The Daily Bulletin Archive

The following first-year student and faculty awards were given during the First-Year Convocation ceremony on August 22:

Outstanding First-Year Student Contribution to Campus Life

Catherine Guichardo: Criminal Justice Major

Catherine Guichardo began her campus life involvement very early in her first semester as president of Neumann Hall. Guichardo led her residence hall government and worked with the Residence Life staff to develop programming for residential students. She was elected to represent Buffalo State at the national conference of Residence Hall Associations and was selected to serve on Buffalo State’s Residence Hall Association Programming Task Force to revise the programming model for residential students. Additionally, Guichardo is the founding member of Buffalo State’s chapter of Students for Education Reform and currently serves as its public advocacy director. She has been active in the Criminal Justice Club and has volunteered with the Volunteer and Service-Learning Center, the American Red Cross, and the Richmond Summer Recreation Center for the Elderly.

Outstanding First-Year Student Scholarly or Creative Achievement

Jordan Burby: Communication Design Major

According to Design Department faculty members, Jordan Burby is among the most talented and high-achieving students in their experience at Buffalo State. Carol Townsend, associate professor and coordinator of design foundations, said, "In our beginning design courses, we introduce students to the 'design process,' which is a series of steps through which one follows to arrive at a good solution—in other words, a creative problem-solving template. The average student will spend precious time initially attempting to snare a workable concept and, by the time the project is due, has rushed through the final and most critical parts of the process. Jordan, on the other hand, much like a professional designer, generates a series of workable concepts up front. He is then able to luxuriate in the rest of the process, fine-tuning, making painstaking adjustments. Thus he is able to delve deeply into the 'nuts and bolts' of design. This ability to think on his feet bodes extremely well for his future as a designer. He is inventive, enthusiastic, intelligent, cooperative, and responsible. He is a self-starter who is prepared, disciplined, and highly motivated."

Outstanding Faculty/Staff Contribution to First-Year Student Success

Jude Jayatilleke: Academic Adviser/Counselor, EOP

Jude Jayatilleke has a distinguished career that demonstrates a commitment to excellence in advising, teaching, and mentoring first-year students. He has been an academic adviser and counselor for the Educational Opportunity Program for six years. He plays a key role on the EOP Extended Summer Program Planning Committee and is extremely dedicated to making sure that incoming freshmen know what to expect their first year of college. He is also an adjunct instructor for UNC 100. According to one of Jayatilleke’s advisees, “Mr. Jude has enabled me to stay involved in my campus community through the first-year EOP mentoring program, McNair Scholars Program, and Mrs. Eve’s Project Joy. All experiences have led me to meet great people who have influenced my success here at Buffalo State. I appreciate his consistent dedication and motivation in my success, and I truly believe Mr. Jude’s mentoring is one of many factors that contributed to the young woman I am today. Mr. Jude deserves this opportunity to receive this award because he possesses many qualities of a great leader and motivator."