| September 25, 2007 | Vol 9. No. 3 |
Canisius Marks New Era with the Kickoff of the Largest Campaign in the College’s History
A Legacy of Leadership Seeks to Raise $90 Million by 2010
Following the annual academic convocation, Rev. Vincent M. Cooke, S.J. announces the kickoff of A Legacy of Leadership: The Campaign for Canisius, the largest fundraising initiative in the college’s history.
September 24 marked the beginning of a new era in Canisius history, as the college publicly embarked on A Legacy of Leadership: The Campaign for Canisius College. The comprehensive campaign is the largest fund-raising initiative in the college’s 137-year history. It seeks to raise $90 million by the year 2010 and has already received nearly $51 million in commitments.
“We are inspired by the Latin word, magis, which is rich in Jesuit tradition and literally means ‘more,’” stated Canisius President Rev. Vincent M. Cooke, S.J., who made the announcement at the college’s academic convocation. “We pursue magis not just for the sake of higher rankings, more prestige or a more secure financial position; we pursue magis because our success with our students and in our community will ultimately glorify God.”
The campaign for Canisius includes four priorities; first among them is the development of an interdisciplinary science center on the site of the former HealthNow Building ($47 million). The science center will enhance the college’s position as one of the nation’s top undergraduate universities for science education.
Canisius also seeks to boost its endowment by $24 million. Funding areas include scholarship endowment, the establishment of endowed faculty chairs and professorships, and funding for academic programs such as the All-College Honors Program, the Urban Leadership Learning Community Program, the Canisius Ambassadors for Conservation Program and the Canisius College Financial Markets Lab.
A third priority of the campaign is to enhance the college’s annual fund to a point where it generates $3 million per year by 2010 ($17 million). The campaign also seeks $2 million to create a new technology-based learning commons within the college’s existing library.
“This campaign represents a challenge, to be sure,” said R. Carlos Carballada ’56, HON ’81, national chair of the Legacy of Leadership campaign. “But it also represents a unique opportunity in the history of the college; an opportunity to establish ourselves as a preeminent Catholic university. Canisius has made enormous progress over the past four years but it needs to press forward, to capitalize on all of its gains.”
Throughout the Legacy of Leadership campaign, the college community will be introduced to many Canisius students, alumni, faculty and staff who are models of leadership. The following Canisius community leaders shared their thoughts about the college’s mission, scholarship and engagement: Timothy H. Wadkins, PhD, associate professor of religious studies & theology and chair of the Center for the Global Study of Religion; Gabrielle Paoletti ’09, All-College Honors; Angelo M. Fatta ’66, PhD, vice president of the Fatta Foundation and chair of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra Board of Directors; and Rev. Michael F. Tunney, S.J., rector, professor of fine arts and director of the Studio Art Program.
“These are people who are outstanding exemplars of what it means when we say that Canisius is the place where leaders are made,” noted John J. Hurley ’78, executive vice president of Canisius and vice president of college relations. “They are people who hope to leave the world a little better than they way they found it. They are men and women with and for others. They are living legacies of leadership.”
Nearly 300 Canisius faculty, staff, alumni and friends were on hand for the campaign announcement, as well as WKBW-TV, The Buffalo News, WNY Catholic and WNED AM radio. Prior to that, Father Cooke reported on the state-of-the-college, as “strong, very strong.” He noted enrollment for the freshman class is at 847, an increase of 94 students over last year. Seventy-two (72) percent of freshmen live in campus housing, which helped the college achieve more than 100 percent occupancy in the residence halls. Total fall undergraduate enrollment stands at 3,245, up two percent from a year ago. Enrollment in graduate programs is similarly strong, he added. Canisius also saw its highest ranking yet in the U.S. News & World Report annual rankings among comprehensive universities in the North region, up seven spots to number 22.
“We’ve created a new paradigm for the modern, urban Jesuit university and in the process, we have redefined our relationship with our neighborhood, our city and our community,” stated Father Cooke. “We have become the standard by which other institutions are measured. We are (considered) the second most influential institution in this region – second only to giant M&T Bank. And for those who may not have heard this news, we intend to proclaim it loudly over the next three years. Canisius intends to really make its presence felt!”
Following Father Cooke’s formal campaign announcement, the kickoff event continued with a reception for the entire Canisius community. Pictured (l-r) are: John J. Hurley '78, executive vice president and vice president for college relations; Dennis F. Strigl '74, president and CEO of Verizon Wireless and chair of the Canisius College Board of Trustees; R. Carlos Carballada ’56, HON '81, national chair of A Legacy of Leadership; and Rev. Vincent M. Cooke, S.J., president of Canisius College.
For more information about A Legacy of Leadership: The Campaign for Canisius College, visit www.canisius.edu/campaign.