Letters from the President

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Daemen University
Students, Faculty, and Staff

Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff,

After a long discussion, the Cabinet has decided to close the Amherst campus on Monday, April 8, 2024. All classes and events are canceled. We will treat this as if it were a snow day. Please note that some offices may need to remain open to ensure the safety of our students.

As you know, a total solar eclipse will cross North America on this day. Western New York and Daemen’s Amherst campus are in the direct path of totality, making our region a major destination for travelers.

Because there is an expected influx of up to a million visitors to the Buffalo-Niagara region, County Executive Mark Poloncarz has recommended area businesses close and people avoid non-essential travel.

The decision to close Daemen is based on a number of considerations, including:

• The regional infrastructure will be heavily burdened. There is an expectation of extraordinarily heavy traffic on highways and across both Grand Island bridges. Doing our part to stay off roads can help ease the burden on first responders should emergency response be needed.
• The regional cellular towers will be heavily taxed, and cellular service will likely be interrupted. It is recommended that you have a communication plan.
• There are concerns we may not have Internet access due to these disruptions.
• The potential overtaxing of the electric grid may result in rolling power outages.
• Most P-12 schools in the area are closed, leading to childcare issues for our students, faculty, and staff.  
• Other local universities, including UB and Buffalo State, have made similar plans to cancel classes.

While the university will be closed, Daemen community members will be able to view the eclipse from the Amherst campus if they wish. Our plan for the day is as follows:

• All academic classes and activities will be canceled at the Amherst campus, and we ask that you not invite any visitors to campus.
• The partial eclipse starts at 2:04 p.m. with the totality beginning at 3:18 p.m. and lasting nearly four minutes. You can safely view the sun during an eclipse by wearing certified protective eyewear. Eclipse glasses will be provided at a giveaway on April 3 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Yurtchuk Student Center’s Social Room for your use on April 8.

We hope that you enjoy this memorable event safely.

Cordially,

Gary A. Olson
President

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Daemen University
Faculty and Staff

Dear Colleagues,

I hope your spring semester is off to a good start. We are looking forward to warmer days and the blossoming of the new trees on Saffrin Public Square.

I am writing with a few updates. I am delighted to inform you that the state has approved a new and unique academic offering: a BS in criminal justice. The program focuses on community-based and restorative justice practices. I’d like to thank Provost Brogan, and Drs. Emer, Marchione, Parshall, and Wendland for their hard work in developing this unique program.

The New York State Department of Education has also approved a newly updated Doctor of Nursing Practice program designed to prepare nurses at the highest level for advanced clinical practice. Students will acquire new skills and knowledge for patient care, with a focus on informatics, technology, leadership, healthcare financing, and health care policy.

Finally, after a long and successful career, the last 5 years at Daemen, Vice President for Business Affairs, Dr. Robert Rood has decided to retire. His last day will be May 30. His leadership in the areas of Student Accounts, Financial Aid, and Business Affairs ensures that Daemen is in a strong financial position as we move closer to the “enrollment cliff” that all of higher education will experience beginning in 2025. His leadership of the Employee Engagement team helps make Daemen a community of professionals committed to the success and well-being of our students and each other. We will form a search committee for his replacement in the near future. Please help me thank Dr. Rood for his dedicated service to Daemen rrood@daemen.edu. We wish him well on his retirement.

I hope you have a productive and rewarding semester.

Cordially,

Gary A. Olson
President

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Daemen University
Faculty and Staff

Dear Colleagues,

I hope you had a relaxing and refreshing holiday break and are ready for an exciting new semester. I am writing with a few updates.

A national search for the critically important position of Vice President for Enrollment Management and Marketing is underway. The demographic shifts currently challenging private higher education will require a visionary leader with the right mix of proven and innovative approaches to recruiting and enrolling optimal cohorts for the university that align with our academic and student profile. The search committee is well aware of how important this position is to our future, and we have confidence that they will conduct a rigorous and fruitful search.

A search committee for the position of Vice President for Student Affairs is being formed and will begin work in the next few weeks. This position plays a critical role in fostering a supportive and enriching campus environment by overseeing programs and services that enhance students’ academic, personal, and social development, ultimately contributing to their overall success and well-being. The goal is to have both vice presidents in place by June 1.

Finally, I want to applaud the work of the faculty senate, who voted unanimously to convert the Faculty Lounge in DS 351 into a Faculty and Staff Lounge. This initiative was endorsed by the Cabinet, and the Provost supported the effort by funding a refresh of the space, which should be ready for the start of the spring semester or soon thereafter. So far as we can tell, this is the university’s first faculty/staff lounge.

I wish you a productive and enjoyable spring semester.

Cordially,

Gary A. Olson
President

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Daemen University
Faculty and Staff

Dear Colleagues,

I hope you are having a productive and rewarding semester and are looking forward to a much-deserved winter break. I am delighted to share good news about two of our Daemen colleagues.

First, I would like to extend a heartfelt congratulations to Professor Lisa Parshall, who has been promoted to the rank of Distinguished Professor. As Daemen’s newest and only Distinguished Professor, Lisa is an excellent role model for our community. Her scholarship, teaching, and record of service are exemplary. Her work has had a major influence in the field of Political Science. I would also like to recognize her leadership in Faculty Senate and the 2023 Middle States steering committee.

Lisa’s appointment begins at the start of the new academic year. Please help me congratulate her on this much-deserved distinction: lparshal@daemen.edu

I am also pleased to share that Lamark Shaw is a recipient of one of this year’s coveted IDEA awards, which recognize champions of inclusion, diversity, equity, and awareness in the community and the workplace. Lamark will be honored in an upcoming ceremony. You can congratulate him at lshaw2@daemen.edu

Both Lisa and Lamark bring great distinction to Daemen.

I look forward to seeing you at the faculty and staff holiday reception coming up on December 14 at 3:30 p.m. in the Yurtchuk Student Center Social Room.

Cordially,

Gary A. Olson
President

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Daemen University
Students, Faculty and Staff

Since the University shared a message on October 10th condemning the violence taking place in Gaza and Israel, many of you have respectfully shared your pain, hurt, and disappointment in light of these devastating current events. We are grateful to have a community where you feel safe enough to express difficult emotions in times of need.

Hamas's October 7th attack on Israel killed and injured over 5,500 people, including 32 American citizens. The response that followed by Israel resulted in over 10,000 deaths in Gaza and has left more than 20,000 people injured. The toll of injured, displaced, and killed rises daily across the region. Regardless of one’s religion, nationality, or political leanings, we must agree that these numbers and the human toll they represent are devastating.

We want to also acknowledge that there are numerous humanitarian and human rights violations happening across the globe. Many who have no control over what is happening to them suffer the consequences of historical conflict, power struggle, and hate. The world is hurting; the Daemen community is hurting. We see your pain and hold space for your grief.

We want you to know that our primary responsibility is to ensure that you have a safe campus and continue to have the opportunity to live and learn at Daemen. We know the challenge of remaining academically productive while witnessing atrocities across the globe. While you are here with us we can offer you support through a comprehensive system of support. Our CHIP Center, located in the Yurtchuk Student Center, can provide wellness and mental health care. As you navigate physical spaces on campus, if you feel unsafe in any way, please notify Campus Safety immediately at (716) 839-SAFE (7233). Our officers can provide a walking escort to buildings and to your vehicle if requested. Finally, all community members can use the CARE Report and Bias Incident Report systems as needed.

The Daemen community will never condone violence and harm to others. We will always stand for peace, empathy, equity, and justice. We encourage our community members to keep talking, processing, and working together to do what Daemen has always done - work towards making the world a better place for everyone.

Cordially,

Gary A. Olson
President

Yours in service,

Tiffany L. Hamilton, MS
VP, Institutional Equity & Belonging

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Daemen University
Faculty and Staff

Dear Colleagues,

I hope you are having a productive semester while finding time to enjoy our unusually mild fall weather. I am writing with a few updates.

Please be aware that for the next two days, the final mature trees will be installed on Saffrin Public Square. At times there will be several pieces of heavy equipment in use in this operation, so please exercise all due precautions as you traverse the square. I want to thank those of you who have already adopted or contributed to the trees and remind you that there is still time to do so if you wish to support the project.

I am delighted to report that Ms. Kari Costelloe has been appointed chief of staff and will begin her duties on Monday. Kari brings to Daemen a great depth and breadth of experience in higher education, having held positions in Academic Affairs, Business Affairs, and Information Technology at the University at Buffalo and Medaille College over the last 17 years. She earned an Ed.M. in Higher Education Administration and a B.A. in English from UB, and an M.A. in Literature and Publishing from the University of Galway. She also is a certified project management professional. Please help me welcome Kari to the Daemen family: kari.longin@gmail.com.

Finally, I hope you will join me at a special reception on Friday at 3:30 in Alumni lounge to celebrate Amanda Gross for her half decade of dedicated service to Daemen. This is a wonderful time to celebrate true excellence!

Cordially,

Gary A. Olson
President

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Daemen University
Faculty and Staff

Dear Colleagues,

I hope you are having a productive start to another academic year. I am writing with some updates.

In light of the atrocities occurring in the Middle East, I am delighted to report that all 138 of the university’s study abroad students in Israel are safe and secure. Daemen maintains a multifaceted communication network that includes the university’s administration, our 25 partnering seminaries in Israel, and our externally collaborating partners. We are in immediate, constant, and ongoing communication with the leadership of the partner seminaries and the administrative branches of our educational partners. We are also in contact with various authorities, including the U.S. Department of State, for appropriate and timely guidance. Daemen is providing support to faculty, staff, and students who are impacted by this situation due to close connections to friends and family in regions in conflict.

I want to make clear that Daemen condemns violence of all kinds for whatever reason. The atrocities unfolding in Israel and the Gaza Strip are anathema to all of us and antithetical to Daemen’s values.

Finally, Chief of Staff Amanda Gross will be leaving Daemen for an exciting leadership role in another organization as of November 1. The Chief of Staff is a confidential advisor and key aide to the President and a member of the university’s senior leadership and, as such, serves as a member of the President's Cabinet. In her five years, Amanda has done much to help Daemen grow and prosper, conducting numerous national searches for senior leadership positions and serving as interim vice president of several areas. While we are all happy for her new career opportunity, we will all miss her. I hope you will join me on Friday, October 27th at 3:30 to celebrate her new position and wish her good luck in her future endeavors. More specific details about this event will be forthcoming.

I look forward to seeing you at the State of the University Address on the 20th and perhaps at the formal opening of Daemen’s Peace Garden tonight on Saffrin Public Square.

Cordially,

Gary A. Olson
President

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Daemen University
Faculty and Staff

Dear Colleagues,

I hope the new academic year has begun smoothly for you and that you are ready for another exciting semester.

I am delighted to report that Daemen has just received a coveted (and very competitive) 2.2 million dollar Title III grant from the federal government. Title III grants help institutions “expand their capacity to serve low-income students by providing funds to improve and strengthen the academic quality, institutional management, and fiscal stability of eligible institutions.”

This is a major accomplishment for the university. I want to recognize the hard work of Robin King, Irene Moyer, Kristen Luppino-Gholston, Leah Walsh, and Sabrina Fennell, who all played major roles in this project. Their unyielding persistence, commitment, and dedication is the main reason that this effort has been such a success. We are all proud of their dedication to Daemen.

I want to thank Provost Mike Brogan for his vision and leadership in seeing this effort to fruition. His optimism that we would eventually succeed was infectious.

I look forward to seeing you over the next few days at the various Founders Celebration events.

Cordially,

Gary A. Olson
President

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Daemen University
Students, Faculty and Staff

Dear Colleagues,

I hope you had a restful summer and are looking forward to another productive year.

I am writing with some bittersweet news. After nine years of serving Daemen University, Dr. Greg Nayor will be departing the college for a role at another university. His last day will be October 2nd.

During his tenure at Daemen, Dr. Nayor has been an integral part of the momentum and positive progress of the college. His leadership in the areas of student affairs, campus safety, enrollment management and marketing and communications has been instrumental in advancing Daemen. His leadership of our ERT also ensured that we weathered the pandemic better than most. He will be missed, and we wish him well on this next step in his professional journey.

In the interim, Dr. Kerry Spicer will serve as interim vice president for student affairs and Dr. Mimi Steadman will serve as interim vice president for enrollment, marketing and communications. I want to thank Drs. Spicer and Steadman for stepping into these important roles until a national search can be conducted.

Please help me thank Dr. Nayor for his service to Daemen. Information on a farewell reception for him will be shared in the coming weeks.

Cordially,

Gary A. Olson
President

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Daemen University
Students, Faculty and Staff

Dear Colleagues:

I hope you have had a restful and productive summer. It’s an exciting time here on campus, with construction of the new soon-to-be-named Saffrin Public Square nearing completion.

As part of this transformative project, the parking lot between Dun Scotus Hall and the John R. Yurtchuk Student Center (formerly the Wick Campus Center) was removed in order to create a traditional campus quad in the heart of Daemen. The fourth in a series of four parking lots in the Getzville section of campus is nearing completion; all four were designed to accommodate this change.

The Public Square is a large green space that will truly create a distinctive student experience, making our campus more aesthetically pleasing, safer, and pedestrian-friendly. At the same time, we know that it will also change our driving and parking routines.

Change is not always easy, but I want to assure you that in addition to the construction of the new parking lots, our team is doing everything we can to make this process as seamless as possible.

Later this week, you will receive an email from Senior Vice President Nayor that will contain detailed parking and travel information to aid you as we navigate the start of the fall semester.

Thank you for your support and patience as we mark this major milestone for Daemen University.

Cordially,

Gary A. Olson
President

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Daemen University
Students, Faculty and Staff

Dear Colleagues,

On June 29th, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that institutions of higher education can no longer use race as a factor in admissions decisions, thus eliminating the long-standing principles of Affirmative Action. This decision has sparked discussions and debates across the nation and has the potential to further alter demographics at institutions of higher education. It seems appropriate to take a moment to reflect on the impact of this decision and reaffirm our commitment to diversity, equity, access, and inclusion.

At Daemen, we firmly believe that diversity enriches our academic environment, fosters intellectual growth, and prepares students to thrive in an interconnected and diverse world. We have long recognized the importance of creating an inclusive community that embraces individuals from all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. This commitment is at the core of our mission and values, and it will not waver in the face of external challenges.

While these decisions challenge us to think critically and proactively about the more significant societal issues at hand, we at Daemen will continue to uphold our current practices with the same steadfast intention. We remain dedicated to finding innovative and holistic approaches to admissions that consider a broad range of factors, including socioeconomic background, life experiences, and individual achievements. Our goal is to identify and admit talented and deserving individuals who will contribute to the diverse tapestry of our campus communities.

As we move forward, I encourage open dialogue and constructive conversations within our college community. We must engage in thoughtful discussions, recognizing the diverse perspectives held by our students, faculty, staff, and alumni. Through dialogue, we can collectively shape a more inclusive and equitable future for Daemen and society at large.

Cordially,

Gary A. Olson
President

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Daemen University
Faculty and Staff

Dear Colleagues,

I hope you are well and having a restful and productive start to your summer.

In recognition of Independence Day on Tuesday, July 4, 2023, the Cabinet has approved the extension of this holiday observance to include Monday, July 3. Administrative offices will be closed and classes will not be held.

That is, the College will be closed beginning on Saturday, July 1 and will reopen on Wednesday, July 5, 2023.

Please note that, for supervisors of hourly staff, it will be critical for you to ensure that timecards are approved no later than Monday, July 3, at noon. Due to the way the holiday interacts with our vendor ADP and the deadlines required by them for the Employee Engagement Office, you must ensure those timecards are approved no later than Monday, July 3rd at noon.

We hope you have an enjoyable holiday weekend with friends and family.

Cordially,

Gary A. Olson
President

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Daemen University
Faculty and Staff

Dear Colleagues,

I hope you are having a productive and enjoyable semester. I am writing to share a few important updates as we approach the halfway point of the spring semester.

First, I want to remind everyone that between March 11 and March 19 we will continue the reconstruction of Duns Scotus Hall by completing additional abatement. The building will be closed during that time. Starting on March 8th, contractors will begin prepping for this process, so you may see signage being hung and other proactive steps taken, but no abatement will be conducted until the 11th.

Second, I am delighted to report that at their February meeting, the Town of Amherst planning board approved the construction plans for our third and final parking lot. This lot will be the final phase in our preparation for the Daemen Public Square, better known as the quad project, as we work to relocate parking spots from between Duns Scotus and Wick. As I have reported previously, we will break ground on the Daemen Public Square immediately following commencement.

Finally, I am also pleased to report some exciting updates to the division of Institutional Advancement. Now that we have strong and stable leadership over that area with the appointment of Dr. Mario Hicks, we will transition the Marketing and Communications division back to its original home under Institutional Advancement. We will conduct a national search for a Senior Director of Marketing next month. I would like to thank Dr. Greg Nayor for his leadership of the Marketing and Communications team during this interim period. He did an exceptional job guiding this important unit of the college.\

I hope you have a restful spring break and successful end to your semester.

Cordially,

Gary A. Olson
President

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Daemen University
Students, Faculty and Staff

Dear Colleagues,

I hope you and your family are staying safe and healthy and are looking forward to a rewarding semester.

I am thrilled to report that the DS Rehabilitation project continues to make significant progress and that we were able to open the building for classes and labs safely. Thanks to the diligent work of our team, we completed all the immediately necessary abatement before allowing people back into the building. Construction that is occurring in sealed rooms and corridors is being done to ensure we can get all rooms back online as quickly as possible. The remaining abatement work that needs to be completed for the campus bookstore and business office will be completed during an upcoming break. We will provide more information on that work as we get closer.

I am also pleased to report that significant work has been done by our Middle States Executive Committee to prepare the college to embark on the self-study process for Middle States re-accreditation. The self-study process provides the institution with an opportunity to convey our commitment to our mission, goals and continuous improvement and to provide evidence that we meet Middle States expectations for quality. The executive committee in conjunction with the steering committee have been developing potential working groups and we look forward to engaging the entire campus during this critical process.

Finally, as you saw last week in a letter from Provost Brogan, we are pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Greg Ford as our Founding Dean for the College of Health Professions. Please help me congratulate Dr. Ford on this new position! I hope you have a productive and enjoyable semester.

Cordially,

Gary A. Olson
President

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Daemen University
Students, Faculty and Staff

Dear Colleagues,

We continue to make great strides at our Amherst campus in repairing the damage in Duns Scotus Hall caused by the blizzard. Our dedicated team has been working nonstop on this important project. As is often the case with this type of work, though, our initial timeline will have to change as the repairs unfold. Our main focus continues to be ensuring community members’ safety while starting classes with as minimal interruption as possible.

With this in mind, we have determined that the best course of action is to delay the start of the spring term by one week, with classes now beginning on February 1, 2023. Spring Break will remain intact as it is a necessary reprieve for community members; however, we will need to cancel the spring holiday (Friday, April 7; Monday and Tuesday, April 10 and 11). This plan will not affect any other dates, including Academic Festival, the last day of classes, final exams, and Commencement.

Senior Vice President Nayor will follow-up this message with more detailed information in short order, which will then be placed on our DS Rehab website and will include additional information on temporary office realignments, room closures, and so on.

In addition, Provost Brogan will convene a meeting of all faculty for this Friday at noon to share details and answer questions. Academic Affairs will send out a separate message to faculty shortly with login information.

Please know that this situation remains fluid, and we will continue to pivot as the situation dictates.

While it is unfortunate that we have yet another crisis to manage, Daemen continues to navigate challenges creatively and with alacrity.

Thank you again for your continued patience and support.

Cordially,

Gary A. Olson
President