BUFFALO, NY – The Canisius University Board of Regents will confer its Distinguished Citizen Award upon Hon. Anthony M. Masiello ’69, HON ’96, former mayor of Buffalo, during its 53rd Regents Scholarship Ball on Saturday, May 4, 2019 at the Hyatt Regency Buffalo. The Board of Regents annually confers the Distinguished Citizen Award to recognize an individual for his/her contributions to the economic, civic and/or cultural well-being of Western New York.
Masiello is president of Masiello, Martucci, Calabrese and Associates, a Buffalo public affairs lobbying firm. He served as Buffalo’s 57th mayor from 1994-2005. Upon his election, Masiello kick-started a rebirth in the city, bringing positive energy to the community, the benefits of which are now being reaped. In his 11 years in office, he centered his approach on rebuilding Buffalo by focusing on economic expansion and restructuring. As mayor, he secured state and local funding for various projects including HSBC Arena, the Theatre District expansion and the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus (BNMC). Masiello also played a key role in directing over $1 billion of state investment into the renovation and transformation of the Buffalo Public Schools.
Prior to being named mayor, Masiello spent 35 years working in government in the Western New York area. He held a seat on the Buffalo Common Council for nine years and served as a New York State senator from 1980 to 1993.
Masiello earned his bachelor’s degree from Canisius in 1969 and received an honorary degree from the college in 1996.
A standout member of the Golden Griffins Division I basketball team for three years, Masiello earned a spot in the Canisius Sports Hall of Fame. He received a Distinguished Alumni Award in 2012.
Masiello currently serves as a member of the college’s Board of Trustees. He commemorates his 50-year class reunion in May 2019.
Canisius University Board of Regents member Steve Ulrich ’88 and his wife, Kellie, are co-chairs of the 2019 Regents Scholarship Ball. The gala is the primary fundraiser for the Board of Regents Endowed Scholarship Fund. Thanks to the support of alumni and friends, the 2018 Ball raised more than $144,000 for the endowment that now stands at almost $2.7 million.
Sponsorship information and tickets for the Regents Ball can be obtained by contacting Sandy Miller, director of corporate and foundation relations at (716) 888-8222, @email or at www.canisius.edu/give-canisius/regents-ball
Canisius University is one of 28 Jesuit colleges in the nation and the premier private college in Western New York.
