Alumni Spotlights
Lights, camera, action! Wheatfield native publishes book on making it in Hollywood
August 5, 2020
Actress, comedian and, most importantly, a Wheatfield native, Meghan Deanna Smith, ’12, always knew that she was supposed to be an actor.“My parents don’t even know why. Ever since I was little and could speak, I just always said ‘I’m going to be an actor,’ even before I really knew what...
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Sending Hope to Cancer Patients
June 23, 2020
What if there was a shot that cured cancer?If the technology co-developed by Dr. Michael Ciesielski, ’93, proves as effective as current clinical trials suggest, a vaccine to treat one of the most common and aggressive forms of primary brain cancer might be available in just a few years.Dr....
More →Eric Hall, ’99, Provides Patient Care Through Technology
June 22, 2020
When Eric Hall, ’99, joined NurseGrid a year and a half ago as vice president of professional services and customer success, he had no way of knowing that the app, which was created in 2013 to streamline communication, staffing, and scheduling in nursing departments, would become a crucial way for...
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Pyjama Patrol Offers Security, Comfort, Warmth, and Love to Children in Need
May 7, 2020
It was a cold winter night back in the days when the Festival of Lights was a popular Christmastime attraction in Niagara Falls. Thinking the seasonal display would provide an ideal outing for children from the Center for Joy, an after-school support program for inner-city kids, Sister Mary Francis...
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Nicole Sandford, BBA’92: Empowering Board Diversity
February 27, 2020
In the early 2000s, when the Enron scandal brought the concept of corporate governance to the forefront, Nicole (Silsby) Sandford, ’92, and her colleagues at Deloitte & Touche LLP were taking steps to become the thought leaders in that space. “It wasn’t intended to be a new career,” said...
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Natalie Dickerson, B.S.’13: Sharing an Ancient Art with the World
February 25, 2020
Natalie Dickerson, B.S.’13, came to Niagara University to study hospitality and tourism management, planning to someday work for a prestigious hotel and travel the world. But it wasn’t until after she graduated that she found her true calling.After a few years working in hotels, first for the...
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Lisa Kurbiel, ’89: An Influencer for Social Good
January 16, 2020
Lisa Kurbiel, ’89, grew up in North Tonawanda, the only child of a father who served as the town’s plumbing inspector and a mother who was a travel agent. Their Polish, Catholic traditions formed the foundation for a happy childhood spent in the Polish American community of that small Western...
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Alexis Wayne, ’13, M.S.’15: Pursuing a Sporting Career
December 9, 2019
Alexis Wayne’s experience as a student-athlete at Niagara University, coupled with her undergraduate and graduate degrees in sport management, has given her a well-rounded background for her current position as associate commissioner for women’s basketball and Olympic sports for the Metro...
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John Ward, ’80: An Artist’s Life
December 4, 2019
John Ward’s delight in having been able to live his dream for more than 30 years is evident when you talk to him. His stories are punctuated with laughter, and he still seems to be a little in awe of the fact that his career as an illustrator has been so successful and taken him on adventures he...
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Salvatore, ’03, and Jaime (Goodness) Salafia, ’03: Giving Wings to a New Business
November 11, 2019
Salvatore, ’03, and Jaime (Goodness) Salafia, ’03, have been together since the seventh grade, when they met in a home and careers class. They dated through high school and decided to attend Niagara University together to pursue business degrees. A week after they graduated, they married. They...
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