AIG Retirement Services will offer Buffalo State College faculty and staff members informative retirement workshops with Benjamin Kopp and Joshua Maida. You can learn about meaningful financial topics to help shape your financial future by attending one of the following virtual webinars. Registration information is available on the Valic website.

Your Retirement Plan at Work
Wednesday, May 18
11:00 a.m.–noon
Key topics include retirement planning, budgeting, different sources to save for retirement, and the difference in the types of retirement plans. 

Retirement Strategies for Women
Wednesday, June 1
11:00 a.m.–noon
Key topics include unique challenges women face in the workforce, taking control, saving for retirement, and investment strategies.

Financial Wellness
Thursday, June 16
Noon–1:00 p.m.
Key topics include why financial wellness is important, basics of attaining financial wellness, and how to get FutureFit.

The Buffalo State College community is saddened by the death of Carl H. Naeher, associate professor emeritus of computer information systems, who died April 29, 2022. Mr. Naeher joined the college in 1979 and retired in 2006. He is survived by his wife, Sharon; two children; and two grandchildren. Private services will be held at a later date. More information is available online.

SUNY Center for Professional Development and Microsoft are offering a series of free trainings on Microsoft Yammer and how you can use it to join different communities and communicate with staff and faculty across the SUNY system. 

Trainings will be held during the month of May, and all sessions will be recorded. You can register to attend sessions live or to receive a recording link after the first session.

For more information and to register, please visit the program website.

Please join the Buffalo State Corporate Challenge team on Thursday, June 16, at 6:25 p.m. in Delaware Park. The registration fee of $38 includes two Corporate Challenge T-shirts and more. You can participate in this event by running, jogging, or walking. After the run, enjoy the hospitality tent with campus colleagues and challenge partners. This event is being supported by the President's Office, UUP, and the Professional Staff Caucus.

Please register before Wednesday, May 25. A limited number of participants are allowed, and slots are filling up fast.

Please contact Jude Jayatilleke, senior academic adviser in EOP, with questions.

The Arthur O. Eve Educational Opportunity Program will celebrate the exemplary academic performance of its students during its annual Honors Convocation on Thursday, May 12, at 3:30 p.m. via Zoom. This year's theme is “Strong Roots and Amazing Achievements: Believe, Inspire, Achieve.” Program highlights include recognition of student achievements and of distinguished alumnus Michael Garner, a business administration major from the Class of 1983, who is currently serving as the chief diversity and inclusion officer for the New York State Metropolitan Transportation Authority. He was also the Buffalo State Distinguished Alumnus awardee in 2021.

The EOP Honors Convocation recognizes students who have obtained a 3.0 semester or cumulative GPA during the 2021 calendar year. Special awards are also given to faculty, staff, and outstanding students who have provided valuable contributions to EOP. The campus community is invited to attend our virtual ceremony.

Invitation and Zoom link (PDF, 221 KB)

Newsletter with honoree information (PDF, 1.1 MB)

RSVP by Monday, May 9, to Cathy McCoy, office assistant 2, keyboarding, in the EOP office.

The Higher Education Administration (HEA) Department invites you to join us as we celebrate the nearly 45 years of service of Jim Gold to Buffalo State College, specifically his service to the HEA Department as an emeritus professor in the higher education and student affairs administration (HESAA) graduate program, on Tuesday, May 10, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Campus House. Dr. Gold, along with his wife, Molly, has been dedicated to students in the HESAA program for many years and has made a lasting impact on the program. Please join us as we wish him well in his full retirement.

A new Bengal tradition! Graduates and the campus community had so much fun last year, the Cross the Stage event returns for the Graduating Class of 2022. Seniors and graduating master's and advanced graduate certificate candidates are invited to wear their caps and gowns, cross a decorated portable stage set in the Student Union Plaza, and be congratulated by Buffalo State leadership. A professional photographer will take pre-Commencement photos as students cross the stage. Photos will be available online following the event. Faculty and staff members are welcome to join in the celebration and cheer on their grads.

There is no preregistration. Graduates may simply show up during the event and have some pre-Commencement fun. Departments, programs, and student groups are welcome, though not required, to informally organize to attend as small groups.

• Monday, May 9 ? 10:00 a.m.?5:00 p.m.
• Tuesday, May 10 ? 10:00 a.m.?6:00 p.m
• Wednesday, May 11 ? 10:00 a.m.?6:00 p.m

President Conway-Turner, Provost Mayrose, Vice President Gordon, deans, and senior administration are each scheduled to be on stage at various times to congratulate graduates during the three-day event. Graduates who are interested in being greeted and having their photos taken with a particular member of college leadership should participate according to the schedules posted on the event web page.

Decorated selfie stations will also be set up, and USG is planning Senior Week activities. 

This event is optional, informal, and offered as a fun celebration to the official Commencement ceremonies on May 21.

Please email commencement with any questions.

From the Co-chairs of the Search Committee for the Chief of University Police
The chief of university police candidate open forum planned for today, Friday, May 6, at 10:00 a.m. in Bulger Communication Center 217 has been canceled. The candidate scheduled to visit campus today has withdrawn from Buffalo State's search to accept another position. 

We appreciate the participation of the campus community in this search process.

The Civic and Community Engagement Office is pleased to announce this year's Celebration of Community Engagement Award recipients and to recognize the service-learning and volunteer partnerships that occurred throughout the academic year. We are pleased to honor the students, faculty, staff, and community partners who make a difference locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally through civic and community engagement initiatives.

Please extend your congratulations to our 2021–2022 Celebration of Community Engagement Award recipients for their commitment to partnerships and active community engagement.

Frederick Howe Outstanding Student Volunteer: Katie Igielinski, senior psychology and political science major, recognized for her work with the Student Civic Leadership Board and Feedmore WNY.

Outstanding Service-Learning Student: Elaina James, senior public relations and advertising major, recognized for her work with the Black Rock Historical Society in SPC 307: Group Communication, taught by Ann Liao, associate professor of communication.

Outstanding Service-Learning Student Group: Steven Clare, junior media production major; Joana Leamon, senior media production major; and Tyler Nagy, senior media production major, recognized for their short-form documentary made in partnership with the Burchfield Penney Art Center’s online artist archive in COM 433: Advanced Documentary Production, taught by Meg Knowles, associate professor of communication.

Outstanding Service-Learning Course: COM 405: Online Newsroom, recognized for its work publishing news that is relevant to Buffalo's West Side neighborhood on Buffalo Review West.
Students: Peyton Fletcher, Natalie Gravino, Caitlyn Malilay, Nia Peeples, Elijah Robinson, Valerie Ryan, Thomas Tedesco, and Zachary Williams
Faculty: Annemarie Franczyk, associate professor of communication

Outstanding New Community Partner: REACH Academy Charter School, recognized for its Global Book Hour partnership with students in EDU 211: Introduction to Literacy, taught by Jennifer Reichenberg, assistant professor, and Dana Breidenstein, lecturer, of the Elementary Education, Literacy, and Educational Leadership Department.
• Linda Marszalek, head of schools
• Andrew Castellano, instructional coach
• Anna Chiavaroli, director of instruction
• Beth Waite, after-school coordinator

Outstanding Established Community Partner: Explore & More, the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Children's Museum, recognized for its work with associate professor Kathy Doody’s EXE graduate candidates on the Au-Some Evenings at Explore & More.
• Michelle Urbanczyk, chief executive officer
• Lisa Chrapowicz, senior manager of strategic and community initiatives
• Val Drapeau, education coordinator 

Reciprocal Partnership Award: Kathleen Palumbo, practicum lecturer in the Exceptional Education Department, and Renee Ratliff, volunteer coordinator with the College-Based Transition Program, recognized for connecting high school-age students with disabilities with EXE 245 college peers.

Early Career Faculty Award for Community Engagement: Therese Fuerst, lecturer of communication

Mid-Career Faculty Award for Community Engagement: Kathy Doody, associate professor of exceptional education

Leadership in Community Engagement: Joy Guarino, professor of theater and interim director of global engagement

Campus Compact Newman Civic Fellowship
2021 Fellow: Alia Williams, senior early childhood and childhood education major
2022 Fellow: Iaya Mohamed, junior health and wellness major
2022 Fellow Mentor: Sarah Stimpson, RDN, CDN, consultant dietitian with Evergreen Health Services

President’s Certificate of Recognition for Community Engagement 
Community Supporter - 200 Hours of Service: Jacob Fleuricot and Alexander Krest 
Neighborhood Advocate - 400 Hours of Service: Joana Leamon and Jeffrey Thomas
Active Citizen - 1,000 Hours of Service: Jacob Fleming Sr.

150th Anniversary Service Challenge Award
Students: Olivia Carr, Jacob Fleming Sr., Janate Ingram, and Lisa Michael
Faculty: Jane Cushman, chair and associate professor of mathematics, and Carlos R. A. Jones, associate dean of the School of Arts and Sciences
Staff: Johanna Burke, Tricia Herritt, Kristen Mruk, and Desiray Slaughter

Special Thank-You 
The Civic and Community Engagement Office extends its heartfelt gratitude to the members of this year’s Celebration of Community Engagement Awards Review Committee:
• Joy Guarino, professor of theater and interim director of global engagement
• Jeremy Morlock, director of the Kidney Foundation of Western New York
• Saharatu Munkaila, junior health and wellness major
• Desiray Slaughter, AmeriCorps VISTA, Civic and Community Engagement Office
• Alice Villaseńor, associate director, Civic and Community Engagement Office

We would also like to thank the 150th Anniversary Committee for funding the 150th Anniversary Service Challenge.

The Teacher Education Council (TEC) will meet Friday, May 13, from noon to 1:30 p.m. in person in the Grande Conference Room, Cleveland Hall 418. Please note the earlier start time. This will be our last meeting of the academic year. TEC representatives will receive an email with last month’s minutes and an agenda for review. All TEC representatives and Teacher Education Unit members are encouraged to attend. Meeting participation from non-members is also welcome.