A Higher Calling Eberl Call Center Gets Technology Upgrade New technology is now an integral part of the Canisius College Eberl Call Center. An upgraded computer system, recently installed, automatically dials, enables immediate and efficient record keeping, and electronically processes Canisius Fund pledges safely and securely. Perhaps more significant, the capital improvement enables Canisius to extend its reach to more alumni and friends, and increase the overall number of calls that can be made. That means more support to the areas that have the greatest impact on students, from scholarships and programming, to library books and lab equipment. Currently, 45 percent of Canisius Fund donors make their annual gifts through the Eberl Call Center. The Eberl Call Center is named for the late Frank J. and Rita Eberl, whose sons, Frank ’67, MS ’75, MBA ‘78 and George ’68, made a generous donation, in recognition of their parents, to the Imagine Canisius capital campaign. To make your annual gift to the Canisius Fund, simply answer the call or visit canisius.edu/alumni/give.
Save Tax Dollars; Support Canisius The IRA Charitable Rollover is back! The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012, passed by Congress at the end of the year, reinstated the popular tax incentive that allows individuals age 70 ½ or older to transfer any portion of a mandatory distribution from an IRA (up to $100,000 per year) directly to a tax-exempt charity, free of federal income tax, through December 31, 2013. For more information, contact Dianna Civello, interim vice president for institutional advancement, at 716-888-8220 or at civellod@canisius.edu.
Albert Gress ’85: From Canisius to Cairo - and Back Again
Albert E. Gress ’85
It’s been more than 20 years since Albert E. Gress company headquartered in Calgary, Canada. With ’85 attended Canisius but he continues to “carry the company since 2007, Gress is instrumental in his education with him every day.” It’s a journey growing the business in Egypt. that has taken him around the world. He plays a similarly instrumental role in the lives The Gress family moved to Buffalo from Cairo, of Canisius students. Egypt in 1976 to escape the Arab-Israeli War. Gress established the Simba & Sparky Scholarship Edward Gress, PhD, accepted a position in the at Canisius. The scholarship supports an accounting Canisius College Department of Accounting. major who maintains a qualified grade point average, Following his father’s advice, Al Gress studied and who has and cares for a pet. accounting at Canisius, as well. He also became Gress and his wife also contribute to a new area engaged in the life of the college. Gress played on of study at Canisius, which is close to their hearts. the tennis team, helped found a social fraternity The couple recently made a generous gift to and served as president of the Accounting the Animal Behavior Program, which educates Society. The well-rounded education he received, students as to how animal behaviors evolve and particularly from professors John Murphy, PhD, relate to the biology and ecology of a species. The economics, and Larry Jones, PhD, history, remains Gress’ sponsored an international symposium on a strong influence in his life. the future of zoos. Hosted by Canisius, the event “I still talk about Dr. Jones’ class to this day,” says brought visionaries from leading zoological parks, Gress. “It was about concepts that drive history conservation societies and architecture firms, and attracted national media attention. and the decisions people make.” Hired after graduation by the accounting firm of PriceWaterhouse, Gress’ career took him to live in Egypt, Kuwait and Spain. Another position with a different accounting firm found him back in Cairo, where he met his wife, Noura.
The Gress’ made their gifts in memory of their late cats, Simba and Sparky.
“We are fascinated by the animal behavior program at Canisius and wanted to do something to help,” says Al Gress. “I am proud of Canisius – this is my Today, Gress is vice president of business development family, not just my father, but all the people I have for TransGlobe Energy Corporation, an oil and gas known here.”
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| C ANISIUS COLLEGE M AGA ZINE SPRING 2013