Members of the Canisius College community gathered on September 11 to observe the first anniversary of the worst terrorist attack in US history.  The purpose was not only to remember the event and its effects, but to refocus on continuing efforts for peace and healing.

At 11:30 a.m., Rev. Vincent M. Cooke, S.J., presided over Mass in Christ the King Chapel.  Faculty, students, and staff joined together to reflect and pray.  Rev. John P. Bucki, S.J., director of campus ministry, gave the Homily.  At 1:30 p.m., an interfaith service at the Montante Cultural Center featured readings from the Hebrew, Islamic, and Christian Scriptures.  Father Cooke also spoke at the service, where worshippers of different faiths gathered to remember and pray.

Following the interfaith service, professors from various academic departments participated in a panel to discuss the effect of September 11 on civil liberties.  Dr. Melissa Wazner of the Communication Studies Department served as moderator. 

At 8 p.m., a candlelight outdoor interfaith service was held in the Bart Mitchell Quad. 

If Tuesday's Academic Convocation speech is any indication, Canisius President Rev. Vincent M. Cooke, S.J. has lost none of his zest for planning and thinking big.  In his annual State of the College address, Father Cooke, now beginning his 10th year as president, outlined the completion of various construction and renovation projects in the past year; reported on the size and quality of the new freshman class; and discussed the key issues under consideration as Canisius draws up its strategic plan to continue its climb among regional colleges and universities in the Northeast.

The summer was an extremely busy one from a construction standpoint, said Father Cooke.  The second phase of the Delavan Townhouses, which added 130 new beds and 165 additional parking spaces, the renovation of the Quadrangle, the Koessler Athletic Center gymnasium and the Peter Gust Economou Dining Hall project were all completed on time for the start of the fall semester.  Renovation work is currently underway at Campion Hall.  The residence hall will house 48 new beds when it is completed in fall 2003.

Father Cooke pointed out that this year's freshman class is one of the largest ever, registering 850 enrolled students with a high school average of 89.7 percent and an average SAT score of 1100.  Sixty-one percent of the students are living on campus.

Father Cooke also spoke in great detail about the current development of a long-range strategic plan for the college - one he says "has to and will involve everyone at Canisius."  To date, Father Cooke, members of the Board of Trustees and the Long-Range Strategic Planning Committee have been examining four major goals to be addressed in this strategic plan, which ultimately envisions Canisius College becoming a major regional university that enrolls high quality students from geographically diverse areas. 

With selectivity being the key to a quality institution, Father Cooke emphasized the first goal of the long-range plan to attract a more diverse, more residential and increasingly talented student body.  Secondly, he stressed the college's need to recruit and retain an exceptionally effective, highly credentialed, teaching faculty who actively engage in research or creative work.  To achieve this goal, Father Cooke discussed the importance of offering competitive salaries to new faculty and providing continual support and resources to existing faculty.  In addition, citing "its importance to education and scholarship," Father Cooke would like to see the college move toward a reduction in the normal faculty teaching load from four courses per semester to three. 

Enriching the college's learning environment through the enhancement of academic, co-curricular and extra-curricular programs is the third area to be addressed of the long-range strategic plan. Father Cooke underscored the need to build on such programs as the Oishei Teaching Professorship, which he says is "absolutely important to the quality of education at Canisius."  He added, the college will also identify new ways to expand student internship and service learning opportunities, make the athletic program more competitive in the MAAC and enhance the Jesuit tradition at Canisius.

The final goal to be addressed in the plan is to provide a first-class physical and technological environment for students, faculty and staff.  According to Father Cooke, future projects include the construction of a new residence hall between Bosch and Loyola halls.  The facility would house approximately 300 students and has a tentative completion date for fall 2005.  Additional projects include the renovation of the Health Science Building, the creation of new faculty office space, and the replacement and maintenance of classroom and wireless technology.  

The four goals are being woven into a draft of a strategic plan and are subject to being revised as the process continues. Father Cooke said that a draft would be presented to the entire Canisius community at a Canisius College Forum, probably early in the spring semester.

Although Canisius has accomplished much, Father Cooke says faculty, staff and administrators should be reminded of the challenges ahead.  However, he adds, "our vision for the future is attainable if we all work together."

Kristin holds a bachelor's degree in communication studies from Canisius College.  She was previously a technical writer for Teco Group, a software company in Lockport, New York. She joined the public relations department this week as part-time public relations specialist.  Her hours are Monday through Thursday, 8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. 

She is a freelance writer, and has written articles for Western New York Family Magazine.  She writes and edits various advertising and marketing documents for a diverse client base.