here.
New Study Abroad Destinations Offered
Canisius College students have six new study abroad destinations. Among the new locations are John Cabot University in Rome, Italy; the Mediterranean Center for the Arts & Sciences in Sicily, Italy; Lorenzo De’Medici in Florence, Italy; the Berlin School of Economics in Berlin, Germany; The Beijing Center for Chinese Studies in Beijing, China and Sacred Heart University in San Juan Puerto Rico.
In addition, The Atlantis Grant Study Abroad Opportunity in Strasbourg, France and Antwerp, Belgium now offers students the opportunity to earn a European degree as well as a Canisius degree, and provides students with a $1,200 monthly living allowance. The United States Department of Education awarded only seven of these prestigious grants nationwide in 2006.
“With the addition of these locations to our study abroad program, we have greatly enriched our offerings and can more effectively direct a student based on his or her area of interest, such as business, international relations, art history, or language,” said Esther A. Northman, director of international student programs and study abroad.
The college now offers a total of 16 study abroad and eight semester exchange options.
For more information, click here.
Canisius Receives $1 Million Gift from the Jesuits
Canisius received a $1 million gift from its Jesuit community, which will serve as the basis of a challenge grant to the college’s alumni to increase giving to the annual fund campaign. Once the challenge is completed, the Jesuit Community gift will support the Jesuits of Loyola Hall Scholarship Fund and the college’s Urban Leadership Learning Community Program (ULLCP).
“Our gift directly supports the college’s mission to educate and care for those who are most in need,” said Rev. Michael F. Tunney, S.J., rector of the Jesuit community, professor of fine arts and director of the Studio Art Program at Canisius. “Funding the Loyola Hall Scholarship Fund and the Urban Leadership Learning Community Program will keep the dream of a Canisius education affordable for the best graduates from Jesuit high schools around the country, as well as for young leaders emerging from Buffalo high schools. My Jesuit brothers and I are delighted to teach and help all of these students.”
“It is fitting that the Jesuit community has designated their generous gift to benefit the students of Canisius College through these scholarship programs,” said Rev. Vincent M. Cooke, S.J., college president. “Since 1870, the Jesuits at Canisius have devoted their lives to their students. A Jesuit education is synonymous with the highest intellectual standards and provides the foundation for our students to become leaders in all walks of life.”
For more information, click here.
Canisius Receives $1 Million Gift from Peter Vogt
Canisius College has received a $1 million gift from local philanthropist Peter A. Vogt, which will be used to establish the Peter A. Vogt Scholarship Program. Vogt Scholarships will be awarded to students who would qualify for the college’s highest merit-based scholarships. Vogt scholars must demonstrate academic merit, leadership potential and the ability to inspire their fellow students by example in the classroom and in the college community.
“The Canisius community is grateful to Peter for his tremendous support and generosity,” said Canisius College President Rev. Vincent M. Cooke, S.J. “The Vogt Scholarship Program will be a key part of our strategy to recruit the best possible students to Canisius who can truly enhance the intellectual life of the campus. We expect that the Vogt Scholars will be leaders in every sense of the word.”
“Canisius has been a wonderful asset to our community and I am pleased to be able to play a part in helping the college recruit high-achieving students who can become leaders in our community,” said Vogt.
For more information, click here.
Labor Day Shutdown
The college will be closed, except for essential operating personnel, on Monday, September 3 in observance of the Labor Day Holiday.