Buffalo, NY – Each year at this time, Canisius University welcomes its graduating seniors and their families to campus to celebrate Commencement Week with their loved ones and our academic community. This year, amid the coronavirus pandemic, Canisius was forced to make the difficult decision to postpone commencement exercises until October 9-10.
The hearts of Canisius faculty, staff and administrators go out to senior students, and to show their support for the hard work and commitment put forth by students over the past four years the campus community initiated the following to recognize the Class of 2020:
Virtual Conferral of Degrees: Graduates from the Canisius University Class of 2020 received an Email to a virtual degree conferral ceremony. In the video, which can be viewed here, Canisius President John Hurley and Vice President for Academic Affairs Sarah Morris, PhD, congratulate graduates and announce that their degrees have officially been conferred by the authority of the Board of Trustees of Canisius University.
Seven members of the Canisius University Class of 2020 have committed to a year of post-graduate service work. These students will dedicate the next year to living simply, working for social justice and serving those who live on the margins of society, with such organizations as AmeriCorps and the Jesuit Volunteer Corps. Click here to view the list of Canisius University seniors who have committed to a year of service.
Additionally the Canisius University Western New York Teacher Residency Program graduated its first class on May 13. Six graduates of the program earned their master’s degrees and received New York State Certification in childhood and special education (grades 1-6). The Western New York Teacher Residency Program was established in fall 2018. Through this teacher residency program, aspiring educators complete master’s level coursework while building their skills under the guidance of experienced teachers and leaders in high-need schools and districts. Click here to read the full story.
Senior Lawn Signs: Professors from the School of Education & Human Services delivered lawn signs to their graduating seniors on Wednesday, May 13. The signs read: Congratulations Graduate - Class of 2020 - Home of a Future Teacher & Golden Griffin. WIVB-TV Channel 4 reported on the special delivering to education graduates. Click here to watch the story by Angelica Morrison.
Professors from the School of Education & Human Services also produced a video compilation that included each faculty member reading an excerpt from the Dr. Seuss book Oh, the Places You'll Go. This book has become a classic keepsake gift, often given to students at graduation time. Click here to view the video.
Senior Send-Off: The Canisius Office of Student Life plans to deliver gifts to graduating seniors who live in the college’s Hamlin Park neighborhood. These gift packages include a Canisius 2020 pennant, photo frame, blanket and pillow. The senior send-off packages will be mailed to those students who live outside the Canisius neighborhood.
One of 27 Jesuit universities, Canisius is the premier private university in Western New York. Canisius celebrates its sesquicentennial anniversary during the 2019-20 academic year, marking 150 years of Jesuit education and leadership in the city of Buffalo and Western New York. Visit https://www.canisius.edu/150 for more information about Canisius’ milestones and celebratory events.
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