The Daily Bulletin Archive

By Phyllis Camesano

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 April 24 at the Connecticut Street Armory.

Now in its 13th year, the 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 gala chairs and presenting sponsors are Louis P. Ciminelli, chairman and CEO of LPCiminelli Inc., and Howard A. Zemsky, vice chair of the Buffalo State College Council and managing partner of Niagara’s Finest Inns. BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York and M&T Bank are also presenting sponsors.

“This year, the spotlight is on the students who have received scholarships, and on Buffalo State, which is dedicated to providing an enriching learning experience for all students,” said Andrea Guiati, director of the All College Honors Program and SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor of modern and classical languages. “In these difficult economic times, scholarships are more important than ever to making a difference in the lives of our students and, ultimately, the future of our region and country.”

The All College Honors Program began in 1984 with just a few students. Scholarships provide much-needed financial support, in many cases allowing students to forgo or limit employment during the school year and devote more time to academic studies.

Festivities begin at 6:30 p.m. with a wine-paired reception, followed by a multicourse gourmet dinner, a live auction with Eric Monahan of Cash Realty & Auctions, and dancing to Crystal Blue.

Mylous A. Hairston, ’86, weekend news anchor for WIVB-TV Channel 4, will serve as master of ceremonies with Dennis K. Ponton, interim president of Buffalo State College, and Linda A. Dobmeier, ’71, chair of the Buffalo State College Foundation Board of Directors.

Tickets for the event are $200 per person. For more information, call Pamela Voyer, director of special events and protocol, at 878-3725.