Medaille College

Say Yes Buffalo announced Thursday its first-ever funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The powerhouse foundation will invest $2.9 million over the next 22 months for the newly established Buffalo College Success Network.

After some final tinkering with the design, the Buffalo Planning Board on Monday approved a massive graduate student housing complex at Main Street and Hertel Avenue. Digging may start within weeks on an environmental cleanup, clearing the way for the complex.

Over objections from an adjacent major employer, the city Planning Board has approved construction of a sports field and large indoor field house in an industrial section of South Buffalo.

Last month some student radio hosts at the University of Minnesota, Morris were kicked-off their airwaves during their live broadcast for what was considered inappropriate comments.  WBFO’s senior reporter Eileen Buckley talked with some local media communication majors who follow strict on-air rules on campus radio. 

Medaille College has received a grant from a U.S. Department of Education program that helps low-income, first-generation college-bound students prepare for higher education. The college will partner with Buffalo Public Schools to use those funds.

The very first class of Say Yes Buffalo students to achieve four completed years of college is ready to graduate. WBFO's senior reporter Eileen Buckley met with one of the Say Yes scholars who will be graduating from Medaille College this month.  

Several of the region's private colleges say Gov. Andrew Cuomo's proposal for free state college would have a negative effect on their schools. WBFO's Senior Reporter Eileen Buckley says members of the Medaille College community are being encouraged to write to state lawmakers to consider an increase for the Tuition Assistance Program instead of supporting the tuition-free plan for SUNY.   

Students return to the Medaille College campus in Buffalo Monday under brand new leadership.  Dr. Kenneth Macur will serve as the 7th president of the school, replacing Dr. Richard Jurasek, who retired at the end of last semester. Macur is the former Provost and Dean of Bethany College in Kansas.  WBFO's Focus on Education Reporter Eileen Buckley met with the new leader in his college office.

Citing unspecified health reasons, Medaille College President Richard Jurasek says he's retiring at the end of the academic year.

High college costs have caused declining enrollment and financial difficulties for some area private colleges. Enrollment is down at both Canisius and Medaille Colleges in Buffalo.

Medaille College broke ground on the Sullivan Campus Center expansion Tuesday. The college is expanding the current student center located on the Buffalo campus.

The $5.5 million dollar expansion will include more space for dining, a commuter lounge, fitness center and a larger gymnasium.

The center is named after the college's fourth president the late Kevin Sullivan.

Medaille Student Government President Jessica Newcombe said she hopes the center will help bring students together for a full college experience.