BUFFALO, NY - The Canisius Alumni Association presented the LaSalle Medal to Ann Celani ’74 during undergraduate commencement ceremonies on May 16. The LaSalle Medal is awarded to outstanding alumni who have made substantial contributions to advance the interests and mission of the college.
Celani built a successful career steering the financial and administrative divisions of the transportation and logistics company, Spearhead Transportation Services, in Blasdell, NY. Along the way, she lived the Jesuit mission to serve others by contributing her time, talent and counsel to many Western New York organizations including Canisius University.
Celani recently concluded a six-year term on the Board of Trustees. As chair of the institutional advancement committee, she guided efforts to further engage Canisius alumni, family and friends and secured resources to enhance the educational experience for students. During her tenure on the Board’s mission and identity committee, Celani promoted a deeper understanding of the college’s Catholic, Jesuit educational mission and worked to ensure that those ideals enrich the campus community.
In 2010, as the college prepared to inaugurate President John J. Hurley, alma mater called upon Celani again. Her business acumen, complemented by her loyal history with Canisius, made Celani an ideal adviser and helped assure a seamless presidential transition.
Celani’s enthusiastic efforts on behalf of Canisius endure well beyond the weighty work of the college. She helps with class reunion committees and as a Canisius Fund volunteer.
A gracious host, she opens her home for alumni events in Southwest Florida. In 2012, Celani made, perhaps, her greatest commitment to alma mater, when she included Canisius in her estate plans. Celani’s generous gift will help to secure an even brighter future for Canisius and forever tie her legacy to the college
