The Griffin: volume 69, issue 07 - Oct. 9, 1998

              Canisius College President Rev. Vincent M. Cooke, S.J., was equally appreciative of the Lyons' gift. "It gives us [Canisius College] a tremendous boost," he explained. John J. Hurley, vice president for College Relations and General Counsel, emphasized the importance of the contribution. "They have made an historic and generous commitment to the college that will not only enhance the quality of life for Canisius stu- page 9 Not so fast! Save yourself seven dollars this weekend. Flip to Featues for the low down on Urban Legend and find out why movie critic Chad Spaulding could only spare 2 stars for this disappointing horror flick. Photo by PA TRICK BRA WN Canisius President, Rev. Vincent M. Cooke, S.J. recognizes James and Judith Lyons at the dedication reception which was held on Monday in Palisano. The husband and wife team donated $3 million to the Imagine Canisius Campaign, the largest donation in school history. See Lyons Page 2 Computer changes slated by Jeff Schragel Griffin News Reporter In the mood for a spicy Mexican treat? Munchin' with Meghann Columnist Meghann Drury headed south of the border for this week's restaurant review of Don Pablo's. The football team suffered its first defeat of the season. Who drew the Griffs' first blood? What was the score? page 15 Once again it's time for the Ice Griffs to hit the ice. Read about this year's team and the latest news. These alumni are chosen by a panel that consists of members of the Alumni Association. This year's six recipients of the Distinguished Alumni Award are Mary E. Belle ('73), Angelo M. Fatta Ph.D. 066), Mark J. Lema M.D. Ph.D. ('71), Robert R. Mesel (*57). Jospeh J. Naples ('41), and Brummitte Dale Wilson M.D. ('72). Mary E. Belle, after majoring in marketing at Canisius, moved to New York City to pursue a successful career with Liz Claiborne, Inc. She is currently the President of Licensing for the design manufacturer.The award of Distinguished Alumni is presented each year to a group of five to seven graduates of the College. The Distinguished Alumni Award is presented to alumni of the College who have made important contributions in their chosen careers. Past recipients of the award include Rev. James M. Demske, S.J., Hon. John J. LaFalce, and John W. Koessler Jr. On Saturday, October 3, 1998, the Alumni Association hosted the 1998 Distinguished Alumni Awards dinner. This year, the dinner recognized six graduates of Canisius College which joined the ranks of Distinguished Alumni. Six alumni 'distinguished' Angelo M. Fatta is the founder, President, and CEO of ACTS Testing Labs, Inc. which tests and inspects consumer products. His company currently has offices both in North America and abroad in Europe and Asia. Mark J. Lema is the chairman of the Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care Medicine and Pain Medicine at Roswell Park Institute. His ultimate goal in life is to alleviate pain in his patients, especially cancer patients. Robert R. Mesel is the retired president of BP Chemicals of Cleveland, Ohio. While under his helm, BP Chemicals became a $1.5 billion global business. Joseph J. Naples is the Chairman Emeritus and Founder of the Joseph J. Naples Companies. He also has been active in volunteer organizations such as the Boys' Towns of Italy and the Barnabite Fathers. These six new alumni join the ranks of over one hundred other alumni of Canisius-College who have made exceptional contributions to their field. Lastly, Brummitte Dale Wilson is A dermatologist with Dermatologic, Mohs, and Cosmetic, as well as being a surgeon and managing partner of Brummitte Dale Wilson. Wilson also is an associate of the Aesthetic Laser Surgery Center in Hamburg, New York. by Meredith Christman Griffin Asst. News Editor News 1-5 Editorial 4 Viewpoints 6-7 Features 8-14 Sports 15-20 This new system will completely outdate the previous system artd will make student life easier. Students will eventually be able to do things like register for their classes, add money to their flex funds, change addresses, and pay their bills on the World Wide Web. This process, which will add to the attractiveness of the school as a whole, will take two to three years to complete, and will run parallel with the current program so that the systems should not be down at all. Blair W. Foster, Registrar and committee chairman, believes that this will "give the students more control over their affairs and the convenience to register from the comfort of their home or dorm room." He then added that it will address "all of the areas different concerns and needs, but most importantly, it will serve the students." When the new system is completed, lines at the registrar and at the office of Student Accounts will disappear, and this will bring Canisius into the new century with a technological bang. Dr. Joel A. Cohen, Director of Information Technology Services (ITS), thinks that this was the better choice because "it would be the best way to satisfy the needs of students and the needs of each of the offices in the school as well." He further explained that "over eighty percent of colleges now get their administrative software from outside sources along with most of the Jesuit schools." On September 30, a committee in charge of solving the problem of an inadequate administrative software system met and decided that new software is needed because the current system is too basic and slow to manage most of the offices in the building. They then met with Linda Fleet, a representative from Edutech International to discuss what steps were to be taken next in finding a new system. Edutech is a company that helps colleges of higher education find computer systems to meet their needs. The search started last fall when it was determined that the old system, put in place by programmers at Canisius, had become obsolete. They formed a committee comprised of a cross-section of the Canisius community, representing most areas of the college. As the first order of business, the committee chose to an outside company to develop the new program. Volume LXVIII Number 7 October 9, 1998 "Serving the Canisius Community Since 1933" page 4 page 6 INDEX INSIDE page 8 page 12 page 18 Lyons donates generously to capital campaign Will the Board of Trustees allow student representation on its student affairs subcommittees? Find out how students may have a chance to make a greater impact at Canisius. Viewpoints Columnist Robert Cronin challenges us to ask ourselves a difficult question: What is your heart telling you? Think you're seeing double? Maybe not! JoinFeatures writer Jeff Shragel as he spends a day in the life of Canisius twins. "I felt an obligation," a humble Lyons noted. "This school is on its way," he said with a grin. Lyons identified three factors related to his contribution. First, he hopes it will create more of a sense of commitment to giving among the college's alumni. Second, the gift will help to honor the Lyons family heritage at Canisius, which has seen 21 family members earn degrees, with another one currently attending the college. Finally, he wanted to be a part of Cooke's vision, one that he sees as characterized by its dynamism and toughness. Creating a "sense of committment" among alumni dents for years to come, but will also help us further our mission of preparing students to become leaders in their chosen professions, their communities and their service to humanity," remarked Cooke. For James Lyons, the decision was easy. He said that as an undergraduate, he could do things at Canisius that he couldn't do anywhere else. He has also been impressed by Cooke's vision for the college. More than anything, Lyons believed that he owed it to his alma mater. by Benjamin Krass Griffin News Reporter The donation will be used to create state-of-the-art technology classrooms in Old Main as well as in the 1908 Building. Upon completion of the renovations to the 1908 building, it will be renamed Lyons Hall in recognition of the Lyons' gift. James F. Lyons ('56) and his wife, Judith, have donated $3 million to the Imagine Canisius campaign of Canisius College to put the college well on its way to meeting its campaign goal of $30 million. It is the largest gift in the 128 year history of the school.