The Buffalo State Alumni Association seeks nominations for the 2009 Young Alumnus Achievement Award, which will be presented at a special awards reception on September 25, 2009, during Homecoming Weekend.

Join the Burchfield Penney and artist Elizabeth Switzer on Sunday, May 31, for Hearts for Mary, a drop-in family workshop celebrating the hearts that Duayne Hatchett made for his late wife each Valentine's Day.

The Resident Dining Hall will open for lunch during the summer session on Friday, May 29, at 11:00 a.m. Summer hours are Monday–Friday, 11:00 a.m.–2:30 p.m. Extended hours will accommodate summer groups.

Join your Buffalo State College colleagues on Wednesday, August 19, 2009, for the United Way Day of Caring. Be a volunteer! Get a T-shirt! If you are interested, please email Margaret Shaw-Burnett at shawma@buffalostate.edu or call ext. 5907 before Friday, June 19.

The Internal Revenue Service recently published reminders for individuals concerning identity theft and tax scams in which the IRS name, logo, or Web Site is used to convince taxpayers that the scam is legitimate. Taxpayers may learn more about how to protect themselves from such schemes at http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=211669,00.html.

The College and Community Partnerships Office is awarding eleven mini-grants to Buffalo State faculty members and their community partners. The 2009 awards give special consideration to partnerships on Buffalo’s West Side. The awards total $17,200 and range from $1,000 to $2,500. Awardees and partners are:

Father Pat Zengierski, director, Catholic Campus Ministry, invites you to support the Newman Center at Buffalo State College. Join us on Friday, June 12, at 7:00 p.m. and celebrate summer at our 6th annual Wine Tasting Party in the Bulger Communication Center foyer. Enjoy a delightful evening of wine tasting, delicious hors d'oeuvres, chocolate lover's desserts, live music, a raffle drawing of a "Diamond Surprise," an auction of unique gift baskets, 50/50 split drawings, and so much more. To purchase event tickets ($30 each, which includes one chance for a 50/50 split drawing), and/or additional 50/50 split drawing tickets ($5 each or 3 for $10) contact the Newman Center, 1219 Elmwood Ave., Buffalo, 882-1080 or e-mail  bscnewmancenter@yahoo.com. Tickets for the "Diamond Surprise" will be available the night of the event only. Come enjoy a great night out!

On Thursday, May 21, the Buffalo State Ceramics program will host the eleventh annual Western New York Clay Olympics in Upton Hall room 128 from 10:30 a.m.– 12:15 p.m. This year’s contest involves students from four area high schools whose teachers are alumni of the ceramics and art education programs at Buffalo State: Kenmore East (Matt Sagurney), Lancaster (Ann Perry-Smith), Lewiston-Porter (Brett Coppins), and Pioneer (Scott Losi). Some 35 student-contestants, working individually and in teams will compete in Olympic style timed events using clay and various clay forming methods in a contest between the four schools. The overall team point winner of all the competitions receives a trophy created by last year's winner.

Our summer schedule is in effect. Monday-Friday; we are open from 6:00 a.m.-5:45 p.m. We are also open Saturdays from 10:00 a.m.-3:45 p.m. Reminder: The Fitness Center will be CLOSED this Saturday-Monday for the holiday weekend. Enjoy the weather!

First Year Convocation has quickly become a valued tradition at Buffalo State. This year we will welcome our incoming class on Wednesday, August 26, in the Sports Arena at 9:00 a.m. Convocation is different this year as it will open the new First Year Week of Welcome as opposed to past years when it closed the orientation program. The ceremony will closely resemble our commencement in look and structure, but our mission will be to welcome the freshman class to Buffalo State. You’ve heard the saying, “You never get a second chance to make a first impression.” Here’s our opportunity to set the tone for our incoming students and their parents. All faculty and professional staff are invited to process in regalia. We will also need several volunteers to serve as ushers. Please contact Jean Salisbury, University College, at salisbjm@buffalostate.edu or ext. 5906 to march or usher.