If you ask Mark Piatkowski ’01 about one of his favorite Canisius memories, he might tell you about cheese.
As a student, Piatkowski was selected as a winner of the university’s MAAC n’ Cheese competition, earning points for attending athletic events and campus activities. He was awarded an oversized cheese hat and a spot aboard the famous “Cheese Bus” for a trip to Toronto to see a Blue Jays game.
“It was unforgettable and perfectly captured the spirit of student life at Canisius,” said Piatkowski, now director of Canisius University Housing Operations and Community Standards.
Twenty-five years later, Piatkowski helped campus celebrate Griff Weekend, Sept. 25-27, joining alumni, families, students, faculty, staff and friends for reunions, new experiences and plenty of Griff spirit.
“It brings back so many great memories and is an amazing opportunity to see people you may not have seen or spoken with in a while,” Piatkowski said. “We all share a deep passion for our alma mater, and it’s great to see alums stay connected to the institution that has meant so much to us.”
With several new events added to the schedule this year, the Office of Alumni and Constituent Engagement found different ways to connect alumni, the university and the broader Buffalo community.
“We intentionally wanted to create more touchpoints,” said Alexis Arth Snopkowski, assistant director of alumni and constituent engagement. “It was rewarding to see alumni of all ages and their families finding different opportunities to connect.”
For students, the weekend offered a chance to share their campus experience and take part in the traditions and activities that make life at Canisius distinctive.
“Griff Weekend brings it all together,” said Michael Yates, assistant vice president and dean of students. “For our students, it’s a chance to celebrate their growing independence and show off the place they’re beginning to call home with their family.”
Honoring Canisius Alumni
The weekend kicked off Friday evening with celebrations honoring members of the Canisius community.
The Canisius University Sports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and dinner celebrated the 60th induction class. This year’s honorees included Mallory Aldred ’09 (softball), Billy Baron ’14 (men’s basketball), Tim Edwards ’15 (men’s lacrosse), Maria Kotas ’14 (women’s lacrosse), Connor Panas ’15 (baseball), Shawn Parkhurst ’13 (men’s swimming and diving), Brittané Russell ’10 (women’s basketball) and Allyson Severyn ’13 (volleyball).
The university also honored Erik Brady ’76, a Canisius graduate and longtime supporter of Golden Griffin athletics, with the Rev. Paul J. Dugan, S.J., ’45 Award for his significant contributions to Canisius athletics.
The Richard J. Wehle School of Business Alumni Association welcomed alumni and current students to its reception in the Grupp Fireside Lounge, where two alumni were recognized for their contributions and achievements. Jonathan Patrick ’09, a major gift officer for United Way of Buffalo & Erie County and member of the Buffalo Business First 40 Under 40 Class of 2026, received the Bernard L. Martin Award, which recognizes a Wehle Business School graduate for significant career success, noteworthy community service and active involvement with the school.
Linda Mariacher, MBA ’05, a corporate risk manager at M&T Bank, received the Rev. Thomas E. Fleming, S.J. Distinguished Service Award, which honors a Wehle graduate for outstanding service to the school and its alumni association.
Members of Canisius' legal alumni Community also gathered for the Desmond Law Society Reception hosted at Lippes Mathias in downtown Buffalo.
New This Year
Griff Weekend added some new ways to experience Canisius and the city it calls home. Guests explored Buffalo aboard a double-decker bus tour, taking in landmarks like the Richardson Hotel, the Erie Basin Marina and the Buffalo Naval Park.
At Forest Lawn, the “Heart of the Forest” walking tour offered a guided look at the history and landscape of one of Buffalo’s most notable historic sites. And for evening entertainment, John Cassidy’s Comedy Magic Show added laughs to the weekend.
Campus in Celebration
The C-Block Pep Rally brought the energy for the men’s soccer and women’s volleyball matches, setting the stage for a day of cheering on Canisius student-athletes, while the Quad Fall Fest activities and food trucks kept the fun rolling.
The Blue & Gold Bash featured live music, food stations and a photo booth, giving Griffs of all generations one more chance to catch up and enjoy the Canisius community.
“What makes Griff Weekend special is the collaboration across Student Life, Athletics, and Alumni Engagement to create a shared Canisius experience,” Yates said. “The weekend highlights the sense of community, and the different spaces students can engage in during their time at Canisius.”
For Connor Rosenecker ’18, president of the Alumni Association Board of Directors, that sense of community spans generations.
“To me, it speaks to how deeply this place stays with people,” Rosenecker said. “Someone who graduated fifty years ago and someone who graduated five years ago can have completely different Canisius memories and still understand each other almost immediately when they talk about what this community means to them.”
Reunions, Reflection and Enduring Spirit
For alumni from reunion years ending in 1 and 6, the weekend was a chance to mark another milestone in their Canisius story. The Class of 1976 celebrated its 50th reunion Friday evening with dinner in the Chester HON ’01 and Diane Stranczek Commons in Science Hall. On Saturday, members of the Class of 2001 marked their 25th reunion with a night out at Mira on Elmwood.
Griff Weekend concluded Sunday with Mass in Christ the King Chapel followed by the Golden Plus Brunch, honoring alumni from the Class of 1976 and earlier.
Rosenecker said Griff Weekend provides an important reason for alumni to make their way back to campus, even when years have passed since graduation.
“Life gets full, and it’s easy to let years pass between visits,” he said. “Griff Weekend gives us a reason to make the time—to reconnect with those people, appreciate what we’ve been given, and think about what we can give back.”
One of the most rewarding aspects for Snopkowski was watching the connections. “My favorite part is seeing how quickly alumni pick up where they left off,” she said. “It doesn't matter if it's been five years or fifty years, once they're back on campus, the stories, laughter and memories start flowing.”
Piatkowski agreed, “You truly feel and understand the meaning behind the phrase, ‘Once a Griff, Always a Griff’ — even years later.”
Rosenecker sees that connection as something alumni carry with them long after graduation. “Canisius gave us a place to begin,” he said. “We get a lifetime to decide how we carry it forward.”
