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Video Game Scholar Was Featured Speaker at 2010 Media Awareness Day

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 00:00:00 -0500

Video game scholar Dr. Nina Huntemann spoke on the effects of violence, race and gender in video games as part of the 2010 Media Awareness Day on Wednesday, March 10, at Niagara University.

Huntemann is an associate professor of media studies in the department of communication and journalism at Suffolk University, Boston. Her research focuses on new media technologies, particularly video and computer games, and incorporates feminist, critical cultural studies and political economy perspectives. Most recently she co-edited with Matthew Thomas Payne the anthology "Joystick Soldiers: The Politics of Play in Military Video Games" (Routledge, 2010). She produced and directed the educational video "Game Over: Gender, Race and Violence in Video Games" (2000), distributed by the Media Education Foundation, and is currently creating an update to that film. She has published several articles on the image of women in video games, women's use of the Internet for social change, and the political economy of the U.S. commercial radio industry. Huntemann spoke about the impact of violence and racial and gender stereotyping in video games during the media day event.

A second event was an exhibition of student work and presentation of awards for a student video contest. Communication students from Niagara University and local high schools showcased research and creative work and competed for monetary prizes for video public service announcements on media literacy.

Media Awareness Day was created to foster awareness and understanding of the mass media. By learning how the media operate in terms of disseminating information, individuals can begin to interpret critical messages beyond those offered by the media and form their own educated opinions about the world.

Media Awareness Day is sponsored by the communication studies department of Niagara University and Lambda Pi Eta, the communication honor society of Niagara University.

St. Louise de Marillac Is Focus of Lecture

Mon, 01 Mar 2010 00:00:00 -0500

St. Louise de Marillac was the focus of a lecture sponsored by the Niagara University theology and women's studies departments Tuesday, March 9, at 5 p.m. in the university's Castellani Art Museum. Sister Margaret John Kelly, D.C., executive director of the Vincentian Center for Church and Society at St. John's University, New York, discussed "St. Louise de Marillac: An Unheralded Practitioner in the Catholic Human Rights Tradition," as one of the university's Henry and Grace McNulty lectures. The presentation was the first in a series of lectures to commemorate the 350th anniversary of the deaths of Saints Vincent de Paul and Louise de Marillac.

St. Vincent de Paul, a 17th century Catholic priest, inspired others to respond compassionately to people's basic needs. He founded the Congregation of the Mission, a community of priests and brothers who sponsor Niagara University. His contemporary, St. Louise de Marillac, was a pioneer in religious life and in the provision of human services, and the founder of the Daughters of Charity.

NU's Student Chapter of the Club Managers Association of America Named Best in the Nation

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 00:00:00 -0500

Niagara University's student chapter of the Club Manager's Association of America was named Student Chapter of the Year by the organization at its 83rd World Conference in February. The student group, in only its third year of existence, was selected among 47 chapters based on a series of factors including number and variety of educational programs offered, member employment and internships in clubs, membership growth, relationship with the state chapter of CMAA, and member attendance at events.

Students who join Niagara's CMAA are required to complete a rigorous schedule of educational and networking events and to work at a club each summer between academic semesters. Dr. William Frye, associate professor of hospitality and tourism management and club adviser, noted that these requirements, in addition to the chapter's significant membership growth and internship placements with top-rated clubs, helped the chapter win the title. "Receiving the award was affirmation and confirmation that the model is sustainable," he said. "It proves to ourselves and to others that what we are doing will create successful opportunities for these students."

The Niagara University CMAA student chapter focuses its efforts on education, professional development, networking, and placement in accordance with the CMAA's mission of fulfilling the educational and related needs of its members.

Niagara University’s Community Service Efforts Honored

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 00:00:00 -0500

Niagara University has been named to the 2009 President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll for exemplary service to the community. This is the fourth time that Niagara has been selected for this honor, the highest federal recognition a school can achieve for its commitment to volunteering, service-learning and civic engagement. The honor roll was established in 2006 by the Corporation for National and Community Service.

Niagara was among 12 colleges and universities in New York state named as Honor Roll with Distinction members. Honorees for the award were chosen based on a series of selection factors, including scope and innovation of service projects, percentage of student participation in service activities, incentive for service, and the extent to which the school offers academic service-learning courses.

Service projects at Niagara involve the volunteer efforts of an estimated 2,000 students, who provide approximately 55,000 hours of service annually as tutors in local school districts and as interns and volunteers in more than 40 social service agencies and organizations in Western New York and southern Ontario. Niagara also operates ReNU Niagara, a community outreach partnership center that coordinates programs in Niagara Falls. Niagara's four colleges also operate centers that provide research, training, and professional and educational services for business and industry, school districts, and families.

Niagara University to Provide Free Tax Help

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 00:00:00 -0500

Accounting students from Niagara University's College of Business Administration will again provide free tax assistance to members of the Niagara Falls community this tax season. The program, called Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA), is sponsored by the Internal Revenue Service.

"Niagara University has participated in this program for many years," said Alfonso Oddo, chair of the accounting department. He noted that members of Beta Alpha Psi, the international honor society for accounting, and the college's Accounting Society will coordinate the program.

Under the program, NU students prepare and electronically file federal and state tax returns free of charge for elderly and low-income taxpayers in the community. Starting mid-February, assistance will be provided from 6 to 8 p.m. at the following locations:

Niagara University, Room 205 St. Vincent's Hall: Feb. 25; March 2, 4, 9, 11, 16, 18, 23, and 25; April 13 and 15.
Family Resource Center, 3001 Ninth St.: March 3, 10, 17, and 24; and April 14.

No appointments are needed to participate in this free service.

Former Niagara University President, the Rev. John G. Nugent, C.M., Passes Away

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:00:00 -0500

The Rev. John G. Nugent, C.M., the 21st president of Niagara University, passed yesterday at the St. Catherine's Infirmary in Philadelphia, Pa., from natural causes. Father Nugent was 87.

"The entire Niagara University family is mourning the loss of Father John Nugent," said the Rev. Joseph L. Levesque, C.M., president of Niagara University. "Father Nugent played a key role in the long history of Niagara. In his time as president, he made the university much stronger, and he guided it with a keen focus on the Vincentian mission of the university."

Father Nugent began his time at Niagara in 1966 as the dean of the Graduate School and the School of Education. He left that position in 1972, and then held a seat on the Niagara University board of trustees. He was named chairman of the board in 1978.

Father Nugent became president of Niagara in August of 1981, and he was immediately charged with establishing fiscal stability for the university. He instituted tough fiscal controls, which played a major role in creating a stronger economic condition at the university. As president, Father Nugent welcomed Mother Teresa of Calcutta as Niagara's commencement speaker in 1982. Under his presidency, Niagara introduced a new degree program in computer and information sciences, earned accreditation from the Council on Social Work and named the "Taps" Gallagher Center in honor of the legendary basketball coach.

Father Nugent was ordained a priest on May, 26, 1949, and received a Doctor of Canon Laws degree in 1953 from Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. Before joining Niagara, he was a faculty member at St. Joseph's College in Princeton, N.J. (1949-50). He was a teacher of moral theology, ethics, literature and music at Mary Immaculate Seminary in Northampton, Pa. (1953-54), and became director of scholastics there from 1954-60. Father Nugent was the superior and director of the seminary for six years before his first assignment at Niagara.

After leaving Niagara, Father Nugent served in many roles, including professor of Canon Law at Mary Immaculate Seminary, member of the formation team for the DePaul Novitiate in Germantown, Pa., and in general ministry St. Vincent's Seminary in Germantown.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Feb. 9 at the Miraculous Medal Shrine 500 East Chelten Avenue in Philadelphia, Pa. The burial was at St. Joseph's Seminary in Princeton, N.J.

Kate Clifford Larson, Author of Harriet Tubman Biography Spoke at Niagara University on Feb. 4

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 00:00:00 -0500

The author of a noted biography of Harriet Tubman was the featured speaker at an event to celebrate an important facet of our region's history in the Underground Railroad movement. The event, held Feb. 4 at Niagara University's Castellani Art Museum, also commemorated the recent establishment of the Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Area Commission and the work of the North Star Advisory Committee.

Dr. Kate Clifford Larson, author of "Bound for the Promised Land: Harriet Tubman, Portrait of an American Hero," offered a public lecture on Harriet Tubman and her importance to the Underground Railroad movement. Following her talk, Dr. Larson moderated a roundtable discussion focusing on the process for preserving our local history and ensuring accessibility to the public. Participants included:

Dr. Milton Sernett, Professor Emeritus of African American Studies and History at Syracuse University
Dr. Lillian Williams, Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of African and African American Studies at the University at Buffalo
Dr. Keith Griffler, Associate Professor in the Department of African and African American Studies at UB
Kevin Cottrell, Project Coordinator of the North Star Initiative
Dr. William H. Siener, public historian and independent scholar

The event, sponsored by the Niagara University history department, the City of Niagara Falls, and Key Bank, provided an evening of education and discussion on a fascinating topic commensurate with the efforts of the commission to create the Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Area.

Niagara University Introduces the Vincentian Scholars Program

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 00:00:00 -0500

Scholarship program will create a partnership with area agencies to work together to alleviate poverty and social injustice.

Niagara University is pleased to be launching the Vincentian Scholars Program, an intensive service and learning experience for highly qualified undergraduate students. Through this program, the university, its students and community leaders will work together to alleviate poverty and social injustice.

The Vincentian Scholars Program is a unique four-year curriculum that will have students work with specific themes, goals and learning outcomes in each year. The program culminates in a full year clinical internship during the fourth year. In order to meet the needs in the community, the essence of the Vincentian Scholar Program would be to prepare students to step in and assist local, regional and possibly even national organizations that work with the poor and oppressed.

"The Vincentian Scholars Program will be an incredible experience for our students, and for the communities they will serve throughout the program," said Dr. Marilynn Fleckenstein, associate vice president for academic affairs at Niagara. "A Niagara education is designed to nurture all areas of a student's growth, and this program will further our students' ability to assume leadership roles in their careers and in their communities."

The Vincentian Scholars Program has been developed by a team of university and community partners. Through this partnership, community organizations would also be involved in identifying and finding solutions to community issues. Administrators and executive directors will lead workshops in nonprofit administration and other topics that will enhance the skills and resumes of the students participating in the program.

The Vincentian Scholars Program offers an annual, renewable scholarship of $5,000 to three incoming freshmen each year. The deadline for students to apply for the Vincentian Scholars Program is Friday, Feb. 19, 2010. The requirements for the scholarship can be found at http://apps.niagara.edu/admissions/vincentian_scholarship.php.

Founded by the Vincentian Community in 1856, Niagara University is a private liberal arts university with a strong, values-based Catholic tradition. Its four academic divisions include the colleges of Arts and Sciences, Business Administration, Education, and Hospitality and Tourism Management. The university also maintains an Academic Exploration Program that provides a learning community for students who are undecided about their major.

College of Hospitality to host dining events for community

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 00:00:00 -0500

The culinary skills of students in Niagara University's College of Hospitality and Tourism Management will be showcased during a series of fine dining events for the community. The dinners, which feature a set menu of two appetizers, entrée, dessert and beverage, will be held on Thursdays beginning March 4. Tickets for the dinners are $20 per person.

"The dinner series is another example of why we are a leading national and international program in hospitality and tourism," said Dr. Gary Praetzel, dean of the College of Hospitality and Tourism Management. "Our students receive great hands-on experiences and demonstrate their creativity in this dinner series."

The student-chef-themed dinners begin at 6:30 p.m. and are held in the Statler Dining Room on the fourth floor of St. Vincent's Hall, the university's main classroom building. Event dates are March 4, 11, 18 and 25; April 8; and May 6.

Reservations for each of the upcoming events can be made through Niagara University's Office of Continuing Education at 716-286-8181. Payment with credit card is required when reservations are made.

The Family of the Late Dr. Lawrence Jacobs Gives $1 Million Gift

Thu, 21 Jan 2010 00:00:00 -0500

Niagara University announced today that it has received a $1 million gift from the family of the late Dr. Lawrence D. Jacobs, a member of the university’s class of 1961. The gift will be applied toward the construction of the university’s new science facility.

“Niagara was a very special place for Larry,” said his wife, Pamela R. Jacobs-Vogt. “It was where he discovered his dream of a career in medicine, and he thoroughly enjoyed being a student there. This gift is an endorsement of the vision that the university is pursuing related to a world-class science and research center.”

The Jacobs family’s gift will bring Niagara University closer to the construction of the B. Thomas Golisano Center for Integrated Sciences, a $33 million facility that will provide teaching laboratories and space to support cutting-edge integrated research collaborations among faculty and students in biology, biochemistry, chemistry and physics, and prepare students for leadership in the medical profession.

“We are grateful to the members of Dr. Larry Jacobs’ family for their generous support of our science program,” said the Rev. Joseph L. Levesque, C.M., president of Niagara University. “In assisting Niagara to build our science center, this gift will enhance the educational experiences of countless students and enable them to follow the example of Dr. Jacobs by pursuing careers that improve the lives of others.”

“Niagara has always recognized and encouraged Larry’s work,” Jacobs-Vogt said. “It seemed most appropriate for our family to honor Larry and thank Niagara by making this gift to the science center. It will serve as a way for future generations of the Jacobs family, as well as Niagara University students, to know more about Larry’s research. We also hope it will serve as an inspiration for students to pursue careers in the science field.”

Jacobs, an internationally acclaimed researcher who developed the first treatment proven to slow the progress of multiple sclerosis, earned his medical degree from St. Louis University and served his residency at Mt. Sinai Hospital and School of Medicine in New York City. A specialist in the field of neurology, Jacobs dedicated his life to conquering MS and other illnesses. He served as a member of Niagara University’s board of trustees from 1993 to 1997.

“I am thrilled that Pam Jacobs-Vogt and her family have chosen Niagara University for this significant gift. This gift is a vote of confidence in our vision and it will allow us to recognize in a significant way Dr. Jacobs, one of Niagara’s outstanding science graduates,” said Dr. Nancy McGlen, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. “His medical research on multiple sclerosis is a wonderful role model that we try to follow with our commitment to student/faculty research on coronary artery disease and cancer.”

In 2009, 85 percent of Niagara’s science students performed research with faculty, much of it leading to publication in peer-reviewed journals and presentations at regional and national conferences.

About Dr. Lawrence Jacobs

Lawrence D. Jacobs, M.D., was a lifelong Buffalo, N.Y., resident and internationally acclaimed researcher in the field of multiple sclerosis. Dr. Jacobs was chair of the Department of Neurology of the University at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences and director of The Jacobs Neurological Institute and the Baird Multiple Sclerosis Research Center at Kaleida Health Buffalo General Hospital. World-renowned for his breakthroughs in the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS), Dr. Jacobs was principal investigator for the National Institutes of Health-sponsored clinical trial, which led to FDA approval of interferon beta-1a (Avonex®), the most widely prescribed drug for patients suffering from relapsing MS. Avonex® was the first treatment shown to slow the progression of disability in MS, thus offering a better quality of life to the more than 350,000 individuals in North America who live with this form of the disease.

Dr. Jacobs was also an invited lecturer at medical institutions and professional meetings throughout the world, and brought to Buffalo physician preceptors from 38 countries. He authored more than 200 publications on neurology and was a member of the editorial boards of several journals. Dr. Jacobs served on the board of the International Federation of Multiple Sclerosis Societies, was a founding member and officer of the board of directors of the American Academy of Neurology Education and Research Foundation, and president of the American Society of Neuroimaging.

Dr. Jacobs was a graduate of St. Joseph's Collegiate Institute and Niagara University. He earned his medical degree from St. Louis University and served his residency at Mt. Sinai Hospital and School of Medicine in New York City. Upon completing his medical training, he returned to his hometown of Buffalo to become an attending physician at Millard Fillmore Hospital, where he was chief of research at The Dent Neurological Institute from 1985-1989. He passed away in 2001.