Bonaventure alumnus Carl Paladino, member of Buffalo public schools board of education,

made controversial comments regarding President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama
in December.
Since the comments were made in an article on Artvoice, students and faculty signed and
submitted an electronic petition to the university president and cabinet to remove Paladinos
name from an on-campus townhouse sign.
Josiah Lambert, Ph.D., associate professor of political science, was shocked by the statements.
Paladinos comments were completely uncalled for. How anyone could be so disrespectful of
our president just appalled me, Lambert said.
According to a letter from Dr. Andrew Roth, university president, wrote to the campus, the
cabinet researched the dedication of the townhouse. Roth said the townhouse is dedicated to
Belesario and Sara Paladino, Carls parents.
Roth said in his letter, University administrators recommended to the board of trustees that
we clarify the name of the house by changing the sign to read Belasario & Sara Paladino
House.
Im thankful that the university was able to recognize how pressing this issue was to the student
body, alumni and families, as well as community members, said sophomore sociology major
Jasmine Clasing. It was empowering to see the defense for the basis of what St. Bonaventure
University is founded on.
Lambert said he supported the presidents decision of adding Paladinos parents names to the
townhouse sign.
The correction has already been added online, according to Dennis Frank, university archivist.
This hasnt been the only name change that has happened at St. Bonaventure, Frank said.
In 2006, the glass enclosure for the rare books at the Friedsam Memorial Library also went under
a name change prior to completion, according to the university archives.
The Bogoni family had some disagreements with the university and withdrew their support. In
2012, the completed addition was named the Holy Name Library for the Franciscan Institute.
De La Roche Hall used to be named the College Building, but after burning down it was
renamed Lynch Hall. It suffered through another fire in 1933, and it was resurrected and took its
current name, according to the archives.
The Reilly Center originally held the name University Center until 1974 when it was dedicated
to the memory of Carroll Mike Reilly, according to the universitys athletics webpage.
A donor plaque hangs in the William F. Walsh Science Center outside of the amphitheater.
Etched into the leadership donor plaque are the names Mr. and Mrs. Carl Paladino 68.
Mr. Paladino was a significant donor to the Walsh Center project, one of many, and is entitled to
be listed, said Roth.
To change both sides of the townhouse sign, it would cost approximately $120, according to
Thomas Missel, director of media relations and marketing.
The change to the east side townhouse sign will be discussed further in February.