by Tom Gallagher
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According to a report from the the Niagara Frontier Publications:
Niagara University, Niagara Catholic Jr./Sr. High School and the Catholic Diocese of Buffalo held a signing ceremony today to enter into a formal memorandum of understanding.
The MOU was signed by the Rev. James J. Maher, C.M., president of Niagara University; Judith Nolan Powell, chair of the Niagara Catholic board of trustees; and the Most Rev. Richard J. Malone, bishop of Buffalo. The signing took place in Bisgrove Hall on the Niagara University campus.
The report went on to say:
"Niagara University has a longstanding history of collaboration with the Diocese of Buffalo and Niagara Catholic High School," Maher said. "Collectively, we recognize and celebrate the various ways in which this relationship has been of true service to each other's institution of Catholic education and, therefore, a service to the greater community - especially Niagara Falls. We are in agreement that this collaboration will serve to create an environment that will sustain and promote a vibrant Catholic education in Niagara Falls."
The overall components of the collaboration states Niagara University and Niagara Catholic High School will:
•Apply the Vincentian mission in defining Catholic education, sharing faith formation and assisting in service to those most in need.
•Expand curricular choices though the use of academic, athletic and cultural facilities at the university, and continue a focus on college preparation through courses offered in the NUSTEP program.
•Create a new international focus at the high school, extending high school opportunities and experiences within a global and increasingly diverse world.
•Further develop NU's Hospitality and Tourism Academy as a central career focus at NCHS to include industry-oriented programming, internships and workforce incentives in the world's single largest industry.
•Develop comprehensive professional development strategies that will provide powerful incentives in the retention of quality teachers at NCHS.
•Align messaging of collaboration between NCHS and NU.
•Engage local and regional business, public and private education, community members and organizations, NCHS alumni in the momentum for significant change and renewal.