Canisius Magazine- Winter 2019

CANISIUS COLLEGE MAGAZINE | WINTER 2019

Winning Attitude Canisius student-athletes excel in their sports and their studies Nick Neamtu ’20, Madeline Beaulieu ’20, Leah Simmons ’20

president’sperspective

The era of the “dumb jock” is clearly over, not that it ever existed at Canisius. But the notion that athletes at Canisius could be athletes first and students second is simply not the case. Our cover story highlights the success in the classroom that our athletes have had including 219 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference All-Academic Honors, a cumulative grade point average for student-athletes of 3.23 and an astounding 96.5 percent graduation success rate.

The academic success of the program carried over to the field, court, ice and pool as Canisius won its first-ever MAAC Commissioner’s Cup for men’s sports on the strength of three conference championships last year (basketball, lacrosse, baseball).

I have an opportunity to watch our student-athletes close up – in their games, in meetings, at college events and in casual interactions across campus. It’s a great joy to see these young men and women develop their leadership skills as they become outstanding representatives of Canisius College.

These latest results are the most recent validation of a strategic shift in the college’s approach to athletics that dates back to 2002 when Canisius reduced the number of varsity sports it would sponsor and increased its investment in each sport to enhance the experience for student-athletes and improve teams’ competitiveness. Today, fulltime coaches provide year-round coaching and mentoring, while also spending more time recruiting better student-athletes.

As our cover story indicates, resources for athletics are a constant concern at Canisius as we attempt to balance needs across the college. This is where our alumni and friends come in.

Your support of the Blue & Gold Fund makes so many things possible for our programs and our students. You deserve a share of the credit for these great results, too.

Jamie M. Tobias ’17 Official in the National Hockey League

features

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Faculty Notes

Sidelined New research by Clancy M. Seymour ’97, MSEd ’99, EdD, finds educational reform policies may take the ‘physical’ out of physical education

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Cover Story

Winning Attitude The mindset of Canisius studentathletes is to excel in their sport and their studies

Alumni Spotlights

<<< 22 Calling the Shots Jamie M. Tobias ’17 earns his stripes as an NHL official

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Playing to Her Strengths A new job with the Atlanta Hawks positions Michelle A. Leftwich ’87 among the NBA’s highest ranking women in basketball operations

blue&goldbriefs Pomp and Circumstance

College Magazine WINTER 2019 I VOLUME 19, ISSUE 1

President John J. Hurley Vice President for Institutional Advancement William M. Collins Chief Communications Officer & Executive Editor Eileen C. Herbert ’04, MS ’15 Managing Editor Audrey R. Browka Creative Director Patty Herkey Art Director Cody Weiler Contributing Writers Kate Lockhart Nick Veronica ’13 Photography Brianna Blank ’14 Marshal Filipowicz ’18

The Canisius College undergraduate Class of 2019 will hear from Buffalo native and humanitarian David N. Campbell, during commencement ceremonies scheduled for Saturday, May 18 at 10 a.m. in the Koessler Athletic Center.

The former technology executive and investment banker was on the verge of retirement in 2004 when a massive undersea earthquake triggered a destructive tsunami in Southeast Asia. Armed with donations he collected from friends and business partners, Campbell traveled to Thailand to help. The life-changing experience led him to establish All Hands and Hearts – Smart Response, a nonprofit natural disaster response and rebuild organization.

Campbell earned a BS in mathematics from Niagara University and an MS in operations research from the University at Buffalo.

Commencement ceremonies for the graduate Class of 2019 are scheduled for 7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 15. U.S. District Court Judge Hon. Lawrence J. Vilardo ’77 will address the students. Nominated to the position by President Barack Obama in 2015, the U.S. Senate unanimously confirmed Vilardo in October that same year.

Prior to his current position, Vilardo was founding partner of Connors & Vilardo LLP, a Buffalo law firm that specializes in trial and appellate practice, and civil and criminal litigation, in state and federal courts. He holds a BA in history and political science from Canisius and a JD from Harvard Law School.

Canisius will confer honorary degrees upon Vilardo and Campbell during commencement ceremonies. Also receiving honorary degrees: Willie D. “Hutch” Jones, president and co-founder of the Willie Hutch Jones Educational & Sports Program; Sr. Mary Johnice Rzadkiewicz, executive director of the Response to Love Center; Rev. Patrick J. Frawley, senior vice president of social responsibility for Centene Corp. and former CEO of Fidelis Care, a subsidiary of Centene; and I. Joan Lorch, PhD, professor emerita of biology at Canisius.

Jenna Hiscock Tom Wolf ’86

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 Email ccmag@canisius.edu Postmaster send change of address to: Canisius College, 2001 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14208

New MS in Finance Offers Wealth of Career Options The 2008 financial crisis brought big changes to the way banks and investment houses do business. But its effects weren’t limited to Wall Street. The market meltdown changed the way finance students need to prepare for future careers. To address this need, the Richard J. Wehle School of Business is introducing a new master of science degree in finance, in fall 2019.

The graduate program is an extension of the college’s popular undergraduate degree in finance, which is ranked No. 18 in the country by U.S. News & World Report. It will provide advanced knowledge in the areas of corporate finance, investment management, portfolio management, and financial institutions and markets. The 30-credit-hour program is distinguished by its offering of three specialized concentrations: investment research, risk management and data analytics – areas in which employment is expected to grow 11.5 percent through 2024.

In addition to the knowledge base, students will gain a strong foundation in ethics, standards of professional conduct, communication and team work. Extended hands-on learning opportunities outside the classroom further expand the educational value of the MS degree in finance, which can be pursued by students in full- or part-time capacities.

WEB EXTRA > Visit canisius.edu/msfinance to learn more.

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blue&goldbriefs Major Change for Marketing Communication Though the concept of marketing remains the same, the 21st century channels through which a brand message is communicated are more varied than ever. To prepare future professionals for this evolving way of marketing, Canisius College is offering a new BS degree in integrated marketing communication (IMC).

The program, which is one of only a few in the country to take a completely interdisciplinary approach, couples the fundamentals of traditional marketing and media with the still-emerging possibilities of new digital communication channels and tactics. Students will study advertising and communication, marketing and consumer behavior, public relations, research and data analysis, as well as reputation and community management. With an added emphasis on experiential learning, students will gain firsthand knowledge of the application and strategic management of specific skills tactics, and will graduate prepared to enter a job market in which employment is expected to climb 10 percent through 2026.

The new BS in IMC becomes available in fall 2019 and is a hybrid program, with coursework in the classroom and online.

Canisius’ master’s program in applied nutrition is among the best in the country, according to a new ranking by OnlineMasters.com. The organization recognized the program’s quality curriculum, its flexibility and affordability, as well as its graduate outcomes.

The master’s in applied nutrition has two specialty tracks: obesity and eating disorders, and fitness and sports nutrition. Both prepare students to evaluate nutritional programs, conduct and comprehend research, and apply current research to practice.

Photo: Keith Walters / SUNY Geneseo

Canisius Hires First Dean of Diversity Fatima Rodriguez Johnson MS ’98 joined the Canisius community this winter as associate dean of diversity and inclusion. The newly-created position is the first of its kind at the college and was developed to further promote diversity, inclusion, equity and social justice as an essential element of a Canisius education. In this capacity, Johnson works in collaboration with the ALANA Student Center, chairs the college’s Racial Diversity Team, oversees the Academic Talent Search Program and serves as director of the Higher Education Opportunity Program.

Johnson is the former associate dean of students in the Office of Multicultural Programs and Services at the State University of New York (SUNY) at Geneseo. She holds an undergraduate degree in sociology from SUNY at Fredonia and a master’s degree in higher education and student affairs administration from Canisius College.

Collaborating with Catholic Health A unique partnership between Canisius and Catholic Health is about to bring several innovative collaborations to campus.

The healthcare system announced in February that it will lease and renovate 20,000 square feet of space on the third floor of Science Hall to house a 150-member team that will build and test a new $100 million electronic health records (EHR) system. It is the largest investment in the history of Catholic Health and is intended to further improve patient care and innovate healthcare delivery.

The benefits of the investment are twofold.

According to Catholic Health CEO Mark A. Sullivan ’92, MPA ’96, the initiative will also create internships and mentoring opportunities for students studying information technology, data analytics, finance, healthcare, and offer real-world collaborations between students and professionals in the emerging field of EHR. Catholic Health will lease the space for an initial term of three years with some limited options for renewal. Its EHR team will move into Science Hall in June.

WEB EXTRA > Visit canisius.edu/magazine to learn more about the collaboration.

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facultyresearch

Sidelined New research by Clancy M. Seymour ’97, MSEd ’99, EdD, finds educational reform policies may take the ‘physical’ out of physical education

* Is the Physical Being Taken Out of Physical Education?

Co-authored with Mark J. Garrison, PhD, director, Educational Leadership Doctoral Program, D’Youville College ** W hat They Think About How They Are Evaluated: Perspectives of New York State Physical Educators on Teacher Evaluation Policy Co-authored with Mark J. Garrison, PhD, director, Educational Leadership Doctoral Program, D’Youville College *** Effects of Common Core State Standards on Student Physical Activity Rates and Student and Teacher Perceptions in Physical Education Co-authored with Canisius researchers James P. Donnelly, PhD; Karl Kozlowski, PhD; Marcus Thomeer, PhD; Christopher Lopata, PsyD; and Kiel Illg ’07, PhD

facultyresearch There’s a saying that what can be measured is what counts. But Clancy M. Seymour ’97, MSEd ’99, EdD, maintains not everything that counts can be measured.

He’s referring to the predicament faced by today’s physical educators who, in an era of educational reform, are being evaluated on the cognitive outcomes of their students – not the physical. The implication, Seymour says, is that “the ‘physical’ is increasingly being taken out of physical education (PE).”

Seymour is director of the physical and health education teacher education (P/HETE) program at Canisius and devotes his research agenda to educational policy and its potential effects on K-12 physical education.* He most recently co-authored a revealing study that examines school district practices and attitudes concerning New York State’s new teacher evaluation policy called the Annual Professional Performance Review (APPR).** Under APPR, PE teachers are now evaluated on the same set of student achievement data as their colleagues who teach in such core subjects as English Language Arts (ELA) and mathematics. Physical educators were previously assessed on their ability to provide a stimulating, motivating and engaging learning environment for students. The challenge this poses, says Seymour, “is how best to assess students’ cognitive growth in PE.” As school districts grapple for a universal answer, some have resolved to alter the curriculum.

According to Seymour’s study, 70 percent of polled physical educators are integrating more mathematics and ELA instruction into their classes to comply with the APPR mandate. The same percentage of physical educators (70 percent) reported increases in the use of written tests to measure student growth in PE. That’s in contrast to traditional performance-based student assessments which, absent of APPR, would be preferred by 94 percent of surveyed participants.

“ We’ve lost sight of the fact that physical activity itself stimulates a healthy body and mind, which in turn creates the optimal conditions for educational success.”

Further research by Seymour and a cohort of Canisius investigators examines the influence of another recent educational policy initiative on K-12 PE programs - the Common Core State Standards (CCSS).***The study’s findings reveal that the mandatory integration of CCSS by physical educators negatively affects physical activity rates in PE class: Students were shown to be less active and reported learning less and being challenged less – physically and mentally.

“Intentionally or unintentionally, educational reform policies are squeezing time away from students’ physical activity and altering the unique purpose of physical education, which is to promote the physical,” Seymour explains. “We’ve lost sight of the fact that physical activity itself stimulates a healthy body and mind, which in turn creates the optimal conditions for educational success.”

The risks are even greater for the less fortunate.

“There are families who can’t afford to register their children for sports outside of school so the only opportunity for these children to be active is during the school day. The ramifications of this will play out in our healthcare system.”

Not all is so foreboding.

Despite reform policies that emphasize cognitive outcomes, physical educators remain committed to teaching the social aspects of sport.

“The physical educators we polled continue to teach children the importance of being respectful winners and losers, and positive team players,” Seymour continues.

While the dynamics of educational reform and its influence on PE play out at state and federal levels, Seymour is optimistic that insight from his team’s research can contribute to a winning solution for policy makers, educators and students alike.

“Much like plants need water, sunlight and soil to grow, children need ELA and mathematics as much as PE, music and art if they are to reach their full potentials,” Seymour says. “The soil doesn’t have to be measured the same way as the sunlight but all are equally valuable in the growth of the plant.”

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facultynotes

Pets as Bed Partners Women’s sleep quality improves when they snuggle with ‘man’s best friend’

Women looking to get a sound night sleep may want to consider cuddling up to Fido.

“Additionally, dogs as bed partners scored higher on comfort and security than did human and feline partners.”

According to new research by Christy L. Hoffman, PhD, women sleep better alongside ‘man’s best friend’ than they do their human counterparts. The associate professor of animal behavior, ecology and conservation found that human partners, as well as cats, were equally disruptive to women’s sleep, whereas dogs were less likely to wake their owners.

Hoffman’s research is based on a survey of nearly 1,000 women living in the United States. Her findings were published in the November issue of Anthrozoos and have garnered national and international media attention.

“Dogs’ sleep patterns more closely coincide with sleep patterns in humans than do the sleep patterns of cats, which may explain why dog moms stick to a stricter sleep schedule,” explains Hoffman.

In the months since Hoffman’s research was released, more than 100 local and national media outlets reported on her findings including People magazine, ABC News, CBS News, Psychology Today, The New York Post and the Huffington Post.

WEB EXTRA > Visit canisius.edu/magazine to read Hoffman’s research in its entirety.

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CANISIUS COLLEGE M AGA ZINE WINTE R 2019

facultynotes Wadkins Heralded for The Rise of Pentecostalism in Modern El Salvador The Graduate Theological Union (GTU) in Berkeley, CA, awarded Timothy D. Wadkins, PhD, its prestigious Borsch-Rast Book Prize and Lectureship Award.

The Center for the Graduate Study of Religion recognized the religious studies professor for his innovative and creative theological scholarship. GTU also heralded Wadkins’ 2017 book, The Rise of Pentecostalism in Modern El Salvador, which traces the Protestant-Evangelical renaissance and its deep interactive connection to modernization in El Salvador.

Wadkins is a 1988 alumnus of GTU.

Gansworth’s Give Me Some Truth a “Great Read” National Public Radio’s (NPR) annual year-end list of “Great Reads” includes a title familiar to Canisius.

Give Me Some Truth is one of 23 young adult novels NPR recognized in 2018. Authored by English Professor Eric Gansworth, the book successfully tackles the complexities of Indigenous identity, life on the Tuscarora Nation reservation and love.

Give Me Some Truth is Gansworth’s 11th book and his second young adult novel

De La Pedraja Depicts The Russian Military Resurgence History Professor René De La Pedraja, PhD, tells the fascinating story of the decline and reinvention of Soviet forces in his latest book The Russian Military Resurgence: Post-Soviet Decline and Rebuilding, 1992-2018.

Through lively accounts and maps, De La Pedraja chronicles the lowest points for the Soviet military (namely The First Chechnya War), the subsequent stirrings of a new Russian army and The Five Day War with Georgia, which marked Russia’s return to world power status.

The Russian Military Resurgence is De La Pedraja’s first book on Russia. He has published extensively on Latin America.

Riga Tells An Immigrant Tale Emeritus Professor of English Frank P. Riga, PhD, explores the struggles faced by millions of Italians who immigrated to America in 1901, in his new novel Beppo’s America: An Immigrant Tale.

A treat for enthusiasts of the “New Immigration Era,” the book tells the story of the recently vowed couple, Beppo and Rose, who were forced to flee Italy after Beppo is charged unjustly of murder. The narrative traces the couple’s arrival in Buffalo, delves into the struggles of the city’s immigrant communities, and culminates with the couple’s gradual acclamation to their new and unfamiliar culture.

Starr Gazing Emeritus Professor Daniel P. Starr ’58, HON ’17, PhD, recaptures the region’s good old days in his latest book Starr Gazing: Stories of the Buffalo, the Niagara Region and Beyond.

In it, he recalls colorful stories of downtown Buffalo in the days and years following World War II, the summertime vacation spots on the American and Canadian shores, and the ethnic enclaves throughout the region.

A member of the Canisius faculty for nearly a half century, Starr’s book draws on his experiences as a professor of history and as director of athletics, as well as his personal knowledge of his hometown.

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Winning Attitude T H E M I N D S E T O F C A N I S I U S S T U D E N T-AT H L E T E S I S TO E XC E L I N T H E I R S P O R T S A N D T H E I R S T U D I E S

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he last three words of the Athletic Department’s mission statement say it all: expect to win. Certainly, the competitiveness of Canisius’ teams has been on a steady trajectory for some time, though 2018 – as Nick Veronica ’13 elaborates on the following pages – was one of the winningest and most spectacular years in the history of Canisius athletics.

The expectation of winning on the field is equally matched by the mindset that Canisius student-athletes succeed in the classroom. And like any game that lands in the win column, the numbers tell the story at Canisius: > 19 out of 20 varsity programs boast a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or better > 13 recorded a team GPA of 3.25 or higher in fall 2018 > Even more telling is the latest NCAA report on graduation success rates. At 96.5 percent, Canisius scores higher in this category than the national average for other Division I schools in the NCAA.

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CANISIUS COLLEGE M AGA ZINE WINTE R 2019

“Participation in Division I athletics puts exceptional demands on student-athletes’ time and energy. However at Canisius, we underscore that they’re students first,” says Director of Athletics Bill Maher ’89.

Helping to ensure they achieve the necessary balance are faculty, coaches, student-athlete advisers and administrators who all contribute to GRIFFS Life Skills. Originally implemented by the NCAA, the initiative is designed to support the development of student-athletes in five major areas: academics, athletics, community service, personal development and career development.

“Our goal is to develop well-rounded student-athletes who prepare and compete in each contest – as well as in the classroom – with the expectation of winning,” says Maher.

Academic Points of Pride 2018

393

NUMBER OF STUDENT-ATHLETES (AS OF FALL 2018)

20

VARSIT Y ATHLETIC PROGRA MS

19

TEA MS THAT SCORED CUMUL ATIVE 3.0 GPA OR HIGHER

3.23

COMBINED GPA FALL 2018

3.52 GPA

MEN’S TEA M WITH HIGHEST CUMUL ATIVE TRACK & CROSS COUNTRY

3.39 GPA

WOMEN’S TEA M WITH HIGHEST CUMUL ATIVE TRACK & CROSS COUNTRY

96.5%

GRADUATION SUCCESS RATE FOR STUDENT-ATHLETES

Athletes in Service 2018

“To win it for the first time was remarkable for us and I'm really proud of the accomplishment."

Athletic Director Bill Maher ’89

353

STUDENT-ATHLETES PARTICIPATED

5,330

HOURS OF SERVICE COMPLETED

22

CHILDREN’S SPORT CA MPS & CLINICS OFFERED

600

CHILDREN WHO ATTEND SPORT CA MPS & CLINICS ON THE CANISIUS CA MPUS

Long Shot S TO RY BY: N I C K V E R O N I C A ’ 13

C AN IS I US WIN S IT S FIRST-E V E R M A AC COMMISS ION E R ’ S CU P

2018 was one of the most successful years in the history of Canisius athletics and there’s a new trophy in the Koessler Athletic Center to prove it.

Canisius won the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) tournament championships in baseball and men’s lacrosse as well as regular-season titles in men’s basketball and women’s lacrosse. Canisius also claimed the Canal Cup over Niagara University. That marked the eighth consecutive win for the Griffs in the annual Battle of the Bridge series, which measures overall athletic supremacy between the two long-time rivals.

Those awards are proudly displayed in the college’s Athletic Hall of Fame trophy case but there’s one more on a shelf above them – Canisius’ first-ever MAAC Commissioner’s Cup, awarded for all-around excellence in men’s athletics.

“It’s a terrific accomplishment for our teams because every one of them had to perform well for us to pull it out,” Athletic Director Bill Maher ’89 says. “To win it for the first time was remarkable for us and I’m really proud of the accomplishment.”

Michael Sanzone â&#x20AC;&#x2122;19

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“We work harder to try to be

at the little areas bigger than we are."

T

he Commissioner’s Cup is usually won by the same handful of top-spending schools. The MAAC hands out three cups a year – one for men’s sports, one for women’s sports and an overall conference champion. Canisius had never won one despite competing in the MAAC since 1989, longer than every current athlete has been alive.

“MAAC administrators, President John Hurley and the vice presidents, they certainly understand the importance of this win,” Maher continues. “Even more meaningful was the appreciation we received from our peers in the industry who understand, ‘Wow, that’s really hard to do. And for a school like Canisius to get there, that’s a great accomplishment.’ ” As if winning championships isn’t hard enough, a number of factors increase the degree of difficulty for Canisius to win an award like the Commissioner’s Cup. > There’s no way around the first obstacle, which is spending.

Schools that spend more on athletics and fund the most sports have the best chances of winning a cumulative award like this, especially given the way the scoring system works.

While points are awarded for each sport in the MAAC, teams are only scored on their top six point-gathering sports, plus men’s basketball. That means schools that field the most teams have more margin for error because their lowestscoring teams won’t enter the equation.

Jibreel Faulkner ’19

MICHAEL SANZONE ’19 MEN’S L ACROSSE GPA: 3.6

MAJOR: FINANCE ACADEMIC ACCOLADES:

• MAAC All-Academic Team • Dean’s List ATHLETIC ACCOLADES:

• Team Captain • All-MAAC Rookie Team STUDENT ACTIVITIES:

• Army ROTC • Sandwich Ministry • St. Luke’s Mission of Mercy

LEAH SIMMONS ’20 VOLLE YBALL

JOURDAN O. ROEMER ’19 WOMEN’S L ACROSSE

GPA: 3.16

GPA: 3.66

MAJOR: COMMUNICATION STUDIES & DIGITAL MEDIA ARTS

MAJOR: HEALTH & WELLNESS

ATHLETIC ACCOLADES:

• Dean’s List • MAAC All-Academic Team

• All-MAAC First Team • MAAC Player of the Week • Ranked 6th in MAAC (kills/points) STUDENT ACTIVITIES:

• Golden Griffin Leadership Academy • Afro-American Society • Racial Diversity Team

ACADEMIC ACCOLADES:

ATHLETIC ACCOLADES:

• MAAC Offensive Player of the Year • All-MAAC First Team • All-ECAC STUDENT ACTIVITIES:

• St. Luke’s Mission of Mercy • Student Speaker/Endowed Fund Donor Reception

> Hockey. The MAAC hasn’t sponsored ice hockey since 2003. That means Canisius’ third-most expensive sport doesn’t count toward the Commissioner’s Cup, even though the team placed second in Atlantic Hockey and earned a national ranking during last season.

“At the mid-major level, you’re going to be good in a sport for a cycle of two of three years and then there’s a rebuilding year,” he adds.

“For them to be that strong on the men’s side across the board in a single year is pretty darn impressive.”

>C onsider that three of last season’s titles were won by first-year head coaches – Matthew P. Mazurek ’06, MS ’12 (baseball), Mark M . Miyashita ’03 (men’s lacrosse) and Allison K. Daley ’11, MS ’13 (women’s lacrosse).

Here are the points for each sport: >T he men’s soccer program started off in fall 2017 with a run to the MAAC semifinals, which earned 12 points in the Commissioner’s Cup standings.

“Canisius is not towards the top of the conference in terms of our investment. Quinnipiac and Monmouth are far and away ahead of us,” Maher says. “That’s why, when we win something like this, it’s much more appreciated because of the ‘overachievement,’ as I would describe it takes to accomplish that.”

> Men’s basketball brought in 11.75 points for its share of the MAAC’s regular-season title – Canisius’ first since 1993-94.

Canisius ranked eighth among MAAC schools in total athletic spending in 2016-17, the most recent year for which government data is available, and each of the three years before that. Quinnipiac and Monmouth have been the MAAC’s top spenders every year since joining the conference in 2013. Monmouth won its fourth consecutive overall Commissioner’s Cup last year but the fact that Canisius ended Monmouth’s string of men’s titles was certainly not lost on those around the conference.

“Sometimes it’s a matter of resources,” Rider University Athletics Director Don Harnum says. “For someone like us or Canisius to sneak in and steal part of it from them is a pretty good accomplishment.

> The men’s lacrosse program’s run to the conference tournament championship earned 11 points. > Eight points earned by men’s cross country > Seven earned from men’s swimming & diving > And then five earned from men’s golf meant the Commissioner’s Cup race came down to the final event of the season – baseball.

Canisius was seeded third in the conference tournament but Coach Mazurek’s squad went undefeated through the double-elimination tournament and beat Monmouth 11-0 in the clinching game. The win earned Canisius 16.5 points in the cup standings and gave the Griffs 71.25 total – just enough to edge out Monmouth, which finished second at 70.0.

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“It’s a pretty amazing feat when you think about it,” Mazurek says. “We clearly have less resources than a Monmouth or a Quinnipiac but we work harder, I’ll say that pretty adamantly.

We work harder at the little areas to try to be bigger than we are.”

One underrated and large piece of the puzzle for Canisius is academics.

Conner Morro ’19

Not only has the Athletic Department found that athletes outpace the general student body in the classroom, Mazurek says his program and others often set rules for grade-point average that go above and beyond department-wide standards because grades go handin-hand with athletic success.

“I can go back years and look at the performance on the field and in the classroom and there’s a correlation,” explains Mazurek, who spent 12 years as an assistant before becoming head coach. “There aren’t many guys in our program who have been all-conference players and underperformed in the classroom. Our best players succeed in both disciplines. It shows you they can manage the workloads. The guys who struggle in the classroom usually struggle somewhere on the field.”

Canisius enjoyed much success in the classroom in 2018, a feat called impressive by a rival athletic director.

“It sends the message that resources are important but not as important as having the right leadership and having the right coaches,” says Harnum of Rider University. “At the end of the day, when the ball is thrown up or the puck is dropped, no one is thinking, ‘They spend more than we do, they pay their coach more than we do or we have a 3.5 GPA but they have a 2.2.’ You have to find a way to compete and Bill (Maher) has done a good job creating that culture there.”

MADELINE BEAULIEU ’20 WOMEN’S SOCCER GPA: 3.92

MAJOR: BIOLOGY ACADEMIC ACCOLADES:

• MAAC All-Academic Team • Dean’s List ATHLETIC ACCOLADES:

• Team Captain • MAAC Player of the Week STUDENT ACTIVITIES:

• Student-Athlete Advisory Committee • Golden Griffin Leadership Academy • Society of Pre-Health Professionals

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CANISIUS COLLEGE M AGA ZINE WINTE R 2019

NICK NEAMTU ’20

MEN’S CROSS COUNTRY / TRACK GPA: 4.0

MAJOR: COMPUTER SCIENCE & BIOINFORMATICS ACADEMIC ACCOLADES:

• Dean’s List • MAAC All-Academic Team (5x) ATHLETIC ACCOLADES:

• M ultiple Top 10 finishes in MAAC Cross Country/Track Championships • 1st Place Finish at Little Three Championship • 2x *IC4A Championship Qualifier

*Intercollegiate Association of Amateur Athletes of America STUDENT ACTIVITIES:

• Tutor, Computer Science Department • Software development engineer intern, Amazon • Software engineer intern, Kodak

VIVIAN R. MROZ ’19

WOMEN’S SWIMMING & DIVING GPA: 3.2

MAJOR: POLITICAL SCIENCE & CRIMINAL JUSTICE ACADEMIC ACCOLADES:

• MAAC All-Academic Team • Dean’s List ATHLETIC ACCOLADES:

• (8x) MAAC Diver of the Week • Multiple top 3 finishes in MAAC Championships • School Record: 1 Meter Dive, 3 Meter Dive STUDENT ACTIVITIES:

• Student-Athlete Advisory Committee • Step Up Griffs Peer Educator • Admissions Tour Guide

Team Effort DONORS TO BLUE & GOLD FUND PL AY INTEGRAL ROLE IN SUCCESS OF GOLDEN GRIFFINS

HIGH SCORE

$458,372 A MOUNT R AISE D FOR BLUE & GOLD FUND (F Y-2017-18)

UPPING THEIR GAME

55%

INCREASE IN DONORS TO BLUE & GOLD FUND (OVER 5 YEARS)

Like so many remarkable athletic events played at Canisius, this one set a record. The contest tipped off April 25, 2018 – Giving Day – and pitted all 20 Golden Griffin teams against one another to see which could garner the most support for Canisius athletics, during the annual 24-hour fundraising campaign.

In the end, men’s hockey topped all others with record dollars raised ($47,499). Men’s lacrosse secured the greatest number of donors (155). But ultimately, student-athletes are the biggest winners when alumni, family and friends support their favorite Golden Griffin teams by way of the Blue & Gold Fund.

Combined, their generosity, which totaled $458,372 from 1,341 donors in 2017-18, plays an integral role in the number of athletic scholarships offered at Canisius, the academic support and wellness services available to student-athletes, the recruitment of new talent and enhancing team travel. It’s an investment that helps ensure that Canisius is building the Next Generation of Golden Griffin Champions!

Jourdan O. Roemer ’19

advancement Distinguished Citizen Canisius to recognize former Buffalo Mayor for his contributions to WNY Hon. Anthony M. Masiello ’69, HON ’96 will be the guest of honor during the 53rd annual Regents Scholarship Ball, set for Saturday, May 4, 2019 at the Hyatt Regency Buffalo. Buffalo’s former mayor is this year’s recipient of the Distinguished Citizen Award, which annually recognizes an individual for contributions to the economic, civic or cultural well-being of Western New York. Masiello is the president of Masiello, Martucci, Calabrese and Associates, a public affairs lobbying firm based in Buffalo.

During his three full terms as mayor, Masiello focused on rebuilding Buffalo through economic expansion and restructuring. As mayor, he secured state and local funding for various projects including HSBC Arena, Theatre District expansion and the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus. He also played a key role in directing more than $1 billion of state investment into the Buffalo Public School District.

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CANISIUS COLLEGE M AGA ZINE WINTE R 2019

Public service has been a way of life for Masiello. Prior to his mayoral election, he spent 35 years in government holding seats on the Buffalo Common Council and the New York State Senate.

Masiello earned his bachelor’s degree from Canisius in 1969 and received an honorary degree from the college in 1996. A standout member of the Golden Griffin Division I basketball team, he holds a spot in the Canisius Sports Hall of Fame and is a past recipient of the college’s Distinguished Alumni Award.

He is a current member of the Board of Trustees and will celebrate his 50-year class reunion in May. For more information regarding tickets or sponsorship for the 53rd annual Regents Scholarship Ball, contact Courtney T. Sullivan at (716) 888-2710 or at sulli121@canisius.edu.

Donor Profile

advancement

Patrick P. Lee HON ’99 establishes scholarship to promote studies in high-demand fields Patrick P. Lee HON ’99 first learned about the importance of giving back from his grandmother.

“When I was a child living in Paris, France, in the 1940s, my grandmother took me to Mass every day,” Lee recalls. “As we left church, she would give coins to those in need. Although we did not have much at that time, she always found a way to help others less fortunate.”

The memory of his grandmother’s kindness remained with Lee throughout his life and led him to become one of Western New York’s most benevolent philanthropists. Canisius is a longtime beneficiary of Lee’s generosity.

Most recently, the former chair and CEO of the worldwide conglomerate International Motion Control (IMC) established the Lee Foundation Scholarship Program at the college. The $2 million endowment supports Canisius students who study finance, computer science, mathematics, statistics or physics, and demonstrate financial need. The goal is to promote the education of the engineering mindset.

“As an engineer, I know the value of a science degree,” Lee says. “It’s a field that encourages students to be innovative and more importantly, positions them for professional success in high-demand fields.”

Post-secondary education is a key area to which Lee directs his charitable giving.

He attended college through the War Orphans Education Program that provided tuition assistance to the children of military men and women killed during World War II. “It was a tremendous help to my mother and because of the education I received, I was able to secure my first job and eventually start my own company,” Lee says.

Though not a Canisius alumnus, Lee is Jesuit-educated. He attended Creighton Preparatory, a Jesuit High School for young men in Omaha, NE, and Parks College of Engineering, Aviation and Technology, which is part of Saint Louis University, a Catholic, Jesuit institution.

“A Jesuit education teaches the importance of both professional achievement and giving back to the community,” Lee explains. “It is a commitment to excellence, leadership and service to others.”

These qualities are exemplified by the Lee Scholars, who recently had the opportunity to meet their benefactor.

Among them is Anna G. Costa ’20, whose private school loans were considerably lessened upon becoming a scholarship recipient. Now she is able to pursue a dual degree in finance and marketing, and achieve her dream “of teaching financial literacy to low-income people so they can understand their finances and grow confident in their own abilities,” she says, adding that she’s grateful to Lee for his generosity.

The Lee Foundation Scholarship relieved the financial burdens of Dimitrios N. Kokkinis ’20. Before receiving his award, the computer science major worked year-round to afford college. With more freetime available, Kokkinis is able to take advantage of internship and shadowing opportunities in IT departments throughout Buffalo, and volunteer with the college’s Sandwich Ministry.

“The Lee Foundation Scholarship is enabling me to complete my education so that one day I will be able to use my passion for technology to help others,” Kokkinis adds. “I couldn’t be more grateful.”

The Lee Foundation Scholarship Program at Canisius awards two scholarships of $10,000 each to freshmen who demonstrate financial need and commit to excel in one of the targeted majors.

The scholarships are renewable over four years. Additionally, the program awarded eight $10,000 scholarships in its inaugural year to juniors and seniors in the targeted majors who were at risk of not completing their educations.

Patrick Lee established the Lee Foundation Scholarship Program at Canisius in memory of his late son, Patrick Warn Lee. “In many ways, Pat embodied the Jesuit values. He was incredibly bright, the first to lend a hand and an active volunteer at his church,” Lee recalls. “Creating a scholarship in his memory at Canisius allowed us to honor his love of learning and help others achieve their goals.”

advancement

Student recipients of endowed scholarships met their respective benefactors during a reception hosted by the Canisius College Division of Institutional Advancement.

Canisius awarded in excess of $3.5 million in endowed scholarships and $1.3 million in endowed programs during the 2017-18 academic year.

Endowed scholarship recipient Ally T. Matrassi ’22, a psychology major, with benefactor Paul J. Kolkmeyer ’75

Members of the Carballada family pose with their endowed scholarship recipients.

Pictured (l-r): Raymond Carballada, Virginia Carballada, Jourdan O. Roemer ’19, health/wellness major; R. Carlos Carballada ’56, HON ’81, Pedro A. Ortiz ’20, international business major; and Lily Engebrecht ’20, a biology and ABEC major.

Endowed scholarship sponsor George Hole, PhD, with student recipient Emily E. Sullivan ’19, a math and philosophy major.

The Rev. James M. Demske ’47, SJ, Society The Rev. James M. Demske ’47, SJ, Society honors the foresight and generosity of alumni and friends who include Canisius College in their estate plans, either through a bequest intention or other planned gift.

All gifts to the Demske Society, no matter the size, help to ensure the strength of the college for generations to come.

For more information on including Canisius College in your estate plans, visit canisius.edu/plannedgiving or contact: Mary Ellen Bakowski Office of Institutional Advancement 716.888.2235 bakowskm@canisius.edu 20

CANISIUS COLLEGE M AGA ZINE WINTE R 2019

The more people who come together, the more Canisius stories we can write.

Stories have the power to inspire, encourage and transform. Canisius Giving Day 2019 is all about sharing – and celebrating – the individual stories that make Canisius special. It's these stories that inspire Griffs everywhere to come together and give back so that the next generation of Canisius stories can be written.

Last year, 2,110 people came together to raise $448,350 for our students. This year we’re aiming even higher!

#CanisiusGivingDay

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Whose story will you help write?

Save-the-date and get ready to participate on April 3.

Every story begins with a new chapter and every gift made on Giving Day will help write a chapter in the Canisius storybooks of current and future Griffs!

#MyCanisiusStory

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canisiusgivingday.com

alumnispotlight

Calling the Shots Jamie M. Tobias ’17 earns his stripes as an NHL official Story: Audrey R. Browka | Photography: Tom Wolf

Focus is critical for Jamie M. Tobias ’17 from the moment he clocks into work. A high stick to the face, a puck to the head or a crushing blow between a pair of 250-pound hockey players are occupational hazards that come with his job as a linesman in the National Hockey League (NHL).

At 24, Tobias is the second youngest official among the league’s 68 referees and linesmen.

For novices of the sport, each NHL game includes four officials: two referees (identified by their orange armbands) who supervise the game and two linesmen who drop the puck for face-offs, make offside calls and flag hand passes. Linesmen also break up fights between sparring players.

“Getting hit by pucks and players is quite common,” says Tobias. So too is the lashing NHL officials take from players, coaches and fans.

“I was 12 years old when I started officiating games and I didn’t like it at all because everyone was always yelling at me.” He’s since developed a thick skin. “I’ve learned the players and the fans are mad more at the shirt than they are at me, personally.”

Tobias glided onto the ice at age three, when he laced up his first pair of skates. Throughout middle school and high school, he played hockey at the AAA level (the top competition level available to youth players) and officiated on the side to save money for college. But at age 18, the former forward traded in his hockey stick for a whistle.

“I felt I had exhausted my playing career and officiating was a way for me to stay in the game,” he recalls.

Tobias earned his stripes officiating games for the NCAA, the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) and the Atlantic Hockey League (AHL). Between work and travel, Tobias averaged a 30-plus hour work week. Nearly a full-time job for a full-time college student.

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alumnispotlight

“It was good work and it paid my tuition bills but balancing both wasn’t always easy,” says Tobias. “It helped tremendously that my professors were all understanding and accommodating of my schedule.”

With plans to become a neurosurgeon, Tobias was studying biology, psychology and neuroscience at Canisius when the NHL brought its Exposure Combine camp to Buffalo looking for a few good officials.

Impressed with Tobias’ speed, intensity and overall skating skillset, the American Hockey League hired him as a linesman. The following year, the NHL offered Tobias a contract, effective immediately following graduation in summer 2017. He signed on the dotted line, putting on hold his plans to pursue medicine.

This season, Tobias is scheduled to officiate 80 games, including four involving the Buffalo Sabres. He works an average of four games a week, which has Tobias on the road close to three weeks out of the month at a time.

Home or away, Tobias says that for him, the best part about being an NHL official happens before he drops the puck on the ice.

“It’s before the game when we get to skate out there and do, what we call, hot laps as referees. We skate around to get warmed up and the crowd is watching the team video and the players are coming out on to the ice. That has always been so exciting for me and even more so now.”

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The Canisius College Sports Hall of Fame welcomed six new inductees on Saturday, January 26. To be eligible for induction, former studentathletes must have completed their eligibility at least 10 years prior, be acclaimed as an undergraduate as one of the outstanding athletes in the college’s history and, since graduation, must have continued to reflect favorably on the college. Non-athletes may be inducted if they have made outstanding contributions to Canisius College athletics.

The Canisius Athletics Department also presented the Rev. Paul J. Dugan, SJ, Award to J. Joseph Van Volkenburg ’88, former senior

associate director of Campus Ministry. The award recognizes individuals for their significant contributions to Canisius athletics.

The 56th class of inductees are (pictured, l-r): J. Joseph Van Volkenburg ’88, recipient of the Rev. Paul J. Dugan, SJ, Award; Katie Miranto Burd ’08, MS ’10 (softball); Jess Stackhouse Bramer ’08 (volleyball); Dana “Binky” Johnson ’94 (basketball); Matt Mazurek ’07, MS ’12 (baseball); Whitney Card Buchli ’08 (lacrosse); and Peter M. Koehneke, Canisius College athletic trainer.

WEB EXTRA > Visit canisius.edu/magazine to read more about each inductee or to nominate an individual to the Canisius College Sports Hall of Fame.

Zack ’00, MS ’04 Back at Alma Mater

New director of alumni engagement has long history at Canisius A fresh and perhaps familiar face will greet alumni at their next Canisius event, as the college welcomed Erin (Lawless) Zack ’00, MS ’04 back to campus as the new director of alumni engagement.

Zack started her career at Canisius as assistant director of donor relations and special events, responsible for the development, management and execution of the college’s high-profile events for alumni and donors. She earned her undergraduate degree in psychology and criminal justice from Canisius, and her master’s degree in student personnel administration.

In her new role, Zack is responsible for providing leadership and strategic direction for a comprehensive, vibrant and sustainable alumni engagement program. Charged with actively involving graduates in the life of the college, Zack plans to expand the breadth and depth of alumni programs by emphasizing career development, student recruitment and mission-driven programs.

Zack returns to Canisius from the University at Buffalo where she was associate director for alumni engagement, managing all facets of the university’s signature alumni events, including homecoming. She similarly provided leadership to the UB Alumni Association Board of Directors and its 30-plus local and national chapter leaders and volunteers.

alumninotes 1950s ’54 BA, HON ’14 Richard F. Griffin, partner with Kavinoky Cook LLP, received the Legal Elite Lifetime Achievement Award from the Buffalo Law Journal and Business First.

1960s ’61 BA John P. Dee is a founding partner of the new law firm Roach Lennon & Brown PLLC. He was a partner with Blair & Roach PLLC. ’67 BS James M. Byron, retired budget director for Erie County, received an Outstanding Service Award from St. Benedict School and Parish in Amherst.

1970s ’70 BA Rev. Gregory J. Dobson, retired rector of the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels in Olean, received the Curé of Ars Award from Christ the King Seminary. ’71 BA Gregory C. Yungbluth, a retired attorney, received an Outstanding Service Award from St. Benedict School and Parish in Amherst. ’73 BA David I. Gregorio, PhD, professor of community medicine and sociology for the University of Connecticut, was inducted into the Bishop Fallon High School/Holy Angels Collegiate Institute Hall of Fame.

’73 BA David L. Roach is a founding partner of the new law firm Roach Lennon & Brown PLLC. He was partner of Blair & Roach PLLC. ’74 MSEd Rev. Charles Jagodzinski, OFM Conv., is the new chaplain to the Franciscan Sisters of St. Joseph in Hamburg. ’76 BA Anthony F. Perna, MD, a physician with General Physician PC, was inducted into the Bishop Fallon High School/Holy Angels Collegiate Institute Hall of Fame.

1980s ’80 BS Jon M. Christiano is the new managing partner and professional trainer for New Edge Hockey Development Academy in Cheektowaga.

He was director of professional scouting for the Buffalo Sabres. ’82 BA Jill (Kawa) Bond, senior vice president and general counsel for Rich Products Corporation, was elected to the Hauptman-Woodward Medical Research Institute Board of Directors. ’82 BS Susan Grimm was promoted from accountant to payroll manager with Employer Services Corporation. ’82 BA Timothy J. Sember is the new chief development officer for Catholic Charities of Buffalo. He was previously the general manager of ParishSOFT of Ann Arbor, MI.

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’83 BA Eileen Hudson-Wolmering was promoted to director of mission advancement at Our Lady of Victory Homes of Charity. She was director of major gifts and planned giving.

’91 BS, MBA ’00 NancyRae K. Kjelgaard is the new associate regional director of programs for the National Credit Union Administration’s Region V Office in Tempe, AZ. She was a supervisory examiner of credit risk for the Federal Housing Finance Agency.

’83 BS Alan E. Runkel, a financial advisor with Independent Financial Resources LLC in Mason, OH, was inducted into the Ohio Bowling Hall of Fame in the Superior Performance category.

’92 BA Mark R. Jajkowski, MD, is the new director of thoracic surgery for Catholic Health. He was the chief of the division of thoracic surgery for Mercy Hospital.

’84 BA Paul M. Fontana, vice principal for academics at All Hallows High School in the Bronx, was inducted into All Hallows High School Hall of Fame in recognition of his 22 years of service to the school.

’92 BS Patrick S. Marks is the new vice president and mortgage sales manager for Fairport Savings Bank. He was a mortgage national sales performance manager with KeyBank.

’84 BS, MBA ’91 Robert G. Warner, vice president of finance for HSBC, was ordained as a permanent deacon at Our Lady of Victory Basilica in Lackawanna. ’86 BS Gina M. Castelli, head women’s basketball coach at LeMoyne College, was inducted into the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame. ’86 BA David R. Fernandez is the new vice president of physician practices for Mercy Hospital in Portland, ME. He was vice president of oncology and imaging services for Summit Medical Group in New Providence, NJ. ’88 BA Eric Adamski was promoted from clinical quality analyst to director of quality healthcare management with Kalos Health Inc. ’88 BS Laura A. (Seltzer) Grucza is the new resource development manager for Hillsborough Education Foundation in Tampa, FL. She was an events coordinator for Metrohm USA in Riverview, FL. ’88 BS Cheryl A. (Lewandowski) Konopka, a fifth-grade teacher for Rocky River Elementary School in Monroe, NC, was named a National Board Certified Teacher.

Career Highlight: Keith Corbett, a senior trial attorney with the Barone Defense Firm in Birmingham, MI, was recently appointed special prosecutor to assist with the investigation of possible financial crimes associated with the Flint water crisis in Michigan.

Career Notes: Corbett is a retired federal prosecutor who served several years as chief of the Organized Crime Strike Force for the U.S. Attorney’s Office. During his tenure, Corbett led the effort to convict top leaders of racketeering and is largely credited with dismantling the Detroit Mafia.

’93 BS, MBA ’96 Allegra C. (Thompson) Jaros, president of John R. Oishei Children’s Hospital, was named a Woman of Distinction by the Amherst Chamber of Commerce. ’93 BA Suchitra Koneru, MD, is now a primary care physician with Trinity Medical Primary Care. She was a primary care physician for CCS Healthcare. ’94 BA Magda C. Parvey, EdD, is the interim superintendent of schools for New Rochelle School District in New Rochelle, NY. She was the district’s assistant superintendent and chief academic officer. ’94 BA Melanie J. (Ernst) Tarantelli is the new human resource manager for Endeavor Health Services. She was a senior recruiter for Ingram Micro. ’96 MBA Ronald D. Adamczak, director of risk management for Hoffman Hanafin & Associates LLC, was ordained as a permanent deacon at Our Lady of Victory Basilica in Lackawanna.

’88 BA Jeffrey F. Swiatek, partner with Hodgson Russ, was elected president of the New York State Association of School Attorneys.

Keith E. Corbett ’71 BA, Political Science

’92 BA David E. Reid, director of government affairs and policy for the Receivables Management Association in Sacramento, CA, was elected to the Folsom Cordova Unified School District Board in Folsom and Rancho Cordova, CA.

’96 MS Laura J. Barnum is the new vice president of finance and management for Buffalo State College. She was associate vice president of resource planning with the University at Buffalo.

’89 BA J. Timothy Vaeth, project executive for The Pike Company, received the Kevin Garvey Award from the Kevin Guest House in recognition of his exceptional service to the organization.

’97 BA Tiffany R. Perry, a court attorney referee for Erie County Family Court, was elected to the Literacy New York Buffalo-Niagara Board of Directors.

1990s ’90 BA Ronald A. Raccuia, president for ADPRO Sports and executive vice president of licensing and branding for Pegula Sports & Entertainment, was elected chair of the ECMC Foundation Board of Directors. ’91 MBA Richard C. Hamister, New York State regional president for Northwest Bank, was elected to the HauptmanWoodward Medical Research Institute Board of Directors.

’97 BA Jeffrey A. Tricoli is the new senior vice president of business and cyber resiliency for Charles Schwab Corporation in Westlake, TX. He was a cybersecurity section chief for the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Washington, DC. ’98 BS, MS ’02, MS ’18 Brian C. Swatland is the new principal of Williamsville East High School.

He was the assistant principal of Williamsville North High School.

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alumninotes ’04 MS Peter A. Petrella is the new managing director for Viaduct Inc. He was vice president of enterprise solutions for the start-up HigherMe.

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’05 BS Alexandra Murello, executive director for the American Red Cross’ Western New York Region, was named to Business First’s 40 Under 40 List. ’06 BA Margaret A. Hurley was promoted from associate attorney to senior associate attorney with Lippes Mathias Wexler Friedman LLP. ’06 BA Robert J. Owczarczak, a seminarian at Christ the King Seminary, was ordained as a transitional deacon at Our Lady of Victory Basilica in Lackawanna.

Robert D. Rosen ’84 BS, Finance Career Highlight: Robert Rosen is the 2019 recipient of the American Hockey Coaches Association’s John Mariucci Award. The honor is bestowed upon the secondary/ high school association coach who best exemplifies the spirit, dedication and enthusiasm of the late University of Minnesota hockey coach, whose name is also synonymous with the growth of amateur hockey in the U.S. Career Notes: A former assistant hockey coach at Canisius, Rosen is the head hockey coach at Williamsville North High School and one of the all-time winningest coaches in New York State history. He’ll be honored during Frozen Four week in Buffalo this April.

’99 BS, MSEd ’01 Julie M. (Przepiora) Fisher, a science teacher for Alden Central School District, received her New York State certification in secondary physics education. It is her sixth New York State teaching certification. ’98 BS, MBA ’01 Anthony F. Franco is the new commercial lending relationship manager for Tompkins Financial Advisors. He was a senior banker for KeyBank.

2000s ’01 BS Glenn T. Hart is the new vice president of finance and administration for Ivoclar Vivadent. He was director of finance for Delaware North Companies Sportservice. ’01 BA Bethany A. Solek, assistant district attorney for the Special Victims Bureau in the Erie County District Attorney’s Office, was named to Business First’s 40 Under 40 List. ’02 BA Julia M. (Foy) Hilliker, partner with Hodgson Russ LLP, was named to Business First’s 40 Under 40 List. ’02 BA Rev. Jeffrey L. Nowak is the new pastor for Our Lady Help of Christians Parish in Cheektowaga. He was parochial vicar of St. Vincent de Paul in Niagara Falls.

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’03 BA Rev. James L. Fugle is the new senior parochial vicar for Resurrection Parish in Batavia. He was pastor for St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish in Corfu.

’07 BS, MBA ’09 Mindy R. (Miller) Elniski was promoted from assurance manager to assurance senior manager with Lougen Valenti Bookbinder & Weintraub LLP. ’07 BA Joseph P. Heins is now special counsel for Bouvier Law LLP. He was an attorney with Lippes Mathias Wexler Friedman LLP. ’07 BS Liam T. Knott, MD, is a new general surgeon with Surgical Associates of Western New York. ’07 BA Melissa A. Wegst is the new program director for Aurora Village, an addiction treatment center for women on the Horizon Village campus in

Sanborn. She was program director at Horizon Village Terrace House. ’08 MBA Angela M. Hall is the new senior financial planner for GCW Capital Group. She was a financial advisor for Jensen Marks Langer & Vance LLC. ’08 MBA Rachel N. (George) Leidenfrost is the new associate vice president of marketing and communications for Daemen College.

She was the chief communications officer for Meals on Wheels for Western New York. ’08 BA Stephanie R. Peete is the new internship and career pathways program specialist for Say Yes Buffalo. She was a family support specialist for the organization. ’08 BA Katherine A. Szewczuk recently opened an independent bookstore, White Paw Books & Curiosities, in Newark, NY. ’08 BS Janelle M. Tryjankowski, MD, recently completed her residency at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, MA. She is now an attending physician and partner with Atlantic Anesthesia in Norfolk, VA. ’09 MS, MS ’16 Raymond S. Bailey is the new assistant principal for Sweet Home Middle School. He was the dean

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’03 BS, MSEd ’04, MS ’14 Matthew J. Golonka, a health and physical education teacher for Theodore G. Davis Middle School in Waldorf, MD, received a National Board Certification in physical education. ’03 MS Robert S. McDow is the new vice president for business and finance for Medaille College.

He was the director of finance and administration for the city of Buffalo. ’03 BS, MS ’05 Brandy L. VandermarkMurray was promoted from executive director to vice president for Horizon Village Inc. ’03 BA Rev. Robert W. Zilliox Jr. is the new pastor for St. Mary Parish in Swormville. He was the pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Bowmansville. ’04 BS Ryan E. Caster, principal for Freed Maxick CPAs, was named to Business First’s 40 Under 40 List. ’04 BA Christopher L. Hayes is a new special counsel for Phillips Lytle LLP. He was a senior counsel on data security for M&T Bank.

CANISIUS COLLEGE M AGA ZINE WINTE R 2019

Craig D. Hannah ’92 BA, International Relations / Political Science Career Highlight: Buffalo City Court Judge Craig Hannah received the Bar Association of Erie County’s Outstanding Jurist Award for presiding over the nation’s first opiate crisis intervention court.

Career Notes: Judge Hannah began his legal career as an assistant district attorney in the Erie County District Attorney’s Office, assigned to city court and the grand jury bureaus. He later spent 10 years in private practice as a trial lawyer in city, state and federal courts. In 2006, Hannah was elected Buffalo City Court Judge.

alumninotes of students for the Buffalo Academy of Science Charter School. ’09 MS Jeffrey Haft, athletic director for Mercyhurst University in Erie, PA, was the replacement athletic trainer for the Pittsburgh Steelers during the team’s 2018 training camp and preseason. ’09 BS, MBA ’12 Lauren A. (Simm) Kersten was promoted from human resource consultant to human resource consultant team leader with Employer Services Corporation. ’09 BA Demaree S. Walsh is a new sales associate for Walsh Duffield. She was a volunteer and events coordinator with the Salvation Army of Buffalo.

2010s ’10 BS James R. Horan was promoted from athletic trainer to head athletic trainer for the New York Red Bulls Academy in Harrison, NJ. ’10 BS Khadeeja M. Saleh received her PharmD degree from the University at Buffalo. ’10 MSED, MSED ’12 Kirsten Burke Smith, a teacher in the Lockport City School District, was named presidentelect of the Niagara Reading Council and vice president of the New York State Reading Association. She was recently awarded a scholarship to Breathe for Change training for educators. ’10 BA Eric Verhayden was promoted from network analyst to network analyst II for the city of Clearwater, FL. ’11 BS Andrew D. Drilling is a new associate attorney with Hodgson Russ LLP. He was an associate with Lippes Mathias Wexler Friedman LLP. ’11 BA Matthew J. Janiszewski, assistant to Cheektowaga Supervisor Diane Benczkowski, was unanimously re-elected as chair of the Cheektowaga Democratic Town Committee. ’11 BA Krista M. Marcucci recently founded the blockchain advisory company BlocKlub and organized two major local blockchain events, the Blockchain Blocktable and the Blockchain Expo. ’11 BA Alyssa K. Palombo, an author, recently released her third novel, The Spellbook of Katrina Van Tassel: A Story of Sleepy Hollow.

’12 BS, MBA ’13 Dillon L. Brown received his PharmD degree from the University of New England College of Pharmacy.

He is now a pharmacy manager for CVS Pharmacy in Bel Air, MD.

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’12 BS Eric M. Demske was promoted from staff accountant to senior associate with Freed Maxick CPAs. ’12 MBA Logan (Amaro) Robinson is the new digital project manager for Pinckney Hugo Group in Syracuse. She was a communications manager for the Interactive Technology Services Department at Binghamton University. ’12 BA Samuel J. Scarcello is the new marketing for content manager at 19 IDEAS. He is also co-owner of Public Espresso + Coffee. ’12 MS Holly Staley is the new principal of Newfane Elementary School. She was the principal of Stanley Makowski Early Childhood Center. ’12 BS Erica L. (Dutter) Trimm is a new physician assistant for Rome Orthopedics and Sports Medicine in Rome, NY. ’13 BS Corey A. Damon received his PhD in chemistry from the University at Buffalo. He is now an assistant professor of chemistry and coordinator of the chemistry program for Jamestown Community College. ’13 MS Kathleen MacLeay is the new Brighter Futures program coordinator for CW Solutions in Wisconsin Rapids, WI. She was coordinator for Greek life and student organizations at the University of Minnesota Duluth. ’14 MBA Christopher D. Arnold was promoted from marketing associate to central production planner with Lactalis American Group. ’14 BA Jacob W. Bonar was promoted to publicist and marketing associate with Prometheus Books. ’14 MS Cassandra A. (Radley) Davis, vice president of ambulatory services and population health for Erie County Medical Center, was named to Business First’s 40 Under 40 List. ’14 BS, MBA ’15 Peter Dombrowski was promoted from staff accountant to senior associate with Freed Maxick CPAs. ’14 BA Aidan M. Ryan, a communications specialist for Goldberg Segalla and writer, curated and co-edited the book Constant Stranger: After Frank Stanford.

Ensign Bailey J. McGowan MBA ’14 Career Highlight: Ensign Bailey McGowan completed training at the Navy Supply Corps School in Newport, RI and will be deployed to Yokosuka, Japan, where she will serve on the cruiser USS Antietam.

Career Notes: Bailey is a supply chain officer for the U.S. Navy and trained to provide global logistics support to Navy and joint warfare. During her deployment, she will also be responsible for landing helicopters safely on deck.

’14 MBA Jared M. Sedor is a new assistant vice president and commercial loan officer for Lake Shore Bancorp Inc. He was an assistant vice president and portfolio manager for Evans Bank. ’14 MS AnneMarie L. (Wapshare) Spragins is a new business development manager for Colby Development LLC. She will continue as the owner of and trainer for Do It Right Sport and Fitness Solutions LLC. ’15 MS Kristen D. Brignone is a new academic success specialist for Arizona State University. She was a residence hall director for SUNY Fredonia. ’15 BA Joshua M. Gumulak, an account executive with Gelia, was named treasurer of the American Advertising Federation of Buffalo. ’15 MBA Mark P. Kransler was promoted from senior accountant to in-charge senior accountant with Brock Schechter & Polakoff LLP.

Canisius Magazine now accepts photos for the Alumni Notes section. If you would like to submit a picture to coincide with your alumni note, baby or wedding announcement, simply email it to alumnote@canisius.edu.

Submissions received by April 26, 2019, for the Alumni Notes, Baby Griffs, Weddings and In Memoriam sections, will appear in the spring/summer issue of Canisius Magazine. Due to space constraints we may not be able to publish all photos submitted.

’16 CERT Derek J. Baker is the new principal for Sweet Home Middle School. He was principal of the Math Science Tech Academy. ’16 BS Rachel R. Pawelski is the new corporate campaigns coordinator for Compassion Over Killing in Pittsburgh, PA. ’16 BS Peter J. Schnorr was promoted from consultant to senior consultant in risk assurance and advisory services for Freed Maxick CPAs. ’17 BS, MBA ’18 Victoria M. Colasurdo is the new corporate coordinator for Gerard P. Smith Insurance. ’17 BS, MBA ’18 Paige M. Pedini is a new staff accountant for Chiampou Travis Besaw & Kershner LLP. ’18 BS Joshua T. Larcom, is the new men’s and women’s diving coach for Niagara University.

Canisius College takes pride in its alumni, and joyfully shares the news of their lives and achievements. Supportive of our Catholic Church’s teachings, publication of announcements provided to us by our alumni does not necessarily imply an endorsement by Canisius College.

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alumninotes

IN MEMORIAM Msgr. Paul R. Juenker ’42, HON ’85 February 8, 2018

Joseph Hawayek ’52, MSEd ’58 September 12, 2018

Paul M. Hassett Jr. ’62, HON ’14 October 25, 2018

Paul J. Gentile ’82 November 1, 2018

Frank P. Barone ’43 September 14, 2018

Anthony D. Page Sr. ’52, MSEd ’54 December 13, 2018

Doris H. (Carlo) Erickson MSEd ’63 September 23, 2018

Jane T. (Donnelly) Merkle MS ’83 December 13, 2018

Edward J. Carland ’44 November 27, 2018

Robert H. Schumacher ’52 December 3, 2018

Mark T. Costantino ’67 October 8, 2018

Russell T. Abelein ’84 September 30, 2018

Gerald E. Schultz ’46, MD October 22, 2018

James E. Byrne ’53 July 29, 2018

Frank D. Jones ’67 November 13, 2018

Donald W. Prichard MSEd ’85 September 8, 2018

Eugene L. Beltrami ’47, MSEd ’49, MD October 30, 2018

Mary A. (Schaus) Murdock ’53 October 15, 2018

John F. Humann ’68 November 5, 2018

Christian E. Harter ’86 August 19, 2018

Robert J. Hall ’47, MD July 3, 2018

Richard F. Stepien ’53 September 2, 2018

Sharon R. Tolbert-Glover ’68, PhD September 21, 2018

David P. Kachurek ’88, MD March 2, 2018

Hon. James B. Kane Jr. ’48 October 11, 2018

Daniel D. Bartels ’54, MSEd ’65 September 14, 2018

Michael Balyszak MSEd ’69 November 27, 2018

Kathryn A. Lyle ’90 November 7, 2018

Arthur C. Pesch ’49, MS ’60 September 22, 2018

Elmer J. Doyle Jr. ’54 December 2, 2018

Gerald V. Finnegan ’69 August 25, 2018

Charlene M. Stanford MSEd ’92 October 22, 2018

John L. Conboy ’50, MD November 9, 2018

Patrick G. Lucey ’54 October 24, 2018

Joseph P. Minnuto ’69 December 2, 2018

Timothy K. Fitzgerald MSEd ’93 October 28, 2018

Robert L. Fawls ’50 September 15, 2018

Gerard P. Philipps ’54 July 18, 2018

William D. Dietzel ’70 October 12, 2018

Eileen (Burke) Monahan MSEd ’93 October 17, 2018

James J. Laux ’50 November 13, 2018

Thomas J. Dougherty ’55, HON ’91, PhD October 2, 2018

David C. Haumesser ’71 November 26, 2018

Mary Anne Van Dyke MS ’97 November 13, 2018

Joseph R. Kulp MBA ’72 December 5, 2018

Christopher P. Brownsey ’98 October 6, 2018

Vincent M. LaFratta ’72 September 18, 2018

Edward F. Tormay MSEd ’98 September 2, 2018

Farrell D. Tate ’74 December 4, 2018

Sean C. O’Malley ’01 September 24, 2018

George L. Brinkley Jr. ’75 December 11, 2018

Joshua B. Schmidt ’01 September 18, 2018

Michael E. Freer MS ’76 September 6, 2018

Carl M. Johns MSEd ’08 October 24, 2018

Leon T. Dulski ’79 November 8, 2018

Shawn P. DeJulio ’11 November 23, 2018

Patricia (Egan) Langmeyer MS ’79 May 6, 2018

Thomas P. Etu ’14 December 2, 2018

William J. O’Day Jr. ’50 October 28, 2018 Rudolph J. Schleich ’50 November 6, 2018 John W. Burns ’51 October 21, 2018 Paul C. Eschrich ’51 December 14, 2018 Stephen E. Gladysz ’51 September 30, 2018 Leo A. Moser ’51 October 23, 2018 Kenneth J. Vaughn Sr. ’51 September 12, 2018 Mary C. (Honan) Fitzgerald MSEd ’52 August 29, 2018

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Leonard P. Litwin ’55 September 24, 2018 George S. Parlato ’55, MD August 30, 2018 John C. Zatorski ’56 October 27, 2018 Robert J. Gareis ’58 November 12, 2018 Donald J. McCarthy Jr. ’58 November 27, 2018 Eugene L. Bartkowski ’59, MSEd ’66 October 4, 2018 Maureen C. (Broad) Royce ’59 November 10, 2018 Robert L. Carpenter ’62 October 1, 2018

CANISIUS COLLEGE M AGA ZINE WINTE R 2019

Jeffrey W. Wolfers ’79 September 1, 2018

alumninotes

Weddings Kathleen H. Ang ’08, MD and Ryan Timme November 17, 2018

Maura E. Evanco ’11, MSEd ’14 and David J. Ward* October 26, 2018

Katherine J. Morse MBA ’14 and Paul F. Giegengack ’07* September 29, 2018

Casey A. Beuler MSEd ’13 and Shane Marcella* October 20, 2018

Jillian K. Januszkiewicz ’11, MS ’14 and Nathaniel P. Cross ’11* October 27, 2018

Stefanie M. Osinski ’07 and Benjamin A. Matta ’07* October 6, 2018

Julie A. Bojarski ’09 and Christopher Perez October 14, 2017

Michelle K. Johns MS ’12 and Brandon T. Lake* August 11, 2018

Gregory T. Rusch ’13 and Amanda L. Kapus* October 13, 2018

Ashley E. Briggs ’14 and Delton Arno October 13, 2018

Robert J. Kluchko ’96 and Magdalena Boelsterl August 11, 2018

Allyson P. Severyn ’13 and James E. Knapp* September 1, 2018

Shannon A. Callahan ’09 and Michael J. Rautenstrauch ’11* September 8, 2018

Katherine A. Landahl ’13 and Eric Bates September 3, 2017

Margaret E. Shaw MS ’13 and Philip J. Silvestri MBA ’13* October 6, 2018

Lindsay M. Carroll ’13 and Daniel T. Heil ’13, MS ’15 September 22, 2018

Richard H. Markiewicz ’10 and Nicole Czerwinski* September 8, 2018

* Married in Christ the King Chapel

?

What are You Doing?

Have you recently changed jobs?

Changed your name? Or moved?

If so, the Office of Alumni Engagement wants to know.

Help us keep you connected and informed about all things Canisius. Visit canisius.edu/ alumni and click on “Stay Connected.”

We can’t wait to hear from you!

babygriffs

Laura J. (Hovind) Bonk ’04 and Jeffrey S. Bonk ’97, a son, Everett James, born August 26, 2018

Ashley A. (Kasper) Engl ’08 and Brian M. Engl MBA ’08, a daughter, Maura Elizabeth, born September 5, 2018

Domenico V. Fragomeni ’05 and Angela Fragomeni, a son, Santino Joshua, born August 18, 2018

Kelli A. Gardner ’08 and Aaron Hollander, a son, Isaac Eugene, born August 21, 2018

Courtney E. (Springer) Graziano ’11 and James M. Graziano ’11, MS ’13, a son, Luca James, born September 11, 2018

Lyndsi M. (Jachimowicz) Marth ’05 and Daniel Marth, a daughter, Audra Marie, born August 19, 2017

Courtney T. (Papaj) Sullivan MS ’17 and Mike D. Sullivan, a son, Roman James, born October 9, 2018

Renee M. (Lefrancois) Tunney ’06, MS ’10 and Michael D. Tunney ’05, a daughter, Isla Grace, born November 16, 2018

Martin X. Noah ’02 and Angela Noah, a daughter, Clara Catherine, born October 19, 2018

THIS ISSUE'S FEATURED BABY GRIFF

Lucas Scott

born August 15, 2018 to Jennifer M. (Kick) Teeter ’02, DO, and Scott N. Teeter ’02, MS ’04

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alumnispotlight

Playing to Her Strengths

A new job with the Atlanta Hawks positions Michelle A. Leftwich ’87 among the NBA’s highest ranking women in basketball operations.

Story: Audrey R. Browka | Photography: Scott Cunningham

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CANISIUS COLLEGE M AGA ZINE WINTE R 2019

alumnispotlight

Michelle A. Leftwich ’87 tried to remain calm as she sat in a conference room at Chicago’s Hilton Palmer House waiting for the start of the National Basketball Association (NBA) draft lottery.

There to represent the Atlanta Hawks as the organization’s vice president, salary cap administration, Leftwich stood out as the sole female in the room and one of only two African Americans acting on behalf of an NBA team. She and her counterparts shared the same angst as they collectively watched the lottery machine dispense a combination of numbers that ultimately awarded the Hawks a No. 3 pick in the NBA draft.

“The draft is one of the best ways for teams to acquire star players so we were thrilled to land a spot where we did,” Leftwich recalls.

Sure, games are won or lost on the court with coaches and players but Leftwich and other salary cap gurus contribute to the success of their teams in a number of different ways. Chief among Leftwich’s responsibilities is to assist the Hawks’ general manager in analyzing potential trades of players and draft picks; assessing how much the club can spend signing talent; and forecasting the complexities of future free agency activity – “all of which can influence the team’s current and future roster,” Leftwich explains.

Hers is a high-stakes position, particularly for a team like Atlanta, which is in the market for potential franchise players. But Leftwich is used to playing in the pros.

Prior to the Hawks, the Buffalo native spent 20-plus years at the NBA league office in Manhattan, including 10 as vice president and assistant general counsel. Her work focused on ensuring each NBA team remained compliant with salary cap rules, whether it involved player contract matters or trade approvals. Leftwich was also part of the legal team that represented the NBA in its 2014 legal case that resulted in the ban of former Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling from the league following racist comments. And she sat on the NBA’s negotiating team for the league’s three most recent collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) with the players’ union.

“To have been able to play a significant role in developing, negotiating and drafting the NBA’s CBAs, which shape the future of the league and all its 30 teams, has to be

among the most rewarding and engaging work in my career to date,” Leftwich says.

It’s paralleled only by her new role with the Hawks.

Leftwich assumed the position in fall 2017 and in doing so, became one of the NBA’s highest ranking women in basketball operations. Quite a trajectory for someone who never played the sport.

“I did cheer for the boys' basketball team while at City Honors High School and later became the team’s student manager,” she says with a laugh.

Instead, Leftwich credits her Canisius accounting degree for getting her to the NBA’s upper echelon.

“The job market for attorneys wasn’t great when I graduated from New York University School of Law so we were told to play to our strengths if we wanted to ensure work following graduation,” Leftwich recalls. “Mine had always been numbers.”

Rather than pursue litigation, Leftwich went to work in a law firm’s corporate legal department. A colleague later recommended her for a junior associate job negotiating licensing agreements at the NBA. Leftwich made the jump and ultimately landed work managing salary cap and other player-related matters.

“When I made the switch from corporate transactional work, I didn’t know the league’s salary cap rules, which are complex and many. So I learned on the job,” Leftwich says. And for the past two decades she was a daily advisor to the 30 NBA teams on salary cap and CBA-related matters.

Today, Leftwich is one of the best in her class and the Atlanta Hawks are capitalizing on her expertise to help rebuild its roster. Still, Leftwich represents more than a single NBA team. Her position puts her among a rising vanguard of females who are finding their way into NBA front offices across the league where, according to Bleacher Report, not a single woman could be found as recently as 2010.

“I don’t know what the landscape looks like in the other professional sports leagues, but there’s definitely a trend within the NBA to address race and gender diversity.

That’s a good thing and I’m proud to be part of it,” Leftwich concludes.

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