NU “Town and Gown” collaboration

Over the centuries the relationship between “Town”and ‘Gown” has been checkered. (Wikipedia)

However, in a new level of outreach and collaboration Fr.  James J. Maher, C.M., Niagara University president, will participate in a “town hall” meeting Feb. 13, 2014, at 6 p.m. in the Governor’s Room at the Conference & Event Center Niagara Falls (101 Old Falls St.).

“The town hall meeting with Father Maher provides another level of dialogue with the community to help discern areas where the university can better plug in our resources to further the ongoing revitalization efforts in the City of Niagara Falls,” said Dr. David Taylor, director of the Levesque Institute.

This meeting is part of a larger series of meetings that have been organized by the university’s flagship community outreach program, ReNU Niagara, a program designed to build residential and organizational capacity in the city and surrounding areas. ReNU Niagara is part of theRev. Joseph L. Levesque, C.M., Institute for Civic Engagement.

The meetings were scheduled as ReNU Niagara nears the conclusion of a pair of grant-funded projects, Creating a Healthier Niagara Falls, funded by the John R. Oishei Foundation and the Vacant Lot Initiative, funded through the City of Niagara Falls’ Community Development Block Grant process.

Members of the public are invited to participate in this event to hear from Niagara University’s 26th president regarding his preliminary vision for Niagara University. Father Maher, who came to NU in August 2013 after 23 years at St. John’s University, will present brief opening remarks, followed byonversation among meeting participants.

For more information visit the Niagara University website.