Niagara University announces successful $130 million fundraising campaign

Niagara University has surpassed the $125 million goal for its “Powering Transformation” capital campaign, raising $130 million over the eight-year campaign.

More than 9,400 people contributed to the largest fundraising campaign in Niagara’s 166-year history, said Niagara President Rev. James Maher.

Thanks to the campaign, the university also:

• Reestablished its School of Nursing as the College of Nursing and instituted a new biomedical sciences research laboratory on the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus.

• Partnered with the Buffalo Sabers to launch the Sabers Scholars program, which provides students with special access and mentorship from the NHL Sabers leadership team, LECOM Harborcenter and other sports and hospitality venues from Western New York.

• Completed the $11.5 million renovation of the Kiernan Recreation Center and created a state-of-the-art sports lounge and Esports gaming area.

• Start of an 18,000 square foot expansion of the Niagara University campus in Vaughan, Ontario, established in 2019. The addition of modern classrooms, expanded collaboration spaces, student lounges and offices for faculty will enhance Niagara’s presence as a binational university in the United States and Canada, Maher said.

• Creation of an academic innovation hub in the Bridge District of Niagara Falls, focused on early childhood development, economic development, community collaboration and resident health and well-being to strengthen the Niagara University’s commitment to the revitalization of the city.

The campaign also funded a variety of goals, including endowed faculty positions in chemistry, professional ethics, pre-professional health, food industry innovation, and supply chain management. supply, racial equality and mission, as well as theatrical and vocal performances.

Niagara received 32 donations of $1 million or more, 106 donations of $100,000 or more and 162 donations of at least $25,000. Donors spanned classes from 1938 to 2027 and hailed from nearly all 50 states; the District of Columbia; Ontario; and the Virgin Islands.

Maher said campaign chairman Jeffrey R. Holzschuh and his wife, Mary Helen, became the largest benefactors in university history with their $10 million gift to support the scholarship program course for university administrators for business and nursing students.

A $5 million gift from Edward and Deborah Brennan created the Lois Lyon Brennan Scholars Program to provide high-achieving students from disadvantaged communities with access to programs at Niagara. Another $30 million was pledged in current and endowed scholarships to support students in all programs at the university, Maher said.

And a $3.5 million gift from William and Nancy Gacioch will increase internship opportunities by providing stipends for students while they complete an unpaid internship.

“When we embarked on this journey in early 2017 and set a goal of $125 million, we knew it would be a challenge. Yet it was a challenge worth taking on because of what it represented: a commitment to excellence, innovation and the future of Niagara University,” said Jeffrey Holzschuh.

Bryant & Stratton College is launching a bachelor’s degree in nursing program in its Western New York market beginning in September. The college has offered nursing programs since 2005 and currently has more than 2,000 nursing students enrolled in Rochester, Syracuse, Wisconsin, Ohio and Virginia.

The program will be offered for the first time at the college’s Southtowns campus in Orchard Park to help meet the critical need for nurses in Western New York.

Bryant & Stratton also offers healthcare degrees in Physician Assisting, Occupational Therapy Assistant, Physical Therapy Assistant, Health Services Administration, and Medical Reimbursement and Coding.

During the 2024 tax season, 97 IRS-certified accounting students from the University at Buffalo School of Management brought nearly $307,000 back into the Buffalo community through the school’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program.

Students from the UB Accounting Association and the UB chapter of Beta Alpha Psi, the specialized international organization for students and professionals in accounting and finance, led the initiative which provided 1,845 hours of tax service, preparing more than 400 returns for individuals and families with annual incomes less than $73,000.

More than $98,000 of the total came from the Earned Income Credit, which targets low-income families in need of additional financial support, said Ananth Iyer, dean of the School of Management.

“Our student volunteers have juggled challenging course loads and dedicated countless weekends to providing this crucial service,” Iyer said. “This is a shining example of the positive impact that School of Management students have on our community. »

In total, School of Management student volunteers have brought more than $13.3 million in tax refunds to the region since 2008 by preparing 10,465 tax returns. About $2.8 million came from the earned income credit.

Welcome to Buffalo Next. This newsletter from The Buffalo News will bring you the latest on developments in Buffalo Niagara’s economy – from real estate to health care to startups. Learn more at BuffaloNext.com.

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The Buffalo Next team gives you insight into the region’s economic revitalization. Email tips to [email protected] or contact Buffalo Next editor David Robinson at 716-849-4435.

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