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ST. BONAVENTURE — Dr. Jeff Gingerich has signed a contract extension that will keep him in place as St. Bonaventure University’s president through May 2030. The university’s Board of Trustees previously approved the extension. “I’m grateful to our trustees for their show of faith in my leadership. These first three years as president of this remarkable university have been the most fulfilling of my career in higher education,” Gingerich said. “But I want to be clear that their show of faith is just as much about the tremendous work of the administrators, faculty and staff I’ve been blessed to be surrounded with as it is about me.” Gingerich, who’s worked in higher education since 2000, began his presidency at SBU in the summer of 2022. Since then, the university has welcomed the three largest freshman classes in 20 years, with total enrollment in fall 2024 — undergraduate and graduate — reaching the fourth-highest mark in university history. “Our Board’s unanimous approval of Jeff's contract extension is a testament to Jeff's dedicated leadership. We’ve had extraordinary momentum under his tenure, including record student enrollment, new academic programs and greater engagement in the community,” said Michael Hickey, chair of the Board. “We’re very pleased with Jeff’s contributions to our Bolder Bonaventure fundraising campaign and commitment to increasing our endowment. His vision and orchestration of a long-term strategic plan will set the stage for growth and a vibrant future at St. Bonaventure.” Gingerich has traveled extensively across the country during his first three years, meeting with alumni and donors as the university nears the end of its seven-year Bolder Bonaventure campaign. The university is on the brink of reaching its $125 million fundraising goal well before the campaign ends May 31. Work on one of the pillars of the campaign — the major renovation of the Jandoli School of Communication — is scheduled to begin this spring. Gingerich has also worked to increase administrative transparency, communicating with the campus community through regularly scheduled Town Halls, President’s Hours and email updates on topics ranging from sustainability efforts and NCAA challenges to university finances and the complexity of building a budget. In his desire to enhance the university’s relationship with the neighboring Seneca Nation of Indians, the president worked to establish a committee made up of university and Seneca leaders to work on initiatives to rekindle their relationship, including the development of a Land Acknowledgement Statement. The land upon which SBU sits was once Seneca land. Gingerich also established a Sustainability Task Force and charged the University Planning Commission with developing a new strategic plan. Gingerich and his wife, Betsy, have hosted numerous social events across campus and at their home for students and staff to strengthen their bonds with the campus community. The president also established a now beloved campus tradition: the annual Christmas tree lighting at Marchiori Pavilion.

St. Bonaventure President’s contract extended through 2030

January 24, 2025

ST. BONAVENTURE — Dr. Jeff Gingerich has signed a contract extension that will keep him in place as St. Bonaventure University’s president through May 2030. The university’s Board of Trustees

Salamanca girls hoops stave off late Allegany-Limestone comeback attempt in 46-35 win

January 24, 2025

By SPENCER BATES batesoleanstar@gmail.com SALAMANCA — After nearly falling victim to a full-fledged comeback attempt, the Salamanca girls basketball team responded when it needed to most and secured a 46-35

Thursday Roundup: Resilient Lady Panthers buck losing streak; Olean girls roll past Dunkirk to secure consecutive wins

January 24, 2025

PORTVILLE, NY – After trailing for the entirety of the game, a big fourth quarter lifted the Portville girls’ basketball team to a 30-20 win over Falconer, ending a four-game

Otto-Eldred's Shene Thomas pulls up for a very contested jump shot during the Terrors' 45-33 win over Cameron County on Thursday. | Photo by Hunter O. Lyle

Terrors stay undefeated with season sweep of Red Raiders

January 23, 2025

By HUNTER O. LYLE lyleoleanstar@gmail.com EMPORIUM, PA – Despite being held to their lowest score all season, the Otto-Eldred boys’ basketball team retained their spot atop the North Tier League

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) Revolution Rail CEO Rob Harte (left) and Rocketcup Coffee CEO Tom Cullen ride a rail bike along railroad tracks of the former Erie Railroad near Cattaraugus Thursday. There will be pop-up rail bike rides on the next three weekends in Cattaraugus.

RocketCup Revolution Rail Fest to feature pop-up rail bike rides

October 2, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olean Star CATTARAUGUS — It’s a Pop-Up Weekend for Revolution Rail and RocketCup Coffee in the village of Cattaraugus. Revolution Rail is offering rail bike rides on

Otto-Eldred head coach and newly-implemented quarterback Ryan Schenfield during Wednesday's practice. Schenfield took over the offense after the Terrors' starter suffered a season-ending injury in Week 4 of the regular season. | Photo by Hunter O. Lyle

After trial by fire, Schenfield takes the reins for Terrors football

October 2, 2025

By HUNTER O. LYLE lyleoleanstar@gmail.com DUKE CENTER, PA – Entering his sophomore season, Ryan Schenfield was poised for growth. As a freshman, he had studied from the sidelines as a

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) Jason Casper, president and program manager of the West Valley Cleanup Alliance, updates the Cattaraugus County Board of Health on cleanup at the West Valley Demonstration Project on Wednesday.

New company to oversee Phase 1B cleanup of West Valley Demonstration Project

October 2, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olean Star OLEAN — Earlier this year, after three years of painstaking demolition, the five story Main Plant Process Building at the West Valley Demonstration Project was

Staunch defensive effort sees Portville girls soccer shutout Southwestern

October 1, 2025

By SPENCER BATES batesoleanstar@gmail.com PORTVILLE — Entering its game against Southwestern, the Portville girls soccer team was looking to secure its third consecutive win after tying and losing a game