Faculty and professional staff: Today is your final opportunity to register to march in Commencement on May 17. Please register today to reserve your place in the processional as the Buffalo State University community celebrates the Class of 2025.

CEREMONIES BY ACADEMIC SCHOOL

9:00 a.m. School of the Professions Ceremony
Bachelor's, Master’s, and Advanced Graduate Certificates

1:00 p.m. School of Arts and Sciences Ceremony

Bachelor's, Master’s, and Advanced Graduate Certificates

5:00 p.m. School of Education, including Individualized and Multidisciplinary Studies Ceremony

Bachelor's, Master’s, and Advanced Graduate Certificates

To register or to learn more, please visit the Marchers or Volunteers section of the Commencement website. Marcher registration also includes all platform party members and administrators. Marchers and volunteers may participate in more than one ceremony. Commencement rehearsals are required to ensure that ceremonies run smoothly and that all participants are knowledgeable in their roles and responsibilities.

A limited inventory of doctoral and master’s gowns, caps, and hoods (today is the last day) may be available for loan through the Academic Affairs Office. Please contact Cathy Cook, administrative assistant 2, for more information and to place your order.

We look forward to seeing you at Commencement!

Buffalo State University’s Anne Frank Project is thrilled to announce its 17th annual social justice festival—AFP 2025: Belonging Begins Here—October 7-9. This year, we are seeking proposals that share ways in shaping a more just, welcoming, and connected community; Belonging.

About Our Theme:

As we face evolving social issues, our power lies in partnership—sharing our ideas and knowledge and creating spaces where everyone can thrive. A sense of belonging is crucial to one’s wellbeing, fostering positive relationships, increasing motivation and resilience, and a precursor to academic success. It isn’t passive. It doesn’t happen in silence. It isn’t some forgettable byproduct of ‘woke’ propaganda. It begins when we recognize that diverse voices are not only welcomed but essential. Where justice is not only discussed, but embodied. Where community means more than proximity—it means connection, care, and collaboration; all important 21st century skills.

Belonging is not just a value—it’s a foundation. It’s rooted in Buffalo State’s mission and commitment to access, identity, and social justice through education, and community engagement both locally and internationally. Reflecting this commitment, we invite our university students, educators, advocators, and artists to be part of that beginning by proposing to AFP 2025: Belonging Begins Here.

AFP staff members are available to assist proposers in crafting the kinesthetic element of their sessions.

Submit your proposal by Friday, June 6.

Questions about the festival? Please contact AFP’s assistant director, Jonise Hall.

Please join the Biology Department and the Great Lakes Center for the seminar “Exploring mimicry and visual communication in woodpeckers: a field study utilizing 3D-printed models”, presented by Lauren Smith and “Crayfish Fight Club: Winner-loser effect as a management strategy against invasive crayfish”, presented by Emily Klimczak today at 3:00 p.m. in Bulger Communication Center 214. Attendees are welcome to arrive at 2:30 p.m. to enjoy coffee and cookies leading up to the seminar.

Exploring mimicry and visual communication in woodpeckers: a field study utilizing 3D-printed models Abstract: The evolution of similar phenotypes poses an interesting challenge in evolutionary biology. While divergent ecologies may drive differing morphology, physiology, or behavior, similar phenotypes are often due to similar ecology or selection for mimicry. One prominent case of mimetic phenotypes is found in Hairy and Downy woodpeckers. While several hypotheses might explain the hairy-downy mimicry complex, we aimed to assess the idea that Downy woodpeckers benefit from resembling Hairy woodpeckers. To test this hypothesis, we used 3D-printed models of various woodpecker species in the field. These models were painted with colors that resemble woodpecker species. The experimental conditions were 3D models of Hairy and Downy woodpeckers, while we also employed Red-bellied and White-headed Woodpeckers, both the size of a Downy. Our controls were unpainted models and trials with no physical 3D-printed model. For further support, we included taxidermied specimens of the Hairy and Downy woodpecker. In the experimental trials, we recorded several behaviors of wild birds to compare across experimental conditions. The experiments were conducted in diverse environments throughout Western New York, across multiple seasons. Our findings underscore the complex interaction between mimicry and visual communication in woodpeckers. Specifically, our results showed the Downy specimen induced more fleeing behavior than any other mount type, indicating a stronger aversive response. When birds did choose to land, they showed a significant preference for landing on the opposite side from both the Hairy specimen and Hairy mount, at statistically comparable rates. The consistent avoidance patterns between Hairy and Downy mounts, particularly in landing position choices, suggest that birds may perceive and respond to these different models in a similar manner, supporting the effectiveness of the mimetic relationship.

Crayfish Fight Club: Winner-loser effect as a management strategy against invasive crayfish Abstract:

Behavior determines, in part, the outcome of most direct competition interactions. A win or loss by an individual in a competition can have major effects on its behavior in future competitions and resource acquisition, a phenomenon known as the winner-loser effect. The present study investigated the influence of winner-loser effects on interspecific interactions between a native species (Cambarus robustus) and an invasive species (Procambarus clarkii) and assessed the efficacy of incorporating winner-loser effects to manage crayfish invasions. Forty-nine big water crayfish (BWC) were trained through the winner-loser effect to obtain, or enhance, a winner mentality. Overall, 88 trials ensued comparing behavior between trained and untrained BWC versus invasive red swamp crayfish (RSC). Of those trials, 46 were food competition trials and 42 were non-food trials. Both non-food and food competition trials found no difference in trial outcome between trained and random BWC. Non-food trials resulted in an increase in BWC wins compared to RSC wins. Food competition trials resulted in nearly all the trials being dominated by RSC. These data suggest using the winner-loser effect is not a reliable management technique when partnered with BWC.

The Buffalo State Community Development Committee, a committee with representatives from the Senate Faculty & Staff Welfare Committee, UUP, CSEA, PSC, and the 3 academic schools, would like to invite all campus faculty and staff to an ice-cream social being held on May 7th from 12-2pm in the Student Union Social Hall. Please join us; take a break, enjoy ice cream, and socialize with your colleagues. Please RSVP by May 6th.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month! Mental Health Awareness Month has been recognized in the United States since 1949 to increase awareness of the importance of mental health and wellness in our lives, and to celebrate recovery from mental illness.

Join us on a journey of self-discovery and healing with our specially crafted "Team Playlist"! Empower yourself and those around you and nourish your mind. 

To view the content videos under "Team Playlist" please visit BizLibrary. 

The spring 2025 grading window will open on Monday, May 12th at 9:00am and close Wednesday, May 21st at 9:00pm.

In preparation, faculty are encouraged to log in to Banner to be sure that all their courses are listed under their account.  Detailed documentation for entering grades can be found here.  Additional assistance is available by calling the IT Help Desk at ext. 4357 (M-F 8:30am-4:00pm).

To assist you in successful grading, we have provided a Grading Tip Sheet and other resources at https://registrar.buffalostate.edu/faculty-grading-and-resources. 

If you have any questions, please contact the Registrar’s Office at regofc@buffalostate.edu or (716) 878-4811.

The Great Lakes Center is pleased to release our spring 2025 newsletter (PDF, 1.9MB). This issue features a sabbatical in Switzerland, graduate research training native crayfish to outcompete invasive crayfish, water gardens and invasive plants, and a recent paper on 100 years of mollusc research in Oneida Lake. We introduce our newest research technician and a new look for our website. We also have a guest article from one of our GLC affiliates and an undergraduate student. The newsletter is also posted as a news article on our website.

If you'd like to be on the mailing list for future editions of the newsletter, please email the GLC.

The Chemistry Department is hosting a graduate student seminar on Thursday, May 8, during Bengal Pause (12:15 to 1:30 p.m.) in SAMC 151. Our speaker will be Alyssa Heisler, a graduate student in the forensic science master's program. Coffee and snacks will be served. 

Title: Freezing-Induced Dye Adsorption on AuNPs

Abstract

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are renowned for their unique optical properties driven by localized surface plasmon resonance, making them valuable in sensing, imaging, and therapeutic applications1. This presentation explores an innovative approach to enhancing surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) signals using quick freezing techniques to aggregate citrate-capped AuNPs into stable structures known as Quick-Freezing Induced AuNP Aggregates (QFIAAs). These aggregates exhibit strong, reproducible SERS activity, especially in the near-infrared (NIR) region2.

Through a combination of Raman spectroscopy and UV-Vis absorption measurements, the adsorption behavior of various dyes on QFIAAs were investigated3. Co-freezing AuNPs with positively charged dyes, like Rhodamine 6G, significantly improved dye adsorption and enhanced SERS signals at higher concentrations, while results were mixed with negatively charged dyes. These findings highlight the importance of electrostatic interactions, freezing dynamics, and laser excitation wavelengths in analyte detection4. Selective SERS enhancement was achieved depending on whether 532 nm or 780 nm lasers were used, with resonance effects playing a key role in spectral dominance.

 This work demonstrates how controlled freezing processes can tune nanoparticle surface chemistry and improve the detection sensitivity of charged analytes, offering implications for biosensing and environmental monitoring.

References

Kim, T.; Lee, C.-H.; Joo, S.-W.; Lee, K. Kinetics of Gold Nanoparticle Aggregation: Experiments and Modeling. J. Colloid Interface Sci. 2007, 316 (1), 647–653. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcis.2007.08.030.
Cimmerer, C. The Effect of Capping Ligands on the Freezing-Induced Aggregation of Gold Nanoparticles (AuNPs) for Near-IR SERS Substrates; Digital Commons at Buffalo State, 2020. https://digitalcommons.buffalostate.edu/srcc-sp20-physgeosci/3/
Ye, Y.; Hou, S.; Wu, X.; Cheng, X.; He, S. Freeze-Driven Adsorption of Poly-A DNA on Gold Nanoparticles. Langmuir 2022, 38 (14), 4345–4352. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.langmuir.2c00007
Hoyt, K. W.; Block, A. C.; Tung, J.; Goodman, M. S.; Lednev, I. K.; Heo, J. Quick Freezing-Induced Au Nanoparticle Aggregates (QFIAAs) with Strong and Reproducible Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering Activity. Langmuir 2025, 41 (2), 1234–1243. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.langmuir.4c03842

Buffalo State and the students of TFA 420 present: A Student Short Film Premiere on Friday, May 9, at 7:00 p,m, in the Campbell Student Union Social Hall located on the second floor of the Union. Doors open at 6:30. This project, in part, was a collaboration with the Music Department through Professor Jose T. Henriques, digital music production coordinator, and his students, and John "Pliny" Eremic of ENDCRAWL. This is a FREE EVENT open to faculty, students, and the general public. The films have been judged for acceptance by the course instructor, Lou Rera, associate professor, retired, and Rera will host the event. Free parking will be available in lots I-32, I-34, and I-37.

SUNY Inclusion Quest: Increase Your Accessibility IQ and Learn How to Remove Barriers to Your Digital Content

Join us on a year-long journey to enhance digital accessibility across the SUNY system. Inclusion Quest (IQ) is designed to inform and empower administrators, faculty, staff, and students about the latest changes in accessibility laws and requirements that create a paradigm shift that must be considered when developing or using any digital content. Through a series of engaging workshops, interactive training sessions, collaborative projects, and friendly competition, participants will gain the skills needed to create accessible digital content and foster an inclusive environment. Together, we will break down barriers and ensure that every member of our SUNY community has the opportunity to succeed. Let's embark on this quest for inclusion and make our campuses more accessible for all!

The SUNY Inclusion Quest is co-sponsored by the SUNY Office of Student Success in partnership with the Office of the Provost and supported by the Universal Design for Learning at SUNY project, SUNY Center for Professional Development, and SUNY Online.

Mission: At SUNY, we are committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible digital environment for all members of our SUNY community. Our SUNY Inclusion Quest (SUNY IQ) aims to equip administrators, faculty, staff, and students with the necessary training, resources, and support to create and maintain accessible digital materials. By promoting accessibility awareness, providing comprehensive training, and ensuring compliance with accessibility standards, we strive to meet the diverse needs of all consumers of digital content, whether it be on campus websites, within the learning management system, or any material distributed to individuals. Together, we can create a campus where every individual has equal access to educational opportunities and resources.

Upcoming Webinars:

Navigating New Title II Changes in Higher Education: Implications for Teaching Faculty
Tuesday, May 13, from noon to 1:00 p.m.

The recent updates to Title II bring significant implications for teaching faculty in higher education, affecting how courses and instructional materials are designed and/or selected. This 60-minute webinar is specifically designed for teaching faculty members, aiming to clarify the new Title II requirements and their practical applications in academic settings. We will explore how these changes impact teaching practices, syllabus design, and the creation, selection and use of digital learning resources. Teaching faculty will be provided with additional sources of training on how to ensure compliance. The webinar will also include an interactive Q&A session.

Takeaways:

• A clear understanding of the new ADA Title II requirements for faculty
• Practical tips for navigating common challenges and scenarios in applying the new Title ll changes in academic settings
• Understanding of where to find additional instruction on document accessibility

Presenter: Dr. Christopher D. Hromalik, Project Manager of Universal Design for Learning at SUNY Project

Register at the SUNY Center for Professional Development website

Navigating New Title II Changes in Higher Education: Implications for Campus Administrators
Thursday, May 15, from noon to 1:00 p.m.

The recent updates to Title II bring significant implications for campus administrators in higher education, affecting how all digital materials are designed and delivered (ranging from generation of private and public communications, websites, and more) This 60-minute webinar is specifically designed for administrators, aiming to clarify the new Title II requirements and their practical applications in academic settings. We will explore how these changes impact campus strategic directions, day-to-day operations, and student/faculty interactions. Administrators will be provided with additional sources of training on how to ensure compliance. The webinar will also include an interactive Q&A session.

Takeaways:

• A clear understanding of the new ADA Title II requirements for administrators
• Practical tips for navigating common challenges and scenarios in applying the new Title II changes in academic settings
• Understanding of where to find additional instructions on document accessibility

Presenter: Sean Moriarty, Chief Technology Officer, SUNY Oswego

Register at the SUNY Center for Professional Development website