Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

A St. Bonaventure graduate student was found dead in his off-campus apartment in Allegany Thursday. Ryan Hughson of Palmyra was a 2013 graduate of the university and was pursuing a master’s degree in business administration. University President Sister Margaret Carney says there is no information that suggests foul play is involved. Coroner Brad Spink says an autopsy has performed and an investigation is ongoing. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

St. Bonaventure University President Sr. Margaret Carney, O.S.F., is being recognized for her professional success and community involvement as the 2014 recipient of Buffalo Business First’s Lifetime Achievement Award. “Sr. Margaret personifies a college president who does it all, from fundraising to campus construction to community involvement,” said Jack Connors, publisher and president of Buffalo Business First. “As the 20th university president and the first woman president, Sr. Margaret exemplifies the successful CEO in today’s world.” Sr. Margaret has served as university president since 2004. Prior to being inaugurated, she served as the dean and director of the Franciscan Institute of St. Bonaventure. Her early work included years of secondary education, leading administrative positions in the Diocese of Pittsburgh and her religious order. In addition to these full-time commitments, she lectured extensively in the United States, Ireland, England, the Philippines and E...

An Olean native who was reported missing last month has been found safe in Arizona. 30-year-old St. Bonaventure University graduate Kyle Driscoll had been missing since March 20. University President Sister Margaret Carney sent an email to the university community saying Driscoll had contacted his family. The family is arranging for his transportation back to Western New York. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

St. Bonaventure University and Hilbert College, Franciscan institutions in New York, will explore options to build on their 20-year partnership and to enhance student access, opportunities and experience. The Boards of Trustees of both institutions have approved a feasibility study to determine if the two institutions should expand their unique collaboration in academic programs, facilities and operational practices. The two campuses are about 60 miles apart in Western New York. St. Bonaventure has offered graduate programs on the campus of Hilbert College in a weekend format for the past two decades. The Boards authorized the study that could lead to a strategic plan for “some form of further strategic alliance” between the two institutions. “While the feasibility analysis is a ‘discovery process,’ we wouldn’t be investing in this effort if we didn’t think there were likely some ways in which St. Bonaventure and Hilbert College could collaborate more closely and achieve gr...

St. Bonaventure University will host a ceremony Thursday, March 7, to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Friedsam Memorial Library. The 10:30 a.m. program to bless and rededicate the library will be followed by a light reception and tours of both the historic building and the new Holy Name Library for the Franciscan Institute, which houses St. Bonaventure’s remarkable collection of rare books. Members of the community are welcome to attend. Attendees can expect remarks from Paul Spaeth, M.L.S., library director; Dr. Michael Fischer, provost and vice president for academic affairs; Bill Heaney, representing state Sen. Catharine Young; and Sr. Margaret Carney, O.S.F., S.T.D., president of St. Bonaventure University. The library opened on March 7, 1938, and was built from money donated by the foundation of Col. Michael Friedsam, who became president of New York City’s B. Altman Co. in 1913. Friedsam had the majority of his fortune set aside to form a foundation that don...

The Olean-Bradford Area YMCA held its Community Appreciation Luncheon today at the Premier Banquet Center. Keynote speakers were Greg Booth, president and CEO of Zippo Manufacturing Co. and W.R. Case & Sons Cutlery, and Sister Margaret Carney, president of St. Bonaventure University. Pictured, from left, are Anita Schmidt, Olean Branch Board Member, Sister Margaret, Booth, and Bill Leven, Olean-Bradford Area YMCA Board Chair. YMCA photo The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Dr. John J. Watson, 45, professor of marketing in the School of Business at St. Bonaventure University, died unexpectedly Friday, May 18. His passing comes just 13 months after the death of his father, Dr. John G. Watson, dean of the School of Business and a beloved member of the St. Bonaventure faculty for 35 years. A Funeral Mass will take place at 4 p.m. Monday at St. Bonaventure Parish in Allegany, followed by a funeral supper at the Magnano Centre (Hickey Dining Hall) on campus. Since parking around the parish is limited, guests are invited to park on campus and pick up a shuttle by the statue of Mary next to Hickey Dining Hall starting at 2:45 p.m. “Our community is just heartbroken by this news,” said Sr. Margaret Carney, O.S.F., S.T.D., university president. “After the loss of his father last year, this is almost impossible to comprehend. John was such a rising star in our School of Business, much like his dad was 30 years ago. We will do everything we can to support his family...

The St. Bonaventure Department of Athletics held its annual senior banquet on Wednesday evening to celebrate and honor all of its graduating student-athletes and support staff. Each year, four awards are presented: Service Award, Ray Dee Leadership Award, Merit Award (male and female) and Letterwinner Award (male and female). Below is a description of each award and the winner(s) for this year. Service Award – Matt Moretti The Service Award is presented annually to a graduating senior for outstanding service, dedication and commitment to the Department of Athletics. It may go to either a student-athlete or to a non-athlete. Moretti made an impact in the Athletics Department although he was not a student-athlete. He interned in the Sports Information Office while also working as a manager for the women’s basketball team, attending all practices and games. He served as the event coordinator for Brown and White Night in October to kick off the basketball seasons, and also was responsible ...

Charles J. Dougherty, Ph.D., president of Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pa., and a nationally recognized scholar and expert in health care ethics, will be the keynote speaker at St. Bonaventure University’s 152nd annual Commencement Exercises on Sunday, May 13. Dougherty, a 1971 St. Bonaventure graduate, will be one of three people receiving honorary degrees, along with Sr. Mary Jean Ryan, F.S.M., chair of the board of SSM Health Care in St. Louis, Mo., and John R. McGinley Jr., an attorney with Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott, LLC in Pittsburgh, Pa., and outgoing chair of St. Bonaventure’s Board of Trustees. “Given St. Bonaventure University’s distinction in preparing students for medical school through our Franciscan Health Care program, it is fitting that we honor three individuals who have made such significant contributions to our nation’s Catholic health care systems,” said Sr. Margaret Carney, O.S.F., university president. Born in New York City and educated in Catholic ...

In 1965, he became the first of his family to earn a college degree and receive his ROTC commission in the U.S. Army. Nearly 50 years later, former Buffalo resident and staunch Buffalo Bills fan Marvin W. Stocker and his wife, Donna, have surpassed a quarter of a million dollars in lifetime giving to St. Bonaventure University — all to help others experience a St. Bonaventure education. The University today announced the Stockers’ pledge of $50,000 to the School of Business Building Campaign. Mr. Stocker hopes that his family’s gift, which will be paid over the next five years, will inspire the University’s more than 25,000 alumni and will illustrate how donors can give larger donations over time. “My years as an Army officer taught me you lead by example,” he said. “My hope is that others will follow in supporting this campaign.” St. Bonaventure is in the final critical months of raising $15 million to construct a 26,000-square-foot building to house its School of Business. The ne...

Joseph E. Zimmer, Ph.D., who has been associated with St. Bonaventure University for the past 20 years, has been named dean of the university’s School of Education, announced University President Sr. Margaret Carney, O.S.F., S.T.D. Zimmer, an associate professor in the School of Education, has served as interim dean since August 2011 when dean Peggy Yehl Burke, Ed.D., was promoted to associate provost and dean of the School of Graduate Studies. “Dr. Zimmer already has the respect and collaboration of colleagues in the School of Education and across the university community, so we are clearly positioned to pursue our goals outlined in our Strategic Plan, Becoming Extraordinary 2015,” said Michael J. Fischer, Ph.D., provost and vice president for Academic Affairs. Zimmer said, “It is a great honor and privilege to lead this community of teachers and scholars into the future. Our goal is to continue to produce well-trained and ethical professionals to meet the demanding needs of schools a...

St. Bonaventure University alumnus Raymond C. Dee of Naples, Fla., formerly of Pottsville, Pa., has been elected the next chair of the university’s Board of Trustees. Dee’s term will begin in June and he will succeed John R. “Jack” McGinley Jr. of Pittsburgh, who has served as board chair since 2004. Dee’s fellow officers will be elected in June. “As we prepare to bid farewell to a leader of Jack McGinley’s caliber, we are extraordinarily fortunate that Ray is willing to serve in the role of chair. Given Ray’s tenure on the Board and his depth of involvement, he is positioned to hit the ground running and maintain and build upon the momentum that has been established under Jack’s leadership,” said University President Sr. Margaret Carney, O.S.F., S.T.D. Dee has served for several terms as the chair of the Development Committee of the Board in addition to serving as vice chair of the board for the past year. Dee served as executive vice president of Cressona Aluminum Co., a firm he f...

The officers and members of Olean Elks Lodge #491 will honor Sr. Margaret Carney, O.S.F., president of St. Bonaventure University, as their “Citizen of the Year” at a dinner to be held on Saturday, March 31. Each Lodge is encouraged to select a citizen, not necessarily an Elk, who has contributed in a special way to improving the local community. This individual should be someone who has shown leadership in the community; has contributed voluntary service; and is recognized as being an all-around good citizen. Sr. Margaret was selected for this recognition because of her continuous, untiring community involvement. In December 2010, during the re-location process of the Warming House, Sr. Margaret commended the citizens of Olean for coming forward and giving their opinions, whether in favor of or against the re-location of the Warming House. She thanked the Olean community for the opportunity to hear their concerns. In 2008 at the GOACC Annual Awards Dinner, the chairman of St. Bonavent...

Sr. Margaret Carney, O.S.F., S.T.D., who has served as president of St. Bonaventure University since 2004, has been named the new chair of the Board of Directors of the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities (ACCU). Sr. Margaret, who was previously secretary of the board, will serve as chair for a two-year term that began Feb. 1. She succeeds the Rev. Dennis H. Holtschneider, C.M., president of DePaul University. Also at the ACCU’s 2012 annual meeting, the Rev. Thomas B. Curran, O.S.F.S., president of Rockhurst University, was re-elected to the board for a second term and will serve as the group’s new secretary. Association members also elected Sr. Mary Reap, I.H.M., president of Elms College, to the board for her first term, which will end in 2015. Daniel J. Curran, Ph.D., president of the University of Dayton, was also elected for his first full term, though he had previously been appointed to the board to complete the term of Sr. Rosemarie Nassif, S.S.N.D., who retired a...

Understanding the value of education and the importance of keeping business competitive, Edward H. Bastian, class of 1979, and his wife, Anna, have committed $250,000 to St. Bonaventure University’s School of Business Campaign. The gift will be used for a new business center on St. Bonaventure’s 500-acre campus. “The professional, caring, and success-driven environment at St. Bonaventure University helped shape me into the man I am today,” said Mr. Bastian, president of Delta Air Lines and a member of the company’s Board of Directors. "The Franciscan values that I learned at St. Bonaventure have served me well in my career. Anna and I are very pleased to be able to give back to the school and help support this important initiative.” The university is in the midst of a $15 million campaign to construct a new building to house its School of Business. The new center will feature a financial services lab with electronic ticker tape, dean’s suite, corporate boardroom, state-of-the-art ...

St. Bonaventure University and Jamestown Community College officials have sealed the deal on 18 articulation agreements, thus paving the way for JCC students to earn a bachelor’s degree at St. Bonaventure. “We’re thrilled to build on our longstanding relationships with JCC,” said Sr. Margaret Carney, O.S.F., president of St. Bonaventure University. “With these agreements, students at JCC can have a clear understanding of what they need to do at JCC to ensure a smooth transition to the university and also ensuring they graduate on time.” The articulation agreements spell out the policies by which St. Bonaventure awards transfer credits and are specific about course equivalencies. Students who follow the articulation agreements should be able to complete undergraduate degrees in four semesters, assuming they enroll full time and take normal course loads. “Part of the ‘JCC Promise’ is connecting students to their goals,” said JCC President Gregory T. DeCinque. “Our strong articulation agr...

Community and university leaders integral to the project gathered Tuesday morning to dedicate the completion of the St. Bonaventure loop of the Allegheny River Valley Trail. Calling the trail addition a “wonderful milestone in our relationship with Allegany and Olean,” Brenda McGee, senior vice president for finance and administration at SBU, thanked Allegany and county officials and project consultants, and concluded with a “special thanks to Phil Winger, who expertly managed this complex project.” Winger is the associate vice president for facilities at the university. The roughly three-quarter-mile addition was completed earlier this month — six years after U.S. Senators Charles Schumer and Hillary Clinton helped secure federal funding for the trail expansion and campus road improvements. Federal and state roadblocks slowed distribution of the money until this year; project work finally began in April. University President Sr. Margaret Carney, O.S.F., expressed her gratitude to Schu...

St. Bonaventure University presented Jean MacLeay, ’86, and Oliver “Ollie” McGonigle, ’66, with William P. “Stax” McCarthy Alumnus of the Year honors during the annual Alumni Reunion Weekend, held June 10-12 on campus. The award is named in memory of former annual fund and alumni director William “Stax” McCarthy, ’72, and is presented to a St. Bonaventure graduate who offers continued service to the university and captures the spirit of St. Francis, St. Bonaventure and St. Clare. “I am grateful to both of our honorees for their support and loyalty,” said Joe Flanagan, ’74, director of Alumni Services at the university. “Their leadership has helped St. Bonaventure in immense ways in their alumni chapters and here at the university.” MacLeay, a partner with PricewaterhouseCoopers, graduated in 1986 with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. MacLeay’s parents are also Bona grads: Her father, Ron MacLeay, graduated in 1957 and her mother, Janet, was a member of the class of 1959. MacLeay and ...

By Tom Donahue The men’s basketball team at St. Bonaventure University lost its first-round game in the College Basketball Invitational tournament last week, but not before winning the heart of 91-year-old Olean resident Nora Chambers. Not that any courting was necessary. “Nora’s been faithfully attending games since the 1930s and has been a season ticket holder for as long as anyone can remember,” said her niece, Jean Abdo. “She’s missed only four or five games during that time and one absence was when her mother passed away.” Abdo and her husband, Paul, regularly attend Bonnies home games with their aunt, and as this season drew to a close they thought it would be nice if she could meet some of the players she cheers on from the red seats in the Reilly Center Arena. “Thanks to the kindness of Coach Mark Schmidt and his wife, Anita, Nora was invited to meet the team she so passionately follows,” said Abdo. So on Monday, March 14, as the Bonnies were preparing for their first postseaso...

Officials have not determined yet what caused the death of a 19-year-old St. Bonaventure University student on Sunday. Matthew Dungan, a sophomore business major from Tonawanda, New York, was found unresponsive in an off-campus apartment early Sunday morning. Other students called for help. Dungan was then taken to Olean General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. In a letter to alumni today, University President Sister Margaret Carney said New York State Police are continuing to investigate but do not suspect foul play. The university is hosting a special memorial service in Matthew’s honor this evening at 7 p.m. in the University Chapel.