YOUR NOTE FROM THE PRESIDENT
March 2014
In February I realized that I was about to begin the 10th year of my presidency of this great University. Where has the time gone? There have been multiple tasks accomplished and major goals set in place.
For some, the progress we have made together is best expressed in “bricks and mortar.” On that scale we can count the wonderful new Café La Verna, the dramatic renovations of Bob Lanier Court, Hickey Dining Hall and the Shay-Loughlen residence halls. We finally have a library facility worthy of our Franciscan special collections—the Holy Name Library. The William E. and Ann L. Swan Business Center joins the Walsh Science Center as dramatic new venues for academic excellence. Fred Handler Park is ready for a new season of baseball. Robinson and Falconio will get a dramatic face-lift this summer. We will begin work on our new turf fields and continue to show off the new locker room for the women’s basketball team.
While not as easy to “see,” our academic progress is of central importance. In this vein we are proud of recent accrediting reviews that have been successfully completed: AACSB (School of Business) and Middle States (our regional accreditation). We continue to benefit from the high standards of our NCATE-accredited School of Education as well as our counseling programs accredited by CACREP. The School of Education was also recently recognized as one of the top 25 innovative teacher education programs in the country by the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE). Our own evaluation program—the Academi c Program Evaluation Committee (APEC)—provides a stream of data that allows us to make strategic program investments. We can also monitor programs that show signs of decline.
Recent faculty searches bring highly qualified applicants to Allegany and demonstrate how attractive our campus and its programs are to aspiring academics. Appointments of a new generation of deans insures spirited leadership for hard-working faculty and equally focused service to the students in each of our schools.
Student Government has become a more visible and effective voice on campus. With consistent goal-setting, leadership education and mentoring from division leaders, our students continually surprise us with their innovative and fiscally responsible approaches to meeting the demands of an increasingly diverse student body. We now have dedicated organizations for students from various ethnic and cultural backgrounds and support or peer groups to meet the needs and aspirations of the student body.
Continued attention to chronic issues of safety, alcohol and drug use, and appropriate inter-personal development all claim our attention and—as needed—interventions. And best of all, our students make us proud by carrying on great traditions of Bonaventure care and concern for one another, the marginalized of our society, and the needs of those impacted by tragedy and natural disasters.
As I enter into this last part of an amazing decade, I invite you to join with me in moving to new goals and meeting new needs. (Of course, there are “old” needs still crying for attention and I need your help with those as well. Anyone for a re-make of Plassmann Hall?) Chief among these will be our work with Hilbert College. We continue to search for an organizational model that will provide increased opportunities for faculty and students while preserving our mission and commitments to excellence. To stay informed about these discussions, please visit this webpage, which features ongoing updates.
I hope you were able to join me for our first-ever State of the University phonecast on January 29.
Hundreds of alumni participated in the lunch-hour conference call, which is featured on this webpage. The call was a great success, and we hope to host another in the near future.
As always, thank you for your continued support. With every gift, you touch the lives of many.
Pax et Bonum,
Sr. Margaret Carney, O.S.F., S.T.D.
President
DESTINATION WEEKEND 2014 - CONSIDER YOURSELF INVITED!
If you missed our gathering in California last year, we hope you can join us in Nashville this November
Touted by Time magazine as "the south's red-hot town" and voted "one of the best places to travel in 2014" by Travel + Leisure, Nashville, Tenn., is in the news--and is our alumni destination for November!
Join your fellow Bonnies in Nashville to explore a Franciscan art exhibition at the Frist Center, tour the Country Music Hall of Fame, and enjoy an evening at the Grand Ole Opry.
University President Sr. Margaret Carney, O.S.F., and board of trustee member and former mayor of Nashville Bill Purcell will serve as our hosts.
It promises to be a weekend of pickin' and grinnin', so be sure to mark your calendar for November 14-15, 2014, and watch for more details to follow!
To date, 40% of your fellow Bonnies have increased their support and participated in the Fr. Joe Butler Challenge! As St. Bonaventure celebrates 125 years of The Bonaventure Fund, we are inviting all alumni and friends to join in the celebration by taking on the Fr. Joe Butler Challenge.
Please consider increasing your gift to 125% during this 125th anniversary year. You can donate online now at www.sbu.edu/donate. Your
gift could be the one that pushes us to our goal of $2,305,800 by
May 31, 2014!
By rising to this challenge, you will be making more than a donation — you will be making an investment that will last a student’s lifetime. Just ask Danny...
You met Danny Bush, '13, in the fall as a recent graduate of St. Bonaventure’s Russell J. Jandoli School of Journalism and Mass Communication. Since then he has been:
- Pursuing a master’s degree in integrated marketing communications.
- Excelling at St. Bonaventure as the multimedia producer for the offices of University Relations and Advancement.
- Enjoying the accolades of being honored as the runner-up for the 2013 Mark Hellinger Award.
Danny’s success story is one of many that illustrate the impact of 125 years of The Bonaventure Fund. It is through this critical fund and the collective gifts of our alumni and friends that pathways to internships, graduate schools, and careers are created for our students.
As we honor the legacy of Fr. Joe during this milestone year, please know that we also celebrate the legacy you are leaving for future generations of Bonnies. It is because of your Devereux-level commitment and generosity that
St. Bonaventure holds such a proud past and bright future.
Meet Br. Ross Chamberland, O.F.M. - 10 Questions
By Monica Mattioli, ’77
Executive Director of Alumni Services
Br. Ross Chamberland, O.F.M., has resided on campus throughout this academic year in the capacity of “Friar Intern.” Internships occur at a stage of Franciscan formation that provides exposure to the many available aspects of Franciscan life. We are blessed by Br. Ross’s choice of St. Bonaventure University as an intern experience. I recently asked to meet with him to pose 10 questions that will help introduce him to our community. Always with a ready smile and wink, Br. Ross graciously agreed.
Monica: Why did you choose to become a Franciscan Friar?
BR. ROSS: I had been considering a vocation and was quite familiar with diocesan priesthood, but not community life. I asked a sister friend for her opinion and she indicated that she could see Franciscan attributes in me. When I pursued this and met the friars, I knew I wanted to be one. They are dedicated, committed, kind, and happy guys. I knew that would be the right place for me.
Monica: When did you enter the process?
BR. ROSS: I started formally in 2005.
Monica: Where are you from?
BR. ROSS: I am from New Hampshire, right on the Massachusetts line. You might detect a little Boston in my speech. I spent some time in “Southie” along the way.
Monica: What has been your academic preparation?
BR. ROSS: I earned a bachelor’s degree at Emmanuel College in Social Justice and Urban Life. I developed this major myself, after having earned over 100 undergraduate credit hours at other colleges. Now this is a formal program at Emmanuel, consisting of rigorous courses in religious studies, sociology, and education. I hold a Master’s in Theological Studies from Washington Theological Union, and an additional Master’s in Pontifical Theology from Catholic University.
Monica: What has been your work prior to coming to St. Bonaventure?
BR. ROSS: I came to St. Bonaventure directly from St. Camillus Parish in Silver Spring, Maryland, which is adjacent to Holy Name College, where St. Bonaventure has held alumni events. The parish population there reflects a world-wide mix of cultures. I was on the Board of Directors for a Blue Ribbon Catholic School and taught RCIA to high school and college-aged students. Prior to that, I taught religion in Brooklyn and led the Boston Catholic Youth Connection--a collaboration among diocesan parishes addressing gang activity. This was a peace advocacy activity where I got to know many gang members and was able to bridge between them, their communities, police, etc. I spent many nights in rough neighborhoods, on ride-alongs, and generally out helping in the city.
Read (and then share!) the full story online >>
ARTIST GREG POLISSENI, '94, SHARES HIS PASSION FOR PAINTING
"We're all artists if we want to be," said Greg Polisseni, '94, as he painted with a group of art students last Thursday in the third-floor Loft of the Quick Center.
“Art is simply expression and creativity within,” he said.
Polisseni, an artist from Rochester, N.Y., visited St. Bonaventure to share the story of his lifelong struggle to free his artistic creativity — and to offer students a look into his painting techniques.
Polisseni invited the students to gather around a large canvas that measured nearly seven feet wide and four feet high. He then demonstrated how he paints with his canvas on the ground, using glitter for texture and no more tools than water, tubes of acrylic paint, and the occasional long-handled brush.
His first coat on the canvas is color and water, he said. He lets this initial layer sit for a day. As the water and paint settle and dry, “cools will develop here and there, and the look of the painting will totally change,” he explained.
He said he spends hours in his studio studying each layer. Sometimes it can take up to 20 different layers before he begins to see what the work is trying to tell him.
“Every piece I put down is deliberate in thought,” Polisseni said, adding that when he creates his abstracts he is allowing God to use his arms as brushes. “That’s why you’ll see crosses in some of the corners of my abstracts, because I allow God to bring it out of me.”
Senior art student Hannah Walker said that she gained a greater appreciation for abstract art through Polisseni’s demonstration. “I like that he actually showed us how he works. A lot of artists aren’t comfortable doing that. He also pointed out that creating an abstract piece isn’t as easy as some people might believe it to be."
Polisseni encouraged the students to be unafraid and to consistently try new things.
“Being an artist is using whatever you can find,” he said. “Art is not just paint and brushes. You need to keep trying different things for the artist that is in you.”
Read the press release "Artist in Action," detailing Greg Polisseni's visit to campus
Visit Greg Polisseni's website
View "Breaking Free," Greg Polisseni's exhibition on campus now through the end of the Spring Semester
at the Paul W. Beltz Gallery in the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts
Learn about Artistix, Greg Polisseni’s newly-launched line of clothing
DONORS LIKE YOU MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE
Accounting for Future Bonnies
By Skye Tulio, '14
Mary (Daiber, ’84) and Frank Puskar know the meaning of working hard and giving back. Together they founded the successful Energo Engineering, Inc., based in Houston, Texas. Today, wanting to empower others, they have created a lasting opportunity for students at Mary’s alma mater—St. Bonaventure University.
The husband-and-wife duo has committed $150,000 to establish the Mar y Daiber Puskar ’84 Endowed Scholarship. Their goal is to provide accounting majors in the School of Business the chance to become extraordinary. The inaugural scholarship will be awarded this fall. Mary, the namesake of the fund, believes providing access to higher education to those who aspire to it and possess the drive is critical.
“My goal with this scholarship is that it will assist others in obtaining their dreams and in giving them a chance to be the best they can be,” Mary said.
Frank served as chief engineer of the couple’s company while Mary served as chief accountant. Mary found that the skills she learned while attending St. Bonaventure helped her to successfully carry out her duties within the company.
“The accounting aspect is very important in business and the skills I learned while earning my accounting degree (B.B.A., accounting) were critical to the operation,” Mary said.
University President Sr. Margaret Carney, O.S.F, S.T.D., noted the impact of this extraordinary gift. “The Puskars’ strong commitment to our students reflects a firm belief in St. Bonaventure’s innovative approach to business education. Their scholarship will provide critical support to deserving students for years to come.” said President Carney.
During her years at St. Bonaventure and in later business success, Mary learned the importance of higher education.
“The Franciscan presence, great education and small-town atmosphere of St. Bonaventure helped form my approach toward successfully dealing with the day-to-day activities in business and in life in general,” Mary said. “We wanted to allow others to have a similar opportunity.”
Mary felt it was important to give back to those who helped her along the path of life. She cited St. Bonaventure as a critical part of her journey, helping to shape her into the woman she is today.
“I want to acknowledge in particular Bona’s contribution to the accounting skills I learned as a student,” Mary said. “My husband and I would also like to set an example for other successful alumni in the hope that they will also consider donating to St. Bonaventure.”
WELCOME TO OUR NEWEST MEMBERS
Welcome
to our newest
Devereux and Young Grotto members
Anonymous (1)
Mr. L. Christopher Allan '78
Mr. and Mrs. William J. Anderson '78
Mrs. Difna Blamey
Mr. Charles L. Blue III '95
Dr. and Mrs. Anthony J. Bonner '64
Mr. and Mrs. Frank V. Bonuito '66
Mr. and Mrs. David M. Brown '88
Mr. and Mrs. John K. Burke '77
Dr. Robert E. Burke '56
Mrs. Christine M. Campbell '93 and Mr. Stephen Campbell
Mr. Richard N. Cassara '63 and Mrs. Patricia M. Cassara '63
John F. Catanzarita, CPA '78 and Mrs. Megan W. Catanzarita '80
Mr. Thomas C. Crainer '79 and Mrs. Sylvia E. Crainer '78
David X. Crossed, CPA '88 and Mrs. Colleen Crossed
Mr. James Crowley
Mr. and Mrs. John H. Davie '67
Mr. John W. Dillon '66
Mr. and Mrs. Robert F. Dimicco '61
Mr. and Mrs. Anthony J. DiSpigno
Mr. and Mrs. John J. Dwaileebe Sr.
Mr. and Mrs. Patrick M. Egan '71
Mr. Jonathan J. Falls '93 and Mrs. Caitlin M. Falls '93
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas P. Fitzgerald '66
Mr. Kevin M. Florenz '90
Mr. Richard L. Fox '85
Ms. Francine Masi Gabler
Mr. and Mrs. J. Timothy George '89
Mr. Patrick B. Gill '04
Mr. and Mrs. Sean P. Hagerty '83
Dr. Thomas J. Halloran '72
Mr. and Mrs. Pat Hamel
Mr. and Mrs. William E. Hammond '66
Mr. Michael A. Hickey Sr. '84 and Mrs. Kristeen M. Hickey '84
Mr. Nicholas M. Jordan '01
Mrs. Lorraine Joyce
Mr. and Mrs. Christopher P. Keenan '79
Ms. Kathleen M. Kosciol '68 and Mr. Michael J. Kosciol
Mr. David T. Lanzillo '84 and Mrs. Jacqueline E. Lanzillo '84
Mr. and Mrs. Scott J. LeClaire '85
Mr. Francis M. Letro and Ms. Cindy Abbott Letro
Ms. Constance LoSchiavo
Ms. Karen S. Manko '79
Mrs. and Mr. Renee S. Marcus
Mrs. Eileen H. Maslowsky '79 and Mr. Myron Maslowsky
Mr. Leonard F. Mayernik
Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. Milhisler '83
Mr. Matthew J. Minichelli '04
Mr. and Mrs. B. D. Miyares Sr. '62
Mr. Brendan Monigan
Mr. and Mrs. Joshua C. Nalli '94
Mrs. Virginia C. Nussbaum '89
Mr. and Mrs. R. O'Halloran '81
Mrs. Ann Ford Roach '85
Mr. Stephen Rogozinski
Mr. Kevin P. Ryan '03
Mr. and Mrs. Michael C. Sawyer '95
Mr. and Mrs. David E. Steward
Ms. Eleanor I. Symonds
Mr. and Mrs. Keith R. Telesca '94
Mrs. Karen M. Utecht
Mr. William S. Villafranco '86
Mr. and Mrs. John J. Widmer IV
Mrs. Susan M. Widmer '70 and Mr. Carl Widmer
CHECK YOUR CALENDAR & SAVE THE DATE
April 24, 2014
Rochester Gaudete Medal Awards Ceremony
Rochester Riverside Convention Center
Rochester, NY
April 25, 2014
Barbara Carr McKee Scholarship Luncheon, which features the
Student Academic Showcase of Excellence
Campus | Robert R. Jones Board of Trustees Dining Room, Doyle Hall
May 11, 2014
Commencement 2014
154th Annual Commencement Exercises
Campus | Reilly Center Arena
June 6 - 8, 2014
Reunion Weekend 2014
Campus | Various locations
June 7, 2014
The Devereux/Seraphim Leadership Breakfast, held Saturday morning of Reunion Weekend
Campus | Robert R. Jones Board of Trustees Dining Room, Doyle Hall
June 19-22, 2014
Thomas Merton Conference - "Merton as Mirror and Model; Coming Home and Going Forth"
Campus
| Doyle Hall, Cafe La Verna
June 20, 2014
Robert Peraza Memorial Golf Outing
Dunwoodie Country Club
Yonkers, NY
August 18, 2014
Holiday Valley Golf Outing, an annual appreciation event that honors your Devereux-level support of St. Bonaventure
Holiday Valley Golf Resort
Ellicottville, NY
Please Note: As a member of The Devereux Giving Societies, you can request reserved seating at graduation. You are also invited to the annual Devereux/Seraphim Breakfast, held each year as part of the Reunion festivities. Please feel free to contact Kathleen Ryan with any questions or concerns.
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