Senior Senators
Bob Dobmeier III, '12
Matt McDermott, '12
Lauren Sformo, '12
Majoring in Digital Media Arts and Communication Studies
Hometown: Spencerport, New York
Favorite Hobbies: Reading, Running, Frisbee, Crafts
Fun Fact: I polevaulted in high school and I have two amazing golden retrievers named after alcohol: Molson and Obin.
Why did you join the Senate? “My sophomore year I decided to run for Vice President of Programming. My junior year I held the position and realized that there is so much more that someone can do if they just get involved. I have fallen in love with Senate and I am proud to be a senior senator.”
“The harder you work, the luckier you get.”
Jessica Shean, '12
Kristin Toellner, '12
Majoring in Accounting
Hometown: Grand Island, NY
Favorite Hobbies: Swimming
Fun Fact: My favorite show is Friends… even though it’s been cancelled for years
Why did you join the Senate? I became involved with Senate because I wanted to become more involved at Canisius. I wanted to be an informational source for my peers on campus and also receive feedback that I could bring to the meetings.
“Whether you think you can or think you can’t, you’re right.” -Henry Ford
Nicholas A. Tomkins, '12
Majoring in Business Management
Hometown: Grand Island, New York
Favorite Hobbies: Sports, Traveling the world (I love Semester At Sea! Check it out), Enjoying time with my Family and Friends
Fun Fact: I’ve been to more countries then I am of age.
Why did you join the Senate? “I joined the Undergraduate Student Association to get involved here at Canisius after I transferred here my Junior year from my short stint at Gannon University. I like being involved in helping make decisions that can positively help my fellow students get the most out of their college experience.”
“Nothing great in life is ever achieved without enthusiasm” – The Elia Family
Junior Senators
Vinny Croglio, '13
Majoring in Biochemistry (Pre-Health Track)
Hometown: Lancaster, NY
Favorite Hobbies: Volleyball and Guitar
Fun Fact: I run my own entertainment company that involves organizing and marketing high school dances in both Buffalo and Rochester
Why did you join the Senate? I got involved with senate as a way to branch away from the science classes and activities I am usually associated with in order to try something new and exciting. I now enjoy my role in senate to offer my opinion on certain topics in order to contribute to the voice of the student body.
“When the power of love over comes the love of power, the world will know peace”- Jimi Hendrix
Sam Herberger, '13
Majoring in Digital Media Arts and Communication Studies with a Concentration in Integrated Marketing
Hometown: Hamburg, NY
Favorite Hobbies: Singing, Fishing, Camping, Watching sports, and Enjoying time with my friends and family.
Fun Fact: My favorite music is country music and this past summer I met Justin Moore at his concert.
Why did you join the Senate? I became involved with the senate because I wanted to be more involved on campus and because I wanted to help make an impact on the school. I stayed because of the people I’ve met, the friendships I’ve made, and the progress I’ve seen Canisius make because of senate.
“I believe in pink. I believe that laughing is the best calorie burner. I believe in kissing, kissing a lot. I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong. I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day and I believe in miracles.” -Audrey Hepburn
Katie Ostrander, '13
Majoring in Accounting, Accounting Information Systems, and a Minor in Art History
Hometown: Orchard Park, NY
Favorite Hobbies: I love to travel, read, and color. I play piano. I like to frolf in the summertime.
Fun Fact: I work at Stein Mart and absolutely love it!
Why did you join the Senate? I joined Senate to get involved and represent my class in the best way possible. Senate has opened my eyes to so many new things at Canisius and I’m so grateful!
“If you don’t know where you’re going, it shouldn’t matter which way you take.” -Chesire Cat
Bishoy Saleeb, '13
Majoring in Biology/Pre-Dental
Hometown: East Amherst, NY
Favorite Hobbies: Reading, playing basketball and soccer, traveling, and spending time with friends and family
Fun Fact: I was born in Egypt and have moved 9 times.
Why did you join the Senate: I wanted to get more involved on campus and wanted to make a difference to the students and to see students get what they want from campus. After being a Senator for this long I have realized that change happens only when we represent our students and therefore it has been my priority to always represent the students and meet their needs and wants.
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11)
Nicholas Wiltsie, '13
Majoring in Political Science
Hometown: Jamestown, NY
Favorite Hobbies: Reading, Playing sports, watching sports
Fun Fact: Studied abroad in Ireland for 5 months
Why did you join the Senate? I joined Senate in order to leave a lasting impact on Canisius.
“It is our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.”
Alice Zicari, '13
Sophomore Senators
Danielle Giancarlo, '14Majoring in Accounting and Accounting Information Systems
Hometown: Williamsville, NY
Favorite Hobbies: Softball, Field Hockey, Playing piano, and Scrapbooking
Fun Fact: My family has hosted three foreign exchange students from Germany, Portugal, and Italy.
Why did you join the Senate? “I truly enjoy committing myself to the time and planning of programs at Canisius. It is wonderful to see students and clubs put on successful events on campus, or to see changes be made in the various services Canisius offers, and to know in a small way our student association helped make that possible. It has been a blessing to be able to work side-by-side with excellent people, representing the interests and concerns of Canisius students.”
“Don’t hold grudges.” ~ Grandma Palma Giancarlo
Eric Hammer, '14Majoring in Political Science and Marketing
Hometown: Tonawanda, NY
Favorite Hobbies: Traveling, Reading, Skiing, Cooking, and Going on adventures.
Fun Fact: I was born in Florida.
Why did you join the Senate? ”I decided to get involved in my sophomore year, after Senate put on such great sponsored events. Senate gave me the ability to vocalize new suggestions and work with a fantastic group of people towards improving our already amazing school. Canisius is my home and I can’t imagine being able to make this kind of impact anywhere but here.”
“We are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful about what we pretend to be.” – Kurt Vonnegut
Rebecca Krakowiak, '14
Majoring in Biology
Hometown: Cheektowaga, NY
Favorite Hobbies: Singing, Reading, Volunteering
Fun Fact: I’m left handed!
Why did you join the Senate?: ”I joined USA as a Freshman and I fell in love with the fact that I can help my fellow students have a voice here on campus. I really enjoy going to all the senate and committee meetings because I think it is important to know what is going on around our campus.”
“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” – Maya Angelou
Meredith Lenz, '14
Majoring in Psychology
Hometown: Holland, New York
Favorite Hobbies: Coloring, Killing Zombies, Going to shows
Random Fun Fact: I have a huge girl crush on Ke$ha.
Why did you join the Senate? “I got involved with Senate because I noticed all of the handwork and dedication of previous Senators and I wanted to bring my abilities to such an influential organization.”
“In three words, I can sum up everything I know about life: It goes on.” – Robert Frost
Michael Mangano, '14
Majoring in History and Political Science, with a minor in Art History
Hometown: Williamsville
Favorite Hobbies: Cooking, Shopping, Tennis, Reading
Fun Fact: I’m also the Co-VP of RHA
Why did you join the Senate? “I became involved with Senate because it is one of the best opportunities to make a difference. We’re able to make decisions that affect the entire undergraduate body, so I take the responsibility I’ve been given very seriously. Senate is also a great way to meet other people and form friendships.”
“To those that much is given, much is expected.” – John F. Kennedy
Brock Wilkinson, '14
Majoring in Economics
Favorite Hobbies: Basketball, Weight-Lifting, Reading
Fun Fact(s): I am currently the VP of Recruitment for the only social fraternity on campus Sigma Phi Epsilon. I am a cat person. I am addicted to coffee.
Why did you join the Senate? ”I feel like the students of Canisius should have proper representation. I became involved with Senate because I love Canisius and I want to provide all it has to offer to the rest of the student population.”
“Each morning sees some task begun, each evening sees it close; Something attempted, something done, has earned a night’s repose.” – Henry Wadsworth
Freshmen Senators 
Kelly Mahoney, '15
Majoring in Childhood/ Special Education
Hometown: Orchard Park, New York
Favorite Hobbies: Rugby, Swimming, Rollerblading
Fun Fact: I have been to the national Jell-O museum.
Why did you join the Senate? I got involved with senate to bridge the gap between the administration and the student body and to have them work together in correlation.
“Believe in yourselves. Dream. Try. Do good” – Mr. George Feeny
Michael McCall, '15
Majoring in Chemistry (Health Professions Track)
Hometown: Rochester, NY
Favorite Hobbies: Listening to music, being outside
Fun Fact: I’m a twin
Why did you join the Senate? I joined Senate because I wanted more experience in a leadership position and it is a great way to meet new people!
“If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door.” -Milton Berle
Dylan Ruda, '15
Majoring in Finance and Economics
Hometown: Marilla, NY
Favorite Hobbies: Weight-lifting, Volunteering
Fun Fact: I love watching cartoons.
Why did you join the Senate? I became involved in senate because I want to have a voice here at school and I want to make things happen around here at Canisius. I find a sense of enjoyment helping the students I represent by taking part in our organization.
“You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” -Wayne Gretzky
Kristen Russo, '15
Undecided Major
Hometown: East Amherst, NY
Favorite Hobbies: Sports
Fun Fact: I like to bake.
Why did you join the Senate? I became involved in Senate because I wanted to meet people and be involved outside of the classroom. I like to represent my classmates and play a role in the decisions made here at Canisius.
“What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.” -Ralph Waldo Emerson
Kaitlyn Victor, '15
Cabinet
Bryce Hopkins '12 Speaker of the Senate
Jamie Hitro '13 RHA Representative
Majoring in Chemistry
Hometown: East Amherst, NY
Favorite Hobbies: Ice Hockey, Arts & Crafts, RHA
Fun Fact: The last letter of my first name is the first letter of my middle name and the last letter of my middle name is the first letter of my last name (Jamie Elizabeth Hitro).
Why did you join the Senate? I got involved with Senate because an RHA representative needed to be appointed for the meetings; however, I also wanted to bring a voice and make a connection between RHA and Senate even more, in order to increase the voice of the students, especially residents.
“You’ve gotta dance like there’s nobody watching, love like you’ll never be hurt, sing like there’s nobody listening, and live like it’s heaven on earth.” – William W. Purkey
James Smith ’12 CSA Representative
Anthony Tyson-Thompson ’13 Diversity Chair
Tanner Gelatt ’13 JUSTICE Chair
Jessica Grogan ’12 SAAC Representative
Tan Ho ’14 Chair of Marketing
Majoring in Digital Media Arts and Communication Studies with a minor in Business and a Concentration in Integrated Marketing
Hometown: Utica, NY
Favorite Hobbies: Volleyball, Graphic Design, Music
Fun Fact: My name has led me to have the email HOT@canisius.edu
Why did you join the Senate? I received an email about a new Marketing position USA was pushing for. I thought, I am totally the right one for this job and it was exactly what I was looking for. So, I found out more about USA and how it could help our fellow constituents have a voice on campus. My love for web design and all things digital graphics combined with my yearning to help others is mainly what drew me to Senate. So far, it has also introduced me to many great people who I look forward to getting to know much better. Go Griffs!
“The beauty of life is, while we cannot undo what is done,we can see it, understand it, learn from it and change.So that every new moment is spent not in regret, guilt, fear or anger,but in wisdom, understanding and love.”