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Jennifer Hibit, ’01: Working to Make Her Community a Better Place

Wed, 02 May 2012 09:28:34 -0400

Jennifer Hibit, ’01, is not one to seek the spotlight. “You won’t see my name in the press very often,” she laughs.

Nevertheless, she wants to make positive change for her community. And as Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz’s chief of staff, she is in the right position to do just that.

Growing up in Depew, the only child of an engineer and a data entry clerk, Jen’s early career aspiration was to become a doctor. Although she had always found politics and American history fascinating, she didn’t know if that interest would lead to a job. So when she enrolled at Niagara, it was as a bio/premed major. It took only one semester for her to realize her true calling was in political science. When she graduated in 2001, she still was not sure where her degree would take her, but she was certain it would lead her to the right career.

“Everyone who has a political science major hears, ‘What do you do with a political science degree?’ but there are actually a lot of directions to go in,” Jen notes.

Jen’s path led her to Chicago, where she worked on the Illinois governor’s race, then to campaigns in Denver and Michigan. She came back to her Buffalo, N.Y., home in 2003 when she accepted the position of political coordinator for 1199 Service Employees International Union, a healthcare union representing approximately 300,000 workers in New York, Massachusetts, and New Jersey.

As political coordinator, Jen worked with union members to educate them on the political issues that affected them and to involve them in local campaigns. She would also often help with the campaigns of political candidates endorsed by the union.

When Jen learned that Mark Poloncarz was running for Erie County executive and needed a campaign manager, she took a leave from her job and worked full time for the Poloncarz campaign for about eight months. She had done some work on his previous campaign for county comptroller, which he won in 2005 and again in 2009. But this campaign would be more challenging. Poloncarz was facing off against incumbent Erie County Executive Chris Collins, an entrenched, well-financed opponent. Poloncarz’s win was one of the state’s biggest upsets, and he became the first county comptroller to win the county executive's seat in its 51-year history.

“The win was huge. Through the whole campaign, all we heard was Mark couldn’t win and that this race was unwinnable, and so, on election night when the results came in and we did, it was pretty incredible,” Jen says. And as rewarding as that was for her, she notes that she equally enjoyed the opportunity to build the campaign team that helped Poloncarz achieve his victory. “The campaign team was just phenomenal and kept going when things were tough, and did the work that needed to be done to put us where we are today.”

Jen’s work on the campaign earned her the position of chief of staff for Poloncarz, a job she took on in January. At the time of this interview, she was still learning the ins and outs of her new role.

“It’s been really exciting and really crazy,” she says. “It’s just learning county government, learning how things go. A typical day is spending a lot of time in meetings, talking about our agenda and the issues we want to see go forward, making sure that we’re all on the same page and getting things done, and providing the services that Erie County citizens want. During a campaign you’re constantly fighting to say why you’re the best candidate. Now, it’s about actually doing the work.”

Although she’s doesn’t know exactly what her future holds, she plans to spend the next four years working with Poloncarz to make sure his policies and ideas are put into action.

“It’s exciting to implement a plan and see it completed and actually do something for not only yourself but your entire community,” she says.

1,000 Words

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 15:07:38 -0400

The national French-language touring company Le Théâtre de la Chandelle Verte performed a special presentation of La Farce de Maitre Pathelin (The Farce of Mr. Pathelin) at Niagara University for area high school students studying the French language. Henrik Borgstrom, Ph.D., chair of the Department of Modern and Classical Languages and founding member of the touring company (pictured here with Francine Conley-Scott), wrote the new adaptation of the text, and Marilyn Deighton, assistant professor of theatre and ﬁne arts, designed and built the costumes for the performance. The designs were based on ﬁgures from medieval puppet shows, with highly exaggerated body shapes and features. This collaborative project was funded by a $5,000 summer research grant awarded by the Niagara University Research Council. La Farce de Maitre Pathelin, a 15th century farce originally performed by itinerant companies in the late middle Ages and early Renaissance, will be performed by Le Théâtre de la Chandelle Verte for French language students at universities all across the United States this spring, with a stop at Niagara’s Leary Theatre in May.

For more on the theatre troup and the collaboration between Dr. Borgstrom and Marilyn Deighton, click here.

The Time Is Ripe – Let’s Complete the Memorial Project

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 13:45:11 -0400

Two special events occurred during the 2011 reunion weekend. The first was a celebration of Niagara’s ROTC program through the ages entitled “Pantheon of Niagara Warriors.” It was recognition of the great contribution Niagara made over the years by providing well-educated and trained commissioned officers and military volunteers to serve their country and support her national political and military goals. It recognized the hundreds of Niagara graduates trained and capable of fulfilling that role.

In another realm it was the culminating event of the idea of one graduate to institutionalize the celebration of Niagara’s contribution to national security represented by the War Memorial established on campus in 2001.

Over 85 graduates from 15 different classes participated in the event, which was highlighted by presentation by the Rev. Joseph L. Levesque, C.M., Niagara’s president, of the President’s Medal to Maj. Gen. Vincent Boles, ’76, and the general’s remarks as guest speaker to the assembled group. Gen. Boles is the highest ranking officer to date to graduate from our university through the ROTC program. He set a wonderful example to all, especially to the young cadets present at the ceremony, with his remarks.

Also on Saturday, another event of great importance occurred and went mostly unnoticed by the reunion participants. It was the Class of ’61 and compatriots conducting a beautiful ceremony at the War Memorial site with the mounting of the plaque designating all class members who served in the military from the classes of 1961 – 1975.

The two events, taken together, represent a worthy acknowledgement of the university and the Department of Military Science’s efforts in producing so many outstanding young men and women who willingly served their country when called.

My comrades and I from the distant past believe this contribution is so great that every class not now represented should become involved and step forward with their individual recognition of service. We ask the class presidents from the classes of 1976 – present to start the process of commissioning a class plaque on “The Wall.”

You will be glad that you did. John Fielding, ’61 (mjfielding@aol.com), who led the latest effort, and the Department of Military Science stand ready to assist in explaining how to collect the necessary information: Who was commissioned? Who was called to serve in the military or diplomatic service or comparable federal service? Where can a bronze plaque be created? Then establish a timeline so that the class or group of classes can have their own ceremony during their next reunion.

Should you accept this challenge, we will complete the goal established by the Class of ’51 and its project manager, 1st Lt. Jack Mitchell (Ret.) in creating the memorial, which was first established to commemorate Niagara’s contribution to the Korean War. But history has forced us to take a lead role in international affairs and I the commitment of armed forces repeatedly to help bring peace and security and order to our world. It was only right and necessary to expand the significance of the Korean War Memorial, to expand its coverage and represent our university graduates’ contributions to national security as an all-encompassing War Memorial. The Class of 1961 stepped forward this past October and started our representation in the Vietnam War era.

Let’s not waste any more time. Let’s bring all the classes with commissioned officer graduates and other graduates with military or diplomatic service from 1976 to the present to The Wall. We hope and pray that the classes not represented will come to see the value of being represented on The Wall and join us. My classmates and associates from the past are eager to “pass the baton” to the next generation of “warriors” who have represented our university so well.

On behalf of all who worked so hard to create this memorial, I urge you to join us on The Wall.

NU’s French, Theatre Departments Collaborate on Touring Production of Medieval Farce

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 13:51:10 -0400

On a cool November morning, a couple hundred students from five Western New York high schools took in an unusual theatrical performance in Niagara University’s Gallagher Center. Judging by their reactions, it was clear that the attendees were emotionally engaged by the one-hour play.

Most laughed. Some cringed in opposition of the characters’ conniving behavior. Less than a handful of the teens stared with puzzled expressions, impressive considering they were watching a medieval farce transcribed during the 15th century.

In French.

La Farce de Maitre Pathelin (The Farce of Mr. Pathelin) was originally performed by itinerant companies in the late Middle Ages and early Renaissance. It is still a part of the French canon, although it is rarely performed because the antiquated language and period allusions in the text do not always resonate with a contemporary audience.

Those challenges did not deter Dr. Henrik Borgstrom from writing a new adaptation of the text for Le Théâtre de la Chandelle Verte, a French-language touring company that he has been involved with since 2006. Dr. Borgstrom estimates that it took him about 16 months to research and write the new adaptation, a process that necessitated several visits to the Bibliothèque Nationale and medieval drama archives in Paris.

“The show’s script, especially the jokes, had to be adapted specifically for a 21st century audience made up primarily of non-native speakers of French,” explained the chair of Niagara University’s department of modern and classical languages. “Most editions of this play contain hundreds of footnotes to explain the 15th century references.”

The troupe brought Dr. Borgstrom’s adaptation to life at Niagara on Nov. 4, 2011, approximately five years after seeds for the show were first planted on Monteagle Ridge. It was then that Dr. Borgstrom, performing in an earlier production for Chandelle, sought out Costume Technology and Design Professor Marilyn Deighton for assistance in repairing an actor’s outfit.

Several months later, Dr. Borgstrom emailed Deighton to gauge her interest in designing costumes for a new show that he was working on, La Farce de Maitre Pathelin. Deighton originally declined the invitation citing scheduling restraints but, in true farce form, the show’s itinerary took an unexpected turn when one of its primary actors found out she was pregnant, postponing the show’s official opening until October 2011.

Over coffee, Dr. Borgstrom and Deighton reviewed elaborate sketches for the costumes, which were intended to grossly exaggerate the actors’ body shapes in the style of medieval French puppet shows. It was also necessary that they be light enough to allow for acrobatic stage play and maintain the flexibility to fit into a suitcase for manageable transportation.

“For this I needed not just a talented tailor, but a skilled costume engineer,” noted Dr. Borgstrom.

Deighton devised a technique similar to Victorian bustles, but with the plastic boning sewn directly into the seams. She would then pattern the shaped pieces, using a hula hoop as a guide for the characters’ waistlines. The horizontal circumference of Dr. Borgstrom’s character, Guillaume Joceaulme, measured 88 inches. The exaggerated waistline for Pathelin was even rounder.

Two of the costumes were made out of silk noil (raw silk) because the material is light and responds well to dyeing and laundering. Dr. Borgstrom’s costume was made out of a drapery material that is embroidered with a fleur de lis pattern and Pathelin’s out of a wooly knit for the texture and look of a ragged commoner’s garment.

“Needless to say, these costumes were totally different from anything I’ve ever done before,” Deighton admitted.

One sticking point: Deighton estimated that the costumes would cost at least $1,000 for materials alone, a steep price for a small theatre troupe.

A few weeks went by before Dr. Borgstrom returned to Deighton with a request that she co-sign an application for a summer research stipend from Niagara University’s Research Council. He suggested that half of the $5,000 award would be used to defray the expenses of hiring the actors while the other half would be used for costuming.

When the application was approved in spring 2011, the project began to move ahead again, but challenges remained. For starters, two of the show’s three actors lived out of town, meaning that Deighton could build only Dr. Borgstrom’s costume until the other actors arrived for summer rehearsals.

“I had about 15 minutes to take measurements of the actors and then had to work with dress forms, but of course dress forms don’t move,” Deighton remarked.

By the time the actors, Francine Conley-Scott and David Whiteley, landed in Western New York, Deighton had designed mockups for them to try on while they rehearsed.

“While they were rehearsing, I was able to see what worked and what I needed to change. I made changes to my patterns and garments right then and there,” Deighton said. “It was good for the actors, too, because it gave them an idea of what types of movements are going to work and not work.”

Despite a few additional obstacles that arose – the bosom area for one of Conley-Scott’s characters, for instance, had to be plentiful but removable for the actor’s shift to a male role (and washing) – Deighton had the costumes finished in a week. (Deighton’s solution was to use a snap-on, makeshift bra that was filled with Styrofoam pellets, similar to those found in beanbags.)

“Since our production has no set at all, our costumes become the ‘set,’ and the exaggerated body shapes give the actors multiple opportunities for physical comedy,” said Dr. Borgstrom. “As you can imagine, Francine’s enormous faux bosom is an endless source of cheap gags. Also, because Marilyn constructed my fat-suit with plastic and metal boning, somewhat like a Chinese lantern, I can literally crouch down into my costume, making it look like I am being swallowed up by my own gigantic body.”

Conley-Scott added that the interplay between spoken word and physicality is part of the show’s charm. “Imagination is a muscle that you have to work, and we give the audience that responsibility,” she said. “I know that when I go to see theatre, I don’t necessarily want to be told what to think about everything that’s happening.”

In the fall of 2011, Le Théâtre de la Chandelle Verte performed La Farce de Maitre Pathelin over a dozen times at various universities, including NU, the University at Buffalo, Ithaca College, Hartwick College (Oneonta, N.Y.), the University of Scranton (Pa.) and Whittier College (Los Angeles, Calif.). A general national tour will get underway this fall with stops already set up in Virginia, Vermont, New York and Minnesota.

Henry "Hank" T. Santulli, ’63, MA’64

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 12:23:20 -0400

Henry "Hank" T. Santulli, ’63, MA’64, passed away on March 11, 2011.

Hank was born March 20, 1941, in Newark, N.Y. He graduated from Notre Dame High School, Elmira, N.Y., and enrolled at Niagara University. It was there Hank met his wife of nearly 47 years, Patricia Casale Santulli, ’63. He played basketball at Niagara. He later completed his education at Syracuse University, receiving a postgraduate degree in educational administration.

He began his teaching career at Bishop Duffy High School. His college roommate (Mike Fischette, ’63, landed them both a job at East Syracuse-Minoa High School. He became a guidance counselor, later the director of guidance, and finally, the principal and director of secondary education.

He was a former member of the board of directors of the National Kidney Foundation, Syracuse, N.Y.; past president of the Central New York Directors of Guidance Counselors Organization; and retired member of the National Association of Secondary School Principals. In 1984, he had to begin dialysis because his kidneys had failed. He struggled against the genetic disease, polycystic kidney disease. Hank remained on dialysis while maintaining his full-time position as high school principal at East Syracuse-Minoa. In 1986, he was fortunate enough to receive a kidney transplant. Missing only a few weeks of school, he returned to school and became actively involved in the Central New York Kidney Foundation, acting as president and serving on the board of directors.

Thirty-one years later, Hank and his wife both retired from East Syracuse-Minoa H.S. and moved to golf-course living at Ford's Colony, Williamsburg, Va. Two years into his retirement, his transplanted kidney failed and he was once again forced to the routine of dialysis. Hank's health began to fail, and the prognosis wasn't good. Because the transplant list had a multiple-year waiting list, it was a known fact Hank would not survive the wait. It was then an angel came into his life and offered him his third change of life. A dear friend, Julie Chamberlain, offered him one of her kidneys, and for the past 10 years, Hank gave thanks to his special angel and the gift of life she provided him. Until Hank's recent illness kept him off the course, Hank enjoyed retirement by spending a great deal of time playing golf. He became a 21st century digital fan over the past few years by enjoying his iPhone and iPad. He could often be found by the pool reading books and newspapers and following his favorite teams, the New York Yankees, Notre Dame football, and Syracuse University basketball on his iPad. The last few years had not been easy on Hank. Neighbors in The Villages, Fla., provided physical and spiritual help. Prayer groups across many denominations made sure Hank would remain robust enough to enjoy his family. Hank's life was blessed so many ways. Hank was preceded in death by his father, Henry Joseph Santulli. He is survived by his wife, Patricia Casale Santulli, ’63, of The Villages, Fla.; son, Mark Damon Santulli of Longwood, Fla.; daughter, Tracy Santulli (David) Romano, and granddaughter, Samantha Paige Romano of Manlius, N.Y.; his mother, Jeanette Minonno Santulli; brother, Thomas Joseph (Patricia) Santulli , '71, of Elmira, N.Y.; brother-in-law, Anthony J. (Gail) Casale, ’59, of Port Charlotte, Fla.,

They were a true Niagara University family.

Burton Rosenberg, ’50

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 12:20:53 -0400

Burton Rosenberg, ’50, of Lewiston, NY, passed away on Friday, July 15, 2011, at Mount St. Mary's Hospital in Lewiston, N.Y. Born in Cleveland, Ohio, he was the son of the late Maurice M. and Theresa E. (Gross) Rosenberg.

Burt moved to the Niagara Falls area as a child with his family. He attended local schools and graduated from Niagara Falls High School in 1943. He served in the United States Navy during World War II from 1943, until his honorable discharge in 1946. Following his discharge from the Navy, he attended Niagara University and received his BS in Business Administration in 1946. On March 5, 1972, he married Jean M. (Mussari) Rosenberg in Temple Beth Zion in Buffalo, N.Y. In 1946, Burt's parents established the Niagara Gift Shop in Niagara Falls, N.Y. He went on to own and operate the family's business until his retirement in 1987. He was a lifelong member of Temple Beth El. Burt enjoyed spending the winter months in Florida, playing bocce in leagues in Florida and Niagara Falls, as well as playing cards.

In addition to his wife of 39 years, he is survived by his son, Maurice M. Rosenberg of Deerfield Beach, Fla; and his niece, Lynn (Rosenberg) Ott of Berea, Ohio. He was the brother-in-law of Theresa (Chester) Krawczyk, Angeline (late Robert) Kujawa, Phyliss Mussari and Joseph Mussari; and is also survived by several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by one brother, Robert H. Rosenberg.

The Last Word

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 11:51:09 -0400

Natural disasters, acts of violence, ﬁres and other emergencies affecting college campuses have raised questions about the safety of our students. At Niagara University, we have been proactive in preparing for emergency situations. In 1999, a cross section of administrators, management and staff developed an initial Emergency Response Plan with goals of reducing risk, providing timely and effective response, minimizing property damage and maintaining business continuity. Over the years, Niagara has made a signiﬁcant investment to secure the resources necessary to help implement this plan. The plan, which is reviewed at least annually, is a living document that has been updated and enhanced many times to keep it current and accurate. With assistance from the New York State Office of Emergency Management, Department of Homeland Security and FEMA guidance, our latest revision in June 2011 has made our plan National Incident Management System (NIMS) compliant. This will allow the university, ﬁrst responders, and local and state agencies to speak and work under the same guidance during an emergency.

Three separate committees have oversight of the university’s Emergency Response Plan. The Crisis Policy Team is responsible for and has the authority to establish new policy, amend existing emergency plan procedures, and approve budget requests for the relevant material and ﬁscal resources required to effectively mitigate the emergency while maintaining NIMS compliancy.

The Committee on Crisis Management is charged with maintaining the readiness of the institution during emergencies, assure crises management activities are NIMS compliant, and provide consultation to ensure all divisions and functional units have prepared plans that are functional and effective. This committee meets at least annually and/or upon request of the CRT to review the overall Emergency Response Plan, individual plan annexes, and to evaluate training and emergency notiﬁcation procedures.

The Crisis Response Team is the “boots on the ground staff,” responsible for managing the university’s response to an incident. Comprising seven director-level members selected on the basis of their role in the day-to-day operation of the university and how that knowledge, responsibility and experience could be a beneﬁt in an emergency, the CRT determines and implements all appropriate measures to respond to emergencies or disasters.

The CRT members — Niagara’s executive vice president and the directors of facility services, campus safety, contract services & risk management, information technology, recreation & intramural sports, student health services, and residence life — have received extensive training in a variety of areas. All have completed the appropriate level of NIMS training in accordance with their assigned role, and each has participated in at least one tabletop exercise and one functional exercise. Most of this training was conducted by the New York State Emergency Management Office, the Niagara Falls Fire Department, the American Red Cross, and the Department of Homeland Security, and consisted of lectures, exercises, drills and hands-on learning. Because training is a continuous process, several sessions are scheduled for 2012, including a functional exercise in the fall. In addition, several CRT members have also received training by the American Red Cross in shelter operations, search and rescue, and ﬁrstaid, and most are members of the Citizen Emergency Response Team (CERT) and have received additional training through Niagara University’s Border Community SERVICE (Special Emergency Response Volunteer Initiative for Community Empowerment).

In compliance with our Emergency Response Plan,a number of initiatives have been implemented on campus. For example, an Emergency Preparedness Reference Guide, which features a ﬂip chart detailing how to respond to various incidents, was developed and placed in all classrooms on campus. It can also be downloaded from our website. Two locations have been identified as possible shelters on campus and provisions for food, communication, ﬁrst aid, and security have been addressed. The university’s current supplies consist of cots, pillows, blankets, personal products, attire, basic food and water to shelter 425 people.

Recognizing that a particular incident could outpace our resources, we have a mutual aid understanding with Canisius College to share physical resources, including manpower. In the event that an incident affects both Niagara and Canisius, we have a memorandum of understanding with DePaul University to host each other’s websites and technology needs.

We have also implemented a mass notification network to provide information in the event of a campus emergency. This information will be delivered via the NU web page, our on-campus email and voicemail systems, automated text and cell phone messaging, campus-wide digital signage, and the intrusive mass notification loudspeaker system, which consists of speakers that can be heard outdoors from any area of the campus and is used to alert those in transit on campus or those using the ground and/or ﬁelds.

Some of the most recent improvements to our Emergency Response Plan are the result of funding from a Department of Education Emergency Management for Higher Education grant. The $394,000 award also enabled us to install additional video cameras to monitor campus entrances; purchase an Automated Record Management System for Campus Safety, which includes computers in all patrol cars to access the system; and create a digital layout of campus that will provide valuable information for first responders.

Dealing with emergencies is an ongoing, complex undertaking. Through implementation of risk reduction measures and comprehensive training, coupled with the availability of provisions for both short and long-term recovery assistance, Niagara University is well-prepared to save lives and minimize property damage.

Fond Memories

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 11:49:40 -0400

The 1985 spring ball had a bit of a nautical theme. Here, several friends gathered for a photo in front of the “Maid of the Mist.” in the front are Dan Trotter, ’85; and Frank Fiannaca, ’85. Behind them are (l-r) Joe Meaney, ’85; Pat Stack, ’86; Jim Merrill, ’85; Ed Coogan, ’85; Mike Swan, ’85; Jim LaMar, ’85; and Brian Connelly, ’85. In the back are Ray Rossi, ’85; and Mark Perry, ’85.

Alumni Participate in Hacker Cup

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 11:47:40 -0400

In 1990, Terry Sharkey, ’77, launched the inaugural Hacker Cup golf tournament, a four-day outing that is typically held in September in locations including Atlantic City, N.J.; Myrtle Beach, S.C.; Ocean City, Md.; and Pinehurst, N.C. Niagara alums from classes spanning the ’70s and early ’80s attend the event each year, including: Jim Danahy, ’74; Cliff Sharkey, ’74 (who has taken over organizational duties from his brother); Tom Mimnaugh, ’76; Jim Bowe, ’74; Steve Pesarchick, ’81; Terry Sharkey, ’77; Tom Barbieri, ’75; Bob Wylie, ’74; Dick Mavissakalian, ’74; Jim Sharkey, ’81; Bill Janowski, ’74; Peter Ferrigno, ’77; Jim Hillary, ’74; and Tom Hogan, ’74 (not pictured).

Greg Miller, B.A.’06, M.S.Ed.’08: Following His Life’s Path

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 11:44:50 -0400

Gregory Miller, B.A.’06, M.S.Ed.’08, has faced numerous obstacles in his life. The death of his older brother, Curtis, in 1993; the loss of his job; career changes; a diagnosis of kidney cancer in 2006. But he says these situations have taught him a valuable lesson: “When life knocks you off your path, challenge yourself to get back on your path as soon as possible.”

It’s clear that Greg has taken this knowledge to heart. He returned to school to pursue a job in law enforcement after being laid off from his job at DuPont, where he had worked for 14 years, but discovered that the field did not offer many opportunities for a man his age. So he decided to study political science at Niagara University in the hope of becoming an attorney, but again, personal and family circumstances caused him to change his life path. Encouraged by his wife, Sunitha, he applied for admission into NU’s master’s degree program in education, and was not only accepted, but also received a full-tuition scholarship for the program.

Greg graduated in 2008 and says, “I will never forget the sense of pride I felt after graduating from NU.”

Today, he is a building base substitute at the Niagara Charter School and hopes to find a full-time position in education at the elementary or higher education level. He also aspires to some day become a school administrator. In the meantime, he finds great satisfaction in his current job because it enables him to help others succeed. His passion for the work, along with the “relentless” work ethic his parents instilled in him, has served him well, and guide him every day as he continues to pursue his professional dreams.

“I enjoy helping students build their educational foundation,” he says. “Not only do I get to help students learn, but I get to help students learn how to learn. I take great pride in being able to help shape the future through education.”