Senate Resolution No. 2789

BY: Senator KENNEDY

COMMEMORATING the 150th Anniversary of Canisius
College

WHEREAS, New York State's commitment to education is unparalleled;
its history and stature are secured by the superlative caliber of its
educational professionals and the students they inspire; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commend those institutions of true purpose and high achievement whose
exemplary programs and accomplishments clearly demonstrate an enduring
pursuit of excellence in higher education for the young adults of this
noble Empire State; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and fully in accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commemorate the 150th Anniversary of Canisius College to be celebrated
with various events throughout the year, recognizing its commitment to
helping generations of students in their pursuit of academic excellence
and empowering them through their education to make a difference in
their communities; and

WHEREAS, Founded in 1870, five years after the Civil War, German
Jesuits were asked to open a college in Buffalo, New York, to serve the
city's immigrant citizens; and

WHEREAS, Jesuits who taught at Canisius in its early years were
typically German-born men who'd been educated or taught at one of the
half-dozen European universities founded by Peter Canisius, the 16th
century Jesuit; and

WHEREAS, In December of 1941, the attack on Pearl Harbor shocked the
United States and reverberated through the halls of Canisius College;
from the utterly tragic loss of life to the diminished enrollment, it
was a time of tumult; and

WHEREAS, To counter the demands of a reduced student body, Canisius
levied a curricular innovation agreeing to share responsibility of the
academic training of women enrolled in the city hospital's School of
Nursing, with neighboring school, the University of Buffalo, leading to
eventual full admission of women to this traditionally all male
institution; and

WHEREAS, As the troubled times of the 1960s and 1970s gave way to a
new decade, Canisius began to grow its academic programs and build a
distinct brand of teaching excellence; and

WHEREAS, Today, under the able leadership of its President John J.
Hurley, Canisius stands at the threshold of its Sesquicentennial
Anniversary; much has changed since the initial opening, but what
remains is the college's commitment to students and educational
excellence, as well as aligning with the present and future social
outreach needs of the community; and

WHEREAS, Steeped in a proud and distinguished history, Canisius
College will grow and evolve and carry on its mission to educate and
transform lives for another 150 years and beyond, and continue to equip
students to become individuals of influence and agents of change in
their communities; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 150th Anniversary of Canisius College, noting the
propriety of its goals, the constancy of its commitment and the
significance of its accomplishments; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to John J. Hurley, President of Canisius College.