Eastwood Hall Officially Open

College president Rev. Vincent M. Cooke, S.J., cuts the ribbon to officially open Eastwood Hall.

Eastwood Hall, Canisius’ newest residence hall, is officially open. To commemorate the grand opening, Canisius President Rev. Vincent M. Cooke, S.J., cut the ceremonial blue and gold ribbon on the doors of Eastwood Hall during a dedication on Thursday, September 1.

Father Cooke was joined by John J. Hurley, vice president for college relations, Buffalo Mayor Anthony Masiello ’69, members of the Canisius College Board of Trustees and Board of Regents, and the campus community.  Rev. John P. Bucki, S.J., director of the college’s Office of Campus Ministry, offered a dedication prayer and blessing of the building.

Father Cooke noted that after 15 months of construction, completion of Eastwood Hall is a giant step forward in the college’s plan to be among the best regional comprehensive universities in the country.

“We recognized twelve years ago that we would need to become a residential campus, a place where more than half the undergraduates live in campus-owned housing,” says Father Cooke. “Twelve years later, we are dedicating our eighth new residential project, a signature building on the last open spot on the Quadrangle.  It is truly a dramatic finishing touch.”

He also complimented Mike Mistriner and the staff of Cannon Design; Bill Sitzman, project manager with GPS Construction; Ciminelli Construction and the residents of Hamlin Park for their roles in the project. In addition, Father Cooke recognized Laurence W. Franz, PhD, vice president for business & finance, Edward P. Cogan, director of facilities management, William L. Kuczmanski, construction manager, Matthew H. Mulville, associate dean and director of residence life; and the Departments of Information Technology Services, Residence Life and Public Safety. 
 
Mayor Masiello, in his remarks, noted that attending the dedication ceremony was especially significant for him as exactly 40 years ago to the day he moved into Frisch Hall as an incoming freshman at Canisius College. 

Peggy Chasler '08, a communication studies major, is among the 270 freshmen and sophomore students who call Eastwood Hall “home.”  A fourth-floor resident, she is thrilled with her decision to live in the new dormitory.  “The rooms are spacious, and yet cozy and home-like. I also like the convenience of having the laundry facilities and a dishwasher right on the floor.” 

She adds that the views from the lounges are spectacular, especially on the higher floors.

“From the seventh floor lounge you can see the far reaches of the city, and on a clear day even Lake Erie,” says Chasler. 

Local media covered the event, including Channels 4 and 7, and Western New York Catholic.

Following the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Canisius students gave tours of Eastwood Hall, a seven-story, 104,000 square foot residence. The project cost $19 million and was funded by a bond issued by the State Dormitory Authority.  Cannon Design, of Grand Island, NY, designed the residence hall.  GPS Construction served as the contractor for the project.