Outstanding student designers were recognized with the following awards at the Fashion and Textile Technology Department's annual Runway fashion show on April 16:

Senior student designer Andrew Johnson won first place for his Organism collection, and Megan Luongo took second place. Gabrielle Bourcier received first prize for the underclassmen student collection, and Anna Dusza’s Colony collection won best in show. The New York City fashion getaway raffle was won by Cathy Schultz, reconciliation specialist in Accounts Payable and Travel Services. Congratulations to all the Runway winners!

This year’s theme was Eco-lution, inspired by ecology and evolution, bringing together the concepts of sustainability and change. The show began with a video honoring the memory and contributions of Professor Elaine Polvinen, ’73, who founded Runway in 2008 with the objective of generating funds to establish scholarships for students.

Runway is an entirely student-run event collaborating the efforts of 35 designers, 100 models, and 50 student volunteers. The event offers Buffalo State students the opportunity to showcase their creativity and demonstrate their talents while raising money for the FTT Scholarship Fund.

Thank you to all who supported Runway 9.0. Save the date for next year’s 10th annual fashion show on April 22, 2017. For more information and photos, please visit the Runway website.

Weigel Health Promotions is looking for interns, volunteers, independent-study students, and students to share their ideas with us. We are seeking students from all majors with experience in graphic design, workshops, web design, social media, health and wellness, event planning, office support, photography, videography, and much more.

Faculty members, please contact our office with questions on the opportunities we have available for your students. If you have students who might be interested, please ask them to fill out the Student Application form. Thank you.

For more information on Weigel Health Promotions and the services we offer, please visit our website, check out our newsletter, follow us on social media, and watch us in action on our Youtube channel.

Please contact Paula Madrigal, assistant director of prevention and health promotions, 878-4719, for more information.

The Buffalo-Dortmund Sister City Student Exchange Program is looking for families and individuals to host one of seven German high school exchange students from Buffalo's sister city, Dortmund. The program runs from August 20 to December 9. Our students come with their own emergency medical insurance, spending money, and a desire to be a part of your family. We ask that you provide room, board, transportation as needed, and a loving family environment. The program also provides the students with chaperoned monthly outings to area activities and sites.

The students will be enrolled at Mount St. Mary Academy, Buffalo Academy of the Sacred Heart, St. Joseph's Collegiate Institute, Bishop Timon-St. Jude High School, and Mount Mercy Academy. Perhaps you have a student at one of these schools; what a wonderful opportunity for your own student to become a student ambassador! We have also had a lot of fun with empty-nesters, senior citizens, and alumni. Perhaps you know of a family or have friends who would love to join us by hosting a student. Please tell them about the program.

You will have an opportunity to meet some of these students next fall when they are on campus assisting our German language learners.

For more information, please contact Lynn Engle, lecturer in the Modern and Classical Languages Department.

Michael Spogli, Buffalo State's TIAA representative, will be on campus for individual consultations with faculty and staff members in Butler Library 210B on Friday, May 6; Thursday, June 2; and Friday, June 3. It’s never too early or too late to plan for your retirement. Take advantage of this opportunity to speak with a professional regarding your personal financial situation.

Appointments are required. All appointments are between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

Schedule an appointment on May 6.

Schedule an appointment on June 2. 

Schedule an appointment on June 3.

Please call (800) 732-8353 to arrange an appointment by phone.

Summer and fall course sections have been created in Blackboard for faculty use. All you need to get ready for the new semester in Blackboard is available on the FAQs page. Please visit the page for answers to the three most frequently asked questions:

• Merge Course Rosters
• Move Content between Courses
• Make Your Course Available in Blackboard

If you need further assistance, please contact Michael J. DiFonzo, Blackboard trainer, 878-3036.

Jenn Hunt, associate professor of psychology, will give the final presentation in this year's Women and Gender Studies Brown Bag Series: "How Well-Intentioned People Think about Gender vs. Race," today, April 21, at 12:15 in Butler Library 181B. Cookies provided; please feel free to bring your lunch.

Blackboard Collaborate, the campus supported web-conferencing application, will be upgraded to the newest version, Collaborate Ultra, on Friday, May 13. Collaborate Ultra can assist with delivering highly engaging and effective synchronous classroom activities, meetings, office hours, professional development, blended learning, and student support services. Ultra allows you to import PowerPoint slides; share your computer screen; and interact with participants through chat, webcam, and microphone along with recording the sessions for future use.

If you plan to use Collaborate Ultra in a future semester, please register for an upcoming workshop through the Workshop Registration System.

The call for proposals is still open for the eighth annual Anne Frank Project, "Engage. Lead. Improve the World," to be held on campus September 28 and 29. Please submit your proposal by Wednesday, June 1.

Think of the theme as an equation: Engagement + Leadership = Improving the World. If we use our unique skills to bring people together and build community, we foster leadership and a commitment to making our world a better place. At AFP 2016, we are interested in learning and practicing how you engage, lead, and improve the world.

Submit your proposal.

AFP’s annual social justice festival is an experiential exchange of ideas with a focus on processing theory into practice. We seek diverse performances, workshops, and exhibits that actively engage participants in kinesthetic learning opportunities and connect to the theme, AFP's mission, and the life and work of Anne Frank.

For more information, please review highlights from past festivals or contact Eve Everette, AFP assistant director and festival curator, 878-5559.

An English Methods (ENG 463) orientation meeting will be today, April 19, from 12:15 to 1:30 p.m. in Ketchum Hall 318. All students planning to enroll in ENG 463 for the fall 2016 semester should attend. Attendees should bring an up-to-date copy of their Degree Works report to this meeting.

The campus community is invited to attend Honors Convocation on Thursday, April 21, at 12:15 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center at Rockwell Hall. Please join us as we recognize our students for their outstanding academic achievement. This year's convocation address will be given by Cynthia Burnett, assistant professor in the Center for Studies in Creativity. A light reception will follow.