20050929IB

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Sept. 29, 2005

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SBU to host third lecture in war in Iraq series next week

St. Bonaventure University will host a presentation on “The Effects of the Iraq War on Iraqi Civilians” by Kathy Kelly, founder of the peace group “Voices in the Wilderness.” The lecture is free and open to the public.

The program is the third in a three-part lecture series titled “Perspectives on the War in Iraq,” and is scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 6, in The Robert R. Jones Board of Trustees Room in Doyle Hall, located on the west side of campus. The program will include time for questions and dialogue.

Kelly, 52, hails from Chicago and helped initiate Voices in the Wilderness, a campaign to end the United Nations and United States sanctions against Iraq. For bringing medicine and toys to Iraq, Kelly and other Voices members found themselves in direct violation of the U.N./U.S. sanctions.

A $20,000 fine for the organization and the threat of a 12-year prison sentence did not deter Kelly, who has organized more than 70 delegations to visit Iraq between 1996, when the group was first formed, and the beginning of March 2003.

Kelly has made 22 trips to Iraq since the campaign began, including a several-week-stay in Baghdad during the initial stage of the U.S. occupation in 2003. Her most recent visit was last Dec. 21 through Jan. 8. Kelly is active with the Catholic Worker movement and, as a pacifist and war tax refuser, has refused payment of all federal income taxes for 25 years. She received a bachelor’s degree from Loyola University at Chicago and a master’s degree in religious education from the Chicago Theological Seminary.

She has authored several publications including “Other Lands Have Dreams: from Baghdad to Pekin Prison” and “War and Peace in the Gulf,” and has received numerous awards including the Peace Seeker of the Year 2005, the Houston Peace and Justice Center National Peacemaker Award and the Cranbrook Peace Foundation Annual Peace Award in 2004.

The first speaker in the “Perspectives on the War in Iraq” series was Russell Testa, director of the Center for Ministry and Public Life at Washington Theological Union. The second speaker was Eric Mass, retired career Naval officer who worked closely with Gen. Wesley Clark during Clark’s top-level assignments in Washington, Panama and Belgium.

The series is sponsored by the Catholic peace group Pax Christi, the Franciscan Center for Social Concern, the SBU Center for Nonviolence and the Olean Area Coalition for Peace and Social Justice. For more information about the speakers or the series, contact Dr. Christopher Stanley, professor of theology, at (716) 375-2454.

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University taking strides with technology

During the past few months, significant progress has been made on several technology initiatives, enhancing speed and access for academic users and improving Web mail and student worker processing.

Michael Hoffman, executive director for information technology, said that computer lab facilities in both the Friedsam Memorial Library and The John J. Murphy Professional Building have been upgraded, and wireless network access was extended to cover virtually all academic buildings.

In addition, the core administrative Datatel server was replaced, resulting in faster access to MySBU, and a new e-mail system was implemented, featuring an enhanced Web mail interface, which is particularly beneficial to students, who use Web mail to access their campus mail.

Other improvements include:

• Several new MySBU applications were released, including student job postings, financial-aid workcards, and an audio/visual request system.
• More than 70 faculty and staff computers have been replaced with new systems.
• The computers previously located in the front Plassmann Hall basement lab have been re-located to the first-floor Plassmann lounge, creating a cyber-lounge with permanent computers and wireless access.

“Several other initiatives, such as the upcoming release of an alumni Web portal, are under way as we continue to make progress toward implementing the University’s strategic plan,” Hoffman said.

Excellence in information technology is the fourth of the six goals in the University Strategic Plan: Select and Pursue a Vision of Technology that Ensures Future Competitiveness.

Hoffman said technology projects, funded largely from internal budgets, are prioritized according to the Information Technology Strategic Plan, which is based on the University’s Strategic Plan; on input from constituencies including the Faculty Senate Technology Committee, Academic Council and others; on University priorities such as admissions support, as well as available resources and the need for operational effectiveness.

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St. Bonaventure to present re-enactment of the Transitus

More than 30 participants and the Franciscan community of St. Bonaventure University will celebrate the life and mission of St. Francis at 9 p.m. Monday, Oct. 3, in the University Chapel in Doyle Hall, by re-creating the Transitus.

A dramatic re-enactment of the passing of St. Francis from earthly life to eternal life, the Transitus incorporates liturgical dancing, dramatic narration, a never-before-seen Franciscan painting, unique set designs, arresting music and a healing service in retelling the legacy of the saint from Assisi.

“We're blessed to see the power of God reflected in so many of our SBU community members as we retell the legacy of the saint from Assisi 779 after Francis' death. That's a powerful tradition,” said Br. Basil Valente, O.F.M.

This re-enactment was scripted, edited and directed by Valente, who drew from a variety of Franciscan sources to bring this service to life for the 2005 celebration.

The set coordinator and featured artist is Br. David Haack, O.F.M., pictured above, whose never-before-seen oil painting, “His Patience and Passing in Death,” a 48? x 36? oil on canvas that recalls Bonaventure's recounting of the death of St. Francis, will be showcased in the celebration. Br. Adrian Reister, O.F.M., Br. Julian Reister, O.F.M., and carpenter Joe Questa also helped craft the sets for the Transitus.

Participants include Fr. Xavier Seubert, O.F.M. as St. Francis of Assisi, and student narrators Benjamin Gregg, Andrea Kelley, Emily-Rose Mahar, Hallie Steube and Joseph Tavares. Soprano soloist Kathryn Zenyuh will lead the music, accompanied by Ryan Drescher on guitar, Matthew McIntyre on bass and music director and service coordinator, Peter Ghiloni. Liturgical dancers include Andrea Kelley and Matthew Cressler.

Production assistants include Barbara Russell, Dr. Mike Russell, Amy Adams, Dr. Alva Cellini, John Kennedy, Michael Damiano, Karyn Wolf, Fr. Merek Stybor, O.F.M., Conv., Nigel Ray-Garcia and Robert Donius. Production coordinators include Yvonne Peace, secretary of the Franciscan Friary, and Fr. Allen Weber, O.F.M.

Remaining events in the University’s week-long celebration of the Feast of St. Francis include:

Thursday, Sept. 29
2005 Fr. Jerome Kelly, O.F.M., Memorial Speakers
Fr. André Cirino, O.F.M.
Josef Raischl, S.F.O., and Bernadette Raischl
4:30 p.m., Rigas Theater, Quick Center for the Arts
“The Strategy that Saved Assisi”
5:30-6:30 p.m., Dresser-Rand Atrium, Quick Center
Posthumous Service Award honoring Col. Valentin Mueller; reception to follow

Friday, Sept. 30
Bonaventure’s Life and Itinerarium
Pastoral implications for retreats, formation, parishes; a conversation with Franciscan Institute faculty and students.
Presenters: Fr. André Cirino, O.F.M. and Josef Raischl, S.F.O.
9-11:30 a.m., Upper Seminar Room, Friedsam Library

Saturday, Oct. 1
Francis Week Overnight at Mt. Irenaeus
Theme: “Seeking Peace with a Panting Spirit”
Contact Michelle Marcellin at (716) 375–2096 for departure details.

Monday, Oct. 3
Transitus – dramatic re-enactment of the passing of St. Francis
9 p.m., University Chapel Directed by Br. Basil Valente, O.F.M.
A dramatic re-enactment of the passing of St. Francis from earthly to eternal life, the Transitus incorporates music and dramatic narration in retelling the legacy of the saint from Assisi. Dessert Reception (after Transitus)
10 p.m., Robert R. Jones Board of Trustees Room, Doyle Hall

Tuesday, Oct. 4 – Feast of St. Francis
Blessing of the Animals
4 p.m., lawn in front of University Chapel
Feast of St. Francis: Celebration of the Eucharist
5 p.m., University Chapel

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St. Bonaventure names Williams Journey Project director

Mike Williams has been named director of The Journey Project at St. Bonaventure University.

“We are blessed to have his leadership as Director of the Journey Project,” said Bob Donius, vice president for University Ministries.

Williams, originally the associate director for the Journey Project, became the interim director when Janine Fodor resigned from office in December of 2004. During the seven month interim, the Advisory Board discerned the possibility of realigning the Journey Project goals, assigning the previous director’s responsibility of promoting the University’s Franciscan Heritage to the new position of the vice president for Franciscan Mission. On Aug. 15, Williams officially became the director of the Journey Project.

“When I found out I was going to be the director, I felt somewhat inadequate and humbled but blessed at the same time,” said Williams.

“At first I told Bob Donius that I didn’t want the job because I liked what I was currently doing as associate,” said Williams. “But as I thought more about it, I realized I could continue doing many aspects of my old job as well and potentially shape the Journey Project in some positive ways.”

Williams worked closely with the students involved in the Journey Project during his tenure as associate director. “The easiest way to explain it is that Janine handled most of the work with faculty and staff, and I handled most of the work with students. I think this was an important phase of the project and allowed for the development of a number of strong programs,” he said.

Williams graduated from Allegheny College in 1998 with a self-designed degree in Social Thought. The degree consisted of 168 credit hours of coursework. An Allegheny College degree requires 128 credit hours of coursework.

Prior to working with St. Bonaventure, Williams was program director of the Wesley Foundation at Ball State University. There he directed a theological vocation discipleship program similar to the Journey Project. Williams was also an associate of the Crossings Project, another Lilly Endowment-funded project designed to transform the character and ethics of the campus. Williams became the associate director of the Journey Project in April of 2003.

Williams said he is prepared for the position by his previous work on the project. “The best preparation was that through my former position I was able to be in close contact with students, various faculty and staff, and members of the broader Olean community. I spent a lot of time listening and began to hear themes that I am now able to address directly,” he said.

Williams explained that the direction he will take with the project is determined by the direction that its participants want to take. He says that he is only the implementer and guide of these people. “The work is
shared, and the Project’s future is shared. Perhaps this will be my contribution to this project – that is, continually saying to the University that this is OUR project and, we can use it for the benefit of our whole
community. I think people are catching on to my style and gaining respect for it. If the Journey Project has a lasting impact at Bonas it will be because of the many people who have embraced it and its goals.”

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SBU welcomes new education professor Elizabeth Cashing

St. Bonaventure University has welcomed Elizabeth “Betsy” Cashing as a new lecturer in the School of Education.

Cashing previously worked in the Olean City School District from 1985 to 2005 as a secondary teacher in Spanish. From 1983 to 1985, she worked as a teacher and a program coordinator at the Olean Child Day Care Center. Cashing also worked in the Jamesville-DeWitt School District from 1970-1979 as a secondary teacher in Spanish.

Cashing attended the State University College at Oswego, and graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor of arts degree in secondary education in January of 1969. She completed her graduate work at Pennsylvania State University receiving a master of arts in Spanish in December of 1971. She has continued postgraduate work at Syracuse University, St. Bonaventure University and the State University of New York at New Paltz.

Cashing has volunteered numerous hours working with youth, as well as working as a church organist. She currently serves as a church elder. She has also worked for The Theatre Workshop on stage and production crew and is currently on the board for the Southern Tier Symphony.

Cashing lives with her husband, Dr. Douglas Cashing, who is the chair of the Department of Mathematics at St. Bonaventure. They have one son, Jason, who is in a seminarian program in Austin, Texas.

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SBU students hustle to help hurricane victims

Upon hearing of the destruction caused by Hurricane Katrina, several students and organizations at St. Bonaventure University pulled together to provide as much relief as possible.

The St. Bonaventure University Students in Free Enterprise, or SIFE, responded immediately assisting the Olean and Allegany Fire Departments, as well as Southern Tier Response in hosting two boot-drive fundraisers that raised a combined total of $45,000 for the American Red Cross.

In conjunction with the SBU Golf Team, 58 golfers, young and old, from the community and region participated in a golf tournament on Oct. 19 that raised over $1,700 for the hurricane relief effort. Organized by Spencer Peavey, SBU’s director of new students, and Mark Carro, SBU’s director of dining services, the team, pictured above, donated the money raised to the Franciscan Health Systems for hurricane relief.

Currently the St. Bonaventure University Finance Club, along with members from SBU’s Students in Free Enterprise, plan to take a trip to Mississippi during mid-term break, scheduled from Oct. 7-11.

The students, led by Dr. James Mahar, assistant professor of finance, are traveling to Gulfport, Miss., in conjunction with HandsonUSA, an organization originally created to assist with tsunami relief.

In addition, under the coordination of the Rev. Cheryl A.E. Parris, an associate of the SBU University Ministries, SBU will be working with Habitat for Humanity’s “Home in a Box” initiative. With the cooperation of Kmart and the Home Depot in Olean, SBU hopes to construct the frame of a home, along with a list of needed items such as pipe, cabinets, etc., on Oct. 21-22 to ship to a Habitat affiliate in Mississippi.

The University responded immediately following the hurricane by offering free room and board and one-half tuition scholarships to students from higher education institutions in areas affected by the hurricane, with that one-half sent to the student’s home institution.

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Madrigalia chamber ensemble to perform at SBU's Quick Center for the Arts

Madrigalia, an 18- voice chamber ensemble, will perform the second in a series of seven classical music and jazz concert events at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1, at St. Bonaventure University.

Madrigalia is well-known for its core repertoire of 16th and 17th century madrigals and motets. The choir also explores the secular and sacred choral literature from earlier times through the 20th century. Its music includes a wide variety of traditional and contemporary styles.

In 1993, Madrigalia released its first recording, “With Heart and Voice: Anthems Across America,” co-produced by Rochester’s public radio station, WXXI-FM. In 1996, the ensembles second recording, “With Heart and Voice: Christmas Across America,” appeared to the delight of audiences and critics.
Madrigalia is based in Rochester and performs for loyal and enthusiastic audiences throughout Western New York. Some recent concerts include performances at Alfred University, Hobart College, and the Lancaster and Geneva opera houses.

The choir is directed by Buffalo native Roger Wilhelm, and Dawn Simon Yehl, a former resident of Olean, is a member of the group.

The performance is presented by the Friends of Good Music in association with The Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts (QCA).

The QCA will extend its gallery hours opening one hour before, and remaining open one hour after, each performance. Regular museum hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

This performance is sponsored in part by Community Bank, NA and The New York State Council on the Arts. For subscriptions, tickets and information, call the QCA at (716) 375-2494.

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Newsmakers

Dr. Carl J. Case, associate professor of management science, and Darwin L. King, professor of accounting, had a paper titled “A Longitudinal Assessment of Instant Messaging” published in the journal Issues in Information Systems. The paper will also be presented at the International Association for Computer Information Systems (IACIS) 2005 Conference in Atlanta on Oct. 5-8.

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Dr. Greg K. Gibbs, assistant professor in the School of Education, has published an article titled “Growing Your Own Versus Mentoring” in the Summer 2005 (Vol. 2, No. 2) issue of the Journal of Scholarship & Practice.

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David Smukler, assistant professor in the School of Education, has published an article titled “Unauthorized Minds: How “Theory of Mind” Theory Misrepresents Autism” in the Feb. 2005 (Vol. 43. No. 1) issue of Mental Retardation. He also authored a chapter, “Taking Turns: Collaborative Teaching” (pp 203-216), in University Teaching:A Reference Guide for Graduate Students and Faculty (2nd edition), edited by Stacey Lane Tice, Nicholas Jackson, Leo M. Lambert and Peter Englot, Syracuse University Press, 2005.

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Friday Forum

All SBU faculty, staff and administrators are welcome to all the Friday Forums.

Date: Sept. 29, 2005 (this Friday)
Speaker: Joel Benington
Time: Lunch starts at noon, Forum goes from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., including Q&A
Place: University Club - Above Hickey
Title: "Why Are Humans So Altruistic?"

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Career Center News ...

For information on Senior Orientations, On-Campus Recruiting, Mengel Metzger Barr & Co., Open House, Graduate School Week and FREE practice GMATs, GREs and LSATs, visit the Career Center Events Web page.

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