Buffalo, NY - Robert W. Wunsch Jr. ’76 never misses an opportunity to watch newly-minted Canisius graduates walk across the stage at commencement. He has regularly attended the ceremonies since the 1980s when they were held in Buffalo Memorial Auditorium.
“It’s a wonderful celebration,” says Wunsch. “Armed with their degrees, the possibilities are endless for Canisius graduates.”
Wunsch places the highest value on his education and credits Canisius for giving him the edge to excel in his profession as a certified financial planner. A management major and member of Alpha Kappa Psi, a national professional business fraternity, his successful career spans nearly four decades with achievements at Marine Midland Bank, HSBC Bank USA and then First Niagara Bank, until his retirement in 2016.
His service to alma mater began right after graduation when he revived the Young Alumni Association at the request of the late George M. Martin ’42, HON ’88, then executive vice president for administrative affairs, who recognized Wunsch as “the man to get the job done.” Later, the reactivated association merged with the Alumni Board. Wunsch served as president of the Alumni Board from 1986-87, a position that garnered him an ex-offico seat on the college’s boards of Regents and Trustees.
His unwavering dedication to Canisius includes chairing his class reunion committees, cheering on Griffs basketball, attending alumni events locally, regionally and nationally, and serving as one of the college’s greatest ambassadors. Accolades for his service include induction into DiGamma Honor Society in 1980 and conferral of the LaSalle Medal in 1997.
Wunsch has raised funds for Canisius since 1976 as his class chair for annual giving call nights. By 1986, he was dubbed the “million dollar man” when, as chair of the alumni division of the annual campaign, he helped raise more than $1 million for the first time in that division’s history. As chair of the 2008-09 annual campaign, Wunsch raised $2.64 million, an increase of more than $256,000 from the previous campaign. The following year, the Association of Fundraising Professionals recognized Wunsch as a Distinguished Honoree during its National Philanthropy Day celebration.
It is his deep reverence for the Jesuits that guides Wunsch’s benevolent philanthropy and was the driving force behind his decision to create the Robert W. Wunsch Jr. ’76 Family Scholarship for deserving business majors. One of Wunsch’s greatest joys is meeting the recipients and hearing about how the scholarships are making a difference in their lives. “I ask them to remember how much their Canisius educations mean to them and share my hope that when they experience their successes in life, they too, will give back.”
Wunsch deepened his decades-long philanthropic relationship with alma mater this year with a planned gift to the James M. Demske ’47, SJ, Society, further cementing his legacy at Canisius. In recognition of his gift, Wunsch is counted as a member of the Sesquicentennial Society, created to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Canisius (page XX) Wunsch also serves as chair of the college’s Planned Giving Advisory Committee.
Reflecting about his long association and great affinity for alma mater, Wunsch says “It fulfills my life. I’ve made lifelong friendships at Canisius.”
And while the pandemic has put many events on hold, Wunsch says he looks forward to celebrating the graduation of the Sesquicentennial Class of 2020 as soon as it is possible to safely do so.
“I’ll be there to applaud and welcome another great class to the ranks of proud Canisius alumni.”
