Lisa Marie Anselmi, associate professor and chair of the Anthropology Department, was elected vice president of the New York State Archaeological Association.

Retired University Police lieutenant Sam Lunetta presented a training presentation on graffiti crimes and tagger culture on May 10 for the New York State Crime Prevention Coalition's Advanced Crime Prevention Course, held in Cheektowaga, New York.

Evelyn Rosario, senior academic adviser in the Arthur O. Eve Educational Opportunity Program, participated in the SUNY Global Center’s Diversifying Education Abroad Workshop on May 1 in New York City. Rosario's daughter, Shari T. Rosario, a student at the University at Buffalo, was one of the SUNY student panelists who has studied abroad. Shari presented her perspective as a student intern in Mexico and as an exchange student in Siena, Italy, via the Buffalo State Siena Program. Rosario presented her perspective as the mother of a student studying abroad, as an EOP senior academic adviser, and as the director of the Puerto Rico Program at Buffalo State College. Rosario is also the professor of record as an adjunct professor in the Communication Department for the Puerto Rico Program, a study-abroad program at Buffalo State.

Elisa Bergslien's new book, An Introduction to Forensic Geoscience (Wiley-Blackwell, May 2012), was released this month and is available in print and electronic editions. This is only the second textbook to be published in the field and serves as both a college text and a reference for professionals in the field.

Edward O. Smith Jr., SUNY Distinguished Service Professor of history and social studies education, has received the Lester Rickard Memorial Award for Professional Service for his work preserving local history related to the Graycliff Estate. The award was presented on April 27 during the Graycliff Conservancy’s third annual Graycliff Gala, held in the Larkin Center of Commerce in Buffalo.

Timothy Ecklund, associate vice president for campus life, received the 2012 Annuit Coeptis Award for Senior Professionals from the American College Personnel Association (ACPA) for his service to the profession and association. The award was presented at the annual ACPA national convention, which was held in Louisville, Kentucky, in March.

Zhang Jie, professor of sociology and director of the Center for China Studies, presented his paper “Depression and Suicide When Hopelessness Is Controlled For,” and a poster session titled “Measuring Chinese Psychological Traits and Social Support with Western Developed Instruments in Psychological Autopsy Studies,” at the 45th annual conference of the American Association of Suicidology, held in Baltimore, Maryland, April 18–21.

Anthony Bannon, incoming executive director of the Burchfield Penney Art Center, received the Gaudete Medal from St. Bonaventure University at an awards ceremony on April 26 in Rochester.

The Gaudete Medal honors business and community leaders who exemplify the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi through their joy, hope, positive outlook on life, sincerely compassionate spirit, and desire to serve humankind. Recipients of the Gaudete, which is pronounced "gow DAY tay" and means "rejoice" in Latin, have inspired, encouraged, and enlightened others through their personal and professional lives. It is the university's highest honor.

Bannon earned his undergraduate degree from St. Bonaventure University.

Gerald Mead, lecturer in the Design Department, had a 20-year retrospective of his work presented at the Carnegie Art Center in North Tonawanda December 8–31. His work was also included in the following group exhibitions:

Western New York Members of the National Collage Society, at Meibohm Fine Arts in East Aurora (March 30–April 28); The Flip Side, at Buffalo Arts Studio (March 16–24); Visual AIDS: Postcards from the Edge, at the Cheim & Read gallery in New York City (January 6–8); The Dream, at 171 Cedar Arts Center in Corning (January 13–February 3); and Aperture: Photography from the Permanent Collection, at the Castellani Art Museum of Niagara University (September 11–April 29).

"Maxed Out," a short film written and directed by Jeffrey Hirschberg, associate professor and director of the television and film arts program, was named an official selection of the NYLA International Film Festival. The film will be screened in New York City on May 5.

Produced by Hirschberg and Lou Rera, associate professor of communication, "Maxed Out" featured 12 television and film arts students who worked on the film as production assistants, storyboard artists, and assistant camera operators. The film also received an Honorable Mention at the Las Vegas Comedy Film Festival.