By Hannah Gordon
Assistant News Editor
The deans of St. Bonaventure will venture to Rochester, N.Y. to expand their respective schools’ opportunities at Meet the Deans Night on Nov. 14 at The Genesee Valley Club on East Avenue at 5:30 p.m.
Pierre Balthazard, dean of the school of business; Pauline Hoffmann, dean of the school of journalism and mass communication; Wolfgang Natter, dean of the school of arts and sciences; and Joseph Zimmer, dean of the school of education, along with several staff members from the offices of university advancement and alumni services, will attend the event hosted by Sister Margaret Carney, O.S.F., university president.
“The purpose is to provide up-to-date information and raise awareness about St. Bonaventure University’s vibrant academic environment,” Monica Mattioli, executive director of alumni operations, said.
Each of the deans will speak on behalf of their programs and will also discuss the emerging academic opportunities, according to Mattioli.
Zimmer said he looks forward to promoting his program and St. Bonaventure.
“We all have our own excellent programs and initiatives to promote, and so many times the university is promoted as a whole,” Zimmer said. “This gives me and the other deans an opportunity to describe the excellence of our faculty and programs, specifically in our schools.”
The target for this year’s program is the Greater Rochester area and the Finger Lakes. Alumni, as well as parents, supporters, local educators and community influencers are welcomed to attend, according to Mattioli.
Local businesses are also taking an interest in the program because they can gain St. Bonaventure students as new employees.
“In addition to the formal program, the deans will visit several Rochester businesses and organizations during the day,” said Mattioli. “These visits will result in new partnerships, internships and job opportunities for current students. Each dean’s itinerary has been tailored specifically to his or her school.”
Hoffmann said she expects a similar outcome to last year’s Meet the Deans event, which she said was a success.
“I thought we were able to communicate with alumni and parents of current students in a way we aren’t normally able to,” Hoffmann said. “Each of us spoke for a few minutes about some of the dynamic changes in our schools and were able to talk about where we are headed.”
Aside from building relationships and promoting St. Bonaventure, Meet the Deans has smoothed the transition of four new deans in the past three years, according to Zimmer.
“We thought it would be a good idea to introduce us to the community and show the strong team of deans we have moving into the future,” Zimmer said. “There was a lot of angst when we had such a turnover, but I believe these events show us to be a congenial group of friends working together toward the shared goal of promoting excellence at St. Bonaventure University.”
According to Hoffmann, Meet the Deans will continue to be relevant even after all four deans have held their positions for an extended amount of time.
“Events like this are important, so that we may show the four of us have an incredibly collegial relationship,” Hoffmann said. “We are all committed to St. Bonaventure and to our faculty and students. We want engagement with alumni and friends. We want to reach out and be visible.”
There is a fee of $25.00 per person to attend Meet the Deans. A reception will be held prior to the program. A special courtesy will be extended to members of the 1858 Legacy Society.
