Buffalo State University celebrates 153rd Commencement

Nearly 1,700 undergraduate and graduate students crossed the stage this weekend during Buffalo State University’s 153rd annual Commencement celebration on Saturday, May 17.

Degree candidates were honored at three ceremonies: School of the Professions at 9:00 a.m., School of Arts and Sciences at 1:00 p.m., and School of Education and Individualized and Multidisciplinary Studies at 5:00 p.m.

Class of 2025 graduates Imran Fazal, Lorinda M. John, and Sophie Tversky were honored at the 9:00 a.m. ceremony with the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence in recognition of their academic and extracurricular achievements, leadership, and service. Fazal delivered the student address at the 9:00 a.m. ceremony.

Mathea G. Riley, recipient of the President’s Medal for Outstanding Graduate Student, delivered the student address at the 1:00 p.m. ceremony and Kirby R. Briggs, recipient of the President’s Medal for Outstanding Undergraduate Student, delivered the student address at the 5:00 p.m. ceremony.

Each ceremony’s keynote speaker also received the Buffalo State Distinguished Alumnus Award:

Del Reid, ’04, founder of 26 Shirts and the Bills Mafia movement, 9:00 a.m. ceremony

Morgan Hardy, ’03, chief executive officer of Leadership Buffalo, 1:00 p.m. ceremony

Karen Saxon, ’03, music educator, 5:00 p.m. ceremony.

In addition, the President’s Distinguished Service Award was presented to Russell J. Salvatore, hospitality business owner and philanthropist (9:00 a.m.); Dion Dawkins, member of the Buffalo Bills and community leader (1:00 p.m.); and Tonja M. Williams Knight, superintendent of the Buffalo Public Schools (5:00 p.m.)

Congratulations to the Class of 2025 and all award recipients!

Photos by Jesse Steffan-Colucci, Buffalo State photographer.