Members of the Buffalo State College community are invited to the next Richardson Olmsted Complex public meeting, which will take place at 6:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 16, at the Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society, 25 Nottingham Court. Similar to the last public meeting held on November 27, the session will feature findings and recommendations of the now-complete Historic Structures and Cultural Landscape reports. Members of the Richardson Center Corporation Board and staff will also provide updates on stabilization work at the complex and will discuss master planning work that is getting under way, both for the entire complex and for the Architecture and Visitor Center. To learn more about the project, please contact Monica Pellegrino Faix, project coordinator for the Richardson Center Corporation, or visit the project’s Web site.

SUNY is sponsoring the conference "Faculty Professional Development: Advancing Excellence in the SUNY Academy" on Thursday and Friday, March 13 and 14. The conference will be held at the Renaissance Hotel in Syracuse, New York. All faculty and staff are invited to attend. More information can be found online.

The Late-Night Steps to Success Seminar Series continues this week with "Study Groups" presented by Fred Blanchard, complex director, Residence Life Office, on Thursday, March 6, from 10:00 to 11:00 p.m. in Porter Hall. Students will learn how study groups can be useful and how to get one started. The seminar is free and open to all students.

All faculty and staff are invited to celebrate with the Buffalo State Class of 2008 by marching or volunteering in the 136th Commencement on Saturday, May 10. The deadline for marchers to place academic regalia rental orders, with guaranteed hood colors and standard charges, is Friday, March 7. Registration to march or volunteer is available online, marchers will find additional regalia information and volunteers will find rehearsal information on this page. Volunteers do not wear academic regalia. Please register to march or volunteer by Friday, April 25. Thank you very much for your participation on Commencement.

The Women’s Studies Interdisciplinary Unit (Jennifer Ryan, Ph.D., coordinator) presents "Pretty Words Like Blades: Buffalo Women in the Arts" a three-part series celebrating Women’s History Month. Judith Walsh, associate professor, Art Conservation Department, will speak on Tuesday, March 11, at 12:15 p.m. in E. H. Butler Library 210. All students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to attend. Refreshments will be served. The program is supported by the Equity and Campus Diversity Minigrant Program, the Faculty-Student Association, the Dean’s Office for Natural and Social Sciences, and the African and African American Studies Interdisciplinary Unit.

Student-athletes from the Buffalo State softball team will meet with academic advisers to discuss "Degree Navigator: 10 Frequently Asked Questions," in the Academic Advisement Center on Wednesday, March 5, at 3:00 p.m. If you would like to set up a forum for your group or team, please contact the Academic Advisement Office at ext. 5223.

The Leadership Lecture Series continues this week with Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown, '83. Mayor Brown will speak on Thursday, March 6, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. in E. H. Butler Library 210. The Leadership Lecture Series is free and open to the public.

President Muriel A. Howard and gala chairs Anthony J. Baynes, ’79, and Eunice A. Lewin cordially invite you to the 11th annual Foundation Scholarship Gala on Saturday, April 26, at the Connecticut Street Armory. Festivities include wine and food pairings by the Premier Group at 6:30 p.m. and dinner at 7:30 p.m., followed by dancing and a live auction. Tickets are $200 per person; sponsorship tables are available. Presenting sponsors are BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York and M&T Bank. Proceeds benefit the All College Honors Program. For more information and tickets, contact the Buffalo State College Foundation at ext. 3725, or go online. This is a black-tie event. Valet parking will be available.

Dr. Geneva Gay, professor of education at the University of Washington-Seattle, will present "Culturally Responsive Teaching: Rethinking Teacher Education," on Wednesday, March 5, from 8:30 a.m. to noon at the Campus West School Auditorium. Dr. Gay is nationally and internationally recognized for her scholarship on multicultural education, ethnic identity, culturally responsive teaching, curriculum design, staff development, and the intersections of race, ethnicity, teaching, and learning. The presentation is free, but limited to 250 participants. Registration is required and available online. Call (716) 645-2455 x1143 with questions. Visit the School of Education Web site to view the program flier.

"Study Skills: Testwiseness" is the next session in the Workshops to Success series sponsored by University College’s Academic Skills Center and offered free to Buffalo State students. Lauren Copeland, academic tutor, Academic Support Programs, will show students that preparing for exams is as important as what they know about the content of the course. Copeland's tips on approaching exams will help all students develop confidence in their test taking skills.