St. Bonaventure University

Work continues on two significant projects on the grounds of St. Bonaventure University.

A sign and patio will replace the bushes that spelled out St. Bonaventure in front of the Doyle Chapel, and a pavilion is being built on the lawn in front of Devereux Hall (north side). Both projects are expected to be completed before classes begin for the fall semester.

The family of Ryan Marchiori, ’08, ’09, established the Ryan Marchiori Memorial Fund (www.sbu.edu/ryan) after Ryan passed away in 2019.

A donation to the Warming House was made from the family’s initial donation, with the remaining funds and subsequent funds raised used to build the pavilion as a permanent legacy to Ryan. The senior class gifts from the classes of 2020 and 2021 are also earmarked for the project.

The pavilion will be built for nearly year-round use and will feature two natural gas-fueled fire pits, ample seating and a place for students to congregate and events to be held.

“The pavilion will really create a great gathering space for our students and the campus community during the school year, and for alumni and community events during the summer,” said Tom Missel, chief communications officer.

The Bonaventure bushes were removed two years ago. They had become unsightly because of blight and hungry deer and were becoming increasingly difficult to maintain.

Dr. Dennis DePerro, SBU’s president who passed away from COVID-19 complications March 1, was integral in the planning for the new sign and patio.

“Dr. DePerro really wanted something that the Bonaventure community would not only be proud of, but could use. That’s how the idea came about of adding a patio behind it that could act as a gathering space,” Missel said.

The project, which features a walkway between the sign and the patio, will become a popular place for taking photos. The sign will also be illuminated at night.

Other projects in progress or that will begin shortly after Commencement are:

• The Reilly Center Arena will be offline for most of the summer. The roof, HVAC, lighting, electric and sound system are all being upgraded. The Reilly Center was not an option for Commencement because the air-handling system didn’t meet requirements for gatherings during the pandemic.
• Air conditioning will be installed to the basketball court side of the Richter Center.
• Renovations will be made to Loughlen Hall and the Garden Apartments.
• The elevator addition and Admissions Suite upgrade to the Administration Building are expected to be finished in June.
• Exterior work on Francis Hall to complete the School of Health Professions project will begin after Commencement and is expected to be completed this summer.

The new Fairway View Pavilion restaurant and bar at the SBU Golf Course opened to the public on April 19.

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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. In 2020, St. Bonaventure was named the #2 regional university value in New York and #3 in the North by U.S. News and World Report.