Canisius Presents Borders and Migrations Week as Part of Sesquicentennial Celebration

October 3, 2019

BUFFALO, NY - As Canisius University celebrates its Sesquicentennial anniversary, the institution looks to return to its roots of ministering to migrants. The Borders and Migrations Initiative will offer a variety of workshops and talks from Monday, October 21 through Thursday, October 24 to inform the Canisius community about issues of migration and current advocacy. The initiative is a collaborative Ignatian approach by students, faculty and staff to encourage discussion about and engagement with refugee and immigration issues on a global scale. All talks are free and open to the public and will be held in the Regis Room of the Richard E. Winter ’42 Student Center.

The week kicks off with “Migration 101: An Introduction to Terms, Laws and Practices” on Monday, October 21 from 12:00 – 1:30 p.m. The event explores the processes and legal framework that define the immigration system.

An immigration simulation will follow from 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. Space is limited for this event.

Rounding out the events on October 21 from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. is a presentation by Sara Morris, PhD, professor of biology and interim vice president for academic affairs, entitled “Aves Sin Fronteras/Birds Without Borders.” Morris will discuss the migration of North American birds.

Joanna Williams, director of education and advocacy at the Kino Border Initiative (KBI), will speak on Tuesday, October 22 from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. Her talk is entitled “Cultivating Hope at the U.S./Mexico Border.”

A roundtable discussion entitled “Continuing to Live Out Our Jesuit Values” will take place on Wednesday, October 23 from 12:00 – 1:30 p.m. The open forum will focus on how Canisius’ response to the borders and migrations crisis and how to help moving forward.

Alberto Rey, living legacy artist at the Burchfield Penney Art Center, will present “Global Connections: Investigating the Relationships between Art, Science and Society” on October 23 from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.

Space is limited for some events. For more information and to reserve your spot, visit the Borders and Migrations website or contact Richard Reitsma, PhD, at Ext. 2408 or @email.

One of 27 Jesuit universities, Canisius is the premier private university in Western New York. Canisius celebrates its sesquicentennial anniversary during the 2019-20 academic year, marking 150 years of Jesuit education and leadership in the city of Buffalo and Western New York. Visit https://www.canisius.edu/150 for more information about Canisius’ milestones and celebratory events.

-30-