Meet Jack Edson ’72
Alumnus embraces second career as a quilter
Jack Edson’s passion for art blossomed at a young age, and has continued throughout his life. He began his first career as a librarian during his senior year in college. He spent 46 years in the profession where he nurtured his love for collecting art by enriching himself in the works of artists on the walls of libraries.
In 2017, after retiring from his role as director of the Hamburg Library, a position he held since 2005, Edson began a second career.
A self-taught sewer, today Edson embraces life as a quilter. The majority of his quilts are representative of his most beloved pieces of art history. Through his creative process, Edson personifies these historical components over time, gradually adding more and more elements. Edson hopes to honor those artists who have encouraged him to pursue his passion through his work.
His quilts have been on display locally at the Burchfield Penney Art Center and the CASS Project - an arts and cultural initiative - as well as nationally at the Pacific Northwest Quilt and Fiber Arts Museum and the Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum.
Read Edson’s Q and A with Why Quilts Matter here.
40 Under 40
Two Canisius alumni were named to Business First’s 28th annual 40 Under 40 list. The list identifies the most influential leaders, men and women under age 40, who have achieved success in their professions and who are involved in the Western New York community.
The 2019 40 Under 40 list includes the following Canisius alumni:
Elizabeth Lucas MSED ‘04 - strategic gifts officer, FeedMore WNY
Julia Spitz ’05 - executive vice president, Savarino Properties
EduKids Sees Growth Moving Forward
Ware '78 continues to advance female-owned enterprise
Nancy Ware ’78, female entrepreuner and president of EduKids, the largest privately owned day care center in Western New York, has her sights set looking forward. She opened the company’s first location 30 years ago, and today, continues to spearhead EduKids’ growth. Ware sparked the idea to open her own day care center after an unfulfilling search of a center for her children. She quit her job, pursued her MBA, and now runs the largest women-owned business in Western New York. Read more here.
Targeting Treatment
Fabian '10 leads shift in drug addiction perception
Emma Fabian ’10 has a passion for healthcare. Fabian, who is currently senior director for harm reduction at Evergreen Health, works to alter stereotypes of drug addiction. In her role, she works to foster a welcoming community among those who struggle with addiction through practice of the company’s harm-reduction model. Read more here.
“Young Champion of the Earth”
Burhans '14 continues to leave footsteps mapping the Catholic Church’s land
Molly Burhans '14, founder and executive director of Catholic Geographic Information Systems Center (CGISC), more frequently known as GoodLands, has made headway through her previous initiatives in pursuit of digitally mapping the land owned under the Catholic Church. She recently accompanied Greta Thunberg, teenage climate activist, during the New York City climate strike. Read more here.
Dillon ’66 Recognized by International Association of Who’s Who
Alumnus receives prestigious Albert Einstein Award of Medicine
William Paul Dillon ’66, MD, was recognized by the International Association of Who's Who with the prestigious Albert Einstein Award of Medicine.
Now retired, Dr. Dillon was recognized for his long serving career in the role of associate professor emeritus of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University at Buffalo - Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences. Read more here.
