BUFFALO, NY – Canisius President John J. Hurley announced today that the college has secured more than $4 million in gifts and pledges toward the renovation of the Andrew L. Bouwhuis Library. The library is in the midst of a multi-million dollar makeover that will transform the space into a technology-rich learning commons.
“For today’s students, the appeal of a college is as much about academic reputation as it is about campus facilities,” says President Hurley. “They want to study and socialize in comfortable, attractive settings that are equipped with innovative technologies. Libraries play a central role in this.”
The renovation of the library is being financed by generous contributions from foundations and individual donors. A recent $1 million gift from the estate of the late Philip C. Lombardo ’48, along with a previous contribution of $500,000, will enable Canisius to begin work on the third phase of the project in summer 2015. Lombardo’s gift will be used to overhaul the central computer workstation and study areas on the main floor. The Philip C. ’48 and Josephine Lombardo Collaborative Learning Center, which is housed on the library’s main floor, has been named in memory of the Lombardos.
Canisius completed Phases I and II of the library renovation in spring 2014. These portions of the reconstruction project were made possible by the generous contributions of the late Walter Kosiba ’43, PhD; Michael ’63 and Christine Ryan; and the George I. Alden Trust. In addition, Carmelo ’51 and Lynn Scaccia have pledged $2 million toward the library project.
“Canisius is exceptionally grateful for all of the very generous commitments we received on behalf of this project,” says President Hurley. “These gifts enable the college to make the next chapter of the library a reality.”
The first two phases of the library renovation added a new group-study lounge, more flexible student seating, laptop workstations, and state-of-the-art collaborative technologies, which supply students with the digital tools necessary for them to create multi-media class presentations. The library’s Curriculum Center was also expanded and redesigned. The center houses a comprehensive collection of educational materials to help teachers-in-training enrich their lesson plans. In addition, the refurbished space provides a more collaborative and modernized working and learning environment.
To further support this collegial environment, Canisius opened a Tim Horton’s coffee shop in the library, extended the facility’s hours and added safety for late-night studying. The library also expanded its collection to include recreational reading and DVDs, to better serve the resident student population.
Canisius University is one of 28 Jesuit universities in the nation and the premier private university in Western New York.
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