News and Events - All College Honors Program

Faculty and Staff Appeal 2013: Adza Beda

norrisma1 — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 17:16:56 +0000

Author:

Laurie Kaiser

Published Date:

April 24, 2013

Of all the colleges Adza Beda applied to, Buffalo State was the only one that provided full tuition coverage, thanks to a number of scholarships she received to pair with a federal Pell Grant. The Buffalo native and Muriel A. Howard Honors Program student received scholarships from the McNair Scholars Program, the Buffalo Federal Women’s Club, and the Statler Foundation.

“I’m so grateful” said Beda. “I will be able to finish college in four years with very little debt.”

The junior with the powerful smile is on target to graduate in spring 2014. At that time, she plans to attend graduate school and pursue a career in documentary filmmaking. She also hopes to write articles for National Geographic Magazine.

Beda arrived at Buffalo State in the summer of 2010 as a pre-freshman in the Hospitality and Tourism Department with dreams of becoming a chef. The staff at the Student Support Services Program helped her set goals for her college career, one of which was to earn a 4.0 grade point average, which she achieved her first two semesters.

After taking a wide range of courses, she changed majors several times before falling in love with documentary filmmaking through the Communication Department. And she is tenaciously ensuring she still graduates on time by taking at least five courses each semester. During some of those semesters, she also has held part-time jobs, such as an AmeriCorps position working with at-risk youth in a West Side community center.

While living at home with her family, Beda has still managed to stay involved on campus through the Intervarsity Christian Fellowship, and by participating in campus events such as karaoke nights and camping trips.

Beda described her time at Buffalo State as “a maturing process that has prepared me to move forward in life and graduate school.”

Without the scholarships, she knows she either wouldn’t have been able to attend college or it would have taken her much longer to complete her degree.

“I appreciate everyone who contributes to the scholarship funds,” she said. “They may not know it, but they make a difference.”

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April 25, 2013

Buffalo State Scholarship Gala Benefits Honors Students

norrisma1 — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 13:32:46 +0000

Author:

Laurie Kaiser

Published Date:

April 16, 2013

'All College Honors Program' to be Named 'Muriel A. Howard Honors Program'

Buffalo State’s 16th annual Foundation Scholarship Gala will be held on Saturday, April 20, at the Statler, 107 Delaware Avenue, in Buffalo.

Festivities begin at 6:00 p.m. with wine and food pairings by Premier Wine & Spirits, followed by a multicourse gourmet dinner at 7:00 p.m., dancing, and a live auction.

Proceeds from the gala provide scholarships to students enrolled in Buffalo State’s prestigious All College Honors Program. Established in 1984, the honors program currently enrolls more than 200 students who engage in special seminars; receive individual attention from dedicated, highly qualified faculty members; are rewarded with opportunities for applied internships, research, and awards; and have access to their own residence hall and lounge. The gala has helped to raise more than $3 million in scholarship funds for students in the honors program since the fundraiser began in 1998.

This year’s event will also mark the All College Honors program officially being named the Muriel A. Howard Honors Program to honor the former Buffalo State president’s more than 13 years of leadership at the college.

Howard, who currently serves as president of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) in Washington, D.C., will return to Buffalo to take part in the gala.

“Dr. Howard’s leadership, vision, and commitment founded on an unwavering dedication to Buffalo State students were pivotal in shaping the culture of excellence that exists today in all facets of the college,” said Buffalo State President Aaron Podolefsky. “It is with profound gratitude to Dr. Howard for her exemplary presidential tenure and for establishing a solid foundation for Buffalo State’s future that we name our hallmark educational program in her honor.”

As AASCU president, Howard is an advocate for public higher education at the national level, working to influence federal policy and regulations on behalf of member colleges and universities; serving as a resource to presidents and chancellors as they address state policy and emerging campus issues; and providing professional development opportunities for presidents, chancellors, and their spouses.

This year’s gala chairs are Benjamin M. Zuffranieri, Jr., ’80; Mary Ellen Zuffranieri, ’80; and Rock D. Doyle, ‘99. Presenting sponsors are BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York, Larkin Development Group, LP Ciminelli, and M&T Bank.

Tickets are $200 per person. For more information, please contact Kathryn Neeson at (716) 878-4895.

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Insertion Date for Daily Bulletin Feature:

April 17, 2013

Faculty and Staff Appeal 2013: Sarah Caputi

norrisma1 — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 14:49:51 +0000

Author:

Laurie Kaiser

Published Date:

March 13, 2013

Sarah Caputi, ’13, fell in love with philosophy during her first class at SUNY Buffalo State.

By her sophomore year, she discovered another major she wanted to combine with her philosophy studies–urban and regional planning. After graduation, Caputi plans to pursue a Ph.D. in philosophy, applied ethics, or political science.

“I love academics, so I think it would be great to continue on and become a professor,” said Caputi, who grew up in Amherst and graduated from Christian Central Academy. “I also feel driven to help people, and enjoy the idea of working on public policy issues.”

Caputi understands the need to help others partially because she has received help herself. Due to her high academic performance, Caputi received the Presidential and All College Honors scholarships. She also is a recipient of the Hazel G. Macartney, United University Professionals (UUP), and the George T. Hole scholarships. All of these funds receive contributions from the annual Faculty and Staff Appeal.

“These scholarships have made a huge difference,” said Caputi, who is covering her own college tuition.

Caputi has made excellent use of the opportunities afforded to her at Buffalo State. She participated in the Undergraduate Summer Research Fellowship where she explored the ethical implications of regionalism for Western New York as a general approach to planning. She also attended a graduate philosophy seminar last summer at the University of Colorado-Boulder, where she met well-known philosophers and studied epistemology.

Caputi noted that such experiences would not have been possible without the assistance of dedicated faulty members and generous donors.

To learn more about how you can contribute to the 2013 Faculty and Staff Appeal and make a difference in the lives of Buffalo State students, contact Louis Noce at (716) 878-3467. Download the complete list of funds.

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March 14, 2013

Grunebaum and Wife Create Trust for All College Honors

norrisma1 — Wed, 17 Oct 2012 19:45:08 +0000

Author:

Laurie Kaiser

Published Date:

October 17, 2012

James O. Grunebaum, Buffalo State professor emeritus of philosophy and humanities, and his wife, Penelope Prentice, are helping to attract a new generation of honor students to Buffalo State.

Grunebaum and Prentice established a $500,000 charitable remainder unitrust that will support students in Buffalo State’s All College Honors Program. They committed this generous gift during the silent phase of Transforming Lives: A Campaign for Buffalo State, a $20 million fundraising initiative the university is embarking upon over the next three years.

Available only by special admission, the All College Honors Program offers selected students seven identified honors classes, as well as honors credit through various disciplines. Currently, approximately 200 students are enrolled.

Grunebaum, who joined the Buffalo State faculty in 1971, directed the All College Honors Program from 1987 to 1999. He excelled in this position and earned the State University of New York Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Teaching in 1997. He retired in 2005.

"I loved teaching in the honors program," Grunebaum said. "The classes were small; the kids were bright and hard-working. It was just a delight."

Every year since he began directing the program, Grunebaum personally funded one student scholarship annually. Additionally, he, along with his mother, Helen, and his brother, Robert, demonstrated a deep commitment to the program by establishing the Grunebaum Family Scholarship Fund in 2002.

Grunebaum said he wanted to ensure the highly regarded program continues to recruit excellent students into the future.

"I've been involved with the All College Honors Program from the beginning," Grunebaum said. "It's important to Buffalo State to attract good students who might not come here without the extra incentives the program provides."

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October 18, 2012

Student Profile: Molly Jo Lundquist

norrisma1 — Wed, 11 Jul 2012 18:30:03 +0000

Published Date:

July 11, 2012

For some, the phrase “carpe diem” is merely a claim to Latin proficiency. For Molly Jo Lundquist, "seizing the day" has paid off—literally. In May, Lundquist received a $1,000 GEICO Achievement Award for her academic and extracurricular accomplishments at Buffalo State.

"Many of my business professors had mentioned the award in class, and I thought, 'Why not apply?'" Lundquist said. "There are a lot of opportunities for scholarships like this that students don’t always take advantage of."

Lundquist is a senior pursuing a dual major in public communication and business administration. She has a 3.92 GPA and is the co-president of the All College Honors Program Student Council. On campus, she has assisted with the annual Scholarship Gala, and participated in the 2011 Golf and Tennis Scholarship Classic. Off campus, Lundquist holds down a part-time job, teaches tennis for the Town of Tonawanda Parks and Recreation Department, and is very involved with her church.

Twenty-eight students in the Buffalo area applied for the award, submitting a resume, transcript, and personal essay. A committee of GEICO supervisors, managers, and human resources personnel reviewed the applications and selected Lundquist as one of four regional recipients.

"Molly has an outstanding GPA and many academic accolades," said Justine Ramsey, regional college recruiter for GEICO. "Her ability to manage leadership roles, school, and volunteer work show her dedication to learning and personal achievement."

Nearly every semester, Lundquist pushed herself to take 18 credit hours, including many service learning courses. She was also able to take classes she hadn’t pictured herself in, like jewelry making.

"I feel more than ready to enter the 'real world,' and I know there are people at Buffalo State eager to help me reach my goals." Lundquist said. She encourages her fellow students and incoming freshmen to take advantage of the opportunities at Buffalo State. "Fill out that application, go to the extra credit seminar, do a couple of hours of community service. You never know where it could take you."

Lundquist hopes to pursue a career in market research and eventually earn an MBA after graduating.

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July 12, 2012

Lecture Hall Named in Honor of Ethel Lockman Newman

norrisma1 — Mon, 02 Jul 2012 13:53:32 +0000

Author:

Laurie Kaiser

Published Date:

July 2, 2012

Ethel Lockman Newman graduated from Buffalo State (then called State Teachers College at Buffalo) in 1930 with a love for young children and a commitment to educating the next generation. She used her education to help her husband, Reginald B. Newman, build the NOCO Energy Corp., and to raise two sons and a daughter.

Her legacy continues at Buffalo State with the naming of the north lecture hall in the Bulger Communication Center as the Ethel Lockman Newman Lecture Hall, thanks to a $100,000 memorial gift from her son Reginald B. Newman II. The donation will endow two scholarships for All College Honors students majoring in education.

A naming ceremony, held on June 12 at the Bulger Communication Center, was attended by Reginald B. Newman II and his wife, Carol, as well as Buffalo State President Aaron Podolefsky, Provost Dennis Ponton, Vice President for Institutional Advancement Susanne Bair, members of the College Council, members of Buffalo State Foundation, and the deans of the university.

Prior to the unveiling of the memorial plaque bearing Ethel Newman’s name, Podolefsky and Bair expressed their deep appreciation to the Newman family.

“Ethel touched the lives of many students. And through this gift, she will touch future teachers and students,” Podolefsky said. “This is a transformative gift as it transforms the lives of young people.”

Andrea Guiati, All College Honors Program director, noted how quickly the program has grown over the past few decades to its current enrollment of 222 students.

“The program would not be in place without donors,” he said. “Thank you.”

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Student Profile: Travis Carlson

norrisma1 — Tue, 05 Jun 2012 17:44:14 +0000

Author:

Laurie Kaiser

Published Date:

June 5, 2012

Travis Carlson, a Buffalo State junior majoring in television and film arts (TFA) with a minor in writing, has landed a summer internship with Los Angeles-based film company OddLot Entertainment.

Known for its recent success with the critically acclaimed Drive, Rabbit Hole, and From Prada to Nada, OddLot is currently producing the independent film Ender’s Game that will be released next March.

Carlson will work in script development and office management while he writes his next independent project on the side, said Jeffrey Hirschberg, associate professor and director of the TFA program.

“Travis’ Hollywood internship is adding to TFA’s continuing tradition of its students obtaining highly competitive positions in the entertainment industry,” Hirschberg said.

Carlson, an All College Honors student and resident assistant, also co-founded the Silver Screen Association and is a member of Friday Night Live, the campus’s improvisation group. His 125-minute action film, The Codex, was one of 12 finalists in the student films category at the 2011 Buffalo Niagara Film Festival.

This is a busy time for Carlson, who just returned to the United States from the University of Virginia’s Semester at Sea program. While taking globalization-inspired college courses on the ship comprised of 650 students, Carlson sailed around the world, stopping and studying in 13 foreign countries. A documentary project of this journey is in the works.

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June 6, 2012

Commencement Profile: Devon A. Cozad

norrisma1 — Tue, 08 May 2012 15:01:50 +0000

Published Date:

May 8, 2012

Devon Cozad has earned a bachelor of arts degree in English, attaining a GPA of 3.85 while proving herself as a classroom leader with excellent analytical and writing skills.

Cozad will receive the SUNY Chancellor's Award for Student Excellence during the 10:00 a.m. baccalaureate ceremony at Buffalo State's 140th Commencement, Saturday, May 12, in the Sports Arena.

Cozad received numerous honors and scholarships, including the English Department’s Arthur L. Bradford Scholarship, which recognizes exemplary work in literary analysis. She also received the prestigious Presidential Scholarship, along with the All College Honors Scholarship and the Buffalo Federation of Women’s Clubs Scholarship.

In summer 2011, she worked with an English Department faculty member on a research project that examined the commodification of fairy tales and their role in popular culture. In class, she used persuasive arguments in analyzing the literature of Milton, Dostoyevsky, and others. Faculty members praised her outstanding performance on examinations, term papers, and class participation. Her work stood out for her impeccable attention to detail and insightful analysis.

Outside the classroom, Cozad helped her peers by serving as a tutor for three years in the English Department’s Writing Center. She also took many leadership positions on campus, serving on the All College Honors Council (ACHC), the Alpha Lambda Delta National Honor Society, Sigma Tau Delta, and the School of Arts and Humanities Dean’s Student Advisory Council. Through the ACHC, she became an ambassador to the Foundation Scholarship Gala, and she worked with other honors students to clean up neighborhoods and plant gardens during Extreme Makeover Home Edition Buffalo 2009.

As a volunteer with the Brighton Place Library and Community Resource Center, she founded and moderated the 39 Clues Book Club, a literacy group for children in grades three through five.

She also joined with independent artists across the online community of Etsy.com to collect funds for Oxfam America and the National Wildlife Federation, raising almost $10,000 toward cleanup efforts after the 2010 oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

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Scholarship Gala Raises More Than $285,000

norrisma1 — Mon, 07 May 2012 20:38:28 +0000

Published Date:

May 7, 2012

Buffalo State's 15th annual Foundation Scholarship Gala raised over $285,000 last weekend, benefiting 200 students in the All College Honors Program and making the gala the single most successful fundraiser in the institution’s history. The event was held Saturday, April 28, at the Statler and attended by more than 400 guests. One hundred percent of the net proceeds raised from the gala directly support student-scholars.

The gala was hosted by President Aaron Podolefsky and his wife, Ronnie, and co-chaired by Todd Brason, '85; Kimberley Brason; Paul Hojnacki, '84; and Mary Frances Hojnacki, '85, '05. The Larkin Development Group, LP Ciminelli, M&T Bank, and BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York were this year’s presenting sponsors.

Buffalo State extends a sincere thank-you to the Buffalo State College Foundation Inc., our All College Honors Program, musical groups from the School of Arts and Humanities, our hospitality and tourism students, the Public Relations Students Society of America, our faculty and staff, the gala committee, our alumni, friends, volunteers, and business partners for their generous support. Thank you for making this year’s gala the most successful to date!

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Insertion Date for Daily Bulletin Feature:

May 10, 2012