Building a Better Buffalo
Medaille's Role in a Civic and Sustainable Future
In keeping with President Richard T. Jurasek’s inauguration theme, “Our College, Our Community, Our Future,” Medaille students have been involved this semester in community outreach projects focused on “Building a Better Buffalo: Medaille’s Role in a Civic and Sustainable Future.”
Freshman students from the Main Campus will present their findings at the inaugural reception on the Main Campus, on Tuesday, April 1, and adult and graduate students will present their findings at the inaugural reception on the Amherst Campus, on Thursday, April 3.
Each project was designed to support the College’s aspiration for the year 2020: “Medaille College will be known as the leader in preparing learners for career success and a lifelong commitment to a civic and sustainable future in Buffalo, the region, and the world.”
Thursday, April 3, 2008
School of Education
TITLE: The Role of Education in a Civic and Sustainable Future
DESCRIPTION: Under the influence of Dr. Richard Jurasek and supported by a technology-enhanced environment, the Education Graduate Student Society (EGSS) hosted a scholarly discussion involving educators from the local area and Canada. Medaille College graduate students and panel representatives were invited to join in the reading of three articles, “Bowling Alone: America’s Declining Social Capital”by Robert Putnam, and “The Rise of the Creative Class” and “Creative Class War,”both by Richard Florida. After reading about the influences and changes in society and a global economy, participants engaged in a lively discussion of societal issues and trends in education. The event was enhanced with a simulcast, allowing students from Canada who were unable to attend the event in person to participate via simulcast. Festivities took place on March 26, 2008, at the Amherst campus, guided by EGSS advisors Mary Beth Scumaci and Susan Sprague. EGGS cohort representatives, Josh Jones, Fatima Serra, Megan Beckett, Celeste Cavanaugh and Jennifer Fueller assisted with the facilitation of cohort discussions in preparation for the event. Invited panel quests were Mr. Yahya Qureshi of Canada, Mr. Ken Van Ry, Mrs. Marianna Cecchini, Mr. Peter Scumaci and Mrs. Cynthia Magera, all local area school teachers. The scholarly discussion challenged the thinking of students and professionals alike. The event was well received by all.
School of Adult and Graduate Education: Master’s of Business Administration
TITLE: Get Dressed, Downtown: Developing a Downtown Community
DESCRIPTION: MBA students in the Accelerated Learning Program at Medaille’s Amherst Campus currently create business plans for “incubator businesses” that desire to open in the Buffalo area. These plans are then used to obtain funds and solicit investors. This presentation details the inception of the idea, discusses the initial business plan, and demonstrates how creative capital can help to build WNY’s economic infrastructure.
PARTICIPANTS: Deidre Whiteside, Jason Wolf, Sonia Burgin, Todd Boci, Wendy Chomaniec.
School of Adult and Graduate Education: Master’s of Organizational Leadership
TITLE: Leadership and the Four Foundations of a Sustainable Society
DESCRIPTION: Four key economic factors have been identified as contributing to a sustainable society: education, health care, community development, and energy. Students and alums of Medaille College’s Master of Organizational Leadership program will discuss how systems thinking, change management, and leadership skills can impact, optimize, and promote these four sustainable factors.
PARTICIPANTS: Bobbi Bilotta, Darius Pridgen, Mike Moley, Nathan Wright.
