Hilbert College students helped plant trees and shrubs at Tifft Nature Preserve as a part of Hilbert College’s Franciscan Day of Service last month.

Tifft Nature Preserve is a 264-acre nature preserve that has been dedicated to conservation and environmental education. Tifft Nature preserve was bought by the City of Buffalo for the purpose of being a landfill. It wasn’t until the community recognized and voiced the ecological importance of the site that it was turned into a nature preserve.

Shianna Patten is a senior at Hilbert who participated in the service day activity at Tifft.  “It felt good to do something to help this preserve” she said, “even if it is something as small as planting a tree or shrub”.

Both trees and shrubs were planted and are hoped to grow into the open spaces in the years to come at Tifft. This is just one of many restorative projects Tifft Nature Preserve has planned.

Alex Gill was the leader of the group that attended the nature preserve. “I really enjoyed taking time to plant some trees and shrubs at the reserve” he said. “It felt good to help out and hopefully we will be able to go back when the trees are grown to see our work”

Halloween is right around the corner and what better way to get into the spirit than to participate in spirit week? The Office of Student Involvement is hosting a fun week leading up to Halloween for all students – commuters and residents – to participate in. Each day will be filled with fun activities to show your Halloween spirit. Candy will be available at every corner for students to take as they please.

Halloween spirit week events include:

-Dressing up in your Halloween Costume for classes

– Pumpkin painting

-Halloween Horror Video Game Night

-Halloween Dance

Felix Malave, a resident and student worker for the Office of Student Involvement said he is excited for the horror video game night.

“There will be a horror game on each TV for students to be able to come in and try out whatever game interests them,” he said.

The games available to be played are Clock Tower, Silent Hill, Resident Evil, Dead by Daylight.

“We are hoping to have all PlayStation and Xbox controllers available for use, if we have limited controllers, students will have to share and take turns playing games.” Malave said.  

Malave wanted to work for student involvement because he saw a need for more student participation around campus.

“I just hope students see the work we have tried to put into the events in order for everyone to be able to come and do what interests them.” he said.

Graduate Coordinator of Campus Involvement, Jhada Hutchinson said there are a variety of activities to give everyone an opportunity to get involved.

“We will do a costume contest, food, drinks and dancing,” Hutchinson said.

Dances have always been a student favorite here at Hilbert and what is more fun than doing the Monster Mash with a bunch of friends? “For pumpkin painting we are planning on painting ceramic pumpkins with cider and donuts.” she said.

Students are encouraged to check the Hilbert Involvement Instagram for updates on programming or stop down to the Student Life Office located in Franciscan Hall.

Spirit week events:

Monday October 25^th– Dress up in your Halloween costume for classes- all day

Tuesday October 26^th– Pumpkin painting- destination and time TBD

Wednesday October 27^th– Horror video game night in the Hawkade time TBD

Thursday October 28^th– Haunted Halls event cancelation- new event TBD

Friday October 29^th– Halloween Dance location 7pm – 10pm

The Hilbert community celebrates St. Francis Week with one of the school year’s most popular events, the Blessing of the Animals.

Sarah Bauch joined the Hilbert community this summer when she came on as the graduate coordinator for campus involvement, one of several positions filled recently in the office of residence life.

Sarah graduated from Niagara University with her Bachelor’s in Business Management and is getting her Master’s in Higher Education and Student Affairs at Buffalo State College.

Even though she has only been at Hilbert for a short time, Bauch is very happy to be here, she said.

“I’m excited to be able to bridge the gaps in this area and make a lot of good connections with students here at Hilbert,” Bauch said. “I would love to see student involvement ramp up, and for more students to feel at home here.”

Bauch noticed there is a big need for student guidance and assistance within the area of Residence Life. Sarah Bauch’s office is located in Trinity Hall behind the front desk, she said.

“If a student has any room issues, key issues, roommate conflicts or mental health issues, or just want to say hi, they can come see me,” she added.

So, what do the students think of these new changes? Brandon Kottwitz, a student worker who is very involved here on campus said he thinks the new hires are doing a great job.

“I feel that the new staffing changes within the Residence Life department are allowing for new and creative ideas to be implemented within housing,” Kottwitz said. “The new staff is amazing and already well known by the resident population.”

Brandon is not only a resident here on campus, but an active part of the Residence Life team.

“For Residence Life I mainly work in the Trinity Mailroom,” he said. “When working I am tasked with obtaining student packages from the Switchboard, logging and labeling student packages in our system and making sure the correct student is getting their mail or package. Other part of that job includes doing various tasks that the Residence Life department need done.”

Students are encouraged to stop by Trinity Hall to meet the members of the Residence Life team so they can familiarize themselves with staff who are here to help answer any residential questions and to get all the news about events that are happening around campus. Bauch really wants to be able to get to know each and every student in Residence Life, she said.

“I have an open-door policy, come see me if there is anything you need, or you just want to chat.”

One of the most eventful weeks at Hilbert College is right around the corner.

St. Francis week kicks off Sept. 30 with the Franciscan Day of Caring and wraps up with the New Mural Dedication on October 7. This week provides many fun events for students and staff, but also celebrates the Franciscan values here at Hilbert.

Some of the past events bring the same fun each year, such as the Franciscan Day of Caring. One of the favored returning events is the Blessing of the Animals, where students and staff can bring their pets to be blessed.

Tiffany Kuwik, a student at Hilbert College, plans to attend the Blessing of the Animals this Friday. “I’m most excited for the pet blessing,” Kuwik said. “I’m so excited to bring my puppy on campus.”

Jeff Pappia, Vice President for Mission Integration and Campus Ministry, has been part of the Hilbert community for about 4 years. His favorite part of St. Francis week is bringing people together for the events while celebrating Franciscan values.

“My favorite thing about St. Francis was that he was so influential. He started a worldwide movement, but he didn’t do this by having the most money. He did this by doing the exact opposite,” Pappia explained. “He dwelt and lived serving the poor, the forgotten. He was humble and meek. It speaks to the power of kindness, of love and of compassion.”

One of the new events this St. Francis Week is the lecture, “Brother Sun, Sister Thea: A Celebration of the Franciscan Life and Legacy of Sr. Thea Bowman through the Art and Stories of Brother Mickey McGrath, OSFS.” Sister Thea Bowman is just one of six African-Americans in the Catholic Church on the path to Sainthood.

Pappia said her story and the effort to make her a saint exemplifies Franciscan values.

“Our Franciscan identity doesn’t just suggest we do the work of racial or social justice, it demands it,” he said. “So this is incredibly important.”

Papia is also excited about the mural by Br. Mickey McGrath and how it will bring the community together. He clarified that this event will involve group participation. “He’s going to trace the mural and then people from the community will help paint it. So if you’re walking by and there’s a brush available, grab one and help paint!”

Be sure to check out all of the events this week! Below is the full St. Francis Week schedule:

2021 St. Francis Week Schedule

September 30: Franciscan Day of Caring

Time: 800am-2:00pm

October 1: The Blessing of the Animals

Location: Outside of St. Clare Chapel (Rain Location: Chapel)

Time: 12:00pm

October 4: Mass for the Feast of St. Francis

Location: Main Quad Tent (Rain Location: Chapel)

Time: 12:00pm

October 5: College-Wide Picnic Lunch

Location: Main Quad Tent (Rain Location: Dining Hall)

Time: 11:00am-12:15pm

October 5: Keynote Lecture with Br. Mickey McGrath, OSFS

Location: Swan Auditorium

Time: 4:00pm-5:00pm

October 7: New Mural Dedication

Location: West Herr Atrium

Time: 4:30pm