Buffalo, NY - Canisius University found itself under the spell of a severe winter storm just as the spring semester was about to get underway. The January tempest disrupted travel, triggering unexpected detours for students making the journey back to Canisius and distress for those already returned from a restorative break. Much like its hometown city, however, Canisius is seasoned at navigating winter’s wrath and swiftly embraced the warmth within the campus community to endure during the most arctic of weather.
“As the winter began to disrupt large parts of the country, including Western New York, faculty and staff provided students a haven of support,” says Sandra M. Estanek, PhD, interim vice president for mission integration.
STRANDED IN THE OTHER QUEEN CITY
Mother Nature’s most recent whim stranded two separate groups of Canisius students who ventured far from campus during the winter break. The first was attempting to return to Buffalo from Cuba, where students, faculty and alumni spent nearly two weeks studying the language, culture, religion and history of the somewhat forbidden land.
“Because there isn’t reliable or frequent Internet service in Cuba, we didn’t learn of our flight cancelations until we landed in Miami on Sunday,” recalls Richard D. Reitsma, PhD, associate professor of modern languages, literatures and cultures and chair of the Spanish Department, who led the study abroad to Cuba.
The group made it as far as Charlotte, NC (which shares the “Queen City” moniker), where the contingent remained until Thursday, when a flight back to Buffalo became available. The unplanned detour turned into an adventure of culture and cuisine, explains Reitsma, who reached out to his Canisius colleague and Charlotte native, Graham B Stowe, PhD, assistant professor of English, for recommendations on regional restaurants, museums and mission-centric opportunities.
“On our last night, the group went to dinner at The King’s Kitchen,” adds Reitsma. Located in the heart of uptown Charlotte, the non-profit restaurant donates 100 percent of its profits towards a higher calling. “The restaurant’s proceeds help feed the poor and the operation of an on-site job training and life-skills development program for Charlotteans in search of new beginnings,” Reitsma explains.
FROM FLOOR MATS TO FEATHER BEDS
Across the country, a cohort of Canisius students found themselves similarly stranded in the Golden State. The troop had traveled to East Los Angeles, CA, to participate in campus ministry’s winter service immersion. The week-long experience engaged students in issues of restorative justice, urban education and homelessness.
“The most important parts of these trips are forming relationships and beginning a transformative process,” notes Campus Ministry Director Spencer J. Leichty. The students certainly experienced this during their stay in East LA “but the true essence of the trip revealed itself in the face of an unexpected challenge,” Leichty continues.
On the Saturday of their return trip home, the Buffalo storm diverted the campus ministry crew from Los Angeles to Dallas. Ironically, the city was experiencing its own deep freeze. Since students lacked any warm clothing to venture out, they were faced with the prospect of spending an unforeseen amount of time together.
“When Spencer told us we likely wouldn’t get a flight out until at least Tuesday, there was definitely some frustration,” recalls biochemistry major Jebadiah Braunscheidel ’25.
Understood. The group had just spent a week living in close quarters (a single room) and sleeping on the floor at the Dolores Mission.
But the stark contrast between the impoverished accommodations in East LA and the cozy refuge of the Dallas Airbnb Leichty secured at the last minute, was not lost on students. As they settled into their own rooms, their newfound privacy allowed the Canisius group to appreciate the significance of simple comforts and personal connections.
“We cooked together and watched movies together but most of our time was spent talking together – and not just small talk,” adds Braunscheidel. “We talked about a lot of the issues we saw during our time at the Dolores Mission: mental health, homelessness, faith and politics. We didn’t always agree but there was mutual respect and the genuine exchange of ideas led to a broader understanding of various perspectives.”
A WINTER SANCTUARY
While students patiently passed the time until air travel to Buffalo resumed, Canisius found itself in the grip of an eerie calm. The campus became deserted as winter descended, and only a few resilient souls resided in the dorms. Among them was freshman philosophy major Wade J. Hanley ‘27.
The North Carolina native transferred to Canisius for the spring semester and arrived at 2001 Main Street just in time to experience a true Buffalo winter.
“We get snow in North Carolina but nothing like I experienced for those few days,” Hanley laughs.
Unable to resist the urge, Hanley ventured out from his room in Bosch Hall on Sunday morning. He wandered through the campus’ snow-covered paths and then visited Christ the King Chapel, where Rev. Frederick G. Betti, SJ, was preparing for 9:30 a.m. Mass.
Hanley’s prior exposure to religion was minimal and he had only attended Mass a handful of times, in his lifetime. But his “genuine curiosity about Catholicism and a desire to understand the Jesuit tradition is what drew [Hanley] to Canisius University” - and to Mass on that stormy Sunday.
He was the only person in attendance that morning and so Canisius’ chaplain for mission and ministry sat alongside him in the pew. As Father Betti celebrated Mass, he also guided Hanley through the service, explaining the structure and significance of each ritual.
“It was a rare privilege to introduce Wade to our worship home in that way,” says Father Betti, who notes that Hanley returned for 7:00 p.m. Mass later that evening. The pair was joined by just one other student and the Biblical parallel was unmistakable.
“I was reminded of a passage in the Gospel (Matthew 4:18), in which the disciple Andrew and his friend meet Jesus and then invite Peter to join them,” explains Father Betti. “As I walked back to Loyola after Mass that night, I thought, ‘Where two or three are gathered, there I am.’”
A WARMTH FROM WITHIN
In the days that followed, the skies brightened, the roads cleared and Canisius returned to its normal academic routine, as students made their way back to campus.
Initially seen as a disruption, nature’s winter challenge ultimately gave way to an appreciation for the serendipitous moments that life can offer: Students turned adversity into adventure. They found refuge with their peers and professors. And they discovered that even on the coldest of days, there is warmth within the Canisius University community.
“If anything, I’m grateful for the snow,” says Hanley. “Were it not for the storm, I wouldn’t have had the experience I had at Mass that day. I will always remember that.”
“Maybe it sounds strange but I am really happy we were stuck for those few extra days,” adds Braunscheidel. “The sense of community – on campus and on these trips – really allows students to become their whole selves and you just feel like you have worth no matter what. I love that about Canisius.”
