Buffalo State University Commencement: May 17, 2025
Buffalo State University will confer degrees on nearly 1,700 undergraduate and graduate students during its 153rd Commencement celebration on Saturday, May 17, in the campus Sports Arena.
Degree candidates will be honored at three ceremonies:
- 9:00 a.m. (School of the Professions)
- 1:00 p.m. (School of Arts and Sciences)
- 5:00 p.m. (School of Education and Individualized and Multidisciplinary Studies)
The following graduates of the Class of 2025 will be 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: Imran Fazal, Lorinda M. John, and Sophie Tversky. Fazal will deliver the student address at the 9:00 a.m. ceremony.
Mathea G. Riley, recipient of the President’s Medal for Outstanding Undergraduate Student, will deliver the student address at the 1:00 p.m. ceremony; Kirby R. Briggs, recipient of the President’s Medal for Outstanding Graduate Student will deliver the student address at the 5:00 p.m. ceremony.
Del Reid, ’04, founder of 26 Shirts and co-founder of Bills Mafia, will receive the Buffalo State Distinguished Alumnus Award and deliver the commencement address at the 9:00 a.m. ceremony; Morgan Hardy, ’03, chief executive officer of Leadership Buffalo, will receive the Buffalo State Distinguished Alumnus Award and deliver the commencement address at the 1:00 p.m. ceremony; and Karen Saxon, ’03, music educator, will receive the Buffalo State Distinguished Alumnus Award and deliver the commencement address at the 5:00 p.m. ceremony.
In addition, the President’s Distinguished Service Award will be 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.)
Faculty and staff members are encouraged to celebrate the accomplishments of our graduates and join them in this special day by marching in the academic procession or by serving as a volunteer. Marchers and volunteer ushers are still needed for the 9:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., and 5:00 p.m. ceremonies. Please register online.
Commencement 2025 Details
Saturday, May 17, 2025 | Sports Arena
- 9:00 a.m. (School of the Professions)
- 1:00 p.m. (School of Arts and Sciences)
- 5:00 p.m. (School of Education and Individualized and Multidisciplinary Studies)
Celebrating
Undergraduate Class of 2025: August 2024 graduates, December 2024 graduates, January 2025 graduates, May 2025 graduates, and August 2025 degree candidates. Includes bachelor’s degrees. Does not include undergraduate certificates.
Graduate Class of 2025: August 2024 graduates, December 2024 graduates, January 2025 graduates, May 2025 graduates, and August 2025 degree candidates. Includes master’s degrees, certificates of advanced study, and graduate certificates. Does not include post-baccalaureate programs.
More Information
For more information, please visit the Commencement website.
Photo by Jesse Steffan-Colucci, Buffalo State photographer.
