220 1149th COMMENCEMENT May 15, 2021 - Baccalaureate Ceremonies | Graduate School Ceremony

 
CONTINUE READING
220 1149th COMMENCEMENT May 15, 2021 - Baccalaureate Ceremonies | Graduate School Ceremony
2021
 149th COMMENCEMENT May 15, 2021
   Baccalaureate Ceremonies | Graduate School Ceremony
220 1149th COMMENCEMENT May 15, 2021 - Baccalaureate Ceremonies | Graduate School Ceremony
D. BRUCE AND GAIL JOHNSTONE
                                         COMMENCEMENT SUPPORT ENDOWMENT FUND
                                         Recognizing Global Diversity at Buffalo State College

                                                                      Buffalo State College embraces
                                                                      international diversity and welcomes
                                                                      students from many parts of the
                                                                      world. This ideal is supported by the
SUNY BUFFALO STATE COLLEGE                                            generosity of the D. Bruce and Gail
      1300 Elmwood Avenue                                             Johnstone Commencement Support
  Buffalo, New York 14222-1095                                        Endowment Fund.
       www.buffalostate.edu                 Dr. Johnston, with the support of his wife, Gail, served as
                                         president of Buffalo State from 1979 to 1988 and as chancellor
                                         of the State University of New York from 1988 to 1994.
                                         The Johnstones’ values emphasize global education as well
                                         as the importance of student diversity to enhanced learning.

 BUFFALO STATE ALMA MATER
        OUR FINEST HOUR
    A toast to State, to all the days,
     All the laughter, all the tears.
 You have made our friendships great,
   We’ll triumph through the years.
 With hope anew we’ll face the storm
Beyond which stands your lofty tower –
     That will be our finest hour.

  In years to come we’ll look to thee,
    Yearning for your guiding light.
    You’ll not fail us, Alma Mater,
      Keep us through the night.
When darkness comes and all hope dies,
 You will give us strength and power –
     That will be our finest hour.

          L. Harry Ray, ’51
220 1149th COMMENCEMENT May 15, 2021 - Baccalaureate Ceremonies | Graduate School Ceremony
WELCOME TO BUFFALO STATE COLLEGE’S 2021 COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES!

                  Congratulations to the Class of 2021! The completion of             My greatest wish is that each graduate finds personal happiness,
                  your degree is an important milestone in your academic              contributes positively to his or her community, and pursues a
                  career and marks the beginning of a new chapter in                  career doing what he or she loves.
                  your life.
                                                                                      Finally, I encourage every graduate to stay connected—in
                  Although pandemic restrictions prevent us from convening            person or online—with Buffalo State. You are a member of
                  in person, we are proud to honor the individual and collective      the Buffalo State alumni family and will forever be welcome
                  accomplishments of this year’s graduating class in a virtual        here. We know that the best is yet to come, so please keep us
                  celebration today. In the face of historic challenges, each         informed about the big and small accomplishments in your life.
                  member of the Class of 2021 has earned a degree from this           Roar on, Bengals!
                  great college through purpose and determination.

                  Of course, life’s greatest successes are often realized with the    Sincerely,
                  assistance of others. We take time to thank the family members
                  and friends who have helped encourage their sons, daughters,
                  husbands, wives, partners, and loved ones to earn a degree. Your
                  support is a vital part of the educational process. We also thank
                  our devoted Buffalo State faculty and staff, who play a pivotal     Katherine S. Conway-Turner, Ph.D.
                  role in preparing our students to reach their full potential.       President

CONFERRING OF DEGREES

                  Katherine S. Conway-Turner, Ph.D.
                  Katherine S. Conway-Turner, Ph.D., began her tenure as the          Before coming to Buffalo State, President Conway-Turner
                  ninth president of Buffalo State College on August 3, 2014.         was provost and vice president for academic affairs at Hood
                  As president of SUNY’s largest and only comprehensive college       College in Frederick, Maryland, from July 2010 until July
                  located in an urban setting, Dr. Conway-Turner oversees and         2014. From 2004 to 2009, she was provost and vice president
                  manages more than 1,500 faculty, staff, and administrators who      for academic affairs at SUNY Geneseo. She was the dean of
                  provide more than 200 academic degree and certificate programs      the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences at Georgia
                  to 8,500 undergraduate and 1,000 graduate students each year.       Southern University and associate dean of the College of Arts
                                                                                      and Sciences at the University of Delaware, where she also
                  President Conway-Turner’s vision for Buffalo State to               served as director of the women’s studies program and graduate
                  become “Buffalo’s College” through engagement, excellence,          program coordinator. She was an American Council on Education
                  and social responsibility has been embraced and is paying off       (ACE) fellow at the College of New Jersey, and she has held
                  in dividends for both the college and the community. The            teaching positions at Santa Clara University and California
                  college’s commitment to service has been recognized nationally      State University, Long Beach.
                  under President Conway-Turner’s leadership. In 2016, Buffalo
                  State was among five colleges and universities from across the      President Conway-Turner is married to Dr. Alvin L. Turner,
                  country chosen to share in the Washington Center’s annual           a psychologist licensed in New York and Delaware, who is
                  Higher Education Civic Engagement Awards. The college has           engaged in the independent practice of psychotherapy,
                  also earned the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of          supervision, training, and forensic psychological services.
                  Teaching’s Community Engagement Classification under                They have three adult daughters, and in 2016 they became
                  President Conway-Turner, as well as accolades from the              first-time grandparents.
                  President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll.

                  President Conway-Turner earned her Ph.D. and M.A. in
                  social psychology, and her B.A. in microbiology, all from the
                  University of Kansas.
220 1149th COMMENCEMENT May 15, 2021 - Baccalaureate Ceremonies | Graduate School Ceremony
BACCALAUREATE CEREMONIES

    OPENING ANNOUNCEMENTS                                                          SUNY HONORARY DOCTOR OF HUMANE LETTERS
    Drew J. Kahn                                                                   COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS
    SUNY Distinguished Service Professor, Theater                                  Joy Harjo
    Director, Anne Frank Project                                                   United States Poet Laureate

    NATIONAL ANTHEM                                                                DISTINGUISHED ALUMNUS AWARD
    Members of the Buffalo State College Chamber Choir                             Linda R. Appleby, ’80
                                                                                   Music Educator
    Victoria J. Furby, Director
    Chair and Associate Professor, Music                                           Michael J. Garner, ’83
                                                                                   Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer,
                                                                                   Metropolitan Transportation Authority, State of New York
    CHANCELLOR’S ADDRESS
    Jim Malatras
    Chancellor, State University of New York                                       YOUNG ALUMNUS ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
                                                                                   Raven P. Baxter, ’14, ’17
                                                                                   Science Educator and Molecular Biologist
    CONVENING • PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS
    Katherine S. Conway-Turner                                                     Nathan E. Mroz, ’16
    President, Buffalo State College                                               Owner and Founder of the BFLO Store

    “LIFT EVERY VOICE AND SING”                                                    PRESENTATION OF GRADUATES
4   Members of the Buffalo State College Chamber Choir                             James Mayrose
                                                                                   Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

    SUNY CHANCELLOR’S AWARD FOR STUDENT EXCELLENCE                                 School of Arts and Humanities Ceremony
    Kelly E. Glowny, Class of 2021                                                 Julian C. Cole
    Bachelor of Science, Childhood Education and Mathematics Education             Officer in Charge, School of Arts and Humanities

    Lila M. Rollo, Class of 2021                                                   School of Education Ceremony • Individualized Studies Ceremony
    Bachelor of Science, Social Work                                               Wendy A. Paterson, ’75, ’76
                                                                                   Dean, School of Education

    PRESIDENT’S MEDAL FOR OUTSTANDING UNDERGRADUATE                                School of Natural and Social Sciences Ceremony
    STUDENT BACCALAUREATE STUDENT ADDRESS                                          M. Scott Goodman
    Gabriella J. McKinley, Class of 2021                                           Officer in Charge, School of Natural and Social Sciences
    Bachelor of Arts, Theater
                                                                                   School of the Professions Ceremony
                                                                                   Rita M. Zientek, ’90
    PRESIDENT’S DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD                                        Interim Dean, School of the Professions
    Byron W. Brown, ’83
    Mayor, City of Buffalo, New York
    Lecturer, Political Science and Public Administration, Buffalo State College   CONFERRING OF DEGREES
                                                                                   Katherine S. Conway-Turner
    Ross B. Kenzie
    Former Chairman and CEO of Goldome Bank
    Buffalo State College Council Chair Emeritus                                   ALMA MATER • FINALE
                                                                                   Members of the Buffalo State College Chamber Choir
220 1149th COMMENCEMENT May 15, 2021 - Baccalaureate Ceremonies | Graduate School Ceremony
GRADUATE SCHOOL CEREMONY

OPENING ANNOUNCEMENTS                                                          SUNY HONORARY DOCTOR OF HUMANE LETTERS
Drew J. Kahn                                                                   COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS
SUNY Distinguished Service Professor, Theater                                  Joy Harjo
Director, Anne Frank Project                                                   United States Poet Laureate

NATIONAL ANTHEM                                                                DISTINGUISHED ALUMNUS AWARD
Members of the Buffalo State College Chamber Choir                             Linda Appleby, ’80
                                                                               Music Educator
Victoria J. Furby, Director
Chair and Associate Professor, Music                                           Michael J. Garner, ’83
                                                                               Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer,
                                                                               Metropolitan Transportation Authority, State of New York
CHANCELLOR’S ADDRESS
Jim Malatras
Chancellor, State University of New York                                       YOUNG ALUMNUS ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
                                                                               Raven P. Baxter, ’14, ’17
                                                                               Science Educator and Molecular Biologist
CONVENING • PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS
Katherine S. Conway-Turner                                                     Nathan E. Mroz, ’16
President, Buffalo State College                                               Owner and Founder of the BFLO Store

“LIFT EVERY VOICE AND SING”                                                    PRESENTATION OF GRADUATES
Members of the Buffalo State College Chamber Choir                             James Mayrose                                              5
                                                                               Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

SUNY CHANCELLOR’S AWARD FOR STUDENT EXCELLENCE                                 Kevin J. Miller, ’91
Matei Schwartz, Class of 2021                                                  Dean, Graduate School
Master of Science, Creativity and Change Leadership

                                                                               CONFERRING OF DEGREES
SUNY CHANCELLOR’S AWARD FOR STUDENT EXCELLENCE                                 Katherine S. Conway-Turner
SPECIAL AWARD: OVERCOMING THE ODDS
Victoire-Grace D. Karambizi, Class of 2021
Master of Arts, Biology
                                                                               ALMA MATER • FINALE
                                                                               Members of the Buffalo State College Chamber Choir
PRESIDENT’S MEDAL FOR OUTSTANDING GRADUATE STUDENT
GRADUATE STUDENT ADDRESS
I’Jaz J. Eberhardt, Class of 2021
Master of Science, Multidisciplinary Studies: Data Science and Analytics

PRESIDENT’S DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD
Byron W. Brown, ’83
Mayor, City of Buffalo, New York
Lecturer, Political Science and Public Administration, Buffalo State College

Ross B. Kenzie
Former Chairman and CEO of Goldome Bank
Buffalo State College Council Chair Emeritus
220 1149th COMMENCEMENT May 15, 2021 - Baccalaureate Ceremonies | Graduate School Ceremony
SUNY HONORARY DOCTOR OF HUMANE LETTERS
    COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS

                      Joy Harjo

                      Joy Harjo, the 23rd Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry to          her most recent, Wings of Night Sky, Wings of Morning Light
                      the United States Library of Congress, is serving her third        (Wesleyan Press), which she toured as a one-woman show.
                      consecutive term as U.S. poet laureate. She is the first Native
                      American to hold the position and only the second poet             She is the executive editor of the anthology When the Light
                      laureate ever to be appointed to an exceptional third term.        of the World Was Subdued, Our Songs Came Through: A Norton
                      (Two consecutive terms is considered the maximum length            Anthology of Native Nations Poetry and the editor of Living
                      of a poet laureate’s tenure.)                                      Nations, Living Words: An Anthology of First Peoples Poetry.
                                                                                         The latter is the companion anthology to her signature Poet
                      Born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Ms. Harjo is a member of the              Laureate project featuring a sampling of work by 47 Native
                      Muscogee (Creek) Nation (Mvskoke) and belongs to Hickory           Nations poets through an interactive ArcGIS StoryMap and
                      Ground (Oce Vpofv). She left home to attend high school at         a newly developed Library of Congress audio collection.
                      the innovative Institute of American Indian Arts, which was
                      then a Bureau of Indian Affairs school. She began writing          Ms. Harjo’s awards for poetry include the Poetry Foundation’s
                      poetry as a member of the University of New Mexico’s Native        Ruth Lilly Poetry Prize for lifetime achievement, the Academy
                      student organization, the Kiva Club, in response to Native         of American Poets’ Wallace Stevens Award, the New Mexico
                      empowerment movements. She went on to earn her M.F.A.              Governor’s Award for Excellence in the Arts, the PEN USA
                      at the Iowa Writers’ Workshop and to teach English, creative       Literary Award, the Lila Wallace-Reader’s Digest Writers’
                      writing, and American Indian studies at UCLA; the universities     Award, the Poets & Writers’ Jackson Poetry Prize, a Rasmuson
                      of New Mexico, Arizona, Arizona State, Illinois, Colorado,         United States Artist Fellowship, two National Endowment for
                      Hawaii, and Tennessee; and her alma mater, the Institute           the Arts fellowships, and a Guggenheim Fellowship.
                      of American Indian Arts, while performing music and poetry
                      nationally and internationally.                                    As a musician, Ms. Harjo performs with her saxophone
6                                                                                        and flutes, solo and with her band, the Arrow Dynamics
                      Ms. Harjo is the author of nine books of poetry, including         Band, and previously with Joy Harjo and Poetic Justice.
                      her most recent, the highly acclaimed An American Sunrise          She has produced seven award-winning albums, including
                      (2019), which won the 2020 Oklahoma Book Award; Conflict           Winding through the Milky Way, for which she was awarded
                      Resolution for Holy Beings (2015), which was shortlisted for the   a Native American Music Award (Nammy) for Best Female
                      Griffin Poetry Prize and named a Notable Book of the Year          Artist, and her newest album, I Pray for My Enemies. She has
                      by the American Library Association; and In Mad Love and           toured across the United States and in Europe, South America,
                      War (1990), which received the American Book Award and             India, Africa, and Canada.
                      the Delmore Schwartz Memorial Award. Her first memoir,
                      Crazy Brave, was awarded the PEN USA Literary Award in             In addition to serving as U.S. poet laureate, Ms. Harjo is a
                      Creative Nonfiction and the American Book Award, and               chancellor of the Academy of American Poets. She holds a
                      her second, Poet Warrior: A Call for Love and Justice, is          Tulsa Artist Fellowship; directs For Girls Becoming, an arts
                      forthcoming from W. W. Norton this fall.                           mentorship program for young Mvskoke women; and is a
                                                                                         founding board member and chair of the Native Arts and
                      She has published two award-winning children’s books, The          Cultures Foundation. She lives in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
                      Good Luck Cat and For a Girl Becoming; a collaboration with
                      photographer and astronomer Stephen Strom; an anthology of         Ms. Harjo’s Commencement address is made possible through
                      North American Native women’s writing; several screenplays         the generous support of Lee Ann Grace, Ph.D., associate professor
                      and collections of prose interviews; and three plays, including    emerita of modern and classical languages.
PRESIDENT’S DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD

                   Byron W. Brown, Class of 1983

                   The Honorable Byron Brown is serving his fourth consecutive            $900 million Solar City/Tesla Project at Riverbend, creating
                   term as the 62nd mayor of Buffalo, New York, the second-               employment opportunities for up to 3,000 people. Tesla has
                   largest city in New York State.                                        partnered with Panasonic to operate the solar panel facility,
                                                                                          the largest of its kind in the Western Hemisphere.
                   Since taking office in 2006, Mayor Brown has put in place
                   a bold set of strategic plans that have resulted in high-profile
                   economic development projects and job growth in the region.            Mayor Brown also guided the sale of a city-owned parking
                   Throughout his tenure, Mayor Brown has championed Buffalo’s            lot for the purposes of development, which has since been
                   remarkable revival. The city has experienced significant progress      transformed into the Buffalo Sabres organization’s popular
                   under his leadership, resulting in nearly $6.5 billion in new          $200 million HarborCenter.
                   economic development activity that is expected to create over
                   12,000 new jobs.                                                       Mayor Brown’s career in public service is marked by many
                                                                                          historic achievements. A lifetime member of the NAACP, he
                   Major initiatives include the $100 million Northland Corridor          is the first African American to serve as mayor of Buffalo.
                   Redevelopment Project, which is transforming an idle industrial        As a founding member of the “Racial Equity Roundtable,”
                   site on the city’s East Side into a state-of-the-art workforce         he continues his vision for a thriving, healthy, and innovative
                   training center, combined with new business operations. The            Buffalo—a city that embraces inclusiveness, equity, and
                   project will also enhance the neighborhood’s streetscape, creating     opportunity for all.
                   an attractive, walkable, bikeable corridor with inviting greenspace.
                                                                                          He has won dozens of awards for his public service, including
                   Mayor Brown’s administration also spearheaded the creation             national recognition for his role in Say Yes Buffalo and breaking
                   of the Beverly Gray Business Exchange Center, on East Utica            new ground in community policing.
                   Street, infusing $2.3 million in city funds into the former library                                                                        7

                   to create a one-stop center to assist minority- and women-             Mayor Brown is one of the 13 members of Governor Andrew
                   owned businesses.                                                      Cuomo’s New York Works Task Force. He also serves on the
                                                                                          governor’s Regional Economic Development Council. He was
                   With the city-led remediation and sale of land along South             named one of 2015’s most influential people in Western New
                   Park Avenue, 88 acres that were once home to a Republic                York by Buffalo Business First.
                   Steel manufacturing facility have been rehabilitated as the
PRESIDENT’S DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD

                       Ross B. Kenzie

                       Ross Kenzie is a former chairman and chief executive officer of    State and the business community. He is an emeritus director
                       Goldome Bank, from which he retired in 1989. He is also the        of the Buffalo State College Foundation Board of Directors and
                       former director of the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York          a past member of its Finance and Investment committees. He
                       and served on the boards of the National Council of Savings        also serves on the council of the Burchfield Penney Art Center
                       Institutions, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s Buffalo       and on its Executive Committee.
                       Branch, and the Savings Banks Association of New York State.
                       Before joining Goldome, the 1953 West Point graduate was           Mr. Kenzie established the Ross B. Kenzie Family Presidential
                       executive vice president of Merrill Lynch and Co. and a            Scholarship at Buffalo State College in 1998 to foster and
                       member of the Merrill Lynch & Co. board of directors.              recognize the academic achievement, leadership development,
                                                                                          and community service of underrepresented minority students.
                       The son of a physician, Mr. Kenzie has long been active in
                       hospital affairs. He is a director of Millard Fillmore Hospitals   Mr. Kenzie serves on the boards of several companies,
                       and chairman emeritus; serves on the board of the Kaleida          including many entrepreneurial ventures that are privately
                       Health, Education, and Research Foundation and its Investment      held. The Greater Buffalo Chamber of Commerce named
                       Committee; is a director of the Health Systems Agency of           Mr. Kenzie Western New Yorker of the Year in 1985. He was
                       Western New York; and is a member of the Western New York          named 1987 Business Executive of the Year by the Canisius
                       Commission on Health Care Reform.                                  College School of Business Administration, and he received a
                                                                                          Citation Award from the National Conference of Christians
                       Mr. Kenzie has built a remarkable legacy as an advocate for        and Jews. Additionally, the Greater Niagara Frontier Council
                       Buffalo State College and the State University of New York.        of Boy Scouts of America chose him to receive the Distinguished
8                      Having served as a gubernatorial appointee to the Buffalo          Citizen Award for 1988. He received an honorary doctorate
                       State College Council for 19 years—as chairman from 1982           from the State University of New York at Buffalo State
                       to 1998—he worked to develop strong links between Buffalo          College’s Commencement ceremonies in 2002.
DISTINGUISHED ALUMNUS AWARD

                  Linda R. Appleby, Class of 1980

                  Linda Appleby has taught music and has served as the musical       of Les Misérables, which won a Kenny Award for best musical
                  director for countless theatrical shows, both professionally and   in Western New York. She has served as a minister of music for
                  for school districts throughout the area, over her 40-plus-year    area churches and is currently music minister for SS Columba-
                  career. She has taught at numerous schools, including Buffalo’s    Brigid Church in Buffalo. She serves on the board of directors
                  Frederick Law Olmsted 56, City Honors, and South Park High         for Ujima Theater and as secretary for the historic Colored
                  School. Students under her direction have enjoyed a wide and       Musicians Club.
                  varied list of accomplishments, including performances at
                  Kleinhans Music Hall, Rockwell Hall, and Shea’s Theater; in        Ms. Appleby received a bachelor of arts in music education
                  three professional Broadway shows; and for Buffalo Mayor           from Rosary Hill College in 1974, with a concentration in
                  Anthony Masiello’s inauguration and heads of state in Albany.      classical piano performance, and a master’s degree in student
                                                                                     personnel administration from Buffalo State College in
                  Ms. Appleby has been an adjunct instructor of music at Villa       1980. She also accumulated over 30 hours beyond her
                  Maria College since 2011 and was the director of the citywide      master’s in various courses offered throughout the city,
                  Buffalo Select Chorus for six years, which brought together        with a concentration in special education, advanced teaching
                  over 30 students representing various high schools throughout      practices, and psychology.
                  the city. The chorus was accompanied by some of Buffalo’s
                  finest musicians, including Joseph Wooten of the Steve Miller      In 2008, Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown presented Ms. Appleby
                  Band. She also curated the Artist in Residence Program that        with an Executive Chamber Proclamation for services rendered
                  serviced over 40 public and charter schools in Buffalo from        to the children of Buffalo. She is also the 2009 recipient of the
                  2009 to 2014.                                                      National Federation of Just Communities Community Leader
                                                                                     Award in the Arts. She was inducted into the Buffalo Music
                  Before the pandemic, she worked as music director for the          Hall of Fame in 2015.
                  Buffalo Academy for Visual and Performing Arts production

DISTINGUISHED ALUMNUS AWARD                                                                                                                              9

                  Michael J. Garner, Class of 1983

                  Michael Garner, chief diversity and inclusion officer for the      New York State and City certified MWDBEs and MTA
                  New York State Metropolitan Transportation Authority, is a         certified DBEs.
                  champion of the diversity market, making it his personal and
                  professional mission to create a more diverse business industry    He and his team have designed and implemented workforce
                  by empowering minority-owned and women-owned businesses            strategies that have increased ethnic minority and women hires
                  throughout the state.                                              by 20 percent, which has further diversified the MTA’s 70,000­
                                                                                     plus employee workforce.
                  Since joining the MTA in 2009, Mr. Garner has designed the
                  country’s leading business development program for minority,       Mr. Garner is an active member of the Canaan Baptist Church
                  women-owned, and disadvantaged business enterprises (MWDBE)        in Harlem. He is the immediate past president and former
                  based on dollars paid. Overall, through the MTA’s programs,        chairman of the board of the founding chapter of One Hundred
                  New York State certified MWDBEs have been awarded more             Black Men of New York City, an organization that provides
                  than $6.5 billion.                                                 scholarship, mentorship, and inspiration to hundreds of youths
                                                                                     in the New York City area.
                  As the architect of the MTA’s Small Business Mentoring
                  Program, Mr. Garner has transformed the largest transportation     A frequent speaker on effective MWDBE programs across the
                  system in North America with a results-driven construction         nation, he has served on Governor Andrew Cuomo’s MWBE
                  mentoring program. The program continues to break barriers         Team, Mayor Bill DeBlasio’s MWBE Advisory Committee, NYC
                  for NYS certified MWDBEs that otherwise would not have             Comptroller Scott Stringer’s MWBE Advisory Council, and former
                  contract opportunities in the transportation industry. To date,    Governor David Paterson’s Small Business Advisory Council.
                  under Mr. Garner’s direction, the MTA’s Small Business
                  Mentoring Program has awarded 451 contracts totaling               Mr. Garner often serves as an adviser to public agencies and the
                  $486 million to program participants.                              private sector. He is a former treasurer of the New York/New
                                                                                     Jersey Minority Supplier Development Council and has served
                  Before joining the MTA, Mr. Garner held positions at the New       on the boards of Harlem Hospital and USA Rugby. In addi­
                  York City Housing Authority and the New York City School           tion, Mr. Garner advises numerous U.S. cities and states on
                  Construction Authority. Over the course of his tenures there       their minority business development and inclusion programs,
                  and at the MTA, Mr. Garner and his teams have been responsible     including the City of Buffalo, the City of Chicago, the Chicago
                  for more than $13 billion in contracts and payments made to        Transit Authority (CTA), and the State of New Jersey.
YOUNG ALUMNUS ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

                      Raven P. Baxter, Class of 2014 and 2017

                      Raven “the Science Maven” Baxter is an award-winning,              As the founder and lead organizer of Black in Science
                      internationally acclaimed science educator and molecular           Communication, a group that works to build relationships in
                      biologist who works to advance science culture by creating         the science community, she equips others with the knowledge
                      spaces for learning that are inclusive, educational, and           and resources necessary to share science with the world in their
                      accessible. As an entertainer and content creator known for        own way. She also owns and operates Smarty Pants, a clothing
                      her unique style of combining science and music to teach and       company that sells whimsical and stylish STEM-themed
                      empower those in the STEM disciplines and beyond, she uses         apparel and accessories, while donating a portion of its sales
                      innovation in science education as a catalyst for social change.   to scholarships for STEM students.

                      Ms. Baxter is the founder of Science Haven, an organization        Ms. Baxter has quickly developed a reputation as a strong voice
                      that operates at the intersection of science, education, and the   in the science community. She has been recognized as a global
                      public sphere. Science Haven houses STEMbassy, a live web          influencer in several publications, including Fortune magazine’s
                      series that connects the public with science and technology        40 Under 40 list for 2020. A recipient of the prestigious Arthur
                      professionals. She has reached more than 4 million viewers with    A. Schomburg Fellowship, she will complete her doctorate in
                      over 200,000 followers, sharing best practices in science and      science education at the University at Buffalo in May 2021,
                      education. Through her viral hit rap song “Wipe It Down,”          receiving the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence
                      she has been instrumental in educating the community about         in honor of her public service.
                      myths and facts related to COVID-19.

10

     YOUNG ALUMNUS ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

                      Nathan E. Mroz, Class of 2016

                      Nathan Mroz, owner and founder of the BFLO Store and               uniqueness of Buffalo Niagara through his photography,
                      BFLO Event Center, graduated from Buffalo State College            artistry, and vision.
                      with a bachelor of science in urban and regional planning.
                      Already a successful entrepreneur in high school, he launched a    At Buffalo State, Mr. Mroz published his senior thesis on the
                      photography business, Buffalo Scenic Prints, in 2007, selling      redevelopment of the Eastern Hills Mall, and in 2019, took
                      his work online and to local gift shops. Upon graduation in        control of the site’s former Sears department store. He then
                      2012, he opened a stand-alone kiosk in the Eastern Hills Mall,     embarked on a multimillion-dollar redevelopment project of
                      where he sold his award-winning photos of the Buffalo Niagara      the 154,000-square-foot building, creating the BFLO District,
                      region. By 2015, his business had expanded to a brick-and­         a “lifestyle center” housing his flagship BFLO Store and BFLO
                      mortar enterprise, the BFLO Store at Eastern Hills Mall.           Event Center, a high-end salon, décor retailer, bakery café, bar,
                                                                                         restaurant, and soon-to-be state-of-the-art fitness center.
                      Since then, the BFLO Store has grown to become the largest
                      locally themed retailer in Western New York, specializing in       Mr. Mroz was awarded the Community Beautification
                      designer apparel, home décor, gifts, and more. By 2020, Mr.        Excellence Award from the Clarence Chamber of Commerce
                      Mroz had stores in the Eastern Hills Mall, the McKinley Mall,      in 2019, and was named the chamber’s Young Entrepreneur
                      the Boulevard Mall, Walden Galleria, and Canalside Buffalo.        of the Year in 2020. He also received the Key Bank Sponsor’s
                      In 2019, he fulfilled a lifelong dream when he signed with         Award from the Amherst Chamber of Commerce in 2019 and
                      Kim and Terry Pegula, principal owners of the Buffalo Bills,       was included on the Business First 30 Under 30 list in 2021.
                      to become the team’s official retailer. Mr. Mroz is committed      He is a member of the Clarence Chamber of Commerce board
                      to Western New York and to promoting the beauty and                of directors.
BACCALAUREATE STUDENT ADDRESS
PRESIDENT’S MEDAL FOR OUTSTANDING UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT

                  Gabriella J. McKinley

                  Gabriella McKinley has earned a bachelor of arts in theater,          acting roles in productions at Buffalo State and professional
                  attaining a 3.95 GPA while participating in the rigorous              theaters in the Buffalo area. She thrilled audiences on campus as
                  Dean’s Honors Program and minoring in legal studies.                  Shug Avery in The Color Purple and Emilia in Othello and earned
                  Eminently talented, she aspires to use theater and storytelling       praise for professional roles at the Kavinoky Theater and Torn
                  for justice and to lift up at-risk youth and the formerly             Space Theater.
                  incarcerated through the art of theater.
                                                                                        She was selected for a highly competitive Hamilton company
                  Ms. McKinley’s leadership in and beyond the department is             management internship at Shea’s Theater in Buffalo, working
                  inspiring to her peers, the organizations she is involved with, and   alongside the company manager to conduct daily office activities,
                  the faculty and staff with whom she works. She has not only met       plan future trips, and organize documents. She served as treasurer
                  the expectations of the department but has also helped redefine       for Casting Hall Productions, Buffalo State’s student-operated
                  them, going beyond her own needs to advance the prospects of          theater production company, and is a volunteer and intern with
                  peers and future Buffalo State College students. As an Honors         the Anne Frank Project. She has been inducted into Alpha Psi
                  Program ambassador and a member of the Bengal Experience              Omega, the national theater honor society, and Alpha Lambda
                  and Transition (BEAT) Team, she provides mentorship and               Delta, the honor society recognizing academic excellence among
                  introduces others to opportunities for personal growth.               first-year students.

                  Ms. McKinley has completed academic work in dramaturgy,               In her hometown community of Staten Island, New York,
                  company management, administration, and drama-based education.        Ms. McKinley has volunteered her talents as a youth liaison and
                  Her independent capstone project focused on designing four            theatrical coordinator for the Institute for the Development of
                  lesson plans based on her coursework, performances, internships,      Adolescents and Teenagers, an organization she built with her
                  and leadership. On stage, she has earned lead and supporting          mother to create programming and advocate the needs of youth.

                                                                                                                                                              11

GRADUATE STUDENT ADDRESS
PRESIDENT’S MEDAL FOR OUTSTANDING GRADUATE STUDENT

                  I’Jaz J. Eberhardt

                  I’Jaz Eberhardt has earned a master of science in multidisciplinary   populations if users of all abilities and levels of expertise in
                  studies (data science and analytics track), attaining a 3.73 GPA      technology are not considered.
                  in a discipline that varies greatly from her prior academic and
                  professional experiences in journalism. A former weekend              As part of the Data Strategy and Governance course, Ms.
                  anchor at WBFO-FM, Ms. Eberhardt currently works as                   Eberhardt helped develop a data governance plan for Buffalo
                  a multimedia journalist and video producer for Spectrum               State College that was presented to the administration for
                  in Buffalo.                                                           consideration. During a summer internship with the Civic
                                                                                        and Community Engagement Office, she collected and
                  Throughout her collegiate career, Ms. Eberhardt has incorporated      analyzed data relating to the college’s anchor mission and
                  key values outlined in Buffalo State College’s mission statement      how the Career Development Center has helped women-
                  into her personal, academic, and professional endeavors. As an        and minority-owned businesses.
                  active undergraduate student leader, she received the SUNY
                  Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence in 2019.                    Committed to improving her campus and community,
                                                                                        Ms. Eberhardt helped develop student and faculty handbooks
                  As a graduate student, she has excelled in applying academic          for the multidisciplinary studies program in her role as a SUNY
                  research to real-world situations. While working in a professional    graduate diversity fellow. As a graduate assistant in the Marketing
                  lab in developing an application for Amherst Senior Transportation    and Communications Office, she wrote numerous news stories,
                  Services, she has been doing extensive research into user interface   coordinated media campaigns, and contributed to the college’s
                  and user experience (UI/UX) design considerations for senior          social media platforms. She has also conducted independent
                  citizens. Learning how to integrate inclusive and accessible          reporting on local social justice movements to provide individuals
                  designs and technologies has allowed her to develop a better          of diverse backgrounds with a way to share their perspectives on
                  understanding of how the digital age can marginalize specific         important topics.
SUNY CHANCELLOR’S AWARD FOR STUDENT EXCELLENCE

                       Kelly E. Glowny

                       Kelly Glowny has earned a bachelor of science in childhood            This led to subsequent research on opportunities and access
                       education with a mathematics extension, attaining a 3.97 GPA          local children have for play.
                       while participating in the rigorous Muriel A. Howard Honors
                       Program.                                                              She cofounded and serves as president of the Future Teachers
                                                                                             Club at Buffalo State College, a student-led group that provides
                       An aspiring mathematics teacher, Ms. Glowny is an active and          networking, professional development, volunteer, and leadership
                       engaged student leader. She continually pursues opportunities         opportunities. She has participated in the International Professional
                       to build her skills, participate in new experiences, and contribute   Development Schools (IPDS) programs in Chile and Italy and
                       to her community. Her insatiable curiosity and passion about          shared her experiences as an IPDS student ambassador. She became
                       both science and the art of teaching and her joy in engaging          a face of the program, attending all events and assisting with
                       with colleagues and children is evident every day.                    programming. In addition, she is a fellow in Sophia’s Legacy, the
                                                                                             social justice fellowship of the college’s Anne Frank Project.
                       Ms. Glowny has conducted numerous research projects that
                       she has presented on campus, locally, and nationally. The first,      The recipient of numerous merit-based scholarships, she has
                       supported by an Undergraduate Summer Research Fellowship,             also earned an Undergraduate Travel Award, an Early Under­
                       examined access to opportunity for students across Western            graduate Research Opportunity, and an Undergraduate Small
                       New York. She presented her findings at the Student Research          Grant Award. She has been inducted into Kappa Delta Pi, an
                       and Creativity Conference, the Professional Development               international honor society in education, and has participated
                       Schools (PDS) annual conference, and the National Association         in numerous service-learning experiences that benefited the
                       for Professional Development Schools (NAPDS) conference.              community.

12

     SUNY CHANCELLOR’S AWARD FOR STUDENT
     EXCELLENCE SPECIAL AWARD: OVERCOMING THE ODDS

                       Victoire-Grace D. Karambizi

                       Victoire-Grace Karambizi has earned a master of arts in biology,      An intellectually mature student, Ms. Karambizi leads by example.
                       attaining a 4.0 GPA while serving as a model student in terms of      She learned scientific techniques in a resoundingly short time and
                       academic standing, community service, and leadership experience.      is meticulous and painstaking in her work. Her final reports and
                       She has overcome tremendous obstacles—fleeing violence in             scientific writing were much admired by her mentors in the
                       Rwanda, growing up in refugee camps, and resettling in Buffalo        Biology and Chemistry departments.
                       as a first-generation immigrant.
                                                                                             A SUNY graduate diversity fellow and a recipient of a SUNY
                       Ms. Karambizi has participated in numerous research opportunities     Summer Research Incentive, Ms. Karambizi aspires to be a
                       at the college and has been successful in synthesizing a series of    psychiatrist. She plans to work with those who have been affected
                       new peptidomimetics, small synthetic molecular chains designed        by the tragedies of violent conflict, such as refugees, active soldiers,
                       to mimic natural proteins. As a student researcher in the Roswell     and veterans.
                       Park Comprehensive Cancer Center’s Pathology Department,
                       she is testing the efficacy of these compounds in heart cells         Outside the classroom, Ms. Karambizi is a board member,
                       alongside professional scientists.                                    blogger, mentor, and analyst with Femmes d’Espérance, an
                                                                                             international nonprofit organization dedicated to celebrating,
                       With a B.A. in chemistry and an M.S. in medicinal chemistry,          empowering, and promoting women, specifically racial
                       she served as a senior research aide in the Buffalo State College     minorities. In addition, she is very active in church activities
                       Chemistry Department. She shows her compassion and shares             and has worked as a caregiver and care coordinator for Touching
                       her knowledge as a chemistry tutor and mentor for fellow              Hearts at Home and Catholic Charities, and as president of the
                       students, and she has guided three undergraduate students in          Buffalo Immigrant Leadership Team.
                       completing research projects. She has a deep interest in making
                       public education more accessible and equitable for English
                       language learners, which she herself once was.
SUNY CHANCELLOR’S AWARD FOR STUDENT EXCELLENCE

                  Lila M. Rollo

                  Lila Rollo has earned a bachelor of science in social work,           community. Her field practicum with Catholic Charities
                  attaining a 3.95 GPA while having worked in her chosen field          Domestic Violence Program for Men is one example of her
                  as the integration program coordinator at the International           ability to offer support and connect with diverse populations.
                  Institute of Buffalo. Her department has been recognized
                  as a best practice site for affiliate resettlement programs.          On campus, she helped start a study group for Arabic-speaking
                                                                                        students to offer general peer support, interpretation, and skill
                  Ms. Rollo combines her academic acumen, community                     development. She also traveled to Rwanda with the college’s
                  involvement, and strength of character in pursuit of a                Anne Frank Project and was a presenter at the 2019 AFP
                  greater good beyond personal recognition. Academically,               Social Justice Festival.
                  she demonstrates excellent oral and written communication
                  skills, outstanding analytical abilities, and continual growth        Ms. Rollo works with refugee and immigrant families affected
                  in knowledge and application of social work theories on               by poverty, mental health issues, homelessness, and special
                  the micro, mezzo, and macro levels. Despite her many                  needs. Recently, she assisted in the creation of policies and
                  accomplishments, she remains humble in her interactions               case management procedures for the Center for Refugee and
                  with peers, sharing her time and skills without pretense.             Immigrant Services Inc., a nonprofit group dedicated to serving
                                                                                        the East African immigrant community. She also teaches English
                  Ms. Rollo has a passion for macro and political social work,          and civics to elderly immigrants to help prepare them for the
                  including police reform, anti-racism efforts, and refugee             citizenship test. Her accomplishments were recognized with
                  resettlement. She applies this passion to her coursework              the prestigious 30 Under 30 Award from Buffalo Business First
                  and actively engages in local and state-level movements               in 2000.
                  and initiatives to bring about substantive change in her

                                                                                                                                                               13

SUNY CHANCELLOR’S AWARD FOR STUDENT EXCELLENCE

                  Matei Schwartz

                  Matei Schwartz has earned a master of science in creativity and       Mr. Schwartz has also served as a graduate assistant in the
                  change leadership, attaining a 4.0 GPA, as a Romanian citizen         Creativity and Change Leadership Department and as a project
                  who paused the professional life he had started to relocate to        lead in the department’s marketing and rebranding initiative.
                  Western New York to fully immerse himself in his studies.             He guided the faculty through a branding process that resulted
                  He has endured through the pandemic, making significant               in a new name for the department, a new name for the master’s
                  contributions to the college.                                         degree, and completely new content for its website. His presence,
                                                                                        preparation, and leadership as a graduate assistant were critical in
                  Noted for his intellectual ability, leadership, and community         securing a $100,000 planned gift in support of a new Innovation
                  service, Mr. Schwartz is highly motivated and committed to            Suite in E. H. Butler Library.
                  excellence. He has excelled at serving the international community,
                  including representing Europe on the World Creativity and             Mr. Schwartz is applying his research to numerous professional
                  Innovation Day and Week global advisory board.                        and volunteer consulting opportunities in Romania. He has
                                                                                        served as a presidential campaign consultant for candidate
                  Widely read and with an impressive breadth of knowledge, Mr.          Theodor Paleologu, project lead for a new Center for Creativity
                  Schwartz is a key driver of class discussions and an inspiration to   and Innovation and annual creativity conference in Romania,
                  his peers. He is able to use his experience to make theories and      brand and innovation consultant for the accounting firm RSM
                  research findings more relevant for others. He has concentrated       Romania, and workshop facilitator for a creative thinking event
                  his academic research on the intersection of branding, leadership,    for Romanian schoolchildren.
                  and creativity and is partnering with a faculty mentor to produce
                  a scholarly paper on the topic for publication.
The President’s Medal      2021 PRESIDENT’S MEDAL FOR OUTSTANDING
                                UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT FINALISTS
     is the highest honor
                                Emily E. Barger               Cassandra L. Lewandowski
     the college awards to      Kelly E. Glowny               Khalil A. Malcolm
                                Julie M. Klein                Sheana S. Ramcharan
     its graduating students.   Julianna O. M. Kraft          Lila M. Rollo

     It recognizes excellence

     and distinction
                                2021 PRESIDENT’S MEDAL FOR OUTSTANDING                   2021 award information is listed at
     in scholarship, service    GRADUATE STUDENT FINALISTS                               https://commencement.buffalostate.edu/
                                                                                         current-student-awards.

     to the college and         Emily N. Hannel               Katlyn M. Keane
                                Victoire-Grace D. Karambizi   Matei Schwartz
     community, and

     overall achievement.

14
2021 CANDIDATES FOR BACCALAUREATE DEGREES              Kent S. Botia                     Zoe C. Matheis
                                                       Deasia Bowlay-Williams            Jenna M. Maul **
                                                       Tylor N. Broady                   Madeline M. McDaniel
                                                       Shae N. Brockington               Jelisa I. McNeil
                                                       Jackson L. Brookens-Coleman       Miguel A. Mercado *
SCHOOL OF ARTS AND         Krystina S. Kagan ** †      Steffan A. Brown                  Angelina R. Miconi
HUMANITIES                 Katelyn T. Kardaman ***     Aria A. Bruce                     Scott J. Miller
                           Jennifer A. Kiener          Conrad F. Burgos                  Julia N. Moore
                           Ryan M. Kirkpatrick         Alexandria D. Burns
BACHELOR OF ARTS                                                                         Gabrielle A. Morganti
                           Arionne Liburd              Brett M. Chodkowski               Andy Noel
AUGUST 2020                Nancy Lynam                 Hope G. Choolokian                Giuliana L. Nojaim
Hailey Andrews             Reece Markidis *            Rashida K. Chowdhury              Jamin Odoi
Hanna S. Cipriani          Gabriella J. McKinley ***   Faith M. Christian                Jen-Alyn L. O’Harra
Thomas W. Corsi            Andrew E. McLaughlin ***    Alison Cleary ***                 Arash Omari
Zachary A. Davis           Patrick T. Miklinski        Andrea L. Comer                   Samantha L. Pangborn
Kristina M. DiBlasio       Emily A. Miller *           Elizabeth J. Croop **             Hannah Parrino *
Elisha Guess               Joseph Morganti             Liberty S. Darr ***               Joseph C. Pasquantino
Tyra E. Hartman            Grant G. Morrison           Jefferson Davilmar                Alexander D. Polite
Senyah Hayanes             Ariel A. Neitch             Keiry D. Defrank †                Anthony C. Puglisi
Dasha Hicks                Julia R. Pacer ***
                                                       Bridget L. Degan                  Kiana N. Queen
Keniesha Lawson            Rashim M. Peterson
                                                       Brendan Delbert                   Yenessa L. Rodriguez
William H. Ludlum *        Brandon Phan
                                                       Aaron C. Diaz                     Karla Rowe
Julien L. Melloni          Deanna Pluas
                                                       Kiera J. Durning                  Mason L. Russo
Amari K. Moreno            Amanda I. Porretto
                                                       Odion H. O. Ejemai                Yayemama Sane
Maria-Lourdes D. Perna     Meghan L. Putman
                                                       Zion A. Ferrell                   Shania Santiago
Milica Petrovic            Szenina G. Russo **
                                                       Michael A. Ferris                 Joseph A. Savastano
Roshea N. Robinson         Nadhia A. Seaton
                                                       Ana L. Fortiche                   Jonathan S. Schultz
Shelaih S. Rojas           Kalil Shavers *
                                                       Michaela L. Frazier               Abrianna R. Schwab
Jeremiah Sanders           Alyssa M. Smolinski ***
                                                       Devonne Fromm                     Mikel Scott
Liam D. Slater             Kerry L. Streams
                                                       Noah Fyffe                        Anthony Sodaro
Jordan Small               Miranda J. Thompson *
                                                       Salvatore Giangreco-Marotta ***   Elliot R. Spitzer *
Michael E. Smith           Tajai K. Ward
                                                       Kaelon T. Givens                  Rifa Tasfia
Johnna N. Solan            Asis Ware
                                                       Monique Godfrey                   Joshua W. Thermidor
Bruce R. Turley            Amber L. Witzleben                                                                      15
                                                       Corey R. Gorski ***               Peter J. Tipton *
Alexandria M. Wahler ***                               Alexis M. Graham                  Kala H. Tirado
Alia M. Williams           JANUARY 2021                Sariah A. Grant                   Louis P. Tomani
                           James C. Aquilina           Malik D. Gray                     Terra J. Tonellato
DECEMBER 2020              Jeremy J. Boczar            Kaitlynn M. Grevell               Halena L. Torres
Alexis A. Abramo ***       Louis A. Fiorello           Sydney R. Haen                    Matthew L. Tytka
Elise M. Addeo             Jacob A. Fries              William C. Hance                  Tyler M. Valley
Osazuwa Agbontaen          Ondrea Glover               Kaia J. Harraway                  Dale R. Wesolowski
Emily E. Barger ***        Naomi L. Guemes             Teddi J. Hastreiter ***           Dianndra Z. Williams
Ashley H. Black            Kyle J. Hahn                Phalyn J. Hayward                 Sara K. Zimmer ***
Jake A. Broffman           Kenneth J. Kelly            Lizette Hernandez
Carmen M. Brown            Genesis Laboy *             Grace K. Hoffmann *
Madeline T. Brown *** †    Sanam M. Sheth              Zachary J. Holland
Jordan E. Buziak           Conner W. Wilson            Marcus Hopkins                    BACHELOR OF FINE ARTS
Emily E. Church                                        Ryan J. Huard                     AUGUST 2020
Tracy N. Clark *           MAY 2021                    Angelina Hunt                     Alexis L. Hinkley-Maier
Michael R. Clayback        Lebanon Alibadi             Johnny A. Jackson
Caitlyn Conibear           Madeline S. Amoamah         Tyler Jackson                     DECEMBER 2020
Ryan Cronin **             Ayanna S. Anderson **       Harold O. Jacob                   Madeline T. Brown *** †
Michael A. DiMarco         Aja M. Anzalone             Destini T. James                  Bryce E. R. Elder
Ayden Dumansky *           Abigail Aquino              Maurice A. Johnson                Krystina S. Kagan ** †
Mariah J. Faulkner *       Evan J. Atkins              Assata Y. Johnson-Williams        Makayla L. Prusinowski
Cameron K. Frank           Nigel Autry                 Malik T. Jones                    Robert Rivera
Jaila Y. Giles             Hannah Bachwitz             Julia Kavanagh
                                                                                         Caspar M. Snyder
Jhana S. Gonzales          Gabriel A. Balogun          Peter J. Kazmierczak *
                                                                                         Matthew H. Stroka **
Rosemary Gonzalez          Stephan J. Barr             Ryleigh N. Kenyon
Amber C. Greer             Quiana N. Bell              Andrew S. Knollman
Justin M. Grzechowiak *    Florentina Berns            Ashley R. Lamp                    JANUARY 2021
Charles Hanifin            Tiye Betaudier              Emily A. Lewis *** †              Andy Pagan
Latricia H. Henry          Shelby Betterton            Essence T. Lewis
Sean A. Henry              Zachary C. Boebel           Alexander J. Maconaghy *          MAY 2021
Jasmine C. Huntley         Ivyon Bonsu                 Matthew D. Mansell                Jennifer G. Alvarez
Zachary F. Jones           Dinette D. Boomer           Magdalene Manuel ***              Natalie Anthone
2021 CANDIDATES FOR BACCALAUREATE DEGREES                  Leah J. McMullen *             Kira L. Herkey ***
                                                                Gracie F. McNamara **          Rutha Htoo ***
                                                                Lauren A. Niedbalski ***       Jacob D. Jaroszewski
                                                                Miranda L. Nuwer *             Anita D. Jones
                                                                Dylah M. Pantlin *             Brandi L. Kaczmarek ***
     Jacob P. Blackowski        MAY 2021
                                                                Shelby N. Pasquale **          Monica R. Kenney ***
     Conner Chadderdon          Emma E. Andrews *
                                                                Samantha M. Pellicano *        Rachel Kibler *
     Jaclyn A. Chuchanis *      Julia A. Cobernus                                              Ashlee N. Landahl
                                                                Michael Podgorny ***
     Lisa Contin                Matthew J. Ferrara *            Emma A. Pukalo                 Erik R. Lipa *
     Lauren R. Cox ***          Danae B. Floyd                  Jessica E. Schurr *            Renae C. Marten ***
     Samantha D. De Leon        Kassidy B. Knight               Jennifer M. Seguin *           Alliyah McCallum
     Natalia Dier               Megan E. McCuen                 Lorraine Sierra                Kalie R. McPhail *
     Tyler E. Dietrich *        Andrew J. Peek **               Briony Siler                   Umaya Mehbub ***
     Kevin Dong                 Amy L. Walter ***               Amber L. Terhart *             Dinelle A. Miller
     Clarimar Galarza ***                                       Zhane M. Thomas                Kelsi Mohn **
     Emily J. Gammel                                            Meagen M. Trimper-Oquendo **   Jamalia A. Morrison
     Anahbelle M. Gregg *                                       Mary G. Valle **               Kayla G. Neumann ***
     Jennifer N. Hanson *** †   SCHOOL OF EDUCATION
                                                                Nicholas P. Warchocki ***      Destiny L. Noel
     Jenna B. Huntington                                        Katherine A. Wilkins **        Rohan S. Ottman ***
     Johnathan E. Kegler        BACHELOR OF SCIENCE             Lauren E. Wills *              Antanasia A. Parker
     Daniel J. Kowalewski *                                     Michelle M. Woodward ***       Julia M. Pickering **
                                AUGUST 2020                                                    Marie-Anne C. Pierresaint
     Heather L. Krahel *
     Brooke Latour *            Felicia M. Glogoza                                             Connor N. Pignatora **
                                                                JANUARY 2021
     Madeline J. McDonnell      Delshawn A. Wray                                               Kacey Quinn
                                                                Marc D. Adams ***
     Madeline T. McIntyre **                                                                   Ashena S. Rankine
     Laurie C. McMurray **      DECEMBER 2020                                                  Lauren C. Riley ***
                                Marjana Arefin **               MAY 2021
     Sabina H. Mogavero ***                                                                    Sarah Saleh ***
                                Lizbeth Aristega *              Brandon S. Adkins *            Angela Sarro **
     Brian C. Moore *                                           Rumana Akter
     Rosa Moseman               Nah-Jay Ashman                                                 Samantha M. Schultz
                                Brittany B. Blake               Shelbymarie Amos *             Traci L. Schutt **
     Elizabeth T. Ogorek                                        Alexis R. Andres **
     Caroline G. O’Neil ***     Ajani A. Bolden                                                Cassandra J. Shores
                                Kevin M. Bovanizer              Elizabeth C. Baldwin           Andrew C. Sisson ***
     Nicole M. Ovak                                             Bryan P. Barker **
     Sabrina R. Parsons *       Alexia Bowden *                                                Amanda Steiger ***
16                              Denia Boyd                      Keyona K. Bellony **           Madison K. Stercula ***
     Alain Pierre-Lys **                                        Emily E. Bonner ***
     Cassidy Reddien            Madison M. Boyle                                               Daniel C. Valvo ***
                                                                Hanna L. Bowen **              Grace O. Vogel ***
     Gabrielle J. Russo         Amanda F. Breier
                                                                Keven Cabrera                  Allissa L. Wery *
     Miranda R. Schiller **     Lindsey S. Brzozowski ***
                                                                Megan J. Carlsen               Nynasia C. Williams
     Stephen J. Shackelford *   Mariel C. Buchtman
                                                                Jami L. Colca                  Allison C. Wright **
     Sandra M. Stahl *          Kimberly G. Buehlmann
                                                                Catherine Coppola              Shanieka Wright
     John A. Steiner **         Olivia P. Bursee ***            Leah R. Covell **
                                Kyla S. Campanella ***                                         Alayah Wynne
     Caitlin E. Waldron                                         Nakyra C. Cueto **             Kara A. Zamerski **
     Anna M. Wilson *           Christina M. Catalano **        Melissa R. Danielewicz *
                                Leigha M. Chmielewski           Joyce A. Daniels *
                                Pamela L. Choolokian            Samira Debiew
                                Maria F. Chvala ***             Claire J. Diebold ***          BACHELOR OF SCIENCE
     BACHELOR OF MUSIC          Morgan A. Cicero                Emily C. DiMayo                IN EDUCATION
     MAY 2021                   Natalie M. Corbine              Sarah M. Doran
                                Kaitlin M. Costich **                                          AUGUST 2020
     Kirsten N. Brady ***                                       Madison T. Duchnik
                                Stephanie S. Cross                                             Autumn B. Jenks
     Elsie M. Herold **                                         Ana Paola Duda
     Ariana O. Jones            Julia A. Dinoto **              Ana Patricia Duda
                                Courtney Dobson                 Kaylee Dumas                   DECEMBER 2020
     Amanda L. Ruiz **
                                Eucharia L. Ezeoyili            Adele M. Eagan                 Megan E. Buseck **
     Katherine T. Santoro *                                                                    Rebekah A. Emerling *
     Melissa M. Stanley **      Rachel S. Finucane **           Devin A. Eick ***
                                Kaitlyn M. Gaik                 Hannah T. Faltisko ***         Kelly L. Gandt *
     Sydney L. Williams ***                                                                    Jesse E. Govola-Geritz **
                                Rachel M. Glica ***             Samantha A. Ferington ***
                                Gabriella R. Gugliuzza          Ndayishimiye Florence          Maura K. Gribbins **
                                Samiyah I. Hemphill             Maya C. Fox ***                Yocasta I. Mencia
     BACHELOR OF SCIENCE        Shanay Hodge                    Anchorr Gabbidon               Emily S. Orth
                                Tha Dah Htoo                    Taylor N. Giannantonio *       Kyla Pecora **
     DECEMBER 2020
                                Sydney P. Keane ***             Karly A. Glowny **
     Christina Aguilera
                                Holly Krupski ***               Kelly E. Glowny ***            MAY 2021
     Michelle J. Mitri                                                                         Tricia L. Andres ***
                                Jessica T. Leach ***            Maya L. Gooding ***
     Lindsey C. Supparits ***   Victoria A. Lewis *             Taylor A. Gould                Ashley R. Bohne ***
                                Alexis B. Lilly ***             Samantha L. Grabski            Hannah G. Gleason ***
     JANUARY 2021               Cameron A. Lora                 Breezy Greenert                Andrew J. Heppner
     Daniel S. Schleyer         Stephanie M. Marin Castro ***   Chelsea L. Heins               Alex M. Kostek **
2021 CANDIDATES FOR BACCALAUREATE DEGREES                        Mikayla T. Austin           Hannah E. Kalmeyer **
                                                                 Sherlanda Bacchus           Caitlin Kennerly
                                                                 Kaylah E. Baez              Janae B. Kimble
                                                                 Brianna Bailey ***          Daniel King
                                                                 Jonathan W. Baker           Courtney A. Kulp
Samantha L. Kurdziel *        Walaa M. Kadhum                    Genna R. Baldassarre *      Carter Lazarus *
Taylor M. Leden *             Jesse S. Kane                      Antonina Berezowska         Mylene M. Lede
Madison E. O’Brien **         Roman A. Kern *                    Zachary R. Biasillo         Nicholas L. Lee
Kayla J. Peacock **           Jennifer Kiely                     Kailen T. Bittner **        Cassandra L. Lewandowski ***
Lara M. Reece **              David Kling                        Marah R. Blaser             Amelia R. Liuzzi ***
                              Emily C. Kraus ***                 Alexandra Bone *            Kevin Lumadue
                              Jade E. LaRock                     Milanya J. Boykin           Khalil A. Malcolm **
                              Julianna M. Lashomb **             Denaya D. Brown             Alexa C. Mallare
SCHOOL OF NATURAL AND         Dasean Leacock
SOCIAL SCIENCES
                                                                 Staniquea Brown *           Faith Martell
                              Jayde A. Lucas *                   Madisson T. Bryan           Zachary T. Matecki
                              Ruth A. Luzak ***                  Daniela Camejo Periut       Jordain McLean
                              Dylan J. Malough                   Deandre L. Campbell         Kylie L. McMahon
BACHELOR OF ARTS              Christian Matthewson               Rebecca R. Carr             Alexander J. Mieth
AUGUST 2020                   Javier A. Mejia
Kofi M. Brown                                                    Angelina M. Castro          Shytimber J. Mitchum
                              Sabeena A. Morgan                                              Abubakar Mohamed
Mariam Cisse                                                     Makenzie J. Cervo ***
                              Classic Cotton Nesbitt                                         Isabella Moo
Ray S. Davis                                                     Jessica L. Cherman
                              Jarred J. O’Connor                                             Keith E. Mosley
D’Asia R. Fleming                                                Tania L. Cordero ***
                              Marelys Ortiz                                                  Kailyn Muschaweck ** †
                                                                 Kelvin I. Darby
Megan E. Greene **            Alonah K. Otto
                                                                 Iyanna D. Davis             Samuel Nah
Maimuna Hassan                Jordan Paige
                                                                 Jordan F. De Leon           Britanna A. Nelson
Erickson J. Kiza              Craig J. Perno
                                                                 Aissatou Diallo             Timothy P. Nowicki
Villemarie K. Mumanga         Zachary A. Ralls
                                                                 Gaelle A. Dominique         David M. Odojewski
Stephanie Obeng-Adjei         Shona M. Ramos
                                                                 Lawrence F. Durski †        Kelli E. O’Donnell
Olivia H. Pucciarelli         Taniesh A. Redman                                              Dwayne L. Parchment
                                                                 Berkens Eltime
Zain A. Sayeed                Michelle Riccio
                                                                 Jacob T. Engler             Nahida Parveen
Jasmine J. Scott              Kalina A. Rice **
                                                                 Megan E. Evers              Shenese K. Patterson
Tiara Smiley                  Brianna L. Saylor
                                                                 Brooke C. Federko           Eric Pease
Angela M. Ullman              Senovia S. Simpson
                                                                 Jonathan M. Fehrer          Brian M. Pembleton ***
Julie E. Wilson               Miranda Smith                                                                                 17
                                                                 William D. Fowler **        Emma R. Peters
Gracelyn Yeboah               Erin Stoklosa **
                                                                 Daeyana N. Francis          Princess A. Phillips
                              Jonah M. Wager *
                                                                 Jordan Frasier              Jessica A. Piotrowski *
DECEMBER 2020                 Hailey Whitney †
                                                                 Margelys M. Garcia          Coltrane J. Plaia
Delilah L. Abraham ***        Isabella S. Wilklow
                                                                 Kaylee Gawel                Elizabeth M. Rakowski ***
Dominic E. Abraham            Brianna C. Williams
                                                                 Sarenity Gibbs †            Murjani O. Ramazani
Sadai Adams                   Mohamud M. Yakub
                                                                 Christen L. Giles           Sheana Ramcharan *** †
Angel O. Agyen                                                   Shannon N. Gilmartin        Michelle Ramgoolam
Hasna Akhter *                JANUARY 2021                       Maia E. Gioeli              Michael T. Ratner
Nneoma Anyaso ***             Nshimirimana Emmanuel              Kyle R. Glenn *             Tionne R. Roberts
Micah H. Bascombe             Abdilghani Hussein                 Susmita Gorsai              Aaron Robinson
Jason Belous                  Angel S. Kuilan                    Erica Green                 Gaelle I. Ruiz
Sue M. Benn                   Andreas Queen                      Zoe A. Greenberg            Viviana A. Ruiz
Alexis M. Booker              Taylor L. Romanyk-O’Brien          Emily E. Groh               Peter A. Salamone *
Ryan S. Buley                 Shelby V. Stone                    Kyle J. Gruber              Sarp G. Samanci **
Zekun Chen                    Elloheim K. Tucker                 Courtney A. Hannon          Alicia M. Santana
Courtnee T. Dabney                                               Gerald C. Harlach           Justine C. Saunders
Renee M. Doermer              MAY 2021                           Jessica N. K. Harle-Mould   Loretta A. Saunders
Niagien Drake                 Siti Khadijah B. Abdul Salam ***   Ariann R. Harold            Colleen Schroeck ***
Patrick A. Driscoll           Martin B. Acevedo †                Kaniya C. Hines             Tatiana N. Seaborn
Anneliese Eason               O’Brianne S. Adams                 Hannah N. Hoebener ***      Eilise M. Shaw ***
Erica J. Falci                Elizabeth Adu-Boahen               Emmitt J. Horvatits **      Georgia Shaw
Nicole M. Flanagan-Morreale   Dionn R. Aguayo                    Lou Bowa Hue                Nicole M. Speight-Hanchard
Denaia D. Flanders            Tahmima Aktar                      Joy Hunter                  Belle Stewart
Maleek S. Grant               Zayneb A. Algawani                 Dajuan D. Jackson           Peter J. Stillman
Kathleen A. Gray              Ahmed L. Alibadi                   Taijanah D. Jackson         Sheila Szymczak
Davon Harris                  Jeffrey Allen                      Maya J. Jacob               Phyllis A. Thompson
Alisa N. Hawkes               Nabaa A. Altekreeti                Josephine E. Jacobs         Holima M. Trye
Brooke K. Heltman             Abeer S. Alwaisi                   Jonathan Jakuminiak         Alysa T. Urbanczyk
Brooke M. Herrington          Osama Al Wazeer                    Deanna K. James             Terrance J. Vail *
Dyllon Hrynczak **            Enazim J. Amuzu                    Ryan S. Jasinski            Jacob Valley
Tracey L. Johnson             J. Z. Andruszko                    Judith A. Javier            Paulina Vargas ***
Erica G. Jordan               Talia K. Atkinson †                Shania K. Jean-Pierre       Caitlyn Vishion
2021 CANDIDATES FOR BACCALAUREATE DEGREES                Jarrod D. Merkel ***        Kevin M. Cully
                                                              Mgaza D. Mgaza              Alyssa C. Daniels
                                                              Taylor M. Morris ***        Mark A. Depasquale **
                                                              Julie A. Munoz              Rafael A. Dip
                                                              Kelly L. Myers              Daniel D. Edmister
     James A. Walkowiak            Laci M. Timmel             George Narby                Abigail R. Evans
     Rafael A. Ward                Benjamin A. Touma          Jessica E. Nowak            Mark L. Fleming
     Dakota S. Weaver *            Hailey Whitney †           Kristoff Oliphant           Michael J. Gambino ***
     Abigail C. Webb ***           Nalyja S. Wolfe            Sophia C. Osmond ***        Nabin Ghimirey
     Dominique White                                          Logan P. O’Sullivan         Preston Gifford *
     Corinne Willett               JANUARY 2021                                           Derrek T. Greene
                                                              Jessica A. Perez
     Rennel I. Williams *          Anthony L. Capizzi ***                                 Rheanne Harrell
                                                              Lucia Perez
     Sylvia A. Wilson              Arnell R. Deslandes                                    John C. Helfer
                                                              Trevon Pitts
     Nathan Windnagle *            Lauren R. Madden                                       Kaylah J. Herbert
                                                              Kimmarie Pond
     Abram R. Wopperer-Thompson    Ousmane Ndiaye                                         Tammara Hinds
                                                              Mahmuda Rahman ***
     Jasmen Wright                 Dylan M. Putnam                                        Madison S. Huntington
                                                              Sheana Ramcharan *** †
     Musa Yakub                    Dylan A. Roberts                                       Chinyere A. Irrechukwu
                                                              Tearrah C. Ramsey
     Melique C. Young                                                                     Courtney C. Johnson **
                                                              Matthew Rayburg ***
     Connor A. Zak                                                                        Meaghan E. Johnson
                                   MAY 2021                   Bryan T. Pearson Reese
     Amanda M. Zebrun                                                                     Daniil I. Kaplan
                                   Robleh Ali Abdulla         Jamie R. Roper
     Alexie Zeigler                                                                       Adeline B. Kijsiravej **
                                   Martin B. Acevedo †        Matthew J. Roselle *
                                   Nicolo Alagna              Nicholas Ruth ***           Nicholas M. Kotowski
                                   Justine M. Andrews **      Alexandria Santiago         Takia F. Lampley
     BACHELOR OF SCIENCE           Erin E. Baker              Julia E. Santos             Jayme K. Lema
                                   Taryn L. Barber            Michele L. Schultz ***      Faith L. Mann
     AUGUST 2020                                              Rachel E. Shafer *          Lavesha E. Martin
                                   Hdar A. Basam
     Arminey M. Ellison                                       Dejanera A. Sharp           Alexandra R. Mayes
                                   Carja’Ne C. Benjamin
     Sareta Giles                                             Angela Y. Singh             Dudley Miceus
                                   Carli N. Bogue
     Victoria T. Jerez                                        Desiray S. Slaughter        Omar A. Mohamed
                                   Samantha M. Brick
     Carly N. Kritz ***                                       Kelly Steurrys              Kareem A. Nathaniel
                                   Troy C. Button ***
     Kirlanda Lewis                Melissa A. Camp ***        Michaela C. Sugg *          Ta’Nira C. Newton
     Corinne M. McCrossan          Michael D. Capestrani *    Sumiya Tamannur *           Colin F. O’Keefe
     Carly Repka                   Dakotah M. Caughill ***    Endidi Telesford            Arianne Ortiz
18   Shakena S. Soman              Courtney Jo Cavarello      Ronald K. Thomas            Aung Paing
     Brandon J. Wolfe              Aurora J. Coleman          Eh Tler                     Sydney Peck **
                                   Zachary A. Collins **      Ornelie Toussaint           Jeral Perez
     DECEMBER 2020                 Jenna E. Cully             David G. Violanti           Kathryn G. Plummer **
     Lindsey L. Adams              Damen S. Currie ***        Brieann Voss                Jordan Rende
     Fahim Amin                    Sarah C. D’Amico *         Laurence C. Walker          Katicia J. Sakona
     Tamanna Begum                 Rolgens S. Dextra          Lauren Washington           Aurgho Sarker
     Hunter B. Bogdan              Melissa F. Divirgilio *    Marcus Webb                 Joshua J. Schaner
     Sarah E. Bonafede *           Christopher Dolina         Gillian P. Worrall **       Melissa R. Scinta
     Marissa L. Brzyski ***        Fanta Doukoure             Maggie K. Zaifert **        Rachel M. Valkwitch
     Michael G. Brzyski            Aklimia Esa **                                         Kevin Vaval
     Jake Bucciferro ***           Cristian S. Escamilla                                  Thomas M. Vullo
     Kevin M. Bush                 Justin G. Glose                                        Savannah L. Waczkowski
     Santino S. Cafarella          Tanisha Gonzalez           SCHOOL OF THE               Jaclyn A. Wakeley
     Margaret E. Chatham *         Erinanne Gueli             PROFESSIONS                 Melinda M. Whalen
     Ikenna A. Chukwuma            Fartuna Habtezion                                      Carra Wilson
     Robert G. Colon               Jennifer N. Hanson *** †                               Alexander Wonnamoe
                                                              BACHELOR OF SCIENCE
     Michael J. Feintuch-Marrero   Jamie L. Hargreaves
     Evan J. Glover                Tiffany A. Howe **         AUGUST 2020                 DECEMBER 2020
     Kerome Grant                  Riley Jamieson             Parmila Adhikari            Andrew N. Adamson
     Avery R. Green                Dylan S. Jarrold           Christopher Adjin           Clare E. Ahne *
     Kevin M. Harper               Dawn A. Jones              Sabbir Ahmed                Edmund O. Akoto
     Rajay Johnson                 Benjamin T. Kraemer        Mohammed A. Alzuwayyid **   Miriam S. Albaneh
     Calista M. LeGault            Genevieve B. Kraft ***     Nicholas Amponsah           Jerome M. Allen
     Christopher Leggio            Lauren A. Krug **          Ashley Augstell             Bandar Almutairi
     Gretchen R. Mann              Emily A. Lewis *** †       Mohamed Bah                 Kevin N. Ameyaw
     Shane M. McKnight             Yuli Liang **              Michael Balon               Reggie N. Appiah
     Aaron R. Peekstok             Desteny S. Maitland        Emari R. Campbell           Deja T. Banks
     Nakeedah L. Perry             Calla Marris *             Stephanie C. Carnegie       Alexander P. Bantle
     Kelsey B. Sargent *           David H. Martin            Christian Castillo          Mahogany Barker
     Danielle C. Sentz *           Kari Mauro                 Corinne B. Charbonneau      Garrett P. Bartella
     Netochi B. Tabansi            Laurence O. McClary        Latrell V. Coddett          Taylor J. Bielsky
     William Taber                 Bruna McPherson            McKenna S. Croll            Bobbie S. Bishop-Laster
You can also read