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NU begins 150th year
Story by
Joshua Maloni
Photo by Larry Austin
Lewiston Porter Sentinel, August 26, 2006
When Niagara
University began in 1856, six students were enrolled. They lived
in a converted halfway house with no Internet, student center
or iced coffee.
Today, 150 years later, nearly 3,000
students attend class on Monteagle Ridge. Many live in state-of-the-art
apartments, writing papers on wireless laptop computers while
sipping dairy delights made fresh at the pastry kiosk in the Gallagher
Center.
“I’d like you to note just how far
we’ve come in 150 years,” said the Rev. Joseph Levesque, C.M.,
university president, at Tuesday’s media luncheon.
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| Of course, NU’s current
form, in many ways, resembles its early stages. As the university
then sought to get off the ground, today cranes lift steel girders
into the sky in preparation of the campus’ newest academic complex,
Bisgrove Hall. |
The Rev. Joseph Levesque, C.M., president
of Niagara University, addressed the media Tuesday. |
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“The
crane signals the start of a new, great venture,” Levesque said.
“It’s a highly visible sign of Niagara’s progress.”
He added, “This is truly an exciting time for the
future.”
To mark the anniversary,
a yearlong salute will be celebrated with events ranging from an
opening Mass on Sept. 27 to Alumni Weekend Oct. 6-8; from “Happy
Birthday Niagara” on Nov. 21 to a speakers series, Day of Recognition
and various dinners in the spring.
“The sesquicentennial is a yearlong celebration,”
said Dr. Sharon Watkinson, co-chair of the anniversary committee.
The university has also revamped its Web site. The
university’s online home (www.niagara.edu) now features historic
photos, an introduction from Levesque, a schedule of sesquicentennial
events and a historic timeline.
Jason Mollica, assistant director of public relations
and communications, said podcasts – interviews with key campus figures
converted into iPod format – will be added to the site as the year
unfolds. |
Additionally, a new
150th anniversary logo was commissioned.
•On a sad note, the university observed the passing of the
Rev. Francis Prior, C.M., on Aug. 17. The former vice president for institutional
advancement was instrumental in securing the $5 million donation from
alumnus Jerry Bisgrove that sparked the building of the new classroom
building across from the Gallagher Center.
“He was a longtime part of the university,” Levesque said.
“All of his talents -- he had many -- were used well.”
Of his work in obtaining funds for NU, Levesque said Prior
“led that program very successfully for years.
“He was always reaching out to the community,” he said.
“We miss him very much. He’s a great loss to us.”
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