1. Sr. Margaret to attend CIC conference
2. Student travels halfway around world to attend SBU
3. Multicultural center to be established on campus
4. Feast of St. Bonaventure to honor Coyle, Pellegrini
5. Students enhance Buffalo Niagara YMCA
6. Newsmakers ...

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Sr. Margaret to attend CIC conference

St. Bonaventure University president, Sr. Margaret Carney, O.S.F., S.T.D., has been selected by the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) to participate in the 2006-2007 Presidential Vocation and Institutional Mission program for college and university presidents.

This seminar-based program is designed to assist current and prospective presidents in the context of the missions of the institutions they lead and might lead in the future. This is the second time the program, funded by a generous grant from the Lilly Endowment, has been offered.

It provides 20 presidents, and the spouses of married presidents, the opportunity for candid, intense, small-group discussion of presidential vocation and institutional mission among their peers. Leading the seminar will be a small group of university presidents and their spouses who have been selected to facilitate based on their spiritual and secular thoughts on the program’s content.

“The council has long been dedicated to strengthening presidential leadership through its programs and resources,” said CIC President Richard Ekman. “One leadership issue that has received increasing attention in recent years is the ‘fit’ between a president’s sense of vocation and the institution’s mission and values. Many of us suspect that this factor, more than any technical aspects of management, plays a large role in sustaining the vitality of presidents, their presidencies and their colleges.”

The first session of the seminar will be held this summer, July 16-19, at the 1,280-acre Glendorn resort in nearby Bradford, Pa. The follow-up session will be held Jan. 7-8, 2007, in Tucson, Ariz. In addition, three different follow-up consultations will be scheduled with Sr. Margaret throughout fall 2006 and spring 2007.

Founded in 1956, CIC is an association of independent colleges and universities working together to support college and university leadership, advance institutional excellence and enhance private higher education’s contributions to society. It is the major national service organization, with over 550 memberships, for all small to mid-sized, independent, liberal arts colleges and universities in the U.S.

The council focuses on providing services, including seminars and workshops, to campus leaders. These programs assist institutions in improving educational programs, administrative and financial performance and institutional visibility.

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Student travels halfway around the world to attend SBU

When first beginning college, students leave behind the familiar and venture into the unknown. St. Bonaventure University student and non-American citizen Augustine K. Lim experienced the same, to the point where the first time she stepped foot on campus was during the fall 2004 Welcome Days, just prior to the first day of classes.

Lim, age 19 soon to be 20, is Chinese, lives in Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia, and was an exchange student attending high school in Maine for one year before she came to St. Bonaventure.

“The reason I wanted to study here is because I wanted to have a different point of view,” Lim said. “The United States is so open-minded. It just opened my eyes. Being here for one year in Maine made me think, ‘this is nice. I have freedom of speech.’”

Another part of the reason she wanted to come to the United States was to learn more English. According to the Indonesian school system, everyone studies English, but few have the opportunity to practice and speak it.

“The first time I ever spoke English in my entire life was when I arrived here in the United States,” Lim said. “And it was really scary. High school was probably the worst for me because I had to take two classes of English and start reading different books at the same time. And there were so many essays! But that helped me to improve my English real quick within one year.”

From Jakarta to Maine, how did Lim choose St. Bonaventure?

“My adviser suggested that I apply because her father went to school here,” Lim said. “I applied, was accepted, and they offered me some scholarships.”

A junior computer science major, Lim is the only member of her family who has visited the United States. She has traveled around the country during breaks from class. Lim does keep in contact with her family in Indonesia and travels home over the summer break.

“The hardest part of leaving my family was leaving my brothers,” Lim said of her two younger brothers, ages 5 and 6. Sometimes I miss them, but I keep myself busy and stay out of trouble.”

As a Dean’s List student, Lim is working to complete her master’s of business administration in a compacted three and a half years, instead of the normal five. She plans on graduating in December 2007.

Lim stays very active and has been involved with the campus mentoring program Bona Buddies, is currently running for president of the International Student Association this fall and participated on several committees such as the Diversity Action Committee, the Fr. Joe Doino Awards Committee and the Enrollment Committee.

“I am the only female computer science major in the rising junior class,” Lim said. “I thought of changing my major, but my adviser kept telling me don’t change, you’re going to do well. It’s really a challenging course for me from the coding point of view of how to translate different languages in computers. It’s like I’m translating all the English to Indonesian for the computer to translate it back. I like challenging things. I don’t want to learn anything too easy.”

And with taking 20 credit hours along with 17 hours of work each week, Lim’s schedule last semester was anything but “too easy.” Before she traveled back across the ocean after the past semester, Lim also completed three summer courses while working 20 hours a week.

When comparing school systems, in Indonesia Lim started high school classes at 6:15 a.m. and went until 3 or 4 p.m.

“The life here is pretty easy, it’s so relaxing, I think,” Lim said. “A lot of people get so overstressed, but I don’t think it’s that bad. If they come to Indonesia, then they’ll know what it’s like.”

Back home, she also attended classes six days a week, instead of the American five. They had 10 subjects in one day and were required to take what was given to them. All of their classes were in the same room, as opposed to switching from classroom to classroom for each subject as most schools do here in the U.S.

“As for college, when I talk to my friends (in Indonesia), they still have school on Saturdays and they can’t pick their own schedule,” Lim said. “They have to take certain courses, otherwise you’re not going to pass any classes or you’re not going to get your diploma on time. That’s the difference in colleges.”

After Lim graduates next year, she plans on moving away from the western New York area.

“When I was in Maine, I decided to come to New York because I wanted to see what’s here,” Lim said. “Now I’ve seen it and want to see somewhere else. There are a lot of places I have not gone yet, so I would like to see them. I think I’m going to try and get a job here (in the U.S.) and eventually become an American citizen.”

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Multicultural center to open on campus

St. Bonaventure University president Sr. Margaret Carney, O.S.F., S.T.D., announced today plans to open a new University center this August destined to serve as a place of community, collaboration and pro-active problem solving for students, faculty and staff who seek a multicultural “anchor” for social, intellectual and personal development.

The Damietta Center is dedicated in memory of the journey of Francis of Assisi from Europe to the lands of Islam and the non-violent encounter with a ruling Moslem leader of his time.

The Damietta Center will provide cultural, intellectual and spiritual enrichment. Available programs, services and facilities will enhance and create a community environment that recognizes the University’s desire to learn and appreciate cultural similarities and differences while cultivating a campus wide environment for cross-cultural interaction.

The center will celebrate the diversity of the University’s students, faculty, staff and administrators. It will be located in the building currently identified as the Thomas More House, between Francis Hall and the Gardens. Equipped with a kitchen, dining room, living room and meeting space it will once again become a “home” to many.

After listening to the Strategic Planning Committee for Diversity members and meeting with interested students, faculty and administrators, Sr. Margaret committed to making this a priority for the University.

“I am grateful to the members of the Strategic Planning Committee for the originality of their proposal and the careful cultural analysis behind it. I am also very pleased with initiatives reported to me by our students who are really eager to take ownership of this new opportunity for creating a better campus climate,” Sr. Margaret said.

“Together we will ‘make our way by walking’ as we create the center under the capable leadership of Peter Ghiloni, whom I have asked to serve as its founding director,” Sr. Margaret said, referencing the prophet Isaiah. “Peter has important experience in diversity work, has established wonderful relationships across our campus and is a trusted mentor of our students.”

Since joining the University Ministries team as director of liturgy and music three years ago, a position he will continue to hold, Ghiloni has also served as a minister in residence in Robinson Hall. In both 2004 and 2006, he received the Fr. Joseph Doino “Staff Person of the Year” award.

While serving as director of prayer and worship for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee for 10 years, Ghiloni also served on its multicultural task force and worked extensively with the African American, Latino and Hmong communities in the central city of Milwaukee. Additionally, he worked to create and host a major annual ecumenical conference.

“This is a very exciting endeavor for me and the entire campus. I look forward to establishing a home for all of us as we embrace our cultural gifts and realties,” Ghiloni said. The mission of the Damietta Center will be situated within University Ministries.

“The Damietta Center will be founded on our Franciscan tradition of treasuring the dignity of every person, culture and spiritual path. Its mission will be to foster the brother-sisterhood of all members of our University community,” said Robert M. Donius, vice president for University Ministries.

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Feast of St. Bonaventure to honor Coyle, Pellegrini

Fr. Alcuin Coyle, O.F.M., and Professor Luigi Pellegrini, O.F.M., Cap., are the honorees for the 2006 festivities celebrating The Feast of St. Bonaventure, Saturday, July 15, and Sunday, July 16.

On July 15, a Eucharistic Liturgy will be celebrated at 5 p.m. at the University Chapel in Doyle Hall featuring celebrant and homilist Fr. Murray Bodo, O.F.M., of St. John the Baptist Province in Cincinnati, Ohio. Fr. Murray is teaching a one-week seminar for the Franciscan Institute on “Francis of Assisi in Literature.”

After the liturgy, Fr. Alcuin is being awarded an honorary degree for more than 50 years of teaching, administrative experience and extraordinary service to the Church after the Second Vatican Council. He served as the dean of students and the academic dean from 1964 to 1970 at Christ the King Seminary when it was still located at St. Bonaventure; director of the Sacred Science summer program (1965-75) at St. Bonaventure; academic dean of Washington Theological Union (1970-1975); and president of Catholic Theological Union in Chicago (1975-1981). 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.

Fr. Alcuin retired in February after 20 years as director of adult education at St. Francis of Assisi Church in New York City.

July 16 events begin with Solemn Vespers at 7 p.m. at the University Chapel. At 7:30 p.m., the Franciscan Institute’s annual Academic Convocation will take place in the Rigas Family Theater in The Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts where Italian scholar Pellegrini will be awarded the 19th Franciscan Institute Medal for a lifetime of outstanding contribution to Franciscan studies.

“The Franciscan Institute Medal is an annual award granted by the members of the faculty of the Franciscan Institute and given to a scholar whose works have contributed to the significant development of Franciscan studies and scholarship,” said Fr. Michael F. Cusato, O.F.M., director of the Franciscan Institute and dean of the School of Franciscan Studies. “The selection of the recipient is usually based either on a person’s outstanding contributions to Franciscan scholarship or his or her efforts to support, sustain or make possible the study and dissemination of the Franciscan tradition throughout the world.”

In making their selection, the Franciscan Institute faculty cited the following areas studied by Pellegrini over the last decades: (1) the question of the Franciscan insediamenti (settlements) in Italy the 13th century; (2) the contours of the life of early Franciscanism, with special emphasis on the eremitical sensibilities of the early friars; (3) the scritti (writings) of Francis of Assisi; and (4) the manuscript tradition of the early Franciscan sources, with special attention given to the Early rule. Together, these achievements comprise a lifetime of scholarly work important for all who are engaged in the study of medieval Franciscan history and its sources. Pellegrini is a professor at the Università di Chieti in Italy. He joins fellow Italian scholar Giovanni Miccoli who received the Franciscan Medal in 2004.

A dessert reception will follow the Academic Convocation in the Dresser-Rand Atrium.

The general public is welcome to attend the Solemn Vespers and the Academic Convocation on Sunday.

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Students enhance Buffalo Niagara YMCA

Students of the St. Bonaventure University’s Master of Science in Professional Leadership Program put their skills to practice as they presented their recommendations for events sponsored by the Buffalo Niagara YMCA Saturday, June 24, at the Saturn Club in Buffalo.

As part of the Marketing and Event Management course requirement at the St. Bonaventure Buffalo Center located at Hilbert College in Hamburg, N.Y., the class developed three reports for the not-for-profit YMCA over a five-week time period. The three groups reported on the YMCA Annual Meeting, the Strong Kids Campaign Kick-off and Victory Dinner, and the YMCA Turkey Trot.

The reports, 30 minutes each, were intended to develop successful marketing plans to enhance revenues for the YMCA. Professor and chair of the St. Bonaventure Department of Marketing Dr. Michael Russell and the YMCA sponsors then evaluated the presentations.

The students made their presentations to John Murray, the President of the Buffalo Niagara YMCA, along with other YMCA board members: Kathy Brownschidle; Anne Reif, director of Financial Development; Matt Schriver, vice president of Finance; and Julie Skalski, communications director.

In addition, the class visited The Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts at St. Bonaventure where Executive Director of the Quick Center Joseph LoSchiavo made a presentation on marketing in the arts. The students also took a trip to Dunn Tire Park where Mike Buczkowski, general manager for the Buffalo Bisons, discussed the role of sponsorships and event marketing for professional sports teams.

Hearing from experts in marketing and event management, researching the topic and class discussions all added to the students’ presentations intended to benefit the management of the YMCA. This project supports the St. Bonaventure School of Business’ mission of serving the needs of not-for-profits and enhances the opportunities for students to demonstrate willingness to serve their communities.

The Master's in Professional Leadership is an an accelerated program completed in 16 months accredited by the Association to Advance Schools of Business, preparing graduates for leadership opportunities. For more information, please visit www.sbu.edu/mpl http://www.sbu.edu/mpl or call 716-375-2076.

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Newsmakers ...

"Tails of Laughter: A Pilot Study Examining the Relationship between Pet Ownership and Laughter" by Dr. Robin Maria Valeri, professor of psychology, will appear in the next issue of the peer reviewed journal Society & Animals.

The study examines the relationship in daily life between companion animal guardianship (pet ownership) and peoples’ laughter. Participants were divided into four mutually exclusive groups: dog owners, cat owners, people who owned both dogs and cats and people who owned neither dogs nor cats. For one day, participants recorded in laughter logs the frequency and source of their laughter and the presence of others when laughing. Dog owners and people who own both dogs and cats reported laughing more frequently than cat owners, as did people who own neither.

The most frequent source of laughter was spontaneous laughter resulting from a situation. People who own both dogs and cats reported more spontaneous laughter resulting from an incident involving a pet than dog owners, who reported more spontaneous laughter resulting from a pet than did cat owners.

Dog owners and people who own both dogs and cats reported laughing more frequently in the presence of their pets than did cat owners. Findings suggest a complex relationship between pet ownership and laughter. Specifically dog owners and people who own both dogs and cats laugh more frequently than and in response to more situations involving their pets than do people who own cats.

Dogs, more so than cats, may serve as friends with whom to laugh, or perhaps dogs’ behaviors provide a greater source or reason for laughter.

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