St. Bonaventure University
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"The best feeling you can ever get is when you show kindness to others."
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
St. Bonaventure’s Morales to be honored at ceremony Friday for Hall of Fame induction
Oct 28, 2024
Francisco “Frank” Morales, a decorated veteran of the U.S. Army and director of the Military Aligned Students Program at St. Bonaventure University, will be honored Friday on campus for his induction to the New York state Senate’s Veterans’ Hall of Fame.
Morales was officially inducted to the Hall of Fame in May at a ceremony in Albany, but state Sen. George Borrello will be on hand Friday at 2:30 p.m. in SBU’s Doyle Conference Center to celebrate Morales’ induction.
Morales was nominated by Borrello in recognition of his outstanding service and dedication to the nation and fellow veterans.
The annual recognition, established in 2005, is bestowed upon a veteran from each Senate district in the state who has not only served valiantly in the military but has also made outstanding contributions on behalf of their community as a civilian.
“Frank Morales enlisted in the U.S. Army as an infantryman and served 20 years with tremendous distinction, ultimately attaining the rank of master sergeant. Among his many awards is the Silver Star Medal, bestowed on him for his heroic actions on Aug. 26, 2006, when Morales’s unit was ambushed by over 60 Taliban soldiers. Morales was able to lead his men through the battle and save four wounded soldiers,” Borrello said.
Morales’s Army tenure also included deployments in the Balkans, Africa, and twice to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Morales’s final U.S. Army assignment was to St. Bonaventure as a senior Military Science instructor in the university’s Army ROTC program.
Morales also received the Bronze Star for meritorious service in combat. After 20 years of service, he received numerous awards for achievement and earned the Combat and Expert Infantry Badges, the Parachutist Badge, the Pathfinder Badge, and the Drill Sergeant Badge.
After concluding his Army tenure, Morales earned a master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling and worked in counseling for several years before becoming director of the St. Bonaventure Office of Veterans Services.
A member of the university’s ROTC Hall of Fame, Morales lives in Portville, New York, with his wife, Crystal, and their children Christian, Julian and Isabella.
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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!