Bonaventure Magazine: Summer 2025

BONAVENTURE

Cover Story

Mari Snyder, ’90, and Karen Pulaski, ’84, left behind successful careers to answer deeper callings, with both eventually turning to Mt. Irenaeus to live and serve as part of its core Franciscan community in a life-changing leap of faith.

Honoring Fr. Gerald McCaffrey’s legacy

A beloved presence at St. Bonaventure from 1968 to 1994, Fr. Gerald McCaffrey, O.F.M., is now permanently honored with the naming of the Reilly Center tunnel — thanks to a heartfelt alumni-led campaign celebrating his enduring legacy.

Cue the confetti for the arts

The Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts is celebrating its 30th anniversary with a yearlong series of performances, exhibitions and community events, honoring three decades of artistic excellence and its vital cultural role in the region.

Eberth

$131M strong: the power of believing in Bonaventure

When the university launched the Bolder Bonaventure campaign seven years ago, it dreamed boldly — not just about fundraising goals, but about what this community could accomplish if we joined together in faith, hope and love for St. Bonaventure University.

FOR FULL STORY ON THE BOLDER BONAVENTURE CAMPAIGN, SEE PAGE 22

Today, I write to you filled with gratitude and awe. Thanks to your extraordinary generosity, we didn’t just reach our goal — we soared past it. What began as a $100 million aspiration became a $125 million endeavor. And by the time the campaign ended on May 31, we soared past that goal, raising more than $131 million — the most ambitious and successful campaign in our university’s history.

That number is incredible, but it only begins to tell the story. This campaign was about transformation. About investing in the lives of students who will go on to serve, lead and make a difference in the world. About equipping our faculty with the tools and support they need to inspire new generations. About ensuring that the Bonaventure experience — rooted in academic excellence and Franciscan values — remains accessible, relevant and lifechanging.

At a time when the value of higher education is being questioned in many corners of society, your belief in St. Bonaventure stands as a powerful counterpoint. You recognized that what happens here — in our classrooms, residence halls, labs, athletic fields and chapels — matters deeply. You

St. Bonaventure University Board of Trustees

Michael Hickey, ’84, Board Chair

Luke H. Brown, ’89, Board Vice Chair

Joseph “Joe” Davis, ’79, Board Vice Chair

Larry Ford, O.F.M., Board Vice Chair

Susanna Stitt, ’99, Board Secretary

Michael A. Anderson, ’77

Norbert A. Bennett, ’62

John Boucher, ’84

remembered what this place meant to you, and you chose to invest in its future. Because of you, we’ve renovated learning spaces across campus, including Francis Hall for the DePerro School of Health Professions, the Murphy Building for the Jandoli School of Communication, and Plassmann Hall for our School of Arts & Sciences. You helped create state-of-the-art athletic facilities that honor the dedication of our student-athletes. You expanded scholarship support to ensure that more students — regardless of their background — can call this place home.

And perhaps most important, you reaffirmed our shared belief in the value of a Bonaventure education — one that challenges the mind, nurtures the spirit and calls us to lives of purpose.

It’s no secret that higher ed is faced with significant challenges these days, both demographic and governmental, with many questioning the return on the substantial investment. Your philanthropy tells me you don’t believe that for a minute, fully understanding how meaningful an experience at Bonaventure can be.

As we celebrate this success, I want to

Donna L. Burden, ’84

Pikai Chiang, ’84

Edwin “Ed” Evans, ’85

Matthew Foley, O.F.M. Conv.

Michael T. Fossaceca, ’88

Mark R. Gianniny

Terry Gilbride, ’85

Jeff Gingerich

James Helms, ’95, ’18

Gerry Helper, ’79

Linh N. Hoang, O.F.M.

Molly Kulesz-Martin, ’71

Margaret Magee, O.S.F.

Kristan K. McMahon, ’97

Lisa (Melillo) Molinaro, ’81

Mark Mulhern, ’82

thank each and every one of you who contributed — whether you gave a few dollars or made a transformative gift. Whether you’re a proud alum, a devoted parent, a generous friend, or a faculty or staff member who sees the impact of our mission every day — your support made this possible.

You’ve helped us dream bigger, and we’re not done yet.

Even as we celebrate all we’ve accomplished together, we remain focused on completing important work — including the new Henretta Communication Center that will bring our campus media together into a digital innovation hub, and the Athletics Performance Center that will serve all our student-athletes. These priorities will ensure that the momentum of this campaign continues, powering us into a future where St. Bonaventure leads with both excellence and heart.

The spirit of this campaign — bold, collaborative, forward-looking — is the spirit of Bonaventure at its very best. It’s a spirit I see in every handshake, every classroom, every game, every service trip, every late-night study session fueled by Red Bull and ambition.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for believing in this place, for believing in the lives we’re shaping together. You’ve helped ensure that the Bonaventure torch continues to burn brightly, illuminating the path for future generations of students who will go out into the world and leave the indelible impression that generations of Bonnies before them have made.

Dr. Jeff Gingerich

University President

Mark Murphy, ’91

Thomas Nairn, O.F.M.

Bill Shea, ’80

Kevin Watkins

Trustees Emeriti

Robert J. Daugherty, ’77

John R. “Jack” McGinley, L.H.D., ’65

Leslie C. Quick III, L.H.D., ’75

John D. Sheehan, ’82

PIONEERS OF THE PITCH

11 to be inducted into fi rst class of SBU Rugby Hall of Fame

In celebration of 50 years of rugby at St. Bonaventure, the Bonnies’ rugby program will induct its inaugural Hall of Fame class this fall, honoring 11 people whose contributions — on and off the pitch — have shaped the sport’s enduring legacy at the university.

The inductees will be recognized during a ceremonial dinner on Sept. 13 as part of SBU’s annual Rugby Alumni Weekend.

“This is a proud and meaningful moment for our program,” said Dr. Jeff Gingerich, university president. “These inductees represent the foundation and soul of Bonaventure rugby. They played, coached, guided and inspired with a commitment that’s helped establish us as one of the premier rugby programs in the nation.”

Both St. Bonaventure’s men’s (2021) and women’s (2023) clubs have won national 15s titles in the last five years. This spring, the men reached the CRC Na-

tionals 7s title game and the women won the consolation Shield Bracket at the CRC Nationals 7s.

The 2025 inductees are:

Jim Canty, ’84 (posthumously): A behind-the-scenes force whose postgraduate advocacy and financial support

Driving support for St. Bonaventure students

Golfers and guests at the inaugural St. Bonaventure Invitational, held June 9-11 at Pinehurst, helped raise more than $700,000 for student scholarships, bolstering St. Bonaventure’s endowment. Building on its success, the event will return to the North Carolina resort in 2026. Among those hitting the links were (from left) Ben Posmanick, Carol McWilton, Steve Harrison and Nick Benvenuto. Their caddie for the round is behind them.

helped sustain and grow the program, both in its early days and in its ascension to national prominence the last decade.

Carley Doyle, ’16: A captain, recruiter and coach, she led the team to state success and continued promoting rugby after graduation, despite a courageous post-college battle with leukemia.

Mark “Fitzy” Fitzgerald, ’81: Team president and co-captain who guided SBU rugby to a winning tradition and then continued to play into his 40s.

Fr. Richard Flaherty, O.F.M.: Beloved rugby chaplain who mentored student-athletes with wisdom, humility and Franciscan compassion.

Billy Kelly, ’95: Team captain and standout player whose post-graduation leadership helped transform SBU rugby into a nationally competitive program.

Rob Peraza, ’94, ’96 (posthumously): Captain, MVP, and beloved teammate whose legacy lives on through the Rob Peraza Rugby Scholarship, his memory fuels the soul of SBU rugby.

Dr. Alan Silliker: Coach, referee and steward of SBU rugby during its formative years. Without his selfless dedication and knowledge of the game — rare at the time — Bonaventure rugby may not have survived.

Bobby Sims, ’83: Team president, leading scorer, and four-year A-side player who later became a linchpin for alumni relations.

Emily Sion, ’20: Three-time NSCRO All-American and scoring record holder, at the time of her graduation, with 87 career tries. Her tenacity and leadership helped elevate SBU women’s rugby to national relevance.

Bruce Snyder, ’98, ’99: Men’s state champion and coach who revived the women’s rugby program in 1998, leading them to a state title in just their first full season.

Michael Wyse, ’98, ’99: A two-time state champion who scored four tries in a single match while battling Hodgkin’s Disease, Wyse’s grit inspired teammates. The induction weekend will include the Hall of Fame ceremony, alumni games, campus events, and opportunities for current players to connect with the legends who laid the foundation for today’s success.

$2.3 million in funding boosts SBU initiative to enhance rural health care

St. Bonaventure has received a four-year, $2.3 million grant from the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to expand the behavioral health workforce in underserved rural communities across Western New York and Northwestern Pennsylvania.

The grant will fund the university’s new BRIGHT Project — Behavioral Health Resources for Increasing Growth in Healthcare Training — which supports 77

graduate students in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) and Occupational Therapy (MSOT). Each student will receive a $25,000 stipend for their final year of clinical training in high-need areas.

“This investment reflects the urgent need for compassionate, integrated behavioral health care in rural America,” said Dr. David Hilmey, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs. “We’re proud to be part of the solution.”

The BRIGHT Project will place students in federally qualified health centers and community clinics in eight counties, seven of which are designated Mental Health Professional Shortage Areas. Partners include the Lionel R. John Health Center (Seneca Nation), the St. Regis Mohawk Health Center, the Chautauqua Center, and the Cattaraugus County Department of Community Services.

Students will be trained in integrated care models, trauma-informed approaches, and pediatric behavioral health. A key focus is improving early access to care for children and youth with developmental or behavioral challenges in rural areas.

Led by the DePerro School of Health Professions in collaboration with SBU’s accredited Counseling and Occupational Therapy programs, the initiative will also develop telehealth capabilities and establish a regional community council to ensure long-term impact.

“This funding allows us to prepare providers who not only understand our communities but are deeply committed to serving them,” said Dr. Darla Kent, director of SBU’s Occupational Therapy program and the BRIGHT Project.

Alum’s granddaughter helps tell story of SBU’s 1950 transition from college to university

Did you know that St. Bonaventure’s College came to an end after the spring term of 1950? This year marks the 75th anniversary of that major change when the college transitioned to St. Bonaventure University.

The University Archives has curated a special display in the lobby of Friedsam Library to commemorate this change and highlight one of our alumni from the last college class.

The late Dominick DeVito was a member of the Class of 1950, and his class ring (on the second shelf above) was the last to bear the motto of the college. The University Archives holds his memorabilia and other items that illustrate this historic transition.

Anna DeVito, Dominick’s granddaughter and an SBU accounting major, played a significant role in developing this display as part of her work with the Archives. She anticipates graduating in December.

Visit the Archives’ website at archives.sbu.edu for more on the history and stories of St. Bonaventure’s College and St. Bonaventure University. To donate your SBU memorabilia and preserve your story for future Bonnies, contact Archivist Dennis Frank at archives@sbu.edu.

ARCHIVES: A MILESTONE REMEMBERED

DENNIS CULHANE, ’85

Homelessness expert returns to SBU to share insight on support, trends

Alumnus Dr. Dennis P. Culhane, one of the country’s leading social science researchers on homelessness and assisted housing policy, visited campus in April to discuss his recent work.

Culhane, ’85, is the Dana and Andrew Stone Chair in Social Policy at the University of Pennsylvania, School of Social Policy and Practice. His research, which he has been pursuing since he graduated from St. Bonaventure, has contributed to efforts to ad-

dress the housing and support needs of people experiencing housing emergencies and long-term homelessness.

Culhane’s most recent research has focused on using linked administrative data to gain a better understanding about the service utilization patterns of vulnerable populations, including youth exiting foster care and/or juvenile justice, as well as people aged 55 and older who are experiencing homelessness.

His research also focuses on homelessness among veterans.

During his visit to the region, Culhane also met with Olean-area stakeholders to discuss homelessness. Watch a recording of his discussion at tinyurl.com/397rb47n.

Athletics Hall of Fame inducts three

The SBU Athletics Hall of Fame welcomed three new members on Reunion Weekend: Delmar Harrod, ’80, (from left) one of only seven SBU men’s basketball players to record more than 1,300 points and 700 rebounds; Sean McNamee, ’86, who led the men’s swim team to five A-10 titles and 15 runner-up finishes in his 26-year coaching career; and John Closs, ’76, who held seven swimming school records at the time of his graduation. Lacrosse star Christine Hanley, ’11, was also named to the class when it was announced in February, but deferred her induction to next year when she is able to attend the ceremony.

Dance team hits high note with ‘Pointe Perfect’

The spring SBU Dance Team show, “Pointe Perfect” (inspired by "Pitch Perfect”), marked a record-breaking season for the team with more than 70 student performers, two sold-out nights, and a third performance added due to overwhelming demand!

Former president, Seneca icon honored at Commencement

Sr. Margaret Carney, O.S.F., S.T.D.,who was named president emerita in 2016 after serving 12 years as St. Bonaventure’s leader, was the keynote speaker and recipient of an honorary doctorate at the university’s 165th annual Commencement Exercises in May.

Also receiving an honorary degree, a Doctor of Fine Arts, was Carson Waterman, the iconic artist from the Seneca Nation. Waterman has helped strengthen Seneca cultural pride and visibility, making him a treasured steward of Haudenosaunee traditions and a symbol of enduring Indigenous resilience.

Student speaker Anas Alami of Brooklyn talked about the “door-holding spirit” of St. Bonaventure — and the compassion he found here as he addressed nearly 700 graduates.

Sr. Margaret Carney, O.S.F., S.T.D.

Carson Waterman, second from right, received an honorary degree at Commencement. He is pictured with (from left) Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Dave Hilmey; Seneca Nation Councilor Klint Nephew, a 1992 alumnus; University President Dr. Jeff Gingerich; and Board of Trustees Chair Michael Hickey, ’84.

The year started off big for JG “Greg” Faherty, ’84, who had three new books published (his 20th, 21st, and 22nd). They are: “The Nightmare People” (sequel to last year’s dark horror tale “The Nightmare Man”), “The Malthusian Correction” (a weird scifi/horror mix), and “When September Ends” (a story about a woman haunted by the ghost of her sister).

“The Nightmare People” was released in June, “The Malthusian Correction” was released in May, and “When September Ends” was released in April.

cover he is masking his autism.

Eight years later, he’s working as an intelligence analyst when a surveillance mission arises that is tailored for his talents — a chance to finally prove himself. He teams up with a tough and mysterious “female James Bond,” and they discover a larger terrorist threat than they had imagined.

“Blood Game” won the silver medal in the BookFest Awards in two categories: Best Thriller/Espionage and Best Mystery/Espionage. It can be found at most online retailers, or at the author’s website. The sequel, “Crying Call,” will be released in February 2026, and has pivotal scenes set on the St. Bonaventure campus and surrounding areas.

commander who helped move the U.S. Navy out of the age of sail and into the era of ironclad technology, John Lorimer Worden’s contributions extended beyond the Battle of Hampton Roads and shaped the future of the Navy. Robert L. Worden is a collateral descendant of Rear Admiral Worden.

Classmates Randy Agness, ’84, and Gwen Toma, ’84, have collaborated on a new children’s book series titled “Lake Girl Chronicles.”

These delightful stories are narrated through the voice of a young girl who shares her experiences growing up by Lake Ontario in New York during the 1960s.

Dr. Jeffery J. Boats (’92, B.S. Mathematics and B.S. Physics) celebrated the release of his debut novel, “Blood Game,” in February. It is the first in a series of adult fiction spy thrillers featuring an unusual cast of characters. The main hero is a St. Bonaventure graduate whose intellect and character help him solve challenging problems and overcome harrowing dangers.

“Blood Game” tells the story of Thomas Vale, a recruit for CIA clandestine operations who is dismissed from the training program when they dis-

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“My books aren’t just spy stories,” Boats says. “They’re more about people from diverse backgrounds — people who feel they don’t fit in — working together and finding the hero within themselves. Because saving the world is a job for everyone.”

Robert L. Worden, ’67, has published three books, all long in the preparation since his retirement from the Library of Congress in 2007.

“Soldiers of the Cross: Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos and the Catholic Community in Annapolis During the Civil War” was released in September 2024. “Soldiers of the Cross” is a three-part description and analysis of the personalities and events that shaped life in the Catholic community in and around Annapolis, Maryland, in the antebellum period (1850-1860), throughout the Civil War (1861-1865), and during the immediate aftermath of the war (1865-1866).

The series is inspired by their mutual friend and fellow SBU graduate, the late Deborah Maier, ’84, and reflects their similar childhood experiences.

Maier studied journalism and Spanish with Toma and grew up near Agness in a suburb of Rochester and reconnected with him shortly before her passing in 2021.

Toma’s bold and colorful illustrations, combined with a sweet narrative, invite readers into a child’s life at the lake during a simpler time. Charming and spirited, “Lake Girl Chronicles” is told through a child’s voice from her diary.

The first book, “Lake Girl Chronicles: Every Girl’s Story,” was released in February 2024 and is dedicated to Maier. The second book, “Lake Girl Chronicles: Making Friends,” is scheduled for release this fall.

In January, the 994-page encyclopedic reference work “A Chinese Reformer in Exile: Kang Youwei and the Chinese Empire Reform Association in North America, 1899-1911” was released. Worden co-authored the book with Jane Leung Larson.

The third book, “From Ironclads to Admiral: John Lorimer Worden and Naval Leadership,” co-authored with John V. Quarstein, was published in April. The epitome of an innovative

In its first year, “Every Girl’s Story” received a five-star rating and recommendation from Sarah Gelman of Amazon Book Club. It was also voted a Top 5 Finalist for “Children’s Book of the Year” at the Manila International Book Fair in the Philippines, which is recognized as one of the top six book fairs globally.

Cheryl Banko, ’95, has launched “The Peace Method: The Holistic Anxiety Fix,” an eight-week guided journaling resource that combines evidence-based strategies with practical tools to promote mental clarity and personal growth. Created in collaboration with

Dr. Suzanne Pelka, this journal introduces readers to a five-step framework (Pause, Embrace, Adjust, Create, Empower) designed to reduce stress, cultivate resilience, and foster emotional wellness.

Whether someone is navigating daily stressors or seeking longterm transformation, “The Peace Method” offers an accessible and impactful approach to achieving greater calm and clarity.

The eight-week program features daily guided prompts, reflections, and exercises tailored to reduce anxiety in minutes while reinforcing positive mental health habits. Tools such as mood tracking and mindfulness exercises encourage small, actionable steps that accumulate into meaningful, long-term transformation.

“For anyone in our Bonaventure community interested in self-growth or mindfulness practices, this journal presents an incredible opportunity to reconnect with peace and purpose,” Banko said.

Brian W. Kincaid, ’83, has authored his first book, “Murder in Old Forge, Pennsylvania: The Tragic Death of the Ziemba Children,” a definitive account of one of the most infamous crimes and sensational trials in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

On July 26, 1981, 8-year-old Cheryl Ziemba and her 4year-old brother, Christopher, disappeared from their backyard in Old Forge, Pennsylvania. Within hours, hundreds of neighbors, police and firefighters were engaged in a frantic search.

Two days later, all hope was lost when firefighters discovered the bodies of the children in an abandoned strip-mining pit. Pennsylvania State Police arrested their 15-year-old neighbor, Joey Aulisio, who was tried as an adult and sentenced to death by electric chair. Forty-three years later, Aulisio still sits in prison.

Kincaid is a trial attorney who, for the past 35 years, has tried criminal and

civil cases in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Part of his law practice is devoted to crime victims’ rights. He served as a witness during the December 2019 resentencing hearing in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania v. Joseph Aulisio.

“Shattered Sight” is the first book in the new Jackson Davis Mystery series by Mary (Lederman) Sutton, ’95, who writes under the pen name Liz Milliron.

A contemporary police procedural, the novel features a Niagara Falls police homicide detective who is struggling with the effects of an on-the-job tragedy as he investigates the murder of a prominent businesswoman.

“Shattered Sight” is Sutton’s 14th published novel.

She has also published seven books in her Laurel Highlands Mysteries (another police procedural series set in the scenic Laurel Highlands of southwest Pennsylvania) and six books in her Homefront Mysteries (a historical P.I. series set in Buffalo, New York, during WWII and featuring a “Rosie the Riveter turned Sam Spade” protagonist). Sutton was nominated for the Shamus Award for the fourth book in the Homefront series, “The Truth We Hide.”

Ron Iannone, ’62, has completed his memoir, “As the Final Curtain Comes Down, I Still Need the Applause: A Semi-Autobiographical Journey to the Life of Theatre,” and penned his first children’s book.

Iannone, faculty emeritus of the West Virginia University College of Education and Human Services, spent decades dedicating himself to teaching, producing plays and musicals, writing, and making art. Now, with the perspective of an actor near the end of a performance, he is able to look back on the narrative of his life, reflecting on the

people, places and events that have shaped him.

From his early years in an Italian American family in upstate New York, to his professional work in West Virginia and elsewhere, Iannone gives a thoughtful account of scenes from his life, rich with experiences.

His memoir includes photographs of family, friends and some of his many theatrical productions.

A number of his editorial essays, primarily regarding education and the arts, are featured in this volume. Letters from special friends of the theater, with whom Iannone worked closely, conclude the book, underscoring Iannone’s contributions to his community.

Iannone’s children’s book, “The Old Lady Who Lived at the Bottom of the Lake,” is derived from a tale he first told many years ago to his children and their neighborhood friends.

David Rowntree, ’54, shares a story of friendship and resilience in his latest book, “The Umbrella Lady: The Story of Maria Martinez Gomez.” Inspired by his volunteer work with Habitat for Humanity and his deep connection to Mexican families, the book recounts how he and his wife, Marge, first encountered Maria in 1996 at the Otay Mesa border crossing between San Diego and Tijuana.

Amid the traffic, they noticed a woman in a wheelchair who always carried an umbrella — earning her the nickname “The Umbrella Lady.” They later learned the umbrella offered both physical protection and a measure of dignity as she struggled to make a living by begging.

What began as a chance encounter evolved into a meaningful friendship with Maria and her two sons. Rowntree chronicles the next two and a half years of their relationship — a moving narrative of compassion, perseverance and human connection.

Reunion 2025

What a weekend!

Reunion 2025 was filled with connection, nostalgia and Bonaventure spirit. Alumni enjoyed everything from heartfelt hugs to joyful laughs and, of course, rides on the popular golf carts. Thank you to all who joined the fun, answered trivia questions, sang karaoke, and won prizes while being driven across campus by students and staff. We missed those who couldn’t attend and held them close in spirit throughout the weekend. Let’s do it again next year! Mark your calendars for June 26-28, 2026.

Visit www.sbu.edu/alumni/alumni-reunion-weekend

Members of the Class of 1975, marking their 50th class reunion, gather in the University Chapel.

t Classmates and friends of the Class of ’65 gathered for the John M. Deignan Lobby dedication at the Reilly Center during Reunion Weekend. Inside the RC lobby, a plaque honoring John was unveiled by University President Dr. Jeff Gingerich and SBU Athletic Director Bob Beretta, which reads, “With gratitude for John’s leadership and dedication, which strengthened the future of St. Bonaventure athletics.”

pUniversity President Dr. Jeff Gingerich congratulates the recip ients of the “Stax” McCarthy Alumni of the Year Award: Bill “Willie” McNeece, Class of 1965, and Mary Jane “M.J.” Telford, Class of 1975. “M.J. and Willie are emblematic of what it means to be a Bonnie for life,” Gingerich said. “Their love of this university and commitment to helping St. Bonaventure succeed — for more than 50 years — is an inspiration.” Read more at www.sbu.edu/alumni.

Following Francis and Clare

Students share insights from their time on sacred ground in Italy

During the winer semester break, 11 St. Bonaventure students and two recent graduates joined Fr. Steve Kuehn, O.F.M., university chaplain, and Alice Miller Nation, director of University Ministries, on an Italian pilgrimage to walk in the footsteps of saints Francis and Clare. Traveling with peers from other Franciscan universities offered the pilgrims the opportunity to get to know other college students interested in learning more about Franciscan heritage and traditions as they visited meaningful sites in Rome and Assisi.

The SBU student participants have served as coordinators at either the Warming House or Bona Buddies, two longtime outreach programs housed within the Franciscan Center for Social Concern in University Ministries. The Warming House marked its 50th anniversary in 2024; Bona Buddies reaches the same milestone this year.

Experience the journey through the eyes of some of the students who walked it.

“Visiting the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels in Assisi brought us all together to share and reflect upon the values of humility, simplicity and peace. Standing in the small, humble chapel, you can feel the weight of the love and devotion that shaped St. Francis’ life. It’s a place where the world’s noise fades, and the stillness calls you to reflect on your own life, to question how you live in relationship with others, with nature, and with God. There’s a deep sense of connection to something larger than yourself, a reminder that true peace comes not from external accomplishments but from living with an open heart. The Portiuncula feels like a link to Francis’ spirit and a reminder that embracing humility allows us to open ourselves to experience grace and compassion. In that quiet chapel, it felt almost as though St. Francis was inviting me to step away from the noise of life and return to what reflects the true Franciscan values in life.

PARIS CHRISTIE, ’26

“

On Mount Subasio, I practiced being alone with myself. As I sat in front of an outdoor altar on that chilly morning writing a reflection to myself, I had an enduring feeling of God being with me and God being in me. Particularly during that reflection, but during much of the rest of the pilgrimage as well, I learned that I don’t fully know who I am yet. The difference between the version of myself before the pilgrimage and after lies in the state of discomfort I felt at not knowing exactly who I am. Prior to the pilgrimage, a great torment accompanied my not knowing. After the pilgrimage, that affliction had been replaced by an acceptance of my lack of wisdom and constant state of growing coupled with a kind of captivation to know myself better and enjoy the process.

“

t The SBU pilgrims in front of a statue of St. Bonaventure in his hometown, Bagnoregio, Italy.

One of the most meaningful moments on the trip was having Mass underneath the real San Damiano cross. There was something inexplicable about that experience. I felt a stillness in the air with everyone in that chapel. After the Mass was over, we all seemed to naturally walk over to the cross and stand under it for a while, in complete silence.

MAXWELL

WOLFE, ’26

A view of the Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi.

EMMA GAVAZZI, ’26

“

The most moving part of the trip for me was the Clare Walk at the end of the trip. We walked the steps that St. Clare walked when leaving her life of privilege and her family to live a life of poverty outside the walls of Assisi.

In our Francis and Clare class at St. Bonaventure University, we learn about the values of St. Francis and St. Clare, and how they shape our Franciscan identity. Some of these values include humility, charity, service to the poor and marginalized, compassion, wisdom and integrity. While I have done my best to embrace those values as a student, especially through my work at the Warming House, there is nothing quite like learning about these values in Rome and Assisi.

“

My biggest takeaway from going on this trip is that pilgrimage is a lifelong journey. Just because we are back home with our friends and family does not mean that we should stop living the way that Francis and Clare did every day of their lives. This trip allowed me to see that. The spirituality of place was something we talked about while we were on the journey and it is a feeling you get when you are in a certain place that makes you feel spiritual. For some people this could be in church, or the spot where they pray, but for me, I have learned that spirituality is everywhere, you just have to know where to look.

NATHAN SOBKO, ’24, ’25

p Natalie Ponzi and Adam Russ walk through the Holy Door of the Basilica of St. John Lateran, the cathedral of the Bishop of Rome. The Holy Door is opened only during Jubilee Years, which typically occur every 25 years, as a symbolic act of spiritual renewal and a call to forgiveness.

“

Seeing and feeling places such as San Damiano and the path that Clare walked cannot be compared to any experience inside the classroom. We also explored places that I had not heard about in class, such as Greccio. This small village was very important to Francis’ life and sitting in the same churches and seeing the same views that Francis himself saw hundreds of years ago was breathtaking. I truly learned what it is like to live my life like Francis, with compassion and dignity. The people of Assisi showed Franciscan values like no other. Every shop felt like home, and every interaction felt like family.

MOLLY EDGINGTON, ’26

p Some of the pilgrims on their first day in Rome.

ABBY DOCOS, ’26

FACES PLACES

1.) Alumni Gathering at Grassini Family Vineyards, Santa Ynez, California – April 4

2.) Alumni Gathering at Trumer Brewery in Berkeley, California – April 5

3.) Young Alumni Event at Tin Cup Social, Fairport, New York – April 24

4.) A-10 Tournament Pre-Game at Penn Social, Washington, D.C. – March 13

5.) Bonnies4Bonnies, on campus –February 21

Leap of faith

Corporate success and clinical care gave way to a quieter, more intentional life for two alumnae called back to their Franciscan beginnings

Stories by By Tom Donahue, ’76 | Photos by Danny Bush, ’13, ’15

Karen (Halliday) Pulaski, Class of 1984, couldn’t suppress the nagging feeling that, despite loving her 32-year career as an occupational therapist, she was “supposed to be doing something else.”

Mari Snyder, Class of 1990, cherished her life in the corporate world, first with M&M/Mars, then with Marriott International. But she, too, couldn’t quell the inner voices tugging her in another direction.

That’s not unusual. Forbes.com reported in April of this year that half of all Americans are actively considering a career change.

But this was more than taking a new job. This was the maturation of a Franciscan seed planted in Pulaski and Snyder when they first roamed the SBU campus as students. These inner messengers were calling them back

home, back to Bona’s.

Today, they live and work with three friars as core members of Mt. Irenaeus, the Franciscan community established by SBU friars on a mountaintop in nearby Allegany County more than 40 years ago.

A career change? More like stepping off a cliff.

“It was really scary,” Pulaski admits. “I’m a planner by nature; I always have my goals and individual steps for reaching them. This was the first time in my life that I kind of jumped off the edge with no plan at all. But I felt if I didn’t slow down, take a little bit of space in my life, I was never going to hear what God was calling me to do.”

So she took the leap of faith. Snyder, too. And their landings in the friendly and familiar community known as “the Mountain” couldn’t have been more rewarding.

A NATIVE OF OXFORD, New York, a small village northeast of Binghamton, Pulaski arrived on campus as a freshman in 1980. “And, of course, as was the case with many new students, one of the very first people I met was Fr. Dan,” she said.

The late Fr. Dan Riley, o.f.m., one of the most beloved friars in SBU history, was known for his kindness, comforting presence, and an uncanny ability to remember every student he met, most by name. He was ever present as each year’s crop of wide-eyed freshmen adjusted to life with strangers in a new world.

Fr. Dan invited Pulaski to join other students in a retreat that very first weekend.

“Quite honestly, I wanted no part of it,” Pulaski said. Raised in a small, conservative parish, she knew nothing about the Franciscans and their commitment to fraternity and fellowship.

“It just wasn’t part of my Catholic world, so I was a bit put off and kind of uncomfortable,” Pulaski said. “I thought, Oh God! I don’t want any part of this. How do I get rid of this guy? And he, being Fr. Dan, just kept talking to me. I finally realized he wasn’t going to give up, so I went on the retreat. And, of course, it changed my life.”

It was the start of a 45-year relationship with her friend and spiritual mentor. Pulaski had been among a handful of students invited by Fr. Dan to be part of the original working group that explored possible sites for the establishment of an off-campus Franciscan community. She graduated in the spring of ’84. The land on which Mt. Irenaeus sits was bought the following fall.

After graduating from SBU with degrees in Sociology and Psychology, and a minor in Philosophy, Pulaski earned a master’s degree in Occupational Therapy from Tufts University in Boston. She’d spend the next 32 years as an OT, eventually managing a 50-bed inpatient rehab center for Moses Cone Health System in Greensboro, North Carolina.

“I loved what I did. It was the perfect synthesis of my Franciscan values, interests, and desire to be in some sort of service role. I thought I would do it forever, that I’d be one of those people who works until they’re 75,” Pulaski said.

But life sometimes has other plans.

Pulaski lost her husband, Kevin, to cancer in 2013. Both of his parents died in the same year. She lost her mother, for whom she’d been the primary caregiver, 15 months later, and just weeks after that, her father became ill. She’d be his primary caregiver until he passed, some four years later.

t Opposite page: Mari Snyder, ’90, in Holy Peace Chapel at Mt. Irenaeus. She was present for the raising of the main beam during construction of the chapel. u K aren (Halliday) Pulaski, ’84, outside the hermitage where she lives at the Mountain.

“It was a pretty challenging decade,” Pulaski said. “I was working full time, learning how to be a single parent to a 13-year-old boy, caring for my parents, and dealing with my grief and loss.” It wasn’t until her son was getting ready to go away to college that she realized she’d never taken the time to work through those emotions.

She called Fr. Dan.

“I told him I needed a place to process all of this,” Pulaski said. “And Dan said, ‘Come home, Karen, just come home.’”

She spent two weeks in “quiet retreat” at Mt. Irenaeus, meeting daily with Fr. Dan, trying to tame her restlessness.

“It kept growing stronger and stronger. I started to feel that this chapter of my life should be closing, and that if I didn’t allow it to close, I wouldn’t be open to whatever the next chapter held for me,” Pulaski said.

To “simplify” her life, she took an early retirement, sold the condo she and her son moved into after the death of her husband, and moved into a “tiny 400-square-foot house” in Greensboro, Pulaski said.

“Once I stopped working, I took three or four months for some quiet time, just trying to figure out what I was supposed to do next. I did a lot of praying and talked to Dan a fair amount. And I just kept feeling that the Mountain was where I was supposed to be.”

With her son having graduated from college and on his own, it was time to turn the page, step off the ledge. She accepted Fr. Dan’s offer to join the core community at Mt. Irenaeus and is now in her fourth year as a long-term companion.

SNYDER WAS THE product of a traditional Catholic upbringing when she arrived on campus as an 18-year-old freshman in 1986. “I’d had a whole different experience in my Catholic faith,” she said. “The first day, there was an outdoor Mass, which I didn’t even know you could do. Wasn’t that against the rules?”

She, too, quickly embraced the new Franciscan charism.

With a degree in Journalism and Mass Communication, Snyder went to work for the sales division of M&M/Mars (now Mars Inc.). She’d serve in five different roles over nine years, moving to a new city each time, and eventually land in Washington, D.C., as the company’s national trade development manager.

I wanted to take a break, kind of a reset, to redesign what I had been thinking for the rest of my career. Mari Snyder “ ”

Ready to explore other opportunities, and armed with a list of SBU alumni living in the D.C. area that she’d received from the Alumni Office, Snyder reached out to a name on the list: Ann Rote, ’81, then brand director at Marriott International. “Ann, who is still a dear friend and adviser today, walked my resume to a hiring manager for a public relations role,” she said.

Snyder lights up when she talks about her 17 years with Marriott. Over that time, she’d serve as senior manager of public relations, director of corporate contributions, senior director of social responsibility and community engagement, and VP of corporate social responsibility.

She oversaw corporate philanthropy, and she was proud of the Marriott family’s sense of social responsibility and its commitment to helping the communities it served by creating jobs and community volunteer opportunities,

If you think that Karen Pulaski and Mari Snyder, the only two women in the core community at Mt. Irenaeus, are responsible for doing the dishes and tidying up the place, you’re right.

Just like Kevin Kriso, Lou McCormick, and Joe Kotula, the Mountain’s three resident friars.

Pulaski bristles at the antiquated notion that, as long-term companions at Mt. Irenaeus, she and Snyder mostly tend to the daily needs of the friars. The reality is that all five residents are equal partners in sustaining the community. Everyone pitches in to collectively address doing the dishes, tending the garden, cooking, outside yard maintenance, and cleaning the cabins.

Likewise, each has a role in the Mountain’s most important work.

“We get to open up the world of Franciscanism to people,” said Pulaski, who also serves as the Mountain’s director of faith formation.

“Maybe they had a bad experience with organized religion, no experience at all, or they don’t identify as ‘religious’ or even ‘spiritual,’ yet they’re starting to ask themselves if there isn’t a deeper meaning to life. It’s so rewarding to interact with people who are searching, to be able to say, let me share with you what our life is like.”

As long-term companions, Pulaski and Snyder receive room and board, health insurance, and a stipend that covers other expenses. They live and work at the Mountain most of the year.

Life as a Mountain Companion Living faith and sharing purpose

About 75 percent of their time is spent planning and hosting programs for students, mostly from SBU, but from other institutions as well, Pulaski said. “It might be the rugby team or the dance team coming for an overnight, and there’s a lot of planning and organization that needs to be done,” she said, noting that there were more than 800 student visits at Mt. Irenaeus during the 2024-25 academic year alone.

Adults also visit the Mountain regularly for retreats and other events. Some 60 people participated in a recent 14-month virtual program offering a “deeper exploration” of the Franciscan faith, Pulaski said. There are other outreach programs as well, such as Mountain on the Road and Mountain in Your Home, that take the Mountain’s ministry to cities across the U.S.

For Snyder, joining the Mountain’s core community was an opportunity to live her faith, her values. She’s proud of her life’s work and of the contributions she made to matters important to

her: human dignity, equal opportunities for all, protection of the environment.

“I did contribute, but, like many, in somewhat traditional ways, like giving money or serving on a board,” Snyder said. “And that’s great. That’s what people do, that’s service.”

Joining the Mountain was a chance to take the next step, to “be in the life,” she said.

Their new lives didn’t come without some sacrifice, Pulaski said.

“I’ll be honest, there are some who don’t understand what I’m doing, who keep asking, ‘When are you coming home? Haven’t you done that long enough?’ I do miss events and milestones back home because I’m busy here,” she said. “I just think God had more in store for me, and I’m grateful that I was given this opportunity.”

Neither she nor Snyder looks past their next commitment — for Pulaski, one year; for Snyder, six months. Pulaski said she sits down each year

to answer some difficult questions: “Did I spend my time appropriately? Am I following the Mountain’s mission? Did my being here add some value? Did I grow, and am I continuing to change and transform? As long as those things remain in place and I continue to feel this is where God is calling me to be, I will be here.”

Snyder, too, feels she’s where she belongs.

“When I’d visit the Mountain, I’d tell people that I went back to try to get in touch with the young woman who left all those years ago,” she said. “This is a place that has taught me to love others more than myself, that instilled the values that really mean something to me.”

Snyder has identified the “key components” of the life she wants in retirement. “I want to have good relationships, a strong spiritual life, and I want to be learning and growing,” she said. She can’t think of a better incubator than the Mountain.

Pulaski has a message for anyone contemplating making a similar major lifestyle change: Don’t focus on the things standing in your way.

“A lot of people look at what I’m doing and say, ‘Oh, that’s great, but I could never do that,’ and I could easily come up with 16 reasons why I shouldn’t be doing this,” she said. “But I tried not to put the obstacles first. You still have to deal with the obstacles, like who’s going to watch my dog while I’m away, but if this is where I’m supposed to be and the work I’m supposed to be doing, the obstacles will take care of themselves.”

Pulaski does feel like she’s come back home.

“I think I have found what I came here for,” she said. “I just hope and pray that I can extend that out to other people.”

p Karen Pulaski sets the altar for Mass at Holy Peace Chapel at the Mountain.

supporting environmental initiatives, such as a reduced-emissions project in Brazil, setting industry standards in combatting human trafficking, and even working in Haiti with a local owner to develop a Marriott hotel as an engine for economic recovery following a devastating earthquake.

“It was a wonderful company in an amazing industry,” Snyder said. “I loved my team, and I loved the work. What I really loved is that I got to marry my Franciscan values to my career.”

And like Pulaski, Snyder couldn’t imagine working anywhere else. But like her fellow alum, as her time with Marriott neared

And when her daily mail brought a brochure from Franciscan Mission Service announcing the establishment of a new daytime shelter for asylum seekers in Douglas, Arizona, she couldn’t put it down.

“I just devoured that brochure,” Snyder said. “I hung it up on the side of my bookcase. I couldn’t deny the call. It felt like God was revealing a path for me.”

She committed to serve for two years as a lay missioner. Working mostly in Mexico, she provided humanitarian relief to deported migrants. She also helped set up an around-theclock shelter on the U.S. side of the border, at a Catholic parish in Douglas.

The Mountain resident community is joined each summer by several St. Bonaventure students who work as summer companions. From left are Br. Joe Kotula, O.F.M., Faith Barker, ’27, Karen Pulaski, Br. Kevin Kriso, O.F.M., Fr. Lou McCormick, O.F.M., Adam Watson, ’27, Mari Snyder, and Audney Burnside, ’26.

the end of a second decade, she began to wonder if she should be doing something else.

“I wanted to take a break, kind of a reset, to redesign what I had been thinking for the rest of my career,” she said.

SNYDER LEFT MARRIOTT for what she planned to be a one-year “mini-retirement,” time to explore her options and think things through. During that time, she served as a community volunteer, started a community garden for a local nonprofit, took art and Spanish lessons, started playing the guitar, and traveled.

One year turned to two.

Deciding it was time to dial back her busy life, “maybe do something in miniature,” in 2019, she joined a small nonprofit, the University of Maryland SAFE Center for Human Trafficking Survivors. As director of economic empowerment, she helped the center build and provide services and opportunities for survivors of sex and labor trafficking.

Then, Snyder’s life was upended when her beloved partner, Brian, died five years ago. Her grief was only intensified by the isolation caused by the COVID pandemic.

“We’re a nation of immigrants, and I have an appreciation for what immigrants bring to this country,” Snyder said. “I believe our diversity is a gift.”

When it came time to commit to another two-year assignment, she hit the pause button. Should she recommit? She didn’t know, but like Pulaski, she knew where to go to help find the answer. She went to the Mountain for a week last spring.

Snyder was no stranger to Mt. Irenaeus. She’d been present for the raising of the main beam for the grounds’ Holy Peace Chapel, returned periodically for visits and retreats, and even served on the Board of Trustees.

On this visit, she had the opportunity to spend time with Fr. Dan.

“On one of our chats, he described us as discoverers and explorers,” Snyder said. “And when, over dinner with the community, I described my discernment travels since serving at the border as nomading, Dan corrected me. ‘Mari,’ he said, ‘you’re a Franciscan, you’re an itinerant!’”

Snyder said it was while she and Pulaski were chatting on the porch on The Mountain’s House of Peace that Pulaski asked her if it wasn’t time for Snyder, too, to “come home.”

She’s now in her first year as a long-term Mountain companion, joining Pulaski as part of the Mt. Irenaeus core community.

She sees new meaning in the turns her life has taken.

“I hadn’t intended to go back into volunteer service, but as I often share with students, ‘Never underestimate the power of an invitation,” Snyder said. “Looking back, I now know that I was hearing a calling of a different sort. I can see the thread of the Franciscans running through my life.”

(Tom Donahue, ’76, retired in 2024 from St. Bonaventure as the website content manager.)

Rewriting the ending

Many executives get so wrapped up in their careers that they lose themselves. Leslie Braksick, ’86, helps leaders redefine their future.

“

Revealing Your Next Season,” a new book co-written by Dr. Leslie Wilk Braksick, ’86, serves as a guide for business executives and others in “intense” careers to identify what they want to do next, then develop and execute a plan to make that happen.

Braksick remembers once attending a retirement celebration for an executive of a multinational energy company, someone she’d coached earlier in his career.

“It was a joyful event, a happy celebration,” Braksick said. “But when I went through the receiving line, the executive clutched me with both arms and said, ‘Leslie, this is the worst day of my life. Can you help me? What am I going to do next?’”

Less than two years later, she learned he had suffered a fatal heart attack.

“He was in perfect health and had no pre-existing health issues, but he had not found purpose after leaving his big corporate job,” Braksick said. “He never found his place. His death rocked me.”

So in 2014, she sold her shares in the executive coaching and consulting firm she’d co-founded 21 years earlier and formed a new company, MyNextSeason. She and her business partner, Mark Linsz, the book’s co-author, work with corporations and organizations to develop new leaders, help rising executives accelerate their advancement, and guide executives on that important last step: retirement.

“Executives are so heads-down serving their employers that they lose themselves,” Braksick said. “These jobs demand unrelenting dedication and sacrifice. They can tax your marriage, strain your relationship with your kids because you’re missing events. You’re traveling, taking conference calls on vacation, working late, eating out a lot, giving up hobbies. And many of those things you would count on being in place and strong when you retire.”

When executives make the transition,

they lose their friendships and the community they had while working. “Without the job title, they wonder, who am I?” Braksick said.

She stresses the importance of “finishing well,” ensuring that when change comes, whether it’s a career shift or retirement, you’re prepared.

“We believe it’s critical to be very discerning, to go through a process where you really reflect on what brings you joy,” she said. “Many people don’t necessarily know what they want to do until they take that pause and reflect.”

Braksick tells another story, about a business executive who had his next move “more or less” figured out. It included taking seats on a couple of corporate boards. Braksick asked him to list some things he’d like not to have to do anymore.

“He was quite clear. He said, ‘I’m tired of going to meetings. I want control of my calendar,’” Braksick said. “But in speaking those words, the executive realized that being on a board wasn’t what he wanted to do. He ended up getting certified as an arbitrator and advising first-time executives. He did some occasional speaking, some mentoring, and wound up being so happy.”

Each chapter of “Revealing Your Next Season” ends with a similar story, “a

case example of a person who has redefined themselves in their next season, a ‘here’s who I was, here’s what I went through, and here’s what I’m doing now’ kind of thing,” Braksick said. “We believe we can help you do almost anything you want to do, and we map out a very pragmatic process for getting there.”

A workbook used by their clients has been condensed for inclusion as an appendix in the book.

Braksick received a bachelor’s degree from SBU in 1986, with majors in Psychology and English. She earned a master’s degree and a Ph.D. in Applied Behavior Analysis and Industrial Psychology from Western Michigan University, and a master’s in Public Health from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

Prior to founding MyNextSeason, she was the chairman and CEO of CLG (now ALULA), a behavioral science consulting firm in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, that she co-founded and ran from 1993 through 2014.

Braksick is a member of the board at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, and of the Chief Global Officer Council at the University of Pittsburgh’s Katz Graduate School of Business. She is a co-founder and board member of Eradicate Hate, an organization devoted to delivering actionable programs to prevent all forms of hatefueled violence, which was launched in response to the Tree of Life Synagogue shooting in 2018. She is also a trustee emeritus of Princeton Theological Seminary.

Braksick is the author of “Living Into Your Next Season: Moving Forward After the Crisis of 2020” (2020); “Your Next Season: Advice for Executives on Transitioning from Intense Careers to Fulfilling Next Seasons (2017);” “Preparing CEOs for Success: What I Wish I Knew” (2010);” and “Unlock Behavior, Unleash Profits,” first and second editions (2000 and 2007).

A historic moment of generosity and vision Campaign surpasses goal, raises more than $131 million

n a remarkable show of generosity, commitment and belief in the future of St. Bonaventure, the comprehensive campaign “A Bolder Bonaventure: Ignite. Inspire. Invest.” has officially concluded — surpassing its ambitious $125 million goal. The unaudited final total stands at an extraordinary $131,476,270, marking the largest and most successful fundraising effort in the university’s 167year history.

Launched to shape a stronger and more innovative future for St. Bonaventure, the campaign drew thousands of alumni, friends, faculty, staff and students together in a shared vision of excellence. Funds raised will have a transformative impact across every corner of campus — from scholarships and academic programs to capital projects and student experiences.

“Surpassing our goal is a testament to the strength of the Bonaventure community and its belief in what we can achieve together,” said Dr. Jeff Gingerich, university president. “This campaign was always about more than just dollars — it was about impact. Thanks to our supporters, we are positioned to do bold things for generations to come.”

Campaign Highlights

• learning and innovation.

New and enhanced facilities that foster 21st-century

Renovations to Francis Hall, home to the Dennis R.

• DePerro School of Health Professions (completed in 2021).

Addition and renovations to the John J. Murphy Pro-

• fessional Building, which houses the Russell J. Jandoli School of Communication.

Renovations to Plassmann Hall.

• Renovations and upgrades within the Reilly Center in-

• cluding new concourse flooring, lighting and ceilings; a complete renovation of the men’s basketball locker room; new locker rooms for the cross country/track and baseball teams; and a $1.5 million enhancement at Fred Handler Baseball Park. In addition, six new outdoor tennis courts will be constructed behind the softball field.

Expanded scholarship support ensuring that a

• St. Bonaventure education remains accessible to talented students regardless of financial means.

• support, academic program support and endowment.

Investment in academic excellence through faculty

• life and co-curricular opportunities.

A vibrant student experience enriched through campus

Investment in Franciscan Mission and Ministries

• by enriching student engagement through worship, faith formation, and service programs of the Franciscan Center for Social Concern such as the Warming House and Bona Buddies.

While the overall campaign goal has been exceeded, work remains to be done. Fundraising efforts will continue for two important pillars of the campaign: the Jandoli School of Communication and Athletics. These initiatives are central to the university’s long-term vision, and additional support is needed to complete capital improvements and program enhancements that will elevate both areas to new heights.

Murphy Building Highlights

The Henretta Communication Center addition to the Murphy Building will be a hub of digital media innovation and experiential learning. The state-of-the-art center will bring together the campus media outlets and create a collaborative, future-focused facility.

The addition will include a high-definition and flexible broadcast studio, podcast and audio studios, and a newsroom that will bring together the campus radio station (WSBU-FM), The Bona Venture student newspaper, SBU-TV, the school’s hyperlocal news site (TAPInto Greater Olean) and future media ventures for the first time to facilitate cross-media innovation.

The existing Murphy Building will undergo an extensive renovation to modernize classrooms, add an advertising and public relations center and virtual studio, as well as numerous gathering places for students and faculty.

Athletics Highlights

The planned Athletics Performance Center will feature three elements that will impact all student-athletes — a 10,000square-foot strength and conditioning center, a new home for sports medicine, and a student-athlete lounge. The $15 million center will be located between the Reilly and Richter centers. In addition, an eight-lane track with a new turf field is planned to support the growing track and field programs as well as to serve the outdoor intercollegiate and club teams.

“To every donor who gave, no matter the size of the gift — thank you,” said Gingerich. “Your support has not only met the moment, it has set a new standard for what’s possible.”

As St. Bonaventure looks ahead, the momentum generated by the Bolder Bonaventure campaign will continue to inspire bold action, visionary thinking, and a deep-rooted commitment to the Franciscan values that define our community.

There’s still important work ahead — and your support can make a real difference.

If you have questions or would like to get involved, please contact Janet Glogouski, associate vice president for Advancement, at jglogous@sbu.edu or (716) 375-4084.

$19,958,539

DePerro School of Health Professions

$11,728,777

$22,516,092 Athletics

Jandoli School of Communication $21,153,909

Bonaventure Fund

$53,018,788

$3,100,162

Franciscan Mission and Ministries

School of Communication

Bona Family’s generosity propels annual giving success ANNUAL G I V IN G

The university’s Advancement team would like to thank the Bona Family for their faithful support this year. We started off the 2024-25 academic year by welcoming two new members to our Annual Giving team: William Mosier-Peterson as director of Annual Giving and C.J. Pierce as Bonnies Athletic Fund coordinator. Rachel Elser continues in her role as assistant director of Annual Giving, providing valuable continuity and support.

Your generosity helped raise more than $4.3 million for the Bonaventure and Athletic funds, including more than $1.1 million during our two giving days.

More than $627,000 came from the reunion classes of 1950, 1955, 1960, 1965, 1970, 1975, 1980, 1985, 1990, 1995, 2000, 2005, 2010, 2015, and 2020, who generously supported The Bonaventure Fund.

The Bonaventure Fund helps support students like Jefrey Canova, Class of 2025.

“I have always dreamed of being a soccer journalist. Your generous financial support, via the scholarships and grants that I’ve received throughout my time here, has helped me pursue those dreams despite the financial burdens I’ve encountered throughout my life.

Your support has opened the doors to many opportunities I never thought would be possible. For my family in Peru and Los Angeles, we say muchas gracias. Your generosity has meant the world to me, and we hope that this continues for the next line of Bonaventure students,” he said.

Your investment allowed St. Bonaventure to serve more than 2,700 students this year with 98% of new freshmen receiving financial aid.

According to Mosier-Peterson, “No matter if you give $15 or $150,000, you are a philanthropist! It is never too early to begin considering how you will invest in St. Bonaventure this year and continue your legacy of philanthropy.”

Our team is eager to build on the success of fiscal year 2025 and is encouraged by the support of the Bona Family as we continue to seek to transform the lives of our students, inspiring in them a lifelong commitment to service and citizenship. We say thank you and remind you, in the words of our patron saint, “There is no knowledge without love.”

Ignite and inspire today’s students with a gift to the Annual Fund!

Gifts to The Bonaventure Fund fuel residential college life, recreation and wellness resources, outreach programs for community engagement, and intramural and club sports, helping St. Bonaventure develop and maintain a strong support system and vibrant extracurricular opportunities.

To make a gift to The Bonaventure Fund:

g Scan the QR code above

g Visit www.sbu.edu/givebonamag

g Call (716) 375-2328 to make a credit card donation

g mail a check to:

P.O. Box 2519

3261 W. State Road

St. Bonaventure, NY 14778

to advance St. Bonaventure Athletics by funding operations, programmatic support and facilities that enhance the Bonnies student-athlete experience.

Together we can make championship dreams possible.

To make a gift to the Bonnies Athletic Fund:

g Scan the QR code above

g Visit www.sbu.edu/giveBAFmag

g Call (716)-375-2328 to make a credit card donation

g Mail a check to:

P.O. Box 2519

3261 W. State Road

St. Bonaventure, NY 14778

The mission of the Bonnies Athletic Fund is

FROM THE TUNNEL TO OUR HEARTS

Alumni honor Fr. Gerald McCaffrey’s legacy

Fr. Gerald T. McCaffrey, O.F.M., was a beloved figure at St. Bonaventure, a fixture at athletic events in every corner of the campus. Perhaps most iconic was his regular post in the Reilly Center Arena tunnel, standing tall with sleeves rolled up, his bare arms crossed over his barrel chest.

The tunnel, where SBU basketball teams enter the court on game days, now proudly bears Fr. Gerald’s name.

Alumni who spent time on campus between 1968 and 1994 fondly remember Fr. Gerald.

Clad in his brown robe and sandals, regardless of the weather, he often had a signature pipe clamped between his teeth. He was a notable friar who roamed his beloved alma mater looking to cross paths with students whose lives he would influence during their college years and beyond.

A 1954 SBU graduate, he became a Franciscan priest four years later. During his 25-year SBU career he served as vice president of Student Affairs, Athletics Department chaplain, moderator of athletics, and math professor. For 18 years, he was a devoted friar-in-residence in Devereux Hall. “His door was always open, whether to help with a killer homework assignment or to talk about Bona’s hoops,” a Devereux resident recalled.

Affectionately known as “Uncle Barney” or “G.T.,” Fr. Gerald emphasized the importance of being present when needed, whether attending team practices and intramural games, giving counsel and comfort in difficult times, celebrating Mass, teaching calculus, or sharing stories.

At his 2009 induction into the SBU Athletics Hall of Fame, he was described as “a mentor, a calming voice, and a friend.”

In November 2023, MJ Telford, ’75, and Mary Piccioli, ’81, launched a grassroots fundraising campaign to honor their friend and colleague’s legacy. Letters were sent to alumni, friends and family who enthusiastically responded to the

$100,000 goal, making the initiative a reality. More than 118 donors have generously contributed over $120,000 with gifts still being received.

The dedication ceremony was held on Feb. 8 in the Athletics Hall of Fame. Fr. Gerald’s family returned to campus for the event led by his niece, Amy Tuttle Steger, ’86, and her husband, Michael, along with their sons, Jack, ’22, ’23, and Josef, ’24, ’25, who assisted in the fundraising efforts. More than 80 donors attended the event, where a plaque honoring Fr. Gerald was unveiled.

The money raised will support renovations to the Reilly Center tunnel area, with remaining funds allocated to the Athletics Performance Center, a key priority of the university.

Naming the tunnel in his honor is an especially meaningful way to honor and embrace the legacy of Fr. Gerald, a cherished friar whose relationships, faith, service, and joy enriched countless lives at St. Bonaventure and beyond.

Breaking ground on baseball renovations

The university celebrated a major milestone May 31 with a groundbreaking ceremony to kick off longanticipated renovations to Handler Park at McGraw-Jennings Field. The renovations include a new backstop and netting system; bleacher seating with backrests for over 400 fans; ADA accessible seating behind home plate; a two-story press box with enhanced broadcast and media capabilities and updated sound system, all designed to elevate the student-athlete experience and create a more fan-friendly environment.

From left, MJ Telford and the Steger family — Michael, Amy, Jack and Josef — are pictured with the plaque honoring Fr. Gerald.

Fr. Gerald McCaffrey

Among those on hand for the groundbreaking were (from left) Bob Beretta, Kurt Handler, Eric Handler, Lisa Handler, Kirsten Handler, Fritz Handler and Tom Marra.

A legacy in the arts

Celebrating 30 Years of the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts

p Artist Carson Waterman was honored at the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts’ “Beyond the Canvas” event. From left are Dr. Erin Sadlack, Paula Fidurko Bernstein, Odie Porter, Dr. Rachel M. Harris, Kelly Elmore, Waterman, Donald Hopwood, Klint Nephew and Brian Kelly.

St. Bonaventure’s Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts is celebrating its 30th anniversary with a yearlong series of events that began April 26, 2025, and will continue through April 2026.

The celebration will include performances, special events, and community engagement initiatives that honor the center’s legacy and continued commitment to the visual and performing arts.

Since its opening in 1995, the Quick Center has been a cornerstone of culture and creativity for both the university and the Western New York region, hosting world-class artists, nurturing local talent, and providing enriching experiences for audiences of all ages.

The center is thankful for the generous contributions that empower it to bring world-class performers to its stages, enriching the understanding of music and fine arts for students and the wider community, allowing them to connect with the journeys of international artists who once stood where they stand.

These vital gifts also ensure that high-caliber fine arts remain accessible in Western New York and Northwestern Pennsylvania, because the appreciation and creation of art should never be limited by a ZIP code or an income bracket. We extend a heartfelt invitation to celebrate our 30th anniversary and the bright future of the Quick Center. If you are interested in celebrating and supporting the center’s 30th anniversary endowment, please contact University Advancement at (716) 375-2507.

Recognized for its unwavering dedication to artistic excellence and education, the Quick Center serves as a premier cultural venue and a dynamic learning environment.

PERFORMANCE SEASON HIGHLIGHTS

Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra with JoAnn Falletta (3 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025)

Emerging Artist Series from the Robert Grayson & Paul Groves Studio, “Postcards from Puccini” (7:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025)

Christmas Holiday Brass with the Southern Tier Symphony (7:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 5, 2025)

Galvin Cello Quartet (7:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 20, 2026)

Willis Delony (7:30 p.m. on Friday, March 13, 2026)

“Shakespeare Abridged” by the Kenan Center (7:30 p.m. on Friday, April 17, and Saturday, April 18, 2026)

Student groups ASIA, Step Team and the SBU Dance Team (spring 2026)

Visit www.sbu.edu/qca‐anniversary for a full schedule of anniversary events.

p Carson Waterman in the Rigas Family Theater at the Quick Center as he prepares for “Beyond the Canvas,” an event exploring his work and cultural inspirations.

p William Bliss Baker’s Morning After the Snow (1885), a notable work from the Col. Michael Friedsam Collection of the St. Bonaventure University Art Collection, is a highly regarded piece at the Quick Center.

“ The Quick Center for the Arts has become a source of local pride and a vital link to the arts for our communities. This is an exciting moment in its history as we move to fulfill our mission to revitalize the arts ... and to establish the Quick Center as a destination for renowned national and international artists.

– Rachel Harris, Executive Director ”

p Carson Waterman’s Woodland Dance in Red and Yellow (1991), gifted to the Quick Center for the Arts by Priscilla Cunningham and Jay LickDyke in honor of Dr. Anthony Bannon, ’64.

Home to a permanent collection of more than 1,800 art objects spanning from antiquity to the 21st century, the center also champions arts education through a robust slate of programs and masterclasses led by visiting artists, welcoming learners of all ages.

“Throughout the past 30 years, the Quick Center for the Arts has become a source of local pride and a vital link to the arts for our communities,” said Rachel Harris, executive director of the Quick Center. “This is an exciting moment in its history as we move to fulfill our mission to revitalize the arts throughout our university, community and region, and to establish the Quick Center as a destination for renowned national and international artists.

We would like to invite all in our community to join us throughout this yearlong anniversary celebration and beyond.”

The Quick Center will officially launch its 30th anniversary celebration on Sunday, Sept. 21, with an opening ceremony featuring a performance by the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra and a dedication to Marianne (Letro) Laine, ’68, a longtime advocate and the center’s largest benefactor in Olean.

As part of the celebration, all five galleries — Front, Kenney, Dresser, Beltz and Laine — will reopen to the public on Sept. 21 with fresh, thoughtfully curated exhibitions reflecting the center’s mission of artistic excellence, education and cultural connection.

The Front Gallery will feature “Once Upon a Sketch” • by Dr. Heather Lynn Harris, associate professor of Communication, offering a behind-the-scenes look at children’s book illustration.

The Kenney Gallery will highlight treasures from the • center’s Southwest and Asian collections, showcasing cultural and spiritual artistry.

In the Dresser Gallery, realist painters Mikel Winter- • mantel and Barbara Fox will present evocative works rich in atmosphere and technique.

The Laine Gallery will honor Indigenous culture • through the powerful work of Seneca artist Carson Waterman, blending traditional Haudenosaunee themes with contemporary expression. This engaging immersive exhibit will be multisensory and interactive.

Enhancing the entire experience, the Beltz Gallery • will introduce a new audio tour, providing narrated insights and artist commentary to engage and inform visitors of all ages with narration by Dr. Ed. Simone, former longtime professor and director of SBU’s theater program.

The festivities will conclude on April 24, 2026, with a special closing ceremony honoring the center’s founder and key supporter, Regina A. (Clarkson) Quick, for whom the center is named. The gala will feature a performance by Grammy-nominated, Olean-born artist Calabria Foti.

44 SHARE YOUR CAREER NEWS WITH THE BONA NATION! CLASS NOTES

To submit professional news for the next issue of Bonaventure magazine, complete the online form at www.SBUmagazine.com or email magazine@sbu.edu. Submissions may be edited for clarity or length.

1961

Franz Vintschger has retired after a career spanning 62 years in the classroom. He began teaching in 1962 while completing a master’s degree at Boston College. Vintschger continued teaching in Massachusetts and then later in New Jersey. He taught in secondary education classrooms for more than 40 years before transitioning to teach at the collegiate level.

1965

John J. Burns (above) was honored by his comrades at Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7858 in Bernardsville, New Jersey, as the grand marshal for the post’s annual Memorial Day parade. Serving as a specialist 5th class in the U.S. Army, Burns operated with a medical mobile laboratory in Phu Bai, Vietnam, in 1970.

1973

Stephen Cocca has published his 12th article in Western New York Heritage magazine, a quarterly publication dedicated to the history of the eight counties of Western New York. The article, “The Armory: Olean’s Military and Social Hub & St. Bonaventure University’s Record-Setting Basketball Home,” chronicles not only the 134-year-old structure’s use as a home for the 43rd Separate Company of the New York National Guard, but as the centerpiece of Olean’s cultural and civic life. The building was the site of numerous dinners, fetes, festivals, weddings and concerts. Of interest to St. Bonaventure basketball fans, however, is the armory’s role in the record books. Between December 10, 1948, and February 25, 1961, Bona basketball teams amassed an incredible 99-game home winning streak within the confines of the armory’s drill shed. The article is available

through Friedsam Memorial Library or by visiting wnyheritage.org.

1974

Margaret “Peggy” Marone, director of Leadership Genesee in Genesee County for 24 years, received the Wolcott Jay Humphrey III Excellence in Community Leadership Award in March. She is a past recipient of the NYS Senate Woman of Distinction and the YWCA Fabulous Female awards. Marone considers her time at SBU as laying the groundwork for her role in annually facilitating a class of 30 adults through Leadership Genesee, an experiential education to help them explore the community and encourage their leader within. Finding their passion in community stewardship has made a great impact in Genesee County as these individuals work to make a difference, Marone said. By the end of 2025, more than 657 people will have completed the Leadership Genesee program.

1975

plier of converting equipment for wet and dry wipes, facemasks and similar disposable products. He also partnered with his son in establishing Hot Melt Supply Co., which provides service and support for adhesive applications in the disposables, product assembly and packaging industries. Prior to that, he was general manager of Newco Enterprises Inc. and global sales and marketing manager for the nonwovens systems group of Nordson Corp. In that role, he managed North American and European sales efforts to disposables producers, and coordinated hot melt systems sales and support activities for a major producer’s global baby diaper production expansion through the 1990s. Cucuzza and his wife, Toni, are celebrating 48 years of marriage this year and have four children and four grandchildren. They live in Monroe, Georgia.

1980

Retired Lt. Col. Mark Douglas has retired from real estate with Century 21 after 20 years. He also closed Super Flippin LLC after 10 years of property acquisitions and renovating properties; he still operates Warrior’s Choice gourmet barbecue sauce company.

Danielle Bergan retired from Mental Health America of Hawaiʻi, but remains active in her community as a mental health trainer and consultant. Her latest project is assisting Youthline as a consultant to start Youthline Hawaiʻi, a teen mental health and crisis line.

1984

1977

Carl Cucuzza was recognized with the Lifetime Service Award by INDA, the Association of the Nonwovens Fabric Industry. Cucuzza, now retired, was president and managing partner of Teknoweb North America, a key sup-

Martha (McNeil) Auster was elected to serve another three-year term on NewYorkBIO’s Board of Directors, joining a group of skilled leaders united in their shared commitment to advancing the development of New York’s life science industry. NewYorkBIO brings together hundreds of New York’s bioscience companies, universities, research institutions, and others dedicated to advancing life science research and commercializing treatments and cures for patients. Denise (Doring) VanBuren was named board chair of the Doughboy Foundation, which built and dedicated the nation’s new World War I Memorial in Washington, D.C.’s

Pershing Park in September 2024. VanBuren previously served as the elected president general of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, also based in Washington, D.C., from 2019-2022. These volunteer positions followed a 26-year career as vice president at Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corporation in Poughkeepsie, New York. She is the author of four books; an active volunteer in her community of Beacon, New York; a mother of three adult sons; and grandmother to two (adorable!) grandsons.

1985

pleting a comprehensive examination process governed by the Universal Accreditation Board. The examination for accreditation in public relations measures a professional’s knowledge, skills and abilities in the practice of public relations, which includes communication theory, planning, management science and ethics. Sheedy is the chief marketing and engagement officer at Loretto Health.

1991

John Duffy relocated to Florida last November and is vice president of Internal Audit at Health First, the largest health care system in Brevard County, Florida. He is responsible for all internal audit and enterprise risk management activities for the system.

1990

Ronald Greenman was promoted to president of ATI (Automotive Training Institute), a division of Driven Brands, in April. He was previously the chief operating officer and has been with ATI for nine years. Linda M. (Cacace) Herlihy was appointed counsel with Riker Danzig’s Real Estate Group. She has significant experience in all aspects of commercial real estate transactions, with a focus on leasing and land use, development and redevelopment matters. Herlihy earned her law degree from Brooklyn Law School in 1993. She represents the Midland Park Zoning Board of Adjustment after having served on the board for 13 years, 10 of them as the board’s chairperson. Julie (Kalata) Sheedy earned the professional distinction of being accredited in public relations (APR) by successfully com-

Alan Delozier was named the national archivist for the Ancient Order of Hibernians, an Irish fraternal organization with more than 46,000 members in the United States, Canada and Ireland. He also writes a bimonthly history column for their organizational newspaper, The National Hibernian. Dominick Marrone is an actor based in LA and just filmed an episode of Apple TV’s “Palm Royale” with Carol Burnett. He can also be seen in the Lifetime TV movie “Killing the Competition” with Melissa Joan Hart.

1992

Coaching & sharing Bona pride Alumni Jim “Taggs” Battaglia, ’92, (left) and Michael Jennings, ’15, met on the field coaching youth lacrosse in Stuarts Draft, Virginia. Jennings, who played lacrosse for SBU, coaches middle schoolers in Augusta County, and Battaglia coaches varsity students. Both love sharing stories about their Bona days.

Suzanne Wilcox English was promoted to senior vice president for strategic development and communications at Cathedral Corporation, where her primary responsibilities are developing new business relationships in the nonprofit sector.

1993

Ana BonillaGaldamez was named the National School Social Worker of the Year by the School Social Work Association of America (SSWAA) during their national conference in Atlanta in April. “As a graduate of St. Bonaventure University,

Catching up in Florida

Back in the early ’80s, Beth (Sutton) Mulvey, ’85, (center) and Ray Collins, ’85, (left) were sitting side-by-side in Plassmann Hall when a blonde-haired guy made a conspicuous entrance that would have made “Kramer” proud (even though this was pre-Seinfeld). A few days later, Beth said, “You’re not going to believe who I’m studying with tonight.” Now married 37 years, Beth and Bob Mulvey, ’84, (above, right) live west of Boston near their children and grandchildren. They caught up with Collins during a vacation in Sarasota, where Collins is a Realtor specializing in alumni relocating from the North.

this recognition is especially meaningful. The Franciscan values instilled in me during my time at Bonaventure — compassion, service and a commitment to social justice — have guided my work every day as a school social worker,” Bonilla-Galdamez writes. For nearly three decades she has served youth and families in Alexandria, Virginia.

“Whether it’s through mentoring programs, mental health support or community engagement, I strive to honor the Bonaventure spirit by walking alongside the underserved communities, who face the greatest challenges. Thank you for taking me in when I didn’t have the means. I am forever grateful to be a Bonnie,” she said. Diana (Sorokes) Maguire (MBA, ’94) was promoted to full professor at Alfred University, where she has been teaching in the College of Business since 2015.

1994

Matt Harrison was appointed chief information officer and director of information technology with the Fairfax County, Virginia, government. Holly (Hartman) Niedzielski earned her Master of Arts in Leadership from the Jandoli School of Communication at St. Bonaventure in May and proudly participated in the university’s 165th Commencement Ceremony. She is director of global community & customer loyalty at Ingram Micro, Inc.

1997

Lisa (Damico) Kern was hired in March to be the director of communications for the United Methodist Foundation of Pennsylvania, which is based in Pittsburgh. Prior to her current position, she worked in communications and member engagement at The Association of Theological Schools for 22 years.

1999

Shawn Connolly was named chairman of the Erie County Charter Revision Commission. The commission consists of

19 community leaders throughout Western New York. They were appointed to update and revise the Erie County Charter, which occurs every 10 years.

2000

Nakeia Chambers (also ’05) was named to the inaugural Class of Central New York Legacy: 40 Over 40, in April. The award recognizes outstanding professionals who continue to drive innovation, leadership and community impact beyond the age of 40. Chambers serves as the director of Access Programs and Multicultural Affairs Student Inclusion at SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse. In this role, she leads initiatives to recruit and foster a student body and workforce that reflect the diverse communities they serve, while creating an inclusive and supportive educational environment. Since 2006, she has served in multiple roles at the university, spanning Student Admissions, Student Affairs, Affirmative Action, and Diversity and Inclusion. Chambers is widely acknowledged for her unwavering commitment to historically underrepresented students and has been a tireless advocate for their success beyond academia. She works closely with multicultural affinity organizations across New York, conducting workshops and mentoring students on their paths to higher education and vocational success. Through active engagement with families and communities, she seeks to eliminate achievement and attainment gaps by providing opportunities that uplift and empower students. Chambers earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from St. Bonaventure through the New York State Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP). A mother of two daughters, she is pursuing a doctorate in inclusive leadership at Syracuse University.

2003

Title One schools in Silver Spring, Maryland, to ensure all students struggling to read get direct, explicit multisensory intervention in the school setting to prevent reading failure. She and her colleagues run a multisensory summer reading clinic, Summer of Joy, in their Title One elementary school, thanks to a generous private donor and in partnership with the public school system. Students engage in intensive Orton Gillingham instruction in small groups provided by a trained ASDEC provider and support from a speech language pathologist and English language development specialist.

2004

Fr. Stephen N. DeWitt, O.F.M., started a new job in November 2024 as director of community outreach at Padua Franciscan High School in Parma, Ohio, near Cleveland. Carri (Gregorski) Prue was named executive director of communications and content for Syracuse University’s division of Advancement and External Affairs. A member of the newly established Advancement Marketing and Communications team, she shapes the content strategy to support enterprise fundraising priorities and campaigns, donor communications and signature events. She also oversees internal communications and provides messaging guidance for development staff on fundraising and campus climate topics.

2009

Jennifer Sherman was promoted to senior vice president at Reservoir Communications Group in January.

2011

Zoe (Payne) Coor completed more than two years of intensive practicum work with Atlantic Seaboard Dyslexia Education Center (ASDEC), based in Maryland. She completed the Academic Language Therapist Association exam and is now a certified academic language therapist (CALT). Coor works in public

Brian R. Michel, Ph.D., was promoted to assistant to the president for governmental relations and strategic initiatives at SUNY Niagara. Michel serves as a senior adviser to the president, overseeing the college’s most impactful strategic initiatives while strengthening its governmental and community relations. He leads efforts to align SUNY Niagara’s mission with public policy at the local, state and federal levels. Michel will also continue to lead the college’s Grants Office, where his expertise

has already secured transformative funding from the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Department of Education. Michel has been instrumental in positioning SUNY Niagara as a regional leader in workforce development, growing the department into one of Western New York’s top three training providers and enhancing the region’s competitiveness for national investment. As assistant vice president of economic development, he led a high-performing portfolio that included Workforce Development, the Niagara Small Business Development Center, and the Liberty Partnership Program, all of which flourished under his leadership.

2012

2016

Shakeema Funchess, in February 2023, launched Adventures in Zen Books at www.adventuresinzenbooks.com, an independent publishing company dedicated to creating inclusive children’s literature that celebrates culture, identity and social justice using AI illustrations. Since launching she has self-published more than 30 titles, including “The ABCs of Black History,” “The ABCs of Boundaries,” and “The Wildlife of Emotions.” Her books have been featured at regional festivals and community events throughout New York state. In February 2024, she received a proclamation from New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli for her dedication to increasing access to diverse stories in underserved communities. In December 2024, Funchess completed a master’s in Healthcare Administration from Southern New Hampshire University, and she is pursuing a doctorate at National University(formerly Northcentral University). “My time at St. Bonaventure instilled in me the values of service, creativity and lifelong learning,” she writes.

Proud parent and grandparent

Three generations of Bonnies: John Reemmer, ’68 (right), his son David Reemmer, ’97 (left), and grandson Zachery Reemmer, ’29, celebrate Zachery’s commitment to join the St. Bonaventure family this fall.

Emily Jo Manchester-Sanden (at left, below) of Bossier City, Louisiana, was recognized by NBC affiliate KTAL Channel 6 as the 2025 Remarkable Woman of the ArkLaTex (Southwest Arkansas, Northwest Louisiana and Northeast Texas). Manchester-Sanden is executive director of the Renesting Project, a volunteer-powered, nonprofit community furniture bank. Renesting offers services to the clients of 60+ partner organizations in Northwest Louisiana, serving a cross section of the community, including schoolchildren, people with disabilities, domestic violence survivors and veterans. In honor of her recognition, her charity received $1,000 in donations from KTAL/KMSS and Live! Casino and Hotel Louisiana.

2020

Cameron Hurst (below, right) co-presented at the New York School Public Relations Association Spring Conference in February in Saratoga Springs. He teamed up with Jill Johnson, Ed.D., president of the social media platform Class Intercom and national expert in school social media, to discuss building a unified social media strategy for public school districts. Hurst recently completed his third year as the public relations specialist at Jamestown Public Schools, his alma mater, where he oversees comprehensive communication strategies for the largest school district in Chautauqua County.

2021

Brielynn Bell of Goldberg Segalla LLP was among 20 individuals recognized with an IDEA Award from Business First Buffalo, which annually honors Western New Yorkers who make inclusivity, diversity and equity pillars of their businesses. Bell, a diversity specialist at Goldberg Segalla, joined the firm in 2022. She is a board member and secretary of West Buffalo Charter School; board member and co-chair of Every Person Influences Children; a trustee with the Western New York Foundation; and a member of the Advocacy Committee for the United Way of Buffalo & Erie County.

2024

Griffin Sciortino (also MBA ’24) has joined Dannible & McKee, LLP, a leading certified public accounting and consulting firm, as an audit staff accountant. Sciortino interned in the firm’s audit department in 2023. In his new role, he is responsible for performing audit, review and compilation engagements, as well as proofing client financial statements and reports in preparation for issuance. He lives in Whitesboro, New York, and works at the firm’s Syracuse office.

Mary Kate Farrell: Rooted at Bona’s, thriving in Aspen

Mary Kate Farrell, ’07, an Aspen Valley real estate specialist with Douglas Elliman, says her four years at St. Bonaventure never really leave her

“I truly loved my years at St. Bonaventure. Those four years shaped who I am today,” said Farrell. “I played lacrosse from 2003 to 2007 and was honored to serve as captain for one season. My brother is also a proud alumnus, and the Bona spirit runs deep in our family.

“To this day, I talk to my teammates and Bonaventure friends daily — they are my rocks. Bonnies show up for each other — we support, uplift and cheer one another on through every stage of life.”

After graduation, Farrell moved to Aspen, Colorado, and has called it home for more than 18 years.

She has been immersed in every aspect of the Aspen Valley real estate market for more than a decade. Since 2017, she has been a consistent top producer at Douglas Elliman, known for her results-driven approach and deep local knowledge.

She was recently honored as the #7 broker in Colorado at the prestigious Douglas Elliman Ellies Awards, a testament to her outstanding performance and commitment to excellence.

The Aspen Valley is one of the most desirable places to live in the world — and Farrell’s mission is to help her clients experience the very best of it. She delivers exceptional service through clear communication, thoughtful guidance, high availability, and the backing of a world-class team.

Farrell lives where she works and understands the unique dynamics of the Aspen Valley’s luxury sales market. She knows how to uncover the right opportunities — on the market and off — through a strong network, creative strategy and relentless determination.

Her early career at Goldman Sachs adds a strategic edge, bringing financial acumen, market insight, and investment expertise to every transaction.

As part of Douglas Elliman Worldwide, Farrell offers her clients national strength and global reach — providing visibility, opportunity and an unmatched level of service.

She remains proud of her Bonaventure roots and is always happy to connect with fellow alumni.

“My St. Bonaventure roots remain a core part of who I am. If you’re ever looking to connect, chat about careers, or just talk about life after Bona’s, I’d love to hear from you. I’m always happy to support fellow Bonnies,” she said.

Welcome, Baby Bonnies!

Maxwell Joseph to Heather (Still) Dyer, ’92, and Kevin Dyer, ’92

Alessia “Essie” to Meredith (Volpe) Euwer, ’02, and James Euwer

Harrison Hayes to Kate (Meyer) Bulera, ’11, and Josh Bulera

Beckett Xavier to Taylor (Janak) Spear, ’11, ’12, and Martin Spear, ’11

Arloe Carroll to Dakota Carroll, ’12, and Galen Guindon

Jeffrey James to Maureen and Joseph Wolcott, ’06, ’08

Lillian Madison to Nicole (Albright) Jones, ’14, and Kris Jones

Margaret Hart to Bailey (Hatch) Wartella, ’19, ’20, and Zach Wartella, ’18

A new generation, a historic name

The newest member of St. Bonaventure’s presidential family tree proudly pays homage to the university’s first president.

Giovanni Wolfgang Lauber was born April 12, 2025, to Flavia (Pietrobattista) Lauber, ’19, and her husband, Garrett.

The university’s founding president, Fr. Panfilo da Magliano, was baptized Giovanni Paolo Pietrobattista before changing his name when he entered the Franciscan order.

Flavia is the greatgreat-great-greatniece of Fr. Panfilo, who served as president of St. Bonaventure’s College from 1858-1867. She first visited campus in the fall of 2008, when her family was invited from Italy to attend the university’s 150th anniversary celebration. Flavia was the student speaker for the Class of 2019.

From

coast to court: Bonnies reunite annually

Despite living from Ohio to Martha’s Vineyard, down in Maryland and everywhere in between, these Bonaventure alumni have gathered every year since graduation in the Poconos or at Bona’s to take in a basketball game together – on TV or in the Reilly Center. Front row, from left, are Steve Piotrowicz, ’94, Rob Peterson, ’93, Keith Tucci, ’93, Byron Kempf, ’93, Brian Laporte, ’94, Mark Tucci, ’93, Chris Stagnitta, ’93, and back row, from left, Tim Corcoran, ’93, Danny Hartigan, ’94, and Doug Heil, ’93.

Bona legacy family visits sacred Italian town

Timer Keenan, ’71, (from left), Sharon (Pelow) Keenan, ’72, and Kevin Keenan, ’82, visited Civita di Bagnoregio, in May. It is described as one of the most stunning hill towns in Italy, and is the medieval town where St. Francis prayed over and healed a young boy who would one day become St. Bonaventure. The photo was taken by Kevin’s wife, Debbie. They are the parents of Connor Keenan, ’22.

Fairways and friendships since the ’80s

Alums from the late ’80s get together to annually hit the links. This year’s golf outing was in Lake Harmony, Pennsylvania, in June. Pictured are (front row, from left) Tom Dembik, ’88, and Scott Garton, ’88, and (back row, from left) Mark Whitehouse, ’87, Bill Kay, ’89, Leo Kirby, ’88, Steve McGuire, ’88, Joe Farrell, ’88, Bill Grimmer, ’88, and Jim Petcoff, ’88.

Climbing high with Bona spirit and purpose

Col. Mark Frank, ’00, and his son Jacob Frank, ’27, show off the SBU banner at the top of Colorado’s Pikes Peak at 14,115 feet. Jacob, a Marketing major at Bona’s, visited Monarch Mountain, Vail Mountain, and Copper Mountain during their trip, and met with several marketing professionals from Vail Resorts.

Women who marked the end of an era at SBU reunite in Sarasota Women from the Class of 1968 met in Sarasota, Florida, in October 2024 as part of their annual get-together. The classmates were the last group of women to live at St. Elizabeth’s Motherhouse before they had on-campus housing in Shay-Loughlen. From left are Judy Leane, Clare Colombo, Peggy Smith, Meg Ford, Meg Lau, Monica Roland, Shirley Guerdon, Mary Woods, Jackie Fay and Judy Wright.

North Jersey alumni rally for Bonnies

The Northern New Jersey Alumni Chapter gathered for a watch party on Feb. 1 at the Shillelagh Club in West Orange, New Jersey. It was a fun afternoon spent with alumni, friends, and family catching up and cheering on the Bonnies basketball win against Fordham.

Birthday surprises in Florida

A number of 1966 classmates were on hand to celebrate Jim Early’s surprise 80th birthday party in Naples, Florida, on March 8. From left are Jim Early, ’66, Brenda Croke, Shaun Sheehan, ’66, Bo Tobin, ’66, Jackie Tobin, Debbie O’Brien, Billy O’Brien, ’66, Jim Croke, ’66, and Charlie Carre, ’66. Several other SBU alums were in attendance as well.

Golden memories shine in Arizona

Members of the Class of 1971 met in April in Phoenix, Arizona, to share memories of their great experiences at St. Bonaventure. All agreed that the university and its mission shaped their lives in the most positive ways. From left are Bob Rice, Jeanne Sabrack, Sandra (Drabik) Dougherty and Charlie Dougherty.

Classes of ’79-’81 celebrate lifelong ties

Alumni from the classes of 1979, 1980 and 1981, along with some of their spouses, rendezvoused in Syracuse, New York, in April.

Alumni Deaths

Lt. Col. John J. Morgan (Ret.), ’50, Vero Beach, Florida

Robert B. Carter, ’52, Wimauma, Florida

Deacon Daniel N. DeLucca, ’53, Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania

J. Peter Fennell Sr.*, ’53, Horseheads, New York

Kenneth J. Wohlpart*, ’53, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Louis W. Ensworth, ’54, Allegany, New York

Fred M. Pavlock, ’54, Salamanca, New York

Edmund J. Quinones, ’54, Lockport, New York

Richard T. Blake, ’55, Vero Beach, Florida

Robert F. Gay, ’55, Pittsford, New York

G. Peter Klee, ’55, Rochester, New York

Thomas W. Torpey, ’55, Nanuet, New York

Richard Carr, ’56, New York, New York

Roger N. Ciccarelli, ’56, Fairport, New York

Donald G. Easton, ’56, Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania

Anthony R. Coppola, ’57, Monmouth Beach, New Jersey

Gerald F. Gawronski, ’57, Winter Park, Florida

Alberta M. (Scharf) Nieberding, ’57, Rocky River, Ohio

Patricia (Gann) Thomas, ’58, Webster, New York

James J. Beeman, ’60, San Diego, California

James M. Kendrick Jr., ’60, Las Vegas, Nevada

Daniel J. McNally, ’60, Cape Coral, Florida

Frank N. Odorisi, ’60, Rochester, New York

Rev. Bertrand Bluma, ’61, Deforest, Wisconsin

Richard J. Bugno*, ’61, Saint Clair Shores, Michigan

Sr. Marietta Culhane, O.S.F., ’61, Aston, Pennsylvania

Theodore J. Hyle, ’61, Cincinnati, Ohio

John M. Kacani, ’61, Metuchen, New Jersey

Joseph P. Catanzarite, ’63, Massena, New York

Sr. Joan H. Dawson, O.S.F., ’63, Allegany, New York

William S. Gullotti, ’63, Jamestown, New York

James A. Breslin, ’64, Lyndhurst, New Jersey

John R. McEligot, ’64, Daytona Beach, Florida

Gerald T. Barth, ’65, Syracuse, New York

Michael L. Ferrara, ’65, East Amherst, New York

Harold F. Hellinger, ’65, Bradenton, Florida

Joseph J. Kantakevich, D.D.S., ’65, Potomac, Maryland

James F. Kelly, ’65, Conway, Arkansas

Pasquale J. Loporcaro, ’65, Pittsford, New York

Richard C. Moran, ’65, West Caldwell, New Jersey

George W. Pettigrew, ’65, Bettendorf, Iowa

Elaine (Petito) Schrauth, ’65, Nicholson, Georgia

Jeffrey D. Hazard, ’67, Albany, New York

Gregory A. Humphrey, ’67, Titusville, Florida

Rev. Thomas J. McSweeney, ’67, Erie, Pennsylvania

Joseph S. Deery*, ’68, Utica, New York

Donn F. Dykstra, ’68, Rensselaer, New York

Dr. Edward J. Mohr, ’68, East Islip, New York

James J. Leddy, ’69, Horseshoe Bay, Texas

Robert F. Saunderson, ’69, Clermont, Florida

Robert L. Cottier, ’70, Rochester, New York

Larkin J. Gram, ’70, Cuba, New York

Sr. Marcia A. Huber, S.M.I.C., ’70, Sweetwater, Texas

John F. O’Malley, ’70, Olean, New York

Judith M. (Atspins) Petrofsky, ’71, Lebanon, Connecticut

Joseph M. Hollister, ’72, Bolivar, New York

Mark D. Hughes, ’72, Lyndonville, New York

Mary Elizabeth (Burdulis) Shuba, ’72, Boca Raton, Florida

Patrick L. Dempsey, ’73, Gretna, Louisiana

Judith R. (Annis) Kinne, ’74, Tully, New York

Dolores Miriam Fitzpatrick, ’74, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Patricia L. Lukasik, ’75, Mamaroneck, New York

Marian Barone, ’76, West Seneca, New York

Frederick D. Handler, ’76, Covington, Louisiana

Theodore J. Sullivan, ’78, Forked River, New Jersey

Mary C. “Katie” Meyer, ’80, Albany, New York

Anthony A. Tudda, ’80, Las Vegas, Nevada

Robert T. Cancalosi, ’82, Lexington, Massachusetts

Br. Hilary D. Hanrahan, O.S.B., ’82, Latrobe, Pennsylvania

William T. Hogan, ’82, Orchard Park, New York

Kenneth L. Rock, ’82, Fountain Hills, Arizona

Thomas R. Zugger, ’83, Lake View, New York

Michael J. Fox, ’84, Concord Township, Ohio

Paul C. Hartnett, ’85, Thompson’s Station, Tennessee

Jeffrey P. Kraus, ’85, Erie, Pennsylvania

David B. Doyle, ’86, Elmira, New York

Margaret E. Smith, ’88, Allegany, New York

Paula A. Valley, ’88, Olean, New York

Susan A. Valentine, ’89, Genesee, Pennsylvania

Jacquelyne L. Decker, ’93, Salamanca, New York

Esther M. (Barrett) Desnoyers, ’93, Olean, New York

Joan Maguire, ’94, West Springfield, Massachusetts

Steven J. Cipolla, ’97, Buffalo, New York

Janeen (Bartlett) Bruhn, ’98, Atlanta, Georgia

Robert H. Simpson, ’12, Olean, New York

Ryan J. Lamberson, ’13, Allegany, New York

Billy O. Hardin II, ’21, Niceville, Florida

Parents & Friends

Anne M. Aicher*, Southold, New York

David Bartlett, Mount Sterling, Ohio

Joseph Basta, Ogdensburg, New York

William Clemens, Allegany, New York

Francis M. Connelly, Olean, New York

Lorraine (Hummel) Egan*, Lathrup Village, Michigan

Sondra Fox, Olean, New York

George T. Hendrix, Olean, New York

Dylan Macrino, Congers, New York

John Macrino, Congers, New York

Charlene L. Mirabito, Fulton, New York

Eileen P. (Quinn) Monaghan*, New Milford, Connecticut

Frances Palumbo, Olean, New York

Michael Porfilio, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

James R. Raftis Sr., Owego, New York

Donald L. Scholla, Olean, New York

*Member of Seraphim Legacy Society

In Memoriam

St. Bonaventure Athletics Hall of Famer Fred Handler, ’76, passed away April 1, 2025. Handler was inducted into the SBU Hall of Fame in 1992 and the baseball field was named after him in 2006. He was the baseball coach from 1959 to 1982, an assistant men’s basketball coach from 1960-1970, and a Physical Education faculty member from 1959-1997, serving as department chair for 12 years.

English major Mason Mascato, ’25, passed away March 15, 2025, at Columbia University Medical Center while awaiting a heart transplant. Mason’s family attended Commencement in May to accept his degree.

The Hon. Ann T. Mikoll* of Depew, New York, who served as a university trustee from 1974 to 1979, passed away April 10, 2025. Receiving her law degree from the University at Buffalo School of Law in 1954, Mikoll would subsequently be elected to the New York State Supreme Court in 1971, making her the first woman ever elected to that position outside of New York City.

Dr. Timothy Noone, a Philosophy professor at St. Bonaventure from 1988-1994, passed away May 11, 2025.

James T. O’Hara, Esq., who served as a university trustee from 1996 to 2001, passed away Jan. 2, 2025, in Washington, D.C. He practiced corporate tax law for Jones Day since 1972 and was a dedicated member of Jones Day’s Border Project, a pro bono initiative that represents migrant children and mothers.

Retired Maj. Gen. Leslie “Les” M. Palm, who served as a university trustee from 2013 to 2019, passed away Jan. 12, 2025, in Charlotte, North Carolina. A star football player at the University of Oregon in the 1960s, Palm began his distinguished U.S. Marine Corps career in 1966, graduating from Officer Candidate School in 1967, and ultimately rising to major general over more than 31 years of service.

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Caroline Lynett, ’14, and Evan Sommer, ’17

Joelle Formato and Phil Penepent, ’11, ’12

Isabel Almanzar and Denis Riordan, ’18

Patricia Pillsworth, ’88, and Anthony Anadio

Allison Whalen, ’09, and Sarah Yeiser

Rebecca Pollack, ’00, and Kelvin Moye

Lauren Lameier and Jonathan Garbin, ’13

Jessica Stender, ’16, ’21, and Kyle Martin

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Gaming gets serious with upgrades to esports hub in the Reilly Center

St. Bonaventure’s new esports room levels up the gaming experience for students. The cutting-edge game space opened in February on the second floor of the Reilly Center.

It features a “Battle Ramp” with five high-performance competition PCs, 12 additional gaming computers, and consoles including Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch. Two massive LED walls showcasing gaming action and video footage bring gameplay to life.

“The facility isn’t just cutting edge. It’s become a hub for community, competition and creativity. Our students have embraced it fully, and it’s already transforming the campus culture around gaming,” said Christian Greer, head coach of the varsity esports program.

The space is the home for SBU’s varsity esports teams but it has open hours for all students. Esports is one of 18 competitive club sports at the university.

TOP PHOTO: Rising junior Amanda Kreger. ABOVE: Coach Christian Greer (standing) with Jayden Abraham, ’25, and Ross Linder, ’25.