Campus Life is pleased to announce the recipients of this year’s Faculty and Staff Appreciation Awards. Each year the students involved as leaders in Campus Life (Orientation, Residence Life, Student Life, and Dining Services) have an opportunity to recognize the Buffalo State faculty and staff members who have made a difference in their lives. Students were asked to consider those whose efforts have had a lasting impression on them, who have provided dynamic classroom instruction, and who have made a difference in the lives of students.

A record 50 names (up from 36 last year) were submitted, and certificates of appreciation were presented at a reception on April 30. The recipients are as follows:

Nicole Bishop
Dan Blum
Ted Byrley
James Cercone
Gloria Cockrell
Lauren Copeland
Adrienne Costello
Michael Cretacci
Jill D'Angelo
Theodore Davis
Kirsten Eurenius
Annmarie Franczyk
Keith Fulcher
Clark Greene
Andrea Guiati
Carolyn Guzski
Dwight Hennessy
Anthony Hotchkiss
Jennifer Hunt
Eric Jackson
Jude Jayatilleke
Tom Kostusiak
Manny Lezama
Martin Littlefield
Michael Littman
Steve Macho
Tom McCray
Patrick McGovern
Bob Mead-Colegrove
Denise Needham
Michael Niman
Christian Ozolins
Susan Paige
Gary Pettibone
Daniel Potts
Janet Reed
Shantell Reid
Thomas Scheira
Ted Schmidt
Shannon Schweitzer
LaTia Sinclair
Elizabeth Stevens
Ron Stewart
Yongbo Tian
Nanette Tramont
Sarah Vélez
Amitra Wall
Sandra Washington
Amy Wilson
Jeffrey Zacko-Smith

Congratulations to all.

Michael Stamatikos, a visiting assistant professor of physics at the Ohio State University at Newark, will present "Interdisciplinary Astrophysics with Gamma-Ray Bursts" from 7:00 to 7:50 p.m. Thursday, May 9, in Science Building 272. This seminar is partially sponsored by funds from Robert and Dorothy Sweet.

Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) are cosmological beacons of transient high-energy radiation that have challenged astrophysicists for more than four decades. Since their serendipitous discovery amidst the Cold War in the late 1960s, an international ensemble of orbiting satellite missions, such as "Swift" and "Fermi," in concert with novel ground-based observatories such as "IceCube," have identified these phenomena as the "death cries" of merging (binary) stellar companions and imploding massive stars—both of which ultimately result in one of nature's most enigmatic creations: a black hole.

Stamatikos will describe his ongoing NASA-related research initiatives, which are anchored on an interdisciplinary exploration of GRB astrophysics, via correlated high-energy astroparticle observations that leverage the scientific synergy afforded by "Swift," "Fermi," and "IceCube," while pursuing new vistas enabled by in situ instruments aboard the International Space Station (ISS). In this context, multi-messenger astronomy, which includes the detection of photons and neutrinos over cosmological baselines, may optimize the discovery potential toward keystone breakthroughs in fundamental physics, with possible implications for biophysics. Lastly, he will argue for an urgent national need to proactively initiate "our generation’s Sputnik moment," through bipartisan-supported self-investments in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) research and education, which have historically provided an economic catalyst and geopolitical leverage while serving as a source of inspiration for the next generation of explorers, thus helping to preserve the redundancy of "American Exceptionalism."

Buffalo State’s 16th annual Foundation Scholarship Gala raised $260,000, benefiting 200 students in the newly named Muriel A. Howard Honors Program. The event was held on Saturday, April 20, at the Statler. One hundred percent of the net proceeds from the gala directly support student-scholars.

The gala was chaired by Benjamin, ’80, and Mary Ellen Zuffranieri, ’80, and Rock Doyle, ’90. More than 400 guests attended. The Larkin Development Group, LP Ciminelli, M&T Bank, and BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York were this year’s presenting sponsors.

Buffalo State extends a sincere thank-you to the Buffalo State Foundation Inc., the Muriel A. Howard Honors Program, Hospitality and Tourism students, the Buffalo State Jazz Ensemble, faculty and staff members, the gala committee, alumni, friends, volunteers, and business partners for their generous support. Thank you for helping with the success of this year’s gala! To see images of the event, please visit Flickr.

The Research Foundation for SUNY/Center for Development of Human Services College Partnership Development Office is accepting graduate and undergraduate student applications for their Public School Mentoring Program for the fall 2013 semester. Applicants must be enrolled full time at Buffalo State, have excellent written and verbal skills, and have previous experience tutoring or working with groups of children in an educational setting. Undergraduate students must have earned a minimum of 30 credit hours. Interested students should pick up an application as soon as possible from Bacon Hall 114 between 9:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. daily.

Wine Club returns this spring to Campus House on Monday, May 13, at 5:30 p.m. The staff at Campus House has prepared an incredible menu for alumni and guests.

First Course
Tomato vodka gnocchi topped with basil and shaved Pecorino Romano
Vega Murillo Tinta de Toro 2011

Second Course
Frenched chicken saltimbocca over an arugula and fresh mozzarella salad with a lemon thyme vinaigrette
Colosi Bianco Sicilia 2012

Third Course
Chocolate Grand Marnier gelato
Assorted ports and after-dinner cordials

Visit the Alumni Association website to register. This event has previously sold out in just one week. Make your reservations today! Space is limited. Cost is $35 per person.

Contact Katelyn Brickhouse, alumni events coordinator, Cleveland Hall 319, ext. 6001.

Faculty: Traveling during grading? If you know you will be unable to grade because of travel, contact your
department chair at least two weeks in advance so alternative arrangements can be made. The grading window will be open from 9:00 a.m. Monday, May 13, through 9:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 22.

Learn to simplify the process of scheduling meetings or appointments by creating a quick online poll for participants. Doodle is a free tool for reaching consensus on the best time to meet. This workshop will be presented by Sue McMillen, director of faculty development, on Tuesday, May 7, from 9:00 to 9:45 a.m. and repeated on Friday, May 10, from 11:00 a.m. to noon in E. H. Butler Library 316.

Register for the May 7 workshop.

Register for the May 10 workshop.

Please join us for the third student lecture in our eighth annual Spring Colloquia, "Planning for Friends," a philosophy honor's thesis presented by Sarah Caputi, philosophy and urban planning major and 2012 and 2013 George T. Hole Scholar, on Friday, May 3, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. in Bishop Hall 242. Caputi's thesis director is Jason Grinnell, assistant professor of philosophy and humanities.

EVERGREEN has partnered with Herding for the Hurting to collect gently used shoes. For each pair donated, 50 cents will be given to the One Boston Fund Inc. This fund will help pay for the medical bills of individuals of the tragic events that occurred in Boston on April 15. The shoes will be sent to low-income individuals in economically developing countries.

Donation bins are located in the main lobbies of the Campbell Student Union, E. H. Butler Library, and Buckham Hall (near the Fitness Center). Shoes can be dropped off in these bins until Friday, May 17.

Shoes that can be accepted:

• Men's: casual, dress, and sandals
• Women's: flats, low heels, and sandals
• Children's: casual, dress, and sandals
• All athletic shoes: running, cross-training, cleats (rubber spikes only), etc.

Please no flip-flops, high heels, or boots.

There will be a “Finish Line Event” celebration and final drop-off on Sunday, May 19, hosted by Primerano Fitness (1647 Military Road, Niagara Falls, NY 14304), that will include basket raffles, door prizes, and much more.

Applications are being accepted for the "Integration of Undergraduate Research into the Curriculum" program. Modest stipends will be provided to faculty members to support the development of new courses or the revision of existing courses to include a substantial undergraduate research, scholarly, or creative activity.

The expected outcomes are submission of a course revision or new course proposal to the College Senate Curriculum Committee and teaching the course. This program is not intended to support minor revisions to courses that already include a research component. Lower- and upper-level courses are eligible, and courses targeting specific student audiences (e.g., non-majors, pre-majors, and majors) are acceptable.

The deadline for proposals is Tuesday, May 14. Applications are completed online.