Mission

Niagara University Accounting Students Offering Free Help for 2024 Tax Returns

February 4, 2025

It’s tax season, and accounting students from Niagara University’s Holzschuh College of Business Administration and members of its Accounting Society and Beta Alpha Psi will again provide members of the Niagara Falls community free tax preparation assistance through the Internal Revenue Service’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program.

Niagara University's 2024 VMI cohort traveled to DePaul University to attend an opening retreat and conference Nov. 14-16, 2024. Pictured, front row: Ellen Owens, director of the Castellani Art Museum, and Dr. Fernando Naranjo, assistant professor of management. Back row, Dr. Chris Lee, associate professor of political science; Rev. Gregory J. Semeniuk, C.M., S.Th.D., executive vice president for mission and ministry; and Evan Clarke, senior associate dean of Ontario graduate programs.

Vincentian Mission Institute Announces 2024-26 Niagara University Cohort

November 18, 2024

Members of Niagara University’s 2024-26 Vincentian Mission Institute cohort attended an opening retreat and conference Nov. 14-16 at De Paul University. Now in its 17th year, the VMI facilitates relationship-building among peers at the three Vincentian universities in the United States—Niagara, DePaul, and St. John’s—as they develop leadership capacity to advance the schools’ Catholic and Vincentian missions.

The Rev. James J. Maher, C.M., Niagara University president, with Vincentian Heritage Convocation honorees Sister Carol Keehan, D.C., former president/CEO of Catholic Health Association of the U.S.; Dr. Joseph B. Polat, executive director of the Buffalo Academy of Science Charter School and Rochester Academy of Science; Rev. Craig D. Pridgen, pastor of the True Bethel Church in Niagara Falls; Dr. Shannon Risk, associate professor of history at Niagara University; and Olivia Sheldon, a member of NU’s Class of 2024.

Niagara University Honors Five for Outstanding Work in the Spirit of St. Vincent De Paul

September 27, 2024

As part of its celebration of Vincentian Heritage Week, Niagara University recognized the extraordinary contributions of five individuals who have lived the mission of St. Vincent de Paul at its annual convocation Sept. 26, 2024.

Matt Chavez, ’08, in the mid-city neighborhood of Niagara Falls, where he is currently working on several properties.

Focus on Area Alums: Matt Chavez, ’08

September 24, 2024

Matt Chavez, ’08, is the land bank project manager for the Niagara Orleans Regional Land Improvement Corporation, a nonprofit organization formed by an intermunicipal agreement between five foreclosing governmental units (the cities of Niagara Falls, North Tonawanda, and Lockport; Niagara County; and Orleans County).

Denise Gonez-Santos; Sr. Roberta Fulton, SSMN; Deacon Miguel Santos; Dr. Althea Porter, and Father Greg Semeniuk, C.M., at Hispanic Family Day at Fatima Shrine.

Rev. Greg Semeniuk Is Guest Speaker During Fatima Shrine’s Annual Hispanic Family Day

September 16, 2024

The Rev. Greg Semeniuk, C.M., vice president of mission at Niagara University, celebrated the Eucharist and spoke about the meaning of Holy Year 2025 at Fatima Shrine in Lewiston, N.Y., on Aug. 24 as part of the shrine’s Annual Hispanic Family Day.

“If You Want Peace, Work for Justice,” Is Theme of Niagara University’s Annual Vincentian Heritage Week Celebration

September 16, 2024

Niagara University will celebrate its annual Vincentian Heritage Week Sept. 21-28, 2024, with a series of events that highlight its rich history of education and service in the spirit of St. Vincent de Paul and this year’s theme, “If you want peace, work for justice.”

Cary Newman, operations manager, Levesque Institute for Civic Engagement; Dr. Karen Kwandrans, associate vice president for strategic and external relations; Kevin Forma, director of planning and environmental for the City of Niagara Falls; Mary Minix, Niagara University sophomore; Tyra Johnson Hux, WNY operations director, LISC; Niagara Falls Mayor Robert Restaino; Gina Beam, executive director, Niagara Area Habitat for Humanity; the Rev. James Maher, C.M., Niagara University president; Dr. Yonghong Tong, associate professor, computer and information sciences; Joshua Greene, planner, LaBella Associates; Rebecca Smith, civil regional manager/data intelligence group Buffalo lead, LaBella Associates; Greg Coniglio, data intelligence group lead, LaBella Associates; Matthew Chaves, project manager, NORLIC.

Niagara University Launches Online Interactive Community Assessment and Mapping Tool

September 13, 2024

Niagara University, in collaboration with local stakeholders, announced the release of the “Within Mid-City Niagara Falls Housing and Community Assessment and Public Web Mapping Tool,” on Sept. 13, 2024, in the Russell Salvatore Dining Commons on the university’s campus. This innovative tool, developed through a partnership with the City of Niagara Falls, LaBella Associates, and other key community organizations, marks a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to revitalize the mid-city area of Niagara Falls.

Phillip Catanese (left), director of centers & college outreach at Niagara University, accepts the IlioDiPaolo Humanitarian Award from Dennis DiPaolo.

Phil Catanese Honored for Community Service

July 24, 2024

Phillip Catanese, director of centers & college outreach in Niagara University's Holzschuh College of Business Administration, received the Ilio DiPaolo Humanitarian Award on July 23 as part of the Buffalo Bisons Italian Night Festival.

Niagara University’s Vincentian Mission Institute cohort 8 at the VMI Commencement on April 12, 2024. Left to right: Dr. Mark Frascatore; Dr. Tamara Minor; Jeremy Colby; Dr. Carol Doyle-Jones; the Rev. James Maher, C.M., NU president; the Rev. Greg Semeniuk, C.M., NU vice president for mission integration; and Dr. Vennessa Walker.

Vincentian Heritage Sustained Through Vincentian Mission Institute

June 11, 2024

The voice of St. Vincent de Paul can be “heard” in classrooms, hallways, and common areas throughout the Niagara University campus on artwork featuring some of his most popular quotations. The installations were the capstone project undertaken by Niagara’s cohort in the Vincentian Mission Institute, an 18-month program sponsored by Niagara, St. John’s, and DePaul universities that seeks to prepare lay senior leadership to support the distinctive Vincentian and Catholic mission and identity of their institutions.

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