Each year, Canisius College presents Distinguished Alumni Awards to graduates who demonstrate leadership and have made significant contributions to their chosen professions. This year’s recipients come from diverse backgrounds – medicine, civic service, business and development. All, however, have enriched society and humanity through their chosen careers.
THE DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD HONOREES ARE: COL. JAMES L. BUDNy ’70, MD Neurosurgeon | Gates Vascular Institute/UB Neurosurgery James Budny strives for excellence in every endeavor. A physician, teacher, researcher and colonel in the U.S. Army Reserves, he earned his BA in biology from Canisius and went on to become a neurovascular surgeon. Budny is a clinical assistant professor of neurosurgery and radiology at UB, and a neurosurgeon affiliated with Gates Vascular Institute, Buffalo General Hospital and Women and Children’s Hospital. He served as investigator for numerous groundbreaking trials on surgical treatment of cerebrovascular disease. He also voluntarily traveled throughout the world to treat wounded soldiers and civilians, and to train surgeons.
HON. MARy GRACE DIEHL ’74 United States Bankruptcy Judge | Northern District of Georgia The Honorable Mary Grace Diehl is a judge for the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Northern District of Georgia and an adjunct professor of law at Emory University. Her discernment and service are an inspiration to others. Diehl received her undergraduate degree in history summa cum laude from Canisius and her law degree cum laude from Harvard. She serves numerous professional organizations including the National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges and the American Bankruptcy Institute. Of alma mater, Diehl says, Canisius helped her become who she is; it helped her develop the confidence to undertake and succeed at challenges.
ROBERT M. GLASER ‘68 Director, Chair of the Board | Freed Maxick & Battaglia CPAs Robert Glaser graduated with a degree in accounting and went on to become director and chair of the board for Freed Maxick & Battaglia, one of the largest CPA firms in the nation. His drive to serve led him to such roles as treasurer of Buffalo Place Inc. and past chair of the Erie County Fiscal Stability Authority. Glaser also served on the audit committees of Kaleida Health and the Canisius College Board of Regents. He is a recipient of the Canisius College Accountant of the Year Award, a member of DiGamma Honor Society and established an endowed scholarship in his name.
KATHLEEN T. GRIMM ’77, MD Supportive Medical Partner | The Center for Hospice & Palliative Care Kathleen Grimm’s career began at Canisius, where she received a BS in medical technology. Her restless pursuit of excellence led her to become board certified in internal medicine, pediatrics and palliative medicine. Grimm is currently the supportive medical partner for The Center for Hospice and Palliative Care, and a clinical assistant professor of pediatrics and family medicine at UB. As co-chair of the Community Health Worker Network of Buffalo, Grimm is devoted to bolstering community health. The organization provides opportunities for residents of vulnerable neighborhoods to realize their full potential for health and well-being.