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March 30, 2006

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Franciscan Friars announce generous financial support to St. Bonaventure

At the recent St. Bonaventure University Board of Trustees meeting on campus, trustees and guests attended a festive evening reception hosted by the Franciscan Friars at the Friary on St. Patrick’s Day. During the course of that reception, Fr. John O’Connor, O.F.M., Provincial of Holy Name Province, took the opportunity to express the friars’ on-going appreciation and support for the University and announce the province’s gift to the University’s campaign.

He spoke of the history of the friars at St. Bonaventure University and of the tradition of being partners with the administration, faculty and staff in service to the students and the entire University community.

“When looking at the priorities of the province, education has been and continues to be one of the main priorities and ministries of our province. Therefore, on behalf of the friars of Holy Name Province, I am very happy to announce that we are giving $1.5 million to the capital campaign of the University to continue the mission of the University and the province,” he said.

In addition to financial support, Fr. O’Connor said the Province of Most Holy Name of Jesus is “also encouraging those entering our community and friars currently in the province to consider ministries in higher education.”

The Province of Most Holy Name of Jesus is the largest province of Franciscans in America and is one of the University’s founding provinces.

During the Board of Trustees’ weekend meetings, the trustees dedicated their time, in the first of many sessions, to an immersion experience through a series of workshops on student life issues. The day began at lunch with the students in the student dining hall. An enthusiastic conversation with many students was a valuable transition into the workshop sessions.

The workshops included Student Well-Being: a study on the first-year experience of the Class of 2008 by Dr. Chuck Walker; the National Survey of Student Engagement that evaluates the extent to which first-year and senior students engage in educational practices associated with high levels of learning and development; a report on the hurricane relief trip, BonaResponds; the social life of today’s student; the spiritual journey of the millennials; and a report on the President’s Commission on the Responsible Use of Alcohol.

The trustees said they came away gratified by the experience of conversation with the students. Also, they are now more aware of the issue areas that Student Life services must address, including the current generation’s addictive issues and its spiritual search. The trustees then resolved to adopt the National Survey of Student Engagement for the administration to use as a tool for developing strategic plans in Student Life, University Ministries, and related program areas to help drive goal setting for future performance.

The Board members also discussed marketing and enrollment needs. Board members authorized a market research proposal relative to the undergraduate program. The Board also approved a preliminary budget with the final budget to be submitted in June.

The trustees approved a series of construction-related issues, which include:
• Irene and Paul Bogoni Rare Books Library as an addition to Friedsam Memorial Library;
• Revenue bonds to finance renovation of student housing and dining facilities;
• Construction of an addition to Hickey Dining Hall;
• A reception gift pledge by Thomas M. Marra to construct a synthetic turf baseball field and associated structures.

The Board also approved the awarding of degrees to candidates for graduate, undergraduate, and honorary degrees at Commencement Exercises to be held May 14.

A report from the capital campaign, The Anniversary Campaign for St. Bonaventure University, demonstrated that the University is on target to achieve a campaign goal of $90 million.

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Fr. Francis Storms, 63, leaves legacy of wisdom and loyalty at St. Bonaventure

Fr. Francis Storms, O.F.M., is being remembered for his wit, compassion, gentle spirit, but more than anything for his “unceasing loyalty and dedication to the institution he cared so much about.”

That’s how Mary Piccioli, dean of enrollment and a friend for more than 25 years, will remember Fr. Francis, a fixture at St. Bonaventure University for almost 35 years.

Fr. Francis died Thursday, March 23, 2006, at Holy Name Friary in Ringwood, N.J., after a long battle with cancer. He was 63. Fr. Francis was the assistant to the president, and served in that capacity until going to the friary in New Jersey on March 4 to spend his final weeks.

“Fr. Frank gave ‘the last full measure of devotion’ to the university that he loved and served for almost 35 years,” said Sr. Margaret Carney, OSF, STD, university president. “Even though cancer stalked him through the last five years, he resisted plans to reduce his workload and kept his colleagues spiritually fortified with his wisdom and wry Irish wit.

“He was the Master’s faithful servant to the end and St. Bonaventure will forever be indebted to him.”

Said George Solan, vice president for Student Life and a colleague of Fr. Francis’ for more than two decades: “The community that was his home drew optimism and strength from his encouragement. A proper gentleman, Father was a living endowment with his tremendous wealth of intellectual knowledge and exceptional, meticulous skills.”

Fr. Francis earned his master’s in theology from St. Bonaventure in 1973 and was ordained Dec. 6, 1975, at St. Francis Church in New York City. He joined SBU’s theology faculty in 1975, and was also named assistant director of the graduate theology program. He was appointed assistant registrar in 1977, and named registrar in 1978. He also spent four years as guardian of the St. Bonaventure Friary (1979-83), served as executive vice president under Fr. Mathias Doyle, OFM, from 1983-87, and represented the university as president in 1985 when Fr. Mathias took a sabbatical.

Fr. Francis took a year leave in 1987 to pastor a church in Rochelle Park, N.J., before returning to St. Bonaventure in 1988 as associate dean for enrollment management. He was appointed acting director of records in 1991 before Sr. Alice Gallin, OSU, named him assistant to the president in 1993 during her tenure as interim president.

Olean’s Larry Ford, who left SBU in 1994 as personnel director after 30 years at the university, said Fr. Frank was “the quiet man behind the scenes who supported everything that went on” at St. Bonaventure.

“He did more outside the office, off campus, for Bonaventure than most administrators could ever do from 8-to-5 behind their desks,” Ford said. “As a counselor, as a friend helping someone, always with a kind word.”

Ford was one of many people who fondly recalled Fr. Francis’ legendary attention to detail.

“He was just so meticulous,” Ford said. “But he also had such a great spirit. Frank was half Irish and half German, and Fr. Gervase (White) always said, ‘Frank works like a German and plays like an Irishman.’”

Ford’s son, Fr. Larry Ford, OFM, knew Fr. Francis for 30 years, since the mid-’70s when Fr. Frank, Fr. Gervase, Fr. Theophilus McNulty and Fr. James Toal used to come to the Fords’ Olean home for a night of “great socializing.”

“I just saw this great fraternal respect that they had for each other, and I think it’s a big part of the reason I became a friar,” said Fr. Larry, who admitted that most friars “have a pretty healthy ego.”

But not Fr. Francis.

“Frank had no interest in the light,” said Fr. Larry, who’s pursuing a doctorate from Boston College while staying at Siena College in Albany. “He would stand in front if he was needed, if that was his responsibility, but he was most comfortable and effective in a supporting, guiding role.”

What impressed Fr. Larry most about Fr. Francis was his ability to connect with people from all walks of life.

“He was the quintessential Franciscan – available to all and respectful of everyone,” he said. “He always dealt with people at their level, not his, whether it was a baron of industry or a waitress in an Olean restaurant … a university trustee or an hourly employee. You will hear a lot of stories over the next few days of how he touched people’s lives.”

Dr. James Martine, retired professor emeritus of English at SBU, was among Fr. Frank’s tight-knit circle of friends.

“There was no one like Fr. Francis,” Dr. Martine said. “I’m not sure he really appreciated all that he did. For guys like us, this is a great personal loss.”

His epitaph won’t be hard to write, Fr. Larry said.

“If we put on his gravestone that he was a loyal Bonaventure man, I think he’d be thrilled,” he said.

A liturgy for family and friends was held at St. Anthony’s in Butler, N.J., on Saturday.

An Office of the Dead and viewing was held at the St. Bonaventure University Chapel, Doyle Hall, on Tuesday, March 28, followed by a Eucharistic Liturgy and burial in St. Bonaventure Cemetery.

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P&G executive to keynote Commencement Exercises 2006

ST. BONAVENTURE, N.Y., March 24, 2006 — R. Kerry Clark, vice chairman of the Board of Directors and a director of Procter & Gamble Company, will receive an honorary doctorate and serve as keynote speaker at St. Bonaventure University’s 146th Commencement Exercises, slated for Sunday, May 14, in the Reilly Center Arena.

Giving people, especially children, around the globe the opportunity to “live, learn and thrive” is Clark’s mission as overseer of P&G’s Family Health business, which is one-third of P&G’s worldwide business.

P&G, says Clark, has two signature projects: 1. making the world’s water safe to drink because more than a billion people in the world lack access to clean drinking water, and 2. improving the life of children in developing countries through such projects as the Children’s Safe Drinking Water program.

“If we focus on children now, we can change the future for generations of children,” says Clark.

Kerry Clark is a gobal citizen and business leader. He has an important message to share with graduates who will face an interconnected world and who must work and serve as world citizens. Sr MC

Also receiving an honorary degree during Commencement Exercises will be William L. Richter, one of the “The Anniversary Campaign for St. Bonaventure University” leading philanthropists, former trustee and successful businessman.

R. Kerry Clark joined P&G in 1974 in marketing with P&G Canada. He held a variety of marketing and management positions in P&G’s Laundry and Cleaning Products business throughout the 1970s-80s including a four-year assignment as marketing director for Japan.

In 1991, he was named vice president and general manager for Laundry Products in the U.S. That led to his appointment in 1995 as group vice president of P&G and president of Laundry and Cleaning Products for North America. In 1998, Clark became President-Asia, with responsibility for P&G’s businesses in Northeast Asia, Greater China and ASEAN. In addition, he managed P&G’s global Feminine Care business.

In 2000, he returned to the United States as president, Global Market Development Organization and added responsibility for some of the company’s business operations in 2001. In this role, Clark led P&G’s regional market and sales operations, which has been a key factor in accelerating the firm’s worldwide growth. In 2002, he was elected to P&G’s Board of Directors as vice chairman.

In July 2005, Clark was appointed vice chairman of the Board-P&G Family Health. In this role, he oversees the company’s pharmaceutical, personal health, oral, baby, family, and pet care businesses. Annual sales of these businesses are almost $20 billion dollars and include brands such as Crest, Oral B, Pampers, Bounty, Iams, Prilosec, and Actonel.

A native of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, Clark graduated from Queen’s University with a bachelor of commerce degree. He and his wife, Norah, have two daughters and live in Cincinnati, Ohio.

William L. Richter is senior managing director of Cerberus Capital Management, L.P. Co-founded by Richter and Stephen Feinberg in 1992, Cerberus is one of the largest hedge fund in the world with more than $25 billion in assets. It employs 200 staff worldwide and manages funds for financial institutions, pension funds and wealthy individuals. To date, Cerberus has turned around a variety of businesses producing everything from sportswear to steel. Most recently Cerberus joined with other companies to buy grocery chain Albertson’s in a deal worth $9.6 billion.

Through a generous $3 million donation made by William Richter in 2002 in honor of his wife’s alma mater, the Sandra A. and William L. Richter Center, a state-of-the-art $6.2 million recreation facility opened on September 30, 2004. The center offers three basketball courts, a climbing wall, two racquetball/squash courts, an indoor track, locker rooms, an aerobics room and 5,000 square feet of cardiovascular and weight equipment.

William Richter served on the St. Bonaventure University Board of Trustees from 2002 to 2005, during which time he chaired the Investment Committee of the Board. He continues to consult on investment strategy.

He holds a B.A. from Harvard College and his M.B.A. from Harvard Business School.

Fr. Alcuin Coyle, O.F.M., former president of Catholic Theological Union and recently retired director of adult education at St. Francis of Assisi Adult Education Center in New York City, will be awarded an honorary degree from the University during the celebration of the Feast of St. Bonaventure, July 14-15.

Fr. Alcuin retired in February after 20 years as director of adult education at St. Francis of Assisi on West 31st Street. Fr. Alcuin’s teaching and administrative experience spans 50 years, including serving as dean of students/academic dean from 1964-70 at Christ the King Seminary at St. Bonaventure; chair of the Department of Sacred Science from 1965-75 at St. Bonaventure; academic dean of Washington Theological Union from 1970-75; and president of Catholic Theological Union in Chicago from 1975-81.

In addition to his bachelor’s degree in philosophy and master’s degree in classical languages from St. Bonaventure, Fr. Alcuin earned an S.T.L. (moral theology) and a J.C.D. (Church law) from the Pontificium Athenaeum Antonianum in Rome. He has had a number of articles published in professional journals in the areas of theology, canon law and religious life.

Commencement Weekend will include a Candlelight Ceremony at 8:45 p.m. Friday, May 12, and a Baccalaureate Mass at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, May 13. Commencement will begin at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, May 14, in the Reilly Center Arena. For more information regarding Commencement Week activities, contact Bryan Smith at (716) 375-2376 or bsmith@sbu.edu.

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Meet the Artist reception to be held for Gabriella P. Mountain

St. Bonaventure University invites the public to “explore the cosmos” with internationally acclaimed artist Gabriella P. Mountain. A Meet the Artist reception will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 1, at The Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts. The reception is free and open to the public, and refreshments will be served.

Mountain’s exhibition, “One with the Cosmos,” shows the artist’s full range and versatility over the years. It features art from every decade of her working life, including a terracotta portrait of a young Roman girl, a silver repoussé box reminiscent of a medieval reliquary created during her first years as an artist, as well as tapestries created within the last two years. The exhibition attests to restless creativity in many media, including hammered copper and brass, bronze and terra cotta sculpture, woodcarving, marble, stained glass and tapestry.

Mountain studied at the Academies of Fine Arts in Budapest and Rome before settling in the United States in 1951. Motivated by a desire to “imbue our buildings with a human feeling,” her architectural commissions adorn public and private buildings throughout the United States. She has exhibited worldwide since the 1950s and her work can be found in private collections throughout Europe and the United States. Mountain has bequeathed 124 pieces of her work to St. Bonaventure University. Three sets of hammered copper and brass repoussé doors and a colorful mosaic are permanently installed in the Quick Center’s theater atrium.
Mountain continues to work, mainly in tapestry, well past “retirement” age, as she expresses “a glimpse of the awe-inspiring vastness and motion in the stellar space, adding my own colors to it.” “One with the Cosmos” remains on view until April 30.

Admission to the Quick Center galleries is free and open to the public. Galleries are open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. For information on group tours, please contact Jason Trimmer at (716) 375-7686. For general information, call (716) 375-2494, visit www.sbu.edu or e-mail Quick@sbu.edu.

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University to salute longtime employees

ST. BONAVENTURE, N.Y., March 30, 2006 — At its Annual Recognition Ceremony, slated for Tuesday, April 4, St. Bonaventure University will honor seven employees who have given a total of 175 years of service to the University and four employees who will be retiring. The entire University community is invited to a brief ceremony beginning at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday in the Rigas Family Theater. Individuals with 10 years of service and up will be recognized, with those reaching 25 years of service and our retirees receiving special recognition.

The seven who will receive distinguished recognition for 25 years of service are Dr. Douglas Cashing, professor of mathematics; Connie M. Ford, secretary for the registrar; Janet R. Haggerty, assistant to the dean of the School of Business and Graduate School; Dr. Jerry Kiefer, professor of physics; Dr. Steven R. Nuttall, associate professor of philosophy; Dr. Harry T. Sedinger, professor of mathematics; and Donald J. Swanz, associate professor of business law.

Douglas L. Cashing is a professor of mathematics. He has published several articles and one textbook, and has both attended and presented talks at numerous conferences. Cashing was promoted to associate professor of mathematics in 1987, then to professor in 1992. He has served as chair of the Department of Mathematics for nine years. Cashing has helped in the grading of the College Board’s AP Statistics Exam and has earned praise from Dr. Wade Curry, AP program director at the College Board, who said, “The reading (and scoring) draws upon the talents of some of the finest teachers and professors that America has to offer. We are very grateful for the contributions of talented educators like Dr. Cashing.”

Cashing received bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the State University of New York College at Oswego, and a Ph.D. from Syracuse University. He was a teaching assistant at both SUNY Oswego and Syracuse University, and taught full-time at St. Francis College in Pennsylvania for two years prior to his employment at St. Bonaventure.

He lives in Olean with his wife, Elizabeth. They have one adult son, Jason.

Connie M. Ford is a secretary in the Registrar’s Office. She started work at the University through the County Employment Training Program. She worked days in the Business Office (then called the Treasurer’s Office), and shortly after, was offered a full-time position in the records office of the Graduate School. Ford also worked for data processing (now Tech Services).

She recalls being surprised by her colleague, Allen Howard. Ford said, “I didn’t know he was blind and when he came over and opened the face of his watch to read Braille, I was blown away. He worked in the print shop and got around as easily as a person with sight. What an inspiration!”

Ford worked for Data Processing for 13 years and then became the secretary for the registrar. Ford says she has many wonderful memories of her time working at the University.

She lives in Bradford with her husband, Ray, and kitten, Cuddles. She has one adult child, Tammy, and an infant granddaughter, Marieanna.

Janet R. Haggerty is the assistant to the dean of the School of Business, Dr. Michael Fischer. Before working in the School of Business, she worked in the University Bookstore. Haggerty began work in the Guidance and Counseling Center right after her graduation from high school. Dr. George Privateer, her supervisor, talked her into starting night school, and she continued that and worked full-time for several years. She then decided to attend class full-time and work for Privateer as a student worker.

Haggerty graduated from St. Bonaventure in 1973 with a degree in elementary education. She lives in Olean with her husband, John.

Her sons, Thomas and Jason, and daughter, Angela, are all St. Bonaventure graduates. Her stepson, Brian, is currently a graduate student at the University.

Jerry Kiefer is a professor of physics. His areas of expertise include computational physics, nucleation theory, computer simulation of fluids/solids, molecular dynamics and Monte Carlo techniques. He has taught a variety of courses including physical science, engineering, computer science and both undergraduate and graduate physics courses.

Kiefer is an active member of the University community. He has worked as a member of the Admissions Committee, the Graduate Council, the Health Professions Evaluation Committee, and as the adviser to the Society of Physics students.

In addition, he is affiliated with numerous academic societies, including Sigma Xi, the American Association of Physics Teachers, and the American Physical Society.

He has been published in sources such as the American Journal of Physics, the Journal of Chemical Physics and the Physical Review.

Kiefer earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois and his master’s and doctorate degrees from the University of Missouri-Rolla. He lives in Olean.

Steven R. Nuttall is an associate professor of philosophy. In addition to teaching philosophy courses, Nuttall has been the University director of Pre-law Advertisement since 1985, and is the faculty adviser for the SBU Pre-law Society and the Mock Trial Team. He is a member of the New York State Bar, and has served on various University committees, including nine years on Faculty Senate. He edited the textbook “Legal Reasoning” and is writing a Legal Ethics textbook.

Nuttall had a great interest in philosophy itself, but part of his reason for becoming a professor was his motivation from undergraduate and graduate teachers.

He said, “I hoped to have a similar positive influence in the lives of some students of mine.” Nuttall feels lucky to be a part of the University faculty. He said, “I love all the members of the philosophy department. I consider all to be good friends. I can’t imagine a better set of colleagues to work with.”

Nuttall earned his bachelor’s degree at Eastern Illinois University, his master’s degree at Northern Illinois University and his juris doctorate and Ph.D. at The Ohio State University. He and his wife, Natalie, live in Olean.

Harry T. Sedinger is a professor of mathematics. His major interest is in mathematical problem solving.

Previous to his employment at the University, Sedinger taught at colleges in Pennsylvania, Oregon, Wisconsin and West Virginia. He also worked as a software engineer at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory at the Floating Point Systems Corporation in Portland, Ore.

Sedinger has been active at the University as well as in outside academic activities. He was chair of the Department of Mathematics twice, and has held positions as director of the Computer Science Program, coordinator of Academic Computing, faculty senator, and a member of numerous University committees.

He has authored 133 published mathematics problem solutions or proposals and has been recognized for solving 521 others. Sedinger received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh and his master’s and doctorate degrees from Carnegie-Mellon University.

He lives in Allegany and attempts to remain active by running (he has done two marathons) and canoeing. He and his wife, Theresa, have five Persian cats.

Donald J. Swanz is an associate professor of business law. He is a college and law graduate of Georgetown University and is on the National Committee of U.S.-China Relations. When he travels to China this May, it will be his 14th personal trip and 12th trip with students.

Swanz is well-known as an international business law professor and has lectured in China, England and Poland, and was appointed associate professor at the Beijing Institute of Technology.

Swanz is a veteran captain of the Air Force. He is a member of the Board of Trustees of Christ the King Seminary and of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Buffalo.

Swanz has two adult children, and he and his wife, Mary, live in Franklinville.

Those who will be honored for 40 years of service to the University are Elizabeth Boardman, executive administrative assistant to the Provost and vice president of Academic Affairs; Walter Kosinski, golf course greenskeeper; Dr. John Mulryan, Board of Trustees Professor of English; Dr. Joseph Tedesco, professor of English; and Joan Zink, executive administrative assistant to the president.

Those who will be honored for 35 years of service are Dr. Thomas Delaney, professor of counselor education, and Dr. Michael Lavin, professor of psychology.

Those who will be honored for 30 years of service are Diana Calhoun, Security Services guard; Arthur Clemons, maintenance groundskeeper; Dr. Anthony Murphy, professor of philosophy; Noel Riggs, executive administrative assistant to the director of the Franciscan Institute; Fr. Daniel Riley, O.F.M., guardian of Holy Peace Friary; Dr. K.R. Sundararajan, professor of theology; and Dr. Jeffrey White, associate professor of classical languages.

Those who will be honored for 20 years of service are Paul Brockel, housekeeping staff; George Cowles, housekeeping staff; Darla Freaney, admissions clerk; Sandra Goodliff, secretary for Plassmann Hall; Mary Kohl, director of Health Services; Dr. John Kupinski, associate professor of biology; Charles Lute, maintenance groundskeeper; Patricia O’Brien, secretary for DeLaRoche Hall; Cheryl Peters, Bona ID office coordinator; Joseph Questa, maintenance carpenter; Fr. Peter Schneible, O.F.M., assistant professor of biology; and Dr. Daniel Tate, assistant professor of philosophy.

Those who will be honored for 15 years of service are Dr. Leslie Sabina, professor of music, and Jack Truman, cook.

Those who will be honored for 10 years of service are Dr. Joel Benington, professor of biology; Fr. Michael Blastic, O.F.M., associate dean and associate professor of school of Franciscan studies, Dr. Donna Brestensky, assistant professor of chemistry; Craig Clark, maintenance plumber; Lee Coppola, dean of the School of Journalism and Mass Communication; Dr. Maureen Cox, associate professor of mathematics; James Crowley, head coach women’s basketball; Tina Dewe, secretary to the Dean of Enrollment; Timothy Hill, multi-media specialist in Technology Services; Dr. Stephen Horan, professor of finance; Carl Hunter, cemetery groundskeeper; Ernest Kallenbach, controller; Elizabeth Whitney Mayer, lecturer of management sciences; Richard Murphy, Security Services guard; Nancy Taylor, accounts receivable bookkeeper; Patty Thibodeau, executive administrative assistant to the vice president for University Relations; Dr. Dennis Wilkins, associate professor of journalism/mass communication; Dr. Joseph Zampogna, lecturer of modern languages; and Jacquelin Zimmer, human resources assistant.

Also to be honored will be those retiring from the University this year: Fr. David Flood, O.F.M., lecturer in the School of Franciscan studies, after eight years of full-time service; John “Jack” Coffey, head chef for the Friary, after 45 years of service; Dr. William Wehmeyer, professor of English, after 42 years of service; and Dr. Paul Wood, professor of modern languages, after 35 years of service.

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St. Bonaventure makes summer school more accessible, offers courses online

ST. BONAVENTURE, N.Y., March 29, 2006 — Summer school seems more appealing now since St. Bonaventure University is offering SBU and non-SBU students the chance to earn credits online from the comfort of their own homes, a coffee shop or wherever they find themselves with a computer and an Internet connection.

Eight courses will be offered during two five-week sessions – Summer Session I and II. Summer Session I begins the day after Commencement, May 15, and runs through June 15; Summer Session II begins June 26 and runs through July 27.

The courses include “The Good Life,” taught by Dr. Russell J. Woodruff, assistant professor of philosophy; “World Views,” taught by Dr. Elizabeth Littell-Lamb, assistant professor of history; “Literature and Art,” taught by Dr. M. W. Jackson, associate professor of English; “Macroeconomic Principles,” taught by Kristen Paul, lecturer of finance; “Statistics II,” taught by Barbara Russell, coordinator of the School of Business graduate programs; “Feature Writing,” taught by Chris Mackowski, assistant professor of journalism and mass communication; and “West European Policies,” taught by Dr. Neal Carter, associate professor of political science.

Michael Hoffman, executive director of Technology Services at St. Bonaventure, said that the elements of the coursework will vary depending on the professor.

“Some examples of the elements professors could incorporate into these online courses may include online discussion groups, online real-time chat sessions, online quizzes and online course materials such as presentations and screencasts,” said Hoffman.

The cost of each online course is $333 per credit hour, and each will be conducted through WebCT, a section of the campus intranet, MySBU. WebCT is a site used by students to retrieve grades, register for courses, etc.

Heather Jackson, University registrar, outlined the advantages to taking courses online.

“One of the main advantages of online courses is that there is no required physical meeting time. Everything is fully online – you don’t have to show up anywhere,” said Jackson. “The material covered in the online course will be the same material covered in a course on campus, it just doesn’t take place in the classroom.”

Current St. Bonaventure students may sign up for online courses via my.sbu.edu. Non-SBU students interested in taking an online course may contact Jackson at (716) 375-2037, and she will put them in touch with the appropriate professor. Non-SBU students should also check with their particular college or university to make sure the credits are transferable.

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Construction begins in Shay Hall; Hickey renovations to follow in May

ST. BONAVENTURE, N.Y., March 29, 2006 — In keeping with an ambitious construction schedule for major renovations in three buildings this summer, work has already begun in the Shay Hall basement with plans to start Hickey Dining Hall renovations the day after Commencement (May 15).

Demolition has begun in the basement of Shay Hall, where the space will be utilized for a recreation area and kitchen. The upper floors will be configured into suites (two rooms will share a bathroom). Loughlen Hall will receive a total update with new paint, flooring and fixtures as well as a renovated lobby.

With more emphasis on show cooking and cooked-to-order meals and fresh, healthy foods when the renovated Hickey Dining Hall opens this fall, it will feature a Mongolian grill, made-to-order sandwich station, international specialties, centerpiece brick pizza oven, grill area, carving station, waffle station, and refrigerated dessert cart.

The initial plans for the interior design feature wood and faux stone elements and lowered lighting, said Brenda McGee Snow, vice president for Business and Finance. McGee Snow expects final design decisions and decisions regarding the furnishings, based on input received from campus focus groups, will be made in the next few weeks.

“Students want more seating options,” said McGee Snow. "Our designers are working to provide alternatives in seating while retaining the capacity we need."

The University is still evaluating options for partnering with an outside company to provide food service. McGee Snow said that in addition to changes in food offerings, the University plans to implement changes to the meal plans and hours of operation this fall. The choice of a food service company is expected to be made in May.

The 5,500-square-foot coffee shop addition on the east end of the building will feature flexible seating and a centerpiece fireplace. Brick columns will create intimate settings for one-on-one interaction and movable partitions will provide the opportunity to separate areas for events.

In addition to gourmet java, McGee Snow anticipates the coffee shop will provide soup, sandwich and salad offerings.

Drawings of the Hickey addition feature rooflines and terra cotta tiles that will connect the building to the campus signature architecture. The structure will also feature many "green building" design elements: windows will open to provide light and air circulation, and the roofline has been designed to optimize available natural light, explained McGee Snow. Architects also hope to incorporate materials from previous buildings, including re-using some of the bricks believed to be from the original Hickey building in the fireplace and using the old steps from Butler Gymnasium at the base of the fireplace.

Following construction, the quad area between Devereux and the addition will be redeveloped to include a redeveloped pedestrian walkway, reinforced walkway with stamped concrete and streetscape lighting.

Duggan & Duggan General Contractors of Allegany is the general contractor for the Hickey and Shay-Loughlen halls renovations, which are expected to be complete by the time students arrive on campus for the fall semester.

An outdoor cook tent will be located near the Sandra A. and William L. Richter Center this summer while the dining hall is closed to provide dining service to some summer programs. Others will utilize the Reilly Center Café, Doyle Hall and/or Francis Hall. Detail planning for summer programming is taking place under the direction of Mr. George Solan, Vice President for Student Life.

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Career Center News ...

For information on on-campus recruiting, programs for seniors, networking from scratch and more, be sure to check out this month's Career Directions at the Career Center Events Web page.

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Newsmakers ...

Dr. David Haack, O.F.M., assistant professor in the department of Visual and Performing Arts, recently gave a gallery talk (March 5) in conjunction with his solo exhibition (Jan. 28 through March 9) of Franciscan-inspired paintings in the Roland Hall Gallery at the University of St. Francis, Fort Wayne, Ind. While there, he also delivered a faculty and public lecture (March 6) titled “Franciscan Wardrobe: Diversity in Color and Style;” guest taught two undergraduate courses for the theology and fine art departments, and a graduate philosophy course in the evening, all on March 7.

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Darwin L. King, professor of accounting, and Dr. Carl J. Case, associate professor of management science, presented a paper titled “Historical Roots of the U.S. Income Tax System” at the 13th annual meeting of the American Society of Business and Behavioral Sciences held in Las Vegas Feb. 23-25, 2006. The paper won the “Best Paper of a Track Chair” award, which was presented to the authors at the honors banquet held on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2006.

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Dr. K. R. Sundararajan, professor of theology, will present a paper on “Passionate Love – A Study of Bridal Mysticism of Hildegard and Andal” at the meeting of Society for Asian and Comparative Philosophy at the Asilomar Conference Grounds in Pacific Grove, Calif., from June 18 to 21, 2006.

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Friday Forum

All SBU faculty, staff and administrators are welcome to all the Friday Forums.

Date: March 31, 2006 (this Friday)
Speaker: Breea Willingham and Pat Vecchio
Time: Lunch starts at noon, Forum goes from 12:35 to 1:30 p.m., including Q&A
Place: University Club - Above Hickey
Title: "Including Diversity Across the Curriculum"

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