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Bona grad and Ghana native, Paul Nana Afful, volunteered at SBU's Warming House soup kitchen, one of many service opportunities available at SBU.Social Action Programs
News & Events
Carney, Waterman to be honored at SBU's 165th Commencement
Mar 11, 2025
Sr. Margaret Carney, O.S.F., the 20th president of St. Bonaventure, and Seneca artist Carson Waterman will receive honorary doctorates at the university’s 165th Commencement Exercises May 18 in Reilly Center Arena.
Carney, who was named president emeritus upon her retirement in 2016, will also deliver the keynote address to the Class of 2025.
Under her leadership, the university invested $71 million in capital projects, from the renovations of Hickey Dining Hall, Shay and Loughlen residence halls and Fred Handler Park, to several new construction projects: Richter Center, Café La Verna, Walsh Science Center, Swan Business Center, Marra Athletics Fields Complex, and the Holy Name Library rare books addition to Friedsam Memorial Library.
Carney was also the driving force in the 150th Anniversary Campaign for St. Bonaventure, which exceeded its $90 million goal, and helped the university double its endowment between 2005 and 2015.
She was a staunch proponent of diversity at SBU, founding the Center for Arab and Islamic Studies and the Damietta Center for Multicultural Affairs; encouraged students to lives of service; and engaged alumni to assist with internships and job placement.
Only three people — Joseph Butler, Thomas Plassmann and Mathias Doyle, all friars — served longer terms as president of St. Bonaventure than Carney.
“Sister Margaret was instrumental in restoring faith and confidence in the university at a critical time in our history,” said Dr. Jeff Gingerich, university president. “Her leadership for more than a decade and her ability to convince people that the university was still worth investing in helped set the stage for the tremendous success we’ve experienced the last several years.”
Waterman has been a cultural icon in the Seneca Nation since 1975 when he joined the staff at the newly opened Seneca Iroquois National Museum on the Allegany Reservation in Salamanca. He served as exhibit designer, illustrator and artist.
A member of the Snipe Clan and a graduate of Gowanda High School, Waterman studied at Cooper School of Art in Cleveland. Upon graduation, he was drafted by the U.S. Army to serve with the 4th Infantry in Vietnam. He spent seven months on the battlefields before being reassigned to the division’s Public Information Office to create illustrations for the division’s newspapers.
Upon returning from the war in 1970, Waterman spent four years teaching art at the Cleveland Museum of Art before returning to Salamanca. Since 1988, he has been self-employed as an artist at his gallery on the Allegany Reservation.
“Carson is one of the most significant artists Western New York has ever produced, and I’ve come to appreciate over the last two years how revered he is in the Seneca Nation,” Gingerich said. “His life has been committed to keeping alive, forever, the beauty and legacy of the Seneca and Haudenosaunee people though his art.”
Waterman’s work can be found throughout the region, with notable installations at the Delavan-Canisius College subway station and Erie Basin Marina in Buffalo, Seneca Allegany Resort and Casino, the Allegheny River and Chautauqua Lake rest areas on Interstate 86, as well as in community centers, nursing homes and fire halls.
Waterman’s exhibition at the Burchfield Penney Art Center in Buffalo, titled “Art Saved My Life,” is on display through June 1. SBU’s Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts will host an exhibition featuring Waterman’s work this fall.
On Thursday, May 15, the ROTC Commissioning Ceremony will be held at 4 p.m. in the Quick Center. The annual Candlelight Induction Ceremony will be held in the Plassmann/Swan quad at 8:45 p.m. Friday, May 16, to formally welcome students into the alumni family.
Activities on Saturday, May 17, include the Multicultural Stole Ceremony at 11 a.m. in Reilly Center Arena and Baccalaureate Mass at 4 p.m. in the arena. Commencement exercises begin at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, May 18.
For more information about Commencement, including the dates for each academic school’s awards ceremony, go to www.sbu.edu/Commencement. Many of the events will be livestreamed here.
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About the University: The nation’s first Franciscan university, St. Bonaventure University is a community committed to transforming the lives of our students inside and outside the classroom, inspiring in them a lifelong commitment to service and citizenship. Out of 167 regional universities in the North, St. Bonaventure was ranked #6 for value and #14 for innovation by U.S. News and World Report (2024).
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South Carolina LowCountry Bonnies Weekend Getaway
Join fellow Bonnies for a fun-filled weekend on Hilton Head Island, Sept. 25–26! Kick things off with happy hour Friday evening at Local Legend Brewing, followed by a Saturday golf outing at Indigo Run and an evening cruise aboard the Salty Dog.
Friday the 25th - Cocktails at Legends Brewery & Beer Garden from 6:00 PM.
Saturday the 26th - golf outing at Indigo Run, price $126 per round, 5 tee times for groups of four starting at 12:30, clubhouse to be closed for an event but we will have access to a beverage cart and driving range.
Saturday the 26th - evening cruise on the Salty Dog Cruise boat at 6:00 PM, price is $43 per person.
Please contact the alumni office with any questions and we will get you in touch with the SC Chapter Leader, Andy Fry.
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Family Legacy Reception
Family Weekend Legacy Reception
Legacy families are invited to join us for refreshments during Family Weekend! Hosted by the Office of Alumni Engagement, this special reception is an opportunity to meet some of our deans and faculty, connect with fellow legacy families, and enjoy time together on campus.
SBU legacy students and their family members are welcome to attend, so bring the whole family and gather for a Bona family photo!
Saturday, Sept. 26
11 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Reilly Center – Hall of Fame RoomKindly RSVP by Friday, Sept. 18. Registration details coming soon!
For questions or more information, contact the Office of Alumni Engagement at alumni@sbu.edu.
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Explore SBU your way! Next option:
Explore St. Bonaventure your way with campus tours, Discovery Days, Open Houses and personalized visits this fall!
Fall Open Houses
Saturday, Oct. 3 & Saturday, Oct. 24
Dennis R. DePerro School of Health Professions Discovery Day
Friday, Oct. 16
Schools of Communication and Education Discovery Day
Friday, Nov. 6
Jandoli School of Communication | School of Education
Veterans Day Discovery Day, featuring the School of Business
Wednesday, Nov. 11
LEARN MORE ABOUT VISITING SBU
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Francis: A New Oratorio by Richard Danielpour
Experience the world premiere of Francis, a powerful new oratorio by acclaimed composer Richard Danielpour inspired by the life of St. Francis of Assisi and commemorating the 800th anniversary of his death. Featuring a libretto by Sr. Margaret Carney, O.S.F. Led by JoAnn Falletta and featuring Claudia Christian as narrator, the performance brings together the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra and Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus for an unforgettable musical experience.
Sunday, October 11 | 2:30pm
- Kleinhans Music Hall
3 Symphony Circle
Buffalo, NY 14201A special ticket price of $40 is available for seats labeled pink and dark blue on the seating chart. Use promo code FRANCISJUBILEE when purchasing tickets online, or call the BPO Box Office at 716-885-5000 and mention the promo code. Tickets on sale now!
Before the Performance:
A Special Bonaventure LuncheonJoin Sr. Margaret at Marcato by Oliver’s at Kleinhans Music Hall as she shares reflections on bringing the oratorio to life. The luncheon is free, but registration is required by Oct. 5. Performance tickets must be purchased separately.
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2026 Hellinger Award
The annual Hellinger Awards Ceremony honors the Jandoli School’s top graduates and recognizes the accomplishments of outstanding alumni. We look forward to honoring 2026 Hellinger Award recipient David Scibilia, honorable mention Conor Amendola, Alumnus of the Year Dr. Michael Hill and welcoming keynote speaker Lisa Wilson, a groundbreaking sports journalist and editorial director at The Athletic.
Aloft Hotel, Grand Aeries Room | 500 Pearl Street | Buffalo, NY 14202
Reception and open bar at 5:30 p.m. | Program at 6:30 p.m.
There is a hotel block at the Aloft, providing convenient access to the event and accommodations. You can make your hotel reservations here through Sept. 25.
For questions about sponsorships or advertising, or to arrange a payment method other than credit card, please contact Ashley Childs at achilds@sbu.edu
Registration and sponsorship information is now available here.
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St. Bonaventure MBB vs. Penn State
Join fellow Bonnies to root on the men’s basketball team as they face Penn State in an exhibition game at the Key Bank Center in Buffalo, NY at 4:00 p.m.
All courtside seats (first row) and floor seats on risers (second row) in sections 1-10 include access to the 1970 Club located behind Section 123. The 1970 Club will include a cash bar that will open at 1:30 p.m. and food served at 3:00 p.m.
Additional pre-game reception information will be announced soon.
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2027 Reunion Weekend
Save the Date: Reunion Weekend 2027!
Mark your calendars! Reunion Weekend 2027 returns to its traditional first weekend in June, taking place June 4–6, 2027.
We'll be celebrating alumni from class years ending in 2 and 7, with a special welcome to the Class of 1977 as they celebrate their 50th Reunion. All alumni are welcome to attend!
Start making your travel and accommodation plans now, and stay tuned for registration details, event information, and more exciting updates in the months ahead. We can't wait to welcome you back to St. Bonaventure!