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Aug. 23, 2007

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University mourns death of Fr. Greg Brennan, O.F.M.

The University is mourning the loss of Fr. Greg Brennan, O.F.M., a longtime member of the St. Bonaventure community and professed Franciscan friar for 32 years.

Fr. Greg was pronounced dead Monday after an apparent drowning accident in the Kinzua Dam Reservoir over the weekend. The body of Fr. Greg, 56, was discovered Monday night after a two-day search by police in New York and Pennsylvania.

He traveled Friday afternoon to a cabin near Onoville Marina owned by the St. Bonaventure friars and was reported missing when he didn’t show up to offer Mass Sunday morning at his parish of St. Pacificus in the small town of Humphrey, just 10 miles from the University campus.

Fr. Greg, a native of Troy, was employed at St. Bonaventure for 21 years in the Office of Business and Finance, for the last six years as manager of fixed assets and reprographics. He served as pastor at St. Pacificus since 1989. (Download a copy of Fr. Greg's obituary.)

Fr. Greg was also active in the local community, serving as chaplain and volunteer to fire departments in neighboring Olean and Allegany, and as chaplain for 21 years to the Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH) chapter in Olean. He was also a member of the executive committee of Allegany Boy Scout Troop 677, the Knights of Columbus of Allegany and a former chief chaplain of the New York State Association of Fire Chaplains.

“This has really hit our organization hard,” said Brian O’Connell, president of the AOH. “He was a member of our family, just like he was with the firefighters.”

Fr. Greg, an avid outdoorsman who frequently visited the cabin on weekends, took a boat onto the reservoir late Friday afternoon. The boat was discovered, unoccupied but damaged, Saturday evening by a passing boater near Willow Bay on the reservoir.

The University held a prayer service Monday afternoon for Fr. Greg, but learned just hours later that his body had been found.

“This obviously isn't the news we were hoping for, but we’re so grateful for his family's sake that there's some closure to this tragic event. We’re also appreciative to the police agencies who worked so tirelessly in their search for Fr. Greg,” said Sr. Margaret Carney, O.S.F., University president.

“Our hearts are broken, both personally here at St. Bonaventure and for all of the people in the Southern Tier whose lives Fr. Greg touched, especially his parishioners at St. Pacificus and all of the fire company members in Olean and Allegany to whom he dedicated his spirit and energy,” she said.

Fr. Greg earned a bachelor’s degree in religious studies from Siena College. A member of the Franciscan Friars of Holy Name Province, Fr. Greg entered the Franciscan Order in 1973 and was ordained in 1979. After ordination, he served six years as pastor of St. Bonaventure Roman Catholic Church in Allegany.

The wake will be held on Thursday, Aug. 23, 2007, from 7 to 9 p.m. and Friday, Aug. 24, 2007, from 1 to 9 p.m., at the St. Bonaventure University Chapel, Doyle Hall. A prayer service will be held there on Friday at 8 p.m. with Fr. Jerome Massimino, O.F.M., presiding, and Fr. Steven Pavignano, O.F.M., offering the homily; they were classmates of Fr. Greg.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 9 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 25, 2007, at St. Mary of the Angels Church, 202 S. Union St., Olean. Minister Provincial Fr. John O’Connor, O.F.M., will celebrate the funeral Mass and Fr. Richard Flaherty, O.F.M., will give the homily. Bishop Edward U. Kmiec will lead the Prayers of Commendation. Friary Guardian Fr. Xavier J. Seubert, O.F.M., and St. Mary of the Angels pastor Fr. Gregory Dobson will concelebrate the funeral Mass.

Interment will follow at St. Bonaventure Cemetery, Allegany.

Parishioners at St. Pacificus will celebrate Fr. Brennan’s life during Masses on Sunday, Aug. 26, 2007, at 8 and 9:30 a.m. Fr. Seubert will celebrate the Mass. A memorial service will also be planned in Troy, N.Y., at a later date.

A scholarship fund for a senior Boy Scout who wishes to attend St. Bonaventure University has been established in Fr. Greg’s name. Contributions may be sent to: Gregory Brennan Scholarship Fund, St. Bonaventure Friary, St. Bonaventure University, St. Bonaventure, NY 14778.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Casey, Halwig and Hartle Funeral Home.

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Kresge Challenge goal surpassed

Strong support from alumni, parents and friends pushed St. Bonaventure University over its goal in meeting an $850,000 challenge grant from the Kresge Foundation in support of the sciences.

In April 2006, St. Bonaventure was given an “all or nothing” challenge from the Kresge Foundation: raise more than $2.6 million from private sources by Oct. 1, 2007, and the Foundation would award the University $850,000 in funding for the sciences.

Sr. Margaret Carney, O.S.F., S.T.D., president of the University, announced today that the University had surpassed the Kresge Challenge goal by nearly half a million dollars, four months ahead of schedule.

Donors contributed more than $3 million in a 16-month period to support the expansion and renovation of the University’s science instruction facility.

"The Kresge Challenge is a colossal success — and a collective success. It illustrates how our cohesiveness as a learning community creates good things, and how big differences are made one dollar, one phone call and one road trip at a time," Sr. Margaret said.

The University has undertaken an expansion and renovation of its science instruction facility. The William F. Walsh Science Center and renovated DeLaRoche Hall will house state-of-the-art computer science, laboratory and classroom space, biology labs, organic and general chemistry labs, a Natural World lab, a 150-seat indoor amphitheater, and faculty offices integrated with lab space for better student-teacher accessibility.

"Exceeding this goal ahead of schedule is an inspiring testament to the fact that many, many people are committed to the future of St. Bonaventure, that they believe in the leadership of our president, and that they champion the work of our faculty," said Michael J. Fischer, Ph.D., provost and vice president for academic affairs.

The Kresge Foundation is an independent, private foundation created by the personal gifts of Sebastian S. Kresge. Through its grant-making programs, the foundation seeks to strengthen nonprofit organizations by catalyzing their growth, connecting them to their stakeholders, and challenging greater support through grants.

The foundation’s commitment helps meet priorities in the University’s current Anniversary Campaign for St. Bonaventure, which focuses on three major goals: Enhancing the Learning Experience, Ensuring Franciscan Mission Effectiveness and Securing Institutional Well-Being.

"Without the Kresge Challenge, we would not have had the leverage to reach as many people and get more of our alumni involved in growing the sciences," said Andrea Trisciuzzi, associate vice president for development and director of the campaign.

Trisciuzzi also attributed the successful initiative to the "extraordinary efforts" of Robert D. Crowley, ’71, of Warren, Pa., who served as chair of the DeLaRoche Challenge Committee and "is a leader in volunteer service to the University."

Launched to the public in September 2005, The Anniversary Campaign for St. Bonaventure University will culminate with St. Bonaventure’s sesquicentennial 15-month celebration that will begin in March 2008.

To date, some $80 million has been raised toward the campaign’s $90 million goal, Trisciuzzi said.

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Welcome new students!

St. Bonaventure University will welcome some 525 freshmen and 55 transfer students to campus as 2007 Welcome Days are held on Thursday, Aug. 23, through Sunday, Aug. 26.

Welcome Days bring first-year students together before other students arrive on campus. Students will be able to continue their orientation to St. Bonaventure and create bonds with faculty, staff and fellow classmates.

Beginning at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 23, students will be able to move into their residence hall rooms and get settled before the Welcome Days program begins.

The Welcome Days Convocation, a candlelight ceremony held the evening of Thursday, Aug. 23, marks the official beginning of students’ studies at St. Bonaventure.

There is a full schedule of events planned for transfer students on Saturday, Aug. 25. The rest of the weekend is filled with social, academic and recreational programs that allow students the chance to prepare for classes to start on Aug. 27 while strengthening friendships with their classmates.

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SBU remains "Great School" at a "Great Price" in national rankings

U.S.News & World Report has again rated St. Bonaventure University among the best college values in the nation.

St. Bonaventure placed 11th in the magazine’s annual “Great Schools, Great Prices” ranking for master’s-level universities and colleges in the North. The University also finished in the top tier of the best regional universities, ranking 38th out of the 174 master’s-level colleges and universities in the North.

The 574 institutions in the 2008 “Best Universities – Master’s” category, which provide a full range of undergraduate and master’s-level programs, are divided into four regions: North, South, Midwest and West. They are then ranked in tiers on criteria including peer assessment, retention, faculty resources, student selectivity, financial resources, graduation rate and alumni giving.

The “Great Schools, Great Prices” ranking relates a school’s academic quality to the cost of attendance for a student receiving the average level of need-based financial aid. More than 70 percent of Bonaventure students received need-based aid in 2006, discounting a student’s total cost to attend the University by 40 percent.

“We’re glad the rankings reflect what we’ve always known — that a degree from St. Bonaventure is a great value,” said Sr. Margaret Carney, O.S.F., S.T.D., University president. “The faith Lou and Pat Magnano just showed in us with their exceedingly generous gift reflects the true spirit of what’s happening here.

“With all the exciting new construction projects taking place on campus, and the new options available academically — in theater, gerontology, and especially with our ever-expanding dual-admission opportunities — I’m certain we’re on the way to becoming an even better value,” she said.

The Magnanos committed $2 million to the University this week, presenting the first of two $1 million checks to Sr. Margaret on Monday.

“America’s Best Colleges,” produced annually by U.S.News & World Report, serves as a guidebook for college-bound students. A complete listing may be found on the magazine’s Web site.

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BonaResponds plans local service day and tool drive

St. Bonaventure University’s BonaResponds will kick off the school year by hosting a local service day on Saturday, Sept. 8.

Students, family, faculty, staff, alumni and Olean-area community members are invited to help work at various sites in the community. BonaResponds plans to work in some private homes, but most of the volunteers will be helping out at various non-profit organizations, schools and parks.

BonaResponds will send workers to the Cattaraugus County SPCA, local parks in Olean and Allegany, schools (including SBU) and a few trail projects, such as the Nine Mile Creek State Forest lands.

The service day is a fun, great way to meet new friends focusing on helping others, said BonaResponds leader Dr. James Mahar, a finance professor at St. Bonaventure.

The day will start in the morning and volunteers will break into teams. The day will consist of painting, reconstructing, cleaning and making trails. Food, music and some time for reflection will follow the workday.

As tools can be a big expense, BonaResponds is holding a tool drive now until Sept. 8. While any tools will be accepted, items such as rakes, shovels, drills, hammers, paint rollers, brushes, brooms, chain saws and pry bars are especially needed. E-mail bonaresponds@sbu.edu for more information or to arrange a pick-up.

The spring local service day was a big success with more than 100 volunteers working at some 15 sites.

BonaResponds was initially formed in fall 2005 to assist Gulf Coast hurricane victims. In spring 2006, some 300 BonaResponds volunteers formed the largest service trip in SBU history to continue cleanup in the Gulf. During the 2006-07 academic year, BonaResponds also turned an eye toward local communities.

Being among the first volunteers in Buffalo after the “October Surprise,” BonaResponds helped Buffalo rebuild for seven weekends after the snowstorm.

On March 2, BonaResponds left for the Gulf Coast again. Sixty participants joined the group to rebuild and revive the Gulf Coast. However, before making it to the Gulf Coast, BonaResponds stopped in Enterprise, Ala., to help clear downed trees and debris caused by the tornado that hit the city March 1.

Olean-area non-profits interested in hosting a team of BonaResponds volunteers can contact Jim Mahar at (716) 375-2359 or bonaresponds@sbu.edu. Mahar noted that BonaResponds also welcomes inquiries from local military families — in particular those who have had a family member deployed or injured.

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University Ministries announces new staff and assignments

The University Ministries Team is welcoming two new staff members and the re-assignment of another, announced Robert M. Donius, vice president for University Ministries.

Trevor J. Thompson, an associate University minister who has worked as director of The Warming House for the past two years, is assuming the additional role of director of the Damietta Center.

Prior to joining the University Ministries Team, Thompson worked as an assistant farmer/agriculture educator at Canticle Farm in Allegany and as an editorial/research assistant at the Franciscan Institute, and as the North American coordinator for “Build With Living Stones.” Before moving to Western New York in 2002, Thompson taught high school English and religion in Ohio.

“Trevor and his wife, Elizabeth, have personally experienced living with many diverse peoples and their cultures as their families of origin traveled the world,” said Donius.

Thompson holds a master’s degree in Franciscan Studies from St. Bonaventure and a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Pontifical College Josephinum of Columbus, Ohio.

He and Elizabeth and their daughter, Sophia, will live on the second floor of St. Bonaventure’s multicultural/diversity center.

“They are a beautiful family and will offer a wonderful hospitable presence for all members of our Bona family,” said Donius.

Della Moore of Olean is an AmeriCorps volunteer who has been appointed director of the Bona Buddies youth programs.

Well-known by the Olean and Allegany communities, Moore returned several years ago to her native home of Philadelphia, where she earned a master’s degree at Temple University in African American studies. She then went to West Africa, where she spent the 2005-2006 academic year teaching English and African American literature at L’Université Julius Nyerere de Kankan in Guinée.

Upon her return to Western New York, Moore began studying Arabic at St. Bonaventure with Fr. Michael Calabria, O.F.M. She took two French classes this summer while also preparing to teach a “Women in Jazz” course at Jamestown Community College this fall.

“Della is a model for all of us as a lifelong learner,” said Donius.

In addition to her master’s degree from Temple, Moore holds a master’s degree in American history from St. Bonaventure, a bachelor’s degree in secondary English from St. Bonaventure and an associate’s degree in arts and humanities from Alfred State College.

Bona Buddies is a social ministry program where one-to-one relationships are established between St. Bonaventure students and local children in need of a positive role model.

Sr. Elise Mora, O.S.F., a lecturer of Spanish in the Department of Modern Languages at St. Bonaventure, will be serving as the director of Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) for those preparing to receive the sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation in the Catholic Church.

A “careful listener with a loving heart,” Donius noted that Sr. Elise has wonderful experience in various parishes with the RCIA, and served last year as a catechist for the catechumens at St. Bonaventure University.

Sr. Elise is a bilingual educator with more than 40 years of experience teaching and working in non-traditional settings.

Prior to joining the Department of Modern Languages faculty in 2006, Sr. Elise served in leadership for her congregation, the Sisters of St. Francis of the Providence of God of Pittsburgh. During that time she also served as the Peace, Justice and Integrity of Creation director for her congregation and as a lecturer at St. Vincent Seminary in Latrobe, Pa.

In the early 1980s, Sr. Elise focused primarily on advocacy, immigration, and pastoral work among Hispanic people. She spent 10 years in New York City, where she worked in the South Bronx on behalf of indigent or low-income people in need of medical care, and later with Immigrant Services for the Archdiocese of New York providing paralegal and referral services to legal and illegal immigrants. Her next move was to Chicago, where she served as a pastoral associate in a Mexican parish that included newly legalized and illegal immigrants.

Sr. Elise holds a master of pastoral studies degree in religious studies from Loyola University, Chicago; a master’s degree in Spanish from Millersville (Pa.) University; and a bachelor’s degree in education from Carlow University, Pittsburgh.

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SBU grad and Pulitzer winner to speak on 9/11 about AP coverage of war

St. Bonaventure University will host alumnus and Pulitzer Prize-winner Charles Hanley, ’68, Sept. 11 to speak about a new book and traveling exhibit that examines compelling Associated Press reports of some of history’s most memorable stories.

“BREAKING NEWS: How the Associated Press has Covered War, Peace, and Everything Else,” written by a team of former and current Associated Press journalists, takes readers into the bureaus and out to the field to experience firsthand AP’s groundbreaking reporting on war, politics, crime, disasters and sports. “BREAKING NEWS” is the first book about The AP since 1940.

The book recounts the challenges of reporting on armed conflicts, major trials, aviation milestones, presidential elections, the struggle for civil rights, the White House and disasters such as the 9/11 terror attacks, all highlighted on display panels that will be exhibited in the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts.

Hanley will present the exhibit’s opening talk at 7 p.m., Sept. 11, in the Quick Center’s Rigas Family Theater. Hanley, who has reported for The AP from more than 80 countries on stories on war and has spent a total of 12 months in Afghanistan and Iraq covering the crises and conflicts in those countries, will speak about the exhibit and how The Associated Press has covered war.

The exhibit includes large display panels, mounted on easels, featuring photos and text highlighting the story behind a news story from different chapters of “BREAKING NEWS.” The exhibit will be on display in the Quick Center from Sept. 10 through Oct. 10.

Hanley joined The AP in 1968 in Albany, N.Y., and has been a roving correspondent assigned to the Associated Press International Desk in New York for most of the past 25 years.

Lee Coppola, dean of the Russell J. Jandoli School of Journalism and Mass Communication, said, “Charlie Hanley personifies what the Jandoli school is all about: He’s aggressive, he’s tenacious and he’s committed to getting it right. I can’t think of a better representative of the AP and a better representative of St. Bonaventure’s journalism program.”

Hanley’s international reporting has won awards from the Overseas Press Club, the Associated Press Managing Editors association, Brown University’s Feinstein media awards program, and the Korn-Ferry awards for reporting on the United Nations. He and his AP collaborators also won 11 major journalism awards, including the Pulitzer Prize for investigative journalism and a George Polk Award for their reporting on the U.S. military’s killing of refugees at No Gun Ri, South Korea, in 1950. Hanley won the Pulitzer Prize for his expose of civilians killed by American troops during the Korean conflict.

Hanley is co-author of “World War II: A 50th Anniversary History”(Henry Holt); “20th Century America” (Grolier Educational); “FLASH! The Associated Press Covers the World” (Abrams); and “The Bridge at No Gun Ri,” published in 2001 by Henry Holt.

Hanley’s talk and The Associated Press exhibit are open to the public at no charge. The Quick Center’s regular hours are Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, noon to 4 p.m. It is closed on Monday and holiday hours may vary.

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Student-run radio station hits No. 1 on Princeton Review's annual college guide

St. Bonaventure University’s student-run radio station, WSBU-FM 88.3 The Buzz, hit the No. 1 spot on the “Best College Radio Station” category in The Princeton Review’s annual college guide.

Rankings reporting the top 20 colleges in this and more than 50 other categories are in the 2008 edition of The Princeton Review’s annual college guide “Best 366 Colleges,” which was released today.

Incoming St. Bonaventure senior Stephanie Nikolaou of Rochester says it is difficult to find more dedicated students than those working atop the second floor of the Reilly Center at WSBU.

“Staffers and directors sit at computers for days reviewing boxes of new music to send out to listeners a few residence halls away and to computers across the country,” said Nikolaou, a journalism/mass communication major who served as a station public relations co-director last year.

“Whether it is planning concerts for the University or advising middle and high school students about how the radio works, the students here enjoy working at St. Bonaventure University and beyond Route 417,” she said.

The station, founded in 1948, prides itself on broadcasting 24 hours a day, seven days a week, offering a variety of music, including modern rock, alternative and hip-hop, along with news, sports and specialty shows.

“Their commitment to delivering the best quality of music, event programming and service to the student body, the Olean and Allegany communities, and to listeners throughout the country is unmatched. A national ranking is worth a pat on the back but the daily support of peers, advisers, neighbors and friends is enough to motivate these students to keep succeeding,” Nikolaou said.

The Buzz also made news last October when it joined Live365.com, the world’s largest Internet radio network, exposing Bona’s voice to the world. To listen, go to www.wsbufm.net.

Currently, 17 students comprise the station’s Board of Directors. Each of these students oversees a department: music, news, sports, promotions, programming, production, public relations and marketing. Besides the directors, more than 200 students dedicate their time and effort to the success of the radio station.

The Princeton Review survey asks students 80 questions about their school’s academics/administration, campus life, student body, and themselves. Tallies for this edition’s rankings are based on surveys of 120,000 students (about 325 per campus) at the 366 schools in the book (not at all schools in the nation) during the 2006-07 and/or previous two school years. The book’s complete ranking lists are posted on www.PrincetonReview.com.

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Yvonne Peace joins staff in the Office of the President

A familiar face at the Franciscan Friary will soon be seen more frequently in Hopkins Hall.

Yvonne Peace, personal secretary to the guardian of the Friary, will join the staff in the Office of the President to provide clerical support for Br. F. Edward Coughlin, O.F.M., vice president for Franciscan mission.

Peace, secretary to Guardian Fr. Xavier Seubert, O.F.M., will split her workweek between duties at the Friary and in Hopkins Hall.

Peace began work in 1988 at the Friary, where she was the secretary for the Franciscan Fraternity and handled Mass Cards and Perpetual Enrollments. Since 1993 she has served as personal secretary to four guardians and general support to hundreds of friars.

“It is such a unique work environment,” said Peace, who identified two of the highlights of her tenure at the Friary as occurring in 1992 and 1994 — the years her children were born. “Both babies came back to work with me until they were 2,” she said.

Off campus, Peace is active as the exalted ruler of the Olean Elks Lodge and is a parishioner of St. Mary of the Angels Church in Olean.

She and her husband, Jamie, a longtime St. Bonaventure employee who manages the University mailroom, have two children and live in Weston’s Mills.

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Newsmakers

Dr. Paula Scraba of the School of Education was the keynote speaker at Oldenburg Academy for 2007-2008 Faculty/Staff Orientation on Aug. 8, 2007, in Oldenburg, Ind. The title of her presentation was "The Franciscan Intellectual Tradition: Past, Present, and Future." Oldenburg Academy is a Catholic Franciscan college preparatory high school founded by the Sisters of St. Francis of Oldenburg in 1852. In addition to being a faculty member in the Department of Physical Education in the School of Education, part of Scraba's graduate work in Franciscan Studies was being trained as a facilitator in the Franciscan Institute for the Build With Living Stones Program. The keynote address at Oldenburg Academy was to kick-off the academy adopting the Build With Living Stones Program for the year as an Employee Franciscan Heritage Series.

Visiting journalism professor Breea C. Willingham participated in a diversity roundtable on Aug. 14, 2007, in Buffalo. "An Essential Roundtable: Diversity in the Communication Professions," sponsored by the Buffalo Niagara Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America, sought to: 1) Identify barriers to diversity in the communication professions in our region; 2) Pinpoint strategies and tactics to overcome those barriers; 3) Begin to prepare an action plan that makes the best use of our shared talents; and 4) Identify other professional and community leaders who should be involved in this ongoing effort. The roundtable included other leaders in the Buffalo area communication professions.

Dr. Kimberly Young, professor of management sciences, was an invited lecturer at Indiana University of Pennsylvania on July 27, 2007. Her talk, "MySpace Addiction and Other Childhood Internet Problems," was given to faculty, administrators, students, and community members. The lecture focused on the impact of technology and its potential for addiction among children and adolescents. Young was also an invited lecturer at the Conference on Internet Disorders held in Beijing, China on Aug. 1, 2007 sponsored by the Chinese Government Departments of Health and Human Services. Her lecture, "Clinical Evaluation of Internet Addiction," was given by tele-remote to psychologists, psychiatrists, and other mental health professionals in China and Taiwan and focused on assessment and treatment strategies for dealing with Internet addiction and online abuse.

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