43 Notable alumni of
Canisius College
Updated:
Canisius College is 1459th in the world, 518th in North America, and 486th in the United States by aggregated alumni prominence. Below is the list of 43 notable alumni from Canisius College sorted by their wiki pages popularity. The directory includes famous graduates and former students along with research and academic staff.
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Beth Phoenix
- Occupations
- professional wrestler
- Biography
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Elizabeth Copeland, known professionally as Beth Phoenix, is an American professional wrestler. She is signed to WWE. She is a former WWE Divas Champion and a three-time WWE Women's Champion.
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Anne Burrell
- Occupations
- cheftelevision presenter
- Biography
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Anne W. Burrell is an American chef, television personality, and former instructor at the Institute of Culinary Education. She is the host of the Food Network show Secrets of a Restaurant Chef and co-host of Worst Cooks in America. She was also one of the Iron Chefs, Mario Batali's sous chefs in the Iron Chef America series and appears on other programs on the network such as The Best Thing I Ever Ate. She was a contestant on the fourth season of The Food Network competition show, The Next Iron Chef Super Chefs being eliminated in episode 6. She was also a contestant on the first season of Chopped All-Stars Tournament, winning the "Food Network Personalities" preliminary round to advance to the final round, where she placed second runner up to Nate Appleman and Aarón Sanchez. In 2015, Burrell won the fourth installment of the Chopped All-Stars tournament winning $75,000 for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. She also hosted the series Chef Wanted with Anne Burrell in 2012–2013.
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Katie Arrington
- Occupations
- politician
- Biography
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Katherine Elizabeth Arrington is an American politician who was in the South Carolina House of Representatives from the 94th district for a single term, from 2017 to 2019. In 2018, she defeated former South Carolina Governor and incumbent Congressman Mark Sanford in the Republican primary for South Carolina's 1st congressional district but lost to Democrat Joe Cunningham in the general election. In the 2022 Republican primary, she sought to win the nomination again, but was defeated by incumbent representative Nancy Mace.
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Cory Conacher
- Occupations
- ice hockey player
- Biography
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Cory Conacher is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre who is currently playing for the Chicago Wolves of the American Hockey League (AHL).
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Bill Paxon
- Enrolled in Canisius College
- In 1977 graduated with Bachelor of Arts
- Occupations
- lobbyistpolitician
- Biography
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Leon William Paxon is an American lobbyist and former member of the United States House of Representatives from New York. From 1989 to 1999, he served five terms in Congress.
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Chris Manhertz
- Occupations
- player of American footballbasketball player
- Biography
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Chris Manhertz is an American football tight end for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL). He was signed by the Buffalo Bills as an undrafted free agent in 2015. He played college basketball at Canisius.
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Mike Smrek
- Occupations
- basketball player
- Biography
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Michael Francis Smrek is a Canadian former professional basketball player. He was selected in the second round of the 1985 NBA draft by the Portland Trail Blazers, and played seven seasons in the league as a backup 7-foot (2.1 m) center. He won two NBA championships with the Los Angeles Lakers.
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Damon Young
- Occupations
- writer
- Biography
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Damon Young is an American writer and editor. He is the co-founder of the website Very Smart Brothas. Young released his first book, What Doesn't Kill You Makes You Blacker, in 2019 with HarperCollins.
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Nelson Baker
- Occupations
- priest
- Biography
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Nelson Henry Baker was a Catholic priest and church administrator in the Buffalo, New York, area. At the time of his death in 1936, he had developed a "city of charity" at Our Lady of Victory Basilica in Lackawanna, New York. It consisted of a minor basilica, an infant home, a home for unwed mothers, a boys' orphanage, a boys' protectory, a hospital, a nurses' house, and a grade and high school.
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Bhaktisvarupa Damodar Swami
- Occupations
- poet
- Biography
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Bhaktisvarupa Damodara Swami, also known as Dr. Thoudam Damodara Singh and by the honorific Sripada (Śrīpāda), was a Gaudiya Vaishnava spiritual leader, chemist, writer about religion and science, and poet. In 1971 he received spiritual initiation from A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. A few years later he became one of the religious leaders of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (also known as the Hare Krishna Movement).
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Kassius Robertson
- Occupations
- basketball player
- Biography
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Kassius Robertson is a Canadian professional basketball player for Valencia of the Liga ACB and the EuroLeague. He competed in college basketball for Canisius and Missouri.
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Anthony Masiello
- Occupations
- politician
- Biography
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Anthony M. Masiello is an American politician and former basketball player who served as Mayor of Buffalo, New York from 1994 to 2005. Prior to being mayor, he served as a member of the New York State Senate. He is currently president of Masiello, Martucci and Associates, a Buffalo-based lobbying firm.
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Donald Pinkel
- Occupations
- physician
- Biography
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Donald Paul Pinkel was an American physician who specialized in pediatric hematology and oncology. Pinkel made contributions to cures for several forms of childhood cancer, including leukemia.
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Robert Ortt
- Occupations
- politician
- Biography
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Robert Gary Ortt II is an American military veteran, treasurer, and politician who is a member of the New York State Senate. Ortt represents the 62nd district, which covers Niagara and Orleans counties. First elected in 2014, Ortt is a Republican.
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Johnny McCarthy
- Occupations
- basketball playerbasketball coach
- Biography
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John Joseph McCarthy was an American basketball player and coach. A 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) point guard, he played college basketball and was an All-American at Canisius College. He was selected by the Rochester Royals in the 1956 NBA draft. He played a total of six seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA)—two for the Royals, three for the St. Louis Hawks, and one for the Boston Celtics.
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Mary Wittenberg
- Occupations
- marathon runnerlawyer
- Biography
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Mary Wittenberg is an American sports executive who formerly served as president of professional women's soccer club NJ/NY Gotham FC. She was previously the president of the EF Education–EasyPost cycling team, and president and chief executive officer of New York Road Runners (NYRR) through May 18, 2015. Wittenberg oversaw the TCS New York City Marathon and several other races, events, and programs that draw over 300,000 yearly participants.
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Frank A. Sedita
- Occupations
- politician
- Biography
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Frank Albert Sedita was an American attorney and politician who served as the 56th and 58th mayor of Buffalo, New York.
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Satrio Budihardjo Joedono
- Occupations
- economistpolitician
- Biography
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Satrio "Billy" Budihardjo Joedono was an Indonesian economist who served as Minister of Trade from 1993 to 1995. He graduated at the top level from Canisius College.
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Charles Jordan
- Occupations
- basketball player
- Biography
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Charles C. Jordan was an American professional basketball player who played for one season for the Indiana Pacers of the American Basketball Association (ABA). He then spent the remainder of his career overseas, including stops in France and Italy.
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Lawrence J. Vilardo
- Occupations
- judge
- Biography
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Lawrence Joseph Vilardo is a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of New York.
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James T. Molloy
- Years
- 1936-2011 (aged 75)
- Biography
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James Thomas Molloy was elected Doorkeeper of the House of Representatives during the 93rd Congress in 1974 and served through the 103rd Congress. As Doorkeeper, he introduced six Presidents, several heads of state and other dignitaries in joint sessions and other congressional events. Molloy was the last Doorkeeper of the House of Representatives.
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John F. Marszalek
- Years
- 1939-.. (age 85)
- Occupations
- university teacherhistorian
- Biography
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John F. Marszalek is an American historian who served as Executive Director and Managing Editor of the Ulysses S. Grant Association and The Papers of Ulysses S. Grant project from 2008 to 2022.
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Henry J. Nowak
- Occupations
- politicianlawyer
- Biography
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Henry James Nowak is an American lawyer, politician, and a former Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives from New York between 1975 and 1993.
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John J. LaFalce
- Enrolled in Canisius College
- In 1961 graduated with Bachelor of Science
- Occupations
- politicianlawyer
- Biography
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John Joseph LaFalce is an American politician who served as a Congressman from the state of New York from 1975 to 2003. He retired in 2002 after his district was merged with that of a fellow Democrat.
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John Thomas Curtin
- Occupations
- judgelawyermilitary officer
- Biography
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John Thomas Curtin was a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of New York from 1967 to 2017 and its Chief Judge from 1974 to 1989.
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Richard D. McCarthy
- Occupations
- politician
- Biography
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Richard Dean “Max” McCarthy was an American newspaperman and politician who served three terms as a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives from New York from 1965 to 1971.
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Walter J. Mahoney
- Occupations
- politicianjudgelawyer
- Biography
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Walter J. Mahoney was an American lawyer and politician.
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Edwin J. Roland
- Occupations
- military officer
- Biography
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Edwin John Roland, was a United States Coast Guard admiral and served as the twelfth Commandant of the Coast Guard from 1962 to 1966. During his tenure, Roland oversaw the replacement of many World War II era cutters under fleet modernization programs. He also assisted the U.S. Navy with operations in Vietnam by supplying crews and cutters for Operation Market Time. Roland was noted for his support in efforts to bring international safety standards to merchant shipping. Although Roland was already retired when the Coast Guard was transferred from the Department of Treasury to the newly formed Department of Transportation in 1967, he was largely responsible for the planning for the move and the Coast Guard retaining its military responsibilities along with its transportation related functions.
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Dan Carnevale
- Occupations
- baseball player
- Biography
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Daniel Joseph Carnevale was an American professional baseball shortstop, second baseman, manager, coach, and scout. Born in Buffalo, New York, Carnevale threw and batted right-handed, stood 6 feet 2 inches (1.88 m) tall and weighed 175 pounds (79 kg). Carnevale also played professional basketball for one season in the National Basketball League for the Buffalo Bisons.
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Dennis Thomas Flynn
- Occupations
- politicianlawyer
- Biography
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Dennis Thomas Flynn was an American politician and a Delegate from Oklahoma Territory to the United States House of Representatives.
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Denise O'Donnell
- Occupations
- politician
- Biography
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Denise O'Donnell is an attorney who served as director of the Bureau of Justice Assistance, as New York State commissioner of criminal justice services, and assistant secretary to the Governor for Criminal Justice in the Cabinet of Governor David Paterson. She previously held the roles in the Cabinet of former Governor Eliot Spitzer.
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Tommy Colella
- Occupations
- player of American football
- Biography
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Thomas Anthony Colella was an American professional football halfback, punter and safety who played in the National Football League (NFL) and All-America Football Conference (AAFC) for the Detroit Lions, the Cleveland Rams, the Cleveland Browns and the Buffalo Bills.
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Frank Lazarus
- Years
- 1944-.. (age 80)
- Biography
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Francis M. "Frank" Lazarus is an American retired educator and higher education administrator. He served as the president of the University of Dallas in Irving, Texas, from 2004 until 2009, when he was honored by the board of trustees with the title president emeritus.
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Paul Childress
- Occupations
- powerlifter
- Biography
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Paul Childress is an American powerlifter. He holds the World Powerlifting Organization world record in the 308 lb. weight class with a squat of 1147.5 lb. and has the third best total in the world with 2662.1 lb. He has been a major part of the fitness industry for 25 years.
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Alex De Carolis
- Occupations
- association football player
- Biography
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Alex De Carolis is a Canadian professional soccer player who plays as a defender for Swedish club IFK Eskilstuna.
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Sean Jamieson
- Occupations
- baseball player
- Biography
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Sean Robert Jamieson is a Canadian former professional baseball infielder.
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Sara Rún Hinriksdóttir
- Occupations
- basketball player
- Biography
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Sara Rún Hinriksdóttir is an Icelandic basketball player who currently plays for Keflavík and the Icelandic national basketball team. She played college basketball for Canisius in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference. She is a four time Icelandic Female Basketball Player of the Year.
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Dick Poillon
- Occupations
- player of American football
- Biography
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Richard Charles Poillon was an American football halfback in the National Football League (NFL) for the Washington Redskins. He scored a career 247 points and was the Redskins' leading scorer for three years.
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Michael Uschold
- Years
- 1955-.. (age 69)
- Occupations
- artificial intelligence researchercomputer scientist
- Biography
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Michael F. Uschold is an American computer scientist, Artificial Intelligence researcher, and consultant, known for his work on knowledge representation and ontology.
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Michael Liebel, Jr
- Occupations
- politician
- Biography
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Michael Liebel Jr. was the Mayor of Erie, Pennsylvania, from 1906 to 1911, and a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives from Pennsylvania, from 1915 to 1917.
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Paul G. Bulger
- Years
- 1913-2000 (aged 87)
- Biography
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Dr. Paul Grutzner Bulger was the third president of Buffalo State College (State University of New York, College at Buffalo), serving from July 1, 1959 until January 1, 1967.
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Samuel J. Ramsperger
- Years
- 1862-1936 (aged 74)
- Occupations
- politician
- Biography
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Samuel J. Ramsperger was an American politician from New York.
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Herm Brunotte
- Years
- 1921-2010 (aged 89)
- Occupations
- basketball player
- Biography
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Herman Henry "Herm" Brunotte was an American college and professional basketball player.
