University Dedicates Scott Bieler College of Health Professions
Daemen University celebrated the naming of the Scott Bieler College of Health Professions during a dedication ceremony in January in honor of Scott Bieler, a member of the university’s board of trustees and the president and CEO of West Herr Automotive Group.
In September, President Gary A. Olson announced the college would be named after Bieler, a steadfast supporter of Daemen’s medical and healthcare efforts.
The university’s Academic & Wellness Center, which houses state-of-the-art learning facilities for health-related programs, was also formally renamed the Scott Bieler College of Health Professions at Daemen University.
“It is truly an honor for the College of Health Professions to carry Scott Bieler’s name,” President Olson said.
“Over the years, Scott has invested in Daemen and various organizations across the region to improve the health and welfare of individuals, advance biomedical research, and strengthen education.”
Bieler’s most recent donation to the university funds a scholarship program for nursing and physical therapy students. The gift also funded the purchase of medical education supplies as well as the newest healthcare technology – including high-fidelity manikins and portable ultrasound devices.
“Today, we cut more than just a ribbon. Thanks to Mr. Bieler, we have an opportunity to cut through barriers to knowledge, excellence, and transformative healthcare,” said Dr. Greg Ford, founding dean of the college. “Mr. Bieler is a catalyst towards paving the way for the health professional leaders of tomorrow.”
The Bieler College joins a few newly named or renamed buildings or entities, including Saffrin Public Square, the John Yurtchuk Student Center, and the Alfiero School of Business.
Class of 2024 Celebrated at 73rd Commencement
Daemen University celebrated its 73rd commencement on Saturday, May 18, 2024, at Kleinhans Music Hall. President Gary A. Olson told graduates, “You have every right to be very proud of your accomplishments, and everyone in this room is proud of you, as well.”
Phillip Ceccarelli, an Adolescence Education in Mathematics major and member of the men’s track and field and cross country teams, was awarded the Charles L. Lumsden Award, an honor bestowed upon the senior with the highest cumulative GPA in the graduating class.
The former president of the National Federation of Just Communities of Western New York, Lana Benatovich, served as the commencement speaker for the undergraduate ceremony. Robert Gioia, a commissioner of the International Joint Commission, delivered the commencement address at the graduate ceremony.
Benatovich and Gioia, who serve on the university’s Board of Trustees, were each presented with honorary degrees during their respective ceremonies. Fellow trustee Scott Bieler was also awarded an honorary doctorate for his service and dedication to Daemen.
Higgins and Mitchell were Appointed to Daemen Board of Trustees
The Daemen University Board of Trustees approved the appointment of Brian Higgins and Gail Mitchell to the university’s board.
Higgins serves as the President & CEO of Shea’s Performing Arts Center where he will oversee an expansion of the campus and work to revitalize Buffalo’s historic theatre district.
For Mitchell, this is her second stint on the Daemen Board of Trustees. She was originally appointed in 2014 and served three terms. After a year off, she was once again nominated for a seat on the board.
“It’s an honor to welcome them to the Board of Trustees,” said John R. Yurtchuk, chairman of the board. “I look forward to working with them both as we continue to strengthen Daemen’s reputation as a university of national distinction.”
Daemen to Honor Mary Wilson with Community Excellence Award
Mary Wilson, a Life Trustee with the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation, will receive this year’s Daemen University Community Excellence Award at the 2024 Annual Scholarship Gala in September.
The Community Excellence Award recognizes a community member who serves as an exemplary leader and who defines the spirit of Daemen.
“This award serves as an expression of Daemen’s gratitude for Mary Wilson’s contributions to the greater community and her passion to make a difference,” President Gary A. Olson said.
Kennedy Secures $1.2M in Funding for IMIT
New York State Senator Tim Kennedy secured $1.2 million in grant funding for Daemen University’s Institute for Mobility Innovation & Technology (IMIT) at Villa Maria College. The state-of-the-art facility will launch in collaboration with Villa Maria and Buffalo Rehab Group – offering access to leading robotic devices and assistive technology to restore motion and function following a range of injuries and illnesses.
Senator Kennedy’s Community Resiliency, Economic Sustainability, and Technology Program (CREST) funding will be used to construct and renovate the facility at Villa. Daemen has raised an additional $1.75 million for specialty equipment and staff positions for the IMIT. The location in East Buffalo aims to address the pressing needs of underserved populations in the community.
“When Daemen, Villa, and Buffalo Rehab Group came to my office and laid out their plans for the IMIT, and what it would become not only for the students they serve but for the greater Western New York population in need of post-acute rehabilitation services, I knew we had to make it happen,” said Kennedy, who is also an occupational therapist.
The comprehensive facility will utilize advanced technology in a physical therapy-based clinic to provide treatment of spinal cord injuries, strokes, Multiple Sclerosis, and Parkinson’s disease, as well as sports and orthopedic injuries and other conditions.
At its core, IMIT is built on four interconnected components: clinical care, advocacy, research, and education. Through this CARE Model, the IMIT will be woven into the undergraduate and graduate educational experience at Daemen.
“The Institute for Mobility Innovation & Technology is dedicated to empowering movement, restoring strength, and maximizing wellness,” said Daemen President Gary A. Olson. “The IMIT represents not just the culmination of years of hard work and dedication but also the realization of a shared vision with Villa Maria College and Buffalo Rehab Group to provide exceptional care and support to adults and children needing advanced and specialized rehabilitation.”
Throughout the planning of the IMIT, Daemen conducted extensive community outreach including the establishment of an advisory board including patients with lived experience, advocates, and representatives from ECMC, Kaleida Health, Catholic Health, and Jericho Road Community Health Center.
Daemen Celebrates 20th Anniversary of Scholars Day
Daemen University’s Scholars Day event, held this year in February, marked two decades of the institution’s commitment to celebrating its highest-achieving prospective students.
“Our Scholars have gone on to have amazing careers in all walks of life,” said Yolanda Morris, the senior director for enrollment events and experience. “We are proud to bring back alumni Scholars for the 20th anniversary as they share their experiences here at Daemen as well as their professional accomplishments.”
Scholars Day featured keynote speaker Dr. Megan Herr ’09, an associate member of the transplant and cellular therapy program at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, who was selected among the first group of Trustee Scholars 20 years ago.
Daemen Receives Elite Military Friendly School Designation
Daemen has been named a Military Friendly School for the 15th year in a row, recognizing its efforts to create sustainable and meaningful education paths for the military community. This is Daemen’s first Gold designation – a rating within 10% of the 10th-ranked organizations for the category “private offering doctorate” – and first Military Friendly Spouse School designation.
Student-Athletes Post 22nd Straight Semester with 3.0+ GPA
This spring, Daemen’s student-athletes achieved a collective 3.36 grade point average (GPA). This included 20 student-athletes from 14 teams who achieved a perfect 4.0 GPA for the semester. A total of 182 student-athletes individually achieved a GPA of 3.0 or higher during the semester, representing 66% of Daemen’s total student-athlete body.
Alums’ Puppet Film Wins Global Contest & Screens in Portugal Festival
“Unplugged,” a short film produced by three Daemen University alums, was named the Audience Choice Winner at the 2023 Four Points Film Festival and was screened at Filmapalooza in Lisbon, Portugal in March 2024. The team, led by Cameron Garrity ’13 (Graphic Design), included Nicole Dzimira ’13 (Illustration) and Emily Weaver ’23 (Business Administration).
Gioia Confirmed as IJC Commissioner
The United States Senate has confirmed the appointment of Daemen University Board of Trustees member Robert Gioia as a commissioner of the International Joint Commission (IC).
President Biden nominated Gioia in February 2023 to serve on the IJC, which was established to prevent and resolve disputes over the U.S. and Canada’s shared waterways, including the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River.
“It’s critical to have a New Yorker like Robert Gioia as one of the three U.S. IJC Commissioners because the IJC’s decisions impact New Yorkers every day from Buffalo to Rochester to the North Country.
Gioia has dedicated his career to making Upstate New York a better place,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a statement following the confirmation. “He will make a world of difference with his years of experience serving our community.” Gioia has dedicated decades to improving the region and has led many important initiatives. He served as the president of The John R. Oishei Foundation, chair of the Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation and Great Lakes Health, chair of the board of the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority, and chairman of the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo. In addition to the Daemen board, he also serves as the chairman of the board of Buffalo Center for Arts & Technology.
“On behalf of the Daemen community, congratulations to Robert on his confirmation to the International Joint Commission,” said President Gary A. Olson. “For decades, he has played an integral role in making our region a better place to work and live. I have no doubt he will have the same success with the IJC.”
Daemen Launches Criminal Justice and Doctor of Nursing Programs
Daemen University received approval from the New York State Education Department (NYSED) to establish two degree programs: a new bachelor of science in criminal justice and a newly updated Doctor of Nursing Practice.
“Offering new and contemporary curricula and programs, such as criminal justice, represents Daemen’s strategy to balance our portfolio and academic inventory in a purposeful, connected, and meaningful manner,” said Dr. Michael Brogan, executive vice president for academic affairs and provost of the university.
The Criminal Justice program, housed in the College of Arts, Sciences, and Education, will provide students with the interdisciplinary training needed to succeed in the field of criminal justice. The program is open to first-year and transfer students.
NYSED also approved a newly updated Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program, which is designed to prepare nurses at the highest level for advanced clinical practice.
The National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF) has called for moving to the DNP degree as entry-level preparation for nurse practitioners by 2025.
The DNP program is fully online and can be completed in a post-bachelor’s or post-master’s plan of study.
Parshall Named Distinguished Professor
Dr. Lisa Parshall, a professor of political science who has dedicated 23 years of service to Daemen, is now the second person in the university’s history promoted to this rank.
Dr. Lisa Parshall, a professor of political science, has been promoted to the rank of Distinguished Professor at Daemen University, the highest professorial rank awarded to faculty.
“As Daemen’s newest and currently only Distinguished Professor, Dr. Parshall is an excellent role model for our community,” said President Gary A. Olson. “Her scholarship, teaching, and record of service are exemplary. Her work has had a major influence in the field of Political Science.”
Established in 2016, the Distinguished Professor rank honors faculty members who have achieved distinction in their scholarly discipline and service to the college and society. Dr. Parshall is only the second person in Daemen’s history to be promoted to this rank.
For the last 23 years, Parshall has taught in the university’s History & Political Science Department. She was promoted to Full Professor in 2018. During that time, Dr. Parshall has held the positions of President and Vice President for the Faculty Senate and has served on various university committees. She is currently on the Middle States steering committee, where she also chairs the Working Group VII on Governance.
Beyond Daemen, Parshall is a member of the Northeastern Association of Pre-Law Advisors. She was one of five faculty selected as an inaugural Richard P. Nathan Public Policy Fellow at the Rockefeller Institute of Government and was the recipient of a grant from the Howard J. Samuels Center for State and City Policy to fund research on local government reform. Dr. Parshall has also been a member of various local and statewide political science associations.
An accomplished author, she has published five books and six law review articles, as well as several policy reports and journal articles. Her work has also been cited in several publications.
“I am honored to have been selected for the rank of Distinguished Professor,” Dr. Parshall said. “This recognition is all the more meaningful given the esteem I have for my colleagues on the selection committee. I am indebted to many people who provided mentorship or opened doors of opportunity along each stage of the academic journey.”
She earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and both a master’s and a doctorate in political science from the University at Buffalo.
