Liza Abraham and Vicky Oh, assistant professors in the Fashion and Textile Technology Department, received the Paper of Distinction award for their research “The Effect of Knowledge on Decision-Making in the Context of Organic Cotton Clothing” during the International Textile and Apparel Association’s 2013 annual conference, held October 15–18 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The conference convenes university professionals from around the world to discuss current research, new teaching ideas, and industry issues. Their paper was selected from among the hundreds submitted.

Michael Johnson, associate professor of modern and classical languages, presented his paper "Edward Bear, Physicist" at the annual conference of the Popular Culture Association in the South, held in Savannah, Georgia, October 3–5.

Mark Warford, associate professor of modern and classical languages, was elected president of the Analytical Psychology Society of Western New York/Buffalo CG Jung Center for 2013–2014. The Buffalo CG Jung Center has featured presentations and workshops from prominent Jungian scholars, including the late James Hillman, as well as offerings from Buffalo State faculty.

Amy Wilson, assistant professor of higher education administration, is the 2013 recipient of the College Student Personnel Association of New York State (CSPA-NYS) Daniel Bratton Award, which honors a member of the association who has contributed outstanding service to CSPA-NYS. Wilson was recognized for her role as the vice president for professional development, in which she developed and implemented the first and now annual Mid-Level Manager’s Pre-Conference; her role in enhancing the participation and success of all professional development events; and her role in shepherding the strategic planning process for the association this past year.

Kimberly Kline, associate professor of higher education administration, is the 2013 recipient of the College Student Personnel Association of New York State (CSPA-NYS) Distinguished Service to Higher Education Award, which honors an educator who has given distinguished service to higher education and whose ideas show considerable promise for improving the quality of the learning climate in postsecondary institutions. Kline was honored for her expertise and work in the areas of assessment and social justice and for her upcoming book, Reflection in Action: A Guidebook for Faculty and Student Affairs Professionals, which will serve as a valuable resource for faculty in graduate preparation programs and for current professionals on how to engage in more productive and purposeful dialogue around social justice issues.

Eugene Harvey and Melaine Kenyon recently published their article, "Classroom Seating Considerations for 21st Century Students and Faculty," in the Journal of Learning Spaces, 2 (1). This quantitative, cross-sectional research study explored students’ perceptions of five seating styles within typical classrooms at Buffalo State. Results indicate the need for campuses to (re)consider the purposes and roles of seating styles within twenty-first-century classrooms, with seating selection based on principles of universal design.

Daniel Vélez, associate vice president for student success, was recognized for his work in the field of education and his numerous contributions to the Latino community at the City of Buffalo’s Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration on Tuesday, October 15, in City Hall. Every year, Mayor Byron Brown highlights the contributions made by members of the community in various fields. This year's honorees were from the field of education.

Susan Birden, professor and chair of the Adult Education Department, has found that her research is making a difference in the lives of students around the world.

Recently, a special school counselor from Israel wrote to Birden about the impact that her book, Rethinking Sexual Identity in Education (2005), has had on Eyal Ben-Ami’s day-to-day work as an advocate for LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning youth) anti-bullying activism in Israel.  

“Your book is always on my desk and in my practice,” Ben-Ami wrote, “Indeed, as a young school counselor and LGBTQ activist, I have learned a lot from your important insights. Thank you for your courageous book.”

“I’m so pleased,” said Birden, “to know that a book that was published almost 10 years ago is continuing to make a difference in the lives of students. It is encouraging to hear that my philosophical work is bearing fruit ‘on the ground’. There is no better reward for a scholar and a teacher.”

Awilda Ramos Zagarrigo, assistant professor of exceptional education and co-director of the graduate certificate program in bilingual education, will be honored for her work in the field of education and her numerous contributions to the Latino community at the City of Buffalo’s Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration on Tuesday, October 15, at noon in the lobby of City Hall. Every year, Mayor Byron Brown highlights the contributions made by members of the community in various fields. This year's honorees are from the field of education.

Bruce Fisher, director of the Center for Economic and Policy Studies and visiting professor of economics and finance, gave the keynote address at the VIII Coloquio Internacional Sobre Pequeñas Empresas (International Conference on Small Business) at the University of Quintana Roo in Chetumal, Quintana Roo, Mexico, on September 26. He presented "City-States: Metros as Drivers of Economic Change" to an audience of scholars, public officials, and students. He also addressed graduate students in a seminar on public policy led by the elected chief fiscal officer of the State of Quintana Roo. Fisher expects to participate in ongoing work on assessing the economic impact of policy options in tourism, transportation, and water-quality infrastructure development for this capital city and its largely rural region.