The Bona Venture

Issue date: 5/1/09 Section: News

Media Credit: Becky McKeown Father Dan Riley, O.F.M., is scheduled to receive the Gaudete Medal tonight in recognition of his work at St. Bonaventure.

Father Dan Riley, O.F.M., fills many roles at St. Bonaventure University: spiritual mentor, friend, even just "the friar with the laugh." But starting today, he'll have another, more official moniker: recipient of the 2009 Gaudete Medal.

"The Gaudete Medal honors business and community leaders who exemplify the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi through their joy, hope, positive outlook on life, sincerely compassionate spirit and desire to serve others," according to the university's Web site.

The award ceremony is being held tonight at the Country Club of Buffalo in Buffalo, N.Y. More than 440 guests are expected, Emily Sinsabaugh, vice president for university relations, wrote in an e-mail.

"This event is now actually more than sold out," she wrote in an e-mail. "There will be more guests in attendance at this event than ever in the history of the event. This is a wonderful tribute to Father Dan's legacy and service, as well as the university's 150th Anniversary."

Although tickets for the dinner and ceremony cost $150, several donors allocated money to be spent enabling student attendance. Student volunteers solicited interest from the student body, and a record number showed interest, Sinsabaugh wrote.

"We received an overwhelming response from students, particularly in consideration of the fact that the event falls on the Friday of Spring Weekend," she wrote. "We have 40 students attending."

Jeff Butler, a senior accounting major who plans to attend the ceremony, said traveling to Buffalo to support Father Dan was an easy choice to make.

"Father Dan has helped me through a lot … he really helped me through a lot … he really helped me explore my spirituality," Butler said. "He's been like a brother to me. (Attending the Gaudete Ceremony) is the least I can do."

University-owned vans will transport students to the event.

Father Dan, '64, said the student response touched him.

"I felt badly that it was going to be on Spring Weekend because it collided with a big student event," he said. "I'm very honored they want to be there."

The Gaudete ceremony is an opportunity for the university to showcase its students, not him, Father Dan said.

Continued...

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