The Daily Bulletin Archive

Each year, the Buffalo State College Foundation awards roughly 200 scholarships to deserving students in the rigorous All College Honors Program. The primary source of funding for these scholarships is the annual Foundation Scholarship Gala, to be held this year on Saturday, April 30, in the Connecticut Street Armory. More than $1.5 million in scholarship funds has been awarded through this event since it was first established in 1998.

Now in its 14th year, the scholarship gala has become a much-anticipated fundraising event, attracting more than 500 guests for an evening of dining, dancing, and student performances. This year’s co-chairs are alumnus Anthony J. Baynes, ’79, CEO of the A. J. Baynes Group, and Louis P. Ciminelli, chairman and CEO of LPCiminelli Inc. Presenting sponsors are LP Ciminelli, M&T Bank, and Niagara’s Finest Inns.

This year’s gala theme, “Because of Buffalo State,” reflects Buffalo State’s new brand platform. Festivities begin at 6:30 p.m. with a wine-paired reception, followed by a multicourse gourmet dinner at 7:30, a live auction with Eric Monahan of Cash Realty & Auctions, and dancing to Crystal Blue.

Tickets are $200 per person and may be purchased through New York State payroll deduction. Contact Louis Noce, annual fund officer, at (716) 878-3467 for payroll deduction authorization forms.

For more information about the 2011 Foundation Scholarship Gala, please contact Kathryn Neeson, special events and protocol, (716) 878-4895.