president’sperspective
JOHN J. HURLEY
Canisius College Magazine SPRING 2014 VOLUME 15, ISSUE 2
We celebrate our graduates this spring. It’s a time for them to reflect back on their great experiences at Canisius and their academic, athletic and extra-curricular accomplishments. At the same time, the word “commencement” speaks to new beginnings, hope and anticipation as our graduates prepare to make their mark on the world. Congratulations Class of 2014! While our graduates go forth, the end of our spring semester brings with it the latest gathering of our retired faculty and staff at what organizers, Dan Starr and Joe Bieron, have dubbed as the Geezer Party. We gather annually (or more often) off-campus for a low-key reception, a little discussion about the present, and a lot of discussion about the past. Bob Davis – through whose accounting wicket every aspiring Canisius accountant has had to pass, over the past 40-plus years – mans the door and collects the small entry fee. At a minimum, this party provides me with information to share with alumni who always ask, “Have you seen Professor [blank] recently? What’s he doing?” The college’s English Department was well-represented at our May gathering. Ed Zimmermann, now 86 years old, was in fine form. We spoke about the college and we lamented the recent passing of Pete Seeger. We were joined by Dave Lauerman, Frank Riga and Jim Dolan (and wife Diane). Paul Dowling and Dave Greenman (he of the still mostly black hair and youthful looks) were at another table, discussing Shakespeare, perhaps, or more likely the slow start of the St. Louis Cardinals. Dick Thompson discussed all things Irish at the end of the bar. Our longtime vice president for business and finance, Larry Franz, reveled at being back on the faculty side of things as he entertained Alan Duchan, marketing guru Stan Arbeit and the more recentlyretired Gene O’Connor.
President John J. Hurley Director of Public Relations & Executive Editor Eileen C. Herbert Managing Editor Audrey R. Browka Director of Creative Services & Layout Editor Andalyn Courtney Contributing Designer James Neiler Contributing Writers Caroline Barry Elizabeth M. Bohen ’74, MS ’76 Erik Brady ’76 Kristin E. Etu ’91 Cece Gotham ’13 Sarah Graham MS ’13 Lisa Murray Roselli Photography Charles Barry Tom Wolf ’86 To Contact Us We are eager to hear your comments about Canisius College Magazine. Please send correspondence to: Canisius College Magazine 2001 Main Street, Lyons Hall Room 209, Buffalo, NY 14208 Phone 716-888-2790 Fax 716-888-2778
The Department of Modern Languages was represented by Jim McGoldrick (who often updates me on Bob Hagspiel and Mike Burtniak) and Ray Clough. Mathematicians Richard Uschold and Don Girod greeted their still-active colleague, Rich Escobales. But wait, there’s more. Dennis Duling, hired during my senior year at Canisius, is still studying theology and playing the piano. Jim Sylvis still looks very much like the racquetball champ he was years ago. I spent time with Walter Sharrow, Joe Tomasulo, Jim Lauffenburger and retired dean of enrollment management Tony Bellia. And while the focus is on retired faculty and staff, a few active members are allowed to infiltrate. As I scanned the room that night, I concluded that this was like Old-Timers’ Day at Yankee Stadium but Canisius-style. What a great reunion of people representing hundreds of years of service to Canisius College! To a person, they expressed their gratitude for all that the college has been for them in their careers. They note their pride in all that Canisius and its graduates have achieved. I’ll repay the compliment: I was grateful to be in their midst and to be included in this great event.
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