Go back to homepage
  • Info For
  • Search
  • A-Z Index (Quicklinks)
  • Office Directory
Info For
  • Alumni
  • Parents
  • School Counselors
  • Scholars & Researchers
  • Online Students
  • Academics
    • Degrees & Certificates
    • Departments, Majors & Minors
    • Schools at SBU
    • Study Abroad
    • Special Programs
    • General Education Curriculum
    • Registrar's Office
    • Class Schedules
    • Online Programs
    • Graduate Studies
    • Library
    • University Learning Goals
    • Tutoring & Academic Support
    • High-Impact Learning Experiences/Internships
    • Franciscan Institute
  • Admission & Aid
    • Freshman Admissions
    • Transfer Admissions
    • International Admissions
    • Graduate Admissions
    • Admitted Students
    • Scholarships & Financial Aid
    • Veterans Services
    • St. Bonaventure Online
    • SBU Campus, Maps & Directions
  • Life at SBU
    • Housing and Dining
    • Services for Students
    • Activities & Programs
    • Quick Center for the Arts
    • Campus Safety
    • Conduct at SBU
    • Compliance and Title IX
    • Human Resources
  • Support SBU
    • Make an Impact Through Giving
    • Volunteer Your Time
    • Link with Bona's to fill jobs & internships
    • Contact University Advancement
    • Advancement News
  • Athletics
    • Division I Athletics
    • Richter Center
    • Club Sports
    • Intramurals
  • About SBU
    • SBU Campus, maps & directions
    • University Mission
    • Outcomes
    • How Awesome Leads to Extraordinary at SBU
    • SBU Facts
    • Value of an SBU Education
    • People of SBU
    • University Information
    • Institutional Profile
    • News & Events
    • Outreach Programs & Camps
    • St. Bonaventure Online
Donate Online
  • Home/
  • Support SBU/
  • Make an Impact Through Giving/
  • Impact of Your Donations/
  • Sophomore Layne Dowdall finds her niche at Bona's
  • Impact of Your Donations
  • Sophomore Layne Dowdall finds her niche at Bona's
  • Engagement with SIMM empowers students, leads to jobs
  • Kinslow family's investment in SIMM yields big dividends for Bona students
  • Living and Teaching the Franciscan Faith: Bob Donius
  • SIMM Makes the Difference
  • Staying involved
  • Making it Count
  • Growing her faith
  • Grotto restored
  • A World of Possibilities
  • A Bonaventure Journey: Kerry Caher, '16
  • A Family Connection: Ben Collins, '17
  • The Perfect Combination: Allison Field, '17
  • News to report: Lian Bunny, '17
  • A Bonaventure Education: Bedrock for Career Success
  • Anonymous $600,000 gift honors English professor's 50-year career
  • McGinley family commits $2 million for University Ministries
  • A.J. Vitanza, '15, reflects on Bona opportunities
  • Buzzy Fund aids students seeking professional development
  • Kibbe Family understands The Power of a Bonnie
  • A Study in Philanthropy: The Masi Family Legacy
  • Because of Bonaventure
  • Passionate about being a Bonnie
  • Alumni give back with help from Constellation Brands
  • Sharing a passion for painting
  • Accounting for Future Bonnies
  • Advancement News
  • Living the Franciscan Faith: Bob Donius
  • Living and Teaching the Franciscan Faith: Dob Donius
Pictured_Layne Dowdall, Class of 2020

SOPHOMORE LAYNE DOWDALL FINDS HER NICHE AT BONA'S

By: Diana McElfresh, '18 
December 2017 

Layne Dowdall, a sophomore journalism and mass communication major, came to love Bonaventure upon her second visit.

“Everyone was super nice,” Dowdall, an Ellicottville, N.Y., native, said, adding that Bonaventure’s small classes afford her the opportunity to forge real bonds. 

“You get to know your professors really well, and you’re not just one out of 100,” Dowdall explained.

The strong personalities that initially drew Dowdall to Bonaventure continue to have an impact on her education. 

“I have a really good adviser, so he’s good at getting me involved in things and connecting me with alumni,” she said. 

In fact, her adviser, Dr. Denny Wilkins, professor in the Jandoli School of Communication, quickly found out Dowdall was interested in pursuing environmental journalism. While the market is niche, Wilkins himself has a background in environmental studies. Wilkins, who has been a member of the Society of Environmental Journalists (SEJ) since its founding, has served as the editorial board chair for the society’s quarterly journal. 

“He has a history in environmental journalism, so he’s excited that I want to go down that same path,” Dowdall explained. 

Wilkins has managed to wrangle her a membership with the SEJ, which allows her access to their publications and offers networking opportunities. He’s also helped her in figuring out how to stay involved with environmental studies on campus. 

“She came here as a freshman interested in environmental studies,” Wilkins said. “So, I suggested she go see Dr. Ted Georgian, and Ted explained to her what the environmental studies minor is all about.” 

Dowdall hasn’t been afraid to branch out on campus. She is involved with The Buzz; the Bona Reach program, which is starting a newsletter for local high schools so students know about on-campus events; and Orion, the astronomy club. 

“One thing that I’ve realized from being involved in Orion is how fast everything is moving,” she noted. “When looking through a telescope, it needs to be adjusted every few minutes because what we are looking at shifts out of view.” 

What is firmly in focus for Dowdall is her future writing about environmental topics. 

“I feel that there’s usually miscommunications, where people aren’t informed enough, or aren’t informed properly,” she said. “If I could help resolve those miscommunications through my writing, I’d be glad. I’m here to learn how to do that.”

Diana McElfresh, '18, is a senior journalism and mass communication major. She is interested in pursuing advertising after graduation
 
  • Apply Now

    Application forms, procedures and additional information

  • Schedule A Visit

    There are many ways to experience
    St. Bonaventure for yourself

  • Request Info

    Learn more about the programs that interest you

Go back to home page
  • Franciscan Institute
  • Quick Center for the Arts
  • Library
  • Jobs
  • Course Schedules
  • Title IX
  • Sitemap
  • SBU Online
St. Bonaventure University 3261 West State Road, St. Bonaventure, NY 14778
(716) 375-2000 | (800) 462-5050 | Office Directory
sbuinfo@sbu.edu       Privacy Policy
 

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Flickr
  • Blog
  • LinkedIn
  • Google+
  • Instagram
  • Snapchat
Current Students/Faculty/Staff Log in to my.sbu.edu
x