Closeup of students in their caps and gowns at commecement

Buffalo State University Commencement: May 18, 2024

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Buffalo State University will confer degrees on nearly 1,700 undergraduate and graduate students during its 152nd annual Commencement celebration on Saturday, May 18, 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 2024 will be honored at the 1:00 p.m. ceremony with the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence in recognition of their academic and extracurricular achievements, leadership, and service: Uttam Lakshmi Mounika Goruganthu, Seth G. Rueger, and Catherine J. Sarich.

Shenese K. Patterson, recipient of the President’s Medal for Outstanding Graduate Student, will deliver the student address at the 9:00 a.m. ceremony; Zoe E. Goñez, recipient of the President’s Medal for Outstanding Undergraduate Student, will deliver the student address at the 1:00 p.m. ceremony; and Leslie M. Lawrence will deliver the student address at the 5:00 p.m. ceremony.

Anne Constantino, ’80, CEO of Telos Consulting Group LLC, will receive the Buffalo State Distinguished Alumnus Award and deliver the Commencement address at the 9:00 a.m. ceremony; Sheila Rayam, ’90, executive editor of the Buffalo News, will receive the Buffalo State Distinguished Alumnus Award and deliver the Commencement address at the 1:00 p.m. ceremony; and Darren J. Brown-Hall, ’96, ’98, superintendent of the Williamsville Central School District, 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 Charlene M. Fontana, SSJ, ’04, retired assistant to the director of student life at Buffalo State University (9:00 a.m.); Cindy Abbott Letro, community leader, volunteer, philanthropist, and former chair of the Burchfield Penney Art Center (1:00 p.m.); and Sharon M. Belton-Cottman, president of the Buffalo Board of Education (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 2024 Details

Saturday, May 18, 2024  |   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
Bachelor’s Class of 2024: August 2023 graduates, December 2023 graduates, January 2024 graduates, May 2024 graduates, and August 2024 degree candidates. Includes bachelor’s degrees. Does not include undergraduate certificates.

Graduate Class of 2024: August 2023 graduates, December 2023 graduates, January 2024 graduates, May 2024 graduates, and August 2024 degree candidates. Includes master’s degrees, certificates of advanced study, and graduate certificates. Does not include postbaccalaureate programs.

More Information
For more information, please visit the Commencement website.

  • Directions, maps, and visitor parking
  • Links to livestream and video archive
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